Role of silica coated magnetic nanoparticle on cell flocculation,lipid extraction and linoleic acid production from Chlorella pyrenoidosa

Abstract

In the present work, it has been observed that magnetic (Fe₃O₄) – silica core- shell nanoparticles helps in flocculation of Chlorella pyrenoidosa cells with simultaneous production of linoleic acid. The mean particle size in Dynamic light scattering (DLS) of the silica coated magnetic nanoparticle was estimated 444.7?nm. The characterization of nanoparticles was also performed by X-ray diffraction technique (XRD). Apart from flocculation, it has been observed that in presence of magnetic silica core- shell nanoparticles the amount of lipid obtained was four times than that of control. On the contrary, in presence of these nanoparticles, linoleic acid (18:2) has been produced in Chlorella pyrenoidosa cells almost by 80% whereas, it has been noticed only 8.73% in control. This is the first report where the linoleic acid has been obtained as major component of microalgal fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) having important application in nutraceuticals and pharmaceutical sectors.     

Diffusion of protons in silica hydrogel

The effect of preparation pH of silica hydrogel on the effective diffusion coefficient of protons in silica hydrogel (D _e , m²/s), on surface area of silica gel (S, m²/s) and on particle size of silica gel (D _p , mm) was studied. Silica hydrosols were obtained by adding water glass to sulfuric acid. The effective diffusion coefficient of proton in silica hydrogel was determined by the method of diffusion from silica hydrogel plane sheet to a stirred solution of a limited volume. A numerical solution was obtained for the diffusion equation using the Regula Falsi method. Regression analyses of experimental data were conducted.Diffusion of protons in silica hydrogel is a complicated process due to a decelerating effect of the porous structure of silica hydrogel and to the accelerating effects of slow ions such as Na⁺ and surface diffusion. The effective diffusion coefficient increased with surface area of silica gel, indicating the diffusion of protons on the surface of the silica particles.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Applications of Immobilized Iminodiacetic Acid-Modified Silica

Porous immobilized iminodiacetic acid modified silica of the general formula S—(CH₂)₃—N(CH₂COOH)₂, (where S represents [Si—O] _n siloxane network) has been prepared by replacement of the iodide in 3-iodopropyl modified silica with diethyliminodiacetate. The immobilized-diethyliminodiacetate ligand system (S-DIDA) was then hydrolyzed by hydrochloric acid to produce the immobilized iminodiacetic acid ligand system (S-IDA). The iodo functionalized modified silica (S-I) was prepared by polycondensation of Si(OEt)₄ and (MeO)₃Si(CH₂)₃I. The XPS and CP/MAS ¹³C NMR spectra showed that not all iodine atoms are replaced and that the hydrolysis of ethyl acetate groups are incomplete upon treatment with HCl. The immobilized iminodiacetic acid ligand system exhibits high potential for the uptake of various di- and trivalent metal ions such as (Mn²⁺, Fe³⁺, Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺). Complexation of the iminodiacetate ligand system for the metal ions at the optimum conditions was found in the order: Cu²⁺ > Fe³⁺ > Ni²⁺ > Co²⁺ > Mn²⁺ > Zn²⁺. Stability studies of the iminodiacetate ligand system showed that a degradation of the siloxane network and leaching of some species occurred upon treatment with strong acid and base aqueous solutions.     

Luminescence properties of sol-gel derived silica gels doped and undoped with RE-complexes(RE=Eu,Tb)

The luminescence properties of silica gels and silica gels doped with two rare earth complexes,Eu(TTA)3 and Tb(o-CBA)3 (TTA=thenoyltrifluocetate,o-CBA=o-chlorobenzoic acid) are reported and discussed.Pure silica gels show a blue luminescence,and the maximum excitation and emission wavelengths depend strongly on the solvents used.Both of the studied rare earth complexes exhibit the characteristic emissions of the rare earth ions in silica gels,i.e.,Eu3+5 Do→7 FJ(J=0,1,2,3,4),Tb3+5D4→7FJ(J=3,4,5,6) transitions.Compared with the pure RE-complexes powder,the silica gels doped with RE-complexes show fewer emission lines of the rare earth ions.Furthermore the rare earth ion (Tb3+) presents a longer lifetime (1346μs) in silica gel doped with Tb(o-CBA)3 than in pure Tb(o-CBA)3 powder (744μs).The reasons responsible for these results are discussed in the context.     

