Structural characterization and activation energy of NiTiO3 nanopowders prepared by the co-precipitation and impregnation with calcinations

In this paper, we report on the formation of novel hexagonal NiTiO₃ nanopowders synthesized by the impregnation or co-precipitation methods through the thermal decomposition reaction of the precursors. The decomposition course was followed using differential thermal analysis (DTA) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) techniques. The intermediate decomposition products as well as the formed titanate were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. XRD patterns of the precursors calcined at 1000 °C showed the formation of the single ilmenite-type rhombohedral structure only with the impregnated precursor, while with the precipitated NiTiO₃ powders one it indicates the presence of some NiO and TiO₂ impurities. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) exhibited loosely agglomerated hexagonal particles with uniform morphology having a size around 61 nm. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area measurements showed a type III isotherm with calculated surface area of 152 m²/g. The plot of ln σ_ac vs. temperature as a function of frequency indicates a semiconducting behavior with ferroelectric phase transition at 605 K. The calculated activation in the ferroelectric region is 0.93 eV suggests the predominance of hopping conduction mechanism. Kinetic analysis of TG data according to different integral methods showed that in the NiC₂O₄·2H₂O–TiO₂ precursor, the water molecules are coordinately bounded and the presence of TiO₂ reduces the activation energy needed to the oxalate decomposition reaction.     

Spectroscopic study of molecular structures of novel Schiff base derived from o-phthaldehyde and 2-aminophenol and its coordination compounds together with their biological activity

New Schiff base (H₂L) ligand is prepared via condensation of o-phthaldehyde and 2-aminophenol. The metal complexes of Cr(III), Mn(II), Fe(II), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) with the ligand are prepared in good yield from the reaction of the ligand with the corresponding metal salts. They are characterized based on elemental analyses, IR, solid reflectance, magnetic moment, electron spin resonance (ESR), molar conductance, ¹H NMR and thermal analysis (TGA). From the elemental analyses data, the complexes are proposed to have the general formulae [M(L)(H₂O)n]·yH₂O (where M = Mn(II) (n = 0, y = 1), Fe(II) (n = y = 0), Co(II) (n = 2, y = 0), Ni(II) (n = y = 2), Cu(II) (n = 0, y = 2) and Zn(II) (n = y = 0), and [MCl(L)(H₂O)]·yH₂O (where M = Cr(III) and Fe(III), y = 1–2). The molar conductance data reveal that all the metal chelates are non-electrolytes. IR spectra show that H₂L is coordinated to the metal ions in a bi-negatively tetradentate manner with ONNO donor sites of the azomethine N and deprotonated phenolic-OH. This is supported by the ¹H NMR and ESR data. From the magnetic and solid reflectance spectra, it is found that the geometrical structures of these complexes are octahedral (Cr(III), Fe(III), Co(II) and Ni(II) complexes), tetrahedral (Mn(II), Fe(II) and Zn(II) complexes) and square planar (Cu(II) complex). The thermal behaviour of these chelates is studied and the activation thermodynamic parameters, such as, E*, ΔH*, ΔS* and ΔG* are calculated from the DrTGA curves using Coats-Redfern method. The parent Schiff base and its eight metal complexes are assayed against two fungal and two bacterial species. With respect to antifungal activity, the parent Schiff base and four metal complexes inhibited the growth of the tested fungi at different rates. Ni(II) complex is the most inhibitory metal complex, followed by Cr(III) complex, parent Schiff base then Co(II) complex. With regard to bacteria, only two of the tested metal complexes (Mn(II) and Fe(II)) weakly inhibit the growth of the two tested bacteria.     

Analytical and environmental aspects of the flame retardant tetrabromobisphenol-A and its derivatives

The present article reviews the available literature on the analytical and environmental aspects of tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBP-A), a currently intensively used brominated flame retardant (BFR). Analytical methods, including sample preparation, chromatographic separation, detection techniques, and quality control are discussed. An important recent development in the analysis of TBBP-A is the growing tendency for liquid chromatographic techniques. At the detection stage, mass-spectrometry is a well-established and reliable technology in the identification and quantification of TBBP-A. Although interlaboratory exercises for BFRs have grown in popularity in the last 10 years, only a few participating laboratories report concentrations for TBBP-A. Environmental levels of TBBP-A in abiotic and biotic matrices are low, probably due to the major use of TBBP-A as reactive FR. As a consequence, the expected human exposure is low. This is in agreement with the EU risk assessment that concluded that there is no risk for humans concerning TBBP-A exposure. Much less analytical and environmental information exists for the various groups of TBBP-A derivatives which are largely used as additive flame retardants.     

