Effective photocatalytic degradation of an azo dye over nanosized Ag/AgBr-modified TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> loaded on zeolite

Zeolite-based photocatalysts were prepared by the sol-gel and deposition methods. The photocatalysts were characterised by X-ray diffraction, nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms, FTIR spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometry. The activity of the prepared photocatalysts was evaluated by the UV-induced degradation of acid blue 92, a textile dye in common use. The effect of various parameters, such as catalyst concentration, initial dye concentration, thiosulphate concentration and pH, on the rate and efficiency of the photocatalytic degradation of acid blue 92 was investigated. The results showed that each parameter influenced the degradation rate and efficiency in a particular way. It was also found that, under optimised conditions, Ag/AgBr/TiO₂/zeolite exhibited the highest photocatalytic performance. A comparison of catalytic activity when exposed to visible light under the same conditions showed that the photocatalysts containing AgBr had the highest activity.     

Vitamin B12 supported on graphene oxide: As a bio‐based catalyst for selective aerobic oxidation of alcohols

The environmental impact of chemical processes has now opened new windows of opportunity for bio‐based catalysts. In this paper a highly active bio‐based catalyst of vitamin B₁₂ supported on graphene oxide nanosheets is reported for the selective aerobic oxidation of alcohols to the corresponding carbonyl compounds. Operational simplicity, mild reaction conditions, high yield and selectivity, non‐hazardous nature, commercial availability and affordability are the main advantages of this novel catalytic system.     

Steam pre-reforming of natural gas over nanostructured Ni/12CaO–7Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> catalyst for hydrogen production: effect of support preparation method

Calcium aluminate (12CaO–7Al₂O₃) powder was synthesized using three methods, viz. Pechini, coprecipitation, and a new novel facile decomposition route starting from activated alumina and calcium nitrate precursors, then used as a support to prepare a series of 31 wt%Ni/12CaO–7Al₂O₃ catalysts by deposition–precipitation method. The resultant catalysts were tested in steam pre-reforming of natural gas at 400–550 °C, low steam-to-carbon (S/C) molar ratio of 1.5, and atmospheric pressure. The obtained samples were characterized by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), temperature-programmed oxidation (TPO), hydrogen chemisorption, and CO₂–temperature-programmed desorption (TPD). Experimental results showed that the basicity and morphology of the supports depended significantly on the synthesis method. Calcium aluminate synthesized using the new decomposition procedure showed surface area of 6.23 m² g^?1, while the surface area of those prepared by the Pechini and coprecipitation method were 1.38 and 3.76 m² g^?1, respectively. The catalytic properties of the 31 wt%Ni/12CaO–7Al₂O₃ catalysts were strongly influenced by the support preparation approach. The highest specific surface area (about 230 m² g^?1), smallest Ni particle size (8.86 nm), and highest nickel dispersion (7.48%) were observed for the catalyst whose support was synthesized by the decomposition method. Even at high gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of 2 × 10⁵ mL \({\text{g}}^{ - 1}_{\text{catalyst}}\) h^?1, this catalyst exhibited around 100% C₂H₆ and C₃H₈ conversion at temperature above 500 °C. High catalytic stability during 60 h time on-stream was also shown. The TPO profiles of the spent catalyst demonstrated high resistance to carbon formation.     

Novel sulfur-doped niobium pentoxide nanoparticles: fabrication, characterization, visible light sensitization and redox charge transfer study

Novel sulfur-modified niobium(V) oxide nanoparticles (SNON) that firstly exhibited good visible light sensitization were fabricated by a modified sol–gel technique using a very stable sol containing niobium(V) chloride, oxalic acid, isopropanol as chelating agent and thiourea as sulfur source. The resulting S-doped Nb₂O₅ nanomaterials were characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDAX), scanning electron microscope (SEM), ultra-violet diffuse reflectance (UV-DRS) and thermogravimetry thermal Analysis (TG-DTA). As against the response of unmodified niobium(V) oxide nanoparticles (UNON), the doped samples show different electrochemical response indicating an induced charge transfer across the niobium pentoxide/solution interface, thus forming two anodic peaks and a cathodic peak. This important observation was confirmed by UV-DRS in terms of band bending due to sulfur doping. Upon sulfur-modification, the absorption edge extends into the visible light region. The SEM observation shows that the SNPN existed in the mode of polycrystalline structure and the average grain size 63 nm. The EDAX analysis of undoped Nb₂O₅ and sulfur doped Nb₂O₅ shows the Nb₂O₅ (98%) and S (2%) content of nanopowder. These SNON nanoparticles are expected to be suitable candidates as visible light niobium(V) oxide nanoparticles sensitization.     

