Ultrasonic Treatment Research Articles

Synthesis of new Cu/Zn (II) complexes for sonophotocatalysis for mineralization of pesticides and agrochemical wastewater

In the present work synthesis of new semiconductor-based Schiff’s base Cu/Zn-complexes for sonophoto mineralization of agrichemical wastewater (ACWW), pesticides, and various types of industrial wastewater, are reported under ultrasonicated and visible light treatment circumstances. The newly prepared ligands and [Cu2(HBAPAT)(OAc)2] and [Zn2(HBAPAT)(OAc)2] complexes are systematically analyzed with several spectroscopic methods and confirmed as 2:1 ratio of Cu2+/Zn2+ ions and ligand with distorted octahedral structure. These reported complexes are used for the sonophoto mineralization of ACWW and pesticides under ultrasonication and visible light treatment. With the increase in the dosage of complexes, the rate of mineralization of ACWW increased. Further, ACWW samples were analyzed through HPLC and mass spectral techniques for identification of various pesticides present in wastewater samples, before and after sonophotocatalysis. The active species for sonophotocatalysis of ACWW were identified by EPR, scavengers for superoxide radicals and metal organic thin-film transistor study for electrons. The metal complex [Cu2(HBAPAT)(OAc)2] is with better efficiency than [Zn2(HBAPAT)(OAc)2] for mineralization of ACWW and pesticides are reported using indigenous sonophotocatalytic reactor.

Mechanism and kinetics study of vanadium leaching from landfilled metallurgical residues by ultrasonic with ozonation enhancement in a low-acid medium

Landfilled metallurgical residues are valuable raw materials for the recovery of strategic vanadium resources. However, efficient separation of vanadium from these residues is challenging due to its strong oxidation resistance and coating within silicate inclusions. To address this issue, this study proposes an enhanced leaching process utilizing the synergistic effect of O3-catalyzed ultrasonic field in a low concentration sulfuric acid system. Results show that following a 10-minute O3 and ultrasonic treatment, the direct leaching rate of vanadium experienced a remarkable 46.7 % increase. Quenching experiments revealed a hierarchical order of active species within the reaction process:⋅OH >⋅O2−> H+, with⋅OH oxidation exhibiting the most pronounced capacity for disrupting the inclusion structure. Electron Paramagnetic Resonance analysis indicated that the highest⋅OH yield arose from the combined application of ultrasound and ozone. Kinetic investigations demonstrated that the vanadium leaching process is governed by interfacial chemical reactions. The activation energy of vanadium oxidation leaching under ultrasonic-O3 conditions was determined to be 40.41 kJ/mol, representing a 20.19 % reduction compared to ultrasonic conditions alone. Through the integration of analysis, characterization, and comparative evaluations, it was discerned that the synergistic impact of ultrasonic and ozone treatments significantly enhances the breakdown of silicate inclusions by low-concentration HF, particularly in the conversion of SiOSi bonds into SiOH bonds and SiF bonds. In summary, the refined leaching methodology incorporating ozone catalysis in conjunction with ultrasonic treatment provides a new idea for the separation and extraction of refractory residual vanadium.

Nanofiber membranes fabricated by coaxial electrospinning with porous channel structure for high-efficiency oil-water separation

The electrospinning nanofiber membranes modified by nanoparticles can effectively improve anti-oil adhesion and separation performance. However, the low stability of nanoparticles on the fiber membrane surface substantially limits the operational lifespan of the membrane. Herein, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) nanofiber membranes with multi-scale microporous channel structures are prepared using coaxial electrospinning and a sacrificial template strategy. Subsequently, iron phytate nanoparticles are grown in situ on the fibers to fill the porous structures by utilizing the hollow and porous nanofibers as a framework. The interlocking structure between the nanoparticles and the porous fibers significantly enhances the stability and durability between nanoparticles and the fiber membrane. Even after being subjected to ultrasonic treatment for 7 h, there is no discernible shedding of nanoparticles from the fiber membrane. The prepared nanofiber membrane demonstrates exceptional superhydrophilicity and underwater superoleophobicity, exhibiting remarkable self-cleaning capability and resistance to crude oil contamination. Additionally, the membrane efficiently separates various oil-in-water emulsions, achieving a high separation efficiency of over 99%. Moreover, the membrane also demonstrates excellent adsorption capability towards cationic dyes. Therefore, this interlocking structure composed of nanoparticles and nanofibers presents new ideas and insights for the preparation of high-performance and durable oil–water separation membranes.

