Comparing the deactivation behaviour of Co/CNT and Co/γ-Al2O3 nano catalysts in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

An extensive study of Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis on cobalt nano particles supported on γ-alumina and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) catalysts is reported.20 wt% of cobalt is loaded on the supports by impregnation method.The deactivation of the two catalysts was studied at 220 C,2 MPa and 2.7 L/h feed flow rate using a fixed bed micro-reactor.The calcined fresh and used catalysts were characterized extensively and different sources of catalyst deactivation were identified.Formation of cobalt-support mixed oxides in the form of xCoO yAl2O3 and cobalt aluminates formation were the main sources of the Co/γ-Al2O3 catalyst deactivation.However sintering and cluster growth of cobalt nano particles are the main sources of the Co/CNTs catalyst deactivation.In the case of the Co/γ-Al2O3 catalyst,after 720 h on stream of continuous FT synthesis the average cobalt nano particles diameter increased from 15.9 to 18.4 nm,whereas,under the same reaction conditions the average cobalt nano particles diameter of the Co/CNTs increased from 11.2 to 17.8 nm.Although,the initial FT activity of the Co/CNTs was 26% higher than that of the Co/γ-Al2O3,the FT activity over the Co/CNTs after 720 h on stream decreased by 49% and that over the Co/γ-Al2O3 by 32%.For the Co/γ-Al2O3 catalyst 6.7% of total activity loss and for the Co/CNTs catalyst 11.6% of total activity loss cannot be recovered after regeneration of the catalyst at the same conditions of the first regeneration step.It is concluded that using CNTs as cobalt catalyst support is beneficial in carbon utilization as compared to γ-Al2O3 support,but the Co/CNTs catalyst is more susceptible for deactivation.     

Plasma oxidation and stabilization of electrospun polyacrylonitrile nanofiber for carbon nanofiber formation

The effect of plasma treatment on the stabilization of copolymer P(AN-MA) containing 6.1 mol% methyl acrylate (MA) prepared by an electrospinning technique has been investigated at various oxygen contents (10 %, 20 % and 30 %) and different exposure times. The morphology and chemical structural evolution of electrospun and oxidized nanofibers were studied using field–emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). FT-IR analysis indicated that the treated nanofibers were effectively oxidized under different contents of oxygen and prolonged plasma exposure times by increasing the peak intensities of polar groups at 1730 and 3400 cm^?1 corresponding to C=O stretching band and OH stretching vibration mode, respectively. Additionally, a reduction in the extent of the cyclization reaction is observed with further increase in exposure times and contents of oxygen, which implies lower conversion of C≡N bands into C=N ones in the copolymer chain. According to the FE-SEM studies, the surfaces of the treated nanofibers were completely etched after 15 min of treatment due to the existence of strong ion bombardment and a reduction in the average fiber diameters was observed.     

A continuous covering location model with risk consideration

This paper proposes a continuous covering location model with risk consideration. The investigated model is an extension of the discrete covering location models in continuous space. The objective function consists of installation and risk costs. Because of uncertain covering radius, customer satisfaction degree of covering radius is introduced by fuzzy concept. Since, the uncertainty may cause risk of uncovering customers; the risk cost is added to the objective function. The installation cost is assigned to a zone with a predetermined radius from its center. The model is solved by a fuzzy method named α$\alpha$-cut. After solving the model based on different α$\alpha$-values, the zones with the largest possibilities are determined for locating new facilities and the best locations are calculated based on the obtained possibilities. Then, the model is solved to determine the best covering values. This paper, also introduces a risk analysis method based on Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to consider risk management in the location models. Finally, a numerical example is expressed to illustrate the proposed model.     

Homogeneous electrocatalytic oxidation of captopril by iodide and its application to pharmaceutical analysis

Potassium iodide was used as a homogeneous electrocatalyst for the oxidation of captopril. Cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry were used in kinetic studies. The diffusion coefficient and catalytic rate constant were calculated to be 4.94?×?10^?5?cm²?s^?1 and 1.87?×?10³?M^?1?s^?1, respectively. Linear sweep voltammetry was applied to quantitative determination of captopril; a linear calibration curve was obtained in the range of 4.0?C500???M of captopril with a limit of detection of 0.84???M and a sensitivity of 0.035 A?M^?1. The method was applied to the determination of the drug in its tablets and validation methods showed that the results were quite satisfactory.     

