EPD Method Research Articles

Environmental impacts assessment in packaging and its contribution to reducing food waste

In the modern world, food consumption is not limited to areas near production centers. In this complex distribution chain, packaging plays a crucial role, extending shelf life and protecting products from contaminants or mechanical damage, contributing to reducing food waste during transportation, retail, and inside our homes. On the other hand, packaging is responsible for environmental impacts that are perceived as very harmful to environment by consumers. However, is it possible to demonstrate that packaging, in certain products and operating conditions, can be beneficial to environment? The goal of this article is to investigate the potential environmental performance of food products sold with or without packaging. To identify the potential food waste reduction through the use of packaging, three interviews were conducted with supermarket owners in Curitiba - Brazil. The interviews have revealed that the use of packaging can result in a food waste reduction of up to 20 %, because it prevents excessive products handling and allows for sale of damaged product parts. The products identified as critical and selected for this study were broccoli, grapes, and papaya, for which a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was conducted to compare potential impacts of samples of products exposed with and without packaging and to simulate the food waste reduction rate at which the use of packaging could be favorable in each impact category. The functional unit considered was 1 kg of food product for human consumption. The product system embraced a cradle-to-grave approach, covering food and packaging production, retail, and final disposal of both food and packaging. Calculations were performed using the Ecoinvent 3.8v database, the EPD (2018) method, and potential impacts were determined through OpenLCA. Results indicated that, in the case of excessive handling, packaged broccoli and grapes had lower impacts in seven of eight evaluated categories. The use of packaged cut papaya had lower impacts in all eight categories, with restrictions regarding the amount of packaging used in the process. The study concludes that the evaluation of the use of packaging should consider the reduction of product waste generated by them. The main contribution of this study, therefore, is to emphasize the importance of evaluate all impacts related to a product, not just those that are easily known, such as the generation of solid waste in packaged products.

The sustainability of production and the US Dollar exchange rate influence Indonesian Cocoa and Pepper exports and their competitiveness

This research aims to determine the sustainability of production factors and the US dollar exchange rate on Indonesian cocoa and pepper exports for the 2002-2021, as well as their competitiveness with Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Japan during the period of 2017-2021. The data analysis methods used were Multiple Linear Regression, RAC, and EPD. The research results indicate that production sustainability has a significant effect on Indonesian cocoa and pepper exports for the 2002-2021 period, while the US Dollar exchange rate variable has a significant effect on cocoa exports but an insignificant effect on pepper exports. The competitiveness of Indonesian cocoa for the 2017-2021 period, using the RCA method, is strong in Malaysia, Singapore, and Japan but weak in Thailand and Vietnam. However, with the EPD method, exports to Singapore and Vietnam are in the Raising Star position, to Thailand and Japan in the Falling Star position, and to Malaysia in the Lost Opportunity position. With the RCA method for the 2017-2021 period, Indonesia’s pepper competitiveness is weak in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam, and Japan, but with the EPD method, it is Raising Star in Malaysia and Vietnam, Falling Star in Thailand and Japan, and Lost Opportunity in Singapore.

Effect of Bilayer Nano-Micro Hydroxyapatite on the Surface Characteristics of Implanted Ti-6Al-4V ELI

