Absolute Ethanol Solution Research Articles

Lymph node harvesting after laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision colectomy in colon cancer with practical application of glacial acid, absolute ethanol, water, and formaldehyde solution: A prospective cohort study.

Quality of surgery has recently become an essential topic in the prognosis of colon cancer. Complete mesocolic excision for colon cancer has recently gained popularity with high-quality surgery. Patient specimens after complete mesocolic excision with central vessel ligation procedures have an integrity of the mesocolon and the yield of three fields of lymph node harvest. We apply the glacial acid, absolute ethanol, water, and formaldehyde solution to each specimen based on the Japanese classification of lymph node groups and station numbers. We aim to identify the distribution and status of lymph node metastasis according to each tumor site and some pathological characteristics related to this disease. A prospective cohort study was performed on 45 laparoscopic complete mesocolic excision surgery patients. 2791 lymph nodes were harvested after complete mesocolic excision surgery. The average number was 62.0 ± 22.3 nodes. The mean tumor size (in the largest dimension) was 4.2 ± 1.8 cm. The average length of the resected bowel segments was 29.1 ± 7.7 cm. There are 63 (2.3%) node metastases in 2791 lymph nodes, in which 17/45 (37.8%) patients had pN(+). The minimum positive node size was 1 mm. The positive pericolic lymph nodes (station 1) accounted for the highest rate, with 53 nodes (1.9%). The number of lymph nodes in young age ⩽60 is more significant than in older. The results were similar, with a more significant node retrieval in the group with a tumor size >4.5 cm and specimen length >25 cm. The number of lymph nodes in lower tumor invasive (pT1,3) was smaller than pT4. Our research shows that the cecum, ascending, and descending colon had greater nodes than others, with a mean number of 78.6, 74.2, and 71.3, respectively. The metastasis and harvested lymph nodes accounted for the highest rate of colon cancer in station 1 and the lowest rate in station 3. The number of retrieved lymph nodes was significantly associated with tumor location, size, specimen length, and patient age.

MORPHOLOGICAL COMPARISON OF Octolasmis sp. ECTOPARASITES INFESTING THE GILLS OF SCALLOPED SPINY LOBSTER (Panulirus homarus) WITH DIFFERENT FIXATIVE SOLUTIONS

Octolasmis is a type of ectoparasite which is often found on the gills of lobsters. Octolasmis can also be a threat to lobster populations and can even cause high mortality rates. This study aims to detect the effect of different fixative solutions on the morphological characters of Octolasmis infesting the gills of scalloped spiny lobsters (Panulirus homarus). Samples of Octolasmis were collected from the gills of wildly-caught scalloped spiny lobsters in East Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara. The samples were immersed separately in two different fixative solution which are either absolute ethanol or formalin solution. After 7 days, morphological analysis of Octolasmis was analysed using an integrated optilab stereo binocular microscope and a lucida camera. The result showed that there were significant differences in the morphological condition of Octolasmis sp. including skin colour, organ appearance and size of the Octolasmis. In general, the result showed that formalin is better fixative solution.

Evaluation and optimization of the performance and efficiency of a hybrid flat plate solar collector integrated with phase change material and heat sink

This study presents an experimental real case study on the performance optimization of a flat plate solar collector (FPSC) by integrating a layer of phase change material (PCM) and a heat sink. The system was tested under the semi-arid climatic conditions of Abha, Saudi Arabia. Based on preliminary experimental testing on conventional FPSCs, the novel composite structure of the PCM material was developed by mixing polyethylene glycol (PEG) and magnesium hydroxide (Mg (OH)2) in an absolute ethanol solution. The PEG/Mg (OH)2 PCM was installed beneath the pipe and had a lower supercooling value, a higher latent heat value, and thermal stable characteristic, thus increasing the thermal performance of the FPSC. The results showed that using a PCM ensured that the collector continued to deliver hot water for a longer period of time. Furthermore, a heat sink was attached to the PCM layer for proper temperature distribution. The results demonstrated that the FPSC equipped with a PCM and heat sink produced hot water for a longer period of time in the evening while having a lower output temperature in the morning. Also, the average daily FPSC thermal efficiency was enhanced by 6–8% by adding only PEG/Mg (OH)2 PCM as compared with conventional FPSCs and those with PCMs and heat sinks.

