Acid Solution Research Articles

Development of Small-Scale Kits and Flipbooks for Practical Acid-Base Instruction

Practicum is essential to learning because it provides practical learning opportunities in building students' knowledge. Learning using the practical method can explain abstract theories into concrete ones and can be analyzed in more detail so that this method can improve cognitive, psychomotor, and affective skills. Practical activities in schools currently still use large amounts of chemicals. The resulting waste is only thrown in the trash or the drain. Disposal of large amounts of chemical waste will affect the surrounding environment. Based on this background, the researcher aims to develop a small-scale practical kit and flipbook for instructions on practical acid and base solutions. This type of research is development research (R&D) and uses the ADDIE development model (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, and Evaluation). Material and language experts and media experts validate products. Product trials were carried out at SMAN 15 Tangerang Regency. The results of the validation of the small-scale practicum kit and flipbook practicum instructions were material 87% (very feasible), language 80% (feasible), and media 84% (very feasible). The product trial results stated that the small-scale practical kit and practical flipbook instructions were suitable for use in the learning process

Potential amendments of coal fly ash-derived zeolite to beryllium contaminated soil at a legacy waste disposal site

Management of Be contamination using industrial solid waste or solid waste-derived amendments is not well understood. This study investigated the potential of Australian coal fly ash (CFA), derived synthesized zeolite (SynZ) and chitosan-modified zeolite (ModZ), for Be immobilization at the Little Forest Legacy Waste Site (LFLS), a low-level radioactive waste disposal site near Sydney, Australia. In laboratory simulation experiments, the SynZ and ModZ were separately applied as an amendment to both naturally contaminated soil and simulated contaminated (spiked) soil. Different techniques, including pore water (PW), batch desorption, and microbial activities were assessed to provide insight into immobilization mechanisms. Results revealed that amendment of 2% ModZ in soils, substantially decreased Be concentrations in PW (PWBe) ranging from 13.3% to 99.5% across all concentrations of Be. In contrast, PWBe increased while using SynZ, which could be attributed to the increased solubility of different organic-inorganic elements in PW. Moreover, batch desorption using Milli-Q water, simulated acid rainwater [H2SO4/HNO3 = 60/40, (v/v), and 0.11 M acetic acid solution also revealed similar patterns of Be immobilization as found in PWBe analysis. Soil amendments boosted microbial biomass carbon, and phosphorous (MBC,P), along with basal respiration (BRCO2). This indicates increased microbial activities, which are linked with environmental eco-friendliness. This effect was substantially noticed in ModZ-amended soils, exhibiting up to 22 times higher in BRCO2 values compared to unamended soil. Additionally, reduced PWBe was correlated with soluble organic-inorganic elements, desorbed Be in the batch study, and soil MBc. The differences in behavior between SynZ and ModZ underline the importance of carefully studying the various potential amendment materials and the need to evaluate their performance before application in field situations. This study highlights ModZ's effectiveness in eco-friendly Be immobilization, underlining the role of organic functional groups in zeolite architecture, a key factor in controlling Be in soils.

Quartz crystal microbalance analysis of effects of surfactants on dissolution kinetics of poly(4-hydroxystyrene) partially protected with t-butoxycarbonyl group

Abstract Surfactants comprise water-repellent and water-attracting moieties and have been used to improve the lithographic performance of resist materials. However, the effects of surfactants on the dissolution kinetics of these materials are still unclear. In this study, the effects of surfactants on the dissolution kinetics of partially-protected poly(4-hydroxystyrene) (PHS) in 0.26 N tetramethylammonium hydroxide aqueous solution was investigated using a quartz crystal microbalance method. Anionic (sodium n-octanonate, sodium 1-hexanesulfonate, n-dodecylbenzenesulfonic acid, and sodium n-dodecyl sulfate), cationic (methylamine hydrochloride, dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride, and 30% ammonium lauryl sulfate solution), nonionic (sorbitan monooleate, polyoxyethylene(23)lauryl ether, and polyoxyethylene(10)hydrogenated castor oil), and amphoteric (35% lauryl dimethylaminoacetic acid solution) surfactants were examined. The surfactant significantly affected the dissolution kinetics of the PHS films. The surfactant effects were significantly reduced by protecting the hydroxyl groups of PHS. The effect of the surfactant on the dissolution kinetics depended on the surfactant rather than on the surfactant type.

