Ultrasonic preparation of mesoporous silica using pyridinium ionic liquid

Imidazolium Ionic Liquids as Designer Solvents Confined in Silica Nanopores

Composite silica xerogels were prepared via acid catalysed sol–gel route using tetraethoxysilan (TEOS) as silica precursor, and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate [BMIM][BF₄] or 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride [BMIM][Cl] ionic liquids, used simultaneously as co-solvents, catalysts and pore templates, at various IL-to-silica ratios. Morphology of the xerogels prepared using the different IL templating agents were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nitrogen sorption and small angle neutron scattering (SANS). The thermal behavior of the composites was analyzed by thermal gravimetry, whereas the compositions were checked by infrared spectroscopy and EDX. The differences in the morphology and thermal behavior of the composites due to the different IL additives were revealed.

Butyl-Methyl-Pyridinium Tetrafluoroborate Confined in Mesoporous Silica Xerogels: Thermal Behaviour and Matrix-Template Interaction

Organic-inorganic silica composites have been prepared via acid catalyzed sol-gel route using tetramethoxysilan (TMOS) and methyl-trimethoxysilane (MTMS) as silica precursors and n-butyl-3-methylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate ([bmPy][BF₄]) as co-solvent and pore template, by varying the content of the ionic liquid (IL). Morphology of the xerogels prepared using the ionic liquid templating agent were investigated using scanning electron microscopy and small angle neutron scattering (SANS). Thermal analysis has been used in order to evaluate the thermal and structural stability of the materials, in both nitrogen and synthetic air atmosphere. In nitrogen atmosphere, the IL decomposition took place in one step starting above 150 °C and completed in the 150–460 °C temperature interval. In synthetic air atmosphere, the IL decomposition produced two-step mass loss, mainly in the 170–430 °C temperature interval. The decomposition mechanism of the IL inside the silica matrix was studied by mass spectrometric evolved gas analysis (MSEGA). The measurements showed that the degradation of the IL’s longer side chain (butyl) starts at low temperature (above 150 °C) through a C-N bond cleavage, initiated by the nucleophilic attack of a fluorine ion.

Preparation of strontium doped mesoporous ZnO nanoparticles to investigate their dye degradation efficiency

Mesoporous strontium doped ZnO nanoparticles are synthesized as photocatalyst by using zinc nitrate hexahydrate, surfactant P123, strontium nitrate hexahydrate via the hydrothermal process. X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-visible spectroscopy (UV), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Photoluminescence (PL), Energy-dispersive x-ray (EDX), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) characterizations are used for the analysis of all the samples. XRD spectra disclose the disparity in the crystal size 14.98 to 22.74 nm. The study of UV spectroscopy revealed the energy bandgap difference between 3.3–2.92 eV. PL spectroscopy shows the effect of doping on the electron-hole recombination rate of the sample. FTIR analysis has utilized to determine the functional groups such as –OH, C=O=C, and –C–O present in the sample. EDX spectra show the elemental compositions of the sample. SEM images show the agglomerated morphology and TEM images show the different shape morphology of the sample. BET analysis shows the occurrence of 39.9 m2 g−1 surface area with mesoporous morphology. The effect of the increasing percentage of strontium on the photocatalytic capability of ZnO is checked against methylene blue and congo red dyes with 75% and 80% degradation.

Silica-Coated Magnetic Nanocomposites for Pb2+ Removal from Aqueous Solution

Magnetic iron oxide-silica shell nanocomposites with different iron oxide/silica ratio were synthesized and structurally characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), small-angle neutron scattering, magnetic and N2-sorption studies. The composite that resulted with the best properties in terms of contact surface area and saturation of magnetization was selected for Pb2+ adsorption studies from aqueous media. The material presented good absorption capacity (maximum adsorption capacity 14.9 mg·g−1) comparable with similar materials presented in literature. Its chemico-physical stability and adsorption capacity recommend the nanocomposite as a cheap adsorbent material for lead.

Influence of preparation method on structural, optical, magnetic, and adsorption properties of nano-NiFe2O4

Nickel ferrite (NiFe₂O₄) nanoparticles are prepared through different routes (microwave, co-precipitation, and pyrolysis) and tested for water purification applications through adsorption removal of an acid red dye B as a model organic pollutant. The characterizations of the prepared samples were done using XRD, FT-IR, SEM, TEM, BET, UV-Vis absorbance, Raman spectrum, and vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). All samples showed an inverse spinel crystal structure. The obtained results pointed out to the effect of the synthetic route on the morphology, particle size, optical, and magnetic properties of the prepared ferrites. Magnetic measurements showed super-paramagnetic behavior for all samples. The magnetic saturation (M_s) of the sample prepared by pyrolysis, was found to possess the highest saturation value, 34.8 emu/g. Adsorption experiments were performed under the change in several parameters, such as pH, adsorbent dosage, and initial dye concentration. A dye removal percentage of 99% was reached under the optimum state. The isothermal adsorption of the acid red dye was investigated using several models, in which the experimental data could be best described by the Freundlich model. Several kinetic and equilibrium models were inspected by linear regression analysis and showed best fitting for the adsorption data through pseudo-second-order model. The calculated thermodynamic parameters indicated that the adsorption of acid red dye onto all the ferrite samples is a spontaneous and endothermic physical adsorption process.

Ultrasound in Combination with Ionic Liquids: Studied Applications and Perspectives

Ionic liquids (ILs) as reaction media, and sonochemistry (US) as activation method, represent separately unconventional approaches to reaction chemistry that, in many cases, generate improvements in yield, rate and selectivity compared to traditional chemistry, or even induce a change in the mechanisms or expected products. Recently, these two technologies have been combined in a range of different applications, demonstrating very significant and occasionally surprising synergetic effects. In this book chapter, the advantages and limitations of the IL/US combination in different chemical applications are critically reviewed in order to understand how, and in which respects, it could become an essential tool of sustainable chemistry in the future. Fundamental aspects and practical considerations of the combination are discussed to better control and demonstrate the brought synergetic effects.