Reversible electrochemical modulation of fluorescence and selective sensing of ascorbic acid using a DCIP-CA-CdTe QD system

The reversible electrochemical modulation of fluorescence and selective sensing of ascorbic acid has been achieved using a DCIP-CA-CdTe QD system. Ascorbic acid could be detected over a linear range from 2.33 μM to 56.49 μM, with a detection limit of 0.50 μM.     

Tin oxide nanoparticles (NP-SnO2): preparation, characterization and their catalytic application in the Knoevenagel condensation

Tin oxide (SnO₂) nanoparticles were synthesized by modified thermal decomposition process. Taguchi analysis was used and three important synthetic factors, molar concentration ratio of [NaNO₃]/[SnCl₄], temperature and time of calcinations, which affect the size of SnO₂ particles, were studied. The optimal conditions were determined using Taguchi robust design method and nano-sized SnO₂ particles (~2 nm) were obtained. Nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and UV–visible spectroscopy techniques. The results show that tin oxide nanoparticles could be one of the most active and reusable catalysts in the Knoevenagel condensation. Different active methylene group compounds and diverse range of aldehydes were chosen to react in the presence of tin oxide nanoparticles at ambient temperature at solvent-free condition (SFC) with excellent isolated yields.     

SnCl2/nano SiO2：A green and reusable heterogeneous catalyst for the synthesis of polyfunctionalized 4H-pyrans

A highly efficient and general method for the synthesis of polyfunctionalized 4H-pyrans is established through a one-pot multicomponent cyclocondensation of aromatic aldehydes with CH acids, malononitrile and ethyl acetoacetate using nano silica supported tin (Ⅱ) chloride as a catalyst. In this method SnCl2/nano SiO2 was used as green and reusable catalyst. Excellent yields, short reaction times, simple workup, and inexpensiveness and commercially availability of the catalyst are the advantages of this method.     

Nano-Fe3O4 encapsulated-silica particles bearing sulfonic acid groups as a magnetically separable catalyst for green and efficient synthesis of functionalized pyrimido[4, 5-b]quinolines and indeno fused pyrido[2, 3-d]pyrimidines in water

The magnetic nanoparticles supported silica sulfuric acid was used as an efficient catalyst for the synthesis of pyrimido[4,5-b]quinolines and indeno fused pyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidines in water. The desired products were obtained in excellent yields. Fe3O4@SiO2-SO3H was readily recovered using an external magnet and could be reused several times without significant loss of reactivity.     

Fabrication of gas ionization sensor based on titanium oxide nanotube arrays

Gas sensors have been fabricated based on field ionization from titanium oxide nanotubes grown on titanium foil. Ordered nanaotube arrays of titanium oxides were grown by the anodization method. We measured breakdown voltages and discharge currents of the device for various gases. Our gas ionization sensors (GIS) presented good sensitivity, selectivity, and short response time. The GISs based on TiO₂ nanotube arrays showed lower breakdown voltage, higher discharge current, and good selectivity. An excellent response observed for Ar compared to other gases. Besides, by introducing 2 % CO and 4 % H₂ to N₂ flow gas, the amount of breakdown voltage shifts about 20 and 70 volts to the lower values, respectively. The GIS works at room temperature and has the ability of detect inert gases with high stability and good linearity. Besides, short response time of about 1 second for the GISs based on TiO₂ nanotube arrays makes them excellent for gas sensing applications. Sharp edges of the nanotubes, through enhancing the applied electric field, reduce operating voltage to the reasonable values and power consumption.     

Congestion analysis in DEA inputs under weight restrictions

Data envelopment analysis (DEA), which is used to determine the efficiency of a decision-making unit (DMU), is able to recognize the amount of input congestion. Moreover, the relative importance of inputs and outputs can be incorporated into DEA models by weight restrictions. These restrictions or a priori weights are introduced by the decision maker and lead to changes in models and efficiency interpretation. In this paper, we present an approach to determine the value of congestion in inputs under the weight restrictions. Some discussions show how weight restrictions can affect the congestion amount.     

Curvature effect on the electronic properties of BN nanoribbons

Density functional theory calculations have been used to investigate the rolling process of armchair boron nitride nanoribbons (n-ABNNRs, n?=?6,?8,?10,?12,?14,?16) to form (n,?0) zigzag boron nitrogen nanotubes (ZBNNTs, n?=?3–8). Results showed that by rolling (increasing the curvature) energy gap decreases and the difference between the initial and final states increases dramatically with decreasing the ribbon width. It was found that ZBNNTs have direct band gaps and the gap increases by diameter, while ABNNRs have direct band gaps which oscillate with the ribbon width.