Development of Monodisperse Mesoporous Microballs Composed of Decahedral Anatase Nanocrystals

Mesoporous monodisperse microballs of amorphous titania were prepared from solution of absolute ethanol, tetrabutyl titanate (TBOT) and potassium chloride via a sub-zero sol–gel route. The as-obtained microballs were used as the precursor in an alcohothermal (ethanol with a small amount of water) process to synthesize monodisperse mesoporous microballs built of decahedral anatase nanocrystals. FE-SEM observation and XRD analysis have confirmed that the formed decahedral anatase-rich powder retained the original spherical morphology of the precursor. Importantly, a hierarchical structure composed of faceted anatase has been achieved under “green” conditions, i.e., fluorine-free. Additionally, the hysteresis loops (BET results) have confirmed the existence of mesopores. Interestingly, faceted microballs show noticeable photocatalytic activity under UV/vis irradiation for hydrogen generation without any co-catalyst use, reaching almost forty times higher activity than that by famous commercial titania photocatalyst—P25. It has been proposed that enhanced photocatalytic performance is caused by mesoporous structure and co-existence of two kinds of facets, i.e., {001} and {101}, and thus hindered charge carriers’ recombination.

Co-Action Performance of Two Natural Dyes As Photosensitizer In Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell (DSSC) Apllication

The aim of this research was to determine the effect of coaction performance of two natural dyes which was Malabar melastome (Melastoma malabathricum). (SD) extract and nipa palm (Nypa fruticans) (NP) extract to photovoltaic properties of the fabricated DSSCs. Both plants are planted in different habitat (water and terrestrial). Experiment was carried out in 3 coaction which were combination of leaves (DN) and fruits (BH) from each plant. It was BH-SD+DN-NP, BH-SD+BH-NP and DN-SD+BH-NP. Extraction used absolute ethanol solution as solvent at the ratio of 1:3. Leaves, flowers and fruits from Malabar melastome and nipa palm were washed with distilled water then cutted in small pieces and subsequently dried at 45°C for 24 hours. The dried materials were ground and immersed in solvent for 7 days at room temperature in a dark room. All filtrate was obtained and used as dye photosensitizer. The DSSC encapsulation comprised of a photo electrode and counter electrode which were stacked up sandwich-like cell. Both electrodes were clamped with clamps on both sides prior dripping with electrolyte solution. The research revealed that co-action of two natural dye from Malabar melastome and nipa palm are able to increase the efficiency of DSSC. The maximum of field factor occoured in BH-SD+BH-NP while minimum was in BH-SD+DN-NP, 0.3816 and 0.2572 respectively. The co-action efficiency of natural dye reached maximum in BH-SD+DN-NP and minimum in DN-SD+BH-NP which were 7.7414% and 1.2229% respectively.

Time Domain Calibration Method of Open-Ended Coaxial Probe in Dielectric Measurement

The dielectric method by open-ended coaxial probe owns the advantages of simple structure and nondestructiveness. It is widely applied in the dielectric measurement of liquid solutions and semisolid mediums. Noticeably, the calibration directly affects the accuracy of the measurement. In order to solve the problem of complicated operation and the difficulty in preparation by the traditional three-load calibration method, this article conducts the error model analysis based on the scattering parameter matrix and proposes a time-domain calibration method. Under time-domain conditions, this method only needs one open-circuit load to extract three calibration error parameters through time window gating. The reliability of the time-domain calibration method is verified by simulative comparison, comparison of the measured complex permittivity of absolute ethanol solution with the theoretical value, and comparison of sodium chloride solution’s complex permittivity with the results of three-load calibration. The consistency of these three comparison results shows that the new method can provide technical support for the dielectric measurement by an open-ended coaxial probe.

