ZnCl2 Research Articles

Antibacterial and photocatalytic activities of biosynthesized zinc oxide nanoparticle using novel plant P. macrosolen L. leaf extract

In this study, ZnO nanoparticles were produced by an easy and cost effective approach using P. macrosolen L. leaf extract and zinc chloride as Zn ion source. The as-biosynthesized ZnO nanoparticles were analyzed by powder-X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, UV–visible spectroscopy, Focused ion beam-scanning electron microscopy (FIB-SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) characterization techniques. The XRD result revealed the formations of ZnO-nanoparticles with hexagonal structure, spherical like shape and average crystalline size of 47 nm. The presence of flavonoids in P. macrosolen L. extracts was confirmed by phytochemical tests, indicating that flavonoids primarily acted as reducing agents during nanoparticle formation. The FTIR spectrum also revealed broad and strong peaks corresponding to –OH groups, confirming the high concentration of phenolic acids present in the extract. The energy band gap of the biosynthesized ZnO Nanoparticles, calculated using the Tauc relation, was found to be 3.0 eV, indicating the presence of a blue shift. FIB-SEM was used to analyze the microstructure and identify any aggregations. The EDX analysis revealed the presence of zinc and oxygen, with weights of 16.33% and 83.67%, respectively. The disk diffusion test was performed on solid agar plates and demonstrated that the substance is effective against E. coli bacteria as an antibacterial agent. The photocatalytic degradation rate constants of the optimized ZnO samples under visible light are approximately 0.06455 min⁻1 for MO and 0.04865 min⁻1 for TB, achieving 94.47% and 92.34% degradation of MO and TB, respectively. These rates are significantly higher compared to unmodified ZnO, which has a degradation rate of 0.0075 min⁻1. The improvement in visible-light photocatalytic performance can be attributed to the formation of ZnO nanoparticles, which arise from the matching of crystal lattices and energy bands in ZnO. ZnO Nanoparticles produce excited electrons under visible light irradiation. These excited electrons in the ZnO nanoparticles are directly transferred to the conduction band (CB), resulting in notable visible light photocatalytic performance.

Engineered alginate-polyethyleneimine and sludge-aluminosilicate biochar composites for greywater treatment: Performance evaluation and models for designing pilot-scale systems.

Greywater, originating from kitchen sinks and toilets, constitutes 75-80 % of the domestic wastewater produced in homes and can be reclaimed for non-potable uses. This study synthesized novel sludge-derived aluminosilicates and alginate-polyethyleneimine (PEI) biochar composites. The aluminosilicates offer a sustainable approach to sludge management, while alginate-polyethyleneimine presents a green biochar modification approach. Their performance in fixed bed columns for treating greywater was compared with zinc chloride, calcium alginate, and PEI-biochar composites. The CatBoost machine learning algorithm also predicted contaminant removal efficiency and breakthrough parameters. The morphological and chemical analyses showed that the modification techniques improved the physiochemical properties of the biochar, which in turn influenced contaminant removal efficiency. With its enhanced surface area and pore structure, zinc chloride-biochar demonstrated notable effectiveness in removing organic matter (highest COD removal efficiency 96.1 %). PEI-biochar exhibited a high removal efficiency for nitrates (highest value of 95.5 %), attributed to the positive amine groups. Aluminosilicate-biochar was the most effective at removing ammonium due to its high cation exchange capacity. The CatBoost algorithm successfully stimulated E. coli, total nitrogen, COD removal efficiencies, and breakthrough parameters from greywater using biochar (R2 > 0.7). Future research should conduct a pilot-scale study for this technology, explore the use of modified biochar arranged in multilayers for treating greywater, use of biochar for removing emerging contaminants in greywater, and optimize predictive models for greywater treatment. The insights from our study provide valuable guidance for effective and sustainable greywater treatment.

In Situ X-ray Diffraction Study of MXene Synthesis by the Reaction of Ti3AlC2 with Molten Zinc and Tin Chlorides

In Situ X-ray Diffraction Study of MXene Synthesis by the Reaction of Ti₃AlC₂ with Molten Zinc and Tin Chlorides

Innovative Organic Electrolytes for Enhanced Energy Density and Performance in Supercapacitors

ABSTRACTSupercapacitors, known for their high‐power energy storage capabilities, have garnered significant attention due to their rapid charge–discharge cycles and extended life span. To expand their application in fields such as electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and portable electronic devices, the development of advanced electrolytes that can boost energy density, power density, and overall performance is crucial. This study introduces a novel electrolyte formulation comprising lithium chloride in ethylene glycol and Magnesium Acetate in methanol. These formulations are designed to address existing challenges and enhance supercapacitor efficiency. The study reports impressive specific capacitance values (Csp = 582, 360, and 224 F/g), specific energy (SE = 323, 200, and 124 Wh/kg), and specific power (SP = 11 628, 7200, and 1322 W/kg) for lithium chloride, magnesium acetate, and zinc chloride electrolytes, respectively. These findings open new avenues for developing optimal and sustainable energy storage solutions in an increasingly electrified world. Continued research in this domain is expected to unlock the full potential of supercapacitors, contributing to a cleaner and more energy‐efficient future.

