A three-chamber electrochemical cell facilitated biogas upgrading and high-purity oxygen production

Journal of Applied Electrochemistry - Anion exchange membrane (AEM)-equipped electrochemical cells can be used for removing the carbon dioxide (CO2) from biogas, thereby upgrading its energy...     

A new nickel metal organic framework (Ni-MOF) porous nanostructure as a potential novel electrochemical sensor for detecting glucose

Journal of Porous Materials - A Ni-MOF-based novel electrochemical sensor was synthesized with high surface area of 1381 m2/g, significant porosity of 1.14–9.6 nm and average...     

A novel stimuli-responsive magnetic hydrogel based on nature-inspired tragacanth gum for chemo/hyperthermia treatment of cancerous cells

Journal of Polymer Research - Derivatives of formyl pyrazole were synthesized by the reaction of acetophenone, 4-methyl acetophenone, 3-acetyl furan, 3-acetyl thiophen and phenyl hydrazine...     

The effect of fluorine content on the mechanical properties of poly (?-caprolactone)/nano-fluoridated hydroxyapatite scaffold for bone-tissue engineering

In this study, the effect of fluorine content on the mechanical properties of the novel poly (?-caprolactone)/nano-fluoridated hydroxyapatite nanocomposite scaffolds was investigated. Poly (?-caprolactone)/nano-fluoridated hydroxyapatite (PCL-FHA) scaffolds were produced by solvent casting/particulate leaching method. The fluoridated hydroxyapatite nanopowders had a chemical composition of Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆OH_2−xF_x (where x values were selected equal to 0.5, 1, 1.5 and 2.0). Various weight percentages (10, 20, 30 and 40) of the FHA were added to the PCL. Sodium chloride (NaCl) particles having diameter of 300-500 μm were used as porogen. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were used to identify the phase structure and functional groups of obtained scaffolds. Mechanical properties of the prepared scaffolds were also determined. Results showed that the compressive strength of scaffolds increases with decreasing the weight percent of fluorine in FHA.     

Fractional factorial design for the optimization of supercritical carbon dioxide extraction of La, Ce and Sm ions from a solid matrix using bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)dithiophosphinic acid + tributylphosphate

In this study, La³⁺, Ce³⁺ and Sm³⁺ were removed from a solid matrix using supercritical CO₂ which contained bis(2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)dithiophosphinic acid (Cyanex 301) as a chelating agent and tributylphosphate (TBP) as a co-extractant. The fractional factorial design, 2⁵⁻¹, was employed to optimize the SFE of these ions from spiked filter paper matrices. Effect of five experimental factors: amount of Cyanex 301, flow rate, temperature, pressure and amount of TBP and each factor at two levels on the SFE of these ions were studied and optimized. The results showed that these ions could be quantitatively extracted from the solid matrix at amount of Cyanex 301 of 0.14 g, flow rate of 4 ml min⁻¹, 313 K, 250 bar and amount of TBP of 30 μl. Finally, by employing a regression analysis a model was proposed. Results showed that obtained recoveries are similar to those predicted by the model.     

Dehydrogenation of isobutane over Sn/Pt/Na-ZSM-5 catalysts: The effect of SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>/Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> ratio,amount and distribution of Pt nanoparticles on the catalytic behavior

Sn/Pt/Na-ZSM-5 was used as catalyst for the dehydrogenation of isobutane, and the effect of SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio and the dispersion of Pt nanoparticles on the conversion and product selectivity were studied under atmospheric pressure at 848 K. The catalysts were characterized by various techniques such as H₂ chemisorption, TEM, SEM, EDX, XRD, FT-IR, TG/DTG, elemental analysis by XRF and ICP techniques. Higher dispersion of Pt nanoparticles in the catalyst with SiO₂/Al₂O₃ ratio of 40 resulted in higher selectivity for isobutene.     

Improvement of Canola Oil Frying Stability by Bene Kernel Oil’s Unsaponifiable Matter

The anti-rancidity effect of the unsaponifiable matter fraction of bene kernel (UFB) oil on canola oil (CAO) during frying was compared to that of tert-butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ). The UFB was separated into hydrocarbons (12.9%), carotenes (9.6%), tocopherols and tocotrienols (65.8%, mainly γ-tocopherol), linear and triterpenic alcohols (3.8%), methyl sterols (2.8%), sterols (3.0%, mainly β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, Δ⁵-avenasterol, and Δ⁷-avenasterol, respectively), and triterpenic dialcohols (2.2%). The results obtained from the measurements of the total polar compounds, the conjugated diene value, the carbonyl value, and total tocopherols showed that the stability of CAO improves similarly in the presence of UFB or TBHQ, and even more in the presence of UFB in some cases (especially inhibition of oxidized triglyceride monomers and triglyceride dimers). The analysis of polar components showed that the antioxidative additives were more effective to resist the formation of thermo-oxidative than hydrolytic products during the frying of CAO.     

