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Lateral flow immunoassay (LFIA) is the most widely used platform of the point-of-care (POC) detection. Since the most important factor in deciding the results of this technique is the visual quality of the test, it should be at its optimum. To address this issue, the present study examines optimising critical parameters to improve the quality of LFIA performance. In this regard the penicillin-binding protein 2a (PBP2a) in methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) was selected as a bacterial model. The targeted parameters included a) size of gold nanoparticles (AuNP), b) antibody conjugation conditions with AuNP, c) antibody concentrations in the capturing zones, d) the effects of blocking substances and different chemical buffers for pre-treatment of the strips. Visual quality of different manufactured strips revealed that the diameter of 14 ± 2, PH = 9.5 was the optimum for improvement of MRSA detection quality. The optimum concentration of labelling antibody in conjugate pad and concentration of the capturing antibody in the test band were 40 µg/ml and 1.1 µg/μl in PBS buffer (pH 7.4) respectively. In conclusion by finding the critical factors affecting the detection limit of lateral flow and optimising them, the visual quality of LFIA results can be increased.

High levels of soil salinity can cause substantial decline in growth and productivity of crops worldwide, thus representing a major threat to global agriculture. In recent years, engineered nanoparticles (NPs) have been deemed as a promising alternative in combating abiotic stress factors, such as salinity. In this context, the present study was designed to explore the potential of cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2NPs) in alleviating salt stress in grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. cv. Flame Seedless) cuttings. Specifically, the interaction between CeO2 NPs (25, 50 and 100 mg L−1) and salinity (25 and 75 mM NaCl) was evaluated by assaying an array of agronomic, physiological, analytical and biochemical parameters. Treatments with CeO2 NPs, in general, alleviated the adverse impacts of salt stress (75 mM NaCl) significantly improving relevant agronomic traits of grapevine. CeO2 NPs significantly ameliorated chlorophyll damage under high levels of salinity. Furthermore, the presence of CeO2 NPs attenuated salinity-induced damages in grapevine as indicated by lower levels of proline, MDA and EL; however, H2O2 content was not ameliorated by the presence of CeO2 NPs under salt stress. Additionally, salinity caused substantial increases in enzymatic activities of GP, APX and SOD, compared with control plants. Similar to stress conditions, all concentrations of CeO2 NPs triggered APX activity, while the highest concentration of CeO2 NPs significantly increased GP activity. However, CeO2 NPs did not significantly modify SOD activity. Considering mineral nutrient profile, salinity increased Na and Cl content as well as Na/K ratio, while it decreased K, P and Ca contents. Nevertheless, the presence of CeO2 NPs did not lead to significant alterations in Na, K and P content of salt-stressed plants. Taken together, current findings suggest that CeO2 NPs could be employed as promising salt-stress alleviating agents in grapevine.

This work describes the synthesis of a novel organic–inorganic nanocomposite membrane via an efficient one-pot approach of co-deposition of octa-aminopropyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane hydrochloride salt (OA–POSS) and polyoxometalate (POSS–Mo36) onto a support membrane. The structure and morphology of the thin film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). In addition, the effect of POSS–Mo36 on the performance of the thin film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes was investigated in a forward osmosis (FO) process. Experimental results demonstrate the enhanced desalination performance of the synthesized as compared to thin-film composite (TFC) polyamide membranes.

Octavinyl polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) was polymerized on the surface of Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) and then the NPs were functionalized with carboxylic acid groups using thiol-ene click reactions with thioglycolic acid. The as-prepared Fe3O4@POSS-COOH magnetic hybrid NPs had mesoporous structures with an average particle diameter of 15 nm and a relatively high specific surface area of 447 m2·g−1. Experimental results showed that 4 mg of Fe3O4@POSS-COOH NPs efficiently adsorbed and removed methylene blue from water at 5 min. This is due to the presence of both carboxylic acid and pendant vinyl groups on the Fe3O4@POSS-COOH NPs. These NPs could be easily withdrawn from water within a few seconds under moderate magnetic field and showed high stability in acid and alkaline aqueous mediums.

The present work is developed for the catalysis of azide-alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction with the aid of copper–manganese mixed oxides nanoparticles. The Cu/MnOx nanoparticles have been synthesized by a coprecipitation procedure. Characterization of Cu/MnOx nanoparticles was performed by various spectroscopic techniques, such as powder XRD, Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and SEM and TEM analyses. The azide-alkyne cycloaddition reactions successfully proceed under air in presence of the as-prepared copper–manganese mixed oxides nanoparticles. The methodology is advisable to a wide variety of various alkynes and benzyl halide moieties signifying its well suitability.

