Sharif Digital Repository

Photocatalytic membrane reactors (PMRs), coupling photocatalysts and membranes in a single system, have shown a considerable potential to reduce membrane fouling, which is one of the major drawbacks of using membranes to treat water and wastewater. In this study, the visible light-activated photocatalysts were incorporated into the polyacrylonitrile (PAN) casting solution to synthesize the photocatalytic composite membranes. The physicochemical properties and the morphology of the membranes and photocatalysts were characterized by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance... 

Herein, we report the synthesis, characterization and combined structural and full computational analysis of noncovalent interactions in a new hydrazine ligand and its two chlorido- and endo-nitrito-rhenium(I) tricarbonyl complexes. The analysis of crystal structures has been accompanied by comprehensive computational studies of the noncovalent interactions utilizing the quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM), natural bond orbitals (NBO), independent gradient model (IGM), and electron localization function (ELF) to shed light on the nature of the interactions. On the other hand, comprehensive energy decomposition analysis (EDA) by extended transition state coupled with natural orbitals... 

Proteins possess a variety of nucleophiles, which can carry out different reactions in the functioning cells. Proteins endogenously and synthetically can be modified through their nucleophilic sites. The roles of these chemical modifications have not been completely revealed. These modifications can alter the protein folding process. Protein folding directly affects the function of proteins. If an error in protein folding occurs, it may cause protein malfunction leading to several neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. In this study, Hen Egg White Lysozyme (HEWL) and bovine insulin, as model proteins for studying the amyloid formation, were covalently attached with... 

The structural and dielectric properties of Gadolinium substituted U-type hexaferrites (Sr4Zn2Fe36O60) were investigated. The samples were synthesized via the Sol-gel auto combustion route. In a muffle furnace, these samples were sintered for 5 h at 1250 °C. The pellets of synthesized powder samples were characterized by XRD, PL, Dielectric, FTIR, and Raman spectroscopies. Structural elucidation of Sr4Zn2Fe36-xGdxO60 was done via XRD. The obtained XRD patterns were matched with the prior literature. The impact of Gd3+ substitutions was measured on all the lattice parameters. Lattice constants “a" and “c" were found between 5.871 and 5.900 Å and 111.76–112.23 Å, respectively. The PL spectra... 

In recent years, pozzolana are being increasingly used in different types of concretes and mortars. This investigation aims to evaluate the effect of replacing 7, 14, 21, and 28% cement (by weight) with silica fume (SF), granulated blast furnace slag (GBFS), zeolite, and fly ash (FA) under elevated temperatures. Forty mix designs were built with various water-to-cement ratios and plasticizers. Three hundred and six specimens were prepared, and the flexural, uniaxial compression and tensile tests were performed on specimens after exposure to elevated temperatures between 25°C and 900°C. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) test was then performed on the two series of specimens. Accordingly, the... 

In the bone tissue engineering field (BTE), it is of significant importance to develop bioactive multifunctional scaffolds with enhanced osteoconductivity, osteoinductivity, and antibacterial properties required for lost bone tissue regeneration. In this work, a bioactive glass-ceramic scaffold was manufactured via a novel polymer-derived ceramics (PDC) manufacturing method. To gain antibacterial properties, the silver ions were incorporated in controlled amount along with other precursors in the PDC processing stage. Microstructural and structural properties of the fabricated silicate-phosphate glass-ceramic scaffold were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) equipped with energy... 

In this paper, the effects of the multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and nanographene (GP) on the mechanical performance of the cementitious mortars were investigated in different environments. Six mix designs were fabricated by considering the previous studies and exposed to potable water, acidic, and alkaline environments. The GP and MWCNTs partially replaced the cement with 0.25 %, 0.5 %, and 1 % of its weight. The standard mechanical tests, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis were performed on the specimens. The results indicated that including the MWCNTs and GP increases the compressive strength by 10 % and 20 % and similarly improves the tensile... 

