Macroporous Network Research Articles

Using macroporous graphene networks to toughen ZrC–SiC ceramic

Graphene is one of the important candidates in ceramic toughening due to its outstanding physical and chemical properties. For the weak interface toughening of large-diameter graphene sheet and alleviation of the interfacial reaction between ceramic precursors and graphene sheets during high-temperature pyrolysis, ZrC–SiC‒Graphene composite was synthesized via a facile technology of infiltrating ceramic slurry instead of ceramic precursor into macroporous graphene network and spark plasma sintering. The incorporation of the graphene network improved fracture toughness, critical crack size, and fracture energy of ZrC–SiC ceramic. The multiple length-scale toughening mechanisms of ZrC–SiC‒Graphene composite include the macroscopic toughening mechanism of crack deflection and bifurcation and the micro toughening mechanism of graphene bridging, ceramic micro zone tearing, graphene pull-out, graphene and ceramic brick slipping.

Modeling surfactant adsorption/retention and transport through porous media

The mathematical modeling of adsorption/retention behavior of surface active materials in a porous medium composed of a complex network of macropores, mesopores, and micropores was studied herein. In this paper, we propose a model for these processes and discuss selecting boundary conditions for parameter fitting, analyze tracer and surfactant signal sizes, contrast calculated results of reversible and irreversible adsorption, and address the difference between local equilibrium and the rate-limited process. We used experimental data from the literature to adjust the parameters of the proposed model, taking macroporosity and mesoporosity into account. Our results show that at least two types of porosity should be used for modeling porous media. Moreover, the boundary condition at the outlet was found to significantly affect the output response. This effect is greater in systems with low Péclet numbers (high dispersion and/or diffusion, i.e., NPe < 5). Therefore, an appropriate boundary condition should be used if an analytical solution is employed to fit experimental parameters for the tracer. In addition, we observed that two input signal characteristics, namely slug size and rectangular pulse, proved to be of great importance in determining the output response when they are smaller than the corresponding values that would cause the system to reach adsorption saturation. A local equilibrium assumption is only valid when the flow conditions result in a Stanton number greater than 10. Our model should be helpful in guiding the design of dynamic adsorption experiments and understanding the ways in which heterogeneities in the rock influence the interpretation of experimental results.

Microstructured poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)/poly(glycerol monomethacrylate) interpenetrating network hydrogels: UV-scattering induced accelerated formation and tensile behavior

Methacrylate hydrogels are unique synthetic materials known for their capability to serve as multifunctional eye-implants, practically without duration and compatibility limits. We introduce a novel strategy consisting in toughening of a macroporous microstructure using the interpenetrating network concept, which improves the commonly preferred preparation way of hydrogel based on photopolymerization. The method proceeds at ambient temperature and can be used in situ. Scattering of irradiation generated by the microstructure considerably enhances the polymerization rate. This acceleration effect was quantified by careful optical analysis and is important for in situ applications. Crosslinked IPN hydrogels of 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) as the first network and glycerol methacrylate (GMA) as the second network based on this new design were studied and compared with IPNs prepared from non-porous PHEMA gels. Surprisingly, a relatively high swelling capacity was achieved with this new design and the Young’s modulus increased from 4 kPa for parent PHEMA network to 380kPa for the PHEMA–PGMA IPNs and to 980 kPa for the PHEMA–PHEMA IPNs. The IPN hydrogels were strong and resisted mechanical load. The reinforcement of the mechanically poor macroporous network by swelling in another hydrophilic monomer and subsequent polymerization presents a new concept of preparation of strong microstructured IPNs (MIPNs).

Porous Carbon Nanosheet‐Supported Chiral Squaramide for Highly Enantioselective Friedel–Crafts Reaction

AbstractPorous carbon nanosheets (PCNs) were used for the first time as a support to immobilize a quinine–squaramide catalyst for the asymmetric Friedel–Crafts addition of pyrazolones to isatin ketimines. Relying on its open structure with a macroporous network as well as hydrophobicity, the PCN‐supported catalyst presented catalytic performance comparable to its homogeneous catalyst; the products were obtained in high yields (up to 90 %) with high ee values (up to 99 %). Recycling batch reactions together with a continuous flow process confirmed the stability of the catalyst.

