Dissertations / Theses on the topic 'Salts in'

Herein an alternative approach aimed at reducing the cost of numbering up technique as a scale up strategy for chemical processes from the laboratory bench top to the industry is explored. The effect of increasing channel size on the reaction conversion of the synthesis of azo compounds is investigated. This was achieved via a systematic investigative understanding of the synthesis in microreactors where a proof of concept study was performed to determine the optimum reaction parameters in azo coupling reactions involving couplers with aminated or hydroxylated groups in Little Things Factory-MS microreactors (Channel diameter: 1.0 mm) It was found that at slightly alkaline conditions (pH 8.55) and at a temperature of 25 °C, excellent conversions were attained in the azo coupling reaction of the diazonium salt solution of 2,4-dimethylaniline to 2-naphthol. On the other hand, the azo coupling reaction of the diazonium salt solution of p-nitroaniline to diphenylamine was found to thrive at a pH of 5.71 and at a temperature of 25 °C. Using, these optimized reaction parameters, the in-situ and reactive quench of diazonium salts in LTF-MS microreactors was investigated where it was found that at a flow rate of 0.2 ml/min, 0.03 ml/min and 0.07 ml/min of diazotizable amine & HCl, sodium nitrite and coupler solutions respectively, a conversion of 98% is achieved in approximately 2.4 minutes. A library of azo compounds was thus generated under these reaction conditions from couplers with aminated or hydroxylated aromatic aromatic systems. The scaled up synthesis of these compounds in a homemade PTFE tubing (ID 1.5 mm) reactor system was thereafter investigated and comparable conversions were observed. Capitalizing on the benefits of a large surface area and the short molecular diffusion distances observed in microreactors, in-situ phase transfer catalyzed azo coupling reaction of diphenylamine to p-nitroaniline was also explored. In this investigation a rapid and easy optimization protocol that yielded a 99%, 22% and 33% conversion of diphenylamine, carbazole and triphenylamine respectively in approximately 2.4 minutes using Chemtrix microreactors was established. On increasing the microreactor channel internal diameter in the scaled up synthesis approach, it was found that a 0.5 mm increase in channel internal diameter does result in lower reaction conversions.

The pharmaceutical industry has for many years been interested in the formation of salts as a means of controlling the chemical/physical properties of API (active pharmaceutical ingredient) molecules. While current interest in cocrystals has led to study of their formation and phase behaviour, comparatively little data is available for salts. This work aims to come some way to redress that balance. Initial studies focussed on a single base manually ground with a number of acids (leading on from previous solution work). Salt formation was noted in a significant number of cases. The work was followed by two more detailed and contrasting case studies. These case studies are ephedrine with pimelic acid and benzoic acid. Both mono- and di-basic salts of ephedrine and pimelic acid were formed both by grinding and solution methods. Binary and aqueous ternary phase diagrams were measured to allow assessment of pure phase regions. The ideality of the systems was assessed and, while the binary phase diagram showed some relatively ideal regions, the ternary system appeared highly non-ideal. Effects on the shape and size of phase regions have been considered, especially the role ionisation plays in the ternary non-ideality. Using fundamental equations solubility has been determined as a function of pH and compared to experimental data. The pH value has also been calculated using concentrations of acid and base along the experimental liquidus of the ternary phase diagram and comparisons made with measured pH values. From these comparisons it was determined that the non-ideality and shape of the liquidus in the ephedrine/pimelic acid/water ternary phase diagram is not solely due to ionisation of the components. Some major issues that may arise in attempted salt formation studies are discussed in relation to the ephedrine and benzoic acid system. Aqueous salt formation was not successful; therefore reasons for this failure are discussed. It is concluded that while the ternary phase behaviour of a salt should be considered, it does not mean the ionisation behaviour (and hence the speciation diagram) should be ignored. These two sources of information should be assessed in conjunction with one another in order to gain the most accurate insight into a system.