Thin-film composite (TFC) membranes with high water flux and low reverse salt flux are the most conventional materials for forward osmosis (FO) process. However, these membranes are not suitable for natural or wastewaters treatment due to the intrinsic physicochemical and surface properties of the rejection layer. The present work shows the fabrication of new thin film nanocomposite (TFN) forward osmosis membranes incorporate superhydrophilic modified silica nanoparticles. Surface of silica nanoparticles were functionalized by quaternary ammonium groups and subsequently were coated using superhydrophilic wheel polyoxometalates (POM). TFN membranes containing different weight ratio of nanoparticles in PA rejection layer were synthesized by interfacial polymerization (IP) of m-phenylenediamine (MPD) and trimesoyl chloride (TMC) as monomers in aqueous and organic solution, respectively. POM coated silica nanoparticles were dispersed in aqueous solution of MPD monomer prior to IP process. The changing in the performance and physicochemical properties of TFN membranes incorporating with superhydrophilic nanoparticles were investigated by different instrumental analysis and were compared with a pristine TFC membrane. Compared to pristine TFC membrane, the TFN membrane with 0.2 wt% nanoparticle incorporation (TFNw0.2) showed superior water flux (18 vs. 31 LMH in FO mode) and negligible increases in reverse salt flux (6.25 vs. 8.45 gMH). In addition, better anti-fouling propensity toward protein (bovine serum albumin, BSA) and organic (sodium alginate, SA) foulant was observed. Therefore, Using newly developed thin film nanocomposite membranes may provide a novel class of high-performance membrane for FO processes.

Cyclodextrin molecules are cyclic oligosaccharides that display a unique structure including an inner side and two faces on their outer sides. Each face and the inner core can be selectively functionalized with polymers so that nanoscale materials with complex structures can be formed. Materials based on cyclodextrin with controlled architectures can be synthesized by taking advantage of the flexibility, simplicity, and availability of reagents of the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) technique. Combining supramolecular chemistry enabled by cyclodextrins and ATRP yields polymers with a unique macromolecular architecture such as star polymers with large numbers of branches. Herein, we describe the preparation and properties of cyclodextrin initiators, cyclodextrin monomers, and polymers attached to cyclodextrin via the “grafting to” method or host–guest interactions. The strategies for pre-functionalizing cyclodextrins, subsequent ATRP, and self-assembly of the obtained polymers are compared and discussed. This class of polymers has found applications in various biomedical areas, as templates for fabricating inorganic nanoparticles, and for separating chiral organic molecules.

Ultra-small and highly dispersive (2O2. The electrochemical oxygen-evolution reaction of the iron oxide hydroxide is also tested under acidic, neutral, and alkaline conditions. In the presence of the iron oxide hydroxide, excellent conversions (75–100%) and selectivities of substrates (92–97%), depending on the nature of the sulfide, were obtained. Benzylalcohols having electron-donating and-withdrawing substituents in the aromatic ring were oxidized to produce the corresponding aldehydes with excellent conversion (65–89%) and selectivity (96–100%) using this iron oxide hydroxide. The conversion of styrene and cyclooctene toward the epoxidation in the presence of this catalyst are 60 and 53%, respectively. Water oxidation for the catalysts was investigated at pH 2, 6.7, 12, and 14. The onset of OER at pH 14 is observed with a 475 mV overpotential. At 585 mV overpotential, a current density of more than 0.18 mA/cm2 and a turnover frequency of 1.5/h is observed. Operando high-resolution visible spectroscopy at pH 14, similar to previously reported investigations, shows that Fe(IV)=O is an intermediate for water oxidation.

The preparation and characterization of binary spinel nickel cobaltite, NiCo2O4 are presented by two methods. The prepared NiCo2O4 nanocomposites were tested for 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of different benzyl halides with phenylacetylene. The heterogeneity of the NiCo2O4 catalytic system was investigated using a hot filtration test, indicating that there is virtually no catalyst leaching into the reaction solution under the applied reaction conditions. Furthermore, our results show that the catalytic system can be reused four times without significant loss of stability or any additional treatment.

A novel oxo-diperoxo tungsten(VI) complex, [WO(O2)2(Hphox)], was prepared by reaction of WO3 in H2O2 with an oxazine-type ligand, 2-(2′-hydroxylphenyl)oxazine (Hphox). The complex was characterized...

