Composition Of Beads Research Articles

Faience beads excavated from Laolongtou cemetery, Yanyuan: new evidence of the cultural exchange between the south‐western and north‐western parts of China

AbstractAncient Chinese beads provide important evidence of cultural exchanges. This study used a scanning electron microscope with an energy‐dispersive spectrometer to analyse the microstructure and chemical composition of faience beads excavated from Laolongtou cemetery in Yanyuan county, China. Based on the analysis results, two glazing methods (efflorescence and cementation) and two bead types (high‐Pb and high‐K beads) were identified. A comparison of the chemical compositions of samples unearthed at the Laolongtou cemetery and samples from north‐western China indicated close regional contact. Bronze wares and burial customs in Laolongtou cemetery also revealed that the Yanyuan region might be a significant node in the Southern Silk Road between the south‐western and north‐western parts of China and even in Southeast Asia.

Synthesis and characterization of multi-component borosilicate glass beads for radioactive liquid waste immobilisation

High-level radioactive liquid waste (HLW) is immobilized in a glass matrix through a process called vitrification. In this process, HLW and glass-forming oxides are combined in a pre-determined ratio within a glass melter to produce a vitrified waste form. The properties of this waste form, including its ability to accommodate different radioactive isotopes, depend on the composition of the base glass.In the present study, multi-component amorphous borosilicate-based glasses (SiO2-B2O3-Na2O-TiO2-Fe2O3-CaO-K2O) in bead form (diameter 2–3 mm) were developed. The elemental composition of the glass beads (GBs) was analyzed using an optical emission spectrometer. Additionally, the GBs underwent various physico-chemical analyses, including functional group identification, thermal, electrical, and mechanical properties, as well as viscosity and chemical durability assessments, to identify the optimal glass compositions. The influence of Na2O on the pouring temperature was also examined. Crushing strength and attrition rate measurements were conducted to confirm the suitability of GBs for remote feeding into the melter. The GBs developed in the study are unique, with significant potential for worldwide use in vitrification facilities, particularly in continuous vitrification systems employing Joule Heated Ceramic Melter (JHCM) technology.

Influence of Printing Parameters on the Morphological Characteristics of Plasma Directed Energy-Deposited Stainless Steel

This study investigated the influence of printing parameters and strategies on the morphological characteristics of austenitic stainless steel beads deposited on carbon steel substrates, using plasma directed energy deposition (DED). The experimental setup varied the welding current, wire feed speed, and torch travel speed, and we analyzed three printing strategies: simple-linear, overlapping, and oscillating. Moreover, advanced 3D scanning and computational analysis were used to assess the key morphological features, including bead width and height. The results showed that the computational model developed by using parabolic assumptions accurately predicted the geometric outcomes of the overlapping beads. The oscillating printing strategy was the one that showed improved morphological uniformity and bead substrate wettability, so these features were used for multi-layer component manufacturing. The use of equivalent wavelength–amplitude values resulted in maximum combinations of bead height and width. Moreover, cost-effective carbon steel substrates were feasibly used in microstructural and elemental analyses, with the latter ones confirming the alignment of the bead composition with the wire-fed material. Overall, this study provides practical insights for optimizing plasma DED processes, thus enhancing the efficiency and quality of metal component manufacturing.

Making beads and bead making: an introduction

ABSTRACT Beads are a prominent category of material culture in the African past. Crosscutting their study across temporal periods and geographical areas are some general methodological and theoretical convergences: the categorisation of beads in terms of materials and methods of manufacture, an emphasis on provenance and distribution, and the analysis of beads as ‘social signals’ in relation to identity, networks and status. This paper outlines the conceptual framework of ‘making’ and discusses how such a framework can expand on existing analyses and provide new avenues for studying beads in the African past. Beads, like all forms of material culture, are the culmination of a dynamic process between materials and makers: the intermixing of ideas, substances and tools in time and space. A focus on making draws our attention to exploring the processes of bead composition in deeper focus, examining not only recycling and reuse but also the ways in which beads were made into composite items, such as garments or adornments. At the same time, a focus on making brings to light a concern for the encounters between material properties, knowledge, memory and sensory affects, encouraging an exploration of bead making as an assemblage of material and non-material things. We draw on a range of case studies from various regions across the African continent to illustrate the relevance of our approach for developing new insights into beads in the archaeological record.

Interpretation of Chemical Compositions and Making Techniques for Ancient Glass Beads from Suchonri Tomb Complex in Gongju, Korea

The Suchonri tomb complex in Uidang of Gongju has been excavated several times, and the remains and artifacts from various periods have been unearthed. Tomb No. 8, known as a Baekje Kingdom, collected a large quantity of blue-colored glass beads, quartz bead and gold-gilded glass beads. In this study, we analyzed the occurrences, internal textures and chemical compositions of representative glass beads, and interpreted the making techniques based on the study. As a result, quartz bead, which are different from glass, were confirmed, and the glass beads were classified into potassium, sodium and gold-gilded beads. The internal texture of the glass beads contained a mixture of bubbles and unmelted additives. The additives consisted of fluxes, stabilizers and colorants compositions, and were observed in various crystals and shapes. Based on internal textures, arrangement of bubbles and shape of impurities within the glass beads, it seems that various making techniques such as the winding, the drawing and the molding methods were applied. In this way, the glass beads used in a single location have slightly different characteristics suggests the diversity of the manufacturing site, materials used and producers, as well as the possibility of external introduction. It can also be interpreted that the beads were likely procured and assembled for the funeral rites to serve the purpose of the interred individual.

Ivory beads of the Sungir Paleolithic site: shapes and features of their alternation in set decorations

The article presents the results of an analysis of the shapes of ivory beads from the burials of a male and adolescent boys discovered in 1964 and 1969 by O.N. Bader at the Sungir site (Vladimir region, Russia), the habitation of which dates back to the end of the Early period (30–27 thousand BC) of the Upper Paleolithic. Beads are diverse in shape, small in size, extremely standardized products, which are one of the most mass and widespread categories of personal composite decorations at the Upper Paleolithic sites. Currently, the Sungir site is the only one where set decorations made of ivory beads, which retained their original position, were found in burials in large quantities (more than 10,000 units). These include an abundance of decoration sets such as bracelets and numerous rows of beads running across and along the body, around the waist, arms and legs, as well as the heads of the buried. The studied sample included 113 set of decorations made of beads (more than 4,000 units). The technical and morphological analysis of beads of such ornamental rows reveal that decorations were not formed randomly, but have a certain rhythmic patterns. In some cases, they were formed by the repeated alternation of groups of artifacts of different types, in others by the alternation of groups of items of the same type, but made on different blanks. The study of the complex rhythmic compositions of ivory beads revealed that there are four main independent types of beads at the site: rectangular in plan with notches on wide surfaces and a bidirectional hole in the center; rounded or oval in plan, with flattened proportions and a hole in the center; drop-shaped (“basket-shaped”); thin flat rectangular in plan, with a small hole in the center. Previously unknown beads of an individual shape were also identified — crescent-shaped and in the form of an asterisk. It is established that the dimensional characteristics of beads were an important factor for compositional constructions for ancient craftsmen. The diversity and the principle of consistency characterizing the composite Sungir jewelry indicate that they represent a unique archaeological source, the significance of which has yet to be evaluated.

Fabrication, characterization, and antibacterial properties of sodium alginate/chito-oligosaccharide gel beads

Developing sodium alginate (SA)/chito-oligosaccharide (COS) beads with antibacterial properties is highly appealing for food industrial applications. Herein, in this paper, the different viscosity-average molecular weight of SA/COS polyelectrolyte (SCP) gel beads were prepared by adding a low concentration of calcium ions (Ca2+) as crosslinker and their size, mechanical property, microscopic morphology, elemental composition, and thermal stability of the gel beads were characterized. Furthermore, the morphological changes of gel beads in in vitro simulated digestion were investigated. A time-dependent co-culture assay was used to explore the antibacterial effect of gel beads on Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. The results showed that as the viscosity-average molecular weight (Mv) of SA decreased, the bursting strength faded, the thermal stability decreased, and the swelling index increased. Similarly, increasing the Ca2+ content could also regulate the characteristics of the gel beads, such as diminishing size, increasing the bursting strength, making the surfaces rough, and producing the network structure in the cross-section. In addition, Ca2+ competes with COS in cross-linking with the carboxyl groups of SA, which leads to a decrease in the content of N element on the surfaces of the gel beads and to a weakening of the antibacterial effect. After the addition of COS, the gel beads obtained antimicrobial effects and a denser cross-sectional structure. The present study could provide a theoretical basis for the design and development of novel gel foods in the food industry.

Synthesis of fenugreek gum-based metal-organic framework (FG/Zr-AIPA MOF) composite beads for sequestration of heavy metal ions from aqueous solution.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a prominent class of materials due to their large surface area and customized structures. This gives them specificity and high adsorption capacity while they lack mechanical strength and reusability. Integrating MOFs with polysaccharide matrix may retain MOF characteristics along with imparting structural integrity. In the present study, zirconium MOF-based fenugreek composite (FG/Zr-AIPA) beads were synthesised by a single droplet method and utilised for removal of Cr(VI), Pb(II) and Fe(III) from aqueous solution. The structure, morphology and composition of beads were evaluated by FTIR, XRD, TGA, BET, FESEM, EDX, XPS and zeta potential analysis. Adsorption isotherm, kinetics and thermodynamics were studied for Cr(VI), Pb(II) and Fe(III) adsorption. Adsorption kinetics and isotherm study revealed that all the metal ions were adsorbed through a monolayer chemisorption process. The maximum adsorption capacity was 344.43, 270.02 and 223.21mgg-1 for Cr(VI), Pb(II) and Fe(III), respectively, based on the Langmuir isotherm study. The thermodynamics study revealed that the interaction between the metal ions and the composite beads was spontaneous and endothermic. The FG/Zr-AIPA composite beads exhibited good reusability for the removal of Cr(VI), Pb(II) and Fe(III). The results open new possibilities for the preparation of polysaccharide MOF-based composite beads which exhibit substantial potential for water treatment applications.

Plant-based delivery systems for controlled release of hydrophilic and hydrophobic active ingredients: Pea protein-alginate bigel beads

Oral delivery systems for nutrients and nutraceuticals are required for personalized nutrition applications. In some applications, these delivery systems need to encapsulate both hydrophilic and hydrophobic bioactive agents. In this study, bigel beads (2 mm) were prepared using pea protein (PP) and sodium alginate (SA) to form the hydrogel phase, and glyceryl monostearate and soybean oil to form the oleogel phase. The hydrogel phase was crosslinked by using Ca2+ ions to form electrostatic bridges between the alginate molecules. The bigel beads had an oil-in-water type structure consisting of an oleogel dispersed phase within a hydrogel continuous phase. These beads were used to encapsulate and control the release of model hydrophobic (curcumin) and hydrophilic (epigallocatechin gallate) nutraceuticals. The textural and microstructural characteristics of the bigel beads were evaluated by dynamic shear rheology, textural profile analysis, cryo-electron microscopy, and fluorescence confocal microscopy. As the concentration of SA increasing from 0.2 to 1.0%, the hardness of bigel beads increased from 306.75 g to 792.40 g. In vitro digestion experiments showed that most of the nutraceuticals were released in the small intestine, rather than the stomach. Nutraceutical release could be controlled by manipulating bead composition, with the extent of nutraceutical release decreasing with increasing alginate concentration. The bigel beads developed in this study could be used as easy-to-swallow carriers for the controlled release of hydrophilic and hydrophobic bioactive ingredients. These kinds of products may be especially useful for people with dysphagia.

Mechanical Properties and Failure Behavior of Epoxy Rubber Powder Composites Reinforced with Hollow Beads

In this paper, new epoxy resin/rubber powder/hollow beads three-phase composites were prepared by designing the incorporation of fly ash hollow beads with different mass fractions (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) as new reinforcing phases into epoxy resin/rubber powder two-phase composites with 5% mass fraction of carbon black rubber powder. Quasi-static compression tests were conducted at room temperature to test the compressive properties of the oxygen resin/rubber powder/hollow beads composites. Calculate the energy absorption properties and energy absorption efficiency of the composites from the compression curves. Fracture characteristics of compressed material specimens with microscopic morphology were observed by scanning electron microscopy. By systematically analyzing the effect of fly ash hollow beads content on the mechanical properties of epoxy resin/rubber powder/hollow beads three-phase composites, it was found that fly ash hollow beads as reinforcing materials can effectively improve the brittleness and yield strength of epoxy resin/rubber powder as well as the energy-absorbing properties and efficiency of the composites. The energy absorption properties of the epoxy resin/rubber powder/hollow beads composites increased and then decreased with the increase in the mass fraction of fly ash hollow beads. In the epoxy resin/rubber powder/hollow beads composites, the most significant performance was observed when the mass fraction of fly ash was 10%.

Performance of hydrogel beads composites derived from sodium alginate-cetyltrimethylammonium bromide toward congo red dye adsorption from aqueous solution

The complex process for treating industrial wastewater frequently necessitates the employment of efficient treatment techniques to eliminate harmful contaminants before discharge, such as congo red (CR) dye. In this study, adsorption methods were utilized to eliminate CR by employing hydrogel bead composites derived from sodium alginate (SA) and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB). Various concentrations of CTAB, including 0.1 wt%, 1 wt%, and 3 wt%, denoted as SC1, SC2, and SC3 respectively, were examined. The results demonstrated that SC3 has higher swelling percentage and lowest carboxyl group (COOH). Experiments were carried out under different pH levels, CR concentrations, and adsorption durations for removal of CR. The maximum CR adsorption capabilities of SC1, SC2, and SC3 obtained were as 141.08 mg/g, 144.50 mg/g and 153.24 mg/g for SC1, SC2 and SC3, respectively. The Freundlich and pseudo-second-order models demonstrate the best fit for both isotherm and kinetic analysis across all samples, suggesting a multilayer adsorption process and chemisorption mechanism. Reusability studies revealed strong performance, underscoring the hydrogel beads' potent adsorption capability for CR dye.

Mangiferin loaded carrageenan/chitosan core-shell hydrogel beads: Preparation, characterization and proposed application

In this work, an investigation on the use of mangiferin, a bioactive compound, in a controlled release hydrogel system was carried out. Mangiferin isolated from mango leave waste was tested for its antibacterial activities by disc diffusion, agar well and agar dilution methods. The results confirmed effective antibacterial effects against Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio cholerae, the common species found in fresh seafood that can cause acute diarrheal illness. However, application of this polyphenolic natural compound is limited by its poor water solubility resulting in low bioavailability. To overcome is limitation, biopolymeric core-shell hydrogel beads incorporated with mangiferin were fabricated by a one-step gelling method. The core particles loaded with mangiferin were prepared from κ-carrageenan solution which were subsequently ionic-crosslinked and encapsulated with the chitosan shells. The formation of core-shell morphology was verified by light microscope observation and confirmed that the κ-carrageenan core was completely covered with the uniform shell of chitosan. The composition of microsphere beads was also examined with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The core-shell hydrogel was able to encapsulate mangiferin with the optimum loading efficiency of 85%. The release kinetics was evaluated at different temperatures and Korsmeyer-Peppas was the most appropriate model to represent the release profiles of mangiferin from hydrogel beads. Biocompatibility test performed on all of the hydrogel samples exhibited a good viability for the L929 and Vero cells with low cytotoxicity. Investigations on the microsphere hydrogels revealed that they could regulate the release of bioactive mangiferin and possessed promising potential to be utilized for quality protection of fresh seafood.

Cellulose Acetate/Polyethylene Glycol Composite Beads for Efficient Removal of Methylene Blue

The development of eco-friendly and biodegradable adsorbent with excellent adsorption performance is of great importance for the efficient dye removal in wastewater. Herein, an efficient and biodegradable composite adsorbent bead was fabricated from cellulose acetate (CA) modified with low molecular weight polyethylene glycol 200 (PEG200) for the adsorptive removal of methylene blue dye (MB) from aqueous solution. The weight fraction of PEG was varied to investigate the effect of material bead composition on the morphology, molecular structure, crystal phases, thermal stability, mechanical properties, and adsorption performance of the composite beads. Batch adsorption was carried out at various times to estimate the time at equilibrium adsorption capacity and kinetic model. Various operating conditions such as pH, initial MB concentration, and adsorbent dosage in experiment were also executed to examine the adsorption performance of this system. The result showed that all beads have porous structure and the pore size increase after the addition of PEG200. The adsorption capacity and % MB removal generally showed an improvement with the rise of PEG content. The batch adsorption experiments demonstrated that the best % removal and adsorption capacity of MB were 93.35 % and 28.005 mg/g, respectively, that was obtained by composite CA/PEG200 (80/20) bead at pH of 11, initial MB concentration of 30 mg/L, and bead dosage of 1 g/L. The adsorption kinetic fitted well to Elovich-kinetic model with average R2 of 0.844. Overall, this work offers new finding into the development of effective, environmentally friendly, and inexpensive cellulose-based adsorbents for wastewater remediation.

PAN/PVP/CD-MOF composite beads for the removal of Crystal Violet and Brilliant Blue G in water

Cyclodextrin metal–organic frameworks (CD-MOFs) have a high surface area and unique coordination chemistry that enable them to be used as a carrier material for various materials. However, it is unstable in water, limiting its application in aqueous solutions. Here, we report the application of CD-MOFs in treating cationic and anionic dyes in water for the first time by forming a composite with polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) to form composite beads. The composition of the composite beads was optimized through a Box-Behnken design of experiments. The optimum composition of PAN = 5.91 wt%, PVP = 1.89 wt%, and CD-MOF = 2.68 wt% yielded a CV and BB sorption capacities of 50.8109 ± 0.0634 mg/g and 28.5583 ± 0.1296 mg/g, respectively. The composite beads were characterized using SEM, EDX, and FTIR. We showed that CD-MOFs could be used as an adsorbent for wastewater treatment.

Development of directed energy deposition strategy for a mechanically interlocked pure Ti and Al alloy component with cross-shaped internal pure Ti lattice

Directed energy deposition (DED) using multi-metal materials typically employs a metallurgical bonding approach. The components using titanium (Ti) and aluminum (Al) alloys have attracted significant interest in aerospace and automotive industries due to their ability to decrease fuel consumption through lightweight construction. However, DED using Ti and Al alloys that are difficult to fusion-bond is plagued by the formation of brittle intermetallic compounds. In particular, the deposition of a Ti alloy layer on that of Al alloy decreases the mechanical property of the entire component. This study developed a DED strategy using wire and arc discharge for the mechanical interlocking of pure Ti ERTi-2 and Al alloy ER5356. First, the effects of heat input, fabrication paths, and arc locations on the interface and composition of the adjacent beads were clarified. A fabrication strategy was developed to achieve the desired fusion state and avoid collision between welding torch-fabricated component. A mechanical interlocked component with an internal ERTi-2 cross-shaped lattice and planar ERTi-2 surface layers was successfully fabricated. In addition, these results demonstrate that the developed fabrication strategy can be applied to the other metal combinations that are difficult to fusion-bond. Subsequently, X-ray computed tomography clarified that the internal ERTi-2 lattice was fabricated in the target geometry. Tensile tests were carried out using the mechanical interlocked components with an internal cross-shaped unit lattice. The yield and ultimate tensile strength were 45.1 ± 3.4 MPa and 55.5 ± 4.6 MPa, respectively. These values and the fracture positions were in good agreement with the predictions from the mechanical properties of the used materials and the lattice geometry. Hence, this study underscores the potential of mechanical interlocking to improve the mechanical properties of the multi-metal components that pose challenges for fusion-bonding.

LA‐ICP‐MS analysis of glass beads from Tié (12th–14th centuries), Kanem, Chad: Evidence of trans‐Sudanic exchanges

AbstractChemical analysis of glass from African archaeological sites has become a standard research tool over the past decades. Despite the multiplication of studies, the continent still exhibits vast unexplored regions. One of these is the surroundings of Lake Chad. This paper discusses the results of LA‐ICP‐MS analysis of recently excavated glass beads from the late medieval Chadian site of Tié. We demonstrate that the composition of those glass beads largely matches assemblages from along the East African coast. This indicates that most of the beads examined entered the region via a hitherto undocumented east–west Sudanic route linking Northeast Africa with Lake Chad.

Nondestructive Shear Stiffness Evaluation of EPS-Sand Composites Using Quartz and Calcareous Aggregates

The influence of expanded polystyrene (EPS) beads inclusion on the shear stiffness of a quartz-based material and a calcareous-based material has been examined by performing a comprehensive series of non-destructive bender element tests. To this end, siliceous-based Firoozkooh and calcareous-based Hormuz sands are mixed with different percentages of expanded polystyrene beads and then tested with a bender element apparatus embedded in a triaxial cell. Accordingly, the influences of confining pressure, void ratio, grain size distribution, and different percentages of expanded polystyrene beads on the small-strain shear modulus of siliceous and calcareous sands are thoroughly studied and discussed. For all mixtures of both sands, the maximum shear modulus increases with increasing confining pressure, but decreases with increasing void ratio and expanded polystyrene beads content in the mixture. The contribution of expanded polystyrene beads to the reduction of small-strain shear modulus is observed to be more pronounced for the quartz-based aggregate as compared to the calcareous-based aggregate. The confining pressure is also observed to have no influence on the small-strain shear modulus of the composites at high expanded polystyrene bead contents due primarily to the notably high compressibility of soft beads diminishing the augmented interparticle contact forces caused by increasing isotropic confinement. Using the results of experiments, different small-strain shear modulus expressions are developed for quartz-based and calcareous-based compacted fill-expanded polystyrene beads composites, which can be utilized for design purposes in earthen structures.

