Borax-boric Acid Research Articles

Construction of Ag/AgCl@MIL-53(Fe): Achieving Efficient Photocatalytic Water Oxidation via the Plasma-Phase Silver and Heterojunction Synergistic Effect

The development of highly efficient water oxidation catalysts is a bottleneck in achieving artificial photosynthesis, as water oxidation is a complex process involving multiple electron and proton transfers. To further improve the photocatalytic water oxidation performance of MIL-53(Fe), a series of Ag/AgCl@MIL-53(Fe) samples with different Fe:Ag ratios were synthesized by hydrothermal methods and used in the photocatalytic water oxidation reactions. XRD characterization showed the successful preparation of Ag/AgCl@MIL-53(Fe) heterostructure catalysts. The reaction results showed that sample AAM-2 (Fe:Ag=5:1) had the best photocatalytic water oxidation performance, with the highest TOF value of 0.14 mmol/(g·s) and quantum efficiency of 39.0 % under the conditions of catalyst mass of 1 mg and pH=9.0 for boric acid-borax buffer solution. Measurements of photocurrent indicated that the AAM-2 samples doped with Ag/AgCl had higher photocurrent densities, thus improving the photocatalytic performance. This provides new insights for constructing highly efficient porous MOFs catalysts.

Effectiveness of Selected Preservatives in Protecting Bamboo Against Termite Attack

Bamboo is highly susceptible to insect attacks. To promote its use as an alternative to wood, it is crucial to assess its preservation methods to increase its service life. This study investigated the effectiveness of preservatives in protecting bamboo against termite attack. Three bamboo species were extracted, air-dried, and pressure-treated with different concentrations of crude-lake salt, borax-boric acid, and tanalith. Preserved and unpreserved samples for each treatment were weighed and exposed to Macrotermes bellicosus termites in Kasagala Central Forest Reserve. After 21 days, durability classes and mass loss were determined following European standards. The results showed that termite resistance depends on the type of preservative. All the untreated and crude lake salt-treated bamboo samples were attacked and classified into the not-durable class. Samples treated with Tanalith were classified under the durable class. Borax-boric acid provided moderate resistance to bamboo samples and belonged to the moderately durable class. Crude lake salt did not provide sufficient protection against termites. The difference in species did not influence termite resistance. Untreated B. vulgaris had the highest mass loss and O. alpina the lowest. The findings from the study will contribute to improved utilisation of bamboo by proper preservation

Fungal degradation of bamboo treated with crude lake salt and a mixture of borax and boric acid

This study compared the effectiveness of crude lake salt, a traditional preservative used by artisans in Uganda, and borax-boric acid, a conventional preservative, against fungal degradation. Using the European standard, an experiment was set up to determine the durability of Oxytenanthera abyssinica, Oldeania alpina and Bambusa vulgaris treated with 2 % and 6 % crude lake salt and borax-boric acid against Gloeophyllum trabeum, Coniophora puteana and Trametes versicolor. Mass loss comparisons between treated and untreated bamboo samples were made. Durability classes were assigned according to the amount of mass lost. Bamboo samples exposed to G. trabeum had lower surface hyphal coverage compared to those exposed to C. puteana and T. versicolor irrespective of the preservative used. Samples treated with borax-boric acid were in durability class I compared to those treated with crude lake salt that were between class II and III according to European standard. The lowest mass loss for bamboo treated with crude lake salt was 5.9 % in O. abyssinica exposed to G. trabeum. The highest mass loss for bamboo treated with crude lake salt was 14.24 % in B. vulgaris exposed to T. Versicolor. The study confirmed that while artisans use crude lake salt as a traditional preservative, it does not protect against white and brown rot while all concentrations of borax-boric acid provided protection against all fungi.

