Electron Microscope-energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer Research Articles

Synthesis and Characterization of Fluorapatite-Copper(II) Oxide with Sol-Gel Method as an Antibacterial Biomaterial

One of the calcium phosphate compounds that can be used as an antibacterial material for coating dental implants is fluorapatite (FAp). This research aims to synthesize FAp at three different sintering temperatures (600, 800, and 1000°C), copper(II) oxide (CuO), and fluorapatite-copper(II) oxide (FAp-CuO) using the sol-gel method, and test the antibacterial properties of the synthesized products. The sol-gel technique proved successful in synthesizing FAp, with optimal results observed at a sintering temperature of 1000°C, achieving a crystallinity level of 90%. Analyses conducted using X-ray diffractometer, Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer, and scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer revealed FAp as the dominating phase, exhibiting Ca/P and P/F ratios of 1.84 and 4.67, respectively. In FAp-CuO, replacing Ca2+ with Cu2+ ions lowered the average crystallite size, crystallinity, and Ca/P ratio. FAp, CuO, and FAp-CuO all displayed antibacterial activities against S. aureus and E. coli, with FAp-CuO having the maximum average inhibitory zone diameters of 0.243 and 1.397 mm, respectively.

Decrease in the organic content of refinery wastewater by photocatalytic Fenton oxidation using iron-doped zeolite: Catalyst preparation, characterization, and performance

A Fe-exchanged zeolite photocatalyst was synthesized by applying an ion exchange method and used to examine the degradation of effluent from the petroleum industry. The exchanged zeolite catalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, Naioatomic force microscopy, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area, and Filed Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer. Characterization of the catalyst confirmed its composition and phase but also showed a decrease in uniformity and crystallinity. The photocatalyst was tested under ultra-violet lamp irradiation for the removal of pollutants in wastewater from Iraqi petroleum refineries. Experiments were performed using a stirred batch reactor with an initial chemical oxygen demand of 492 mg/L. The exchanged zeolite was used as a catalyst and H2O2 was used as an oxidant. For synthetic wastewater, 99.84 % of organic pollutants were removed in 120 min. Chemical oxygen demand removal values were almost the same (85.29 and 81.67 %, respectively) for real wastewater obtained from the Dora Refinery and North Gas Company. Furthermore, the exchanged zeolite displayed excellent stability and low release of iron ions from the catalyst during the reaction (less than 11 mg/L). The catalyst was recycled five times with power consumption ranging from 691.18 to 826.96 kWh/kg COD.

An Archaeometallurgical Study of Medieval Knives from Kinet Höyük, Turkey

This paper examines the knives of the medieval period (13th -14th century AD) from Kinet Höyük in Cilicia, one of the most important areas of Anatolia for the history of iron production. The materials and production processes of 12 knives were revealed using archaeometry methods, such as Optical Microscopy (OM), Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometer (SEM-EDS) analyses, and micro-hardness tests. An examination of the relationship between the shape and size of these knives was undertaken, along with a discussion of the factors involved in the manufacturing techniques. Among the medieval knives from Kinet Höyük that were analyzed, the results of the study indicate that besides blades made entirely of steel or wrought iron there are examples of forge-welding steel to wrought iron in a variety of ways. The largest group of knives is composed of small blades made only of steel. A particular example of this group is a blade made of crucible steel, which was skillfully forged and heat-treated. The medieval blades from Kinet Höyük exhibit a direct relationship between their shapes and their dimensional proportions. A specific production method, however, seems not to have been chosen in accordance with a given shape. The dimensions of the knives were more significant, particularly when only steel or only wrought iron was used. Based on the historical iron-producing activities in the region and the traces of intense blacksmithing practices found in the medieval layers of Kinet Höyük, it is argued that these knives are remnants of a skilled metal production culture.

