FTIR Methods Research Articles

Isatin based 1,2,3-triazole derivatives as antimicrobial agents: Synthesis, in silico docking and molecular dynamics simulations

With the aim to identify new antimicrobials, in the present study a new series of isatin based 1,2,3-triazoles (5a-5f & 6a-6f) has been synthesized through CuAAC click reaction and characterized by FTIR, NMR and MS spectral methods. In vitro antimicrobial assay suggested that synthesized derivatives exhibited good to high efficacy against tested microorganisms. Compounds 5c, 5d, 5f exhibited promising potency towards E. coli, similarly, 5b, 5d, 5e and 6d displayed good antifungal efficacy against C. albicans. These compounds also exhibited better potency against both the fungal strains as compared to the standard drug. Molecular docking studies of these derivatives performed against antibacterial and antifungal targets 1KZN (E. coli) and 5TZ1(C. albicans) revealed that hybrid 5b possessed lowest binding energy i.e. -9.1 kcal/mol and -11.0 kcal/mol, respectively. Moreover, Molecular Mechanics/Poisson-Boltzmann Surface Area (MM/PBSA) analysis was used to compute the various components contributing to binding free energy of 5b with these biological targets.

Synthesis, investigation of temperature and salt resistant polyacrylamide microspheres used for deep sealing and profile control and function strengthening mechanism

AbstractBased on the requirements of deep sealing and profile control for the excellent temperature and salt resistance on polyacrylamide microspheres, the Poly‐AM/AMPS was prepared depends on aqueous solution polymerization method to improving oil and gas recovery efficiency in low‐permeability and heterogeneous reservoirs resulted by water channeling. The key technical parameters were established through single‐factor experimental methods, and the chemical structure was studied by infrared spectrum analysis (FTIR), energy spectrum analysis, and x‐ray diffraction analysis, and then the thermal stability was investigated depends on the thermogravimetric (TG) and differential thermogravimetric (DTG) distribution curves, moreover, the particle size and distribution, microstructure, and surface morphology were further studied. As a result, the results confirmed that the molecular structure of Poly‐AM/AMPS meets the expected design, and the quality retention rate at 800°C is 17.4%, the median particle size of Poly‐AM/AMPS particles is 35.88 μm, and the particle size distribution range is about 1.94–497.8 μm. Further, the Poly‐AM/AMPS was modified by maleic anhydride, sodium styrenesulfonate, and dimethyl diallyl ammonium chloride through conventional functional strengthening and modification, modified by nano‐SiO2, GO, and S‐CaCO3 through nano‐functional strengthening and modification. Additionally, the functional strengthening and modification mechanism was studied depends on the FTIR, TG, and DTG methods.

Dispersive micro-solid phase extraction coupled with spectrophotometric using (MgFe CLDH)/GO magnetically separable sorbent for pre-concentration of anionic food dyes in water samples

In the present study, a method was described for the extraction of Sunset Yellow (SY) and Tartrazine (TZ) as anionic food dyes in actual samples by using magnetic calcined layered double hydroxide onto graphene oxide (MgFe CLDH)/GO (called MgO/MgFe2O4/GO) sorbent. The analytes were accumulated on MgO/MgFe2O4/GO-NCs with more detail recognized by XRD, FESEM, EDS element mapping, VSM and FTIR methods. The prepared nanocomposite (NC) was employed as an extractive phase for dispersive micro-solid phase extraction (D-μ-SPE) of SY and TA from actual samples. Then, the extracted SY and TZ dyes were analyzed by UV–vis spectrophotometer. Main variables related to the extraction process including pH, nano composite mass, sonication and vortex time and eluent volume were optimized by central composite design (CCD). The optimum conditions obtained for pH, nano composite mass, sonication and vortex time and eluent volume were 6.0, 0.02 g, 16 s and 6.40 min, and 500 μL, respectively. The extraction recovery equal to 96.31 % and 97.66 % for SY and TZ, respectively obtained from the predicted model, was in agreement with the experimental data (95.32 ± 2.33 % and 96.89 ± 1.84 %). In addition, under the optimal conditions, the calibration curve was found out to be linear over the concentration range of 0.5–2.50 mg L−1 with R2 > 0.98. The LODs ranged from 0.14 to 0.16 mgL−1. Furthermore, the enrichment factors (EF) were achieved in the range of 20.65–36.66 with pre-concentration factor (PF) of 20. In the meantime, the obtained assay accuracy in the analysis of medical extract of Miranda Drink, Saffron and water samples fell within the range of 93.00%–107.00 %, whilst the precision expressed RSD lower than 3.50 %.

