Carbon Hydrogen Nitrogen Sulfur Research Articles

Sustainable bio-oil from banana peel waste biomass: Optimization study and effect of thermal drying

<p>Banana waste has a high level of volatile matter, making it a promising feedstock for pyrolysis in bio-oil generation. Thus, an oven drying method optimization study was conducted to find the drying process of Saba banana peel on flap opening and fan speed. Based on the ANOVA results, it was found that the drying process using 60% fan speed and 40% flap opening for 6 hours of drying time could remove 84.07% of the moisture content from the banana peel. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) was employed to characterize dried banana peels. The TGA study showed that the volatile matter concentration of the dried banana peels was 76.47% when using the ASTM drying method and 70.95% when using the improvement parameter optimization for the drying process. The bio-oil's high heating value (HHV) at 300 °C was 38.88 MJ/kg. The yields of bio-oil, biochar, and syngas obtained from the pyrolysis process were 16.6%, 36.45%, and 46.96%, respectively. The carbon hydrogen nitrogen sulfur (CHNS) ultimate analysis study showed a bio-oil elemental composition of 65.59% carbon, 8.27% hydrogen, 2.94% nitrogen, 0.93% sulfur, and 22.27% oxygen. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy showed that functional groups including alcohol, alkane, phenol, and primary alcohol are present.</p>

Adsorption linked fungal degradation process for complete removal of Lanasyn olive dye using chemically valorized sugarcane bagasse

Textile dye effluents have been reported for many deleterious effects; therefore, it is essential to remove before releasing into waterbodies. A two-step agro-waste-based technology for the remediation of a textile dye Lanasyn olive was developed in this study. The first step involved the chemical modification of agro-waste sugarcane bagasse (SCB) with a natural acid (alginic acid). The modified SCB was used for the column bed preparation and adsorptive removal of the dye. In the second step, SCB used for dye removal was decolorized through a fungus Pleurotus sp. to produce a dye-free SCB with a potential for application as manure. To evaluate the efficacy of the column device, parameters like removal percentage, and adsorption capacity were determined. There was 90% removal of dye in aqueous dye solution and 83% removal in dye spiked textile industry effluent. To comprehend the column properties, three non-equilibrium models—Thomas, Yoon-Nelson, and Adams-Bohart—were used. Among the models applied, Adams-Bohart fitted well with the obtained data. Dye bioremediation efficiency by Pleurotus sp. was assessed by studying the deviation in absorption maxima, dye decolorization on the agar plate, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The fungus-treated SCB showed no signs of residual toxicity towards alga Chlorella vulgaris. The carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur (CHNS) profile examination of spent SCB revealed significantly improved nitrogen content after the treatment (from 0.35% to 0.69%). The prototype of the column, chemical valorization of SCB, and degradation of dye-adsorbed SCB through Pleurotus sp. provides a green solution for the safe disposal of textile dye through a novel agro waste-based treatment process.

Synthesis and Identification of some New N-Topylated Ligand Complexes with some Metalic Ions Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II)

In this contribution, modern metal ion complexes of the ions Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II) were gained through two steps. The first one involved a direct combination of tropylium tetrafluoroborate with some cyclic amino derivatives to produce N-tropylated ligands (M1-M5). The second one involved the reaction of these synthesized N-tropylated ligands (M1-M5) with the metal mentioned above ions in a molar ratio of 1:1 (except M4) was 1:2. The gained complexes were identified by physical measurements such as melting points and color and by chemical properties such as carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur (CHNS) analysis, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), 13C-NMR spectroscopy, and magnetic susceptibility.

Application of Novel Fruit Extract for Flow Assurance of Indian Field Waxy Crude Oil

