Sharif Digital Repository

In the present work, slip velocity has been measured in a 76 mm diameter pulsed disc and doughnut extraction column for four different liquid-liquid systems. The effects of operating variables including pulsation intensity and dispersed and continuous phase flow rates on slip velocity have been investigated. The existence of three different operational regimes, namely mixersettler, transition, and emulsion regimes, was observed when the energy input was changed. Empirical correlations are derived for prediction of the slip velocity in terms of operating variables, physical properties of the liquid systems, and column geometry for different regimes. Good agreement between prediction and... 

Dispersed phase holdup has been measured in a 76 mm diameter pulsed disc and doughnut extraction column for three different liquid-liquid systems. The effects of operational variables such as pulsation intensity and dispersed and continuous phase flow rates on holdup have been investigated and found to be significant. The existence of three different operational regimes, namely mixer-settler, dispersion, and emulsion regimes, was observed when the energy input was changed. The results indicated that the characteristic velocity approach is applicable to this type of extraction column for analysis of holdup in the transition and emulsion regions. Empirical correlations are derived for... 

The current study presents a supercritical synthesis of magnetite-reduced graphene oxide (M-RGO) in methanol media, in which Fe3O4 nanoparticles are simultaneously formed, surface modified and decorated on the surface of the reduced graphene oxide. Simulations using density functional theory, which were performed using the M06-2x/cc-pVDZ level of theory, indicate that upon adsorption of a Fe3O4 cluster on the graphene, the overall charge on the graphene surface becomes about -0.0236e, indicating charge transfer from the Fe3O4 cluster to the graphene surface. Instrumental and chemical analyses exhibited the formation of strong bonds between Fe3O4 and graphene, through C-O-Fe and C-Fe bridges.... 

A simple and efficient method was developed for fabricating spherical granules of CuO catalyst via a three-step procedure. In the first step, copper oxide nanoparticles were synthesized by hydrothermal decomposition of copper nitrate solution under supercritical condition. Then, they were immobilized in the polymeric matrix of calcium alginate, and followed by high-temperature calcination in an air stream as the third step, in which carbonaceous materials were oxidized, to result in a pebble-type catalyst of high porosity. The produced CuO nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) that revealed an average size of 5 nm, X-ray diffractometry (XRD), and thermo... 

Magnetite nanoparticles with a size distribution of 15-21 nm were synthesized and decorated onto surface of graphene oxide by ultrasound assisted precipitation. Size and size distribution of the obtained M-GO hybrid were appreciably finer than the hybrids prepared by stirring method. M-GO is a superparamagnetic material with saturation magnetization of 31 emu g-1. The Langevin equation was successfully applied for estimation of size of Fe3O4 nanoparticles in M-GO hybrid, with maximum error of 17.5%. The study put forward a formation mechanism for M-GO, based on instrumental analyses. Adsorption isotherms of Sr2+ and Co2+ ions, which were fitted by Langmuir monolayer... 

ABSTRACT: Experimental study of the performance of a gas centrifuge can be appreciably simplified if instead of isotopic mixtures, a binary mixture of gases with large molecular weight difference is used. The current study undertook this approach by injecting a 53%–47% (w/w) mixture of “Freon12-Freon22” into a gas centrifuge. The two parameters, whose investigation was the objective of the current study were: the feed flow rate (F), and the clearance between tail scoop and the rotor wall (d). The results demonstrated that changing the scoop-wall clearance has the most significant effect on the cut (θ), so that by fixing “d”, “θ” becomes nearly invariant. The head separation factor (α)... 

The purpose of this study is to investigate production of high quality ammonium uranyl carbonate (AUC) from “uranyl nitrate + ammonium bicarbonate”, or “uranyl nitrate + sodium carbonate” precursor solutions, by controlled injection of ammonium carbonate solution which could be applicable in material testing reactor (MTR) fuel production plant for recycling of rejected uranium oxide powder. The experimental observations revealed: at pHs higher than 6, precipitation proceeds with formation of no intermediate, thus ensuing a better morphology and size distribution of the AUC products. The results of scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, particle size analysis, and uranium content... 

The current study aimed at application of the plain and supported platinum nanoparticles as a heterogenous catalyst for the reduction of aromatic nitro compounds. Monodispersed platinum nanoparticles were synthesized by reduction of H2PtCl6 by ethanol in the presence of polyvinyl pyrrolidone as a stabilizer, and then were immobilized on four types of zeolites. The obtained catalyst granules were characterized by X-ray diffractometry and transmission electron microscopy. The study then focused on elaboration of the catalytic activity of the nano catalysts under different operational conditions. It was found that reaction is adequately rapid at ambient temperature, and by utilizing a... 

