Gaseous Decomposition Products Research Articles

Thermodynamics and kinetics of evaporation and thermal decomposition of 1-ethyl- and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium methanesulfonate ionic liquids: Experimental and computational study

Knudsen cell mass spectrometry was used to study the evaporation of two ionic liquids, 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium methanesulfonate ([EtMIm][MS], MS = CH3SO3) and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium methanesulfonate ([BuMIm][MS]), accompanied by thermal decomposition (thermolysis). The independent occurrence of evaporation and thermolysis reactions made it possible to determine their thermodynamic and kinetic characteristics under identical experimental conditions. The saturated vapor pressures were measured and the standard enthalpies of vaporization of [EtMIm][MS](l) and [BuMIm][MS](l) were obtained. The standard thermodynamic functions of formation in the liquid and gaseous states at 298.15 K were estimated from the available experimental data and the results of quantum chemical calculations. The gaseous decomposition products of ionic liquids were identified and the pressures of the thermolysis products of [EtMIm][MS](l) were determined. According to the experimental data and quantum chemical calculations, the thermolysis of [EtMIm][MS](l) occurs through heterogeneous reactions far from the equilibrium state. The kinetics of the reactions is described in two ways. When the degree of sample conversion is used as a variable, the constant reaction rates at the initial stage of thermolysis correspond to a pseudo-zero order reaction with a monotonic increase in the degree of conversion. In the proposed alternative approach, the reaction rates are estimated from the fluxes of thermolysis products and are expressed in terms of ionic liquid concentration.

Effect of occupational exposure to ADCA on the incidence of allergic respiratory reactions - a literature review

1,1'-azodi(formamide) (ADCA) is widely used as a blowing agent, a chemical substance designed to induce foaming processes. In Poland, ADCA is manufactured by a company specializing in the production of polyethylene foam bags and laminates used in various industries including home appliances, electronics, construction, furniture, automotive, and sports and leisure. The mechanism of action of ADCA involves thermal decomposition, resulting in nitrogen, carbon monoxide, as well as ammonia and carbon dioxide as the main gaseous decomposition products. These penetrate the polymer matrix, contributing to expansion and foaming properties. Most studies evaluating the relationship between occupational exposure and the development of allergic respiratory diseases focus on workers involved in ADCA production or its use as a blowing agent in plastics. The objective is to assess the respiratory sensitizing effects of ADCA in humans due to occupational exposure, based on literature data. The presented data confirm that long-term occupational exposure to ADCA can lead to persistent bronchial hyperreactivity symptoms in workers. 1,1'-azodi(formamide) can induce occupational asthma, with initial symptoms including nasal congestion, conjunctivitis, wheezing, and cough. Subsequently, symptoms such as chest tightness, dyspnea, and nocturnal cough attacks may appear, with a latency period of several years observed before symptom onset. In some cases, symptom progression was noted with continued ADCA exposure, while in others, exposure was discontinued after initial symptoms, preventing observation of symptom exacerbation. Prior exposure to allergens, such as working in bakeries, appears to accelerate symptom onset. Improvement in allergy symptoms has been noted during weekend breaks from work. There is no safe concentration identified for ADCA that would not result in adverse health effects for workers. A concentration of 0.036 mg/m3 is considered the lowest observed adverse effect concentration, causing critical reduction in lung spirometric parameters. Med Pr Work Health Saf. 2024;75(5).

H2S induced in-situ formation of recyclable metal sulfide-based sorbent for elemental mercury sequestration in natural gas

