AlCl3 Addition Research Articles

Intercalation of AlCl3 in microcrystalline graphite via high-temperature mechanochemical method for electromagnetic wave absorption

Given their distinct microstructure, Graphite intercalation compounds (GICs) provide significant application potential in the field of electromagnetic wave absorption (EMWA). Herein, microcrystalline graphite (MG) and AlCl3 were employed to fabricate xAlCl3-yMGIC powders via a novelty high-temperature mechanochemical method (HTMC). The impact of AlCl3 addition on the microstructure and EMWA properties, the possible EMWA mechanisms of the xAlCl3-yMGIC powder, were thoroughly evaluated additionally. The results demonstrate that the intercalation of AlCl3 can significantly improve the EMWA properties of the raw MG. Furthermore, the EMWA properties of the xAlCl3-yMGIC powders can be tuned by adapting the AlCl3 contents and the matching thickness. Among them, when the mass ratio of MG to AlCl3 is 1:1 and a sample filling ratio of only 15 wt%, the minimum reflection loss (RLmin) of the AlCl3-MGIC powders attains −37.6 dB at 9.52 GHz and a matching thickness of 1.6 mm, covering an effective absorption bandwidth (EAB, RL < -10 dB) of 8.56 − 10.62 GHz. This work presents an innovative concept for the high-value application of MG in the domains of EMWA and the short-process preparation of GICs.

Tolerance Level of Butterfly Pea (Clitoria ternatea L.) to Stress Acidity Through Tissue Culture Technique

Butterfly pea (Clitoria ternatea L.) a high-quality legume that is rich in protein and grows on various soil types with a pH range of 5.5-8.9. This experiment was conducted to get the level of tolerance of butterfly pea plants to stress acidity at different levels through tissue culture technique. The study was designed using a complete randomized design with 6 treatments with the different levels of AlCl3 addition using Murashige Skoog (MS) media with 20 replications (P0 (0 ppm AlCl3), P1 (100 ppm AlCl3), P2 (200 ppm AlCl3), P3 (300 ppm AlCl3), P4 (400 ppm AlCl3), and P5 (500 ppm AlCl3)). Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and if there was a significant difference, data were further analyzed using Duncan’s multiple range test. The variables observed were acidity media changes, plant height gain, number of leaves, number of branches, number of tillers, percentage of leaves withering, and leaf color. The results showed that the butterfly pea plant has mechanism of adaptation to acid stress on the parameters of plant height gain and number of leaves at the end of the observation. However, the level of plant tolerance on the parameters of the number of branches and the number of tillers was ≤ 300 ppm (pH 3.73).

Improved 31P NMR analysis of phosphorus in highly mineralized lake water using a modified pretreatment procedure with H resin

31P Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (31P NMR) is an important analytical tool for identifying and quantifying phosphorus-based compounds in aquatic environments. However, the precipitation method typically used for analyzing phosphorus species via 31P NMR has limited application. To expand the scope of the method and apply it to highly mineralized rivers and lakes worldwide, we present an optimization technique that employs H resin to assist phosphorus (P) enrichment in highly mineralized lake water. To explore how to reduce analysis interference from salt in highly mineralized water and improve the accuracy of P analysis using 31P NMR, we conducted case studies on Lake Hulun and Qing River. This study aimed to increase the efficiency of phosphorus extraction in highly mineralized water samples by using H resin and optimizing key parameters. The optimization procedure included determining the enriched water volume, H resin treatment time, AlCl3 addition amount, and precipitation time. The final recommended optimization enrichment procedure involves treating 10 L of filtered water sample with 150 g of Milli-Q water-washed H resin for 30 s, adjusting the pH of the treated sample to 6–7, adding 1.6 g of AlCl3, stirring the mixture, and allowing the solution to settle for 9 h to collect the flocculated precipitate. The precipitate was then extracted with 30 mL of 1 M NaOH +0.05 M DETA extraction solution at 25 °C for 16 h, and the supernatant was separated and lyophilized. The lyophilized sample was redissolved in 1 mL of 1 M NaOH +0.05 M EDTA. This optimized analytical method using 31P NMR effectively identified phosphorus species in highly mineralized natural waters and can be applied to other highly mineralized lake waters globally.