Ti-6Al-4V ELI is a well-known, popular medical-grade titanium alloy due to its biocompatibility and excellent mechanical properties. However, like other metal implants, it is less bioactive that affects tissue regeneration around the implant, and may lead to implant failure. So, a bioactive substance such as hydroxyapatite (HA) has usually been coated on metal implants to improve its bioactive properties. However, a single layer of HA was reported to be dissolved into body fluid after a long time of exposure in the human body. In this study, bilayer HA was deposited on the surface of screw-type implants made of Ti-6Al-4V ELI through electrophoretic deposition (EPD method. The bottom layer consists of micro-size of HA, and the second layer contains nano-size HA. The suspension contains each micro and nano size of HA powder was homogenized for 1 h followed by sonication for 2 h using a magnetic stirrer. The coating layer was subsequently sintered at 700oC for 1 h. The bilayer-coated screw implant was then implanted into the proximal tibia of health rattus novergicus under proper surgical procedures. Some screws without HA deposition were also implanted into rattus novergicus for comparison. The implanted screws were then taken out via surgery after 2, 3 and 4 weeks, and they were subsequently observed by optical microscope, SEM and XRF. The results showed that organic material is found on each coated specimen, and few HA layer is disintegrated from the surface of the screw. The disintegrated HA remained in the surface of the screw, and the amount of HA increased with increasing implantation time, which indicates the increase of osseointegration between the bone and HA layer. XRF showed a significant difference in Ti and titanium oxide contents on the surface of the coated samples and the non-coted ones, where it is only 0.66%Ti (0.39% TiO2) on the surface of the screw with HA layer and 70%Ti (67% TiO2) for without HA. When TiO2 is formed as a fast self-healing reaction while the screw is exposed to body fluid, the HA acts as an interface against body fluid that may contain aggressive ions. So, HA layer is not only effective against corrosion attack but also inhibits the formation of TiO2 on the implant surface. The coated screws also revealed a strong bonding between the HA layer and the surface of the implant screw. Besides, the ratio between Ca and P elements on the screw surface is in the range of 0.58 – 2.04, which is in the range of bone characteristics.

Environmental impact analysis of PCC cement products (Portland Composite Cement) using LCA (Life Cycle Assessment)

The cement industry has a strategic position in the Indonesian economy. The cement industry, which significantly contributes to the environment due to the use of resources and the resulting emissions, faces challenges in environmental sustainability. Composite portland cement uses less clinker composition and is considered more environmentally friendly. This study attempts to find the hotspots of the cement production process by life cycle assessment (LCA) and evaluates several improvement scenarios in which the best available technologies and energy substitution measures are considered. The assessment was carried out using a cradle-to-gate approach. The potential primary environmental impacts of composite portland cement using the EPD method (2018) are global warming potential (GWP) of 601 kgCO2eq, acidification (AP) of 0.928 kg SO2eq, the potential for eutrophication of 0.385 KgPO4eq, the potential for depletion of the ozone layer. of 0.0000043 Kg CFC-11 eq. Calcination is a critical hotspot for tackling climate change. Hotspots or processes with the largest contribution to the impact of GWP are CO2 emissions from clinkerization operations of 84.80%. The biggest potential impact is GWP which has the largest normalised value among other potential impacts. The biggest impact contribution is at the stages of the production process caused by CO2 emissions of 92%. The recommended scenario to reduce the potential impact of GWP is to increase the thermal substitution rate using alternative fuels and carbon capture technology.

Electrochemical evaluation of AZ31 Mg alloy in corrosion protection of titanium silicon oxide from Earle's solution

A titanium silica oxide coating was fabricated on AZ31 Mg by the EPD method at different durations. The coating was found to be effective in reducing the degradation rate and enhancing the biocompatibility.

"Investigation of the effect of shot blasting on the surface properties of the HA coatings processed by the EPD method "

"Investigation of the effect of shot blasting on the surface properties of the HA coatings processed by the EPD method "

"Investigation of the effect of shot blasting on the surface properties of the HA coatings processed by the EPD method "

"Investigation of the effect of shot blasting on the surface properties of the HA coatings processed by the EPD method "

A luminescent Eu@SOF film fabricated by electrophoretic deposition as ultrasensitive platform for styrene gas quantitative monitoring through fluorescence sensing and ANNs model