Enlightened by the phenomenon that hydrogen sulfide (H2S) can readily decompose on metal oxides to generate sulfide species and the obtained metal sulfides are generally adopted as Hg-affine ligands for Hg0 capture, a urea modified copper oxide (U-CuO) was prepared via high-temperature calcination of the mixture of urea and copper nitrate for Hg0 removal in natural gas containing H2S. Benefitted from the decomposition of urea and the release of gaseous decomposition products, the as-synthesized U-CuO was enriched with abundant base sites and lattice oxygen, and characterized with developed textural features, which facilitates the diffusion and adsorption of H2S and subsequent sequestration of Hg0. The Hg0 adsorption capacity and uptake rate of U-CuO under simulated natural gas (N2 + 500 ppm H2S+8% H2O) reached as high as 134.06 mg g−1 and 58.32 μg g−1 min−1, respectively, which largely surpassed those of most CuS-based sorbents for Hg0 immobilization. Besides, U-CuO sorbent also exhibited satisfactory recyclability only through simple thermal treatment, the Hg0 removal efficiency of U-CuO maintained above 97 % even after ten adsorption-regeneration rounds. This preparation strategy not only provides valuable hints to guide the design and synthesis of Hg0 sorbents used for natural gas containing H2S but also inspires further investigation for the cost-effective performance enhancement of Hg0 sorbents.

Density-functional theory study of SnSe/GeSe heterostructure for gaseous sulfur hexafluoride decomposition products sensing

Partial discharge, local overheating and other factors will lead to the decomposition of superior dielectric gas sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) used in gas insulated substations (GIS). Detecting gaseous sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) decomposition products by gas sensors to diagnose early latent insulation failures is a potential approach to guarantee safety and reliability of gas insulated substations (GIS). However, the main difficulties in the detection of SF6 decomposition products lie in sensitivity, operating temperature and sulfur poisoning of the sensor. Metal oxide selenides (MOSs)-based gas sensors suffer from high working temperature, long recovery time, and sulfur poisoning. Two dimensional selenides-based chemiresistor-type gas sensors have been reported to detect certain gases at room temperature. Compared with pristine materials, heterostructures usually have narrower band gaps and higher carrier mobility which promise low power and sensitivity. In this work, a SnSe/GeSe van der Waals heterostructure model is constructed and optimized to investigate the gas sensing properties by density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Compared with the pristine SnSe and the pristine GeSe, the SnSe/GeSe heterostructure exhibits huge adsorption energy and comparatively large charge transfer to the SF6 decomposition gases. The band structure analysis, charge analysis, electron localization function (ELF), and density of states (DOS) analysis suggest that the excellent sensing properties are contributed to the synergistic effect between the SnSe and the GeSe layers: both the layers transfer charge and orbitally interact with gas molecules. Besides, physical adsorption of the SF6 decomposition gases on SnSe/GeSe heterostructure avoids sulfur poisoning of the material, promising the recoverability and repeatability of detection. This study provides theoretical bases for the repeatable detection of SF6 decomposition products by SnSe/GeSe heterostructures and its potential in the design of electronic nose.

Uncovering the characteristics of plastic-associated biofilm from the inland river system of Mongolia

The occurrence and characteristics of plastic debris in aquatic and terrestrial environments have been extensively studied. However, limited information exists on the properties and dynamic behavior of plastic-associated biofilms in the environment. In this study, we collected plastic samples from an inland river system in Mongolia and extracted biofilms to uncover their characteristics using spectroscopic, isotopic, and thermogravimetric techniques. Mixtures of organic and mineral particles were detected in the extracted biofilms, revealing plastic as a carrier for exogenous substances, including contaminants, in the river ecosystem. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) indicated the predominant contribution of minerals primarily comprising aluminosilicate and calcite, representing approximately 80 wt% of the biofilms. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) coupled with Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometry operated at 25°C–600 °C enabled the detection of gaseous decomposition products, such as CO2, H2O, CO, and functional groups (O–H, C–H, C–O, CO, CC, and C–C), released from biopolymers in the extracted biofilms. Dehydration, dehydroxylation, and decarboxylation reactions explain the thermal properties of biofilms. The stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope ratios of the biofilms demonstrated variable signatures ranging from −24.1‰ to −27.0‰ and 3.1‰–12.3‰, respectively. A significant difference in the δ13C value (p < 0.05) among the upstream, middle, and downstream research sites could be characterized by available organic carbon sources in the river environment, depending on the research sites. This study provides insights into the characteristics and environmental behavior of biofilms which are useful to elucidate the impact of plastic-associated biofilms on organic matter and material cycling in aquatic ecosystems.