Synergistic Approach toward Developing Highly Compatible Garnet‐Liquid Electrolyte Interphase in Hybrid Solid‐State Lithium‐Metal Batteries

AbstractThe hybrid solid‐liquid electrolyte concept is one of the best approaches for counteracting the interface problems between solid electrolytes and Li anodes/cathodes. However, a solid‐liquid electrolyte layer forming at the interfaces degrades battery capacity and power during a longer cycle due to highly reactive chemical and electrochemical reactions. To solve this problem in the present study, a synthetic approach is demonstrated by combining AlCl3 Lewis acid and fluoroethylene carbonate as additives in a conventional LiPF6‐containing carbonate‐based electrolyte. This electrolyte design triggers the fluoroethylene carbonate polymerization by AlCl3 addition and can also form a mechanically robust and ionically conductive Al‐rich interphase on the surface of Li7La2.75Ba0.25Zr1.75Ta0.25O12 garnet‐type structured solid electrolytes, Li anodes and LiNi0.6Mn0.2Co0.2O2 cathodes. Benefitting from this approach, the assembled Li symmetric cell exhibits a remarkably high critical current density of 4.2 mA cm−2, and stable long‐term cycling over 3000 h at 0.5 mA cm−2 at 25 °C. The assembled hybrid full cell shows an impressive specific capacity retention of 92.2% at 1 C till 200 cycles. This work opens a new direction in developing safe, long‐lasting, and high‐energy hybrid solid‐state lithium‐metal batteries.

The Effect of Fe(II), Fe(III), Al(III), Ca(II) and Mg(II) on Electrocoagulation of As(V)

The interaction between metal chlorides and electrocoagulation was tested. Precipitation of As(V) was found to be optimal at pH 4.9 using FeCl2, 2.6 for FeCl3, 3.8 using AlCl3, 11.6 using CaCl2 and 8.6 using MgCl2. As(V) removal through electrocoagulation went down as initial pH (pHi) of the solution increased. Addition of FeCl2 increased removal of As(V) at all pHi but was not able to achieve full removal at pHi 7. FeCl3 had a similar effect but a lower Fe(III) concentration of 30 mg/L was not sufficient for full removal at pHi 5 either. AlCl3 addition reduced removal efficiency at pHi 3 but removed all or most As(V) through precipitation at pHi 5 and 7, with complete removal followed through electrocoagulation. The addition of CaCl2 and MgCl2 resulted in nearly identical behavior. Addition of either at pHi 3 had no influence, but at pHi 5 and 7 caused complete removal to take place.

High Cr(VI) adsorption capacity of rutile titania prepared by hydrolysis of TiCl4 with AlCl3 addition

Rutile titania (TiO2) was successfully prepared via hydrolysis of TiCl4 in the presence of AlCl3. The powders were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis. In the present system, AlCl3 functions as a nucleating agent and induces the formation of rutile TiO2. The influences of HCl and isopropanol concentrations on the purity and morphology of the rutile TiO2 were investigated. The purity of the rutile TiO2 increased with increasing concentration of HCl. Evenly dispersed rutile TiO2 particles with a spherical morphology were obtained when the HCl and isopropanol concentrations were 0.5 and 1 mol·L−1, respectively. Furthermore, the prepared TiO2 powders were used in adsorption tests of the heavy metal pollutant Cr(VI). Rutile TiO2 sample S-9 demonstrated greater adsorption performance and a removal efficiency that was greater than 99.95% after 60 min of adsorption when the Cr(VI) concentration was 200 mg·L−1 The maximum adsorption capacity on rutile TiO2 was 28.9 mg·g−1. This work provides an easy path to prepare a high-performance rutile TiO2 adsorbent with potential applications in water pollution treatment.