Experimental and Theoretical Elucidation of the Luminescence Quenching Mechanism in Highly Efficient Hg2+ and Sulfadiazine Sensing by Ln-MOF.

Heavy metal ions and antibiotic contamination have become a major environmental concern worldwide. The development of efficient recognition strategies of these pollutants at ultra-low concentrations in aqueous solutions as well as the elucidation of the intrinsic sensing mechanism are challenging tasks. In this work, unique luminescent Ln-MOF materials (NIIC-3-Ln) were assembled by rational ligand design. Among them, NIIC-3-Tb demonstrated highly selective luminescence quenching response toward Hg2+ and sulfadiazine (SDI) at subnanomolar concentrations in less than 7 s. In addition, a Hg2+ sensing mechanism through chelation was proposed on the basis of single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis and Hg2+ adsorption study. The interaction mechanism of NIIC-3-Tb with SDI was revealed using a newly developed approach involving a (TD-)DFT based quantification of the charge transfer of a MOF-analyte supramolecular complex model in the ground and excited states. Effect of ultrasonic treatment on the surface morphology important for MOF sensing performance was revealed by gas adsorption experiments. The presented results indicate that NIIC-3-Ln is not only an advanced sensing material for the efficient detection of Hg2+ and SDI at ultra-low concentrations, but also opens up a new approach to study the sensing mechanism at the molecular level at ultra-low concentrations.

The mechanism of the influence of ultrasound on the nucleation and growth of A2B6 nanoparticles in a colloidal solution

The mechanism of the influence of ultrasound on the nucleation and growth of A2B6 nanoparticles in a colloidal solution was investigated. The proposed theory is based on an increase in the temperature of the colloidal solution and the diffusion coefficient of the monomer under the influence of ultrasonic cavitation. It was established that ultrasound leads to a decrease in the critical radius of colloidal nanoparticles. And when the radius of nanoparticles exceeds this critical value, their growth is observed. The dependence of the growth rate of CdSe nanoparticles on their radius at different temperatures and intensities of ultrasound was researched. It is shown that at the beginning of nanocrystal growth, an increase in intensity of ultrasound leads to an increase in the growth rate, followed by a sharp decrease. This makes it possible to synthesize colloidal quantum dots that are more uniform in size with the help of ultrasonic treatment.

Experimental and theoretical elucidation of the luminescence quenching mechanism in highly efficient Hg2+ and sulfadiazine sensing by Ln‐MOF

Heavy metal ions and antibiotic contamination have become a major environmental concern worldwide. The development of efficient recognition strategies of these pollutants at ultra‐low concentrations in aqueous solutions as well as the elucidation of the intrinsic sensing mechanism are challenging tasks. In this work, unique luminescent Ln‐MOF materials (NIIC‐3‐Ln) were assembled by rational ligand design. Among them, NIIC‐3‐Tb demonstrated highly selective luminescence quenching response toward Hg2+ and sulfadiazine (SDI) at subnanomolar concentrations in less than 7 s. In addition, a Hg2+ sensing mechanism through chelation was proposed on the basis of single‐crystal X‐ray diffraction analysis and Hg2+ adsorption study. The interaction mechanism of NIIC‐3‐Tb with SDI was revealed using a newly developed approach involving a (TD‐)DFT based quantification of the charge transfer of a MOF‐analyte supramolecular complex model in the ground and excited states. Effect of ultrasonic treatment on the surface morphology important for MOF sensing performance was revealed by gas adsorption experiments. The presented results indicate that NIIC‐3‐Ln is not only an advanced sensing material for the efficient detection of Hg2+ and SDI at ultra‐low concentrations, but also opens up a new approach to study the sensing mechanism at the molecular level at ultra‐low concentrations.

