Novel Synthesis of SrBi2Nb2O9 Powders From Hydroxide Precursors

Simple hydroxide precursors were used for the first time for the synthesis of a typical Aurivillius compound (SrBi₂Nb₂O₉ (SBN)) at a low temperature. This method is very advantageous because it circumvents the use of SrCO₃ in the case of conventional ceramics as well in the coprecipitation methods, thereby lowering the formation of the product phase. Commercially purchased strontium hydroxide is mixed thoroughly with freshly precipitated bismuth and niobium hydroxides in a stoichiometric ratio and heated at different temperatures ranging from 100°C to 750°C for 12 h. The sequence of the reaction and evolution of the product phase was monitored by X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies by recording the XRD for samples calcined at different temperatures. The incipient SBN phase begins to form at temperatures as low as 400°C, and phase formation was complete only at 650°C as revealed by the XRD observations. The differential thermal/thermogravimetric analyses) also corroborate this result. The morphology and average particle size of these powders were investigated by transmission electron microscopy studies.     

Nanoenergetic Composites of CuO Nanorods,Nanowires, and Al‐Nanoparticles

This paper reports on the synthesis of the nanoenergetic composites containing CuO nanorods and nanowires, and Al‐nanoparticles. Nanorods and nanowires were synthesized using poly(ethylene glycol) templating method and combined with Al‐nanoparticles using ultrasonic mixing and self‐assembly methods. Poly(4‐vinylpyridine) was used for the self‐assembly of Al‐nanoparticles around the nanorods. At the optimized values of equivalence ratio, sonication time, and Al‐particle size, the combustion wave speed of 1650 m s⁻¹ was obtained for the nanorods‐based energetics. For the composite of nanowires and Al‐nanoparticles the speed was increased to 1900 m s⁻¹. The maximum combustion wave speed of 2400 m s⁻¹ was achieved for the self‐assembled composite, which is the highest known so far among the nanoenergetic materials. It is possible that in the self‐assembled composites, the interfacial contact between the oxidizer and fuel is higher and resistance to overall diffusional process is lower, thus enhancing the performance.     

Evaluation of surfactant-aided degumming of vegetable oils by membrane technology

The first step in the process of vegetable oil refining is degumming, in which phospholipids and mucilaginous gums are removed that otherwise result in a low-grade oil. A membrane process is remarkably simple yet potentially offers many advantages in degumming. Studies were conducted on surfactant-aided membrane degumming with soybean and rapeseed oils in a magnetically stirred flat membrane batch cell with different types of microfiltration membranes. The reduction of phospholipids in soybean oil was in the range of 85.8–92.8% during the membrane process. The phosphorus content of membrane permeates of soybean oil was in the range of 20–58 mg/kg. Crude rapeseed oil contained higher amount of nonhydratable phospholipids and hence resulted in lower reduction in phospholipids, in the range of 66.4–83.2%. Addition of hydratable phospholipids could improve the efficiency of degumming in the membrane process without using any electrolyte, resulting in improvement of quality as well as quantity of the phospholipids.     

Photocatalytic degradation of phenol in a rotating annular reactor

Batch photocatalytic degradation studies of phenol were conducted in an annular slurry reactor, to evaluate its performance under different operating and design conditions. The reactor had two concentric cylinders with the inner one rotating at specified revolutions per minute. The reactor also had provisions for aerating the slurry present in the annular gap. The inner cylinder housed the UV-lamps. The effects of catalyst loading (0–8 g/L), inner cylinder rotation speed (0–50 rpm), annular gap-width (7.5, 17.5 and 32.5 mm), initial pollutant concentration (10–50 mg/L) and mode of illumination (continuous or periodic) were studied. Light intensity received by the slurry was measured using Actinometry. Depending on the catalyst loading, annular gap-width and number of illuminated lamps the intensity values ranged from 0.58×10^?4 to 6.4×10^?4 Einsteins/L min. Under well mixed conditions, the reactor performance was found to increase with increase in catalyst loading. At low/medium annular gap width configurations, agitation induced by continuous aeration was found to provide sufficient mixing even when the inner cylinder was stationary. Rotation of the inner cylinder was required only in the high gap width configuration at high catalyst loadings. Scale-up of the reactor was investigated by increasing the gap-width of the annulus and hence increasing the quantity of feed processed. Controlled periodic illumination created by Taylor vortices did not show any improved performance over the regular continuous illumination. Modeling of reaction kinetics was investigated with different approaches and their efficacy in fitting the concentration–time trends of both the primary pollutant and the intermediates are discussed.     

