The Synthesis of Well-Dispersed and Uniform-Sized Zeolite NaY by Adding Non-Refluxed and Acid-Refluxed Cogon Grass.

Zeolite NaY synthesized from a typical procedure could suffer from agglomeration. Adding non-refluxed cogon grass (NG) to the synthesis gel could produce NaY with good dispersion and uniform crystal size. Small molecules produced from cogon grass in alkaline conditions could prevent agglomeration. The obtained zeolite (Y-NG) has a crystallinity and surface area comparable to the synthesis without grass (Y-WG). Y-NG demonstrated similar paraquat adsorption capacity to Y-WG at high initial concentrations. On the other hand, the zeolite from the addition of acid-refluxed grass (Y-RG) has the lowest crystallinity, smallest surface area, and poorest paraquat adsorption capacity. The effect of grass amount on the zeolite structure was studied. One gram of cogon grass was the optimum amount to add to the synthesis gel.

Unraveling Structural and Acidic Properties of Al-SBA-15-supported Metal Phosphates: Assessment for Glucose Dehydration.

5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) synthesized through glucose conversion requires Lewis acid (L) site for isomerization and Brønsted acid (B) site for dehydration. The objective of this work is to investigate the influence of the metal type of Al-SBA-15-supported phosphates of Cr, Zr, Nb, Sr, and Sn on glucose conversion to 5-HMF in a NaCl-H2 O/n-butanol biphasic solvent system. The structural and acid property of all supported metal phosphate samples were fully verified by several spectroscopic methods. Among those catalysts, CrPO/Al-SBA-15 provided the best performance with the highest glucose conversion and 5-HMF yield, corresponding to the highest total acidity of 0.65 mmol/g and optimal L/B ratio of 1.88. For CrPO/Al-SBA-15, another critical parameter is the phosphate-to-chromium ratio. Moreover, DFT simulation of glucose conversion to 5-HMF on the surface of the optimized chromium phosphate structure reveals three steps of fructose dehydration on the Brønsted acid site. Finally, the optimum reaction condition, reusability, and leaching test of the best catalyst were determined. CrPO/Al-SBA-15 is a promising catalyst for glucose conversion to high-value-added chemicals in future biorefinery production.

Synthesis and Characterization of Zeolite NaY Dispersed on Bamboo Wood.

Zeolites in powder form have the potential to agglomerate, lowering access to active sites. Furthermore, a suspension of fine zeolite powder in liquid media is difficult to separate. Such drawbacks could be improved by dispersing zeolite crystals on support materials. This work demonstrates the dispersion of zeolite NaY crystals on bamboo wood by mixing the wood with zeolite gel before hydrothermal treatment. The syntheses were performed with acid-refluxed and non-refluxed wood. The phase of zeolites, particle distribution and morphology, zeolite content in the wood, and zeolite-wood interaction were investigated using X-ray diffraction, X-ray tomography, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, nitrogen sorption analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Higher zeolite content and better particle dispersion were obtained in the synthesis with the acid-refluxed wood. The composite of NaY on the acid-refluxed wood was demonstrated to be an effective adsorbent for Ni(II) ions in aqueous solutions, providing a higher adsorbed amount of Ni(II) per weight of NaY.

Biodegradable Polylactic Acid-Polyhydroxyalkanoate-Based Nanocomposites with Bio-Hydroxyapatite: Preparation and Characterization.

Biodegradable polymers play a significant role in medical applications, especially internal devices because they can be broken down and absorbed into the body without producing harmful degradation products. In this study, biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA)-polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA)-based nanocomposites with various PHA and nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp) contents were prepared using solution casting method. Mechanical properties, microstructure, thermal stability, thermal properties, and in vitro degradation of the PLA-PHA-based composites were investigated. PLA-20PHA/5nHAp was shown to give the desired properties so it was selected to investigate electrospinnability at different applied high voltages. PLA-20PHA/5nHAp composite shows the highest improvement of tensile strength at 36.6 ± 0.7 MPa, while PLA-20PHA/10nHAp composite shows the highest thermal stability and in vitro degradation at 7.55% of weight loss after 56 days of immersion in PBS solution. The addition of PHA in PLA-PHA-based nanocomposites improved elongation at break, compared to the composite without PHA. PLA-20PHA/5nHAp solution was successfully fabricated into fibers by electrospinning. All obtained fibers showed smooth and continuous fibers without beads with diameters of 3.7 ± 0.9, 3.5 ± 1.2, and 2.1 ± 0.7 µm at applied high voltages of 15, 20, and 25 kV, respectively.