Effect of Borax-Boric Acid Treatment on Fire Resistance, Thermal Stability, Acoustic, and Mechanical Properties of Mycelium Bio Composites

Mycelium biocomposite materials have been established as a sustainable alternative to polystyrene in single use applications like packaging. However only little investigations are done on improving their resistance to fire and heat, which can find use in newer applications. This paper focuses on the development and characterization of a mycelium-based sawdust-coir pith biocomposite material treated with a combination of fire-retardant compounds (borax and boric acid). The outcomes of fire resistance tests, such as flammability, flame penetration and rate of burning demonstrated a significant improvement in values with respect to untreated samples. However, samples having 30% boron compounds by weight in it exhibited the best fire resistance properties. The thermal analysis of treated samples indicated that the presence of fire-retardant chemicals has not significantly affected their thermal stability. The glass transition temperature (Tg) of treated mycelium composite material was found to be 212.75 °C against a value of 207.78 °C for untreated samples. The fire retardant treated mycelium composite samples having 30% boron by weight in it, exhibited an average sound absorption coefficient of 0.38 compared with a sound absorption coefficient of 0.29 for polyurethane foam. The prepared mycelium biocomposite has a self-extinguishing nature and exceptional fire resistance capabilities with an LOI value of 50%. The mechanical testing revealed that the presence of fire-retardant chemicals has significantly improved the flexural properties. However, only a marginal increase was visible in the compression strength of mycelium biocomposites.

Biosynthesis, Characterization, and Bioactivity of L-Alanyl-L-tyrosine in Promoting Melanin Synthesis.

L-Alanyl-L-tyrosine (L-Ala-Tyr) is a dipeptide formed by the condensation of L-alanine methyl ester and L-tyrosine. After entering the body, it can be rapidly broken down to release tyrosine. In this study, L-Ala-Tyr was successfully prepared by using α-ester acyltransferase as biocatalyst and alanine methyl ester (L-Ala-OMe) and tyrosine (L-Tyr) as acyl donor and nucleophile, respectively. The dipeptide yield was increased from 15 to 50% by optimizing the conditions: boric acid-borax (0.2 mol/L), 30°C, pH 9.5, 2:1 acyl donor to nucleophile ratio, DES (ChCl/urea), and 15%(v/v) water content. The catalytic product is then isolated and purified. The structure of the product was identified by high-performance liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, and carbon spectroscopy. Its biological activity was preliminarily determined by the B16-F10 mouse melanoma cell model. The results showed that the purity of L-Ala-Tyr prepared by the separation and purification method of this study was 96.8%, and the mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy showed that the structure of the peptide was consistent with the expected structure. In addition, the preliminary physiological activity identification results show that L-Ala-Tyr has no toxic effect on cells in the concentration range of 100-800 μmol·L-1, and at the optimal concentration, compared with the positive control 8-methoxypsoralen, it can promote the production of melanin.

Analysis of mechanical and anatomical properties of two bamboo species – Thyrostachys siamensis Gamble and Dendrocalamus strictus (Roxb.) Nees (Poaceae)

Bamboos are treated to boost their shelf life from the degrading activity of fungal microbes and other insects and to increase their longevity in use and durability by using various chemicals. The present study is vis-a-vis the standardization of two bamboo species Dendrocalamus strictus and Thyrostachys siamensis for a comparative analysis of the mechanical and anatomical properties of samples treated with CCB (Copper Chrome Boron), and BBA (Borax Boric Acid) as well as untreated samples.Samples were tested for both bending and compression; and the parameters such as MOE (Modulus of Elasticity), MOI (Moment of Inertia), Maximum compressive strength, and ultimate strength were analyzed. The anatomical variations arising in the top and bottom sections were also investigated and it has found that the mechanical properties of the species treated with CCB solutions yield a better result in maximum compressive strength and high value of MOI as compared to BBA whereas the samples treated with BBA provides superior performance with respect to MOE. Anatomical examination revealed that the cellular structure and arrangement of vascular bundles are responsible for the increase in time taken for the rate of penetration of chemicals in D.strictus i.e one-half hour as compared to T.siamensis which got treated in 20 minutes. In D.strictus the density of vascular bundles is high so it takes time to get it treated completely as compared to T. siamensis.