The effects of varying operating conditions on metals removal from aqueous solution using a novel platinum nanopartcles/Zeolite-4A adsorbent are reported in this paper. Characterization of the adsorbent showed successful production of platinum nanopartcles on Zeolite-4A using 3 Wt% platinum. The effects of operation conditions on metals removal using this adsorbent were investigated. The optimal metals adsorption was observed at pH 7, 0.1 g/10 mL dosage and 30 min contact time. Sorption data have been interpreted in terms of Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms  

Gold nanorods (GNRs) can be used in various biomedical applications; however, very little is known about their in vivo tissue distribution by radiolabeling. Here, we have developed a rapid and simple method with high yield and without disturbing their optical properties for radiolabeling of gold rods with iodine-131 in order to track in vivo tissue uptake of GNRs after systemic administration by biodistribution analysis and γ-imaging. Following intravenous injection into rat, PEGylated GNRs have much longer blood circulation times. We have developed a rapid and simple method for radiolabeling of gold rods with iodine-131 in order to track in vivo tissue uptake of gold nanorods after systemic... 

Lead sulfide quantum dots (PbS QDs) were decorated onto a graphene surface in a semi-core-shell structure using supercritical ethanol. The temperature of ethanol played significant role in controlling size and agglomeration of QDs as well as the extent of reduction of graphene. Average size of the QDs was estimated by transmission electron microscopy to be around 3.96 nm and by quantum models to be about 4.34 nm. PbS QDs prepared at 330 °C were of high purity, and the yield was 99%. Instrumental and chemical analyses demonstrated formation of a strong bond between PbS QDs and graphene, through a Pb-O-C bridge. UV and photoluminescence measurements along with theoretical considerations... 

Titanium nitride-carbon nanocomposites are synthesized by the reaction of TiCl4 and NaN3 in supercritical benzene medium that also serves as a carbon source. The as-prepared precursors (SI, SII) are subjected to several heat treatments (SIII-SV). The synthesized nanoparticles are characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The samples are tested as electrocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction in an alkaline electrolyte. It is shown that the electrocatalytic properties of the synthesized nanoparticles are... 

Recently, hybrid graphene–quantum dot systems have attracted increasing attention for the next-generation optoelectronic devices such as ultrafast photo-detectors and solar energy harvesting. In this paper, a novel, one-step, reproducible, and solution-processed method is introduced to prepare hybrid graphene–PbS colloids by employing supercritical ethanol. In the hybrid nanocomposite, PbS quantum dots (~3 nm) are decorated on the reduced graphene oxide (rGO) nanosheets (~1 nm thickness and less than 1 micron lengths). By employing X-ray photoelectron and Raman and infrared spectroscopy techniques, it is shown that the rGO nanosheets are bonded to PbS nanocrystals through carboxylic bonds.... 

Ultra fine CuO nanoparticles In the range of 2 ± 0.2 nm were synthesized by the supercritical hiydrotliermal method in a batch reactor. Itwas demonstrated that elevating the pH of the Cu2+ precursor solution to around 6 (neutral condition) not only does not lead to excessive agglomeration of the particles, but also reduces particle size and in general promotes their nanoscale characteristics. Prepared nanoparticles were immobilized in the biopolymcric matrix of barium alginate and calcined at different temperatures resulting in micro spherical granules of high porosity and elevated mechanical strength. The fabricated samples were characterized using x-ray diffractometry (XRD), transmission... 

A novel microspherical adsorbent for the removal of uranium from aqueous solutions was developed by immobilizing of natural bentonite in the polymeric matrix of calcium alginate. Different uptake properties of the prepared microspheres were examined using batch, stirred and column methods. The adsorbent showed high affinity toward uranium ions, especially at pHs above 3. Major uptake mechanisms included ion exchange, chelating of the (UO2)2+ ions to the -OH groups of alginate, and surface complexation with bentonite. Surprisingly, the capacity of microspheres was higher than both its constituents, revealing that a synergetic effect occurs. Adsorption kinetics was controlled by slow chemical... 

Recyclable CuO nanoparticles provide an efficient, economic, and novel method for the synthesis of quinoxaline, benzoxazine, and benzothiazine. This method provides a wide range of substrate applicability, avoids the use of organic solvents, and gives benzoheterocycles in satisfactory yields  

The study of the surface free energy (SFE) of metal at nanoscale is far from perfection and the obtained results are approach dependent. Despite the extensive investigations, there is still a lack of a complete model for the surface energy of metallic nanoparticles which could be able to consider effects of the particle size and shape. Most studies emphasize the size dependence of the melting characteristics, rather than considering the lattice deformation and the surface energy of nanoclusters. This research aimed at computation of SFE of copper nanoclusters depending on temperature over a wide range of sizes, containing 147 to 10179 atoms. We employed molecular dynamics simulation by using... 

The current study demonstrates homogenous decorating of zinc oxide quantum dots (QDs) onto graphene oxide (GO) surface via simple chemical method. The AFM image exhibited that the prepared graphene was 0.8 nm thick and hence practically monolayer. Average size of the ZnO QDs was estimated by transmission electron microscopy around 3 nm. Instrumental and chemical analyses demonstrated formation of a strong bond between ZnO QDs and GO, through C-O-Zn and C-Zn bridges. The UV-visible spectra displayed that the introduction of graphene sheets to ZnO QDs resulted in higher absorption intensity of UV as well as widening of adsorption window toward visible light for ZnO-Graphene due to chemical...