Effects of Steel Slag on the Hydration Process of Solid Waste-Based Cementitious Materials.

Aiming to enhance the comprehensive utilization of steel slag (SS), a solid waste-based binder consisting of SS, granulated blast furnace slag (BFS), and desulfurization gypsum (DG) was designed and prepared. This study investigated the reaction kinetics, phase assemblages, and microstructures of the prepared solid waste-based cementitious materials with various contents of SS through hydration heat, XRD, FT-IR, SEM, TG-DSC, and MIP methods. The synergistic reaction mechanism between SS and the other two wastes (BFS and DG) is revealed. The results show that increasing SS content in the solid waste-based binder raises the pH value of the freshly prepared pastes, advances the main hydration reaction, and shortens the setting time. With the optimal SS content of 20%, the best mechanical properties are achieved, with compressive strengths of 19.2 MPa at 3 d and 58.4 MPa at 28 d, respectively. However, as the SS content continues to increase beyond 20%, the hydration process of the prepared binder is delayed. The synergistic activation effects between SS and BFS with DG enable a large amount of ettringite (AFt) formation, guaranteeing early strength development. As the reaction progresses, more reaction products CSH and Aft are precipitated. They are interlacing and overlapping, jointly refining and densifying the material's microstructure and contributing to the long-term strength gain. This study provides a reference for designing and developing solid waste-based binders and deepens the insightful understanding of the hydration mechanism of the solid waste-based binder.

Highly selective removal of thorium from acidic solutions achieved on phosphonic acid functionalized core–shell magnetic nanocomposite: Understanding adsorption and binding mechanisms

Thorium has received widespread attention as potential nuclear fuel alternative for the next-generation thorium-based molten salt reactors. With the growth of nuclear energy, it is needful to exploit magnetic nanomaterials to remove thorium from aqueous solutions, owing to their superparamagnetism and large specific surface energy. Nevertheless, most of magnetic nanomaterials often suffered from low thorium selectivity and poor structural ability in acidic solutions. Herein, a novel core–shell magnetic nanocomposite Fe3O4@SiO2/P (AA-MMA-VPA) possessing phosphonic acid was developed by a controlled radical polymerization of vinylphosphonic acid (VPA) in the presence of Fe3O4 encapsulated by SiO2 (Fe3O4@SiO2). Due to the presence of the high content of phosphonic acid groups and the absence of any universal groups, Fe3O4@SiO2/P (AA-MMA-VPA) displayed exceptional selectivity for thorium in the presence of 11 co-existing cations. The separation factor STh/M value for Fe3O4@SiO2/P(AA-MMA-VPA) concerning all other competing cations surpassed 74.4, and the largest value for STh/M even amounted to 343.5. Further, Fe3O4@SiO2/P (AA-MMA-VPA) possessed a maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) of 485.4 mg g−1 at pH of 3.0, higher than that of other magnetic sorbents. By reason of its core–shell structure, the sorbent possessed an outstanding structure stability even after immersed into HNO3 solution at pH of 0.5 for 72 h. The sorbent could as well be magnetically recouped, and recycled at least six times without evident diminution in sorption amount. The sterling removal performance of the sorbent was assigned to the interaction of thorium with phosphonic acid, corroborated by FT-IR, XPS and DFT method. Thus, this study affords a new viewpoint for exploiting magnetic nanomaterials with sterling acidic resistance for the strongly selective entrapment of thorium from acidic media.

Selective Recovery of Battery-Grade Li2CO3 from Spent NCM Cathode Materials Using a One-Step Method of CO2 Carbonation Recovery Without Acids or Bases.

