Traditional Organic Materials Research Articles

Preparation and performance study of polyurethane/ kaolinite nanocomposite insulation materials

Abstract Polyurethane foam insulation materials exhibit excellent noise reduction, shock absorption and vibration damping capabilities while being cost-effective and easily moldable. They have found widespread applications in diverse fields such as automotive, machinery, packaging, insulation, healthcare and construction. However, the application range of this traditional organic material is limited by issues related to thermal stability and flame retardancy. By achieving uniform dispersion of nanoparticles, composite materials exhibit enhanced comprehensive properties in terms of flame retardancy, oxidation resistance, physicochemical stability and structural performance. Polyurethane/Kaolinite nanocomposite insulation materials were prepared by using the in situ intercalation compounding method. X-ray diffractometer, Fourier infrared spectrophotometer, thermogravimetric analyzer and scanning electron microscope were used to characterize the thermal stability of the composite material obtained under different preparation conditions and the state of the nanomaterial in the system. The results showed that the composite material with good dispersion of kaolinite in the matrix was obtained by effective surface modification through dimethyl sulfoxide. The doping of low-concentration kaolinite can improve the thermal stability of polyurethane. When the mass fraction of nano-kaolinite is 5%, the initial decomposition temperature of the composite system is 47°C higher than that of pure polyurethane and the system achieves the highest thermal stability.

The significance of Lakiya Negev Bedouin heritage weave – a way of knowing Israel's cultural costume

PurposeThis study aims to analyze how conventional Bedouin weaving techniques have changed through the history of Israel, offering knowledge on the craft’s cultural relevance and historical development among the Bedouin people and how their weaving and embroidery differ based on the three main geographic characteristics. It tries to comprehend the causes of the transition from organic to synthetic materials and the part played by the Lakiya Negev Bedouin Weaving women’s cooperative in maintaining this legacy.Design/methodology/approachThe main goal of this study is to trace the emergence of Bedouin weaving traditions in the Negev Desert using a qualitative research methodology that combines historical analysis and ethnographic investigation. A thorough grasp of the subject’s significance is provided through the data gathering, which consists of interviews, archival research and field observations.FindingsThrough the years, Bedouin weaving techniques have significantly shifted away from using traditional organic materials in favor of synthetic replacements, according to the research. It emphasizes the crucial part played by the Lakiya Negev Bedouin Weaving women’s organization in safeguarding this traditional legacy and giving Bedouin women access to economic prospects.Research limitations/implicationsThe limitation of the study includes its emphasis on the Negev region and the Israeli Bedouin community, which may not accurately reflect all Bedouin weaving techniques. Greater regional settings may be explored in future studies.Practical implicationsThe investigation emphasizes the value of investing in initiatives for cultural preservation and the empowerment of underprivileged groups through economic possibilities.Social implicationsBy preserving ancient weaving techniques, this research enables Bedouin women in the Negev Desert to maintain their cultural identity and socioeconomic well-being.Originality/valueBy emphasizing the socio-cultural dimensions and the organization’s role in preserving traditional craftsmanship in a changing socio-economic environment, this research presents a unique investigation of the evolution of Bedouin weaving techniques in Israel.

The Effects of Natural Humus Material Amendment on Soil Organic Matter and Integrated Fertility in the Black Soil of Northeast China: Preliminary Results