Photoinactivation of sulfate-reducing bacteria using 1,9-dimethyl-methylene blue - DMMB and laser light.

Annually, the oil and gas industry faces equipment losses and product quality degradation due to the presence of sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). Given the negative impact of SRB, this study evaluates the use of photoinactivation (PI) with zinc chloride double salt of 1,9-Dimethyl-Methylene Blue (DMMB) as a photosensitizer (PS) in varying concentrations and combined with Laser light at different exposures in an SRB consortium. For culture growth, a modified Postgate C medium (without ferrous sulfate) was used, and cell quantification was performed on 100μL aliquots of the consortium, read on a spectrophotometer (λ600 nm) in an oxygen- and light-free environment at room temperature. Statistical analyses included two-way ANOVA and ANOVA with interaction to separately and jointly evaluate the effects of PS and light in PI. Results indicated microbial activity in all groups, with an antimicrobial inhibition rate exceeding 50% (p<0.05) for concentrations above 1.5μg/mL of DMMB. PI efficacy significantly depended on DMMB concentration and light density, achieving a 70.58% (55.73-70.58, with a mean of 66.71%) reduction (p<0.05) with 1.5μg/mL of DMMB and a 70.15% (65-70.15, with a mean of 68.21%) reduction with 2.0μg/mL at an intensity of 21.6J/cm2. In conclusion, PI presents a promising alternative to biocides in the oil and gas industry, offering easy application, avoiding bacterial resistance, being environmentally safe, and compatible with other SRB population control techniques.

Functionalization of Pyridines at the C4 Position via Metalation and Capture.

The functionalization of pyridines at positions remote to the N-atom remains an outstanding problem in organic synthesis. The inherent challenges associated with overriding the influence of the embedded N-atom within pyridines was overcome using n-butylsodium, which provided an avenue to deprotonate and functionalize the C4-position over traditionally observed addition products that are formed with organolithium bases. In this work, we show that freshly generated 4-sodiopyrdines could undergo transition metal free alkylation reactions directly with a variety of primary alkyl halides bearing diverse functional groups. In addition, after transmetalation to zinc chloride a simple and efficient Negishi cross-coupling protocol was formulated for a variety of aromatic and heteroaromatic halides. The robustness of this protocol was demonstrated through the late-stage installation of 4-pyridyl fragments into a variety of complex active pharmaceutical ingredients including loratadine and prochlorperazine. Furthermore, through rapid injection NMR investigations, we are able to directly observe the evolution of anionic intermediates and determined that two distinct mechanistic pathways lead to the observed site selectivity: (1) the C4-H within 2,6-disubstituted pyridines could be removed directly and (2) the C4 selectivity of unsubstituted pyridine originates from the intermolecular exchange of metalation sites via a thermodynamic pathway.

Zinc Chloride-Doped g-C3N4 Microtubes for Enhanced Photocatalytic Degradation of Tetracycline Hydrochloride.

Morphology regulation and element doping are effective means to improving the photocatalytic performance of graphite-phase carbon nitride (g-C3N4). In this article, using melamine and zinc chloride as raw materials, a novel kind of Zn/Cl-doped hollow microtubular g-C3N4 (Zn-HT-CN) by a hydrothermal method was developed. The structure and morphology of Zn-HT-CN and reference samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction patterns (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), etc. The doping of Zn/Cl narrowed the bandgap width of the hollow microtubular g-C3N4, as well as the inhibiting recombination of photogenerated electron and holes. Compared with the pure g-C3N4 microtube, Zn-HT-CN showed excellent catalytic performance for the photodegradation of tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) under irradiation of visible light. The photodegradation rate of TCH reached 94.41% in 40 min, which was about two times as high as that catalyzed by the pure g-C3N4 microtube. Moreover, it was also superior to the g-C3N4 microtube doped with other typical metal elements. In addition, Zn-HT-CN showed good tolerance to environmental pH, and the catalytic efficiency of the material remained at 78.78% after five cycles.

