A scheme for sequential separation of thorium,lanthanides, uranium in geo-materials and their ICP-OES determination

Journal of Radioanalytical and Nuclear Chemistry - Neutral complexes of thorium and lanthanides with 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene and anionic complexes of uranium with the same chelating agent in...     

Synthesis of 3,8,13,18-tetrachloro-2,7,12,17-tetramethoxyporphyrin

Vilsmeier-Haack formylation of 3,4-dimethoxypyrrole led to the unprecedented formation of 3-chloro-4-methoxypyrrole-2-aldehyde instead of the desired dialdehyde. Subsequent reduction and acid catalyzed cyclization led to the formation of type I, 3,8,13,18-tetrachloro-2,7,12,17-tetramethoxyporphyrin in approximately 6% yield.     

Some Bianchi Type III String Cosmological Models with Bulk Viscosity

We investigate the integrability of cosmic strings in Bianchi III space-time in presence of a bulk viscous fluid by applying a new technique. The behavior of the model is reduced to the solution of a single second order nonlinear differential equation. We show that this equation admits an infinite family of solutions. Some physical consequences from these results are also discussed.     

Influence of Size and Shape on the Photocatalytic Properties of SnO2 Nanocrystals

Tuning the functional properties of nanocrystals is an important issue in nanoscience. Here, we are able to tune the photocatalytic properties of SnO₂ nanocrystals by controlling their size and shape. A structural analysis was carried out by using X‐ray diffraction (XRD)/Rietveld and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results reveal that the number of oxygen‐related defects varies upon changing the size and shape of the nanocrystals, which eventually influences their photocatalytic properties. Time‐resolved spectroscopic studies of the carrier relaxation dynamics of the SnO₂ nanocrystals further confirm that the electron–hole recombination process is controlled by oxygen/defect states, which can be tuned by changing the shape and size of the materials. The degradation of dyes (90 %) in the presence of SnO₂ nanoparticles under UV light is comparable to that (88 %) in the presence of standard TiO₂ Degussa P‐25 (P25) powders. The photocatalytic activity of the nanoparticles is significantly higher than those of nanorods and nanospheres because the effective charge separation in the SnO₂ nanoparticles is controlled by defect states leading to enhanced photocatalytic properties. The size‐ and shape‐dependent photocatalytic properties of SnO₂ nanocrystals make these materials interesting candidates for photocatalytic applications.     

A highly sensitive redox-active monolayer for "signal-on" optical detection of iron(II)

"Signal-on" optical detection of parts-per-billion (ppb) levels of Fe(II) in CH(2)Cl(2) and H(2)O was demonstrated using a redox-active and optically rich metal complex-based monolayer.     

Superhalogen properties of CumCln clusters: theory and experiment

Using a combination of density functional theory and anion photoelectron spectroscopy experiment, we have studied the structure and electronic properties of CuCl(n)(-) (n = 1-5) and Cu(2)Cl(n)(-) (n = 2-5) clusters. Prominent peaks in the mass spectrum of these clusters occurring at n = 2, 3, and 4 in CuCl(n)(-) and at n = 3, 4, and 5 in Cu(2)Cl(n)(-) are shown to be associated with the large electron affinities of their neutral clusters that far exceed the value of Cl. While CuCl(n) (n ≥ 2) clusters are conventional superhalogens with a metal atom at the core surrounded by halogen atoms, Cu(2)Cl(n) (n ≥ 3) clusters are also superhalogens but with (CuCl)(2) forming the core. The good agreement between our calculated and measured electron affinities and vertical detachment energies confirm not only the calculated geometries of these superhalogens but also our interpretation of their electronic structure and relative stability.     

