Ultrasound assisted reduction of graphene oxide to graphene in l-ascorbic acid aqueous solutions: Kinetics and effects of various factors on the rate of graphene formation

The reduction of graphene oxide (GO) to graphene (rGO) was achieved by using 20 kHz ultrasound in l-ascorbic acid (l-AA, reducing agent) aqueous solutions under various experimental conditions. The effects of ultrasound power, ultrasound pulse mode, reaction temperature, pH value and l-AA amount on the rates of rGO formation from GO reduction were investigated. The rates of rGO formation were found to be enhanced under the following conditions: high ultrasound power, long pulse mode, high temperature, high pH value and large amount of l-AA. It was also found that the rGO formation under ultrasound treatment was accelerated in comparison with a conventional mechanical mixing treatment. The pseudo rate and pseudo activation energy (E_a) of rGO formation were determined to discuss the reaction kinetics under both treatment. The E_a value of rGO formation under ultrasound treatment was clearly lower than that obtained under mechanical mixing treatment at the same condition. We proposed that physical effects such as shear forces, microjets and shock waves during acoustic cavitation enhanced the mass transfer and reaction of l-AA with GO to form rGO as well as the change in the surface morphology of GO. In addition, the rates of rGO formation were suggested to be affected by local high temperatures of cavitation bubbles.     

The utility of sulfonic acid catalysts for silane water-crosslinked network formation in the ethylene–propylene copolymer system

Catalytic effects of Brönsted acid on the early kinetics of water-crosslinking reaction in the vinyltrimethoxysilane-grafted ethylene–propylene copolymer (EPR-g-VTMS) system were investigated by means of an attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) technique and gel fraction measurements. Four sulfonic acids with different substituent, including methanesulfonic acid (C1SO₃H), 1-propanesulfonic acid (C3SO₃H), 1-pentanesulfonic acid (C5SO₃H), and dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid (C12PhSO₃H), were selected to examine the progress and effect of progressive changes in the silane water-crosslinked network structure in comparison with a primary amine (n-octadecylamine, Lewis base). From the kinetic analysis using Arrhenius equation, we found that the frequency factors for both hydrolysis (ATR-FTIR) and condensation step (gel content) of EPR-g-VTMS decreased in the order of C1SO₃H > C3SO₃H > C5SO₃H > C12PhSO₃H, while the activation energy values for each reaction did not differ significantly. These relationships can be explained mainly on the basis of the diffusion factors of the sulfonic acids in EPR-g-VTMS system. Moreover, the stress–strain curve comparison between water-crosslinked EPR-g-VTMS samples containing sulfonic acid and amine compound clearly indicated the difference in their tensile properties as a result of the catalyst variation; the use of sulfonic acid as water-crosslinking catalyst eventually achieves to the soft and tough water-crosslinked EPR-g-VTMS, while the hard and strong one was produced using amine catalyst. Not only the catalytic activity but also the type of the catalyst has eventually significant effects upon the physical properties of the water-crosslinked EPR-g-VTMS.     

Photo-crosslinked acrylates degradation kinetics

A series of crosslinked polyurethane acrylate solids with glass transition temperatures ranging from –49 to +65 °C was prepared by photopolymerization of specially formulated solvent-free resins. The kinetics of thermooxidative and thermal (in N₂) degradation of these crosslinked acrylate networks at temperatures ranging from 100 to 400 °C was studied as a function of crosslink density using thermogravimetry. The polyacrylate network degradation rate decreased with the increase of crosslink density, while apparent activation energy of degradation increased. Polyacrylate thermal stability increase with crosslinking was explained by decreased rate of oxygen and volatile products diffusion and/or slowing of depolymerization due to increased radical recombination rate, and decreased chain segments mobility in systems with higher crosslink density.     