Size Refinement of Copper Nanoparticles: A Perspective from Electrochemical Nucleation and Growth Mechanism

AbstractIn this paper, isotropic copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) were successfully sythesized by using Cu(CH3COO)2 and ascorbic acid in absolute ethanol solution. With the addition of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) protective additive, the size distribution range of the synthesized CuNPs was significantly reduced from 650±415 nm to 51±12 nm. Electrodeposition analysis revealed that PVP could greatly suppress the reduction of Cu but had no prominent effects on the deposition mechanism. Based on the potentiostatic deposition results, a growth model was proposed to improve the applicability of the Scharifker‐Hills model by considering both the surface inhibition effect and the mass diffusion during the growth process of Cu nuclei. The experimental data fitted well with the prediction results from the proposed model, indicating that the electrodeposition of Cu followed the progressive nucleation process. The PVP additive could inhibit the deposition and growth of Cu by increasing the surface inhibition for cation incorporation on the nuclei, which was probably the main reason for the refinement of the sythesized CuNPs. Our findings can provide insights for the preparation of metallic nanoparticles and the understanding of their deposition mechanism.

Preparation and characterization of gelatin films by transglutaminase cross-linking combined with ethanol precipitation or Hofmeister effect

In this study, the gelatin films were prepared by dehydration with ethanol precipitation or Hofmeister effect via absolute ethanol or saturated (NH4)2SO4 solution after transglutaminase (TG) cross-linking. The prepared gelatin films remained the integrity after heat treatments (boiling or high-temperature sterilization), and had a low water vapor permeability (WVP) due to TG cross-linking. Ethanol precipitation improved the mechanical, water barrier (water solubility) and visual sensory (color difference and transparency) properties of the gelatin films especially at a high gelatin concentration, which was due to the increase of hydrogen bonding and triple helix content, and ethanol decolorization effect, respectively. The tensile strength (TS) and elongation at break (EAB) were increased by 155.28% and 72.73% than in oven-dried gelatin film (15% gelatin concentration). The results of thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) and thermal shrinkage suggested the enhanced thermal stability of films induced by ethanol precipitation due to more orderly internal structure. Although mechanical properties and thermal shrinkage of gelatin films could also be improved by Hofmeister effect, the (NH4)2SO4 migrated to films after dehydration, especially at a low gelatin concentration, which limits the application of this method. The present results indicated that TG cross-linking combined with ethanol precipitation can serve as an effective method to obtain gelatin films with good thermal stability and mechanical, visual sensory and water barrier properties.

Influence of proanthocyanidins combined with ethanol-wet bonding on the bonding quality of fibre posts to root dentine.

This study evaluated the influence of a bonding approach using proanthocyanidins (PAs) combined with ethanol-wet bonding (EWB) and a hydrophobic adhesive on the bonding quality of fibre posts. After endodontic treatment and post-space preparation, 72 single-rooted extracted human teeth were etched, thoroughly rinsed, and then treated using the following procedures (n=24 teeth per group): group 1, no pretreatment; group 2, pretreatment with absolute ethanol three times, for 30s each time; or group 3, pretreatment with absolute ethanol solution containing 5% PAs three times, for 30s each time. Six teeth per group were dried according to a dry and a wet drying protocol and then observed using field emission-scanning electron microscopy. The remaining 18 teeth in each group were cemented with fibre posts: All-Bond 3 and Duo-Link cement were used for group 1; and hydrophobic adhesive and Duo-Link cement were used for groups 2 and 3. Push-out bond strength, failure mode, and nanoleakage were evaluated immediately and after collagenase treatment. Higher push-out bond strength and less nanoleakage were observed in the two ethanol-pretreatment groups, regardless of storage conditions. Teeth pretreated with PAs+ethanol exhibited significantly higher push-out bond strength after collagenase treatment than did teeth pretreated with ethanol alone. Within the limits of this study, the bonding approach of PAs combined with EWB and a hydrophobic adhesive synergistically improved the durability of fibre post bonds.

