Solid phase extraction enrichment of pesticide mixtures from aqueous solutions: a quantitative FT‐IR analysis

Solid phase extraction of ten commonly used pesticides on activated carbon has been investigated. Enrichment of these pesticides was successfully achieved at ppm levels and samples were then analysed using FT‐IR. The enrichment technique was employed for each pesticide sample individually and their complex mixtures. The FT‐IR technique was employed for the quantitative analysis. According to the results obtained from FT‐IR some pesticides were recovered at 36.8–86.5% whereas 2,4‐D and endosulfan were decomposed during the extraction procedure.     

Adsorption kinetics of malachite green onto activated carbon prepared from Tunçbilek lignite

Adsorbent (T₃K618) has been prepared from Tunçbilek lignite by chemical activation with KOH. Pore properties of the activated carbon such as BET surface area, pore volume, pore size distribution, and pore diameter were characterized by t-plot based on N₂ adsorption isotherm. The N₂ adsorption isotherm of malachite green on T₃K618 is type I. The BET surface area of the adsorbent which was primarily contributed by micropores was determined 1000 m²/g. T₃K618 was used to adsorb malachite green (MG) from an aqueous solution in a batch reactor. The effects of initial dye concentration, agitation time, initial pH and adsorption temperature have been studied. It was also found that the adsorption isotherm followed both Freundlich and Dubinin–Radushkevich models. However, the Freundlich gave a better fit to all adsorption isotherms than the Dubinin–Radushkevich. The kinetics of adsorption of MG has been tested using pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and intraparticle diffusion models. Results show that the adsorption of MG from aqueous solution onto micropores T₃K618 proceeds according to the pseudo-second-order model. The intraparticle diffusion of MG molecules within the carbon particles was identified to be the rate-limiting step. The adsorption of the MG was endothermic (ΔH° = 6.55–62.37 kJ/mol) and was accompanied by an increase in entropy (ΔS° = 74–223 J/mol K) and a decrease in mean value of Gibbs energy (ΔG° = −6.48 to −10.32 kJ/mol) in the temperature range of 20–50 °C.     

Characterization of NbSi TES Bolometers: Preliminary Results

We present preliminary results on characterisation of voltage biased superconducting bolometers with an NbSi alloy sensor. I(V) curves as well as complex impedance and noise measurements are carried out in a dilution fridge with a pulse tube as a first stage cooler. SQUIDs polarization and addressing are controlled by a cold ASIC in which a SiGe amplifier has been implemented. First characterisations were done on full membrane bolometers and show a noise level of about $10^{-16}\ \mathrm{W}/\sqrt{\mathrm{Hz}}$ . Those detectors are developed for the QUBIC experiment, a B-modes telescope that will be deployed in Antactica in 2013.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Dendrimer-Encapsulated Iron and Iron-Oxide Nanoparticles

In this paper, a series of iron (Fe) containing nanoparticles were prepared by employing PAMAM (Poly(amidoamine), dendrimers with different generations (G0?CG3) as templates and sodium borohydride as a reducing agent. The products have been characterized by TEM, FT-IR, XRD, VSM, TGA, and XPS. XRD analysis reveal low crystallinity of formed particles within the dendrimers, however, crystallinity of the nanoparticles was observed to increase with increasing generation of dendrimers. Dominant phases were determined as magnetite (Fe₃O₄ or maghemite, ??-Fe₂O₃). XPS analysis revealed the chemical composition of nanoparticles as iron oxide which indicated the oxidation of Fe species subsequent to the reduction process, in agreement with XRD analysis. The magnetization curves have superparamagnetic nonhysteretic characteristic at lower fields and with nonsaturation characteristic at high fields. Magnetic evaluation of samples with the 20:1?molar ratio of Fe:PAMAM showed decreasing superparamagnetic character and decreasing saturation magnetisation with increasing generation of dendrimers.     

Triethylene Glycol Stabilized CoFe2O4 Nanoparticles

We report on the synthesis and detailed composition, thermal, micro-structural, ac?Cdc conductivity performance and dielectric permittivity characterization of triethylene glycol (TREG) stabilized CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles synthesized by polyol method. XRD analysis confirmed the inorganic phase as CoFe₂O₄ with high phase purity. Microstructure analysis with TEM revealed well separated, spherical nanoparticles in the order of 6?nm, which is also confirmed by X-ray line profile fitting. FT-IR analysis confirms that TREG is successfully coated on the surface of nanoparticles. Overall conductivity of nanocomposite is approximately two magnitudes lower than that of TREG with increase in temperature. The ac conductivity showed a temperature dependent behavior at low frequencies and temperature independent behavior at high frequencies which is an indication of ionic conductivity. The dc conductivity of the nanocomposites and pure TREG are found to obey the Arrhenius plot with dc activation energies of 0.258?eV and 0.132?eV, respectively. Analysis of dielectric permittivity functions suggests that ionic and polymer segmental motions are strongly coupled in the nanocomposite. TREG stabilized CoFe₂O₄ nanoparticles has lower ???? and ???? than that of pure TREG due to the doping of cobalt. As the temperature increases, the frequency at which (????) reaches a maximum shifted towards higher frequencies. On the other hand, the activation energy of TREG for relaxation process was found to be 0.952?eV which indicates the predominance of electronic conduction due to the chemical nature of TREG. Contrarily, no maximum peak of tan ?? was observed for the nanocomposite due to the being out of temperature and frequency range applied in the study.     

