Addition Of NH4Cl Research Articles

High volumetric performance of functional carbon material enabled by co-pyrolysis of mango branches and Faradaic active N-enriched doping

Restricted by the poor volumetric performance, biomass-based supercapacitors are challenging to meet the rapid development of miniaturization and portability of energy storage devices, and the Faraday active nitrogen-doping strategy proves to be an efficient approach to address this concern. This study successfully synthesizes functional carbon materials with significant Faraday activity through a straightforward and environmentally friendly co-pyrolysis method. Mango branches served as the primary raw material, NH4B5O8∙4H2O acted as a template, and NH4Cl and NH4B5O8∙4H2O were utilized as the multiple nitrogen-enriched agents. A surface micro-NH3 environment can be achieved by modulating the addition of NH4Cl, and the decomposed NH3 is adsorbed on the biomass surface by the electrostatic adsorption of NH4B5O8∙4H2O. MA1.5N1.5-T700 showcases a compact self-supported structure with micro/mesopores, boasting a substantial nitrogen content of 2.95 %. It achieves a notable volumetric capacitance of 320 F/cm3 (368 F/g) at 0.5 A/g and maintains an exceptional rate performance of 72.9 % at 20 A/g. The constructed symmetrical supercapacitor also reveals an ultra-high energy density of 13.01 Wh/L (14.95 Wh/kg) and an impressive capacitance retention of 94.03 % undergoing 10,000 cycles. This study offers theoretical insights into fabricating electrode materials for high volumetric energy density supercapacitors through the pyrolysis of forestry waste.

Acid-base properties of non-protein nitrogen affect nutrients intake, rumen fermentation and antioxidant capacity of fattening Hu sheep.

This study conducted a comparison of the effects of non-protein nitrogen with different acid-base properties on feed intake, rumen fermentation, nutrient digestion and antioxidant capacity in fattening Hu sheep. Sixteen fattening male sheep (31.43 ± 2.41 kg) with permanent rumen cannulas were randomly assigned to two dietary treatments: 1% urea and 1.78% ammonium chloride (NH4Cl, AC). A 42 days experimental period was conducted, with 14 days for adaptation and 28 days for treatment. Daily feed intake was recorded and various samples including feed, feces, rumen fluid, and blood were collected at different time points during the final week. The results indicated that the urea group had significantly higher dry matter intake, average daily gain, and gain efficiency in comparison to the AC group (p < 0.01). There was no difference in rumen pH and concentration of ammonia nitrogen between different groups (p > 0.05), but the rumen pH of urea group was higher than that of the AC group at 1 and 3 h after feeding (p < 0.05). The urea group exhibited higher concentrations of total volatile fatty acids (VFA) and individual VFAs compared to the AC group at all-time points (p < 0.01). Compared to the urea group, the intake of all nutrients decreased in the AC group (p < 0.01), but the digestibility of dry matter and organic matter increased significantly (p < 0.01), and the digestibility of CP had an increasing trend (p = 0.06) in the AC group. Additionally, the urea group had lower levels of serum glucagon-like peptide-1, peptide YY, Cl, total protein and globulin than the AC group (p < 0.05). The overall levels of HCO3-, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, albumin/globulin, blood urea nitrogen and total cholesterol in the urea group increased significantly compared to the AC group (p < 0.05). It was concluded that adding urea to the high-concentrate diet resulted in increased rumen pH and improved rumen fermentation and growth performance in fattening sheep compared to NH4Cl addition. Furthermore, urea addition improved sheep's antioxidant capacity and maintained their acid-base balance more effectively as compared to NH4Cl.

Appropriate Supply of Ammonium Nitrogen and Ammonium Nitrate Reduces Cadmium Content in Rice Seedlings by Inhibiting Cadmium Uptake and Transport

