Organic Components Research Articles

Reference Material for the Composition of Fuel Oil

Electrical transformers are a key element in the process of distributing electricity from the producer to the final consumer. The reliability of electrical transformers is ensured through systematic monitoring of the structural condition using chemical analysis of fuel (transformer) oil used for electrical insulation and cooling of transformers. The working life of energy oil and paper insulation can be assessed by evaluating the content of antioxidant additive (ionol) and furan derivatives (furfuryl alcohol, furfural, 2-acetylfuran and 5-methylfurfural). The article provides a critical analysis of methods for measuring ionol and furan derivatives in oils. In particular, it has been established that the most widely used methods for the identification of ionol and furan derivatives are liquid and gas chromatography methods with preliminary isolation of analytes based on the principles of liquid/solid-phase extraction. At the same time, the need for matrix reference materials with established metrological traceability was identified for metrological support of methods for measuring the content of ionol and furan derivatives in oils. Therefore, the purpose of this study was the development of a certified reference material (CRM) for the composition of fuel oil. The technology for producing such a CRM makes it possible to prepare the material with the required concentrations of analytes. The article describes the sequence of preparation of a CRM batch and presents the conclusions of studying the stability and between-bottle homogeneity of the material. The given calculation of the standard uncertainty for the certified value of the CRM from the characterization method, heterogeneity, and instability of the material in accordance with GOST ISO Guide 35–2015 deserves attention. The metrological traceability of certified values of the CRM to the unit of value «mass fraction of a component» reproduced by the State Primary Standard of units of mass (molar) fraction and mass (molar) concentration of organic components in liquid and solid substances and materials based on liquid and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with isotope dilution and gravimetry (GET 208–2019). The competence of the study is confirmed by the fact that the CRM was recognized as GSO 12232–2023.

Humanistic foundations of the legal system: dialectics of theory and practice in the conditions of modern challenges

The article is devoted to the study of the principle of humanism as the fundamental basis of the modern legal state. The author examines the historical development of the concept of humanism from the ideas of ancient philosophers to modern concepts of human rights, emphasizing its key role in the formation of the legal system and state policy. The work analyzes the concept of «principle» and its meaning in the legal context. The author emphasizes the systematic nature of the principles of law, their interrelation and hierarchy, which is critically important for understanding their role in the formation and functioning of the legal system. Special attention is paid to the principle of humanism as a cross-cutting element of the legal system. Its key aspects are considered: recognition of the inherent value of each person, respect for human dignity, provision of conditions for the realization of rights and freedoms, striving for the common good. The author emphasizes that humanism in law is not only an ethical ideal, but also a practical guideline for law-making and law enforcement. The article also examines certain aspects of the dialectical opposition between humanism and anti­humanism, which allows for a deeper understanding of the dynamic nature of humanistic principles and their role in the development of the rule of law. The author emphasizes the need for constant critical review of existing norms and institutions for their compliance with humanistic ideals. An important aspect of the research is consideration of the relationship between the level of moral maturity of society and the implementation of the principle of humanism. The author claims that in a morally developed society, respect for the rights and freedoms of the individual becomes an organic component of everyday life, which creates a harmonious coexistence of ethical principles and legal norms. In the conclusions, the author emphasizes the need not only for formal enshrining of humanistic principles in legislation, but also for their practical implementation in all spheres of social life. This requires constant improvement of the legal system and state administration in order to maximally satisfy the needs and interests of citizens, which is a key feature of a truly legal and democratic state.

Studying the relationship of the type of higher nervous activity with the milk productivity of cows