Efficient Extraction of Phenols from Coal Tar and Preparation of Phenolic Resin-Based Porous Carbon for Advanced Supercapacitor Application.

Developing simple and efficient extraction methods for phenolic substances from coal tar, which facilitate their direct transformation into high-performance electrode materials, holds considerable practical significance. In this study, amide-zinc chloride deep eutectic solvents are employed for efficient phenol extraction. The optimal phenol extraction process is subsequently investigated, and it is found that the robust hydrogen bonding interactions between solvents and phenols significantly enhance extraction efficiency. Notably, without the need for back-extraction, formaldehyde and tetraethyl orthosilicate are added to obtain phenolic resin, which can subsequently be directly carbonized to fabricate hydrangea-like porous carbon. The carbonization mechanism of the phenolic resin is studied, and the templating and activating roles of tetraethyl orthosilicate and zinc chloride assist in the formation of this unique structure. Furthermore, the flexible supercapacitor assembled using the prepared porous carbon and gel electrolyte achieves a high energy density of 31.0Wh kg-1 and demonstrates broad temperature applicability ranging from -25 to 100°C. This work directly converts the extracted phenolic compounds into phenolic resin and shows potential for fabricating porous carbon materials with diverse structures and enhanced capacitive performance.

Syntheses, structures and anti-cancer activities of CuII and ZnII complexes containing 1,1'-[(3-fluoro-phen-yl)methyl-ene]bis-[3-(3-fluoro-phen-yl)imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine

Two novel complexes, [Cu(T4)Cl2] and [Zn(T4)Cl2], were synthesized from 1,1'-[(3-fluoro-phen-yl)methyl-ene]bis-[3-(3-fluoro-phen-yl)imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine] (T4), and copper(II) and zinc(II) chloride, respectively. The structures of these complexes were confirmed using ESI-MS, IR and 1H NMR spectra. The results reveal mononuclear structures in which the central metal atoms are coordinated by two N atoms from the imidazole rings and two Cl ligands. The structure of the CuT4 complex [systematic name: di-chlorido-{1,1'-[(3-fluoro-phen-yl)methyl-ene]bis-[3-(3-fluoro-phen-yl)imidazo[1,5-a]pyridine]-κ2 N,N'}copper(II), [CuCl2(C33H21F3N4)], was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The CuII atom adopts a distorted tetra-hedral coordination environment with an N2Cl2 coordination set. The predominant features of the crystal packing are C-H⋯F, C-H⋯π and C-F⋯π inter-actions. Biological evaluations demonstrated that both complexes exhibit enhanced anti-cancer activity compared to the free ligand, with IC50 values ranging between 18.93 and 67.06 µM. Notably, the CuII complex displays excellent inhibitory activity against the MCF7 breast cancer cell line (IC50 = 27.99 µM), approximately twice as effective as cisplatin. Conversely, the ZnT4 complex shows greater efficacy against Hep-G2 and A549 lung cancer cell lines, with IC50 values between 18.93 and 24.83 µM. The results suggest that CuII and ZnII complexes of T4 show potential as cancer treatment agents.

One-Pot Synthesis of Benzopinacolone Derivatives from Acetophenones

Pinacolone and benzopinacolone derivatives are an important class of organic compounds due to their uses in polymer synthesis and more recently as biologically active compounds. The conventional synthesis of such molecules is generally done in two steps, the pinacol coupling followed by the pinacol/pinacolone rearrangement. Aiming to prepare benzopinacolone derivatives in a greener fashion, we present here a one-step synthesis from acetophenones in the presence of zinc and tert-butyl chloride. To develop the methodology, conditions to prepare 3,3-diphenyl-2-butanone from acetophenone were optimized. To assess the scope, different substituted acetophenones were tested, resulting in the corresponding benzopinacolones at moderate yields (20-50%) with high purity. Structural elucidations were performed by 1H and 13C NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy) and GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry).

