Acid-controlled lignin enrichment beyond native biomass level: High-lignin cellulose nanofibrils characteristics and barrier performance.

Insight into the anti-corrosion performance of Daucus carota var. sativa hoffm extract as inhibitor for copper in sulfuric acid solution

The conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into renewable bioproducts requires a pretreatment step to disrupt the cell wall matrix, thereby facilitating the access of hydrolytic enzymes to cellulose. Several studies have examined pretreatment using the ionic liquid; triethylammonium hydrogen sulfate [TEA][HSO 4 ] in sugarcane bagasse (SB) and sugarcane straw (SS). This study aimed to evaluate the fractionation of SB and SS using [TEA][HSO 4 ], focusing on the recovery of lignin and cellulose pulp. The methodology involved the synthesis of [TEA][HSO 4 ] and its application in the pretreatment of SB and SS, both in their raw forms and after hydrothermal pretreatment (HP). The recovered lignins and cellulose pulps were chemically and structurally characterized. The cellulose pulp was subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis using the commercial enzymatic preparation Cellic™ CTec II. Pretreatment with [TEA][HSO 4 ] demonstrated selectivity in the removal of lignin and hemicellulose, resulting in cellulose-enriched pulps. The recovered lignins showed an average yield of 75% and a purity of 85% purity and exhibited well-defined aromatic bands characteristic of grass lignins, indicating structural preservation. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed similar decomposition profiles among the lignin samples, with thermal stability influenced by reaction time. The lignins presented average molar masses (Mn = 3.5-4.6 kDa) and low polydispersity. Pretreatment with [TEA][HSO 4 ] significantly increased cellulose-to-glucose conversion during enzymatic hydrolysis, reaching values of 60-80%. Overall, the results highlight the potential of [TEA][HSO 4 ] for the efficient fractionation of SB and SS, confirming that the recovered lignins are structurally close to native biomass lignin. This distinguishes them from Kraft lignin and reinforces their potential for higher-value applications. • [TEA][HSO 4 ] efficiently fractionated sugarcane bagasse and straw into cellulose-rich pulps and high-purity lignin. • Lignin recovery reached 75% with >85% purity, outperforming conventional Kraft lignin. • Recovered lignins preserved native grass-type structures with low polydispersity. • [TEA][HSO 4 ] pretreatment improved enzymatic hydrolysis, reaching 60-80% glucose yields. • The process supports integrated biorefineries to valorize cellulose and lignin from sugarcane residues.

In-vitro digestion assessment of DIAAR, protein digestibility, and ACE/COX inhibitory activity of solid-state fermented beans.

Synthesis of ethyl levulinate from furfuryl alcohol using H-ZSM-5 dealuminated with sulfuric acid as a heterogeneous catalyst

• Thermal pre-treatment was carried out using a pit furnace and microwave heating. • Pre-treatment at 400 °C improves the leaching efficiency of Ni, Co, and Cu. • Higher temperatures lower Ni recovery due to residue formation. • LiF formation in residues indicates incomplete Li extraction. • Controlled heating enables selective Li–Mn recovery (Mn yield = 96.8 wt%). As the markets for electric vehicles and portable electronics continue to grow, global demand for cathode active materials is increasing significantly. This study investigates the effect of thermal pre-treatment on the black mass from spent Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and its impact on the leaching efficiency of cathode active materials. Thermal pre-treatment of black mass samples was carried out using a pit furnace and microwave heating at temperatures ranging from 400 °C to 1200 °C. The thermally treated samples were then leached using both water-based and acid-based solutions to extract the valuable metals. The results indicate that thermal pre-treatment of black mass using both microwave and conventional heating methods improves the leaching of Ni, Co, and copper (Cu). At pre-treatment temperatures exceeding 600 °C, Ni retention in the residues increases for both sulfuric acid and carbonated water leaching processes. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the leaching residues also revealed the presence of LiF, suggesting that incomplete Li extraction resulted from the formation of insoluble compounds. Thermal pre-treatment in a pit furnace at temperatures above 800 °C promoted selective recovery of Li and Mn, yielding 96.8% Mn at 800 °C. These findings indicate that thermal pre-treatment has a significant impact on the selective recovery of cathode active materials from spent LiBs, therefore, careful optimisation of thermal conditions can enhance the targeted extraction of valuable metals and promote the sustainability of recycling processes for spent LiBs.

Multi-scale investigation of copper corrosion mitigation in sulfuric acid using Gelsemium elegans extract

Integrative multi-omics combined with molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations elucidates the mechanism driving the transition from green notes to fruity aroma during musang king durian ripening.

Performance and environmental assessment of Portland cement incorporating waste-derived ferrous sulfate as a gypsum substitute: A case study

Absorbed dose rate dependence for PEO-Fricke dosimeter using sodium thiocyanate as indicator.