DIMENSIONAL STABILITY AND DURABILITY OF HYBRID SANDWICH PANEL MADE FROM OIL PALM LUMBER, SENGON AND GMELINA WITH BORON-ALUM IMPREGNATION

In this study, sandwich panels made from oil palm lumber, sengon, and gmelina wood were impregnated with a boron-alum solution to improve their water andtermite resistance. Waterresistance testing was evaluated using a thickness swelling test following the method in SNI03-2105. The sandwich panelwasalso tested for its durability against dry wood termites,according to SNI 01-7207. Theweight loss, mortality,and attack degree were used as theparametersfor evaluating termite durability. The results showedthat the treatment with aboron-alum solution can increase the stability, water resistance, and weight loss properties up to 73%, 41%, and 100%, respectively. The best properties of the sandwich panel were obtained by the sengon-isocyanate panel with 8% boric acid-borax and 5% alum treatment which has thickness swelling of 2.37%, water absorptionof 49.04%, weight loss of 0.0124%, termite mortality of100%,and attack degree of 0.

Effect of borax-boric acid and ammonium polyphosphate on flame retardancy of natural fiber polyethylene composites

Wood fiber filled high density polyethylene composites (WPCs) were prepared using twin screw extruder and maleated polyethylene as a coupling agent. Bamboo fibers were initially treated with alkali (NaOH), boric acid - borax (Ba-Bx) and borax (Bx). The treated and untreated fibers were used in combination with ammonium polyphosphate (APP) to investigate their synergistic effects on thermal stability, flame retardancy and mechanical properties. Alkali pretreatment (5 % NaOH) of fibers showed significant improvement in performance of APP by increasing thermal stability in WPCs. The derivative thermogravimetric (DTG) results indicate significance of Ba-Bx in promoting char induction at lower temperatures (340 ºC) and thereby, improved the thermal stability in WPCs. Flammability decreased with addition of flame retardant additives. As compared to pure WPCs, composites containing APP 10 % / Ba-Bx 5 % exhibited maximum reduction in average heat release rate (HRR) by 69 %, peak heat release rate (PHRR) by 59 %, total heat released rate (THR) by 48 % and also increased time to ignition (TTI) by 62 %. However, no significant difference was found among the combinations i.e., APP with or without compounds towards reducing the flammability of WPCs. The strength properties also reduced significantly when boron compounds were added along with APP. In general, APP alone (15 %) is enough for imparting thermal stability and flame retardancy in WPCs.

Posttreatment Effects of Castor Bean Oil and Heating in Treated Jabon Wood on Boron Leaching, Dimensional Stability, and Decay Fungi Inhibition

Red jabon wood is a potential fast-growing species for veneer, furniture, and many other wood products, but its durability is very low. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of castor bean oil and heating on boron leaching, dimensional stability, and resistance to decay fungi in treated jabon wood. Red jabon wood was preserved with boron solutions containing 5% boron (boric acid, borax, or borax-boric acid). Following that, castor bean oil impregnation and heating were used as posttreatments. Furthermore, all the wood samples were tested in terms of leaching, dimensional stability, and resistance against Schizophyllum commune and Fomitopsis palustris fungi. This study discovered that boron compounds, castor bean oil, and heating treatments influenced the leaching, dimensional stability, and resistance of red jabon wood to decay fungi. The double impregnation of boric acid or borax and castor bean oil, followed by heating at 160℃, significantly reduced water absorption and leaching while increasing the dimensional stability and resistance of red jabon wood against the two tested decay fungi.

Effect of accelerated weathering test on selected properties of bamboo, Scots pine and Oriental beech wood treated with waterborne preservatives

This paper investigates the changes in density, compression strength parallel to grain, static modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity of untreated (control) and waterborne-treated bamboo (Phyllostachys bambusoides), Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris) and Oriental beech (Fagus orientalis) specimens subjected to accelerated weathering using an accelerated weathering chamber for 672 hours. Wolmanit-CB (CCB), tanalith-E (Tan-E), amine copper quat-1900 (ACQ) and boric acid-borax (BB) were used as waterborne preservatives. The retention value of bamboo specimens was lower than that of wood specimens due to the difference in anatomical structure of bamboo. The value of density, compression strength parallel to grain, static modulus of rupture and modulus of elasticity of treated bamboo and wood were generally higher than those of untreated specimens after accelerated weathering. ACQ treatment generally provided the best protection against weathering in all mechanical tests for both bamboo and wood specimens, while CCB treatment provided an effective protection against weathering in compression strength for Oriental beech. BB treatment provided the least protection against weathering for bamboo and wood specimens compared to other waterborne preservatives.

