Hydrated Materials Research Articles

Utilising terahertz pulsed imaging to analyse the anhydrous-to-hydrate transformation of excipients during immediate release film coating hydration.

Pharmaceutical tablets are routinely film-coated to improve appearance, reduce medication errors and enhance storage stability. Terahertz pulsed imaging (TPI) can be utilised to study the liquid penetration into the porous tablet matrix in real time. Using polymer-coated flat-faced tablets with anhydrous lactose or mannitol, we show that when the tablet matrix contains anhydrous material, the anhydrous form transforms to the solid-state hydrate form in the tablet core while the immediate release coating dissolves. The process starts at the interface between the coating and the core. It commences inward for more than 7min, resulting in a shell of hydrate form on the order of a few hundred microns thicknesses immediately underneath the dissolving coating. TPI is sensitive enough to detect and spatially resolve this process based on the subtle change in the refractive index of the two materials. TPI can further resolve tablets with different components using the time-domain waveforms in reflection and provide insights into the presence of hydrate material (lactose monohydrate) in altering the water mass transport mechanism. The kinetics data obtained from TPI fit the power law model (y=ktm), whose constants enable us to infer the different mass transport mechanisms.

Selective Lithium Recovery from Spent Lithium Manganate Batteries Using Oxidative Stabilization Technique.

Using oxidizing compounds to handle the recycling of discarded lithium batteries has advanced significantly in recent years. One of the most prominent methods is the sintered electrode powder treatment using pre-used additives, with an aqueous solution of the oxidizing agent fueling highly selective lithium extraction and transition metals retention in the refractory material. Herein, phosphoric acid (H3PO4) was used as the exchanger and hydrogen ions provider, the oxidant (K2S2O8) activity was driven by heating, the raw material structure was deformed and adjusted by the oxidizing drive, and lithium was exhausted, while manganese was converted into manganese(III) phosphate hydrate and manganese dioxide insoluble material. The optimized conditions resulted in a lithium leaching rate of 94.16 % and a separation factor of 95.74 %, while the corresponding manganese leaching rate was limited to less than 5 %. The X-ray diffraction, X-ray spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry measurements were used to investigate the influence of oxidation driving force and lithium leaching. Finally, the lithium leach solution was continuously stirred with sodium carbonate in boiling water to obtain the precipitate, which was separated and washed several times to obtain high-purity lithium carbonate.

Thermal properties of technogenic hydrated magnesia material

Thermal properties of technogenic hydrated magnesia material

Mathematical modeling of gas-phase mass transfer in hydrous materials for a total heat exchange ventilator

Mathematical modeling of gas-phase mass transfer in hydrous materials for a total heat exchange ventilator

Exploring microstructure and mechanical features of coupled cementitious tail-sand concrete by partial replacement of tungsten tailings

Exploring microstructure and mechanical features of coupled cementitious tail-sand concrete by partial replacement of tungsten tailings

A Comprehensive Review of Indentation of Gels and Soft Biological Materials

Abstract Indentation measurement has emerged as a widely adapted technique for elucidating the mechanical properties of soft hydrated materials. These materials, encompassing gels, cells, and biological tissues, possess pivotal mechanical characteristics crucial for a myriad of applications across engineering and biological realms. From engineering endeavors to biological processes linked to both normal physiological activity and pathological conditions, understanding the mechanical behavior of soft hydrated materials is paramount. The indentation method is particularly suitable for accessing the mechanical properties of these materials as it offers the ability to conduct assessments in liquid environment across diverse length and time scales with minimal sample preparation. Nonetheless, understanding the physical principles underpinning indentation testing and the corresponding contact mechanics theories, making judicious choices regarding indentation testing methods and associated experimental parameters, and accurately interpreting the experimental results are challenging tasks. In this review, we delve into the methodology and applications of indentation in assessing the mechanical properties of soft hydrated materials, spanning elastic, viscoelastic, poroelastic, coupled viscoporoelastic, and adhesion properties, as well as fracture toughness. Each category is accomplished by the theoretical models elucidating underlying physics, followed by ensuring discussions on experimental setup requirements. Furthermore, we consolidate recent advancements in indentation measurements for soft hydrated materials highlighting its multifaceted applications. Looking forward, we offer insights into the future trajectory of the indentation method on soft hydrated materials and the potential applications. This comprehensive review aims to furnish readers with a profound understanding of indentation techniques and a pragmatic roadmap of characterizing the mechanical properties of soft hydrated materials.