A copper (I) complex containing 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dmph), [Cu(dmph)2]Cl·6H2O, was prepared by reaction of CuCl2·2H2O and 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline in an aqueous solution at pH = 11 and characterized using elemental analysis, IR, EDX and X-ray crystallography. The complex consists of a mononuclear copper (I) surrounded by four coordinating nitrogen atoms of two dmph ligands, one Cl− anion and six H2O molecules. This novel cupper (I) complex was used as a catalyst for alkyne-azide cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction to produce several 1,2,3-triazoles in high yields. The presented catalytic system fulfils the requirements of “click chemistry” with its soft and appropriate conditions, notably in water as solvent with low catalyst amount without any co-catalyst or activator.

A nanosensor, based on 8-hydroxyquinoline functionalized graphene oxide, was developed for the fluorescence detection of Zn2+. It showed high selectivity and sensitivity for Zn2+ion in aqueous solution over other metal ions such as Li+, Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, Al3+, Cd2+, Co2+, Cu2+, Hg2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, Fe2+, Fe3+and Cr3+. Due to the linearity of the emission intensity toward Zn2+ concentration, fluorescent technique could be used for the detection of Zn2+ ion even at very low concentrations.

Magnetic chitosan/Cu–Mg–Al layered double hydroxide (mCSLDH) nanocomposite was prepared and copper(II) ions were immobilized in the prepared composite. The nanocomposite [(Cu-mCSLDH)] was characterized by FT-IR, XRD, VSM, AAS, EDX, SEM and TEM. The utility of nanocomposite was investigated in the one-pot three-component (A3) coupling of aldehydes, amines and alkynes to produce propargylamines. The Cu-mCSLDH nanocomposite is found to be highly efficient and recyclable heterogeneous catalyst.

Studies on nano-sized particles have been the range for the past 10–15 years. With rapid growth of metal oxide nanotechnologies during the last decades, the application of this material in the field of catalysis has become a substantial research area. In the past decades, the utilization of transition metal oxide nanoparticle catalysts for industrial application in the synthesis of important chemical intermediates has been investigated by industrial and academic communities. Compared to other catalysts, one of the outstanding properties of metal oxide nanoparticles in catalysis is represented by the high selectivity which allows discrimination within chemical groups and geometrical positions, favoring high yields of the desired product. This review is devoted to dealing with the application of transition metal oxide nanoparticles as catalyst for oxidations of sulfides, alcohols, olefins, and alkanes toward the synthesis of a variety of organic compounds, such as sulfoxides, aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids, epoxides and alcohols.

Cuprous oxide (Cu2O) nanoparticles were prepared by two simple methods and their structural, morphological and electronic properties were investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis, X-ray absorption near-edge structure, energy dispersive X-ray analysis and scanning electron microscopy. Cuprous oxide nanoparticles efficiently catalyse 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of a variety terminal alkynes and organic azides producing the corresponding 1,2,3-triazole derivatives in excellent yields without use of any additives. Phenylacetylene and benzyl chloride were chosen as model starting compounds for the optimisation of the reaction conditions, such as effect of solvent, reaction temperature and time of reaction in the presence of a-Cu2O nanoparticles as a catalyst. The results showed that using cuprous oxide nanoparticles (0.035 mmol) and heating at 70 °C in water, the reaction of phenylacetylene with benzyl chloride and sodium azide gave 1-benzyl-4-phenyl-1 H-1,2,3-triazole almost quantitatively in 6 h of reaction time. A study of the recyclability and reusability of the catalyst revealed that a-Cu2O could be reused at least five times without significant loss of yield.

Polyoxomolybdate [Mo 36 O 110 (NO) 4 (H 2 O) 14 ]·52H 2 O was synthesized by a simple one-pot procedure through reducing an acidified mixture of Na 2 MoO 4 ·2H 2 O and NH 2 OH·HCl. In order to create a heterogeneous catalyst system, the polyoxomolybdate was pillared with MgAl-LDH-NO 3 by direct ion exchange. These novel materials were carefully analyzed by various chemico-physical methods. The catalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) and rhodamine B (RB) as common dyes in the presence of MgAl-LDH– 1 nanoparticles with aqueous hydrogen peroxide, H 2 O 2 , as an oxidizing agent was studied in aqueous solution at room temperature. More importantly, the catalyst can be recovered and reused efficiently up to five consecutive cycles with negligible loss of catalytic activity.

Graphene oxide was an effective supporting material for immobilizing a dioxomolybdenum Schiff base complex via covalent interaction. The large surface of graphene oxide plays important roles to obt...

A new decavanadate polyoxovanadate nanocluster, [2-ampH]6[V10O28]∙2H2O (1), was synthesized through reaction between ammonium vanadate and 2-aminopyridine at pH = 2. Nanocluster 1 was characterized by IR, elemental analysis, and X-ray crystallography. 1 was found to adsorb and desorb dyes and may have widespread application in wastewater treatment. The utility of 1 for adsorption of methylene blue was studied. The adsorbed dyes can be easily desorbed, and 1 has full efficiency after five cycles.