Tucumã (Astrocaryum aculeatum) extract: phytochemical characterization, acute and subacute oral toxicity studies in Wistar rats

Natural products are often used by the population to treat and/or prevent several disorders. Tucumã is an Amazonian fruit widely consumed by local population and no in vivo toxicity studies regarding its safety are available in the literature to date. Therefore, the phytochemical characterization, acute and repeated dose 28-day oral toxicities of crude extract of tucumã’s pulp (CETP) in Wistar rats were evaluated. For the CETP preparation, tucumã pulp was crushed and placed into sealed amber glass jars containing absolute ethanol solution for extraction. CETP phytochemical analyses evidenced the presence of carotenoids, flavonoids, unsaturated and satured fatty acids, and triterpenes. In the acute toxicity, female rats from the test group were treated with CETP at single dose of 2000 mg/kg. For the repeated dose toxicity, CETP was administered to male and female rats at doses of 200, 400 and 600 mg/kg, for 28 days. Body weight was recorded during the experiment and blood, liver and kidney were collected for further analysis. No mortality or toxicity signs were observed during the studies. CETP was classified as safe (category 5, OECD guide), in acute toxicity. In repeated dose study was observed alterations in some biochemical parameters, as well as in oxidative damage and enzymatic activity. Histopathological findings showed renal damage in male rats at higher dose. The data obtained suggest that CETP did not induced toxicity after exposure to a single or repeated doses in female rats. However, in males may be considered safe when given repeatedly in low doses.

Ultra-Sensitive Benzene Detection and Gas Sensing Mechanism of (C4H9NH3)2PbI2Br2 Organic-Inorganic Perovskite

Introduction Benzene vapour is one of the general hazardous air pollutants, as well as a typical lung cancer marker, hence the permissible environment limit value has been regulated to be ~1.6 ppb (part per billion) in Europe. It is interesting to develop a portable device for detection ultra-low concentration benzene. Chemiresistive gas sensors to detect benzene have been widely investigated, however, most detection limits are in ppm level,while only a few reports are in ppb level (100 ppb)[1]. Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskites combine the excellent performance of organic materials and inorganic semiconductors, so one compound was utilized as a gas sensing material in this work. Synthesis and benzene detecting application of (C4H9NH3)2PbI2Br2 are reported, and the gas sensing mechanism is also discussed using in-situ diffuse reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (DRFT-IR). Synthesis of (C4H9NH3)2PbI2Br2 Perovskite (C4H9NH3)2PbI2Br2 was synthesized through a facile mixed solution method [2]. N-butylamine (30 ml) was dissolved in 47 wt% hydroiodic acid (35 ml) and absolute ethanol (15 ml) solution under ice-water bath. The pomegranate red solution was maintained at 70 °C for 2 h in a water bath kettle, resulting in light yellow solution. Then, white powders were obtained via vacuum distillation at 90 °C for 20 min. The powders were then collected with the suction filter, washed several times with ether, and dried at 70 °C in a vacuum oven for 12 h. PbBr2 (0.8808 g) and as-obtained C4H9NH3I (0.9651 g) were mixed in 47 wt% hydroiodic acid (10 ml), 48 wt% hydrobromic acid (10 ml) and absolute ethanol (10 ml) solution. The solution was kept at 90 °C for 2 h in a water bath kettle, resulting in light yellow solution. Then, light yellow powders were obtained via vacuum distillation at 70 °C for 20 min. The powders were collected with the suction filter, washed several times with ether, and dried at 70 °C in a vacuum oven for 24 h. S ensor F abrication and Measurement The perovskite was fabricated into a traditional resistive sensor device [3]. The sensing performance was conducted on a NS-4000 Smart Sensor Analyser (Beijing Zhong Ke Micro-Nano Networking Technology Ltd., China). The response was defined as the ratio of sensor resistance in air (Ra) to that in a target gas (Rg): Sr = Ra/Rg. Results and Conclusions The perovskite (C4H9NH3)2PbI2Br2 exhibits the highest response at the optimum operating temperature of 160 °C, indicating excellent selectivity, as shown in Fig. 1 (a). This gas sensor shows such ultra-high response for ppt-level benzene that has never been reported before. As can be seen in the response-recovery curves in Fig. 1 (b), the response increases fast to an equilibrium value and then decreases rapidly to the baseline in each cycle at 160 °C. The in-situ DRFT-IR spectra of (C4H9NH3)2PbI2Br2 in air and benzene at room temperature (RT) and 160 °C, respectively, confirming the gas sensing mechanism is originated from the physical adsorption-desorption of benzene molecules on the (C4H9NH3)2PbI2Br2 surface, charge transfer model of which is quite different from that of conventional metal oxides. Fig. 1 (a) Response of the (C4H9NH3)2PbI2Br2 sensor to 500 ppt benzene, toluene, ethanol, ortho-xylene, and para-xylene gases at various operating temperatures. (b) Response-recovery curves of the gas sensor to 1–500 ppt benzene at 160 °C. (c) In-situ DRFT-IR spectra of (C4H9NH3)2PbI2Br2 in air and benzene at RT and 160 °C, respectively.

