VOLUME 44, NO1, FEB-2022

Preparation of Pomelo Peel-Based Biomass Carbon Aerogel-MnO2 Composite Electrode and its Adsorption Performance of Rb+ and Cs+

Electrosorption can be used for both desalination of seawater and high value element ions enrichment, which has attracted more and more attentions because of its merits of low energy consumption, no pollution and inexpensive. The research focuses on the preparation of novel electrodes and selective electrosorption properties. In this paper, biomass carbon aerogel was prepared by hydrothermal-freeze drying- carbonization method using pomelo peel as raw material. A composite electrosorption electrode was obtained using pomelo peel-based carbon aerogel (PCA) as main component. The surface morphology, crystal structure, specific surface area and functional groups were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Then the effects of coexisted alkali/alkaline earth metal ions on the adsorption of Rb+ and Cs+ were studied. The pomelo peel-based carbon aerogel-manganese dioxide (PCA-MnO2) composite electrode shows good adsorption performance on Rb+ and Cs+. When alkali and alkaline earth metal ions coexist, PCA-MnO2 composite electrode exhibits the highest adsorption selectivity of Mg2+. The research content in this work broadens the source of electrosorption electrode and provides a reference for the study of competitive adsorption of alkali/alkaline earth metal ions.read more

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Yaoqiang Hu, Min Guo, Xiushen Ye, Quan Li, Haining Liu, Zhijian Wu

Vanadium-Regulated Ultrafine Molybdenum Carbide Nanoparticles by Anchorage on Graphene for Highly Active Hydrogen Evolution Reaction

Platinum-like molybdenum carbide (Mo2C) coupled with carbon-based supports is an effective strategy to promote the performance of catalysis and energy storage. However, inevitable aggregation of Mo2C impede the achievement of high catalytic performance for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, a vanadium-doped Mo2C nanoparticles anchorage on graphene (V-Mo2C) was developed. The V atoms can effectively regulate the electronic structure of Mo2C, improving the intrinsic activity and kinetics of electrocatalyst for HER. The ultrafine Mo2C nanoparticles with the size of about 2 nm are firmly anchorage on conductivity graphene substrate, which increases the number of active sites and contributes the high HER activity. As results, the V-Mo2C nanocomposite exhibits a remarkable HER performance with overpotentials of 284 mV at -10 mA·cm-2 and corresponding Tafel slopes of 65.0 dec-1 in 1M KOH. Notable, the V-Mo2C hybrid is observed long term stability for > 24 h, demonstrating that the structure of Mo2C nanoparticles anchored on graphene can significantly improve the performance for HER as well as stability. This work provides a reference for the synthesis of high-performance ultrafine transition metal carbide for HER or other catalytic system.read more

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Xiuyong Yu, Hao Liu and Shiduo Li

A New Approach to Hydrogen Sulfide Removal

Many separation processes are used to capture of hydrogen sulfide. Which of these techniques to choose depends on the location of the gas. Conventional gas cleaning processes have significant disadvantages such as considerable energy, maintenance costs and environmental concerns. Compared to conventional processes, membranes are light and compact and have a lower environmental impact, higher energy efficiency and ease of use. Although some rubber and glassy polymer membranes have been used for gas separation, there is an opportunity to reach a much larger potential market with newer and better membranes. In this study, H2S was captured with copper chloride in the polymeric membrane. Copper chloride was added to the polymeric membrane by mechanical mixing. The present study had two main objectives. First, a water-based membrane was prepared, and its characterization was done. Second, a pilot experimental apparatus was built for hydrogen desulfurization. Next, the capture of hydrogen sulfide with the membrane was tested in a pilot experimental apparatus. This study highlights that a new model membrane can utilize the hydrogen sulfur capture performance. FeS, iron (II) sulfide, and dilute HCl were used to obtain hydrogen sulfide in this study. The property of the membrane to hold H2S gas was examined with the amount of gas released by passing the H2S gas through the membrane. SEM-EDS analysis confirmed the accumulation of copper and H2S on the membrane surface. Also, no clogging and contamination problems were observed. The membrane retains its hydrophilic property even after use. The results obtained in the experimental study showed that the newly produced membrane captured 100 percent of H2S. The main object in this study, a new approach to H2S capture. The new copper loaden membrane tested in this study has successfully removed H2S and is expected to be a promising alternative to conventional desulphurization processes.read more

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Yasemin Yildiz

Ternary SLE Measurements for the Systems H2O+ZnCl2+Zn(H2PO2)2 at T= (298, 313 and 333) K