One Step Construction of Nitrogen–Carbon Derived from Bradyrhizobium japonicum for Supercapacitor Applications with a Soybean Leaf as a Separator

Bradyrhizobium japonicum (BJ), which has a symbiotic relationship with soybean roots, possessed an abundant three-dimensional (3D) structure with a high N content. A soybean leaf (SL) with a hierarchically ordered macroporous network and numerous polar hydroxyl groups was proposed as a separator for a supercapacitor. A 3D hierarchical porous carbon was prepared by the facile carbonization with chemical activation of BJ. The as-prepared material possesses a large specific surface area (1275 m2·g–1), unique 3D hierarchical porosity, and good electrical conductivity. The electrochemical performance of the Bradyrhizobium japonicum-derived porous carbons at a mass ratio of 1.5 (ZnCl2/BJ = 1.5) (BJPC-1.5) for supercapacitors with a SL separator showed a high capacitance (358 F/g at 1 A·g–1), a superior cycle stability of 91% over 8000 cycles, and a superior rate capability in a symmetric two-electrode supercapacitor in 6 M KOH. Furthermore, the electrochemical performance of the BJPC-1.5 with a SL separator was...

Hierarchically porous nitrogen-doped carbon as cathode for lithium–sulfur batteries

Abstract Porous nitrogen-doped carbon is an especially promising material energy storage due to its excellent conductivity, stable physicochemical properties, easy processability, controllable porosity and low price. Herein, we reported a novel well-designed hierarchically porous nitrogen-doped carbon (HPNC) via a combination of salt template (ZnCl2) and hard template (SiO2) as sulfur host for lithium–sulfur batteries. The low-melting ZnCl2 is boiled off and leaves behind micropores and small size mesopores during pyrolysis process, while the silica spheres are removed by acid leaching to generate interconnected 3D network of macropores. The HPNC-S electrode exhibits an initial specific capacity of 1355 mAh g–1 at 0.1 C (1 C = 1675 mAh g–1), a high-rate capability of 623 mAh g–1 at 2 C, and a small decay of 0.13% per cycle over 300 cycles at 0.2 C. This excellent rate capability and remarkable long-term cyclability of the HPNC-S electrode are attributed to its hierarchical porous structures for confining the soluble lithium polysulfide as well as the nitrogen doping for high absorbability of lithium polysulfide.

Sensitive, selective, disposable electrochemical dopamine sensor based on PEDOT-modified laser scribed graphene

The fabrication of a novel, and highly selective electrochemical sensor based on a poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) modified laser scribed graphene (LSG), and detection of dopamine (DA) in the presence of ascorbic acid (AA) and uric acid (UA) is described. LSG electrodes were produced with a 3-dimensional macro-porous network and large electrochemically-active surface area via direct laser writing on polyimide sheets. PEDOT was electrodeposited on the LSG electrode, and the physical properties of the obtained films were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray diffraction microanalysis (EDAX). The modified electrodes were applied for the determination of DA in the presence of AA and UA using cyclic voltammetry (CV), and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) techniques. The linear range for dopamine detection was found to be 1–150 µM with a sensitivity of 0.220 ± 0.011 µA μM−1 and a detection limit of 0.33 µM; superior values to those obtained without PEDOT. For the first time, PEDOT-modified LSG have been fabricated and assessed for high-performance dopamine sensing using cost-effective, disposable electrodes, with potential for development in further sensing applications.

Methane Bubble Growth and Migration in Aquatic Sediments Observed by X-ray μCT.

Methane bubble formation and transport is an important component of biogeochemical carbon cycling in aquatic sediments. To improve understanding of how sediment mechanical properties influence bubble growth and transport in freshwater sediments, a 20-day laboratory incubation experiment using homogenized natural clay and sand was performed. Methane bubble development at high resolution was characterized by μCT. Initially, capillary invasion by microbubbles (<0.1 mm) dominated bubble formation, with continued gas production (4 days for clay; 8 days for sand), large bubbles formed by deforming the surrounding sediment, leading to enhanced of macropore connectivity in both sediments. Growth of large bubbles (>1 mm) was possible in low shear yield strength sediments (<100 Pa), where excess gas pressure was sufficient to displace the sediment. Lower within the sand, higher shear yield strength (>360 Pa) resulted in a predominance of microbubbles where the required capillary entry pressure was low. Enhanced bubble migration, triggered by a controlled reduction in hydrostatic head, was observed throughout the clay column, while in sand mobile bubbles were restricted to the upper 6 cm. The observed macropore network was the dominant path for bubble movement and release in both sediments.