The purpose of the presented research was to study the influence of the type of higher nervous activity (HNA) on the secretion of organic components of milk in various milking conditions. The studies were carried out in 2 periods. The first period was standard, and in the second there was a conditioned stimulus - the presence of an outsider. Black-and-white cows were assigned to four types of higher nervous activity: type 1 - strong, balanced; type 2 - strong, unbalanced; 3 - strong, inert; 4 - weak, inhibitory. In the first period, type 2 cows showed a significant decrease in the amount of milk, fat and glucose, but the mass fraction of protein in milk tended to increase separately for each milking by 0.22 %. The ratio of the mass fraction of protein to the percentage of lactose for two milkings was significantly higher by 0.06, in relation to type 1. In type 3, in general, for two milkings, an increase in lactose by 13.3 g, fat - by 7.0 g was noted, in contrast to the indicators of the first type. Animals of the fourth type tended to reduce milk secretion to 18.3 %. Also, the mass fraction of fat in milk was lower to 0.53 % (P < 0.05) and protein to 0.28 %, and the proportion of lactose in milk, on the contrary, was consistently higher in both milkings by 0.25-0,26 % (P < 0.05). In the second period (with a conditioned stimulus), cows of the second group showed a positive trend towards an increase in the mass fraction of protein in the morning with machine milking by 0.26 % (P < 0.05), and with manual milking by 0.32 % (P < 0.05), in relation to the first group. The mass fraction of fat during machine and manual milking in animals of the second type tended to decrease. In the third group, the indicators of milk of the first streams in the morning were higher by 0.99 % (P < 0.05) - fat, by 0.33 % - protein, by 0.09 % - lactose, in relation to the first type of higher nervous activity. In cows with a weak, inhibitory nervous system, the influence of the conditioned stimulus contributed to a decrease in the ratios of the mass fraction of fat and protein in milk to lactose to 0.14 and 0.09, compared with type 1 cows.

MOF-on-MOF Growth: Inducing Naturally Nonpreferred MOFs and Atypical MOF Growth.

ConspectusOverflowing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been synthesized from a wide range of metal and organic components for specific purposes and intellectual curiosity. Each MOF has unique chemical and structural characteristics directed by the incorporated components, metal ions (or clusters), organic linkers, and their intrinsic coordination interactions. These incorporated components and structural characteristics are two pivotal factors influencing MOFs' fundamental properties and subsequent applications. Therefore, selecting the appropriate metal and organic components, considering their innate chemical and structural properties, is crucial to endow the final MOFs with the desired properties. Ultimately, producing MOFs with a desired structure using ideal components is the best approach to achieving the best MOFs tailored for specific purposes with desired properties. However, achieving MOFs with the intended structure from chosen components remains underdeveloped. In many cases, the resulting MOF structure is governed by the thermodynamically and/or kinetically preferred configuration (refers to a naturally preferred structure) of the chosen components and given reaction conditions. Additionally, producing hybrid MOFs with complex components, structures, and morphologies presents a great opportunity to obtain special MOFs with advanced properties and functions. In this Account, we outline our group's efforts over the past few years to develop naturally nonpreferred MOFs through the induced MOF-on-MOF growth process and atypical hybrid MOFs via nonstandard MOF-on-MOF growth. First, we highlight the prime strategy for producing naturally nonpreferred MOFs based on template-induced MOF-on-MOF growth. In this section, we discuss the two basic growth behaviors, isotropic and anisotropic growth of naturally nonpreferred MOFs, determined by the degree of matching between the cell lattices of the two MOFs. Second, we introduce the MOF farming concept for the productive cultivation and effective harvesting of naturally nonpreferred MOFs made by MOF-on-MOF growth. Here we discuss the importance of selecting the ideal MOF template for productive growth and developing an efficient method for harvesting cultivated MOFs. Next, we describe atypical anisotropic MOF-on-MOF growths between two MOFs with mismatched cell lattices. In this section, we introduce tip-to-middle MOF-on-MOF growth involving self-structural adjustment of the secondary MOF, logical inference of unidentified MOF structures based on MOF-on-MOF growth behavior and morphological features, and MOF-on-MOF growth accompanied by etching and transformation of the template. Finally, we discuss the perspectives and challenges of MOF-on-MOF growth and the synthesis of naturally nonpreferred MOFs. We hope that this Account offers valuable insights into the rational design and development of MOFs with desired structural and compositional characteristics, leading to the creation of ideal MOFs.

Ancient and modern bone diagnosis: Towards a better understanding of chemical and structural feature alterations