Thesis (MSc)--Stellenbosch University, 2014.
ENGLISH ABSTRACT: A theoretical and experimental study was performed in order to identify factors that influence the propensity of compounds containing anionic functional groups that are commonly found on pharmaceutical drug compounds to form hydrates. A Cambridge Structural Database (CSD) survey was initially undertaken to determine the propensity of different pharmaceutically acceptable anions to form hydrates. The results showed that hydrate formation will take place more regularly when the polarity of the functional group increases. Furthermore, if the charge distribution is very concentrated over the polar groups, hydrate formation will occur more readily. This observation was further investigated by performing a series of potential energy surface (PES) scans for the hydrogen bond (H-bond) in the structure of N-(aminoiminomethyl)-N-methylglycine monohydrate (creatine monohydrate) with various Density Functional Theory (DFT) and Wave Functional Theory (WFT) methods. WFT is often also referred to as ab initio, which refers to the construction of the wave function from first principles when this theory is applied. The scans revealed that several strong and directional H-bonds with different geometrical parameters between the carboxylate group and the water molecule are possible, which suggests that the H-bond plays an important role in driving the formation of pharmaceutical hydrates. A total of 44 hydrate structures were identified that have pharmaceutically acceptable functional groups. Optimisations in the gas phase and in an implicit solvent polarisable continuum solvent model with a variety of solvents showed that there is a significant dependence of the H-bond interaction energy on the anionic group as well as the steric density of surrounding substituents. It was found that the M06-2X method utilising the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set outperformed the other methods that were tested when compared to optimisations performed with the benchmark MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory. Furthermore, the strength of the H-bond was measured in the 44 experimentally determined structures by using a total of five generalized gradient approximation (GGA) methods, of which two methods contained the DFT-D3 correction. The results of these DFT methods were subsequently compared to results obtained at the benchmark MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ level of theory. The M06-2X method was identified as the most economical method to calculate H-bond energies. It was also found that the H-bond interaction energy shows a substantial dependence on the electrostatic environment. This was observed by a significant decrease in H-bond strength as the relative permittivity of the solvent increases. The effect of steric density on the H-bond interaction energy was investigated by performing hydrogen bond propensity calculations. These values were then compared to the interaction energies of each structure and the results showed that the presence of large bulky substituents can lead to an increase in bond energy by forcing the anionic functional group closer to the water molecule. Contrastingly, the bulky group can also push the anionic group away from the water molecule and result in a decrease in bond energy. Approximate values for the amount of stabilisation offered to the H-bonding system by the surrounding crystalline environment were calculated by optimising the H-bond geometrical parameters of selected compounds with a combination of the M06-2X and MP2 methods utilising the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. The H-bond interaction energies were then calculated at the M06-2X/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory and compared to the H-bond interaction energies in geometries that have been fully optimised. After these energies were compared and the crystal packing of each structure was investigated, it was found that the packing of some structures within the crystalline environment limits the number of H-bonds that can be formed between the water and the compound of interest. Full optimisation calculations result in structures with cooperative stabilisation, such that more than one H-bond is found between the two fragments. The effect of substituents on H-bond interaction energy was investigated by the addition of six electron-donating and electron-withdrawing groups on four aromatic compounds with different anionic functional groups, namely carboxylate, nitrogen dioxide, sulfonate and phosphonate. It should also be mentioned that the nitrogen dioxide is not an anionic functional group, but it was included as it is a neutral radical that often forms hydrogen bonds. A total of 80 structures were optimised with a combination of the M06-2X and MP2 methods utilising the 6-311++G(d,p) basis set. This was followed by counterpoise corrected single point calculations at the M06-2X/6-311++G(d,p) level of theory. The results showed that the H-bond interaction energy bears no relationship to the inductive strength or the inductive ability of the substituents, but rather the ability of these substituents to rotate the anionic functional group and allow cooperative stabilisation of the H-bond. Furthermore, AIM analysis was performed for the substituted H-bonded aromatic structure. The results showed that electron-donating groups that are placed at the para position yield stronger H-bonds, which is once again accompanied by cooperative stabilisation. Electron-withdrawing groups with sufficient inductive effects can result in a weaker H-bond when placed at the meta position. The effect of water activity (aw) on the hydrate crystal formation was investigated experimentally by performing a series of crystallisations in various solvent mixtures. These mixtures consisted of water mixed with acetone, ethanol and ethyl acetate. A total of three organic acids were used in crystal formation, namely pyridine-4-carboxylic acid (isonicotinic acid), N-amino-iminomethyl-N-methylglycine (creatine) and benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid. It was found that water activity affects the formation of the hydrate as well as the anhydrous product. Additionally, nucleation and super saturation plays a large role in crystal formation and can serve as an effective technique when the formation of crystals of an appropriate shape and size is required for further analysis.
AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: 'n Teoretiese en eksperimentele studie was uitgevoer om faktore te identifiseer wat die geneigdheid van verbindings met anioniese funksionele groepe wat algemeen gevind word op farmaseutiese dwelm verbindings om die hidraat produk te vorm, affekteer. 'n Opname van strukture in die Cambridge Strukturele Databasis (CSD) is onderneem om die geneigdheid van verskillende farmaseutiese aanvaarbare anione om hidrate te vorm te bepaal. Die resultate het getoon dat hidraatvorming meer gereeld plaasvind indien die polariteit van die funksionele groepe toeneem. Verder is daar ook opgemerk dat 'n gekonsentreerde ladingsverspreiding op die polêre groepe ook tot 'n toename in hidraat vorming sal lei. Hierdie waarneming is verder ondersoek deur 'n reeks potensiële energie oppervlak (PES) skanderings van die waterstof binding (H-binding) vir die struktuur van N-amino-iminometiel-N-metielglisien monohidraat (kreatien monohidraat) met verskeie Digtheids-Funksionele Teorie (DFT) en Golffunksie Teorie (WFT) metodes uit te voer. Die skanderings het getoon dat verskeie sterk, gerigte H-bindings met verskillende geometriese parameters tussen die karboksilaatgroep en die watermolekule kan vorm. Hierdie bevindinge lê klem op die belangrike rol wat H-bindings in die vorming van farmaseutiese koolhidrate speel. 'n Totaal van 44 hidraat strukture met farmaseutiese aanvaarbare funksionele groepe was geïdentifiseer. Optimaliserings is in die gas fase asook in 'n implisiete kontinuum polariseerbare oplosmiddel model met 'n verskeidenheid oplosmiddels uitgevoer. Die resultate het 'n beduidende afhanklikheid van die H-binding interaksie-energie op die anioniese groep asook die steriese afkskerming van omringende groepe getoon. Daar is bepaal dat die M06-2X metode wat saam met die 6-311++G(d,p) basisstel die mees akkuraatste resultate gelewer het in vergelyking met die ander DFT metodes asook die MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ maatstaf. Die H-binding se sterkte is vir hierdie strukture bereken deur vyf GGA metodes te gebruik, waarvan twee metodes van die DFT-D3 korreksie gebruik maak. Die resultate van die berekeninge met hierdie DFT metodes is daarna vergelyk met resultate verkry met die MP2/aug-cc-pVTZ maatstaf. Daar is gevolglik bepaal dat die M06-2X metode die mees ekonomiese metode is om H-binding energië te bereken. Die H-binding interaksie energie toon 'n aansienlike afhanklikheid op die diëlektriese konstante van die oplosmiddel aan. Hierdie waarneming is op grond van 'n beduidende afname in die H-binding interaksie-energie indien die relatiewe permittiwiteit van die oplosmiddel verhoog word gemaak. Die effek van steriese digtheid is ondersoek deur waterstofbindinggeneigdheid waardes te bereken. Hierdie waardes is met die interaksie-energië van elke struktuur vergelyk. Die resultate dui daarop dat steries digte groepe tot 'n toename in interaksie energie kan lei wanneer die anioniese funksionele groep nader aan die water molekule gestoot word. Verder is dit ook moontlik vir hierdie steries digte groepe om die anioniese groep weg van die water molekule te stoot en gevolglik 'n afname in interaksie energie te veroorsaak. Benaderde waardes vir die hoeveelheid stabilisering wat die omringende kristallyne omgewing aan die H-binding bied is bereken deur die H-binding geometriese parameters van geselekteerde verbindings met die M06-2X en MP2 metodes en die 6-311++G (d,p) basisstel te optimaliseer. Die H-binding interaksie-energië is gevolglik by die M06-2X/6-311++G(d,p) vlak van teorie bereken en met die H-binding energië in strukture wat volledige optimaliseer is vergelyk. Nadat hierdie waardes vergelyk is, is daar gevind dat die pakking van strukture in the kristallyne omgewing verhoed dat sekere H-bindings tussen die water molekule en die verbinding van belang kan vorm. Strukture wat volledig optimaliseer is, lei tot strukture wat in staat is om koöperatiewe stabilisering te ondergaan. Koöperatiewe stabilisering word gekenmerk deur die vorming van meer as een H-binding tussen twee fragmente. Die effek van substituente op die H-binding interaksie energie is ondersoek deur die bevoeging van ses elektrondonor- en elektronontrekkendegroepe op vier aromatiese verbindings, naamlike die karboksilaatgroep , stikstofdioksied , sulfonaat en fosfonaat. Dit moet ook genoem word dat stikstofdioksied nie 'n anioniese funksionele groep is nie, maar dit was wel ingesluit omdat dit ‘n neutrale radikaal groep is wat dikwels waterstofbindings vorm. 'n Totaal van 80 strukture optimiserings was uitgevoer met 'n kombinasie van die M06-2X en MP2 metodes wat gebruik maak van die 6-311++G(d,p) basisstel. Dit is gevolg deur interaksie-energie berekeninge op die M06-2X/6-311++G(d,p) vlak van teorie. Die resultate het getoon dat daar geen verband tussen die induktiewe vermoë van die substituente en die sterkte van die H-binding is nie, dit is eerder die vermoë van hierdie substituente om die anioniese funksionele groep te laat roteer wat toelaat dat koöperatiewe stabilisering van die H-binding kan geskied. Die AIM analise is op 'n gesubstitueerde H-binding struktuur toegepas. Die resultate het getoon dat elektrondonorgroepe wat by die para posisie geplaas word tot sterker H-bindings sal lei, wat weereens met koöperatiewe stabilisering vergesel word. Elektrononttrekkendegroepe met sterk induktiewe effekte kan tot 'n swakker H-binding lei indien hulle by die meta posisie geplaas word. Die effek van water aktiwiteit (𝑎w) op hidraatkristalvorming is deur die uitvoering van 'n reeks kristallisasies in verskeie oplosmiddelmengsels ondersoek. Hierdie oplosmiddel mengsels bestaan uit water met asetoon, etanol of etielasetaat gemeng. Kristallisasies is vir drie organiese sure, naamlik piridien-4-karboksielsuur, N-amino-iminometiel-N-metielglisien monohidraat en 1,3,5-benseen tri-karboksielsuur uitgevoer. Daar is gevind dat water aktiwiteit 'n invloed op die vorming van die hidraat en watervrye produkte kan hê. Daarbenewens, speel water aktiwiteit 'n belangrike rol in die nukleasie fase van kristalvorming en kan as 'n effektiewe tegniek dien om kristalle van 'n toepaslike vorm en grootte vir verdere analise te verkry.

