Preparation of hydrophobic MFI zeolites containing hierarchical micro-mesopores using seeds functionalized with octyltriethoxysilane

Preparation of hydrophobic layered double hydroxide-based composite pigments via octyltriethoxysilane surface modification for cosmetic applications

Pigments play a pivotal role in the cosmetic industry, in which the development of pigments with concurrent color diversity, hydrophobicity, biocompatibility and photostability remains a great challenge. Herein, we report organic-inorganic composite pigments synthesized via a combination of organic dye anions (Ponceau SX and acid green (AG)), layered double hydroxides (LDHs) and octyltriethoxysilane (OTEOS) (denoted as O/Dye-LDHs: O/SX-LDHs and O/AG-LDHs).The prepared composite pigments were characterized via a comprehensive investigation based on X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS-mapping), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, CIE 1976 L*a*b* color scales, static contact angle measurement and HET-CAM assay. The results confirm the successful intercalation of organic dye anions into the interlayer region of LDHs via host-guest interactions and the surface modification of OTEOS on the layer surface, forming a new kind of hydrophobic organic-inorganic composite pigment with a sandwich structure. LDH layer protection and OTEOS coating play crucial roles in the high photostability, good hydrophobicity and satisfactory biocompatibility of pigments. In addition, O/Dye-LDHs exhibit rich color and color adjustability. Impressively, we applied mixture composite pigments with different O/SX-LDH-to-O/AG-LDH ratios to formulate an eye shadow cream, which present a series of popular and natural colours with water resistance to enhance one's attractiveness and appearance. This work provides a promising strategy for the design of safe and efficient composite pigments, demonstrating their potential application in the field of makeup.

Manganese supported on controlled dealumination Y-zeolite for ozone catalytic oxidation of low concentration toluene at low temperature

Low-temperature catalytic degradation of VOCs with ozone has received widespread attention recently. In this work, a combination method of steam and nitric acid was used to control the dealuminization of Y zeolite, and then manganese oxide was loaded on the Y zeolite by impregnation method. It was found that MnO_x was highly dispersed in the dealumination zeolite, and the adsorbed oxygens were more easily activated in the active oxygen vacancies. The MnO_x supported on dealumination Y zeolite showed better catalytic effect than that supported on the parent Y. At low humidity (0.8%) in 30 °C, the degradation efficiency of toluene reached above 94% by using the catalyst with mild dealumination. When more water vapor was introduced, the degradation of toluene was inhibited. However, the catalytic performance of the catalyst with deep dealumination was not affected. With the help of in-situ DRIFTS, it was observed that the intermediates and reaction by-products had changed under different humidity conditions.

Chlorella to fuel conversion on amphiphilic SO3H-SBA-15 catalysts: Pyrolysis characteristics and kinetics

The aim of this work was to propose a novel process to make Chlorella pyrolyzed and in situ upgraded to fuel over amphiphilic SO₃H-SBA-15 catalysts. This strategy is developed to build a Pickering emulsion system through the w/o (water/decalin) droplets. Chlorella catalytic pyrolysis has been conducted under the different heating rates to get the activation energy 166 kJ/mol (α = 0.5) according to the kinetic-free model. Palmitic acid, as a model compound, was employed for TG and DRIFTS analysis to elucidate the pyrolysis and deoxygenation reaction pathway. n-hexadecane pyrolysis at 3 MPa N₂ illustrated the peak cracking temperature declining from thermally 422 °C to catalytically 413 °C. N₂ physisorption of the fresh and post-reaction catalysts indicated that there is little catalyst decay. With improved thermal stability and hydrophobicity, the SO₃H-SBA-15 catalysts showed enhanced performance for Chlorella pyrolysis, and revealed the promising application for better fuel production in aqueous conversion.