Ferric Acetate Research Articles

Effects of Coexisting Anions on the Formation of Hematite Nanoparticles in a Hydrothermal Process with Urea Hydrolysis and the Congo Red Dye Adsorption Properties

Crystalline hematite nanoparticles as adsorbents for anionic Congo red dye were prepared by a hydrothermal process using urea hydrolysis. To examine the effects of coexisting anions in a solution on the formation of hematite nanoparticles, different iron(III) salts, including iron chloride hexahydrate, iron nitrate nonahydrate, iron sulfate n-hydrate, ammonium iron sulfate dodecahydrate, and basic ferric acetate, were employed as iron-ion sources. After the hydrothermal treatment of the solution, consisting of an iron salt and urea at 423 K for 20 h, a single phase of hematite was formed from the iron-nitrate solution. The results suggested that the hydrothermal formation of hematite depended on the stability of iron complexes formed in the starting solution. The average crystallite size and median diameter of hematite nanoparticles also depended on the coexisting anions, suggesting that the appropriate selection of the coexisting anions in the starting solution can allow for control of the crystallite size and particle diameter of hematite nanoparticles. The Congo red adsorption kinetics and isotherms of the hematite nanoparticles were described by the Elovich model and Langmuir model, respectively. The adsorption thermodynamics parameters were estimated, which suggested an exothermic and spontaneous process. The results demonstrated good adsorption properties for Congo red adsorption.

Fe(II)-Based Metallo-Supramolecular Polymer Film for Electrochemical Detection of Nitrite: Studies of Kinetics and Reaction Mechanisms

Here, a monometallic supramolecular polymer (SMP) was synthesized for the fabrication of an electrochemical nitrite sensor, and a mechanism for nitrite detection was proposed based on the experimental findings. The SMP (polyFe) was synthesized using a symmetrical ligand containing terpyridine moieties [4′,4′′′′-(1,4- Phenylene) bis(2,2′:6′,2′′-terpyridine)] and ferrous acetate. Various analytical methods, such as ultraviolet/visible (UV/Vis) titration, field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), were used to characterize polyFe. The molecular weight of polyFe was calculated from the intrinsic viscosity measurement using the Mark-Houwink-Sakurada equation. The electrochemical behavior of the fabricated sensor was investigated using cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The variation in scan rate from CV was used to investigate the kinetics of nitrite oxidation. A possible reaction mechanism was proposed based on the kinetic studies. The proposed sensor showed a good linear range of 2.49 μM to 1.23 mM and a limit of detection of 0.17 μM. Stability, interference, and reproducibility of the proposed sensor were also investigated. The CV technique was used to demonstrate the applicability of the nitrite sensor for real sample analysis. A satisfactory recovery with a low relative standard deviation was achieved.

Electronic modulation of InNi3C0.5/Fe3O4 by support precursor toward efficient CO2 hydrogenation to methanol

Carbon neutrality is spurring worldwide impetus on the exploration of CO2 hydrogenation to methanol, but groundbreaking catalyst presents a grand challenge. An outstanding InNi3C0.5/Fe3O4 catalyst is tailored by finely tuning the electronic metal-support interaction (EMSI) that is controlled by Fe3O4 precursor. The one using Fe3O4-N (from ferric nitrate) stands out against the ones using Fe3O4-A (ferrous acetate) and Fe3O4-C (ferric chloride), achieving a turnover frequency (421.6 h−1) 2.3–3.1 times as high as that of the two others. There is a correlation between the oxygen deficiency of Fe3O4 and the EMSI-governed activity. The EMSI effect is enhanced substantially by the highly oxygen-deficient Fe3O4-N. Enhanced EMSI makes InNi3C0.5 electron-enriched and thus enables CO2 to be dissociated easily. The InNi3C0.5/Fe3O4-N achieves a high methanol space time yield of 2.60 gMeOH gcat−1 h−1 with 92.0% methanol selectivity at 325 °C and 6.0 MPa. This catalyst is also highly anti-sintering and anti-sulfur poisoning.

