Aluminum Content Research Articles

Cytogenetic monitoring of spontaneous mutagenesis

Due to the challenging environmental situation in Ukraine, there is a need for cytogenetic monitoring, establishing cause-and-effect relationships, and assessing the toxic-mutagenic activity of environmental components. The results of such monitoring can serve as a basis for developing rehabilitation measures aimed at improving the environmental condition. Cytogenetic bioassay methods allow the evaluation of ecological and genetic risks to biota, considering the overall impact of pollutants, predicting changes in ecosystems, and making timely management decisions to improve environmental quality and preserve the nation’s gene pool. The article provides cytogenetic monitoring of apical meristems of the roots of Raphanus sativus subsp. radicula (Pers.) DC. and Allium cepa L. seedlings., grown on soils of residential areas, and the effect of ions of some elements on the cytological parameters of Pisum sativum L. was studied. It was noted that the spectrum of mitosis abnormalities and chromosome aberrations was expanded due to lagging chromosomes and micronuclei. Residential areas with a consistently high level of spontaneous cytogenetic disorders require the development of a local monitoring system to identify genetic hazards. The research on the proliferative activity of apical meristem cells confirms the hypothesis of aluminum toxicity to plants. Cytotoxic effects are assessed at the micro- and macroscopic levels. Macroscopically, reduced root growth of bioindicator plants was observed, which may result from several possible mechanisms: cell death, inhibition of division, cell elongation, or nutrient absorption. It was found that the duration of the prophase is directly influenced by the mobile forms of Zn and Pb, while Cu has a reverse effect. According to the results of multiple regression analysis, the most significant influence on these processes is exerted by the mobile forms of Zn, Cu, and Pb in the surface layers of the soils of the studied residential areas. Under the influence of AlCl3, the proportion of cells in the anaphase stage increases; CdCl2 affects the prophase stage; Na2SeO3 affects the meta- and anaphase stages; X-ray irradiation affects the telophase stage. Regarding the ability to induce the frequency of aberrant anaphases, a ranking can be constructed: Na2SeO3 (3.75·10–6 M) > AlCl3 (3.86·10–5 M) > CdCl2 (8.44·10–5 M). A radiation dose of 9.03·10–3 C/kg leads to the frequency of chromosomal aberrations, similar to the effects of AlCl3 (3.86·10–4 M) and Na2SeO3 (8.34·10–6 M). High concentrations of aluminum are associated with an increase in anaphases with fragments and two to three bridges.

Effect of polyol bonding agent on the mechanical properties of hydroxyl‐terminated block copolyether based composite propellant with low aluminum content

AbstractA polyol bonding agent (BA) was utilized to enhance the mechanical properties of propellant with low aluminum content. Through scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, it was discovered that BA can physically bond to the surfaces of ammonium perchlorate (AP) and hexogen (RDX). The results of mechanical testing showed that the use of BA can significantly improve the mechanical properties of propellants. Specifically, as the amount of BA increases, the maximum tensile strength (σm) of the propellant also increases, the fracture elongation (εb) initially increases and then decreases, the “dewetting ratio” continuously decreases, and the creep resistance of the propellant also increases. At a BA content of 0.2%, the σm of the propellant reaches 0.6 MPa, the εb exceeds 50%, and the “dewetting ratio” is less than 1.1.

Markers of allergy and immunoregulation in children under conditions of aerogenic exposure to aluminum