Styrene is a harmful gas widely existing in the air, which can damage human organs. Therefore, it is very crucial to develop a sensitive, portable and simple sensor for monitoring styrene. Herein, we design and fabricate a luminescent Eu@TMA-ME/FTO film (F) through EPD method. F emits bright red light of Eu(III) ions and shows superior fluorescence response to styrene gas as a sensor, which enable real-time and quantitative monitoring for styrene gas. More importantly, F exhibits a linear response to styrene gas in a wide concentration range of 10−7 to 10−2 M and a low DL with 0.20 ppm. The efficient PET process to styrene induced by ME and the competitive absorption between styrene and F are responsible for the sensing mechanism. Besides, the detection of styrene solution is also investigated in deionized water, tap water and river water. For the further application, an intelligent ANNs model has been constructed to process the fluorescence sensing results, which can convert fluorescence sensing images to the concentration of styrene gas. The data demonstrates that ANNs model can accurately monitor the concentration of styrene gas via deep ML without tedious data processing.

Hydroxyapatite coating processes with EPD method and investigation of mechanical properties of coatings

This paper reports on electrophoretic deposition of hydroxyapatite coatings on 316L stainless steel and Ti6Al4V alloy. Coatings were carried out at 60 sec. deposition time and voltage values of 40, 80, 120, 160 Voltage. Suspension: It was prepared by using Ethanol, Hydroxyapatite, Polyvinyl Alcohol, Sodium dodecyl sulfate, N-N-Dimethylformamide chemicals. The findings and results acquired at the end of the study have been presented and discussed. When the Ca/P values calculated in the study are examined, it was seen that there are values close to the ideal Ca/P ratio (1.67) in all parameters. When the roughness values are examined, it was seen that coatings close to the ideal surface roughness value (1-1.5 µm) are obtained. When the nano indentation test results were evaluated, it was observed that coatings suitable for shell bone implants were obtained.

Electrophoretic Deposition Used to Prepare and Analyze the Microstructure of Chitosan/Hydroxyapatite Nano-Composites

This research studies the coating layer properties from chitosan and nano –hydroxyapatite made by pulsed electrophoretic deposition (PEPD) for biomedical applications. The 316L SS alloys were coated with hydroxyapatite in different solutions in 100 mL of suspension at a 30 V continuous voltage. To characterize the deposited coatings, X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Contact Angle, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive x-ray analysis (EDX),Yield deposition and Optical microscopy structural (OM) was used for coating layer, in addition to being calculated Zeta potential for suspensions. The aim of this study is to show that using the Pulsed EPD method at room temperature, a simple and low-cost solution for in situ synthesis of Nano -HAp within a chitosan matrix for biomedical applications can be demonstrated.

Influence of chemical structure of bile acid dispersants on electrophoretic deposition of poly(vinylidene fluoride) and composites

A biomimetic strategy has been developed for the dispersion of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) particles using commercial analogs of bile acids (BAs), such as lithocholic acid (LCA), chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA), deoxycholic acid (DCA), ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA), and cholic acid (CA). BAs were used as anionic surfactants for electrophoretic deposition of PVDF films. The EPD method allowed controlled deposition of PVDF films at high deposition rates. The PVDF deposition yield, obtained using different BAs, increased in the order LCA<CDCA<DCA<UDCA<CA. It depends on the number of OH groups and their positions and orientations in the BAs structures. Annealed PVDF films provided corrosion protection of stainless steel in 3% NaCl solutions. CA was used as a co-surfactant for diamond, silica and PVDF particles and allowed for the deposition of PVDF-diamond and PVDF-silica films of varied compositions. The biomimetic approach developed in this investigation opens a new strategy for the chemical modification and charging of electrically neutral hydrophobic materials and deposition of functional polymers and composites by EPD from colloidal suspensions.