CHEMICAL STABILITY OF CELLULOSE NITRATES: REVIEW

The results of the analysis of literature data on updated methods for determining the chemical stability of cellulose nitrates are presented. The relevance of research is due to the need to control the operation and storage of a widespread component of solid rocket fuels and explosive compositions. The criterion for chemical resistance is the value of the decomposition rate or the time dependence of the degree of decomposition of the sample. It is shown that methods for assessing the chemical resistance of cellulose nitrates are based on determining the rate of its thermal decomposition, which is measured by a specific parameter accompanying decomposition. These parameters include weight loss, amount of gaseous decomposition products released, decomposition temperature or thermal effects. Studies are carried out at elevated temperatures and allow you to control the magnitude or rate of change in the parameter that accompanies thermal decomposition. The possibility of using modern analytical methods for evaluating chemical resistance is shown: differential scanning calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, chemiluminescent analysis, infrared spectroscopy, high-performance liquid and thin-layer chromatography, gas chromatography, electron paramagnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction analysis. The preference for methods of differential scanning calorimetry or differential thermal analysis is substantiated. The results of studies on improving the chemical resistance of cellulose nitrates and compositions based on it with the use of new stabilizers of the aniline series, stabilizers of natural origin with the advantage of the latter on the examples of curcumin and lignins are presented. Due to the insufficient stability of cellulose nitrates, stabilizers added to the formulation of explosive compositions lengthen the induction period of the decomposition of nitro compounds and do not allow the development of the autocatalytic decomposition stage. Methods for determining the chemical stability of cellulose nitrates obtained from alternative sources of raw materials are presented. For citation: Vdovina N.P., Korchagina А.А., Budaev I.А. Chemical stability of cellulose nitrates: Review. ChemChemTech [Izv. Vyssh. Uchebn. Zaved. Khim. Khim. Tekhnol.]. 2023. V. 66. N 5. P. 6-20. DOI: 10.6060/ivkkt.20236605.6725.

Thermal behavior of polymeric nickel(II) oxalate complex obtained through nickel(II) nitrate/ethylene glycol reaction

This paper analyzes the thermal decomposition of polymeric nickel(II) oxalate complex, a homopolynuclear coordination compound having the formula [Ni(C2O4)(H2O)2]n?xnH2O. The thermolysis was conducted in both dynamic oxidative and inert atmospheres by simultaneously applying thermogravimetry (TG), differential thermogravimetry (DTG) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The proposed decomposition mechanism was confirmed using evolved gas analysis (EGA) technique via the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) of the gaseous decomposition products. The solid-state decomposition products formed during heating were investigated by chemical analysis, FTIR, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The structure, morphology and properties of the final decomposition products were characterized by XRD, FTIR, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). These analyses show that the final decomposition product in oxidative atmosphere was nickel oxide, shaped as polygonal particles with widely distributed sizes. As for the results in inert atmosphere, they outlined a mixture of Ni and NiO as rhombohedral particles in a 3:2 molar ratio.

Evidence of plasma‐driven decomposition of common plastics exposed to an atmospheric nonthermal discharge

AbstractA nonthermal, pulsed spark discharge is applied to three polymer powders in Ar and Ar– gas mixtures. Hydrogen is introduced to assess plasma‐driven decomposition. Gaseous decomposition products, including methane, acetylene, and ethylene, are observed with Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR). Surface modifications are observed on the residual polymer via attenuated total internal reflection‐FTIR. Time‐averaged rotational, vibrational, and excitation temperatures are characterized in the discharge. The plasma density is found to be around , with rotational and vibrational temperatures ranging from 1500 to 2200 K and an excitation temperature of 1–2 eV. While spark properties did not change with either gas composition or polymer composition, it was determined that the addition of hydrogen promoted higher concentrations of gaseous phase products (promoting hydrogenolysis).