In situ polymerization of silicic acid in polyethylene–octene elastomer: Properties and characterization of the hybrid nanocomposites

Silicic acid produced from sodium metasilicate hydrate and metallocene polyethylene–octene elastomer (POE) were chosen as the ceramic precursor and the continuous phase, respectively, for preparation of new hybrids by an in situ sol–gel process. To obtain a better hybrid, the acrylic acid‐grafted polyethylene–octene elastomer (POE‐g‐AA) prepared in our laboratory and used as the continuous phase was also investigated. Characterizations of POE/SiO₂ and POE‐g‐AA/SiO₂ composites were performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, ²⁹Si solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometry, X‐ray diffractometry, differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetry analysis, and an Instron mechanical tester. The POE‐g‐AA/SiO₂ hybrid could give the positive effect on the properties of POE/SiO₂ hybrid because the carboxylic acid groups of acrylic acid should act as coordination sites for the silica phase to form chemical bonds. The result of ²⁹Si solid‐state NMR spectra showed that Si atom coordination around SiO₄ units is predominantly Q₃ and Q₄. Also, the POE‐g‐AA/SiO₂ hybrid with 15 wt % SiO₂ gave the maximum values of tensile strength and glass‐transition temperature because excess particles might cause the separation between the organic and inorganic phases when the silica content was beyond this point. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 41: 351–359, 2003     

General routes to porous metal oxides via inorganic and organic templates

The generation of porous metal oxides by removal of template molecules from inorganic polymers formed by sol-gel type hydrolysis and condensation of metal alkoxides is described. The template molecules include organic polymers, copper (II) ions in hybrid copper oxide/silica sols and copper (II) bis(hexafluorocetylacetonate) (hfac). Neutron scattering experiments on the system in which polyacrylic acid (Mw=2,000 Daltons) is used as an organic template to generate microporous tin oxide show that removal of the template generates skeletal voids. In a second series of experiments, mixed copper/silicon oxide xerogels were prepared by hydrolysis of mixtures of Si(OEt)₄ and Cu(OCH₂CH(CH₃)N(CH₃)H)₂ in the ratios of Si:Cu=2:1, 4:1, 9:1. Selective removal (etching) of the copper component generates porous silica. Neutron scattering data and BET surface area measurements are consistent with the creation of pores with molecular dimensions (micropores, 10 Å or less). In the third strategy, Si(OEt)₄ is hydrolyzed in the presence of Cu(hfac)₂, a volatile, inert inorganic template, in a 4 to 1 molar ratio. Removal of the template from the xerogel at 100°C in vacuo affords microporous silica.     

Synthetic and natural silica‐aluminates as inorganic acidic catalysts in ring opening polymerization of cyclosiloxanes

Ring opening polymerization (ROP) of hexamethylcyclotrisiloxane (D₃) and octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane (D₄) was promoted by acid‐treated synthetic and natural silica‐aluminates. Silica‐alumina (1:3 Si/Al molar ratio) was obtained using a simple and economic route from precipitation of aluminum sulfate solutions. The material was treated in an acidic medium to improve the content of acid sites and successfully tested as inorganic acidic catalyst for ROP of D₃ or D₄ cyclosiloxanes. Natural bentonite was treated and used in a similar manner. Once the ROP reaction completed, the catalyst was easily removed and it was found that the recovered synthetic silica‐alumina was active in a second ROP reaction. The effect of the concentration and type of catalyst in respect to the molecular weight and polydispersity of polydimethylsiloxanes was analyzed: increasing the amount of silica‐alumina in ROP of D₄ from 0.05 to 0.1 g decreased the average molecular weight (M_n = 13–1.8 kDa) associated with an increase in the polydispersity (2.95 vs. 1.81). Analogous results were found with bentonite. These values suggest that an increase in the catalyst concentration led to a lower M_n, with a more homogeneous molecular chain dimension. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

三氟甲磺酸盐催化甲苯硝化反应的研究

利用三氟甲磺酸盐作为新型的Lewis酸催化剂, 用于甲苯与等物质的量的硝酸的硝化反应. 通过对不同催化剂进行考察发现Zr(OTf)₄和Sm(OTf)₃的催化性能最好, 甲苯转化率分别达77.1%和67.4%. 使用98%硝酸能使转化率达100%, 而用甲苯作溶剂时转化率达95.4%. 对硅胶负载催化剂的考察发现硅胶负载催化剂Sm(OTf)₃能使甲苯转化率升至89.9%, 且异构体分布有所改变, 其o∶m∶p为44.6∶5.7∶49.7.     

