Polar Organic Solvents Research Articles

Development and Validation of a Bioanalytical Method of Measuring Heterocyclic Organic Compounds (Furan and Methylfuran) in Human Blood Using GC-MS

Background: Furans are global ecotoxicants making up the xenobiotic profile. High carcinogenicity and mutagenicity of these chemicals for humans even at concentrations as low as 10–12–10–15 g/kg, can pose health risks for the present and future generations. Our objective was to develop and validate the authors’ method of measuring potentially dangerous furan and methylfuran in human blood to ensure control over the levels of exogenous compounds in biological fluids for further assessment of related human health risks. Materials and methods: Development of the technique of measuring in human blood levels of furan and methylfuran was based on the following principles: establishment of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analytical conditions; experimental search for effective methods of blood sample preparation for the GC-MS analysis, and validation of the developed procedure. Results: The method includes liquid-liquid extraction with a polar organic solvent in an alkaline medium during 5 minutes until the inter-phase equilibrium is reached and further capillary gas chromatography. It ensures a high degree of recovery of furan and methylfuran from blood samples equaling 98 % and 98.5 %, respectively. Mass spectrometry detection with registering the mass spectrum of ions was used for identifying furans in the biological fluid. Conclusions: We have developed and validated a highly sensitive and specific method for GC-MS measurement of furan and methylfuran in human blood within the range of 0.0019 to 0.09 mg/dm3. The limits of detection of the chemicals were established within method validation, which appeared to be up to 0.00011 μg/cm3 for furan and up to 0.000021 μg/cm3 for methylfuran.

(Best Student Presentation) Is Solid-Electrolyte Interphase Formation Affected by Electrode Conductivity?

Accurate analysis of the mechanism of interphase formation and its composition is imperative for the development of stable and efficient lithium/sodium-ion batteries. One of the most practically scalable ways to optimize interphase chemistry and morphology for reversible charge transport is electrolyte engineering and the application of formation protocol with specific current/voltage conditions. In this sense, the analysis of structure and dynamics within the electrode/electrolyte interface, i.e., the so-called electric-double layer, is essential to predicting the possible chemistry and mechanism of interphase formation.The latest was recently advanced by understanding the effect of electrolyte chemistry, e.g., the chemical structure of solvent and salt, their ratio, the presence of additives etc.1–4 Although, the role of electrode material is often neglected which creates an impression that both metallic and semiconductive electrodes form an identical electric-double layer within the same electrolyte, therefore, the mechanism of interphase formation should be very similar regardless of the chemical nature of the electrode.Here, we used examples of sodium-salt-containing ionic liquids and carbonate electrolytes to demonstrate that structural changes at the electrified interface are greatly affected by the dielectric nature of electrode material. The key observation is attributed to the different abilities of electrified electrodes to form van der Waals interactions with the electrolyte species. This affects the concentration of metal-anion complexes in relation to organic solvent near the electrode, therefore, different interphase chemistry will be formed (inorganic-rich vs. organic-rich), and different formation protocols must be used. For example, Fig. 1 shows the summary of this phenomenon for ionic liquid electrolytes with 50 mol% sodium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide. Besides, metallic and semiconductive electrodes demonstrated different affinity toward polar organic solvent, i.e., ethylene carbonate, in 1.0 M NaPF6 in EC:DMC (1:1 by volume) electrolyte. This presentation will discuss the details of these fundings and introduce future applications. Fig. 1 | Schematic relationships between solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) composition, applied current of preconditioning cycling, and dielectric nature of anode material.References Zheng, X. et al. Toward High Temperature Sodium Metal Batteries via Regulating the Electrolyte/Electrode Interfacial Chemistries. ACS Energy Lett. 7, 2032–2042 (2022).Rakov, D. A. et al. Engineering high-energy-density sodium battery anodes for improved cycling with superconcentrated ionic-liquid electrolytes. Nat. Mater. 19, 1096–1101 (2020).Rakov, D. A. et al. Polar Organic Cations at Electrified Metal with Superconcentrated Ionic Liquid Electrolyte and Implications for Sodium Metal Batteries. ACS Mater. Lett. 4, 1984–1990 (2022).Rakov, D. et al. Stable and Efficient Lithium Metal Anode Cycling through Understanding the Effects of Electrolyte Composition and Electrode Preconditioning. Chem. Mater. (2021). doi:10.1021/acs.chemmater.1c02981 Figure 1

Squaramide-Based Heteroditopic [2]Rotaxanes for Sodium Halide Ion-Pair Recognition.