The input of exogenous organic materials is an effective way to improve soil organic matter (SOM) content in cropland. The exploration of the impact of new organic materials such as woody peat on black soil fertility can provide an important reference for preventing the degradation of black soil in Northeast China. In this study, the effects of adding woody peat to SOM and the soil-integrated fertility of black cropland were studied by seven treatments (no organic matter addition, CK; crop straw returning, SR; decomposed straw addition, DS; organic manure addition, OM; 6 t/ha woody peat addition, LWP; 10.5 t/ha natural humus material addition, MWP; and 15 t/ha natural humus material addition, HWP). The results show that natural humus material additions (LWP, MWP, and HWP treatments) could significantly increase SOM (increased by 4.79~9.41 g/kg), labile SOM (increased by 2.49~4.52 g/kg), and recalcitrant SOM (increased by 2.13~6.39 g/kg) components, respectively. For comparison, traditional organic material inputs (SR, DS, and OM treatments) had no significant effect on SOM but induced an increase in the labile SOM component in the following year. This study also found that natural humus material additions could improve soil-integrated fertility in a year term, especially in promoting SOM accumulation. However, organic manure amendment showed both the advantage of increasing soil fertility slightly and the disadvantage of increasing soil salt sharply. In conclusion, compared with traditional exogenous organic materials, the natural humus material amendment technique can rapidly increase the total SOM quantity and its different stability components and has a great effect in improving the integrated fertility of black soil. Thus, it is of significance to further study the potential of natural humus material amendment in the fertility of black soil in future.

A novel recyclable hemoperfusion adsorbent based on TiO2 nanotube arrays for the selective removal of β2-microglobulin.

Prolonged and excessive accumulation of β2-microglobulin (β2m) in the blood can lead to various kidney-related and other diseases. Currently, the most effective method of removing β2m from the blood is hemoperfusion. Although some traditional hemoperfusion adsorbents such as cellulose and polystyrene microspheres have been used for the removal of β2m, their selectivity still needs improvement. Immunosorbents have been developed to address this issue, but high cost and limited application are concerns. TiO2 nanotube arrays (TNTAs) have shown great potential in adsorption-related biomedical applications. In this study, we designed and developed a novel TNTA-based hemoperfusion adsorbent for the removal of β2m, which has demonstrated good biocompatibility, selectivity, and reusability. We investigated the β2m adsorption capacities of TNTAs with different pore sizes. The results indicate that TNTAs with a pore size matching the size of β2m exhibit higher adsorption capacity while also having lower adsorption capacity for albumin, showing the importance of pore size on the selectivity of adsorbents. Additionally, green regeneration of TNTAs is achieved via the photocatalytic activity originating from TiO2. Even after five cycles, the adsorption capacity of TNTAs remained above 70%. Our work demonstrates that inorganic materials with ordered pores are capable to be candidates for hemoperfusion, possessing advantages over traditional organic materials such as high stability, security, and low cost.

Influence Of Organic Matrix And Cations On Bio-Methane Yield With Anthracite Methanogenic Consortium

Organic compounds fermentation of coal has been used to generate secondary biogenic gas and enhance gas reservoirs in coal bed. To enhance the bio-degradation process, culture nutrition plays an important role in remediating the nutritional deficiency of the coal seam. The influence of bio-methane yield with organic inputs and cation concentrations was examined. Research of organic matrix influence revealed that the traditional organic material except yeast extract should forbid, and the input of yeast extract should limit at 1.00g/L also. Further, the study demonstrated that the ion concentration of sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and ammonia nitrogen also influenced methane and carbon dioxide yields. And the optimize concentrations for Ca2+, K+, Na+, Mg2+ were 5.1, 1.7, 23 and 1.3 mmol/L. The Mg2+ was particularly sensitive in inhibiting CH4 metabolism processes largely for gas-coal methanogenic consortium.

Exploring the coordination confinement effect of divalent palladium/zero palladium doped polyaniline-networking: As an excellent-performance nanocomposite catalyst for C-C coupling reactions

A pre-formed catalyst Pd2+/PANI composite for C-C coupling reaction was synthesized by combining the self-stabilized dispersion polymerization method with the in-situ composite material. Experiments have confirmed that the relatively high reduced structure (75%) in the polyaniline carrier is more favorable for the coupling reaction. Raman spectroscopy, solid nuclear magnetic, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were performed to characterize the structures. The pre-formed catalyst has uniform coordination of divalent palladium and nitrogen in different valence states of the carrier polyaniline, which shows a good synergistic effect in the catalytic Ullmann reaction, and greatly reduces the use of reducing agents such as hydrazine hydrate. Compared with other studies, we analyzed the catalytic reaction mechanism in detail through real-time online infrared and XPS characterization. The results show that the divalent palladium in the catalyst and the zero-valent palladium generated by the in-situ reaction synergistically promote the reaction, while the polyaniline support acts as a stabilizer and dispersant, which prevents the agglomeration of the metal particles and prolongs increased catalyst life. The prepared Pd2+/PANI composites will become the most attractive alternative to traditional organic materials due to their wide applicability, high catalytic activity, stable recycling and relatively low price. This work provides a new theoretical basis for the understanding of the essential driving force of PANI catalytic activity and the cognition of the micro mechanism of action.