An ultrastable luminescent covalent organic polymer for selective Pd2+ detection in strong acid

AbstractThe low natural abundance of palladium (10 ppb) in the Earth's crust highlights its considerable potential as a valuable resource, especially given that spent nuclear fuel contains approximately 1–2 kg of Pd per ton. However, the detection and separation of Pd2+ from high‐level liquid waste (HLLW) present significant challenges due to high acidity (2–5 M HNO3) and intense radiation conditions inherent in spent fuel reprocessing. We present a cyano‐olefin‐linked covalent organic polymer (COP‐TnPp) that exhibits remarkable stability in strong acidic environments and resilience to radiation. Thanks to its olefin linkage, which facilitates π‐electron conjugation, COP‐TnPp exhibits strong luminescence, whose intensity remains stable across a range of 1–5 M nitric acid solutions. Pd2+ ions can effectively quench the fluorescence of COP‐TnPp in 1 and 5 M HNO3 solutions with detection limits of 0.37 and 0.63 μM, respectively. Additionally, COP‐TnPp demonstrates exceptional selectivity for Pd2+ ions, even amidst 22 other interfering ions in a simulated HLLW solution (5 M HNO3), with the detection limit remaining at 0.697 μM. This work not only marks an advancement in the development of materials for detecting Pd2+ in extreme acidic conditions but also offers new insights into the detection of other radionuclides under similarly challenging environments.

Binding of Glutamic Acid to Silver and Gold Nanoparticles Investigated by Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy

Glutamate is the most important excitatory neurotransmitter, which is relevant for the study of several diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and Alzheimer. It is the form L-glutamic acid (Glu) takes at physiologically relevant pHs. The surface-enhanced Raman spectra of Glu obtained at pH values ranging from 3.3 to 12 are collected in the presence of silver and gold colloids and on solid substrates. The observed bands are compared with the positions of calculated normal modes for free neutral glutamic acid, glutamic acid monohydrate, glutamic acid bound to gold and silver atoms, and sodium glutamate. Although gold atoms prefer to bind to the NH2 group as compared to carbonyl groups, silver atoms prefer binding to hydroxyl groups more than binding to the amino group. SERS spectra of glutamic acid solutions with a pH value of 12, in which both carboxylic groups are deprotonated, indicate a complexation of the glutamic acid dianion with the sodium cation, which was introduced into the solution to adjust the pH value. Further research towards an optimal substrate is needed.

Desorption efficiency and holding capacity of acid-treated filters for nicotine sampling in vape shops.

Efficient sampling materials are essential for assessing nicotine levels in vape shops and other settings where nicotine exposures may exist. Two different treatments of Whatman glass fiber type A (GF/A) filters (sodium bisulfate treated and citric acid treated) were evaluated for nicotine capture, desorption efficiency, and holding capacity using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). The Filters were treated with 0.8mL of 0.1 M sodium bisulfate or citric acid solution and oven-dried (80 °C) for 30min. Nicotine was desorbed off the filters using a modified analytical method. The average nicotine desorption efficiency for sodium bisulfate-treated GF/A filters (98.4%) was significantly higher than that of citric acid-treated GF/A filters (60.9%) over a range of 1-100 µg nicotine. Sodium bisulfate-treated and citric acid-treated GF/A filters experienced a 10% nicotine breakthrough after being dosed with about 550 and 2,750 µg of nicotine, respectively compared to 75 µg for untreated GF/A filters. Citric acid-treated GF/A filters had a much greater nicotine-holding capacity, but nicotine desorption from citric acid-treated GF/A filters was below the recommended criteria. Therefore, we recommend that sodium bisulfate-treated GF/A filters are employed for sample of nicotine with the GC-MS method.

