Review
Chemistry, Physical
Saad Al-Saadi, R. K. Singh Raman
Summary: Mild steel is widely used in various industries and constructions, but it is susceptible to corrosion in aggressive environments. Silane pre-treatments have emerged as effective solutions for improving corrosion resistance. This review discusses the mechanistic features and factors influencing the performance of silane coatings on mild steel, as well as their application in mitigating microbiologically influenced corrosion.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Ruby A. Sims, Hidenori Noguchi, Sarah L. Harmer, Jamie S. Quinton, Kohei Uosaki
Summary: The research revealed the order of propyl chains during the adsorption of PTMS and PDMMS, as well as the impact of molecular packing density on film defects. Additionally, the formation of a physisorbed bilayer during the self-assembly process of PTMS was discovered for the first time, which is proposed to facilitate further condensation of the covalently bound film.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY B
(2021)
Review
Polymer Science
Chang Seok Ryu, Kwang-Jea Kim
Summary: This article reviews the accelerators, hydrolysis and condensation reaction mechanism of bifunctional alkoxy silane, as well as the mechanism of zinc ion in NR composites.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tinglong Liu, Yu Wang, Huan Zhang, Feng Chen, Qiang Fu
Summary: This paper investigates the modification mechanism of silane coupling agent (SCA) and the role of free silane in improving the interfacial compatibility between fillers and matrix. The degree of hydrolysis, self-polymerization, and graft coupling can be controlled by regulating the reaction conditions. The study also shows that the degree of hydrolysis and self-polymerization of free silanes significantly affect the fluidity and store stability of the modified fillers.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Ceramics
Ricardo Alvarado Meza, Tom Santori, Xavier Cattoen
Summary: The synthesis of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) for nanomedicine applications is influenced by various experimental factors and lacks reproducibility. This study used pH measurements and light diffusion monitoring to investigate the early stages of MSNs synthesis. The results revealed two hydrolysis regimes before nanoparticle formation, and the condensation reaction only initiated after silicate-surfactant micelle aggregation. Factors like stirring strength and presence of sodium hydroxide carbonates significantly affected the kinetics and size of MSNs formation, requiring careful control for reproducibility. The study proposed a formation mechanism that emphasized the interplay between chemical and physicochemical processes in this complex system.
JOURNAL OF SOL-GEL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
S. Verschraegen, E. Loccufier, L. De Keer, P. H. M. Van Steenberge, K. De Buysser, K. De Clerck, D. R. D'hooge
Summary: Organosilica sol-gel synthesis is a crucial chemical process for producing advanced functional network materials. This study addresses the lack of understanding of the chemical kinetics in this process and provides Arrhenius parameters for the key reactions involved. A Si-29 NMR protocol is proposed to quantitatively track the reactions at any process temperature, allowing for better characterization and analysis. The tuned Arrhenius parameters enable a better understanding of the isothermal and non-isothermal kinetics, leading to improved synthesis of sol/gel-like precursor solutions for various applications.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
Thomas J. McCarthy, Pei Bian
Summary: Methyl-, vinyl-, and hydride-terminated polymers of a heterocyclic monomer were prepared by a catalyzed reaction, showing molecular weight-dependent viscosities. These polymers can be used to prepare transparent solid elastomers.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ashmeet Singh, Jojo P. Joseph, Deepika Gupta, Chirag Miglani, Nimisha A. Mavlankar, Asish Pal
Summary: Peptides, as alternative catalysts to enzymes, self-assemble into nanostructures through external cues, mimicking the activity of hydrolase enzymes. The peptide nanostructures exhibit robust hydrolase activity over a broad range of temperature and pH.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Slawomir Rubinsztajn, Julian Chojnowski, Urszula Mizerska
Summary: Tris(pentafluorophenyl)borane (TPFPB) is a unique Lewis acid that enables the condensation between hydrosilanes (Si-H) and alkoxysilanes (Si-OR) to form siloxane bonds (Si-OSi) in the presence of TPFPB, resulting in the release of hydrocarbon (R-H) as a byproduct, known as the Piers-Rubinsztajn reaction. TPFPB also catalyzes reactions involving hydrosilanes with silanols (Si-OH), alcohols (R-OH), ethers (R-OR') or water to form siloxane bonds, alkoxysilane (Si-OR or Si-OR') or silanol (Si-OH), respectively. These Piers-Rubinsztajn reactions provide new synthetic tools for the controlled synthesis of siloxane materials under mild conditions with high yields. This review summarizes 20 years of research efforts in this field, highlights new synthetic methodologies for well-defined siloxane oligomers, polymers, and copolymers, and discusses the potential applications of these new materials. Furthermore, the mechanistic aspects of recently discovered reactions involving hydride transfer from silicon to silicon are also discussed in detail.
