Evaluation of Co and Zn competitive sorption by zeolitic material synthesized from fly ash using 60Co and 65Zn as radioindicators

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Zeolitic material prepared by hydrothermal treatment of brown coal fly ash was used for sorption separation of Co2+ and Zn2+ ions from single and...     

Directed Electron Delivery from a Pb-Free Halide Perovskite to a Co(II) Molecular Catalyst Boosts CO2 Photoreduction Coupled with Water Oxidation

The development of high-performance photocatalytic systems for CO₂ reduction is appealing to address energy and environmental issues, while it is challenging to avoid using toxic metals and organic sacrificial reagents. We here immobilize a family of cobalt phthalocyanine catalysts on Pb-free halide perovskite Cs₂AgBiBr₆ nanosheets with delicate control on the anchors of the cobalt catalysts. Among them, the molecular hybrid photocatalyst assembled by carboxyl anchors achieves the optimal performance with an electron consumption rate of 300±13 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹ for visible-light-driven CO₂-to-CO conversion coupled with water oxidation to O₂, over 8 times of the unmodified Cs₂AgBiBr₆ (36±8 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹), also far surpassing the documented systems (<150 μmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹). Besides the improved intrinsic activity, electrochemical, computational, ex-/in situ X-ray photoelectron and X-ray absorption spectroscopic results indicate that the electrons photogenerated at the Bi atoms of Cs₂AgBiBr₆ can be directionally transferred to the cobalt catalyst via the carboxyl anchors which strongly bind to the Bi atoms, substantially facilitating the interfacial electron transfer kinetics and thereby the photocatalysis.     

Synthesis and characterization of chromium(I) bis(η-toluene) derivatives containing sterically demanding anions

The reaction of Cr(η⁶-CH₃C₆H₅)₂ with 1-benzoyl-6-hydroxy-6-phenyl fulvene, dbcpH, and with pentakis(methoxycarbonyl)cyclopentadiene, pcmcpH, proceeds with evolution of dihydrogen and the formation of the ionic derivatives [Cr(η⁶-CH₃C₆H₅)₂][X] ([X]⁻ = 1,2-dibenzoylcyclopentadienyl, [dbcp]⁻, pentakis(methoxycarbonyl)cyclopentadienyl, [pcmcp]⁻), which have been characterized by IR and EPR spectroscopies, X-ray diffraction and electrochemical techniques. The sterically demanding anions do not affect the structural and electronic properties of the cations in solution but strongly influence crystal packing. In fact, a rare cis-eclipsed conformation of the toluene rings is found for [Cr(η⁶-CH₃C₆H₅)₂][dbcp] · THF, whereas two independent complexes are observed in the unit cell of [Cr(η⁶-CH₃C₆H₅)₂][pcmcp], one with toluene rings in a cis-eclipsed conformation and the other in a staggered conformation (projections of methyl groups form an angle of 151°).     

Malondialdehyde tagging improves the analysis of arginine oligomers and arginine-containing dendrimers by HPLC-MS

The selective modification of arginine residues by malondialdehyde (MDA) was used to improve the mass spectrometric analysis of arginine oligomers (Arg(x), x = 4, 6, 7, 8, 9) and an arginine-containing dendrimeric peptide. MDA tagging significantly increased the hydrophobicity of the arginine side-chain and resulted in improved retention in RP HPLC of the oligoarginines using formic acid as mobile phase additive. This avoided the use of TFA to generate sufficient retention, as TFA was shown to lead to a dramatically reduced sensitivity (up to ten-fold for Arg(8) and Arg(9)) as a result of the strong signal suppression by ion pairing with multiple basic residues. MDA modification of Arg oligomers not only resulted in improved detection sensitivity for most of the peptides studied (e. g., more than six-fold for Arg(7)), but also greatly enhanced the quality of MS/MS spectra, in line with previous results for other peptides. Furthermore, MDA modification helped to identify major side products in a sample of a dendrimeric peptide, a class of peptides that is typically difficult to analyze by MS.     

A highly crystalline microporous hybrid organic-inorganic aluminosilicate resembling the AFI-type zeolite

ECS-14, a crystalline microporous hybrid organic-inorganic aluminosilicate, has been synthesized by using 1,4-bis-(triethoxysilyl)-benzene (BTEB) as a source of silica. Its structure contains a system of linear channels with 12-membered ring openings, running along the [001] direction, resembling the pore architecture of the AFI framework type.     