Introduction. The study of sensitization under conditions of aerogenic exposure to aluminum is relevant for preventing the formation of the risk of disorders of the immunological health in the child population. Materials and methods. Preschool three hundred fifty three children living in Eastern Siberia were examined. Observation group included 199 children living in the zone exposed to emissions from non-ferrous metallurgy enterprises, comparison group – 154 children living in a “conditionally clean” area. In the observation area, the average daily dose of aerogenic exposure to aluminum was 0.292 ∙ 10–3 mg/(kg ∙ day), in the comparison area – 0.0376 ∙ 10–3mg/(kg ∙ day). The work used sanitary-hygienic, chemical-analytical, enzyme-linked immunosorbent and allergosorbent research methods. Results. In children living under conditions of aluminum exposure, a twofold excess of aluminum content was identified in biological environments relative to the comparison group (p = 0.001), hyperproduction of IgG to aluminum, CD19+ and CD3+CD8+ lymphocytes (1.6 times), and NKT lymphocytes (2 times) and CD11a+ lymphocytes 1.4 times (p=0.001) was noted, which reflects an imbalance of immunoregulation and the formation of autoallergy. A significant relationship was established between hyperproduction of total IgE and IgG to aluminum (OR=2.29–5.98; 95% CI 1.76–9.52), (RR=1.93–2.66; 95% CI: 1.41–3.54) Limitations of the study. Limited sample size. Conclusion. As markers of allergy and imbalance of immunoregulation in children under conditions of aerogenic exposure to aluminum and with its increased content in biological media, it is necessary to recommend IgG to aluminum as a marker of sensitivity, as well as CD11a+, reflecting the likelihood of developing a risk of developing immunological disadaptation and autosensitization (OR = 2.29–5.98), (RR=1.93–2.66).

Prevalence of nano-sized coal mine dust in North and Central Appalachian coal mines – Insights from SEM-EDS imaging

The increasing prevalence of coal mine dust-related lung diseases in coal miners calls for urgent and meticulous scrutiny of airborne respirable coal mine dust (RCMD), specifically focusing on particles at the nano-level. This necessity is driven by expanding research, including the insights revealed in this paper, that establish the presence and significantly increased toxicity of nano-sized coal dust particles in contrast to their larger counterparts. This study presents an incontrovertible visual proof of these tiny particulates in samples collected from underground mines, utilizing advanced techniques such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The intricate elemental composition of nano-sized coal dust identified through EDS analysis reveals the presence of elements such as silica and iron, which are known to contribute to lung pathologies when inhaled over prolonged periods. The outcomes of the statistical analyses reveal significant relationships between particle size and elemental composition, highlighting that smaller particles tend to have higher carbon content, while larger particles exhibit increased concentrations of elements like silica and aluminum. These analyses underscore the complex interactions within nano-sized coal dust, providing critical insights into their behavior, transport, and health impacts. The nano-sized coal dust could invade the alveoli, carrying these toxic elements from where they are impossible to exhale. The revelation of nano-sized coal dust's existence and the associated health hazards necessitate their incorporation into the regulatory framework governing the coal mining industry. This study lays the groundwork for heightened protective measures for miners, urging the invention of state-of-the-art sampling instruments, comprehensive physicochemical profiling of RCMD nanoparticles, and the pursuit of groundbreaking remedies to neutralize their toxic impact. These findings advocate for a paradigm shift in how the coal mining industry views and handles particulate matter, proposing a re-evaluation of occupational health standards and a call to action for protecting coal miners worldwide.

Influence of Aluminum Content and Agglomerates Initial Velocity on Erosion in Solid Rocket Motor

Abstract Despite the aluminized propellants offering a high specific impulse, the challenge of nozzle erosion adversely impacts the rocket's performance and its potential for reusability. This study presents a numerical model aiming to predict the mechanical erosion of the propulsion chamber nozzle. The model employs an Eulerian/Lagrangian approach to simulate the complexity of the flow field within the rocket combustion chamber and the interactions between the continuous phase and particles. The model also includes a simplified representation of the aluminum particle combustion process, besides the consideration of secondary breakup phenomena in liquid droplets. Experimental and numerical data from the literature were used to validate the numerical model. Subsequently, the model was utilized to explore the impacts of increasing propellant aluminum content and varying particles' injection velocities on the nozzle mechanical erosion. The outcomes indicated that higher aluminum content leads to a 4-10% increase in nozzle erosion compared to the 15% content case. Furthermore, the aluminum particles tend not to fully burn within the combustion chamber and contribute to nozzle erosion. Lastly, particles with higher initial velocity at the inlet of the combustion chamber increase the nozzle mechanical erosion despite the observed decrease in incident mass flux.

