Preparation and characterization of polyaniline/manganese dioxide composites and their catalytic activity.

This paper is devoted to the preparation of polyaniline/MnO2 (PANI/MnO2) composites via chemical oxidation of aniline in H2SO4 medium using beta-MnO2 as an oxidant. The parameters affecting the polymerization reaction are considered. These parameters are [aniline], amount of beta-MnO2, stirring time, and polymerization temperature. SEM, FT-IR, XRD, and TGA techniques are used to characterize the resulting composites. XRD measurements reveal the distortion of the crystal structure of beta-MnO2 after the polymerization reaction. Thus, the XRD pattern of PANI is predominating. The crystalline composites are obtained using higher molar ratio of [Ox]/[ANI] and at higher temperature. Increasing the amount of beta-MnO2 led to an increase in the acidic character of the obtained composites due to adsorption of excess H+ on the oxide surface. The thermal stability of the composites decreased with increasing both [aniline] and stirring time, while it increased with increasing amount of beta-MnO2. The applications of the composites in the oxidative degradation of Direct Red 81, Acid Blue 92, and Indigo Carmine dyes exhibited good catalytic activity in the presence of H2O2 as an oxidant. The reactions followed first-order kinetics and the rate constants were determined. The degradation reaction involved the catalytic action of the PANI counterpart of the composite toward H2O2 decomposition, which can lead to the generation of HO radicals as a highly efficient oxidant attacking the target dyes. The detailed kinetic studies and the mechanism of these catalytic reactions are under consideration in our group.

Spectrophotometric, conductometric and thermal studies of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) complexes with 2-(2-hydroxynaphthylazo)-4-hydroxy-6-methyl-1,3-pyrimidine.

The electronic absorption spectra of 2-(2-hydroxynaphthylazo)-4-hydroxy-6-methyl-1,3-pyrimidine in pure organic solvents of different polarities and in buffer solutions of varying pH are studied. The important bands in the IR and the main signals in the (1)H NMR spectra are assigned. The observed UV-vis absorption bands are assigned to the corresponding electronic transitions. The molecular stoichiometry, stability constant, absorption maximum, molar absorptivity and Sandell's sensitivity of the complexes are calculated. Obeyence to Beer's law and Ringbom optimum concentration ranges are also determined. The ability of using the titled azodye as metalochromic indicator in complexometric titrations was also studied. The effect of Co(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) ions on the fluorescence of the azodye is also considered. The solid Cu(II) complexes of the titled azodye have been prepared and characterized by elemental, IR, UV-vis spectra as well as by conductometric and magnetic measurements. The data suggest square planar geometry for 1:1 and 1:2 (M:L) complexes. The thermal behaviour of the complexes has been studied. The kinetic parameters (n, E, A, deltaH, DeltaS and deltaG) of the thermal decomposition steps are computed using Coats-Redfern equations.

Catalytic effect of supported metal ion complexes on the induced oxidative degradation of pyrocatechol violet by hydrogen peroxide.

Kinetics of the oxidative degradation of pyrocatechol violet dye (PCV) [2-[(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl)(3-hydroxy-4-oxocyclohexa-2,5-dien-1-ylidene) methyl]-benzenesulfonic acid] by H(2)O(2) catalyzed by supported transition metal complexes have been studied. The reaction was followed by conventional UV-vis spectrophotometer at lambda(max)=440 nm in a buffer solution at pH 5.1. The supports used were silica gel and cation exchange resins (Dowex-50W, 2 and 8% DVB), while the complexes were [Cu(amm)(4)](2+), [Cu(en)(2)](2+), [Cu(ma)(4)](2+), [Co(amm)(6)](2+), and [Ni(amm)(6)](2+) (amm=ammonia, en=ethylenediamine, and ma=methylamine). The reaction exhibited first-order kinetics with respect to [PCV] and [H(2)O(2)]. The reactivity of the catalysts is correlated with the redox potential of the metal ions, the type of support, and the amount of supported complexes. The rate of the reaction increases with increasing pH and the addition of NaCl. Addition of SDS and CTAB showed inhibiting effects. The reaction is enthalpy-controlled as confirmed from the isokinetic relationship. A reaction mechanism involved the generation of free radicals as an oxidant has been proposed.