Analysis of the possibility of solid-phase ignition of coal fuel

The article presents the results of theoretical and experimental studies of the ignition process of coal fuel particles in a pelletized state during high-temperature radiation-convective heating in an oxidizing environment. A new, different from the known, “two-temperature” mathematical model of the ignition process of a cylindrical coal pellet under intense heating conditions is presented. During the modeling, a detailed kinetic scheme of the reaction of gaseous products of thermal decomposition of coal with atmospheric oxygen was considered. The mathematical model was tested through a comparative analysis of the theoretical and experimental values of the ignition delay times of coal pellet fuel with experimental data. A wide range of heating conditions that could potentially lead to solid-phase ignition were analyzed. The research results showed that even under conditions of high oxygen content in the original coal, solid-phase ignition of coal pellets does not occur during intense heating. Based on the results of numerical modeling, it was established that the ignition process occurs in the gas phase. The oxygen released during the thermal decomposition of coal is not enough for stable gas-phase or heterogeneous ignition of pyrolysis products in the intrapore space of the fuel pellet. Based on the results of the numerical modeling, it was established that the oxygen released during the thermal decomposition of coal is significantly deficient in the intrapore space. The O2 concentration is not enough for a significant (in terms of heat flow) thermochemical intrapore reaction with gaseous and solid products of thermal decomposition.

Modulation of perovskite degradation with multiple-barrier for light-heat stable perovskite solar cells

The long-term stability of perovskite solar cells remains one of the most important challenges for the commercialization of this emerging photovoltaic technology. Here, we adopt a non-noble metal/metal oxide/polymer multiple-barrier to suppress the halide consumption and gaseous perovskite decomposition products release with the chemically inert bismuth electrode and Al2O3/parylene thin-film encapsulation, as well as the tightly closed system created by the multiple-barrier to jointly suppress the degradation of perovskite solar cells, allowing the corresponding decomposition reactions to reach benign equilibria. The resulting encapsulated formamidinium cesium-based perovskite solar cells with multiple-barrier maintain 90% of their initial efficiencies after continuous operation at 45 °C for 5200 h and 93% of their initial efficiency after continuous operation at 75 °C for 1000 h under 1 sun equivalent white-light LED illumination.

Cerium(IV) Nitrate Complexes With Bidentate Phosphine Oxides

AbstractThe reactions between ceric ammonium nitrate, (NH4)2Ce(NO3)6, (CAN) and the bidentate phosphine oxides, 4,5‐bis(diphenylphosphine oxide)‐9,9‐dimethylxanthene (L1), oxydi‐2,1‐phenylene bis(diphenylphosphine dioxide) (L2), 1,2‐bis(diphenylphosphino)ethane dioxide (L3) and 1,4‐bis(diphenylphosphino)butane dioxide, L4 have been investigated. The crystal structures of the molecular Ce(NO3)4L1 (1), and ionic [Ce(NO3)3L32][NO3]⋅CHCl3 (3), [Ce(NO3)3L32][NO3] (4) and the polymeric [Ce(NO3)3L41.5] [NO3] (5) and the cerium(III) complex [Ce(NO3)2L12][NO3] (2) are reported. The thermal stability of the complexes has been examined by thermogravimetry with the gaseous decomposition products analysed by infrared spectroscopy. Evolution of CO2 is found for both Ce(III) and Ce(IV) complexes with the later also forming NO2. The formation of the complexes in solution has been studied by 31P NMR spectroscopy and further complexes [Ce(NO3)3L12]+[NO3]− and [Ce(NO3)2L13]2+2[NO3]− identified in CD3CN solution. The complex (1) exists as a single molecular species in solution and is stable in dichloromethane whilst (3) decomposes on standing in both CD2Cl2 and CD3CN to Ce(III) containing species. Complexes of L2 have been identified by solution 31P NMR spectroscopy and these decompose in solution to give Ce(NO3)3L22. This study represents the first structural characterisations of Ce(IV) complexes with bidentate phosphine oxides.