Tetraethylammonium salt of a new Keggin-type 12-molybdovanadate nanocluster, [(C 2 H 5 ) 4 N] 4 [VMo 12 O 40 ] ( 1 ) was synthesized via reaction between sodium tungstate, ammonium vanadate and tetraethylammonium bromide in acidic medium. Compound 1 was characterized by X-ray crystallography, FT-IR, UV–Vis and cyclic voltammetry and then applied as an efficient heterogeneous catalyst to oxidation of various organosulfides to sulfoxides with H 2 O 2 at room temperature with 81–100% conversion and 60–99% selectivity. Nanocluster 1 was also shown to display excellent recyclability – it can be reused more than 10 times.

Tetra-coordinated copper(II) complexes, [CuL2] and [Cu(phox)2], were synthesized by reaction of 1-((4-bromophenylimino)methyl)naphthalen-2-ol, HL, and 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-2-oxazoline, Hphox, ligands with copper acetate, respectively. The complexes were characterized using FT-IR spectroscopy, elemental analyses, and their solid state structures were confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The catalytic activity of the complexes was evaluated in one-pot azide–alkyne cycloaddition (AAC) click reaction in water without need of any additional agent. The [CuL2] complex showed high catalytic activity in this reaction‌‌‌ and 1,2,3-triazole derivatives were produced in moderate to good yields.

We report design and structural characterization of six new coordination polymers fabricated from PbCl2 and a series of closely related bis-pyridyl ligands LI and HLII–HLVI, namely, [Pb2(LI)Cl4]n, [Pb(HLII)Cl2]n·nMeOH, [Pb(HLIII)Cl2]n·0.5 nMeOH, [Pb2(LIV)Cl3]n, [Pb(HLV)Cl2]n, and [Pb3(LVI)2Cl4]n·nMeOH. The topology of the obtained networks is dictated by the geometry of the organic ligand. The structure of [Pb2(LI)Cl4]n is constructed from the [PbCl2]n two-dimensional (2D) sheets, linked through organic linkers into a three-dimensional framework, which exhibits a unique binodal 4,7-connected three-periodic topology named by us as sda1. Topological analysis of the 2D metal–organic sheet in [Pb(HLII)Cl2]n·nMeOH discloses a binodal 3,4-connected layer topology, regardless of the presence of tetrel bonds. A one-dimensional (1D) coordination polymer [Pb(HLIII)Cl2]n·0.5 nMeOH is considered as a uninodal 2-connected chain. The overall structure of [Pb2(LIV)Cl3]n is constructed from dimeric tetranuclear [Pb4(μ3-L...

Vanadium (V) and tungsten (VI) oxoperoxo complexes supported on Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized and characterized. These compounds are assigned as catalyst 1 (C1: Fe3O4@Gly@r-Py@VO3) and catalyst 2 (C2: Fe3O4@Gly@r-Py@WO3), respectively, and were found to be efficient and reusable heterogeneous catalysts for the oxidation of alcohols and sulfides using H2O2.

Cu2O nanocubes, octahedra, spheres and truncated rhombic dodecahedral were prepared and their structural, morphological, and electronic properties were investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis, X-ray absorption near edge structure, scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope and X-ray absorption near edge structure. Cu2O nanocrystals were successfully employed to catalyze the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction for the synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted triazoles. Cu2O nanocubes and octahedral showed the superior catalytic performance in the cycloaddition reaction. These results reveal that crystal-plane engineering of oxide catalysts is a useful strategy for developing efficient catalysts for organic reaction.

A copper-containing polyoxovanadate nanocluster, [(C2H5)4N]4[V8Cu2O24]∙2H2O (1), was synthesized through reaction between the Cu(NO3)2∙3H2O and [(C2H5)4N]4VO3 in the molar ratio 1 : 4. Nanocluster ...

