Dispersion of ZnO Nanoparticles in a Mixture of Ethylene Glycol–Water, Exploration of Temperature-Dependent Density, and Sensitivity Analysis

Experimental studies are performed to evaluate the stability of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles suspended in a mixture of ethylene glycol and water with weight ratio of 40–60 as the base fluid. Different methods have been employed to disperse ZnO nanoparticles. It is found that using Gum Arabic leads to clustering and settle the nanoparticles. Also, the use of DI ammonium hydrogen citrate with weight ratio 1:1 (surfactant:nanoparticles) gives the acceptable stability. The density of nanofluids is measured and the results are compared with theoretical results. A helpful correlation for the measured densities of the stable nanofluids in a temperature range of 25–40 °C is presented which can used in practical applications. Finally based on the correlation a sensitivity analysis has been done. It is found that at higher temperatures the density is more sensitive to the increases in volume fraction.     

Webcam camera as a detector for a simple lab-on-chip time based approach

A modification of a webcam camera for use as a small and low cost detector was demonstrated with a simple lab-on-chip reactor. Real time continuous monitoring of the reaction zone could be done. Acid-base neutralization with phenolphthalein indicator was used as a model reaction. The fading of pink color of the indicator when the acidic solution diffused into the basic solution zone was recorded as the change of red, blue and green colors (%RBG.) The change was related to acid concentration. A low cost portable semi-automation analysis system was achieved.     

Barium molybdate and barium tungstate nanocrystals synthesized by a cyclic microwave irradiation

BaMoO₄ and BaWO₄ nanocrystals were synthesized from Ba(NO₃)₂ and Na₂MeO₄ (Me=Mo and W) solutions using 50% of 600 W microwave irradiation for 20 min. The products were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED) and photoluminescence (PL) spectrophotometry. They show that the products are good dispersed nanocrystals (poly-nanocrystals) of single-phase scheelite tetragonal structure with the vibration modes corresponding to the molybdate and tungstate compounds. Their photoluminescence was detected at 415 and 392 nm for BaMoO₄ and BaWO₄, respectively.     

Microwave-assisted solution synthesis and photocatalytic activity of Ag nanoparticles supported on ZnO nanostructure flowers

Ag nanoparticles supported on the surface of three-dimensional (3D) flower-like ZnO nanostructure were synthesized by a microwave-assisted solution method. The obtained products were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectrophotometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The analytical results confirmed homogeneously distributed Ag nanoparticles supported on the surface of flower-like ZnO nanostructure. The photocatalytic effect of the heterostructure Ag/ZnO nanocomposites was investigated using photodegradation under ultraviolet (UV) light of methylene blue as model dye. The heterostructure Ag/ZnO nanocomposites exhibited much higher photocatalytic activity than pure ZnO flowers. The improved photocatalytic properties are attributed to formation of a Schottky barrier at the metal–semiconductor interface of the Ag/ZnO nanocomposites.     

Sequential Injection Ion Chromatography with Flow Injection Post Column Derivatization Capable of Using the Unstable Reagent Murexide to Determine Calcium and Magnesium in a Mixture

A hyphenated sequential injection ion chromatography–flow injection analysis (SIIC–FIA) system is proposed for post column derivatization capable of using murexide, an unstable but commonly available reagent, for the determination of calcium and magnesium in a mixture. A short ion exchange column was modified from a 4.6 mm × 10 mm C18 monolithic guard column. Calcium/magnesium mixture and murexide were used as model analytes and derivatizing agent, respectively. The FIA post column allows the use of unstable chromogenic reagents. The continuous flow of liquid also helped to stabilize the signal baseline during detection. A single concentration based calibration graph was demonstrated. The system requires low volumes of standard/sample (5–50 µL) and mobile phase (4.50 mL), and offers sample throughput at 8 h^?1 without the need for long column calibration. Detection limits were 0.5 and 0.1 µg for Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, respectively. Working ranges were 1–5 µg Ca²⁺ and 0.2–1 µg Mg²⁺. Analyses of well and drinking water samples were demonstrated and validated with the standard complexometric titration.     

Determination of ethanol in liquor by near-infrared spectrophotometry with flow injection

A simple procedure for the determination of ethanol in a liquor by near-infrared (NIR) spectrophotometry with flow injection (FI) is proposed. A liquor sample is equilibrated off-line with dried chloroform to extract ethanol into the organic phase. The extract is injected into a carrier stream of dried chloroform passing through a home-made flow through cell (1 mm path length) sitting in a NIR spectrophotometer for continuous monitoring of absorbance at 2305 or 2636 nm. The ethanol content can be evaluated from a calibration established by a plot of change in absorbance versus concentration of ethanol standard solutions. Optimization of the system will be discussed. A calibration is linear in the range of 20–50% (v/v) ethanol. A throughput of 240 injections h⁻¹ can be obtained. The procedure is validated by comparing the results with an analysis using gas chromatography.     

Enhanced photocatalytic properties of Bi2MoO6 nanoplates deposited with intermetallic AgPd nanoparticles by photoreduction method

Bi₂MoO₆ nanoplates modified with intermetallic AgPd nanoparticles synthesized by photoreduction deposition method were used for visible-light-driven photodegradation of rhodamine B. The as-synthesized AgPd/Bi₂MoO₆ nanocomposites were identified by XRD. The 2θ diffraction angle of the (111) plane of pure metallic cubic Ag at 38.11° of heterostructure 10% Ag/Bi₂MoO₆ nanocomposites shifted to a higher diffraction angle at 38.17° of heterostructure 10% Ag_0.7Pd_0.3/Bi₂MoO₆ nanocomposites. TEM images of the as-synthesized nanocomposites showed good metallic Ag and intermetallic AgPd nanoparticles with particle size of 10–12 nm which were fully supported on top of Bi₂MoO₆ nanoplates. Bi₂MoO₆ nanoplates deposited with intermetallic AgPd nanoparticles show significant photocatalytic activity better than Ag/Bi₂MoO₆ and Bi₂MoO₆ due to the formation of AgPd/Bi₂MoO₆ Schottky barrier.

     

Review on the recent progress in the preparation and stability of graphene-based nanofluids

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - Graphene has attracted much attention from the science world because of its mechanical, thermal, and physical properties. Graphene nanofluid is well...     

Microwave-assisted hydrothermal synthesis of BiOBr/BiOCl flowerlike composites used for photocatalysis

Research on Chemical Intermediates - BiOBr/BiOCl flowerlike composites were successfully synthesized in different solutions containing 0.00–1.50 g polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) by...