Graphene-magnetite functionalized diatomite for efficient removal of organochlorine pesticides from aquatic environment

A unique composite based on graphene oxide, magnetite, and diatomite was synthetized by eco-friendly dry coating technique for the removal of four toxic organochlorine pesticides from agricultural drainage. The prepared composite was fully characterized using X-ray fluorescence (XRF), X-ray diffraction (XRD), particle size analyzer, Vibrating-sample magnetometer (VSM), magnetic susceptibility meter, zeta potential, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM-EDS), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis (BET) techniques. The characterization results confirmed the fabrication of a discrete core/shell structured composite possess both adsorptive and magnetic nature. The surface area, pore volume and pore diameter were 23.4 m2/g, 0.0026 cm3/g, and 4.5 nm, respectively. The amenability to use the fabricated composite as an adsorbent for some organochlorine pesticides was investigated under different conditions of concentration, time, pH, and temperature. Batch adsorption experiment showed that 97% removal efficiency was observed for all the studied pesticides with adsorption capacities of 7.78 mg/g after 2 h contact time and at any pH region. The adsorption was exothermic (ΔH < 0), spontaneous (ΔG° < 0), followed pseudo 2nd order kinetics (R2 > 0.998), and fitted well to Langmuir's isotherm pattern for all pesticides (R2 > 0.98). It is assumed that organochlorine pesticides were initially physisorbed by the graphene nanoplatelets via hydrophobic and π-π interactions along with chemisorption for forming monolayer. Moreover, the pesticides molecules could diffuse in the DMG composite micropores and be trapped in the structural defects. The regeneration of the composite exhibited over 90% removal efficiency even after seven cycles. The fabricated composite was examined to remove organochlorine from a real water sample, the obtained results suggest the possibility to use this composite as an economical, effective and sustainable adsorbent for the treatment of pesticides contaminating water.

Preparation of phosphorus-modified biochar for the immobilization of heavy metals in typical lead-zinc contaminated mining soil: Performance, mechanism and microbial community

The use of modified biochar for the remediation of heavy metal (HM) has received much attention. However, the immobilization mechanism of biochar to multiple HMs and the interaction of different forms of HMs with microorganisms are still unclear. K2HPO4-modified biochar (PBC) was produced and used in a 90-days immobilization experiment with soil collected from a typic lead-zinc (Pb–Zn) mining soil. Incubation experiments showed that PBC enhanced the transformation of Cd, Pb, Zn and Cu from exchangeable (Ex-) and/or carbonate-bound forms (Car-) to organic matter-bound (Or-) and/or residual forms (Re-). After scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM-EDS), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), fourier transform infrared (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis, the mechanisms of HM immobilization by PBC were proposed as precipitation (PO43-, HPO42-, OH- and CO32-), electrostatic attraction, complexation (–COOH, –OH and R–O–H) and the indirect roles of soil parameter variations (pH, moisture and microbial community). Microbial community analysis through high-throughput sequencing showed that PBC reduced bacterial and fungal abundance. However, addition of PBC increased the relative proportions of Proteobacteria by 15.04%–42.99%, Actinobacteria by 4.74%–22.04%, Firmicutes by 0.76%–23.35%, Bacteroidota by 0.16%–12.34%, Mortierellomycota by 4.00%–9.66% and Chytridiomycota by 0.10%–13.7%. Ex-Cd/Pb/Zn, Car-Cd/Zn and Re–Cd/Pb/As were significantly positively (0.001<P≤0.05) correlated with bacterial phyla of Crenarchaeota and Methylomirabilota, and Re–Cu and Ex-/Car-/Fe–Mn oxide-bound (Fe–Mn-)/Or-As were significantly positively correlated (0.001<P≤0.05) with the bacterial phyla of Proteobacteria and Bacteroidota. While Car-Cd/Zn and Re–Pb/As were positively correlated (0.01<P≤0.05) with fungal phyla of Ascomycota, Glomeromycota, Kickxellomycota, Basidiomycota and Mucoromycota. The bacterial network contained more complex interactions than the fungal network, suggesting that bacteria play a larger role in HMs transformation processes. The results indicate that PBC is an effective agent for the remediation of HMs polluted soil in Pb–Zn mining areas.

Preparation of Powdered Activated Carbon Composite Material and Its Adsorption Performance and Mechanisms for Removing RhB

