Improvement in gas separation properties of a polymeric membrane through the incorporation of inorganic nano‐particles

The present work tries to introduce a high‐performance nano‐composite membrane by using polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) as its main polymer matrix to meet some specific requirements in industrial gas separations. Different nano‐composite membranes were synthesized by incorporating various amounts of nano‐sized silica particles into the PDMS matrix. A uniform dispersion of nano‐particles in the host membranes was obtained. The nano‐composite membranes were characterized morphologically by scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Separation properties, permeability, and ideal selectivity of C₃H₈, CH₄, and H₂ through the synthesized nano‐composite membranes with different nano‐particle contents (0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3 wt%) were investigated at different pressures (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 atm) and constant temperature (35°C). It was found out that a 2 wt% loading of nano‐particles into the PDMS matrix is optimal to obtain the best separation performance. Afterwards, sorption experiments for the synthesized nano‐composite membranes were carried out, and diffusion coefficients of the gases were calculated based on solution‐diffusion mechanism. Gas permeation and sorption experiments showed an increase in sorption and a decrease in diffusion coefficients of the gases through the nano‐composite membranes by adding nano‐particles into the host polymer matrix. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Solvent influence upon complexation of N-phenylaza-15-crown-5 with UO2 2+ cation in binary mixed non-aqueous solvents

The complexation reaction of N-phenylaza-15-crown-5 (PhA15C5) with UO₂ ²⁺ cation was studied in acetonitrile–methanol (AN–MeOH), acetonitrile–butanol (AN–BuOH), acetonitrile–dimethylformamide (AN–DMF) and methanol–propylencarbonate (MeOH–PC) binary solutions, at different temperatures by conductometry method. The conductance data show that the stoichiometry of the complex formed between PhA15C5 with UO₂ ²⁺ cation in most cases is 1:1 [M:L], but in some solvent systems a 1:2 [M:L₂] complex is formed in solutions. The results revealed that, the stability constant of (PhA15C5·UO₂)²⁺ complex in the binary mixed solvents varies in the order: AN–BuOH>AN–MeOH>AN–DMF. In the case of the pure organic solvents, the sequence of the stability of the complex changes as: AN>PC>BuOH>DMF. A non-linear relationship was observed for changes of logK_f of (PhA15C5·UO₂)²⁺ complex versus the composition of the binary mixed solvents. The corresponding standard thermodynamic parameters (ΔH_c°, ΔS_c°) were obtained from temperature dependence of the stability constant. The results show that the values and also the sign of these parameters are influenced by the nature and composition of the mixed solvents.     

Green synthesis,characterization, and biological activities of saffron leaf extract-mediated zinc oxide nanoparticles: A sustainable approach to reuse an agricultural waste

To increase the profitability and sustainability of agricultural waste, a facile green approach was established to synthesize zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) using saffron leaf extract as a reducing and stabilizing agent. Structural characteristics of NPs were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and UV–Visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy. Characterization results revealed that ZnO NPs is highly crystalline with a hexagonal wurtzite structure and spherical particles with diameter less than 50 nm, as confirmed by XRD and FESEM techniques. UV–Vis absorption spectra depicted an absorption peak at 370 nm, which confirms the formation of ZnO NPs. FTIR spectral analysis confirmed the presence of functional groups and metal oxygen groups. The biological activities of ZnO NPs were also investigated. The antibacterial effect of ZnO NPs was investigated against selected food pathogens (Salmonella Typhimurium, Listeria monocytogenes, and Enterococcus faecalis). The study results prove that the green synthesized ZnO NPs show enhanced antibacterial activity against S. Typhimurium when compared with other strains. A dose-dependent free radical scavenging activity was observed for ZnO NPs in both 2,2-diphenyl-1-picryl-hydrazyl-hydrate (DPPH) and fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) assays. The ZnO NPs were evaluated for their photocatalytic activity during the degradation of methylene blue (MB) dye in aqueous solutions. The maximum removal of MB achieved was 64% with an initial ZnO NP concentration of 12 mg/mL under UV light. The present study revealed that the agricultural waste (saffron leaf) provides a simple and eco-friendly option to sustainably synthesize ZnO NPs for use as a photocatalyst. In addition, this is the first report on saffron leaf-mediated synthesis of ZnO NPs.     