Article
Optics
Pedro Pessoa
Summary: This study presents an exact calculation of thermodynamical quantities related to Bose-Einstein condensation in arbitrary quantum systems, without relying on the thermodynamic limit. Results show that the derivative of specific heat in a three-dimensional box gas reaches smaller values than expected in the thermodynamic limit, confirming the importance of understanding the role of the thermodynamic limit in phase transitions. This approach allows for precise calculations irrespective of temperature, providing a way to further study BE statistics without relying on approximations near critical temperature or the thermodynamic limit.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Guangyan Hu, Shengming Jin, Kun Liu
Summary: The effect of the microstructure of a sodium silicate solution on the growth behavior of silica nanoparticles was investigated. The solution contained three types of particles: monomers, SiO2 clusters, and large colloidal particles. The primary particles in the sodium silicate solution exhibited a structure-directing effect on the formation of silica nanoparticles. The understanding of the sodium silicate structure and its regulation mechanisms provided a theoretical foundation for fabricating high-performance silica.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY C
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shiyuan Zhao, Haitao Zhong, Chunmei Geng, Hongjia Xue, Changshui Wang, Wenxue Sun, Ruili Dang, Wenxiu Han, Pei Jiang
Summary: In this study, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to investigate the toxic mechanisms of ACR in the main target tissues of rats, revealing 14 metabolic pathways related to amino acid, fatty acid, purine, and energy metabolism. The study suggests that the toxic mechanism of ACR may involve oxidative stress, inflammation, amino acid metabolism, and energy disorders.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Thermodynamics
Pavel Maryandyshev, Aleksei Kangash, Gwenaelle Trouve, Nicolas Rifflet, Sergei Pokryshkin, Viktor Lyubov, Alain Brillard
Summary: Slow pyrolysis experiments were conducted on Russian feedstock at 500 degrees C, with results showing differences in the chemical composition of the pyrolysis products. Hydrolysis lignin released the highest amount of phenol molecules, while peat produced a large quantity of sugars. The pyrolysis products of mixed sewage sludge were similar to those of spruce and pine samples.
JOURNAL OF THERMAL ANALYSIS AND CALORIMETRY
(2022)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Ruisong Wang, Karan Jakhar, Shoaib Ahmed, Dion S. Antao
Summary: Research investigates the mechanism of organofunctional silane SAM coating degradation during water vapor condensation and finds that coatings prepared in a dry environment exhibit superior long-term robustness.
ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kunpeng Wang, David Staack
Summary: The traditional production methods of high-quality fuels and petrochemicals are energy-intensive and emission-heavy, prompting the need for more sustainable alternatives. The use of electron beam irradiation offers a greener solution by initiating chemical reactions without any CO2 emissions. This technology allows for efficient conversion of liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons, potentially achieving zero emissions with renewable energy sources.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ahmed S. El-Shafie, Siham S. Hassan, Nuri Akther, Marwa El-Azazy
Summary: In this study, watermelon rinds were used as an eco-friendly and cost-efficient adsorbent to remove acridine orange from contaminated water samples. The adsorption efficiency of the adsorbents was optimized by adjusting factors such as pH, sorbent dosage, the concentration of acridine orange, and contact time. The prepared adsorbents were characterized and the adsorption kinetics were investigated. The results showed that the thermally treated watermelon rinds had higher adsorption capacity and could be regenerated effectively.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nessreen Al-Hashimi, Ahmed S. El-Shafie, Asmaa Jumaa, Marwa El-Azazy
Summary: A lanthanide-based optical sensor was developed for the sensitive and reliable determination of the fluoroquinolone antibiotic orbifloxacin. pH was identified as the most significant variable affecting fluorescence intensity, with FT-IR and Raman analyses confirming the complexation of ORLX with both metal ions. The proposed method was validated following ICH guidelines and showed successful analysis of injection formulation with high recovery rates.
JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ahmed S. El-Shafie, Insharah Ahsan, Mohamed Radhwani, Mohammed Ali Al-Khangi, Marwa El-Azazy
Summary: Cobalt oxide nanoparticles supported on olive stone biochar were used for the efficient sorption of rifampicin and tigecycline from wastewater. The adsorbent exhibited a large surface area and high pore-volume, leading to high adsorption efficiency. The Langmuir model perfectly described the adsorption of rifampicin, while the Freundlich model was suitable for tigecycline. The pseudo-second order model best represented the adsorption kinetics of both drugs.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ahmed Osman, Samer Fawzy, Mohamed Farghali, Marwa El-Azazy, Ahmed M. Elgarahy, Ramy Amer Fahim, M. I. A. Abdel Maksoud, Abbas Abdullah Ajlan, Mahmoud Yousry, Yasmeen Saleem, David W. Rooney
Summary: Biochar, a versatile and recycled material, has found many applications in various sectors such as agriculture, animal farming, environmental remediation, and construction. It offers benefits such as promoting crop growth, improving animal health, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and enhancing soil properties.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marwa El-Azazy, Insharah Ahsan, Nasr Bensalah
Summary: In this study, new electrochemical sensors based on the modification of glassy carbon electrode with multiwalled carbon nanotubes and rare metal oxides were fabricated. These sensors showed higher sensitivity and lower detection limits for sulfonamide drugs in water and biological samples.