Metal complexes of gliclazide: Preparation,spectroscopic and thermal characterization. Biological potential study of sulphonylurea gliclazide on the house fly,Musca domestica (Diptera – Muscidae)

Metal complexes of gliclazide (GLZ; HL) drug are prepared and characterized based on elemental analyses, IR, diffused reflectance, magnetic moment, molar conductance and thermal analyses (TG and DTG) technique. From the elemental analyses data, the complexes are proposed to have the general formulae [M(HL)Cl₃(H₂O)]·3H₂O (M = Cr(III) and Fe(III)), [M(HL)Cl₂(H₂O)₂]·yH₂O (M = Co(III), Ni(II) and Cu(II), y = 0–2) and [M(HL)Cl₂]·yH₂O (M = Mn(II) and Zn(II), y = 0–1). The molar conductance data reveal that all the metal chelates are non-electrolytes. IR spectra show that GLZ is coordinated to the metal ions in a neutral bidentate manner with ON donor sites of the amide-O and sulphonamide-OH. From the magnetic and solid reflectance spectra, it is found that the geometrical structures of these complexes are octahedral (Cr(III), Fe(III), Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II)) and tetrahedral (Mn(II) and Zn(II)). The thermal behaviour of these chelates is studied using thermogravimetric analysis (TG and DTG) techniques. The results obtained show that the hydrated complexes lose water molecules of hydration followed immediately by decomposition of the anions and ligand molecules in the successive unseparate steps. The activation thermodynamic parameters are calculated using Coats–Redfern method. The GLZ drug, in comparison to its metal complexes also is screened for their biological activity against house fly, Musca domestica (Diptera – Muscidae). Dose of 5 μg/insect of gliclazide is typically applied against 3 days-old larval instar of M. domestica. Survival of pupal and adult stages has been affected by the complexes of gliclazide more than larval instars. Morphogenic abnormalities of larvae, pupae and adults are studied. On the other hand, pupation and adult emergence program is deteriorated by the effect of different chemicals.     

Metal complexes of azo compounds derived from 4-acetamidophenol and substituted aniline

The Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes of four azo compounds (H₂L^1–4), namely, 2-(p-X-phenylazo)-4-acetamidophenol (X = OCH₃, NO₂, Br, and H for H₂L¹, H₂L², H₂L³, and H₂L⁴, respectively) were prepared and characterized on the basis of their analytical, spectroscopic, magnetic, and conductance data. The isolated complexes are found to have the general formulae [M(HL^1–4)Cl(H₂O)₃] (M = Ni(II) and Cu(II)). The chelates are found to have octahedral structure. The infrared spectra show that H₂L^1–4 ligands are coordinated to the metal ions in a uninegative bidentate manner, with NO donor sites of the azo N and the deprotonated phenolic O. The ligands and their chelates are subjected to thermal analysis. The biological activity of the synthesized ligands and their metal complexes also are screened against the adult Tribolium confusum mortality. They showed remarkable biological activity.     

Mono and trinuclear complexes of alpha-oximinoacetoacetylpyridine-4-phenylthiosemicarbazone

Complexes of several transition metal ions with alpha-oximinoacetoacetyl pyridine-4-phenylthiosemicarbazone (H3OAPT) have been prepared. Attempts were made to elucidate their geometries by elemental analysis, molar conductance, magnetic measurements and by some spectroscopic (IR, ESR and electronic) techniques. All the investigated metal ions form mononuclear complexes except for CuII, which forms mononuclear and trinuclear complexes with its chloride and acetate salts, respectively. The IR spectra show that the ligand behaves as a mono or binegative tridentate. Moreover, it acts as a trinegative hexadentate in the trinuclear CuII complex. The protonation constants (logK1H = 9.9 and log K2H = 6.0), as well as the stability constants of the metal complexes, are determined by the pH-titration of H3OAPT and its metal(II) complexes against 0.01 M NaOH. CuII complexes possess square-planar stereochemistry while CoII and NiII have an octahedral one. The crystal field parameters of CoII and NiII complexes are evaluated.     

Synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of new tetradentate Schiff base and its coordination compounds of NOON donor atoms and their antibacterial and antifungal activity

New Schiff base (H₂L) ligand is prepared via condensation of o-phthaldehyde and 2-aminobenzoic acid in 1:2 ratio. Metal complexes are prepared and characterized using elemental analyses, IR, solid reflectance, magnetic moment, molar conductance, ¹H NMR, ESR and thermal analysis (TGA). From the elemental analyses data, the complexes were proposed to have the general formulae [MCl(L)(H₂O)]·2H₂O (where M = Cr(III) and Fe(III)); [M(L)]·yH₂O (where M = Mn(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II), y = 1–2) and [M(L)(H₂O)_n]·yH₂O (where M = Co(II) (n = y = 2), Co(II) (n = y = 1), Ni(II) (n = 2, y = 1). The molar conductance data reveal that all the metal chelates were non-electrolytes. IR spectra show that H₂L is coordinated to the metal ions in a bi-negative tetradentate manner with NOON donor sites of the azomethine-N and carboxylate-O. The ¹H NMR spectral data indicate that the two carboxylate protons are also displaced during complexation. From the magnetic and solid reflectance spectra, it was found that the geometrical structure of these complexes are octahedral (Cr(III), Fe(III), Co(II) and Ni(II)), square planar (Cu(II)), trigonal bipyramidal (Co(II)) and tetrahedral (Mn(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II)). The thermal behaviour of these chelates showed that the hydrated complexes losses water molecules of hydration in the first step followed immediately by decomposition of the ligand molecule in the subsequent steps. The biological activity data show that the metal complexes to be more potent/antibacterial than the parent Shciff base ligand against one or more bacterial species.     

Biogenic Synthesis of NiO Nanoparticles Using Areca catechu Leaf Extract and Their Antidiabetic and Cytotoxic Effects

Nanoworld is an attractive sphere with the potential to explore novel nanomaterials with valuable applications in medicinal science. Herein, we report an efficient and ecofriendly approach for the synthesis of Nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiO NPs) via a solution combustion method using Areca catechu leaf extract. As-prepared NiO NPs were characterized using various analytical tools such as powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and UV-Visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis). XRD analysis illustrates that synthesized NiO NPs are hexagonal structured crystallites with an average size of 5.46 nm and a hexagonal-shaped morphology with slight agglomeration. The morphology, size, and shape of the obtained material was further confirmed using SEM and TEM analysis. In addition, as-prepared NiO NPs have shown potential antidiabetic and anticancer properties. Our results suggest that the inhibition of α-amylase enzyme with IC 50 value 268.13 µg/mL may be one of the feasible ways through which the NiO NPs exert their hypoglycemic effect. Furthermore, cytotoxic activity performed using NiO NPs exhibited against human lung cancer cell line (A549) proved that the prepared NiO NPs have significant anticancer activity with 93.349 μg/mL at 50% inhibition concentration. The biological assay results revealed that NiO NPs exhibited significant cytotoxicity against human lung cancer cell line (A549) in a dose-dependent manner from 0–100 μg/mL, showing considerable cell viability. Further, the systematic approach deliberates the NiO NPs as a function of phenolic extracts of A. catechu with vast potential for many biological and biomedical applications.     

La somme des diviseurs unitaires d'un entier dans les progressions arithmétiques (σk,l*(n))

Soit ${\sigma }_{k,l}^{*}(n)$ la fonction somme des diviseurs unitaires du nombre entier n dans la progression arithmétique $\{l+mk\}$ définie, pour $n={\prod }_{p^{\alpha }\parallel n}{p}^{\alpha }$, par : ${\sigma }_{k,l}^{*}(n)={\prod }_{p^{\alpha }\parallel n,p\equiv l(k)}(1+p^{\alpha }),{\sigma }_{1,1}^{*}(n)={\sigma }^{*}(n)={\sum }_{d|n,(d,n/d)=1}d$. Dans cette Note nous établissons un théorème sur le comportement relatif de cette fonction et de son ordre maximal qui sera explicitement déterminé et nous donnons des majorations effectives de ${\sigma }_{3,l}^{*}(n)$. Pour citer cet article : A. Derbal, C. R. Acad. Sci. Paris, Ser. I 342 (2006).     

Heat and mass transfer investigation of rotating hydrocarbons droplet which behaves as a hard sphere

The steady state boundary layer equations around rotating pure hydrocarbon droplet are solved numerically. The droplet is simulated to behave as a hard sphere. The transfer equations are discretized using an implicit finite difference method where Thomas algorithm solves the system of algebraic equations. Moreover, dimensionless parameters of heat and mass transfer phenomena around a rotating hexane droplet concluded. The thickness of the boundary layer is unknown for this model and therefore, it is determined. Further, this work proposes correlations of Nusselt and Sherwood numbers for monocomponent hydrocarbon droplets in evaporation. These correlations consider the rotation phenomena and further, the variation of the thermophysical and transport properties in the vapour phase.