Modelling soil-water dynamics in the rootzone of structured and water-repellent soils

In modelling the hydrology of Earth's critical zone, there are two major challenges. The first is to understand and model the processes of infiltration, runoff, redistribution and root-water uptake in structured soils that exhibit preferential flows through macropore networks. The other challenge is to parametrise and model the impact of ephemeral hydrophobicity of water-repellent soils. Here we have developed a soil-water model, which is based on physical principles, yet possesses simple functionality to enable easier parameterisation, so as to predict soil-water dynamics in structured soils displaying time-varying degrees of hydrophobicity. Our model, WEIRDO (Water Evapotranspiration Infiltration Redistribution Drainage runOff), has been developed in the APSIM Next Generation platform (Agricultural Production Systems sIMulation). The model operates on an hourly time-step. The repository for this open-source code is https://github.com/APSIMInitiative/ApsimX. We have carried out sensitivity tests to show how WEIRDO predicts infiltration, drainage, redistribution, transpiration and soil-water evaporation for three distinctly different soil textures displaying differing hydraulic properties. These three soils were drawn from the UNSODA (Unsaturated SOil hydraulic Database) soils database of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). We show how preferential flow process and hydrophobicity determine the spatio-temporal pattern of soil-water dynamics. Finally, we have validated WEIRDO by comparing its predictions against three years of soil-water content measurements made under an irrigated alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) trial. The results provide validation of the model's ability to simulate soil-water dynamics in structured soils.

Fertilizer placement and tillage effects on phosphorus concentration in leachate from fine-textured soils

Adoption of no-tillage in agricultural watersheds has resulted in substantial reductions in sediment and particulate phosphorus (P) transport in surface runoff. No-tillage, however, may result in increased losses of dissolved P in tile-drained landscapes due to the accumulation of P in surface soil layers and prevalence of preferential flow pathways. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of fertilizer placement and tillage on P leaching in fine-textured soils following fertilizer application. Rainfall simulations (90 min; 3.8 cm rainfall depth) immediately following application of monoammonium phosphate fertilizer (75 kg P ha−1) were conducted on 9 m2 plots with pan lysimeters (0.6 m depth) in four agricultural fields located in northwestern Ohio, USA. Three fertilizer placement treatments that covered a range of soil disturbance and soil-fertilizer mixing (broadcasted, injected, and tilled) were replicated on each field. Stable water isotopes were used to separate leachate into preferential and matrix flow components. Results showed that leachate dissolved P concentration was significantly greater when fertilizer was surface broadcast on no-tilled plots (43.7 mg L−1) compared to when the fertilizer was either injected (14.9 mg L−1) or tilled (11.0 mg L−1) into the soil. Event water comprised between 6 and 46% (mean = 22%) of lysimeter leachate and did not vary among treatments. Similar event water contributions among treatments suggest that the disruption of the macropore network was not likely the main mechanism responsible for decreased P concentration in leachate, but rather increased soil-fertilizer contact and decreased interaction between the highly soluble fertilizer and ponded surface water were likely responsible for decreased P concentrations observed for the injected and tilled treatments compared to the broadcasted treatment. Findings indicate that subsurface injection of fertilizer has the potential to limit dissolved P leaching compared to surface broadcast applications and also minimize soil disturbance relative to tillage; thus, it should be considered a promising conservation practice to help meet water quality goals in tile-drained landscapes.

Impact of Temporal Macropore Dynamics on Infiltration: Field Experiments and Model Simulations