Chemical and structural alterations hold great importance in the field of diagenesis. Attenuated Total Reflectance − Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) is a valuable method for examining bio-apatite composition changes. Infrared spectroscopy (IR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were employed to analyze both modern and archaeological bone specimens. Organic and mineral component changes in modern and ancient samples were investigated. Ancient bone samples were collected from two archaeological sites in Jordan, dating back to the Iron and Byzantine ages. IR results indicated that collagen cross-links and mineral maturity are higher in modern bones compared to ancient bones. Additionally, the crystallinity index is higher in modern bones than in archaeological bones, while the carbonate to phosphate ratio (C/P) is lower in modern bones than in ancient ones. Curve fitting was applied to reveal the carbonate substitution inside the hydroxyapatite lattice within the IR region from 850 to 890 cm−1. A2-type carbonates (identified as υ2 of CO32−) denote hydroxyl site substitution, and B-type carbonates represent a substitution to the phosphate site. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the peak at 604 cm−1 from IR spectra reveals that crystallinity is higher in modern bones, as confirmed by the FWHM of the (002)-apatite pattern in XRD. Statistical analysis was conducted to validate these findings, ensuring the robustness of the results. Finally, the results obtained in this investigation align with previous literature reports regarding ATR-FTIR ratios. This suggests that modern bones have better crystallinity compared to ancient bones. Furthermore, the ATR-FTIR ratios indicate that the hydroxyl and phosphate sites of modern bones undergo more substitution than older bones. The findings of this study not only enhance our understanding of the diagnostic processes in archaeological bone specimens but also have broader implications for fields such as archaeology, anthropology, and forensics, where the analysis of bone composition and structural changes can provide valuable insights into the history and characteristics of ancient remains.

Studies on Kinetics, Isothermal Modelling and Optimization of Cow Dung Adsorbent for Synthetic Dairy Wastewater Treatment

<p style="line-height:200%;text-align:justify;"><span style="line-height:200%;">The dairy industry is a major food industry that processes raw milk into a variety of products. The milk processing factory produces DWE with soluble organic components, suspended particles, and trace elements. These components degrade, causing cloudiness and odour. Adsorbing total solids (TS) and controlling odour levels in dairy wastewater help to minimize odour. This study investigates the process of producing activated carbon from cow dung (ACDC) and its use in cleaning synthetic dairy wastewater (SDW) by batch adsorption and column adsorption studies. Cow dung powder is chemically activated by soaking it in 1N ZnCl<sub>2</sub> and 1N KOH solutions in a 2:1 ratio. The optimal adsorbent concentration for both ACDC was 2.5 g/50 ml. The effectiveness of ACDC treatment was evaluated by its ability to reduce turbidity, TDS, and COD. The study found that activated carbon with ZnCl<sub>2</sub> was slightly more effective than activated carbon with KOH. While the KOH ACDC was more effective at a pH of 8, achieving a removal rate of 92.88%, the ZnCl<sub>2</sub> ACDC achieved a turbidity removal of 93.3% at a pH of 4. The present work highlights the potential for activated carbon derived from cow dung to effectively and sustainably treat dairy effluent.</span></p>

Key Roles of Free Cations in Modulating the Reaction Rate in Imidazolium Ionic Liquid-Dimethyl Sulfoxide Mixtures.

Imidazolium ionic liquids (ILs) are widely utilized in various fields due to their distinctive properties. However, their high viscosity limits their application in specific reactions, and mixing ILs with organic components is a way to solve this problem. While previous studies mainly focused on the structural changes of ILs after adding organic molecules, no studies elucidated the influence of their existing species on chemical reactions. In this study, aerobic α-hydroxylation of 2-methylcyclohexanone was chosen as a model reaction, and the reaction rate was found to be adjusted by varying imidazolium concentration in its mixtures with dimethyl sulfoxide. To elucidate the mechanism, the distribution of species in an IL solution and its change with concentration were studied by molecular dynamics simulations, and the results revealed the significant impact of the concentration of free cations on the reaction rate. The interaction between the ionic species and reaction intermediate, as calculated by density functional theory, highlighted the crucial role of free cations in this reaction. This study demonstrates the feasibility of tuning the concentration of free cations by varying the concentration of the IL solution, establishing the relationship between its microstructure and chemical reaction efficiency, thus providing vital information for the design and application of ILs.

Comparison of Construction Strategies of Solid Electrolyte Interface (SEI) in Li Battery and Mg Battery-A Review.

The solid electrolyte interface (SEI) plays a critical role in determining the performance, stability, and longevity of batteries. This review comprehensively compares the construction strategies of the SEI in Li and Mg batteries, focusing on the differences and similarities in their formation, composition, and functionality. The SEI in Li batteries is well-studied, with established strategies that leverage organic and inorganic components to enhance ion diffusion and mitigate side reactions. In contrast, the development of the SEI in Mg batteries is still in its initial stages, facing significant challenges such as severe passivation and slower ion kinetics due to the divalent nature of magnesium ions. This review highlights various approaches to engineering SEIs in both battery systems, including electrolyte optimization, additives, and surface modifications. Furthermore, it discusses the impact of these strategies on electrochemical performance, cycle life, and safety. The comparison provides insights into the underlying mechanisms, challenges, and future directions for SEI research.