Reasonable nitrogen (N) application is a promising strategy for reducing crop cadmium (Cd) toxicity. However, the specific form of N and the required amount that affect Cd tolerance and accumulation in rice remain unclear. This study explored the influence of different N-fertilizer forms (NH4NO3, NH4Cl, and KNO3) and dosages on Cd tolerance and uptake in Cd-stressed N-sensitive and N-insensitive indica rice accessions. The results indicated that the Cd tolerance of N-sensitive indica accessions is more robust than that of N-insensitive ones. Furthermore, the shoot Cd content and Cd translocation rate in both N-sensitive and N-insensitive indica accessions decreased with an appropriate supply of NH4NO3 and NH4Cl, whereas they were comparable or slightly increased with increased KNO3. Unfortunately, we did not find significant and regular differences in Cd accumulation or translocation between N-sensitive and N-insensitive rice accessions. Consistent with the reduction of shoot Cd content, the addition of NH4NO3 and NH4Cl also inhibited the instantaneous root Cd2+ uptake. The expression changes of Cd transport-related genes under different N forms and dosages suggested that the decreased shoot Cd content, caused by the increased supply of NH4NO3 and NH4Cl, is likely achieved by reducing the transcription of OsNRAMP1 and OsIRT1. In summary, our findings reveal that an appropriate supply of NH4NO3 and NH4Cl could reduce Cd uptake and transport in rice seedlings, suggesting that rational N management could reduce the Cd risk in rice production.

Photocatalytic degradation of sulfonamides in suspensions of coral-like graphene carbon nitride with nitrogen vacancies

Sulfonamides (SNs) belong to a category of broad-spectrum antibiotics, which have attracted growing concerns owing to the adverse effects on ecosystem. In this paper, coral-like graphitic carbon nitrides with nitrogen vacancies were prepared by polymerization of melamine in the presence of NH4Cl, and the effect of NH4Cl amount on the structure and photocatalytic performance of g-C3N4 in degradation of sulfonamide antibiotics such as sulfamethoxazole (SMX), sulfadiazine (SDZ) and sulfathiazole (STZ) was systematically studied. It was found that the addition of NH4Cl results in the formation of coral-like g-C3N4 with nitrogen vacancies, and optimal photocatalyst (PCN-1 sample) prepared with a melamine to NH4Cl mass ratio of 1:1 showed the highest photocatalytic activity towards SNs degradation due to the quick electron-hole migration, efficient separation capacity and excellent photoelectric properties. The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) technique was used to determine the reactive oxygen species (ROSs) that are responsible for the degradation of SNs, and the detailed degradation pathway of STZ was proposed according to the identification of the intermediates by liguid chromatography-high resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS).

Tuning lithium–yttrium chloride local structure through coordination control and mixing during synthesis

Synthesis of Li3YCl6 is facilitated by the addition of NH4Cl. Synthesis method affects local ordering and Li+ dynamics as determined by neutron diffraction, impedance and NMR spectroscopy.

191 Recovery of Growth and Body Composition in 10-kg Pigs after a 6-Week Growth Attenuation by Ammonium Chloride Additions to Feed

Abstract This project aimed to develop nutritional strategies to reduce pig growth &amp;gt; 50% for 2 to 6 weeks during crisis management. Previously growth was attenuated by 2.0% NH4Cl additions to hold growth (HG) diets. Compensatory growth was evident after withdrawal of NH4Cl. However, tissue composition was not quantified. The HG diets were formulated to reduce lysine, P, and K and increase Cl. Assumptions were that excess Cl interacts with limited K to create an “apparent” K deficiency, which limits protein accretion. The current experiment assessed body composition responses during recovery from HG diets with 2.0% NH4Cl (HGCL) by feeding control (Ctl) diets or Ctl diets fortified with 150% of lysine, P, and K requirements (+Lys+P+K). At 10 kg, 34 barrows were individually housed and randomly assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments with free access to assigned diets and water throughout the trial. During the HG phase pigs were fed either Ctl or HGCL diets until 25 kg; 6 weeks for pigs fed HGCl diets. An additional diet was included to validate K and Cl interactions (0.29:1 K:Cl ratio) in growth attenuation. Potassium bicarbonate was added to the HGCl diet (HGCl+K) to restore a 1.26:1 K:Cl ratio. At 25 kg BW, pigs were fed either Ctl or +Lys+P+K diets until 45 kg body weight (BW). Pig, feed weights, and body composition derived from whole-body DXA scans during the hold (HG, 10 to 25 kg) and recovery (Rec, 25 to 45 kg) phases allowed calculations of BW gain, nutrient intake, and measurements of whole-body bone mineral, fat, and lean gain. Growth of pigs fed HGCl diets was reduced (P &amp;lt; 0.01) by approximately 50% compared with Ctl pigs during the HG phase (Table 1). Pigs fed HGCl diets required 23 more days to grow from 10 to 25 kg. Similar reductions (P &amp;lt; 0.01) in bone mineral and lean gain, but not fat gain, were detected in pigs fed HGCl diets during the HG phase. Addition of K to the HGCl diet partially restored gain, bone, and lean gain (P &amp;lt; 0.01). Compensatory responses in weight, bone, fat, and lean gain were evident in HG pigs fed Ctl diets during Rec. Pigs previously fed HGCl diets compensated and only required 14 extra days to reach 45 kg compared with Ctl. Additions of lysine, P, and K allowed greater (P &amp;lt; 0.01) compensation in BW, bone, and lean, but not fat gain over a 20 kg recovery phase. These results confirm a successful strategy to hold pigs during crisis management with potential benefits of compensatory growth and improved body composition during recovery. Whether the improved lean gain was attributed to the additional lysine, P, or K was not determined in this experiment.