Efficient elimination of amoxicillin and methylene blue dye from wastewater by ultrasonic-assisted adsorption using walnut shells-derived sulfonated adsorbent: Optimization by response surface methodology.

Development and performance of ambient cured geopolymer concrete with low alkali activation for sustainable construction

Nickel metal is widely used in various applications, including surgical instruments, but its susceptibility to corrosion in acidic environments limits its applications and necessitates effective corrosion inhibition strategies. Herein, a novel Ru(III) tetra-dentate anil complex was synthesized and characterized, demonstrating exceptional performance as a corrosion inhibitor for nickel in 0.5M sulfuric acid. The corrosion inhibition performance was evaluated using Tafel plots and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, while the electronic properties and adsorption behavior were investigated using DFT calculations and Monte Carlo simulations. The complex also exhibits promising charge-discharge characteristics, suggesting its potential in energy storage applications. The RuL complex significantly reduced the corrosion current density, achieving a maximum inhibition efficiency of 99.4% at an optimal dosage of 1 × 10-3M. This enhanced corrosion protection is attributed to the strong adsorption of the complex on the nickel surface, as confirmed by Monte Carlo simulations and electrochemical studies. Furthermore, the complex showed promising charge-discharge behavior, indicating its potential application in energy storage devices. These findings suggest that the novel Ru(III) complex offers a promising dual-functional material for nickel corrosion inhibition and energy storage.

Amines are important atmospheric basic gases that contribute to secondary particle formation via acid-base reactions, affecting air quality and human health. In urban atmospheres, their clustering with sulfuric acid is the key pathway driving new particle formation and growth into cloud condensation nuclei, with consequences for climate. Elevated amine levels have been observed in traffic environments, yet direct tailpipe evidence remains scarce. Here, we provide unambiguous identification and quantification of amines and their derivatives in the exhaust of heavy-duty diesel vehicles (HDDVs). Our results show that these compounds originate predominantly from transformations of ammonia (NH3) released during overdosing of diesel exhaust fluid (DEF, an aqueous urea solution) in selective catalytic reduction (SCR) systems. Instantaneous patterns further demonstrate that amine formation requires the coexistence of NH3 and oxygenated volatile organic compounds. The tested China VI fleet exhibited lower NOx emissions than China V vehicles, but more pronounced NH3 overdosing, likely leading to higher amine-related emission factors (EFs). Furthermore, both amine and NH3 EFs increased with vehicle mileage, indicating emission deterioration associated with aging SCR-related aftertreatment components. Our findings highlight that the environmental implications of SCR-based NOx control extend beyond NOx reduction, as excessive NH3 dosing enhances amine emissions and also stimulates secondary particle formation, with broader impacts on air quality and climate.

The catalytic reactivity of the proton (H+) is often governed by its chemical potential, yet quantifying this potential across nonaqueous and mixed-solvent systems remains a fundamental challenge. Here, we present a framework for assessing the absolute potential of hydrogen (pHabs) using the electrophilic Car-D/Car-H substitution of phenol-d6 as a kinetic probe, applicable for wide-ranging solvents with diverse properties, categorized here according to their ability to solvate and stabilize sulfuric acid (H2SO4) and its conjugate base (HSO4-) as polar HSO4- stabilizers, polar HSO4- destabilizers, midpolar solvents, bridger solvents, and nonpolar solvents. In midpolar solvents, bridger solvents, and nonpolar solvents, H2SO4 molecules form a cluster, whereas in polar HSO4- destabilizer solvents, HSO4- anions undergo homoassociation. Despite the distinct differences in solvation properties, the electrophilic Car-D/Car-H substitution rate constants, measured at dilute H2SO4 concentrations and normalized to 1 mol L-1, exhibit a log-linear correlation with the solvent-modulated chemical potential of H+, spanning ∼20 pHabs units and corresponding to a >37,000,000-fold variation in the normalized rate constants at 333 K. The correlation gives estimated pHabs values for both the nonaqueous and aqueous systems, notably in agreement between the estimated pKa of H2SO4 in methanol (1.4) versus that obtained from electrochemical measurements (1.5). This framework lays the foundation for the prediction of proton reactivity in thermal catalysis.

