Chemical study of limestone and clay for cement manufacturing in Darukhula,Nizampur District,Nowshera,North West Frontier Province(N.W.F.P.),Pakistan

Limestone and clay samples were collected from Darukhula and adjoining areas of the Nizampur District,Nowshera,N.W.F.P.,Pakistan,and analyzed for different parameters in order to search for new reserves of suitable material for the manufacture of different types of cements in N.W.F.P.It was found that the area under study contains three types of limestones,including high grade limestone,Darukhula limestone and siliceous limestone,which contain 53%,49.03% and 45.19% CaO,respectively,and three types of clay,including maroon color,yellow to yellowish-green color and green color clay containing 57.76%,65.47% and 61.24% SiO2,respectively.Chemical analysis of the limestone and clay samples collected from the deposits in the area under study showed that all the elements found in these samples are within the range of permissible limits for the production of high-strength Portland cement,sulphate resisting cement and white cement.This paper covers the detailed version of the potential raw material deposits at Darukhula and adjoining areas of the Nizampur District.

Physicochemical characteristics of various milk samples available in Pakistan

We report physicochemical characteristics of various kinds of liquid milk commercially available in Pakistan in comparison with those of fresh natural milk from animals. Milk samples were collected from local markets at Peshawar, Pakistan, and analyzed for their physical features, including moisture, total solids, specific gravity, conductivity, viscosity and titratable acidity (lactic acid equivalent), and chemical components and macro-minerals, including total protein, casein, lactose, ash and minerals (Na, K and Mg). These items were compared with the physicochemical characteristics of the fresh natural milk samples from buffalo, cow and goat. The results were also compared with reported nutritional quality of milk from various countries and World Health Organization (WHO) standards. We found that all the physical features and chemical components of commercially available milk in Pakistan markets meet WHO's requirements, except for Na, K, Ca and Mg, which are below the standards.

Single-step conversion of lignin monomers to phenol: Bridging the gap between lignin and high-value chemicals

Transformation of lignin into high-value chemicals is hampered by the complexity of monomers obtained from lignin depolymerization. Here we report a strategy, composed of hy-dro-demethoxylation and de-alkylation reactions, that is able to chemically converge various lig-nin-derived phenolic monomers into phenol in a single-step. Using 2-methoxy-4-propylphenol as a model compound, Pt/C exhibited the best performance in hydro-demethoxylation reaction afford-ing 80% 4-propylphenol from 2-methoxy-4-propylphenol, while H-ZSM-5 was identified as the most suitable catalyst for de-alkylation, achieving 83% yield of phenol from 4-propylphenol. Since the two catalysts operate under compatible conditions, combining the two catalysts to simultane-ously promote both hydro-demethoxylation and de-alkylation reactions was achieved. Configura-tion of how to organize the catalysts is a critical parameter, where the physical mixture of the two was most effective, providing over 60% phenol from 2-methoxy-4-propylphenol in a single-step.

Science Letters:Nutritional composition of Pakistani wheat varieties

Pakistani wheat varieties are grown over a wide agro-climatic range and as such are anticipated to exhibit yield and quality differences. It is therefore necessary to investigate the nutritional status of wheat varieties in terms of biochemical and physiochemical characteristics available for food and nutritional purposes in Pakistan. The result shows that wheat grains of different varieties contain a net protein level of 9.15%～10.27%, 2.15%～2.55% total fats, 1.72%～1.85% dietary fibers, 77.65×10-6～84.25×10-6 of potassium and 7.70×10-6～35.90×10-6 of sodium ions concentration, 0.24×10-6～0.84×10-6 of phosphorus, 1.44%～2.10% ash, 31.108～43.602 g of thousand grain mass (TGM) and 8.38%～9.67% moisture contents. This study is significant in providing an opportunity to explore the available wheat varieties and to further improve their nutritional excellence and also essential for setting nutritional regulations for domestic and export purposes.

Interfacial engineering through lead binding using crown ethers in perovskite solar cells

In the domain of perovskite solar cells(PSCs),the imperative to reconcile impressive photovoltaic performance with lead-related issue and environmental stability has driven innovative solutions.This study pioneers an approach that not only rectifies lead leakage but also places paramount importance on the attainment of rigorous interfacial passivation.Crown ethers,notably benzo-18-crown-6-ether(B18C6),were strategically integrated at the perovskite-hole transport material interface.Crown ethers exhibit a dual role:efficiently sequestering and immobilizing Pb^(2+)ions through host-guest complexation and simultaneously establishing a robust interfacial passivation layer.Selected crown ether candidates,guided by density functional theory(DFT)calculations,demonstrated proficiency in binding Pb2+ions and optimizing interfacial energetics.Photovoltaic devices incorporating these materials achieved exceptional power conversion efficiency(PCE),notably 21.7%for B18C6,underscoring their efficacy in lead binding and interfacial passivation.Analytical techniques,including time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry(ToF-SIMS),ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy(UPS),time-resolved photoluminescence(TRPL),and transient absorption spectroscopy(TAS),unequivocally affirmed Pb^(2+)ion capture and suppression of non-radiative recombination.Notably,these PSCs maintained efficiency even after enduring 300 h of exposure to 85%relative humidity.This research underscores the transformative potential of crown ethers,simultaneously addressing lead binding and stringent interfacial passivation for sustainable PSCs poised to commercialize and advance renewable energy applications.

