Photocatalytic Activity of Supported Metal Nanoparticles and Single Atoms

Photocatalysis has been known as one of the promising technologies due to its eco-friendly nature. However, the potential application of many photocatalysts is limited owing to their large bandgaps and inefficient use of the solar spectrum. One strategy to overcome this problem is to combine the advantages of heteroatom-containing supports with active metal centers to accurately adjust the structural parameters. Metal nanoparticles (MNPs) and single atom catalysts (SACs) are excellent candidates due to their distinctive coordination environment which enhances photocatalytic activity. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) have shown great potential as catalyst support for SACs and MNPs. The numerous combinations of organic linkers with various heteroatoms and metal ions provide unique structural characteristics to achieve advanced materials. This review describes the recent advancement of the modified MOFs, COFs and g-C₃N₄ with SACs and NPs for enhanced photocatalytic applications with emphasis on environmental remediation.     

Solid phase extraction of copper (II) by sorption on octadecyl silica membrane disk modified with a new Schiff base and determination with atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple, selective and reliable method for rapid extraction and determination of trace amounts of Cu (II) ions from aqueous samples using octadecyl-bonded silica membrane disks modified with bis-(3-methoxy salicylaldehyde)-1,6-diaminohexane and flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) is presented. Extraction efficiency, the influence of pH, flow rates, amount of ligand, and type and least amount of eluant were investigated. The linear dynamic range of the proposed method for Cu (II) ions was found in a wide concentration range of 1.0 (± 0.2)–150 (± 2) μg l^− 1. The detection limit and preconcentration factor of this method were found 30.0 (± 0.7) ng l^− 1 and 100 respectively. The reproducibility of the procedure is at the most 2.0%. The effects of various cationic interferences on the percent recovery of copper ion were studied. The method was used to the recovery of copper ion from different synthetic, alloys and biological samples.     

Ultrasound-assisted emulsification microextraction using low density solvent for analysis of toxic nitrophenols in natural waters

An ultrasound-assisted emulsification microextraction (USAEME) based on low-density solvents was successfully applied for the extraction and pre-concentration of four toxic nitrophenols in water samples. The extracted analytes were analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography-UV detection. The important parameters influencing the extraction efficiency were studied and optimized utilizing two different optimization methods: one variable at a time (OVAT) and central composite design (CCD). The results showed that the emulsification process can be completed in a few seconds using low-density solvents, but almost 10–20?min is necessary for high-density solvents. Under the optimum conditions (extraction solvent, 1-octanol; extraction solvent volume, 40?µL; sample pH, 3.0; salt concentration, 20% (w/v) NaCl; extraction temperature, 40 (±3)°C), limits of detection of the method were in the range of 0.25 to 1?µg?L^?1 and the repeatability and reproducibility of the proposed method, expressed as relative deviation, varied in the range of 2.2–4.2% and 4.7–6.9%, respectively. Linearity was found to be in the range of 1 to 200?µg?L^?1 and the preconcentration factors (PFs) were between 77 and 175. The relative recoveries of the four nitrophenols from water samples at spiking level of 10.0?µg?L^?1 were in the range of 92.0 to 115.0%.     

Synthesis of MnAl2O4 nanocrystallites by Pechini and sequential homogenous precipitation methods: characterization, product comparison, photocatalytic effect, and Taguchi optimization

Nanocrystalline manganese aluminate (MnAl₂O₄) has been synthesized by Pechini and sequential homogenous precipitation methods and the results have been compared. The Taguchi L₄ statistical design was utilized to optimize the production of MnAl₂O₄ nanoparticles by Pechini method. The MnAl₂O₄ nanocrystallites obtained by Pechini and sequential homogenous precipitation methods had the average particle size of 26.5 and 49.5 nm, respectively. The products were characterized with X-ray diffraction, laser light scattering, thermogravimetry analysis, Fourier transform infrared, UV–visible, energy dispersive X-ray, scanning electron microscope and inductively coupled plasma analyses. The photocatalytic activities of MnAl₂O₄ nanoparticles synthesized by two methods were investigated using aqueous solution of methylene blue under irradiation of visible light.     

