Crystallization Behavior of Alkoxy-Derived Cordierite Gels

Alkoxy-derived cordierite gels were synthesized from tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS), aluminum isopropoxide (Al(OPr ⁱ )₃), and magnesium ethoxide (Mg(OEt)₂). TEOS was partially hydrolyzed at molar ratios H₂O/TEOS = 1.2, in the presence of hydrochloric acid as a catalyst, HCl/TEOS = 0.1. Aluminum and magnesium alkoxides were added successively or as a double alkoxide. Phase transformations occurring in the gel were studied by differential thermal analysis, x-ray diffractometry, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. In all cases, -cordierite crystallized at similar temperatures (950–1000°C) with small amounts of spinel, which confirms dominant influence of the optimal conditions for partial hydrolysis of TEOS on the gels homogeneity. The transformation of - into -cordierite began at about 1100°C. Broadening of diffraction peaks and appearance of new bands in the FT IR spectra confirmed the transformation of - into modulated -cordierite at temperatures above 1300°C. Differential thermal analysis under nonisothermal conditions also proved homogeneous nucleation with constant rate and three-dimensional crystallite growth during -cordierite crystallization. The overall activation energy of the crystallization of -cordierite is 580 ± 81 kJ/mol.     

Application of a magnetic molecularly imprinted polymer for the selective extraction and trace detection of lamotrigine in urine and plasma samples

Magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers have been synthesized for the selective preconcentration and trace determination of lamotrigine (LTG) in urine and plasma samples. The magnetic nanoparticles were modified by tetraethyl orthosilicate and 3‐methacryloxypropyl trimethoxysilane before imprinting. The magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers were prepared via surface molecular imprinting technique, using Fe₃O₄ as a magnetic component, LTG as template molecule, methacrylic acid as a functional monomer, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate as a cross‐linker, and 2,2′‐azobisisobutyronitrile as a radical initiator in methanol/acetonitrile (50:50, v/v) as the porogen. The obtained sorbent was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, and thermal analysis. Separation of the sorbent from the sample solution was simply achieved by applying an external magnetic field. Determination of the extracted drug was performed by high‐performance liquid chromatography with UV detection. Under the optimum extraction conditions, the method detection limits were 0.7 μg/L (based on S/N of 3) for urine samples and 0.5 μg/L for plasma samples. A linear dynamic range of 1–1000 μg/L was obtained for LTF in plasma and urine samples. Finally, the applicability of the proposed method was evaluated by extraction and determination of LTG in urine and plasma samples.     

Coordination behaviour and two‐dimensional‐network formation in poly[[μ‐aqua‐diaqua(μ5‐propane‐1,3‐diyldinitrilotetraacetato)dilithium(I)cobalt(II)] dihydrate]: the first example of an MII–1,3‐pdta complex with a monovalent metal counter‐ion

The title compound, {[CoLi₂(C₁₁H₁₄N₂O₈)(H₂O)₃]·2H₂O}_n, constitutes the first example of a salt of the [M^II(1,3‐pdta)]²⁻ complex (1,3‐pdta is propane‐1,3‐diyldinitrilotetraacetate) with a monopositive cation as counter‐ion. Insertion of the Li⁺ cation could only be achieved through application of the ion‐exchange column technique which, however, appeared unsuccessful with other alkali metals and the ammonium cation. The structure contains two tetrahedrally coordinated Li⁺ cations, an octahedral [Co(1,3‐pdta)]²⁻ anion and five water molecules, two of which are uncoordinated, and is built of two‐dimensional layers extending parallel to the (010) lattice plane, the constituents of which are connected by the coordinate bonds. O—H_water...O hydrogen bonds operate both within and between these layers. The crystal investigated belongs to the enantiomeric space group P2₁ with only one (Λ) of two possible optical isomers of the [Co(1,3‐pdta)]²⁻ complex. A possible cause of enantiomer separation during crystallization might be the rigidification and polarization of the [M(1,3‐pdta)]²⁻ core, resulting from direct coordination of Li⁺ cations to three out of four carboxylate groups constituting the 1,3‐pdta ligand. The structure of (I) differs considerably from those of the other [M^II(1,3‐pdta)]²⁻ complexes, in which the charge compensation is realized by means of divalent hexaaqua complex cations. This finding demonstrates a significant structure‐determining role of the counter‐ions.     