Preparation of a variety of fluoroalkyl end‐capped N‐(1,1‐dimethyl‐3‐oxobutyl)acrylamide oligomer/silica nanocomposites possessing no weight loss characteristic at 800°C

A variety of fluoroalkyl end‐capped N‐(1,1‐dimethyl‐3‐oxobutyl)acrylamide oligomer [R_F‐(DOBAA)_n‐ R_F]/silica nanocomposites, in which the oligomer contents are 18–96%, were prepared by reactions of the corresponding fluorinated oligomer with tetraethoxysilane and silica nanoparticles under alkaline conditions. Each fluorinated oligomer/silica composite thus obtained is nanometer size‐controlled very fine particles (22–68 nm) possessing a good dispersibility and stability in a variety of solvents including water. Interestingly, the weight loss of R_F‐(DOBAA)_n‐R_F/silica nanocomposites, in which the oligomer contents are 18–72%, were not observed at all even at 800°C, as well as the original silica nanoparticles, although the corresponding sub‐micrometer size‐controlled R_F‐ (DOBAA)_n‐R_F/silica composites (particle size: 359 nm) decomposed completely at 800°C to afford the weight loss in proportion to the content of R_F‐(DOBAA)_n‐R_F oligomer in composites. On the other hand, a slight weight loss of R_F‐(DOBAA)_n‐R_F/silica nanocomposites, in which the oligomer contents are 75–94%, was observed at 800°C compared to that of the original silica nanoparticles. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Characterization of Fumed Alumina/Silica/Titania in the Gas Phase and in Aqueous Suspension

Fumed oxide alumina/silica/titania was studied in comparison with fumed alumina, silica, titania, alumina/silica, and titania/silica by means of XRD, ¹H NMR, IR, optical, dielectric relaxation, and photon correlation spectroscopies, electrophoresis, and quantum chemical methods. The explored Al₂O₃/SiO₂/TiO₂ consists of amorphous alumina (22 wt%), amorphous silica (28 wt%), and crystalline titania (50 wt%, with a blend of anatase (88%) and rutile (12%)) and has a wide assortment of Brønsted and Lewis acid sites, which provide a greater acidity than that of individual fumed alumina, silica, or titania and an acidity close to that of fumed alumina/silica or titania/silica. The changes in the Gibbs free energy (ΔG) of interfacial water in an aqueous suspension of Al₂O₃/SiO₂/TiO₂ are close to the ΔG values of the dispersions of pure rutile but markedly lower than those of alumina, anatase, or rutile covered by alumina and silica. The zeta potential of Al₂O₃/SiO₂/TiO₂ (pH of the isoelectric point (IEP) equals ≈3.3) is akin to that of fumed titania (pH(IEP_TiO2) ≈ 6) at pH > 6, but it significantly differs from the ζ of fumed alumina (pH(IEP_Al2O3) ≈ 9.8) at any pH value as well as those of fumed silica, titania/silica, and alumina/silica at pH < 6. The particle size distribution in the diluted aqueous suspensions of Al₂O₃/SiO₂/TiO₂ studied by means of photon correlation spectroscopy depends relatively slightly on pH in contrast to the titania/silica or alumina/silica dispersions. Theoretical calculations of oxide cluster interaction with water show a high probability of hydrolysis of Al–O–Ti and Si–O–Ti bonds strained at the interface of alumina/titania or silica/titania due to structural differences in the lattices of the corresponding individual oxides. Ab initio calculated chemical shift δ_H values of H atoms in different hydroxyl groups at the oxide clusters and in bound water molecules are in agreement with the ¹H NMR data and show a significant impact of charged particles (H₃O⁺ or OH⁻) on the average δ_H values of water droplets with (H₂O)_n at n between 2 and 48.     

Effect of Hexamethyi Phosphoric Acid Triamide on the Polymerization of Epichlorohydrin-Methyl Methacryiate Initiated with Alkylaluminum

Abstract

The effect of hexamethyi phosphoric acid triamide on the rate of polymerization of AlEt₃-initiated polymerization of epichloro-hydrin and methyl methacryiate was examined. Benzene was used as solvent and the experiments covered AlEt₃ /hexamethyi phosphoric acid triamide ratios from 1:0 to 1:2. Rate of polymerization increased to a maximum at AlEt₃/ hexamethyi phosphoric acid triamide ratio of 1:0.2 and then decreased.

The reaction of hexamethyi phosphoric acid triamide with AlEt, appears to modify the catalytic nature and copolymeriza-tion of epichlorohydrin with methyl methacryiate as demonstrated by enhanced methyl methacryiate reactivity in the presence of hexamethyi phosphoric acid triamide.     

Preparation of epoxidized Eucommia ulmoides gum and its application in styrene‐butadiene rubber (SBR)/silica composites

In this article, we primarily introduced a method to prepare epoxidized Eucommia ulmoides gum (EEUG) and studied its application as interfacial additive in styrene‐butadiene rubber (SBR)/silica composites. We prepared the EEUG from the Eucommia gum extract solution using E. ulmoides leaves pretreated with enzymatic solutions as the raw material, petroleum ether as the solvent, and peracetic acid (CH₃COOOH) as the oxidant under a certain temperature. Accordingly, we focused on studying the effects of a series of factors, such as the mole ratio (γ) of peracetic acid to double bonds of Eucommia gum and reaction time on the epoxidation degree and crystallization degree of Eucommia gum in the epoxidation process, in order to control the properties of the EEUG. Regarding the study of the application of EEUG in SBR/silica composites, we found that the addition of EEUG greatly promoted the properties of SBR/silica composites by improving the dispersion of silica in SBR composites, which possessed excellent mechanical properties, including higher tensile strength, tear strength, 100 and 300% modulus, wear resistance, and low heat buildup. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Positron annihilation lifetime study of PTFE/silica composites

Positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS) was used to study the microstructure of PTFE/silica composites. The positron lifetimes (τ_n) and intensities (I_n) of PTFE and the composites (30-62% silica) were measured at room temperature as a function of specimen thickness. Four lifetime components were found in PTFE and the composites. The longer lifetime components, τ₃ = 1.4 ns and τ₄ = 4.4 - 4.1 ns, were interpreted to be due to the presence of two different sized free volume cavity distributions within the PTFE/silica composites. A strong silica concentration dependence was found in the bulk intensities (I_3b and I_4b). The I_3b value increased from 13.0% in PTFE to 28.2% in the 62% composite, while the I_4b value decreased from 17.5% in PTFE to 4.5% in the 62% composite. The smaller-void size, free volume fraction (τ₃I_3b) values increased linearly between 0 and 100% silica concentration, while the larger void size, free volume fraction (τ₄I_4b) values decreased nonlinearly with silica concentration. Since silica has a long lifetime component (τ₃ = 1.6 ns), this behavior is ascribed to silica particles occupying the large free volume cavities (370 ų) in the PTFE/silica composites. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Liquid Chromatographic Characteristics of Ethylenethiourea with HPLC Carbon,Chiral, Polymer and Reverse-Phase Bonded Silica Columns

Abstract

Of the columns investigated, the graphitised carbon column provided the best chromatographic characteristics for the highly water-soluble compound ethylenethiourea (ETU). The stability of the carbon column in strongly acidic media permitted the incorporation of the phosphoric acid electrolyte into the 5% acetonitrile-in-water mobile phase. ETU eluted from the column in 200 s as a sharp symmetrical peak at a mobile phase flow rate of 1 mL/min and a column temperature of 35°C. The k' value was 1.72. ETU peak retention times and responses showed excellent repeatability with coefficients of variation of 0.28 and 1.40%, respectively, for 6 replicates with the high performance liquid chromatographic-electrochemical system using the graphitised carbon column. Although ETU eluted as a sharp symmetrical peak with the cyclodextrin chiral columns, their instability at low pH required post-column addition of the phosphoric acid electrolyte solution. ETU chromatographed poorly or degraded on the polymer columns. The chromatographic separation of ETU on the C-8 reverse-phase bonded silica column appeared to be due mainly to residual silanol groups. With the NH₂ bonded silica column ETU eluted immediately after the injection solvent.     

