SEM Analysis Research Articles

Hydrogen generation by hydrolysis of alkaline NaBH4 solution doped with amorphous catalyst Co–Y2O3–B/CNTs

This investigation enhances the catalytic efficiency of Co–B/CNTs for hydrogen production via sodium borohydride hydrolysis by doping with 5%Y2O3. Such doping significantly boosts hydrogen evolution rates, with Co–Y2O3–B/CNTs achieving a production rate of 1083.43 ml g−1·min−1—surpassing Co–B/CNTs by 1.5 times and tripling that of Co–B catalysts. SEM and XRD analyses show Y2O3 doping reduces particle aggregation and maintains the catalyst's amorphous state, thereby increasing the active surface area. Furthermore, XPS analysis demonstrates that introducing yttrium into Co–B/CNTs catalysts improves their surface elemental composition and valence states. This improvement boosts catalyst performance and stability by enhancing electron transfer and particle size optimization. Optimal hydrolysis is achieved at an NaOH concentration of 2.5 mol/L, with higher concentrations diminishing hydrogen production due to increased viscosity from by-product formation. Additionally, Co–Y2O3–B/CNTs catalysts exhibit commendable durability, maintaining more than two-thirds of their initial activity after five reuse cycles, outperforming comparable catalysts to a moderate extent. These findings underscore the beneficial role of Y2O3 in the Co–B/CNTs framework, promoting Y2O3-doped catalysts for their enhanced efficiency, sustainability, and hydrogen production capabilities.

Improving Adsorption Efficiency of Recycled Activated Carbon from Household Water Purifiers through Sonication

Objectives:This study evaluated the potential of recycled activated carbon from household water purifiers as an adsorbent for removing methylene blue. It aimed to achieve resource recycling and dyeing wastewater treatment through the sonication modification of recycled activated carbon.Methods:After sieving recycled activated carbon from water purifiers to a particle size of 75-150μm, the material, in this paper referred to as PCB-S, was processed using sonication to enhance its adsorption capacity. The characteristics of PCB-S were analyzed using SEM, XRD and BET analysis. To evaluate its efficacy, adsorption experiments were carried out varying the following parameters: PCB-S dosage (0.05-0.6gL-1), pH (2.0-10.0), initial concentration of methylene blue (100mgL-1), reaction time (1440 min), and temperature (298 K). The data from these experiments were analyzed using first and second-order kinetic models to understand the reaction kinetics, and the adsorption efficiency was further compared using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. Finally, the thermodynamic properties of the adsorption process between PCB-S and methylene blue were studied to determine its endothermic nature and spontaneity.Results and Discussion:The analysis of the surface characteristics of PCB and PCB-S revealed that sonication significantly altered the pore structure of the activated carbon, leading to increases in both the specific surface area and pore volume. XRD analysis, indicated that sonication had no impact on the crystalline or amorphous structure of the activated carbon. PCB-S demonstrated superior porosity and adsorption capabilities compared to PCB. With a dosage of 0.6gL-1, PCB-S was able to remove 65% of methylene blue from the solution. The adsorption kinetics were best described by a pseudo-second-order kinetic model, with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm fitting the data most accurately. The Gibbs free energy (-1.90~-1.32kJ mol-1) and enthalpy change (7.44 kJ mol-1) confirmed that the adsorption reaction was endothermic.Conclusion:This study confirmed that recycled activated carbon from water purifiers exhibits excellent effectiveness as a dye removal adsorbent when subjected to sonication treatment. Therefore, the possibility of utilizing recycled household water purifier filters as adsorbents is expected to contribute to reducing waste disposal costs by promoting resource recycling.

Adsorption of Heavy Metal from Wastewater by Bioabsorbent Modified Azolla microphylla and Lemna minor

Environmental toxicity from rapid industrialization raises concerns about water pollution caused by industrial waste and urban sewage. Aquatic macrophytes, such as the Azolla species, have shown promise in absorbing heavy metals and nutrients from water. This study introduces a novel approach by evaluating Azolla Microphylla and lemna minor as an economical adsorbent for copper removal from rivers. Moreover, this study stands out by conducting thorough characterization analyses. The adsorbent material underwent XRD, SEM, BET, and FTIR analyses after being crushed and sieved to 1-2 mm. Copper was extracted from river water using UV-Vis detection at 285 nm. Optimal conditions for adsorption were determined at pH 4, 30 minutes of contact time, and 0.4 g of adsorbent. Copper concentrations in the Sungai Petani, Sungai Selangor, and Sungai Langat ranged from 2 mgL-1 to 5 mgL-1. Azolla proves effective as a copper adsorbent due to its simplicity in sample preparation, time-saving benefits, cost-effectiveness compared to conventional systems, and high copper recovery rate. By successfully removing copper, a prevalent heavy metal contaminant in industrial waste and urban sewage, this research contributes to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 for clean and safe water supplies.