Effect of microwave pre-treatment on preservative retention and treatability of Melia composita wood

The species Melia composita has come to prominence only during the last decade and has been found suitable for several applications and end uses. However, being non-durable and difficult to treat some pre-treatment is required to improve preservative uptake. Hence the effect of microwave (MW) pre-treatment was studied on the samples of Melia composita wood in order to ameliorate its retention, depth of penetration and treatability class to ensure its sustainable use for a longer duration. The samples were exposed to MW radiation of different intensities and treated with 6% solutions of CCA, ZiBOC, CCB and Borax boric acid (BBA) preservatives by a dip diffusion method for 24 hours. Results showed a significant improvement in preservative uptake after dipping for 24 hours, in comparison with the controls. The highest retention was found in the samples treated with ZiBOC preservative after their MW exposure to 840 MJ·m–3. Wood anatomical analysis after MW modification was also performed in order to assess the changes taking place within the wood microstructure. The cross-sectional analyses of the controls and the treated specimens were briefed accordingly. Results of the anatomical study exhibited a significant improvement in the effective vessel diameters of the microwave irradiated specimens due to the clearance of the occlusions blocking the vessels with respect to the control samples, which aids in increasing wood permeability and results in higher retention and penetration.

Peptide nucleic acid and amino acid modified peptide nucleic acid analysis by capillary zone electrophoresis.

A rapid, high resolution, and low sample consumption CZE method is developed for peptide nucleic acid (PNA) analysis for the first time. 30% v/v acetonitrile in PNA sample and 20% v/v acetonitrile in 50 mM borax-boric acid (pH8.7) as BGE were employed after optimization. The calibration curves were linear for PNA concentration ranging from 1 to 50μmol/L. LOD and LOQ of PNA were 0.2 and 1.0 μmol/L, respectively. Since the commercially available reagent gives rise to huge PNA peak and an apparent impurity peak, the purity of PNA was evaluated to be about 81.4% by CZE method, obviously lower than the supplier's purity value of 99.9% evaluated by RP-HPLC, and also lower than 94.8% determined with RP-HPLC by our research group. The CZE method takes only 5 min, needs only 90 nL PNA, much less than 20 min and 20 μL PNA in RP-HPLC method. Moreover, the CZE method is applicable for the analysis of glutamic acid modified and lysine modified PNAs, they show different migration time with their corresponding complementary PNAs. Our results show CZE provides a new choice for PNA and modified PNA analysis, also their purity or quality evaluation.

Treatment of coconut palm wood using inorganic preservatives

Freshly felled coconut wood is very much susceptible to wood boring insects, moulds and stain fungi as it has high levels of sugar, starch and moisture content throughout the trunk. The objective of this study was to develop appropriate preservative methods to protect sawn coconut palm wood from insects and other pathogens under the prevailing eco-climatic conditions in Kerala and to evaluate the effect of different preservative factors on the treatability of coconut wood. Wood samples were treated with inorganic chemicals like Copper Chrome Boron - CCB and Borax Boric Acid – BBA by diffusion and pressure treatment, of which pressure treatment performed better. Diffusion treatment of inorganic preservatives in high and medium density wood showed no significant difference in retention whereas significant difference was observed for penetration percentage. For pressure treatment, retention and penetration were significant in high density wood whereas medium density wood showed only significant retention. Solution concentrations and overall retention and penetration percentage were found to be significantly related. The study found that sawn coconut wood samples could be effectively treated with preservatives complying with the prescribed retention and penetration percentages as per the different standards and therefore, could be used as a potential substitute for conventional timbers and the insect damage was negligible. No incidence of insects, particularly termites and pin hole borers was observed during the graveyard studies.

