Recycling of e-waste power cables using microwave-induced pyrolysis - process characteristics and facile recovery of copper metal.

This article reports on recycling e-wastes using a VVF power cable as a model through a rapid pyrolytic process following exposure to microwave radiation. This occurred three possible pathways: (i) discharges at the copper wire on exposure to microwaves, with heat produced causing the thermal decomposition of the covering material - a relationship exists between the length of the copper wire and the wavelength of the microwaves; (ii) microwave heating softened the wire's covering material and ultimately led to its decomposition - in addition, the coating material carbonized by the discharge is rapidly heated by microwaves; (iii) the carbonaceous component present in the covering material absorbed the microwaves, causing the thermal decomposition. On the other hand, for VVF cables longer than 12 cm canceled the wavelength-dependent process, and the longer the VVF cable was, the more efficient was the microwave-induced pyrolysis, therefore eliminating the need to pre-cut the waste VVF cable into smaller pieces.

The effect of inosine on the spectroscopic properties and crystal structure of a NIR-emitting DNA-stabilized silver nanocluster.

The effect of replacing guanosines with inosines in the two stabilizing strands (5'-CACCTAGCGA-3') of the NIR emissive DNA-AgNC was investigated. The spectroscopic behavior of the inosine mutants is position-dependent: when the guanosine in position 7 was exchanged, the nanosecond fluorescence decay time shortened, while having the inosine in position 9 made the decay time longer. Thanks to structural information gained from single crystal X-ray diffraction measurements, it was possible to propose a mechanistic origin for the observed changes.

N-C bond formation between two anilines coordinated to a ruthenium center in -form affording a 3,5-cyclohexadiene-1,2-diimine moiety.

Ruthenium complexes containing two anilines or its derivatives, -[Ru(NHCH)(bpy)] ([1]) and -[Ru(NHCH(4-CH))(bpy)] ([2]), were oxidized by four molar equivalents of (NH)[Ce(SO)]·2HO to give -phenylcyclohexa-3,5-diene-1,2-diimineruthenium(ii) complexes, -[Ru(HCH CH)(bpy)] ([4]) and -[Ru(HCH(4-CH)CH(4-CH))(bpy)] ([5]), respectively, through an N-C bond formation between two aniline ligands -coordinated to the ruthenium center.

Synthesis and investigation of sulfonated poly(-phenylene)-based ionomers with precisely controlled ion exchange capacity for use as polymer electrolyte membranes.

To achieve precise control of sulfonated polymer structures, a series of poly(-phenylene)-based ionomers with well-controlled ion exchange capacities (IECs) were synthesised a three-step technique: (1) preceding sulfonation of the monomer with a protecting group, (2) nickel(0) catalysed coupling polymerisation, and (3) cleavage of the protecting group of the polymers. 2,2-Dimethylpropyl-4-[4-(2,5-dichlorobenzoyl)phenoxy]benzenesulfonate (NS-DPBP) was synthesised as the preceding sulfonated monomer by treatment with chlorosulfuric acid and neopentyl alcohol. NS-DPBP was readily soluble in various organic solvents and stable during the nickel(0) catalysed coupling reaction.

Development of a novel cellulose solvent based on pyrrolidinium hydroxide and reliable solubility analysis.

Cellulose processing remains a challenge as it is insoluble in water and common organic solvents. Ionic liquids (ILs) are organic salts with a melting point below 100 °C and are known for their excellent solvent properties. Unlike common organic solvents, which can form toxic or flammable vapours due to their high volatility, ILs can be considered as more environmentally friendly due to their negligible vapour pressure and flame retardant properties.

Crystal structure of a DNA duplex cross-linked by 6-thioguanine-6-thioguanine disulfides: reversible formation and cleavage catalyzed by Cu(ii) ions and glutathione.

Herein, we determined the crystal structure of a DNA duplex containing consecutive 6-thioguanine-6-thioguanine disulfides. The disulfide bonds were reversibly formed and cleaved in the presence of Cu(ii) ions and glutathione. To our knowledge, this is the first reaction in which metal ions efficiently accelerated disulfide bond formation between thio-bases in duplexes.

Brønsted acidic ionic liquids for cellulose hydrolysis in an aqueous medium: structural effects on acidity and glucose yield.

The conversion of cellulose into valuable chemicals has attracted much attention, due to the concern about depletion of fossil fuels. The hydrolysis of cellulose is a key step in this conversion, for which Brønsted acidic ionic liquids (BAILs) have been considered promising acid catalysts. In this study, using BAILs with various structures, their acidic catalytic activity for cellulose hydrolysis assisted by microwave irradiation was assessed using the Hammett acidity function ( ) and theoretical calculations.