The Effect of Restriction Enzyme on the Results of mtDNA Sequence of Eel Fish from Cimandiri River Palabuhanratu

Research has been carried out on genetic diversity of eel from the estuary of the Cimandiri Palabuhanratu River located in the southern part of Palabuhanratu bay. Until now, research on the genetic diversity of eels that enter the estuary of the river has not been done much. Even though it is very important to maintain genetic resources, species and ecosystems of eels. Genetic resources are the basic stages in an effort to protect eel resources in Indonesia. This study used eel fish from the genus Anguilla taken from the mouth of the Cimandiri River, Pelabuhanratu. The samples were then preserved with absolute ethanol solution (96%), followed by an extraction process, amplification of PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction), electrophoresis, and restriction of DNA sequences by enzymes HaeIII, Hin6I, RsaI, TaqI and NdeII). From the results of PCR analysis that eel on the Cimandiri River has three species, namely Anguilla bicolor short-finned,Anguilla nebulosa colored camouflage, and Anguilla marmorata. Namely is whiteeel. mtDNA D-Loop sequence eel for Anguilla nebulosa, bacillus PCR has a length of about 395 bp.Anguilla bicolor species has a length of 230 bp and Anguilla marmorata bacillus PCR has a length of about 620 bp. Of the five restriction enzymes used to cut DNA sequences (HaeIII), Hin6I, RsaI, TaqI and NdeII) all have cutting sites. Retention enzymes are enzymes that can cut DNA molecules, in phosphate sugar sequences without damaging base pairs. The main function of the restrict enzyme is to cut DNA sequences to study the organization of functions and structure of genes. Restriction enzymes that influence the cutting of mtDNA D-Loop sequences in Anguilla nebulosa, namely Hin6I, RsaI, TaqI and NdeII from the site location of 395 bp became 390 bp, 394 bp, 390 bp and 391 bp respectively. The restriction enzymes that affect the cutting of mtDNA D-Loop sequences on Anguilla bicolor, namely Hin6I, TaqI and NdeII from the site location of 230 bp became 235 bp, 232 bp and 233bp respectively. Restriction enzymes that affect the cutting of the mtDNA D-Loop sequence in the amamorta namely HaeIII, Hin6I, RSa I. and TaqI from the site of the 620 bp site to 630 bp, 600 bp, 625 bp, 610 bp respectively.

Some chalcones derived from thio-phene-3-carbaldehyde: synthesis and crystal structures.