A series of squaramide-based heteroditopic [2]rotaxanes consisting of isophthalamide macrocycle and squaramide axle components are synthesized using an alkali metal cation template-directed stoppering methodology. This work highlights the unprecedented sodium cation template coordination of the Lewis basic squaramide carbonyls for interlocked structure synthesis. Extensive quantitative 1 H NMR spectroscopic anion and ion-pair recognition studies reveal the [2]rotaxane hosts are capable of cooperative sodium halide ion-pair mechanical bond axle-macrocycle component recognition, eliciting up to 20-fold enhancements in binding strengths for bromide and iodide, wherein the Lewis basic carbonyls and Lewis acidic NH hydrogen bond donors of the squaramide axle motif operate as cation and anion receptive sites simultaneously in an ambidentate fashion. Notably, varying the length and nature of the polyether cation binding unit of the macrocycle component dramatically influences the ion-pair binding affinities of the [2]rotaxanes, even overcoming direct contact NaCl ion-pair binding modes in polar organic solvents. Furthermore, the cooperative ion-pair binding properties of the squaramide-based heteroditopic [2]rotaxanes are exploited to successfully extract solid sodium halide salts into organic media.

Highly swollen ROMP-based gels

The leakage of organic solvent during the transportation and storage is one of the major threats to the environment. Networks/gels acting as the absorbing materials for organic solvents are the most promising solution for the organic solvent pollution. Here, we report the synthesis of highly swollen networks/gels in high yield (≥95%) via ring opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) using Grubbs’ first generation catalyst/initiator (G1), a crosslinker (1,1′-(methylenedi-4,1-phenylene)bis-exo-7-oxanorbornenecarboximide) and monofunctional monomer/diluent (exo-N-phenyl-7-oxanorbornenecarboximide). The mesh size of the network was varied by keeping the concentration of monomer constant while changing the concentrations of crosslinker and G1 (initiator). The swelling capacity of the network in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent increased from 41 to 53 and to 61 with the increase of theoretical mesh size (molar ratio of monomer to crosslinker) from 20 to 40 and to 60, respectively. By further increasing the mesh size from 60 to 80 there was no significant change in swelling capacities (63). Thus, the gel with the mesh size of 60 was selected for swelling capacity analysis in other polar organic solvents such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), dichloromethane (DCM), chloroform and lithium-ion battery electrolyte solution (1.0 M LiPF6 in ethylene carbonate (EC)/diethyl carbonate (DEC) = 50/50 (v/v)). They showed the decreased swelling capacity value from 61 to 57, 40, 31 and 5, respectively. For a controlled mesh size ROMP-based gel, we observed the highest swelling capacity values to date.

Effects of chain length on the structure and dynamics of polyvinyl chloride during atomistic molecular dynamics simulations

ABSTRACT Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations have proven to be useful for predicting and interpreting the conformational and dynamic properties of various polymer-solvent systems. The number of repeat units used to represent a polymer chain in an MD study is intended to provide a balance between the computational demands and the reliability of the specific phenomena being studied. To date, this balance has not received sufficient attention. Here, we investigate how the chain length of an atomistic polymer model influences the structure and dynamics of the polymer in different solvents. Seven different polyvinyl chloride (PVC) models, ranging from 5 to 240 –(CH2CHCl)- repeat units, are studied using atomistic MD simulations in two polar organic solvents: tetrahydrofuran (THF) and dimethylformamide (DMF). After benchmarking our MD results against experimental density data, we calculate polymer end-to-end distances, radii of gyration, radial distribution functions, shape descriptors, end-to-end vector correlation functions, dihedral autocorrelation functions, surface areas, surface electrostatic potentials, glass transition temperature and melt viscosities. Our MD simulations demonstrate that most of these properties converge when approximately 100–120 repeat units are used to represent PVC, and this convergence behaviour is observed in different solvents and at different temperatures.