Core Ideas Dynamics of earthworm activity change macropore networks temporally. In the topsoil, macropore numbers were largest in autumn and smallest in summer. Temporal dynamics in macropore networks affected their hydrological impact. Modeling confirmed that temporal macropore dynamics affect infiltration patterns. Macropores greatly affect water and solute transport in soils. Most macropores are of biogenic origin; however, the resulting seasonal dynamics are often neglected. Our study aimed to examine temporal changes in biopore networks and the resulting infiltration patterns. We performed infiltration experiments with Brilliant Blue on pastureland in the Luxembourgian Attert catchment (spring, summer, and autumn 2015). We developed an image‐processing scheme to identify and quantify changes in biopores and infiltration patterns. Subsequently, we used image‐derived biopore metrics to parameterize the ecohydrological model echoRD (ecohydrological particle model based on representative domains), which includes explicit macropore flow and interaction with the soil matrix. We used the model simulations to check whether biopore dynamics affect infiltration. The observed infiltration patterns revealed variations in both biopore numbers and biopore–matrix interaction. The field‐observed biopore numbers varied over time, mainly in the topsoil, with the largest biopore numbers in spring and the smallest in summer. The number of hydrologically effective biopores in the topsoil seems to determine the number and thereby the fraction of effective biopores in the subsoil. In summer, a strong biopore–matrix interaction was observed. In spring, the dominant process was rapid drainage, whereas in summer and autumn, most of the irrigated water was stored in the examined profiles. The model successfully simulated infiltration patterns for spring, summer, and autumn using temporally different macropore setups. Using a static macropore parameterization the model output deviated from the observed infiltration patterns, which emphasizes the need to consider macropores and their temporal dynamics in soil hydrological modeling.

Riparian Vadose Zone Preferential Flow: Review of Concepts, Limitations, and Perspectives

Core Ideas Riparian ecosystems are hotspots for macropore flow due to their biogeomorphology. Macropore prevalence can reduce riparian buffer pollution mitigation effectiveness. Characterization of macropore morphology and connectivity is needed in riparian zones. An effect of seasonal shallow water table on macropore flow is proposed. Integration of infiltration–soil moisture–macropore flow model into design tools is needed. The design and analysis of surface water pollution control practices such as vegetative filter strips and riparian buffers typically focus on surface runoff, with limited attention given to subsurface flow and transport. Field evidence suggests a prevalence of macropore flow (MF) in the riparian vadose zone (RVZ) due to abundant biological activity (e.g., fauna and roots) and steep hydraulic gradients created by the adjacent stream and the presence of a seasonally shallow water table (SWT). Because rapid leaching and subsurface transport of contaminants can be significant with MF, their prevalence in riparian buffers can negate the intended benefits of this widely adopted surface runoff pollution control practice. While theories exist for modeling preferential flow processes, experimental and modeling techniques are still lacking to characterize in situ RVZ macropore network morphologies at the soil profile and landscape scales. Importantly, the presence of a seasonal SWT can increase MF and transport processes neglected in current analyses. Additional research is needed to evaluate holistic modeling frameworks that can represent MF from measurable parameters at the riparian field scale. In this work, we review various MF theories and concepts suitable to RVZ conditions and identify current limitations and knowledge gaps. We emphasize the use of dual‐permeability approaches as a compromise between model complexity and parameter identifiability. We also identify the need for well‐controlled experimental studies using the latest monitoring technology and validation studies at the laboratory and field scales. Only then can decision‐support tools realistically predict the influence of preferential flow processes on the performance of riparian buffers as a surface water quality control practice.

Alkylation of O-xylene and styrene catalyzed by cross-linked poly acidic ionic liquids catalyst with novel mesoporous-macroporous structure

Cross-linked poly acidic ionic liquids (MPM-C6V-SO3CF3-IL) with mesoporous and macroporous network structure have been synthesized in different solvents. The novel solid acid catalyst with special network structure has a large surface area (103.83 m2/g), large pore volume (0.72 cm3/g) and abundant mesopores and macropores, which help to improve the contact between active site and reactants. Catalytic performance of catalyst was investigated through alkylation of o-xylene and styrene. Different reaction parameters specifically solvent on obtained catalyst and production of PXE were systematically investigated. Under optimal reaction conditions (reaction time was 3 h, reaction temperature was 120 °C, catalyst amount was 0.17 g (0.5 wt%), and o-xylene/styrene mass ratio was 7.5:1), a high conversion of styrene (100%) and 1,2-diphenylethane (PXE) yield of 99.67% was obtained, which is superior to commercial acid in liquid and even previous acids synthesized by our own group. Moreover, catalyst could keep relatively high thermostability under reaction and are easy to be separated and recycled from the solution, which are critical for heterogeneous solid catalysts. Thus, this novel catalyst can be potentially applied in other acidic reactions.