For solving the problem of low efficiency about dyes and slow precipitation rate for powdered activated carbon (PAC), this study successfully prepares a kind of powdered activated carbon-based composites (PACMC) to remove Rhodamine B (RhB) in wastewater as an adsorbent. PACMC derived from potassium humate and polyaluminium chloride (PACl)-modified PAC were fabricated via a chemical precipitation method. We confirmed the micro-morphology and chemical composition of PACMC by scanning electron microscopy energy-dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM-EDS) and fourier infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), certifying that PACMC was synthesized by chemical reaction of raw materials. PACMC has layered porous structure and functional groups, which is beneficial to the transport and diffusion of RhB molecules. The specific surface area (10.098 m2·g−1) and average particle size (142.9 µm) of PACMC and the specific surface area (710.1 m2·g−1) and average particle size (11.9 µm) of PAC were measured. By comparison, it can be seen that PACMC has larger average particle size conducive to solid–liquid separation. The static adsorption experiments were carried out to investigate the adsorption properties of RhB by PACMC. The results showed that the adsorption capacity of PACMC for RhB was 2–3 times as high as that of PAC. The pH value of the solution had a significant effect on the adsorption of RhB by PACMC and the maximum adsorption was observed at pH = 4.5 (qe = 28.56 mg·g−1, C0 = 40 mg·L−1). The adsorption of RhB by PACMC can be well described by the pseudo-second-order kinetics. The kinetic results revealed that the adsorption process involved several steps, where the chemical adsorption and intra-particle diffusion both played the important roles. The isothermal adsorption data were in accordance with the Dubinin–Radushkevich model, which indicated that the adsorption was dominated by the chemisorption mechanism. Therefore, the adsorption mechanisms included chemical binding/chelation effect and electrostatic adsorption effect.

Affordable and reliable cationic-anionic magnetic adsorbent: Processing, characterization, and heavy metals removal

In this work, new and superb magnetic adsorbent has been tailored via one-step dry-coating process. The developed magnetic adsorbent was fabricated from Antigorite, Bentonite, and Iron oxide for the first time, showing excellent capability for adsorption of positively and negatively charged contaminants. The structural and surface characteristics of the adsorbent were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis techniques. Zeta potential and particle size were sufficiently studied. Adsorption parameters for removal of both cations (Cd2+, Pb2+) and anions (AsO43− and CN−) were investigated. The maximum adsorption capacities were about 219.2 mg/g for Cd2+, 201.2 mg/g for Pb2+, 182.6 mg/g for AsO43−, and 157.7 mg/g for CN−. Freundlich isotherm was the best model to describe the chemisorption behavior of the studied heavy metals. The composite exhibited high regeneration efficiencies of about 92.8% and 91.3% for removal of Cd2+ and AsO43−, respectively after six reuse cycles. The composite could be efficiently implemented, easily separated and successfully recycled exhibiting 90% removal efficiency after treatment of real electroplating wastewater.

Determination of the Cadmium Ions from Aqueous Solution Using EDTA Functionalized Prunus Dulcis L. Peels by Solid-Phase Extraction Method.

In the present study, Prunus Dulcis L. Peels was modified with ethylenedinitrilo tetraacetic acid and used as the sorbent for the preconcentration of Cd(II) ions from aqueous media. To characterize the sorbent, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer analysis were used. The optimum preconcentration conditions such as pH, eluent type, sample volume, sample flow rate and foreign ions effect were determined. The mean recovery and relative standard deviation values were found to be 100.7 ± 1.5 and 4.01% for Cd(II) ions. The capacity of the sorbent was obtained 277.8mgg-1 from the Langmuir isotherm model. The limit of detection was calculated as 0.216µgL-1 (P.F:40). In order to test the accuracy and applicability of the method, certified reference material and spiked water samples were analyzed. The results demonstrated good agreement with the certified values (relative error < 10%).

Elemental profiling of total gunshot residue using total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry.

Gunshot residue (GSR) is a composite of unburnt and partially burnt particles from various components of firearm ammunition cartridges. GSR is customarily sampled from small, localized spots and analyzed visually and elementally. The conventional analytical methods for localized GSR are most commonly done through a paired scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM-EDS) to look for the presence of lead, barium, and antimony, the inorganic components of ammunition primer. Previous GSR analysis primarily focused on the material deposited on a shooter's hands and used swabbing or adhesive stubs to collect GSR. In this study, total gunshot residue (tGSR) from six types of ammunition was collected from fabric that was shot at a muzzle-to-target distance of 15cm. Subsequently, each tGSR sample was digested in nitric acid and analyzed with total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (TXRF). The TXRF technique can simultaneously identify the individual elements in the tGSR and provide absolute elemental quantification. In contrast, EDS scans report the relative elemental compositions of localized GSR samples rather than giving absolute quantitation. This study reliably revealed distinct patterns in six key elements (lead, copper, barium, antimony, iron, and zinc) of tGSR among the ammunition investigated. Elemental profiles were developed from the analyses to represent each ammunition type and the elemental quantities obtained could be used to suggest the category of ammunition that was used.