Summary This research article deals with the application of shikakai fruit (Senegalia rugata) extract (SE) used as a novel bio-additive for improving flow properties of waxy crude oil (WCO) to reduce pumping cost during pipeline transportation. SE was synthesized using solvent extraction method, which is one of the most common economic extraction processes. Bio-additive was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectroscopy, carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur (CHNS) analysis, gas chromatography-mass gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS), differential light scattering, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Pour point of WCO was decreased by 12°C due to addition of 1,000 ppm of SE on crude oil. Viscosity of WCO reduced significantly after addition of a bio-additive. It was found that viscosity of SE beneficiated crude oil (1,000 ppm dosage) at 30°C is less than that of pure crude at 50°C. So, addition of SE may be an alternative of heating during flow of WCO. Microscopic studies confirm that wax and other solid particles become smaller and more dispersive so that the particles are not able to come closer and form a three-dimensional network. Consequently, flow becomes easier and pumping cost gets reduced. Experimental data related to viscosity better fitted with Casson model and Bingham model before addition of SE depict that significant yield stress is required to restart the flow of crude oil. Due to the addition of SE, yield stress was deceased significantly and crude oil beneficiated with bio-additive tends to behave like a Newtonian fluid. This article also investigates wax deposition through laboratory-designed wax depositional setup. The wax deposition of crude oil after addition of 1,000 ppm SE was comparatively 56 and 75% lower than untreated crude oil when deposition studies were performed for 2 and 4 hours, respectively, at 25°C. Wax crystals of SE-treated crude oil decreased in diameter and disoriented the particles, preventing the formation of three-dimensional networks so that crude oil can easily flow through pipelines. Considering the efficacy of extracted bio-additive and its cost effectiveness, the same can be applied for flow assurance of WCO through pipelines even at very low temperatures.

Selective electro-oxidation of dopamine on Co or Fe supported onto N-doped ketjenblack

Herein, we report the synthesis of Co and Fe supported onto N-doped ketjenblack (Co/KB-N and Fe/KB-N) electrocatalysts via a template-free synthesis method, using EDTA nitrogen precursor and oxidized carbon, and their examination for dopamine electrooxidation reaction. The as-fabricated electrocatalysts initially were physicochemically characterized using the transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur (CHNS), techniques. Afterwards, they were electrochemically evaluated using cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometric and potentiometric methods. Both electrocatalysts were examined in alkaline environment (pH=13). Co/KB-N was also tested at a pH value close to human's serum (pH=7.25), exhibiting much higher performance in terms of activity, sensitivity, stability and selectivity. The lower pH values favored the dopamine electrooxidation reaction, specifically increasing the Co/KB-N current response from ca. 7 to 50 μA and its sensitivity at high concentration range from 571.3 to 1185.7 μA mM−1 cm−2. This performance improvement could be attributed to the fact that the neutral environment favors the formation of the Co3+/Co4+ redox pair, which is not presented in the alkaline medium, and, in combination with the presence of N, is responsible for the high rate of electron transfer as well as the Co/KB-N high selectivity.

Effect of carbonization on the surface and influence on heavy metal removal by water hyacinth stem-based carbon

PurposeThe aim of this study is to examine the effect of carbonization on the surface and its influence on heavy metal removal by water hyacinth based carbon.Design/methodology/approachDried water hyacinth stem was used as precursor to prepare carbon based adsorbent by pyrolysis method. The adsorbent proximate (ash, volatile matter and fixed carbon) and elemental (carbon hydrogen nitrogen sulfur) composition, surface area, pore size distribution, surface chemistry was examined and compared.FindingsThe results demonstrated that through carbonization in comparison to dried water hyacinth stem, it increased the surface area (from 58.46 to 328.9 m2/g), pore volume (from 0.01 to 0.07 cc/g), pore size (from 1.44 to 7.557 Å) thus enhancing heavy metal adsorption. The metal adsorption capacity of Cd, Pb and Zn was measured and analyzed through induced coupled plasma-mass spectrometer. At metal concentration of 0.1 mg/l adsorption rate for Cd, Pb and Zn was 99% due to increased large surface area, coupled with large pore size and volume. Furthermore, the adsorbent surface hydroxyl group (OH−) enhanced adsorption of positively charged metal ions through electrostatic forces.Practical implicationsIt is presumed that not only adsorption with synthetic wastewater but real wastewater samples should be examined to ascertain the viability of adsorbent for commercial application.Originality/valueThere are little or scanty data on the effects of carbonization on water hyacinth stem based carbon and subsequent effects on heavy metal removal in effluents.