The role of catalytic iron in enhancing volumetric sugar productivity during autothermal pyrolysis of woody biomass

Passivation of naturally occurring AAEM in biomass enhances sugar yields from the fast pyrolysis of biomass by preventing these metals from catalyzing the fragmentation of pyranose rings in cellulose and hemicellulose. However, because AAEM also catalyzes lignin depolymerization, its passivation can be accompanied by undesirable char agglomeration. Pretreatment of biomass with ferrous sulfate both passivates AAEM and substitutes ferrous ions as lignin depolymerization catalysts. This pretreatment has been particularly successful for high ash biomass like corn stover, but of limited value for low ash biomass like wood. This study explores the reasons for this discrepancy and offers a combined pretreatment of ferrous sulfate and ferrous acetate pretreatment to overcome char agglomeration in wood. This new pretreatment increased sugar yields from 4.4 wt% to 15.5 wt% and 5.4 wt% to 19.0 wt% for hardwood and softwood biomasses, respectively. This pretreatment produces an iron-rich biochar that catalyzes oxidation of the biochar under the oxygen-rich conditions of autothermal pyrolysis, which is preferentially consumed to provide the enthalpy for pyrolysis, preserving bio-oil as a more desirable energy product. Instead of producing carbon monoxide, which dominates oxidation of biochar from untreated biomass, the iron catalyzes oxidation to carbon dioxide, producing more energy per mole of oxygen consumed. In fact, oxygen demand to support autothermal pyrolysis of red oak and southern yellow pine was reduced 15% by the presence of iron in the biochar.

Evaluation of Microwave Ablation in 4T1 Breast Tumor by a Novel VEFGR2 Targeted Ultrasound Contrast Agents

ObjectivesA novel ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) VEGFR2-targeting iron-doped silica (SiO2) hollow nanoparticles (VEGFR2-PEG-HSNs-Fe NPs) was prepared and applied in microwave ablation for breast cancer to investigate its value in the evaluation of effectiveness after tumor ablation.MethodsVEGFR2-PEG-HSNs-Fe NPs were prepared by using nano-SiO2, which was regarded as a substrate and etched by ferrous acetate, and then modified with anti-VEGFR2 antibody. Laser confocal microscope and flow cytometry were used to observe its main physicochemical properties, and biological safety was also investigated. After the xenograft tumor was treated with microwave ablation, the extent of perfusion defect was evaluated by ultrasound by injecting VEGFR2-PEG-HSNs-Fe NPs.ResultsThe average particle size of VEGFR2-PEG-HSNs-Fe was 276.64 ± 30.31 nm, and the surface potential was −13.46 ± 2.83 mV. In vitro, the intensity of ultrasound signal increased with UCA concentration. Good biosafety was performed in in vivo and in vitro experiments. The enhanced ultrasound signal was detected in tumors after injection of VEGFR2-PEG-HSNs-Fe NPs, covering the whole tumor. The lesions, which were incompletely ablated, presented as contrast agent perfusion at the periphery of the tumor, and contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) was performed again after complementary ablation. It was confirmed that all the lesions were completely ablated.ConclusionNano-targeted UCAs VEGFR2-PEG-HSNs-Fe NPs had good biosafety and ability of specific imaging, which might be used as a contrast agent in CEUS to evaluate the efficacy of tumor ablation.

NIR surface enhanced Raman spectra of biological hemes: Solvation and plasmonic metal effects

AbstractSurface enhanced Raman spectra (SERS) excited at 785 nm are reported for hemoglobin, myoglobin, two heme B proteins, and cytochrome c, a heme C protein, solubilized in a variety of solvent systems and then placed on Au and Ag substrates. These solvent environments include H2O pH 7.4, HCl/water pH 2, HCl/50% ethanol pH 2, 50% acetic acid and the organic layer of a pH 2 HCl/butanone mixture. To obtain the most intense SERS spectra of heme B proteins (Mb and Hb) it is not sufficient to be in a low pH (pH ~ 2) denaturing environment. A hydrophobic solvent component is additionally required in order to efficiently solubilize the cleaved heme moiety and consequently observe intense SERS spectra indicative of these heme B proteins. Although both heme B proteins exhibit virtually identical, metal (Au, Ag) specific SERS spectra, Cyt c is much weaker in the low pH environments and only displays a Ag‐like SERS spectrum on both metals indicating that this heme C protein is not cleaved in any of these solvation environments. The strong SERS signals of hemoglobin and myoglobin are due to hemin and ferric acetate heme formed in pH 2 HCl/ethanol and pH 2/50% acetic acid solutions respectively. SERS vibrational features confirm oxidation state, coordination number and ligands. SERS signals due to globin protein aggregation effects are reduced in low pH solvent systems with polarities lower than pure water. These results confirm the mechanism of a successful acetic acid protocol previously developed for the highly sensitive SERS detection of dried blood for forensic applications and indicate how it may be further improved to achieve even higher SERS sensitivity for heme protein detection.