A new series of cadmium(II) and zinc(II) coordination polymers, formulated as {[Cd1.5(μ-L)(μ-CH3COO)(μ-N3)(CH3OH)]·3CH3OH}n (1), {[Zn(μ-L)Br]·CH3OH}n (2), {[Zn(μ-L)I]·CH3OH}n (3), {[Zn(μ-L)(N3)]·C2H5OH}n (4), and [Zn2(μ-L)2(μ-N3)2]n (5), was self-assembled from the metal(II) acetates (or nitrates), a multifunctional pyridine-hydrazone building block {HL = 2-benzoylpyridine-isonicotinoylhydrazone}, and auxiliary ligands selected from NaN3, KBr, or KI. All products 1–5 were isolated as stable crystalline solids and were fully characterized by elemental analysis, IR spectroscopy, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Although in all compounds the pyridine-hydrazone blocks L1− simultaneously act as μ-spacers and N2,O-chelators (adopting the enolic = N N C O form), the structures of 1–5 are modulated by the type of an auxiliary ligand and thus vary from ladder-like double chains in 1 and zigzag 1D chains in 2–4 to intricate 2D layers in 5. Topological analysis of the underlying metal-organic networks revealed the 2C1 (in 2–4) and hcb (in 5) topologies, while a decorated ladder was identified in 1. Besides, the structure of 1 revealed an interesting example of cyclic hexameric (CH3OH)6 clusters formed by H-bonding interactions between adjacent methanol molecules of crystallization. The role of hydrogen bonds, π⋯π interactions, and presence of solvent molecules of crystallization was analyzed from the structural data and by Hirshfeld surface analysis.

Mahmoudi, Ghodrat/0000-0002-4846-5283; Amini, Mojtaba/0000-0001-6509-5942 WOS: 000395610900018 A copper complex containing decavanadate nanocluster, Na-2[Cu(H2O)(6)](V10O28]center dot 4H(2)O, was prepared by reaction of Cu(NO3)(2)center dot 4H(2)O and NH4VO3 in an aqueous solution at pH = 4 and its structure was characterized using IR, CV and X-ray crystallography. It was found to be a highly efficient and effective catalyst for the azide alkyne cycloaddition and one-pot three-component (A(3)) coupling of aldehydes, amines, and alkynes to produce 1,2,3-triazoles and propargylamines respectively in high yields without any co-catalyst or activator. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. Research Council of University of Maragheh; Tehran UniversityUniversity of Tehran Partial funding support was provided by the Research Council of University of Maragheh (M.A.) and Tehran University (S.M.F.). Also the authors acknowledge Scientific and Technological Research Application and Research Center, Sinop University, Turkey, for the use of the Bruker D8 QUEST diffractometer.

The problem of finding a way to store energy from abundant sources such as sunlight, wind or geothermal heat is critical. Water splitting toward hydrogen production is a very promising way for the goal. Although the cathodic reaction is of major interest in hydrogen production, the concurrent anodic water oxidation, which provides cheap electrons for the cathodic reaction, is a limitation for hydrogen formation. The best water-oxidizing catalyst was found by Nature million years ago and used in plants, algae and cyanobacteria. We believe learning from the natural system is very promising, because Nature has been successfully splitting water for millions of years, using an inexpensive and environmentally friendly Mn Ca oxido cluster. Herein we study the phenol oxidation by some nano-sized metal oxides in the presence of H2O2. As metal oxides are functional and structural models for the water-oxidizing complex in Photosystem II, the results can be expanded for the natural site. We suggest that low organic compound oxidation under water oxidation is an important issue to select manganese and calcium ions for water oxidation.

Palladium nanoparticles supported on Incompletely Condensed Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxane (IC-POSS) based poly (Acrylamide-co-Hydroxy ethyl methacrylate) as a novel nanohybrid catalyst were synthesized and characterized. This catalyst was found to be an efficient and reusable heterogeneous catalyst for the Heck reaction using water as the solvent in the absence of a phosphine ligand and phase transfer catalyst.

Cu2+ ions immobilized on a novel magnetic chitosan-based catalytic system were prepared in combination with laponite RD. The CuII–magnetic chitosan/laponite RD (Cu–mCSLap) nanocomposite was characterized via X-ray diffraction, energy dispersive X-ray, scanning electron microscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. Further, the catalytic activity of this well-defined material was investigated in three-component CuAAC reactions to obtain 1,4-disubstituted-1,2,3-triazoles in good to excellent yields from an organic halide, sodium azide, and an alkyne using air-in-water as a green solvent.

Background: West Nile fever, as an expanding zoonotic disease, has been reported from different creatures involved in the disease from Iran. In addition to biological mosquito-associated factors, various elements such as their activi­ties, distribution, behavior and vectorial capacity could be affected by environmental factors. We determined the dis­tribution of West Nile virus (WNV) vectors, the environmental factors affecting WNV transmission and the high-risk areas across West Azerbaijan Province (Northwestern Iran), regarding the potential of WNV transmission using Ge­ographical Information System (GIS). Methods: Mosquitoes’ larvae and adults were collected from different habitats of the province in 2015 and identified using standard morphological keys. The data regarding the distribution of mosquitoes across the studied area were organized in ArcMap databases. Inverse Distance Weighted (IDW) interpolation analysis was conducted on the data of synoptic stations to find climatic variables in the collection sites of different mosquito species. Layers of transmis­sion-related environmental factors were categorized and weighed based on their effects on disease transmission. Results: Overall, 2813 samples of different mosquito species from different regions of the province were collected and identified. According to the GIS analysis, areas in the northeastern province, which have lower altitudes and slopes with higher temperatures and more water bodies, were found to have better condition for the activity of mos­quitoes (as high-risk areas: hot spots). Conclusion: The precision of our results was proven to be in line with previous study results that identified high-risk areas, where WNV-infected vectors were captured from these same areas.

In this study a novel type of polyoxometalate based open-frameworks (POM-OFs) by using blue lemon (BL) as POM and tetrabutylammonium bromide (TBAB) as organic cationic coordinating agent successfully synthesized (BL.TBA-OFs) and incorporated in polyamide active layer via interfacial polymerization (IP) to fabricate hydrophilic and high water permeable thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes. The prepared POM-OFs and TFN membranes were fully characterized using physicochemical techniques and the effect of POM-OFs incorporation on TFN membranes performance was investigated using reverse osmosis (RO) and forward osmosis (FO) experiments with regard to the water permeability, salt rejection, and selectivity. The enhancement in hydrophilicity of TFN membranes was confirmed by contact angle measurements, which attributed to the presence of superhydrophilic BL.POM. Water flux of the TFN-BL.TBA-4 membrane (with 400 ppm BL.TBA-OFs incorporation) increased from 18.1 to 28.6 LMH in FO mode, and 23.1 to 36.3 LMH in PRO mode, in comparison with unmodified TFC membrane. Enhancement in separation performance of the modified TFN membranes was attributed to the incorporation of nanopores BL.POM, which create short water pathways. By using sodium alginate as a foulant model the novel modified membrane showed better anti-fouling propensity than the TFC one. This report opens up a new modification route in the achieving of high efficient TFN membranes for FO process.

Four new Fe(III)-Chloro Schiff base complexes were synthesized and characterized. The N2O2 type tetradentate Schiff base ligands were synthesized from the condensation of meso-1,2-diphenyl-1,2-ethylenediamine with salicylaldehyde (H2L1), 3-methoxysalicylaldehyde (H2L2), 4-methoxysalicylaldehyde (H2L3) and 5-methoxysalicylaldehyde (H2L4). The corresponding iron-chloro complexes with the general formula [Fe(Ln)Cl] (n = 1–4 for complexes (1–4)) were characterized by FTIR and UV–Vis spectroscopy and elemental analysis. Crystal structure of (1) was obtained by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Cyclic voltammetry was used to study the electrochemistry of the complexes. The complexes were used as catalysts for the selective oxidation of organic sulfide compounds to sulfoxides. High catalytic performance and selectivity were obtained. The spectroscopic, electrochemical and catalytic data are discussed based on the electronic, steric and electrochemical properties of the complexes.

Palladium nanoparticles supported on metal oxide WO3were synthesized and the physicochemical properties of compounds were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) at O and Pd K-edges, energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The catalytic activity of compounds in the carbon⿿carbon coupling reactions of aryl halides with olefins (Mizoroki⿿Heck reaction) was studied. The catalyst can be easily separated from the reaction mixture and reused after washing without reduction in activity.

Oxoperoxo tungsten(VI) complex immobilized on Schiff base-modified Fe3O4 super paramagnetic nanoparticles were synthesized and appropriately characterized using FT-IR, XRD, SEM, TEM, EDX, BET, and VSM analysis. The synthesized nanoparticles efficiently catalyzed oxidation of benzylic alcohols with H2O2 as oxidant in high yields, with high to excellent selectivity. The catalyst can be recovered using an external magnetic field and recycled for subsequent oxidation reactions without any appreciable loss of efficiency. The simple preparation, high activity, excellent selectivity, and simple recoverability of the catalyst are advantageous.

Readily prepared copper nanoparticles supported on CeO2 have been found to effectively catalyse the 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (CuAAC) of a variety terminal alkynes and organic azides generated in situ from sodium azide and different organic halides furnishing the corresponding 1,2,3-triazoles in excellent yields. Cu nanoparticles supported on CeO2 have been characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis, energy dispersive X-ray analysis, scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. The salient features of the present protocol are shorter reaction time, mild reaction conditions, reusability of the catalyst, and applicability to a wide range of substrates.

