Andrzej Olejniczak

Novel nitrogen-containing mesoporous carbons prepared from chitosan

In this study, synthesis of novel nitrogen-containing mesoporous carbons with the use of both colloidal silica as a template and chitosan as a new promising carbon precursor was performed. The prepared materials were characterized by adsorption of nitrogen, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), scanning electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and elemental analysis. The use of the silica template makes it possible to achieve products of the pore volume as high as 4.31 cm3 g−1, with only insignificant contribution of microporosity. The present method enables the synthesis of nitrogen-containing carbons in a simple manner, using an inexpensive and readily available biopolymer.

Transfer of Triazine-iron(II) Chromic Complexes Left by Iron Items on Textile Background and Human Skin

Abstract:u2002 The research is focused on the detection and transfer of iron traces left by iron items on clothing and human skin. The method is based on the formation of colored complexes between ferrous ions and five synthesized, mostly new triazines. Iron traces originally were left by iron rings on slightly wetted (artificial sweat) cotton fabrics and subsequently transferred to a separate textile substrate. Prior to the use of trazines the contact spots were treated with a new inorganic reducing agent (Sn2+) to reduce Fe3+ to Fe2+. The method is sensitive to detect iron traces on wetted canvas after 10u2003min contact with iron items. More spectacular results were obtained for traces left on human palm even after very short contact (10u2003sec). The new iron‐trace‐transfer method eliminated the contact of triazines solutions with human skin. Transmission visible spectra of Fe(II)–triazine complexes were determined.

Solid phase extraction of tritiated contaminants from tritium-containing waste oils

A solid phase extraction method for removing polar tritiated contaminants from tritium-containing waste oils has been developed. The composition of the degradation products present in the waste oil was determined. The results indicated that upon exposure to tritium gas, fragment methyl ketones, carboxylic acids, and lactones were the main polar products of the mineral-based oil oxidation. The nonpolar fragmentation products included n-alkanes, monomethylalkanes, and acyclic isoprenoids and were analogous to those formed during

Nanoscale Phenomena Occurring during Pyrolysis of Salix viminalis Wood

gamma

Hierarchical porous carbon templated with silica spheres of a diameter of 14 nm from pure chitosan or a chitosan/ZnCl2 solution

γ-irradiation of the oil. Various polar and nonpolar fragmentation products containing an isoprenoid skeleton were found to be formed via an oxidative/radiation scission of long-chain acyclic isoprenoids.

Salix viminalis wood as a new precursor for manufacturing of carbon molecular sieves for effective methane/nitrogen separation

The protective antioxidative effect of the phenolic extract (PE) isolated from Salix viminalis pyrolysis derived bio-oil was shown in vitro on the Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells exposed to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Cells pretreated with 0.05xa0μg/ml PE after exposure to different concentrations of H2O2 (300–900xa0μM) showed up to 25xa0% higher viability than the unpretreated ones. The antioxidative effect of PE was also observed in a time-dependent manner. The results were confirmed by visual examination of the specimens using microscopy. Finally, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity modulation was shown by SOD assay, designed to determine the activity of enzymes removing free radicals.

Biotechnological fabrication of LaMnO3-carbon catalyst for n-butanol conversion to ketones

Selective utilisation of unique properties of Salix viminalis wood enables preparation of materials of nanotechnologic properties. Thermal decomposition of lignin-cellulose organic matter results in the formation of a nanostructured porous carbon matrix (charcoal). Narrowed pore size distribution (PSD) in the subnanometer range allows to consider the charcoals as carbon molecular sieves (CMSs), which are capable of separating even chemically inert gases like neon, krypton, and nitrogen. High tolerance of Salix viminalis to heavy metal ions enables enriching living plant tissues with metal ions like lanthanum and manganese. Such ions may later form LaMnO3 with parallel transformation of plant tissues (organic matter) to carbon matrix using a heat treatment. In this way, one gets a hybrid material: a porous carbon matrix with uniformly suspended nanocrystallites of LaMoO3. The crystallites are in the catalytically active phase during the conversion of n-butanol to heptanone-4 with high yield and selectivity.

Nitrogen-containing mesoporous carbons with high capacitive properties derived from a gelatin biomolecule

Salix viminalis (Common Osier, Basket Willow, Energetic Willow) is a plant belonging to the SRWC group (Short Rotation Woody Crops) (Borjesson et al., 1994; Christersson & Sennerby-Forsse, 1994). Such a qualification points out possible applications resulting from a fast growth and annual yield of biomass. The woody stems of Salix viminalis can be cut frequently and serve as burnable biomass. Therefore Salix viminalis wood is often called a “green fuel”. In general, willows (genus Salix) are popular plants since more than 400 species occur in Nature (including Salix viminalis). Particularly, Northern Hemisphere is a natural region for different willow species bearing sometimes traditional and very unique names like Sageleaf Willow, Goat Willow, Pussy Willow, Coastal Plain Willow, Kimura, Grey Willow, Sand Dune Willow, Furry Willow, Heartleaf Willow, Del Norte Willow, American Willow, Drummonds Willow, Eastwoods Willow, Mountain Willow, Sierra Willow etc. The variety of willow species partly results from ease of hybrid formation by cross-fertile of particular Salix genotypes in a natural process and/or by planned cultivation. Table 1 contains systematic botanic classification of willows.