Study on transition metal ion Fe3+ catalyzed biodiesel oxidation and inhibition mechanism

Methyl linoleate is used as an alternative component of biodiesel. The catalytic oxidation of biodiesel is studied in the presence of iron acetate using methyl linoleate as the alternative component. The composition of the products obtained from the oxidation process of methyl linoleate is analyzed by GC–MS and liquid phase microextraction. Density functional theory is used to calculate the electronic effects of the related reactants and products and the related catalytic oxidation reaction paths are derived. The results show that during the process of catalytic oxidation of methyl linoleate in biodiesel, mainly the catalytic cracking reaction of C–H and C–C bonds and Fenton-like reaction occur. The combination of two antioxidants, TEPA and [MI][C6H2(OH)3COO], can effectively inhibit the catalytic oxidation of Cu2+ and Fe3+ and interrupt the chain reaction of the oxidation process. The negative value of the electrostatic potential of ferric acetate is relatively large, it is obviously alkaline, and has a certain ability to bind with H. The irregular structure of the iron acetate unit cell makes the O–Fe bond in the molecule easy to break, which is beneficial for the catalytic oxidation process.

New environmental selective micro-mesoporous carbonaceous sorbent for eliminating tobacco specific nitrosamines and lead ion

New selective carbonaceous sorbent is one-pot fabricated using microburst of bi-metal salts in order to eliminate carcinogens in environment. We used discarded cigarette butts as carbon source, aluminum nitrate and ferrous acetate as pore-forming agents to prepare the versatile sorbent with a developed porosity and the well-exposed metal oxides in order to replace zeolites for the selective adsorption in environment protection. Numerous finely divided porous particles endowed the composite a surface area of over 350 m2g-1, enabling it to be the best sorbent of tobacco specific nitrosamines (TSNA) to date in solution. It adsorbed 41% of TSNA among hundreds of components in tobacco extract solution or 142 mg g−1of 4-methylnitrosamino-1-3-pyridyl-1-butanone (NNK) in aqueous solution, and rapidly trapped Pb(Ⅱ) at the S/L of 0.2 within 10 min with a capacity of 153 mg g−1. Moreover, new sorbent could catalyze the degradation of NNK in mild conditions, which is rare but is very important for environmental protection.

Influence of Acetic Acid on the Integrity and Protectiveness by an Iron Carbonate (FeCO3) Corrosion Product Layer

The effect of undissociated acetic acid on the integrity of an iron carbonate (FeCO3) layer formed on platinum and X65 steel substrates is investigated. Experiments were conducted using buffered solutions with 0.8 mM to 5 mM undissociated acetic acid. For the platinum substrates, changes in the FeCO3 layer were monitored via in situ electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance (EQCM) measurements. This investigation was supported by performing electrochemical experiments, under comparable conditions, on the X65 steel specimens, linking the integrity of FeCO3 layer to its corrosion protection effect. The EQCM measurements revealed that the addition of acetic acid, at all concentrations tested here, caused partial dissolution of the FeCO3 layer. The dissolution occurred selectively, with the outer layer dissolving first, leaving behind an inner FeCO3 layer at the end of the immersion experiment. The electrochemical results revealed that introducing the acetic acid caused a sudden increase in the corrosion rate, which over time returned to a lower value similar in magnitude to that seen before addition of the acetic acid. This was attributed to the protection provided by the inner FeCO3 layer, which was only mildly affected by the addition of acetic acid and was able to repair over time. It was proven that the dissolution of the protective FeCO3 layer in the presence of acetic acid was not due to a small pH change but rather due to the formation of ferrous acetate complexes and changes in ionic strength, which decreases the FeCO3 saturation values.

Highly stable and biocompatible hyaluronic acid-rehabilitated nanoscale MOF-Fe2+ induced ferroptosis in breast cancer cells.

