Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and room temperature ionic liquids (RTILs) carbon paste Er(III) sensor based on a new derivative of dansyl chloride

Solution studies showed the strong interaction of [5-(dimethylamino) naphthalene-1-sulfonyl 4-phenylsemicarbazide] (NSP) with Er(III) ions. NSP was used as a sensing material during construction of carbon paste Er(III) sensors. The electrodes were modified with 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, [bmim]BF₄, as room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) and multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT). Potentiometric sensors constructed with [bmim]BF₄ and MWCNTs show better sensitivity, selectivity, response time, and response stability compared to Er(III) carbon paste sensors. The best performance for the modified sensor was obtained with an electrode composition of 20% [bmim]BF₄, 20% NSP, 45% graphite powder and 15% MWCNT. This particular sensor formulation exhibits a Nernstian response (19.8 ± 0.3 mV decade⁻¹) toward Er(III) ions in the range of 1.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.0 × 10⁻¹ mol L⁻¹ with a detection limit of 5.0 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹. The proposed modified Er(III) sensor can be used over the pH range from 3.5 to 9.0.     

A novel lamella 2D Ag(I) coordination polymer of graphite-like structure featuring short interlayer distance

The reaction of Ag₂O with a mixture of benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid (H₃BTC) and 2-aminopyrazine (APYZ) under the ammoniacal conditions gives rise to a novel metal–organic coordination polymer Ag₆(BTC)₂(APYZ)₆·9H₂O (1). The structure of 1 possesses a high ordered lamella 2D structure with an interesting graphite-like 6³ net which is comprised of Ag₄ and Ag₆ fused hexagonal rings respectively. 1 exhibits photoluminescence maximized at 416 nm upon 330 nm excitation at room temperature, which may be mainly ascribed to ligand-to-ligand charge transfer (LLCT). Semiconducting behavior was also measured at ambient temperature with σ values of 5.56 × 10⁻⁷ S cm⁻¹ based on the π–π stacking and Ag(I)–π interactions.     

Application of silica gel as an effective modifier for the voltammetric determination of dopamine in the presence of ascorbic acid and uric acid

Amorphous silica gel modified carbon paste electrode (CPE) offers substantial improvements in voltammetric sensitivity and selectivity towards determination of dopamine (DA). Cyclic voltammetry of Fe(CN)₆^3−/4− as a negatively charged probe revealed that the surface of the silica gel modified carbon paste electrode had a high density of negative charge at pH 8.0. Therefore, the modified electrode adsorbed DA (pK_a = 8.9) and enhanced its voltammetric response while repulsed ascorbic acid (AA) (pK_a = 4.2) and uric acid (UA) (pK_a = 5.4) and inhibited their interfering effects. The influence of various experimental parameters including percent of silica gel in the CPE, pH of solution, and accumulation time and potentials, on the voltammetric response of DA was investigated. At the optimum conditions, the analytical curve was linear for dopamine concentrations from 2.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁶ mol L⁻¹ and 2.0 × 10⁻⁶ to 1.5 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ with a detection limit (3σ) of 4.8 × 10⁻⁸ mol L⁻¹. The prepared electrode was used for determination of DA spiked into DA injection and human serum samples, and very good recovery results were obtained over a wide concentration range of DA.     

Magnetic properties of CNX whiskers

Carbon–nitrogen whiskers have been prepared by pyrolysis of 1,2-diaminopropane at 950 °C or of allylamine at 900 °C followed by quenching. They are scrolls of carbon film typically 250 nm thick and up to 1 mm long with about five layers in a structure like a “cigare russe” or “brandy snap”, about 50 μm in diameter. Approximately 8 wt% of nitrogen is incorporated into the carbon films, which are practically amorphous, exhibiting a broad diffraction peak at d = 0.34 nm. The whiskers are on the border of metallic conductivity with a resistivity of about 10⁻⁶ Ωm, and they may show either a positive or a negative temperature coefficient of resistance. The pyrolysis produces either whiskers, soot or both. Magnetization measurements of the whiskers made from 1,2-diaminopropane reveal a large diamagnetic susceptibility of χ = −170 × 10⁻⁹ m³  kg⁻¹ and a small ferromagnetic component of unknown origin with σ_S of up to 0.2 A m² kg⁻¹, whereas the soot shows a purely diamagnetic signal, with χ ≈ −40 × 10⁻⁹ m³ kg⁻¹.     