Fabrication of bioactive silk composite meshes for hernia repair and guided soft tissue remodeling: In silico, in vitro and in vivo models

ObjectivesPost-operative complications stemming from incompatible meshes often lead to delayed wound healing, seroma, infections, inappropriate tissue infiltration and pain. The present study was outlined to develop biocompatible composite hand-knitted silk meshes modified with polymers and natural extracts. Our study introduced hand-knitted B. mori silk fibroin as the primary mesh material, offering superior mechanical strength and biocompatibility. The spin-assisted dip coating achieved desirable morphology, internal structures, thickness, and surface roughness. Moreover, the application of biopolymeric composite coatings containing polymers and natural extracts introduced antimicrobial character, facilitated cell attachment, migration, proliferation, potentiating gene expression and accelerating the process of wound healing. These composite meshes are a viable solution for addressing post-op complications in hernia and soft tissue repair surgeries. MethodIn this study, 9 silk-based composite meshes (modified with polymeric-extract blends through spin-assisted dip coating) were successfully developed. Experimental variants were then subjected to various characterizations including SEM, DMA and chemical analysis (FTIR and GC-MS). Modified meshes were evaluated for their physiological characteristics and biological responses (the basic criterion for the selection of composite silk mesh). The biological testing included (antimicrobial susceptibility testing, in vitro cell viability assay, cell attachment assay (NIH3T3 and hUc-MSCs), in vitro cell migration, in vitro gene expression analysis with NIH3T3, in silico molecular docking with bioactive ligands of HE extract and in vivo analysis with PHBV-HE and PHBV-Control composite meshes in rat models. ResultsResults showed that all variants exhibited a multi-fiber morphology with significant surface coating, allowing for optimal drug release up to 72 h. This release facilitated antibacterial properties and biocompatibility, as evidenced by in vitro cell viability, migration assays and gene expression analysis. Among the variants, the PHBV-HE composite mesh demonstrated superior results. In the case of PHBV-coated polymeric controls, the SEM analysis concluded that the presence of coating reduced the pore size up to 39.62 % whereas, fiber diameter was increased by up to 19.89 % as compared to the control. The presence of a coating on the mesh improved the mechanical strength/modulus by 165.89 %, UTS by 185.38 % and reduced the % strain by 64.67 %. The fast release of HE from PHBV-HE composite mesh was 90.7% up to 72h, confirming that it can induce antibacterial activity against surgical infections. ConclusionPHBV-HE showed the highest cell viability, wound healing and gene expression. Based on appreciable biological evaluation results shown by PHBV-HE, in rat hernia models, only the PHBV-HE variant was tested for in-vivo analysis. Results confirmed its non-toxic nature and wound-healing abilities. Enhanced cell proliferation and wound healing observed both in vitro and in vivo indicated that PHBV-HE holds promise as a biomedical implant suggesting its potential for effective hernia and soft tissue repair and regeneration.

Photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B dye via Bi2O3 embedded BaO-P2O5-TeO2 glass nanocomposites: An ab initio study of structural, optical, and electrical transport properties