Influence of ultrasonic treatment parameters on extraction yield of limonin from Wenling Gaocheng peels analysed by HPLC-UV

Ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) is a promising technique for isolating bioactive compounds from plant materials, as ultrasound disrupts cell walls through mechanical effects, and facilitates the release of cellular constituents. Despite its growing popularity, the efficiency of UAE for extracting limonin from citrus peels, particularly Wenling Gaocheng, remains understudied. In the present work, we systematically explored the influence of various operational parameters on the yield of limonin using UAE. The limonin content was quantified using a Waters 2695 HPLC system coupled with a Waters 2487 UV detector. The effects of six parameters on the UAE of limonin from Wenling Gaocheng peels was examined through single-factor experiments. We observed that the limonin yield first increased and then decreased with decreasing particle size. The yield also increased as the solvent/material ratio increased, but the rate of increase decreased. Among the tested solvent concentrations, 70% ethanol was found to be the most effective. The yield significantly improved with increasing ultrasonic intensity up to 0.2556 W/cm2 before decreasing sharply. Between 20 and 70°C, the yield fluctuated slightly, and a gradual improvement was observed with longer extraction times. These findings provided valuable insights for future commercialisation of UAE to extract limonin from citrus peels.

Changes in physical and chemical properties of ore slurry under ultrasonic treatment

Changes in physical and chemical properties of ore slurry under ultrasonic treatment

. Water disinfection through ultraviolet radiation and ultrasonic treatment

The article deals with features and possibilities of using physical methods of ultraviolet radiation and ultrasonic treatment for disinfecting contaminated waters. The conclusions about the ineffectiveness of these methods in terms of high energy consumption, the lack of synergistic effects, and the danger of destruction of technical devices from their impacts are analyzed. The review of the recent Russian and foreign studies has revealed the effectiveness of disinfecting industrial wastewater from various pathogenic organisms using ultraviolet and ultrasonic impacts. It is concluded that a combination of these methods in water treatment gives positive results.

Hematene Nanoplatelets with Enhanced Visible Light Absorption; the Role of Aromatic Molecules.

Hematite has been considered an important candidate for the development of an efficient photoelectrocatalytic water-splitting system. One of the most serious obstacles that limits the efficiency of hematite is low absorption capacity in visible light. Herein, we report the production of hematene nanoplatelets from hematite ore with yields of up to 60%, using a low-cost, sustainable method that is based on the ultrasonic treatment of hematite ore in a water solution of a series of organic aromatic compounds. We show that the chemisorption of molecules with increased aromaticity on the surface of hematene resulted in the significant improvement of its visible light absorptivity, with an increase of up to 200%. As a result, using a water solution of terephthalaldehyde as a liquid medium, hematite ore was exfoliated to hematene nanoplatelets with a yield of 40% and remarkable stability in water. Due to this, hematene was easily drop-casted on glass forming homogenous thin films with strong absorptivity in the visible region.

Improved carbon fibers dispersion in geopolymer composites

Carbon fibers (CFs) reinforced alkali-activated (AA) ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS) geopolymer composites have excellent mechanical and thermoelectrical properties, as well as low energy consumption and low CO2 emissions during their production. However, the dispersion of CFs in the geopolymer matrix is always a technical issue in the preparation of the green composite material. Therefore, this study comparatively investigated various dispersion methods, including, mixing sequence (pre-mixing and after-mixing methods), dispersing agent (nano silicon dioxide [nSiO2]), and ultrasonic treatment time (0, 15, 30, and 45 min), as well as CFs content (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 wt% of GGBFS). The distribution of CFs was then qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated by a series of tests, such as flowability, electrical resistivity, flexural strength, scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis, and X-ray computed tomography (CT). The experimental results showed that the proposed pre-mixing method provided excellent dispersion characteristics for CFs compared with the after-mixing method. The introduction of nSiO2 can enhance the dispersion of CFs and the mechanical and electrical properties of AA GGBFS geopolymer composites. At a carbon fiber content of 1.5 %, the pre-mixing method and the addition of nSiO2 dispersant reduced the resistivity of the 28-day geopolymer composites by 17.0 % and 38 %, respectively, compared with the after-mixing method. It is feasible to use X-ray CT scanning with the gray-scale frequency map to analyze the dispersion effect of CFs in AA GGBFS geopolymer composites. However, the results were not intuitive when less agglomeration of CFs occurred for the low content of CFs. The scanning method is more applicable to the sample with over 1.0 wt% CFs. The average pixel areas of uniformly dispersed CF bundles in the 2D images of the pre-mixing method and the addition of nSiO2 dispersant specimens were 3.32 % and 6.55 % higher than those of the after-mixing method, respectively. The 2D and 3D scanning results from the dispersion characteristics of CFs were consistent. 2D scanning could provide a time-consuming option for the measurement of CFs dispersion characteristics.