Intracellular amplification of oxidative stress has been proved to be an effective strategy to induce cancer cell death and the Fenton reaction was regarded as a robust way to generate ROS which are the main cause of amplified oxidative stress. However, current Fenton reaction-inducing agents lacked stability in the bio-environment and failed to exert their ideal catalytic performance. We, hereby, designed an Fe2+-based metal-organic framework (MOF) to deliver Fe2+ to cancer cells to trigger the Fenton reaction and produce excessive ROS. The obtained nano-scale MOF that was constructed by ferrous acetate and organic ligands (BDC-NH2) endowed itself with excellent stability in bio-media and pH responsively degraded itself to release Fe2+ in the acid tumor microenvironment. Such a characteristic demonstrated robust capacity to catalyze the Fenton reaction and produce considerable ROS and thus induced distinct Fe2+-mediated cell ferroptosis. Meanwhile, directly exploiting an Fe2+-based MOF to inhibit and kill cancer cells circumvented the potential adverse effects of loading drugs (like the cardiotoxicity of doxorubicin, and the nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity of cisplatin) and proved to be biocompatible in in vivo experiments. More importantly, observations of the in vivo antitumor experiment attested its impressive inhibition on cancer cells and amelioration on the physical health of treated mice. Our study thus presented a novel and biocompatible ferroptosis strategy to be applied in effective clinical cancer therapy.

Synthesis of Ag@Polycarbazole Nanocomposite using Ferric Acetate as an Oxidant

Silver nanowires and Ag@polycarbazole nanocables have been effectively fabricated. Polyol-reduction and ion adsorption process were used to fabricate pure silver nanowires and Ag@polycarbazole nanocomposite by using an oxidant (iron acetate). Ions of oxidant were adsorbed on the surface of pure silver nanowires to oxidize carbazole monomers for efficient polymerization. The morphology of nanowires and Ag@PCz composite were characterized by using SEM, FT-IR and photoluminescence analysis. The SEM shows the presence of a smooth polymeric sheath. FT-IR and photoluminescence analysis shows dominant peaks that indicate the presence of silver nanowires and polycarbazole (PCz) with a smooth polymeric coating. Nanoparticle analyzer was used to determine z-average and actual size of sample. UV-visible spectrum shows two bands that were dominant at 345 and 410 nm. These are π to π* transitions that indicates the presence of polycarbazole nanocables.

Fabrication of Strong Solid Base FeO–MgO for Warm CO2 Capture

A strong solid base, FeO–MgO, is synthesized using magnesium acetate and ferrous acetate in order to meet the requirement of capturing CO2 in flue gas at a temperature higher than 423 K. After the two salts are ground and carbonized at 823 K, the ferric MgO composite with a surface area exceeding 160 m2 g−1 is obtained, where ferric oxide species are wrapped by magnesia particles. The influence of ferric salt on the structure and adsorption properties of the strong solid bases is investigated to determine the optimal amount, and the distribution of ferric additive is assessed with X‐ray diffraction (XRD) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). With a mass ratio of ferrous oxide of about 3%, the basic sorbent could capture 35 mg g−1 CO2 at 473 K and the ratio of strong base sites increases to 91%. Both the CO2 adsorption capacity and the ratio of strong basic sites are higher than those of the other MgO sorbents, which is beneficial for warm CO2 capture. Additionally, the function of strong basic sites in the ferric MgO sorbent is explored in the instantaneous adsorption of warm CO2. The capability in the cycled warm CO2 adsorption is found to be related to the desorption temperature of CO2. Different forms of CO2 injections are used in adsorption and the influence on the performance of the strong basic sorbent is also studied.

Amides as Non-polymerizable Catalytic Adjuncts Enable the Ring-Opening Polymerization of Lactide With Ferrous Acetate Under Mild Conditions

Sn-based catalysts are effective in the ring-opening polymerization (ROP) but are toxic. Fe(OAc)2 used as an alternative catalyst is suitable for the ROP of lactide only at higher temperatures (>170°C), associated with racemization. In the ROP of ester and amide group containing morpholinediones with Fe(OAc)2 to polydepsipeptides at 135°C, ester bonds were selectively opened. Here, it was hypothesized that ROP of lactones is possible with Fe(OAc)2 when amides are present in the reactions mixture as Fe-ligands could increase the solubility and activity of the metal catalytic center. The ROP of lactide in the melt with Fe(OAc)2 is possible at temperatures as low as 105°C, in the presence of N-ethylacetamide or N-methylbenzamide as non-polymerizable catalytic adjuncts (NPCA), with high conversion (up to 99 mol%) and yield (up to 88 mol%). Polydispersities of polylactide decreased with decreasing reaction temperature to ≤ 1.1. NMR as well as polarimetric studies showed that no racemization occurred at reaction temperatures ≤145°C. A kinetic study demonstrated a living chain-growth mechanism. MALDI analysis revealed that no side reactions (e.g., cyclization) occurred, though transesterification took place.