Synthesis and Characterization of Flexible Meta‐Aramid Modified with 4,4′‐Methylenedianiline

AbstractMeta‐aramids (poly(m‐phenylene isophthalamide), PMIA) have excellent flame, heat resistance, and electrical insulation. However, the rigid molecular backbone of PMIA and the strong hydrogen bonding force between its molecular chains make it poorly flexible, soluble, and processed. In this study, a series of modified PMIA containing methylene groups on the main chain (APMIA‐n, where n is the molar fraction of 4,4′‐methylenedianiline (MDA) in m‐phenylenediamine, and n = 0, 5, 10, 15, 20) is synthesized by introducing different ratios of MDA into PMIA by copolymerization. APMIA‐n films are prepared by the solution casting method. The results show some improvement in the solubility of APMIA‐n in polar organic solvents such as N,N‐dimethylformamide and dimethyl sulfoxide. With the increase of the molar fraction of MDA, the tensile modulus of obtained APMIA‐n films decrease from 4.62 to 2.98 GPa, indicating that the flexibility of the films is evidently increased. APMIA‐n films are self‐extinguishing which suggests that the addition of MDA during copolymerization has a slight influence on the flame resistance of the synthesized PMIA. Moreover, APMIA‐n films containing MDA components exhibit good optical transparency, which may expand the application of PMIA in more fields such as packaging and screen display.

Special structures and thermal stabilities of polyurethanes derived from diol and triol having oxazolidone moieties

AbstractWe synthesized regular polyurethanes from the diol having oxazolidone structure (Diol‐1) and the aliphatic diisocyanate by typical polyaddition. The results of the structural analysis suggested that the polyurethane having a cyclic urethane structure such as oxazolidone formed a rod‐like structure, although the control polyurethane having a chain urethane structure formed a linear structure. The polyaddition of Diol‐1 and aliphatic diisocyanate with triol having oxazolidone structure (Triol‐1) as a crosslinker also proceeded successfully to achieve corresponding polyurethanes. However, the polyurethanes containing a molar ratio of Triol‐1 less than or equal 50% were soluble in high polar organic solvents nevertheless those polyurethanes contained some trifunctional units in the polymer chain. On the other hand, the polyurethanes containing a molar ratio of Triol‐1 more than 50% were insoluble in any organic solvents. We hypothesized that the soluble polyurethanes containing Triol‐1 formed multi‐branched structure and the insoluble polyurethanes formed cross‐linking structure. Such structures of polymer chain affected significantly to the thermal properties of the obtained polyurethanes.

Synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of multifunctional D-π-A benzimidazole derivatives as potential pH sensors

We report multifunctional D-π-A molecular systems having the N,N-diethylamino group as a pH sensitive donor unit connected to the electron accepting substituents such as the cyano moiety and the pH responsive benzimidazole fragment. For that purpose we have synthesized three types of derivatives, namely acrylonitrile, Schiff base and iminocoumarin derived benzimidazoles, whose photophysical characterization has been carried out in several polar and non-polar organic solvents as well as aqueous solution buffers with different pH. Computationally supported determination of species involved in prototrophic equilibria, including their respective pKa values, has been performed to aid in understanding structural and substituent effects on their UV–Vis and fluorescence spectral properties and pH sensing potentials. Both sets of results jointly indicate that all molecules are predominantly unionized under neutral conditions, while their transition towards monocationic forms, responsible for spectroscopic response changes, occurs at pH ≈ 1–4 for acrylonitriles 4–5, pH ≈ 4–5 for Schiff bases 11–12, and pH ≈ 4.5–6.5 for iminocoumarins 7–8, thus increasing their practical attractiveness for a broad range of applications in the same order.

Dispersive Liquid–Liquid Microextraction of Preservatives for Their Chromatographic Determination in Beverages

A method of dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction, based on the dispersion of an extractant by the gas phase formed as a result of a phase transition, i.e., the evaporation of a highly volatile nonpolar organic solvent (dispersant) upon heating the extraction,—is developed. The analytical capabilities of the method are shown in the determination of preservatives (sorbic and benzoic acids) in soft drinks for baby food by high-performance liquid chromatography with photometric detection. The extractant and the dispersant for the microextraction of preservatives are chosen a terpenoid and a highly volatile organochlorine solvent, respectively, which excluded the use of polar organic solvents for dispersing phases, with which the distribution coefficients are reduced. The limits of detection (3σ) for sorbic and benzoic acids are 0.3 mg/L. The developed method does not require centrifugation for phase separation

Antibacterial Evaluation of some traditionally used medicinal plants and their Formulations for treatment of Gastro Intestinal Disorders