The solid-liquid equilibrium (SLE) of H2O+ZnCl2+Zn(H2PO2)2 ternary system at 298, 313 and 333 K have been studied with the use of isothermal method. Solid phase compositions have been determined with Schreinemaker’s method. H2O+ZnCl2+Zn(H2PO2)2 ternary systems have simple eutectic type in 298, 333K. One invariant point, two invariant curves and two crystallization region have been observed in the phase diagrams at 298, 333K. Otherwise, One invariant point, three invariant curves and two crystallization region have been observed in the phase diagrams in 313K. In the crystallization regions; (i) Zn(H2PO2).H2O and ZnCl2, (ii) Zn(H2PO2)2, Zn(H2PO2).H2O and ZnCl2, (iii) Zn(H2PO2)2 and ZnCl2 salts have been observed at 298 K, 313K, and 333 K, respectively. In H2O+ZnCl2+Zn(H2PO2)2 ternary system, the increasing salting-out effect of Zn(H2PO2)2 on ZnCl2 with temperature.read more

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Sevilay DEMİRCİ, Vedat ADIGÜZEL, Ömer SAHİN and Hasan ERGE

Boron Removal from Water and Wastewater using New Polystyrene-Based Resin Grafted with Trometamol and 3-Amino-1,2-propanediol

Boron is one of the significant micronutrients for the plants; however, its excessive concentrations are lethal to plants. The accumulation of boron may cause damage to the liver, kidney, nervous system, respiratory system, digestive system, reproductive system and even threaten human life. Researchers consider using different methods to prepare boron chelating resins. In this work, two innovative, facile, and low‐cost methods were developed to prepare polystyrene-alcohol resins. The KDN and KLA resins had the highest adsorption capacity for boric acid in an aqueous solution at 288 K ,and the adsorption capacity was 36.17 mg·g-1 and 43.47 mg·g-1, respectively. The desorption percentages of boric acid on KDN and KLA resins were 90.75 % and 90.32 % respectively, by using 1 mol·L-1 HCl as an eluent. Therefore, KDN and KLA resins have the characteristics of a simple experimental process, large adsorption capacity, high elution rate, reusable, and low production cost. Therefore, it has a high commercial value and development prospects.read more

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Huiling Liao, Yuli Fu, Haihua Hu, Meiling Zhu, Mancai Xu, Shihua Zhong

Identification of New Compounds in Epimedium L. based on Flavonol Secondary Metabolism and High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry

To derive and verify the chemical structure of the new components in Epimedium, the laws of secondary metabolism and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) were combined. Based on the chemical literature of Epimedium, the secondary metabolism network of flavonols was constructed, and the possible metabolites were deduced. After the metabolites, information was imported into PeakView software, and the ions with a mass error < 5 ppm, correct isotope distribution, and containing secondary fragments were taken as the target compounds. The chemical structures of new compounds were identified and verified by combining Formula Finder, Mass Calculators, online databases (SciFinder, Reaxys, ChemSpider, etc.) and secondary fragmentation rules. In this study, a total of 4 metabolic pathways and 64 compound structures were deduced, and two new components and 12 new compounds were identified in 54 batches of Epimedium samples from 15 species by high-resolution mass spectrometry. Furthermore, the long and tedious steps of phytochemical separation were simplified, experimental costs were reduced, and a new idea and method were suggested for the analysis and identification of secondary metabolites with pharmacological activity.read more

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Qin Weihan and Yang Yong

Induction of Selenium Nanoparticles Disturbs Behavior, Blood and Serum Biomarkers and Oxidative Stress Markers from Vital Organs of Male and Female Albino Mice

Current investigation was focused to determine the biological effects of Selenium nanoparticles (Se NPs) in mice. Se NPs (50mg/ml saline/Kg body weight) were intraperitoneally injected to 5 week old albino mice (N = 22) for 14 days. Control group was intraperitoneally injected with saline water (N = 22). In all subjects, a series of neurological tests, hematological parameters and markers of oxidative stress in vital organs were determined. We are reporting that rota rod and open field test performance remained unaffected in Se NPs injected mice when compared with saline treated controls. Male mice injected with Se NPs had significantly less line crossing (P = 0.02) while performing light dark box. They approached object A less frequently (P = 0.02) and spent lesser time with it (P = 0.001) during novel object recognition test (trial 1). % lymphocytes were significantly reduced (P = 0.03) in these mice while % monocytes were higher than control (P = 0.03). Concentration of cholesterol (P = 0.02) and LDL (P = 0.003) was significantly decreased in male mice. Female Se NPs treated mice spent less time (P = 0.05) with B object in trial 1 and 2 (P = 0.04) of novel object recognition test. They had significantly reduced cholesterol level (P = 0.02) and significantly increased catalase activity in the liver (P = 0.01) than control. Remaining parameters of behavior, blood chemistry and markers of oxidative stress from vital organs were non-significantly different upon their comparison between Se NPs and saline injected mice.read more

