Blend Concentration Research Articles

Optimization and evaluation of microwave-assisted curcumin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers: a green approach

BackgroundThe goal of current research work is to develop and optimize curcumin-encapsulated nanostructured lipid carriers and to enhance therapeutic effect of curcumin after oral administration.MethodCurcumin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers were developed by a single-step one-pot microwave-assisted technique. The preparation of curcumin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers was optimized by employing two factors and three levels central composite design (Design Expert® software) taking concentration of lipid blend and surfactant as independent variables and particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential as dependent variables, to investigate the effect of formulation ingredients on the physicochemical characteristics of nanostructured lipid carriers. The optimized batch was investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, in vitro drug release, stability studies, cytotoxicity, and in vivo anthelmintic studies.ResultsThe average particle size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential of the optimized batch were found to be 144 nm, 0.301, and − 33.2 mV, respectively, with an entrapment efficiency of 92.48%. The results of high-resolution transmission electron microscopy confirmed spherical shape of particles. In vivo antiparasitic studies included determining the duration of paralysis and eventual death of earthworms in the presence of test samples. The results of in vivo studies showed good anthelmintic potential for curcumin-loaded nanostructured lipid carriers as compared to albendazole in different concentrations. Cytotoxicity studies also confirmed the formulation to be nontoxic to Vero cells. In vitro drug release study showed 90.76 ± 0.01% release of curcumin in 24 h by following the Korsmeyer-Peppas model of release kinetics.ConclusionThe aforementioned results imply that microwave-developed nanostructured lipid carriers could be promising drug carriers and will aid in their fabrication for oral administration as a possible alternative for the treatment of other parasitic infections.Graphical

Fabrication of Zein/PVA Fibre Blends: Optimizing Concentration and Applied Voltage

Abstract: The fabrication of polymer fibre blends has gained much attention for the development of innovative nanomaterials. Polymer fibre blends are nanomaterials with different functionalities and properties such as a sizeable surface-to-area ratio, high porosity, flexibility, and stability. The focus of this study was to produce zein/PVA fibre blends using the electrospinning technique and varying parameters such as concentration and applied voltage. The two parameters are key driving factors for the production of fibres. Zein as a natural polymer has challenges in developing fibre materials which require artificial polymer like PVA to create a good blending mixture for electrospinning. Methods: The zein/PVA nanofibre blends were fabricated using the electrospinning technique. The FE-SEM (Leo, Zeiss) was used to study the surface morphologies of the zein/PVA nanofibers blends. The optical properties of the nanofibre blends were determined using the UV-vis spectrophotometer and the chemical structure and composition of zein/PVA nanofibers blends were studied using Thermo Scientific Nicolet iS50-FTIR spectrometer, universal ATR with the diamond detector. Results: The SEM images showed smooth zein/PVA ribbon-like nanofibre blends of 90/10, 80/20, 70/30, 60/40, and 50/50. SEM images of zein/PVA (80/20) electrospun at 25 kV were obtained to be the maximum fibre yield due to zein/PVA compatibility, increased conductivity, and enhanced fibre formation. The optical properties (absorption spectroscopy) suggested that the zein/PVA (80/20) fibre blend was miscible, and the FTIR spectra confirmed their functional groups. Therefore, the characterization results showed that the polymer blended solutions concentration and applied voltage increment affected fibre size distribution and morphology. Conclusion: Optimizing concentration and applied voltage successfully produced smooth, uniform bead-free zein/PVA fibre blends as parameters are increased.

Combined mixture process design approach for flexible fuel maps development of ternary blends operated gasoline engine

