Nanoraspberry-like palladium/spongy nickel oxide for electrooxidation of five light fuels

The spongy nickel oxide (SNO) was synthesized the solution combustion method. The SNO was selected as a promoter to boost the catalytic activity of nanoraspberry-like palladium (NRPd) toward electrooxidation of five light fuels (LFs): methanol, ethanol, formaldehyde, formic acid, and ethylene glycol. The X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy, and field emission scanning electron microscope techniques were used for the materials characterization. In comparison with nonpromoted Pd, the NRPd-SNO electrocatalyst shown an excellent efficiency in parameters like the electrochemical active surface area and anti-CO poisoning behavior. The turnover data and the parameters, including reaction order, activation energy, and the coefficients of electron transfer and diffusion, were evaluated for the each process of LFs electrooxidation. The outcome for NRPd-SNO activity toward LFs electrooxidation was compared to some reported electrodes. The SNO increases the removal of intermediates created in the oxidation of LFs that can poison the surface of palladium catalyst. This is due to the presence of the lattice oxygens in SNO structure and Ni switching between its high and low valances. The compatibility of the adsorption process of LFs on the surface of the NRPd-SNO catalyst with different isotherms was determined by studying the Tafel polarization and calculating the surface coverage.     

Adsorption of anionic dye on eco-friendly synthesised reduced graphene oxide anchored with lanthanum aluminate: Isotherms,kinetics and statistical error analysis

In the present study we made an effort to deploy eco-friendly synthesized reduced graphene oxide/Lanthanum Alluminate nanocomposites (RGO-LaAlO₃) and Lanthanum Alluminate (LaAlO₃) as adsorbents to remove dye from the synthetic media. XRD, SEM, BET surface area and EDX have been used to characterize the above-mentioned adsorbents. The impacts of different factors like adsorbent dosage, the concentration of adsorbate and PH on adsorption were studied. The best fit linear and nonlinear equations for the adsorption isotherms and kinetic models had been examined. The sum of the normalized errors and the coefficient of determination were used to determine the best fit model. The experimental data were more aptly fitted for nonlinear forms of isotherms and kinetic equations. Pseudo-second-order and Freundlich isotherm model fits the equilibrium data satisfactorily. Methyl orange (MO) has been used as model dye pollutant and maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 469.7 and 702.2 mg g^?1 for LaAlO₃ and RGO-LaAlO₃, respectively.     

New Approach to Structure–Property Correlations of Different Films of Sorbitan Esters and Their Self-Assembly into Viscoelastic Monolayers

This publication is focused on the structural origin of viscoelasticity in Langmuir monolayers. To improve the understanding of the structural origin of viscoelasticity of surfactant films, we systematically studied interfacial films of different sorbitan esters with saturated (Span 60 and 65) and unsaturated (Span 80 and 85) paraffin chains by means of surface rheology, Langmuir isotherms, X-ray reflectometry (XRR), and Brewster angle microscopy (BAM). The results of two-dimensional shear rheological measurements revealed the existence of temporarily cross-linked networks. In dynamic BAM experiments, we observed a swinging motion of the monolayers as a result of a sudden externally initiated mechanical perturbation. The viscoelastic film response, which relaxed with time as the external force vanished, could be traced back to the presence of foam-like supramolecular structures that interlinked solid-condensed domains. The temperature dependence of the elastic response implied that the solid domains decomposed at temperatures close to the bulk melting point of Span 60 and Span 65. We concluded that insoluble surfactants formed solid domains at the interface, which were linked with each other by nonsolid areas, giving viscoelastic films. These newly discovered insights into coherent film formations could provide new opportunities for designing mechanically stable surfactant interfaces.     

Adsorption isotherm and kinetic modeling of a novel procedure for physical modification of silica gel using aqueous solutions of 4,4′-(1,2-ethanediyldinitrilo)bis-(2-pentanone) for preconcentration of Ni(II) ion

ABSTRACT

Aqueous solutions of 4,4′-(1,2-ethanediyldinitrilo)bis-(2-pentanone) (EDDBP) have been used in a novel green procedure for the physical modification of silica gel (SG) for solid-phase extraction and preconcentration of Ni(II) ion. Optimization experiments were carried out at 301 ± 1 K by batch technique. The EDDBP-modified SG was characterized using X-ray Diffraction Spectroscopy (XRD) and Brunaeur-Emmett-Teller (BET) determinations. The adsorption isotherm and kinetic models indicated a physisorption process. The modified SG showed moderate to high adsorption capacity values for Ni(II) ion (~98% removal efficiency) at pH 8. A sorption mechanism for Ni(II) chelation with EDDBP-modified-SG was proposed. These results suggest the procedure has advantages.     

Structural,thermal, spectral,optical and surface analysis of rare earth metal ion (Gd3+) doped mixed Zn–Mg nano-spinel ferrites