This paper deals with an experimental investigation into the mechanical performance and microstructure characteristics of the cementitious mortars containing recycled waste materials subjected to acidic, neutral and alkaline environments. The recycled waste materials include glass, eggshell, iron and rubber powder in various amounts, namely 7, 14 and 21% by volume, as the replacement for ordinary Portland cement (OPC). In this respect, to examine the mechanical performance of the specimens, the compressive, tensile and bending strength tests as well as water absorption test were carried out at the ages of 7, 28 and 90 days. Moreover, to study the microstructure of the specimens, the scanning... 

Co2+ and Cr3+-substituted SrBaCu2-xCoxCryFe28-yO46 X-type hexaferrite with x = y = 0, 0.1 to 0.5 (step = 0.1) were prepared through auto-combustion sol–gel method and sintered at 1250 °C for 5 h which was found from thermal analysis. The thermal investigation, phase detection, spectral, magnetic, and dielectric characteristics of the prepared composition were investigated by TGA, XRD, FTIR, VSM, and dielectric measurement. XRD patterns of the entire composition confirmed the development of a single phase of X-type structure. The enhancement in the lattice parameters and cell volume was observed by varying the Co–Cr concentration, attributed to the larger ionic radii substitution. FTIRspectra... 

The treatment of water contaminated by bacteria is becoming a necessity. The nanomaterials possessing both intrinsic antibacterial properties and photocatalytic activity are excellent candidates for water disinfection. The powdered form of nanomaterials can be aggregated while embedding the nanomaterials into the NFs can overcome the limitation and enhance the photocatalytic activity and transition from UV-light to visiblelight. Here, graphene oxide (GO) was synthesized, grafted to chitosan, and decorated with silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) to produce Ag-decorated reduced GO-graft-Chitosan (AGC) NPs. The blends of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and AGC NPs were prepared in various concentrations of... 

Polylactic acid (PLA) scaffolds produced by the fused deposition modeling (FDM) method have biocompatibility, close Young's modulus to that of bone, and the ability to make complex shapes. However, PLA has some drawbacks like brittleness, inappropriate mechanical strength and hydrophobicity, and a low degradation rate. In this study, polyethylene glycol (PEG) (5 and 10 wt%) by solving method and titanium (Ti) particles (5 wt%) by two different methods were mixed with PLA to address the mentioned problems. Extruded filaments were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and fourier transform infrared (FTIR). Surface morphology of the produced filaments... 

A recyclable optical nanosensor was developed by immobilizing L-tyrosine functionalized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) substrate for rapid determination of Pb2+ ions. At first, the L-tyrosine functionalized AgNPs were assessed in the solution phase; the response time was lower than 15 s, and a limit of detection lower than 9 nM was obtained in the dynamic range of 1–1000 nM. For fabrication of the optical assay kit, the design of experiment (DOE) was used to optimize the immobilization efficiency of the nanoparticles on PET films by studying AgNO3 concentration and pH as two crucial parameters. The assay kit in optimal conditions showed a sharp localized... 

In this research study, interfacial assembled nanoporous zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) multiwalled oxidized carbon nanotubes (MW-OCNTs) were developed and introduced into a silane coating. To analyze the destructive behavior of the nanoparticles exposed to salty solutions with three distinctive pHs of 2, 7.5, and 12, various types of tests such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and inductively coupled plasma (ICP) were accomplished. The XRD test revealed that the main characteristic peaks of ZIF-8 were eliminated and/or their intensity decreased. In accordance with the obtained data from the XRD test, nanoparticles at pH = 2 had been... 

The dearth of efficient, robust, and economical electrocatalysts for water oxidation is dubiously the key obstacle for renewable energy devices, so synthesis of efficient, and cost-effective metal-based water oxidation catalysts is vital. Herein, Co3O4, Co9S8 catalysts and their heterostructure Co3O4/Co9S8 were synthesized and evaluated as water oxidation electrocatalysts. The characterization of Co3O4, Co9S8, and Co3O4/Co9S8 electrocatalysts was performed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction techniques. The heterostructure Co3O4/Co9S8 (1.46 V) exhibited water oxidation electrocatalysis at extremely low onset potential compared to... 