Study of borohydride ionic liquids as hydrogen storage materials

Stability of borohydrides is determined by the localization of the negative charge on the boron atom.Ionic liquids(ILs) allow to modify the stability of the borohydrides and promote new dehydrogenation pathways with a lower activation energy. The combination of borohydride and IL is very easy to realize and no expensive rare earth metals are required. The composite of the ILs with complex hydrides decreases the enthalpy and activation energy for the hydrogen desorption. The Coulomb interaction between borohydride and IL leads to a destabilization of the materials with a significantly lower enthalpy for hydrogen desorption. Here, we report a simple ion exchange reaction using various ILs, such as vinylbenzyltrimethylammonium chloride([VBTMA][Cl]), 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride([bmim][Cl]), and 1-ethyl-1-methylpyrrolidinium bromide([EMPY][Br]) with NaBH4 to decrease the hydrogen desorption temperature. Dehydrogenation of 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium borohydride([bmim][BH4]) starts below 100℃. The quantity of desorbed hydrogen ranges between 2.4 wt% and 2.9 wt%, which is close to the theoretical content of hydrogen. The improvement in dehydrogenation is due to the strong amine cation that destabilizes borohydride by charge transfer.

Simultaneous operation of dibenzothiophene hydrodesulfurization and methanol reforming reactions over Pd promoted alumina based catalysts

In the current study simultaneous reactions of hydrodesulfurization(HDS) of dibenzothiophene(DBT) and reforming of methanol in a micro-autoclave reactor were studied over bi-metallic(Co-Mo/Al2O3 and Ni-Mo/Al2O3) and tri-metallic(Pd-Co-Mo/Al2O3 and Pd-Ni-Mo/Al2O3) catalyst systems which were prepared by incipient impregnation method.In situ hydrogen utilization and low Pd loadings were the major targets of this study.For comparison purpose,catalytic activity was separately determined for both the methanol reforming and HDS of DBT reactions as well.Ni based catalysts were confirmed with better activity than Co ones for both the reactions with Pd promoted ones ranking at the top i.e.Pd-Ni-Mo/Al2O3 > Ni-Mo/Al2O3 > Pd-Co-Mo/Al2O3 > Co-Mo/Al2O3 where Pd-Ni-Mo/Al2O3 showed 91% DBT conversion at 380 ℃ and 12 h reaction time.Some of the selected organic additives on catalytic activity were tested for their effect toward HDS reaction which was unique with close relation to their chemical nature.Reaction products were quantitatively and qualitatively analyzed via HPLC and GC-MS techniques respectively which helped in elucidating reaction mechanism.

Raw mix designing,clinkerization and manufacturing of high-strength Portland cement from the limestone and clay of Darukhula Nizampur,Nowshera District,North-West Frontier Province (N.W.F.P.),Pakistan

This paper covers the detailed version of the potential raw material deposits at Darukhula and the adjacent areas of Nizampur, the manufacturing of high-strength Portland cement samples from the same material and comparison of the physical and chemical parameters for resulting cement with British and Pakistan standard specifications, which include compressive strength, setting time, consistency, lechatelier expansion, Blaine and insoluble residue. It was found that the raw material available in the study area meets the standard specifications and the area is feasible for the cement plant installation. The area can provide raw material which is quite sufficient for the running of a cement plant.

In vivo sedative and muscle relaxants activity of Diospyros lotus L

Objective: To evaluate the sedative effect of Diospyros lotus L(D. lotus) extract in mice using the open field and Rota rod tests.Methods: For the sedative and muscle relaxants activities of extract/fractions of the plant, invivo open field and phenobarbitone-induced sleeping time were used, while the Roda rod test was employed in animals for the assessment of muscle relaxant activity.Results: Results from this investigation revealed that the extracts of D. lotus have exhibited significant sedative effect in mice(45.98%) at 100 mg/kg i.p. When the extract was partitioned with different solvents, the n-hexane fraction was inactive whereas the chloroform fraction was the most active with 82.67% sedative effect at 50 and 100 mg/kg i.p. On the other hand,the ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions displayed significant sedative effects(55.65% and40.87%, respectively) at 100 mg/kg i.p. Among the tested extract/fractions, only chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions showed significant(P < 0.05) muscle relaxant activity in the Rota rod test.Conclusions: In short, our study provided scientific background to the traditional uses of D.lotus as sedative.