Even though modern medicinal system is well developed and easily accessible, the rural people still continues to depend upon traditional medicinal system for curing various ailments. Several cases of fast recovery and many cases of death due to wrong treatment was observed during the year 2018-19 in rural villages of Nagaon district of Assam, India. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of some medicinal plants and their formulations used by traditional healer for treatment of gastrointestinal disorders. The information was collected by interaction with the traditional healers and altogether 14 plant species were documented for preparation of six different formulations. Antibacterial evaluation against E. coli, P. aeruginosa and S. aureus revealed that formulation prepared from freshly prepared plant materials showed better efficacy than formulations obtained from traditional healers. Again, organic solvents extracts showed greater antibacterial activity than the aqueous extracts. Amongst the solvents, the polar organic solvent methanol showed greater inhibitory effect as compared to other non polar organic solvents, ethanol and hexane. GC-MS analysis of the potent plant extracts showed presence of several bioactive compounds like tumerone, curlone, hexadecanoic acid, oleic acid, eicosanoic acid, erucic acid and isopimaric acid which have earlier reports of having significant antibacterial activities.

Predicting the ET(30) parameter of organic solvents via machine learning

Polarity of organic solvents is an important parameter which needs to be considered during a reaction design as it can drastically impact the rate and dynamics of a chemical reaction. Till now ET(30) scale is the only comprehensive scale which can accurately quantify various solute–solvent and solvent–solvent interactions, the experimental determination of which is an expensive and resource-intensive approach. Therefore, we have resorted to machine learning techniques for predicting the empirical polarity of organic solvents which would provide ET(30) values for new solvents in a fast and efficient manner without having to rely on experimental and computational setup.

8(meso)-Pyridyl-BODIPYs: Effects of 2,6-Substitution with Electron-Withdrawing Nitro, Chloro, and Methoxycarbonyl Groups.

The introduction of electron-withdrawing groups on 8(meso)-pyridyl-BODIPYs tends to increase the fluorescence quantum yields of this type of compound due to the decrease in electronic charge density on the BODIPY core. A new series of 8(meso)-pyridyl-BODIPYs bearing a 2-, 3-, or 4-pyridyl group was synthesized and functionalized with nitro and chlorine groups at the 2,6-positions. The 2,6-methoxycarbonyl-8-pyridyl-BODIPYs analogs were also synthesized by condensation of 2,4-dimethyl-3-methoxycarbonyl-pyrrole with 2-, 3-, or 4-formylpyridine followed by oxidation and boron complexation. The structures and spectroscopic properties of the new series of 8(meso)-pyridyl-BODIPYs were investigated both experimentally and computationally. The BODIPYs bearing 2,6-methoxycarbonyl groups showed enhanced relative fluorescence quantum yields in polar organic solvents due to their electron-withdrawing effect. However, the introduction of a single nitro group significantly quenched the fluorescence of the BODIPYs and caused hypsochromic shifts in the absorption and emission bands. The introduction of a chloro substituent partially restored the fluorescence of the mono-nitro-BODIPYs and induced significant bathochromic shifts.

Third-order nonlinear optical properties of choline chloride based deep eutectic solvents: Theoretical and experimental studies

In this work, the preparation of three deep eutectic solvents (DES) based on choline chloride as hydrogen bond acceptor and urea, malonic acid, and phenylpropionic acid as hydrogen bond donor is reported. These series of DES were used as models to measure, for the first time, the third-order optical nonlinearities in eutectic solvents. The nonlinear refractive index (n2) originated from the fast electronic response was determined by the close aperture Z-scan technique under excitation of laser ultrafast pulses at 800 nm, resulting in values of the order of ∼3 × 10-16 cm2 W−1, which are similar to those reported recently for ionic liquids. These values are also similar to those exhibited by some traditional polar protic organic solvents such as water and ethanol. At relatively low energy pulses, the DES presented only pure refractive response, but at high energies two of them exhibited nonlinear absorption. On the other hand, ab initio theoretical calculations using density functional theory (DFT) allowed to determine the static and dynamic second hyperpolarizabilities for the DES with M11/6-311G(d,p) level of theory. The tendency of the theoretical results agrees satisfactorily with the values of n2 obtained experimentally. Our results suggest that the presence of aromatic cloud makes that choline chloride:phenylpropionic acid contributes to produce relatively high n2 values. This study provides relevant information to be considered when DES are intended as an alternative to standard organic solvents in the development of photonic materials.

