Synthesis of CuS nanoparticles loaded on activated carbon composite for ultrasound‐assisted adsorption removal of dye pollutants: Process optimization using CCD‐RSM,equilibrium and kinetic studies

In this study, the CuS nanoparticles loaded on activated carbon (CuS‐NPs‐AC) composite was synthesized and then, characterized by XRD and FE‐SEM analyses. The prepared composite was used as a potential adsorbent for the simultaneous ultrasound‐assisted removal of Indigo Carmine (IC) and Safranin‐O (SO). The CuS‐NPs‐AC dose (0.01‐0.03 g), sonication time (1‐5 min), initial SO concentration (5‐15 mg L^‐1) and initial IC concentration (5‐15 mg L^‐1) as expectable effective parameters were studied by central composite design (CCD) under response surface methodology (RSM) to obtain an useful knowledge about the effect of simultaneous interaction between IC and SO on their removal percentage. The optimum SO and IC removal percentages were determined to be 98.24 and 97.15% at pH = 6, 0.03 g of the CuS‐NPs‐AC, 3 min sonication time, 12 and 10 mg L^‐1 of IC and SO. The values of coefficient of determination (R²) for SO and IC were 0.9608 and 0.9796, respectively, indicating the favorable fitness of the experimental data to the second order polynomial regression model. The isotherm data were well correlated with Freundlich model. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacities of 87.5 and 69.90 mg g^‐1 at room temperature for IC and SO in the investigated binary system expressed the high efficiency of the novel adsorbent for water cleanup within a short time. The investigation of correlation between time and rate of adsorption revealed that IC and SO adsorption onto the CuS‐NPs‐AC followed pseudo‐second‐order and intra‐particle diffusion simultaneously.     

Application of Monte Carlo simulation method to polymerization kinetics over Ziegler–Natta catalysts

In the current work, the Monte Carlo simulation method was applied to ethylene polymerization over Ziegler–Natta catalysts. As expected, polymerization over each center of a Ziegler–Natta catalyst leads to a polymer having a Schultz–Flory molecular weight distribution. Notwithstanding, the total molecular weight distribution obtained by all catalyst centers together is at least twice as broad as that of each center. As another interesting finding, the introduction of hydrogen to the reaction deactivates the catalyst active centers and thereby reduces the catalyst activity. Nevertheless, it does not mainly affect the polymerization kinetics. In addition, the polymer molecular weight falls as hydrogen is added to the reaction since it acts as a strong transfer agent. The same effect is seen when cocatalyst concentration increases. Hydrogen also widens the polymer molecular weight distribution. © 2008 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J Chem Kinet 41: 45–56, 2009     

Effect of surface chemistry on the thermodynamics and conductivity of water in silica nanopores

The thermodynamics and conductivity of water confined in nanoporous silicas SBA-15 are studied using differential scanning calorimetry and impedance spectroscopy. The effect of the water/surface interaction is addressed by investigating samples with different surface chemistries.     

Tf2O as a rapid and efficient promoter for the dehydrative Friedel-Crafts acylation of aromatic compounds with carboxylic acids

The Friedel-Crafts acylation of aromatic compounds with carboxylic acids was investigated in the presence of Tf₂O. The reaction was carried out efficiently and very rapidly under mild reaction conditions without the need of any catalyst.     

Preparation and purification of Semi-Methylthymol Blue

A direct extractive method has been developed for preparation of pure Semi-Methylthymol Blue (SMTB) from a synthetic mixture containing ca. 30% of SMTB in presence of Thymol Blue (TB, ca. 45%), Methylthymol Blue (MTB, ca. 10%) and other components such as acetic acid and iminodiacetic acid (IDA). The method is based on the dependence of the extraction coefficients of the individual components on the pH of an aqueous phase in equilibrium with butanol phase. The separation of TB from the mixture is best at pH 9.5–10.5 and the separation of SMTB is best at pH 2.9–4.5. At pH 10.2 the ratio of the extraction coefficient of TB to that of SMTB is 213 and to that of MTB is 776. At pH 2.9 the ratio of the extraction coefficient of SMTB to that of MTB is ca. 20 and at pH 4.5 is ca. 100, but the absolute values of the extraction coefficient for SMTB are only 3.4 at pH 4.5 and ca. 10 at pH 2.9. This means the quantitative transfer of SMTB to the butanol phase is much easier at pH 2.9. Then a more complete separation of SMTB from the mixture with MTB can be achieved by stripping of the latter into a pH 4.5 aqueous medium. The method for obtaining of anhydrous SMTB is also given. About 70% of the original amount SMTB present can be obtained as the dry product (containing over 99% SMTB).     

Dual-frequency single-axis laser using a lead lanthanum zirconate tantalate (PLZT) birefringent etalon for millimeter wave generation: beyond the standard limit of tunability

We demonstrate the generation of optically carried, broadly tunable, millimeter-wave signals with a dual-frequency single-axis Nd:YAG laser. A frequency difference as high as 127 GHz is reached thanks to an intracavity electro-optically tunable etalon made of lead zirconate tantalate (PLZT) ceramic. We show that the available frequency range is actually limited by the bandwidth of the amplification medium, namely, far beyond the usually accepted free spectral range value in the case of a single-axis laser. Both coarse discrete and fine continuous tunabilities are obtained with the same voltage-controlled device, opening the way to widely tunable low-phase-noise optically carried submillimeter or even terahertz sources.     

Electrocatalytic Determination of Hydroxylamine in the Presence of Thiosulfate in Water and Wastewater Samples Using a Nanostructure Modified Carbon Paste Electrode

In this research, we report the preparation of a high sensitive voltammetric sensor for electrocatalytic determination of hydroxylamine (HX) in the presence of thiosulfate (TS). We describe the synthesis and characterization of CdO nanoparticles (CdO/NPs) with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X‐ray diffraction (XRD) methods. At an optimum condition, the two peaks are separated ca. 0.58 and 0.92 V for HX and TS at the surface of the proposed sensor. Square wave voltammetry (SWV) of HX exhibited two linear dynamic ranges with a detection limit (3σ) of 0.06 µmol L^?1. The propose sensor was used for determination of HX in water samples.