The dielectric properties of pure low to medium molecular weight poly(ethylene glycol) and poly(propylene glycol) and a variety of their salt complexes have been studied through the measurement of the dielectric permittivity and dielectric loss over a range of frequency and temperature. The major proportion of this study has been concerned with the examination of the nature of the interaction between mercuric chloride and poly(propylene glycol) (PPG). Other salt-poly-ether combinations have also been considered such as cobalt chloride-PPG cadmium chloride-PPG zinc chloride-PPG and ferric chloride-PEG (polyethylene glycol). Some of this work was also supported by chemical shift and spin-lattice Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (N.M.R.) spectroscopy. The dielectric permittivity data were analysed using the Onsager relation to calculate the mean dipole moment per dipolar unit. This approach was employed in the discussion of various models proposed for the structure of salt-polyether complexes. The effect of mercuric chloride on the statistical conformations of poly(propylene-glycol) was studied in a quantitative manner using the relationships of marchal-Benoit. The dielectric relaxation activation energy and mean energy difference between gauche and trans conformations of poly(propylene glycol) in the presence of mercuric chloride, both showed a distinct minimum when the concentration of mercuric chloride was close to 5 mole %. Opposite behaviour was observed for the Cole-Cole parameter. It was concluded that the majority of the dielectric data could be rationalised in terms of a 5-membered cyclic complex formed between mercuric chloride and PPG in which the complexed segment of the polyether-(OMeCH2CH2O)- adopted either gauche or cis conformations.

The synthesis of quaternary carbon centres is a challenging task in organic chemistry, and this is believed to be due to the significant amount of ‘steric crowding’ involved in the creation of a quaternary carbon centre. This thesis discusses the discovery and development of a new method for the preparation of α-formyl ketones containing an α-quaternary carbon centre. Ketone substrates were reacted with the Vilsmeier reagent (chloromethylene) dimethylammnonium chloride (generated in situ from DMF and oxalyl choride) followed by work up with aqueous base (NaHCO3) to afford α-formyl ketones (8-88% yield). This methodology was extended to the asymmetric α-formylation of α-methyl indanone and α-methyl tetralone using chiral chloroiminium salts derived from (S)-proline. The asymmetric reactions gave enantiomeric excesses of up to 68%.

Kyoto University (京都大学)
0048
新制・課程博士
博士(エネルギー科学)
甲第14961号
エネ博第204号
新制||エネ||46(附属図書館)
27399
UT51-2009-M875
京都大学大学院エネルギー科学研究科エネルギー基礎科学専攻
(主査)教授 萩原 理加, 教授 尾形 幸生, 准教授 野平 俊之
学位規則第4条第1項該当

Thesis (MTech (Chemistry))--Cape Peninsula University of Technology, 2015.
Solvatomorphism of an active pharmaceutical ingredient (API) is one of the most studied areas in pharmaceutical science. Since APIs are exposed to solvents during many stages of their production, knowledge of the consequences from such exposure is essential. Salt formation has been known to improve some physicochemical properties of an API. Amongst these properties, API solubility is one of the most important characteristics as their use in the market is determined by this feature. Research presented here investigated the solvates and salts of mefenamic acid (MA) and tolfenamic acid (TFA); both representing fenamic acids belonging to a class of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Solvates were obtained by reactions of TFA and MA with the solvents 2-picoline, 3-picoline, 4-picoline, 3-bromopyridine and 3-chloropyridine. A solvate polymorph of MA and 2-picoline was isolated. The salts were obtained by using diethanolamine, ethylenediamine, 1-methylpiperazine, and triethylamine in combination with the fenamic acids. Morpholine formed a salt with TFA, but not with MA. Instead a zwitterionic form of MA was synthesised when the latter was mixed with morpholine. The resulting compounds were characterised and their crystal structures analysed. It was found that the conformation of the acids in the solvate and the salt compounds differed. Moreover, within the solvates, the conformation of the fenamate backbone varied depending on the acid and the solvent used for crystallisation. Although similar solvents were utilized, the structural packing arrangements of TFA solvates were very different from the arrangements associated with MA. The thermal analyses of the salts/solvates were determined by using both thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry. The compounds were further investigated after manual grinding and the preparation of slurries. These preparation methods were successful for most compounds but not for MA•2PIC and (MA-)(EDM+). Instead, the recrystallization, grinding and slurry investigations of MA•2PIC yielded a polymorph of this particular solvate. In the case of (MA-)(EDM+), the PXRD results obtained from both the pulverised and slurry samples were completely different from one another and also from those determined for the starting materials. Generally, the desolvation studies of the MA salts and solvates produced the same crystal form as occurred in the starting material. The exception was (MA-)(TA+) wherein desolvation produced a mixture of two polymorphs of MA.