Determination of aminobutanol by high performance liquid chromatography based on charge transfer reaction

A method was developed for the determination of the content of aminobutanol by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) based on charge transfer reaction. Under the condition of a borax-boric acid buffer solution of pH 8.4, aminobutanol and tetra-chloro-benzoquinone reacted at 60℃ for 60 min, and were analyzed by an HPLC-ultraviolet detector. The charge-transfer complex was separated on an Agilent Extend C18 column (250 mm×4.6 mm, 5 μm) with 0.001% (v/v) triethylamine and methanol as the mobile phases for gradient elution at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. The limit of quantification of aminobutanol was 0.01 g/L, the linear range was 0.1-0.6 g/L, and the correlation coefficient (R2) was 0.9994. The spiked recoveries of the method were 98.3%-103.6% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 0.9%-1.6%. The method is simple and quick, and suitable for the rapid detection of aminobutanol.

Long-Term Leaching Effect on Decay Resistance of Wood-Plastic Composites Treated with Boron Compounds

In this study, water absorption, thickness swelling and decay resistance of thermoplastic composites treated with three types of boron compounds was investigated. Spruce wood flour was treated with boric acid (BA), borax (BX) and mixture of BA–BX, and then was reinforced at two loading rate (20 and 40 wt%) in polymer matrix. Decay test of the composites was performed using with a brown rot fungus Coniophora puteana and a white rot fungus Trametes versicolor both for leached and unleached samples. The morphologic evaluations of decayed samples were done by scanning electron microscopy. Composites containing higher wood flour loading resulted in increased water absorption, thickness swelling, weight loss and moisture content. Fungal decay susceptibility of WPCs was influenced by leaching test for 60 days. Boron compound treated composites showed higher weight loss and moisture content than controls in decay test. All tested performance parameters were considerably increased in BX containing composites.

Acoustical properties of petung bamboo for the top plate of guitars

Abstract In this paper, the use of petung bamboo (Dendrocalamus asper) as an alternative material for the top plate of acoustic guitars was evaluated. In the first research stage, the analysis was carried out on petung bamboo splits, which were treated with three different preservation conditions, namely unpreserved, preserved by boiling in water and preserved by boiling in a solution of 5% borax and boric acid. The vibration damping ratios and the sound radiation coefficients of these three types of splits were measured. It was found that their vibration damping ratios were not significantly different, whereas the sound radiation coefficient of the petung bamboo splits preserved in borax and boric acid was 40–60% higher than the other two variants. Based on this result, in the second research stage, three acoustic guitars with top plates from the borax–boric acid preserved petung bamboo, spruce, and pine were constructed. The top plate frequency response function of the three guitars was evaluated. Here, the spruce guitar was used as a reference for the generally preferred guitar sound characteristics, whereas the pine guitar was included as a sample of guitar made from local Indonesian wood. The results showed that the frequency response function of the petung bamboo guitar were generally five times lower than that of the spruce guitar, but two times higher than that of the pine guitar. The response amplitudes of the bamboo guitar were significantly higher than those of the spruce and pine guitars for frequencies between 200 and 400 Hz. Based on the results, it is concluded that petung bamboo has the potential to be applied as an alternative material for guitar top plates. However, since the bamboo guitars exhibits different resonances, the produced sound will have distinctive characteristics compared to the sound from guitars with spruce top plates.

Bamboo Composite panel as furniture component using bamboo mat and planer shavings