Phenylated polyimides via bifunctional monomers

The synthesis of two phenylated bifunctional monomers, dimethyl 4-(4-(p-aminophenoxy)phenyl)-3,5,6-triphenylphthalate and dimethyl 4-(4-(4-(p-aminophenoxy)phenoxy)phenyl)-3,5,6-triphenylphthlate, was accomplished. Polymerization in solution or by a bulk polymerization procedure yielded a series of low molecular weight phenylated polyimides. The polymers were soluble in chlorinated hydrocarbons and exhibited thermal stabilities comparable to other polyimide systems.     

Voltammetric studies of the interaction between lead metal ion and the methyl parathion pesticide

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - In this work, the interaction of the pesticide methyl parathion (MP) with the lead metal ion was evaluated using a carbon electrode reused from a zinc...     

Effect of Cold Atmospheric Pressure Plasma on Maize Seeds: Enhancement of Seedlings Growth and Surface Microorganisms Inactivation

Cold atmospheric pressure ambient air plasma generated by Diffuse Coplanar Surface Barrier Discharge (DCSBD) was investigated for inhibition of native microbiota and potentially dangerous pathogens (Aspergillus flavus, Alternaria alternata and Fusarium culmorum) on the maize surface. Moreover, the improvement of germination and growth parameters of maize seeds was evaluated. Maize (Zea mays L.; cv. Ronaldinio), one of the most important cultivated crops worldwide, was selected as the research material. Electrical measurements confirmed the high volume power density (80 W cm^?3) of DCSBD plasma. Non-equilibrium plasma state evaluated using optical emission spectroscopy showed values of vibrational and rotational temperature (2700?±?300) K and (370?±?75) K, respectively. Changes on the plasma treated seeds surface were studied by water contact angle measurement, scanning electron microscope analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. A complete devitalisation of native microbiota on the surface of seeds was observed after a short treatment time of 60 s (bacteria) and 180 s (filamentous fungi). The plasma treatment efficiency of artificially contaminated maize seeds was estimated as a reduction of 3.79 log (CFU/g) in F. culmorum after a 60-s plasma treatment, 4.21 log (CFU/g) in A. flavus and 3.22 log (CFU/g) in A. alternata after a 300-s plasma treatment. Moreover, the obtained results show an increase in wettability, resulting in a better water uptake and in an enhancement of growth parameters. The investigated DCSBD plasma source provides significant technical advantages and application potential for seed surface finishing without the use of hazardous chemicals.     

Screening and identification of major phytochemical compounds in seeds,sprouts and leaves of Tuscan black kale Brassica oleracea (L.) ssp acephala (DC) var. sabellica L.

We report the spectrophotometric determination of total polyphenols, flavonoids, glucosinolates and antioxidant activity in seeds, seedlings and leaves of Tuscan black kale. The highest content of phytochemicals was observed in 10 days sprouts and antioxidant activity was maximum in 2, 4 days seedlings. Identification and characterisation of phytochemicals were performed by mass spectrometry (MS), high resolution and tandem MS with electrospray ionisation mode. Low-molecular-weight metabolites were evidenced in seeds while metabolites at high m/z range were detected in cotyledons and leaves. MS spectra evidenced different phenolic compounds (flavonoid caffeoyl glucose, hydroxycinnamic acid sinapine) and glucosinolates (glucoerucin, glucobrassicin and glucoraphanin) in function of developmental stage; galactolipids ω3 and ω6 were observed in leaves. Identification of stages with the highest phytochemicals content encourages the consumption of black kale sprouts and young leaves. Our research can support food and pharmaceutical industries for production of health promoting products from black kale.     

Synchronous fluorescence spectroscopy and gas chromatography to determine the effect of UV irradiation on crude oil

The fate of the crude oil under irradiation was studied. After the UV irradiation, the fraction present in the highest percentage shifted from C8–C9 fraction to C13 one, in GC–MS analysis. An increase of the relative amount of the C13–C25 fraction was observed, while a decrease in the relative amount of the C7–C12 fractions was present. The synchronous fluorescence spectrum showed a maximum at 396 nm. Two hours irradiation of the sample induced an increase of the fluorescence emission in the region 420–550 nm. After 20, 40, 60, and 100 h irradiation we observed a decrease of the fluorescence emission.