Fluorinated polyoxadiazole for high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells

For the first time a fluorinated polyoxadiazole doped with phosphoric acid as a proton-conducting membrane for operation at temperatures above 100 °C and low humidities for fuel cells has been reported. Fluorinated polyoxadiazole with remarkable chemical stability was synthesized. No changes in the molecular weight (about 200,000 g mol⁻¹) can be observed when the polymer is exposed for 19 days to mixtures of sulfuric acid and oleum. Protonated membranes with low doping level (0.34 mol of phosphoric acid per polyoxadiazole unit, 11.6 wt.% H₃PO₄) had proton conductivity at 120 °C and RH = 100% in the order of magnitude of 10⁻² S cm⁻¹. When experiments are conducted at lower external humidity, proton conductivity values drop an order of magnitude. However still a high value of proton conductivity (6 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹) was obtained at 150 °C and with relative humidity of 1%. In an effort to increase polymer doping, nanocomposite with sulfonated silica containing oligomeric fluorinated-based oxadiazole segments has also been prepared. With the addition of functionalized silica not only doping level but also water uptake increased. For the nanocomposite membranes prepared with the functionalized silica higher proton conductivity in all range of temperature up to 120 °C and RH = 100% (in the order of magnitude of 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹) was observed when compared to the plain membrane (in the order of magnitude of 10⁻⁵ S cm⁻¹).     

A Novel Catalytic Method for the Oxidation of Sulfides to Sulfoxides with Silica Sulfuric Acid and Sodium Nitrite in the Presence of KBr and/or NaBr as Catalyst

Highly efficient selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides by NaNO₂ and silica sulfuric acid catalyzed with KBr or NaBr has been reported. This oxidation was carried out in the presence of wet SiO₂ (50% w/w) in acetonitrile at room temperature with good to excellent yields.     

Efficient CO2 Hydrogenation to Formate with Immobilized Ir-Catalysts Based on Mesoporous Silica Beads

The Nozaki Ir-based CO₂ hydrogenation catalyst was successfully immobilized on post-functionalized silica beads (d=200 μm) through click chemistry. This material hydrogenates CO₂ into formic acid with turnover numbers reaching 2.8×10⁴ in a batch reactor within 24 hours, paving the way towards the design of efficient heterogeneous catalysts for this transformation.     

Analysis of silica hydride and surface hydrosilation reactions by solid-state NMR in the preparation of<Emphasis Type="Italic"> p</Emphasis>-chlorobenzamide bonded silica phase

²⁹Si and ¹³C CP-MAS NMR spectroscopy was used to follow the conversion of native silica to a p-chlorobenzamide bonded silica material. The benzamide bonded phase was prepared via a hydrosilation reaction of a hydride silica intermediate with p-chloro-N-allylbenzamide. Solid-state NMR was used to show the disappearance of reactive surface hydride species (M_H) and to identify newly formed bonded chemical species on the silica surface. DRIFT spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and specific surface-area determinations (BET) of the prepared phases are also reported.     

Homogeneous phase synthesis of chitosan silica hybrid materials in ionic liquid medium and adsorption of Fe(III) from aqueous solutions

Abstract

Two chitosan silica hybrid materials were prepared by a two-step process in 78–84% yields using the homogeneous phase reaction of 3-(triethoxysilyl)propyl isocyanate with chitosan dissolved in 1-n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ionic liquid (～10% w/w), which was followed by NH₄OH catalyzed hydrolysis of triethoxysilyl groups and then sol-gel process. These new hybrid materials were shown to adsorb up to about 95% of Fe³⁺ from 5?×?10^?4 M aqueous solution at room temperature in 24?h.     

Structural Preferences of Single‐Walled Silica Nanostructures: Nanospheres and Chemically Stable Nanotubes

Structural preferences of single‐walled and coordinatively saturated spherical and tubular nanostructures of silica have been determined by ab initio calculations. Two families of spherical (SiO₂)_n clusters derived from Platonic solids and Archimedean polyhedra are depicted, with n ranging from 4–120. The analogue of a truncated icosidodecahedron, I_h‐symmetric Si₁₂₀O₂₄₀, is favored in energy, closely followed by the I_h‐symmetric Si₆₀O₁₂₀‐truncated icosahedron. The silica nanotubes derived from spherical clusters are capped by Si₂O₂ rings, whereas the tubular section consists of single oxygen bridges. Periodic studies performed with open‐ended silica nanotubes and the α‐quartz polymorph of silica, along with a comparisons to fullerenes and carbon nanotubes, suggest that tubes with diameters of approximately 1 nm should be chemically stable.