• 2017 Feb

• Quantification of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn from sewage sludge by modified-BCR and ultrasound assisted-modified BCR sequential extraction methods

Abstract

Determination of the levels of heavy metals in sewage sludge is necessary prior to application of the sludge to agriculture because of the inherent risk of heavy metal toxicity to soil, plants and humans. The heavy metals (Cu, Cd, Pb and Zn) in sewage sludge were quantified using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) following extraction with modified-BCR and ultrasonic assisted-BCR... Read more.

• 2017 Jan

• Electrochemical and optical band gaps of bimetallic silver-platinum varying metal ratios nanoparticles

Abstract

Simultaneous citrate reduction of various ratios of silver and platinum ions leads to the formation of core-shell nanostructured bimetallics (BM). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray diffraction XRD data of the BMs depicted crystalline core-shell nanoparticles consisting of Ag core and Pt shell with an average size of 22.2 nm in contrast to the  Pt NPs and Ag NPs monometallics  average sizes of... Read more.

• 2016 Nov

• Removal of methylene blue from aqueous solutions using biochar prepared from Eichhorrnia crassipes (Water Hyacinth)-molasses composite: Kinetic and equilibrium studies

Abstract

A biochar based adsorbent prepared from Eichhornia crassipes-molasses bio-composite was tested for its ability to remove methylene blue from aqueous solutions. Molasses were used as a granulating media for powdered biomass making it easier to prepare the biochar under set conditions. The Biochar adsorbent was prepared by igniting biomass granules at 400°C. A maximum adsorption capacity of 44.13 mg∙g-1 was achieved... Read more.

• 2016 Oct

• Copper-paracetamol complexes: Promising lead antibacterial drug candidates

Abstract

Antibiotic resistance by microorganisms has triggered the need to discover new antibiotics to replace the old ones. The study was designed to prepare copper-paracetamol complexes which will serve as lead compounds towards the discovery of novel antibiotics. Copper sulphate was reacted with paracetamol in the presence of sodium nitrate in borate buffer to give products which were separated into three layers when... Read more.

• 2016 Aug

• Preparation, structural and thermal studies of boroxine adducts having aryl boronic acids and pyrazoles

Abstract

Four new boroxine adducts ((B3O3(Ph)3PzH) (1), (B3O3(Ph)3(PztBu,iPrH)2) (2), (B3O3(PhF2)3PzH). PzH (3) and (B3O3(PhF2)3(PztBu,iPrH)2) (4)) using phenylboronic acid, 3,5-difluorophenylboronic acid, 1H-pyrazole (PzH) and 3-tert-butyl-5-isopropyl pyrazole (PztBu,iPrH) were prepared and characterized by elemental analysis, IR, 1H-NMR and X-ray diffraction. The crystallographic study reveals that PzH and PztBu,iPrH are... Read more.

• 2016 Jul

• Photocatalytic activity of nanopolyaniline (NPA) on phenol degradation

Abstract

Nanopolyaniline (NPA) has been synthesized by chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline and characterized using Fourier transmission infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and ultra-violet visible techniques. XRD patterns confirm that NPA has crystallite size of 37 nm with monoclinic structure and UV-visible spectra indicate its band gap energy is 1.96 electron volts. Photocatalytic efficiency of as-synthesized NPA... Read more.

• 2016 Mar

• The effect of corrosion inhibitors on stainless steels and aluminium alloys: A review

Abstract

This paper summarizes the effect of inhibitors on the corrosion of stainless steels and aluminium alloys in different media. Stainless steels and aluminium alloys have a wide range of applications in construction, transport, domestic appliances, medical, and energy related fields. The exposure of stainless steels and aluminium alloys to corroding environments however, results in the degradation of the materials.... Read more.

• 2016 Jan

• Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles using Garcinia kola and its antimicrobial potential

Abstract

We have investigated the green synthesis and antimicrobial activity of silver nanoparticles using Garcinia kola.  Aqueous extract of G. kola was used to reduce AgNO3 solution to obtain black nanocrystal of silver nanoparticles. Antimicrobial activity of the silver nanoparticles was tested against Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumonia, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Aspergillus niger, Rhizopus stolonifer... Read more.

• 2016 Jan

• Assessment of anti-corrosion potentials of extract of Ficus asperifolia -Miq (Moraceae) on mild steel in acidic medium

Abstract

The inhibitory potentials of ethanolic extracts and four fractions of the stem bark of Ficus asperifolia – Miq. for the corrosion of mild steel were assessed using weight loss method, Fourier atomic absorption spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effects of varying immersion period, concentration of the inhibitors and temperatures for mild steel corrosion in 5 M HCl acid solution were carried out.... Read more.

• 2015 Dec

• Fabrication and evaluation of multiple template cross-linked molecularly imprinted electro spun nanofibers for selective extraction of nickel and vanadyl tetraphenylporphyrin from organic media

Abstract

A nickel vanadyl molecularly imprinted nanofiber (NVMIN) was developed by the electrospinning technique, employing polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and linear polyethylenimine (L-PEI) as the matrix polymers, nickel tetraphenylporphyrin (NTPP) and vanadyl tetraphenylporphyrin (VTPP) as the mixed-template molecules. The fabricated NVMIN was evaluated as a sorbent for the removal of NTPP and VTPP from organic media. The... Read more.

