Effects Of Borax Research Articles

Mineralogical Characterisation of Copper Slag and Phase Transformation after Carbocatalytic Reduction for Hydrometallurgical Extraction of Copper and Cobalt

Copper smelting slag is a significant potential resource for cobalt and copper. The recovery of copper and cobalt from copper slag could significantly augment the supply of these metals, which are essential to facilitating the transition to green energy while simultaneously addressing environmental concerns regarding slag disposal. However, the complex mineral composition of copper slag poses an enormous challenge. This study investigated the mineralogical and chemical characteristics of copper slag, which are vital for devising the most effective processing techniques. XRD and FESEM-EDS were employed to examine the morphologies of copper slag before and after the reduction process. The effects of borax and charcoal (carbocatalytic) reduction on phase transformation were evaluated. The XRD analysis revealed that the primary phases in the copper slag were Fe2SiO4 and Fe3O4. The FESEM-EDS analysis verified the presence of these phases and yielded supplementary details regarding metal embedment in the Fe2SiO4, Fe3O4, and Cu phases. The carbocatalytic reduction process expedited the transformation of copper slag microstructures from crystalline dendritic to amorphous and metallic phases. Finally, leaching experiments demonstrated the potential benefits of carbocatalytic reduction by yielding high extractions of Cu, Co, and Fe.

Borax induces ferroptosis of glioblastoma by targeting HSPA5/NRF2/GPx4/GSH pathways.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly aggressive and lethal form of primary brain tumour. Borax has been demonstrated to exhibit anti-cancer activity through cell death pathways. However, the specific impact of borax on ferroptosis in GBM is not well-established, and the underlying regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. Initially, the effective concentration of borax on cell viability and proliferation in U251 and A172 cells was determined. Subsequently, the effects of borax on the wound healing were analysed. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPx4), glutathione (GSH), HSP70 protein 5 (HSPA5), malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and caspase-3/7 activity were determined in borax-treated and untreated cells. Finally, the protein expression levels of HSPA5, NRF2 and GPx4 were analysed. Borax suppressed cell viability and proliferation in U251 and A172 cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. In addition, borax treatment decreased GPx4, GSH, HSPA5 and NRF2 levels in U251 and A172 cells while increasing MDA levels and caspase-3/7 activity. Moreover, borax reduced mRNA and protein levels of HSPA5, NRF2 and GPx4 in U251 and A172 cells. Consequently, borax may induce ferroptosis in GBM cells and regulate the associated regulatory mechanisms targeting NRF2 and HSPA5 pathways. This knowledge may contribute to the development of novel therapeutic approaches targeting ferroptosis in GBM and potentially improve patient outcomes.

Effects of Borax and Grinding Alkalinity on the Reduction–Magnetic Separation of Beach Placer

The effect of borax on the reduction characteristics of Indonesia beach placers was investigated. The effect of grinding alkalinity on the magnetic separation of the reduced sample was also studied in this paper. The mineral phase transformation, microstructures of reduction, and magnetic separation products were analyzed to reveal the enhanced separation mechanism of titanium and iron in beach placer. The borax could effectively improve the metallization rate and the growth of iron grains in a reduced sample. When 3% borax was added to the reduction process, the metallization rate of the reduced beach placer reached 95.64%, and the metal iron grains grew to about 50 μm. Adjusting the grinding alkalinity could prevent the metallic iron from being oxidized and promote the monomer dissociation between mineral particles. The iron powder concentrates with 94.07% total Fe and vanadium-rich titanium slag with 36.32% Ti were obtained by grinding magnetic separation as the grinding alkalinity pH was 13.

Effects of Borax, Sucrose, and Citric Acid on the Setting Time and Mechanical Properties of Alkali-Activated Slag.

The setting time of alkali-activated slag (AAS) binders is extremely short, while traditional retarders of Portland cement may be invalid for AAS. To find an effective retarder with a less negative impact on strength, borax (B), sucrose (S), and citric acid (CA) were selected as potential retarders. The setting time of AAS with different admixtures dosages of 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8%, and the unconfined compressive strength and beam flexural strength of 3 d, 7 d, and 28 d AAS mortar specimens were tested. The microstructure of AAS with different additives was observed by scanning using an electron microscope (SEM), and the hydration products were analyzed by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and thermogravimetric analysis (DT-TGA) to explain the retarding mechanism of AAS with different additives. The results showed that the incorporation of borax and citric acid could effectively prolong the setting time of AAS more than that of sucrose, and the retarding effect is more and more obvious with the increase in borax and citric acid dosages. However, sucrose and citric acid negatively influence AAS's unconfined compressive strength and flexural stress. The negative effect becomes more evident with the increase in sucrose and citric acid dosages. Borax is the most suitable retarder for AAS among the three selected additives. SEM-EDS analysis showed that the incorporation of borax does three things: produces gels, covers the surface of the slag, and slows down the hydration reaction rate.