Characteristics and possible formation process of ferromanganese beachrock in an intertidal zone of East China Sea influenced by buried ancient woods

The ferromanganese (FeMn) deposits could be found in many shallow water and deep-ocean places. Lots of studies have been performed to explore the occurrence, formation and economic value of FeMn nodules or crusts on the deep ocean floor. However, the occurrence and formation of FeMn beachrocks at the coastal zones has rarely been reported. In the present study, we collected two types of dendritic FeMn beachrock samples from an intertidal zone of Zhoushan Archipelago, East China Sea, where was significantly amended by an ancient wood layer formed during 5900–5600 cal. yr B.P. Then the microscale analysis including electron microprobe analyzer (EMPA), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM-EDS) were performed to study the microscale characteristics on these FeMn beachrocks. Combined with our previous studies, a possible formation process was proposed: (1) Buried ancient woods produced enough organic acids to accelerate the weathering of nearby bedrock via chemical or biological reactions; (2) The seepage water could be regarded as a bridge to connect the ancients woods and the intertidal zones, and large amounts of dissolved Fe2+ and Mn2+ can be transported to the sandy beach and intertidal zones; (3) Precipitation of insoluble FeMn oxides occurred with the involvement of microbial processes and direct inorganic chemical sorption under mixing of seepage water and seawater; (4) After that, these FeMn oxides would experience nucleation, crystallization growth, and then diagenetic process to form the FeMn beachrocks. The present study spotted a light on the microscale features, formation process and biogeochemical cycling of nearshore/coastal diagenetic Fe-Mn deposits.

Dissimilar laser welding of copper and aluminum alloys in multilayer configuration for battery applications

The joining process of copper and aluminum has become a key topic especially in the field of electro-mobility due to the fact that batteries, based especially on pouch Li-ion cells, are often manufactured in a way that involves joining together copper and aluminum tabs that constitute the anode and the cathode. Car manufacturers, in order to create more compact and performing batteries, are looking to stack more cells in small spaces and then weld the copper and aluminum tabs in multilayer configuration. However, welding those materials poses several challenges due to their differences in chemical and physical properties, such as melting temperature, thermal conductivity, and thermal expansion coefficient. One of the main challenges is represented by the formation of hard and brittle intermetallic compounds, which reduce both mechanical and electrical properties. The present paper addresses dissimilar laser welding of copper and aluminum in multilayer configuration by means of an infrared laser source equipped with galvanometric scanner optics, which allows us to obtain a spatial beam oscillation (circular wobbling) of the beam. The results confirmed that a larger wobbling amplitude does not enhance the properties of the connection. A maximum tensile load of about 1000 N and low electrical contact resistance were obtained with optimized parameters, while the presence of harder and brittle intermetallic compounds was reduced. Scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer analysis confirmed the results obtained with the metallographic and mechanical tests.

Effect of Inorganic Nanocomposite Based Liners on Deodorization of Kimchi

This study aims to reduce the rancid odor generated during the fermentation process of kimchi by inserting zinc oxide (ZnO) into an inorganic porous material with a high surface area to decompose or adsorb the fermentation odor. ZnO activated by the presence of moisture exhibits decomposition of rancid odors. Mixed with Titanium dioxide (TiO2), a photocatalyst. To manufacture the packaging liner used in this study, NaOH, ZnCl2, and TiO2 powder were placed in a tank with diatomite and water. The sludge obtained via a hydrothermal ultrasonication synthesis was sintered in an oven. After being pin-milled and melt-blended, the powders were mixed with linear low-density polyethylene (L-LDPE) to make a masterbatch (M/B), which was further used to manufacture liners. A gas detector (GasTiger 2000) was used to investigate the total amount of sulfur compounds during fermentation and determine the reduction rate of the odor-causing compounds. The packaging liner cross-section and surface were investigated using a scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM-EDS) to observe the adsorption of sulfur compounds. A variety of sulfur compounds associated with the perceived unpleasant odor of kimchi were analyzed using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). For the analyses, kimchi was homogenized at room temperature and divided into several sample dishes. The performance of the liner was evaluated by comparing the total area of the GC-MS signals of major off-flavor sulfur compounds during the five days of fermentation at 20oC. As a result, Nano-grade inorganic compound liners reduced the sulfur content by 67 % on average, compared to ordinary polyethylene (PE) foam liners. Afterwards SEM-EDS was used to analyze the sulfur content adsorbed by the liners. The findings of this study strongly suggest that decomposition and adsorption of the odor-generating compounds occur more effectively in the newly-developed inorganic nanocomposite liners.