Water promoted, microwave-assisted oxidative novel deamination of N-aminoquinazolinones

A novel deamination of 2-alkyl/aryl 3-amino-4（3H）-quinazolinones series using aqueous KMnO4 under thermal condition and microwave irradiation is described. Compared to thermal condition, significantly higher yields in much shorter times were observed for reactions under microwave irradiation. A plausible mechanism has been proposed for the oxidative water-promoted deamination.

Thermodynamics of Solvent Extraction of Rare and Scattered Metal-Indium with Diethylhexylmonothiophosphoric Acid

The thermodynamics of extracting In（ Ⅲ） with diethylhexylmonothiophosphoric acid as an extractant in a H2SO4 system is reported. The equilibrium molalities of In^3＋ ions were measured at a high acidity and ionic strengths varying from 0. 1 to 2.0 mol/kg in an aqueous phase containing Na2SO4 as the supporting electrolyte. The values of the standard extraction constant K^0 at various temperatures were obtained by the methods of extrapolation and polynomial approximation. The equation lgK^0 = - 51.95 - 5.93 × 10^3/T ＋ 6. 15 × 10^-2 T was also obtained and the thermodynamic quantities for the extraction process were calculated.

Superabsorbent Capability and High Retention Ability of China Clay(Kaolinite)/Polyacrylic Acid Composites for Aqueous Solution

Majority of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) yet reported either have low gel strength or high production cost. Therefore, we synthesized a novel polyacrylic acid-grafted China clay (Kaolinite) super-absorbent polymer composite (SAPC) with high thermal stability, low cost of production and superior sorption and retention capability for water and salt solution. The resulting SAPCs were extensively characterized and analysed by X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results suggested that the composites were thermally stable. Water absorbency increased with increase of clay content up to 45%, while further increase in clay content decreased the water absorbency. Percentage of acrylic acid (AA) and clay by weight shows the optimum absorbency in 35% and 40% respectively. Crosslinker and initiator contents were optimized to be 0.5% and 0.3% by weight respectively. The resulting polymer composite showed high water absorbency of about 785 g/g and 103 g/g of 1% NaCl solution with above 90% retention ability at 50 oC.

Oxidative desulfurization of dibenzothiophene over Fe promoted Co–Mo/Al_2O_3 and Ni–Mo/Al_2O_3 catalysts using hydrogen peroxide and formic acid as oxidants

This work reports the enhancing effect of a highly cost effective and efficient metal, Fe, incorporation to Co or Ni based Mo/Al2O3 catalysts in the oxidative desulfurization （ODS） of dibenzothiophene （DBT） using H2O2 and formic acid as oxidants. The influence of operating parameters i.e. reaction time, catalyst dose, reaction temperature and oxidant amount on oxidation process was investigated. Results revealed that 99% DBT conversion was achieved at 60℃ and 150 min reaction time over Fe-Ni-Mo/Al2O3. Fe tremendously enhanced the ODS activity of Co or Ni based Mo/Al2O3 catalysts following the activity order：Fe-Ni-Mo/Al2O3 〉 Fe-Co-Mo/Al2O3 〉 Ni-Mo/Al2O3 〉 Co-Mo/Al2O3, while H2O2 exhibited higher oxidation activity than formic acid over all catalyst systems. Insight about the surface morphology and textural properties of fresh and spent catalysts were achieved using scanning electron microscopy （SEM）, X-ray diffraction （XRD）, energy dispersive X-ray （EDX） analysis, Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy （AAS） and BET surface area analysis, which helped in the interpretation of experimental data. The present study can be deemed as an effective approach on industrial level for ODS of fuel oils crediting to its high efficiency, low process/catalyst cost, safety and mild operating condition.