Regeneration and carboxymethylation of cellulose and its derivatives: application assessment for brewery wastewater treatment

Coagulation–flocculation technique is usually employed in wastewater treatment by applying conventional inorganic materials such as alum and ferric chloride. Due cost to environmental challenges associated with the use of inorganic flocculants, biopolymers are gaining ground as alternative water treatment materials. In the present study, native cellulose and hemicelluloses isolated from sugarcane bagasse were used in the removal of turbidity and biological oxygen demand from industrial wastewater. Isolated native cellulose was modified to form regenerated cellulose (RC). Also, native cellulose, hemicellulose and RC were carboxymethylated using Na-chloroacetate. Thereafter, the functional groups on the carboxymethylated biopolymers were examined using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and the carbon–hydrogen–nitrogen–sulfur–oxygen elemental analysis. The degree of substitution (DS) for regenerated and carboxymethylated cellulosic materials was measured using recommended standard methods. Carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) with 1.3 DS reduced turbidity and biological oxygen demand by 62.2 and 64%, respectively. Carboxymethyl regenerated cellulose (CMC-II) at 1.1 DS reduced turbidity and by 55.6 and 60%, respectively. Carboxymethyl hemicellulose (CMH) with 1.4 DS was capable of reducing turbidity and biological oxygen demand by 45.7 and 47%, respectively. Carboxymethyl cellulose and hemicellulose have rarely been used in the treatment of brewery wastewater. In the present study, these two novel materials showed a good prospect in removing biological oxygen demand and turbidity.

Milder operating parameters for one‐step conversion of fructose to levulinic acid over sulfonated H‐β zeolite in aqueous media

AbstractThe sulfonated H‐β zeolite was successfully prepared and used for the synthesis of levulinic acid (LA) from D‐fructose. The catalyst was characterized by powder X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, N2 physisorption, NH3‐temperature programmed desorption and carbon–hydrogen–nitrogen–sulfur analysis. The total acid amount is increased with increase in sulfur loading, confirmed that the sulfonic acid group (SO3‐H) is successfully grafted onto zeolite structure. The various parameters such as different amount of sulfur loading, reaction temperature, time, catalyst loading was studied for selective production of LA. The catalytic activity of sulfonated H‐β (S‐β) zeolite was found to be efficient for synthesis of LA from D‐fructose in aqueous media. Maximum LA yield of 43.5 mol%, low HMF yield (<1%) with 98.15% fructose conversion was obtained with 3% S‐β catalyst at 160°C for 7 hr. The catalyst was reusable for minimum three times by H2O2 regeneration. This study provides the new zeolitic catalyst for the efficient production of LA at shorter reaction time (7 hr) and low catalyst to substrate ratio (0.7:1).

Synthesis, Characterization and Spectroscopic Study of New Metal Complexes form Heterocyclic Compounds for Photostability Study

In present project, new Schiff base of 4, 4'- (((1E, 1'E)-1,4-.phenylenebis- (methane-ylylidene))-bis-(azane-ylylidene)) bis-(5-(4-chlorophenyl) -4H -1,2,4-triazole-3-thione) (L3) has been synthesized by condensation of 4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-2,4-dihydro-3H-1,2,4-triazole-3-thione with benzene-1,4-dicarboxaldehyde. The new asymmetrical Schiff base (L3) used as a ligand to synthesize a new complex with Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II), Pd(II), and Pt(IV) metal ions by 1:2 (Metal: ligand) ratio. New ligand and their complexes have been exanimated and Confirmed by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), Ultraviolet-visible (UV-visible), Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1HNMR), carbon13 nuclear magnetic resonance (13CNMR), carbon-hydrogen nitrogen sulfur (C-H-N-S), thermal analysis (TG), atomic-absorption-flame (AAF), cond-uctivity and Magnetic susceptibility. Examining new compounds through a calculation of photodegradation polystyrene films, assessed photo-stability activities. Results indicate Pt2L3 > Pd2L3 > Cu2L3 > Ni2L3 > Co2L3 > L3 > PS. Polymer stability is given for this the analysis of the reduction of weight, molecular average, reveals a more stable polystyrene PS.

Characterization and Elemental Quantification of Natural Hydroxyapatite Produced from Cow Bone

AbstractThe demand for hydroxyapatite (HA) is increasing annually due to the growing number of orthopedic patients, but it is a challenge to meet this growing demand without interfering with the integrity of the environment. Here, natural HA was produced from cow bone through ultrasound treatment followed by a calcination process at various temperatures. Characterization of the produced HA was performed by techniques such as thermogravimetric analysis, field emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction analysis. The elemental composition of the HA was quantified through X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, X‐ray fluorescence, as well as carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, sulfur (CHNS) analysis. The results demonstrate that pure HA was produced after calcination at 950 °C, corresponding to pure HA phase.

