Uniform Particle Size Research Articles

High Volumetric Energy Density LiFePO4/C Cathode Materials Synthesized by Dodecyl Polyglucoside-Assisted Glucose-Polyethylene Glycol Composite Carbon Source

Abstract High volumetric energy density LiFePO4/C cathode materials were synthesized by wet ball milling, spray drying, and carbothermal reduction method using glucose and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as composite carbon sources and dodecyl polyglucoside (C12APG) as a milling aid. With the introduction of C12APG during the ball milling process, the prepared cathode materials have uniform particle size (100-200 nm in diameter) and regular primary particle morphology. In addition, PEG substitutes part of glucose as a carbon source, resulting in low carbon content and high graphitization of residual carbon after high-temperature calcination. The prepared LiFePO4/C cathode materials have a high powder compaction density (2.68 g cm-3) and excellent electrochemical performance (discharged capacities of 161.2 and 141.7 mAh g-1 at 0.2 C and 5 C, and cycle retention of 98.6% for 100 cycles at 1 C/1 C). This LiFePO4/C composite was assembled into 14500-type cylindrical batteries with a compaction density of 2.62 g cm-3 for the positive electrode. The volumetric energy densities of the positive electrode were 1135.18 Wh L-1 and 918.16 Wh L-1 at 0.2 C and 5 C, respectively.

Effects of folate-chicory acid liposome on macrophage polarization and TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway in ulcerative colitis mouse

BackgroundChichoric acid (CA) is a major active ingredient found in chicory and Echinacea. As a derivative of caffeic acid, it has various pharmacological effects. PurposeDue to the unclear etiology and disease mechanisms, effective treatment methods for ulcerative colitis (UC) are currently lacking. The study investigated the therapeutic effects of the folate-chicory acid liposome on both LPS-induced macrophage inflammation models and dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced mouse UC models. MethodsFolate-chicory acid liposome was prepared using the double emulsion ultrasonic method with the aim of targeting folate receptors specifically expressed on macrophages. The study investigated the therapeutic effects of the folate-chicory acid liposome on both LPS-induced macrophage inflammation models and DSS -induced mouse UC models. Furthermore, the effects of the liposomes on macrophage polarization and their underlying mechanisms in UC were explored. ResultsThe average particle size of folate-chicory acid liposome was 120.4 ± 0.46 nm, with an encapsulation efficiency of 77.32 ± 3.19 %. The folate-chicory acid liposome could alleviate macrophage apoptosis induced by LPS, decrease the expression of inflammatory factors in macrophages, enhance the expression of anti-inflammatory factors, inhibit macrophage polarization towards the M1 phenotype, and mitigate cellular inflammation in vetro. In vivo test, folate-chicory acid liposome could attenuate clinical symptoms, increased colon length, reduced DAI scores, CMDI scores, and alleviated the severity of colonic histopathological damage in UC mice. Furthermore, it inhibited the polarization of macrophages towards the M1 phenotype in the colon and downregulated the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby ameliorating UC in mice. ConclusionFolate-chicory acid liposome exhibited a uniform particle size distribution and high encapsulation efficiency. It effectively treated UC mice by inhibiting the polarization of macrophages towards the M1 phenotype in the colon and downregulating the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Aqueous-phase dual-functional chiral perovskites for hydrogen sulfide (H2S) detection and antibacterial applications in Escherichia coli

Perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) have attracted extensive attention for their potential applications in biology. However, only a handful of PNCs have been scrutinized in the biological domain due to issues such as instability, poor dispersion, and size inhomogeneity in polar solvents. The development of dual-functional perovskite nanomaterials with hydrogen sulfide (H2S) sensing and antibacterial capabilities is particularly intriguing. In this study, we prepared chiral quasi-two-dimensional (quasi-2D) perovskite nanomaterials, Bio(S-PEA)2CsPb2Br7 and Bio(R-PEA)2CsPb2Br7, that were uniformly dispersed in aqueous media. The effective encapsulation of methoxypolyethylene glycol amine (mPEG-NH2) improved water stability and uniformity of particle size. Circular dichroism (CD) signals were created by the successful insertion of chiral cations. These perovskites as probes showed a rapid and sensitive fluorescence quenching response to H2S, and the effect of imaging detection was observed at the Escherichia coli (E. coli) level. As antibacterial agents, their pronounced positive charge properties facilitated membrane lysis and subsequent E. coli death, indicating a significant antibacterial effect. This work has preliminary explored the application of chiral perovskites in biology and provides insight into the development of bifunctional perovskite nanomaterials for biological applications.

Preparation of copolymer 7-hydroxyethyl chrysin loaded PLGA nanoparticles and the in vitro release.

