Sharif Digital Repository

In this work, a newly formulated sulfonate-based surfactant and two other commercial sulfate-based surfactants with the capability of tolerating harsh underground reservoir conditions, such as high-saline formation water and high temperature, were prepared. Sodium metaborate as an effective alkali compound was also used to provide alkali-surfactant combination. Interfacial tension (IFT) measurements as well as wettability examinations for different salinities and mixture conditions were performed for an extended range of the chemical concentrations. The wettability tests including both contact angle measurements and Amott cell tests were performed on saturated Berea sandstone plug samples... 

For the first time, a new platform based on electrochemical growth of Au nanoparticles on aligned multi-walled carbon nanotubes (A-MWCNT) was developed for sensitive lable-free DNA detection of the TP53 gene mutation, one of the most popular genes in cancer research. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) was used to monitor the sequence-specific DNA hybridization events related to TP53 gene. Compared to the bare Ta or MWCNT/Ta electrodes, the synergistic interactions of vertically aligned MWCNT array and gold nanoparticles at modified electrode could improve the density of the probe DNA attachment and resulting the sensitivity of the DNA sensor greatly. Using EIS, over the extended... 

PVDF/nanoclay nanocomposites were prepared via melt mixing method. The intercalated dispersion of the nanoclay in PVDF matrix was confirmed by XRD. According to FTIR, DSC and XRD results, the presence of nanoclay facilitated transition from α-to-β crystalline phase. Electron beam irradiation decreased the melting point of the nanocomposites. The decrease in melting point of the nanocomposites was about 11 C at 500 kGy. The crystallinity of nanocomposites increased at an irradiation dose of 100 kGy and decreased at higher irradiation doses. The extent of crosslinking of the nanocomposites increased significantly with irradiation up to 300 kGy. The nanoclay intensified the increase in yield... 

Different concentrations of CaF2 were incorporated in mica glass-ceramics to evaluate their effects on the crystallization and microstructure. The kinetics of phase transformations, and the microstructures of the final crystalline phase were found to be dependent on the concentration of nucleation agents. The results showed that CaF2 in high concentration had a synergistic effect and enhanced the formation of interlocked mica crystals. Non-isothermal DTA experiments showed that the crystallization activation energies of base glasses were changed in the range of 235-405 kJ/mol, while the crystallization activation energies of samples with addition of CaF2 were changed in the range of 419-747... 

Formation of machinable glass-ceramic in the system MgO-SiO 2-Al2O3-K2O-B2O 3-F with and without addition of MgF2 has been investigated. Crystallization of glass sample was done by controlled thermal heat treatment at nucleation and crystallization temperatures. The results showed that MgF2 in high concentration had a synergistic effect and enhanced the formation of interlockedmica crystals. Non-isothermal DTA experiments showed that the crystallization activation energies of base glasses were changed in the range of 235-405 kJ/mol, while the crystallization activation energies of samples with addition of MgF2 were changed in the range of 548-752 kJ/mol  

Multi wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) doped ZnO nanofibers were fabricated by electrospinning for the first time. We have successfully demonstrated the photocatalytic activity of doped nanofibers under visible light. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the diameter of MWCNT-doped ZnO nanofibers varied from 120 to 300 nm without agglomeration of MWCNT. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction studies proved the formation of ZnO bond and wurtzite structure with smaller crystal size in doped nanofibers. Raman spectra demonstrated slight shift in bond position after nanofiber doping, indicating the chemical bond between MWCNT and ZnO. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy... 

Polyurethane elastomer networks were designed and synthesized based on hydroxyl terminated polybutadiene/polypropyleneoxide (HTPB/PPO) mixtures, 2,4-toluene diisocyanate and 1,4-butanediol. Various networks with different molar ratio of HTPB to PPO (0/100, 25/75, 50/50, 75/25 and 100/0) had been prepared. Depending on the length of soft segment, average functionality of polyol mixtures, mechanical and thermal properties of samples were varied. Our observations confirmed that final properties of the networks can be attributed to two synergistic factors: (a) formation of chemical network (crosslinking) and (b) soft segment length. An optimum composition was found. This optimum composition... 

In the present study, the thermodynamics and mechanisms of vanadium extraction by a mixture of bis-2-ethylhexyl phosphoric acid (D2EHPA) and tri-n butyl phosphate (TBP) from sulfate medium were investigated. It was found that the maximum extraction percent of vanadium occurs at pH 1.8 under ambient conditions; this phenomenon was ascribed to the predominant presence of cationic species of vanadium (VO2+) at this pH. Based on the Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectrums, the POH bond of D2EHPA was found responsible for the extraction of VO2+ species through a cationic exchange mechanism. Employing the slope analysis method showed that the stoichiometric reaction... 

The corrosion inhibition effect of zinc acetylacetonate (ZAA) and benzothiazole (BTH) mixture was evaluated for mild steel in 3.5% NaCl solution. To this end, ZAA:BTH mixtures ranged from 6:1 to 1:6 mol ratios were examined by weight loss and open circuit potential to obtain optimal mole ratio. The optimal mixture of ZAA:BTH at 1:5 mol ratio showed a significant corrosion inhibition efficiency proved by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and polarization studies. The addition of the optimal mixture of ZAA:BTH to epoxy coating showed a considerable increase of corrosion protection evaluated by salt spray exposure  

In this work, a newly formulated sulfonate-based surfactant and two other commercial sulfate-based surfactants with the capability of tolerating harsh underground reservoir conditions, such as high-saline formation water and high temperature, were prepared. Sodium metaborate as an effective alkali compound was also used to provide alkali-surfactant combination. Interfacial tension (IFT) measurements as well as wettability examinations for different salinities and mixture conditions were performed for an extended range of the chemical concentrations. The wettability tests including both contact angle measurements and Amott cell tests were performed on saturated Berea sandstone plug samples... 