Copper nanoparticles immobilized on a hybrid chitosan derivative-graphite substrate as a novel electrocatalyst for the oxygen reduction reaction

In this study, abundant and cheap graphite support (G) was modified with chitosan (Chit) and amine groups to obtain N-Chit-G and subsequently decorated with copper nanoparticles (CuNPs). The nanocomposites thus obtained were characterized at different stages of the synthesis using various techniques such as transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, carbon-hydrogen nitrogen sulfur analyzer, cyclic voltammetry, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. Results showed that CuNPs had been uniformly and finely decorated on the N-Chit-G support, in which copper was in the predominant form of Cu(Ⅰ). The Randles–Sevcik equation revealed the high active surface area of Cu@N-Chit-G compared to the remaining composites obtained. Oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) at Cu@N-Chit-G was evaluated by linear sweep voltammetry using a rotating disk electrode in a KOH solution (0.1 mol L−1) saturated with O2 and O2 plus MeOH (1.0 mol L−1) to find the good electrocatalytic capability of Cu@N-Chit-G for ORR with a small onset potential of 0.74 V (vs. RHE). A KOH solution, saturated with MeOH (1.0 mol L−1), revealed good 10000 s durability of Cu@N-Chit-G electrocatalyst with a slow drop in the current (91%). Finally, ORR kinetic investigations were conducted using the Koutecky–Levich (K-L) plot to find the ORR progress through a 4e– pathway.

Comparative evaluation for catalytic gasification of petroleum coke and asphaltene in subcritical and supercritical water

Abstract Subcritical and supercritical water gasification of petroleum coke and asphaltene was performed at variable temperatures (350–650 °C), feed concentrations (15–30 wt%) and reaction times (15–60 min). Nickel-impregnated activated carbon (Ni/AC) was synthesized as a catalyst for enhancing syngas yields at optimal gasification conditions (650 °C, 15 wt% and 60 min). Structural chemistry of precursors and chars developed at different gasification temperatures was studied using physicochemical and synchrotron-based approaches such as carbon–hydrogen–nitrogen–sulfur (CHNS) analysis, thermogravimetric and differential thermogravimetric analysis (TGA/DTA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD) and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS). Asphaltene testified to be a better precursor for catalytic hydrothermal gasification leading to 11.97 mmol/g of total gas yield compared to petroleum coke (8.04 mmol/g). In particular, supercritical water gasification using 5 wt% Ni/AC at 650 °C with 15 wt% feed concentration for 60 min resulted in 4.17 and 2.98 mmol/g of H2 from asphaltene and petroleum coke, respectively. Under the same conditions, the respective CH4 yields from catalytic gasification of asphaltene and petroleum coke were 2.54 and 1.07 mmol/g. Nonetheless, asphaltene also seemed to an attractive feedstock for the production of highly aromatic chars through hydrothermal gasification.

Selective adsorption of water from aqueous butanol solution using canola-meal-based biosorbents

In the present paper, the capabilities of canola meal (CM)-based biosorbents for the selective water removal from aqueous solution of butanol were investigated for purifying butanol. The raw canola meal (RCM) after protein extraction was pretreated using 5% (v/v) sulfuric acid to enhance the water adsorption characteristics of CM. This pretreated canola meal (PCM) was used as an adsorbent along with the RCM adsorbent for selective water removal. Biosorbents were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, carbon hydrogen nitrogen sulfur (CHNS), Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller surface area, and X-ray diffraction. The surface area and micropore volume were increased in PCM. In addition, crystallinity index and CHNS content in PCM were also increased. Both the adsorbents were able to selectively adsorb water from the aqueous solutions of butanol. PCM demonstrated a higher water uptake and a higher final butanol concentration than RCM. The adsorption diffusion model better fits the kinetic data of water adsorption by PCM in a butanol solution containing 95.3 wt% water. The adsorption isotherm was also investigated. The mean free energy per molecule of adsorbate () based on Dubinin–Radushkevich theory indicated that water adsorption is favorable and water or butanol adsorption was physical in nature.