Application of Multilinear Gradient Elution for Optimization of Separation of Chlorophenols Using Derringer’s Desirability Function

Multilinear gradient elution was applied for the simultaneous optimization of resolution and analysis times of nine chlorophenols separated by HPLC. The first relationship of ln k versus φ was determined using the isocratic retention time for each analyte. For prediction of gradient retention times of analytes, the fundamental equation of gradient elution was numerically solved. Then a grid search program was used to simulate chromatograms under each new condition. Two different chromatographic goals, analysis time and minimum distance between adjacent peaks, were evaluated simultaneously using Derringer’s desirability function for each chromatogram. The sigmoid function was used to transform the optimization criteria to desirability values. Under optimal conditions, a good agreement was observed between predicted and experimental values of the chromatographic response function when analysis time was less than 40 min.     

Simultaneous Determination of Nickel(II) and Copper(II) by Second‐Derivative Spectrophotometric Method in Micellar Media

A second‐derivative spectrophotometric method based on zero‐crossing over technique is developed in simultaneous determination of copper(II) and nickel(II) ions. Methylthymol blue (MTB) as a chromogenic reagent and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as a surfactant were used, and measurements were carried out in buffered solution at pH 6 and at a temperature of 25 °C. The amplitude of derivative spectra was measured at wavelengths of 631.9 and 587.7 nm for the simultaneous determination of Ni²⁺ and Cu²⁺, respectively. Linearity was obtained in the range of 0.5–5.0 μg mL^?1 for both ions in the presence of 0.0–5.0 μg mL^?1 of the other ion as an interfering ion. IUPAC detection limits for Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions were obtained at 0.48 and 0.43 μg mL^?1, respectively. The proposed procedure has been applied successfully for the simultaneous determination of copper and nickel in synthetic binary mixtures and real samples.     

Metal Hydrogen Sulfates Catalyzed Methoxymethylation of Alcohols under Solvent‐Free Conditions

Methoxymethylation of a variety of alcohols was performed by using formaldehyde dimethoxy acetal in the presence of metal hydrogen sulfate M(HSO₄)_n at room temperature and solvent‐free conditions. The methoxymethyl ethers (MOM‐ethers) were obtained with high yields and purity.     

Highly Sensitive and Selective Determination of Manganese in Tea Leaves by a Catalytic Kinetic Spectrophotometric Method

The catalytic effect of manganese(II) on the oxidation of barium diphenylamine sulfonate (BDAS) with potassium bromate in sulfuric acid was studied. Progress of the reaction was monitored, spectrophotometrically, by measuring absorbance changes at 547.5 nm. A highly sensitive, selective and simple method was accordingly developed for the determination of trace amounts of Mn(II), with no need for a separation or pre‐concentration step. Effects of reaction time, concentration of reagents, temperature and ionic strength on the reaction rate were studied. In the optimized conditions, manganese could be determined in a range of 1 to 60 ng mL^?1 with a detection limit of 0.2 ng mL^?1. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of manganese in tea leaves.     

Electrocatalytic Oxidation and Voltammetric Determination of Hydrazine on the Tetrabromo‐p‐Benzoquinone Modified Carbon Paste Electrode

The electrochemical properties of hydrazine studied at the surface of a carbon paste electrode spiked with p‐bromanil (tetrabromo‐p‐benzoquinone) using cyclic voltammetry (CV), double potential‐step chronoamperometry and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) in aqueous media. The results show this quinone derivative modified carbon paste electrode, can catalyze the hydrazine oxidation in an aqueous buffered solution. It has been found that under the optimum conditions (pH 10.00), the oxidation of hydrazine at the surface of this carbon paste modified electrode occurs at a potential of about 550 mV less positive than that of a bar carbon paste electrode. The electrocatalytic oxidation peak current of hydrazine showed a linear dependent on the hydrazine concentrations and linear analytical curves were obtained in the ranges of 6.00×10^?5 M–8.00×10^?3 M and 7.00×10^?6 M–8.00×10^?4 M of hydrazine concentration with CV and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) methods, respectively. The detection limits (3σ) were determined as 3.6×10^?5 M and 5.2×10^?6 M by CV and DPV methods. This method was also used for the determination of hydrazine in the real sample (waste water of the Mazandaran wood and paper factory) by standard addition method.     

Thulium(III) Ions Monitoring by a Novel Thulium(III) Microelectrode Based on a S‐N Schiff Base

This study presents for the first time development of a highly selective and sensitive thulium(III) micro‐sensor. Theoretical calculations were conducted on a S‐N Schiff base [thiophene‐2‐carbaldehyde‐(7‐methyl‐1,3‐benzothiazol‐2‐yl) hydrazone] (TCMH) in order to obtain a clue about the tendency of TCMH to Tm(III) and some other metal ions. Then, TCMH was used as a membrane‐active component to prepare a Tm(III)‐selective polymeric membrane microelectrode. In line with the resulting data, the electrode exhibits a Nernstian response toward Tm(III) ions for a very wide concentration range (1.0×10^?11–4.0×10^?6 M) with a detection limit of 1.0×10^?11 (ca. 1.5 ppt) and a very fast response time in the whole concentration range (<5 s). In addition, the results showed that the certain microelectrode could be applied in the pH range of 4.0–11.0 with a usage of more than one month without any considerable potential divergence.