Development and applications of quaternary ammonium (QA) membrane electrodes in pharmaceutical preparation and in bioavailability of Prostaglandin E1 and Deoxycholate

The two novel ion-pairs (PB-TPB and NB-TPB) of quaternary ammonium drugs; propantheline bromide (PB), N,N-Diisopropyl-N-methyl-N-[2-(xanthen-9ylcarbonyloxy)ethyl] ammonium bromide and neostigmine bromide (NB), 3-(dimethylcarbamoyloxy) phenyl]-trimethylazanium have been synthesized, respectively and incorporated in poly (vinyl chloride)-based membrane electrodes for the quantification of propantheline bromide and neostigmine bromide in different pharmaceutical preparations. The influences of membrane compositions on the potentiometric responses of membrane electrodes have been found to substantially improve the performance characteristics. The best performance was reported with membranes having composition (w/w) of PB-TPB or NB-TPB (6%): PVC (34%): o-NPOE (60%). The proposed electrodes exhibit nernstian response in the concentration ranges of 2.1 × 10⁻⁷ M to 1.0 × 10⁻² M and 4.4 × 10⁻⁷ M to 1.0 × 10⁻² M with detection limit of 1.5 × 10⁻⁷ M and 3.3 × 10⁻⁷ M, respectively. Both the membrane electrodes perform satisfactorily over pH ranges of (3.5–7.5 and 4.0–7.0) with fast response times (11 s and 13 s), respectively. These drugs (PB and NB) were further utilized as different ion-pairs of Prostaglandin E₁ (PGE₁) and Deoxycholate (DOC) in poly (vinyl chloride)-based membrane electrodes for the determination of bioavailability of Prostaglandin E₁ and Deoxycholate in plasma of different patients.     

Fabrication and properties of highly transparent Tm3Al5O12 (TmAG) ceramics

Highly transparent Tm₃Al₅O₁₂ (TmAG) ceramics were fabricated by solid-state reaction and vacuum sintering. Densification, microstructure evolution, mechanical, thermal, and optical properties of the TmAG ceramics were investigated. Fully dense TmAG ceramic with average grain size of 15 μm was obtained by sintering at 1780 °C for 20 h. The in-line transmittance was 80.5% at 2000 nm. The absorption coefficients at 682 nm and 785 nm were 8.03 cm⁻¹ and 8.33 cm⁻¹, respectively. The Vickers hardness, the Young modulus, the bending strength, and the fracture toughness values were 15.14 GPa, 343 GPa, 230 MPa, and 2.35 MPa m^1/2, respectively. The thermal conductivity at room temperature was 3.3 W/m K and the average linear thermal expansion coefficient from 20 °C to 1000 °C was 8.915 × 10⁻⁶ K.     

Novel coated graphite electrode for the selective determination of Gd(III) in rocks and waste water samples

A novel gadolinium selective coated graphite electrode based on 2,6-bis-[1-{N-cyanopropyl,N-(2-methylpridyl)}aminoethyl]pyridine [P] is described. The best performance was exhibited by the electrode having membrane composition P:NaTPB:PVC:NPOE as 8:4:30:58 (%, w/w). The electrode demonstrates excellent potentiometric characteristics towards gadolinium ion over several interfering ions. The electrode exhibited a Nernstian response to Gd³⁺ ion over a wide concentration range 2.8 × 10⁻⁷ to 5.0 × 10⁻² M with a detection limit (6.3 ± 0.1) × 10⁻⁸ M and slope 19.6 ± 0.1 mV decade⁻¹ of a_Gd³⁺. Furthermore, it showed a fast response time (12 s) and can be used for 2.5 months without significant divergence in its characteristics. Noticeably, the electrode can tolerate the concentration of different surfactants up to 1.0 × 10⁻⁴ M and can be used successfully in 30% (v/v) ethanol media and 10% (v/v) methanol and acetonitrile water mixture. The useful pH range of this sensor is 2.0 to 8.0. It is sufficiently selective and can be used for the determination of Gd³⁺ ions in waste water and rock samples. It also serves as a good indicator in the potentiometric titration of GdCl₃ with EDTA.     

Synthesis, photoluminescence, and theoretical studies of novel Cu(I) complex

A novel diimine Cu(I) complex [Cu(ABPQ)(DPEphos)]BF₄ [ABPQ and DPEphos are acenaphtho[1,2-b]bipyrido[2,3-h;3,2-f]quinoxaline and bis(2-(diphenylphosphanyl)phenyl) ether, respectively] is synthesized, and its photophysical properties are experimentally and theoretically characterized. The emission bands centered at ca. 400/470 and 550 nm of [Cu(ABPQ)(DPEphos)]BF₄ are attributed to the ligand-centered π → π* transition and the metal-to-ligand charge transfer dπ(Cu) → π*(N–N) transition, respectively. The luminescence quantum yield of [Cu(ABPQ)(DPEphos)]BF₄ in CHCl₃ is found to be about five times higher than that of [Cu(Phen)(DPEphos)]BF₄.     