In this contribution, the effect of physical immobilization of methylene blue (MB) into silica nanocomposites was investigated on the conversion and selectivity of the photooxygenation of anthracene and dihydroartemisinic acid (DHAA). Physically immobilized photocatalysts were synthesized through a developed Stöber method and were thoroughly characterized by UV–Vis, FTIR, XRD, XPS, SEM, TEM, HR-TEM, BET-BJH, and EDX analyses. Based on the TEM and UV–Vis results, it was determined that enhancement of the MB concentration as an organocatalyst for the Stöber reaction led to an increase in the size of the nanoparticles from 54 to 183 nm and a 21 nm blue shift in their UV–Vis spectra. Moreover,... 

Gadolinium (Gd) and cobalt (Co) substituted Sr–Ba–Cu-based Y-type hexaferrites were synthesized with the help of the sol–gel auto-combustion route. XRD (X-ray diffraction) analysis was done to ratify the phase formation of hexaferrites. The impact of Gd3+ substitutions was measured on all the lattice parameters. Lattice constants “a” and “c” were found between 5.879–5.891 Å and 43.185–43.620 Å, respectively. It was observed from the XRD analysis that with an increase in Gd–Co contents, the enhancement in the average crystallite size is noted. The thermal decomposition process was studied using TGA (thermogravimetric analysis), revealing that the precursor may give the ending product when... 

Objective(s): Bioresorbable scaffolds have been advocated as the new generation in interventional cardiology because they could provide temporary scaffolds and then disappear with resorption. Although, the available stents in clinical trials exhibited biosafety, efficacy, no death, and no apparent thrombosis, Mg-substrate degradation on drug release has not been investigated. Materials and Methods: Therefore, more research has been needed to legitimize the replacement of current stents with Mg-based stents. UV-Vis spectrophotometer, scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), pH measurement, H2 evolution, and corrosion tests determined the change in hybrid properties and... 

Herein, two distinct nanocomposites of CaTiO3 micro-cubes and polygonal SrFe12O19, both decorated with NiO nanoparticles, were successfully synthesized using hydrothermal method. The physico-chemical features of as-prepared samples were evaluated via XRD, FTIR, UV–vis, BET, XPS, FESEM and EDS analysis. Microwave attenuation features of as-prepared single layer absorbers were determined by VNA analysis in 2–18 GHz. Simulation confirmation was checked by preparing a bi-layer samples and evaluating it using VNA analysis after finding the appropriate thickness of each layer. The reflection loss from each single layer samples containing 20 wt% of each CaTiO3/NiO and SrFe12O19/NiO nanocomposites... 

An efficient and selective drug delivery vehicle for cancer cells can remarkably improve therapeutic approaches. In this study, we focused on the synthesis and characterization of magnetic Ni1−x Cox Fe2 O4 nanoparticles (NPs) coated with two layers of methionine and polyethylene glycol to increase the loading capacity and lower toxicity to serve as an efficient drug car-rier. Ni1−x Cox Fe2 O4 @Methionine@PEG NPs were synthesized by a reflux method then charac-terized by FTIR, XRD, FESEM, TEM, and VSM. Naproxen was used as a model drug and its loading and release in the vehicles were evaluated. The results for loading efficiency showed 1 mg of Ni1−x Cox Fe2 O4 @Methionine@PEG NPs could load... 

The most common reasons for hard-tissue implant failure are structural loosening and prosthetic infections. Hence, in this study, to overcome the first problem, different bioinspired coatings, including dual acid-etched, anodic TiO2 nanotubes array, anodic hierarchical titanium oxide (HO), micro- and nanostructured hydroxyapatite (HA) layers, and HA/chitosan (HA/CS) nanocomposite, were applied to the titanium alloy surfaces. X-ray diffraction and FTIR analysis demonstrated that the in situ HA/CS nanocomposite formed successfully. The MTT assay showed that all samples had excellent cell viability, with cell proliferation rates ranging from 120% to 150% after 10 days. The HO coating...