Potential candidates for hyperhalogens: a comparative study of BO2, AlO2, and VO3 species

Recent work has shown that BO(2) which is a superhalogen with an electron affinity of 4.46 eV, can be used as building block of a new class of molecules/clusters whose electron affinities can exceed that of BO(2). This class of molecules was named hyperhalogens and the concept was illustrated by focusing on Au(BO(2))(2). Here we explore other superhalogens besides BO(2) to see if they too can be used to form hyperhalogens. We have chosen to focus on AlO(2) which is valence isoelectronic with BO(2) as well as VO(3) which involves a transition metal atom. The results obtained using density functional theory show unexpected behavior: Although AlO(2) and VO(3) are both superhalogens such as BO(2), only Na(BO(2))(2) is a hyperhalogen while Na(AlO(2))(2) and Na(VO(3))(2) are not. The origin of this anomalous result is traced to the large binding energy of the dimers of AlO(2) and VO(3).     

Enhanced photocatalytic and adsorptive degradation of organic dyes by mesoporous Cu/Al2O3-MCM-41: intra-particle mesoporosity, electron transfer and OH radical generation under visible light

Mesoporous Cu/Al(2)O(3)-MCM-41 composite was synthesized by two step processes; in situ incorporation of high surface area mesoporous Al(2)O(3) (MA) into the framework of MCM-41 (in situ method) followed by impregnation of Cu(II) by incipient wetness method. The interesting thing is that starch was used for the first time as template for the preparation of high surface area MA. To evaluate the structural and electronic properties, these catalysts were characterized by low angle X-ray diffraction (LXRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-vis DRS, FTIR and photoluminescent (PL) spectra. The various cationic dye such as methylene blue (MB), methyl violet (MV), malachite green (MG) and rhodamine 6G (Rd 6G) of high concentration 500 mg L(-1) were degraded and adsorbed very efficiently (100%) using the 5 Cu/Al(2)O(3)-MCM-41 composite within 30 and 60 min, respectively. The high and quick removal of such concerted cationic organic dyes and also mixed dyes (MB+MV+MG+Rd 6G) by means of photocatalysis/adsorption is basically due to the combined effect three characteristics of synthesized mesoporous 5 Cu/Al(2)O(3)-MCM-41 composite. These characteristics are intra-particle mesoporosity, electron transfer and ˙OH radical generation under solar light.     

Multimodal approaches of the hydroalcoholic extract of Diospyros peregrina fruits in diabetic therapy

The matured fruits of Diospyros peregrina possess significant antidiabetic activity. The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the target of action of the hydroalcoholic extract of D. peregrina fruit in diabetic pathophysiology. The extract was tested in vitro for inhibition of glucose absorption by α-amylase inhibition assay, glucose uptake study by isolated rat hemidiaphragm method and free radical scavenging activity by DPPH method. The extract exhibited significant α-amylase inhibition (IC?? 136.5 μg mL?1), peripheral glucose utilisation and radical scavenging (IC?? 167.5 μg mL?1) activity. From the results, it may be concluded that the hydroalcoholic extract of D. peregrina fruit can counteract diabetes by multiple mechanisms, namely inhibition of carbohydrate absorption, improving peripheral glucose utilisation and antioxidant defence.     

Thermally controlled cyclic insertion/ejection of dopant ions and reversible zinc blende/wurtzite phase changes in ZnS nanostructures

We report a reversible phase transformation of platelet-shaped ZnS nanostructures between wurtzite (WZ) and zinc blende (ZB) phases by reversible insertion/ejection of dopant Mn(II) ions induced by a thermocyclic process. In a reaction flask loaded with WZ ZnS platelets and Mn molecular precursors, during heating Mn ions are incorporated and change the phase of the host nanostructures to ZB; during cooling Mn ions are spontaneously ejected, returning the host nanoplatelets to the original WZ phase. These reversible changes are monitored for several cycles with PL, EPR, XRD, and HRTEM. Interestingly, the (0001) WZ platelets transform to (110) ZB following a nucleation and growth process triggered by a local increase/depletion of the Mn(2+) concentration in the nanocrystals.