Mojtaba Amini

NaNi(Fe)O ₂ was developed as an efficient, recyclable, and environmentally benign nickel–iron (hydr)oxide catalyst for regioselective aqueous synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazoles via multicomponent azide–alkyne cycloaddition.

A novel thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) membrane was developed for desalination using the forward osmosis (FO) process. The membranes were modified with a polyoxovanadate/zeolite (POV/Z) nanocomposite, composed of (NH₄)₄Na₂(V₁₀O₂₈).10H₂O and zeolite X, embedded within the polyamide (PA) selective layer. The aim of this study was to design nanocomposites incorporating hydrophilic zeolite X particles with tailored pore structures to enhance desalination efficiency and fouling resistance. The addition of the hydrophilic polyoxometalate (POM), (NH₄)₄Na₂(V₁₀O₂₈).10H₂O, facilitated the formation of high-quality, defect-free TFN membrane surfaces exhibiting superior water flux and antifouling performance. Among the prepared membranes, TFN-PZ₂ (containing 0.05 wt% POV/Z) achieved the highest desalination performance in the FO process. Compared to conventional thin-film composite (TFC) and zeolite-modified TFN-Z₂ membranes, the TFN-PZ₂ membrane demonstrated a remarkable improvement in water flux and fouling resistance, confirming its potential as an optimal candidate for desalination applications. Furthermore, the TFN-PZ₂ membrane exhibited an impressive Cd²⁺ rejection rate of 97.37%, indicating its strong capability for heavy metal removal.

Forward osmosis (FO) technology for desalination and wastewater treatment has been widely researched because of its significant advantages over traditional pressure-driven membrane processes. However, this process encounters several challenges like low water flux, high reverse solute flux, and inadequate fouling resistance, which necessitate careful consideration in membrane design. This research focuses on improving the desalination, antifouling, and heavy metal rejection efficiency of thin-film nanocomposite (TFN) FO membranes by integrating a CuAl LDH-zeolite X (LDH-Z) into the polyamide active layer. To synergistically exploit the structural characteristics of both LDH and zeolite, the LDH-Z composite was synthesized via a simple in situ coprecipitation method, enabling LDH growth on the external surface and within the pores of zeolite. The intrapore growth of LDH modulated Z internal pore size and enhanced its ion rejection abilities, while the formation of textural mesoporous nanochannels facilitated water transport. FO performance evaluations revealed that the optimized TFN-LZ₂ membrane achieved a 64.3% increase in water flux relative to the unmodified TFC membrane. Meanwhile, it maintains reverse solute flux comparable to that of the TFC membrane while exhibiting a 1.35-fold higher selectivity. Moreover, antifouling tests show that water flux decline decreased from 41.9% (TFC) to 26.3% for the optimized membrane due to enhanced surface hydrophilicity and smoothness imparted by LDH-Z. The TFN-LZ₂ membrane also performs more effectively at rejecting Cd²⁺ and Cu²⁺ heavy metal ions (>97%). These results underscore the capability of LDH-Z-modified membranes to improve FO performance, presenting a promising avenue for FO membrane modification using 2D/3D structured materials.

A novel Cu(II)-Schiff base complex supported on TiO₂ nanotubes was successfully synthesized through a multi-step procedure. The resulting nanocatalyst was characterized using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The catalytic activity of the synthesized material was evaluated in the three-component (A³) coupling reaction involving aldehydes, amines, and alkynes under solvent-free conditions. The catalyst demonstrated excellent activity, affording good to excellent yields across a range of tested substrates. The optimal reaction conditions were established, and the catalyst’s reusability was investigated. However, a leaching test revealed significant Cu species in the solution, suggesting potential homogeneous catalysis. Despite this, the catalyst showed promising recyclability over multiple runs. Further analysis, including ICP-MS or AAS, could be useful to quantify the leached Cu and confirm the catalyst’s stability in longer cycles.

A novel Co@CaTiO₃ heterogeneous catalyst was synthesized via the sol–gel method, incorporating cobalt nanoparticles into a perovskite framework. The catalyst exhibited exceptional efficiency in the aqueous-phase synthesis of 1,2,3-triazoles through azide–alkyne cycloaddition (click reaction). Key reaction parameters, including catalyst loading, temperature, time, and solvent, were systematically optimized to achieve high yields. Comprehensive characterization using Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy (EDX), Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analysis, and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) revealed its high surface area, thermal stability, and uniform distribution of cobalt nanoparticles. The Co@CaTiO₃ catalyst demonstrated remarkable reusability, easy separation, and sustainable performance, positioning it as a promising candidate for green and efficient organic transformations in aqueous media.

In the current study, the heteronuclear coordination polymer C₁₂H₁₈Cu₂MgO₁₂ was synthesized in crystalline form using the gradual evaporation method and utilized as a precursor for the synthesis of CuO/MgO mixed nano‐oxide. The crystal structure and thermal stability of the polymer were confirmed. Following the calcination of the polymer compound at 500°C, CuO/MgO mixed nano‐oxide were synthesized. The morphology and structure of the nanopowders were characterized through FE‐SEM, EDX, XRD, FT‐IR, VSM, XPS, ICP‐OES, and TEM techniques. Ultimately, the nanopowders were employed as catalysts in the azide–alkyne cycloaddition reaction. With very low leaching of copper (2.40 ppm) and magnesium ions (0.52 ppm), CuO/MgO nanocatalyst recycling and reuse were achieved for up to five cycles.