A RASH FROM PROGESTERONE, ESTROGEN, OR IRON: OCPs HAVE THEM ALL BUT WHO'S TO BLAME

Introduction Progesterone hypersensitivity (PH) is a poorly understood condition that was initially thought to be secondary to premenstrual progesterone exposure. However, few cases have been reported to exogenous sources of progestogens. We present a case of PH secondary to the use of a combined oral contraceptive pill (OCP). Case Description 18-year-old female with history of anxiety reported a maculopapular non-pruritic rash on her neck and chest, throat closing sensation, and chest tightness after completing a 6-week treatment with a combined OCP ordered by her gynecologist for contraception. The medication contained ferrous fumarate, ethinyl estradiol, and norethindrone acetate. Symptoms resolved within 3 days of treatment with diphenhydramine. Physical exam was noncontributory. Skin testing for the different components of the medication was performed. Testing was positive for progesterone (intradermal [0.005 mg/mL]), ferrous fumarate (intradermal [6 mg/mL]), and combined OCP (intradermal [pill dissolved in 1 mL]). The patient was advised to avoid these medications and to use estrogen-only contraceptive methods. Four months later, the patient was required to start iron replacement therapy due to anemia. An open oral challenge to iron-containing multivitamin was performed without adverse reactions. Discussion There are different sources of progestins including oral and implantable contraceptives, long-acting depot preparations, emergency contraception, and intrauterine devices. Exogenous sources of progestogens are an important and growing consideration in diagnosing PH. Progesterone skin testing has not been validated; a negative result does not exclude PH.

Biomass based iron and nitrogen co-doped 3D porous carbon as an efficient oxygen reduction catalyst

An iron and nitrogen co-doped 3D porous carbon catalyst with high performance for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) is produced by pyrolysis. The precursor is a mixture of red date, ferrous (Ⅱ) acetate, and graphitic carbon nitride (g-C3N4). g-C3N4 is the nitrogen source and also the sacrificial template, which plays a key role in the formation of a porous nitrogen rich carbon structure with high surface area. It is found that active sites and catalytic performance of synthetic materials are significantly influenced by the Fe content. In comparison with commercial Pt/C catalyst, the synthetic Fe-N-C with optimized composition exhibits comparable ORR activity and superior methanol tolerance. This work provides a feasible approach to develop cost-effective and highly efficient non-precious metal electrochemical catalysts for oxygen reduction.

New activated carbon sorbent with the zeolite-like selectivity to capture tobacco-specific nitrosamines in solution

This paper reported the attempt of endowing activated carbon the capability of selectively adsorption like that of zeolite for the first time. To create the optimal microenvironment in the activated carbon made from coconut shell, the sorbent was carefully modified with moderate ferric acetate through impregnation followed by carbonization, producing lots of ferric oxide extra-fine particles mingled with carbon nanoparticles to reduce the pore size of activated carbon and to increase the surface roughness of pore wall. Consequently, new activated carbon sorbent trapped 60% of tobacco specific nitrosamines in the tobacco extract solution with the concentration of 1796 ng mL−1, exhibiting the highest capacity (222 µg g−1) to date. Moreover, it showed a zeolite-like selectivity in the liquid adsorption to capture 98.5% of 4-methylnitrosamino-1-3-pyridyl-1-butanone because of the spindly shape of this strong carcinogen. Besides, distinguishable adsorption of tobacco specific nitrosamines from alkaloid by the new activated carbon sorbent in solution was discovered, providing a valuable clue for the development of new selective sorbents in environment protection.