Real‐Time Label‐Free Monitoring of Nanoparticle Cell Uptake

The surface plasmon resonance technique in combination with whole cell sensing is used for the first time for real‐time label‐free monitoring of nanoparticle cell uptake. The uptake kinetics of several types of nanoparticles relevant to drug delivery applications into HeLa cells is determined. The cell uptake of the nanoparticles is confirmed by confocal microscopy. The cell uptake of silica nanoparticles and polyethylenimine–plasmid DNA polyplexes is studied as a function of temperature, and the uptake energies are determined by Arrhenius plots. The phase transition temperature of the HeLa cell membrane is detected when monitoring cell uptake of silica nanoparticles at different temperatures. The HeLa cell uptake of the mesoporous silica nanoparticles is energy‐independent at temperatures slightly higher than the phase transition temperature of the HeLa cell membrane, while the uptake of polyethylenimine–DNA polyplexes is energy‐dependent and linear as a function of temperature with an activation energy of Ea = 62 ± 7 kJ mol^?1 = 15 ± 2 kcal mol^?1. The HeLa cell uptake of red blood cell derived extracellular vesicles is also studied as a function of the extracellular vesicle concentration. The results show a concentration dependent behavior reaching a saturation level of the extracellular vesicle uptake by HeLa cells.     

The effect of lemon juice on bonito (Sarda sarda,Bloch, 1793) preserved by sous vide packaging

This study examined the effect of lemon juice on sensory, biochemical and microbiological quality of sous vide (SV)‐packaged bonito. Bonitos were salted (0.2%) and divided into two groups. The first group (SV) was vacuum‐packaged in a gas barrier plastic pouch, pasteurised (70 °C, 10 min) and stored at 4 ± 1 °C. The second group [(lemon juice‐treated sous vide (LSV)] was treated with lemon juice, vacuum‐packaged, pasteurised and stored similarly. LSV samples had lower pH, mesophilic and psychrophilic aerobic counts than SV samples (P < 0.05), and they had better sensory quality. SV samples spoiled on the 35th day, while the LSV samples were acceptable until 49th day of storage. This result shows that treatment with lemon juice increased the acceptability and shelf life of SV packaged bonito for 2 weeks (40%). When compared to several other mild preservation procedures, addition of lemon juice to SV fish is inexpensive and uncomplicated method.     

Hydrothermal Synthesis of SrFe12O19 and Its Characterization

We have synthesized strontium hexaferrite particles in an alkaline medium using a hydrothermal process at 180?°C. Crystalline phase of samples were determined by XRD and spectroscopic, morphological, and magnetic investigation of the sample were FT-IR, SEM, and TG analysis, respectively. XRD analysis revealed few impurity phases in the as-made powder; upon calcinations, the material is converted to desired hexaferrite phase. As synthesized powder exhibits agglomerates with rather smooth facets, in the form of thick platelets. Upon calcination, all these structures were observed to transfer to rod-like structures. The As calcined sample has high specific saturation magnetization (M _s ) values of 65?emu/g that is close to its theoretical value of 74.3?emu/g but the hydrothermally synthesized sample does not. This is in agreement with the observations from XRD analysis where few impurity phases observed in the as-made powder cause a weak magnetic response. Upon calcination, the material is converted to a desired hexaferrite phase with better magnetic properties.     

Production and characterization of bio-oil and biochar from rapeseed cake

New and renewable fuels are the major alternatives to conventional fossil fuels. Biomass in the form of agricultural residues is becoming popular among new renewable energy sources, especially given its wide potential and abundant usage. Pyrolysis is the most important process among the thermal conversion processes of biomass. In this study, the production of bio-oil and biochar from rapeseed cake obtained by cold extraction pressing was investigated and the various characteristics of biochar and bio-oil acquired under static atmospheric conditions were identified. The biochar obtained are carbon rich, with high heating value and relatively pollution-free potential solid biofuel. The bio-oil product was presented as an environmentally friendly green biofuel candidate.