The Chemistry-Process-Structure Relationships of a Functionally Graded Ti-6Al-4V/Ti-1B Alloy Processed with Laser-Engineered Net Shaping Creates Borlite.

We quantify the chemistry-process-structure-property relationships of a Ti-6Al-4V alloy in which titanium-boron alloy (Ti-B) was added in a functionally graded assembly through a laser-engineered net shaping (LENS) process. The material gradient was made by pre-alloyed powder additions to form an in situ melt of the prescribed alloy concentration. The complex heterogeneous structures arising from the LENS thermal history are completely discussed for the first time, and we introduce a new term called "Borlite", a eutectic structure containing orthorhombic titanium monoboride (TiB) and titanium. The β-titanium grain size decreased nonlinearly until reaching the minimum when the boron weight fraction reached 0.25%. Similarly, the transformed α-titanium grain size decreased nonlinearly until reaching the minimum level, but the grain size was approximately 2 μm when the boron weight fraction reached 0.6%. Alternatively, the α-titanium grain size increased nonlinearly from 1 to 5 μm as a function of the aluminum concentration increasing from 0% to 6% aluminum by weight and vanadium increasing from 0% to 4% by weight. Finally, the cause-effect relationships related to the creation of unwanted porosity were quantified, which helps in further developing additively manufactured metal alloys.

Impacts of advanced metals recovery on municipal solid waste incineration bottom ash: aggregate characteristics and performance in portland limestone cement concrete

The optimization of alternative materials in concrete production continues to garner considerable attention in order to meet sustainability goals and supplement natural materials. Portland limestone cement (PLC) and municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) bottom ash (BA) have been proposed separately as green cement and coarse aggregate supplement in low-strength concrete production, creating sustainable products and alternative disposal scenario for a waste material. This study discusses the impact of advanced ash processing techniques on aggregates and presents the performance of concrete incorporating both of these products with PLC for the first time. Two sources of MSWI BA were investigated, one as-produced (TMR) and one processed with novel advanced metals recovery (AMR). The AMR process reduced total Al content in ash compared to TMR (20,500 vs 17,000 mg/kg), though not aluminum oxide content, as the AMR process targets metallic aluminum. A composition study on both aggregates supports a reduction in ferrous and non-ferrous metals following the AMR process. All control and test mixes met 28-day compressive strength requirements (17 Mpa). Both AMR and TMR MSWI BA-amended concretes yielded compressive strengths below control specimens (no ash) ranging from 17 to 23 MPa, with little to no difference observed dependent on MSWI BA processing. The life-cycle discussion supports benefits deriving from supplementing naturally mined materials and recovering ferrous and nonferrous metals with the AMR process.

Influence mechanism of leaching agent anions on the leaching of aluminium impurities in ionic-type rare earth ores: A DFT simulation combined with experimental verification

The aluminium impurity present during the leaching process of ionic-type rare earth ores increases the complexity and cost of the subsequent dealumination procedure, causing the loss of rare earth elements. Understanding the interactions between minerals and impurities is crucial for grasping interfacial reactions. However, the mechanism by which anions influence the adsorption behaviour of Al3+ remains unclear. This study examined the impact mechanisms of four typical leaching agent anions (SO42-, Cl-, NO3–, and CH3COO–) on the interaction between Al3+ and the kaolinite (001) surface using density functional theory (DFT). According to DFT calculations, the order of adsorption energy of Al3+ on the kaolinite (001) surface in the presence of anions is as follows: Al3+ < Al3+ in aluminium sulfate < Al3+ in aluminium chloride < Al3+ in aluminium nitrate < Al3+ in aluminium acetate. The adsorption strength of Al3+ on the kaolinite (001) surface is weakened to varying degrees by the presence of anions. Specifically, under the influence of acetate anions, it is difficult for Al3+ to adsorb and form bonds on the kaolinite (001) surface. In contrast, Al3+ can still adsorb mainly through Al-O ionic bonds under the influence of the other three anions. The density of states analysis showed that the 3p orbitals of Al atoms and the 2p orbitals of O atoms primarily contribute to the Al-O bond near the Fermi energy level. Experimental results from adsorption capacity tests, microcalorimetry, and zeta potential measurements support the DFT simulations, indicating that Al2(SO4)3 is the most easily adsorbed on the kaolinite surface, followed by AlCl3 and Al(NO3)3, with (CH3COO)3Al being the most difficult to adsorb. Column leaching tests further verified that adding CH3COO– to the leaching agent solution at pH > 4.5 can inhibit the leaching of aluminium impurities, enabling the efficient separation of rare earth elements from aluminium impurities, and reducing the aluminium content in the leachate.