Oat straw pyrolysis with ammonium chloride doping: Analysis of evolved gases, kinetic triplet, and thermodynamic parameters

The purpose of this work was to determine the effect of the addition of NH4Cl to oat straw on the evolved gases, kinetic triplet, and thermodynamic parameters of the pyrolysis process at 873 K. A complementary approach allowed to assess the effects of the pyrolysis of chlorine- and nitrogen-enriched biomass. The thermal analysis of biomass was performed for four heating rates (5, 10, 20, and 30 K/min). The doping of NH4Cl in the straw favoured i) carbonisation of the chars, ii) formation of C–N bonds, iii) reduction of evolved CH4 and CO2, and iv) an increase in the mean values of the effective activation energy and all thermodynamic parameters. A group of reactions that best fit the experimental data of the pyrolysis process was selected. It was necessary to use unspecified mechanisms to describe the reaction model, particularly for samples enriched with NH4Cl.

Low-protein diet promotes nitrogen retention efficiency via enhanced renal urea reabsorption and microbial hydrogen incorporation in the rumen of goats

Feeding a low-protein diet can enhance urea reabsorption and transfer to the rumen, which might alter microbial protein (MCP) synthesis and redirect molecular hydrogen (H2) flow away from methanogenesis. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of feeding goats a low-protein diet on urea nitrogen (N) salvage and metabolism, and consequence on H2 metabolism for MCP synthesis and methanogenesis. Goats (Xiangdong Black goats, a local breed in southern China,) with body weight of 20.4 ± 2.15 kg (mean ± SD) were fed a control diet (consisted of 70% rice straw and 30% concentrates, with crude protein [CP] content by 108 g kg−1) or a low-protein diet (55.2 g CP/kg). 15NH4Cl and 2H2 were employed to further confirm the incorporation of N and hydrogen for MCP synthesis through in vitro culture. Feeding a low-protein diet resulted in greater proportion of retained N (+156%, P < 0.05), plasma urea N (+81.9%, P < 0.05) or rumen ammonia-N (+125%, P < 0.001) relative to digested N and greater renal urea N reabsorption (+11.2%, P < 0.05), together with upregulated relative protein expression of urea transporter A (UTA) in the kidneys (P < 0.05) and mRNA expression of UTA in rumen epithelium (P < 0.05). Feeding low-protein diet resulted in greater concentration of rumen dissolved hydrogen (+55.6%, P < 0.05), ratio of MCP to ammonia-N (+17.6%, P < 0.05), and lower enteric methane emissions (g/kg digested DM, −18.5%, P < 0.05). Further, in vitro experiments verified that the addition of NH4Cl decreased methane and hydrogen production (P < 0.001), although only a minor quantity of headspace 2H2 gas was incorporated for MCP synthesis. In conclusions, feeding a low-protein diet to goats enhances renal urea reabsorption capacity and facilitates the rumen microbial hydrogen incorporation for MCP synthesis, leading to enhanced N retention efficiency and reduced methane emissions. However, the effect of such an approach on livestock performance should be tested in the future studies.