Design, synthesis, and evaluation of a pyrazole-based corrosion inhibitor: a computational and experimental study

By employing a synergistic blend of experimental and theoretical methodologies, we investigated the corrosion inhibition efficacy of a synthesized pyrazole derivative (BM-01) in a solution of hydrochloric acid (1 M). We utilized molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), density functional theory (DFT), complexation, plus electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). We conducted weight loss (WL) measurements from 298 to 328 K. Inhibition efficacy reached a maximum at a BM-01 concentration of 10−3 M, achieving 90.0% (EIS), 90.40% (WL), and 90.38% (potentiodynamic polarization (PDP)). SEM unveiled the shielding of the carbon-steel surface from acid-induced damage by BM-01. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm exhibited a robust fit with a low sum of squares, standard deviation, and a high correlation coefficient. PDP findings indicated that BM-01 acted as a mixed-type inhibitor, predominantly favoring the cathodic process, suggesting potential corrosion-mitigation properties. Theoretical analyses involving DFT, MD simulations, and radial distribution function were conducted to postulate a mechanism and identify an inhibitory layer. Theoretical outcomes aligned closely with experimental data, thereby reinforcing the validity of our findings.

Structural Features of Porous Silicon Formed on Heavily Doped Plates of Single-Crystal Silicon with Electron Conductivity

Using scanning electron microscopy, the structures of the surface and internal regions of porous silicon obtained by anodizing heavily doped plates of single-crystal silicon with electron conductivity in a hydrofluoric acid solution at different current densities were studied. It is found that the porous silicon surface has dark gray and light gray pores, which differ in size and surface distribution density. Dark gray pores possess larger sizes, and their density is about 5–10 times less than that of light gray pores. Based on the cross-section imagery, it is shown that light gray pores correspond to underdeveloped channels of small depth, while dark gray pores are the entrance points of deep bottle-shaped channels passing from the surface into the depth of the silicon wafer. The equivalent diameters of light gray pores on the surface of porous silicon are 12–15 nm and are practically independent of the anodic current density. At the same time, the equivalent diameters of dark gray pores and average distances between their centers increase linearly from 15 to 35 nm on the surface and from 35 to 120 nm in the volume of porous silicon when the current density is increased from 30 to 90 mA/cm2. The average thickness of silicon skeleton elements is about 3 nm on the surface and increases to 5–6 nm in the volume. By setting the density of the anode current, it is possible to obtain layers of porous silicon with different structural parameters. The obtained research results have practical significance for the formation of composite materials based on porous silicon, which can be used as a porous matrix for the deposition of metals and semiconductors.

Extraction of molybdenum, cobalt, and nickel from acidic leach solution of molybdenum leach residue of spent hydrodesulfurization catalyst

ABSTRACT After the extraction of molybdenum from the spent HDS catalyst, a residue containing aluminum, nickel, cobalt, and a small amount of molybdenum was obtained. The simultaneous recovery of nickel, cobalt, aluminum, and residual molybdenum from molybdenum leach residue can be achieved through hydrochloric acid leaching. In the work presented herein, the extraction of molybdenum, cobalt, and nickel from the acidic leach solution of molybdenum leach residue was investigated. Trioctyl tertiary amine can selectively extract cobalt and molybdenum from the acidic leach solution, the extraction of both cobalt and molybdenum reached more than 99% after two-stage countercurrent extraction. The combination of pure water and 25% ammonia water can be utilised for the separation and extraction of cobalt and molybdenum from the loaded cobalt-molybdenum organic phase. After the extraction of cobalt and molybdenum, a synergistic extraction system comprising decyl 4-picolinate and dinonylnaphthalene sulfonic acid can be employed for nickel extraction, achieving a nickel extraction exceeding 99.70% while maintaining aluminum extraction at only 0.32% after undergoing four-stage countercurrent extraction. The nickel stripping efficiency can reach 99.50% after four-stage countercurrent stripping, using a stripping agent of 2 mol/L H2SO4.