To prepare 7-hydroxyethyl chrysin (7-HEC) loaded poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles and to detect the in vitro release. The 7-HEC/PLGA nanoparticles were prepared by emulsification solvent volatilization method. The particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), encapsulation rate, drug loading and zeta potential were measured. The prescription was optimized by single factor investigation combined with Box-Behnken response surface method. Mannitol was used as protectant to prepare lyophilized powder, and the optimal formulation was characterized and studied for the in vitro release. The optimal formulation of 7-HEC/PLGA nanoparticles was as follows: drug loading ratio of 2.12∶20, oil-water volume ratio of 1∶14.7, and 2.72% soybean phospholipid as emulsifier. With the optimal formulation, the average particle size of 7-HEC/PLGA nanoparticles was (240.28±0.96) nm, the PDI was 0.25±0.69, the encapsulation rate was (75.74±0.80)%, the drug loading capacity was (6.98±0.83)%, and the potentiostatic potential was (－18.17±0.17) mV. The cumulative in vitro release reached more than 50% within 48 h. The optimized formulation is stable and easy to operate. The prepared 7-HEC/PLGA nanoparticles have uniform particle size, high encapsulation rate and significantly higher dissolution rate than 7-HEC.

Redox-responsive Nanomicelles with Intracellular Targeting and Programmable Drug Release for Targeted Tumor Therapy.

Anti-inflammatory medications, in particular aspirin, have chemopreventive and anticancer adjuvant effects on specific types of cancers, according to ongoing anti-tumor research. Additionally, efforts have been made to transform Poly(salicylic acid) (PSA) into delivery-related nanocarriers. to transport anticancer medications into nanocarriers. However, tumor cell targeting and tumor selectivity were lacking in the salicylic acid polymer-based nanocarriers, preventing them from performing to their full potential. The objective of this study is to prepare targeting and reduction-responsive poly pre-drug nanocarriers (HA-ss-PSA NPs) and to investigate the feasibility of delivering adriamycin (DOX) as nanocarriers. The structures of the polymers were confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance hydrogen spectroscopy (1H-NMR) and infrared spectroscopy (IR); the encapsulation rate and drug loading of DOX-loaded nanoparticles were determined by HPLC; and the anti-tumor effects of the carriers were evaluated by MTT experiments and in vivo</i> experiments. The prepared nanocarriers had uniform particle size distribution. The drug release rate was up to 80% within 48 h in the tumor environment. DOX/HA-ss-PSA NPs showed significant cytostatic effects. In addition, HA-ss-PSA NPs showed significant targeting and inhibition of cell migration in cell uptake and scratch assays. In vivo</i> experiments showed that the prepared carriers had high tumor inhibition rates, good targeting effects on the liver and tumor, and significantly reduced toxicity to other tissues. The prepared HA-ss-PSA NPs could effectively inhibit the growth of HepG2 cells and tumors in vivo</i>, indicating that PSA could be used as a backbone component of a safe and reliable drug delivery system, providing a new strategy for the treatment of liver cancer.

Characterizations of Swelling Granule of Clove Leaf (Syzygium aromaticum L.) Ethanol Extract

Cloves, scientifically known as Syzygium aromaticum L., hold promise as a potential antiulcer remedy due to their rich composition of compounds, including high levels of phenolic compounds such as eugenol, eugenol acetate, and gallic acid. To improve bioavailability in the gastric environment, this study focuses on optimizing and evaluating a swelling granule system derived from clove leaf extract. The granules were produced using wet granulation with Carbopol, HPMC, and their combination as polymer matrices. Results indicated favorable properties in the swelling granules, with the optimal composition of 210 mg Carbopol, 36 mg PVP, and 404 mg Avicel pH 101. These granules exhibited a uniform particle size distribution, with 90.1% below 149 µm and 9.9% distributed across mesh numbers 100, 80, and 40. The formula with Carbopol polymer showed superior flow rate, compressibility, and swelling capacity compared to other formulations. The interaction between Carbopol's C=O groups and HPMC's hydroxyl groups significantly influenced parameters, especially swelling capacity. Thus, when combining polymers, potential chemical or physical reactions should be considered. The wet granulation process effectively preserved secondary metabolite levels from clove leaf. Further tests are recommended to evaluate the granulation's effectiveness as a delivery system for clove leaf extract.