One-step synthesis of low-dimensional copper-based nanomaterials with intrinsic antioxidant properties

Copper nanomaterials have remarkable application potential in electronic devices, catalysis, biological materials, and other fields, but their easy oxidation characteristics have become a problem in their practical application. Many antioxidant technologies have been developed. However, these technologies are usually accompanied by changes in physicochemical properties, complicated operations, and high costs. Here, we describe a method for simultaneously achieving controllable morphology synthesis and antioxidative preparation of copper nanomaterials through a single solvothermal reaction in a polar organic solvent environment with formate groups. The stability of one-step copper nanomaterials in different environments is monitored and compared with traditional copper nanomaterials. Notably, the two-dimensional copper nanomaterial Cu NSs-FA prepared by one-step method has a low initial resistance of 48 × 10−3 Ω/sq, and the resistance only rises to 221 × 10−3 Ω/sq after treatment in a harsh alkaline environment for 12 h, which is comparable to that of ordinary Cu NSs (379 ×10−3 Ω/sq). The ratio reflects good environmental stability. This antioxidation strategy, which is suitable for a variety of copper nanomaterials, is simple to operate and has low cost, showing broad prospects in the practical application of copper nanomaterials.

Recovery of homogeneous photocatalysts by covalent organic framework membranes

Transition metal-based homogeneous photocatalysts offer a wealth of opportunities for organic synthesis. The most versatile ruthenium(II) and iridium(III) polypyridyl complexes, however, are among the rarest metal complexes. Moreover, immobilizing these precious catalysts for recycling is challenging as their opacity may obstruct light transmission. Recovery of homogeneous catalysts by conventional polymeric membranes is promising but limited, as the modulation of their pore structure and tolerance of polar organic solvents are challenging. Here, we report the effective recovery of homogeneous photocatalysts using covalent organic framework (COF) membranes. An array of COF membranes with tunable pore sizes and superior organic solvent resistance were prepared. Ruthenium and iridium photoredox catalysts were recycled for 10 cycles in various types of photochemical reactions, constantly achieving high catalytical performance, high recovery rates, and high permeance. We successfully recovered the photocatalysts at gram-scale. Furthermore, we demonstrated a cascade isolation of an iridium photocatalyst and purification of a small organic molecule product with COF membranes possessing different pore sizes. Our results indicate an intriguing potential to shift the paradigm of the pharmaceutical and fine chemical synthesis campaign.

Hydrogen-bonding receptor substituted BODIPYs as selective ON-OFF fluorimetric sensors for fluoride ions in polar aprotic organic solvents – A molecular-level understanding based on experimental and theoretical studies

We report the facile synthesis of three meso-substituted BODIPYs which can act as fluorimetric chemosensors for detecting fluoride ions in polar aprotic organic solvents with a micromolar detection limit. The substituents at the meso-positions of synthesized BODIPYs are acetamidophenyl (B1), trihydroxyphenyl (B2), and hydroxyquinoline (B3) which show strong absorption (490–510 nm) and emission (515–550 nm) in the visible region. The spectral and quantum mechanical studies indicate that the fluoride ions can interact with the acidic proton of the BODIPYs viz., NH in B1 and OH in B2 and B3 respectively, and results in 1:1 BODIPY-fluoride [BODIPY----HF] adduct. The acidic protons of these BODIPYs are abstracted by fluoride ions resulting in non-fluorescent deprotonated species (turn-OFF state). The time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations indicate that the deprotonated adduct is responsible for the fluorescence turn-OFF via the photoinduced electron transfer (PET) mechanism. These non-fluorescent deprotonated adducts can return to the fluorescent BODIPY state by abstracting H+ ions from any protic solvents. Hence, these molecules can act as ON-OFF-ON reversible sensors. The deprotonated adducts show significantly different UV–visible responses for B1, B2 and B3. The binding constant of fluoride ions with BODIPYs (Kb) is calculated to be in the range of 105 –106 M−1 with a limit of detection (LOD) in the range of 0.73–9 ppm. The ON-OFF-ON sensing behaviour of B1 is utilized to construct NOR molecular logic gate based on the two inputs of F- and OH– ions, and the emission intensity at 520 nm as the output. Among these BODIPYs, B2 has the lowest LOD for fluoride ions and shows distinct color change upon deprotonation in the visible region. This property has been utilized to develop portable test-paper strips for the qualitative colorimetric detection of fluoride ions.

Mesomorphic property and gelation ability of rod-shaped compounds having a coumarin skeleton

ABSTRACTRod-shaped liquid crystal materials with a lactone group at the terminal position of the molecule were designed, synthesised and their mesomorphic properties in bulk state and gelation ability in several organic solvents were examined. The effects of perfluoroalkyl chain and chemical structure on liquid crystal property and gelation ability were investigated. These compounds showed smectic A phase in bulk state and gelation ability in polar organic solvents. It was found that the presence of perfluoroalkyl chain and the direction of orientation of the esters had a great effect on these properties.

