Search Results (6)

The chemical industry faces major challenges despite recent progress in the transition to more environmentally friendly processes. Sustainable industrial chemistry relies on the optimization of protocols and downstream processes such as extraction, purification, and drying. Process intensification, which includes non-conventional techniques and continuous manufacturing, has emerged as a key strategy to improve efficiency and environmental impact. Technologies such as ultrasound, microwaves, mechanochemistry, and reactive extrusion offer improved performance but face scalability and proprietary barriers. Flow chemistry offers additional benefits, including smaller reactors, lower energy consumption (from 40 to 90%), and increased safety through continuous, automated reactions. However, implementing these methods requires overcoming engineering, economic, and regulatory hurdles. Biphasic catalysis and sonochemical activation in liquid–liquid systems are promising approaches for scalable reactions under mild conditions. The pharmaceutical industry, a major source of waste, has shown resistance due to high validation costs and complex regulations. Fortunately, international regulatory institutions have introduced programs to facilitate the introduction of advanced technologies. Future perspectives emphasize the integration of modular, intensified processes with digitalization and smart manufacturing. Collaborative, transdisciplinary research will be crucial for accelerating commercialization and addressing sustainability challenges in chemical production. Full article

In this study, we investigated the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded magnetic nanofluids on 4T1 mouse tumor epithelial cells and MDA-MB-468 human triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. Superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles were synthesized using sonochemical coprecipitation by applying electrohydraulic discharge treatment (EHD) in an automated chemical reactor, modified with citric acid and loaded with DOX. The resulting magnetic nanofluids exhibited strong magnetic properties and maintained sedimentation stability in physiological pH conditions. The obtained samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-spectrophotometry, dynamic light scattering (DLS), electrophoretic light scattering (ELS), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). In vitro studies using the MTT method revealed a synergistic effect of the DOX-loaded citric-acid-modified magnetic nanoparticles on the inhibition of cancer cell growth and proliferation compared to treatment with pure DOX. The combination of the drug and magnetic nanosystem showed promising potential for targeted drug delivery, with the possibility of optimizing the dosage to reduce side-effects and enhance the cytotoxic effect on cancer cells. The nanoparticles’ cytotoxic effects were attributed to the generation of reactive oxygen species and the enhancement of DOX-induced apoptosis. The findings suggest a novel approach for enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of anticancer drugs and reducing their associated side-effects. Overall, the results demonstrate the potential of DOX-loaded citric-acid-modified magnetic nanoparticles as a promising strategy in tumor therapy, and provide insights into their synergistic effects. Full article

Water–gas shift (WGS) is an industrial process to tackle CO abatement and H₂ upgradation. The syngas (CO and H₂ mixture) obtained from steam or dry reformers often has unreacted (from dry reforming) or undesired (from steam reforming) CO₂, which is subsequently sent to downstream WGS reactor for H₂ upgradation. Thus, industrial processes must deal with CO₂ and H₂ in the reformate feed. Achieving high CO₂ or H₂ selectivities become challenging due to possible CO and CO₂ methanation reactions, which further increases the separation costs to produce pure H₂. In this study, M/Co₃O₄-ZrO₂ (M = Ru, Pd and Pt) catalysts were prepared using sonochemical synthesis. The synthesized catalysts were tested for WGS activity under three feed conditions, namely, Feed A (CO and steam), Feed B (CO, H₂ and steam) and Feed C (CO, H₂, CO₂ and steam). All the catalysts gave zero methane selectivity under Feed A conditions, whereas the methane selectivity was significant under Feed B and C conditions. Among all catalysts, PtCZ was found to be the best performing catalyst in terms of CO conversion and CO₂ selectivity. However, it still suffered with low but significant methane selectivity. This best performing catalyst was further modified with an alkali component, potassium to suppress undesirable methane selectivity. All the catalysts were well characterized with BET, SEM, TEM to confirm the structural properties and effective doping of the noble metals. Additionally, the apparent activation energies were obtained to showcase the best catalyst. Full article

The aqueous phase reforming (APR) of glycerol was studied using sonochemically synthesized 10%Ni-x%Ca/ZrO₂ catalysts (where x = 0, 0.5, 3, and 5) for the production of value-added liquid products. The APR reaction was performed in a batch reactor under the following conditions: 20 bar, 230 °C 450 rpm, and 1 h of reaction time. The synthesized catalysts were characterized using XRD, FESEM, BET, and H₂-TPR to observe the effect of Ca doping on the physio-chemical properties of the catalysts. The results revealed that, at higher Ca loading, the catalysts experienced serious particles’ agglomeration, which resulted in a larger particles’ size, smaller surface area, and smaller pore volume owing to uneven distribution of the particles. The characterization results of the catalysts confirmed that the Us catalysts have a slightly higher surface area, pore volume, and pore size, as well as highly reducible and fine crystalline structure, compared with WI catalysts. The catalytic performance of the catalysts shows that 1,3-propanediol (1,3-PDO) and 1,2-propanediol (1,2-PDO) were the two main liquid products produced from this reaction. The highest selectivity of 1,3-PDO (23.84%) was obtained over the 10%Ni/ZrO₂ catalyst, while the highest selectivity of 1,2-PDO (25.87%) was obtained over the 10%Ni-5%Ca/ZrO₂ catalyst. Full article

Sonochemical reactors can be very effective in many applications, including: degradation of chemical pollutants, inactivation of microorganisms, or production of biofuels. However, due to various factors, the ultrasonic power that is dissipated into sonicated liquid may vary in time. Hence, it is obvious that the ultrasonic power must be known for an optimal design and operation of the sonoreactor. In this paper, we present a method for on-line estimation of the ultrasonic power in continuous flow sonoreactors. In this method, we design an observer that estimates unknown model parameters by using a mathematical model of the sonoreactor and by measuring input and output temperatures in the sonoreactor system. The effectiveness of the method is shown for a simulated and real continuous flow sonoreactors. We also discuss the possibilities of ultrasonic power stabilization by using control algorithms. Full article

Metallic supports play an important role as structured reactor internals. Due to their specific properties including enhanced heat and mass transport, high mechanical resistivity and elimination of local hot-spots, they are commonly used in gas exhaust abatement from stationary and automotive industries. In this study, the performance of three structured supports with deposited Cu/USY (Ultrastabilised Y—zeolite) for deNO_x abatement were modelled. Based on kinetic and flow resistance experimental results, the one-dimensional (1D) model of structured reactor was developed. The performance of the structured reactors was compared by the length of the reactor necessary to achieve an arbitrary 90% NO_x conversion. The performed simulations showed that the sonochemically prepared copper USY and ZSM-5 zeolites deposited on metallic supports may be successfully used as catalysts for deNO_x process. Full article