Synthesis of Fe—Ni—Ce trimetallic catalyst nanoparticles via impregnation and co-precipitation and their application to dye degradation

In this study, trimetallic catalysts were prepared via the co-precipitation and impregnation methods. In order to investigate the effect of impregnation on the catalytic activity and crystallite size, a trimetallic catalyst, Fe—Ni—Ce, was prepared through the co-precipitation method in one set of experiments, and cerium was impregnated with the Ni—Fe mixture in the final stage of the preparation in another set. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was employed to confirm the formation of trimetallic catalysts and the success of the impregnation method. The Brunauer-Emmett-Teller nitrogen adsorption isotherm exhibits a high specific surface area (approximately 39 m² g^?1) for the nanoparticles obtained by the impregnation method. The crystallography and morphology of the trimetallic catalysts thus prepared were characterised by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. UV-VIS spectroscopy and methylene blue dye degradation tests were also performed to investigate the catalytic activity of the synthesised catalysts. The crystalline size was found to be smaller for the catalysts prepared by the impregnation method. In addition, the samples synthesised using the cerium impregnation method showed superior activity in the methylene blue dye degradation test. The effect of the catalyst dosage on dye degradation, as well as the effect of the initial dye concentration on the catalyst activity, was also studied for both methods.     

A novel intramolecular reversible reaction between the hydroxyl group and isobutenylene chain in a cyclophane-type macrocycle

A novel Hg²⁺ ion induced reversible ring contraction was achieved employing the intramolecular reaction of isobutylene with an aromatic hydroxyl group of cyclophane; reversibility of the reaction was facilitated by excess addition of NaBH₄ which also resulted in complexation. The ring contraction and expansion was monitored by UV-VIS absorption, and by fluorescence and ¹H NMR spectra. Switchable fluorescence behavior (on—off—on) was observed when the ring-size was tuned from a 19-membered ring to an 18-membered and vice versa. This fine tuning has the potential to be applied in the construction of new supramolecular devices.     

Avobenzone encapsulated in modified dextrin for improved UV protection and reduced skin penetration

The present study used differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, and UV spectrometry to examine: i) the encapsulation of an organic UV filter 1-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-(4- tert-butylphenyl)propane-1,3-dione (avobenzone) within modified dextrin and ii) the characteristics of these inclusion complexes (MDA). The properties of avobenzone emulsions with and without encapsulation in modified dextrin, the in vitro UV protection factor, dissolution and release, and the skin penetrability of avobenzone were also examined. The presence of inclusion complexes significantly decreased the tendency of the UV filter to penetrate the skin. In addition, such inclusion complexes should effectively prevent skin damage from radiation extending from the UVA to the UVC.     

Preparation and characterisation of gelatine hydrogels predisposed to use as matrices for effective immobilisation of biocatalysts

Physical, enzymatic and chemical methods were used to develop an efficient procedure for preparing gelatine hydrogels of appropriate strength and elastic properties for applications as enzyme carriers. The concentrations of the crosslinking enzyme (transglutaminase), the initial amount of gelatine, the production time and the effect of additional crosslinking with glutaraldehyde were examined. As a result, the following conditions were selected: 0.1 g cm^?3 solution of gelatine, 0.01 g cm^?3 of transglutaminase (mTGase), a minimum of 2 h incubation at 4°C and an additional step of crosslinking with 1.0 vol. % of glutaraldehyde. Next, the absorption properties and storage stability of hydrogels so obtained were determined. From these results, it was observed that, with the exception of the physical gel, the remaining materials presented a relatively high resistance to hydrolytic degradation and retained their original spatial structure without any visible damages. The immobilisation experiments indicated gelatine-based hydrogels crosslinked with transglutaminase as suitable for use as matrices for the entrapment of enzymes, which catalyse the conversion of low-molecular mass compounds. In addition to the potential for effective re-use in subsequent batch processes, the essential advantage of the immobilised β-galactosidase obtained in the current study is a marked reduction in its volume under storage conditions of long duration, without any significant decline in catalytic activity.     

Role of polydimethylsiloxane in properties of ternary materials based on polyimides containing zeolite Y

Mixed matrix materials, containing poly(dimethylsiloxane), phosphine oxide-based polyimide, and zeolite Y were prepared by means of blending hybridisation. The thermal stability of the materials and the hydrophobic properties were enhanced. The decrease in the glass transition temperature of the materials with the increase in poly(dimethylsiloxane) content supported the polymer-chain flexibility. The pristine polyimide and the zeolite-filled polyimide exhibited the highest transparency. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed that the increase in the amount of the lowest molecular mass poly(dimethylsiloxane) ingredient indicated strong alkyl and Si-O-Si stretching modes, whilst the alkyl and Si-O-Si stretching intensity decreased in the presence of the highest amount of and the highest molecular mass poly(dimethylsiloxane). The hydrophobic poly(dimethylsiloxane) moiety created an inverse relationship between the porosity of the materials (surface roughness) and the hydrophilicity. The nanocrystallite domain, identified by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) and possessing an exotherm crystallisation peak, occurred in the lowest amount of poly(dimethylsiloxane) with the highest molecular mass-based hybrid material. The nanocrystallite enhanced the storage modulus as determined by the dynamic mechanical analyser (DMA). The nanocrystalline formation resulted in a slight increase in the alkyl stretching and the Si-O-Si stretching of the lowest amount of and the highest molecular mass poly(dimethylsiloxane)-containing material over those of the lowest molecular mass poly(dimethylsiloxane) in the same amounts of material involved.