PH Determination of Acetic Acid-Sodium Acetate Buffer: An Application of Henderson-Hasselbalch Equation at Room Temperature

In article, we have reported the applying of Henderson-Hasselbalch equation in determination of pH of acetic acid and sodium acetate buffer solutions at about 298 Kelvin as room temperature. In preparation of these buffer solutions, we have taken 1.5 ml of glacial acetic acid into 100 ml of standard flask for making up 0.2M of acetic acid solution, and 0.64 gm of sodium acetate were dissolved into 100 ml distilled water. Now, we taken 36.2 ml prepared solution of sodium acetate into 100 ml of standard flask and added 14.8 ml of prepared acetic acid to make its volume 100 ml by using of distilled water, it is a buffer. In measuring of pH of prepared buffer solutions, we have been using a calibrated digital pen pH meter for accurate and quick reading. In observation, the pH of buffer solutions a quite fluctuation was appeared. But, it has gradually raised by adding small amount of basic 5N NaOH solution into buffer sample, and, an adjusted pH was being to 4.7 as well.

Exploring solution composition and vacuum pulse effects in the osmotic processing of sole (Paralichthys sp.) fillets

The study investigates the osmotic dehydration (OD) of sole fillets and its mass transfer kinetics. Brine (S10), brine+sucrose (S10Az), and brine+sucrose+acetic acid (S10AA) solutions were used, with treatments conducted under atmospheric pressure (control) and with vacuum impregnation pulses (VI) for 7 hours. A positive mass change was observed over time in S10 and S10Az, leading to increased processing yields, while a decreasing trend was noted in S10AA. VI had a significant effect on NaCl content in S10AA, resulting in a 45 % processing time reduction. The Peleg model accurately fitted the solutes content dynamics, suggesting that VI shortens the time it takes to reach equilibrium for NaCl and sucrose. Product texture characteristics were affected by the solution composition, with increased hardness in S10AA, but not by VI treatment. These findings enhance the understanding of fish pre-treatment operational variables and suggest the VI potential for streamlining processes in the fish industry.

Nutrient Composition of Arugula Leafy Greens Following Application of Ascorbic Acid Foliar Sprays

Agronomic biofortification of vitamin C is a promising strategy to address vitamin C deficiencies in populations that lack access to diverse and nutritious diets. Different application methods can improve the vitamin C content in various crops; however, foliar application of ascorbic acid (AA) solutions has been under-explored. To determine if spray concentration, number of applications, and day of harvest would affect vitamin C in arugula leafy greens, foliar sprays consisting of 100 ppm and 200 ppm of AA and deionized (DI) water control were applied. Treatment application was initiated during the baby-leaf stage and subjected to a total of three sprays over the course of the experiment, followed by harvest at two days and four days after spraying (DAS). The harvested plants were measured for fresh and dry biomass and analyzed for vitamin C content, mineral composition, chlorophyll levels, and carotenoid content. The results of this study demonstrated a notably elevated total vitamin C concentration (p = 0.0002) and AA content (p = 0.02) in arugula leaves treated with a 200 ppm AA spray following the third application and harvested at 4 DAS. Additionally, the AA application improved the fresh and dry weight of leafy greens but did not exhibit any significant variances regarding the mineral composition of P, K, Ca, Mg, S, B, Zn, Mn, and Fe. Alternatively, AA foliar sprays reduced Cu content in leaves suggesting that AA reduced Cu accumulation in arugula leafy greens. In summary, the findings of this study establish that the foliar application of 200 ppm AA is an effective approach for increasing the vitamin C content in arugula leafy greens while improving the plant’s biomass, mineral composition, and stress responses. These biofortified arugula leafy greens exhibit the potential to offer plant protection against environmental stresses and a more consistent supply of vitamin C to humans upon consumption.