ANALYSIS OF COMPETITIVENESS AND EXPORT TRENDS OF INDONESIAN COCOA TO THE FIVE DESTINATION COUNTRIES FOR 2010-2019

This study aims to analyze the competitiveness of Indonesian cocoa exports to five destination countries, namely China, Germany, Malaysia, Singapore, and USA and to analyze the trend of Indonesian cocoa exports for the forecasting of the next 5 years. The data source used is secondary data in the form of export value and volume from 2010-2019 which is sourced from uncomtrade. Data analysis methods used are RCA, EPD, and linear trend analysis. The results showed that the comparative analysis of the RCA method for the commodities of Indonesian cocoa beans, cocoa butter, cocoa paste, cocoa powder in 2010-2019 has an RCA &gt; 1 which means that it is competitive and has a comparative advantage in destination countries. Based on a competitive analysis using the EPD method, the commodity of Indonesian cocoa beans, cocoa butter, cocoa paste, and cocoa powder in 2010-2019 have EPD retreat and falling star values. Based on linear trend analysis, the export value of Indonesian cocoa beans in 2020-2024 is predicted to continue to decline, cocoa butter and cocoa powder in 2020-2024 is predicted to continue to increase, and cocoa paste in 2020-2024 is predicted to increase and later decrease.

Sol-electrophoretic deposition of TiO2 nanoparticle/nanorod array for photoanode of dye-sensitized solar cell

In this investigation, we represent the role of titania (TiO2) nanorod arrays (NRAs) in enhancing the efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Synthesizing TiO2 NRAs via sol-electrophoretic deposition (EPD) by utilizing anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) nanochannel patterns results in one-dimensional morphology of NRAs, confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) images. Furthermore, a thorough study is performed to clarify every step of NRAs formation from AAO role to reach the best number of deposited layers and a stable morphology. In this way, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and current-time (J-t) graphs help clarifying this section. To explicate the role of NRAs in boosting the DSSC efficiency, three layers of deposited TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) using TiO2 sol by the EPD method is compared with a similar sample but consisting of NRAs (nanorod-nanoparticle, NR-NP). Current-voltage (J-V) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) analyses are employed and photovoltaic parameters show NRAs could increase the efficiency of DSSC more than two times from 1.49% (for NP sample) to 3.37% (for NR-NP sample). In addition, EIS results reveal a great drop in TiO2 resistance from 232.2 Ω to 45.13 Ω, indicating the efficient role of NRAs addition in improving the charge transport.

Formation of Nano-scale Coating on Micro-scale Substrate by EPD Method

Formation of Nano-scale Coating on Micro-scale Substrate by EPD Method

In Vivo Assessment of a Hydroxyapatite/κ-Carrageenan-Maleic Anhydride-Casein/Doxorubicin Composite-Coated Titanium Bone Implant.

Here, we focus on the fabrications of an osteosarcoma implant for bone repair via the development of a hydroxyapatite/κ-carrageenan-maleic anhydride/casein with doxorubicin (HAP/κ-CA-MA-CAS/DOX) composite-deposited titanium (Ti) plate. The HAP/κ-CA-MA-CAS/DOX material was coated on the Ti plate through the EPD method (electrophoretic deposition), applying direct current (DC) signals to deposit the composite on the surface of the Ti plate. The physicochemical and morphological possessions and biocompatibility in vitro of the prepared nanocomposite were examined to assess its prospective effectiveness for purposes of bone regeneration. Excellent biocompatibility and elevated osteoconductivity were confirmed using MG63 osteoblast-like cells. In vivo studies were performed at tibia sites in Wistar rats, and rapid bone regeneration was detected at four weeks in defective bone. Overall, the studies demonstrate that the HAP/κ-CA-MA-CAS/DOX composite enhances the biocompatible and cell-stimulating biointerface of Ti metallic implants. As such, HAP/κ-CA-MA-CAS/DOX implants are viable prospects for osteosarcoma-affected bone regeneration.