Effect of long-chain monoacrylate on the residual monomer content, swelling and thermomechanical properties of SAP hydrogels

Residual monomer is an important factor, particularly in hygienic materials such as superabsorbent polymer (SAP) hydrogels. Recently, we reported different approaches to minimizing residual monomer content in SAPs. In this paper, the effect of a long-chain monomer, poly(ethylene glycol) methylether methacrylate (PEG.MEMA), on the residual monomer content of SAP networks of partially neutralized acrylic acid–PEG.MEMA is investigated. The aim of using PEG.MEMA in SAP synthesis was to reduce the glass transition temperature (T _g) of SAP. As the temperature that is conventionally used to dry SAP (70–110 °C) is lower than the T _g of ordinary SAPs, the polymer is in the glassy state during the heating stage. It was assumed that converting SAP from the glassy state to the rubbery state during drying would facilitate the removal of acrylic acid monomer (AA) from the gel, thus reducing the residual monomer content. The results showed that the use of PEG.MEMA led to a reduction in residual AA when the drying temperature was 100 °C. The residual AA was decreased from 169 to 95 ppm when the drying time was increased from 3 to 15 hours at 100 °C. This positive effect of PEG.MEMA on the level of unwanted residual AA became insignificant at a higher drying temperature (140 °C). The effects of PEG.MEMA content on the thermal and mechanical properties (in the dried state) and the rheological properties (in the water-swollen state) of the SAP hydrogels were also investigated. The swelling capacity and rate was studied in relation to the PEG.MEMA content. It was found that a high level of PEG.MEMA restricted both the absorption capacity and the rate of water absorption.     

Synthesis and characterization of exfoliated poly(styrene‐co‐methyl methacrylate) nanocomposite via miniemulsion atom transfer radical polymerization: an activators generated by electron transfer approach

Exfoliated poly(styrene‐co‐methyl methacrylate) nanocomposites were synthesized using activators generated by electron transfer for atom transfer radical polymerization (AGET ATRP). Miniemulsion polymerization was used for its abundant advantages to encapsulate inorganic materials and eliminate organic solvents from products for environmentally friendly purposes. Cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) as a cationic surfactant, which is an effective surfactant at higher temperatures, was used to stabilize the miniemulsion system. Successful miniemulsion AGET ATRP was carried out by using 4,4'‐dinonyl‐2,2'‐bipyridine (dNbPy) as a hydrophobic ligand. Formation of monodispersed droplets and particles with sizes in the range of 200nm was examined by dynamic light scattering (DLS). Conversion and molecular weight study were also carried out using gravimetry and gel permeation chromatography, respectively. By adding clay content, a decrease in the conversion and molecular weight of the nanocomposites are observed. However, an increase in the PDI values of nanocomposites was observed by the addition of nanoclay content. Thermogravimetric analysis results demonstrate that thermal stability of all the nanocomposites in comparison with the neat copolymer increases. Differential scanning calorimetry results show that T_g decreases by increasing clay content. Monodisperse distribution of spherical shape particles with sizes in the range of ∼ 200 nm was demonstrated by using scanning electron microscopy images of nanocomposite containing 1 wt% of nanoclay, which is more compiled with DLS results. Transmission electron microscopy results shows well‐dispersed exfoliated clay layers in the polymer matrix of PSMNM 1, which is coincidence with X‐ray diffraction data. POLYM. COMPOS., 2011. © 2011 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Detection of arsenic agents by polyhydroxamic acid

Arsenic agents are among the most destructive and fatal factors that exist in the environment, chemical agents, medicines, toxics, pesticides, etc., and working with these compounds is too limited and difficult due to their high toxicity. These deadly, dangerous, and weakening toxins are consumed for a large variety of purposes in the military industries. So measurement and identification of them are of great necessity. In this research work, acryl carbohydroxamic acid monomer was first prepared from acrylamide and then polymerized under radical conditions in the presence of azobisisobutyronitrile as an initiator. The produced polyhydroxamic acid (PHA) has antibacterial and anticancer properties as well as high complex‐forming properties with transition elements. By using the chelating properties of PHA, we took steps to identify arsenic agents such as trichloroarsine, dichloroethylarsine, and lewisites (I, II, III). This polymer, possessing unique properties, measures well the arsenic of low concentrations, lower than 10 ppm, existing in the samples within a very short time (a few seconds). We will also be able to perform qualitative assessments on it through instrumental methods or titration, if required. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011