Styrene divinyl benzene beads (SM-2) functionalized with triisobutylphosphine sulfide for selective uptake of palladium(II) from nitric acid medium

Resins impregnated with organic extractants regarded as effective adsorbent materials due to their ability for selective sorption. These resins consist of a polymeric material that is infused with accessible organic extractants. Furthermore, these resins merge the unique properties and the distinctive characteristics of both liquid-liquid extraction and solid-liquid sorption processes. In this work, the impregnation of Styrene divinyl benzene beads (SM-2 beads) with triisobutylphosphine sulfide (TIBPS = CYANEX 471X) was prepared. A SM-2 bead functionalized with CYANEX 471X (SM-2-TIBPS beads) was characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) techniques and investigated for recovery and separation of palladium ions from a 3 M nitric acid solution. Various parameters were studied, as shaking time effect, nitric acid concentration, SM-2-TIBPS beads weight, Pd(II) concentration and temperature. The Pd(II)/SM-2-TIBPS sorption system has an endothermic nature and was fitted with a Langmuir isotherm model with a 0.9860 regression factor. The kinetics modeling was fitted with PSO and IPD models with regression factors of 0.9889 and 0.9959, respectively. The maximum monolayer sorption capacity of SM-2-TIBPS was found to be 17.47 ± 0.9 mg/g. The sorption of Pd(II) from different media at 3 M takes the following sequence: HNO3 > HCl > H2SO4. Desorption of about 76.38 ± 2.4% was achieved with (1 M + 1 M) of thiourea + HCl after one desorption stage. Effect of other interfering ions, as Pt(II), Pb(II), Eu(III), Cu(II), Mo(VI), Co(III), Zr(IV), Fe(III), Cd(II), and Ce(III), indicates high separation factors between Pd(II) and other investigated metal ions, which ranged from 9.4 to 35.

Experimental and Kinetic Simulations of Technetium-Catalyzed Hydrazine Oxidation in Nitric Acid Solution

The catalytic reaction of Tc plays a significant role in the chemical separation process during spent fuel reprocessing. However, few studies have been conducted on the chemical reaction mechanism between Tc and hydrazine. Moreover, the instability of Tc(V) and Tc(VI) makes their measurement difficult, rendering many aspects of the reaction process and mechanism unclear. This study investigates the catalytic reaction between Tc and hydrazine in a nitric acid solution. To this end, we obtained the kinetic laws of the reaction under various conditions of acidity, hydrazine concentration, and Tc concentration by monitoring the concentrations of hydrazine and Tc(VII) over time. The reaction kinetics model demonstrated that numerical simulations could effectively predict the reaction process. Results indicated that hydrazine promotes the reduction of Tc(VII) to Tc(IV), constituting the basis for establishing the Tc(IV, V, VI, VII) catalytic cycle. Among these, Tc(V) and Tc(VI) were important active intermediates and the main consumers of hydrazine. The research results may be useful for actinide separation processes based on valence control.

Online restricted access molecularly imprinted solid phase extraction coupled with electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry for determination of mebendazole and albendazole in milk samples

Multifunctional materials, such as restricted access molecularly imprinted polymers covered with bovine serum albumin (RAMIP-BSA), are effective alternatives for sample preparation techniques. This material selectively adsorbs analytes while excluding macromolecules, enhancing the analysis's efficiency. Among analytical techniques, ESI-MS/MS (Electrospray Ionization-Tandem Mass Spectrometry) has successfully identified and quantified various molecules, including trace-level drugs. Therefore, we proposed, for the first time, an integrated online extraction/analysis system that combines the benefits of RAMIP-BSA and ESI-MS/MS for analyzing mebendazole (MBZ) and albendazole (ABZ) in milk samples without the need for chromatographic separation. Initially, a RAMIP selective for MBZ was synthesized using the bulk method with methacrylic acid and glycidyl methacrylate. Then, the polymer was covered with bovine serum albumin. Subsequently, this adsorbent was packed in a small column and coupled with an ESI-MS/MS instrument in an online configuration. Milli-Q water was used as the loading and reconditioning mobile phases, and a solution of formic acid in methanol (1:100 v/v) was employed as the elution phase. The system enabled simultaneous extraction and determination of MBZ and ABZ in milk samples. The method exhibited linearity between 15.0 and 125.0 μg L−1 for MBZ and 10.0 and 125.0 μg L−1 for ABZ (with a correlation coefficient exceeding 0.99). The limits of quantification were 15.0 and 10.0 μg L−1 for MBZ and ABZ, respectively. Good precision and accuracy were achieved. The developed method was used to analyze MBZ and ABZ in real milk samples and proved to be a viable alternative to conventional sample preparation and chromatographic techniques.