Linking pore network characteristics extracted from CT images to the transport of solute and colloid tracers in soils under different tillage managements

The understanding of relations between quantitative information of soil structure from X-ray computed tomography (CT) and soil functions is an important topic in agronomy and soil science. The influence of tillage on macroporosity (i.e., pores measured by CT >240 μm in all directions) could be manifested in their effects on solute and colloid transport properties. Tillage will also have crucial importance on preferential flow; i.e., a direct flow through root and earthworm channels. Increasing knowledge of the relationships between soil tillage, structure, and transport contributes to a deeper insight into the key factors of soil management influencing productivity, environmental quality and crop health. The aim of this work is the identification of relationships between soil management of the pore network and the influence of the characteristics of the paths identified by CT on the transport of solute and colloidal tracers. In this work, we used CT to characterize the macropore network ( >0.24 mm) of sixteen columns (100 height × 84 diameter, mm) of adjacent plots under different soil management as follows: conventional management with shallow tillage after sowing (4 samples), conventional management with no tillage after sowing (4 samples), and organic vegetables (8 samples). The soil samples were installed in columns under a dripper, and the transport behavior was examined during breakthrough of Br− and 1-μm latex microspheres in samples near saturation. Transport of Br− and latex microspheres was modeled using a two-region physical non-equilibrium model (dual porosity). Preferential flow was higher under organic management, although the pore water velocities were, in general, lower. The preferential flow of Br− was correlated with the total volume of macropores extracted from each tomography, and the local increase in the Hounsfield value (i.e., CT matrix density, CTMatrix) surrounding the macropores. The denser lining, produced by the earthworms in the inner walls of the pores, was inversely correlated with the kinetic exchange coefficient between mobile and immobile zones of the dual-porosity model. The macropore roughness indicated by the CT-macropore surface area was correlated with the solute dispersion coefficient and with the solute travel time. Finally, we found that the overall CTMatrix density is inversely related to the preferential flow. The importance of this work lies in the improvement of the accuracy of predictions related to flow and transport through soils, especially those processes that include particles traveling through the soil.

Simple pyrolysis experiments for the preliminary assessment of biomass feedstocks and low-cost tar cracking catalysts for downdraft gasification applications

The pyrolysis behaviour of beech wood, two rice husk variants from Brazil (BRH) and Thailand (TRH) and a solid waste water treatment residue from textile manufacture (TIR) were investigated using a lab-scale, 2-stage fixed-bed reactor at 773 K. Char yields increased and volatile yields decreased with increasing ash content. The TRH released 40% less tar than the BRH which was attributed to the substantially higher potassium content of the Thai species. The combustion reactivity of the TRH char in air at 773 K was similar to the BW char and almost double the reactivity of the BRH and TIR chars. The BW and TRH chars had a greater volume of macropores indicating that char combustion occurs predominantly through the growth and extension of the macroporous pore network. A different trend was observed for the char gasification reactivity with CO2 at 1173 K. The Ca and Mg content of the chars were found to have a more important catalytic role in the char gasification reactions with CO2.The effect of exposing volatile products from beech wood pyrolysis to elevated temperatures (973–1173 K) and sand beds containing calcined limestone or dolomite in a simulated downdraft gasification environment was also investigated. Tar yields decreased after exposure to elevated temperature and calcined limestone or dolomite. Tar cracking favoured the production of CO. CO yields were between 22 and 23 wt% at 1173 K. Calcined dolomite was slightly more effective at cracking tar than calcined limestone, eliminating 98 wt% of the tar at 1173 K.

Structural, microrheological and kinetic properties of a ternary silica-Pluronic F127-starch thermosensitive system

HypothesisThe sol-gel transition in aqueous suspensions consisting of silica particles and thermosensitive polymer is controlled by inter-particle forces and solution properties of the polymer. Addition of a second non-thermosensitive polymer may affect the transition. The purpose of this work was to characterize the kinetics of the sol-gel transition and to understand the effects of a second non-thermosensitive polymer on the microstructure, using a combination of classical rheology and microrheology. ExperimentsClassical rotational rheology as well as two microrheology methods, Multiple Particle Tracking (MPT) and Diffusing Wave Spectroscopy (DWS), were used to investigate the sol-gel transition of a ternary silica-Pluronic F127-starch thermosensitive system. FindingsClassical rheometry and DWS indicated sol-gel transition temperature ∼25 °C at 1 wt% Pluronic, independently of the concentration of the other components. DWS showed a fast gelation process, less than two minutes for all samples, beside a second slow kinetic process. In the gel state, MPT indicated micro-structural and micro-viscoelastic differences compared to rotational rheology. This was explained by formation of an elastic matrix of silica and polymers in combination with assembly of silica particles in large macroporous agglomerates. Presence of starch led to breakdown of the macroporous network, leaving the homogeneous elastic network left.