Impact of nitrogen addition on single and mixed tree leaf litter decomposition depends on N forms in subtropical China

Increased nitrogen (N) inputs via atmospheric deposition are believed to influence leaf litter decomposition rate in forests. However, whether inorganic and organic N deposition produces a consistent influence on leaf litter decomposition is uncertain in forests, especially leaf litter mixtures. Using a fertilization experiment, we investigated the impact of inorganic (NH4Cl) and organic (urea and glycine) N on decomposition of single leaf litter (Liquidambar formosana, Pinus elliottii, Pinus massoniana, and Schima superba) and mixed broadleaf and coniferous (equal mass ratio) leaf litter using the litterbag method in a subtropical forest in southern China. Both inorganic and organic N addition increased mineral soil β-1,4-glucosidase, cellobiohydrolase, β-1,4-N-acetylglucosaminidase, L-leucine aminopeptidase, and acid phosphatase enzyme activities. During 780-day incubation, single litter decomposition was accelerated by NH4Cl addition but was not affected by either urea or glycine addition. Irrespective of added N forms, N addition shifted litter mixing effects on decomposition from synergistic effects to either additive or antagonistic effects. Accordingly, N addition generally decelerated litter mixture decomposition rates. Compared to coniferous litter, N addition-induced changes in litter mixing effects were often lower for broadleaf litter within the litter mixtures. These findings suggest that the impact of N enrichment on litter decomposition depends upon litter types and N forms, and highlight that N forms should be incorporated into assessing the consequence of atmospheric N deposition on the biogeochemical cycles in subtropical forests.

Influence of NH4Cl additive in a VO2+/VO2+ - AQDS/AQDS2− solar redox flow battery

Solar redox flow batteries are a relatively new type of redox flow battery technology that uses solar energy to directly store chemical energy. Here we present a solar redox flow battery that uses a MoS2@TiO2 thin film with a Nafion protection layer supported on FTO glass substrate as photoanode, employing VO2+/VO2+ and AQDS/AQDS2− as redox active species. When the solar radiation strikes the photoelectrode, the photogenerated holes oxidize VO2+ to VO2+, while the photogenerated electrons reduce AQDS to AQDS2− at the counter electrode. The oxidized form of V5+ and reduced form of AQDS2− thus retain the chemical energy and can release the stored charged via the reverse electrochemical reaction. The addition of NH4Cl to the electrolyte was found to have a positive impact on the electrochemical performance of the redox flow cell. This effect was more evident for the VOSO4 electrolyte, leading to an enhancement of the voltaic and energy efficiencies of more than 17.5%. The results suggest that NH4Cl promotes both mass transport of the vanadium redox species and charge transfer of the AQDS in the electrolyte. The solar-to-output energy conversion efficiency (SOEE) of the solar redox flow battery using 1.6 g L−1 NH4Cl in both anolyte and catholyte reached 9.73%, and an energy density of 87.45% after 10 consecutive one-hour photocharging cycles. Additionally, the use of Nafion to protect the MoS2@TiO2 photoanode from photocorrosion was explored. The Nafion layer ensured an increased stability of MoS2@TiO2 against the strong acidic environment while maintaining effective light response, which translated into enhanced photon and mass transport. An energy storage capacity of ∼60 mAh L−1 after 1-hour photocharging was observed.

Soil acidification and ammonia-oxidizing archaeal abundance dominate the contrasting responses of soil N2O emissions to NH4+ and NO3− enrichment in a subtropical plantation

Atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition markedly increases nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from subtropical plantation soils. However, the contrasting effects of deposited NH4+ and NO3− on soil N2O emissions and the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. Based on the long-term N fertilization manipulative experiment with two types (NH4Cl and NaNO3) and three levels (0, 40, and 120 kg N ha−1 yr−1), we investigated the response of soil N2O emissions to N addition, as well as the environmental and microbial control on soil N2O emissions using flux observations and molecular biology assays. Nitrogen addition significantly decreased soil pH by 0.30–0.67 units and increased soil N2O emissions by 6- to 21-fold relative to the control; furthermore, the effect of NH4Cl addition was significantly stronger than that of NaNO3 addition. Nitrogen addition significantly increased the abundance of ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA), whereas high levels of NH4Cl addition (120 kg N ha−1 yr−1) significantly decreased the abundances of nirS, nirK, and nosZ. In addition, NH4Cl addition decreased the Shannon diversity indices of AOA, nirK, and nosZ communities. Changes in soil N2O flux were positively correlated with changes in soil NO3−-N concentration and AOA abundance, whereas negatively correlated with changes in soil pH. Soil acidification and enhanced AOA-dominated nitrification led to higher soil N2O emissions under NH4Cl addition relative to NaNO3 addition. Overall, the contrasting effects of reduced NH4+ and oxidized NO3− should be incorporated into ecosystem process models to accurately assess the response of N2O emissions from subtropical plantation soils to exogenous N input.