Los fluidos de transferencia de calor, y en particular los nanofluidos, se pueden considerar un elemento esencial en diversos sectores industriales y su rendimiento es clave para una adecuada aplicación en tecnologías que van desde la gestión térmica y la refrigeración, a la generación de energía solar térmica y eléctrica mediante el uso de intercambiadores de calor. Estas industrias necesitan fluidos de transferencia de calor con un rango de temperatura del líquido más amplio y mejores prestaciones en la transferencia de calor que los fluidos convencionales. Todos los fluidos parecen beneficiarse de la dispersión de nanopartículas sólidas, tanto aquellos usados en aplicaciones de baja temperatura y temperatura ambiente, como aquellos que funden a más alta temperatura (p. ej. sales fundidas). La dispersión de nanopartículas conduce a la obtención de nanofluidos que con frecuencia presentan mejores conductividades térmicas y/o calores específicos en comparación con los fluidos base. Sin embargo hay algunas excepciones. En la bibliografía podemos encontrar resultados contradictorios acerca de la mejora de las propiedades térmicas en nanofluidos, lo cual hace que sea necesario un estudio de estos materiales en mayor profundidad. Por otra parte, la naturaleza líquida de estos materiales plantea un verdadero desafío, tanto desde el punto de vista experimental como en relación al marco conceptual. El trabajo que se presenta en esta tesis ha abordado dos retos diferentes relacionados con los fluidos de transferencia de calor y los nanofluidos. En primer lugar, se llevó a cabo un estudio riguroso y sistemático de las propiedades térmicas, morfológicas, reológicas, de estabilidad, acústicas y vibracionales de nanofluidos de grafeno en disolventes orgánicos. Observamos un gran aumento de la conductividad térmica de hasta un 48% y un aumento del 18% en la capacidad calorífica de los nanofluidos de grafeno en N,N-dimetilacetamida (DMAc). También se observó una mejora significativa en los nanofluidos de grafeno en N,N-dimetilformamida (DMF) del orden del 25% y 12% para la conductividad térmica y la capacidad calorífica, respectivamente. El desplazamiento de varias bandas del espectro Raman de DMF y DMAc hacia altas frecuencias (máx. ~ 4 cm-1) al aumentar la concentración de grafeno, sugirió que éste tiene la capacidad de afectar a las moléculas de disolvente a larga distancia, en términos de energía vibracional. En paralelo, las simulaciones numéricas basadas en la teoría funcional de la densidad (DFT) y dinámica molecular (MD) mostraron una orientación paralela de DMF hacia el grafeno, favoreciendo la interacción π-π y contribuyendo a la modificación de los espectros de Raman. Además, se observó un orden local de las moléculas de DMF alrededor del grafeno, lo que sugiere que tanto este tipo especial de interacción como el orden local inducido pueden contribuir a la mejora de las propiedades térmicas del fluido. También se realizaron estudios similares en nanofluidos de grafeno disperso en 1-metil-2-pirrolidona, sin embargo, no se observó ninguna modificación de la conductividad térmica o de los espectros de Raman. Todas estas observaciones juntas sugieren que existe una correlación entre la modificación de los espectros vibracionales y el aumento de la conductividad térmica de los nanofluidos. En vista de los resultados, se discutieron y descartaron algunos de los mecanismos propuestos para explicar la mejora de la conductividad térmica en nanofluidos. La segunda línea de investigación se centró en el desarrollo y caracterización de nuevas formulaciones de sales fundidas con baja temperatura de fusión y alta estabilidad térmica. Con este propósito, se sintetizaron dos nuevas formulaciones de seis componentes basadas en nitratos con una temperatura de fusión de 60-75 °C y una estabilidad térmica de aprox. 500 °C. Por otro lado, la complejidad de las muestras llevó a establecer una serie de métodos experimentales que se proponen para la detección del punto de fusión de estos materiales como una alternativa a la calorimetría convencional, estas técnicas son: espectroscopia Raman, técnica 3ω y transmisión óptica.
Heat transfer fluids and nanofluids constitute an important element in the industry and their performance is key to the successful application in technologies that go from heat management and cooling to heat exchangers in thermal-solar energy and electricity generation. These industries demand heat transfer fluids with a wider liquid temperature range and better thermal performance than the conventional fluids. From low-temperature fluids to high-temperature molten salts, these fluids seem to benefit from the dispersion of solid nanoparticles, leading to nanofluids which frequently feature improved thermal conductivities and/or specific heats as compared with the bare fluids. However, there are some exceptions. Contradictory reports make it necessary to study these materials in greater depth than has been usual. Yet, the liquid nature of these materials poses a real challenge, both from the experimental point of view and from the conceptual framework. The work reported in this thesis has tackled two different challenges related to heat transfer fluids and nanofluids. In the first place, a careful and systematic study of thermal, morphological, rheological, stability, acoustic and vibrational properties of graphene-based nanofluids was carried out. We observed a huge increase of up to 48% in thermal conductivity and 18% in heat capacity of graphene-N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMAc) nanofluids. A significant enhancement was also observed in graphene-N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) nanofluids of approximately 25% and 12% for thermal conductivity and heat capacity, respectively. The blue shift of several Raman bands (max. ~ 4 cm-1) with increasing graphene concentration in DMF and DMAc nanofluids suggested that graphene has the ability to affect solvent molecules at long-range, in terms of vibrational energy. In parallel, numerical simulations based on density functional theory (DFT) and molecular dynamics (MD) showed a parallel orientation of DMF towards graphene, favoring π–π stacking and contributing to the modification of the Raman spectra. Furthermore, a local order of DMF molecules around graphene was observed suggesting that both this special kind of interaction and the induced local order may contribute to the enhancement of the thermal properties of the fluid. Similar studies were also performed in graphene-N-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone nanofluids, however, no modification of the thermal conductivity or the Raman spectra was observed. All these observations together suggest that there is a correlation between the modification of the vibrational spectra and the increase in the thermal conductivity of the nanofluids. In light of these results, the mechanisms suggested in the literature to explain the enhancement of thermal conductivity in nanofluids were discussed and some of them were discarded. The second line of research focused on the development and characterization of novel molten salts formulations with low-melting temperature and high thermal stability. In this regard, two novel formulations of six components based on nitrates with a melting temperature of 60-75 °C and a thermal stability up to ~ 500 °C were synthesized. Moreover, the complexity of the samples led to establish a series of experimental methods which are proposed for the melting temperature detection of these materials as an alternative to conventional calorimetry. These methods are Raman spectroscopy, three-omega technique, and optical transmission.