The recovery of spent lithium-ion batteries by traditional acid leaching is limited by serious pollution, complicated technology, and the low purity of Li2CO3. To address the problems of the traditional acid leaching process and increasing demand for decarbonization, a technique for the selective carbonation leaching of Li and the recovery of battery-grade Li2CO3 by a simple concentration precipitation process without acids or bases was developed. The coupling of CO2 and reducing agents could effectively promote the precipitation of MCO3 (M=Ni/Co/Mn) and the selective leaching of Li by decreasing the reducing capability needed for transition metals and decreasing the pH of the solution. The optimal selective leaching process of Li was obtained under 1 MPa CO2 with 20 g/L Na2S2O3 at an L/S ratio of 30 mL/g for 1.5 h. FT-IR, XRD, ICP-MS and other methods were used to reveal the multiphase interfacial reaction mechanism of the carbonation reduction of layered cathode materials, which indicated that the reducing agent Na2S2O3 could promote lattice distortion of the cathode materials and effective separation of Li. In summary, a green and economical method for the selective recovery of battery-grade Li2CO3 using a one-step method of CO2 carbonation recovery in a near-neutral environment was proposed.

Preparation of amine or carboxyl groups modified cellulose beads for removal of uranium (VI) ions from aqueous solutions

In the present study, cellulose beads were prepared using the phase inversion method and then activated with epichlorohydrin. The epoxy groups of the activated beads were modified with Nα,Nα-bis(carboxymethyl)-L-lysine hydrate (CML), and tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA) ligands. These modified beads, coded as cellulose-COOH and cellulose-NH2, respectively, were used to remove of uranium (VI) ions from aqueous medium. The prepared adsorbents were characterized using FTIR, SEM, zeta-potential, and analytical methods; the performance of both the modified beads for the removal of uranium (VI) ions was optimized using different operational parameters in a batch system. The amount of adsorbed uranium ions on cellulose-COOH and cellulose-NH2 beads was 462.9 ± 13.7 and 127.4 ± 5.1 mg/g, respectively. The results are acceptable regarding the equilibrium kinetics for the adsorption of uranium (VI) ions, which followed the second-order kinetic model. The prepared activated cellulose beads could be utilized in many technological applications by making appropriate modifications in the reactive epoxy groups of cellulose.

Characterization and applicability of the Naima–Tiaret–Algeria illite-montmorillonite clay for methylene blue dye removal: adsorption kinetic, isotherm and thermodynamic studies

ABSTRACT An illite-montmorillonite clay from Naima, IMN (Algeria) was treated via physical and chemical treatment (TIMN) and investigated for the removal of methylene blue. IMN and TIMN clays were characterized by XRD, XRF, SEM-EDS, DSC-TG, FTIR and DC electrical conductivity methods. To analyze the sorption behavior of MB on the clays, a mechanistic model for interpreting the sorption data was developed. IMN clay revealed high sorption capacity (1.925 × 10−2 kg kg−1) for MB in 60 min. The pseudo-second-order model had a very good agreement to describe the MB adsorption process. The adsorption capacities, qe,exp, of 4.327 × 10−2 and 4.914 × 10−2 kg kg−1 for IMN and TIMN, respectively, were obtained. The free energy from the D–R model from adsorbing MB using IMN and TIMN ranged from 1.581 to 0.745 × 10−3J mol−1, respectively, suggesting that the process is physisorption. Besides, the sorption process was more sensible to temperatures that increase was beyond 40 °C causing a decrease in adsorption capacity, indicating that the adsorption reaction of MB onto IMN was exothermic. The adsorption mechanism of I/M clay to remove MB was likely based on hydrogen bonding, electrostatic attraction, cation exchange and n–π interaction. These results proved that TIMN was a promising adsorbent for removing MB from simulated wastewater.

