Iron oxide supported sulfated TiO2 nanotube catalysts for NO reduction with propane

Sulfated TiO₂ nanotubes and a series of iron oxide loaded sulfated TiO₂ nanotubes catalysts with different iron oxide loadings (1 wt%, 3 wt%, 5 wt% and 7 wt%) were prepared and calcined at 400 °C. The physico-chemical properties of the catalysts were studied by using XRD, N₂-physisorption, Raman spectroscopy, SEM-EDX, TEM, XPS, and pyridine adsorption using FTIR and H₂-TPR techniques. It was observed that iron oxide was highly dispersed on the sulfated TiO₂ nanotube support due to its strong interaction. The activity of these catalysts in the catalytic removal of NO with propane was also studied in the temperature range of 300–500 °C. Highest activity (90% NO conversion) was observed with 5 wt% iron oxide supported on sulfated TiO₂ catalyst at 450 °C. Selective catalytic reduction of NO activity of the catalysts was correlated with iron oxide loading, reducibility, and the Brönsted and Lewis acid sites of the catalysts. The catalyst also showed good stability under studied reaction conditions that no deactivation was observed during the 50 h of reaction.     

Microwave-Assisted Synthesis and Characterization of Stearic Acid Sucrose Ester: A Bio-Based Surfactant

Sugar esters of fatty acids are bio-based surfactants that were synthesized by transesterification of table sugar (sucrose) with stearic acid methyl ester (SAME) in high yield and purity using an optimized microwave-assisted method. The maximum surfactant product yield of 88.2% was obtained by combining reactants with potassium methoxide and irradiating the mixture with microwaves to achieve an ideal reaction temperature of 132 °C over 21 min. The synthetic procedure described herein minimized undesirable sugar pyrolysis as evidenced by retention of white color characteristic of a pure bio-based surfactant product. The experiment implemented Box–Behnken design for response surface methodology to refine reaction parameters for optimal product yield. The following parameters were augmented: the irradiation time, the mole ratio of catalyst to sucrose, and temperature.     

Synthesis and characterization of partially crystalline nanosized ZSM-5 zeolites

Partially crystalline nanosize ZSM-5 with high surface area (678 m²/g) was synthesized successfully without using organic template by a two-step temperature process. Aluminum nitrate was used as aluminum source for the first time to synthesize ZSM-5 materials. The presence of MFI structure of the materials was analyzed by XRD, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy and TEM techniques. Addition of commercial HZSM-5 as a seeding agent to the reactants resulted an increase in crystallinity of the ZSM-5 sample and subsequent decrease in specific surface area. The partially crystalline samples exhibited low microporosity and remarkably high meso/macropore volume with pore diameters around 30 nm.     

Industrial potential of carotenoid pigments from microalgae: Current trends and future prospects

Microalgae are rich source of various bioactive molecules such as carotenoids, lipids, fatty acids, hydrocarbons, proteins, carbohydrates, amino acids, etc. and in recent Years carotenoids from algae gained commercial recognition in the global market for food and cosmeceutical applications. However, the production of carotenoids from algae is not yet fully cost effective to compete with synthetic ones. In this context the present review examines the technologies/methods in relation to mass production of algae, cell harvesting for extraction of carotenoids, optimizing extraction methods etc. Research studies from different microalgal species such as Spirulina platensis, Haematococcus pluvialis, Dunaliella salina, Chlorella sps., Nannochloropsis sps., Scenedesmus sps., Chlorococcum sps., Botryococcus braunii and Diatoms in relation to carotenoid content, chemical structure, extraction and processing of carotenoids are discussed. Further these carotenoid pigments, are useful in various health applications and their use in food, feed, nutraceutical, pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical industries was briefly touched upon. The commercial value of algal carotenoids has also been discussed in this review. Possible recommendations for future research studies are proposed.     

Synthesis, characterization, and catalytic activity of nitridated magnesium silicate catalysts

Amorphous and crystalline magnesium silicates (MgSils) were prepared by sol–gel and template-assisted hydrothermal synthesis methods, respectively. The obtained materials were nitridated with NH₃ at 300, 500, and 800 °C for 24 and 48 h generating nitridated MgSil catalysts. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, FTIR, TG–MS, N₂-physisorption, Hammett indicators, and elemental analysis methods. MgSils nitridated at 300 °C were found to be more active for the Knoevenagel condensation reaction, compared to those nitradated at 500 or 800 °C. A larger amount of nitrogen was incorporated in the framework of amorphous MgSil compared to the crystalline MgSil. FTIR analysis indicated the presence of NH _x species, which were known to form upon reaction between NH₃ and M-OH groups. It was also found that the presence of Si–OH and Mg–OH groups along with the basic –NH₂ functional groups is responsible for the enhanced catalytic activity of the low-temperature nitridated catalysts.     

Novel solid basic catalysts by nitridation of zeolite beta at low temperature

New basic solid catalysts are obtained by nitridation of zeolite beta at temperatures as low as 300 °C. These materials exhibit excellent catalytic activity in the Knoevenagel condensation of benzaldehyde with dicyanomethane (malononitrile). Nitridated samples of zeolite beta were prepared by treating the parent materials in an ammonia flow at temperatures between 300 °C and 800 °C for 24 h and 48 h, respectively. Samples of zeolite beta nitridated at 300 °C for 24 h or 48 h exhibited excellent catalytic activities which are higher than those observed for beta-type catalysts nitridated at higher temperatures and higher than activities reported earlier for ammonia treated aluminosilicates, AlPOs, SAPOs, and mesoporous silicon oxinitride materials. The nitridated beta zeolites were characterized by powder XRD, FTIR, nitrogen adsorption and elemental analysis techniques. It is suggested that the presence of silanol groups along with basic –NH₂ functional groups is responsible for the exceptional activity of the catalysts treated at low temperature.