A Novel Process for the Preparation of Binder‐Free Zeolite Beads (Lta‐5a) via Photopolymerization Applied in Co2 Adsorption Field

AbstractThe increasing CO2 concentration in the atmosphere has a severe influence on both the environment and human health, resulting in global warming. According to the high adsorption capacity for CO2 removal, zeolites play an important role for CO2 capture and sequestration. However, its powdery form limits their use in adsorption applications. When binding agents are used, the zeolite porosity is partially occluded that compromises the CO2 adsorption capacity severely. How to prepare binder‐free zeolite beads with a certain structure strength and how to keep the high surface area and porosity are a great challenge. In this work, LTA‐5A beads composites (80 wt.%) are prepared via cationic photopolymerization and then calcination is performed to remove organic part to obtain LTA‐5A beads with different sizes (<1.0 mm, 1.0–2.0 mm, and 2.0–3.0 mm). These beads (0.1 g) are characterized by good mechanical strength without any binder (partial bead fragmentation under 200 g‐load) with a preserved zeolite porosity. This method allows to exploit the zeolite beads reaching a high specific surface area (586 688 m2 g−1) and good CO2 adsorption capacity (4.5‐4.9 mmol g−1). These values are higher than those of commercial LTA‐5A beads (515 m2 g−1 and 3.8 mmol g−1, respectively), which is in agreement with their binder‐free structure.

Cross-linked chitosan-epichlorohydrin/bentonite composite for reactive orange 16 dye removal: Experimental study and molecular dynamic simulation

Chitosan/bentonite beads (CsB) composites were prepared from chitosan (Cs) and bentonite (B) and cross-linked with epichlorohydrin for removal of reactive orange 16 (RO16) and methylene blue (MB). The adsorption results have shown that the (Cs20B80), 20 % wt of (Cs) and 80 % (B), was selected as the best adsorbent for (MB) and (RO16) dyes. SEM, EDX, FTIR, BET, and pHpzc were implemented to investigate the features of Cs, B, and Cs20B80 samples. The influence of contact time (0–72 h), initial RO16 concentration (15–300 mg/L), temperature (30, 40, and 50 °C), the quantity of adsorbent (1–4 g/L), ion strength (0.1–1 M), and solution pH (3–10) on RO16 adsorption onto Cs20B80 were explored. The pseudo-second-order and the Langmuir models fit adequately the adsorption kinetic results and the isotherms ones respectively. Also, the maximal monolayer capacities calculated using the non-linear form of the Langmuir isotherm are 55.27, 55.29, and 70.80 mg/g, at 30, 40 and 50 °C. Based to the statistical physics model, the RO16 could be retained on the surface of Cs20B80 through a non-parallel orientation. The RO16 adsorption process is endothermic and natural, as demonstrated by thermodynamic studies. After three regeneration cycles, the Cs20B80 composite has shown an adsorption capacity of around 20 % compared to the initial one. The adsorption energy of RO16 onto Cs, B, and Cs20B80 examined using the Monte Carlo simulation method (MC) ranged from −164.8 to −303.7 (kcal/mol), showing the potential of the three adsorbants for RO16 dye. Also, the process of adsorption of RO16 dye on the surface of Cs20B80 composite indicates several kinds of physical interactions, involving electrostatic interaction, hydrogen bonding, and π-π interactions, this finding was proved theoretically via molecular dynamic simulations.

The dissemination of Chinese potash-rich faience: investigation of faience beads from the Wupu cemetery, Xinjiang

The Wupu cemetery, located in the Yizhou District, Hami City, Xinjiang Province, and in the eastern part of the southern foothills of the Tianshan Mountains, is remains from the late Bronze Age. In this study, four faience beads excavated from the Wupu cemetery were examined by stereomicroscopy, synchrotron radiation micro-CT, and electron microprobe analysis. The appearance and compositions of these faience beads are presented and discussed. The results show that these tubular faience beads, glazed by the application glazing method, are all potash-rich faience, consistent with the faience produced locally in China. The faience products from the Central Plains were disseminated to the Hami region of Xinjiang Province during the Western Zhou dynasty (1046 BC–771 BC), reflecting the spread of such faience to the west with the Zhou people mastering the technique of making potash-rich faience.