In recognition of the shortcomings inherent to the operating temperature ranges of current fuel cell systems, namely the“temperature gap" between 200C and 600C, an effort to develop an intermediate-temperature molten-salt electrolyte fuel cell (IT-MSFC) was undertaken. In this type of fuel cell, the molten salt electrolyte is supported on a porous support, in a planar or other geometry similar to that used in existing fuel cell technologies, such as phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC) and molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFC). Such a fuel cell using a molten hydroxide electrolyte and Pt/C catalyst was constructed and tested using hydrogen and oxygen as fuel. The performance was comparable to that which has been obtained from PEM fuel cells at the low end of the voltage range, reaching 950ma/cm2 at 0.4 V in the highest performing test. Performance was superior to PEM fuel cells at the high end of the voltage range, due to the more favorable kinetics at the higher temperatures, with an open circuit voltage (OCV) of 1.0 V with a linear performance curve between 1.0 V and 0.6 V, which is characteristic of fuel cells with low kinetic overpotentials. Longevity of the fuel cell was very poor, however a number of experiments were undertaken to improve it, enabling extension of operating life from 5 minutes to 30 minutes, which is still far too low for practical use. The key problem was identified as electrolyte retention by the support matrix and possible degradation of the gas diffusion layer and catalyst. Experiments were also conducted using methanol vapor as fuel, and it was found to provide performance close to that recorded with pure hydrogen. Experiments were also conducted using several alternative molten salts, including nitrate and chloride eutectics. Combinations of nitrates with hydroxides added to act as a charge carrier produced a working fuel cell, however performance was greatly reduced. Though preliminary, the work described herein demonstrates the great potential of IT-MSFC, and outlines the work needed to make this type of fuel cell practical.

Mixtures of metal salts with complexing agents, such as urea, form liquids, which are known as deep eutectic solvents (DESs). This has previously been applied to metal salts such as ZnCl₂, AlCl₃ and CrCl₃.6H₂O. The aim of this thesis was to see if this model could be expanded to include alkali metal salts. Some of the hydrogen bond donors (HBDs) investigated were found to form liquid mixtures with a limited number of alkali metal salts, which showed melting temperatures below 25 °C. Utilising glycerol as a HBD exhibited the highest mutual solubility with the alkali metal salts of interest, therefore this study focussed on sodium salt:glycerol mixtures. Four sodium salts were chosen: NaBr, NaOAc, NaOAc.3H₂O or Na₂B₄O₇.10H₂O, which provided a range of fluidities and contained hydrates and anhydrous salts. The ionic conductivity and viscosity of these salts with glycerol were studied, and it was found that unlike previous studies of choline chloride with glycerol where the salt decreases the viscosity of glycerol, all of the sodium salts increased the viscosity of glycerol. This suggests that sodium salts have a structure making, kosmotropic effect, rather than structure breaking, chaotropic effect, on glycerol. This phenomenon is probably due to the high charge density of Na⁺, which coordinates to the glycerol. The ion transport properties and molecular dynamics of sodium salt:glycerol mixtures have been investigated at the microscopic level using nuclear magnetic resonance and electrochemical techniques. Self-diffusion coefficients of the components of the systems of interest were found to be 10⁻¹¹- 10⁻¹³ m² s⁻¹ range. T₁ relaxation times were investigated and all systems showed a transition from a diffusion-limited, slow molecular tumbling regime to a fast molecular, high mobility, tumbling regime. Poor solubility was experienced with a range of transition metal salt probes, which was attributed to complex ion speciation. It was concluded that the sodium salt:glycerol systems studied are not ideal for electrochemical applications. The ability of the salts to form viscous gels made them ideal plasticisers for starch. Starch DES mixtures were tested as a binder for medium density fibreboard (MDF). The properties of MDF samples were tested as a function of processing conditions and composition. Pilot scale production of plasticised starch MDF composites was successful, demonstrating the current industrial infrastructure can be utilised for large-scale production at a similar cost to MDF bound with urea formaldehyde resins.