Revealing the influence of aerosol particle state on the high-quality α-Ga2O3 single crystal thin film growth by Mist CVD epitaxy

There is little research on α-Ga2O3 single crystal film because it is a metastable phase of Ga2O3 crystal and difficult for controllable fabrication. In this paper, highly crystallized Ga2O3 thin films of poly-crystalline, α-Ga2O3 and β-Ga2O3 were prepared by modulating the growth temperature from 400 °C to 700 °C by mist-assisted CVD (Mist CVD) method. The results show that films grown at 525 °C owes the best crystalline quality of α-Ga2O3 film. To further improve the crystallinity of α-Ga2O3 thin film, a systematic simulation revealing the distribution changes of aerosol particle size, flow field, and temperature gradient in the reaction chamber were explored. The optimal growth region C with uniform particle size, well-distribute temperature gradient and stable flow field is determined. Meanwhile, the experimental results of α-Ga2O3 thin films grown at different positions in the reaction chamber was proved to consistent with the simulation results. Furthermore, the optimal single crystallized α-Ga2O3 thin films with smooth surface morphology and optical property were obtained. The PL spectrum operated at room temperature show the α-Ga2O3 film with low defect density and high crystalline quality. It shows that the single crystallized α-Ga2O3 is orientated grown on sapphire substrate with epitaxial relationship of α-Ga2O3 (0006)//c-Al2O3 (0006). Although, slight lattice mismatch is observed on the selected area electron diffraction pattern of the interface between sapphire and α-Ga2O3 film, it is ideal for further application in devices. This work reveals the key point for α-Ga2O3 single crystal film growth by mist CVD is to construct a steady and orderly environment through controlling aerosol particle state.

Microencapsulation of vitamin E by gelatin-high/low methoxy pectin complex coacervates: Effect of pH, pectin type, and protein/polysaccharide ratio

In this study, gelatin (GA), high-methoxyl pectin (HMP) or low-methoxyl pectin (LMP) were used to prepare complex coacervates, and effect of pectin type, pH, and gelatin-pectin ratio on formation and physiochemical properties of complex coacervates were deeply investigated. Furthermore, vitamin E (VE) was encapsulated using GA-HMP/LMP complex coacervates. The GA-HMP/LMP complex coacervates and GA-HMP/LMP-VE microcapsules were optimized and characterized. At the gelatin-pectin ratios of 2:1 and 3:1 and pH of 4.0, the GA-HMP and GA-LMP had the maximum yield of 54.67 ± 1.82% and 59.33 ± 1.49%, and turbidity of 1.33 ± 0.02 and 1.30 ± 0.04, respectively, and GA-HMP/LMP were close to zero potential at this point, indicating that the strength of electrostatic interaction was strongest. The GA-LMP and GA-HMP displayed spherical and irregular short-rod like appearance, respectively, and more aggregates and denser network were formed at gelatin-pectin ratio of 3:1, especially in GA-HMP3:1. The formation of GA-HMP/LMP complex coacervates was driven by electrostatic interaction, and GA-HMP3:1 had the optimum thermal stability. Except GA-HMP2:1-VE, the prepared and optimized VE mirocapsules by GA-LMP and GA-LMP complex coacervates showed spherical state and uniform particle size. The GA-HMP2:1-VE and GA-HMP3:1-VE possess the highest hygroscopicity and wettability of 109.08 ± 7.66 s and 26.67 ± 0.85 g/100g, respectively. The GA-HMP3:1-VE microcapsules had the highest encapsulation efficiency of 82.67 ± 1.77 %. Results of differential scanning calorimetry and release behavior in hot-water indicated that the microcapsules had excellent thermal stability. Furthermore, the GA-HMP and GA-LMP made VE stable in gastric stages and sustainable release in intestinal stages.

Novel nanoparticle CS-C60-Fe3O4 magnetically induces tissue-specific aggregation and enhances thermal ablation of hepatocellular carcinoma

Metallofullerenes are an important type of metallic nanomaterial with promising applications in several medical fields. Thermal ablation, including radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation (MWA), is an important treatment strategy for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The thermal expansion of fullerenes makes them good adjuncts to thermal ablation treatment of HCC. In this study, we used an innovative method of emulsification and cross-linking to produce CS-C60-Fe3O4 (Chitosan-C60-Fe3O4) nanoparticles, which have the advantages of uniform particle size and high bioavailability, as a kind of novel nano-pharmaceutical. The CS-C60-Fe3O4 nanoparticles were prepared by the cross-linking reaction from chitosan–acetic acid solution, Fe3O4 nanoparticles by Fe2SO4·7H2O and FeCl3·6H2O, and C60. The average particle size of CS-C60-Fe3O4 was 194.3 nm. Because CS-C60-Fe3O4 is magnetic, it can achieve specific and tissue aggregation in HCC tumor tissues. Moreover, compared with normal soluble C60 (EL35-C60), CS-C60-Fe3O4 prolonged the retention time of C60 in the blood of mice. CS-C60-Fe3O4 alone is not cytotoxic to cultured cells or tumor tissues, but when combined with thermal ablation strategies (RFA and MWA), it significantly upregulates the antitumor effects of thermal ablation on HCC tissues, that is, it acts as a sensitiser to thermal ablation. In the presence of thermal ablation, CS-C60-Fe3O4 interfered with iron metabolism in HCC cells and induced ferroptosis of HCC cells in the tumor tissues. These results not only expand our understanding of metallofullerenes but also provide additional options for the treatment of advanced HCC.