Bismuth incorporated glassy systems with composition xBi2O3-(1-x) [0.3BaO-0.3P2O5-0.4TeO2] (where x = 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, and 0.25) are synthesized by melt quenching technique. The glassy systems are examined for their structural, and surface morphological properties using XRD, SEM, and EDX analysis. A study of photocatalytic activity for the degradation of common organic dyes like Rhodamine B (RhB) dye under visible light is also carried out. From UV-vis absorbance data, the calculated optical band gap energy values declined from (2.99-2.56) eV, whereas the Urbach energy and refractive index values increased from (0.35 -0.52) eV, and (2.39 - 2.52), respectively with the rise of Bi2O3 content(x). Additionally, the fundamental processes of electrical conductivity have been studied within the framework of Jonscher's universal power law and the Almond-West formalism. The Mott and Greaves model asserts that the small polaron hopping model underlies DC conductivity; as Bi2O3 content increases, DC conductivity rises, but hopping distance (Rhop) and hopping energy (Whop) drop dramatically. The electrical conductivity study reveals the semi-conducting nature of the as-prepared samples. In our present study, we are focusing on the structural, optical, and electrical transportation properties, additionally, we investigated this class of glassy materials as a promising candidate for photocatalytic dye degradation. Our study reveals that RhB dye can degrade up to 75% within 340 min of visible light illumination. Moreover, the test demonstrates the production of superoxide radicals by the CB-electrons and hydroxyl radicals by the VB holes enables efficient photocatalytic dye degradation.

Experimental investigation of mechanical properties and multi-objective optimization of electronic, glass, and ceramic waste-mixed concrete.

The utilization of waste from various sources plays an important role in minimizing environmental pollution and civil construction costs. In this research, the mechanical properties of concrete were studied by mixing electronic waste (EW), glass powder (GW), and ceramic tile waste (CW). The effects of weight percentages of EW, GW, and CW are considered to investigate improvements in mechanical properties such as compressive strength (CS), split tensile strength (STS), and flexural strength (FS) of concrete. Taguchi analysis has been applied to predict the optimum composition of waste mixing percentages. The Multi-Objective Optimization Ratio Analysis (MOORA) techniques are applied to estimate the optimum composition of mixing wastes for maximizing the CS, STS, and FS of concrete. It was observed that 10 wt.% of EW, 15 wt.% of GW, and 30 wt.% of CW are predicted as the optimal mixing combinations to obtain a maximum compressive strength of 48.763 MPa, a split tensile strength of 4.178 MPa, and a flexural strength of 7.737 MPa, respectively. Finally, the predicted optimum waste-mixed weight percentages were used to examine the microstructure and various elements in the concrete using SEM and XRD analysis. When compared to conventional concrete, the optimum waste-mixed concrete has improved its compressive strength (38.453%), split tensile strength (41.149%), and flexural strength (36.215%).

Influence of cement and water content on the multifaceted capabilities of a self-sensing cement-based geocomposite: a comprehensive analysis

This study investigates the synergistic effects of cement, water, and hybrid carbon nanotubes/graphene nanoplatelets (CNT/GNP) concentrations on the mechanical, microstructural, durability, and piezoresistive properties of self-sensing cementitious geocomposites. Varied concentrations of cement (8% to 18%), water (8% to 16%), and CNT/GNP (0.1% to 0.34%, 1:1) were incorporated into cementitious stabilized sand (CSS). Mechanical characterization involved compression and flexural tests, while microstructural analysis utilized dry density, apparent porosity, water absorption, and non-destructive ultrasonic testing, alongside TGA, SEM, EDS, and x-ray diffraction analyses. The durability of the composite was also assessed against 180 Freeze-thaw cycles. Moreover, the piezoresistive behavior of the nano-reinforced CSS was analyzed during cyclic flexural and compressive loading using the four-probe method. The optimal carbon nanomaterials (CNM) content was found to depend on the water and cement ratios. Generally, elevating the water content led to a rise in the CNM optimal concentration, primarily attributed to improved dispersion and adequate water for the cement hydration process. The maximum increments in flexural and compressive strengths, compared to plain CSS, were significant, reaching up to approximately 30% for flexural strength and 41% for compressive strength, for the specimen containing 18% cement, 12% water, and 0.17% CNM. This improvement was attributed to the nanoparticles’ pore-filling function, acceleration of hydration, regulation of free water, and facilitation of crack-bridging mechanisms in the geocomposite. Further decreases in cement and water content adversely impacted the piezoresistive performance of the composite. Notably, specimens containing 8% cement (across all water content variations) and 10% cement (with 8% and 12% water content) showed a lack of piezoresistive responses. In contrast, specimens containing 14% and 18% cement displayed substantial sensitivity, evidenced by elevated gauge factors, under loading conditions.