Wet Chemical Synthesis of AlxGa1−xAs Nanostructures: Investigation of Properties and Growth Mechanisms

This study focuses on the wet chemical synthesis of AlxGa1−xAs nanostructures, highlighting how different deposition conditions affect the film morphology and material properties. Electrochemical etching was used to texture GaAs substrates, enhancing mechanical adhesion and chemical bonding. Various deposition regimes, including voltage switching, gradual voltage increase, and pulsed voltage, were applied to explore their impact on the film growth mechanisms. SEM analysis revealed distinct morphologies, EDX confirmed variations in aluminum content, Raman spectroscopy detected structural disorders, and XRD analysis demonstrated peak position shifts. The findings emphasize the versatility and cost-effectiveness of wet electrochemical methods for fabricating high-quality AlxGa1−xAs films with tailored properties, showing potential for optoelectronic devices, high-efficiency solar cells, and other advanced semiconductor applications.

Investigation of the possibility of using depleted bauxite in alumina production at the Pavlodar aluminum plant

The topic of processing low-grade or low-quality bauxite is highly relevant in modern conditions due to the gradual depletion of high-quality bauxite reserves. Consequently, there is an increasing need to explore alternative sources of raw materials for aluminum production and its derivatives. Processing low-quality bauxite ores can become an effective solution, reducing dependence on limited high-quality resources and ensuring production stability in the long term. Such research has significant potential for developing technologies capable of optimizing aluminum production processes and enhancing its competitiveness in the global market. Bauxites from the Krasnooktyabrsky bauxite ore management with low aluminum oxide content (37 – 40% by mass) and a silicon module up to 2.0 are considered as potential blending materials for sintering bauxite in alumina production due to the depletion of high-quality bauxite reserves. This article presents the results of research on their processing into alumina at the Pavlodar Aluminum Plant. Laboratory and pilot-scale studies were conducted to assess the feasibility of using low-quality bauxite in alumina production and to determine the techno-economic indicators of processing. The research results confirmed the technological feasibility of processing depleted bauxites with a silicon module of 1.95 - 2.0 in the sintering section while maintaining the quality of sinter and extracting useful components. The maximum proportion of blending of depleted bauxites with the main bauxite was determined not to exceed 50%.

Valorization of industrial wastes for sustainable cement-based materials with enhanced chloride binding

Improving the chloride binding capacity of cement-based material can effectively slow down the corrosion of steel bars in concrete. This study investigated the valorization of two industrial wastes, carbonated sintering red mud (CSRM) and bauxite tailings (BT), as supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) to enhance the chloride binding capacity of cement-based materials. CSRM and BT were incorporated separately and in combination to prepare cement paste mixtures, replacing 10–30 % of ordinary Portland cement. The bound chloride contents were determined, and the hydration products were characterized using X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis. Both CSRM and BT promoted the formation of Friedel's salt (FS) through increased aluminum dissolution and conversion of monocarbonate/monosulfate phases. In the early ages, the synergistic effect of CSRM and BT resulted in the highest FS content. At later ages, BT demonstrated superior chloride binding due to its high alumina content facilitating continued FS formation. Furthermore, the adverse effect of CSRM on the composite system was less than that of BT. At 28d age, when the SCMs content was 30 %, the compressive strength of cement-BT system was 34.5 % lower than the control, while the compressive strength of cement-CSRM system was only 20.9 % lower than the control. The findings highlight the potential of valorizing CSRM and BT as sustainable SCMs for developing chloride-resistant cement-based materials.