The present work reports the structural, thermal, spectral, optical and surface analysis of rare earth metal ion (Gd³⁺) doped mixed Zn–Mg nano-spinel ferrites. The samples of Gd³⁺ doped Zn–Mg nano ferrites with equi-amount chemical composition i.e. Zn_0.5Mg_0.5Fe_2-xGd_xO₄ (0.00 ≤ x ≤ 0.10 in step of 0.02) were prepared by self-ignited sol-gel route. The variance in the thermal behaviour and spinel phase development with weight loss percentage in the prepared samples was investigated by TG-DTA technique. The powder X-ray diffraction (P-XRD) patterns ensured the nanocrystalline mono-phasic formation and spinel-cubic structure of all the samples. The trend of increment in lattice constant (a) and decrement in crystallite (t) size was observed with the doping of Gd³⁺ ions. The appearance of two requisite vibrational stretching modes was affirmed by the FT-IR spectral studies. The UV–Vis optical analysis displayed the augmentation in absorbance and drastic decrement in energy band gap value (1.96 eV–1.83 eV) with Gd³⁺ doping. The photo-luminescent (PL) studies revealed the broad near band-edge emission in visible wavelength range (523 nm–528 nm) for all the samples. The surface parameters investigation was undertaken with the help of BET isotherms recorded by the N₂-physisorption and BJH model. The various surface parameters such as BET surface area, volume and radius of the pores, distribution of the pore sizes etc were construed from the BET data. The enhancement in these surface parameters via Gd³⁺ doping was noted for all the samples. The outcomes of the present work reflects the influential doping of Gd³⁺ ions in Zn–Mg nano ferrites, which can be implementable for bio-applications as thermal seeds in magnetic hyperthermia or as contrast enhancer in medical MRI imaging.     

Synthesis and characterization of a novel Ca-alginate-biochar composite as efficient zinc (Zn2+) adsorbent: Thermodynamics,process design,mass transfer and isotherm modeling

In this present work, Ca-alginate-biochar adsorbent has been synthesized, characterized and tested its effectiveness in the removal of aqueous phase Zn²⁺ metal. The removal efficiency was studied under various physicochemical process parameters. External mass transfer model, intraparticle diffusion model and pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order models were used to fit the experimental Zn²⁺ adoption kinetic results and to identify the mechanism of adsorption. The desorption studies indicate the possibilities of ion-exchange and physical–chemical adsorption of Zn^2+. The adsorption was best described by Langmuir isotherm model. Thermodynamic parameters suggested that the adsorption process becomes spontaneous, endothermic and irreversible in nature.     

Kinetics and thermodynamics modeling of Nd(III) removal from aqueous solution using modified Amberlite XAD7

New adsorbent material was obtained by modification of commercial Amberlite XAD7 with thiourea that represents a non-toxic, cheap and environmentally friendly extractant. Prepared adsorbent was used for removal of neodymium ions from aqueous solutions. Thiourea modified Amberlite involved in this study shows good adsorption capacities (74.3 mg/g) and excellent efficiency during Nd removal process. In order to elucidate the mechanism of the Nd adsorption process kinetic, thermodynamic and equilibrium studies were performed, establishing this way which kinetic model better describes the Nd adsorption process. Moreover the thermodynamic studies prove that the Nd adsorption on thiourea modified Amberlite XAD7 is an endothermic and spontaneous process.     

Olive mill wastewaters decontamination based on organo-nano-clay composites

Green composites for environmental applications were successfully prepared by intercalation of the biosurfactant Quillaja saponin onto montmorillonite mineral clay on varying pH and surfactant/clay ratio. Equilibrium adsorption isotherms were constructed and the system was characterized by performing TGA and XRD analyses.The efficiency of the surfactant-modified clay in the removal of the organic content present in olive mill wastewaters (OMW) was evaluated by means of spectrophotometric measurements. The interest for this cogent issue comes from the consideration that, despite their high pollutant content, OMW can be considered as a potential resource of several organic compounds which can be recovered for a wide array of pharmaceutical and industrial applications. Two different strategies were proposed. In the first one, dried surfactant/clay hybrids were added to the batch samples under continuous stirring, while in the second alternative approach the organoclays were packed in chromatography column filled with multiple alternate layers of sand and organoclay.These studies revealed the efficacy of the methods used and suggested that the modification of the montmorillonite clay substrate significantly improves the performance of the clay.     

Synthesis of strontium (Sr) doped hydroxyapatite (HAp) nanorods for enhanced adsorption of Cr (VI) ions from wastewater

The development of high-efficiency adsorbents for heavy metal ion removal from wastewater is highly desirable and challenging due to their synthesis complexity and low adsorption capacities. Herein, we reported the synthesis of strontium (Sr) doped hydroxyapatite (HAp) for the increased Cr (VI) adsorption. The effects of pH, temperature, and time on adsorption performances were studied. As a result, the Sr-HAp nanorods can achieve a Cr (VI) adsorption capacity of 443 mg/g, which is significantly higher than that of HAp nanorods (318 mg/g). To better understand the adsorption mechanism, the Langmuir isotherm model was established. The modeling results indicated that Langmuir monolayer chemical adsorption contributed to the efficient Cr (VI) ion removal for Sr-HAp nanorods adsorbents. The surface area and surface functional groups (O–H) contributed to the different Cr (VI) adsorption capacities between HAp and Sr-HAp.     

Combination of Reaction and Separation in Heterogeneous Catalytic Hydrogenation of Ethylformate

Continuous hydrogenation reaction of ethyl benzoylformate was studied over a (–)‐cinchonidine (CD)‐modified Pt/Al₂O₃ catalyst. The catalyst showed a good stability, and high enantioselectivity was achieved in the fixed‐bed reactor. Chromatographic separation of (R)‐ and (S)‐ethyl mandelate originating from a post‐continuous hydrogenation reaction of ethyl benzoylformate over the (–)‐CD‐modified Pt/Al₂O₃ catalyst was investigated in the same reaction mixture. A commercial column filled with a chiral selector resin was chosen as a perspective preparative‐scale adsorbent. Since adsorption equilibrium isotherms were linear within the entire investigated range of concentrations, they were determined by pulse experiments for the isomers present in a post‐reaction mixture. Breakthrough curves were measured and described successfully by the dispersive plug‐flow model with linear driving force approximation.