Eliminating the «memory effect» during mass spectrometric determination of mercury

When estimating mercury content by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), this element adsorbs on the surface of the sample introduction system of the instrument, which creates problems in the determination of trace amounts of mercury. Various methods of cleaning the instrument have been proposed in the literature. Objective: to experimentally compare the effectiveness of trace mercury removal methods proposed in the literature for elemental analysis by ICP-MS and to select the optimal cleaning agent. Methods: Mercury content in solution was determined by the Agilent Technologies 7900 inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer using 202Hg isotope. Diluted solutions of nitric and hydrochloric acids, solutions of gold chloride, potassium dichromate, thiourea, L-cysteine, potassium bromide, potassium bromate of different concentrations in water and 1% nitric and hydrochloric acids, aqueous solution of ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbomate were used as washing agents. Results: The background level of mercury content is achieved by using solutions of copper chloride (5%), thiourea (0.01, 0.1, and 0.5%), L-cysteine (2%), potassium bromide and bromate (0.0005 M) in 1.0% hydrochloric acid solution. The background is lowered by using 3 and 5% HCl, potassium dichromate (60 mg/liter), potassium bromide and bromate (0.01 and 0.05 M) solutions in 1% hydrochloric acid. Application of aqueous solution of ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate causes sharp degradation of plastic tubes of the sample introduction system. Conclusion: The efficiency of washing agents based on hydrochloric acid is higher than that based on nitric acid and water. The most promising washing agents are bromide-containing solutions and potassium bichromate solution in hydrochloric acid. The optimal way to clean the device is its washing with 0.5 mM potassium bromide solution in 1.0% hydrochloric acid. Its use allows to reduce the background content of mercury and does not complicate the analysis of the content of other elements.

Synergism of Computational Simulation Technique and Machine Learning Algorithm for Prediction of Anticorrosion Properties of Some Antipyrine Derivatives.

This study aimed to predict the selected antipyrine compounds' inhibitory efficiencies and anticorrosion properties in a hydrochloric acid (HCl) environment. Molecular descriptors and input variables were obtained using density functional theory (DFT), and the variance inflation factor (VIF) was employed to reduce redundant variables, leading to the selection of seven quantum chemical descriptors as input variables. Using machine learning techniques such as K-nearest neighbor (KNN) and artificial neural network (ANN), a predictive model was built for 39 antipyrine compounds with known corrosion inhibition efficiencies for carbon and low alloy steel in hydrochloric acid solutions. The models' predictive capability was assessed using cross-validation, with the ANN model showing superior performance, achieving a coefficient of determination (R2) value of 0.715 compared to 0.548 for the KNN model. Performance metrics such as the mean square error (MSE), mean absolute error (MAE), and root-mean-square error (RMSE) further confirmed the superiority of the ANN model over the KNN model. The corrosion inhibition efficiencies (CIEs) of the selected antipyrine compounds ranged from 68.78 to 99.79%, with compound A1 demonstrating the highest CIE of 99.79% and compound A3 the lowest, as evaluated by the ANN model. Analysis of Fukui index parameters obtained from the Mulliken population analysis suggested that the nucleophilic and electrophilic sites play a crucial role in the interactions between the inhibitor and the metal atom through electron donor-acceptor interactions. Moreover, the energy of adsorption (Eads) in kcal·mol-1 decreased in the order of A1 (-187.8) > A2 (-132.0) > A2 (-84.4), with the high negative value of Eads indicating strong and spontaneous adsorption. Further analysis using radial distribution functions and molecular dynamics simulations revealed that inhibitor A1 exhibited predominantly chemisorption, inhibitor A2 showed a mixed type, and inhibitor A3 demonstrated predominantly physisorption, aligning well with the results of the predictive studies.