A novel membrane-less microbial fuel cell reactor using wood as container and separator to prevent air–cathode deterioration and biofouling

In this study, we introduce a novel application of wood as the construction material for Microbial Fuel Cell (MFC) containers, developing what we term the Wooden Membrane-less Microbial Fuel Cell (WML-MFC). This innovative approach leverages the natural properties of wood to enhance the sustainability and cost-effectiveness of MFCs. Employing three different types of wood—pine, oak, and black locust—the WML-MFC design incorporates a carbon felt anode inside the wooden container and a carbon cloth cathode wrapped externally. This configuration not only protects the cathode from biofouling but also utilizes the inherent moisture management capabilities of wood to maintain operational stability. The performance of these wooden MFCs was assessed in terms of electricity generation and water treatment efficacy. Pine and oak containers achieved maximum power densities (MPD) of 35 mW/m^2 and 4 mW/m^2, respectively, with corresponding maximum open-circuit voltages of 551 mV and 269 mV. Black locust showed the least effective bioelectricity generation. COD removal efficiency was observed between 18 and 48% for pine and 3% to 39% for oak over hydraulic retention times of 24–48 h. Notable water loss due to moisture diffusion was recorded at 20%/day in pine and 6%/day in oak. Durability assessments through DMA and SEM analyses confirmed the suitability of wood as a container material, emphasizing the dual environmental and economic benefits of this WML-MFC design.

Cocos nucifera-mediated electrochemical synthesis and coating of CuO/ZnO nanostructures on Fe ship strips for marine application

ABSTRACT Copper oxide and zinc oxide nanoparticles (Nanostructures) were synthesized using a greener electrochemical approach using Cocos nucifera (Coir) extract and deposited on Fe ship strip (FSS). These corrosion inhibitor films were characterized by XRD, SEM, BET, Raman Spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, and TGA analysis. An electrochemical corrosion test was performed for the coated samples with 3.5% NaCl as electrolyte and compared with uncoated samples. The corrosion rate was tested using the Tafel slope and the interpolation between the log of current and voltage proves that the corrosion rate in the CuO-coated sample was lower than that of the ZnO-coated sample which can be attributed to the porosity of the ZnO film showing 0.8–0.95 P/P0 as observed for 6 cm2 as inferred from BET analysis. The Nyquist plot suggests the corrosion inhibition rate of the CuO-coated film in 3.5% NaCl is improved by a factor of 3 compared to the uncoated sample (0.9 mA/year for FSS where for the CuO-coated samples 0.3 mA/year). The result of the antifouling behavior of CuO/ZnO coatings using the BIOVIA simulation tool showed the repulsion of homology-modeled protein Aacp20k, an attachment protein found in Amphibalanus Amphitrite which is a most prominent foul species.

Controlling the physical properties of Ni1-xMnxFe2O4 multiferroic by the enhancement of ferroelectric phase through the increase of Mn content

The nanoparticles of the spinel ferrite system Ni1-xMnxFe2O4 with x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6, 0.8 and 1.0 were prepared using the auto combustion flash method technique, by using the nitrates as cations source and urea as a fuel agent for combustion. The XRD pattern validates the formation of cubic spinel structure of Ni1-xMnxFe2O4 nanoparticles and traces of hematite phase. By increasing the annealing temperature, the lattice parameter and crystallite size were increased. At various frequencies, the dielectric properties and initial permeability were measured as a function of temperature. The DC resistivity was found to have a linear relationship with temperature, with two regions and one break point at Curie temperature (TC). SEM and TEM analyses are used to investigate the morphology of the samples, as well as the size and shape of the crystallites. The samples' morphology revealed the formation of a uniform and spherical structural distribution. The material transfer to multiferroic at high Mn content accordingly the ferroelectric and ferrimagnetic properties appear, which give the ability of the material to become magnetoelectric material.

Hydrothermal carbonization of sugar beet pulp: optimization and characterization

AbstractIn this study, the optimum hydrothermal conditions of sugar beet pulp were investigated by Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based on Central Composite Design (CCD). The hydrochar obtained from sugar beet pulp (SBP) was optimized for maximum yield and carbon content. Process conditions were chosen with reaction temperatures of 200–240 °C, residence time 60–150 min, and biomass to water ratio of 1:3–1:10. The yield and carbon content of the hydrochar varied with the process parameters. In order to obtain hydrochar with the highest yield and carbon content in optimization, the reaction temperature should be 220.74 °C, the biomass to water ratio should be 1:3, and the residence time should be 95.58 min. High heating value, energy and mass yield, and energy densification ratio of sugar beet pulp and hydrochar were also investigated. The products were characterized using FT-IR, SEM, and ultimate analysis techniques. The Coats-Redfern method was used to estimate the kinetic parameters of the combustion processes. The activation energy values of SBP and SBP-HC products were calculated as 13.88 and 11.46 kJ/mol, respectively. The kinetic data were used to determine the thermodynamic parameters (ΔH, ΔG, and ΔS). As a result, the properties of hydrochar produced from sugar beet pulp under optimum conditions have been extensively investigated and the results have shown that hydrochar has potential for use in different areas.