Highly cross-linked, nanoporous polysulfone/MOFs mixed matrix membranes with excellent resistance to harsh solvents with strong polarity

We reported a robust solvent-resistant mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) prepared with the FeCl3 catalyzed cross-linking between the main chains of polysulfone in whole membranes. The above cross-linking guided by the FeCl3 catalyst was a typical Friedel-Crafts reaction, which differed from well-explored photo-grafting methods that only caused the surface cross-linking and enabled a moderate resistance to few solvents with low polarity. MOFs crystals in MMMs endowed membranes with high permeability since they significantly reduced the thickness of skin layer before and after cross-linking. Effects of molar ratios of cross-linker to catalyst, cross-linking time, and cross-linking temperature on degrees of cross-linking as well as solvent resistant performance were fully studied. Our results indicated that: (1) Cross-linked polysulfone membranes displaying superior resistances to strongly polar organic solvents like the DMF, NMP and so on were successfully prepared. This result was demonstrated by the stable flux and nanoparticle rejection observed in those organic solvents. (2) The cross-linking displayed an obvious regulation effect on pore size and rejection performance, which were customizable by changing the cross-linking conditions. This work provides a facile while effective method to fabricate robust solvent-resistant polysulfone membranes that can be used in harsh solvents.

Highly efficient and selective separation of dysprosium and neodymium from polyethylene glycol 200 solution by non-aqueous solvent extraction with P350

Recycling of Nd(III) and Dy(III) from waste NdFeB magnets is increasingly critical in the sustainable development of rare-earth elements (REEs) industry. The efficient separation of Nd(III) and Dy(III) from conventional aqueous solution by solvent extraction (SX) is facing huge challenge due to the high activity, high interfacial tension and the high dielectric constants of water that affect the coordination of REEs with the extractant. Herein, a novel non-aqueous solvent extraction (NASX) system based on neutral extractant P350 was developed to extract Nd(III) and Dy(III) with high extraction efficiency and separation factor. In this extraction system, the majority of water in the aqueous phase was replaced by different low-dielectric-constant polar molecular organic solvents (PMOSs) to reduce the influence of water during extraction. The effect of the type and content of PMOSs, P350 concentration, extract equilibration time and temperature on the separation performance were systematically investigated. It was encouraging to find that the favorable separation factor of Nd(III) and Dy(III) elements (βNd/Dy) was determined to be 201 when extracted from 70 vol% PEG 200 with 0.2 mol/L P350, which was higher than that in traditional extraction from aqueous phase. Slope analysis method was used to determine the extractant stoichiometry and the main species of extraction complex was identified as DyCl3·2L which was verified by Fourier infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Furthermore, in the simulation of recovery of NdFeB magnetic immersion solution experiment, the extraction efficiency (E%) of Dy(III) can reach 85 %, while co-extraction of Nd(III) was only 6 % and the βDy/Nd was as high as 83.4. According to the McCabe-Thiele diagram, 3-stages counter-current solvent extraction was needed to completely extract Dy(III). Moreover, 97.11 % of Nd(III) and 98.5 % of Dy(III) in the loaded organic phase can be sequentially stripped by 0.04 mol/L and 0.4 mol/L HCl, respectively. These results indicated that the developed processes in this work have superior extraction efficiency, large separation factors and excellent stripping stability. Eventually, a P350-PEG 200 extraction system-based separation process was proposed in the hope of providing a novel and low-cost alternative to the efficient recycle of Nd(III) and Dy(III) from end-of-life NdFeB.

Organogels versus Hydrogels: Advantages, Challenges, and Applications

AbstractOrganogels are an important class of gels, and are comparable to hydrogels owing to their properties as liquid‐infused soft materials. Despite the extensive choice of liquid media and compatible networks that can provide a broader range of properties, relatively few studies are reported in this area. This review presents the applicability of organogels concerning their choice of components, unique properties, and applications. Their distinctive features compared to other gels are discussed, including multi‐stimuli responses, affinity to a broad range of substances, thermal and environmental stability, electronic and ionic conductivity, and actuation. The active role of solvents is highlighted in the versatility of organogel properties. To differentiate between organogels and other gels, these are classified as gels filled with different organic liquids, including highly polar organic solvents and binary solvent systems. Most promising applications of organogels as sophisticated multifunctional materials are discussed in light of their unique features.