The synthesis, spectroscopic data and crystal and mol-ecular structures of four 3-(3-phenyl-prop-1-ene-3-one-1-yl)thio-phene derivatives, namely 1-(4-hydroxy-phen-yl)-3-(thio-phen-3-yl)prop-1-en-3-one, C13H10O2S, (1), 1-(4-meth-oxy-phen-yl)-3-(thio-phen-3-yl)prop-1-en-3-one, C14H12O2S, (2), 1-(4-eth-oxy-phen-yl)-3-(thio-phen-3-yl)prop-1-en-3-one, C15H14O2S, (3), and 1-(4--bromophen-yl)-3-(thio-phen-3-yl)prop-1-en-3-one, C13H9BrOS, (4), are described. The four chalcones have been synthesized by reaction of thio-phene-3-carbaldehyde with an aceto-phenone derivative in an absolute ethanol solution containing potassium hydroxide, and differ in the substituent at the para position of the phenyl ring: -OH for 1, -OCH3 for 2, -OCH2CH3 for 3 and -Br for 4. The thio-phene ring in 4 was found to be disordered over two orientations with occupancies 0.702 (4) and 0.298 (4). The configuration about the C=C bond is E. The thio-phene and phenyl rings are inclined by 4.73 (12) for 1, 12.36 (11) for 2, 17.44 (11) for 3 and 46.1 (6) and 48.6 (6)° for 4, indicating that the -OH derivative is almost planar and the -Br derivative deviates the most from planarity. However, the substituent has no real influence on the bond distances in the α,β-unsaturated carbonyl moiety. The mol-ecular packing of 1 features chain formation in the a-axis direction by O-H⋯O contacts. In the case of 2 and 3, the packing is characterized by dimer formation through C-H⋯O inter-actions. In addition, C-H⋯π(thio-phene) inter-actions in 2 and C-H⋯S(thio-phene) inter-actions in 3 contribute to the three-dimensional architecture. The presence of C-H⋯π(thio-phene) contacts in the crystal of 4 results in chain formation in the c-axis direction. The Hirshfeld surface analysis shows that for all four derivatives, the highest contribution to surface contacts arises from contacts in which H atoms are involved.

Bimetallic Au/Pd nanoparticles decorated ZnO nanowires for NO2 detection

Various mono-noble metal nanoparticles (NPs) have been used to improve the functionalities of semiconducting sensing materials for high-performance gas sensors. However, understanding the effect of bimetallic noble NPs on their gas sensing behaviors is limited. In this work, the bimetallic Au/Pd-NPs decorated ZnO nanowires (ZNWs) were fabricated to study their NO2 sensing performance through comparing with their counterparts of pristine ZNWs, and mono Au- or Pd-NPs decorated ZNWs. The bimetallic Au/Pd-NPs decorated ZNWs were prepared by dipping the pristine ZNWs in a mixed solution of HAuCl4, PdCl2, Na2CO3, and absolute ethanol with heating evaporation. The bimetallic Au/Pd-NPs decorated ZNWs exhibited higher response of 94.2, faster response/recovery time of 35 s / 30 s, and lower optimal operating temperature at 100 °C towards 1 ppm NO2 than the performance of pristine ZNWs and mono Au- or Pd-NPs decorated ZNWs. Meanwhile, good selectivity and reproducibility have been achieved by bimetallic Au/Pd-NPs decoration. The mechanism on the enhanced sensing performance of the bimetallic Au/Pd-NPs decorated ZNWs has also been investigated systematically.

Protective Effects of Miswak (Salvadora persica) against Experimentally Induced Gastric Ulcers in Rats.