Experimental investigation on Ag NPs-rGO-water/ethylene-glycol hybrid nanofluids used in solar applications

In the current study, an experimental study on synthesis, characterization, stability and thermo-physical properties of silver nanoparticles - reduced graphene oxide dispersed in water and ethylene glycol mixture (Ag NPs-rGO/W + EG) is presented. Ag NPs-rGO sheets (1:1) synthesized and characterized by SEM method were prepared using a mixture of water and ethylene glycol (W + EG (1:1)) as base fluid and low-viscosity sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMCNa) as surfactant. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements were performed to estimate particle size distribution of the Ag NPs-rGO sheets in the nanofluids. Polydispersity index (PI) was also used to estimate the average uniformity of particle size in the hybrid nanofluids. The measurements of the thermo-physical properties were carried out at temperatures varying from 293.15 K to 323.15 K and concentrations of Ag NPs-rGO sheets of 0.050, 0.075 and 0.10 wt% respectively. The results indicated that the thermo-physical properties of Ag NPs-rGO/W + EG hybrid nanofluids were generally dependent on concentration and temperature. The thermal conductivity was enhanced by about 1.13 times at 323.15 K and 0.10 wt%. The maximum increase in viscosity and density were 2.33 and 1.066 times compared to the base fluid at 293.15 K and 0.10 wt%. Based on the density measurements, the specific heat values of the Ag NPs-rGO/W + EG hybrid nanofluids were computed, recording a reduction up to 6.541 % at 323.15 K and 0.10 wt% compared to the water+ethylene glycol solution. The thermo-physical properties were compared to theoretical models and experimental results from literature. Based on the experimental data, new correlations for thermo-physical properties were established. Furthermore, this study analyzes the effectiveness of Ag NPs-rGO/W + EG hybrid nanofluids in a flat-plate solar collector (FPSC) in both laminar and turbulent flows by calculating the thermal efficiency.

Targeted Delivery of Peptide Nucleic Acid by Biomimetic Nanoparticles Based on Extracellular Vesicle-coated Mesoporous Silica Nanoparticles.

Peptide nucleic acid (PNA) plays an important role in antimicrobial activity, but its cellular permeability is poor. To overcome this limitation, we constructed biomimetic nanoparticles by using extracellular vesicle (EV)-coated mesoporous silicon nanoparticles (MSNs) to deliver PNA to Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and improve its antisense therapeutic effect. MSN was prepared by the sol-gel method, and EV was extracted by affinity resin chromatography. EV was coated on MSN by simple sonication (50 W, 3 min) to prepare biomimetic nanoparticles with PNA-loaded MSN as the core and EV isolated from S. aureus as the shell. The MSN prepared by the sol-gel method had a uniform particle size (100 nm) and well-defined pore size for loading PNA with good encapsulation efficiency (62.92%) and drug loading (7.74%). The concentration of EV extracted by affinity resin chromatography was about 1.74 mg/mL. EV could be well coated on MSN through simple ultrasonic treatment (50 W, 3 min), and the stability and blood compatibility of MSN@ EV were good. Internalization experiments showed that EV could selectively enhance the uptake of biomimetic nanoparticles by S. aureus. Preliminary in vitro antibacterial tests revealed that PNA@MSN@EV exhibited enhanced antibacterial activity against S. aureus and had stronger bactericidal activity than free PNA and PNA@MSN at equivalent PNA concentrations (8 μM). Biomimetic nanoparticles based on EV-coated MSN offer a new strategy to improve the efficacy of PNA for the treatment of bacterial infections, and the technology holds promise for extension to the delivery of antibiotics that are traditionally minimally effective or prone to resistance.

