Uranium recovery from UCF liquid waste by nanoporous MCM-41: breakthrough capacity and elution behavior studies

Adsorption and recovery of uranium by nanoporous MCM-41 from aqueous solutions (synthetic solution and uranium conversion facility liquid waste) were investigated by use of a fixed-bed column (1.2 cm diameter and 3.0 cm height). Adsorption was carried out at flow rates 0.2 and 0.5 mL min^?1, which correspond to retention times of 10 and 6 min. The maximum breakthrough capacity for uranium ions was achieved by use of nanoporous MCM-41 at the optimum pH of 3.6 and flow rate 0.2 mL min^?1 (61.95 μg g^?1). The Thomas and Yan models were applied to the experimental data, by use of linear regression, to determine the characteristics of the column for process design. The breakthrough curves calculated from the models were in good agreement with the experimental data. The elution behavior of uranium on nanoporous MCM-41 was studied with different eluents; the results showed that 0.1 M HCl is good eluent for uranium recovery. The regenerated column could be used in a multitude of adsorption–desorption cycles.     

In Silico and Experimental Characterization of Chimeric Bacillus thermocatenulatus Lipase with the Complete Conserved Pentapeptide of Candida rugosa Lipase

Lipases are one of the highest value commercial enzymes as they have broad applications in detergent, food, pharmaceutical, and dairy industries. To provide chimeric Bacillus thermocatenulatus lipase (BTL2), the completely conserved pentapeptide (¹¹²Ala-His-Ser-Gln-Gly¹¹⁶) was replaced with similar sequences (²⁰⁷Gly-Glu-Ser-Ala-Gly²¹¹) of Candida rugosa lipase (CLR) at the nucleophilic elbow region. For this purpose, three mutations including A112G, H113E, and Q115A were inserted in the conserved pentapeptide sequence of btl2 gene. Based on the crystal structures of 2W22, the best structure of opened form of the chimeric lipases were garnered using the MODELLER v9.10 software. The native and chimeric lipases were docked to a set of ligands, and a trial version of Molegro Virtual Docker (MVD) software was used to obtain the energy values. Docking results confirmed chimeric lipase to be better than the native lipase. Following the in silico study, cloning experiments were conducted and expression of native and chimeric btl2 gene in Pichia pastoris was performed. The native and chimeric lipases were purified, and the effect of these mutations on characteristics of chimeric lipase studied and then compared with those of native lipase. Chimeric lipase exhibited 1.6-fold higher activity than the native lipase at 55 °C. The highest percentage of both lipases activity was observed at 60 °C and pH of 8.0. The ion Ca²⁺ slightly inhibited the activity of both lipases, whereas the organic solvent enhanced the lipase stability of chimeric lipase as compared with the native lipase. According to the results, the presence of two glycine residues at the conserved pentapeptide region of this chimeric lipase (¹¹² Gly-Glu-Ser-Ala-Gly ¹¹⁶) may increase the flexibility of the nucleophilic elbow region and affect the enzyme activity level.     

Acidic ionic liquids catalyst in homo and graft polymerization of ε-caprolactone

Biodegradable polycaprolactone was prepared by ring-opening polymerization in presence of ionic liquids as efficient, inexpensive, nontoxic, and easily handled acid catalysts. The resulting polymer exhibited good yield and inherent viscosity between 0.10 and 0.18 dL/g. The chemical structure of obtained polymer was verified by the ¹H-NMR and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) spectra. In continuation, the obtained polymer was applied to improve quality level and mechanical properties and also to reduce the hydrophilic properties of the starch, so the ring-opening polymerization of ε-caprolactone was investigated in the presence of starch hydroxyl groups as initiator and ionic liquid as catalyst. The obtained starch-grafted-polycaprolactone was verified by ¹H-NMR, FT-IR spectra, and field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis.     

Preparation and Characterization of Cu2S Nanoparticles Via Ultrasonic Method

This study reports on the synthesis of Cu₂S nanoparticles via an ultrasonic method by employing Na₂SO₃ as a reducing agent. Morphology, structure, and composition of the obtained products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, scanning electron microscope and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The effects of time and power of irradiation were studied.     

N,N ′-Diiodo-N,N′-1,2-ethanediylbis(p-toluenesulfonamide) as an Efficient Catalyst for Acetylation of Alcohols,Phenols, Amines,and Thiols Under Solvent-Free Conditions

N,N′-Diiodo-N,N′-1,2-ethanediylbis(p-toluenesulfonamide) (NIBTS) is a highly efficient catalyst for the acetylation of alcohols, phenols, amines, and thiols under solvent-free conditions. Primary, secondary, tertiary alcohols; phenols; amines; and thiols can be easily acetylated in good to excellent yields at 80 °C.     

Synthesis of oxo-Phosphoranylidene Aminobenzoic Acid Derivatives by a Multicomponent Reaction

2-Aminobenzoic acids or 4-aminobenzoic acid react with dimethyl acetylenedicarboxylate/triphenylphosphine in less than 20 min at 15–25°C to produce new organic phosphorus compounds in good to excellent yields. The conversion occurs with selective N- over O-alkylation of the amino group and isolation of the products is accomplished simply by filtration.     

Regioselective Syntheses of 1-Aryl-substituted-5H-[1,3]thiazolo[3,2-a]quinazoline-5-ones During Sonogashira Coupling

Abstract

Reaction of 2-mercaptopropargylquinazoline-4-one with various aryliodides catalyzed by Pd–Cu leads to the regioselective formation of 1-arylsubstituted-5H-[1,3]thiazolo-[3,2-a]quinazoline-5-ones.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT      

Highly Sensitive Differential Pulse Voltammetric Determination of Cd,Zn and Pb Ions in Water Samples Using Stable Carbon‐Based Mercury Thin‐Film Electrode

A new carbon‐based mercury thin‐film electrode consisting of screen‐printed carbon on a low temperature co‐fired ceramic substrate was made. Ex‐situ mercury deposition in a potassium thiocyanate solution was used. This approach an electrode with high long‐term stability (>500 measurement cycles) and reproducibility (≤2 %) for sensitive determination of ultra trace heavy metals, using differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry. The detection limits were 0.25, 0.08 and 5.5 ng mL^?1 for Cd(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II), respectively. The method was applied to the determination of the analytes in water, wastewater, lake water, and certified reference material samples with satisfactory results.