Alternate means of harnessing energy are currently being researched. However, not all demographics are in a position to switch over to these alternatives while complying with the change in existing infrastructure. The present study aspires to evaluate the effectiveness of ternary fuel blends in existing automotive engines to offer a more flexible mode of operation without demanding any modifications to the existing spark-ignition (SI) engine. It focuses on the compatibility between biofuels and pure gasoline as a flexi-fuel alternative in internal combustion engines (ICE) for improved combustion characteristics. Butanol and Lemon Peel Oil (LPO) are highly competitive renewable biofuels for use in internal combustion engines due to their many advantages. Empirical research is conducted on studying mixtures at different engine speeds and blend concentrations. Accordingly, a combined mixture process design model is developed by virtue of the Design of Experiments (DOEs). ANOVA or analysis of variance method is employed, in addition, to determine the influence of input parameters on output parameters. From the results, it is observed that utilizing pure gasoline or a blend with 90% gasoline produced the least amount of peak cylinder pressure (Pmax) alongside minimum levels of mean gas temperature (MGT), and cumulative heat release rate (CHRR). This indicated a lower efficiency of fuel combustion when using higher proportions of gasoline in the blend. Additionally, engine speed is found to have a significant influence over all the performance parameters where it exhibited an inverse relationship which showed that higher engine speed produced inferior results and vice versa. The desirability matrix yields the most optimal blend, displaying a substantial desirability score of 0.683 running on 50% gasoline, 20% n-butanol, and 30% LPO, at 1523.485 rpm. A comparison between the results of Pmax, CHRR, and MGT between pure gasoline and the optimal blend yields a performance enhancement of 16%, 0.5%, and 6.4%, respectively. Overall, from the research, both butanol and LPO meet the ascribed expectations and are observed to significantly enhance the different combustion parameters. These results can thus be further extrapolated to ascertain the partial replacement of straight gasoline in real-life scenarios with butanol and LPO.

A Prediction of Graphene Nanoplatelets Addition Effects on Diesel Engine Emissions

There are numerous methods for reducing diesel exhaust emissions. Engine modifications, combustion optimization, and exhaust gas treatment are all popular methods. Another proven method uses fuel additives, such as zinc oxide, copper oxide, and magnesium oxide. Those additives are proven to reduce measured emissions such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide successfully; however, there are still concerns about the toxicity of the emissions, which could harm human health. As a result, carbon nanoparticles have been introduced as a fuel additive due to their low risk to human health. Because of advancements in graphene research, a few researchers began investigating the implications of using graphene nanoplatelets as a fuel additive. The study’s findings appeared to be encouraging. However, no additional research has been identified to forecast the impact on engine emissions other than analyzing the effects of graphene additives on engine emissions. The goal of this study is to forecast the effects of graphene nanoplatelets on diesel engine emissions. The emission parameters of the trial were carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide. The factors considered in the experiment are speed, load, and blend concentration. Response surface methodology and contour plots were generated using Minitab software. The results show that the prediction model’s accuracy is within 10% of the experimental data.

Polyvinyl Pyrrolidone Induced "Confinement Effect" on PbI2 and the Improvement on Crystallization and Thermal Stability of Perovskite.

Polyvinyl pyrrolidone is blended in PbI2 with varied concentration, so as to study the coarsening dynamics of perovskite during the two-step growth method. It is observed that polyvinyl pyrrolidone hinders the crystallization of PbI2 and helps to form a more amorphous PbI2 matrix, which then improves perovskite crystallization. As the blending concentration increases from 0 to 2mM, average crystallite/grain size of perovskite increases from 40.29nm/0.79µm to 84.35nm/1.02µm while surface fluctuation decreases slightly from 25.64 to 23.96nm. The observations are caused by the "confinement effect" brought by polyvinyl pyrrolidone on PbI2 . Elevating blending concentration of polyvinyl pyrrolidone results in smaller PbI2 crystallites and more amorphous PbI2 matrix, thus reducing the diffusion/reaction barrier between PbI2 and organic salt and favoring perovskite crystallization. As blending concentration increases from 0 to 2mM, the device efficiency rises from 19.76 (± 0.60) % to 20.50 (± 0.89) %, with the optimized value up to 22.05%, which is further improved to 24.48% after n-Octylammonium iodide (OAI)-basing surface modification. The study enlarges the scope of "confinement effect" brought by polymer molecules, which is beneficial for efficient and stable perovskite solar cell fabrication.