Innovative Techniques for Pharmaceutical Waste Management: Enhancing Drug Recovery and Environmental Sustainability

The pharmaceutical sector is a major component of current healthcare, manufacturing and distributing drugs, biological substances, and medical equipment. Despite its advantages, the sector creates enormous waste, including materials for packaging, production by-products, expired or unused drugs, and other residues, creating health and environmental issues. Appropriate pharmaceutical waste handling and medication recovery strategies are vital for limiting these problems. This article aims to investigate and evaluate multiple techniques for recovering pharmaceuticals from pharmaceutical waste, highlighting the significance of sustainable waste management in the pharmaceutical sector. The paper emphasizes the need to use modern methods such as liquid-liquid extraction, membrane crystallization, solid-liquid extraction, and adsorption to recover drugs from pharmaceutical waste. Liquid-liquid extraction exhibits excellent adaptability and efficiency for varied Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs), whereas membrane crystallization provides low-energy solutions for thermally sensitive compounds. Solid-liquid extraction is useful for recovering APIs from solid dosage forms, while adsorption approaches exploit substances like activated carbon for organic component recovery. Each process has particular benefits and disadvantages, with the selection of methodology based on waste properties and recovery objectives. It emphasizes the promise of these technologies for high extraction yields, purity, and environmental sustainability, supporting effective pharmaceutical waste management procedures. Additionally, difficulties such as cost-effectiveness, scalability, and regulatory compliance are addressed, pointing to opportunities for future research and development to improve the efficacy of drug recovery procedures. In conclusion, using advanced techniques to recover pharmaceuticals from pharmaceutical waste offers a viable way to implement sustainable waste recovery procedures and lessen the pharmaceutical industry's negative environmental effects.

Biochemical Study of Gallstones Compositions in Iraqipatients

The aim of this study is to determine the organic and inorganic components of bile and gallstones in Iraqi patients. Forty seven patients were included in this study with mean age (53+7) years and BMI (30.82+4.18) Kg/m2. Bile was classified according to its corresponding stones into: Bile of Mixed stones and Bile of pigment stones. IR spectra were studied for both types of stones and their bile in addition to biochemical analysis for organic and inorganic components. The organic components include: (cholesterol, bilirubin, bile salts, and phospholipids), while inorganic components include salts of: (calcium, phosphorus, iron, cupper and magnesium). The results reveal to there was significant low levels (p

Porous Metal Phosphonate Frameworks: Construction and Physical Properties.

ConspectusPorous metal phosphonate frameworks (PMPFs) as a subclass of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have promising applications in the fields of gas adsorption and separation, ion exchange and storage, catalysis, sensing, etc. Compared to the typical carboxylate-based MOFs, PMPFs exhibit higher thermal and water stability due to the strong coordination ability of the phosphonate ligands. Despite their robust frameworks, PMPFs account for less than 0.51% of the porous MOFs reported so far. This is because metal phosphonates are highly susceptible to the formation of dense layered or pillared-layered structures, and they precipitate easily and are difficult to crystallize. There is a tendency to use phosphonate ligands containing multiple phosphonate groups and large organic spacers to prevent the formation of dense structures and generate open frameworks with permanent porosity. Thus, many PMPFs are composed of chains or clusters of inorganic metal phosphonates interconnected by organic spacers. Using this feature, a wide range of metal ions and organic components can be selected, and their physical properties can be modulated. However, limited by the small number of PMPFs, there are still relatively few studies on the physical properties of PMPFs, some of which merely remain in the description of the phenomena and lack in-depth elaboration of the structure-property relationship. In this Account, we review the strategies for constructing PMPFs and their physical properties, primarily based on our own research. The construction strategies are categorized according to the number (n = 1-4) of phosphonate groups in the ligand. The physical properties include proton conduction, electrical conduction, magnetism, and photoluminescence properties. Proton conductivity of PMPFs can be enhanced by increasing the proton carrier concentration and mobility. The former can be achieved by adding acidic groups such as -POH and/or introducing acidic guests in the hydrophilic channels. The latter can be attained by introducing conjugate acid-base pairs or elevating the temperature. Semiconducting PMPFs, on the other hand, can be obtained by constructing highly conjugated networks of coordination bonds or introducing large conjugated organic linkers π-π stacked in the lattice. In the case of magnetic PMPFs, long-range magnetic ordering occurs at very low temperatures due to very weak magnetic exchange couplings propagated via O-P-O and/or O(P) units. However, lanthanide compounds may be interesting candidates for single-molecule magnets because of the strong single-ion magnetic anisotropy arising from the spin-orbit coupling and large magnetic moments of lanthanide ions. The luminescent properties of PMPFs depend on the metal ions and/or organic ligands. Emissive PMPFs containing lanthanides and/or uranyl ions are promising for sensing and photonic applications. We conclude with an outlook on the opportunities and challenges for the future development of this promising field.

