Structure Optimization of Di-ionizable Calixarene Nano-baskets for Competitive Solvent Extraction of Alkali and Alkaline Earth Metals

Mokhtari, Bahram,Pourabdollah, Kobra Korean Chemical Society 2011 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.32 No.11

The competitive solvent extractions of alkali and alkaline earth metals by di-ionizable calix[4]arene nano-baskets were studied using nine conformers of calix[4]arene nano-baskets. The objective of this work is to assess the variation of macrocycle conformation, orientation and position of pendant moieties upon the extraction parameters (efficiency, selectivity and $pH_{1/2}$) of the complexes. The results revealed that alternation of ring conformation in calixarene scaffold affects the solvent extraction parameters towards alkali and alkaline earth metals, while changing the orientation of pendant moieties from ortho- to para- as well as cis- to trans-analogues depicted no changes in those extraction parameters.

Fabrication, characterization, simulation and experimental studies of the ordinary concrete reinforced with micro and nano lead oxide particles against gamma radiation

Mokhtari, K.,Kheradmand Saadi, M.,Ahmadpanahi, H.,Jahanfarnia, Gh. Korean Nuclear Society 2021 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.53 No.9

The concrete is considered as an important radiation shielding material employed widely in nuclear reactors, particle accelerators, laboratory hot cells and other different radiation sources. The present research is dedicated to the shielding properties study of the ordinary concrete reinforced with different weight fractions of lead oxide micro/nano particles. Lead oxide particles were fabricated by chemical synthesis method and their properties including the average size, morphological structure, functional groups and thermal properties were characterized by XRD, FESEM-EDS, FTIR and TGA analysis. The gamma ray mass attenuation coefficient of concrete composites has been calculated and measured by means of the Monte Carlo simulation and experimental methods. The simulation process was based on the use of MCNP Monte Carlo code where the mass attenuation coefficient (μ/ρ) has been calculated as a function of different particle sizes and filler weight fractions. The simulation results showed that the employment of the lead oxide filler particles enhances the mass attenuation coefficient of the ordinary concrete, drastically. On the other hand, there are approximately no differences between micro and nano sized particles. The mass attenuation coefficient was increased by increasing the weight fraction of nanoparticles. However, a semi-saturation effect was observed at concentrations more than 10 wt%. The experimental process was based on the fabrication of concrete slabs filled by different weight fractions of nano lead oxide particles. The mass attenuation coefficients of these slabs were determined at different gamma ray energies using ²²Na, ¹³⁷Cs and ⁶⁰Co sources and NaI (Tl) scintillation detector. The experimental results showed that the HVL parameter of the ordinary concrete reinforced with 5 wt% of nano PbO particles was reduced by 64% at 511 keV and 48% at 1332 keV. Reasonable agreement was obtained between simulation and experimental results and showed that the employment of nano PbO particles is more efficient at low gamma energies up to 1Mev. The proposed concrete is less toxic and could be prepared in block form instead of toxic lead blocks.

Development of dynamic behavior of the novel composite T-joints: Numerical and experimental

Mokhtari, Madjid,Shahravi, Morteza,Zabihpoor, Mahmood Techno-Press 2018 Advances in aircraft and spacecraft science Vol.5 No.3

In this paper dynamic behavior (modal analysis and dynamic transient response) of a novel sandwich T-joint is numerically and experimentally investigated. An epoxy adhesive is selected for bonding purpose and making the step wise graded behavior of adhesive region. The effect of the step graded behavior of the adhesive zone on dynamic behavior of a sandwich T-joint is numerically studied. Finite element analysis (FEA) of the T-joints with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) face-sheets is performed by ABAQUS 6.12-1 FEM code software. Modal analysis and dynamic half-sine transient response of the sandwich T-joint are presented in this paper. Two verification processes employed to verify the dynamic modeling of the manufactured sandwich panels and T-joint modeling. It has been shown that the step wise graded adhesive zone cases have changed the second natural frequency by about 5%. Also, it has been shown that the different arranges in the step wise graded adhesive zone significantly affect the maximum stresses due to transient dynamic loading by 1112% decrease in maximum peel stress and 691.9% decrease in maximum shear stress on the adhesive region.

