Nanocrystalline ceria powders through citrate-nitrate combustion

Nanocrystalline ceria powders have been synthesized by combustion technique using citric acid as a fuel and nitrate as an oxidizer. The auto-ignition of the gels containing cerium nitrate and citric acid resulted in ceria powders. A theory based on adiabatic flame temperature for different citric acid-to-cerium nitrate molar ratios has been proposed to explain the nature of combustion reaction and its correlation with the powder characteristics. Specific surface area and primary particle size of the ceria powder obtained through fuel-deficient precursor was found to be approximately = 127 m2/g and 2.5-10 nm, respectively. The combustion synthesized ceria powder when cold pressed and sintered in air at 1250 degrees C for 1 hour resulted in approximately = 96% of its theoretical density with sub-micron grains.     

Synthesis and Structure–Activity Relationship Studies of Derivatives of the Dual Aromatase–Sulfatase Inhibitor 4‐{[(4‐Cyanophenyl)(4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐4‐yl)amino]methyl}phenyl sulfamate

4‐{[(4‐Cyanophenyl)(4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐4‐yl)amino]methyl}phenyl sulfamate and its ortho‐halogenated (F, Cl, Br) derivatives are first‐generation dual aromatase and sulfatase inhibitors (DASIs). Structure–activity relationship studies were performed on these compounds, and various modifications were made to their structures involving relocation of the halogen atom, introduction of more halogen atoms, replacement of the halogen with another group, replacement of the methylene linker with a difluoromethylene linker, replacement of the para‐cyanophenyl ring with other ring structures, and replacement of the triazolyl group with an imidazolyl group. The most potent in vitro DASI discovered is an imidazole derivative with IC₅₀ values against aromatase and steroid sulfatase in a JEG‐3 cell preparation of 0.2 and 2.5 nM , respectively. The parent phenol of this compound inhibits aromatase with an IC₅₀ value of 0.028 nM in the same assay.     

Bicyclic Derivatives of the Potent Dual Aromatase–Steroid Sulfatase Inhibitor 2‐Bromo‐4‐{[(4‐cyanophenyl)(4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐4‐yl)amino]methyl}phenylsulfamate: Synthesis,SAR, Crystal Structure,and in vitro and in vivo Activities

The design and synthesis of a series of bicyclic ring containing dual aromatase–sulfatase inhibitors (DASIs) based on the aromatase inhibitor (AI) 4‐[(4‐bromobenzyl)(4H‐1,2,4‐triazol‐4‐yl)amino]benzonitrile are reported. Biological evaluation with JEG‐3 cells revealed structure–activity relationships. The X‐ray crystal structure of sulfamate 23 was determined, and selected compounds were docked into the aromatase and steroid sulfatase (STS) crystal structures. In the sulfamate‐containing series, compounds containing a naphthalene ring are both the most potent AI ( 39 , IC_{50 AROM}=0.25 nM ) and the best STS inhibitor ( 31 , IC_{50 STS}=26 nM ). The most promising DASI is 39 (IC_{50 AROM}=0.25 nM , IC_{50 STS}=205 nM ), and this was evaluated orally in vivo at 10 mg kg^?1, showing potent inhibition of aromatase (93 %) and STS (93 %) after 3 h. Potent aromatase and STS inhibition can thus be achieved with a DASI containing a bicyclic ring system; development of such a DASI could provide an attractive new option for the treatment of hormone‐dependent breast cancer.     

Development and analysis of high density poly ethylene (HDPE) nano SiO2 and wood powder reinforced polymer matrix hybrid nano composites

ABSTRACT

The Hybrid composites are the emerging materials which uses two or more reinforced particles or fibres simultaneously. As potential applications of the composites, wood reinforced thermoplastic composites are commercially attractive for high volume applications, but their properties can be enhanced by adding Nano SiO₂ particles. Wood powder and nano SiO₂ were mixed with high density polyethylene as matrix material. Wood powder with fixed 5 wt. % and Nano SiO₂ with varying weight % (3, 5, 7 wt. %) are reinforced in HDPE to manufacture composite materials by compression moulding process. Mechanical properties including tensile strength, flexural strength and Izod impact strength were evaluated and it was revealed that tensile strength and flexural strength were obtained maximum at 5 wt. % of Nano SiO₂ and impact strength was obtained maximum at 3 wt. % of Nano SiO₂.     

LOW TEMPERATURE FLOW CHARACTERISTICS OF SOME WAXY CRUDE OILS IN RELATION TO THEIR COMPOSITION : PART II EFFECT OF WAX COMPOSITION AND CONCENTRATION ON THE DEW AXED CRUDE OILS WITH / WITHOUT ADDITIVES

In this part of the work the effect of wax concentrations on the rheologica! properties of the dewaxed Duliajan (Assam) and Lingaia crude oils have been studied. The dewaxing of the crude oil was done by removing n-paraffins from the crude oil by urea adduction. The urea adducted n-paraffins concentrate-the wax- was characterized by its carbon number distribution. The urea non adducted oil portion - the denormalized crude oil (DNO)- was characterized for its pour point. The wax in different concentration was then added in the DNO and the change in the rheological properties like pour point, yield stress and plastic viscosity were studied using a Haake Rota Viscometer. The effect of carbon number distribution, i.e. the composition of the wax, on these rheological properties was also investigated. Four different commercial pour point depressanl additives have been used to study their effects on the pour point, yield stress and plastic viscosity of the reconstituted (wax mixed DNO) crude oils.

From this study it has been found that wax concentration and its composition are primarily responsible for the variation in the pour point of the DNO, and the DNO composition has a small effect. However, as seen in the Part I of this paper, the response of the pour point depressant additive in effecting the change in the pour point is primarily governed by the composition of the DNO. The additives have shown better response in the DNO having more aromatic concentrate, as has been found in the case of Duliajan (Assam) DNO.     

Solution combustion synthesis of nano particle La0.9Sr0.1MnO3 powder by a unique oxidant-fuel combination and its characterization

Strontium-doped Lanthanum manganite (Li_1−xSr_xMnO3) is the most used cathode material in modern Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC). A large quantity of LSM is required for making MW scale SOFC units. Many methods of preparation has been reported by various researchers. These include amorphous citrate process, freeze drying, spray pyrolysis, sol-gel, glycine nitrate method and self propagating high temperature synthesis etc. In this paper, a solution combustion synthesis method has been described using a unique combination of oxidant and fuel, nitrate-acetate stoichiometrically, which not only produces nano particle LSM powder but is safe even in large scale production due to gradual combustion without causing any fire hazard or explosion condition which is usually found in most of the solution combustion synthesis reactions. The powder obtained in this method has been characterized by XRD, SEM, particle size analysis, surface area analysis etc. The results have been found to be quite good and suitable for SOFC application. This powder has also been used in forming tubular structure as a part of preliminary experiments to make solid oxide fuel small cell.