NH4Cl-assisted preparation of single Ni sites anchored carbon nanosheet catalysts for highly efficient carbon dioxide electroreduction

Single-atomic transition metal-nitrogen codoped carbon (M-N-C) are efficient substitute catalysts for noble metals to catalyze the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CO2RR). However, the uncontrolled aggregations of metal and serious loss of nitrogen species constituting the M-Nx active sites are frequently observed in the commonly used pyrolysis procedure. Herein, single-atomic nickel (Ni)-based sheet-like electrocatalysts with abundant Ni-N4 active sites were created by using a novel ammonium chloride (NH4Cl)-assited pyrolysis method. Spherical aberration correction electron microscopy and X-ray absorption fine structure analysis clearly revealed that Ni species are atomically dispersed and anchored by N in Ni-N4 structure. The addition of NH4Cl optimized the mesopore size to 7–10 nm and increased the concentrations of pyridinic N (3.54 wt%) and Ni-N4 (3.33 wt%) species. The synergistic catalytic effect derived from Ni-N4 active sites and pyridinic N species achieved an outstanding CO2RR performance, presenting a high CO Faradaic efficiency (FECO) up to 98% and a large CO partial current density of 8.5 mA cm−2 at a low potential of –0.62 V vs. RHE. Particularly, the FECO maintains above 80% within a large potential range from –0.43 to –0.73 V vs. RHE. This work provides a practical and feasible approach to building highly active single-atomic catalysts for CO2 conversion systems.

The inhibition of high ammonia to in vitro rumen fermentation is pH dependent.

Ammonia is an important rumen internal environment indicator. In livestock production, feeding a large amount of non-protein nitrogen to ruminants will create high ammonia stress to the animals, which increases the risk of ammonia toxicity. However, the effects of ammonia toxicity on rumen microbiota and fermentation are still unknown. In this study, an in vitro rumen fermentation technique was used to investigate the effects of different concentrations of ammonia on rumen microbiota and fermentation. To achieve the four final total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) concentrations of 0, 8, 32, and 128 mmol/L, ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) was added at 0, 42.8, 171.2, and 686.8 mg/100 mL, and urea was added at 0, 24, 96, and 384 mg/100 mL. Urea hydrolysis increased, while NH4Cl dissociation slightly reduced the pH. At similar concentrations of TAN, the increased pH of the rumen culture by urea addition resulted in a much higher free ammonia nitrogen (FAN) concentration compared to NH4Cl addition. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a strong negative correlation between FAN and microbial populations (total bacteria, protozoa, fungi, and methanogens) and in vitro rumen fermentation profiles (gas production, dry matter digestibility, total volatile fatty acid, acetate, propionate, etc.), and a much weaker correlation between TAN and the above indicators. Additionally, bacterial community structure changed differently in response to TAN concentrations. High TAN increased Gram-positive Firmicutes and Actinobacteria but reduced Gram-negative Fibrobacteres and Spirochaetes. The current study demonstrated that the inhibition of in vitro rumen fermentation by high ammonia was pH-dependent and was associated with variations of rumen microbial populations and communities.