Ring-opening Polymerization of rac-Lactide Catalyzed by Zinc Chloride Complexes Supported by Aminophenolate Ligands Bearing a Benzoxazolyl Group

Ring-opening Polymerization of<i> rac</i>-Lactide Catalyzed by Zinc Chloride Complexes Supported by Aminophenolate Ligands Bearing a Benzoxazolyl Group

Preparation of Graphene Using Rice Husk via Pyrolysis Technique for CO&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; Adsorption

Graphene is the only carbon allotrope in which every carbon atom is densely connected to its neighbours by an electronic cloud, raising various quantum physics concerns. In recent years, many researchers have focused their efforts on developing more efficient methods for synthesizing graphene. However, only few methods can simultaneously synthesize mass-produced, cost-effective, and high-quality graphene. In this study, we are emphasizing the use of rice husk (RH) as the raw material to prepare graphene by using two-step pyrolysis. Zinc chloride (ZnCl2) is an example of an activating agent that is used to improve the efficiency of the synthesis of graphene from rice husk. After conducting pre-treatment of rice husk, the first stage of pyrolysis was conducted by varying the ratio of ZnCl2 to the RH (1:1, 2:1, 3:1) at a carbonization temperature of 500 °C for 1 hour, followed by second-stage pyrolysis under 900 °C for 90 minutes and post-treatment. The findings of the characterizations, which included yield analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Raman spectroscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and CO2 adsorption analysis, revealed the impacts of the ZnCl2 as activating agent, on the yield and graphitic structure of graphene and the potential application of graphene as a CO2 adsorbent. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the graphitic properties of graphene synthesized in all samples with RH1:1 produced the best quality of graphene due to its low ID/IG intensity ratio (0.8913) and the highest I2D/IG intensity at 0.24. In addition, RH1:1 exhibited the highest surface area, whereby the highest total pore and micropore volume is contributing to the highest CO2 adsorption capacity of 8.73 mmol/g. This proves that the activating agent ratio has significant effects on the graphene quality produced from rice husk as well as the adsorption performance.

An aminosilyl-functionalized zincocene

Abstract A (pyrrolidinyldimethylsilyl)tetramethyl zincocene was obtained by salt elimination reaction of the corresponding sodium cyclopentadienide with zinc(II) chloride and was characterized in solution and in the solid state, including the determination of its crystal structure. Furthermore, the zinc center was shown to exhibit Lewis-acidic character by coordination of an N-heterocyclic carbene.

Coordination chemistry of a fused triazolopyrazine ligand favoring structural anion···π interactions

The fused heterocyclic ligand 1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-a]pyrazine (L1) is a rigid heterocyclic building block capable of pyrazolate-like coordination modes while retaining neutral electronic character. Here, we examine the coordination chemistry of this species for the first time. While the ligand proved unstable under solvothermal conditions, using mild synthetic conditions we have isolated three new coordination polymers, poly-[Zn(µ2-L1)Cl2] (1), poly-[Ag2(µ3-L1)2(µ2-C3H6O)](BF4)2·C3H6O (2) and poly-[Cu2(µ3-L1)2(µ2-L1)](X-)2 (X- = NO3, 3a; PF6, 3b). Both doubly and triply bridging coordination modes are observed in these species, and close anion···π interactions with the electron deficient ligand backbone are observed in all three complexes as dominant structural features. Although N2 and CO2 adsorption experiments shows the linear solvent channels in complex 3b are not accessible to guests after evacuation, retention of crystallinity on drying and air exposure indicates robust bonding in this species comparable to related fused azolate anions.

Zn exchanged clinoptilolite as an antimicrobial agent for water disinfection

ABSTRACT The solid-state ion exchange method is recognised as a straightforward and efficient approach for the synthesis of antimicrobial composites. Antimicrobial clinoptilolite was successfully synthesised by heating clinoptilolite in the presence of zinc chloride (ZnCl2) powders. The resultant samples underwent analysis utilising various techniques, including Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The investigation also focused on the antimicrobial characteristics of the materials produced through this method. The findings indicated that the original clinoptilolite contained no zinc, whereas the exchanged variant exhibited zinc in two forms: Zn2+ and wurtzite ZnO. Furthermore, the solid-state ion exchange process led to a reduction in the surface area of clinoptilolite, decreasing from 31.1 m²/g to a range of 23.7–19.0 m²/g in the exchanged samples. Notably, while the parent clinoptilolite displayed no antimicrobial activity, the zinc-exchanged clinoptilolite exhibited significant antimicrobial effects against E. coli and S. aureus. Consequently, the zinc-exchanged clinoptilolite samples present a promising potential as effective antibacterial agents for water disinfection.

