Bimetallic PtPd nanoparticles relying on CoNiO2 and reduced graphene oxide as a most operative electrocatalyst toward ethanol fuel oxidation

Of late, fuel cells have drawn great attentions owing to high-energy demands, fossil fuel depletion and worldwide environmental pollution. Direct ethanol fuel cell (DEFC) constituted as one of the most promising sources of green energy, howbeit the ethanol oxidation reaction (EOR) sluggish kinetic is one of the essential challenges toward the commercialization of DEFCs. Herein, we introduce bimetallic catalyst on CoNiO₂ modified reduced graphene oxide (rGO) to completely exploit the advantages of nano-surface structures as well as the reduction of Pt and Pd loading in fuel cells. With the combined advantages of PtPd, CoNiO₂ and rGO, a significant enhancement in electrocatalytic behavior, stability and CO poisoning tolerance of PtPd have been observed. Regarding the implications, PtPd/CoNiO₂/rGO is greatly preferable than Pt/CoNiO₂/rGO and Pd/CoNiO₂/rGO in terms of high electroactive surface area (ECSA), electro-catalytic activity, and lower onset potential (E_ons) towards the EtOH oxidation in alkaline media. Furthermore, the chronoamperometry curve (CA) illustrated 77% after 3600 s which is dramatically soared compared with the other electrodes (≤40%), demonstrating the high stability of the PtPd bimetallic nanoparticle electrocatalyst. Ultimately, PtPd/CoNiO₂/rGO nanocomposite is found to be an excellent anode electrocatalyst for application in DEFCs.     

Platinum–Iron nanoparticles supported on reduced graphene oxide as an improved catalyst for methanol electro oxidation

Platinum–Iron nanoparticles supported on reduced graphene oxide powder are synthesized by chemical reduction method as an anode catalyst for the methanol electro oxidation. The characterization of the catalyst has been investigated using physical and electrochemical methods. Prepared catalyst was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), TEM (Transmission electron microscopy), FT-IR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy), Raman spectroscopy and, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDX). Pt and Pt-Fe nanoparticles are uniformly dispersed on the surface of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) powder nanocomposite support. The catalytic properties of the catalyst for methanol electro-oxidation were thoroughly studied by electrochemical methods that involved in the cyclic voltammetry, linear sweep voltammetry (LSV), chronoamperometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The Pt-Fe/rGo exhibits high electrocatalytic activity, catalyst tolerance for the CO poisoning and catalyst durability for electro-oxidation of methanol compared to the Pt/rGo and commercial Pt/C catalyst. Therefore, the Pt-Fe/rGo catalyst is a good choice for application in direct methanol fuel cells.     

Synthesis of Clay/Poly (styrene/2-ethylhexyl acrylate) Nanocomposite Latexes via Emulsion Polymerization

Silicon - In this research, nanocomposite latex based on polystyrene-co-2-ethylhexyl acrylate with layered silicate was synthesized by emulsion polymerization procedure. For increasing...     

Imparting insect repellency to nylon 6 fibers by means of a novel MCT reactive dye

Insect repellency of fiber is a property which makes the fiber to be of interest in the field of military and health. The insect‐repellent substrate could be prepared using either functional finishing or applying an insect‐repellent dye. In this article, insect‐repellent nylon 6 is obtained using a novel insect‐repellent reactive dye containing N,N‐diethyl‐m‐toluamide. To do this, N,N‐diethyl‐m‐toluamide (DEET) was first nitrated at the p‐position relative to amide functionality. The nitrated product was reduced in the presence of C₂H₅OH, SnCl₂, and HCl. The produced amine was then condensed with 2,4,6‐trichloro‐1,3,5‐triazine (cyanuric chloride) as a reactive group in below 5°C. The resultant adduct was finally reacted with an amino group present in 6‐amino‐1‐hydroxy naphthalene‐3‐sulfonic acid (J‐acid) to produce 7‐(4‐chloro‐6‐(4‐(diethylcarbamoyl)‐2‐methylphenylamino)‐1,3,5‐triazin‐2‐ylamino)‐4‐hydroxynaphthalene‐2‐sulfonic acid. To synthesis azo dye, sulfanilic acid was diazotized using HCl and NaNO₂ and then coupled to the above prepared component to produce insect‐repellent reactive dye. An analog dye was prepared via the same route without insect‐repellent group making stage. The chemical structures of the novel dyes were characterized using FTIR and ¹H‐NMR spectroscopy. The spectroscopic properties of the dyes were determined in terms of λ_max and ε_max in aqueous solution. The novel dyes were then reacted with nylon 6 and bonded to it covalently to provide permanent insect‐repellent substrate. The insect‐repellent efficacy of the reacted nylon 6 was studied using standard methods for Anophele mosquito repellent. The insect‐repellent dye reacted nylon 6 showed insect‐repellent activity. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Graphene/Ni–Fe layered double hydroxide nano composites as advanced electrode materials for glucose electro oxidation

NickelIron Layered Double Hydroxide nano composites were electrochemically synthesized on graphene/glassy carbon electrode at a constant potential. The surface morphology and the structure of the electrodes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), elemental mapping analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Atomic force microscopy (AFM). This electrode was studied for glucose electro-oxidation reaction using cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. Results confirmed high catalytic activity, stability of the graphene/NiFe LDH electrode and glucose electro oxidation reaction on this electrode is under the effect of diffusion process. Also in comparison of some previous reported methods for the glucose electro oxidation, graphene/NiFe LDH shows a high diffusion coefficient as an electro catalyst for glucose electro oxidation. Electrical equivalent circuits for electrodes is obtained by using the Zview software. The low electrochemical charge transfer resistance (R_ct) was obtained on the graphene/NiFe LDH due to the presence of NiFe LDH nano composite.     

Extracellular synthesis of silver nanoparticles using four fungal species isolated from lichens

Extracellular biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using five fungal species including Fusarium oxysporum and four others isolated from native lichens (Kerman, Iran) was investigated in this study. These fungal species were identified as Arctoparmelia incurva, Penicillium chrysogenum, Uncultured root‐associated fungus, and Caloplaca arnoldii by using ITS rRNA sequence analysis. These species were then cultivated in four common industrial wastes, namely a combination of yeast and malt extract, sugar beet molasses, whey, and wastewater of beverage industry, prior to their use for biosynthesis. The synthesis of the nanoparticles was monitored by UV–visible spectroscopy. It was found to be significantly affected by both fungal species and their cultivation media. C. arnoldii cultivated in the yeast and malt extract resulted in the best performance regarding reaction kinetics, particle mean diameter and size distribution. The mean diameter and variance of the nanoparticles were determined to be about 11 nm and 24 by using transmission electron microscopy and powder X‐ray diffraction techniques, respectively. The zeta potential of the nanoparticles was measured to be −21.5 mV confirming their long‐term stability. These findings suggest a new biosynthetic route towards eco‐friendly and inexpensive production of the nanoparticles in bulk.Inspec keywords: silver, nanoparticles, nanofabrication, microorganisms, ultraviolet spectra, visible spectra, X‐ray diffractionOther keywords: silver nanoparticles, fungal species, extracellular biosynthesis, Fusarium oxysporum, native lichens, Arctoparmelia incurva, Penicillium chrysogenum, uncultured root‐associated fungus, Caloplaca arnoldii, ITS rRNA sequence analysis, industrial wastes, yeast, malt extract, sugar beet molasses, whey, wastewater, beverage industry, UV–visible spectroscopy, Ag