Influence of silica on the crystallization of sodium hydroaluminate

To extract aluminium from highly concentrated aluminate solutions of alumina-containing raw materials, decomposition is performed through the crystallization of sodium hydroaluminate. This paper presents the results of a study on the stability of aluminate solutions. To calculate the probable yield of Al2O3 in the solid phase, it is necessary to determine the crystallization rate of sodium hydroaluminate according to the composition of the initial solutions and the conditions of the process. The influences of SiO2 content on the decomposition of aluminate solutions with Na2Ok concentrations of 540 g/dm3 and 590 g/dm3 with and without inoculum were studied. In addition, the influence of silica on the appearance of precipitating crystals of sodium hydroaluminate was considered. A sharp increase in the stability of the aluminate solutions at rest in the presence of silica was observed. Different crystallization conditions for sodium hydroaluminate have been investigated. Silica slows the crystallization process of sodium hydroaluminate, affecting both the nucleation and crystal growth rates. The effect of SiO₂ on the rate of decomposition is similar to the reduction in the degree of supersaturation.

ANALYSIS OF THE EFFICIENCY OF TRADITIONAL TECHNOLOGIES OF WATER PREPARATION OF THE KREMENCHUK RESERVOIR OF THE DNIPRO RIVER TO ENSURE DRINKING NEEDS

An analysis of the efficiency of the surface water treatment systems of the Dnipro reservoirs when their quality is changed to ensure the normative indicators of the quality of drinking water were carried out. The study of the effectiveness of traditional water treatment technologies was carried out by analyzing the results of laboratory studies of source and drinking water at the Dnipro water treatment plant with water intake from the Kremenchuk Reservoir (data from the Svitlovodsk Water and Sewage Services (SWS) of the Regional Municipal Production Enterprise (RMPE) of the Dnipro-Kirovograd), establishing correlations of quality indicators and assessing the state of water resources by the requirements of water legislation. The treatment plants of the Dnipro water supply station are not designed to treat water with a high content of biogenic substances during active phytoplankton vegetation, and under such conditions, increased doses of preliminary chlorination are used. As a result, water is polluted with residual chlorine and organochlorine. An increase in the dose of aluminum-containing coagulants in the corresponding period leads to an increase in the aluminum content in drinking water to the limit of the normative value (0,5 mg/dm3). According to the results of research in drinking water, turbidity was found to be 1,4 higher and permanganate oxidizability 1,3 higher than the standard content; excesses of color, iron, and residual chlorine content were found only sporadically and were on average within the upper limits of normative values. Correlation analysis (Pearson and Spearman correlations methods) of the influence of temperature on the following hydrometric, chemical, and physical factors was carried out: changes in turbidity, color, and changes in the concentration of total iron and ammonia. The analysis confirmed the visual connection of oxygen with temperature and water level and the influence of factors on oxygen concentration. The practical aspects of phytoplankton extraction during water intake from Dnipro reservoirs and water treatment at stations have gained further scientific justification.

Design strategies of cementitious metamaterials (CMs) with tunable bandgaps: Density customization and geometric optimization

The propagation of low-frequency elastic waves may exert significant stress on both human health and environmental safety. This study presents a new kind of cementitious metamaterials (CMs) characterized by tunable bandgaps for efficient absorption of low-frequency elastic waves. A dynamic system model is employed to examine and analyze the eigenfrequencies of these CMs. Herein, the porous alkali-activated municipal solid waste incineration fly ash (AAFMs) is modulated with customed density and then combined with rubber for generating CMs. Two distinct strategies are proposed to modulate the bandgap properties of the CMs: density customization and geometric optimization. The AAFMs' density is meticulously regulated by altering the foaming aluminum content, allowing the customization of CMs' bandgaps. Additionally, the CMs' bandgaps can also be tailored through geometric optimization, a process that involves a numerical method focused on examining the impact of varying inclined angles in inner and outer re-entrant structures. A transmission loss model is also developed to validate the bandgap characteristics of these CMs. Overall, the study explores the potential applications of these CMs, with a specific focus on their efficacy in mitigating low-frequency vibrations and attenuating noise. The successful utilization of these materials in such domains holds promising prospects for substantial advancements across diverse industrial sectors.