Article
Polymer Science
Mafereka F. T. Mosoabisane, Adriaan S. Luyt, Cornelia G. C. E. van Sittert
Summary: This article investigates the influence of molecular interaction and morphology on the thermal and mechanical properties of LLDPE/wax blends. The cooling rate is not sufficient to determine the interactions between the molecules in the blends, therefore, samples were cooled at different rates to model the thermal and mechanical properties. The results show the cocrystallization of wax with LLDPE and confirm the rapid crystallization of both components.
JOURNAL OF POLYMER RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Filip Marinkovic, Blanka Skipina, Danijela Vukovic, Ernst H. G. Langner, Adriaan S. Luyt, Dusko Dudic
Summary: This article investigates the changing dielectric properties of a LDPE/ZIF-8 composite under gamma radiation. The study found that the conductivity of the samples increased linearly with increasing radiation dose, while the change in dielectric permittivity showed nonlinear behavior.
JOURNAL OF MACROMOLECULAR SCIENCE PART B-PHYSICS
(2022)
Article
Polymer Science
Junaid Saleem, Moghal Zubair Khalid Baig, Adriaan Stephanus Luyt, Rana Abdul Shakoor, Said Mansour, Gordon McKay
Summary: This study reports the production of reusable oil sorbent films by upcycling waste PE and PP. The sorbent films have a porous structure, good oleophilic properties, and high oil uptake capacity. Additionally, the thermal and mechanical properties of the films were also examined.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ahmed S. El-Shafie, Farahnaz G. Barah, Maha Abouseada, Marwa El-Azazy
Summary: This study investigated the efficacy of two biochar sorbents derived from orange peels for the removal of the antineoplastic drug daunorubicin from pharmaceutical wastewater. The results showed that magnetite-impregnated biochar had higher removal efficiency compared to pristine biochar.
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Junaid Saleem, Zubair Khalid Baig Moghal, Adriaan S. Luyt, R. A. Shakoor, Gordon McKay
Summary: Spin coating is commonly used to prepare thin films with uniformity and controlled thickness. However, it has not been successful in producing free-standing thin films of polyolefins due to their insufficient strength. In this study, we have achieved free-standing thin films of polyolefins, such as polyethylene, with varying thickness. These films can be used for hydrophobic coating, filtration membranes, and oil-sorbents.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Marwa El-Azazy, Ahmed S. El-Shafie, Reem Al-Mulla, Siham S. Hassan, Hassan I. Nimir
Summary: Pharmaceutical compounds pose a growing concern as emerging contaminants in aquatic systems, with antibiotics as a major class. This study successfully utilized mango seeds kernel as an adsorbent to efficiently remove rifampicin and tigecycline from wastewater. The nano-ceria-laden mango seeds kernel exhibited better adsorption performance. This research establishes the suitability of this modified adsorbent as a green, sustainable, cost-effective, selective, and efficient method for pharmaceutical wastewater treatment.
Article
Spectroscopy
Ahmed S. El-Shafie, Evana Rahman, Yasser Gadelhak, Rehab Mahmoud, Marwa El-Azary
Summary: The recycling of waste mandarin peels into biochar (MRBC) has been used as a high performance and cost-effective adsorbent for treating polluted wastewater effluents. Batch adsorption studies were conducted to analyze the adsorption competency of MRBC on two dyes, methylene blue (MB) and basic fuchsin (BF), either in individual solutions or binary combinations. The results showed that MRBC was capable of effectively removing a high percentage of both dyes. However, the adsorption capacity decreased when the dyes were combined. The cost estimation of MRBC production and wastewater treatment indicated that both were relatively low.
SPECTROCHIMICA ACTA PART A-MOLECULAR AND BIOMOLECULAR SPECTROSCOPY
(2024)
Article
Polymer Science
Junaid Saleem, Zubair Khalid Baig Moghal, Rana A. Shakoor, Adriaan S. Luyt, Gordon McKay
Summary: Mixed polyolefin-based waste requires immediate attention to mitigate its negative impact on the environment. The separation of these plastics is energy-intensive due to their similar densities, and they cannot be blended without compatibilizers due to their inherent incompatibility. This study presents non-wettable microporous sheets made from recycled polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), which demonstrate efficient oil-water separation and high reusability. These findings emphasize the importance of sustainable solutions for plastic recycling and mitigating oil spill problems.
Article
Water Resources
Ahmed S. El-Shafie, Maha Abouseada, Marwa El-Azazy
Summary: In this study, pistachio nutshells-derived biochar was utilized as a cost-effective adsorbent for efficiently removing methyl orange dye from wastewater. The morphology, stability, and structure of the biochar and its TiO2 functionalized form were extensively analyzed using various characterization techniques. It was found that the TiO2 functionalized biochar exhibited a synergistic photocatalytic-adsorptive efficiency in dye removal. The experimental results showed that the TiO2 functionalized biochar achieved a higher removal rate compared to adsorption alone.
APPLIED WATER SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ahmed S. El-Shafie, Fatima Karamshahi, Marwa El-Azazy
Summary: The performances of four adsorbents in removing methylene blue (MB) from wastewater were compared. Fe3O4@AVS-BC and Fe3O4@MMT nanocomposites showed superior removal percentages. Fe3O4@AVS-BC demonstrated a higher selectivity towards MB as compared to other organic contaminants.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