Sensitive Spectrofluorimetric Method for Determination of Fluoroquinolones through Charge-Transfer Complex Formation

A sensitive spectrofluorimetric method was developed for determination of ciprofloxacin (CPFX), levofloxacin (LEV), gatifloxacin (GAT) and moxifloxacin (MOX) in pure, commercial formulations, human urine and plasma. The method is based on charge-transfer (CT) complex with chloranilic acid. Fluorescence intensity of the complexes was measured at emission wavelength ranging from 445-492 nm with excitation wavelengths from 285-330 nm. At optimum experimental conditions, a linear calibration plot was obtained in the concentration range of 20-1000 ng·mL-1, 60-320 ng·mL-1, 20-800 ng·mL-1 and 20 -00 ng·mL-1 for CPFX, LEV, MOX and GAT, respectively with good correlation coefficient in the range of 0.9929-1.0 in methanolic medium. The limit of detection and limit of quantification were found to be 5 ng·mL-1 and 18 ng·mL-1 for CPFX, 12 ng·mL-1 and 40 ng·mL-1 for LEV, 8 ng·mL-1 and 19 ng·mL-1 for MOX, 6 ng·mL-1 and 19 ng·mL-1 for GAT, respectively. The method was found free of interferences from excipients used as additive in pharmaceutical preparations, some common cations and compounds present in urine and plasma as well as co-administered analgesic, vitamins and other drugs. The method was successfully applied for quantification of selected fluoroquinolones in commercial formulations and also in spiked human urine and plasma samples with percent recoveries of 100.0 ± 1.56 and 100.2 ± 1.29 respectively.

Engineered Hybrid Materials with Smart Surfaces for Effective Mitigation of Petroleum-Originated Pollutants

The generation and controlled or uncontrolled release of hydrocarbon-contaminated industrial wastewater effluents to water matrices are a major environmental concern.The contaminated water comes to surface in the form of stable emulsions,which sometimes require different techniques to mitigate or separate effectively.Both the crude emulsions and hydrocarbon-contaminated wastewater effluents contain suspended solids,oil/grease,organic matter,toxic elements,salts,and recalcitrant chemicals.Suitable treatment of crude oil emulsions has been one of the most important challenges due to the complex nature and the substantial amount of generated waste.Moreover,the recovery of oil from waste will help meet the increasing demand for oil and its derivatives.In this context,functional nanostructured materials with smart surfaces and switchable wettability properties have gained increasing attention because of their excellent performance in the separation of oil–water emulsions.Recent improvements in the design,composition,morphology,and fine-tuning of polymeric nanostructured materials have resulted in enhanced demulsification functionalities.Herein,we reviewed the environmental impacts of crude oil emulsions and hydrocarbon-contaminated wastewater effluents.Their effective treatments by smart polymeric nanostructured materials with wettability properties have been stated with suitable examples.The fundamental mechanisms underpinning the efficient separation of oil–water emulsions are discussed with suitable examples along with the future perspectives of smart materials.

Features of Polymethacrylic Acid and Poly-2-Methyl-5-Vinylpyridine Hydrogels Remote Interaction in an Aqueous Medium

The remote interaction of polymethacrylic acid hydrogel with a poly-2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine hydrogel was studied. The aim of work was to study the dependence of the swelling coefficient, the conductivity and the pH of the water solutions of intergel system at different mass ratios from time were studied. The goal was achieved by using following methods： pH-metry, conductometry and gravimetry.

In vitro biological screening of the stem of Desmodium elegans

Objective:To explore the medicinal importance of the stem of Desmodium elegans,methanolic extract,and its different solvent fractions were evaluated for brine shrimp lethality,insecticidal and phytotoxicity,antifungal,and antibacterial activities.Methods:The methanolic extract and its solvent fractions were tested for cytotoxic,phytotoxic,insecticidal,antifungal,and antibacterial effects using our previous published protocols.Results:The methanolic,DCM,ethyl acetate and n-butanol fractions exhibited insecticidal effect against Callosobruchus analis and Rhyzopertha dominie.The methanolic extract,n-hexane,DCM ethyl acetate and n-butanol showed 75,85,85,65 and 5%phytotoxicity at the tested concentration of 500μg/ml.respectively.The solvent fractions(DCM and ethyl acetate)were effective against F.solani(10%and 20%,inhibition respectively).All the tested samples were devoid of cytotoxic and antibacterial effects.Conclusions:It was concluded diat diis plant can be practiced for control of weeds and insects.

Enhanced Pervaporative Separation of Thiophene/n-Heptane Using Metal Loaded PEBAX/PAN Membranes

The mass transfer of thiophene through pervaporation（PV） membranes could be facilitated by certain transitional metal ions like Ag+, Mn2+, and Cr3+ thanks to their p complexation with thiophene. In this study, Ag+, Mn2+, and Cr3+ ions were loaded onto the polyether block amide（PEBAX）/PAN composite membranes and were tested on the performance for separation of thiophene/n-heptane mixture. Pervaporation test results showed that the pervaporative separation index increased significantly to 73.1%, 75.5%, and 97.2% at 30 oC for the Ag+-, Mn2+-, Cr3+-loaded PEBAX membranes, respectively,as compared to the pristine PEBAX/PAN composite membrane.