Effect of Borax On Sintering Kinetics, Microstructure and Mechanical Properties of Porous Glass-Ceramics From Coal Fly Ash by Direct Overfiring

The direct sintering process of coal fly ash for the preparation of glass-ceramics is the liquid-phase sintering process, from non-densification to densification. When the temperature exceeds the densification temperature point, the porosity of glass-ceramics on the contrary increases and the pore diameter increases. This provides a basis to prepare porous glass-ceramics by direct overfiring. Adding borax to coal fly ash can reduce the temperature of liquid phase formation, reduce the preparing temperature of porous glass-ceramics, achieve the purpose of energy saving. The effects of borax on the structure, properties and sintering kinetics of porous glass-ceramics prepared from coal fly ash by overfiring were investigated. It is found that the introduction of B-O bond can change the network structure of non-crystalline vitreous in coal fly ash, reduce the melting temperature, promote the formation of liquid phase, and thus increase the porosity of porous glass-ceramics. This paper provides a certain experimental basis for the preparation of porous glass-ceramics by direct overfiring of coal fly ash at low temperature without adding pore-forming agent, and provides a new possibility for the high-value resource utilization of coal fly ash.

Preparation of ceramic foams from ceramic tile polishing waste and fly ash without added foaming agent

Ceramic foams were prepared from ceramic tile polishing waste and fly ash with borax as a fluxing agent at 925 °C. The foaming mechanism of SiC and the effects of borax on the mechanical properties, cellular morphology, and phase composition were investigated. The addition of 18 wt% borax lowered the sintering temperature by 300 °C and accelerated the passive oxidation of SiC, thus promoting the foaming process. The optimum ceramic foam obtained at 925 °C featured a homogenous porous structure, with an average pore diameter, low bulk density, high compressive strength, and high porosity of 1.20 mm, 0.55 g/cm3, 7.8 MPa, and 79.4%, respectively. The excellent mechanical properties make ceramic foams potential candidates for lightweight panels for partition walls and ceiling tiles in building applications.

Effect of Borax on Properties of Potassium Magnesium Phosphate Cement

The effects of borax on the setting time, compressive strength, bond strength, drying shrinkage and pH value were investigated for potassium magnesium phosphate cement (MKPC). The results show that with the increase of borax dosage, the setting time is gradually extended, both compressive strength and bond strength are greatly decreased, the drying shrinkage rate is increased. Especially high dosage of borax, the extension of setting time is more obvious. Compared with that without borax, when the dosage of borax is 12.5%, setting time can be prolonged by 214.8%.The influence of borax dosage on the time-dependent effect of compressive strength shows that when the dosage of borax is 2.5%~5.0%, compressive strength increases rapidly from 4h to 1d, and increases relatively slowly from 1d to 3d. When borax dosage is less than 2.5% or higher than 5%, the law of time-dependent effect of compressive strength is the opposite. Compared to borax prior to magnesia addition, the pH value of the system is larger and the time of inflection point is advanced when borax and magnesia are mixed together at the same time. The increase of borax dosage can reduce the pH value of the system, and decrease the rising rate of pH value, at the same time the required time when the final pH value is relatively stable is longer.

Effects of Borax on the Reduction of Pre-oxidized Panzhihua Ilmenite

The effects of borax (sodium borate) on the enhancement reduction of pre-oxidized Panzhihua ilmenite were investigated. The effects of borax on the mineral phase transformation, microstructures, crystal cell parameter, melting point and Mg distribution were studied to reveal the mechanism of enhancement reduction. Under the constant reduction conditions, the borax could reduce the reduction activation energy of pre-oxidized ilmenite. The reduction kinetics analysis indicated that the reduction rate was controlled by interfacial chemical reaction. The reduction activation energy of the pre-oxidized ilmenite with 4% borax was 80.263 kJ/mol, which was 28.585 kJ/mol less than that of the pre-oxidized ilmenite without borax. Borax could eliminate the migration of Mg into the reduced particle center. The crystal cell parameter of the reduced product was increased by adding borax. Borax could improve the growth of dendritic crystals in the pre-oxidized ilmenite.

Catalytic effects of borax and iron(III) chloride on supercritical liquefaction of Anchusa azurea with methanol and isopropanol

ABSTRACTAnchusa azurea is a lignocellulosic gramineous plant, and it has been selected as a renewable feedstock to be used in a liquefaction process to obtain biofuel. Milled Anchusa azurea stalks were converted to liquid products in methanol and isopropanol with (borax or iron(III) chloride) and without catalyst in an autoclave at temperatures of 260, 280, and 300°C. The liquefaction parameter effects such as catalyst, solvents, and temperature were investigated. The highest percentages of liquid yields from methanol and isopropanol conversions were 64.70% (with borax) and 29.20% (with borax) at 300°C in the catalytic runs, respectively. The highest conversion (73.80%) was obtained in methanol with borax catalyst at the same temperature. The obtained liquid products at 300°C were analyzed and characterized by elemental, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Seventy-three different compounds have been identified by GC-MS in the liquid products obtained in methanol at 300°C.