Copper (II) oxide nanorods and nanospheres were prepared and their structural, morphological, and electronic properties were investigated by X-ray diffraction analysis, X-ray absorption near edge structure, scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope.CuO nanoparticles efficiently catalyzes azide-alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction producing corresponding 1,2,3-triazole derivatives in excellent yields without use of any additives. The advantages of present protocol are mild reaction conditions, reusability of the catalyst, and applicability to a wide range of substrates.

The azide–alkyne cycloaddition reaction was investigated under catalytic conditions involving a copper(II)—polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS)—bridged Schiff base. This material demonstrated a high catalytic activity in organic synthesis of 1,4-triazoles. No additive such as a base or a reductant was required. Finally, recoverability and reusability of the POSS-bridged Schiff base–Cu(II) catalyst was analyzed.

Palladium oxide nanoparticles supported on tungsten oxide nanospheres were synthesized in one pot using an impregnation method. The prepared catalyst was thoroughly characterized by various physico-chemical methods. TEM images showed uniform dispersion of palladium oxide nanoparticles onto WO3 (~170–205 nm). The obtained WO3@PdO core@shell nanospheres exhibited excellent reactivity and stability in the Mizoroki–Heck cross-coupling reactions with different aryl halides and olefins. This catalyst can be easily recovered and reused in several runs.

Synthesis of CoIII, CuII and PdII complexes containing 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl)-2-thiazoline as a bidentate O,N-donor thiazoline ligand (tzol), [Co(tzol)3] (1), [Cu(tzol)2] (2), [Pd(tzol)2] (3) and characterization by various techniques such as IR, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis are reported. The novel complex 1 was also characterized by X-ray crystallography. The structures of complexes 2 and 3 were analyzed by density functional theory. The representative synthetic procedure involves the reaction of a metal acetate with the thiazoline ligand in methanol. The catalytic activity of complexes 1–3 for azide–alkyne cycloaddition was tested. The reaction conditions for the azide–alkyne cycloaddition were optimized by varying the catalyst loading, temperature, and time of reaction.

Cu2O-NPs/TiO2-NTs/Ti plates were fabricated via electrodeposition of Cu2O nanoparticles on TiO2 nanotubes previously formed by anodizing of titanium. Microstructure studies show that nanoparticles of Cu2O having high surface area have been deposited on the walls of as-prepared TiO2 nanotubes. The catalytic activity of plates was tested for azide–alkyne cycloaddition. The results of catalytic experiments demonstrate that the Cu2O-NPs/TiO2-NTs/Ti plate exhibits significantly enhanced catalytic activity for the azide–alkyne cycloaddition.

We report a simple methodology for the stabilization of Cu2O nanoparticles of size 10–30 nm on the polar pore surface of the polyoxomolybdate (NH4)12[Mo36(NO)4O108(H2O)16] ({Mo36}). For the first time, a Cu2O@{Mo36} composite has been utilized as a recyclable catalyst for the Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction of terminal alkynes, aryl/alkyl halides and NaN3 for the synthesis of 1,2,3-triazoles.

Four Pb(ii) complexes of (iso)nicotinohydrazide-based ligands and different anionic coligands (azide, nitrate, acetate and iodide) have been synthesized and characterized by structural, analytical and spectroscopic methods. The mono-deprotonated or neutral forms of the ligands coordinate in a tridentate fashion via two nitrogen and one oxygen donor atoms to the Pb. Single-crystal X-ray crystallography showed that the molecular complexes can aggregate into larger entities depending upon the anion coordinated to the metal centre. In all four complexes the lead center is hemidirectionally coordinated and, consequently, it is sterically ideal for establishing tetrel bonding interactions. In the crystal structures of all complexes, the lead atoms participate in short contacts with nitrogen atoms. These contacts are shorter than the sums of the van der Waals radii and larger than the sums of the covalent radii. The tetrel bonding interactions interconnect the covalently bonded units (monomers or dimers) into supramolecular assemblies (chains and 3D structures). We have analysed the interesting supramolecular assemblies observed in the solid state of all four complexes by means of DFT calculations.

A new binuclear copper(II)–oxalate complex containing 2,9-dimethyl-1,10-phenanthroline (dmp), was synthesized via a simple and one-pot reaction. [Cu2(dmp)2(ox)Cl2]·H2O (1) was characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography and IR methods. The complex 1 was been used to efficiently catalyze the three-component 1,3-Dipolar cycloaddition CuAAC reaction to produce 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3‐triazoles in good to excellent yields from aromatic or aliphatic halide, sodium azide, and acetylene in water as a green solvent with low catalyst amount.