Biological Applications of Macrocyclic Schiff Base Ligands and Their Metal Complexes: A Survey of the Literature (2005–2019)

This article aims to provide a survey of biological applications of Schiff base macrocycles and their metal complexes, with emphasis given to the synthesis of the compounds and to their uses as antibacterial and antifungal agents. The literature on the subject, published during the 2005–2019 period, is shortly reviewed. This is an informed report collecting information on the addressed topic in a concise systematic way, and can be expected to be useful as a fast literature catalogue for researchers working on this and related domains.     

Three-component synthesis of new unsymmetrical oxindoles via Friedel-Crafts type reaction

The synthesis of 2-(3-(4-(dimethylamino)phenyl)-2-oxoindolin-3-yl)-1H-indene-1,3(2H)-diones as new unsymmetrical oxindoles via a Friedel-Crafts type three-component reaction of 1,3-indandion, N,N-dimethylaniline and isatins in ethanol in the presence of LiClO₄ is reported.     

Electrochemical preparation of α-Ni(OH)2 ultrafine nanoparticles for high-performance supercapacitors

Well-dispersed nanoparticles of nickel hydroxide were prepared via a simple electrochemical method. Electrodeposition experiments were performed from 0.005 M Ni(NO₃)₂ bath at a constant current density of 0.1 mA cm^?2 on the steel cathode for 1 h. Recording the potential values during the deposition process revealed that the reduction of water has major role in the base electrogeneration at the applied conditions. The obtained deposit was characterized by the X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared (IR), differential scanning calorimeter–thermogravimetric analysis, carbon–nitrogen–hydrogen (CHN), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques. The CHN, XRD, and IR analyses showed that the obtained deposit has α phase of Ni(OH)₂ with intercalated nitrate ions in its structure. Morphological characterization by SEM and TEM revealed that the prepared α-Ni(OH)₂ is composed of well-dispersed ultrafine particles with the size of about 5 nm. The supercapacitive performance of the prepared nanoparticles was analyzed by means of cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge–discharge tests. The electrochemical measurements showed an excellent supercapacitive behavior of the prepared α-Ni(OH)₂ nanoparticles. It was also observed that the α-Ni(OH)₂ ultrafine particles have better electrochemical characteristic and supercapacitive behavior than β-Ni(OH)₂ ultrafine nanoparticles, including less positive charging potential, lower E _a???E _c value, better reversibility, higher E _OER???E _a, higher utilization of active material, higher proton diffusion coefficient, greater discharge capacity, and better cyclability. These results make the α-Ni(OH)₂ nanoparticles as an excellent candidate for the supercapacitor materials.     

Iranian chemist’s efforts to provide various effective methods for the synthesis of xanthenes

Xanthenes and their derivatives as very important classes of organic compounds are key structural elements of many biologically active compounds. These materials are important heterocyclic nucleus of various dyes and drugs. Because of their wide range of pharmacological, industrial and synthetic applications, many methods for the preparation of xanthenes are reported in the literature. In recent years, among the other chemists, introduction of new methods for the preparation of these types of compounds has attracted the attention of Iranian chemists. The result of these efforts is the introduction of appropriate, effective and efficient methods. In this paper, we have a brief review on these methods and their main advantages and important applicabilities.     

Rice-husk-supported FeCl3 nano-particles: Introduction of a mild,efficient and reusable catalyst for some of the multi-component reactions

Rice-husk-supported FeCl₃ nano-particles (FeCl₃–RiH) were prepared and used as an environmentally friendly catalyst in the synthesis of β-amino carbonyl compounds, 1,8-dioxo-octahydro xanthenes, and bis-indolyl methanes from simple and readily available precursor molecules.