Recovery of Nickel and Cobalt Metal Powders from the Leaching Solution of Spent Lithium-Ion Battery by Solvent Extraction and Chemical Reduction

ABSTRACT Spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) contain some valuable metals. Smelting reduction of spent LIBs produces metallic alloys containing Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, and Ni. Leaching of the metallic alloys with inorganic acid solutions and subsequent separation of Cu(II), Fe(III) and Mn(II) results in a solution containing Co(II) and Ni(II). In this work, solvent extraction and chemical reduction experiments were performed to recover pure metals from this solution. Cobalt(II) was first separated from Ni(II) by solvent extraction with saponified Cyanex 272. Batch simulation experiments based on the McCabe-Thiele diagram for the extraction of Co(II) verified the complete separation of Co(II) from Ni(II). Hydrazine was then employed as a reducing agent for Co(II) and Ni(II) from the stripping solution and the raffinate, respectively. The effect of several variables on the reduction such as the molar ratio of hydrazine to metal ion, reaction time, temperature, and solution pH was investigated. It was found that the reduced metals could be dissolved owing to the oxidizing action of hydrazonium in acidic solution. Addition of NH4Cl was effective in suppressing the dissolution of the reduced metals. Especially, there was an optimum molar ratio of NH4Cl at which maximum reduction of Co(II) was obtained. The recovery percentages of Co and Ni powder were higher than 99.1% and 99.9%, respectively, and the purity of the reduced metals was higher than 99.9%.

Nucleation thermodynamics and nucleation kinetics of (NH4)2SO4 under the action of NH4Cl

This study aims to explore nucleation thermodynamics and kinetics of (NH4)2SO4 during cooling under the action of NH4Cl. For this purpose, (NH4)2SO4 was added to the NH4Cl solution in different proportions. The solubility and supersolubility of the mixed solution were measured using a laser method. Then, the (NH4)2SO4 metastable zone width was obtained under different NH4Cl addition and cooling conditions. Studies have shown that the dissolution process of (NH4)2SO4 is an endothermic reaction. Increasing the NH4Cl concentration narrows the (NH4)2SO4 metastable zone width because NH4Cl provides more NH4+ and promotes crystal nucleation, whereas increasing the cooling rate widens the (NH4)2SO4 metastable zone width because the change in the size of the solute molecular clusters in the solution lags behind the transition of the solution state. Additionally, the nucleation kinetics of (NH4)2SO4 under the action of NH4Cl was studied based on the self-consistent Nývlt-like equation and the classical 3D nucleation theory, indicating that the classical 3D nucleation theory can better explain (NH4)2SO4 nucleation kinetics, and the activation energy Esat of the nucleation process obtained by the two models is similar. The study results can provide a reference for the optimization of nucleation of (NH4)2SO4 mother liquor under the condition of high chlorine content.

Synthesis of MnSi1.7 nanosheet bundles from CaSi2 crystal powders using MnCl2 in molten salt

MnSi1.7 nanosheet bundles with an improved homogeneous composition were synthesized by annealing from CaSi2 crystal powders with MnCl2 in molten salt. The MnSi and Si phases were formed at the initial stage of the synthesis with an inhomogeneous Mn distribution within the nanosheet bundles. Subsequently, the phases were transformed into MnSi1.7 with an improved homogeneous Mn distribution within them for 10 h annealing in the molten salt. The formation of multiple Mn-silicide phases and remarkable improvement in the structural homogeneity of the MnSi1.7 nanosheet bundles were discussed in terms of the reactions of Mn or Si with chloride compounds, decomposition of chlorides at elevated temperatures, phase selection of multiple silicide phases, shrinkage of the volume from Si to MnSi1.7, and dominant diffusion species. Multiple growth variants of the MnSi1.7 domains were stacked in the nanosheets. For comparison, the growth in a deliquescent environment realized by NH4Cl addition was examined.

EFFECT OF NH₄Cl ADDITIVES ON THE PHASE TRANSFORMATION AND MORPHOLOGY OF α-Al₂O₃

EFFECT OF NH₄Cl ADDITIVES ON THE PHASE TRANSFORMATION AND MORPHOLOGY OF α-Al₂O₃

Promotional effect of ammonium chloride functionalization on the performance of polyethersulfone/chitosan composite-based ultrafiltration membrane