Structure of Hard And Soft Carapace Exoskeleton Biomaterial Through SEM-EDXRS at Various Stages of Development Scylla paramamosain Mud Crab

Crustacean carapace has various functions which can be seen from the composition of the biomaterial in it. Various concentrations of inorganic biomaterial elements were investigated from the hard carapace and the newly molted (soft-shelled) (Scylla paramamosain) with SEM-EDXRS (scanning electron microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer) technique. This study traced the composition of the inorganic elements of the premolt, postmolt, intermolt and soft (exuvium) crab hard carapace tissue of mangrove crabs from the point of view. Various stages of development. Important elements such as C, O2, Mg, P, Ca, S, Na, Si, Cl, and others, are reabsorbed from the carapace into the body tissues to fulfill further needs in soft-shelled crabs and are reused to some extent during formation new carapace. This study provides evidence that, inorganic elements in freshly molted soft carapace crabs are less common than hard carapace crabs

Reduction of silver ions to silver nanoparticles by biomass and biochar: Mechanisms and critical factors.

The reduction of metal ions by biomasses (BMs) and biochars (BCs) is often neglected when evaluating the environmental behavior and risk of heavy metals. In this study, the formation mechanisms of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) when Ag+ coexists with BMs/BCs were investigated. Four types of BMs (pine sawdust, bagasse, lignin, and cellulose) as well as their BCs were investigated for their roles in transforming Ag+ to AgNPs. The electron donating capacity (EDC) of all the BMs/BCs was larger than zero. The UV-Vis spectrometer and scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM-EDX) analysis confirmed the formation of AgNPs. The quantities of AgNPs formed by BM systems were higher than that by their corresponding BCs. The quantities of formed AgNPs by bagasse and its BCs were the highest when compared with other BMs/BCs, which may be due to their highest EDC values. We found that hydroxyl group (-OH) was the important redox-active functional group in BMs and BCs that contributed to Ag+ reduction according to the results from X-ray photoelectron spectrometric (XPS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic (FTIR) analyses. AgNPs formation was enhanced at elevated pH, probably because of the deprotonated functional groups with high EDC values and electron density. The higher temperature could enhance the formation of AgNPs, suggesting that the reduction of Ag+ by BMs/BC was a thermodynamically favored process. This study illustrated that Ag+ was transformed to AgNPs by BMs and BCs through the redox reactive -OH of BMs/BCs, which further improved our understanding on the formation of AgNPs in the environment.

Behaviors of Perfluorocarbon Emulsion during Dissolution of Oxide Layers.

This study investigates the dissolution behavior of oxide layers containing radionuclides using perfluorocarbon (PFC) emulsion as a reusable medium. Chemicals such as PFC, anionic surfactant, and H2SO4 are used for preparing the PFC emulsion, and emulsified using an ultrasonication process. The FTIR results show O–H stretching that is formed by the interaction of the carboxyl group of the anionic surfactant with the hydroxyl group of water containing H2SO4, and find that the H2SO4 can be homogeneously dispersed in the PFC–anionic surfactant–H2SO4 emulsion. The dissolution test of the simulated Cr2O3 specimen is conducted using PFC emulsion containing KMnO4. Through the weight losses of specimens and Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer (SEM-EDS) analysis, it is confirmed that the Cr2O3 layer on the SUS304 specimen is easily dissolved using PFC emulsion. During the dissolution of the Cr2O3, it is observed that the dispersed H2SO4–KMnO4 became unstable and separated from PFC emulsion. Based on these results, the behavior of the PFC emulsion during the dissolution of the oxide layer is explained.

Zr-89 Labeled PAMAM Dendrimers 5G without a Chelator for a Cancer Diagnostic Agent

Dendrimer nanoparticles (DNPs), which have been studied extensively as drug delivery systems, can be synthesized easily with zirconium without chelators. A UV/Vis spectrophotometer and a Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS) analysis were used to confirm the synthesis and the particle size of the composite. Compound B synthesized using a chelator compound was found to be more complex than compound A, and natZr was found to bind at a low yield through Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer (SEM-EDS) and Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometer (ICP-MS). In PBS (1×), The binding was confirmed to be strong and stable at 99% stability or more. The stability to human serum was very good with a value of about 98%. The stability of the bound 89 Zr was confirmed to be stable for 160 minutes through the evaluation of serum stability. Using CT-26 and MDA-MB-231, We also were able to confirm the difference in the cell uptake of 89Zr-DNPs. After 24 hours, a high cell uptake of close to 40% was observed. Positron Emission Tomography (PET) images were observed, it was confirmed that no accumulation of 89 Zr-DNPs in the bones and its stability in the body.