Antimicrobial Solid Starch–Iodine Complex via Reactive Extrusion and Its Application in PLA-PBAT Blown Films

In this study, a solid masterbatch of starch–iodine complex with 6.7 wt.% iodine was prepared in pellet form using a ZSK-30 twin-screw extruder. Thermogravimetric (TGA) and isothermal TGA analysis of the pellets revealed that there was no significant loss of iodine due to sublimation during reactive extrusion. These solid pellets demonstrated antifungal properties when applied to strawberries via dip coating in an aqueous solution, extending their shelf life from two days to eight days, thereby reducing fungal growth and visual decay. Furthermore, the solid pellets displayed antibacterial activity against E. coli, as evidenced by the clear zone of inhibition observed in the Kirby–Bauer test. To enhance practical application, these pellets were further blended with PLA-PBAT film formulations at 10 and 18% by wt. to make blown films with effective iodine loadings of 0.7 and 1.3% by wt. These films showed superior antibacterial activity against E. coli compared with PLA control films and the commercial silver antimicrobial-containing films during direct inoculation tests as per ISO 22196. Tensile strength and elongation at break in machine direction (MD) for the starch–iodine-containing blown films were comparable to the control films in MD, but tensile strength was reduced to 37–40% in the transverse direction (TD). This was due to a non-uniform dispersion of the starch–iodine complex in the films, as confirmed by the visual and SEM analyses. Thus, this study illustrates the practical utility of the solid starch–iodine complex as a safe and efficient means of introducing iodine into an environment, mitigating the typical hazards associated with handling solid iodine.

Diclofenac sodium and paracetamol removal with ZnCl2 activated carbon produced from rice straw

This study explored the efficacy of activated carbon derived from rice straw and treated with ZnCl2 (ZnCl2-RS) for the removal of diclofenac sodium (DCF) and paracetamol (PCM) through an adsorption process. The investigation included examining the variations in removal efficiency at different pH levels and ZnCl2-RS doses. The characteristics of the ZnCl2-RS, prepared for the study, were determined through SEM and FTIR analyses, revealing a composition of 49.4% carbon and 8.3% zinc. At pH 5, the adsorption efficiency for DCF and PCM was enhanced, achieving removal rates of 92.2% for DCF and 89.1% for PCM with 0.2 g of ZnCl2-RS. The adsorption of DCF and PCM by ZnCl2-RS followed pseudo-second-order kinetic and adhered to the Langmuir isotherm model. The maximum adsorption capacities were calculated as 26.04 mg/g for DCF and 19.05 mg/g for PCM. In conclusion, the cost-effective production of activated carbon from agricultural waste like rice straw yielded a promising adsorbent material for efficiently removing pharmaceuticals such as diclofenac sodium and paracetamol. This approach not only contributes to waste reduction but also promotes the repurposing of agricultural waste materials.

Role of Morphology in Improving the Catalytic Performance of ZnCo2O4 for Soot Oxidation

Abstract The extent of interaction between carbon and catalyst profoundly shapes soot oxidation results. The catalyst configuration notably influences the frequency of contact points in solid-solid interactions. This investigation studies the impact of three distinct ZnCo22O4 catalyst morphologies and their redox property on soot oxidation. The formation of the cubic phase of ZnCo2O4via three distinct methods was revealed during XRD analysis. SEM analysis unveiled varying morphologies, including rod-shaped, rose petal-shaped, and bead-like structures. Notably, ZnCo2O4 exhibiting bead-like morphology demonstrated heightened levels of chemisorbed oxygen species which was observed during XPS analysis. The presence of Co2+ and Co3+ occupied at octahedral site ZnCo2O4 acted as the active sites for soot oxidation. With continuous redox property (Co 3+ → Co2+) leading to the generation of active oxygen species and with an added advantage of surface morphology, the M2 sample (with bead-like morphology) exhibited superior soot oxidation activity, which is evident by its T50% value of 402°C. This study underscores the essential role of catalyst morphology in influencing soot oxidation activity. Through a comprehensive array of structural, morphological, and catalytic analyses, this work sheds light on the correlation between catalyst architecture and enhanced soot oxidation performance.