CeO2 microspheres/Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4/MWCNT ternary hybrid composites for ultrasonic-enhanced photocatalytic wastewater treatment

The global water resource shortage has evolved into a pressing concern, necessitating the advancement of effective and environmentally sustainable water treatment techniques. Photocatalysis has surfaced as a hopeful technology for eliminating organic contaminants from wastewater because of its efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and eco-friendliness. Here, CeO2 microspheres and Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4 (NiZn-ferrite) nanoparticles were synthesized using the hydrothermal method, followed by the fabrication of ternary hybrid composites CeO2/NiZn ferrite/multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) via ultrasonic treatment. Various analytical techniques including XRD, FESEM, VSM, PL, BET and UV–Visible spectroscopy were employed to characterize the resulting synthesized samples. The hybrid ternary composites demonstrate remarkable efficiency in degradation of reactive red-35 dye through photocatalysis attributed to enhanced surface area. This efficiency is further enhanced when coupled with ultrasonic treatment, leading to a synergistic effect. The catalysts can be easily separated from the suspension due to their magnetic behaviour and thus hold great potential for utilizations in the field of wastewater treatment and environmental remediation.

Enhancing the therapeutic efficacy of gefitinib on subcutaneously transplanted SKOV3 ovarian cancer tumors in nude mice via ultrasound‑stimulated microbubble cavitation.

The present study aimed to explore the effect of ultrasound-stimulated microbubble cavitation (USMC) on drug concentration and therapeutic efficacy of oral gefitinib in treating subcutaneously transplanted SKOV3 ovarian cancer tumors in nude mice. The present study employed the VINNO70 ultrasonic diagnostic and treatment integrated machine for USMC therapy. Firstly, the mechanical index was set at 0.25, and the therapeutic efficacy of USMC treatment was assessed at intervals of 5, 10 and 20 min. Briefly, 72 nude mice were randomized into the following four groups (n=18/group): Control group, USMC5 min group, USMC10 min group and USMC20 min group, and the therapeutic response to USMC treatment was evaluated by comparing pre-and post-intervention effects. Additionally, the combined therapeutic efficacy of USMC and gefitinib was investigated by randomly dividing 96 tumor-bearing mice into the following four groups (n=24/group): Control group, USMC group, gefitinib group and USMC + gefitinib group. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound, hematoxylin and eosin staining, western blotting, immunofluorescence staining, TUNEL staining, ELISA and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry were performed in the present study. The results showed that USMC combined with gefitinib had the best treatment effect; the tumor inhibition rate was higher than that of gefitinib alone and the overall survival time was prolonged. In addition, the drug concentration in the tumor tissue obtained from the USMC + gefitinib group was revealed to be ~1.4 times higher than that detected in the group treated with gefitinib alone. The experimental results also confirmed that the strongest tumor inhibition rate and longest overall survival time was observed in the USMC + gefitinib group, followed by the gefitinib group and USMC group. STAT3 is an important signaling transducer and transcription factor, which, when phosphorylated, can lead to abnormal cell proliferation and malignant transformation. In addition, the upregulation of phosphorylated (p)-STAT3 is consider a reason for the poor efficacy of gefitinib in treating ovarian cancer. The present study revealed that ultrasound microbubble therapy could overcome this side effect. In conclusion, USMC improved the effects of oral gefitinib on subcutaneously transplanted SKOV3 ovarian cancer tumors in nude mice and increased drug penetration. In addition, USMC overcame the gefitinib-induced side effect of upregulated STAT3 phosphorylation and reduced the expression levels of p-STAT3 in the tumor.