Generalized Pulp Stones of Primary Dentition in a Patient with Molar-Incisor Malformation : A Case Report

Molar-incisor malformation (MIM) is a new type of root anomaly reported recently. The characteristics of MIM are dysplastic root formations, constriction of pulp chambers and presence of calcified matrices at the level of cementoenamel junction in permanent first molars and primary second molars. In some cases, permanent maxillary incisors are also affected.The permanent first molars of the patient in this case report were affected with MIM. Generalized pulp stones were observed in overall primary dentition. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) imaging and scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer analysis were performed on the extracted mandibular first molar and maxillary primary second molar of the patient. Micro-CT images revealed the discontinuity of enamel directly connected to an accessory canal of the root.

Application of scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer to characterize the chemical composition of deposits on the surface of dried day lily

An innovative and simplified method to characterize the chemical composition of the residual sulphite deposits on dried day lily using scanning electron microscopy- energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (SEM-EDS) was developed in this study. Granular deposits were observed by SEM on the surface of dried day lily overdosed with sulphiting agents. Laboratory scale model studies showed that soaking in 3% sodium bisulphite without subsequent washing may lead to the accumulation and precipitation of sodium bisulphite crystals. EDS analysis indicated that these deposits are sodium bisulphite. A strong correlation (R2 = 0.8994) was obtained between Sulfur/Carbon ratio calculated from SEM-EDS data and sulfur dioxide concentration determined by modified Monier-Williams method in day lily samples without crystals on the surface.

Boron reduces aluminum deposition in alkali-soluble pectin and cytoplasm to release aluminum toxicity

Boron (B) is indispensable for plant growth and has been reported in the mitigation of aluminum (Al) toxicity in different plants. This study focused on the efficacy of B in reducing Al toxicity to trifoliate orange seedlings in a hydroponic experiment. Boron supply had a positive effect on root length and plant growth-related parameters and attenuated Al-induced inhibition of plasma membrane H+-ATPase activity. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) in conjunction with scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer (SEM-EDS) revealed that B reduced Al accumulation in root cell wall, especially on pectin fractions (alkali-soluble pectin), accompanied by suppressing pectin synthesis, pectin methylesterase (PME) activity and PME expression. Furthermore, B application inhibited NRAT1 expression while increased ALS1 expression, indicating restraining Al transport from external cells to cytoplasm and accelerating accelerating vacuolar sequestration. The results were further demonstrated by transmission electron microscope-energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer (TEM-EDS) analysis. Taken together, our results indicated that B mainly promoted the efflux of H+ by regulating the plasma membrane H+-ATPase activity, and reduced the demethylation of pectin to weaken Al binding to carboxyl. More importantly, B alleviated some of the toxic effects of Al by compartmentalizing Al into vacuoles and decreasing the deposition of Al in cytoplasm.

THE EFFECT OF NICKEL CONTENT IMPREGNATED ON ZEOLITE TOWARD CATALYTIC ACTIVITY AND SELECTIVITY FOR HYDROTREATING OF CASHEW NUT SHELL LIQUID OIL

This research aims to investigate the effect of various amount of Ni metal which is impregnated on Mordenitetoward the catalytic activity of the Cashew Nut Shell Liquid Oil (CNSLO) hydrotreating process. The Ni/Mordenitecatalysts were prepared by wet impregnation method using Ni(NO3)2ꞏ6H2O with the Ni content varied under 1, 3, 5wt.% and mordenite which were dissolved in methanol and carried out drying, calcination, and reduction.Hydrotreating is carried out in a semi-batch stainless steel reactor which is flowed with H2 gas. The catalyst wascharacterized and analyzed by Fourier Transform Infrared, X-Ray Diffractometer, Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive X-Ray Spectrometer, Transmission Electron Microscopy, Gas Sorption Analyzer, and AtomicAbsorption Spectrophotometer. The total acid amount test was carried out using ammonia vapor adsorption with thegravimetric method. The liquid product of hydrotreating was analyzed by Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy.Increasing the amount of metal impregnated on mordenite will increase the total acid site, activity, and selectivity ofthe gasoline fraction.