A dimeric tungstophosphate, Na14[Co4(PW9O35)2].28H2O (1), was synthesized via a simple one-pot method and characterized by single-crystal X-ray crystallography. Nanocluster 1 was exhibited to be able to selective oxidation of aliphatic and aromatic sulfides to sulfoxides in the presence of hydrogen peroxide at room temperature with high performance. Further investigations showed that this catalyst could reuse four times without a significant reduction in its activity for the oxidation of methyl phenyl sulfide.

Nowadays, materials not only are essential for important applications in human life, also have a vital role in the chemical industries. From the past decade, metal-organic frame works (MOF) and metal oxides of Ti, Zn etc., are being recognized as effective, low-cost and an environmentally friendly option to existing available materials for industrial use and environmental remedies. Their wide range of interesting properties with exceptionally high surface area, low-cost synthesis etc., make them suitable for extensive use in a vast domain. In this review various properties of MOF and metal oxides, their synthesis techniques, structure and various applications have been discussed. Photocatalysis is one of the most important application of metal oxides and metal-organic frameworks (MOF). In another word, photocatalysis is an effective technique that is used for the elimination of contaminants from waste water, that have adverse effects on aquatic life and environment. It involves changing of solar energy to chemical energy. Both these materials are being used to treat waste water and have proven to be very efficient because of their exceptionally large surface area and porous nature. This article summarizes the fundamental mechanisms of photocatalysis. Finally, MOF, TiO2, ZnO and metal doped-ZnO have been discussed in detail for their recent progress in photocatalytic activities. The hydrolysis through catalysis for clean hydrogen energy is explored as future outlook of this review.

A novel binuclear iron(III)-salicylaldazine complex has been synthesized and characterized by various techniques such as IR and UV–Vis spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. The catalytic oxidation of sulfides in the presence of the aforementioned complex was explored at room temperature using urea hydrogen peroxide (UHP) as an oxidant. Effects of different reaction conditions consisting catalyst and oxidant amount, solvent effect and reaction time on the catalytic activity and selectivity in the reaction of methylphenylsulfide oxidation has been surveyed. Perfect selectivity toward sulfoxide was achieved after 15 min in CH3CN by choice of a properly optimized reaction condition.

Polyoxovanadate, (NH4)2[Zn(H2O)6]2[V10O28]∙4H2O was synthesized and characterized by the single crystal X-ray analysis. (NH4)2[Zn(H2O)6]2[V10O28]∙4H2O was found to be an efficient catalyst for one-pot synthesis of propargylamines by three component (A3) coupling of aldehydes, amines and alkynes without any co-catalyst or activator under solvent-free condition. In the presence of this catalytic system both aromatic and aliphatic aldehydes and alkynes could react and so produce the corresponding propargylamines in good to excellent yields.

In this study, polyamide (PA)-zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocomposite membrane was fabricated by embedding various amounts of ZnO nanoparticles (ranging from zero to 1.0 wt%) into the membrane matrix. Interfacial polymerization method was used to prepare thin film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes for forward osmosis (FO) application. The effect of ZnO nanoparticles on the chemical structures and compositions of synthesized membranes was studied using FT-IR spectroscopy, atomic force microscope (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Moreover, the performance of the fabricated membranes (water flux) and hydrophilicity were investigated using NaCl powder solution and contact angle measurements, respectively. Experimental results showed that the water flux of prepared membranes remarkably enhanced after the addition of ZnO nanoparticles. All as-prepared TFN membranes exhibited an enhanced desalination performance in FO systems as compared to the original thin-film composite (TFC) polyamide membrane.

In this study, first, the UiO-66-NH2 metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) were modified with graphene quantum dots (GQDs) to facilitate the water attraction on MOF surface as well as improve their compatibility/affinity with the polyamide layer matrix of forward osmosis (FO) membranes. Next, to fabricate a new type of thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membranes, the synthesized GQDs@UiO-66-NH2 composites are incorporated into the polyamide (PA) selective layer of FO membranes during the interfacial polymerization reaction of m-phenylenediamine (MPD) and trimesoyl chloride (TMC). The influence of the prepared fillers on the chemical structure, morphology, surface roughness and hydrophilicity of the PA active layer was investigated by FT-IR spectroscopy, powder x-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, water contact angle (CA) goniometer, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) imaging, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS) and atomic force microscope (AFM) analysis. Addition of the GQDs@MOF particles altered the water flux and selectivity of the FO membranes, so that, the Jw for the TFN-0.25 (containing 250 ppm of fillers) in the FO mode was obtained 59.3 LMH using 1 M NaCl as a draw solution and deionized water as feed solution; which was around 102 % greater than with the TFC membrane. At the same time, the selectivity was about 1.5 times those of the control membrane without GQDs@MOF particles, which is one of the most critical goals in membrane designing.