Comparing the deactivation behaviour of Co/CNT and Co/γ-Al2O3 nano catalysts in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

An extensive study of Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis on cobalt nano particles supported on γ-alumina and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) catalysts is reported.20 wt% of cobalt is loaded on the supports by impregnation method.The deactivation of the two catalysts was studied at 220 C,2 MPa and 2.7 L/h feed flow rate using a fixed bed micro-reactor.The calcined fresh and used catalysts were characterized extensively and different sources of catalyst deactivation were identified.Formation of cobalt-support mixed oxides in the form of xCoO yAl2O3 and cobalt aluminates formation were the main sources of the Co/γ-Al2O3 catalyst deactivation.However sintering and cluster growth of cobalt nano particles are the main sources of the Co/CNTs catalyst deactivation.In the case of the Co/γ-Al2O3 catalyst,after 720 h on stream of continuous FT synthesis the average cobalt nano particles diameter increased from 15.9 to 18.4 nm,whereas,under the same reaction conditions the average cobalt nano particles diameter of the Co/CNTs increased from 11.2 to 17.8 nm.Although,the initial FT activity of the Co/CNTs was 26% higher than that of the Co/γ-Al2O3,the FT activity over the Co/CNTs after 720 h on stream decreased by 49% and that over the Co/γ-Al2O3 by 32%.For the Co/γ-Al2O3 catalyst 6.7% of total activity loss and for the Co/CNTs catalyst 11.6% of total activity loss cannot be recovered after regeneration of the catalyst at the same conditions of the first regeneration step.It is concluded that using CNTs as cobalt catalyst support is beneficial in carbon utilization as compared to γ-Al2O3 support,but the Co/CNTs catalyst is more susceptible for deactivation.     

Linear viscoelasticity of poly(acrylonitrile-co-itaconic acid)/1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride extended from dilute to concentrated solutions

The solution rheology of poly(acrylonitrile-co-itaconic acid) (poly(AN-co-IA)) in 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([BMIM]Cl) spanning dilute, semidilute unentangled and entangled regimes were investigated. The exponents in the specific viscosity η_sp ～ overlap parameter c[η] power law were 1, 2 and 4.7 for dilute, semidilute unentangled and entangled regimes, respectively, which were found to be consistent with the scaling prediction for neutral linear polymers in θ-solvent. For dilute solutions (lower than 0.9 wt.%), the linear viscoelastic responses were observed to be in good agreement with the Zimm model (Flory exponent ν = 0.5). While for semidilute unentangled solutions (between 0.9 and 8 wt.%), results obtained had been found to be consistent with Rouse model. Considering Flory exponent ν = 0.5 and the concentration dependences of the specific viscosity and relaxation time, it had been evaluated that poly(AN-co-IA) in [BMIM]Cl behaves as a neutral polymer in θ-solvent. It had also been suggested that according to the unusual deviation of Cox-Merz rule, poly(AN-co-IA)/[BMIM]Cl solutions are typical neutral polymeric liquids for the concentrated solutions but have shown a more complicated behavior at high deformation rates.     

NMR and AM1 Study of the Tautomeric Equilibrium of Isochroman-1,2-diones

Reaction of homophtalic anhydrid with aliphatic or aryl anhydrids (or acid chlorides) and an appropriate base gives 4-acyl and 4-aroylisochroman-1,3-diones. The structure of these isochroman-1,3-diones was determined by ¹H, ¹³C and ¹⁷O NMR spectrometry. In solution, among the three possible tautomers, only the enolic one with exocyclic double bond was observed. These results are in good agreements with AMI calculations ones.     

Meliloester, a new melilotic ester from Melilotus alba

A new melilotic ester, meliloester [2-ethyl-hexyl-3-(2-hydroxyphenyl) propionate], was isolated from the whole plant of Melilotus alba. Its structure was elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic and mass spectrometric analyses, including EI-MS, HR-MS, and UV, IR, 1D and 2D-NMR spectroscopic studies.     

Preparation and characterization of novel PES‐(SiO2‐g‐PMAA) membranes with antifouling and hydrophilic properties for separation of oil‐in‐water emulsions

In the present study, modification of nanoparticles (NPs) was investigated to mitigate aggregation of SiO₂ nanoparticles and improve the polymeric membrane's performance. For this purpose, the surface of SiO₂ nanoparticles was activated with amine groups, and polymethacrylic acid (PMAA) was grafted on the surface of NPs by atom transfer radical polymerization. Modified NPs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) tests. Polyethersulfone (PES) membranes were fabricated with both SiO₂ and SiO₂‐g‐PMAA NPs via nonsolvent‐induced phase separation method. The fabricated membranes were characterized regarding their permeability, hydrophilicity, and porosity properties, and their separation efficiency was tested using the synthetic oil‐in‐water emulsion. The surface and cross‐sectional morphologies of membranes were observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The experimental trials showed that modified NPs dispersed more uniformly in the structure of membranes and hydroxyl groups on the surface of NPs acted more effectively. Modification of NPs enhance the membrane performance in terms of permeate flux, hydrophilicity, and porosity. NPs modification improved the permeate flux about 46%. Oil rejection for all tested membranes was more than 98%, and modification of NPs did not reduce the rejection of membranes. The optimum concentration was obtained as 1 wt.% and 1.5 wt.% for SiO₂ and SiO₂‐g‐PMAA, respectively. Aggregation effect dominated at concentrations beyond the optimum values that decreased the permeate flux, consequently.     

L-proline catalyzed multicomponent domino reaction in polyethyleneglycol-400 for regioselective synthesis of pyrazolyl-tetrahydroindazolones under microwave irradiation

A simple and convenient approach for the synthesis of pyrazolyl-tetrahydroindazolones via L-proline catalyzed three component domino reaction of arylhydrazine, dimedone and pyrazole aldehyde in polyethyleneglycol-400 (PEG-400) under microwave irradiation is described. This novel and green protocol proceeds smoothly in good to excellent yields and provides several advantages such as shorter reaction time, metal-free reaction conditions, simple work-up procedures. Also, recycling of the catalyst and solvent was observed without the loss of activity for three (03) runs.     

Chromogenic and fluorogenic detection of copper ions in the solution and intracellular media

The development of a fluorescent sensor for the trace detection of the metallic contamination in the ecosystem and biological media have been a demand to reduce the health risk and environmental protection. Herein, we report the synthesis of 2‐formyl‐5‐picolinyl‐substituted rhodamine B derivative through Schiff base formation for the trace detection of the copper ions in the aqueous organic media as well as inside the live cells via bioimaging experiments. The ligand was successfully employed to detect the minute copper level ratiometrically through the chromogenic and fluorogenic response. The detection limit of the sensor was found to be 0.54 × 10^?9 mol/L using 3 σ/slope relations. The reversible behavior of the ligand copper complex was determined using sulfide ions that regenerate the entire native properties of the ligands by snatching copper from the complex. The bioimaging experimental results represent the efficient membrane permeability of ligands with the minimum level of toxicity in the measured range found by the MTT assay. The appearance of bright red fluorescence from the BHK‐21 (hamster kidney fibroblast) cells upon treatment of the ligand incubated cells with the copper ions represents the utility of the proposed sensor for the copper detection probe in the intracellular media.     

Ion chemistry of α-diazoketones. 1. A collissional activation study of 1-diazo-3-phenoxypropan-2-one upon elecgtron impact

The gaseous ionic products of 1-diazo-3-phenoxypropan-2-one upon electron impact show that cyclization reactions, which have counterparts in condensed-phase chemistry, occur in competition with a mass spectral Wolff type rearrangement.