The electrocatalytic oxidation of methanol was studied over Ni, Co and Cu binary or ternary alloys on graphite electrodes in a NaOH solution (0.1 mol/L). The catalysts were prepared by cycling the graphite electrode in solutions containing Ni, Cu and Co ions at cathodic potentials. The synergistic effects and catalytic activity of the modified electrodes were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry (CA) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). It was found that, in the presence of methanol, the modified Ni-based ternary alloy electrode (G/NiCuCo) exhibited a significantly higher response for methanol oxidation compared to the other samples. The anodic peak... 

Toughening of epoxy with different types of modifiers produces a bimodal blend that might show better fracture resistance in comparison with single-modified ones. In this research, bimodal epoxy formulations including mixtures of glass microsphere and silica nanoparticles are explored for possible synergistic toughening. The influence of composition on the glass transition temperature (Tg), tensile characteristics, and fracture toughness (KIC) is investigated. Interestingly, a synergism in fracture toughness is observed when mixtures of modifiers were incorporated. For the fixed overall modifier content, KIC is higher when the volume fraction of glass microsphere is lesser than the volume... 

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of both rubbery phase and nanosilica on mechanical properties of epoxy. Three series of formulations based on epoxy including nanosilica, rubber and rubber/nanosilica were prepared. Transmission electron microscopy showed that nanoparticles were homogeneously dispersed throughout the epoxy matrix. Compression and fracture toughness tests along with scanning electron microscopy and transmission optical microscopy were also done to evaluate the properties of the compounds. Although the results of compression tests indicate that addition of nanosilica could not change elastic modulus and yield strength of neat resin significantly,... 

The electrocatalytic oxidation of hydrazine was studied over Ni, Cu, Co and Ni-based ternary alloy on graphite electrodes in alkaline solution. The catalysts were prepared by cycling the graphite electrode in solutions containing Ni, Cu and Co ions at cathodic potentials. The synergistic effects and the catalytic activity of the modified electrodes were investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronoamperometry (CA) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). It was found that, in the presence of hydrazine, the modified Ni-based ternary alloy electrode (G/NiCuCo) exhibited a good catalytic activity for the oxidation of hydrazine at a reduced overpotential and it has a significant high... 

The present work reports the synthesis of a Pt-modified NiO–Al2O3 nanocomposite derived from graphene-supported layered double hydroxide (Pt–NiO/G) and demonstrates its catalytic activity. The resulting Pt–NiO/G nanocomposite was characterized by FT-IR, XRD, FE-SEM, TEM and XPS techniques and used for catalytic reduction of p-nitrophenol (P-NP) to p-aminophenol (P-AP). The influence of graphene on catalytic activity was comparatively considered by preparation of Pt–NiO nanoparticles derived from layered double hydroxide. The superior catalytic performance of Pt–NiO/G was ascribed to the synergistic effect between Pt and NiO. Furthermore, reduction of P-NP was considered to follow a... 

New dual light/temperature-responsive nanocarriers were synthesized using bimetallic plasmonic Au-Ag and Ag-Au nanoparticles (NPs) as cores of vehicles which subsequently functionalized with an upper critical solubility temperature–based poly acrylamide-co-acrylonitrile using reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer for spatiotemporally controlled chemo-photothermal synergistic cancer therapy. The bimetallic cores were assigned to sense wavelengths close to the localized surface plasmon resonance of monometallic NP shell to produce heat which not only can increase the surrounding temperature over the upper critical solubility temperature of polymer to open its valves and promote drug... 

High performance Fe-Gd-P tri-doped TiO2 nanoparticles (1 at% for each dopant) were successfully synthesized by a modified sol–gel method. Various analytical and spectroscopic techniques were carried out to determine the physicochemical properties of the prepared samples, including XRD, EDX, FESEM, BET, FTIR, XPS, PL, EIS and UV–Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. The photocatalytic activities of prepared samples were evaluated by photo degradation of methyl orange (MO) and 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) as model pollutants under visible light irradiation. Effects of each dopant on different properties of TiO2 nanoparticles were investigated. Results show that Gd and P doping enhances TiO2 surface... 

A nanocomposite of Ce-doped TiO2-reduced graphene oxide (CedT/RGO) was synthesized to evaluate the synergistic effects of constituents on electrical and photoelectric properties. The nanoparticles of titania and CedT were synthesized via the sol-gel method. Then, RGO was prepared using a new version derived from the Hammer's method and hydrothermal methods. Finally, CedT/RGO nanocomposite was synthesized applying hydrothermal method. The nanoparticles and nanocomposite were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and elemental mapping. Then, diffuse reflectance and... 

Synergistic coupled transport of uranyl ion across a bulk liquid membrane of chloroform has been investigated using a dioxa-diazamacrocycle and oleic acid as carrier and synergistic agents, respectively. Quantitative transport of uranyl ion was achieved within 4 h when the pH of source solution was kept at 5.0–6.0 and mole ratio of carrier to synergistic agent was 1/15. It was found that overall rate and selectivity of the transport is governed by the stripping step. Finally, the influence of some foreign competitor ions including Al3+, Ca2+, CO3 2−, Cu2+, Mg2+, Pb2+, Zn2+ and Th4+ and also the ionic strength on the transport efficiency has been evaluated. © 2018, Akadémiai Kiadó, Budapest,...