Synthesis of ultra-long aluminum nitride nanowires with excellent photoluminescent property by aluminum chloride assisted chemical vapor reaction technique

Abstract Aluminum nitride (AlN) nanowires were performed on iron substrate using aluminum powders as material precursor by anhydrous aluminum chloride (AlCl3) assisted chemical vapor reaction (CVR) method. Yield production of AlN nanowires was significantly enhanced with AlCl3 addition into Al powders due to generating of intermediate gaseous AlCl, which further reacted with N2 to form AlN nanowires. With AlCl3 addition, a thin Fe film on Fe substrate can be transformed into Fe nanoparticles, which served as a catalyst in promoting the formation of AlN nanowires. The length of single-crystalline AlN nanowires was up to hundreds of microns. The formation and growth of AlN nanowires were most likely controlled by vapor–liquid–solid growth mechanism and AlCl3 assisted chemical vapor transport mechanism. The luminescence bands in the range of violet-green luminescence suggest its promising application in light-emitting devices.

Impact of AlCl3 and FeCl2 Addition on Catalytic Behaviors of TiCl4/MgCl2/THF Catalysts for Ethylene Polymerization and Ethylene/1-Hexene Copolymerization

The present research focuses on elucidating of the impact of Lewis acids including AlCl3 and FeCl2 addition on catalytic behaviors during ethylene polymerization and ethylene/1-hexene copolymerization over the TiCl4/MgCl2/THF catalyst (Cat. A). In this study, the Cat. A with the absence and presence of Lewis acids was synthesized via the chemical route. Then, all catalyst samples were characterized and tested in the slurry polymerization. For ethylene polymerization, using the Cat. A with the presence of AlCl3 apparently gave the highest activity among other catalysts. In addition, the activity of catalysts tended to increase with the presence of the Lewis acids. This can be attributed to an enhancement of active center distribution by the addition of Lewis acids leading to larger amounts of the isolated Ti species. Moreover, with the presence of Lewis acids, the effect of hydrogen on the decreased activity was also less pronounced. Considering ethylene/1-hexene copolymerization, it revealed that the catalyst with the presence of mixed Lewis acids (AlCl3 + FeCl2) exhibited the highest activity. It is suggested that the presence of mixed Lewis acids possibly caused a change in acidity of active sites, which is suitable for copolymerization. However, activities of all catalysts in ethylene/1-hexene copolymerization were lower than those in ethylene polymerization. The effect of hydrogen on the decreased activity for both polymerization and copolymerization system was found to be similar with the presence of Lewis acids. Based on this study, it is quite promising to enhance the catalytic activity by addition of proper Lewis acids, especially when the pressure of hydrogen increases. The characteristics of polymers obtained upon the presence of Lewis acids will be discussed further in more detail.

Deactivation mechanism and activity-recovery approach of composite ionic liquids for isobutane alkylation

The deactivation mechanism and the activity recovery approach of composite ionic liquid (CIL), a kind of acidic chloroaluminate ionic liquids (ILs) modified with CuCl for the in 2013 successfully commercialized catalysis of isobutane alkylation are being discussed in this paper. CIL showed catalytic activity only in the presence of both Brønsted and Lewis acids. CIL deactivation was caused by the loss of Brønsted acidity and/or Lewis acidity. Brønsted acidity decreased by the loss of trace amount of formed chlorohydrocarbons with the outflowing alkylate. Lewis acidity was deactivated mainly due to the complexation of the formed acid soluble oil (ASO) with the CIL anions. Brønsted acidity was maintained by the continuous addition of hydrogen chloride (HCl) or tert-butyl chloride, and Lewis activity was recovered by AlCl3 addition. However, Brønsted acidity could not be recovered when Lewis acidity was lost and was thus dependent on Lewis acidity. Furthermore, ASO interacted with active components of CIL, causing the loss of copper via precipitation of CuCl which is the major contributor to the high selectivity. Therefore, CuCl was added simultaneously with AlCl3 to maintain the high selectivity of alkylate.

Fast flow synthesis of highly reactive polyisobutylene co-initiated by an AlCl3/isopropyl ether complex

In this work, with AlCl3 addition in the range from 4 to 10 mmol L−1 and enough isopropyl ether (iPr2O) addition, we successfully synthesized highly reactive polyisobutylene (HRPIB) using a microflow system within 12 s or less.