Bespoke Energetic Zeolite Imidazolate Frameworks-8 (ZIF-8)/Ammonium Perchlorate Nanocomposite: A Novel Reactive Catalyzed High Energy Dense Material with Superior Decomposition Kinetics

Aluminum is the universal fuel for solid propellants; however, its passive oxide layer could impede the full exploitation of its enthalpy. Meanwhile, common catalyst could not contribute to combustion enthalpy. This study shaded light on the multifunctional energetic metal-organic frameworks ZIF-8 with combustion enthalpy 21 KJ/g as high energy dense material as well as a novel catalyst for solid propellants. As-prepared ZIF-8 particles exhibited a highly crystalline structure with an average particle size of 40 nm. The performance of ZIF-8 as high-energy dense material was assessed to aluminum particles via integration into ammonium perchlorate (APC). ZIF-8/APC and Al/APC composites were prepared via the solvent–nonsolvent method; the decomposition enthalpy was investigated via DSC. ZIF-8 offered an increase in APC total decomposition enthalpy by 98.4%, to 39.11% for Al. ZIF-8 exhibited a superior catalytic behavior by lowering the APC high-temperature decomposition peak (HTD) by 81.48 °C compared to 70.3 °C for Al. The decomposition kinetics of ZIF-8/AP nanocomposite was investigated via Kissinger’s formula. The ZIF-8 offered a remarkable reduction in APC apparent activation energy at low-temperature decomposition peak and HTD peaks by peak by 16.5% and 30%, respectively. The superior catalytic performance of ZIF-8 was attributed to Zn+2 electron deficient centers with the exclusive formation of ZnO nanoparticles during combustion. ZIF-8 with gaseous decomposition products could boost specific impulses.

The Influence of 3D Printing Core Construction (Binder Jetting) on the Amount of Generated Gases in the Environmental and Technological Aspect.

This article presents the findings of a study focusing on the gas generation of 3D-printed cores fabricated using binder-jetting technology with furfuryl resin. The research aimed to compare gas emission levels, where the volume generated during the thermal degradation of the binder significantly impacts the propensity for gaseous defects in foundries. The study also investigated the influence of the binder type (conventional vs. 3D-printed dedicated binder) and core construction (shell core) on the quantity of gaseous products from the BTEX group formed during the pouring of liquid foundry metal into the cores. The results revealed that the emitted gas volume during the thermal decomposition of the organic binder depended on the core sand components and binder type. Cores produced using conventional methods emitted the least gases due to lower binder content. Increasing Kaltharz U404 resin to 1.5 parts by weight resulted in a 37% rise in gas volume and 27% higher benzene emission. Adopting shell cores reduced gas volume by over 20% (retaining sand with hardener) and 30% (removing sand with hardener), presenting an eco-friendly solution with reduced benzene emissions and core production costs. Shell cores facilitated the quicker removal of gaseous binder decomposition products, reducing the likelihood of casting defects. The disparity in benzene emissions between 3D-printed and vibratory-mixed solid cores is attributed to the sample preparation process, wherein 3D printing ensured greater uniformity.

A laboratory-scale process for producing dilithium beryllium tetrafluoride (FLiBe) with dissolved uranium tetrafluoride

Flibe Energy, Incorporated (FEI)'s conceptual Lithium Fluoride Thorium Reactor (LFTR) incorporates a chemical processing facility aimed at recovering uranium and other valuable volatile radionuclides while managing harmful radionuclides from the used fuel. The fuel utilized in this reactor is a combination of dilithium beryllium tetrafluoride (Li2BeF4 or FLiBe) and uranium tetrafluoride (UF4), (FLiBe/U). FEI's plan involves extracting the uranium and other valuable volatile fluoride-forming radionuclides using nitrogen trifluoride (NF3). To facilitate laboratory-scale testing of uranium extraction using NF3 and address the toxicity and physical hazards associated with beryllium and beryllium fluoride (BeF2), we used a two-step process to prepare the simulated fuel salt. The first step entailed thermally decomposing ammonium beryllium tetrafluoride [(NH4)2BeF4] (ABeF) through a nominal 3-step process, combined with appropriate amounts of lithium fluoride (LiF) and UF4, resulting in the formation of beryllium fluoride (BeF2). In the second step, the mixture was repeatedly melted and frozen at the melting point of FLiBe to prepare the eutectic FLiBe with dissolved UF4. Although the concept appears straightforward, the production of FLiBe/U involved various challenges. These challenges included transporting the gaseous decomposition products of ABeF, hydrogen fluoride (HF) and ammonia (NH3), while preventing the formation of ammonium fluoride (NH4F). Additionally, it was necessary to control the reaction between the higher-than-anticipated water content in the commercial ABeF with NH3, HF, and the condensed NH4F, protect UF4 from forming an unknown black compound, select suitable structural materials to mitigate fluoride corrosion, address the risks associated with beryllium toxicity through equipment design and operational protocols, and monitor process conditions. This article provides an account of the thermal decomposition chemistry observed in the commercial ABeF, describes the FLiBe/U production apparatus, describes the experiences and process refinements developed to prepare FLiBe/U, and presents our characterizations of prepared FLiBe/U.