Helical Nanoribbons for Ultra-Narrowband Photodetectors.

This Communication describes a new molecular design that yields ultranarrowband organic photodetectors. The design is based on a series of helically twisted molecular ribbons as the optoelectronic material. We fabricate charge collection narrowing photodetectors based on four different helical ribbons that differ in the wavelength of their response. The photodetectors made from these materials have narrow spectral response with full-width at half maxima of <20 nm. The devices reported here are superior by approximately a factor of 5 to those from traditional organic materials due to the narrowness of their response. Moreover, the active layers for the helical ribbon-based photodetectors are solution-cast but have performance that is comparable to the state-of-the-art narrowband photodetectors made from methylammonium lead trihalide perovskite single crystals. The ultranarrow bandwidth for detection results from the helical ribbons' high absorption coefficient, good electron mobility, and sharp absorption edges that are defined by the twisted molecular conformation.

Preparation of Zirconium Phosphate Bonded Silicon Nitride Ceramic Coatings by Cold Spray and Presureless Sintering

In the present study, a new method for preparing zirconium phosphate bonded silicon nitride (Si3N4) ceramic coatings with low porosity was developed using cold spray and pressureless sintering technique. Zirconium phosphate (ZrP2O7) was used as a binder material instead of the traditional organic materials, in order to prevent the residual carbon which was severe to the dielectric properties of the Si3N4ceramics. Firstly, aqueous Si3N4slurries with 0~40 wt.% solid loading were prepared, using deionized water as the liquid medium. Then the Si3N4slurries were cold sprayed on the Si3N4porous ceramic substrates and finally the samples were presurelessly sintered at 1000oC to achieve the Si3N4ceramic coatings. The rheological properties and viscosity of Si3N4slurries were investigated in detail, as a function of solid loading. The optimum cold spray parameters were spray distance 21 cm and spray time 20 s. The porosity of the obtained Si3N4ceramic coating was ~5 % and the interface between the coating and substrate was well bonded, without microcracks, indicating a good thermal physical match between the coating and substrate.

Inorganic Nanoparticle-Based Drug Codelivery Nanosystems To Overcome the Multidrug Resistance of Cancer Cells

Biocompatible inorganic material-based nanosystems provide a novel choice to effectively circumvent the intrinsic drawbacks of traditional organic materials in biomedical applications, especially in overcoming the multidrug resistance (MDR) of cancer cells due to their unique structural and compositional characteristics, for example, high stability, large surface area, tunable compositions, abundant physicochemical multifunctionalities, and specific biological behaviors. In this review, we focus on the recent developments in the construction of inorganic nanoparticles-based drug codelivery nanosystems (mesoporous SiO2, Fe3O4, Au, Ag, quantum dots, carbon nanotubes, graphene oxide, LDH, etc.) to efficiently circumvent the MDR of cancer cells, including the well-known codelivery of small molecular anticancer drug/macromolecular therapeutic gene and codelivery of small molecular chemosensitizer/anticancer drug, and very recently explored codelivery of targeting ligands/anticancer drug, codelivery of energy/anticancer drug, and codelivery of contrast agent for diagnostic imaging and anticancer drug. The unsolved issues, future developments, and potential clinical translations of these codelivery nanosystems are also discussed. These elaborately designed biocompatible inorganic materials-based nanosystems offer an unprecedented opportunity and show the encouraging bright future for overcoming the MDR of tumors in clinic personalized medicine and the pharmaceutical industry.