Ammonium-containing polyacrylamide resins, ammonium-containing polystyrene resins, and their metal-ion coordinated analogs have been synthesized for the sorption of bile salts (BS). The effects of altering the backbone, the type of ammonium group, the number of ammonium group, the hydrophobicity of the pendant group, and of varying the metal ions on the adsorption of BS's, were studied to elucidate the structure-activity relationship.
The binding capacity of the resins for BS's generally increased with increasing number of ammonium groups per pendant group of the ammonium-bearing resins, and with higher charge of the metal complex cation of the metal-ion coordinated resin, demonstrating the primary importance of electrostatic interactions. It was also observed that, as the resin backbone was changed from hydrophilic polyacrylamide to hydrophobic polystyrene, the adsorption capacity increased substantially, demonstrating that hydrophobic interactions (H-H's) between the resin backbone and the BS's also play a significant role in the binding. The incorporation of hydrophobic segments -(CH$ sb2) sb{ rm n}$- into the pendant groups on polyacrylamide resins increased binding capacity, but had no effect for the more hydrophobic polystyrene resins. Primary ammonium-bearing resins often showed higher binding capacities than their quarternary analogs, suggesting that H-bonding reinforces the binding. Isotherms with an S-shape observed for most polyacrylamide resins indicate a positive cooperativity in the binding due to H-H's and H-bonding among BS anions bound at adjacent positions within resin beads. Binding models have been proposed to depict the formation of pendant group-BS mixed reversed micelles and ordinary BS micelles.
The studies of the kinetics of the binding of BS anions by the resins showed that a small resin particle size and more intense shaking substantially increase the rate of binding. This indicates that the binding process is mainly controlled by the diffusion of BS anions near and within the beads. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)

Hypervalent iodine compounds -1(111) and I(V) - are well documented and have been known to exist for over 100 years. The compounds have many synthetic applications, for instance acting as mild oxidising agents. Of the iodine (HI) class, alkenylaryliodonium salts have received much less attention than other species. As a result the preparation and uses of these compounds are less well understood. Advancing our knowledge in the chemistry of iodonium salts, specifically alkenylaryliodonium salts, is important in utilising the unique chemical and structural properties of such compounds.

The presence of organic salts as drug counter-ions and buffers in hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) matrices is often overlooked. This study investigates their potential to influence polymer solution properties and matrix drug release kinetics. A homologous series of aliphatic organic salts influenced solution and matrix properties in rank order of hydrocarbon chain length. Monovalent salts containing 1to4 C-atoms had little effect on polymer surface activity, but lowered sol:gel transition temperatures (SGTT), and accelerated matrix drug release in comparison with a dextrose control. Divalent salts were more potent. These observations are consistent with Hofmeister effects in which anions restructure water in the polymer hydration sheath, induce 'salting-out' and suppressing particle swelling and matrix gel layer formation. Organic salts with StoB C-atoms increasingly influenced polymer surface activity, elevated SGTT, and retarded matrix drug release. This suggests these salts enhance HPMC hydration, possibly through interaction with hydrophobic regions. The effects of these salts on matrix drug release show that these ions impact on water:polymer interactions important to gel layer formation and diffusion barrier properties. HPMC matrices containing SOS and its homologues were also investigated. Turbidimetric, tensiometric and rheological studies supported a mechanism in which these surfactants solubilise HPMC at post-micellar concentrations. Incorporating 10% SOS into HPMC matrices was shown to increase the resistance of HPMC matrices to sucrose medium up to 2.0M, suggesting a role for surfactants in avoiding food solute effects. This study shows that organic salts incorporated in HPMC matrices have the potential to influence drug release in a rank order that reflects their modulation of the HPMC polymer hydration sheath in solution. SOS and its homologous series could retard drug release from HPMC matrices only when their critical aggregation concentration (CAC) was reached. However, it suggests this excipient may have uses as an excipient for improving HPMC matrix release performance.

