Agro-Waste Generated Pd/CAP-Ash Catalyzed Ligand-Free Approach for Suzuki–Miyaura Coupling Reaction

Catalysis Letters - We converted agro-waste Custard Apple Peels (CAP) to ash via thermal treatment, on which Pd(OAc)2 was immobilized easily that produced a low-cost, highly efficient Pd/CAP-ash...     

Performance Analysis of Learning Rate Parameter on Prediction of Signal Power Loss for Network Optimization and Better Generalization

Wireless Personal Communications - This research work explores the neural network learning capabilities by using a multi-layer perceptron artificial neural network to predict signal power loss by...     

Adsorption of the IFKhAN-92 Inhibitor on Chromium–Nickel Steel from Mineral Acid Solutions

Protection of Metals and Physical Chemistry of Surfaces - Impedance spectroscopy was used to study the adsorption of the IFKhAN-92 inhibitor, a triazole derivative, on cathodically polarized...     

Various Types of Combustion of a Ti + C Granular Mixture with a Different Content of the Gasifying Additive

Combustion, Explosion, and Shock Waves - This paper touches upon the effect of a polyvinyl butyral content (0–2.3%) on the combustion of a Ti + C granular...     

Thermal depolarization and electromechanical hardening in Zn2+-doped Na1/2Bi1/2TiO3-BaTiO3

Na_1/2Bi_1/2TiO₃-based materials have been earmarked for one of the first large-volume applications of lead-free piezoceramics in high-power ultrasonics. Zn²⁺-doping is demonstrated as a viable route to enhance the thermal depolarization temperature and electromechanically harden (1-y)Na_1/2Bi_1/2TiO₃-yBaTiO₃ (NBT100yBT) with a maximum achievable operating temperature of 150 °C and mechanical quality factor of 627 for 1 mole % Zn²⁺-doped NBT6BT. Although quenching from sintering temperatures has been recently touted to enhance T_F-R, with quenching the doped compositions featuring an additional increase in T_F-R by 17 °C, it exhibits negligible effect on the electromechanical properties. The effect is rationalized considering the missing influence on conductivity and therefore, negligible changes in the defect chemistry upon quenching. High-resolution diffraction indicates that Zn²⁺-doped samples favor the tetragonal phase with enhanced lattice distortion, further corroborated by ²³Na Nuclear Magnetic Resonance investigations.     

The Interfacial Interactions of Glycine and Short Glycine Peptides in Model Membrane Systems

The interactions of amino acids and peptides at model membrane interfaces have considerable implications for biological functions, with the ability to act as chemical messengers, hormones, neurotransmitters, and even as antibiotics and anticancer agents. In this study, glycine and the short glycine peptides diglycine, triglycine, and tetraglycine are studied with regards to their interactions at the model membrane interface of Aerosol-OT (AOT) reverse micelles via ¹H NMR spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and Langmuir trough measurements. It was found that with the exception of monomeric glycine, the peptides prefer to associate between the interface and bulk water pool of the reverse micelle. Monomeric glycine, however, resides with the N-terminus in the ordered interstitial water (stern layer) and the C-terminus located in the bulk water pool of the reverse micelle.     

Low/intermediate temperature pyrolyzed polysiloxane derived ceramics with increased carbon for electrical applications

This study focuses on the chemistry, thermal stability, and electrical conductivity of low/intermediate pyrolysis temperature (700?900 °C) polysiloxane derived ceramics. These ceramics were modified with additional carbon derived from divinylbenzene (DVB) added to the precursor. Their electrical properties were investigated for potential uses in micro-electrical mechanical systems (MEMS) and anodes for lithium batteries. The microstructure and chemical composition was investigated by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS); thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) provided insight into the thermal stability; and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) into the electrical properties of the material. The increase of pyrolysis temperature and carbon content lead to an enhancement of the electrical conductivity, higher than previously reported values for intermediate pyrolysis temperature SiOC polymer derived ceramics. A limit of the amount of DVB that can be added to PHMS to produce a hybrid precursor has also been obtained.     

Blockchain for Collaborative Businesses

Mobile Networks and Applications - Blockchain applications have continuously improved ever since its first debut on cryptocurrency. From then on, its uses have branched out from the financial...     

Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue and sulfisoxazole from water using biosynthesized zinc ferrite nanoparticles

The extensive occurrence of textile and pharmaceutical contaminants and their metabolites in water systems has posed significant concerns regarding their possible threat to human health and the environmental system. As a result, herein ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized through the use of Monsonia burkeana plant extract. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using XRD, FTIR, UV–vis, SEM, EDS, TGA, BET, PL, EPR and VSM. XRD showed that the crystalline structure of ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles with a calculated crystal size of 25.03 nm was formed. FT-IR confirmed the characteristic functional groups contained within the M. burkeana plant were deposited on the formed ferrite nanoparticles. BET analysis confirmed the mesoporous nature of ZnFe₂O₄ with an average pore diameter of 31.6 nm. Morphological studies demonstrated that the formed nanoparticles had spherical as well as rod-like shapes. ZnFe₂O₄ photocatalyst illustrated that it may be effortlessly detached by an external magnetic field. The optimum conditions for the 99.8% removal of Methylene Blue was obtained at pH12, within 45min and at the optimum dosage of 25 mg of the catalyst. The as-prepared ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles proved to be easily separated and recycled, and remained efficient even after 5 reuses, proving that the material is highly stable. The ROS studies also demonstrated that electrons are the main factors contributing to the degradation of MB. Upon testing the photocatalytic performance of the sulfonamide antibiotic, sulfisoxazole in water showed a degradation of 67%. This study has shown that these materials can be used in targeting textile and pharmaceutically polluted water.