Sonically modified hierarchical FAU-type zeolites as active catalysts for the production of furan from furfural

In this study, the sonochemical-assisted desilication method was applied as a special and innovative way of preparing hierarchical zeolites. The physicochemical properties of the hierarchical zeolites prepared using the sonochemical route were compared with those prepared using the conventional desilication method. Commercial zeolite with FAU-type structure was desilicated with a sodium and tetrabutylammonium hydroxide aqueous solution (NaOH/TBAOH) for 30 min. The ultrasound treatment process was performed using a QSonica Q700 sonicator (Church Hill Rd, Newtown, CT, USA) equipped with a ½″ diameter horn. The average power of sonication was 60 W, and the frequency was 20 kHz. During the sonication procedure, the alkaline solution with the catalyst precursor and sonicator probe were placed in an ice bath to keep them at room temperature. The prepared catalyst samples were examined by ICP-OES, XRD, SEM, NMR, and nitrogen sorption techniques. The acidic properties of the prepared hierarchical zeolite samples were assessed by means of IR spectroscopy with ammonia and carbon monoxide sorption as probe molecules. All catalysts were studied in the decarbonylation of furfural into furan.Independently of the application of ultrasonic irradiation, desilication of zeolites with an NaOH/TBAOH mixture extracts comparable amounts of silicon, resulting in comparable crystallinity and acidity. On the other hand, the samples prepared in the presence of ultrasounds revealed higher both mesoporosity and enhanced catalytic properties in the reaction of decarbonylation of furfural into furan in comparison with their counterparts prepared using the conventional method.     

Disinfection characteristics of an advanced rotational hydrodynamic cavitation reactor in pilot scale

Hydrodynamic cavitation is a promising technique for water disinfection. In the present paper, the disinfection characteristics of an advanced hydrodynamic cavitation reactor (ARHCR) in pilot scale were studied. The effects of various flow rates (1.4–2.6 m³/h) and rotational speeds (2600–4200 rpm) on the removal of Escherichia coli (E. coli) were revealed and analyzed. The variation regularities of the log reduction and reaction rate constant at various cavitation numbers were established. A disinfection rate of 100% was achieved in only 4 min for 15 L of simulated effluent under 4200 rpm and 1.4 m³/h, with energy efficiency at 0.0499 kWh/L. A comprehensive comparison with previously introduced HCRs demonstrates the superior performance of the presented ARHCR system. The morphological changes in E. coli were studied by scanning electron microscopy. The results indicate that the ARHCR can lead to serious cleavage and surface damages to E. coli, which cannot be obtained by conventional HCRs. Finally, a possible damage mechanism of the ARHCR, including both the hydrodynamical and sonochemical effects, was proposed. The findings of the present study can provide strong support to the fundamental understanding and applications of ARHCRs for water disinfection.     

How sonochemistry contributes to green chemistry?

Based on the analyses of papers from the literature, and especially those published in Ultrasonics Sonochemistry journal, the contribution of sonochemistry to green chemistry area has been discussed here. Important reminders and insights on the good practices and considerations have been made to understand and demonstrate how sonochemistry can continue to efficiently contribute to green chemistry area in the further studies.     

Benzophenone-3 ultrasound degradation in a multifrequency reactor: Response surface methodology approach

Response Surface Methodology was used for optimizing operating variables for a multi-frequency ultrasound reactor using BP-3 as a model compound. The response variable was the Triclosan degradation percent after 10 sonication min. Frequency at levels from 574, 856 and 1134 kHz were used. Power density, pulse time (PT), silent time (ST) and PT/ST ratio effects were also analyzed. 2² and 2³ experimental designs were used for screening purposes and a central composite design was used for optimization. An optimum value of 79.2% was obtained for a frequency of 574 kHz, a power density of 200 W/L, and a PT/ST ratio of 10. Significant variables were frequency and power level, the first having an optimum value after which degradation decreases while power density level had a strong positive effect on the whole operational range. PT, ST, and PT/ST ratio were not significant variables although it was shown that pulsed mode ultrasound has better degradation rates than continuous mode ultrasound; the effect less significant at higher power levels.     