Clean-up of divalent cobalt ions by massive sequestration in a low-cost calcium silicate hydrate material

Cobalt is a critical resource in industrial economies for the manufacture of electric-vehicle batteries, alloys, magnets, and catalysts, but has acute supply-chain risks and poses a threat to the environment. Large-scale sequestration of cobalt in low-cost materials under mild conditions opens a path to cobalt recycling, recovery and environmental clean-up. We describe such sequestration of cobalt by a widely available commercial calcium silicate material containing the mineral xonotlite. Xonotlite rapidly and spontaneously takes up 40 percent of its weight of cobalt under ambient conditions of temperature and pressure and reduces dissolved cobalt concentrations to low parts per million. A new Sharp Front experimental design is used to obtain kinetic and chemical information. Sequestration occurs by a coupled dissolution-precipitation replacement mechanism. The cobalt silicate reaction product is largely amorphous but has phyllosilicate features.

Polypropylene Fiber’s Effect on the Features of Combined Cement-Based Tailing Backfill: Micro- and Macroscopic Aspects

In undercut-and-fill mining, backfills show weak tensile strength and poor ductility properties since they act as artificial pillars to support stope roofs. Hence, the enhancement of the stability of mining structures and backfills is a crucial requisite for underground mining backfill operations. This study addresses the reinforcing effect of polypropylene (PP) on the strength features of combined cement-based tailing backfill (CCTB) with varied cement/tail ratios (c/t: 1:8 to 1:4) at both macroscopic and microscopic levels. Fill specimens containing a fixed solid content of 70 wt% were reinforced with fiber (0.6 wt%) and with no fiber (classified as a reference sample). They were then cast in mold sizes of 160 × 40 × 40 mm3, and cured for 7 days. Following curing, some experiments covering three-point bending assisted by DIC and SEM were performed to inspect the microstructure and strength features of CCTB. The results illustrate that the flexural strength of fiber-oriented CCTB increases along with the c/t fraction, but it is not greater than that of specimens with a high c/t fraction without fiber. Adding PP fiber, the peak deflection of CCTB specimens was improved, and the increment of peak deflection increased linearly with rising c/t fraction, enhancing CCTB’s bending characteristics. CCTB damage starts from the bottom to the middle, and the main cause of the damage is the stress distribution at the lowest section. The addition of fiber to CCTBs increases the ability to dissipate energy, which helps to hinder crack extension and prevent brittle damage from occurring. The microstructure shows that AFt and CSH were key hydrate materials in CCTB. As a result, this study develops the security of mining with backfill and helps to determine its design properties for safe production inputs and sustainable filling operations.

The structure of the mantle transition zone and its implications for mantle upwelling beneath the central Tibetan plateau from triplicated P-waveforms modeling

The structure of the mantle transition zone and its implications for mantle upwelling beneath the central Tibetan plateau from triplicated P-waveforms modeling

Bioinspired polysaccharide-based nanocomposite membranes with robust wet mechanical properties for guided bone regeneration

ABSTRACT Polysaccharide-based membranes with excellent mechanical properties are highly desired. However, severe mechanical deterioration under wet conditions limits their biomedical applications. Here, inspired by the structural heterogeneity of strong yet hydrated biological materials, we propose a strategy based on heterogeneous crosslink-and-hydration (HCH) of a molecule/nano dual-scale network to fabricate polysaccharide-based nanocomposites with robust wet mechanical properties. The heterogeneity lies in that the crosslink-and-hydration occurs in the molecule-network while the stress-bearing nanofiber-network remains unaffected. As one demonstration, a membrane assembled by bacterial cellulose nanofiber-network and Ca2+-crosslinked and hydrated sodium alginate molecule-network is designed. Studies show that the crosslinked-and-hydrated molecule-network restricts water invasion and boosts stress transfer of the nanofiber-network by serving as interfibrous bridge. Overall, the molecule-network makes the membrane hydrated and flexible; the nanofiber-network as stress-bearing component provides strength and toughness. The HCH dual-scale network featuring a cooperative effect stimulates the design of advanced biomaterials applied under wet conditions such as guided bone regeneration membranes.