The Physicochemical Basis for the Production of Rapeseed Oil Fatty Acid Esters in a Plug Flow Reactor

This article describes the results of a comprehensive comparative study of the production of fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) for use as biodiesel in perfect mixing reactors (PMRs) and plug flow reactors (PFRs). The products obtained on a laboratory scale at all stages of the separation and purification of the FAEE phase were analyzed using the FTIR, XRF and GC-MS methods. We compared distillation methods for the separation of stoichiometrically excessive ethanol from the reaction mixture. Neutralization methods with H2SO4 solution and carbonation with CO2 were applied for FAEE phase purification from the catalyst. Emulsions formed during the water flushing stage were analyzed via the optical microscopy method. The optimal conditions of stirring speed and temperature were selected to maintain a high level of FAEE–water phase contact area with minimum phase separation time. The efficiency of the carbonation method for catalyst neutralization in the FAEE phase has been proven, allowing us to consider this method as an alternative to the traditional acid neutralization method. According to the results of experimental studies, we have developed a new high-performance technological scheme for the production of fatty acid esters in PFRs. The synthesis of FAEEs in a stoichiometric excess of ethanol of about 1:50 allowed us to increase the reaction rate and productivity of the synthesis unit after the transition from a PMR to a PFR. The yield of the product amounted to 86.7%. The purified FAEE fraction complied with most EN14214 specifications.

Magnetic induction heating-assisted synthesis of biodiesel using an alumina/iron oxide nanocatalyst

While generating biodiesel from vegetable oils presents various advantages over fossil fuels, ongoing actions aim to improve the efficiency of this production process. Emphasis is placed on optimizing experimental conditions, including the catalyst selection, reaction media and the energy source for heating and mixing, thereby revealing existing research gaps in biodiesel production. In this sense, we have designed a magnetic nanocatalyst based on iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) of 18 nm in diameter incorporated within an alumina matrix of around 500 nm infused with potassium hydroxide that provides the catalyst's mesoporosity and basicity. Magnetization analyses confirmed the superparamagnetic behaviour of the nanocatalyst at room temperature and a saturation magnetisation high enough to ease magnetic recovery for reuse. Additionally, magnetic nanoparticles can serve as nanoheaters when subjected to an alternating magnetic field. The heating efficiency of the isolated IONPs was assessed under various frequency and field conditions, yielding specific absorption rate values of up to 80 W/g. Such heating capacity has allowed the synthesis of fatty acid methyl ester (FAMEs), which constitute the biodiesel at 65 °C under optimal field conditions (100 kHz and 48 kA/m) and ideal reaction parameters: 5 % catalyst, methanol/oil ratio 12:1 and 6 h of reaction, with a conversion of up to 98.6 % determined through NMR characterization of the FAMEs and a 95.6 % yield. FAMEs presence was confirmed by optimizing a swift and efficient FTIR method and their purity by TLC. Overall, the designed nanocatalyst presented for FAME synthesis, which incorporates magnetic separability and effective heating capabilities, holds great promise for cost reduction and process efficiency.

Effects of solid lipid nanocarrier containing methyl urolithin A by coating folate-bound chitosan and evaluation of its anti-cancer activity

BackgroundNanotechnology-based drug delivery systems have received much attention over the past decade. In the present study, we synthesized Methyl Urolithin A-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles decorated with the folic acid-linked chitosan layer called MuSCF-NPs and investigated their effects on cancer cells.MethodsMuSCF-NPs were prepared using a high-pressure homogenization method and characterized using FTIR, FESEM, DLS, and zeta potential methods. Drug encapsulation was assessed by spectrophotometry and its cytotoxic effect on various cancer cells (MDA-MB231, MCF-7, PANC, AGS, and HepG2) by the MTT method. Antioxidant activity was assessed by the ABTS and DPPH methods, followed by expression of genes involved in oxidative stress and apoptosis by qPCR and flow cytometry.ResultsThe results showed the formation of monodisperse and stable round nanoparticles with a size of 84.8 nm. The drug loading efficiency in MuSCF-NPs was reported to be 88.6%. MuSCF-NPs exhibited selective cytotoxicity against MDA-MB231 cells (IC50 = 40 μg/mL). Molecular analysis showed a significant increase in the expression of Caspases 3, 8, and 9, indicating that apoptosis was occurring in the treated cells. Moreover, flow cytometry results showed that the treated cells were arrested in his SubG1 phase, confirming the pro-apoptotic effect of the nanoparticles. The results indicate a high antioxidant effect of the nanoparticles with IC50 values ​​of 45 μg/mL and 1500 μg/mL against ABTS and DPPH, respectively. The reduction of catalase gene expression confirmed the pro-oxidant effect of nanoparticles in cancer cells treated at concentrations of 20 and 40 μg/mL.ConclusionsTherefore, our findings suggest that the MuSCF-NPs are suitable candidates, especially for breast cancer preclinical studies.