PONTIFÍCIA UNIVERSIDADE CATÓLICA DO RIO DE JANEIRO
Neste trabalho é realizada a determinação dos parâmetros cinéticos críticos da redução eletroquímica do dissulfeto de ferro numa mistura de haletos clorados fundidos. Este catodo é empregado como material alternativo em sistemas de elevado grau tecnológico, por exemplo, componente em coletores de energia solar, anodo despolarizador para a produção de hidrogênio e material catódico em baterias e pilhas de alta densidade de energia. Cabe ressaltar que o par eletroquímico Li / FeS2 vem sendo testado em novas configurações com diversos eletrólitos, especialmente com sais fundidos em pilhas térmicas e polímeros orgânicos em veículos elétricos / híbridos. Os ensaios desta pesquisa foram realizados em uma célula de teste num forno vertical com leitura digital em tempo real da temperatura e dos dados eletroquímicos. A estabilidade de diversos eletrodos de referência de primeira espécie foi avaliada em testes em branco de longa duração, sendo analisados os seguintes materiais: prata, platina, níquel, molibdênio. A célula eletroquímica teve a configuração de três eletrodos: prata como referência; dissulfeto de ferro, na forma de pó compactado, de trabalho e grafite sendo o contra-eletrodo. A metodologia empregada foi a voltametria linear cíclica com taxa de varredura lenta (0,002 Vs-1), garantindo quasi equilíbrio. O cálculo dos potenciais padrão em circuito aberto, de equilíbrio termodinâmico, indicou 0,3306 ± 0,014 V (773 K) em relação ao eletrodo de referência de Ag / AgCl. O coeficiente de transferência catódico ficou determinado como valendo 0,48, comprovando a reversibilidade do processo e apontando para a possibilidade de utilização deste sistema eletroquímico em baterias. Foi estudado o comportamento eletrocatalítico do eletrodo de FeS2 pelo levantamento das curvas de Tafel a partir dos voltamogramas. O parâmetro indicador desta espontaneidade reacional foi as correntes de transferência, que para o sistema foram determinadas como 14,75 ± 2,73 kA m-2. A avaliação dos produtos reacionais e intermediários foi realizada aliando dados eletroquímicos e técnicas de caracterização. O mecanismo de reação proposto é iniciado pela redução do FeS2 a Fe metálico, como etapa controladora da reação, envolvendo a troca de um elétron, seguida de duas reações envolvendo íons enxofre e uma etapa final puramente química com a formação de Li2S. Uma série de reações químicas e eletroquímicas são propostas para explicar a formação de polissulfetos intermediários, sendo o mais importante o Li2FeS2 ( fase X ), caracterizado neste estudo através de micrografias com a formação de cristais de hábito acicular.
In this work the measurement of the critical kinetics parameters of iron disulphide electrochemical reduction in molten chloride halides mixture was made. This cathode is applied as alternative material in high technology systems, such as, solar energy collector`s components, anode depolariser for hydrogen production and cathodic materials for high energy density primary and secondary batteries. It should be notice that the Li / FeS2 electrochemical pair is being tested in new configurations together with several electrolytes, specially molten salts in thermal batteries and organic polymers in hybrid / electrical vehicles. The experiments in this research were carried in a test cell placed inside a vertical furnace having a real time data acquisition system for temperature and electrochemical data. The stability of many first kind reference electrodes was evaluated in long duration blank tests, being selected the following materials: silver, platinum, nickel and molybdenum. The chosen three- electrode cell configuration was: silver as reference, iron disulphide compacted powder as working electrode and graphite as counter-electrode. The applied methodology was the cyclic linear voltammetry at slow sweep rate (0,002 Vs-1), ensuring quasi equilibrium conditions. For the thermodynamical equilibrium the standard potential determinations for open circuit resulted 0,3306 +- 0,014 V (773 K) with respect to the Ag / AgCl reference. The cathodic transfer coefficient measured to be 0,48 indicates the reversibility of the electrode process and points at its possible application as secondary battery. The FeS2 electrocatalytical behaviour was evaluated though the Tafel curves extracted from the voltammograms. The indicating parameter for this reaction spontaneity, the transfer currents, for this systems were measured to be 14,75 +- 2,73 kA m-2. The evaluation of the reaction intermediaries and products were made allying electrochemical data and characterization techniques. The proposed reaction mechanism is initiated by the reduction of FeS2 to metallic iron as the controlling step, followed by two reactions involving sulphur ions and terminated by the chemical formation of Li2S. A series of chemical and electrochemical processes are proposed to explain formation of intermediary polisulphides, being the most important Li2FeS2 (phase X) spotted here though micrographies displaying it`s characteristic crystals of needle-like morphology.

As the currently available methods for recycling of valuable metals from batteries and old electronics (commonly called eWaste) are in need of improvement, this project focuses on the development of a novel valuable metals recovery method by electrolysis in molten salts. The process proposed consists of three steps: metal oxides dissolution in borate salts, liquid-liquid interface ion transfer between the borate and chloride layer, and electrodeposition from the chloride phase. Inherent borate salts stability and its affinity to metals, coupled with the chloride salts large electrochemical window enables a stable and efficient (semi)-continuous process concept to be explored. Two electrolytic cell concepts akin to an industrial set-up were designed. The first composed of three interconnected chambers each for one of the three steps of the process, or a simpler, single-vessel solution relying on the immiscibility of the molten phases. For the needs of a laboratory scale testing the smaller, one vessel solution has been assembled. The proposed recycling method is a novel solution for the recovery of valuable metals considered and evaluated in this work; Co, Cu, Ni, and Mn, present in most Li-ion and Ni-MH batteries, but also other metals suitable for electrodeposition present in the eWaste or other metal-rich waste streams. The process proposed was designed, evaluated and resulted in a successful recovery of all of the metals considered. Novel and promising experimental data on the metal oxides dissolution in molten borate salts is reported. Boron oxide salts were assessed, with the sodium borate achieving significant metals concentrations ranging from 4-20 wt%. Metals distribution between the oxide and halide layers was evaluated, and was found to be biased towards the borate layer due to its structure resulting in high metal affinity, with the metal ions concentration in the chloride layer around 1 wt% for the evaluated salts combination. This enables the sodium borate phase to work as a buffer, feeding the dissolved metal required for the electrodeposition into the chloride layer sustaining the process. Liquid-liquid interface transfer and diffusion phenomena in the melt as well as the metal electrodeposition parameters were studied using a range of (electro)-analytical methods, validating the main steps of the proposed metal recovery process. The system was evaluated in a three-electrode set-up (WE: tungsten, CE; graphite, QRE: tungsten) and the formal redox reaction potentials were reported for the following feedstock: Co2O3 [-0.733/-1.848 V], CuO [-1.297/-2.375 V], Mn2O3 [-1.552 V] and NiO [-1.734 V] versus chlorine evolution. The recovered metals were analysed and found to form high purity (~99 %) dendritic deposits (SA/V of 950 cm-1), which also supports the assumption of a diffusion controlled process. This marks the successful outcome of this proof-of-concept process, providing a feasible, alternative valuable metals recovery method design.