Photoinduced linkage isomerism of binuclear bis(pyrazole-3,5-dicarboxylato)-bridged {RuNO} centres

The two novel binuclear pyrazole-3,5-dicarboxylato-bridged {RuNO}⁶ complexes K₂[{Ru(NO)Cl}₂(μ-pzdc)₂] (1) and [{Ru(NO)(H₂O)}₂(μ-pzdc)₂]·4H₂O (2) (pzdc = pyrazole-3,5-dicarboxylate) were synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis, mass spectrometry and spectroscopic methods (NMR, UV–vis, IR). 2 was investigated by means of single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. On irradiation, in both 1 and 2 the existence of photoinduced long-lived metastable isonitrosyl states SI were detected by low-temperature infrared spectroscopy.     

Photodegradation of tetrahalobisphenol-A (X = Cl, Br) flame retardants and delineation of factors affecting the process

The photoassisted degradation (HPLC-UV absorption), dehalogenation (HPLC-IC) and mineralization (TOC decay) of the flame retardants tetrabromobisphenol-A (TBBPA) and tetrachlorobisphenol-A (TCBPA) were examined in UV-irradiated alkaline aqueous TiO₂ dispersions (pH 12), and for comparison the parent bisphenol-A (BPA, an endocrine disruptor) in pH 4–12 aqueous media to assess which factor impact most on the photodegradative process. Complete degradation (2.7–2.8 × 10⁻² min⁻¹) and dehalogenation (1.8 × 10⁻² min⁻¹) of TBBPA and TCBPA occurred within 2 h of UV irradiation, whereas only 45–60% mineralization (2.3–2.7 × 10⁻³ min⁻¹) was complete within 5 h for the flame retardants at pH 12 and ca. 80% for the parent BPA. Factors examined in the pH range 4–12 that impact the degradation of BPA were the point of zero charge of TiO₂ particles (pH_pzc; electrophoretic method), particle or aggregate sizes of TiO₂ (light scattering), and the relative number of OH radicals (as DMPO–OH adducts; ESR spectroscopy) produced in the UV-irradiated dispersion. Dynamics of BPA degradation (2.0–2.4 × 10⁻² min⁻¹) were pH-independent and independent of particle/aggregate size, but did correlate with the number of OH radicals, at least at pHs 4 to 8–9, after which the rates decreased somewhat at pH > 9 with decreasing adsorption owing to Coulombic repulsive forces between the very negative TiO₂ surface and the anionic forms of BPA (pK_as ca. 9.6–11.3), even though the number of OH radicals continued to increase at the higher pHs.     

An efficient light-harvesting ruthenium dye for solar cell application

A novel, heteroleptic ruthenium dye comprising a vinyl group between the carboxylate and bipyridine segments as well as extended π-conjugation of the ancillary ligand, employing alkyl-bithiophene, was synthesized. The dye displayed a remarkably high absorption coefficient of 2.51 × 10⁴ M⁻¹ cm⁻¹ (at 562 nm) for its metal-to-ligand charge transfer band. The photo-to-current conversion efficiency of the corresponding dye-sensitized solar cell was 9.12% under AM 1.5 (100 mW/cm²) irradiation. Furthermore, owing to both the very strong metal-to-ligand charge transfer band and the large number of dye molecules adsorbed on the TiO₂ electrode, the conversion efficiency of the dye-sensitized cell was >7.5% at a light intensity ≤198 mW cm⁻².     

Immobilization of horseradish peroxidase on self-assembled (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane film: Characterization, direct electrochemistry, redox thermodynamics and biosensing

Highly organized (3-mercaptopropyl)trimethoxysilane (3-MPT) films have been prepared via self-assembled coupled with sol–gel linking technology. Horseradish peroxidase (HRP) is successfully immobilized onto the densely packed three-dimensional (3D) 3-MPT network and the direct electrochemistry of HRP is achieved without any electron mediators or promoters. Redox thermodynamics of HRP on the 3-MPT films, which is obtained from the temperature dependence of the reduction potential, suggests that the positive shift of redox potentials of HRP at the interface of 3-MPT originates from the solvent reorganization effects and conformational change of the polypeptide chain of HRP. Based on the direct electrochemistry and electrocatalytic ability of HRP, a sensitive third-generation amperometric H₂O₂ biosensor is developed with two linear dependence ranges of 5.0 × 10⁻⁷ to 1.0 × 10⁻⁴ and 1.0 × 10⁻⁴ to 2.0 × 10⁻² mol L⁻¹.     