Gastric ulcers are among the most broadly perceived illnesses affecting individuals. Alcohol consumption is the main cause of gastric ulceration. This study assessed the protective effects of Salvadora persica (SP) extract against ethanol-induced gastric ulcer and elucidated the conceivable underlying mechanisms involved. For this purpose, 40 rats were allotted into 4 equal groups (control, ethanol- (EtOH-) treated, and SP-treated “SP200 and SP400” groups). The control and EtOH-treated groups were given phosphate buffer saline (PBS), and both the SP200 and SP400 groups were given SP extract dissolved in PBS at doses of 200 and 400 mg/kg b.w., respectively. All treatments were given orally for 7 constitutive days. On the 8th day, all rats were fasted for 24 h followed by oral gavage of PBS in the control group and chilled absolute ethanol solution (5 ml/kg b.w.) in the EtOH- and SP-treated groups to induce gastric lesions. One hour later, the rats were sacrificed and the stomachs were harvested. Gross and microscopic examinations of the EtOH-treated group showed severe gastric hemorrhagic necrosis, submucosal edema, destruction of epithelial cells, and reduced glycoprotein content at the mucus surface. These pathological lesions were defeated by SP extract treatment. Administration of SP extract modulated the oxidative stress and augmented the antioxidant defenses. The elevated ethanol-expressed tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) genes, as well as bcl-2-like protein 4 (Bax) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), were diminished in the SP-treated group. Curiously, SP extract upregulated endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) gene expression comparable to that of the EtOH-treated rats. Aggregately, SP exerted antiulcer activities in ethanol-induced gastric ulcer rat models via modulation of oxidant/antioxidant status, mitigation of proinflammatory cytokines, and apoptosis, as well as remodeling of both NOS isoforms.

Nitric acid-assisted one-step solvothermal synthesis of visible-light-active N-doped ThO2 for use as a potential photocatalyst in the reduction of Cr(VI)

Nanostructure N-doped ThO2 (which was named as ThO2-HNO3) was synthesized by solvothermal treatment of Th(NO3)4·4H2O in the mixed solution of absolute ethanol (92.5vol%) and nitric acid (7.5vol%) at 180°C for 20h. ThO2-HNO3 exhibited significant visible-light absorption and high photocatalytic activity in the reduction of aqueous Cr(VI) under visible-light (wavelength>420nm) irradiation. By contrast, the commercial ThO2 and the ThO2 synthesized when ammonia replaced nitric acid exhibited only negligible visible-light photocatalytic activity. Thus, ThO2-HNO3 is a new alternative visible-light photocatalyst for treating Cr(VI)-polluted wastewaters.

Preparation of Hollow Hithium Titanate Fiber Tube By Electrospinning

With the progress of science and technology, notebook computers, microcomputers, digital cameras, mobile phones and other new electronic equipment come out one after the other. The development of new products to the storage of energy have a greater demand, the traditional graphite anode material has been unable to meet its performance needs. The spinel lithium titanate is a lithium ion battery anode material with good cycling capability, wide operating temperature range and good safety performance. However, due to the poor electrical conductivity and low lithium-ion diffusion coefficient, the rate performance is very limited. Therefore, increasing rate performance of lithium titanate anode material becomes the only way of application of lithium titanate . In this paper, lithium titanate is prepared by coaxial electrospinning. With the High molecular weight polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) providing high viscosity，a solution spinning solution of PVP and absolute ethanol is used as the inner layer template solution. The Part of solution with a lithium source and a titanium source set as an outer layer precursor solution. After the titanate precursor fiber filaments are calcined, with core and outer PVP are removed the hollow lithium titanate filament is finally obtained. Figure a is cycle-capacity curve of the hollow lithium titanate anode material after prepared into a button cell. The first 0.2C rate of the specific capacity is 174.9mAhg-1 with theoretical specific capacity flat, and at the 30C specific capacity can be to 105 mAhg-1, which can achieve that Li-ion battery immediately charge. Figure b shows that, at low charge and discharge rate, lithium titanate discharge platform is relatively stable, while platform stability is poor at the high charge and discharge rate. Figure 1. (a) Discharge capacity curves of lithium titanate at different charge and discharge rate; (b) the first discharge profiles of lithium titanate at the different charge and discharge rate. Reference [1] Cho, Y., Lee, S., Lee, Y., Hong, T., & Cho, J. (2011). Spinel-layered core-shell cathode materials for li-ion batteries. Advanced Energy Materials,1(5), 821–828. [2] A. K. Moghe, & Professor B. S. Gupta. (2008). Co‐axial electrospinning for nanofiber structures: preparation and applications. Polymer Reviews,48(2), 353-377. [3] Tong, H., Tao, X., Wu, D., Zhang, X., Li, D., & Zhang, L. (2014). Preparation and characterization of doped tio 2, nanofibers by coaxial electrospining combined with sol–gel process. Journal of Alloys & Compounds, 586(10), 274-278. Acknowledgment Thanks for being funded by the Technology Research Program of the State Grid about Preparing Submicron Lithium Titanate-based Materials for Energy Storage Batteries (DG71-15-042) . Figure 1