Experimental Research of Foaming Concrete Performance at Different Water Temperature

Low-density foam concrete is inorganic silicate material that can replace traditional organic materials for external wall insulation system. Based on the analysis of structure formation mechanism of foam concrete prepared with chemical method, investigation by a large number of comparative tests and quantitative analysis, quantitative relationship of foaming concrete 3d, 7d and 28d compressive strength and thermal conductivity at different water temperature are analyzed. The relationship between water temperature and foam concrete strength and thermal conductivity is revealed and that finds out the best production of foam concrete temperature. And further, independent sealing pores, high mechanical strength of pore wall, pore structure approximate to sphere and pore diameter with similar and small size were all favorable factors for higher strength of foam concrete.

Experimental Research on Properties of Low-Density Foaming Concrete

Low-density foam concrete is inorganic material that can replace traditional organic materials for external wall insulation system. Based on the analysis of structure formation mechanism of foam concrete prepared with chemical method, investigation by a large number of comparative tests and quantitative analysis, quantitative relationship of compressive strength and fly ash dosage on 3d, 7d and 28d foam concrete specimens are analyzed. This investigation examined effect of CaO, blowing agent, fly ash that mixed into admixture concerning strength of low –density foam concrete. Results indicate that CaO, blowing agent, fly ash significantly affecting compressive strength ,density, thermal conductivity of low-density foam concrete. Especially, CaO, blowing agent and water play an important role in manufacturing operation of low-density foam concrete. Moreover, experimental results show that compressive strength of each group is more and smaller with the increase of the curing time. This phenomenon is different from common cement specimens and is disadvantage to engineering.

Cold spray and presureless sintering of zirconium phosphate bonded silicon nitride ceramics with porous gradient structure

In the present study, silicon nitride (Si3N4) electromagnetic wave transparent ceramics with high porosity and porous gradient structure are prepared by cold spray and pressureless sintering technique. Zirconium phosphate solution is used as a binder material instead of the traditional organic materials, in order to prevent the residual carbon which is severe to the dielectric properties of the Si3N4 porous ceramics. Firstly, Si3N4 ceramic slurries with different phosphorus acid and pore-forming agent contents are prepared. Then the Si3N4 slurries are cold sprayed layer by layer to achieve a porous gradient structure, and finally the samples are presurelessly sintered at 1000 °C in a nitrogen atmosphere. The results show that the porosity of the obtained Si3N4 ceramics is 20~70 % and the Si3N4 ceramics exhibits a good porous graded structure from high to low porosity.

Experimental Research of Foaming Concrete Performance with Different Fly Ash

Low-density foam concrete is inorganic silicate material that can replace traditional organic materials for external wall insulation system. Based on the analysis of structure formation mechanism of foaming foam concrete prepared with chemical method, investigation by a large number of comparative tests and quantitative analysis, quantitative relationship of compressive strength, tensile strength, and blowing agent dosage quantitative of 3d, 7d and 28d foaming concrete are analyzed. The relationship between blowing agent and foam concrete strength and thermal conductivity variation is revealed by the research of doped fly ash concrete strength, improved workability mechanism. And further, independent sealing pores, high mechanical strength of pore wall, pore structure approximate to sphere and pore diameter with similar and small size were all favorable factors for higher strength of foam concrete.

Experimental Research of Foaming Concrete Performance with Different Blowing Agent

Low-density foam concrete is inorganic silicate material replace to traditional organic materials for external wall insulation system. Based on the analysis of structure formation mechanism of foaming foam concrete prepared with chemical method, investigation by a large number of comparative tests and quantitative analysis, quantitative relationship of compressive strength, tensile strength, and blowing agent dosage quantitative of 3d, 7d and 28d foaming concrete are analyzed. The relationship between blowing agent and foam concrete strength and thermal conductivity variation is revealed by the research of doped foaming agent concrete strength, improved workability mechanism. And further, independent sealing pores, high mechanical strength of pore wall, pore structure approximate to sphere and pore diameter with similar and small size were all favorable factors for higher strength of foam concrete.