SEI Formation and Lithium-Ion Electrodeposition Dynamics in Lithium Metal Batteries via First-Principles Kinetic Monte Carlo Modeling.

The stabilization and enhanced performance of lithium metal batteries (LMBs) depend on the formation and evolution of the Solid Electrolyte Interphase (SEI) layer as a critical component for regulating the Li metal electrodeposition processes. This study employs a first-principles kinetic Monte Carlo (kMC) model to simulate the SEI formation and Li+ electrodeposition processes on a lithium metal anode, integrating both the electrochemical electrolyte reduction reactions and the diffusion events giving place to the SEI aggregation processes during battery charge and discharge processes. The model replicates the competitive interactions between organic and inorganic SEI components, emphasizing the influence of the cycling regime. Results indicate that grain boundaries within the SEI facilitate faster lithium-ion transport compared to crystalline regions, crucial for improving the performance and stability of LMBs. The findings underscore the importance of dynamic SEI modeling for further development of next-generation high-energy-density batteries.

Long-Term Follow-up After Ovariectomy Reveals Correlations Between Bone Marrow Adiposity and Trabecular Bone Quality in the Proximal Metaphysis of Tibiae in Rats.

This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between BMAT and bone quality, describe the long-term effects of ovariectomy on bone, and investigate BMAT's spatial distribution. Fifteen-months-old female Sprague‒Dawley rats were studied, comparing ovariectomized (OVX, n = 22) and sham-operated (SHAM, n = 11) groups at 6 months. Tibias were analyzed for bone microarchitecture, BMAT (microcomputed tomography), mineral parameters (quantitative backscattered electron imaging), and bone composition (Raman microspectroscopy). The OVX tibias showed severe trabecular bone loss (lower bone volume/total volume, p < 0.001) with increased BMAT (higher adipose volume per marrow volume, p < 0.001), decreased mineral content (lower calcium concentration, p < 0.001), and altered organic components (lower mineral/matrix ratio in new bone, p = 0.03 trabecular surface, p < 0.001 trabecular core). When the data are pooled over both groups (SHAM and OVX), the adipose volume/marrow volume ratio was negatively correlated with bone volume/total volume (r = - 0.79, p < 0.001) and mineral/matrix ratio (r = - 0.37, p = 0.04 trabecular surface; r = - 0.65, p < 0.001 trabecular core) and positively correlated with crystallinity (r = 0.55, p = 0.001 trabecular surface; r = 0.49, p = 0.006 trabecular core). The mineral/matrix ratio of trabecular surface new bone was strongly negatively correlated with the adipose compartment nearest to the bone surface. These findings suggest mechanisms underlying BMAT's role in bone resorption.

Bones or Stones: How Can We Apply Geophysical Techniques in Bone Research?

Some studies have used physical techniques for the assessment of bone structure and composition. However, very few studies applied multiple techniques, such as those described below, at the same time. The aim of our study was to determine the chemical and mineralogical/organic composition of bovine tibial bone samples using geophysical/geochemical reference techniques. X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetry (TG), Fourier-transform infrared spectrometry with attenuated total reflectance accessory (FTIR-ATR), inductively coupled mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and inductively coupled optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) were applied to measure the organic and inorganic composition of 14 bovine bone samples. In addition, peripheral quantitative CT (QCT) was used to assess BMD in these bones. We were able to define the total composition of the studied bone samples. ICP-OES and ICP-MS techniques were used to determine the major and trace element composition. The X-ray analysis could detect inorganic crystalline compounds of bones, such as bioapatite, and its degree of ordering, indicating whether the bones belong to a younger or older individual. The total volatile content of the samples was calculated using TG and resulted in about 35 weight% (wt%). This, together with the 65 wt% total resulting from the chemical analysis (i.e., inorganic components), yielded a total approaching 100 wt%. As a large portion of the volatile content (H2O, CO2, etc.) was liberated from the organic components and, subordinately, from bioapatite, it could be concluded that the volatile-to-solid ratio of the examined bone samples was ~35:65. The FTIR-ATR analysis revealed that the organic portion consists of collagens containing amide groups, as their typical bands (OH, CH, CO, NC) were clearly identified in the infrared spectra. Numerous parameters of bone composition correlated with BMD as determined by QCT. In conclusion, we performed a complex evaluation of bovine bones to test multiple geophysical/geochemical techniques in bone research in association with QCT bone densitometry. From a medical point of view, the composition of the studied bones could be reliably examined by these methods.

