A Theoretical Study of 1‐D and 2‐D Helium Lattices

One‐ and two‐dimensional (1‐D and 2‐D) helium lattices have been studied using ab initio RHF/6–31G** computations. Structural, physical and thermochemical properties have been calculated and analyzed for the 1‐D and 2‐D He_N lattices respectively up to N = 50 and N = 36. Asymptotic properties of the 1‐D He_N lattices are obtained by extrapolating N‐dependence properties to large values of N. Analysis of the results show that the bulk per‐atom interaction (binding) energies increase while the optimized interatomic distances (bond lengths) slightly decrease with the increase in size of the 1‐D He_N lattices and both reach their asymptotic values of 0.352 cm^?1 and 3.18775 Å, respectively. Between the square and hexagonal (packed) structures of the 2‐D He_N lattices, the latter is more favored. Extrapolated values of the calculated properties, including lattice parameter, binding and zero point energies, heat capacity, and entropy have also been calculated for both 1‐D and 2‐D He_N lattices. The surface densities for monolayer films of helium atoms with square and hexagonal configurations have been calculated to be respectively 9.84 × 10¹⁸ and 1.04 × 10¹⁹ helium atoms/cm² which are comparable to the experimental value of 2.4 × 10¹⁹ helium atom/m² well within the typical large and directional error bars of the experiments. Surface effects have been investigated by comparing the packed He_N2‐D lattices with the same value of N but with different geometries (arrangements). This comparison showed that the He_N lattices prefer arrangements with the smallest surface area.     

A new Cu Schiff base complex with histidine and glutaraldehyde immobilized on modified iron oxide nanoparticles as a recyclable catalyst for the oxidative homocoupling of terminal alkynes

The novel functionalized Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@APTMS@Glu-His@Cu complex was prepared from modification of iron oxide nanomagnet particles with (3-aminopropyl) trimethoxysilane (APTMS) and glutaraldehyde–histidine Schiff base followed by complexation with Cu(I) salt. Characterization of this complex was carried out by means of FTIR, XRD, SEM, TEM and VSM techniques. The complex was found to successfully catalyze the oxidative homocoupling of phenylacetylene, 4-tert-butylphenylacetylene, 1-ethynyl-4-fluorobenzene and pent-1-yn-3-ol with 67–100 % conversions and 95–100 % selectivities. Magnetic recovery and recycling of the catalyst without significant decrease in activity is described in this presentation.     

A Bifunctional Electrocatalyst for OER and ORR based on a Cobalt(II) Triazole Pyridine Bis-[Cobalt(III) Corrole] Complex

As alternative energy sources are essential to reach a climate-neutral economy, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as futuristic energy carrier gains enormous awareness. However, seeking for stable and electrochemically selective H₂O₂ ORR electrocatalyst is yet a challenge, making the design of—ideally—bifunctional catalysts extremely important and outmost of interest. In this study, we explore the application of a trimetallic cobalt(II) triazole pyridine bis-[cobalt(III) corrole] complex Co^IITP[Co^IIIC]₂ 3 in OER and ORR catalysis due to its remarkable physicochemical properties, fast charge transfer kinetics, electrochemical reversibility, and durability. With nearly 100 % selective catalytic activity towards the two-electron transfer generated H₂O₂, an ORR onset potential of 0.8 V vs RHE and a cycling stability of 50 000 cycles are detected. Similarly, promising results are obtained when applied in OER catalysis. A relatively low overpotential at 10 mA cm⁻² of 412 mV, Faraday efficiency 98 % for oxygen, an outstanding Tafel slope of 64 mV dec⁻¹ combined with superior stability.     

Production and properties of a biosurfactant obtained from a member of the Bacillus subtilis group (PTCC 1696)

The production and properties of a biosurfactant, synthesized by a member of the Bacillus subtilis group (PTCC 1696) which was isolated from an Iranian oil field, have been investigated. The biosurfactant, which was produced as a primary metabolite associated with the growth of PTCC 1696, was able to reduce the surface and interfacial tension of media to 26.7 and 0.1 mN/m, respectively. Crude biosurfactant and acid precipitated biosurfactant have critical micelle concentrations of 10 and 100 mug/ml, respectively. The stability of the biosurfactant at different salinities, pH and temperature and also its emulsifying activity have been investigated. It is an effective surfactant at very low concentrations over a wide range of temperatures, pHs and salt concentrations and also has the ability to emulsify oil, which is essential for enhanced oil recovery.     