• 2015 Nov

• Health risk assessment of heavy metals in water, air, soil and fish

Abstract

The study and application of health risk assessment techniques are crucial in order to understand the risk of exposure to heavy metals and other harmful pollutants. It entails evaluating the risks of exposure at various concentrations and with reference to certain standard values approved by World Health Organization (WHO) and United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA). Investigation of water contamination... Read more.

• 2015 Nov

• Synthesis, characterization and photocatalytic activity of MnO2/Al2O3/Fe2O3 nanocomposite for degradation of malachite green

Abstract

New nanocomposite MnO2/Al2O3/Fe2O3 photocatalyst was successfully synthesized by sol-gel method using metal salts as precursors in the presence of acid catalyst. The as-synthesized samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and UV-Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. Elemental analyses of the as-synthesized samples were similar to those... Read more.

• 2015 Oct

• Comparative study of 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin assisted and conventional synthesis of benzimidazole derivatives and the solvent effects on spectroscopic properties

Abstract

A small library of benzimidazoles with a range of side-chain substituents have been synthesized through the condensation reaction of o-phenylenediamine derivatives and several other commercially available materials. The reactions were catalyzed by either 4M HCl or 1,3-dibromo-5,5-dimethylhydantoin (DBDMH). The compounds synthesized using DBDMH as the catalyst required a shorter reaction time, the yield was higher and... Read more.

• 2015 Sep

• Toxicity study of ethanol root extract of Terminalia macroptera Guill. & Perr. (Combretaceae) and assessment of some heavy metals

Abstract

The extract of Terminalia macroptera Guill. & Perr. has been used in the management of pile and other ailments across West Africa. This has necessitated the evaluation of the toxicity of this plant in Sub-chronic and acute administration as well as heavy metal analysis. The root of T. macroptera was extracted with ethanol and analyzed for the presence of phytochemicals. The powdered root was digested and analyzed... Read more.

• 2015 Aug

• Nutritional and anti-nutritional composition of date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) fruits sold in major markets of Minna Niger State, Nigeria

Abstract

This study investigated the nutritional, anti-nutritional factors, functional properties, mineral and amino acid contents of Phoenix dactylifera L. fruits using standard analytical methods. The results revealed that date palm (P. dactylifera L.) contain some percentage  crude protein (1.21 ± 0.02%), crude fat (1.73 ± 0.46%), crude fibre (2.26 ± 0.07%), ash (1.88± 0.03%), moisture... Read more.

• 2015 Aug

• Spectrophotometric study on the stability constants and thermodynamic parameters of Zn2+, Cd2+ and Hg2+ complexes with Imino Thiazolidinone

Abstract

The heterocyclic ligand (L), 3-(2-hydroxy phenyl)-2-iminothiazolidin-4-one, was synthesized by the cyclocondensation of o-hydoxy phenyl chloroacetamide with potassium thiocyanate. The stoichiometries of the title complexes were first determined by spectrophotometric mole ratio method which gave rise to the M:L ratio of 1:4 in case of Zn(II) and Cd(II) and 1:2 in case of Hg(II) ions respectively. Using these... Read more.

• 2015 Aug

• Thermodynamic analysis of some volatile species at elevated pressure and temperature during combustion of Pakistani Lakhra and Thar lignite chars

Abstract

Volatile species (e.g. Na-,K-,Cl-, and S) are released during thermal conversion of coal causing eventual problems such as fouling, slagging and corrosion, especially in gas turbines, on super heaters and in the colder part of heat recovery systems. Thermodynamic study of the released inorganic compounds is supportive before eventually launching experimental work. Therefore, thermodynamic equilibrium was calculated... Read more.

• 2015 Jul

• The potential of binary blended geopolymer binder containing Ijero-Ekiti calcined kaolin clay and ground waste window glass

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate alkaline reactivity potentials of calcined clay and ground waste window glass with NaOH/Na2SiO3 solution to form geopolymer, an inorganic binder. A calcined clay (CC) sourced from Ijero-Ekiti, Nigeria, was replaced by various proportions (0, 25, 50 and 75%) of ground waste window glass (GWWG) and subjected to alkaline activation by NaOH/Na2SiO3 solution. X-ray florescence (XRF)... Read more.

• 2015 Jun

• Unexpected mixed valence iron(II, III) µ3-oxo furfuryl complex with wheel motif isolated when preparing iron(II) arene complexes

Abstract

A series of new compounds including 2-({[(4-(propoan-2-yl)benzyl]Oxy}methyl)tetrahydrofuran ligand were tested in order to link auxiliary and labile ligands to iron arene complexes. The given reaction of benzyletherfurane ligand with Fe (II) sources resulted to the isolation of unexpected mixed valence µ3-oxo-Fe6IIFeIII compound, which has been fully characterized by x-ray crystallography. The resulting complex... Read more.

• 2015 Jun

• Inhibitive and adsorptive effect of Parinari polyandra on mild steel corrosion in aqueous sulphuric acid

Abstract

The inhibition of mild steel corrosion in 0.5 M sulphuric acid solution by ethanol extracts of Parinari polyandra as an eco-friendly inhibitor was studied at different temperatures by weight loss technique and linear polarization. The test plant extracts has a promising inhibitory action against corrosion of mild steel in the sulphuric acid media. The inhibition efficiencies increase with a corresponding increase in the... Read more.