Kinetic study of asymmetric hydrogenation of methyl levulinate using the (COD)Ru(2-methylallyl)2–BINAP–HCl catalytic system

The kinetics of asymmetric hydrogenation of methyl levulinate in the presence of the (COD)Ru(2-methylallyl)₂–BINAP–HCl catalytic system was studied. The kinetic order in H₂, as well as in the catalyst, was found to be equal to 1, whereas the kinetic order for the substrate and HCl falled from 1 to 0 with their increasing starting concentration. The kinetic and ³¹P NMR data testify that the mechanism of the reaction under consideration, most likely, involves the hydride transfer to the protonated substrate in the dinuclear ruthenium complex as the rate-limiting step of the catalytic cycle.     

Sorption characteristics and separation of tellurium ions from aqueous solutions using nano-TiO2

Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nano-TiO₂) were employed for the sorption of Te(IV) ions from aqueous solution. A detailed study of the process was performed by varying the sorption time, pH, and temperature. The sorption was found to be fast, equilibrium was reached within 8 min. When the concentration of Te(IV) was below 40 mg L⁻¹, at least 97% of tellurium was adsorbed by nano-TiO₂ in the pH range of 1-2 and 8-9. The sorbed Te(IV) ions were desorbed with 2.0 mL of 0.5 mol L⁻¹ NaOH. The sorption data could be well interpreted by the Langmuir model with the maximum adsorption capacity of 32.75 mg g⁻¹ (20 ± 0.1 °C) of Te(IV) on nano-TiO₂. The kinetics and thermodynamics of the sorption of Te(IV) onto nano-TiO₂ were also studied. The kinetic experimental data properly correlated with the second-order kinetic model (k₂ = 0.0368 g mg⁻¹ min⁻¹, 293 K). The overall rate process appeared to be influenced by both boundary layer diffusion and intra-particle diffusion. The mean energy of adsorption was calculated to be 17.41 kJ mol⁻¹ from the Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) adsorption isotherm at room temperature. Moreover, the thermodynamic parameters for the sorption were estimated, and the ΔH⁰ and ΔG⁰ values indicated the exothermic and spontaneous nature of the sorption process, respectively. Finally, Nano-TiO₂ as sorbent was successfully applied to the separation of Te(IV) from the environmental samples with satisfactory results (recoveries >95%, relative standard deviations was 2.0%).     

Changes in solvent exposure reveal the kinetics and equilibria of adsorbed protein unfolding in hydrophobic interaction chromatography

Hydrogen exchange has been a useful technique for studying the conformational state of proteins, both in bulk solution and at interfaces, for several decades. Here, we propose a physically based model of simultaneous protein adsorption, unfolding and hydrogen exchange in HIC. An accompanying experimental protocol, utilizing mass spectrometry to quantify deuterium labeling, enables the determination of both the equilibrium partitioning between conformational states and pseudo-first order rate constants for folding and unfolding of adsorbed protein. Unlike chromatographic techniques, which rely on the interpretation of bulk phase behavior, this methodology utilizes the measurement of a molecular property (solvent exposure) and provides insight into the nature of the unfolded conformation in the adsorbed phase. Three model proteins of varying conformational stability, α-chymotrypsinogen A, β-lactoglobulin B, and holo α-lactalbumin, are studied on Sepharose™ HIC resins possessing assorted ligand chemistries and densities. α-Chymotrypsinogen, conformationally the most stable protein in the set, exhibits no change in solvent exposure at all the conditions studied, even when isocratic pulse-response chromatography suggests nearly irreversible adsorption. Apparent unfolding energies of adsorbed β-lactoglobulin B and holo α-lactalbumin range from −4 to 3 kJ/mol and are dependent on resin properties and salt concentration. Characteristic pseudo-first order rate constants for surface-induced unfolding are 0.2–0.9 min⁻¹. While poor protein recovery in HIC is often associated with irreversible unfolding, this study documents that non-eluting behavior can occur when surface unfolding is reversible or does not occur at all. Further, this hydrogen exchange technique can be used to assess the conformation of adsorbed protein under conditions where the protein is non-eluting and chromatographic methods are not applicable.     