Synthesis, Theoretical studies, and antibacterial activity of Novel Zn(II) metal complex with salicylaldehyde semicarbazone, and ortho phenylene diamine ligands.

Computational and experimental investigation of synthesized Zn(II) complex. Salicylaldehyde semicarbazone (SSC) and ortho phenylene diamine (OPDA) were the ligands for the preparation of Zn(II) metal complex. Using quantum chemistry simulations at DFT/B3LYP/LANL2DZ level of theory. FT-IR, UV, and Mass spectrometry methods were characterized the complex. The computed small gap energy demonstrated that the Zn(II) molecule had good biological activity. Measured dipole moment and first-order hyperpolarizability values were useful to investigate the complex NLO activity. Intra-molecular charge transfer, donor-acceptor transitions, and stabilization energies were determined by analyzing natural bond orbital (NBO) and Mulliken charges. Electrophilic and nucleophilic interactions were performed with the MEP map. QTAIM framework explained the nature of different intermolecular interactions within the molecule. Moreover, the ADMET studies of Zn(II) compound were also analyzed. The title molecule showed good antibacterial activity.

Evaluation and Modeling of Polylactide Photodegradation under Ultraviolet Irradiation: Bio-Based Polyester Photolysis Mechanism.

In our study, we investigated the accelerated aging process of PLA under 253.7 nm UV-C irradiation with the use of the GPC, NMR, FTIR, and DSC methods and formal kinetic analysis. The results of GPC and DSC indicated a significant degree of destructive changes in the PLA macromolecules, while spectroscopic methods NMR and FTIR showed maintenance of the PLA main structural elements even after a long time of UV exposure. In addition to that, the GPC method displayed the formation of a high molecular weight fraction starting from 24 h of irradiation, and an increase in its content after 144 h of irradiation. It has been shown for the first time that a distinctive feature of prolonged UV exposure is the occurrence of intra- and intermolecular radical recombination reactions, leading to the formation of a high molecular weight fraction of PLA decomposition products. This causes the observed slowdown of the photolysis process. It was concluded that photolysis of PLA is a complex physicochemical process, the mechanism of which depends on morphological changes in the solid phase of the polymer under UV radiation.

Preparation and opto-electrical characterization of poly(ethylene oxide) based polymer blends for electrochemical applications

Solid polymer electrolyte blends with varied compositions of poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO)/carboxymethyl cellulose (Na-CMC) in 10/90, 50/50, and 90/10 compositions have been successfully prepared by means of the solution cast technique at room temperature. The modification of the structural, optical, and electrical properties of the prepared blend samples was studied by employing XRD, FTIR, UV-Vis, and electrical impedance spectroscopy methods. X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the crystalline nature gradually transforms into amorphous as the Na-CMC content increases in the sample. The variation of bands noticed in the Fourier transform infrared spectroscope characteristic spectrum of the blends reveals the formation of complexes between the individual polymers. The analysis of optical properties using a UV-Vis spectrometer in the wavelength range of 900–1100nm, shows a gradual decrease in the optical indirect energy band gap with an increase in Na-CMC content in the blend. The study of the electrical properties of the blend carried out in the frequency range 50 Hz–1MHz and temperature range 303K–338K, using an electrical impedance analyzer reveals that, the dielectric constant and loss decrease with the rise in frequency, exhibiting the usual behavior of the polymers. AC conductivity is found to increase with an increase in temperature. The highest value of ionic conductivity is found to be 6.06 × 10−3Scm−1 for the blend with a 10/90 composition.