Nanoengineered Thermoresponsive Magnetic Nanoparticles for Drug Controlled Release

AbstractMagnetic core–shell nanoparticles are one of the most interesting nanocarriers. Smart polymers can be attached to nanoparticles as a suitable shell. Cancer tissues, with higher temperature than normal one, are one of the best targets for these systems in which the polymeric shell shrinks and thus drugs are released. The aim of this research is to synthesize such a smart nanocarrier with a thermoresponsive shell. Magnetic nanoparticles are coated with poly(N‐isopropylacrylamide). Afterward, the as prepared nanoparticles are analyzed through different characterization methods (scanning electron microscope, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, carbon–hydrogen–nitrogen–sulfur elemental analysis, energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy) and their response to the temperature is investigated in different temperatures (37 and 40 °C). Results demonstrate that a biocompatible nanocarrier with the average size of about 35 nm and 83% entrapment efficiency for curcumin is successfully synthesized. The drug release process shows a controlled behavior over temperature. It has an increasing trend by increasing the temperature from 4 to 37 °C and then to 40 °C. Moreover, the cytotoxicity of drug loaded nanocarrier is obviously increased at 40 °C compared to 37 °C. It can be concluded that this new smart nanotheranostics agent can be successfully applied for cancer treatment.

Studies of Fe Metal Carburization by Carbon Monoxide Using XRD and TPR Techniques

This study was undertaken to investigate the effect of carburization of metallic Fe by (20%,v/v) carbon monoxide (CO). Carburization of Fe by carbon monoxide was examined by using temperature-programmed reduction (TPR), X-Ray powder diffractometry (XRD) and Carbon Hydrogen Nitrogen Sulfur (CHNS) technique. Based on a thermodynamic calculation, the free energy Gibb’s value to produce carbon is-8.08 kcal/mol which are favorable. However, production of iron carbide from the same reaction, the free energy Gibb’s value is +9.24 kcal/mol which is not feasible. From the XRD results, shows that after carburization of Fe, the peak appears only for Fe but there is a broad peak between 20 – 30°. The peak might be indicated as carbon in amorphous form. This finding is supported by the percent of carbon content in CHNS analysis which are increasing when the temperature is increased. This shows that after carburization the carbon content is increasing with increasing in temperature due to carbon deposited on metallic iron. In this research, three different temperatures were used which are 300°C, 500°C and 700°C.

Graft Copolymerization of Glycidyl Methacrylate and Ethylene Glycol Dimethacrylate on Alumina for the Removal of Nitrogen and Sulfur Compounds from Gas Oil

Functionalized polymers were synthesized and applied in removing nitrogen and sulfur compounds from gas oils. In this work, the polyglycidyl methacrylate-co-ethylene glycol dimethacrylate polymer incorporated with tetranitrofluorenone, PGMA-DAP-TENF, was synthesized with and without alumina support. Different techniques were used to characterize the synthesized polymers including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller method, dynamic light scattering, thermogravimetry/differenial thermal analyzer, carbon hydrogen nitrogen sulfur elemental analysis, and field emission scanning electron microscopy. The performance of the polymer with alumina, Al-PGMA-DAP-TENF, was compared to that without alumina using light gas oil. In addition, heavy gas oil feed was used to confirm the adsorption behavior of both polymers in a higher nitrogen and sulfur environment. The effect of adsorption time and temperature was tested using a 1:5, by weight, polymer to feed ratio. Results have shown that alumina particles enhanced the nitrogen removal efficiency of PGMA-DAP-TENF polymer while sulfur removal efficiency was not affected. The nitrogen removal efficiency of Al-PGMA-DAP-TENF polymer was more than twice that of PGMA-DAP-TENF polymer in LGO feed, and twice that in HGO feed. This was due to the higher surface area of Al-PGMA-DAP-TENF polymer, 202 m2/g, compared to that of PGMA-DAP-TENF polymer, 27 m2/g. In addition, Al-PGMA-DAP-TENF polymer removed more basic nitrogen compounds than PGMA-DAP-TENF polymer. This was attributed to the acidic nature of alumina particles that enhance the adsorption of basic nitrogen compounds present in gas oil feeds.