Electrophoretic deposition of bioglass/graphene oxide composite on Ti-alloy implants for improved antibacterial and cytocompatible properties

ABSTRACTTi alloy has been widely employed in the creation of implants for various dentistry and orthopedic applications, but is limited by its inadequate bioactivity. This paper presents our study on the electrophoretic deposition of bioglass/graphene oxide (BG-GO) composites on Ti-alloy implants to improve antibacterial and cytocompatible properties. The BG-GO composites created a uniform and compact coating layer with a thickness of 50-55 μm that was able to improve corrosion resistance compared to samples coated with BG only. Higher antibacterial activity was observed for the specimens coated with BG-GO vs. BG only, and the antibacterial activity of the BG-GO coating increased with GO content. Cell adhesion results showed the BG-GO composite coating had good biocompatibility and that the incorporation of GO in the BG-GO coating did not hinder cell attachment to the alloy sample. Therefore, BG-GO composite coatings prepared using the EPD method with the aforementioned properties can serve as an effective alternative for bone implant applications.

Advanced HEMT Characteristics of Epitaxial Quality-improved GaN by Using Patterned Sapphire Substract

INTRODUCTIONAccomplishing with the booming market of personal communication services and the fifth generation (5G) mobile systems, the demands for high frequency and high power devices, such as radio frequency (RF) and microwave power amplifiers, becomes the most priority topic required to be dealt with. Considering the intrinsic electric properties, gallium nitride (GaN) is a suitable and important material for high-power device applications. However, there are many inevitable defects formed during epitaxial growth process due to the difference of the thermal expansion coefficient and the lattice constant mismatch between two materials. The reduction of the defect density is known to be the most fundamental way to fabricate high-power, high-efficient GaN electronic devices. In this paper, we proposed a critical technique to adjust the defects density of GaN, which was then introduced to fabricate HEMTs and yielded a well performed device.DEVICE FABRICATIONThe sapphire substrate used in this study was c-plane (0001), and was patterned with specific periodic structure with electron beam lithography in the first. The following wet-etching by using a mixture solution of sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and phosphoric acid (H3PO4) was processed to form the designed structure on the top of sapphire substrate as figure 1(a) and (b) shown. The substrate was then transferred to the epitaxial growth of GaN. The growth began with 3μm-thick insulating GaN as a device buffer layer, and then 30 nm unintentionally doped AlGaN layer doped 18% Aluminum. The as-prepared epi-wafer then processed with sequential procedures including, and the finial structure of HEMT were the same with the illustration of figure 1(c). MATERIAL QUALITY ANALYSIS In order to check the quality of epi-wafer, both Raman spectrum and EPD method were utilized here. We have compared two different regions of the sample, the PSS region and the planar region (without any surface structure). The shift of Raman peak and relative full width at half maximum (FWHM) were recorded and shown in the figure 2. From the figure 2(a), the peak-shift value from the PSS region is lower than planar region, and close to a free standing GaN (568.73 cm-1), which means less stress accumulated within the PSS region. Figure 2(b) shows that the FWHM in PSS region is 2.28, lower than 2.36 in planar region. Both the trends of Raman shift and FWHM are the same, which indicated a solid evidence of good crystal quality within PSS region.The result of EPD method has been observed by SEM, which is shown in figure 3. The dislocation density within the planar region is about 1.06 x 107 cm-2, which is higher than the PSS region (~2.54 x 106 cm-2). This result proves the better crystal quality of PSS region as well as the former two measurements. INFLUENCE OF SURFACE DEFECT DENSITY ON DIRECT CURRENT MEASUREMENT A further HEMT application of the quality-improved sample had been executed. Figure 4 shows the electronic properties of the sample with and without PSS. When the device’s gate is biased from -4V to 1V, the device with PSS exhibits higher drain than the planar one. In figure 4(a), when the gate voltage equal to 1V, the saturation current of the planar sample is 272.2 mA/mm, while the PSS sample is 323.4 mA/mm, about 18.8% increasing. As to the on-resistance (Ron) value, it reduces to 7.7 Ω-mm under very small drain voltage, which is a 65.9% decreasing comparing to the planar sample. The transduction value, which represents the gain of the gate voltage to the current, increases from 78.3 (planar) to 90.5 (PSS) mS/mm, about 15.6% increases. CONCLUSION We demonstrated a method to acquire a better crystal quality of GaN with PSS. The sample has been verified by Raman analysis and the EPD observation, both shown obvious improvement of crystal quality with PSS. The edge defect density has dropped about 1 order. The advance of crystal quality improved the electrical performance of HEMT. We believe that the method will be an effective and efficient technique that is capable to be applied to more semiconductor materials. Acknowledgments This study was supported financially by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), Taiwan, under contract no. MOST 105-2221-E-002-185-MY3. References J.L. Hudgins, G.S. Simin, E. Santi,and M.A. Khan, “An Assessment of Wide Bandgap Semiconductors for Power Devices,” IEEE T POWER ELECTR, vol.18, pp.907-914 (2003).Yuen-Yee Wong ,et al.“The Roles of Threading Dislocations on Electrical Properties of AlGaN/GaN Heterostructure Grown by MBE” J ELECTROCERAM, 157 (7) H746-H749 (2010).Fabio Alessio Marino , et al. ‘’ Effects of Threading Dislocations on AlGaN/GaN High-Electron Mobility Transistors’’ IEEE T POWER ELECTR, VOL. 57, NO. 1, JANUARY (2010). Figure 1