Experimental and theoretical investigation of 1,3-bis(3-hydroxypyridinium)propane dibromide dihydrate, tetrabromozincate hydrate, and tetrabromocuprate

Three gemini hydroxypyridine salts: 1,3-bis(3-hydroxypyridinium)propane dibromide dihydrate (1), 1,3-bis(3-hydroxypyridinium)propane tetrabromozincate hydrate (2), and 1,3-bis(3-hydroxypyridinium)propane tetrabromocuprate (3) were synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction, FTIR, Raman, NMR, and DFT methods. The dibromide salt (1) crystallizes with two water molecules. One of the two bromide anions is connected to the hydroxyl group of one pyridinium cation moiety through the O(10)-H(10)···Br(2)− hydrogen bond of 3.146(2) Å, while the other bromide anion, Br(1)− is surrounded by three water molecules. In 1,3-bis(3-hydroxypyridinium)propane tetrabromozincate (2) the water molecule acts as a bridge between the hydroxypyridinium cation and the tetrabromozincate anion, while the tetrabromocuprate anion interacts directly with the hydroxypyridinium cation. The molecular structures of the studied 1,3-bis(3-hydroxypyridinium)propane derivatives 1a, 2a, and 3a were optimized using the APF-D/6–311++G(d,p) method. The optimized structure of salt 1a resembles the crystal structure, while in salts 2a and 3a the structure of 1,3-bis(3-hydroxypyridinium)propane dication is bent to the U-form and the tetrabromomethallate anion is located in a niche. The significant role of the intermolecular interactions and hydrogen bonds was revealed based on IR spectra. The interpretation of 1H and 13C NMR spectra in DMSO-d6 was based on 2D experiments. The quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) was employed to classify the strength of hydrogen bonds in salts 1, 2, and 3. Based on the σ-hole concept, intermolecular interactions in 2 and 3 were described.

Effect of inorganic anions on precipitation of desilication products based on low-temperature Bayer process

The effect of inorganic anion impurities in sodium aluminate solution on the composition, structure and micro-morphology of desilication products (DSPs) based on the low-temperature Bayer process was systematically investigated via XRD, FT-IR, SEM and PSD methods. The sodalites with chloride-type, carbonate-type and nosean-type precipitate in the presence of chloride, sulfate and carbonate in solution, and the aluminate ions in DSPs are partly replaced by the incorporation of anion impurities. The binding capability of sulfate to the DSPs cage is stronger than aluminate, chloride and carbonate. The particle size, agglomeration degree and thickness of the circular lamellar structure of DSPs are increased by rising the concentration of anion impurities. The anions enhance the dissolution of the zeolite framework and the formation of tetradentate rings in sodalite, which promotes the transformation of zeolite to sodalite.

Potential of waste glass to adsorb graphene oxide from aqueous solutions: Mechanisms and behavior

Graphene oxide (GO) is commonly used in wastewater treatment owing to its high adsorption efficiency; however, the separation of GO from treated water presents a considerable challenge, causes secondary pollution and poses an enormous threat to organisms and the environment. In this study, waste glass (WG) is employed in the aquatic environment to adsorb GO, and the adsorption mechanism is examined by SEM, TEM, BET, XRD, AFM, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, XPS and Zeta potential testing methods. The effect of the pH, mass of WG, initial GO concentration, temperature, and adsorption time on the adsorption of GO by WG is examined. The adsorption mechanism included electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonding and surface complexation. The optimal WG adsorption effect on GO was achieved at a pH, WG mas, GO initial concentration, and temperature of = 3, 40 mg, 80 mg/L, and 313 K, respectively; the corresponding adsorption rate was 95.5 %. An increase in temperature favoured the adsorption reaction. The Freundlich isotherm model more accurately represents the adsorption behavior. The adsorption of GO by WG proceeds via a spontaneous, endothermic multilayer adsorption process. Adsorption equilibrium was attained after 750 min, which was more consistent with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. WG is highly reusable and stable. This study demonstrates that solid-waste WG can be employed as an inexpensive and highly-efficient adsorbent for the effective and efficient removal of GO from aqueous solutions, providing a reference for water pollution treatment in the environment.