Biofilm-mediated interactions between plastics and radiocesium in coastal environments.

A ubiquitous distribution of plastic debris has been reported in aquatic and terrestrial environments; however, the interactions between plastics and radionuclides and the radioactivity of environmental plastics remain largely unknown. Here, we characterize biofilms developing on the surface of plastic debris to explore the role of plastic-associated biofilms as an interaction medium between plastics and radiocesium (137Cs) in the environment. Biofilm samples were extracted from plastics (1-50mm in size) collected from two contrasting coastal areas in Japan. The radioactivity of plastics was estimated based on the 137Cs activity concentration of the biofilms and compared seasonally with surrounding environmental samples (i.e., sediment and sand). 137Cs traces were detected in biofilms with activity concentrations of 21-1300Bq·kg-1 biofilm (dry weight), corresponding to 0.04-4.5Bq·kg-1 plastic (dry weight). Our results reveal the interaction between 137Cs and plastics and provide evidence that organic and mineral components in biofilms are essential in 137Cs retention in environmental plastics. Given the ubiquitous distribution of plastic debris in the environment, more attention should be directed to bioaccumulation and the radioecological impacts of plastic-associated radionuclides on ecosystems.

Study on properties and simulation application scenarios of flame retarded modified konjac glucomannan organic and inorganic composite aerogel

In this paper, a new organic-inorganic biomass composite aerogel was prepared by freeze-drying method with glucomannan, hydrophilic isocyanate, water-soluble flame retardant, and water glass as raw materials. Biomass Konjac glucose mannan (KGM) was used as the main network framework, KGM was chemically cross-linked and alkali-cross-linked with hydrophilic isocyanate and Na2SiO3 solution, and flame retardant modified with water-soluble flame retardant and water glass. The microstructure showed an obvious organic-inorganic interpenetrating network structure. The compressive strength of sample K2S4P2 was 4.751 ± 0.089 MPa, and the compression modulus of sample K2S4P1B modified by boric acid hydrolysis of Na2SiO3 was 63.76 ± 1.81 × 103 m2/s2. The introduction of boron ions contributes to the thermal stability of organic components. The peak and total heat release rates of sample K2S4P1A4 decreased by 80.3 % and 50.8 %, respectively. In addition, the thermal simulation calculation of the external wall in winter and summer using ANSYS software showed that the thickness of the insulation layer with the best insulation effect is 40–60 mm. The organic-inorganic composite aerogel provides a simple and environmentally friendly method for the application of external wall insulation systems in low-energy buildings with both mechanical properties and flame retardant properties.

Electrochemically activated persulfate combined with tannic acid significantly improved sludge-dewatering performance: Sludge floc weight structure, Fe(II)/Fe(III), and organic component conversion

Sludge-dewatering effect is a key factor in sludge disposal. In this study, the conditioning system of electrochemically activated persulfate combined with tannic acid (EF-PDS/TA) was used to improve sludge-dewatering performance. Results showed that the sludge water content (Wc) and Specific resistance to filtration (SRF) decreased by 29.4 % and 93.3 %, respectively, under the optimal operating conditions, which significantly improved the sludge-dewatering effect. Through research, we found that SO4•− and ·OH were the main factors promoting the improvement in sludge-dewatering performance. After the reaction, the physicochemical properties of the sludge changed significantly, and the floc structure effectively cracked. Further analysis of Fe2+/Fe3+ conversion, EEM and FTIR showed that in the process of sludge conditioning, on the basis of EF promoting Fe2+/Fe3+ conversion through electron transfer between cathode and anode plates, TA addition further improved the conversion efficiency of Fe2+/Fe3+. The conversion rate was as high as 90 %, which improved the oxidation ability of sludge. The thermal energy generated by the EF ohmic heat effect can promote the complexation and precipitation of proteins in EPS by TA, and the energy can be effectively utilized. Moreover, EF and TA exerted a synergistic effect in promoting Fe2+/Fe3+ conversion and protein cleavage. Finally, the economic cost of the combined conditioning system was calculated, and the practical application value of the conditioning system was evaluated. The findings laid a theoretical foundation for further research in the field of advanced sludge oxidation.

