Second comment on: “The effect of pressure on morphological features and quality of synthesized graphene” [Res Chem Intermed DOI 10.1007/s11164-016-2594-8]

Research on Chemical Intermediates - Alipour et al. studied the effect of pressure on the morphological characteristics and quality of synthesized graphene based on scanning electron...     

Pencil Lead Electrode Modified with Hemoglobin Film as a Novel Biosensor for Nitrite Determination

In the present paper, the electrochemical reduction of nitrite at a hemoglobin modified pencil lead electrode (Hb/PLE) is described. The electrochemical properties of nitrite were studied by cyclic voltammetry and chronoamperometry. Results showed that the hemoglobin film has an excellent electrochemical activity towards the reduction of nitrite. By using voltammetric and chronoamperometric methods, α, n_α and n were calculated. Then the ability of the electrode for nitrite determination was investigated using differential pulse voltammetry. The electrocatalytic reduction peak currents were found to be linear with the nitrite concentration in the range from 10 to 220 µM with a detection limit of 5 µM. The relative standard deviation is 2 % for 3 successive determinations of a 100 µM nitrite solution. This modified electrode was successfully used for the detection of low amounts of NO₂^? in spinach sample and a spiked sample of tap water.     

Prediction and characterization of halogen–hydride interaction in Cu n H n ···ClC2Z and Cu n H···ClC2Z complexes (n = 2–5; Z = H, F, CH3)

Halogen–hydride interactions between the lowest energy structure of Cu _n H _n and Cu _n H clusters (n = 2–5) as halogen acceptor and ClC₂Z (Z = H, F, CH₃) as halogen donor have been investigated at the MP2/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. Different approaches based on structural parameters, energetic analysis, shift in vibrational frequencies, and molecular electrostatic potential were used to characterize the resultant halogen–hydride bonds. Upon complexation, the Cl–C bonds tend to elongate, concomitant with red shifts of the Cl–C vibrational frequencies. Interaction energies of this type of halogen bonds vary from ?2.34 to a maximum ?7.38 kJ mol^?1. The calculated interaction energies were found to be increased in magnitude with increasing of the negative electrostatic potential at a point on the outer side of hydrogen atom of halogen acceptor units. Moreover, decomposition of the interaction energies reveals that the electrostatic interaction plays a main role in the formation of the complexes. The quantum theory of atoms in molecules analysis has also been applied to provide more insight into the nature and properties of these interactions. Our results indicate pure closed-shell interactions in these systems with similar characteristics to the conventional halogen bonds.     

Cerium(IV) triflate-catalyzed domino annulation approaches to the synthesis of highly substituted piperidines

A simple, diastereoselective, inexpensive, and efficient route for the synthesis of highly functionalized piperidines by the condensation of β-keto-esters, aromatic aldehydes and anilines using cerium(IV) triflate as a catalyst is described. In most cases, the piperidine precipitates out of the solution.     

Crosslinking of a Single Poly(ionic liquid) by Water into Porous Supramolecular Membranes

Reversible regulation of membrane microstructures via non‐covalent interactions is of considerable interest yet remains a challenge. Herein, we discover a general one‐step approach to fabricate supramolecular porous polyelectrolyte membranes (SPPMs) from a single poly(ionic liquid) (PIL). The experimental results and theoretical simulation suggested that SPPMs were formed by a hydrogen‐bond‐induced phase separation of a PIL between its polar and apolar domains, which were linked together by water molecules. This unique feature was capable of modulating microscopic porous architectures and thus the global mechanical property of SPPMs by a rational design of the molecular structure of PILs. Such SPPMs could switch porosity upon thermal stimuli, as exemplified by dynamically adaptive transparency to thermal fluctuation. This finding provides fascinating opportunities for creating multifunctional SPPMs.     

A Simple Chemical Method for Synthesis of NiFe2O4 Nanoparticles and Polystyrene-Based Magnetic Nanocomposites

Magnetic NiFe₂O₄ (NiFe) nanoparticles were synthesized via a facile chemical reaction between Ni(NO₃)₂ and Fe(NO₃)₃. Different percents of NiFe nanoparticles were then added to polystyrene (PS) matrix. Nanoparticles were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The magnetic properties of the samples were also investigated using an alternating gradient force magnetometer. The nanoparticles exhibit ferromagnetic behaviour at room temperature, with a saturation magnetization of 20.8 emu/g and a coercivity of 99.6 Oe. Preparation of NiFe₂O₄ -PS nanocomposite leads to decrease in the coercivity.     

Effect of Ni loadings on the activity and coke formation of MgO-modified Ni/Al_2O_3 nanocatalyst in dry reforming of methane

MgO-modified Ni/Al2O3 catalysts with different Ni loadings were prepared and employed in dry reforming of methane （DRM）. The effect of Ni loadings on the activity and coke formation of Ni/MgO-A1203 catalysts were investigated. The synthesized catalysts were characterized by XRD, N2 adsorption-desorption, SEM, TPO and TPR techniques. The obtained results showed that increasing nickel loading decreased the BET surface area and increased the catalytic activity and amount of deposited carbon. In addition, the effect of gas hourly space velocity （GHSV） and feed ratio were studied.     

Development of Voltammetric Sensor for Determination of Tryptophan Using MWCNTs‐modified Sol‐gel Electrode

In the present work, an electrochemical sensor was developed for simple and sensitive determination of tryptophan (Trp) using multi‐walled carbon nanotubes modified sol‐gel electrode (MWCNTs/SGE). The electrocatalytic oxidation of tryptophan was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). It was found that the oxidation peak current of Trp at the MWCNTs/SGE was greatly improved compared with that of the bare SGE. Furthermore, at the MWCNTs/SGE, the anodic peak potential of Trp is shifted about 220 mV to more negative value indicated that modified electrode has better electrocatalytic activity for electro‐oxidation of Trp. The anodic peak currents increased linearly with the concentration of tryptophan in the range of 0.2 × 10^?6 to 15 × 10^?6 M with a detection limit of 0.139 × 10^?6 M (at an S/N = 3).