Role of aluminum chloride on the reversible hydrogen storage properties of the Li–N–H system

In order to understand the role of AlCl3 addition on the Li–N–H system, we have systematically investigated the hydrogen sorption kinetics and the reactions between LiNH2–LiH and AlCl3 additive with a multitechnique approach involving differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), hydrogen volumetric measurements, X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), Fourier transform infrared analysis (FTIR) and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Different interactions were identified as a function of the amount of added AlCl3. For low AlCl3 addition (0.03 mol), the Al3+ is incorporated into the interstitial sites by the LiNH2 structure. When AlCl3 amount increased (0.08 and 0.13 mol), the formation of new amide-chloride phases were detected by XRPD and indexed with cubic and hexagonal Li–Al–N–H–Cl geometries. Occurrence of such new phases was also confirmed by FTIR and NMR. The formation of these new Li–Al–N–H–Cl phases modifies the kinetics as well as the thermodynamic behavior of the original Li–N–H system. Interesting, in all AlCl3-doped composites, hydrogen was stored reversibly with faster sorption kinetics than un-doped Li–N–H system and with a significant reduction of NH3 emission. This improvement can be associated with the Al3+ incorporation into LiNH2 that promotes the migration of Li+, while for high AlCl3 doping, the formation of new phases Li–Al–N–H–Cl also weakens the N–H bond.

Hydrogen generation from Mg–LiBH4 hydrolysis improved by AlCl3 addition

On-site on-demand hydrogen generation from a new Mg–LiBH4–AlCl3 system has been established. The hydrogen yield, mHGR (maximum hydrogen generation rate) and reaction stability can be adjusted by changing the samples' compositions, milling time and water/mixture ratios. The Mg-9 wt.%LiBH4-1 wt.%AlCl3 composite reaches a conversion yield of 87%, corresponding to 1083.5 ml H2 g−1 (composite), and the mHGR is 1256.9 ml min−1 g−1 in 60 min at 298 K. The synergistic effect between Mg and LiBH4 as well as the catalytic effects of LiBH4–AlCl3 additives both contribute to the improved hydrolytic performances. Compared with the hydrolysis of single Mg or Mg–LiBH4 system, the Mg–LiBH4–AlCl3 mixture has greatly improved its hydrogen yield and mHGR. This mixture is promising for its application as portable hydrogen sources.

Destabilization of the LiNH2–LiH hydrogen storage system by aluminum incorporation

The lithium amide–lithium hydride system (LiNH2–LiH) is one of the most attractive light-weight materials for hydrogen storage. In an effort to improve its hydrogen sorption kinetics, the effect of 1 mol% AlCl3 addition to LiNH2–LiH system was systematically investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared analysis and hydrogen volumetric measurements. It is shown that Al3+ is incorporated into the LiNH2 structure by partial substitution of Li+ forming a new amide in the Li–Al–N–H system, which is reversible under hydriding/dehydriding cycles. This new substituted amide displays improved hydrogen storage properties with respect to LiNH2–LiH. In fact, a stable hydrogen storage capacity of about 4.5–5.0 wt% is observed under cycling and is completely desorbed in 30 min at 275 °C for the Li–Al–N–H system. Moreover, the concurrent incorporation of Al3+ and the presence of LiH are effective for mitigating the ammonia release. The results reveal a common reaction pathway for LiNH2–LiH and LiNH2–LiH plus 1 mol% AlCl3 systems, but the thermodynamic properties are changed by the inclusion of Al3+ in the LiNH2 structure. These findings have important implications for tailoring the properties of the Li–N–H system.

Applicability of New Acrylic, Weakly Basic Anion Exchanger Purolite A-830 of Very High Capacity in Removal of Palladium(II) Chloro-complexes

According to the manufacture description Purolite A-830 is a sorbent of very high capacity (2.75 eq/dm3), which was the main reason for examining its applicability in the removal of palladium(II) chloro-complexes from acidic solutions and comparison of its experimental capacity with other weakly basic anion exchangers. The influence of several parameters such as hydrochloric and nitric acids concentrations, competitive anions (effect of AlCl3 addition) and temperature increase were studied. Sorption isotherms were obtained and modeled using the Langmuir and the Freundlich model. The influences of agitation speed, palladium concentration, and particle size on sorption kinetics were considered. Kinetic curves were modeled using the pseudo-first- and pseudo-second-order kinetic equations. According to the evaluation using the Langmuir equation, the maximum sorption capacity obtained from the Langmuir isotherm was equal to 356.88 mg Pd(II)/g. The reduction of Pd(II) uptake was observed with the increasing concentration of chloride ions, temperature, and AlCl3 addition.

