Application of nanostructure ZnLI2 complex in construction of optical pH sensor

This is for the first time that application of complex nanostructure is reported as pH indicator in PVC matrix. This new optical pH sensor was constructed based on incorporation of ZnLI₂ complex nanostructure in PVC matrix. The synthesized nanostructure ZnLI₂ complex was characterized by SEM and XRD technique. The membrane solution was speared on the glass plate to provide thin film and the membrane surface morphology was investigated via field emission scanning microscope (FE‐SEM) technique. Central composite design (CCD) combined with desirability function (DF) was applied to find the best experimental composition of membrane providing the highest absorbance. These conditions were found in correspondence with 3 mg of pH indicator, 3 mg of ionic additive and 1.5 mg/mg of DBP/PVC weight ratio. Under optimum conditions, the proposed pH sensor has two linear working ranges of 4 ‐ 8 at 393 nm (R² = 0.9897) and 5 ‐ 8 (R² = 0.9982) at 570 nm with response time of 4 min. The pK_a of proposed pH optical sensor was calculated through three methods that found to be 5.63. The present optical sensor shows stability after 2 months without any significant divergence in response properties (less than 5% RSD). Furthermore, current pH optode was exhibited good repeatability (RSD = 1.14%) as well as reproducibility (RSD = 4.06%). No significant variation was observed on sensor response with increasing the ionic strength in the range of 0.0–0.5 M of sodium chloride. All above features indicated that the proposed sensor can be successfully used for detection of pH in solutions with different ionic strength.     

An experimental study on free surface vortex dynamics

In the present research, hydrodynamic behavior of free surface vortices including surface displacement of the vortex core as a function of the vortex stability, relationship between the intake hydraulic parameters and vortex strength and characteristics of the vortex vertical stretching as a function of the intake hydraulic parameters were experimentally investigated in a horizontal intake. Relationship between the vortex-induced air and vortex strength was also evaluated and compared with the previous researches. In this regard, by defining a non-dimensional parameter as intake number, relationships between intake hydraulic parameters and other investigated dynamic aspects of free-surface vortices were discussed.     

Experimental study of the subcooled flow boiling heat transfer of magnetic nanofluid in a vertical tube under magnetic field

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - In this study, the subcooled boiling heat transfer of a Fe3O4/water magnetic nanofluid flowing through a vertical tube has been investigated...     

Kaurene as the major constituent of the essential oils of the narcotic plant,Khat (Catha edulis Forsk)

Khat (Catha edulis Forsk) is a narcotic plant which contains significant amounts of amphetamines, like alkaloids. Herein, analysis of the essential oil composition showed that Khat has useful volatile chemicals in addition to its alkaloids. Results indicated that among 35 identified constituents including mono and sesquiterpenes, the diterpene kaurene, comprises the major part of the essential oil, around 50 percent of total. Kaurene is known as a potent biological agent for the treatment of cancer patients. The presence of kaurene at high levels indicates that the essential oil of Catha edulis can potentially be more effectively exploited rather than its narcotic stimulant amphetamine-like alkaloids.     

Mechanistic Study of Ozone-Water Reaction and Their Reaction Products with Gas Phase Elemental Mercury:A Computational Study

The interaction of oxygen of water and central oxygen of ozone produces stable H₂O‐O₃ complex with no barrier. With decomposition of this complex through H‐abstraction by O₃ and O‐abstraction by H₂O, four possible product channels have been found. The reaction of mercury and the products of water‐ozone reaction have been studied. All geometrical and AIM parameters of intermediate, transition states, and the products of reactions are calculated and thermodynamic parameters are obtained. The negative value of free energy show that channels Hg+H₂OO, Hg+H₂O₂ and Hg+H₂O₄ in hydrogen tetroxide form (HTO) may be the main reaction channels.     

A new concept of hollow fiber liquid–liquid–liquid microextraction compatible with gas chromatography based on two immiscible organic solvents

A new concept of liquid–liquid–liquid microextraction (LLLME) was introduced based on applying two immiscible organic solvents in lumen and wall pores of hollow fiber (HF). With this methodology, analytes of interest can be extracted from aqueous sample, into a thin layer of organic solvent (dodecane) sustained in the pores of a porous hollow fiber, and further into a μL volume of organic acceptor (acetonitrile or methanol) located inside the lumen of the hollow fiber. Some chlorophenols (CPs) were selected as model compounds for developing and evaluating of the method performance. The analysis was performed by gas chromatography–electron capture detection (GC–ECD) without derivatization. The factors affecting the HF-LLLME of target compounds were investigated and the optimal extraction conditions were established. Under the optimum conditions, preconcentration factors in a range of 208–895 were obtained. The performance of the proposed method was studied in terms of linear dynamic ranges (LDRs from 0.02 to 100 ng mL⁻¹), linearity (R² ≥ 0.995), precision (RSD % ≤ 8.1) and limits of detection (LODs in the range of 0.006–0.2 ng mL⁻¹). In addition to preconcentration, HF-LLLME also served as a technique for sample clean-up.     

Density and viscosity of pyridinium-based ionic liquids and their binary mixtures with water at several temperatures

Densities and viscosities of two pyridinium-based ionic liquids, 1-butylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate [BuPy][BF₄] and 1-octylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate [OcPy][BF₄], and their binaries with water at atmospheric pressure and temperatures from (283.15 to 348.15) K were determined. The densities and viscosities of pure ionic liquids were correlated successfully by empirical equations. The Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann equations can fit the experimental viscosities for pure and binary of both IL systems. Excess molar volume and viscosity deviation were calculated for the binaries. The excess molar volumes have positive deviation from ideal solution while the viscosity deviations have negative values.