Valorization of horse manure through catalytic supercritical water gasification

The organic wastes such as lignocellulosic biomass, municipal solid waste, sewage sludge and livestock manure have attracted attention as alternative sources of energy. Cattle manure, a waste generated in surplus amounts from the feedlot, has always been a chief environmental concern. This study is focused on identifying the candidacy of horse manure as a next generation feedstock for biofuel production through supercritical water gasification. The horse manure was gasified in supercritical water to examine the effects of temperature (400–600°C), biomass-to-water ratio (1:5 and 1:10) and reaction time (15–45min) at a pressure range of 23–25MPa. The horse manure and resulting biochar were characterized through carbon-hydrogen-nitrogen-sulfur (CHNS), inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effects of alkali catalysts such as NaOH, Na2CO3 and K2CO3 at variable concentrations (1–2wt%) were investigated to maximize the hydrogen yields. Supercritical water gasification of horse manure with 2wt% Na2CO3 at 600°C and 1:10 biomass-to-water ratio for 45min revealed maximum hydrogen yields (5.31mmol/g), total gas yields (20.8mmol/g) with greater carbon conversion efficiency (43.1%) and enhanced lower heating value of gas products (2920kJ/Nm3). The manure-derived biochars generated at temperatures higher than 500°C also demonstrated higher thermal stability (weight loss <34%) and larger carbon content (>70wt%) suggesting their application in enhancing soil fertility and carbon sequestration. The results propose that supercritical water gasification could be a proficient remediation technology for horse manure to generate hydrogen-rich gas products.

Production characterization and working characteristics in DICI engine of Pongamia biodiesel

Renewable energy plays a predominant role in solving the current energy requirement problems and biodiesel is a promising alternative fuel to tide over the energy crisis and conserve fossil fuels. The present work investigates an eco-friendly substitute for the replacement of fossil fuels and the experiments are designed to determine the effects of a catalyst in the biodiesel production processes. Pongamia pinnata oil was utilized to produce the biodiesel by using catalysts namely KOH and NaOH and the properties of the fuel were found by using Carbon Hydrogen Nitrogen Sulfur (CHNS) elemental analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, Gas Chromatography & Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS), and Proton Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR) Spectroscopy and the thermophysical properties were compared with those of neat diesel. In continuation, the working characteristics of the biodiesel and biodiesel–water emulsions were accomplished in a four stroke compression ignition engine and the results were compared to those of neat diesel. It was found that the exhaust emission characteristics like brake specific carbon monoxide (BSCO), brake specific hydrocarbons (BSHC) and smoke opacity were better for neat biodiesel (except brake specific nitric oxide BSNO) than those of neat diesel.

Hydrogen production via supercritical water gasification of bagasse using Ni–Cu/γ-Al2O3 nano-catalysts

Biomass gasification in supercritical water media is a promising method for the production of hydrogen. In this research, Cu-promoted Ni/γ-Al2O3 nano-catalysts were prepared with 2.5– 30 wt% Ni and 0.6– 7.5 wt% Cu loadings via the microemulsion method. Nano-catalysts were characterized by inductively coupled plasma (ICP), Brunauer Emmett Teller (BET) technique, X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), H2 chemisorption and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) technique, as well as Carbon-Hydrogen-Nitrogen-Sulfur (CHNS) analysis was carried out for elemental analysis of bagasse. Nano-catalysts were assessed in a batch micro-reactor under 400°C and 240 bar. The microemulsion method decreased the catalyst average particle size and increased the percentage dispersion and reduction of the catalysts. The total gas yield increased with an increase in Ni and Cu loadings up to 20 wt% Ni and 5 wt% Cu and then started to decrease. Using the microemulsion technique for the preparation of Ni–Cu/γ-Al2O3 nano-catalyst, increased the hydrogen yield to 11.76 (mmol of H2/g of bagasse), CO yield to 2.67 (mmol of CO/g of bagasse) and light gaseous hydrocarbons to 0.6 (mmol of light gaseous hydrocarbons/g of bagasse). Promotion of Ni/γ-Al2O3 with copper increased the mole fraction of hydrogen in the final gasification products to 58.1 mol%.

Iron selenide films by aerosol assisted chemical vapor deposition from single source organometallic precursor in the presence of surfactants

This article presents the synthesis and characterization (multinuclear nuclear magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, carbon–hydrogen–nitrogen–sulfur analyzer, atomic absorption spectrometry and thermogravimetric analysis) of a single source organometallic precursor namely 1-acetyl-3-(4-ferrocenylphenyl)selenourea for the fabrication of iron selenide (FeSe) films on glass substrates using aerosol assisted chemical vapor deposition (AACVD). The changes in the morphologies of the films have been monitored by the use of two different surfactants i.e. triton X-100 and tetraoctylphosphonium bromide during AACVD. The role of surfactant has been evaluated by examining the interaction of the surfactants with the precursor by using UV–vis spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The fabricated FeSe films have been characterized with powder X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy.