Amine-modified SBA-15 and MCF mesoporous molecular sieves as promising sorbents for natural antioxidant. Modeling of caffeic acid adsorption.

This work presents a detailed study of caffeic acid adsorption on mesoporous SBA-15 and MCF silicas functionalized with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) and 3-[2-(aminoethylamino)propyl]trimethoxysilane (AEAPTMS). Synthesized mesoporous adsorbents were characterized using different analytical techniques such as N2 sorption, XRD, TEM, SEM and FT-IR. The adsorption studies of caffeic acid were conducted in various organic solvents.

Functionalization of organically modified silica with gold nanoparticles in the presence of lignosulfonate.

It is shown that lignosulfonate (LS) can be used as an effective reducing agent for gold ions and simultaneously as a stabilizing agent for gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). When organically modified silica is introduced to the reaction mixture, most of the AuNPs grow on the surface of the silica due to hydrophobic interactions between LS and organic layers covering the solid particles. It was also found that the structure of the organic layer is crucial for the effective deposition of gold nanoparticles onto silica spheres in terms of particle size and gold content in the final SiO2-LS-AuNPs composites.

Selective electrochemical sensing of human serum albumin by semi-covalent molecular imprinting.

We devised and prepared a conducting molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for human serum albumin (HSA) determination using semi-covalent imprinting. The bis(2,2'-bithien-5-yl)methane units constituted the MIP backbone. This MIP was deposited as a thin film on an Au electrode by oxidative potentiodynamic electropolymerization to fabricate an electrochemical chemosensor.

Electrocatalysis of NADH oxidation using electrochemically activated fluphenazine on carbon nanotube electrode.

Electrocatalytic determination of NADH using a hybrid surface-modified electrode with multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and a novel electrogenerated redox mediator is described. The redox mediator precursor - fluphenazine (Flu) was adsorbed on MWCNT-modified glassy carbon (GC) electrode which was then subjected to electrochemical activation in 0.1 M H2SO4 using cyclic voltammetry (CV) over a range of potentials -0.

Kraft lignin/silica-AgNPs as a functional material with antibacterial activity.

Advanced functional silica/lignin hybrid materials, modified with nanosilver, were obtained. The commercial silica Syloid 244 was used, modified with N-(2-aminoethyl)-3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane to increase its chemical affinity to lignin. Similarly, kraft lignin was oxidized using a solution of sodium periodate to activate appropriate functional groups on its surface.

Photodegradation of Hydrophobic Pyridineketoximes in Toluene and Heptane.

The goal of the research was to study the reactivity of the hydrophobic 2- and 3-pyridineketoximes under exposure to UV-VIS light. The photodegradation was conducted in both toluene and heptane for 10 h under atmosphere of argon. Ten-hour irradiation experiments demonstrated that the pyridineketoximes underwent the facile E-Z photoisomerization, photo-Beckmann rearrangement, and to a lesser extent, the photosubstitution to the pyridine ring.

Impact of Alkyl Polyglucosides Surfactant Lutensol GD 70 on Modification of Bacterial Cell Surface Properties.

Alkyl polyglucosides, due to their low toxicity and environmental compatibility, could be used in biodegradation of hydrophobic compounds. In this study, the influence of Lutensol GD 70 on the cell hydrophobicity and zeta potential was measured. The particle size distribution and surfactant biodegradation were also investigated.

Biodegradation of Nonylphenol Monopropoxyethoxylates.

Aerobic biodegradation behavior of nonylphenol monopropoxyethoxylates was investigated in two tests with different inocula-sewage sludge and river water. Both primary biodegradation and formation of different biodegradation intermediates were studied. Primary biodegradation of nonylphenol monopropoxyethoxylates was relatively fast and complete with the sewage sludge as the inoculum.

Mesoporous materials as multifunctional tools in biosciences: principles and applications.

Research on mesoporous materials for biomedical and biological applications has experienced an outstanding increase during recent years. This review with ca. 420 references provides an overview of mesoporous structures covering synthesis and bioapplications.

Sodium molybdate - an additive of choice for enhancing the performance of AC/AC electrochemical capacitors in a salt aqueous electrolyte.

Sodium molybdate (Na2MoO4) has been used as an additive to 1 mol L(-1) lithium sulfate electrolyte for electrochemical capacitors based on activated carbon (AC) electrodes, in order to reduce the corrosion of stainless steel current collectors. We demonstrate that the MoO4(2-) anions improve the overall capacitance owing to pseudofaradaic processes. In a two-electrode cell, capacitance values of 121 F g(-1) have been achieved up to 1.

Redox-active electrolyte for supercapacitor application.

This paper reports the electrochemical behaviour of supercapacitor carbon electrodes operating in different aqueous solutions modified by various redox-active species (hydroxybenzenes, bromine derivatives and iodide). Three dihydroxybenzenes with varying stereochemistry, i.e.

Application of nanoporous silicas as adsorbents for chlorinated aromatic compounds. A comparative study.

The removal of two selected environmental pollutants such as 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and Triclosan (TC) was examined by adsorption experiments on the modified SBA-15 and MCF mesoporous silicas. Mesoporous adsorbents were modified by a grafting process with (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) and 1-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]urea (TMSPU). Mesoporous materials were synthesized and characterized by N2 adsorption-desorption experiment, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), elemental analysis and adsorption studies.

Separation and determination of homogenous fatty alcohol ethoxylates by liquid chromatography with mulitstage mass spectrometry.

Alcohol ethoxylates (AEs) are a significant component of a stream of surfactants directed to the aquatic environment. The aim of this work was the investigation of the dependence of the analytical signals of homogeneous AE homologues on liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry conditions, as well as the separation of AEs from the water matrix and, on this basis, the development of an analytical procedure suitable for the determination of AEs in environmental samples. Homogeneous homologues containing dodecyl moiety and 2-9 oxyethylene subunits were investigated.

Carbons and electrolytes for advanced supercapacitors.

Electrical energy storage (EES) is one of the most critical areas of technological research around the world. Storing and efficiently using electricity generated by intermittent sources and the transition of our transportation fleet to electric drive depend fundamentally on the development of EES systems with high energy and power densities. Supercapacitors are promising devices for highly efficient energy storage and power management, yet they still suffer from moderate energy densities compared to batteries.

Continuous Flow Methylene Blue Active Substances Method for the Determination of Anionic Surfactants in River Water and Biodegradation Test Samples.

Anionic surfactants are commonly determined with the use of the methylene blue active substances (MBAS) standard method, which is time-consuming and labor-intensive. Therefore, new methods for determination of anionic surfactants are needed. In this study, the standard MBAS method for determination of anionic surfactants was modified and adjusted to work in a continuous flow system combined with spectrophotometric measurement.

Comparison of Biodegradation of Nonylphenol Propoxylates with Usage of Two Different Sources of Activated Sludge.

Aerobic biodegradation behaviour of nonylphenol propoxylates was investigated in two tests with different sewage sludge as inocula. The samples containing target compounds were pre-concentrated using dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction and analysed with the use of high performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry. Both primary biodegradation and formation of different biodegradation by-products were studied.

Development of a Dispersive Liquid-Liquid Microextraction Procedure for Biodegradation Studies on Nonylphenol Propoxylates Under Aerobic Conditions.

Aerobic biodegradation behavior of nonylphenol propoxylates was investigated using dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction as a simple and fast technique for sample preparation. The developed method proved to be efficient for the isolation and concentration of nonylphenol propoxylates before their quantification with the use of high performance liquid chromatography. The primary biodegradation of nonylphenol propoxylates was approximately 80 % by 10 days after the beginning of the test.

In situ metathesis ionic liquid formation dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction for copper determination in water samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry.

In situ synthesis of ionic liquid extractant for dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction (in situ IL DLLME) combined with electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ET AAS) for determination of copper in water samples was developed. Analytical signals were obtained without the back-extraction of copper from the IL phase prior to its determination by AAS. Some essential parameters of the microextraction and detection techniques such as the pH of sample solution, volume of components for in situ synthesis, matrix interferences and main parameters of graphite furnace atomizer have been studied.

Modification of surface and enzymatic properties of Achromobacter denitrificans and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia in association with diesel oil biodegradation enhanced with alkyl polyglucosides.

The article concerns the influence of selected alkyl polyglucosides on biodegradation, cell surface and enzymatic properties of Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and Achromobacter denitrificans. The biodegradation of diesel oil depends on several factors including type and the amount of surfactant as well as bacterial genera used in the process. Nevertheless, a careful selection of these variables must be made as some bacterial strains prefer to use surfactants as their carbon source.

Biodegradation of Triton X-100 and its primary metabolites by a bacterial community isolated from activated sludge.

A set of studies was carried using a continuous flow biodegradation unit in order to isolate a microbial community capable of efficient and complete utilization of octylphenol ethoxylates from activated sludge. Increasing concentrations of Triton X-100 (in the range of 1-1000 mg/l) were applied over a time period of 35 days in order to select microorganisms, which exhibit high tolerance towards this surfactant. The fate of the surfactant and its primary degradation products was assessed by HPLC/MS.

Application of dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction followed by HPLC-MS/MS for the trace determination of clotrimazole in environmental water samples.

A method for the analysis of clotrimazole was developed with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction for sample pre-concentration and HPLC-MS/MS for analysis. A linear ion trap was used for the confirmation of clotrimazole identity in the samples. The developed method enables the analysis of clotrimazole in river water and sewage effluent from wastewater treatment plants with a LOQ of 0.

One-step synthesis of lignosulfonate-stabilized silver nanoparticles.

Softwood lignosulfonate (SLS) was used as a reducing agent for one-step synthesis of silver nanoparticles (SLS-AgNPs) in an aqueous solution at room temperature. In this reaction SLS acts also as a stabilizing agent and as a result, stable colloids of silver nanoparticles are formed during the reaction with the average particle size of 41 nm. The obtained SLS-AgNPs were characterized by UV-vis spectrophotometry, size distribution and AFM imaging after casting on mica.

Solid-phase extraction combined with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction, fast derivatisation and high performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis for trace determination of short-chained dodecyl alcohol ethoxylates and dodecyl alcohol in environmental water samples.

A new method was developed for preconcentration, derivatisation and analysis of short-chained dodecyl alcohol ethoxylates and dodecyl alcohol. Solid-phase extraction combined with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction was used for preconcentration of target compounds. Several parameters were optimised including different solid phase extraction sorbents, type and volume of both extracting and dispersive solvents.

Electrochemistry serving people and nature: high-energy ecocapacitors based on redox-active electrolytes.

Positive Poles: A new type of electrochemical capacitor with two different aqueous solutions, separated by a Nafion membrane is described. High capacitance values as well as excellent energy/power characteristics are reported and discussed. The neutral character of the applied electrolytes makes this capacitor an environmentally friendly, easy to assemble, and cost-effective device for energy storage.

Renewable cathode materials from biopolymer/conjugated polymer interpenetrating networks.

Renewable and cheap materials in electrodes could meet the need for low-cost, intermittent electrical energy storage in a renewable energy system if sufficient charge density is obtained. Brown liquor, the waste product from paper processing, contains lignin derivatives. Polymer cathodes can be prepared by electrochemical oxidation of pyrrole to polypyrrole in solutions of lignin derivatives.