The low temperature exothermic sintering of formic acid treated Cu nanoparticles for conductive ink

In this study, we present a new simple method using formic acid pretreatment to achieve low temperature sintering of Cu nanoparticles, and the Cu nanoparticles have been successfully prepared with a modified polyol method. For formic acid pretreatment, the spherical Cu nanoparticles with an average size of 30 nm were saturated with a mixed solution of formic acid and absolute ethanol directly. The surface composition analysis indicated that the initial oxide on the surface of Cu nanoparticles was completely removed, and formate was generated as a by-product which could decompose at low temperature. According to the thermal analysis results, it was found that the sintering temperature of Cu nanoparticles with formic acid pretreatment was reduced to 160 °C. And the corresponding microstructures further demonstrated that the emerging small exothermic peak of thermal curve over the temperature range between 120 and 160 °C was caused by the formation of sintering necks. The formic acid treated Cu nanoparticle films sintered at 260 and 320 °C exhibited an electrical resistivity of 6.1 and 3.6 μΩ cm respectively.

Development of mesoporous magnesium oxide–alumina composites for CO2 capture

Mesoporous magnesium oxide–alumina composites were synthesized by evaporation induced self assembly (EISA) in the presence of triblock copolymer Pluronic P123 in absolute ethanol solution. These mesostructures were prepared using Al(NO3)3∙9H2O and Mg(NO3)2·6H2O as alumina and MgO precursors, respectively. Block copolymer was completely removed by thermal treatment of as-synthesized samples at 350°C in flowing nitrogen. Thermally treated composites displayed relatively high specific surface area and large pore volume. Temperature programmed desorption (TPD) was used to investigate the active sites available on the surface of the aforementioned samples for CO2 sorption at 120°C. Magnesium oxide-alumina composite samples showed an enhanced CO2 uptake under flue gas conditions (100–150°C). The sample synthesized from Al(NO3)3∙9H2O) only showed adsorption capacity of about 1.30mmol/g. Incorporation of 10 molar% of MgO did not significantly increase the CO2 uptake of the alumina-based composite; however, incorporation of 30 molar% of MgO increased CO2 uptake up to 2.08mmol/g. An increase of the MgO content in the composite caused a gradual enhancement in the CO2 uptake; namely, the composite with 70% of MgO loading showed 2.87mmol/g CO2 uptake. High thermal and mechanical stability of the composites studied as well as their low cost, good resistance to the corrosion and oxidizing environment make these materials, especially MgO-rich composites, attractive candidates for CO2 capture at flue gas conditions.

Visible-Light Photocatalysis of LSMO-Graphene Nanocomposites toward Degradation of Methyl Red

La0.7Sr0.3MnO3 (LSMO) nanoparticles were synthesized by a polyacrylamide gel route. LSMO-graphene nanocomposites were fabricated by mixing LSMO nanoparticles and graphene into absolute ethanol solution followed by thermal drying. SEM observation shows that the synthesized LSMO nanoparticles are uniformly and regularly shaped like spheres with an average size of ³24nm. TEM observation reveals that LSMO nanoparticles are well assembled onto graphene sheets. The photocatalytic activity of prepared samples was evaluated by degrading methyl red (MR) under visible-light irradiation. It is demonstrated that LSMO-graphene nanocomposites exhibit an enhanced photocatalytic activity compared to bare LSMO nanoparticles. This can be explained by the fact that the photogenerated electrons are captured by graphene, leading to an increased availability of holes for the photocatalytic reaction. The direct hole oxidation is suggested to be the main mechanism toward the dye degradation. [doi:10.2320/matertrans.M2013317]