Solubilities of actinides in a domestic groundwater and a bentonite porewater calculated by using PHREEQC

This study presents the solubilities and speciations of actinides, calculated by the PHREEQC (V.2) code in a granitic groundwater and a Ca-bentonite porewater under a reducing condition. The respective solubilities for the amorphous U, Am, Th, Np and Pu compounds in the groundwater were 2.2 × 10⁻⁵, 1.2 × 10⁻⁷, 3.1 × 10⁻⁹, 3.4 × 10⁻⁹ and 6.3 × 10⁻¹¹ mole/L, and these values are comparable to the results calculated by the MUGREM and EQ3/6 codes. The major dissolved species for U, Am, Th, Np and Pu were UO₂(OH)₃⁻, Am(OH)₂⁺, Th(OH)₄(aq), Np(OH)₃CO₃⁻ and Pu(OH)₃CO₃⁻, respectively. However, carbonate complex ions were anticipated as the major species in the porewater except for thorium due to an increase of the carbonate concentration and a decrease of the pH.     

Synthesis and characterization of trans-[Ru(NO)Cl(L)4](PF6)2 (L = isonicotinamide; 4-acetylpyridine) and related species

The trans-[RuCl₂(L)₄], trans-[Ru(NO)Cl (L)₄](PF₆)₂ (L = isonicotinamide and 4-acetylpyridine) and trans-[Ru(NO)(OH)(py)₄]Cl₂ (py = pyridine) complexes have been prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, UV–visible, infrared, and ¹H NMR spectroscopies, and cyclic voltammetry. The MLCT band energies of trans-[RuCl₂(L)₄] increase in the order 4-acpy < isn < py. The reduction potentials of trans-[RuCl₂(L)₄] and trans-[Ru(NO)Cl(L)₄]²⁺ increase in the order py < isn < 4-acpy. The stretching band frequency, ν_NO, of the nitrosyl complexes ranges from 1913 to 1852 cm^?1 indicating a nitrosonium character for the NO ligand. Due to the large π-acceptor ability of the equatorial ligands, the coordinated water is much more acidic in the water soluble trans-[Ru(NO)(H₂O)(py)₄]³⁺ than in trans-[Ru(NO)(H₂O)(NH₃)₄]³⁺.     

Synthesis, structural characterization and third-order non-linear optical property of new three-dimensional metal-organic polymer [Fe2(μ10-btc)0.5(μ2-ox)0.5(μ2-O)1.5]n

One new metal-organic polymer formulated as [Fe₂(μ₁₀-btc)_0.5(μ₂-ox)_0.5(μ₂-O)_1.5]_n 1 (btc = 1,2,4,5-benzenetetracarboxylate, pyramellitate; ox = oxalate) has been synthesized by low-temperature solid-state reaction and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analyses, TGA, IR spectra and UV–visible spectra. Complex 1 presents the first 3D coordination network structure constructed by bridging btc, ox and O mixed ligands. In 1, carboxyl groups of btc are all deprotonated and they have a new type of μ₁₀-btc coordination mode. The third-order non-linear optical (NLO) properties of the title compound 1 were also investigated and they exhibit the reverse saturable absorption and self-defocusing performance with modulus of the hyperpolarizability (γ) 5.98 × 10⁻³⁰ esu for 1 in a 7.45 × 10⁻⁴ mol dm⁻³ DMF solution.     

The first P–N containing RuCl3NO complex: fac-[RuCl3(NO)(P–N)] (P–N = [o-(N,N-dimethylamino)phenyl]diphenylphosphine)

Complex fac-[RuCl₃(NO)(P–N)] was synthesized from [RuCl₃(H₂O)₂(NO)] in methanol solution under reflux. The orange solid obtained was characterized by NMR (³¹P{¹H}, ¹H, ¹³C) and, cyclic voltammetry, ESI-MS, IR, elemental analysis and X-ray diffraction structure determination. The ³¹P{¹H} reveals the presence of singlet at 36 ppm. IR N–O stretching as KBr pellets or CH₂Cl₂ solution presented 1866 cm⁻¹ and 1872 cm⁻¹, respectively.     