Effect of AlCl&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt; Addition in Processing of TiAl-Al&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt;O&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt; Nano-Composite via Mechanical Alloying

In this paper, effect of AlCl3 addition as process control agent (PCA) during high energy ball milling of Al and TiO2 powder mixture was studied. This mechanical activation is aimed at to synthesize an ultra fine grained TiAl/Al2O3 composite. Experimental results show that AlCl3 significantly prevents severe cold welding of Al particles to milling media. Sublimation of this compound by local temperature increase due to balls collisions seems to be the main reason in prevention of severe cold welding. Samples were characterized by XRD, SEM and DTA. Mean crystallite sizes in particles of this sample and those milled with no PCA and milled with stearic acid were calculated and the results showed that smaller crystallite size is obtained in presence of AlCl3. However, DTA results revealed that addition of AlCl3, shifts aluminothermic reduction of TiO2 by Al to higher temperatures and therefore, final composite phases form at higher temperatures. Phase evolutions during further heat treatment of the powder sample milled with AlCl3 were also thoroughly studied.

Effect of AlCl3 addition on zinc phosphate glass-derived hydrogel

Effect of AlCl3 addition on zinc phosphate glass-derived hydrogel

Lipase Activities in Activated Sludge and Scum – Comparison of New and Conventional Techniques

AbstractLipase activities in activated sludge and scum were determined by both conventional in vitro methods and in situ measurements using the ELF (enzyme labeled fluorescence)‐technology where enzyme activity can be observed right at the site of activity. Activities were determined in a two‐stage municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) as well as in three one‐stage WWTP's. In the high load first stage (F:M ratio given as mass of BOD5 related to mass of mixed liquor suspendid solids and day: 0.64 kg kg−1 d−1) of the two‐stage municipal WWTP being dominated by nocardioform actinomycetes lipase activity was somewhat higher in activated sludge as compared to scum. In contrast activities in the low load second stage (F:M ratio 0.02…0.05 kg kg−1 d−1) were significantly higher in the scum fraction. High lipase activities were measured in the one‐stage WWTP 2 being dominated by “Microthrix parvicella”. In situ ELF‐technology assigned the lipase activity to “M. parvicella” filaments with high activity in sludge and reduced activity in scum. In WWTP 3 with alternating dominance of actinomycetes and “M. parvicella” in scum both in vitro and in situ measurements revealed lower activities when actinomycetes were dominating. This suggests their lower degradation activity of long‐chain fatty acids (oleate, palmitate). AlCl3 addition in a pilot scale activated sludge treatment plant led to a significant decrease of lipase activity of the dominating “M. parvicella” filaments which could readily be monitored by both techniques after only two days of dosage.

Effect of aluminum chloride and dietary phytase on relative ammonia losses from swine manure1

Ammonia (NH3) losses from swine manure contribute to odor problems, decrease animal productivity, and increase the risk of acid rain deposition. This study was conducted to determine whether aluminum chloride (AlCl3) or dietary manipulation with phytase could decrease relative NH3 losses from swine manure. Twenty-four pens of nursery pigs were used in two trials, and the pigs were fed normal or phytase-supplemented (500 IU/kg) diets. Aluminum chloride was added to manure pits (1.9 x 1.2 x 0.5 m) under each pen at 0, 0.25, 0.50, or 0.75% (vol:vol) of final manure volume. Manure pH and NH3 losses (measured by relative NH3 flux) were determined twice weekly. The addition of AlCl3 at 0.75% decreased (P < 0.05) manure pH from 7.48 to 6.69. Phytase decreased (P < 0.05) manure pH to 7.07 compared with 7.12 in the normal diet manure. Aluminum chloride administered at 0.75% without phytase reduced (P < 0.05) relative NH3 losses 52% for the entire 6-wk period. Relative NH3 losses were decreased (P < 0.05) from 109 mg of NH3/(m2 x h) in pens containing pigs fed the normal diet without AlCl3 to 81 mg of NH3/(m2 x h) in pens housing pigs administered the phytase diet, a 26% reduction. When the phytase diet and 0.75% AlCl3 additions were used in combination, relative NH3 losses were reduced (P < 0.05) by 60% compared with pens of pigs fed the control diet without AlCl3. Decreases in manure pH were likely responsible for the observed reduction in NH3 losses. Multiple regression was performed with relative rates of NH3 losses as the dependent variable and rate of AlCl3 addition, diet, and manure pH as independent variables. The model was tested using a stepwise regression (P < 0.001), and results indicated that the most important factors determining NH3 losses were manure pH and diet. However, the contribution of AlCl3 cannot be discounted. When manure pH was regressed against AlCl3 and dietary phytase, AlCl3 levels accounted for 64% of the variation in manure pH (P < 0.001). Dietary manipulation with phytase and application of AlCl3 to manure are promising management practices for the reduction of NH3 from swine facilities.