Filter-Less Color-Selective Photodetector Derived from Integration of Parallel Perovskite Photoelectric Response Units.

Color-selective photodetectors (PDs) play an indispensable role in spectral recognition, image sensing, and other fields. Nevertheless, complex filters and delicate optical paths in such devices significantly increase their complexity and size, which subsequently impede their integration in smart optoelectronic chips for universal applications. This work demonstrates the successful fabrication of filter-less color-selective perovskite PDs by integrating three perovskite units with different photoresponse on a single chip. The variation in photoresponse is attributed to different quantities of SnO2 nanoparticles, synthesized through controlled ultrasonic treatment on the surface of the electron transportation layer SnS2, which selectively absorb short-wavelength light, thus increasing the relative transmittance of long-wavelength light and enhancing the photoresponse of the units to long wavelengths. By integrating any two units and deriving the formula for the wavelength to the responsivity ratio, a wavelength sensor is developed which can accurately identify incident light in the range of 400-700nm with a minimum error <3nm. Furthermore, the device integrating three units with different photoresponse can identify red, green and blue in polychromatic light to achieve color imaging with a relative error <6%. This work provides valuable insights into wavelength identification and color imaging of perovskite PDs.

Mechanical behavior and underlying mechanism of nickel-based superalloy during coupling electrical pulse and ultrasonic treatment

Coupling electric pulse and ultrasonic treatment (CEPUT) is a multi-energy field-assisted forming technology that can improve the forming efficiency of materials. The current research focused on the surface modification of materials by CEPUT, lacking the explanation of its coupling mechanism. In this study, Inconel 718 was adopted as the research object to observe the mechanical behavior and microstructure after CEPUT uniaxial tension experiment. The deformation tendency of grain under coupling multi-energy field was described by analyzing the texture evolution and dislocation morphology. The coupling mechanism of ultrasonic vibration and pulsed current was revealed in CEPUT. The experimental results revealed that there was a nonlinear relationship between the increase of flow stress softening efficiency and the increase of ultrasonic energy density and current density. This phenomenon was the macroscopic manifestation of interference between initial ultrasonic vibration and vibration after energy attenuation, which was related to dislocation slip and recrystallization under coupled multi-field. In addition, more efficient path of dislocation slip was demonstrated through the CEPUT. Among them, ultrasonic vibration caused local resistance to rise at the dislocation source and dislocation pile-up, which strengthened the local Joule heating effect; while the pulsed current reduced the activation energy required for dislocation slip near the waning points. This effectively reduced the resistance of dislocation motion near the pinning point, promoting the chance of dislocation crossing and annihilation. Meanwhile, the high temperature caused by pulsed current and local high strain caused by ultrasonic vibration were more favorable to dynamic recrystallization, and the change of grain orientation was more active. The texture strength and grain orientation of the matrix can be effectively controlled by adjusting the input power of ultrasonic vibration and pulsed current.

Microstructure and mechanical properties of Cu–Cr–Zr–ZrB2 composites by novel fabrication process of ultrasonic vibration treatment

Copper matrix composites with dual-scale particles were fabricated through casting with reaction. Ultrasonic vibration has been successfully introduced into the melt at about 1523 K while the microstructural development and mechanism of copper matrix composites with high-performance through a novel method of casting with ultrasonic vibration treatment are investigated. When ultrasonic vibration is applied, the distribution of micro-scale particles is greatly improved. Primary Cr phase convents to non-dendrite and large aggregates of ZrB2 particles are disrupted into small clusters because of acoustic cavitation and acoustic streaming. The ultimate tensile strength and elongation of Cu-1wt%Cr-0.3 wt%Zr-1wt%ZrB2 composite in as-cast state were 321 MPa and 14.37 %, recording a 28.4 % and 14 % increment respectively compared with the sample without treatment. After solution treatment, deformation and aging subsequently, the uniform distribution of reinforcements also decreases the average transverse grain thickness and increases the dislocation density which improve the comprehensive properties.