Risk analysis of offshore terminals in the Caspian Sea

Mokhtari, Kambiz,Amanee, Jamshid Techno-Press 2019 Ocean systems engineering Vol.9 No.3

Nowadays in offshore industry there are emerging hazards with vague property such as act of terrorism, act of war, unforeseen natural disasters such as tsunami, etc. Therefore industry professionals such as offshore energy insurers, safety engineers and risk managers in order to determine the failure rates and frequencies for the potential hazards where there is no data available, they need to use an appropriate method to overcome this difficulty. Furthermore in conventional risk based analysis models such as when using a fault tree analysis, hazards with vague properties are normally waived and ignored. In other word in previous situations only a traditional probability based fault tree analysis could be implemented. To overcome this shortcoming fuzzy set theory is applied to fault tree analysis to combine the known and unknown data in which the pre-combined result will be determined under a fuzzy environment. This has been fulfilled by integration of a generic bow-tie based risk analysis model into the risk assessment phase of the Risk Management (RM) cycles as a backbone of the phase. For this reason Fault Tree Analysis (FTA) and Event Tree Analysis (ETA) are used to analyse one of the significant risk factors associated in offshore terminals. This process will eventually help the insurers and risk managers in marine and offshore industries to investigate the potential hazards more in detail if there is vagueness. For this purpose a case study of offshore terminal while coinciding with the nature of the Caspian Sea was decided to be examined.

Cross sections of proton-induced nuclear reactions on bismuth and lead up to 100 MeV

Mokhtari Oranj, L.,Jung, N. S.,Bakhtiari, M.,Lee, A.,Lee, H. S. American Physical Society 2017 Physical review. C Vol.95 No.4

<P>Production cross sections of Bi-209(p, xn)Po-207,Po-206,Po-205,Po-204,Po-203, Bi-209(p, pxn)Bi-207,Bi-206,Bi-205,Bi-204,Bi-203,Bi-202, and Pb-nat(p, xn)Bi-206,Bi-205,Bi-204,Bi-203,Bi-202,Bi-201 reactions weremeasured to fill the gap in the excitation functions up to 100 MeV as well as to figure out the effects of different nuclear properties on proton-induced reactions including heavy nuclei. The targets were arranged in two different stacks consisting ofBi, Pb, Al, Au foils and Pb plates. The proton beam intensity was determined by the activation analysis method using Al-27(p, 3pn)Na-24, Au-197(p, pn)Au-196, and Au-197(p, p3n)Au-194 monitor reactions in parallel as well as the Gafchromic film dosimetry method. The activities of produced radionuclei in the foils were measured by the HPGe spectroscopy system. Over 40 new cross sections were measured in the investigated energy range. A satisfactory agreement was observed between the present experimental data and the previously published data. Excitation functions of mentioned reactions were calculated by using the theoretical model based on the latest version of the TALYS code and compared to the new data as well as with other data in the literature. Additionally, the effects of various combinations of the nuclear input parameters of different level density models, optical model potentials, and gamma-ray strength functions were considered. It was concluded that if certain level density models are used, the calculated cross sections could be comparable to the measured data. Furthermore, the effects of optical model potential and gamma-ray strength functions were considerably lower than that of nuclear level densities.</P>

Design of an Asymmetrical Three-phase Inverter for Load Balancing and Power Factor Correction Based on Power Analysis

Mokhtari, M.,Golshannavaz, S.,Nazarpour, D.,Aminifar, F. The Korean Institute of Electrical Engineers 2011 Journal of Electrical Engineering & Technology Vol.6 No.3

This paper presents a novel theoretical method based on power analysis to obtain voltage reference values for an inverter-based compensator. This type of compensator, which is installed in parallel with the load, is usually referred to as the active filter. The proposed method is tailored to design the compensator in such a way that it can simultaneously balance the asymmetric load, as well as correct the power factor of the supply side. For clarity, a static compensator is first considered and a recursive algorithm is utilized to calculate the reactance values. The algorithm is then extended to calculate voltage reference values when the compensator is inverter based. It is evident that the compensator would be asymmetric since the load is unbalanced. The salient feature associated with the proposed method is that the circuit representation of system load is not required and that the load is recognized just by its active and reactive consumptions. Hence, the type and connection of load do not matter. The validity and performance of the new approach are analyzed via a numerical example, and the obtained results are thoroughly discussed.