Chemorheological analysis of a gelled resol resin curing under non-isothermal conditions by shear strain

The chemorheological behavior of curing of a resol resin was analyzed under non-isothermal conditions beyond the gelation point. Two heating ramps (0.5 and 1 °C/min) from 0 to 100 °C were performed. The rheological measurements of the resin were performed using oscillatory shear strain. The obtained profiles for the resin’s complex viscosity were applied, after treatment by two calculation methods, to the four- and six-parameter Arrhenius models. These models allow one to establish the viscous flow region of the resin and the kinetic parameters of the material’s curing process. The six-parameter Arrhenius model was selected as the best method for modeling of the resin’s rheological behavior during its curing process. The viscous-flow activation energies determined for the gelled resol resin curing were 67.1 and 58.3 kJ/mol for the 0.5 and 1 °C/min heating rates, respectively. The activation energies of the resin curing process were 41.7 and 67.0 kJ/mol for each temperature ramp.     

Transition metal carbene chemistry 6: Kinetic studies of the reactions of hydroxide ion with (CO)5MoC(XCH2CH2OH)(C6H5) (X = O and S) and (CO)5WC(OCH2CH2OH)(C6H4-Z)

A kinetic study of the reaction of hydroxide ion with (CO)₅MoC(XCH₂CH₂OH)(C₆H₅) (X = O for Mo-OR, and X = S for Mo-SR), and (CO)₅WC(OCH₂CH₂OH)(C₆H₄-Z) (W-OR(Z)) is reported. The results are consistent with a pathway in basic solution that involves rapid deprotonation of the OH group followed by rate-limiting cyclization. The parameter k₁K^OH for the reaction of W-OR(Z) was determined as a function of the phenyl substituents. They were found to correlate well with the Hammett equation. The dependence of the reactivity on the metal atoms in the complexes M-OR (M = Cr, Mo and W) shows that the reactivity decreases slightly down the group of the Periodic Table, while for M-SR the reactivity increases slightly down the group. A plausible explanation of these results is offered based on electronegativity values of the metal atoms. The much higher ρ(k₁K^OH) value for W-OR(Z) over W-SR(Z) arises mainly due to the stabilization of the reactant carbene complex by the stronger π-donor effect of oxygen over sulfur.     

Thermokinetic study of the oxidation of ZrAl3 powders

The oxidation kinetics of ball milled ZrAl₃ powder was investigated by thermogravimetry at temperatures up to 1100 ° C. The non-selective oxidation of ZrAl₃ results in the formation of -Al₂ O₃, tetragonal and monoclinic ZrO₂. Non-isothermal and isothermal measurements were simultaneously used in a multivariate non-linear regression analysis to determine the kinetic reaction parameters. The oxidation process is well described by a generalized n-dimensional Avrami type rate equation, according to a diffusion limited growth reaction with an apparent activation energy of 244 kJ/mol. Significant improvement of the fit quality of the kinetic data is achieved through a two-step kinetic model indicating a complex oxidation mechanism.     

Chemiluminescence from poly(styrene-b-ethylene-co-butylene-b-styrene) (SEBS) block copolymers

A detailed analysis of the chemiluminescence emission (CL) from poly(styrene-b-ethylene-co-butylene-b-styrene), SEBS, was carried out. A phenol-phosphite stabilization system based on Irgafos 168 and Irganox 1330, was studied. The kinetic analysis of the CL profile under nitrogen shows a first-order reaction for the decay of chemiluminescence. The activation energy shows different values as a function of temperature, showing that different reactions are involved in the thermal degradation of the SEBS. The CL decay rate correlates well with the amount of the phosphite, Irgafos 168, and confirms the activity of this stabilizer as radical chain-breaking antioxidant in these copolymers.The isothermal analysis of CL under oxygen allows evaluation of the oxidation state, as well as the efficiency of the antioxidants. Good correlations are found between the CL parameters and concentration of Irgafos 168. Several factors suggest that oxidation begins in the interfacial region. Spectral analysis of the chemiluminescence shows the presence of different types of hydroperoxides.Finally, the characterization of the SEBS copolymers by differential scanning calorimetry reveals an order-disorder transition, assigned to aggregates that behave as paracrystalline regions.