Chitosan, Poly(vinyl alcohol) and Chitosan/Poly(vinyl alcohol) based active films loaded with white turmeric powder for food packaging applications

In recent years packaging materials made of biodegradable polymers received considerable attention. The packaging system containing antimicrobial agents was one of the new methods that have an advantage over the conventional system. This work aims to fabricate and characterize antibacterial films based on chitosan (CS) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) incorporated with white turmeric powder (WT) for food packaging applications. The active films of chitosan/cetrimide/white turmeric (CCW), poly(vinyl alcohol)/cetrimide/white turmeric (PCW) and PVA/CS/CT/WT (PCCW) with varied concentrations of WT were prepared by solvent casting method. The influence of WT on the physical and structural properties of the prepared films were studied using different analytical techniques. The results of SEM analysis indicated interactions of polymer matrix with WT contributed to homogeneous, compact and smooth surface morphology. The Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis revealed hydrogen bond formation with a polymer matrix that improved the physical and thermal properties. The research findings revealed that there was an improvement in the tensile strength, moisture adsorption, solubility and hydrophobicity of CCW active films with an increase in WT content. At the same time, there was an improvement in inhibiting bacterial growth with increasing concentration of WT for all the fabricated films. The results showed better mechanical and antibacterial properties for PCCW films. All the films exhibited biodegradation under environmental conditions. All these results suggested WT incorporated CS and PVA based films can be used in the food packaging industry to enhance the safety and quality of the packaging material.

Comprehensive Study on the Properties of AZ91/x-Si3N4 Composites for Their Prospective Application

Metal alloy matrix composites are generally lightweight structural materials with a high strength-to-weight ratio. They can be extensively used in various fields of modern engineering applications, such as aerospace and automotive components and biomedical engineering. This study focuses on the development and characterization of lightweight metal alloy matrix composites for industrial applications, with a particular emphasis on magnesium (Mg) alloys as a replacement for aluminum-based alloys. Mg alloys offer significant weight advantages, being 33% lighter than aluminum and 75% lighter than steel, making them highly desirable for use in various engineering fields. In the present study, Mg (AZ91) alloy reinforced with x-Si3N4 composites (x = 0, 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 wt.%) were fabricated using a liquid state process. The AZ91/x-Si3N4 composites were evaluated through physical, mechanical, wear, and microstructural characterization. The experimental results, supported by statistical analysis, demonstrated that the incorporation of Si3N4 particles amplified the mechanical properties, wear resistance, and porosity of the composites. However, the presence of the reinforced particles resulted in reduced forgeability and elongation, limiting certain deformation characteristics. The existence of the reinforced particles within the composites was confirmed through SEM analysis, providing visual evidence of their distribution and interaction within the Mg alloy matrix. Finally, it was concluded that the implication of the study could be sought for the light structural parts of aerospace, automotive, biomedical, and prosthetic applications.

Quantification of Airborne Concentrations of Nanoscale Dusts by Particle Gravimetry Using Ionic‐Liquid Modified Polymeric Electrospun Fibers

AbstractIn this work, functional polymeric filters are prepared by electrospinning using four different non‐ionic polymers or their blends together with deliberately selected additives, and then tested for quantification of the nano‐sized powders. Particle gravimetry is used for the quantitative determination of the dusts. Validation studies are carried out using the ICP‐OES technique. The polymeric fibers prepared with different contents consist of PS/PMMA, PVDF/EC/PMMA, chitosan, chitosan/PMMA and PMMA/PVDF, respectively. The ionic liquids of tetra‐n‐butylammonium tetrafluoroborate, 1‐ethyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide are used as additives for the preparation of the functional polymeric fibers. The prepared nanoscale dusts and electrospun fibers are characterized by SEM, XRD, XPS, and size distribution analysis techniques, respectively. Among them, the CTAB‐modified chitosan fibers exhibit the highest dust retention efficiency. This study introduces a new approach to the quantification of nano‐sized powders. In addition, it is concluded that the proposed method can be used in pre‐concentration before testing, cleaning powders from the working environment and quantitative analysis of nanoscale powders. The presented materials can also be used to improve indoor air quality and potential worker exposure in workplaces.

Sorption Behavior of Zirconium Ions from Aqueous Solutions Using Different Inorganic Sorbents Based on Titanate

AbstractIn this article, we explore the sorption behavior of Zr(IV) ions by lithium titanate (LiTi), magnesium titanate (MgTi), and lithium magnesium titanate (LiMgTi) sorbents. These sorbents, fabricated using the precipitation method, were used for the Zr(IV) sorption from aqueous solutions. We employed various analytical tools, including XRD, FT-IR, BET, SEM, and EDX, to examine the prepared sorbents’ structure, morphology, and functional groups. We also studied the effect of pH, time, initial metal concentrations, temperature, and interfering species on sorption. The kinetic data obey pseudo-first-order. Many isotherm models were utilised to investigate equilibrium data. The results of thermodynamic functions show an endothermic and spontaneous sorption process. Finally, the influence of the interfering species reveals that as the concentration of CaCl2, MgCl2, and NaCl increases, the Zr(IV) adsorption rate decreases. The investigation demonstrated that LiMgTi is suitable for retaining Zr(IV) from aqueous solutions and could purify effluent polluted with Zr(IV) ions.

Effect of pulsation elongational stress on the structure and properties of preparing self-reinforced sheets

A vane-type melt pulsation pumping device induces molecular chain orientation in HDPE melts via pulsating stretch-compression, enabling self-reinforced sheet extrusion. Experiments assess the impact of varying device temperature and rotational speed on the mechanical properties and microstructure of extruded sheets. The results show that the orientation of the samples can be preliminarily verified by heating test. SEM analysis reveals closely aligned HDPE crystal regions along the extrusion direction following pulsating elongational stress. 2D-WAXD analysis demonstrates a shift in diffraction intensity where it diminishes in the meridional direction and intensifies in the equatorial plane, resulting in a maximum orientation index of 0.683, an increase of 16.6% compared to direct extrusion. When the temperature of the melt pulsation pumping device is set to 180°C and the shaft speed is set to 30 rpm, the tensile strength of the sheets in the extrusion direction reached a maximum value of 66.37 MPa, surpassing that of directly extruded samples by 42.7% and that of compression-molded samples by 90%. In summary, this research realizes the self-reinforced and efficient continuous extrusion of single-component HDPE sheets through a simple device and process, which is of great significance for convenient recycling and environmental protection.

Preparation and Identification of Magnetic Iron Nanoparticle based on a Natural Hydrogel and its Performance in Targeted Drug Delivery

Billions of dollars are spent annually in the world to treat and investigate problems caused by drug side effects. According to the estimates of health researchers, about 40%of people who take medicine suffer from side effects. In this way, the necessity of using a targeted system in order to deliver medicine to the desired place without damaging healthy tissues is felt more than ever. In recent years, targeted drug delivery systems based on nanoparticles have received much attention. Meanwhile, the use of natural polymers is more suitable for various purposes in drug delivery systems in terms of indicating greater biological compatibility with the body and being non-toxic.In this research, the natural hydrogel extracted from the seeds of the Plantago ovata, which is loaded on the bed of magnetic iron nanoparticles, was used to entrap the drugmefenamic acid. In order to achieve this goal, at the beginning, magnetic iron nanoparticles were prepared by co-precipitation method using iron (II) and iron (III) oxides, and then a coating of silica was created on its surface, then the hydrocolloid of Plantago ovata was extracted from its seed, in order to connect the magnetite nanoparticles and the polymer extracted from the Plantago ovata, the surface of both components was modified by vinyl-functional groups. Next, radical polymerization under heat was used to connect the particles and trap the drug, after that the release of the drug from the polymer capsule was checked by UV-Vis device. Before examining the drug release, the resulting product was identified by FT-IR, XRD, VSM, DLS, TGA, SEM analysis. Therefore, the obtained results indicated that the natural polymer was correctly loaded on the desired magnetic substrate and the drug mefenamic acid was trapped inside the hydrogel networks and polymer capsule. Therefore, the drug can be directed in a controlled and targeted manner by the magnetic field, and the release of the drug was done well and at an acceptable speed.