Cold-induced aggregation microextraction: a novel sample preparation technique based on ionic liquids

In this research, a novel microextraction technique based on ionic liquids (ILs) termed cold-induced aggregation microextraction (CIAME) is developed. In this method, very small amounts of 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate [Hmim][PF₆] and 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide [Hmim][Tf₂N] (as extractant solvents) were dissolved in a sample solution containing Triton X-114 (as an anti-sticking agent). Afterwards, the solution was cooled in the ice bath and a cloudy solution was formed. After centrifuging, the fine droplets of extractant phase were settled to the bottom of the conical-bottom glass centrifuge tube.CIAME is a simple and rapid method for extraction and preconcentration of metal ions from water samples and can be applied for the sample solutions containing high concentration of salt and water miscible organic solvents. Furthermore, this technique is much safer in comparison with the organic solvent extraction.Performance of the technique was evaluated by determination of the trace amounts of mercury as a test analyte in several real water samples. Michler thioketone (TMK) was chosen as a complexing agent. Analysis was carried out using spectrophotometric detection method. Type and amount of IL and the surfactant, temperature and the other parameters were optimized. Under the optimum conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) of the method was 0.3 ng mL⁻¹ and the relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) was 1.32% for 30 ng mL⁻¹ mercury.     

Synthesis of a new schiff base oxovanadium complex with melamine and 2‐hydroxynaphtaldehyde on modified magnetic nanoparticles as catalyst for allyl alcohols and olefins epoxidation

A new magnetically recoverable nanocatalyst designated as Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@PTMS@Mel‐Naph‐VOcomplex was synthesize by covalent binding of a Schiff base ligand derived from melamine and 2‐hydroxy1naphtaldehyde on the surface of silica coated iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles followed by complexation with VO (acac)₂. Characterization of the prepared nanocatalyst was accomplished with FT‐IR, XRD, SEM, HRTEM, VSM and atomic absorption techniques. It was found that the epoxidation of geraniol, trans‐2‐hexen‐1‐ol, 1‐octen‐3‐ol, norbornene, and cyclooctene is highly selective, affording quantitative yields of the corresponding epoxides with tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) using Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@Mel‐Naph‐VOcomplex as catalyst. High reaction yields, short reaction times, simple experimental and work up procedure, catalyst stability and excellent reusability even after five‐cycles of usage in the case of geraniol are some advantages of this research.     

Ethynylbenziodazolones (EBZ) as Electrophilic Alkynylation Reagents for the Highly Enantioselective Copper-Catalyzed Oxyalkynylation of Diazo Compounds

Ethynylbenziodoxol(on)e (EBX) cyclic hypervalent iodine reagents are now established reagents for the alkynylation of radicals and nucleophiles, yet they present limited possibilities for further structure and reactivity modification. Herein, the first synthesis is reported for the corresponding ethynylbenziodazolone (EBZ) reagents, in which the oxygen atom in the iodoheterocycle is replaced by a nitrogen atom. The substituent on the nitrogen enables further fine-tuning of the reagent structure and reactivity. EBZ reagents are obtained easily from the corresponding benzamides by using a one-step procedure, and display reactivity comparable to that of EBX reagents. In particular, they are applied in an asymmetric copper-catalyzed oxyalkynylation of diazo compounds, which proceeds in high yield and enantioselectivity for a broad range of substituents on the diazo compounds and the alkyne.     

Modeling the evolution of droplet size distribution in two-phase flows

A theoretical model is developed in the present study to simulate droplet motion and the evolution of droplet size distribution (DSD) in two-phase air/dispersed water spray flows. The model takes into account several processes which influence DSD and droplet trajectory: droplet collision and coalescence, evaporation and cooling, gravitational settling, and turbulent dispersion of dispersed phase. The DSDs determined by the model at different locations in a two-phase flow are evaluated by comparing them to experimental observations obtained in an icing wind tunnel. The satisfactory coincidence between simulation and experimental results proves that the model is reliable when modeling two-phase flows under icing conditions. The model is applied for two particular examples in which the modification of DSD is calculated in two-phase flows under conditions describing in-cloud icing and freezing drizzle.     

An efficient synthesis of pentasubstituted pyrroles: one-pot four-component reaction of arylamine,acetylenedicarboxylate, arylglyoxal,and symmetrical 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds

An efficient and catalyst-free for the synthesis of dialkyl 5-(aryl)-4-(1,3-dicarbonyl)-1-(aryl)-1H-pyrrole-2,3-dicarboxylate via a novel one-pot four-component reaction of arylamine, acetylenedicarboxylate, arylglyoxal, and 1,3-dicarbonyl compounds in ethanol is reported. All the products were obtained in excellent yields and their structures were established from their spectroscopic data.