Spectral- and Pulse-Shape Discrimination in Triplet-Harvesting Plastic Scintillators

In this work, we describe a method to control the relative proportion of prompt and delayed luminosity of organic-based scintillators via direct and exponential emission from an extrinsic triplet state. This approach involves the incorporation of triplet-harvesting heavy metal complexes in plastic scintillator matrices to convert intrinsically non-luminescent host states to highly emissive guest states. Measurements on these plastic scintillators indicate improved light yields over the undoped polymers and the ability to perform neutron/gamma particle-discrimination. A similar extent of molecular-level control is not possible in traditional organic materials due to complex decay kinetics and the absence of spectral information for the delayed triplet-derived emission. The materials described here address these limitations through efficient host-guest triplet harvesting, which enables particle discrimination according to conventional pulse-shape discrimination (PSD) and a previously unreported spectral-shape discrimination (SSD) scheme.

EFFECTS OF ORGANIC AMENDMENTS ON CD, ZN AND CU BIOAVAILABILITY IN SOIL WITH REPEATED PHYTOREMEDIATION BY SEDUM PLUMBIZINCICOLA

Organic materials with different functional groups can be used to enhance metal bioavailability. Traditional organic materials (rice straw and clover) and ethylenediamine disuccinic acid (EDDS) were applied to enhance metal uptake from polluted soil by Sedum plumbizincicola after repeated phytoextraction. Changes in pH, dissolved organic carbon (DOC) and metal concentrations were determined in the soil solution after EDDS application. Amendment of the soil with ground rice straw or ground clove resulted in higher concentrations of Cd only (by factors of 1.92 and 1.71 respectively) in S. plumbizincicola compared to control soil. Treatment with 3 mmol kg−1 EDDS increased all the metals studied by factors of 60.4, 1.67, and 0.27 for Cu, Cd, and Zn, respectively. EDDS significantly increased soil solution DOC and pH and increased soil plant-available metals above the amounts that the plants could take up, resulting in high soil concentrations of soluble metals and high risk of ground water contamination. After repeated phytoremediation of metal contaminated soils the efficiency of metal removal declines as the concentrations of bioavailable metal fractions decline. Traditional organic materials can therefore be much more effective and environmentally friendly amendments than EDDS in enhancing phytoremediation efficiency of Cd contaminated soil.

A Comparative Study of the Effect on Barley Growth of Humic Substances Extracted from Municipal Wastes and from Traditional Organic Materials

The effect on barley growth of humic substances extracted from municipal wastes with different degree of stability was studied. This effect was compared with that of the humic substances extracted from organic materials used in industry to obtain humic acids (peat and leonardite). The humic substances extracted from municipal wastes had higher aliphatic character, lower oxygen group content and a more heterogeneous composition than the humic substances from peat and leonardite. All humic substances, regardless of their origin, nature and characteristics increased plant yields (from 38 to 62% of the increase) and macronutrient absorption with respect to the control when they were added at different amounts (5, 100 and 200 mg C kg−1) to a calcareous soil. This increase was highest with the humic substances from municipal wastes, which in turn had the greatest positive effect on the absorption of nitrogen and phosphorus up to 74% increase of N and 72% increase P with sewage sludge HS at 200 mg C kg−1 by barley plants.

A Comparative Study of the Effect on Barley Growth of Humic Substances Extracted from Municipal Wastes and from Traditional Organic Materials

The effect on barley growth of humic substances extracted from municipal wastes with different degree of stability was studied. This effect was compared with that of the humic substances extracted from organic materials used in industry to obtain humic acids (peat and leonardite). The humic substances extracted from municipal wastes had higher aliphatic character, lower oxygen group content and a more heterogeneous composition than the humic substances from peat and leonardite. All humic substances, regardless of their origin, nature and characteristics increased plant yields (from 38 to 62% of the increase) and macronutrient absorption with respect to the control when they were added at different amounts (5, 100 and 200 mg C kg−1) to a calcareous soil. This increase was highest with the humic substances from municipal wastes, which in turn had the greatest positive effect on the absorption of nitrogen and phosphorus up to 74% increase of N and 72% increase P with sewage sludge HS at 200 mg C kg−1 by barley plants.