Bamboo in panel form is well suited to wood substitute can be used as furniture components. During the preparation of strips by four side planer huge amount of wastage are obtained. In the present study, Planer shavings of Bhyjja, (Bambusa vulgaris) and Borak, (Bambusa balcooa) bamboo are used for manufacturing particleboard and mat overlaid particleboard. Mitinga, (Bambusa tulda) bamboo is used for making mat. Borax-boric acid (BB) treatments were given to enhance the durability of mat. The treatment were carried out using borax-boric acid (1:1) aqueous solution of different concentrations at different time schedule by soaking process.. Retention 22.11 kg/m3 to 27.41 kg/m3 were obtained when the mat were treated with 5% and 7% BB solution for 1 to 3 days. The modulus of rupture of bamboo particle board and mat overlaid particleboard were found 16 N/ mm2 and 25 N/ mm2respectively using planer shavings of Bambusa balcooa. The modulus of rupture of bamboo particle board and mat overlaid particleboard were found 18 N/ mm2 and 26.5 N/ mm2 respectively using planer shavings of Bambusa vulgaris. It was observed that the strength properties of board made form B. vulgaris higher than that of B. balcooa . Static bending /modulus of rupture of the particleboard are satisfactory. Modulus of rupture and tensile strengths of all the boards, however, satisfy the Indian and British standards. The strength properties of the mat overlaid particle board were increased due to the use of bamboo mat in the face and back position.

Studies of mechanical properties of treated bamboo

Steeping method was used for treating bamboo by using Boric acid Borax, Copper Chrome Boron and Cashew Nut Shell Liquid.Treatment was carried out for 14 day. After treatment, quality evaluation of bamboo was done by cutting bamboo in sample size of 61 cm (2') and exposing them to environmental condition. Mechanical properties of 61 cm (2') bamboo (30.5 cm (1') buried in soil and 30.5 cm (1') above soil were determined by using universal testing machine .After preservation time of 14 days it was observed, out of 20 lit of sample, 10 lit Boric Acid Borax liquid, 5 lit of Copper Chrome Boron liquid was absorbed by bamboo and cashew nut shell liquid was not absorbed by bamboo specimens. It was observed that for the tensile strength for bamboo treated with Boric Acid Borax, Copper Chrome Boron and Cashew Nut Shell Liquid was 38.20 N/mm 2 , 30.69 N/mm 2 and 8.03 N/mm 2 for under soil and 48.09 N/mm 2 , 39.09 N/mm 2 and 9.35 for over soil sample and compressive strength was 5.04 N/mm 2 , 4.02 N/mm 2 and 0.39 N/mm 2 for under soil sample and 5.17 N/mm 2 , 4.87 N/ mm 2 and 0.58 N/mm 2 for over soil sample.

Determination of Trace Iron in Chinese Herbal Medicine Using CdS Quantum Dots as Fluorescence Probes

A simple A green protocol for synthesis of high quality, water-soluble and biocompatible CdS QDs have been developed in aqueous solution with amylum as stabilizing agent. The QDs were characterized by AMF and spectral methods. A fluorescence quenching method was developed for determination of iron (ΙΙΙ) with water soluble CdS quantum dots (QDs) as fluorescence probe. In pH 8.5 boric acid–borax buffer solution, the QDs show a high selective to ferric ion. The common cations, such as Ca2+, Mg2+, Zn2+, Fe2+ et al, have no effect on interference but copper ion. The fluorescence intensity of the QDs decreased linearly with the iron (QDs ) concentration in the range of 200 μM to 60 nM with a detection limit of 20 nM. It has been applied to determinate of iron in Angelica, Astragalus, Shouwu, ligusticum wallichii and radix rehmanniae recen.

Dimensional stability performance of fire retardant treated veneer-oriented strandboard composites

This study investigated dimensional stability properties of oriented strandboard (OSB) panels faced with fire retardant treated (FRT) veneers. The beech (Fagus orientalis Lipsky) veneers were treated with monoammonium phosphate (MAP), diammonium phosphate (DAP), lime water (LW), and a borax/boric acid (BX/BA) (1:1) mixture. Dimensional stability tests were performed according to ASTM D-1037. The results revealed that facing veneers impregnated with fire-retardant chemicals had significant effects on the linear expansion (LE) properties. The lowest LE value was obtained from the panels faced with MAP treated veneers, while the highest LE value was found in the panels faced with BX/BA treated veneers. The FRT treated veneer facing technique also affected the thickness swelling (TS) properties of the OSB panels. The panels faced with LW treated veneers had the highest TS, whereas the panels faced with MAP treated veneers had the lowest TS values.