Impacts of Low Energy Argon Beam on Enhancing the Surface Wettability and Electrical Performance of CA/PANI Films

This work study the impacts of argon irradiation on surface wettability of CA/PANI using home made ion source with fluences (4 × 1014, 8 × 1014, and 12 × 1014 ions cm−2). The EDX, SEM and FTIR methods verified the successful fabrication of the composites. Surface wettability, contact angle, and work of adhesion were measured for the untreated and irradiated composites. Raising the ion flux from 4 × 1014 ions.cm−2 to 12 × 1014 ions.cm−2, it decreases the contact angle of CA/PANI from 62.1° to 43.4° and increases the surface free energy from 46.7 to 63.9 mJ m−2. The results showed that the CA/PANI changed after exposed to radiation, proving that the irradiated surface properties were improved. In addition, their electrical conductivity was tested in frequency of 50 to106 Hz. When subjected to 12 × 1014 ions.cm−2, the conductivity rose from 1.1 × 10−8 S cm−1 for CA/PANI to 6.5 × 10−7 S cm−1. The results showed that the irradiated CA/PANI had better electrical and surface properties, which is crucial for many devices including batteries and supercapacitors.

Highly efficient and selective removal of anionic dyes from aqueous solutions using polyacrylamide/peach gum polysaccharide/attapulgite composite hydrogels with positively charged hybrid network

To avoid the weakness (lower adsorption rate and selectivity) of peach gum polysaccharide (PGP) and improve the adsorption performance of polyacrylamide (PAAm) hydrogel (lower adsorption capacity), in the present work, the PGP was chemically tailored to afford ammoniated PGP (APGP) and quaternized PGP (QPGP), and attapulgite (ATP) was bi-functionalized with cation groups and carbon‑carbon double bond. Then, PAAm/APGP and PAAm/QPGP/ATP hydrogels were synthesized via redox polymerization. The synthesis procedure and properties of hydrogels were traced by FTIR, SEM, XPS, TGA, TEM, and BET methods, and the dye adsorption performance of the hydrogels was evaluated using the new coccine (NC) and tartrazine (TTZ) aqueous solutions as the model anionic dyes. Effects of initial dye concentration, pH, and ionic strength on the adsorption were investigated. Compared with PAAm/APGP hydrogel, PAAm/APGP/ATP hydrogel exhibits higher adsorption rate, superior adsorption capacity, stability, and selectivity towards anionic dye. The adsorption process of PAAm/QPGP/ATP hydrogel reached equilibrium in about 20 min and followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm. The adsorption capacities towards NC and TTZ of PAAm/QPGP/ATP hydrogel were calculated as 873.235 and 731.432 mg/g. This hydrogel adsorbent originating from PAAm, PGP, and ATP shows great promise for application in practical water treatment.

Energy storage application of plasticized biopolymer blend electrolyte doped with ammonium nitrate as H+ provider

Recently, proton-conducting electrolytes for energy storage purposes attracted the focus of many research groups as possible alternatives for Li-based energy storage applications. Natural polymers offer a promising solution to counter the environmental impact of synthetic polymers. In this work proton conducting CS:POZ based natural polymer electrolytes were plasticized with glycerol (GL) to improve the ion conductivity and increase the free ion percentage. The films of CS:POZ:NH4NO3 electrolyte were prepared using the casting technique. The plasticizers were changed from 9 to 36 wt%. The FTIR method revealed ion interaction among polymer, salt, and plasticizer. The deconvolution of FTIR band associated with NO3 anion was used to calculate the ion transport parameters (ITPs). It was found that the free ion contour area was enhanced by increasing plasticizer concentration. The EIS plot fitted with equivalent circuit elements was used to determine the DC conductivity and ITPs. The dominancy of ion species was examined using TNM measurement. The safety region for energy storage device (ESD) application was found from the LSV examination. The activated carbon was used to manufacture the electrodes for ESD application. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) investigation found that the capacitances of the ESD influenced by scan rates.