We report herein the effect of palladium on the redox electrochemistry of ferrocene monocarboxylic acid encapsulated within an organically modified sol-gel glass network (ORMOSIL). It has been found that amount of palladium and its geometrical distribution significantly alter the redox electrochemistry of FcMCA. The geometrical distribution of palladium has been controlled by two methods: (i) p...

In this work, the effects of permeate pressure and feed flow rate on the performance of a composite polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) membrane in the removal of benzene from gasoline by pervaporation (PV) were evaluated. The results indicate the remarkable effect of permeate pressure on membrane performance as reducing permeate pressure (higher vacuum) from 30 to 3 mmHg causes the total flux to increase ...

The performance of several palladium precatalysts, namely, palladium(II) acetate, palladium(0) nanoparticles encapsulated into poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) dendrimers (Pd DENs), and palladium(II)-PAMAM complexes, in the Stille reaction between trichloro(phenyl)stannane and iodoarenes in water is compared. The reactivity of Pd DENs is similar or inferior to that of palladium(II) acetate, although th...

Composite shell linings consist of primary and secondary sprayed concrete linings separated by a layer of spray-applied waterproofing membrane. In order to design such a lining configuration, a calibrated numerical simulation approach is needed and the impact of interface properties on the composite mechanical behaviour should be understood. A programme of laboratory tests was carried out on be...

In this study, proton conductive composite membranes were produced by using a poly(methylmethacrylate-co-maleic anhydride) (P(MMA-co-MAH)) copolymer and phosphotungstic Acid (PWA) as an additive of the proton conductive agent. P(MMA/MAH) 70/30, 50/50, and 30/70 were synthesized using a free radical polymerization reaction. PWA with a concentration of 2% was added to...

Polysulfone/carbon nanotubes (PSF/CNTs) nanocomposite membrane was prepared via phase inversion induced by immersion precipitation technique. In addition, the surface of the CNTs were functionalized by polar carboxylic and amine groups to improve the interaction between the CNTs and the polymer matrix. For this purpose, the neat CNTs were chemically treated using sulfuric acid/ nitric acid (H2S...