Sulfonated polyether sulfone‐poly(vinylidene fluoride) blend membrane for DMFC applications

Direct methanol fuel cell (DMFC) proton exchange membranes were prepared by blending poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) with sulfonated poly(ether sulfone) (SPES). Using a diffusion cell and gas chromatographic technique, the effects of PVDF content on methanol permeability in the blended membranes were investigated. The thermal resistance and proton conductivity of the membranes were also determined by using a thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and an impedance analysis technique respectively. The presence of sulfonic acid groups in SPES was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). It was found that the methanol permeability in the blended membranes decreased with PVDF content at the expense of proton conductivity. Blended membranes show methanol permeability values much lower than that of Nafion 115, whereas the proton conductivities of the membranes are comparable with that of Nafion. The thermal stability of these blended membranes is above 250°C, which is sufficiently high for use in DMFC. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Amorphous Cobalt-Boron Alloy Electrodeposition and Dissolution

Co-B alloy has been deposited on steel from an alkaline citrate bath. Uniform deposits have been obtained in the current density range of 8–15 Adm ^?2.Cvclic voltammetric studies on platinum from this bath reveal that the cobalt citrate complexes undergo stepwise electronation with the participation of hydroxyl ions. The borates undergo reduction to boron in the alloy deposition. The hydrogen evolution reaction has been found to be hindered by cobalt and borate ions. Stripping voltammetric curves on the alloy film suggest the dissolution of cobalt from a cobalt rich phase.     

Near-infrared emissive BODIPY polymeric and copolymeric dyes

Novel near-Infrared emissive BODIPY polymeric dyes (polymers A and B) were prepared by Sonogashira cross-coupling reaction of 2,6-diiodo BODIPY dyes bearing one and two styryl groups at 3,5 positions (5, 6) with 2,6-diethynyl BODIPY dye, respectively. These polymeric dyes (A and B) display absorption maxima at 697 and 738 nm, and emission maxima at 715 and 760 nm, respectively. These polymeric dyes exhibit significant red shifts in absorption and emission maxima due to their extended π-conjugation systems compared with their BODIPY monomeric dyes. The thin films of polymers A and B display further red shift with emission maxima 764 and 810 nm, respectively. Near-infrared BODIPY copolymeric dye (C) was prepared by Sonogashira polymerization of 2,6-diiodo BODIPY dye bearing two styryl groups with 2,5-diethynyl-3-decylthiophene. For comparison in optical properties, deep-red and red emissive BODIPY copolymeric dyes (D and E) were prepared by Sonogashira polymerization of 2,6-diiodo BODIPY dye bearing monostyryl group and 2,6-diiodo BODIPY dye with 2,5-diethynyl-3-decylthiothene, respectively. These polymers display their absorption maxima at 649 nm and 634 nm, and emission maxima at 694 nm and 669 nm, respectively. All the polymers displayed good thermal stability and solubility in dichloromethane, and their lifetimes ranged from 0.7 to 3.4 ns.     

Role of Zinc (Zn) in Human Reproduction: A Journey from Initial Spermatogenesis to Childbirth

Zinc (Zn), the second-most necessary trace element, is abundant in the human body. The human body lacks the capacity to store Zn; hence, the dietary intake of Zn is essential for various functions and metabolism. The uptake of Zn during its transport through the body is important for proper development of the three major accessory sex glands: the testis, epididymis, and prostate. It plays key roles in the initial stages of germ cell development and spermatogenesis, sperm cell development and maturation, ejaculation, liquefaction, the binding of spermatozoa and prostasomes, capacitation, and fertilization. The prostate releases more Zn into the seminal plasma during ejaculation, and it plays a significant role in sperm release and motility. During the maternal, labor, perinatal, and neonatal periods, the part of Zn is vital. The average dietary intake of Zn is in the range of 8–12 mg/day in developing countries during the maternal period. Globally, the dietary intake of Zn varies for pregnant and lactating mothers, but the average Zn intake is in the range of 9.6–11.2 mg/day. The absence of Zn and the consequences of this have been discussed using critical evidence. The events and functions of Zn related to successful fertilization have been summarized in detail. Briefly, our current review emphasizes the role of Zn at each stage of human reproduction, from the spermatogenesis process to childbirth. The role of Zn and its supplementation in in vitro fertilization (IVF) opens opportunities for future studies on reproductive biology.