Chemistry International

Pb((SePiPr2)2N(S2CNEt2) complex to lead chalcogenide nanoparticles: A pyrolysis approach

2024-04-21T09:43:26+00:00

This study investigated the use of a mixed ligand complex [Pb((SePⁱPr₂)₂N(S₂CNEt₂)] as a single-source precursor for synthesizing lead chalcogenide nanoparticles through pyrolysis. The complex was decomposed under nitrogen gas at 600 °C for 30 minutes, and the residue was dispersed in toluene. Surprisingly, the resulting nanoparticles exhibited a cubic PbSe crystal structure based on their P-XRD pattern rather than the expected ternary alloy of PbS_xSe_1-x. SEM analysis showed that the nanoparticles grew in clusters of cubes with an average size of 119 nm. EDX also confirmed the formation of binary PbSe nanoparticles rather than a ternary PbS_xSe_1-xalloy. The pyrolysis route found to be highly promising for the synthesis of pure lead chalcogenide nanoparticles.

Assessing the economic feasibility of commercializing cellulosic ethanol fuel production in Nigeria

2024-04-22T03:52:34+00:00

This study aims to assess the economic feasibility of commercializing cellulosic ethanol fuel in Nigeria, it proceeds beyond evaluating theoretical yield from the process of hydrolysis to investigation of yields based on total amounts of biomass or substrate used, cellulosic materials pretreated as well as enzymes used in the process of production. The cellulosic material in this study was Pernnisetum purpureum S, with three pretreatment methods including; dilute acid, sulphite pretreatment to overcome the recalcitrance effects of lignocellulose (SPORL) and alkaline wet oxidation methods used, followed by enzymatic hydrolysis then fermentation with zymase. It was observed that the smallest biomass particle size of 200 µm gave the highest ethanol yield and the actual ethanol yield obtained were 3.61, 6.90 and 7.71 % for dilute acid, alkaline wet oxidation and SPORL pretreatment methods respectively; this may not be economically feasible compared to the theoretical yield of 0.51 g ethanol/g glucose that is envisioned.

Nutritional composition and pasting properties of extracted starch from Maranta arundinacea L.

2024-05-04T07:49:41+00:00

This research focused on extracting and characterizing arrowroot starch, investigating the effects of planting locations on arrowroot rhizomes at 6 and 9 months. The nutritional composition analysis revealed an increase in carbohydrate and amylose content, while other components exhibited a decrease. Carbohydrates emerged as the predominant constituent of arrowroot, constituting approximately 88-90% of its composition. Furthermore, arrowroot starch extracted from 9-month-old rhizomes exhibited elevated viscosity and heat resistance values. Consequently, arrowroot starch presents itself as a novel raw material suitable for application in the food and manufacturing industries.

Effect of temperature on packed bed column adsorption performance for the treatment of contaminated water

2024-05-05T07:55:56+00:00

The performance of the agro-based adsorbents of Plantain Stem Room Temperature Dried (PSRTD), Palm Fruit Fibre Room Dried (PFFRD) and Banana Stem Room Temperature Dried (BSRTD) was tested to monitor the potential of Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) removal in packed bed units connected in series. The batch-wise process was conducted using crude oil and the operational condition included varying the temperature from the range of 15 ^oC to 120 ^oC. The research predicted an increase in Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) removal from temperatures above 15 ^oC to 45 ^oC and in some cases up to 60 ^oC. In most cases above the temperature range of 45 ^oC to 60 ^oC, the rate of TPH removal decreases, because of the low potential of the adsorbents to adsorb the total petroleum hydrocarbon content present in the contaminated water. Furthermore, the contaminated water phase and the molecular characteristics differ at this stage, which influences the adsorbent's performance and their potential in the percentage mitigation of the TPH removal in the treatment units connected in series. The comparison of the different adsorbents used has demonstrated that PSRTD > PFFRD > BSRTD. This research has shown that all three adsorbents are promising for the treatment of contaminated water media.