Encapsulation of Eucalyptus largiflorens Essential Oil by Mesoporous Silicates for Effective Control of the Cowpea Weevil,Callosobruchus maculatus (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

Although the use of synthetic chemicals is the principal method for insect pest management, their widespread application has led to numerous side effects, including environmental pollution and threats to human and animal health. Plant essential oils have been introduced as promising natural substitutes for synthetic insecticides. However, high volatility and/or low durability are the main limiting factors for essential oil application for control of insect pests. Accordingly, along with an evaluation of the fumigant toxicity of Eucalyptus largiflorens essential oil against the cowpea weevil, Callosobruchus maculatus, essential oil was nanoencapsulated by two mesoporous silicates, MCM-41 and zeolite 3A, to enhance fumigant persistence and toxicity. The chemical profile of essential oil was also analyzed through gas chromatographic-mass spectrometry. E. largiflorens essential oil showed significant concentration-dependent toxicity against insect pests; a concentration of 5.16 μL/L resulted in 100% mortality after 48 h. The toxicity of essential oil could be attributed to the presence of various insecticidal terpenes, such as spathulenol (15.6%), cryptone (7.0%), and 1,8-cineole (5.8%). Fumigant persistence was increased from 6 days to 19 and 17 days for pure and capsulated essential oil with MCM-41 and Zeolite 3A, respectively. The insect mortality also increased from 99 insects in pure essential oil to 178 and 180 insects in MCM-41 and Zeolite 3A encapsulated formulations, respectively. Therefore, the encapsulation of E. largiflorens essential oil by MCM- 41 and Zeolite 3A is a beneficial method for enhancing its persistence and toxicity against C. maculatus.     

Electrocatalytic oxidation of captopril using a carbon-paste electrode modified with copper-cobalt hexacyanoferrate

A carbon-paste electrode was modified with copper-cobalt hexacyanoferrate by consecutive potential cycling. The kinetic parameters were calculated for the electroactive species. The resulting electrode exhibited electrocatalytic activity towards the oxidation of captopril. The kinetics of the electrocatalytic reaction was studied. A linear relationship was observed between anodic current and the concentration of captopril in the range of 5.0 × 10^?6–3.1 × 10^?5 μM with a detection limit of 4.2 μM (S/N = 3). The modified electrode was used in the analysis of captopril tablets successfully.     

m-Terphenyl thiols: rigid and bulky molecules for the formation of bioactive self-assembled monolayers on gold

The m-terphenyl 4-mercaptomethyl-2,6-diphenylbenzoic acid (3), was prepared and shown to form omega-carboxyl terminated self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold with high surface pKa(10.1 +/- 0.2) and low density favourable for the binding of biological macromolecules.     

Harnessing Plasticity in an Amine-Borane as a Piezoelectric and Pyroelectric Flexible Film

We demonstrate that trimethylamine borane can exhibit desirable piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties. The material was shown to be able operate as a flexible film for both thermal sensing, thermal energy conversion and mechanical sensing with high open circuit voltages (>10 V). A piezoelectric coefficient of d₃₃≈10–16 pC N⁻¹, and pyroelectric coefficient of p≈25.8 μC m⁻² K⁻¹ were achieved after poling, with high pyroelectric figure of merits for sensing and harvesting, along with a relative permittivity of 6.3.     

The first separation and stereochemical determination of bis(α-hydroxyalkyl) phosphinic acids diastereoisomers

A separation of bis(α-hydroxyalkyl) phosphinic acid diastereoisomers is described. A novel method for the determination stereochemistry of bis(α-hydroxyalkyl) phosphinic acid diastereoisomers has been developed. The stereochemistry of one diastereoisomer was confirmed after converting to the corresponding methyl ester using trimethyl orthoformate.     

Fluorometric chemosensors. Interaction of toxic heavy metal ions Pb(II), Cd(II), and Hg(II) with novel mixed-donor phenanthroline-containing macrocycles: spectrofluorometric,conductometric, and crystallographic studies

The macrocycles L(1)-L(3) incorporating N(2)S(3)-, N(2)S(2)O-, and N(2)S(2)-donor sets, respectively, and containing the 1,10-phenanthroline unit interact in acetonitrile solution with heavy metal ions such as Pb(II), Cd(II), and Hg(II) to give 1:1 ML, 1:2 ML(2), and 2:1 M(2)L complex species, which specifically modulate the photochemical properties of the ligands. The stoichiometry of the complex species formed during spectrofluorometric titrations and their formation constants in MeCN at 25 degrees C were determined from fluorescence vs M(II)/L molar ratio data. The complexes [Pb(L(1))][ClO(4)](2).(1)/(2)H(2)O (1), [Pb(L(2))][ClO(4)](2).MeNO(2) (1a), [Pb(L(3))(2)][ClO(4)](2).2MeCN (1b), and [Cd(L(3))][NO(3)](2) (2b) were also characterized by X-ray diffraction studies. The conformation adopted by L(1)-L(3) in these species reveals the aliphatic portion of the rings folded over the plane containing the heteroaromatic moiety with the ligands trying to encapsulate the metal center within their cavity. In 1, 1a, and 2b the metal ion completes the coordination sphere by interacting with counteranion units and solvent molecules. On the contrary, the 1:2 complex 1b shows Pb(II) sandwiched between two symmetry-related molecules of L(3) reaching an overall [4N + 4S] eight-coordination.