The thermal decomposition and combustion of building and finishing materials

The paper investigates specific aspects of the methods for studying the composition of thermal decomposition and combustion products of typical indoor synthetic and natural materials. The purpose of this research is to build up an experimental database with the concentrations of gaseous pyrolysis products during the thermal decomposition of typical materials in compartments. The utilized techniques are gas and liquid chromatography, effusion mass spectrometry, IR spectroscopy, gas analysis equipment (laboratory and industrial gas analyzers). The conducted research compared the promising methods of chemical analysis of gaseous products of thermal decomposition and combustion of synthetic and natural materials that carry a fire load in residential and public spaces. Data on the quantitative and qualitative composition of combustion products of wood, textile and interior design items were obtained. Toxicity indices of combustion product components were calculated. The data presented in the tables and diagrams for the smoke aerosol component yield in the thermal decomposition and combustion of materials can be used to determine gas hazards from combustion products in an area and to solve other applied problems. These findings are fundamental for predicting the toxic substance concentrations, developing fire safety measures and planning the evacuation paths. It is instructive to use these findings as the basis for developing the physical and mathematical models of heat and mass transfer, phase transformations and chemical reactions to determine the patterns of propagation of gaseous components of thermal decomposition and combustion in spaces with different geometries and dimensions.

Effect of Hybrid Filler, Carbon Black-Lignocellulose, on Fire Hazard Reduction, including PAHs and PCDDs/Fs of Natural Rubber Composites.

The smoke emitted during thermal decomposition of elastomeric composites contains a significant number of carcinogenic and mutagenic compounds from the group of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PAHs, as well as polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and furans, PCDDs/Fs. By replacing carbon black with a specific amount of lignocellulose filler, we noticeably reduced the fire hazard caused by elastomeric composites. The lignocellulose filler reduced the parameters associated with the flammability of the tested composites, decreased the smoke emission, and limited the toxicity of gaseous decomposition products expressed as a toximetric indicator and the sum of PAHs and PCDDs/Fs. The natural filler also reduced emission of gases that constitute the basis for determination of the value of the toximetric indicator WLC50SM. The flammability and optical density of the smoke were determined in accordance with the applicable European standards, with the use of a cone calorimeter and a chamber for smoke optical density tests. PCDD/F and PAH were determined using the GCMS-MS technique. The toximetric indicator was determined using the FB-FTIR method (fluidised bed reactor and the infrared spectrum analysis).

Thermal decomposition kinetics and mechanism investigation of cumene hydroperoxide under inert gas: A novel experimental method

Organic peroxides, due to temperature manipulation failure and/or manner disturbances, had been probable to lead to the prevalence of runaway phenomena, even fire, and explosion. Cumene hydroperoxide (CHP), is a traditional liquid organic peroxide for industrial purposes and is applied as a free radical initiator for polymerization reactions in the petrochemical industry. Its utilization in the industrial processes had certain potential safety hazards. In this work, linearly ramped thermal decomposition in CHP was performed using differential scanning calorimetry under a nitrogen atmosphere. Kinetic analysis is made using data from the ramped measurements with two integral strategies (Flynn-Wall-Ozawa and Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose). The gaseous products of thermal decomposition in CHP are investigated via thermal gravimetric evaluation coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. Combined with the experimental results, the possible decomposition path of CHP is discussed. This makes up the gap of unclear decomposition mechanism of CHP in inert atmosphere, and has important reference significance for its industrial production and application.