Developments in hollow fiber based liquid-phase microextraction: principles and applications

Hollow fiber liquid-phase microextraction (HF-LPME) offers an efficient alternative to classical techniques for sample preparation and preconcentration. Features include high selectivity, good enrichment factors, and improved possibilities for automation. HP-LPME relies on the extraction of target analytes from aqueous samples into a supported liquid membrane (SLM) sustained in the pores of the wall of a porous hollow fiber, and then into an acceptor phase (that can be aqueous or organic) in the lumen of the hollow fiber. After extraction, the acceptor solution is directly subjected to a chemical analysis. HP-LPME can be performed in either the 2- or 3-phases mode. In the 2-phase mode, the organic solvent is present both in the porous wall and inside the lumen of the hollow fiber. In the 3-phase mode, the acceptor phase can be aqueous and this results in a conventional 3-phase system compatible with HPLC or capillary electrophoresis. Alternatively, the acceptor solution is organic and this represents a 3-phase extraction system with two immiscible organic solvents that is compatible with all common analytical instruments. In HP-LPME methods based on the use of SLMs, the mass transfer occurs by passive diffusion, and high extraction yields as well as efficient extraction kinetics are obtained by applying a pH gradient. In addition, active transport can be performed by using carrier or applying an electrical potential across the SLM. Due to high analyte preconcentration, excellent sample clean-up, and low consumption of organic solvent, HF-LPME has a large application potential in areas such as drug analysis and environmental monitoring. This review focuses on the fundamentals of extraction principles, technical implementations, and future trends in HF-LPME.

One-pot synthesis of 2H-indazolo[2,1-b]phthalazine-triones via nano γ-Al2O3/BF3/Fe3O4 as an efficient catalyst and theoretical DFT study on them

Experimental and computational studies were carried out for the synthesis of 2H-indazolo[2,1-b]phthalazine-triones using γ-Al₂O₃/BF₃/Fe₃O₄ as a nanocatalyst in optimized and solvent-free conditions. The most significant features of the existing protocol are easy preparation of the catalyst, short reaction times, environmentally benign, and milder reaction conditions. The analysis data were reported using the experimental results of this investigation, such as: H-NMR, FT-IR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy), X-ray diffraction, vibrating-sample magnetometer, Thermal gravimetric analysis (TG-DTG), nitrogen adsorption isotherm, Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy, and Transmission electron microscopy images of nanocatalyst. In this study, 2H-indazolo[2,1-b]phthalazine-triones have also been theoretically investigated using DFT-B3LYP/6-31G method. Also, some of the physical chemistry properties have examined for conformers of products, which there was good agreement between the computational results and obtained experimental for the products.     

Effect of block lengths on the association behavior of poly(l-lactic acid)/poly(ethylene glycol) (PLA–PEG–PLA) micelles in aqueous solution

A series of poly(l-lactic acid)/poly(ethylene glycol) triblock copolymers with a PLA–PEG–PLA architecture were synthesized by a ring-opening polymerization (ROP) process. The copolymers were characterized by ¹H NMR and GPC. The total number average molecular weights were in the range of 4,700–50,000, whereas the degrees of polymerization of the PLA and PEG blocks varied from 15 to 359 and from 68 to 136, respectively. The self-association of these copolymers in aqueous environment was studied by emission fluorescence spectroscopy of anilinonaphthalene probe and the critical association concentration (CAC) of the copolymers was measured. It was found that the micellization process of these copolymers was mainly determined by the length of the hydrophobic LA block, while the length of the hydrophilic PEG block had little effect. Furthermore, the low CAC values of the copolymers suggest that the copolymers form stable supramolecular structures in aqueous solutions.     

Homogeneous Liquid–Liquid Microextraction for Determination of Organochlorine Pesticides in Water and Fruit Samples

A fast and effective preconcentration method for extraction of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) was developed using a homogeneous liquid–liquid extraction based on phase separation phenomenon in a ternary solvent (water/methanol/chloroform) system. The phase separation phenomenon occurred by salt addition. After centrifugation, the extraction solvent was sedimented in the bottom of the conical test tube. The OCPs were transferred into the sedimented phase during the phase separation step. The extracted OCPs were determined using gas chromatography–electron capture detector. Several factors influencing the extraction efficiency were investigated and optimized. Optimal results were obtained at the following conditions: volume of the consolute solvent (methanol), 1.0 mL; volume of the extraction solvent (chloroform), 55 μL; volume of the sample, 5 mL; and concentration of NaCl, 5 % (w/v). Under optimal conditions, the preconcentration factors in the range of 486–1,090, the dynamic linear range of 0.01–100 μg L^?1, and the limits of detection of 0.001–0.03 μg L^?1 were obtained for the OCPs. Using internal standard, the relative standard deviations for 1 μg L^?1 of the OCPs in the water samples were obtained in the range of 4.9–8.6 % (n = 5). Finally, the proposed method was successfully applied for extraction and determination of the OCPs in water and fruit samples.     

Synthesis and computational study of two new glycoluril clips containing benzocrown ether side walls

Two new glycoluril-derived molecular clips containing benzocrown ether side walls have been synthesized via reaction of a glycoluril scaffold with two bromomethylated benzocrown ethers. The molecular geometry of their most stable structures were investigated with density functional theory at the B3LYP level of theory using STO-3G, 6-31G, and 6-311G basis sets. Then based on the obtained computer-optimized structures, the binding properties of one clip with some 5-substituted resorcinols have been calculated.