Mapping sand layers in clayey till using crosshole ground-penetrating radar

Fluid transport through clayey tills governs the quantity and quality of groundwater resources in the Northern Hemisphere. This transport is often controlled by a 3D network of macropores (biopores, fractures, and sand lenses) within the clayey till. At present, a nondestructive technique that can map and characterize the sand-lens network does not exist, and full excavation or extensive drilling is therefore the only solution. Acquisition and modeling of crosshole ground-penetrating radar (GPR) may provide the answer to this problem. We collected 1D and 2D crosshole GPR data at a field site in Denmark from four 8 m deep boreholes with horizontal distances varying between 2.64 and 5.05 m. We find that the depth, thickness, and tilt of a coherent sand layer within the clayey till (approximately 0.4–0.6 m thick), as well as the underlying sand formation, can be mapped accurately using GPR data. We efficiently identify the sand as a highly resistive section with high electromagnetic (EM) wave velocities, whereas the clayey till is conductive with lower EM wave velocities. We find that the exact location of the sand occurrences is better delineated by the increase in amplitude than the increase in EM wave velocity. We believe that crosshole GPR may contribute significantly to groundwater protection and contaminant remediation initiatives.

Scalable Synthesis of Honeycomblike V2O5/Carbon Nanotube Networks as Enhanced Cathodes for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

A green and scalable route to form a honeycomblike macroporous network by homogeneously weaving V2O5 nanowires and carbon nanotubes (CNTs) was developed. The intertwinement between V2O5 nanowires and CNTs not only integrates nanopores into the macroporous system but also elevates the collection and transfer of charges through the conductive network. The unique combination of V2O5 nanowires and CNTs renders the composite monolith with synergic properties for substantially enhancing electrochemical kinetics of lithiation/delithiation when used as a lithium-ion battery (LIB) cathode. This work presents a useful approach for a large-scale production of cellular monoliths as high-performance LIB cathodes.

Mesoporous anodic tin oxide with two-dimensional macroporous network

Here, we report a single-step anodic oxidation process to form a micron-scale island array of mesoporous tin oxide without any template. The grain boundary of an electrodeposited tin metal layer proved to be diffuse with a width of a few hundred nanometers. Such a diffuse boundary with high-surface energy might be preferentially dissolved during anodic oxidation to form a two-dimensional macroporous network in the mesoporous tin oxide film. In a mixed anodization solution of oxalic acid and an etchant of tin metal (i.e., methanol), the removal of the diffuse grain boundary was significantly promoted and led to a clear island array of mesoporous tin oxide. The size and density of the mesoporous tin oxide islands were tunable by varying the current density applied during the tin electroplating.

Lateral Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity of Soil Horizons Evaluated in Large-Volume Soil Monoliths

Evaluating the lateral saturated hydraulic conductivity, Ks,l, of soil horizons is crucial for understanding and modelling the subsurface flow dynamics in many shallow hill soils. A Ks,l measurement method should be able to catch the effects of soil heterogeneities governing hydrological processes at the scale of interest, in order to yield Ks,l representative values over large spatial scales. This study aims to develop a field technique to determine spatially representative Ks,l values of soil horizons of an experimental hillslope. Drainage experiments were performed on soil monoliths of about 0.12 m3 volume, encased in situ with polyurethane foam. Median Ks,l of 2450 mm·h−1 and 552 mm·h−1 were estimated in the A and B horizon, respectively. In the upper part of the B horizon, the median Ks,l was 490 mm·h−1, whereas it mostly halved near the underlying restricting layer. The decline of Ks,l values with depth was consistent with the water-table dynamics observed at the same site in previous studies. Moreover, the Ks,l from the monoliths were in line with large spatial-scale Ks,l values reported from the hillslope in a prior investigation based on drain data analysis. This indicated that the large-scale hydrological effects of the macropore network were well represented in the investigated soil blocks. Our findings suggest that performing drainage experiments on large-volume monoliths is a promising method for characterizing lateral conductivities over large spatial scales. This information could improve our understanding of hydrological processes and can be used to parameterize runoff-generation models at hillslope and catchment scale.