Preparation and Characterization of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Rubber Reinforced with Bio-Hydroxyapatite from Fish Scale.

This work aims to enhance the mechanical properties, oil resistance, and thermal properties of acrylonitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) by using the Nile tilapia fish scales as a filler and using bis(triethoxysilylpropyl)tetrasulfide (TESPT) as a coupling agent (CA). The prepared fish scale particles (FSp) are B-type hydroxyapatite and the particle shape is rod-like. The filled NBR with FSp at 10 phr increased tensile strength up to 180% (4.56 ± 0.48 MPa), reduced oil absorption up to 155%, and increased the decomposition temperature up to 4 °C, relative to the unfilled NBR. The addition of CA into filled NBR with FSp at 10 phr increased tensile strength up to 123% (5.62 ± 0.42 MPa) and percentage of elongation at break up to 122% relative to the filled NBR with FSp at 10 phr. This work demonstrated that the prepared FSp from the Nile tilapia fish scales can be used as a reinforcement filler to enhance the NBR properties for use in many high-performance applications.

Nano-Hydroxyapatite from White Seabass Scales as a Bio-Filler in Polylactic Acid Biocomposite: Preparation and Characterization.

Nano-hydroxyapatite (nHAp) as a bio-filler used in PLA composites was prepared from fish by acid deproteinization (1DP) and a combination of acid-alkali deproteinization (2DP) followed by alkali heat treatment. Moreover, the PLA/nHAp composite films were developed using solution casting method. The mechanical and thermal properties of the PLA composite films with nHAp from different steps deproteinization and contents were compared. The physical properties analysis confirmed that the nHAp can be prepared from fish scales using both steps deproteinization. 1DP-nHAp showed higher surface area and lower crystallinity than 2DP-nHAp. This gave advantage of 1DP-nHAp for use as filler. PLA composite with 1DP-nHAp gave tensile strength of 66.41 ± 3.63 MPa and Young's modulus of 2.65 ± 0.05 GPa which were higher than 2DP-nHAp at the same content. The addition of 5 phr 1DP-nHAp into PLA significantly improved the tensile strength and Young's modulus. PLA composite solution with 1DP-nHAp at 5 phr showed electrospinnability by giving continuous fibers without beads.

Structural elucidation of hexavalent Cr adsorbed on surfaces and bulks of Fe3O4 and α-FeOOH.

Magnetite (Fe3O4) and goethite (α-FeOOH) were synthesized via a hydrothermal approach and utilized as adsorbents for Cr6+ removal in an aqueous medium. The typical crystal structures of the synthesized Fe3O4 and α-FeOOH were confirmed by XRD and TEM. Fe3O4 in a spherical shape with a surface area of 32 m2 g-1 was established. While α-FeOOH had a rod-like form with a larger surface area of 84 m2 g-1. Cr6+ removal in an aqueous solution was studied in various conditions to evaluate thermodynamic and kinetic parameters. The adsorption isotherms on both adsorbents fit the Langmuir model indicating monolayer adsorption. Fe3O4 showed a better adsorption ability than α-FeOOH even though it had a lower surface area. XAS and XPS analysis strongly evidenced the production of stable Cr3+ species of Fe(1-x)Cr x OOH and Fe(3-x)Cr x O4 by Cr6+ reduction and migration processes into the bulk structure. Thus, the existence of stable Cr-species in Fe3O4 structure strongly affected Cr-adsorption ability rather than the surface area of the adsorbent. However, the precipitated Cr2O3 and HCrO4 - molecules electrostatically adsorbed on the outer surface of α-FeOOH without bulk transformation. The presence of physisorbed FeO-HCrO4 species on α-FeOOH led to low reducibility and adsorption capability of Cr6+.

Comparative Properties of K/NaX and K/NaY from Ultrasound-Assisted Impregnation and Performance in Transesterification of Palm Oil.

This work aims to compare physicochemical properties and catalytic performance of potassium supported on zeolite NaX and NaY (K/NaX and K/NaY, respectively) prepared by ultrasound-assisted impregnation from potassium acetate buffer precursor. Calcination converts the potassium precursor to carbonate, which occupies the zeolite cavities and disperses on the external surface. Both calcined samples show a decrease in zeolite phases, BET surface areas, and pore volumes. With the smaller changes, K/NaX is more stable than K/NaY. Moreover, K/NaX has higher basicity than K/NaY and is more active in the decomposition of 2-methylbut-3-yn-2-ol (MBOH), producing dominant products from basic sites. Both K/NaX and K/NaY are active in the transesterification of palm oil, producing more than 94% of the biodiesel yields in the first run. However, the yields drop in the second run because of the leaching of potassium species into glycerol and biodiesel products. The spent K/NaX has a similar phase to the fresh one, whereas the spent K/NaY shows more structure collapse. With better structural stability, less potassium leaching, and less decline in biodiesel yields in the second run, K/NaX is a better catalyst than K/NaY.