Promotional effect of Snad on the ethanol oxidation at Pt3Sn/C catalyst

Oxidation of ethanol was studied at Sn_ad modified and unmodified Pt₃Sn/C and Pt/C catalysts. Pt₃Sn/C and Pt/C catalysts were characterized by XRD. Potentiodynamic and chronoamperometric measurements were used to establish catalytic activity and stability. High activity achieved at Sn_ad modified Pt₃Sn/C catalyst has not been observed at any bimetallic catalyst so far. Promotional effect of Sn_ad on the ethanol oxidation was related to the enhancement of CO oxidation rate in bifunctional mechanism. It was shown that electrodeposited Sn exhibited different effect on the catalytic activity compared to Sn in alloy.     

Kinetics of thermal decomposition of pyrite in an inert atmosphere

The thermal decomposition of pyrite in an inert atmosphere was studied in order to obtain a detailed knowledge of the kinetics and mechanism of the reaction 2 FeS₂=2FeS+S₂, which is one of the methods of producing elementary sulphur. The process was studied under isothermal conditions at temperatures of 600, 660, 700, 750, 800 and 850 °C in a nitrogen atmosphere, by means of a thermobalance. The rate-controlling processes were determined and their kinetic parameters were calculated. The optimum temperature for the process was found to be 800 °C.

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Zusammenfassung Es wurde die thermische Zersetzung von Pyrit in inerter Atmosphäre bestimmt, um detaillierte Informationen über Kinetik und Mechanismus der Reaktion 2 FeS₂=2FeS+S₂, einer der Darstellungsreaktionen von elementarem Schwefel zu erlangen. Der Vorgang wurde mittels einer Thermowaage unter isothermen Bedingungen bei Temperaturen von 600, 660, 700, 750, 800 und 850 °C untersucht. Es wurden die geschwindigkeitsbestimmenden Schritte bestimmt und deren kinetische Parameter errechnet. Als Optimumtemperatur für diesen Prozeß erwies sich 800 °C.

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- 2FeS₂=2FeS + S₂, . 600, 660, 700, 750, 800 850 ° . , 800°.

     

Solid-Phase Microextraction of Aliphatic Alcohols Based on Polyaniline Coated Fibers

The efficiency of polyaniline (PANI), coated gold wire was investigated for use as a fiber for solid-phase microextraction (SPME). Aniline monomers were electropolymerized on gold wires by applying a constant current to an acetate buffer containing NaClO₄ as supporting electrolyte for 30 min. These fibers were used for the extraction of some aliphatic alcohols from gaseous samples. The results obtained proved the ability of PANI fiber for sampling organic compounds from gaseous samples. From this work, optimum conditions for preparation and conditioning of fibers and for the extraction of analytes from gaseous samples were obtained. Under optimum conditions, one fiber was used for several equivalent analyses and the relative standard deviations (RSD) were <7% (n=6). However, fiber to fiber reproducibility was <9% (n=6). This fiber is firm and durable and is simply prepared. Calibration graphs were linear in the range: 0.1–10 g mL^–1 for aliphatic alcohols; the detection limit range was 15–75 ng mL^–1 (S/N=3) using a flame ionization detector.     

Ferric perchlorate as an efficient and useful catalyst for the selective benzylation and methylation of alcohols with benzyl chloride and methyl iodide

Abstract  A mild and efficient method was developed for selective benzylation and methylation of hydroxyl compounds in the presence of a catalytic amount of ferric perchlorate. We showed that ferric perchlorate was very effective in selectively promoting the benzylation and methylation of primary aliphatic and benzylic alcohols versus secondary aliphatic alcohols and phenolic hydroxy groups. Graphical abstract        

In Silico Comparison of Low- and High-Risk Human Papillomavirus Proteins

Human papillomavirus (HPV) is an important pathogen which is classified into two, high- and low-risk groups. The proteins of high-risk and low-risk HPV types have different functions. Therefore, there is a need to develop a computational method for predicting these two groups. In the present study, the physiochemical properties of all early (E1, E2, E4, E5, E6, and E7) and late (L1 and L2) proteins in high- and low-risk HPV types have been studied. The concept of receiver operating characteristic analysis and support vector machines methods has been used for comparison of high- and low-risk HPV types. The results demonstrate that amino acid composition, physiochemical, and secondary structure of E2 protein are significantly different between these two groups. The results demonstrate that in silico properties can create useful information to predict high-risk and low-risk HPV types.     

Effect of Characteristic Time on Scaling of Breakthrough Time Distribution for Two-Phase Displacement in Percolation Porous Media

Transport in Porous Media - Determining the time of breakthrough of injected water is important when assessing waterflood in an oil reservoir. Breakthrough time distribution for a passive tracer...