Development of artificial neural network and response surface methodology model to optimize the engine parameters of rubber seed oil – Hydrogen on PCCI operation

Identifying the suitable alternative fuel and optimum blend concentration for diesel engine combustion is critical as most biodiesel emits excess smoke and has a lower thermal efficiency due to its high viscosity and carbon residue. In the previous work, rubber seed oil was tested in a single-cylinder diesel engine, and its performance and emission results were compared with those of pure diesel, an RSO-diesel (70:30 by volume) blend, RSO-methyl ester, RSO-diethyl ether, RSO-ethanol, and RSO-hydrogen in a dual fuel operation. The testing was performed at a constant speed of 1500 rpm, with the engine loads varying at 25% step intervals. Results showed that smoke and nitrogen oxides were significantly reduced for RSO, and engine performance was enhanced when RSO was operated with hydrogen and diethyl ether in dual fuel mode. In this study, the experimental results were employed to develop an artificial neural network and response surface methodology model. Brake thermal efficiency, rate of pressure rise, carbon monoxide, hydrocarbon, oxides of nitrogen, and smoke were predicted using response surface methodology and artificial neural network. Though artificial neural network produced the best R2 values (0.87264–0.99929), mean absolute percentage error was relatively lesser in response surface methodology. Thus, the authors conclude that response surface methodology is the best suitable artificial intelligence tool to optimize the engine for accomplishing desired responses.

Improved Light Utilization Efficiency for an ITO‐Free Semitransparent Organic Solar Cell Using a Multilayer Silver Back Electrode as Infrared Mirror

Semitransparent organic solar cells (STOSCs) exhibit promising application as power‐generating windows in buildings and agricultural greenhouses. Due to unique optical properties of organic semiconductors, they can efficiently absorb near‐infrared light while maintaining a high degree semitransparency in the visible range. Since power conversion efficiency (PCE) and average visible transmission (AVT) frequently stand in a trade‐off relationship, a major challenge in improving the overall performance of STOSCs is maximizing the product of both, called light utilization efficiency (AVT × PCE = LUE). Herein, using multiple layers of aluminium‐doped ZnO (AZO) and silver as an infrared reflecting back electrode, in order to increase current generation while maintaining high visible transparency, is proposed. Using optical modeling, the optimal layer thickness of the AZO layer sandwiched between two Ag layers is determined, leading to an increased photocurrent generation of up to 10%. Simultaneously, experimental findings show that the fill factor decreases with an increasing AZO layer thickness. By adjusting the thickness of the photoactive layer, the blend concentration, and improving the top electrode material the thus‐far highest reported LUE for indium tin oxide‐free STOSCs is attained, reaching 4.0% with a PCE of 8.7% and an AVT of 46.3%.

Engineering Toughness in a Brittle Vinyl Ester Resin Using Urethane Acrylate for Additive Manufacturing.

Thermosetting polymers tend to have a stiffness-toughness trade-off due to the opposing relationship of stiffness and toughness on crosslink density. We hypothesize that engineering the polymer network, e.g., by incorporating urethane oligomers, we can improve the toughness by introducing variations in crosslink density. In this work, we show that a brittle methacrylated Bis-GMA resin (known as DA2) is toughened by adding a commercial urethane acrylate resin (known as Tenacious) in different proportions. The formulations are 3D printed using a vat photopolymerization technique, and their mechanical, thermal, and fracture properties are investigated. Our results show that a significant amount of Tenacious 60% w/w is required to produce parts with improved toughness. However, mechanical properties drop when the Tenacious amount is higher than 60% w/w. Overall, our results show that optimizing the amount of urethane acrylate can improve toughness without significantly sacrificing mechanical properties. In fact, the results show that synergistic effects in modulus and strength exist at specific blend concentrations.

Comparing the antioxidant properties and volatile compounds of carrot-orange juice blend processed through varied chemical, pasteurization and ultrasound conditions