Enhanced photocathodic protection performance of graphene quantum dots sensitized TiO2 nanotube arrays for 304 stainless steel

Graphene quantum dots sensitized TiO2 nanotube arrays (GQDs/TNAs) are fabricated via a modified electrophoretic deposition (MEPD) method, in which TNAs were pretreated by silane coupling agent. The influences of GQDs on the morphology, optical property and photocathodic protection performance of the hybrid GQDs/TNAs were investigated. By varying the time of MEPD, appropriate quantity of GQDs can be well attached to the inner walls and tube entrance of TNAs. Compared with the bare TNAs and GQDs/TNAs prepared by impregnation-precipitation and conventional EPD method, the GQDs/TNAs acquired at 15 min exhibits excellent visible-light response and enhanced photocathodic protection of the coupled 304 stainless steel. A higher photocurrent density of 800 μA cm−2 is achieved and the open-circuit potential shifts to a more negative value of 740 mV under white-light irradiation. The improved performance is attributed to GQDs, which is not only a green photosensitizer, but also a superb mediator for fast separation and transfer of the photogenerated charge.

The Capability of Multilayer Cermet Coating Fabrication on Steel with Electrophoretic Deposition

The paper is devoted to the problem of hard metal multilayer coating fabrication on steel substrate. Two powder blends WC/Co and TiC/Co were used for the sequential forming of laminated coating by EPD method. It was shown that after vacuum sintering the sample coating consists of two layers. However microstructural investigation revealed strong chemical interaction between components of the layers and the substrate. It was stated that tungsten carbide of the top layer almost completely dissolves in iron-rich binder with (Fe, Co)3W3C – Fe eutectic formation. The presence of TiC/Co interlayer results in additional decarbonized layer formation in the steel substrate. The microhardness values of the top and the bottom coating layers are ≈ 500 HV and 800 HV correspondingly, although the substrate and decarbonized layer ones are ≈ 200 HV and 400 HV correspondingly.

High Temperature Superconducting Thick Films by use of EPD Method (II)

&lt;p&gt;High temperature superconducting (HTS) thick films deposited on metal Ag wire were prepared with YBCO and BSCCO powders by electrophoretic deposition method. I&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; was used as additives for surface charge of YBCO and BSCCO particles. When 2-3 wt.% BaF&lt;sub&gt;2&lt;/sub&gt; was added in the YBCO suspension, the pores and cracks of film surface were decreased and film density could be increased. In case of YBCO films, the critical current density (J&lt;sub&gt;c&lt;/sub&gt;) was calculated at the value of 1458 A/cm&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt; (77 K, 0 K) by 4 point prove method. BSCCO films had less cracks than YBCO films, and the critical current density (J&lt;sub&gt;c&lt;/sub&gt;) was obtained more than 10&lt;sup&gt;4&lt;/sup&gt; A/cm&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;.&lt;/p&gt;