Effective and stable FeNi@ N-doped graphene counter electrode for enhanced performance dye sensitized solar cells

N-doped FeNi@graphene is introduced as effective and stable non-precious counter electrode for the dye sensitized solar cells. After preparation of graphene oxide using the chemical route, the obtained product has been refluxed in presence of nickel acetate, ferrous acetate and urea at 150°C for 12h. Then, the solid product was mixed with melamine and sintered under nitrogen atmosphere at 850°C. The invoked characterization techniques affirmed formation of N-doped graphene decorated by FeNi bimetallic nanoparticles. In dye sensitized solar cell, the prepared material revealed good performance as counter electrode as the estimated efficiency was 4.12% with a photocurrent and an open circuit voltage of 8.96mA/cm2 and 0.73V, respectively, Moreover, the cyclic voltammetry measurements indicated very good catalytic activity and distinct stability.

On the textural and crystalline properties of Fe-carbon xerogels. Application as Fenton-like catalysts in the oxidation of paracetamol by H2O2

A series of five Fe-carbon xerogels has been prepared by a sol-gel modified method of polymerization of resorcinol and formaldehyde, iron being incorporated in the form of ferrous acetate. Some modifications, such as the monomer used, the use of a surfactant and the step of addition of the ferrous acetate have been done in order to study their influence on the textural and crystalline properties of the final solids obtained. Fe-carbon xerogels have been characterized by N2 adsorption, mercury porosimetry, thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). All samples contain micropores, with the exception of that prepared in the presence of an anionic surfactant. However, they are mainly meso- and/or macropores samples, the ratio of mesopore to macropore volume depending on the synthesis conditions. The amounts of iron in the samples, as well as the crystalline phases formed are also different. Fe-carbon xerogels were tested as catalysts in the removal of paracetamol from aqueous solution by a combined process of adsorption and Fenton-like oxidation under mild conditions, 25 °C and pH nearly neutral. Values of oxidations of paracetamol between 78 and 95% were achieved after 5 h of reaction, and the 90% of paracetamol was removed after only 37 min with two of the catalysts. The activity seems to be correlated with the high dispersion of small nanoparticles of iron, mainly present as zero-valent iron.

Ionic Liquid-Coordinated Ferrous Acetate Complex Immobilized on Bentonite As a Novel Separable Catalyst for PET Glycolysis

Ionic liquid-coordinated ferrous acetate complex immobilized on bentonite ([Bmim—Fe][(OAc)3]/bentonite) was prepared by impregnation of [Bmim—Fe][(OAc)3] on bentonite. The prepared catalyst was characterized using FTIR, XRD and total carbon (TC). The catalyst showed a high catalytic activity in the glycolysis of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) under mild condition. Maximum activity was observed with a PET conversion of 100% and bis(2-hydroxyethyl)terephthalate (BHET) yield of 44% under the optimum conditions of catalyst (1.0 g), ethylene glycol (20 g) and PET (3.0 g) at 190 °C for 3 h. The activation energy of PET glycolysis using the prepared catalyst was calculated and found to be 51.6 kJ/mol.

Synthesis of single-walled carbon nanotubes by the pyrolysis of a compression activated iron(II) phthalocyanine/phthalocyanine metal-free derivative/ferric acetate mixture

This paper reports on the synthesis of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) from an activated mixture of iron (II) phthalocyanine, its metal-free derivative and ferric acetate. The powdered mixture was activated by compression into a tablet by applying a force of 300 kN, followed by re-grinding into powder and heating it to high temperatures (1000°C). The activation by compression resulted in more than 50% debundling of SWCNTs as judged by transition electron microscopy. Acid functionalization of the SWCNTs was confirmed by the increase in the D:G ratio from 0.56 to 0.87 in the Raman spectra and the observation of an average of one carboxylic acid group per 13 carbon atoms from thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). TGA also showed that the initial decomposition temperatures for the activated and non-activated mixtures to be 205°C and 245°C, respectively. Hence, activation leads to the lowering of the pyrolysis temperature of the phthalocyanines. X-ray diffraction, electronic absorption and Fourier transform infrared spectra were also employed to characterize the SWCNT. This paper reports on the synthesis of SWCNTs from an activated mixture of iron (II) phthalocyanine, its metal-free derivative and ferric acetate. Characterization of the synthesized SWCNTs was done using TEM, TGA, XRD and UV-vis, FTIR and Raman spectroscopies.