Active targeted ligand-aza-BODIPY conjugate for near-infrared photodynamic therapy in melanoma.

Active targeting compound, a non-iodinated derivative of IK-IK-I2-azaBODIPY (1a) was previously reported to preferentially bind melanoma over healthy cells. In this study, we evaluate the photodynamic therapy (PDT) efficiency on melanoma cells of 1a, together with its reversed sequence compound KI-KI-I2-azaBODIPY (1b) and a non-targeted control I2-azaBODIPY-NH2 (2). All three test compounds possess absorption wavelengths in the near-infrared (NIR) region (λmax between 678 and 687 nm) which alleviate melanin interference and allow deeper tissue penetration. In vitro studies revealed 1a and 1b are promising photosensitizers with enhanced singlet oxygen generation, have increased uptake by B16-F10 melanoma cells via clathrin-mediated endocytosis and good photocytotoxic efficacies. Ex vivo biodistribution assays showed both 1a and 1b accumulated in the tumour. In B16-F10 tumour bearing-C57BL/6 mice, 10 mg/kg of 1b and light irradiation was found to reduce tumour volume by up to 23% at day-3. Doubling the dosage of 1b (20 mg/kg) enhanced the antitumour effect, showing 96% maximum tumour volume reduction at day-7 and tumour growth suppression for up to 12 days.

Facile ultrasound-assisted grafting of silica gel by aminopropyltriethoxysilane for aldol condensation of furfural and acetone.

This work focuses on the development of a simple method to prepare heterogeneous catalysts with tunable basicity and stability for aldol condensation of furfural and acetone. Silica gel was grafted by aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) with 20, 30, 40 and 50 wt. % of APTES using probe-type ultrasonicator with a power of 130 W and a frequency of 20 kHz. The grafted samples were studied by XRD, SEM, N2 sorption, FTIR, XPS, CHN and TG analysis, and CO2-TPD. The sonication facilitated the bond formation between APTES and the silica gel with less pore blocking than the conventional grafting method. The basicity of the samples was tunable with the quantity of APTES loading. The grafted samples were active catalysts for aldol condensation between furfural and acetone at 60 °C. The catalyst with 30 wt. % APTES grafting (30APS-U) provided a nearly complete furfural conversion and high furfurylbutenone selectivity. The conversion and selectivity increased with time and reached the highest values at 24 h. Thus, the catalysts with tunable basicity prepared by ultrasound-assisted grafting of silica with various APTES amounts were effective in furfural valorization.

Paraquat adsorption on NaX and Al-MCM-41.

The aim of this work is to determine paraquat adsorption capacity of zeolite NaX and Al-MCM-41. All adsorbents were synthesized by hydrothermal method using rice husk silica. For Al-MCM-41, aluminum (Al) was added to the synthesis gel of MCM-41 with Al content of 10, 15, 20 and 25 wt%. The faujasite framework type of NaX and mesoporous characteristic of Al-MCM-41 were confirmed by X-ray diffraction. Surface area of all adsorbents determined by N2 adsorption-desorption analysis was higher than 650 m2/g. Al content and geometry were determined by X-ray fluorescence and 27Al nuclear magnetic resonance, respectively. Morphology of Al-MCM-41 were studied by transmission electron microscopy; macropores and defects were observed. The paraquat adsorption experiments were conducted using a concentration range of 80-720 mg/L for NaX and 80-560 mg/L for Al-MCM-41. The paraquat adsorption isotherms from all adsorbents fit well with the Langmuir model. The adsorption capacity of NaX was 120 mg/g-adsorbent. Regarding Al-MCM-41, the 10% Al-MCM-41 exhibited the lowest capacity of 52 mg/g-adsorbent while the other samples had adsorption capacity of 66 mg/g-adsorbent.

Paraquat adsorption on porous materials synthesized from rice husk silica.