Study on Oxygen Plasma-Based Copper Etching Process

Abstract A plasma-based, room-temperature copper etch process using the chlorine- or bromine-containing feed gas was reported. This simple process could potentially replace the chemical mechanical polishing method in preparing copper interconnects. However, the chlorine- and bromine-containing gases are corrosive and must be handled with expensive equipment following stringent safety procedures. In this paper, the oxygen plasma-based copper etch process is presented. The copper film was converted into a porous and polycrystalline copper oxide film which was subsequently dissolved in a dilute hydrochloric acid solution. The copper film was expanded when converted into an oxide film. The oxidation precursors, i.e., oxygen radicals and ions, were generated in the plasma phase and then transported through the oxide layer to the underneath copper film where the oxidation reaction proceeded. The oxide growth rate is affected by plasma parameters, such as pressure and power, and the kinetics of the oxidation reaction. This new oxygen plasma-based process is a simple solution for preparing copper interconnects for nano and microelectronic products.

One-step synthesis of short columnar α-calcium sulfate hemihydrate from titanium white waste acid

The waste sulfuric acid solution emerged as a main emission substance from titanium dioxide production is called titanium white waste acid (TWWA). The disposal of TWWA has been a concern due to its potential impact on the environment. A green way including one-step preparation and purification stages of α-calcium sulfate hemihydrate (α-HH) from TWWA and lime mud via a neutralization reaction in the hydrothermal pressure apparatus was developed. The preferred experimental conditions were obtained, i.e., lime mud/TWWA/sodium citrate ratio: 16/16/1, 140 ℃, 0.5 MPa, reaction time: 10 min. The recovery rate of α-HH in the whole process was 89.5%. The method presented high efficiency and selectivity in conversion to a short-columnar-shaped α-HH under addition of 3.40 × 10−2 mol/L sodium citrate as a crystal modifier. The structure and composition of the obtained α-HH products were confirmed by XRD, TGA, and SEM. Compared with titanium gypsum, the obtained short columnar α-HH with hexaprismatic morphology showed excellent mechanical properties. According to GB/T 9776 − 2008 “Calcined gypsum”, the compressive strength of 7 days of the cemented short-columnar α-HH was about 6.35 MPa, which it meets the strength requirements for building gypsum.

Polygenic anti-cancer activity of Indigofera macrophylla in prostate cancer induced animal model

BackgroundProstate cancer (Pca) is a deadly disease prevalent among men, and it accounts for about 7–8 % of mortality globally. Synthetic drugs have proved effective but have limitations and severe side effects. There is, therefore, a need to discover a less expensive, natural therapeutic agent with no side effects in treating the ailment. AimThe study aims to investigate the anti-prostate cancer activity of extracts of Indigofera macrophylla (I. macrophylla) at the physiological and molecular levels in experimental animals. MethodPolyphenol-rich extract of I. macrophylla was subjected to HPLC analysis to identify the plant's phytochemical constituent. Adult Wistar rats were orally administered 2mls of 50, 100 and 200 PPM of the cacodylic acid solution for 28 days to induce prostate cancer, while treatment was carried out by orally administering extract of I. macrophylla at doses of 50, 100 and 200 mg/kg for up to 28 days. The anti-inflammatory and apoptotic properties of the extract in experimental animals were investigated by the expression levels of various genetic biomarkers such as Bax-2, TNF-α, IL-6, COX2, IL-1β, β-Catenin, APC, Bcl2, CEA, Caspase 3 and β-Catenin using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). ResultHPLC analysis shows that I. macrophylla has 21 bioactive components which are categorized into seven groups: flavonoid, terpenes, phenols, isoflavonoid, phytosterols, quinone and glycosides. Administration of the drug shows inconsistencies in the mean body weights of the experimental animals. Further investigation revealed that I. macrophylla increased TNF-α upregulation and expression, significantly downregulated IL-1β, significantly decreased IL-6 expression, ameliorated COX2 expression, downregulated β-catenin expression and significantly reduced the expression of the APC gene. These results show that the drug activity modulates the investigated inflammatory and apoptotic genes in the prostate gland of PCa-induced rats, thus demonstrating its anti-PCa potential. ConclusionThe results of this study suggest the potential of a novel treatment protocol of I. macrophylla plant extract to improve therapeutic outcomes for patients with aggressive PCa, which reportedly claims hundreds of thousands of lives yearly.