Proton irradiation induced damage effects in CH&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;NH&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;PbI&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;-based perovskite solar cells

Perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have a great potential for space applications due to their high specific power, low cost and high defect tolerance. PSCs used in space will be subjected to high-energy particle irradiation, especially proton irradiation, resulting in the decline of photovoltaic (PV) performance. However, the research on proton irradiation effects in PSCs is still in its infancy stage. In this work, the CH&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;NH&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;PbI&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt; (MAPbI&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;) thin films and their PSCs are irradiated by protons with energy of 0.1, 2, 10, 20 MeV, etc. Irradiation-induced changes in PV parameters of the PSCs are studied as a function of proton fluence. The structural and surface morphological changes of the irradiated MAPbI&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt; films and Au electrode layers of PSCs are characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. In addition, UV spectrophotometer is also employed to analyze the transmission loss in glass substrate induced by proton irradiation. It is found that PSCs exhibit superior resistance against proton irradiation. The PV properties of the PSCs don’t degrade after 0.1 MeV (2 MeV) proton irradiation up to a fluence of 1×10&lt;sup&gt;13&lt;/sup&gt; p/cm&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt; (1×10&lt;sup&gt;14&lt;/sup&gt; p/cm&lt;sup&gt;2&lt;/sup&gt;). The irradiation-induced damage in the charge transport layers may be the main cause for the performance degradation of PSCs. The gaseous products (NH&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt; and CH&lt;sub&gt;3&lt;/sub&gt;I) of perovskite decomposition eventually lead to exfoliation of the top Au electrode from the PSCs. Regarding 10 and 20 MeV proton irradiation with larger projected ion ranges, the irradiations create color center defects in glass substrate of PSCs, which results in a decrease in light transmission of visible spectrum. However, the color center defects, specifically non-bridging oxygen hole centers, will be partly annealed at room temperature or 100 ℃, reducing the transmission loss in glass. The reported results may help predict the performance degradation of PSCs in space irradiation environment.

The effect of the lignocellulosic filler on the reduction of fire hazard of styrene-butadiene rubber composites, including the reduction of smoke, PCDD/F, PAH emissions and toxicity during its thermal decomposition

Carbon black commonly found in elastomeric composites is the main precursor of smoke formed during thermal decomposition and combustion of these materials. It has been proven that soot particles suspended in the air, absorbing carcinogenic, mutagenic and teratogenic, organic compounds from the groups of dioxins, furans and polyaromatic hydrocarbons, penetrating into living organisms through the respiratory tract, pose a serious threat to human health and life. Therefore, it has been proved in this paper, that partial replacement of carbon black with a natural lignocellulosic filler, also in synergetic system with non-halogen flame retardants, not only reduces the flammability of the obtained composites, but also significantly reduces their smoke formation, PCDD/Fs and PAHs emissions, as well as the toxicity of gaseous inorganic decomposition products expressed by a toxicometric index taking into account the emissions of CO, CO2, SO2, NO2, HCl and HCN. In addition, the use of natural fillers in elastomeric composites perfectly fits the European regulations regarding the development of reusable or recyclable materials and reducing the cost of their production through the use of cheap renewable raw materials.Flammability and smoke density of studied composites were determined in accordance with European standards with the use of cone calorimeter and smoke density chamber.PCDD/F and PAH were determined with the use of GC-MS-MS technique. Toxicometric index was determined with the use of FB-FTIR technique (fluidised bed reactor and the infrared spectrum analysis).

Nano-starch for food applications obtained by hydrolysis and ultrasonication methods

In the present work, corn (CS) and waxy corn starch (WCS) with different amylose content (determined with the UV–vis spectroscopy) were subjected to acid hydrolysis, ultrasound, and a combination of both, performed at a raised temperature and short period, to obtain nanoparticles (nano-WCS and nano-CS). Scanning transmission electron microscopy (TEM-STEM) proved the effectiveness of the proposed method for nanoparticle synthesis with a size below 5 nm. FTIR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) delivered information on their molecular structure (i.e., reduction in nano-CS crystallinity degree (Xc) arising from higher amylose content and more stable Xc for nano-WCS). Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) combined with FTIR analysis of gaseous products of thermal decomposition was also performed. The thermal stability decreased in varying degrees for nano-WCS and nano-CS. Less susceptibility of waxy corn starch for modification was proven.Nanoparticles are expected to be effective for functional food, and biomedical applications.