Metabolic Fingerprints by Nano-baskets of 1,2-Alternate Calixarene and Emulsion Liquid Membranes

Mokhtari, Bahram,Pourabdollah, Kobra Korean Chemical Society 2012 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.33 No.7

A novel approach for metabolite extraction and fingerprinting was introduced based upon the nano-baskets and emulsion liquid membrane-nuclear magnetic resonance (ELM-NMR) technique. The objective of this method is optimizing the fingerprints, minimizing the metabolic variation from analysis, increasing the likelihood differences, and obtaining the maximum extraction yield. Low molecular weight metabolites in rat serum were recovered by ELMs using 12 nano-baskets of calixarene, as both emulsifier and carrier. The yields of ELMs were optimized by the method of one-at-a-time. According to NMR data, the maximum metabolic variation was achieved using scaffold 4 (4 wt %), n-decane membrane, stirring rate of 300 rpm, treat and phase ratios of 0.3 and 0.8, respectively. The results revealed that some calixarenes tend to extract non-specific macromolecules; and repeatability of fingerprints for 7-mediated ELM was maximum and for 3-mediated ELM was minimum. The yield of extractions was obtained to be higher for n-decane and lower for carbon tetrachloride. Among different membranes, the fingerprints by chlorinated liquid membranes were more repeatable than using toluene or n-decane.

100-MeV proton beam intensity measurement by Au activation analysis using ¹⁹⁷Au(p,pn)¹⁹⁶Au and ¹⁹⁷Au(p,p3n)¹⁹⁴Au reactions

Mokhtari Oranj, L.,Jung, N.S.,Oh, J.H.,Lee, H.S. North-Holland Physics Pub 2016 Nuclear instruments & methods in physics research. Vol.375 No.-

The proton beam intensity of a 100-MeV proton linac at the Korea Multi-purpose Accelerator Complex (KOMAC) was measured by an Au activation analysis using <SUP>197</SUP>Au(p,pn)<SUP>196</SUP>Au and <SUP>197</SUP>Au(p,p3n)<SUP>194</SUP>Au reactions to determine the accuracy and precision of beam intensity measurement using Gafchromic film dosimetry method. The target, irradiated by 100-MeV protons, was arranged in a stack consisting of Au, Al foils and Pb plates. The yields of produced radio-nuclei in Au foils were obtained by gamma-ray spectroscopy. The FLUKA code was employed to calculate the energy spectrum of protons onto the front surface of Au foils located at three different depth points of the target and also to investigate the condition of incident beam on the target. A good agreement was found between the beam intensity measurements using the activation analysis method at three different depth points of the target. An excellent agreement was also observed between the beam intensity measurements using the Au activation analysis method and the dosimetry method using Gafchromic film.

Inclusion Extraction of Alkali Metals by Emulsion Liquid Membranes and Nano-baskets of p-tert-Calix[4]arene Bearing Di-[N-(X)sulfonyl Carboxamide] and Di-(1-propoxy) in ortho-cone Conformation

Mokhtari, Bahram,Pourabdollah, Kobra Korean Chemical Society 2012 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.33 No.5

Nano-assisted inclusion separation of alkali metals from basic solutions was reported by inclusion-facilitated emulsion liquid membrane process. The novelty of this study is application of nano-baskets of calixarene in the selective and efficient separation of alkali metals as both the carrier and the surfactant. For this aim, four derivatives of $p-tert-calix$[4]arene bearing different sulfonamide moieties were synthesized and their inclusion-extraction parameters were optimized including the calixarene scaffold $\mathbf{3}$ (4 wt %) as the carrier/demulsifier, the commercial kerosene as diluent in membrane, sulphonic acid (0.2 M) and ammonium carbonate (0.4 M) as the strip and the feed phases, the phase and the treat ratios of 0.8 and 0.3, mixing speed (300 rpm), and initial solute concentration (100 mg/L). The selectivity of membrane over more than ten interfering cations was examined and the results reveled that under the optimized operating condition, the degree of inclusion-extraction of alkali metals was as high as 98-99%.

Effect of Crown Ring Size and Upper Moiety on the Extraction of s-Block Metals by Ionizable Calixcrown Nano-baskets

Mokhtari, Bahram,Pourabdollah, Kobra Korean Chemical Society 2011 Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society Vol.32 No.11

Eight ionizable nano-baskets of cone 25,26-di(carboxymethoxy)calix[4]arene-crown-3,4,5,6 were synthesized and were verified by $^1H$ and $^{13}C$ NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The competitive solvent extractions of alkali and alkaline earth metal cations were studied using such nano-baskets. The novelty of this study is including three binding units of calixarene's bowl, crown ether's ring and electron-donor ionizable moieties in a unique scaffold to assess the binding tendency towards the cations. The objective of this work is to study the extraction efficiency, selectivity and $pH_{1/2}$ of such complexes. The result of solvent extraction experiments indicated that these compounds were effective extractants of alkali and alkaline earth metal cations. Their selectivities were greatly influenced by the acidity of solution and the conformations of the calixcrown. One conformer was selective to $Na^+$ in pH ${\geq}$ 4, while the other was highly selective to $Ba^{2+}$ in pH 6 and upper.