| Chapter I: Microperoxidase-11 immobilized in a nano-crystalline metal organic framework. Ultra large pore molecular sieves have proven to be viable hosts for biomolecule adsorption and separation. Microperoxidase-11 has been immobilized for the first time in a nano-crystalline metal organic framework (MOF). Microperoxidase-11 was physically absorbed from solution into the 3-dimensional [Cu(OOC-C6H4-C6H 4-COO)·½ C6H12N2] n MOF. The activity of the MOF immobilized peroxidase for the oxidation of methylene blue and alpha-methylstyrene in organic solvents was determined.; Chapter II: 2,7-Diazapyrene based photoluminescent periodic mesoporous organosilicas. Two novel hybrid fluorescent periodic mesoporous organosilicas (PMO), 2,7-bis(3-trimethoxysilylpropyl) diazapyrinium diiodide PMO (BDAP PMO) and 2,7-diazapyrene grafted mesoporous material (DAPDAM-1), have been synthesized from 2,7-diazapyrene. BDAP PMO was synthesized by co-condensation of di-silylated 2,7-dizapyrene and tetramethyl orthosilicate (TMOS) with mole percents of BDAP ranging from 1.3 to 4.4 percent. DAPDAM-1 was synthesized by reacting 2,7-diazapyrene with iodopropyl decorated mesoporous material. The redox properties and photoluminescence of these materials, along with 4,4'-bis(triethoxysilyl)-1,1'-biphenyl PMO (BTEBp), were determined. The luminescence of BDAP PMO, DAPDAM-l, and BTEBp was quenched by the nitrated explosive taggants o-nitrotoluene, nitrobenzene, 2,3-dimethyl-2,3-dinitrobutane (DMNB), and nitromethane, suggesting the potential use of these PMO's as optical sensors for explosives.; Chapter III: Flameless catalytic burners and low vapor pressure fuels. Flameless catalytic burners based on zeolites has been developed which has a higher working temperature and greater flow rate than existing flameless catalytic burners. The newly developed catalytic burners are composed of zeolite/inorganic binder/BN mixtures which are molded, dried, and heated to form rigid, porous wicks capable of wicking fuels. Current catalytic burners use fuel mixtures composed of 2-propanol, water, and fragrance. 2-propanol is considered a volatile organic compound and will likely be restricted from use in these systems. To overcome this, new low vapor pressure compound based fuels have been investigated and identified as suitable for use with the flameless catalytic burner system. |
