Sorption of some azo-dyes on wool fiber from aqueous solutions

Sorption of some azo-dyes (acid violet 17, acid blue 90, acid red 1 and direct red 80) on locally available wool fiber from aqueous solution has been investigated as a function of shaking time, pH and dyes concentration as a function of temperature. Sorption isotherms for dyes on wool fiber were obtained. It was found that the increasing temperature induces positive effect on the sorption process. Isosteric heat of adsorption (q_st) have also been calculated at different surface coverage indicating that wool fiber used possessed heterogeneous surface with site of different activity. The results also indicate that initial sorption whether chemical or physical means, occurs first on the most active sites and then, as the concentration of dyes is increased, on sites of lesser activity.     

Instrumental neutron activation analysis of 23 individual food articles from a high altitude region

Twenty-three individual food items commonly consumed in a high altitude region (Kashmir) have been investigated using instrumental neutron activation analysis. The concentration of Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, Na, Se, Sn, and Zn is reported for these food articles. For quality assurance of our data, IAEA and NIST standard reference materials have also been studied. The dietary intake of these elements was calculated in accordance with the weekly food selection habits of the residents of this area. The dietary contribution of most of these elements was found to be in agreement to the RDA/ESadi levels. The purpose was to design a database of essential elements for this area and to study the adequacy levels of these elements in different dietary items. Fairly adequate intake of Ca, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Mo, Se, Sn, and Zn through these foodstuffs is reported, whereas, lower intakes through these items were found for Cl, K, and Na.     

Determination of zirconium and hafnium in solution by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

The samples were introduced into the XRF spectrometer in ordinary flat bottom polyethylene bottles for the estimation of Zr or Hf in presence of one another in solution. By using high voltage (50 kV) and high current (50 mA) least limits of detection obtained were an order of magnitude better than other conventional analytical techniques. Relations of intensity to concentration in various concentration ranges have been determined and the results are compared with those of other analytical techniques.     

Sodium tetrachloroferrate as a dehydrating agent

Fused NaFeCl(4) shows a great affinity for moisture, which reacts chemically with it. By passage through a heated column filled with NaFeCl(4) coated on bioglass, gases such as nitrogen are found to have retained some moisture when dried over a molecular sieve. The compound also acts as a self-indicator, as the colour changes from yellow to brown after the reaction. It is more efficient than molecular sieves and is regenerated by passing HCl gas through the column.     

Vibrational spectra,assignments and normal coordinate analysis of 3-aminobenzyl alcohol

The laser Raman and FTIR spectra of 3-aminobenzyl alcohol have been recorded. The observed frequencies were assigned to various modes of vibrations on the basis of normal coordinate analysis, assuming C(s) point group symmetry. The potential energy distribution associated with normal modes is also reported here. The assignment of fundamental vibrations agrees well with the calculated frequencies.     

PHOTOREACTIVITY OF 5-GERANOXYPSORALEN AND LACK OF PHOTOREACTION WITH DNA

5-Geranoxypsoralen, commonly called bergamottin, a major furocoumarin contained in bergamot oil, is reported in vitro as a highly photoreactive psoralen. In ethanol, it exhibits quite a high triplet state quantum yield (approximately 0.37). The triplet state is involved in subsequent photochemistry which depends on the initial concentration and on the presence of oxygen. In contrast to most psoralens, absorption and fluorescence data suggest that 5-geranoxypsoralen does not interact with DNA in the dark. No UVA-induced interstrand cross-links in DNA were shown.     

Ion population fraction calculations using improved screened hydrogenic model with l-splitting

Ion population fraction(IPF) calculations are very important to understand the radiative spectrum emitted from the hot dense matter. IPF calculations require detailed knowledge of all the ions and correlation interactions between the electrons of an ion which are present in a plasma environment. The average atom models, e.g., screened hydrogenic model with l-splitting(SHML), now have the capabilities for such calculations and are becoming more popular for in line plasma calculations. In our previous work [Ali A, Shabbir Naz G, Shahzad M S, Kouser R, Rehman A and Nasim M H 2018 High Energy Density Phys. 26 48], we have improved the continuum lowering model and included the exchange and correlation effects in SHML. This study presents the calculation of IPF using classical theory of fluctuation for our improved screened hydrogenic model with l-splitting(I-SHML) under local thermodynamic equilibrium conditions for iron and aluminum plasma over a wide range of densities and temperatures. We have compared our results with other models and have found a very good agreement among them.     

PTFE/EP Reinforced MOF/SiO2 Composite as a Superior Mechanically Robust Superhydrophobic Agent towards Corrosion Protection,Self-Cleaning and Anti-Icing

Organic resin cross-linking ZIF-67/SiO₂ superhydrophobic (SHPB) multilayer coating was successfully fabricated on metal substrate. The perfluoro-octyl-triethoxy silane (POTS) modified ZIF-67 and SiO₂ coating was applied on primary coated polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and epoxy resin (EP) via spray coating method. Here, we present that the robust superhydrophobicity can be realized by structuring surfaces at two different length scales, with a nanostructure design to provide water repellence and a microstructure design to provide durability. The as-fabricated multilayer coating displayed superior water-repellence (CA=167.4°), chemical robustness (pH=1–14) and mechanical durability undergoing 120th linear abrasion or 35th rotatory abrasion cycle. By applying different acidic and basic corrosive media and various weathering conditions, it can still maintain superior-hydrophobicity. To get a better insight of interaction between inhibitor molecules and metal surface, density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed, showing lower energy gap and increased binding energy of ZPS/SiO₂/PTFE/EP (ZPS=ZIF-67+POTS) multilayer coating compared to the ZIF-67/SiO₂/PTFE/EP, thereby supporting the experimental findings. Additionally, such coatings may be useful for applications such as anti-corrosion, self-cleaning, and anti-icing multi-functionalities.     

Temperature-programmed Reduction of Metal-exchanged Zeolite-a Catalysts

The reduction of metal (Co, Ni, and Cu)-exchangedzeolite-A was studied by a temperature programmed reduction (TPR) technique. The TPR profiles indicate that the metals are in a dispersed form. The hydrogen consumption in the reduction process demonstrates that the metals are present in monovalent and divalent forms. High-temperature reduction peaks are also observed in the cases of CoA and NiA. Nitrogen adsorption reveals that, on heating at high temperature, the pore capacity of zeolite-A increases when exchanged with transition metals because more space is occupied by water molecules. This is confirmed by thermal analysis. After dehydration, the cations are in changed positions; they are often located in hidden sites (hexagonal prism and sodalite cages). The activation energy for the reduction process is calculated. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Bending analysis of a functionally graded rotating disk based on the first order shear deformation theory

The theoretical formulation for bending analysis of functionally graded (FG) rotating disks based on first order shear deformation theory (FSDT) is presented. The material properties of the disk are assumed to be graded in the radial direction by a power law distribution of volume fractions of the constituents. New set of equilibrium equations with small deflections are developed. A semi-analytical solution for displacement field is given under three types of boundary conditions applied for solid and annular disks. Results are verified with known results reported in the literature. Also, mechanical responses are compared between homogeneous and FG disks. It is found that the stress couple resultants in a FG solid disk are less than the stress resultants in full-ceramic and full-metal disk. It is observed that the vertical displacements for FG mounted disk with free condition at the outer surface do not occur between the vertical displacements of the full-metal and full-ceramic disk. More specifically, the vertical displacement in a FG mounted disk with free condition at the outer surface can even be greater than vertical displacement in a full-metal disk. It can be concluded from this work that the gradation of the constitutive components is a significant parameter that can influence the mechanical responses of FG disks.