An enhanced palm oil pyrolysis to bio-oil using dolomite-derived ZnO/CaO composite

ABSTRACT This study investigates the synthesis and catalytic activity of a ZnO/CaO composite derived from dolomite for the pyrolysis of palm oil. The composite was prepared via wet impregnation of dolomite with zinc chloride followed by high-temperature calcination. Based on the result, it is revealed that wet-impregnation and calcination of dolomite yield the expected ZnO/CaO composite with high crystallinity and purity. Results also indicate that the composite exhibits enhanced catalytic activity and stability in producing bio-oil compared to CaO despite yielding less in the first cycle. Moreover, the composite demonstrates a shift in production from kerosine (C12-C18) and heavy oil (C19-C21) to gasoline (C5-C11) fractions over reaction cycles, while CaO exhibits the opposite trend. This phenomenon is attributed to the synergistic activity between ZnO and CaO, which enhances the catalyst’s resistance to deactivation from coke deposition. Further analysis reveals that decarboxylation, β-scissions, and bond cleavages are major reactions responsible for transforming palm oil into its derivative products. Such enhancement in the production of lighter gasoline fractions signifies the catalyst’s potential for producing bio-oil that could substitute conventional fossil-based fuels.

Effect of deep eutectic solvent on combustion characteristics of lignite under thermal treatment conditions

AbstractThe substantial moisture content of lignite imposes considerable constraints on its deep processing and subsequent utilization. A deep eutectic solvent (DES), synthesized from choline chloride (ChCl) and zinc chloride (ZnCl₂), was used to upgrade lignite under thermal treatment conditions. The effects of the DES molar ratio and its addition on the physicochemical and combustion characteristics of lignite were systematically analyzed at 280°C. The results demonstrated that the moisture content of lignite decreased from 22.63% to 5.18%, and then to 6.05%, as the molar ratio of DES was adjusted from 1:1 to 1:3, with the addition of 3 g of DES. This suggests that a DES molar ratio of 1:1 is more effective for lignite upgrading. As the DES addition increased from 1 g to 3 g, the moisture content of lignite decreased from 9.19% to 5.18%. As the molar ratio of ZnCl₂ in DES increased, the maximum combustion rate (Vmax) and ignition index (C) of the upgraded coal sample gradually decreased, indicating that lignite upgraded with DES at a 1:1 molar ratio exhibited good combustion performance. The sample treated with 3 g of DES demonstrated the best overall combustion characteristic index (S = 1.8), optimal ignition index (C), and combustion index (Rj), when the DES addition increased from 1 g to 3 g. Compared to raw coal, the activation energy of the upgraded lignite was lower (Eₐ = 63.99 kJ/mol), indicating enhanced combustion reactivity.

High-Pressure Gas Adsorption on Covalent Organic Framework CTF-1

Triazine-based covalent organic framework CTF-1 was synthesized via polymerization of 1,4-dicyanobenzene in the presence of zinc chloride. Two different methods of the post-synthesis treatment of the obtained material were compared. It was demonstrated that ultrasonication effectively removes impurities from CTF-1. Adsorption of hydrocarbon gases (methane and ethane) and carbon dioxide was measured at 298 K in a wide pressure range for the first time. Ideal selectivity and IAST values for methane/ethane and methane/CO2 pairs were calculated from the obtained isotherms.

Sparteine Metal Complexes as Chiral Catalyst for Asymmetric Synthesis – A Review

The commercial availability of (2)-sparteine reflects its easy isolation by extraction of papilionaceous plants such as Scotch broom (Cytisus scoparius). The aim of this review is to highlight recent advances in the field of asymmetric synthesis that use sparteine as chiral diamine ligand, emphasizing the use of sub-stoichiometric or catalytic amounts of this ligand. Lithium, palladium copper, cobalt, nickel, titanium and zinc chloride complexes with sparteine. It has found widespread use as a chiral ligand for asymmetric reactions. Asymmetric aldol reaction, Sonogashira-type reaction, Henry reaction, Oxidative kinetic resolutions of secondary alcohols, Michael addition reaction, asymmetric aerobic oxidative, Wacker cyclization of allylphenol, deprotonation, Mukaiyama aldol reaction are the various asymmetric reactions often lead to highly enantioselective transformations biologically active molecules and natural products.

Kinetic adsorption and isotherm models of nickel

The study investigated the adsorption capacity of Pinus halepensis Mill biomass (PHM) that has been modified to remove nickel (II) from aqueous solutions. The underwent chemical modification using zinc chloride (0.1N) to produce activated carbon. The resultant products were analyzed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Several variables were taken into account to achieve optimal adsorption conditions. These factors include the duration of agitation, the starting concentration of copper, and the pH level. Consequently, the highest level of efficiency was obtained at 90 mg/g when equilibrium was established after 120 minutes. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model offers a more appropriate characterization of the adsorption kinetics. Nickel adsorption adheres to the principles of the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The Langmuir isotherm model produces the most favorable parameters. The adsorption capacity increased with the elevation of the initial concentration (from 1000 to 400mg/l) employed in this work at a neutral pH and 25°C in temperature.