Behavioral and toxicological impacts of bio-derived oils in aqueous spills

There is an increasing global demand for, and transportation of, goods classified as Hazardous and Noxious Substances (HNS), including bio-derived oils and chemicals. With the increasing variety of bio-feedstocks and the development of processing technologies, the physical and chemical properties of commercially available and transported bio-derived oils vary significantly. The objective of this work was to analyze and compare the physical and chemical characteristics, behaviour, and risks of several bio-derived oils (four vegetable oils, one biodiesel, and two pyrolysis oils) and one petrol diesel when spilled into both fresh and salt water system. The laboratory results indicated that the vegetable oils and biodiesel remained buoyant and resulted in low total organic carbon (TOC) in water when spilled, similar behaviour to petrol diesel. However, the two pyrolysis oils exhibited remarkably different behaviours. The two oils sunk directly in the water and then rapidly dissolved the organic components into the water when mixed. This resulted in a high TOC (100 times higher than other types of oil) and an altered water chemistry, leaving a large portion of water-insoluble portion (35.0 wt% of pyrolysis oils) remaining at the water bottom. Initial Microtox findings indicated that water samples contaminated with pyrolysis oils and biodiesel (similar to petrol diesel) exhibited increased aqueous toxicity towards Vibrio fischeri. Further biological tests are required to understand their ecological risks. This work provides insights to the challenges and knowledge gaps on the fate, behaviour and risk of emerging bio-derived oils in water, while supporting HNS emergency response and remediation measures.

Effects of different rootstocks on fruit quality and non-volatile flavor-related compounds of sweet cherry ‘summit’

In practical sweet cherry production, grafting onto rootstocks is a common practice to enhance environmental adaptability. Rootstocks play a crucial role in influencing scion growth and fruit quality by regulating the absorption and utilization of mineral elements. In this study, the influence of five rootstocks with or without root fertilization during the fruit color conversion period on the fruit quality of sweet cherry ‘Summit’ was observed. The physicochemical characteristics, external color characteristics, and total anthocyanin content of ‘Summit’ were significantly affected by both rootstock and fertilization, with an interaction between the two factors. The content of certain sugar components, organic acid components and phenolic acid components in ‘Summit’ were significantly affected by rootstocks and fertilization. ‘Summit’ grafted on Gisela 5 and H22 exhibited higher sugar content, while ‘Summit’ grafted on H11 and H17 exhibited higher organic and phenolic acid content.

Effective abatement of naphthalene from flue gas by V-W/Ti catalyst: Study of vanadium species and reaction mechanism

The removal of naphthalene is important but deficient, so that the available V-W/Ti catalysts (1.0 wt% V2O5/TiO2) were prepared for its efficient abatement in this work. Especially, influences of different existence status of vanadium species on naphthalene elimination were investigated via changing the pH value of precursor solution. With the increase of precursor solution acidity, more highly polymeric vanadium species were formed on the catalyst surface. The redox capability was enhanced markedly as a consequence of the stronger electron transfer between V/W and Ti that induced more surface active oxygen and V5+, whereas the catalytic activity was obviously boosted and almost 90 % conversion of naphthalene was achieved at 293 °C. Moreover, the weaker chemisorption between naphthalene and V-W/Ti catalyst allowed the deeper conversion to COx. GC–MS manifested that naphthalene seemed to be an organic component that was difficult to be totally degraded. Naphthalene oxidation was in the following pathway of naphthalene → 1,4-naphthoquinone → phthalic anhydride → phthalates → benzene → benzoquinone → maleic anhydride → COx/H2O. The opening of aromatic ring in phthalic anhydride and benzene ring in benzene were proven to be the rate-controlling step based on in-situ DRIFTS results. The key of naphthalene oxidation was the complete degradation of various intermediates.