Advances in stimuli-responsive injectable hydrogels for biomedical applications.

Injectable hydrogels, as a class of highly hydrated soft materials, are of interest for biomedicine due to their precise implantation and minimally invasive local drug delivery at the implantation site. The combination of in situ gelation ability and versatile therapeutic agent/cell loading capabilities makes injectable hydrogels ideal materials for drug delivery, tissue engineering, wound dressing and tumor treatment. In particular, the stimuli-responsive injectable hydrogels that can respond to different stimuli in and out of the body (e.g., temperature, pH, redox conditions, light, magnetic fields, etc.) have significant advantages in biomedicine. Here, we summarize the design strategies, advantages, and recent developments of stimuli-responsive injectable hydrogels in different biomedical fields. Challenges and future perspectives of stimuli-responsive injectable hydrogels are also discussed and the future steps necessary to fulfill the potential of these promising materials are highlighted.

Employing the optimized pre-intercalation strategy to design functional Mo pre-intercalated hydrated vanadium oxide for aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Employing the optimized pre-intercalation strategy to design functional Mo pre-intercalated hydrated vanadium oxide for aqueous zinc-ion batteries

Hydrodeoxygenation of vanillin to 2-methoxy-4-methylphenol over carbon dots supported Pd catalyst

Hydrodeoxygenation of vanillin to 2-methoxy-4-methylphenol over carbon dots supported Pd catalyst

EVALUATION OF CEMENT POLYMER COMPOSITES USING SPSS ANALYSIS

Cement Polymer Mixtures are made of Cement, sand, or bulk polymers are made using polymers added to improve their compressive strength, fatigue resistance, impact, and durability. Hydraulic cement polymer composites, created with modern polymer technology, are well-known for enhancing the development of composite materials and new products. This technology aims to improve both polymer cement for new construction and its use in repairing old cement. The adhesive properties of polymer cement allow for correction and bonding of both polymer-based and conventional cement. Cement-based composite materials, such as hardened cement paste, are formed by the combination of cement, water hydration, various minerals, metals, and polymeric materials. Different combinations of these materials can result in cement binders that are used for construction. Cement, a chemical substance used as a binder, sets and hardens to bind things together. It is rarely used alone and is typically combined with sand and gravel. Polymer cement is a type of cement-polymer composite where conventional cement hydrates are replaced by polymer binders or liquid resins. It is prepared by completely replacing the hydrate binders of cement with the polymer binders or liquid resins. This mixture forms a cement-polymer composite. Cement-polymer composites are durable materials that exhibit long service life and can withstand harsh environmental conditions. They are not affected by extreme temperatures, whether hot or cold, as dry concrete has a low coefficient of expansion and can accommodate moderate movements in the design. Evaluation parameters for cement include calcium oxide, magnesium oxide, silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, sodium oxide, potassium oxide, and sulfur trioxide.

Stabilization of salt hydrates using flexible polymeric networks

Stabilization of salt hydrates using flexible polymeric networks

Spectroscopic Links among Giant Planet Irregular Satellites and Trojans

We collect near-infrared spectra (∼0.75–2.55 μm) of four Jovian irregular satellites and visible spectra (∼0.32–1.00 μm) of two Jovian irregular satellites, two Uranian irregular satellites, and four Neptune Trojans. We find close similarities between the observed Jovian irregular satellites and previously characterized Jovian Trojans. However, irregular satellites’ unique collisional histories complicate comparisons to other groups. Laboratory study of CM and CI chondrites shows that grain size and regolith packing conditions strongly affect spectra of dark, carbonaceous materials. We hypothesize that different activity histories of these objects, which may have originally contained volatile ices that subsequently sublimated, could cause differences in regolith grain size or packing properties and therefore drive spectral variation. The Uranian satellites Sycorax and Caliban appear similar to TNOs. However, we detect a feature near 0.7 μm on Sycorax, suggesting the presence of hydrated materials. While the sample of Neptune Trojans have more neutral spectra than the Uranian satellites we observe, they remain consistent with the broad color distribution of the Kuiper Belt. We detect a possible feature near 0.65–0.70 μm on Neptune Trojan 2006 RJ103, suggesting that hydrated material may also be present in this population. Characterizing hydrated materials in the outer solar system may provide critical context regarding the origins of hydrated CI and CM chondrite meteorites. We discuss how the hydration state(s) of the irregular satellites constrains the thermal histories of the interiors of their parent bodies, which may have formed among the primordial Kuiper Belt.