Sonochemical synthesis of silver, copper and lead selenides

Ag₂Se, CuSe and PbSe were prepared by irradiating the mixtures of AgNO₃, CuI or PbCl₂ with selenium in ethylenediamine (en) with ultrasound at 18 kHz, using a commercial ultrasonic cleaner, respectively. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) patterns and transmission electron microscope (TEM) images show that the products are orthorhombic Ag₂Se, hexagonal CuSe and cubic PbSe, respectively, and all are well crystallized in nanometers.     

Synthetic approaches to 5,7- and 5,8-dimethoxyquinoline. Sonochemical dehalogenation of substituted 2,4-dichloroquinolines. Use of the 2D COLOC spectrum for the NMR assignment of 5,8-dimethoxyquinoline

Summary Sonochemical dehalogenation of 2,4-dichloroquinoline is very facile. However, with 5,7-dimethoxy-2,4-dichloroquinoline the reaction proceeds stepwise to provide the title dimethoxyquinolines which cannot be prepared via theSkraup reaction. The¹³C NMR chemical shift assignments for 5,8-dimethoxyquinoline are presented. These were made by utilising the coupling connectivities from the bridgehead carbons in the 2D COLOC spectrum.

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Synthese von 5,7- und 5,8-Dimethoxychinolin. Sonochemische Dehalogenierung von substituierten 2,4-Dichlorochinolinen. NMR-Spektroskopische Zuordnung von 5,8-Dimethoxychinolin mittels eines COLOC-Experiments

Zusammenfassung 2,4-Dichlorchinoline können sonochemisch leicht dehalogeniert werden. Mit 5,7-Dimethoxy-2,4-dichlorchinolin verläuft die Reaktion in mehreren Schritten zu den Titelverbindungen, die mittelsSkraup-Reaktion nicht hergestellt werden können. Das¹³C-NMR-Spektrum von 5,8-Dimethoxychinolin wurde, ausgehend von den Brückenkopfkohlenstoffatomen, mit Hilfe eines COLOC-Experiments zugeordnet.

     

Bulk polymerized polystyrene in the presence of multiwalled carbon nanotubes

The in situ bulk polymerization method was applied to synthesize composites of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) and polystyrene (PS) under ultrasonication to open π-bonds in the MWNTs. Morphology of the composite products was studied by both scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Thermal properties and molecular weight of the PS synthesized in the presence of the MWNTs were examined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC), respectively. The MWNTs were observed to play an important role as initiator consumers during the polymerization reaction. Electrical conductivity of a film-type sample of the PS/MWNT nanocomposite was found to increase with increased amount of MWNTs added, following the percolation theory.     

Ultrasound Promoted 1, 3-Dipolar Cycloaddition Reactions of Nitrile Oxides with α, β-Unsaturated Acetals

The 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reactions of nitrile oxides and α,β-unsaturated 1,3-dioxolanes were effectively accelerated by ultrasound irradiation to give the A²-isoxazolines with yields and regioselectivities surpassing those of the corresponding thermal reactions.     

Ultrasound-assisted dispersion of SrFe<Subscript>12</Subscript>O<Subscript>19</Subscript> nanoparticles in organic solvents and the use of the dispersion as magnetic cosmetics

A new method of dispersing the aggregated strontium hexaferrite (SrFe₁₂O₁₉) magnetic nanoparticles in organic solvents such as propylene glycol monomethyl ether acetate (PGMEA), propylene glycol (PG), and glycerol, by an ultrasonic bath is reported herein. The particles size of SrFe₁₂O₁₉ after treatment with the PGMEA is in the range 70–100 nm. The structure of dispersed SrFe₁₂O₁₉ was characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution scanning electron microscopy (HR SEM) and thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA). This dispersed material was used for the preparation of a topical magnetic cosmetic product as follows: The dispersion of SrFe₁₂O₁₉ in PG was mixed with “Dermud-Ahava Body Cream”, an ‘oil in water’ emulsion of a Dead Sea mineral cosmetic, “AHAVA”, and the magnetic properties of the created composite were determined. The ferrimagnetic behavior of the composite has been demonstrated as being very similar to the behavior of strontium hexaferrite itself.     

Velocity study in an ultrasonic reactor

In order to determine the parameters required to describe and to optimize sonochemical reactors, we have investigated the water flow inside such a reactor. With this aim, the experimental velocity field has been measured by tomography laser. The influence of certain parameters such as the electric power, the water height and the fluid viscosity has been evaluated. At the same time, the water movement has been studied theoretically using Nyborg's model. We have tried to improve this model by considering a three-dimensional velocity.