Effects of Borax and Sleeve Gastrectomy on mRNA Expression of Antioxidant Genes in Substantia Nigra Tissue of Obese Rats

Aim: To evaluate the effects of borax and sleeve gastrectomy on mRNA expression of antioxidant genes in substantia nigra tissue of obese rats. Methods: Obese rats were fed with a high-fat diet containing 40% additional fat to the diet. Rats were allocated into four groups in random, which were normal rats (Group I) (n=14), obese rats subjected to SG (Group II) (n=14), obese rats subjected to borax (Group III) (n=14), and obese rats subjected to SG and borax (Group IV) (n=14). Catalase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) gene expressions were determined by polymerase chain reaction, real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and western blotting. Results: When normal rats (Group I), and obese rats subjected to SG (Group II) were compared, a decrease in expressions of catalase, SOD and GST genes was observed in Group II. When obese rats subjected to borax (Group III) were compared with Group I and Group II, a decrease in expressions of catalase, SOD and GST genes was observed in Group III. This phenomenon demonstrates that borax and SG both decrease expressions of catalase, SOD and GST genes. Furthermore, the most significant decrease in expressions of catalase, SOD and GST genes was observed in obese rats subjected to SG and borax (Group IV) when compared to other three study groups. Conclusion: The borax decreases molecular obesity and consequently increases the expressions of Catalase, SOD and GST genes. These data show decrease of Catalase, SOD and GST genes in the substantia nigra tissue of obese rats, consistent with the possibility that these changes may contribute to disease pathogenesis.

Fabrication and Properties of Zinc Silicate Phosphors through Solid State Reaction

Zinc silicate-based (Zn2SiO4:Eu3+) long afterglow phosphors were produced by solid state reaction method. The effects of borax and Eu2O3 additive on the properties of fabricated products have been studied. The results show that, there is not much difference in phase compositions within the borax additive amount; however, their SEM morphologies are different. Borax additive can increase the grain size of the product. Some sintering phenomena could be observed in the sample with Eu2O3 addition. The fluorescence spectroscopy results indicate that, the emission peak of the sample with Eu3+ additive located at 612nm, which may be a good candidate for red phosphor applications. The luminescent mechanism of Zn2SiO4:Eu3+ is also discussed.

Suppression of salt weathering of porous limestone by borax-induced promotion of sodium and magnesium sulphate crystallization

Abstract The effects of borax on the crystallization of sodium and magnesium sulphate, two of the most damaging salts affecting porous stones, have been studied. Borax promotes the crystallization of mirabilite and inhibits epsomite crystallization in open glass beakers. The additive is preferentially adsorbed onto {140} mirabilite and {111} epsomite faces, thus acting as an effective habit modifier. In contrast, in the presence of a calcitic support (either Iceland spar single crystals or a porous limestone – a biocalcarenite) crystallization is promoted in the presence of borax, irrespective of the salt tested. Apparently, this is due to a high stereochemical affinity between borate molecules adsorbed (and/or co-precipitated) onto calcite, and mirabilite and epsomite crystals. Salt weathering tests using a biocalcarenite show a significant damage reduction upon borax addition to the saline solutions. Borax promotes the crystallization of both mirabilite and epsomite within the pores of the stone, reducing its porosity. Crystallization promotion favours nucleation at a low supersaturation, thereby resulting in very low crystallization pressure and minimal damage. Application of borax to porous limestones affected by mirabilite and/or epsomite crystallization could be a new means of suppressing salt weathering.

Variation in surface roughness, wettability and some plywood properties after preservative treatment with boron compounds

Wood can be protected from attack by pests with preservative treatment of the many different preservatives available for wood; borates are generally preferred for indoor uses and can be used to treat solid wood and engineered wood composites. Although treated panels make up a large part of the plywood market, treatment with some wood preservatives has been known to interfere with the bond integrity of glued wood specimens. In this study, the possible effects of borax and boric acid treatment on adhesive wettability and surface roughness of veneers and bond strength and hygroscopicity of plywood panels were tested. No clear changes in surface roughness after borax and boric acid treatment were observed. Poor wettability on the surfaces of alder and beech veneers with UF resin after borate treatments was obtained. Bond strength values of plywood panels decreased and equilibrium moisture content (EMC) of plywood panels increased after borate treatment.

Determination of hesperidin and naringin by micellar electrokinetic chromatography using a new recording mode

A micellar electrokinetic chromatographic(MEKC) method for determining hesperdin (HP) and Naringin (NG) in Chinese traditional medicines, Zhike and Zhishi, has been established. A new capillary-electrophoresis recording made using the electric flux domain depending on the current values was employed. The rate of electroosmotic flow was obtained through the abrual change of the electriccurrent, and the results demonstrated the proposed method were better than the traditional neutral marker method. The optimum buffer system was 20 mM borate −60 mM sodium dodecylsulfate (SDS) −5% (v/v) methanol (pH 9.5). The voltage was 14 kV and detection at 214 nm. The effects of borax and SDS concentration, pH value and organic madifies were studied systematically. The lower limits of detection (defined as a signalto-noise ratio of ca. 3) were approximately 2.55 mg L−1 for HP and 1.46 mg L−1 for NG. The relative standard deviation of the electric flux and peak area of the hesperidin and Naringin were 0.28, 2.2 and 0.27, 1.9%, respectively and the recoveries of the two compounds ronged between 95–104% for HP and 92–104% for NG.