Ultrasound technique is one of the green technologies that is being utilized widely for varying food processes. Our aim in this study was to carry out ultrasonication, pasteurization and chemical preservation (Potassium metabisulfite) techniques on a carrot-orange juice blend. Additionally, the effect of these treatments on the storage period of about 21 days was also determined. The study displayed an array of results under the effect of different treatments. Throughout the storage period of 21 days’ significant results were presented by the carrot juice blend subjected to the ultrasound technique (25 min) giving the highest values for total phenolic content (25.56 ± 1.29 mg GAE/100 mL), total antioxidant activity (573.48 ± 2.29 mg Trolox /100 mL), DPPH (32.32 ± 1.83 %) and reducing power (45.45 ± 1.92 mg AAE/100 mL) with least deterioration, followed by the blends treated with potassium metabisulfite (KMS) and pasteurization. The physicochemical analysis showed a non-significant effect of treatments on pH and total soluble solids (oBrix) of carrot-orange juice blends whereas, the changes in color parameters L*, a* and b* were noted to show changes in treated blends. Similarly, the results for the GC–MS quantification of volatile compounds displayed the highest concentrations in the ultrasonicated blends as compared to other techniques. The peak quantity was obtained for the hexanal (9903.43 ± 7.61 μg.kg−1) followed by 3-Methylbutanal (2638.7 ± 5.44 μg.kg−1), terpinolene (2337.16 ± 5.28 μg.kg−1), elemicin (2198.28 ± 5.28 μg.kg−1), myristicin (1936.62 ± 6.72 μg.kg−1). The use of sonication can effectively enhance the nutritional qualities of juice, as perceived by consumers.

Unveiling the effect of side chains and fluorination on the photovoltaic performance of D-A copolymers: a comparative study of P-HBT-T, P-FBT-T and P-FBT-O

Three random D-A copolymers containing thienopyrroledione (TPD) and benzodithiophene (BDT) named P-HBT-T, P-FBT-T, and P-FBT-O were synthesized. The effects of side chains on BDT and fluorination to benzothiadiazole on the photovoltaic performances of fabricated solar cells were investigated. The highest occupied molecular orbital (HOMO) levels of the polymers were −5.57, −5.51, and −5.65 eV for P-HBT-T, P-FBT-T, and P-FBT-O, respectively, suggesting low-lying HOMO energy levels. The optimized weight ratios of the polymer to PC71BM were determined as 1:2 with 24 mg/mL blend concentration for all polymers, and the maximum power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of the devices were 7.35%, 7.76%, and 9.21% for P-HBT-T, P-FBT-T, and P-FBT-O, respectively, after optimizations with 1,8-diiodooctane (DIO) and 1-chloronaphthalene (CN). Trap-assisted recombination and bimolecular recombination loss mechanisms, which are PCE limiting mechanisms, were examined for all devices. The morphological and topographical properties were investigated using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM), respectively. Our findings demonstrate that P-FBT-O-bearing organic solar cells (OSCs) emerged as the best-performing device due to their deeper HOMO level, high molecular weight, lower trap-assisted and bimolecular recombination, and superior morphology.

Herbivore intraguild interactions decrease ectoparasitoid Bracon nigricans parasitism of Phthorimaea absoluta and responses to tomato volatiles

Intraguild interactions are known to trigger competition among phytophagous insects that depend on the same food source, which may have implications on natural enemy performance. Here, we tested the hypothesis that intraguild interactions between the greenhouse whitefly, Trialeurodes vaporariorum, and the South American tomato pinworm, Phthorimaea absoluta on the host plant tomato would affect performance of the pinworm ectoparasitoid Bracon nigricans. In oviposition bioassays, P. absoluta females significantly laid more eggs and were attracted to tomato plants infested with T. vaporariorum than uninfested plants. Additionally, T. vaporariorum infestation decreased B. nigricans parasitism on P. absoluta larvae and attraction to tomato plants. In coupled gas chromatography-electroantennographic detection (GC-EAD) recordings, antennae of P. absoluta and B. nigricans females detected 18 and 15 components, respectively from the herbivore-induced volatiles, which were identified by GC-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) as green leaf volatiles (GLVs) and terpenes. In dose-response behavioral assays, P. absoluta and B. nigricans responses varied with the composition and concentration of blends and individual compounds tested. Whereas P. absoluta was attracted to GLVs and terpenes, B. nigricans avoided most of these chemicals, especially the GLV (E)-2-hexenal and terpenes δ-3-carene, and (E)-caryophyllene. The results suggest that herbivore intraguild interactions can influence the behavioral ecology and performance of natural enemies which may have evolutionary significance. Also, these specific GLVs and terpenes can be exploited in the management of P. absoluta.