The leaching of LiCoO2 particles was investigated by combining aqueous analysis (inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy) with solid-phase analysis methods (X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy). The most common industrial leaching mixture, H2SO4 and H2O2, was used to understand the ongoing processes on the material level rather than performing an empirical improvement of a hydrometallurgical process. Instead, the reactions inside the bulk and on the surface of the LiCoO2 particles during leaching are investigated. LiCoO2 undergoes different structural phase transitions at the surface as well as in the bulk when leached with sulfuric acid due to strong lithium loss and the oxidation of cobalt. A stable outer shell with a delithiated core forms during leaching, which causes leaching limitations. Adding enhancing agents, e.g., H2O2 or S2O82-, results in higher conversion rates, which is explained by the reduction of the cobalt at the surface, forming soluble species. Thus, the phase transitions to the stable lithium-depleted phase are avoided, and complete leaching is possible.

In this study, the chemical leaching and bioleaching behaviors of a complex carbonate-rich sphalerite ore were statistically evaluated using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) based on Central Composite Design (CCD) and the effects of process parameters on Zn and Fe recovery were assessed. The maximum Zn recovery obtained in the chemical leaching process was 59.16%, while the maximum Zn recovery in the biological leaching process was determined to be 37.26%. Statistical analyses showed that the solid-to-liquid ratio and leaching time had a significant effect on chemical leaching performance, while the effect of Fe(II) concentration on biological leaching performance was limited. During biological leaching, pH increases occurred due to the ore’s carbonate-rich structure, and periodic sulfuric acid adjustments were made to maintain suitable biological leaching conditions. The findings indicate that carbonate-rich mineral structures significantly influence both chemical and biological leaching behavior, and that this effect must be taken into account in the processing of complex sphalerite ores.

ABSTRACT The hydrometallurgical recovery of copper from end-of-life cables and its conversion into value-added materials represents a promising route for secondary resource utilisation. In this study, high-purity copper (98.8 wt.% Cu) obtained from mechanically processed waste cables was leached using sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide. Leaching kinetics were evaluated using the shrinking core model, indicating a mixed control mechanism involving chemical reaction and product layer diffusion, with an apparent activation energy of 22.99 kJ mol−¹. Under optimised conditions (4 M H₂SO₄, 90°C, solid/liquid ratio of 1:10, and 100 g L−¹ H₂O₂), copper dissolution reached 96.9% after 480 min. The resulting pregnant leach solution was directly utilised for copper borate synthesis without the addition of commercial CuSO₄, providing a closed-loop approach for copper valorisation. XRD, FT-IR, and SEM–EDS analyses confirmed that precipitation at pH 8.0 produced phase-pure, fine-grained crystalline copper borate (Cu₃(BO₃)₂) with a homogeneous morphology, whereas lower or higher pH values led to incomplete precipitation or secondary phase formation. The proposed waste-to-product route demonstrates the feasibility of converting cable-derived copper into functional copper borate for potential applications in wood preservation, agriculture, and optical technologies.

ABSTRACT We present a hybrid stochastic-continuum model to study the sulphation of calcium carbonate and the consequent formation of gypsum, a key phenomenon driving marble deterioration. While calcium carbonate and gypsum are continuous random fields evolving according to random ordinary differential equations, the dynamics of sulfuric acid particles follow Itô-type stochastic differential equations. The particle evolution incorporates both strong repulsion between particles via the Lennard‒Jones potential and non-local interactions with the continuum environment. The particle–continuum coupling is also achieved through a chemical reaction, which is modelled as a Poisson counting process. We simulate the spatiotemporal evolution of this corrosion process using the Euler‒Maruyama algorithm with varying initial data combined with finite elements to address spatial discretization. Despite symmetric initial data, our simulations highlight an uneven progression of corrosion due to stochastic influences in the model.

Dimethylsulfide (DMS; CH3SCH3) from marine phytoplankton is a major source of atmospheric sulfur 1. Its oxidation products include sulfuric acid (SA; H2SO4) and methanesulfonic acid (MSA; CH3SO3H), which has a higher yield than SA below 10 °C 2. Whereas SA is known to drive the formation of new particles 3, which may subsequently grow and act as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), the role of MSA remains unclear 4. Here, in experiments performed under atmospheric conditions at the CERN CLOUD (Cosmics Leaving OUtdoor Droplets) chamber, we show that MSA nucleates together with ammonia (NH3) below -10 °C, at rates comparable to SA-NH3. Moreover, MSA and SA nucleate synergistically below -10 °C, forming multi-acid molecular clusters with NH3. Even at ultra-low NH3 levels, MSA drives particle growth at or near the kinetic limit below 9 °C and above 40 % relative humidity (RH). Since MSA and SA generally coexist at similar concentrations in cool marine regions, our findings indicate that nucleation rates may be accelerated up to tenfold and growth rates up to twofold compared with SA-NH3 alone. Our global model simulations indicate that MSA can enhance CCN concentrations, especially in polar regions. We propose that MSA might be an important driver of biogenic particles in cool, pristine marine regions of both the present-day and pre-industrial atmospheres, and yet is unaccounted for in global climate models 5.