Prediction of residual aluminum concentration and size in water plants of South-to-North Water Transfer Project through machine learning

Effluent water in South-to-North Water Transfer Project is complicated, leading to possibility of excessive residual aluminum if the coagulant dosage is improper. There exists certain risk for controlling residual aluminum based on experiences, while using machine learning can offer appropriate dosage based on the effluent water parameters. Much attention has been paid to the aluminum below 0.45 μm while for water plant with sand filter only, aluminum over 0.45 μm can still be remnant in the effluent water. In this study, machine learning algorithms were applied for the prediction of pH, aluminum concentration and size after coagulation based on the water parameters and ESI-TOF-MS results of the coagulant. The results showed that conventional neural network (CNN) showed best prediction ability compared with BP network, random tree and support vector machine, whose R2 was 0.936. The predicted results showed that the aluminum size decreased as the basicity increased at the same dosage, the concentration of aluminum between 20 and 30 μm dropped from 65 % to 24 %.

Characterization of aerosol composition: Insights from SEM-EDX analysis and CALIPSO overpasses

The effect of atmospheric aerosols on the earth’s radiation budget is primarily through their direct effects. Understanding aerosols’ morphology and elemental composition is crucial in this context. For two years, from January 2017 to December 2018, aerosol samples (PM10) were collected on quartz filter papers using a high-volume sampler (PM10) in Chennai, a semi-urban coastal environment located at 12.81°N, 80.03°E. These filter papers were stored under ambient laboratory conditions and were subsequently subjected to ultrasonication using ethanol as the solvent to separate the aerosols from the filters. The extracted samples were then analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for the morphology and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) for elemental composition. The EDX analysis of the samples revealed the presence of various elements such as carbon (C), oxygen (O), aluminum (Al), silicon (Si), sulfur (S), potassium (K), iron (Fe), magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), vanadium (V), bismuth (Bi), sodium (Na), chlorine (Cl), phosphorus (P), and technetium (Tc). High concentrations of carbon, oxygen, and aluminum–silicate particles indicated the presence of carbonaceous aerosols and wind-blown dust particles. Concentration-weighted trajectory (CWT) analysis was carried out to assess the transport pathways of aerosols in the region. CALIPSO overpasses during the study period were selected, and the Vertical Feature Mask (VFM) identifiers for different aerosol types were compared with the local experimental results. The findings show that CALIPSO possess a reasonably effective capability in detecting and characterizing the local aerosol types. CALIPSO detected Dusty marine, Clean marine, Elevated smoke and Polluted dust in the study area across all four seasons. These findings closely match the characteristics of such aerosol types obtained from SEM/EDX analysis, HYSPLIT (HYbrid Single-Particle Lagrangian Integrated Trajectory) modeling, and the Angstrom exponent derived from sunphotometer readings.

Removal of magnesium and aluminum from wet phosphoric acid by ralstonite precipitation: Thermodynamic and performance analysis, mechanistic studies and precipitate characterization

The purification of wet-process phosphoric acid has always posed a challenge for both academic and industrial researchers. In order to address this issue, a treatment unit was developed to mitigate magnesium and aluminum impurities from industrial semi-aqueous wet process phosphoric acid (SWPPA) (39.4 wt% P2O5) through ralstonite precipitation using Na+/F− as the precipitator (F− provided by HF). Thermodynamic analysis, DFT calculation and separation experiments results were used to investigate the impact of sodium sources properties on impurities removal rates and H3PO4 yield. Additionally, the effects of reaction temperature, reaction time, precipitating agent dosage, and aging time on precipitation efficiency were also examined. The results show that the ability of sodium source to ionize Na+ and react with H3PO4 and HF plays a crucial role in determining the impurity removal performance of magnesium and aluminum. The precipitants NaCl and Na2CO3 exhibit the highest removal rates for magnesium and aluminum, which is attributed to the easy ionization of Na+ ions. In comparison to Na2CO3, the higher H3PO4 yield with NaCl as precipitator can be achieved due to its lower nucleation rate and higher crystal growth rate in the phosphoric acid system. NaCl and HF as precipitants effectively reduces the concentrations of magnesium and aluminum in the untreated SWPPA solution from 23.47 g MgO/kg P2O5 to 3.29 g MgO/kg P2O5, 48.98 g Al2O3/kg P2O5 to 15.54 g Al2O3/kg P2O5. The removal rates for magnesium and aluminum are found to be 85.98% and 68.27%, respectively, with minimal residue of Na+/F−.