Toward understanding the crystallization behavior of polypropylene‐based nanocomposites: Effect of ethylene–octene copolymer and nanoclay localization

AbstractThe crystallization properties of polypropylene (PP), a widely used polymer in industry, can be modified to overcome its mechanical limitations. In the current work, we investigated the effect of ethylene octene copolymer (EOC), blend morphology, nanoclay loading, nano‐localization, and component ratios on PP/EOC crystallization behavior in various aspects, including crystallization rate, degree of crystallinity, nucleation state, and crystalline phases. The results revealed that adding EOC with varying ratios can decrease PP crystallinity both in degree and rate due to the partial miscibility of components through grafting. Furthermore, it was found that the effect of the nanoclay on the crystallization behavior of PP is dependent on the nanoclay loading and its localization in the blend. The nanoclay, therefore, served as a nucleation agent at low nanoparticle contents, accelerating the crystallization rate regardless of the blend's microstructure. However, the crystallization rate of the blend samples at high nanoclay contents (above the rheological percolation threshold) was strongly influenced by the type of morphology. Accordingly, high nanoclay concentrations in blends with matrix‐dispersed morphologies reduced crystallization rates (increasing half‐time from 164 to 216 and 186 s), primarily because PP chains slowed down due to their interactions with nanoparticles and nanoclay hindrance. In contrast, in a blend with a co‐continues‐type morphology, the crystallization rates increased (decreasing half‐time from 624 to 270 and 236 s) due to nano‐localization at the interface and morphology transformation to the matrix‐dispersed one. The blends and nanocomposites based on PP/EOC were also investigated to determine the relationship between the crystallization behavior and mechanical properties.

Glycerol Monooleate (GMO): A Valuable Biobased Lubricity and Pour Point Enhancer Blend Component for the ULSD Fuel.

Novel value-added usage of glycerol (biodiesel coproduct) derivatives has been indispensable due to the extensive production of biodiesel. The physical properties of ultralow-sulfur diesel (ULSD) improved with the addition of technical-grade glycerol monooleate (TGGMO) with increasing concentration from 0.01 to 5 wt %. The influence of increasing concentration of TGGMO was studied on the acid value, cloud point, pour point, cold filter plugging point, kinematic viscosity, and lubricity of its blend with ULSD. The results showed improved lubricity for the blended ULSD with TGGMO as shown by the reduced wear scar diameter from 493 to 90 μm. The low-temperature flow properties were also improved as shown by lower pour points of -36 °C for the 1% TGGMO/ULSD blend compared to -25 °C for ULSDTGGMO blends in ULSD of up to 1 wt %, which met the ASTM standard D975 specifications. We also investigated the blending effect of the pure-grade monooleate (PGMO, purity level >99.98%) on the physical properties of ULSD at a blend concentration of 0.5 and 1.0%. Compared to PGMO, TGGMO significantly improved the physical properties of ULSD with increasing concentration from 0.01 to 1 wt %. Nevertheless, PGMO/TGGMO did not significantly affect the acid value, cloud point, or cold filter plugging point of ULSD. A comparison between TGGMO and PGMO showed that TGGMO improves the ULSD fuel lubricity and pour point more effectively than PGMO. PDSC data indicated that although addition of TGGMO will lower the oxidation stability slightly, it is still better than the addition of PGMO. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) data showed higher thermal stability and lesser volatility for TGGMO blends compared to those for PGMO blends. The cost effectiveness of TGGMO makes it a better ULSD fuel lubricity enhancer than PGMO.

Multiple donor–acceptor design for highly luminescent and stable thermally activated delayed fluorescence emitters

A considerable variety of donor–acceptor (D–A) combinations offers the potential for realizing highly efficient thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) materials. Multiple D–A type compounds are one of the promising families of TADF materials in terms of stability as well as efficiencies. However, those emitters are always composed of carbazole-based donors despite a wide choice of moieties used in linearly linked single D–A molecules. Herein, we developed a multiple D–A type TADF compound with two distinct donor units of 9,10-dihydro-9,9-dimethylacridine (DMAC) and carbazole as the hetero-donor design. The new emitter exhibits high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) in various conditions including polar media blend and high concentrations. Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) showed a reasonably high external quantum efficiency (EQE). In addition, we revealed that the multiple-D–A type molecules showed better photostability than the single D–A type molecules, while the operational stability in OLEDs involves dominant other factors.

Maximization of bioethanol productivity from wheat straw, performance and emission analysis of diesel engine running with a triple fuel blend through response surface methodology

Due to its significant contribution to reducing pollution and crude oil use, bioethanol has been ranked as the most extensively used biofuel globally. Bioethanol was classified as a new and renewable source of fuel, which can be used as an oxygenated fuel blend for both of gasoline and diesel engines. In this work, the optimization process for bioethanol production and utilization has proceeded by Response Surface Methodology (RSM). Bioethanol production parameters such as temperature, pH, and their combined impact on bioethanol% and residual sugar have been studied. For process optimization, Box-Behnken design (BBD) based on response surface methodology (RSM) was used. For predicting bioethanol l% and residual sugar, a quadratic regression model was developed with coefficients of determination R2 of (0.9984) and (0.9883), respectively. The obtained results show that after 118.54 h, 9.33 W/V inoculum size, 31.66 °C, and 4.86 pH, bioethanol % increased to 3.5-fold to become16.92% and a minimum residual sugar concentration of 0.50 mg/ml are achieved. Also, bioethanol% and residual sugar was 16.92% and 0.50 mg/ml, respectively. However, the central composite design approach (CCD) has used to optimize the engine operating parameters were optimized to obtain the highest possible break thermal efficiency BTE% and lowest NOx emissions for a single-cylinder DI-engine running on a blend of 50% biodiesel/50% diesel combined with 10&20% bioethanol. Also, the analysis of variance was revealed by the examination of inconsistency were statistically significant. According to RSM optimizer data, the optimum NOx and BTE values were 83.72 ppm and 23.68%, respectively, at the highest concentration of bioethanol blend of 14.65% and break power of 3.21 kW.

Modulation of the best conditions for improved engine performance and reduced exhaust emissions using an eco-friendly nano additive in parsley biodiesel blend

This research work aims to assess the optimal conditions that would lower exhaust emissions and enhance engine performance using a green synthesized silica nano additive added parsley biodiesel blend. Hence, the process variables were optimized and the interactive influence of engine speed, engine load, and biodiesel blend (B20SNP) concentration was examined using the central composite design tool integrated into the response surface methodology design. The findings of this study showed that the studied variables had a substantial effect on the responses. Also, the ideal conditions for improved efficiency and reduced emissions were predicted to be B20SNP (100 ppm), engine speed (1458.60 rpm), and engine load (98.07%) while the best responses for improved engine characteristics were BTE (31.91%), BSEC (5.97 MJ/kW), BSFC (0.388kg/kWh), HC (19.18%), NOx (198.21 ppm) and CO (0.050 %) at the desirability of 1.000. The results of the ANOVA analysis revealed that B20SNP had the most influence on the behavior of the investigated four-stroke single-cylinder diesel engine. Furthermore, the results of this study asserted that silica nanoparticles made from waste sugarcane bagasse greatly enhanced the diesel engine’s efficiency and reduced emission behavior.

Valorization of waste foundry sand aggregates in hot-mix asphalt

Metal smelting generates a significant volume of industrial solid waste foundry sand (WFS). Although several standards and studies have established practices and requirements for its use, a large portion of the disposed WFS goes to industrial landfills. This study aims to evaluate the value of WFS as an aggregate in hot-mix asphalt mixtures (HMA) using systematic criteria for classification, potentialities, waste generated and applicability. To this end, molding sand (MS) and fine dust of exhaustion (FDE) were characterized, to identify their potential for application as aggregates in asphalt mass. Different contents of MS, FDE, and Blend (BL) were studied according to the normative granulometric ranges of aggregates for HMA. Samples were obtained via the Marshall method to verify important properties for the asphalt mix. Ecotoxicity tests were conducted. The results showed that a composition containing 10 wt% of BL presented an air void volume of 3.3%, a stability of 658 kgf, creep of 2.5 mm, and an indirect tensile strength of 0.93 MPa. From a technical and environmental perspective, a 10 wt% BL content was suitable for recovery into HMA. Lower amounts BL yielded results outside the normative limits. WFS can be recovered and applied as a raw material in HMA.

Fatty acid, fatty alcohol and acrylate derivatives as friction depressive additives for ultra-low sulphur diesel

Herein we report the synthesis of some fatty acid, fatty alcohol and acrylate derivatives as friction depressive additives for ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD). The high frequency reciprocating rig (HFRR) was employed to measure the wear scar diameter (WSD) of the samples. The lubricating property of the newly synthesized samples [2a, (4a-c) and (5a-c)] was studied by dosing them to ULSD at 200 ppm (wt/vol) concentrations. Amongst them, ester derived from OLA/Polyol (4c) showed the best lubrication enhancing property (WSD 328 µm) at 200 ppm(wt/vol) dosage level. Interestingly, it maintains lubricity characteristics even at a lower blending concentration of 100 ppm with a WSD value (446 µm) lower than the than the accepted value (460 µm). Notably, additives containing polar functional groups and long non-polar carbon backbone exhibited significant lubricity properties with low WSD values. Moreover, it possesses long term antiwear stability when blended with the diesel fuel and do not alter or negatively influence the physical and chemical parameters of the diesel. The FESEM and EDS analysis revealed the formation of thin defensive layer of the additive between the moving metal surfaces supporting the friction reducing properties of the additives.

Efficacy of a commercial mixed botanical formula in treatment and control of coccidiosis in poultry

Coccidiosis, a protozoal disease caused by a species of the Eimeria genus, causes tremendous economic damage to the poultry industry. Numerous natural remedies have been developed to combat emerging drug-resistant Eimeria species and mitigate public concerns about anticoccidial drug residues in poultry products. In the current study, the anticoccidial efficacy was evaluated of a commercial mixed botanical product, administered in two concentrations, in the treatment and control of a mixed coccidian infection. In this respect, 120 newly hatched broiler chickens were randomly allocated into five equal groups: Cox500, Cox1000, Positive control (PC), Negative control (NC), and Control (C). The first three groups were exposed to oocysts of several Eimeria species, Cox500 and Cox1000, and then received the two concentrations of a botanical blend (500 and 1,000 ml of formula per 1,000 L of drinking water, respectively) for five consecutive days. The positive control also received toltrazuril (7 mg/kg of live weight) through drinking water for two consecutive days. The negative control and control were the challenged-unmedicated and unchallenged-unmedicated groups, respectively. The chicks were monitored for clinical signs, intestinal lesions, performance indices, and oocyst shedding. The results indicated that the tested botanical formula in both concentrations improved the growth performance of the birds. However, the higher concentration prompted lower oocyst shedding and, likewise, toltrazuril in the positive control, healed cecal lesions more rapidly. In summary, the blended botanical formula, particularly in the higher concentration (1,000 ml per 1,000 L of drinking water), could successfully be incorporated into therapeutic strategies against coccidiosis in broiler flocks.

Effects of ethyl proxitol (1-ethoxy-2-propanol) additive on combustion and emission characteristics of biodiesel blends

The cold filter plugging point (CFPP) value of biodiesel fuel blends need to be improved because of it has been reported that utilizing high concentrations of biodiesel blends in cold climates can cause major issues. Therefore, the main objective of the study is to improve CFPP value of biodiesel blends using ethyl proxitol additive. It is also to examine combustion and emission of the blends behavior. Biodiesel blends were prepared as; 5% ethyl proxitol-10% biodiesel-85% ultra-low sulfur diesel (ULSD) named as E5B10 and 5% ethyl proxitol-20% biodiesel-75% ULSD named as E5B20 fuel. These fuel blends were compared with ULSD fuel in a compression ignition engine at a constant engine speed of 1500 rev/min and four different loads (idle, 1, 2, and 3 bar BMEP) of eddy current dynamometer. The addition of ethyl proxitol led to a decrease in in-cylinder pressure and temperature due to an about 1˚ later SOC and 2˚ earlier EOC compared to ULSD. The pressure rise rate was slightly higher compared to ULSD at both low and high loads, with a difference of about 1 bar per degree. As a result, these blends with improved CFPP value can be used in cold climates.