Here is something new.
In my last blog entry I was talking about the importance of using pyrolyzed tire rubber (TGP) for the removal of TNT ( 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene) from aqueous solutions. However we took a break of using TGP, and started to evaluate another mesoporous material, with great potential of use. The material created approximately in the 90’s, MCM-41 by Mobil Corporation of Matter was evaluated in this work in terms of synthesis complexity and characterization. The synthesis of this material requires almost five days for completely processing, for me that amount of days means a lot. A short view of the synthesis process can be appreciated in the Figure above. The mechanism shown above resembles the famous Liquid Crystal tinplating (LCT) mechanism. Characterization of the material was based on TGA analysis to see if the template was successfully removed and for evaluate thermal stability of the material. BET analysis were also carried out, this assay provides a lot of information regarding to; the pore size of the material , the N2 adsorption-desorption properties and also pore distribution of the MCM-41. For structure identity and elucidation, XRD will be made on January at the Chemical Engineer laboratories facilities. The application of MCM-41 as adsorbent for TNT, was preliminary evaluated and adsorption was successfully. For those interested in materials wit Bio- applications, I recommend this dissertation:
- Katiyar. A. Development of novel mesoporous silicates for bioseparations and biocatalysis. Dissertation submitted for Chemical and Materials Engineering Department .Cincinnati , USA. 2008. P 45-49
- Principal Focused in the SBA-15 (Santa Barbara Amorphous )Material characterization and applications as sorbent for chromatography analysis.
RANKING: 4.0 /5
TGA- Thermal gravimetry Anlaysis
BET- Braunner, Emmet and Teller. Scientists that invented the BET Model for surface area determination of materials.
XRD- X-ray diffraction assay
Among other things ….
This semester has been the worst semester ever, principally due to those days we missed because of the strike carried out at my Collage. Therefore all the dates scheduled in the academic agenda were moved ahead. However, everything was possible until the last day, as today. I passed the deadline for the last blog entry, but here I am posting this thoughts for you , to know that there is a huge amount of things that I have learned this semester, not only in research skills , but life. We people, especially me need to learn to distribute the time for everything; Studies, Family, Research, Organizations, and Friends.
I spend more time with academic issues than family, at the extent that this four years of study has passed away without noticing how supportive was to have my family around me. Hopefully I’m still having one semester left to enjoy and give all my efforts and dedication to my research and family. My principal expectation for next semester is to fulfill the duties with Biominds blog. My apologies for not submit this on time.