Predicting Aluminum and Soil Organic Matter Solubility Using the Mechanistic Equilibrium Model WHAM

The mechanistic equilibrium model WHAM is used to describe solution–solid phase interactions in the forest floor with regard to Al and soil organic matter (SOM) solubility. WHAM takes into account specific and nonspecific ion‐binding to humic compounds. Experimental data from a forest soil that was manipulated with respect to its Al content were obtained from batch studies and a field manipulation experiment. WHAM was parameterized using observations of pH, concentrations of inorganic Al, and DOC obtained in batch. Model fits of pH, concentrations of inorganic Al (&gt;5 × 10−6 mol L−1), and DOC were good to tolerable (1, 9, and 15% deviation, respectively). Values of optimized model parameters agreed reasonably with analytically determined quantities. Using the optimized parameters, WHAM simulated addition of AlCl3 to the same soil. Comparison between model predictions and batch observations showed a deviation for pH, Al (&gt;5 × 10−6 mol L−1), and DOC of 3, 60, and 15%, respectively. We regard this as a reasonable model performance and support for the assumption of an organic complexation control of Al solubility in organic soils. Application of WHAM to predict effects of AlCl3 addition in the field resulted in qualitative agreement between simulations and observations from tension lysimeters in the forest floor, but in a failure regarding the observed ranges of H, Al, and DOC. The discrepancy between model simulations and field observations may be explained qualitatively by a lack of equilibrium due to the diffusion‐limited exchange of solutes between immobile water in micropores and mobile water in macropores.

Importance of hydrogen ions and aluminium in regulating the structure and function of stream ecosystems: an experimental test

1. Experiments simulating spring acidic snowmelt episodes were conducted to determine the effects of short‐term inputs of H+ and Al on the chemistry and biology of a poorly buffered mountain stream. HC1 and A1C13 were added in separate experiments to first‐ to third‐order reaches of a New Hampshire stream.2. Cation exchange and Aln+ dissolution reactions neutralized experimentally added H +, whereas groundwater dilution was insignificant. Mobilized Ca++, Mg++ and Aln+ concentrations progressively increased from third‐ to first‐order reaches during HC1 additions. Mobilization of Ca++ and Mg++ was greater during A1C13 than HC1 addition.3. Total phosphorus was mobilized from stream sediments during both HCI and A1C13 addition. Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) decreased during A1C13 addition in the second‐order but not in the third‐order reach. DOC concentration decreased during HCI addition only when Aln + mobilized from the stream bottom was &gt;0.28 mg AI 11.4. Production of foam at the water surface during AlCl3 addition to a second‐order and HCl addition to a first‐order reach indicated a reduction in surface tension of the streamwater and may be related to complexation reactions between Al and DOC at low pH (4–5).5. Mayfly nymphs and blackfly and chironomid larvae drifted at greater rates from HCl‐ and AlCl3treated sections of first‐ and second‐order streams than from corresponding reference areas.6. When stream pH was lowered to 5.25–5.5 by HCI alone (15 μg monomeric inorganic Al l−1), the behaviour of aquatic invertebrates did not change, but pH reduced to the same range during Al additions (280μg Al 1−1) did affect it. Therefore, fluctuating aluminium concentrations in low‐order streams at a pH range of 4.5–5.5 may alter the biology and geochemistry of poorly buffered waters.