Polymer shape effect on damage evolution, internal defects and crack propagation of 3D-printed polymer-based cementitious backfill

Polymer shape effect on damage evolution, internal defects and crack propagation of 3D-printed polymer-based cementitious backfill

Different pathways to anomalous stabilization of ice layers on methane hydrates.

We explore the Casimir-Lifshitz free-energy theory for surface freezing of methane gas hydrates near the freezing point of water. The theory enables us to explore different pathways, resulting in anomalous (stabilizing) ice layers on methane hydrate surfaces via energy minimization. Notably, we will contrast the gas hydrate material properties, under which thin ice films can form in water vapor, with those previously predicted to be required in the presence of liquid water. It is predicted that methane hydrates in water vapor near the freezing point of water nucleate ice films, instead of water films.

Polypropylene Fiber Effect on Flexural Strength, Toughness, Deflection, Failure Mode and Microanalysis of Cementitious Backfills under Three-Point Bending Conditions

Cemented tailings backfill (CTB) is continually practiced in a large number of metallic mines for re-filling underground ore extraction areas. Re-filling these areas can boost the security of mining teams during construction. Hence, CTB’s durability/ductility is extremely vital to ensure the safety of the entire mine. In this study, layered-fiber-reinforced CTB (LFR-CTB) was manufactured using polypropylene fiber (PPF) to increase the strength and flexibility of backfilling. The strength and bending features of CTB and LFR-CTB specimens were explored through a three-point bending test and SEM microanalysis. Test findings pointed out that the flexural strength of 14-day-cured CTB specimens without fiber delamination and with cement showed that a tailings ratio of 1:4 was the largest among others. Residual flexural strength of LFR-CTB was greater than those of CTB without fiber delamination. Accumulating fiber delamination effectively improved CTB’s flexural features. CTBs without fiber delamination presented the largest average flexural modulus values. LFR-CTBs presented greater average toughness index values than ordinary CTB specimens. Adding fiber facilitated the progress of CTB’s post-peak rigidity. LFR-CTBs containing high-fiber delamination dimensional height have excellent bending properties. The damage mode of all backfill specimens is chiefly tensile damage. The overall bonding of LFR-CTB specimens in the presence of interlayer interfaces is outstanding, not affecting their bending performance. Ettringite and CSH gels were found to be key hydration materials. The addition of fiber to the filling has an inhibitory impact on the extension of the cracks occurring within specimens. Finally, this study’s key consequence is to deliver a technical guideline and reference in order to reveal LFR-CTB’s enhancement and delamination mechanism for industrial applications.

Review on Salt Hydrate Thermochemical Heat Transformer

The industrial sector utilizes approximately 40% of global energy consumption. A sizeable amount of waste energy is rejected at low temperatures due to difficulty recovering with existing technologies. Thermochemical heat transformers (THT) can play a role in recovering low-temperature industrial waste heat by storing it during high supply and discharging it on demand at a higher temperature. Thus, THT will enable waste heat reintegration into industrial processes, improving overall energy efficiency and lowering greenhouse gas emissions from the industrial sector. Salt hydrate is a promising thermochemical material (TCM) because it requires a low charging temperature which can be supplied by waste heat. Furthermore, its non-toxic nature allows the implementation of a simpler and less costly open system. Despite extensive research into salt hydrate materials for thermochemical energy storage (TCES) applications, a research gap is identified in their use in THT applications. This paper aims to provide a comprehensive literature review of the advancement of THT applications, particularly for systems employing salt hydrates material. A discussion on existing salt hydrate materials used in the THT prototype will be covered in this paper, including the challenges, opportunities, and suggested future research works related to salt hydrate THT application.