The improvement of available phosphorous of reclaimed-mining soils with coal fly ash and empty fruit bunches of oil palm treatments

Abstract Reclaimed-mining soil (RMS) were categorized as having an acidic pH, low organic carbon (C), low available phosphorous (P), and high contents of aluminium (Al) and iron (Fe); therefore, soil ameliorants were essentially added to this soil for improving soil fertility. The purpose of the research was to measure the impact of combining empty fruit bunches of oil palm (EFBOP) and coal fly ash (CFA) on the available P of RMS. Three rates of CFA application: 0, 75, and 150 Mg ha−1 and three rates of EFBOP application: 0, 25, and 50 Mg ha−1 were organized using a completely randomized design. A 1000 g of soil was placed to an experimental pot, and then CFA and EFBOP according to the treatment were added to the pot. The mixture of soils, CFA, and EFBOP were homogenized, and then incubated at 70% water holding capacity for 45 days. Available P, total P, Al-P, Fe-P, soil pH, and exchangeable Al were quantifies following the completion of incubation period. The findings of this research indicated that available P rose from 3 mg kg−1 of control (soil without treatment) to 5-41 mg kg−1 of soils with different amounts of CFA and EFBOP addition. The application of CFA and EFBOP also resulted in increases in soil pH from 4.33 in the control to pH 4.48-6.23. Additionally, the levels of Al-P, Fe-P, and exchangeable aluminum decreased with the application of CFA and EFBOP. The findings of this study highlight the potency utilizing industrial and agricultural wastes as soil ameliorants for improving available P to support plant growth on the reclaimed-mining soils.

High-alumina and low-lithium glass-ceramics modulated by heat treatment and its structural evolution mechanism

In this work, one high-alumina and low-lithium glass-ceramic was successfully developed. The crystal phase, structure and properties of glass-ceramics were precisely modulated by heat treatment. DSC, XRD, TEM and SEM were used to investigate crystallization behavior and the results show that a high alumina content can refine crystal particles. Additionally, FTIR, SAXS NMR and XPS were used to investigate the effect of heat treatment on structure and its modulation mechanism was systematically analyzed. The findings indicate that crystallinity is positively correlated with the glass network polymerization degree. Moreover, the properties of product were evaluated using Vickers hardness and transmittance tests, revealing that the mechanical properties of glass-ceramics could be improved while maintaining transmittance with appropriate heat treatment. Ultimately, this method of heat treatment to modulate glass-ceramics properties provides valuable guidance for high-performance glass-ceramics development.

Density and surface tension of liquid Al, V and their binary alloys measured by electromagnetic levitation

Both density and surface tension were systematically investigated over a wide temperature and compositional range for the liquid Al–V alloy system. The thermophysical properties were measured in an electromagnetic levitation device. A linear decrease in surface tension and density with increasing temperature was observed for every alloy composition investigated. Additionally, a decrease in density and surface tension was observed for increasing aluminum content among the different probed samples. This decrease is, a strong deviation from an ideal mixing behavior which was experienced for both properties. Different models, including variants of the well-established Butler model, were employed to better describe the compositional dependence of density and surface tension in the liquid Al–V system. The advantages and disadvantages were discussed for each model describing the measured thermophysical property data. Strong similarities were observed when comparing the mixing behavior and segregation effects of the investigated Al–V system with already established works for the liquid Al–Ti system. The results suggest that both vanadium and titanium show similar mixing behavior when alloyed with aluminum.