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Mubashra Salim, Maria Shahzeen, Maryam Nasir Khan, Rimsha Tariq, Gul Muhammad, Ghulam Shabbir, Laraib Nisar, Muhammad Naeem Ashiq and Furhan Iqbal

Molecular Docking Supported Observed Changes in Anticholinesterase, Antioxidant and α-Glucosidase Inhibitions upon the Bromination of Benzene Sulfonamide

Sulfonamide or sulfa drug is a known term used in various classes of medicines. Due to the high efficiency of sulfonamide group in various drugs candidates, it is still used as a vital moiety for the drug syntheses by the medicinal chemists. In this research, we have brominated benzenesulfonamide to get N, N-dibromobenzenesulfonamide. Furthermore, we have checked the comparative activities of both the starting sulfonamide and the brominated product. The anticholinesterase activity was determined with Ellman’s assay. α-Glucosidase inhibitory potential was determined with chromogenic assay. DPPH and ABTS free radicals were used in antioxidant assay. Both benzene sulfonamide and its brominated product showed activities in various concentrations in the in-vitro assays. The acetylcholinesterase and butyrylcholinesterase (AChE & BChE) inhibitions of the brominated product were prominent, i.e., 63.98±1.51% and 67.98±0.07% at highest concentrations with IC50 192.89 and 120.52 µg/ml respectively. The benzene sulfonamide exhibited 61.40±0.21% and 63.06±0.50% at highest concentrations with IC50 241.85 and 190.44 µg/ml respectively. The activity of the positive control galantamine was75.72±0.35% and 77.05±0.13% with IC50 43.30 and 35.06 µg/ml against AChE and BChE respectively. Similarly, in α-glucosidase assay, the brominated product showed excellent activity. Sulfonamide causing 74.62±0.40% while brominated sulfonamide showed 78.61% enzyme inhibition at 1 milligram per milliliter showing IC50 47.70 and 122.40 microgram per milliliter respectively. The Acarbose standard drug exhibited 86.61±0.43% activity with IC50 of 34.39 microgram per milliliter. In the ABTS and DPPH antioxidant assays, the synthesized dibromobenzenesulfonamide exhibited comparable results with sulfonamide i.e., 63.06±0.50% and 67.37±0.26% radicals scavenging at 1 milligram per milliliter having IC50 (µg/ml) of 190.44 and 109.03 respectively. Binding poses were explored by the help of docking simulations. Binding affinity data confirmed the in vitro activity. Our results concluded that in anticholinesterase, α-glucosidase inhibitory and antioxidant the activity can be increased by bromination of benzene sulfonamide.read more

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Mater H. Mahnashi, Bandar A. Alyami, Yahya S. Alqahtani, Ali O. Alqarni, Muhammad Saeed Jan, Muhammad Ayaz, Farhat Ullah, Umer Rashid and Abdul Sadiq

Xanthine Oxidase Inhibitory Mechanism of Fisetin and Hesperitin

Fisetin and hesperitin are two common flavonoids in plant medicines. In this paper, the mechanism of xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibition was systematically studied by combining experimental and theoretical methods. The HPLC results suggested that the XO inhibitory activity of fisetin (IC50, 0.140 mM) was superior to that of hesperitin (IC50, 0.635 mM). The spectrofluorimetry results showed flavonoids could induce the static fluorescence quenching of XO, indicating that they played the inhibitory activity by forming the complexes with XO. We showed the paramount force of fisetin and XO was hydrophobic; in the complex of hesperidin and XO, hydrogen bonding and van der Waals force were crucial forces. We used Autodock software for molecular docking. The results suggested that both fisetin and hesperitin entered the active pocket of XO, and the complexes were maintained by hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction, which coincided with the experimental results.read more

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Mengmeng Yu, Zhongbo Liu, Liang Jin and Guizhao Liang

Suppression of β-Cell Apoptosis from H2O2-Induced Oxidative Stress in MIN6 cells using Methyl Gallate

A major parameter for diabetic relevant diseases and hyperglycemia is the β-cell apoptosis. Anti diabetic drugs used widely these days chiefly target to lower hyperglycemia along with prevention of β-cells from apoptosis. In this study three natural products methyl gallate, syringic acid, and butanedioic acid from Myricaria germanica were analyzed for β-cell protection. Methyl gallate provided significant β-cell protection from H2O2-induced oxidative stress mediated apoptosis in MIN6 cells at 50 μM (95.5% ± 16.0 vs 57.6% ± 1.1) and at 100 μM (85.5% ± 7.0 vs 57.6% ± 1.1) concentrations.read more

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Tasneef Azam, Fouzia Noreen, Bina S. Siddiqui, Rahman M. Hafizur, Sabira Begum