Bimetallic nickel complexes of trimethyl phenyl linked salicylaldimine ligands: Synthesis, structure and their ethylene polymerization behaviors

Bimetallic salicylaldimine-nickel complexes, 2,4,6-Me₃-1,3-{[NCH–(3′-R-5′-Y-2′-O–C₆H₃)-κ²-N,O]Ni(Ph) (PPh₃)}₂ [R = tert-Bu, Y = Me, 1b; R = Ph, Y = H, 2b] were prepared and their catalytic behaviors of ethylene polymerization were investigated. The bimetallic complex 2b shows higher activities (2.9 × 10⁵ g PE mol⁻¹ Ni h⁻¹) for ethylene polymerization and affords polymer with high molecular weight (M_w = 1.41 × 10⁵) and broad molecular weight distribution (M_w/M_n = 6.1) than its mononuclear matrix, {[(2,6-Me₂C₆H₃)–NCH–(3′-Ph-2′-O–C₆H₃)-κ²-N,O]Ni(Ph)(PPh₃)} (3) (Activity = 5.5 × 10⁴ g PE mol⁻¹ Ni h⁻¹; M_w = 1.86 × 10⁴; M_w/M_n = 2.8).     

Synthesis, spectroscopic, and electrochemical properties of one novel hexanuclear Ru(II) polypyridyl complex

One novel hexapodal ligand 1,2,3,4,5,6-hexakis[(4,5-diazafluoren-9-yliminoxy)methyl]benzene (L) and corresponding Ru(II) polypyridyl complex [(bpy)₁₂(Ru^II)₆L](PF₆)₁₂ have been synthesized. Spectroscopic properties of the complex are investigated by UV–Vis absorption and fluorescence spectrometry. The complex shows metal-to-ligand charge transfer absorption at 438 nm and emission at 579 nm. Cyclic voltammetry of the complex comprises one Ru(II)-centered quasi-reversible oxidation at 1.31 V and three ligand-centered reductions.     

Carbon nanotube-supported Pd–ZnO catalyst for hydrogenation of CO2 to methanol

A type of Pd–ZnO catalysts supported on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were developed, with excellent performance for CO₂ hydrogenation to methanol. Under reaction conditions of 3.0 MPa and 523 K, the observed turnover-frequency of CO₂ hydrogenation reached 1.15 × 10⁻² s⁻¹ over the 16%Pd_0.1Zn₁/CNTs(h-type). This value was 1.17 and 1.18 times that (0.98 × 10⁻² and 0.97 × 10⁻² s⁻¹) of the 35%Pd_0.1Zn₁/AC and 20%Pd_0.1Zn₁/γ-Al₂O₃ catalysts with the respective optimal Pd_0.1Zn₁-loading. Using the MWCNTs in place of AC or γ-Al₂O₃ as the catalyst support displayed little change in the apparent activation energy for the CO₂ hydrogenation, but led to an increase of surface concentration of the Pd⁰-species in the form of PdZn alloys, a kind of catalytically active Pd⁰-species closely associated with the methanol generation. On the other hand, the MWCNT-supported Pd–ZnO catalyst could reversibly adsorb a greater amount of hydrogen at temperatures ranging from room temperature to 623 K. This unique feature would help to generate a micro-environment with higher concentration of active H-adspecies at the surface of the functioning catalyst, thus increasing the rate of surface hydrogenation reactions. In comparison with the “Parallel-type (p-type)” MWCNTs, the “Herringbone-type (h-type)” MWCNTs possess more active surface (with more dangling bonds), and thus, higher capacity for adsorbing H₂, which make their promoting action more remarkable.     

Preparation,spectroscopic, and electrochemical properties of four novel trinuclear Ru(II) polypyridyl complexes containing diazafluorene

Four tripodal ligands 2,2′,2″-tris[4-(4,5-diazafluoren-9-ylhydrazinyl)methylenephenoxyethyl]amine (L¹), 1,1,1-tris[4-(4,5-diazafluoren-9-ylhydrazinyl)methylenephenoxymethyl]propane (L²), 1,3,5-tris[4-(4,5-diazafluoren-9-ylhydrazinyl)methylenephenoxymethyl]-2,4,6-trimethylbenzene (L³), 1,3,5-tris[4-(4,5-diazafluoren-9-ylhydrazinyl)methylenephenoxymethyl]benzene (L⁴), and corresponding Ru(II) complexes [(bpy)₆L^1–4(Ru^II)₃](PF₆)₆ (Ru-L^1–4) have been synthesized. Cyclic voltammetry of these complexes comprise one Ru(II)-centered reversible oxidation and three ligand-centered reductions. Photophysical behaviors are investigated by UV–Vis absorption and luminescence spectrometry. These complexes display metal-to-ligand charge transfer absorption at around 410 nm and emission at around 582 nm.