This study aims to determine the effect of ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) on the characteristics and performance of polyethersulfone (PES)/Chitosan (CS)-based ultrafiltration composite membranes. The PES membranes were synthesized using phase inversion technique in dimethylacetamide (DMAc) solvent. A mixture of chitosan solution (fixed concentration) and NH4Cl (concentration 100–400 ppm) with ratio 2:1 (v/v) were coated into the PES membrane. The synthesized membranes morphology and properties were characterized by FTIR, SEM, contact angle, mechanical properties, and porosity tests. The membrane performance parameters including water permeability, rejection, and antifouling properties were studied. Incorporation of NH4Cl modified the membrane morphology and improved membrane porosity (49.64–71.5 %). The decrease in the water contact angle (80.21° to 63.53°) has confirmed the improvement of membrane hydrophilicity. Moreover, improved mechanical properties (11–16 MPa) were observed due to NH4Cl addition. The incorporation of NH4Cl improved water flux and specific flux membranes in dead-end cell from 51.34 to 159.18 L/m2∙h and 22–26.53 L/m2∙h∙bar, respectively, and in the cross-flow cell from 82.38 to 182.53 L/m2∙h and from 16.47 to 36.51 L/m2∙h∙bar, respectively. The addition of NH4Cl into membrane remarkably improved the rejection of bovine serum albumine (75.90 %, to 96.79 %), methyl orange (47.18–89.29 %), and methylene blue (60.14–97.34 %) Composite membranes have good fouling resistance as indicated by an increase in the flux recovery ratio (53.58–70.67 %). It is inferred that the addition of NH4Cl improved the performance of PES/chitosan composite membranes in ultrafiltration.

Glutamine Produces Ammonium to Tune Lysosomal pH and Regulate Lysosomal Function.

Glutamine is one of the most abundant amino acids in the cell. In mitochondria, glutaminases 1 and 2 (GLS1/2) hydrolyze glutamine to glutamate, which serves as the precursor of multiple metabolites. Here, we show that ammonium generated during GLS1/2-mediated glutaminolysis regulates lysosomal pH and in turn lysosomal degradation. In primary human skin fibroblasts BJ cells and mouse embryonic fibroblasts, deprivation of total amino acids for 1 h increased lysosomal degradation capacity as shown by the increased turnover of lipidated microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B (LC3-II), several autophagic receptors, and endocytosed DQ-BSA. Removal of glutamine but not any other amino acids from the culture medium enhanced lysosomal degradation similarly as total amino acid starvation. The presence of glutamine in regular culture media increased lysosomal pH by >0.5 pH unit and the removal of glutamine caused lysosomal acidification. GLS1/2 knockdown, GLS1 antagonist, or ammonium scavengers reduced lysosomal pH in the presence of glutamine. The addition of glutamine or NH4Cl prevented the increase in lysosomal degradation and curtailed the extension of mTORC1 function during the early time period of amino acid starvation. Our findings suggest that glutamine tunes lysosomal pH by producing ammonium, which regulates lysosomal degradation to meet the demands of cellular activities. During the early stage of amino acid starvation, the glutamine-dependent mechanism allows more efficient use of internal reserves and endocytosed proteins to extend mTORC1 activation such that the normal anabolism is not easily interrupted by a brief disruption of the amino acid supply.

Experimental Study of the Influence of Inorganic Salts on Foam Stability

The aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF) extinguishing agent is suitable for fighting various hydrocarbon fuel fires due to its dual fire-fighting effect of foam and liquid film. Because the action law and microscopic mechanism of inorganic salts on the stabilization process of surfactant-generated AFFF are not perfect, this paper employs an experimental approach to investigate the effects of inorganic salt types and concentrations on sodium dodecyl sulfate-containing foam systems (SDS). Prior to critical micelle concentration (CMC), increasing inorganic salt concentration decreased solution surface tension, but the opposite was true after CMC. The CMC value of an SDS solution decreases as inorganic salt concentration increases, and the "salting effect" of inorganic salt cations also has an effect on the CMC value. Based on the resistance of the liquid film at the gas-liquid interface affecting gas transport, the foam evolution was divided into three stages: foam generation, liquid drainage, and gas transfer. The effect of inorganic salts on these three stages was studied at the molecular level, and it was discovered that the addition of NH4Cl and MgCl2 could improve the saturation adsorption at the gas-liquid interface, reduce the surface tension of the surfactant solution, and improve foam stability. Meanwhile, inorganic salts can change the force of gas molecules, so the equilibrium force of gas across the liquid membrane increases as inorganic salt concentration increases. Additionally, the addition of inorganic salts raises the diffusive drainage coefficient, but the gravity drainage coefficient still reigns supreme in the predecay period.