The goal of this work was to utilize rice husk silica (RHS) and porous materials synthesized with RHS, including mesoporous material (MCM-41) and microporous materials (zeolite NaY and NaBEA), for adsorption of herbicide paraquat. The adsorption occurred although cation exchange and the capacity decreased in the following order: NaY > NaBEA > MCM-41 > RHS, consistent with the amount of Al. The adsorption on all adsorbents fitted well with the Langmuir model and the maximum adsorption capacity of 185.2 mg/g-adsorbent was obtained on NaY. In addition, blue dye in commercial grade paraquat did not interfere with paraquat adsorption. Although MCM-41 was the most efficient adsorbent for the blue dye, RHS was favorable in terms of production cost. A mixture of NaY and RHS is recommended for simultaneous adsorption of paraquat and blue dye.

Formation of MgO-supported manganese carbonyl complexes by chemisorption of Mn(CO)5CH3.

MgO-supported manganese carbonyl complexes were prepared by chemical vapor deposition of Mn(CO)5CH3 on partially dehydroxylated, high-area MgO powder. X-ray absorption spectra identify the resultant surface species, on average, as Mn(CO)4(Os)2 (where the two oxygen ligands are part of the MgO surface), and infrared spectra show that the chemisorption results from the reaction of Mn(CO)5CH3 with OH groups of the MgO surface. Electron paramagnetic resonance and X-ray absorption near edge data indicate that the manganese was in a positive oxidation state other than +2, but the value is not determined, and the IR spectra indicate the presence of a mixture of manganese carbonyls. Extended X-ray absorption fine structure spectra determine the average Mn-CO bond distance to be 1.87 Å and the average Mn-O bond distance to be 2.12 Å. The surface complex was found to be stable in O2 at room temperature.

Characterization of platinum-iron catalysts supported on MCM-41 synthesized with rice husk silica and their performance for phenol hydroxylation.

Mesoporous material RH-MCM-41 was synthesized with rice husk silica by a hydrothermal method. It was used as a support for bimetallic platinum-iron catalysts Pt-Fe/RH-MCM-41 for phenol hydroxylation. The catalysts were prepared by co-impregnation with Pt and Fe at amounts of 0.5 and 5.0 wt.%, respectively. The RH-MCM-41 structure in the catalysts was studied with x-ray diffraction, and their surface areas were determined by nitrogen adsorption. The oxidation number of Fe supported on RH-MCM-41 was + 3, as determined by x-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) analysis. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images of all the catalysts displayed well-ordered structures, and metal nanoparticles were observed in some catalysts. All the catalysts were active for phenol hydroxylation using H2O2 as the oxidant at phenol : H2O2 mole ratios of 2 : 1, 2 : 2, 2 : 3 and 2 : 4. The first three ratios produced only catechol and hydroquinone, whereas the 2 : 4 ratio also produced benzoquinone. The 2 : 3 ratio gave the highest phenol conversion of 47% at 70 °C. The catalyst prepared by co-impregnation with Pt and Fe was more active than that prepared using a physical mixture of Pt/RH-MCM-41 and Fe/RH-MCM-41.

Pt3Ru6 clusters supported on gamma-Al2O3: synthesis from Pt3Ru6(CO)21(mu3-H)(mu-H)3, structural characterization, and catalysis of ethylene hydrogenation and n-butane hydrogenolysis.

The supported clusters Pt-Ru/gamma-Al2O3 were prepared by adsorption of the bimetallic precursor Pt3Ru6(CO)21(mu3-H)(mu-H)3 from CH2Cl2 solution onto gamma-Al2O3 followed by decarbonylation in He at 300 degrees C. The resultant supported clusters were characterized by infrared (IR) and extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopies and as catalysts for ethylene hydrogenation and n-butane hydrogenolysis. After adsorption, the nu(CO) peaks characterizing the precursor shifted to lower wavenumbers, and some of the hydroxyl bands of the support disappeared or changed, indicating that the CO ligands of the precursor interacted with support hydroxyl groups. The EXAFS results show that the metal core of the precursor remained essentially unchanged upon adsorption, but there were distortions of the metal core indicated by changes in the metal-metal distances. After decarbonylation of the supported clusters, the EXAFS data indicated that Pt and Ru atoms interacted with support oxygen atoms and that about half of the Pt-Ru bonds were maintained, with the composition of the metal frame remaining almost unchanged. The decarbonylated supported bimetallic clusters reported here are the first having essentially the same metal core composition as that of a precursor metal carbonyl, and they appear to be the best-defined supported bimetallic clusters. The material was found to be an active catalyst for ethylene hydrogenation and n-butane hydrogenolysis under conditions mild enough to prevent substantial cluster disruption.