Residual stress distribution and relaxation in U-rib full penetration welds by ultrasonic impact treatment

Ultrasonic impact treatment (UIT) as an effective method for alleviating welding residual stresses (WRS) is used to improve the fatigue performance of welded structures. However, its application to single- and double-sided U-rib welds in orthotropic decks has been limited. To address this, an experimental and numerical investigation on WRS and UIT was carried out for different deck thicknesses. A 3D thermo-elastic-plastic approach was employed to model the temperature and stress fields by the ABAQUS software. Additionally, a dynamic explicit calculation method was developed to simulate the UIT process, and its accuracy was verified by comparing the actual and numerical grooves and WRS after UIT. Ultrasonic stress measurement was employed to determine the distribution and magnitude of WRS before and after UIT. The results demonstrate that most relative errors of residual stress numerical and test results under different stress paths after UIT are within 10 %, confirming the reliability and effectiveness of this method. For single-sided U-rib welds after UIT, the reduction in WRS at the weld seam ranges from approximately 25.6 % to 87.4 %, while for double-sided U-rib welds, the reduction varies from about 22.2 % to 65.5 %. The impact of UIT on longitudinal residual stresses is more significant compared to its effect on transverse residual stresses. However, UIT results in a relatively smaller reduction in WRS away from the weld seam. Furthermore, it is observed that altering the deck thickness results in different disparities in WRS outcomes after UIT.

Effect of ultrasonic degradation on the physicochemical characteristics, GLP-1 secretion, and antioxidant capacity of Polygonatum cyrtonema polysaccharide

This study aimed to evaluate the influence of ultrasonic degradation on the physicochemical and biological characteristics of Polygonatum cyrtonema polysaccharide (PCP, 8.59 kDa). PCP was subjected to ultrasonic treatment for 8, 16, and 24 h and yielded the degraded fractions PCP-8, PCP-16, and PCP-24 (5.06, 4.13, and 3.69 kDa), respectively. Compared with the intact PCP, PCP-8, PCP-16 and PCP-24 had a reduced particle size (decrements of 28.03 %, 46.15 % and 62.54 %, respectively). Although ultrasonic degradation did not alter the primary structure of PCP, its triple helical and superficial structures were disrupted, with degraded fractions demonstrating reduced thermal stability and apparent viscosities compared with those of the intact PCP. Furthermore, the functional properties of the degraded fractions were different. PCP-16 most favourably affected GLP-1 secretion, while PCP-8 and PCP-24 exhibited the strongest antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory activities, respectively. Hence, controlled ultrasound irradiation is an appealing approach for partially degrading PCP and enhancing its bioactivity as a functional agent.

Effects of Ultrasonic Treatment on Properties of Polyurethane-Based Low Infrared Emissivity Coating

Effects of Ultrasonic Treatment on Properties of Polyurethane-Based Low Infrared Emissivity Coating

Lightweight, breathable and self-cleaning polypyrrole-modified multifunctional cotton fabric for flexible electromagnetic interference shielding

The thriving of wearable electronics and the emerging new requirements for electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding have driven the innovation of EMI shielding materials towards lightweight, wearability and multifunctionality. Herein, the hierarchical polypyrrole nanotubes (PNTs)/PDMS structures are rationally constructed on the textile for obtaining multifunctional and flexible EMI shielding textiles by in-situ polymerization and surface coating. The modified cotton fabric possesses a conductivity of about 2715.8 S/m and an SET of 28.2 dB in the X band when the thickness is only 0.5 mm. After ultrasonic treatment, cyclic bending and washing, the conductivity and EMI shielding performance remain stable and exhibit long-term durability. Importantly, the textile's inherent lightweight, breathable and soft properties have been completely retained after modification. This work shows application potentiality in the field of EMI pollution protection and affords a novel path for the construction of multifunctionally wearable and durable EMI shielding materials.