Effect of adding silver on photocatalytic properties of ZnAl2O4 nanopowder synthesized using microemulsion and polyacrylamide gel methods for recycled water

In recent decades, water purification and removal of organic pollutants such as organic dyes have been among the most important issues. Photocatalyst is one of the most effective methods for recycled water to eliminate organic pollutants and break them down into safe compounds. One of the most significant factors for determining the efficiency of photocatalyst nanoparticles is the utilization of new synthesis methods. Microemulsion and polyacrylamide gel methods are the two methods that were used for the synthesis of zinc aluminate nanoparticles for this study. The powders obtained from these two synthesis methods were characterized using the X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis) which were utilized as photocatalysts in the photocatalytic degradation reaction of methylene blue (MB). The results demonstrated that the nanoparticles synthesized in both methods were of single-phase zinc aluminate with a spinel structure. The crystallite size obtained for zinc aluminate synthesized using the microemulsion method was 21.7 nm, whereas, in the polyacrylamide gel method, it was 26.3 nm. Microscopic images represented smaller and more uniform particle sizes in the nanoparticles obtained by the microemulsion method. The band gap energy of zinc aluminate nanoparticles obtained using microemulsion and polyacrylamide gel methods was 4.15 and 3.82 eV, respectively. Similarly, the results of MB removal showed that zinc aluminate nanoparticles synthesized using the microemulsion method and polyacrylamide gel, respectively, were 100% and 71% after 120 min. In the second phase of this study, silver nanoparticles were added to zinc aluminate nanoparticles during the synthesis process. X-ray diffraction showed that silver nanoparticles are formed metallically next to zinc aluminate. Moreover, the addition of silver decreased the crystallite size and slightly increased the band gap energy of zinc aluminate. The results of MB dye degradation tests in the presence of ZnAl2O4–Ag nanocomposites showed that the kinetics of dye degradation increased when the silver increased up to 5 wt%. Finally, the mechanism studied on dye degradation using scavenger agents showed that the main agents of dye degradation are the superoxide radical and the holes created in the valence band. It was consistently confirmed by examining the valence and conduction band potentials and also by comparing these potentials with those responsible for producing superoxide and hydroxyl radicals.

Curcumin-loaded pH-sensitive carboxymethyl chitosan nanoparticles for the treatment of liver cancer

In this study, the pH-responsive API-CMCS-SA (ACS) polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) based on 1-(3-amino-propyl) imidazole (API), stearic acid (SA), and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) were fabricated for the effective transport of curcumin (CUR) in liver cancer. CUR-ACS-NPs with various degrees of substitution (DS) were employed to prepare through ultrasonic dispersion method. The effect of different DS on NPs formation was discussed. The obtained CUR-ACS-NPs (DSSA=12.4%) had high encapsulation rate (more than 85%) and uniform particle size (186.2 ± 1.42 nm). The CUR-ACS-NPs showed better stability than the other groups. Drug release from the CUR-ACS-NPs was pH-dependent, and more than 90% or 65% of CUR was released in 48 h in weakly acid medium (pH 5.0 or 6.0, respectively). Additionally, the CUR-ACS-NPs increased the intracellular accumulation of CUR and demonstrated high anticancer effect on HepG2 cells compared with the other groups. CUR-ACS-NPs prolonged the retention time of the drug, and the area under the curve (AUC) increased significantly in vivo. The in vivo antitumor study further revealed that the CUR-ACS-NPs exhibited the capability of inhibiting tumor growth and lower systemic toxicity. Meanwhile, CUR, CUR-CS-NPs, and CUR-ACS-NPs could be detected in the evaluated organs, including tumor, liver, spleen, lung, heart, and kidney in distribution studies. Among them, CUR-ACS-NPs reached the maximum concentration at the tumor site, indicating the tumor-targeting properties. In short, the results suggested that CUR-ACS-NPs could act a prospective drug transport system for effective delivery of CUR in cancer treatment.

Assessment of the protective and ameliorative impact of quercetin nanoparticles against neuronal damage induced in the hippocampus by acrolein

BackgroundThe most frequent kind of dementia in the senior population is Alzheimer's disease (AD). Antioxidant quercetin has a low bioavailability. The bioavailability of quercetin nanoparticles was demonstrated to be higher. Acrolein is thought to be the strongest unsaturated aldehyde. Acrolein contributes to the propagation of oxidative damage and thus the aetiology of AD. This study aimed to investigate histopathological and ultrastructural changes that may arise in the hippocampus following acrolein treatment. Quercetin nanoparticles' ameliorative and protective effects on acrolein-induced neurotoxicity and oxidative stress were assessed.ResultsWe successfully synthesised quercetin nanoparticles with uniform size distributions and particle diameters in the range of 3.63–4.57 nm using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and 3.7 nm using dynamic light scattering (DLS). Administration of acrolein was associated with histopathological alterations in the hippocampal structure, such as increased apoptotic neurones, dystrophic changes, neuronophagia, and atrophic ischaemia in cells, as well as marked damage to the ultrastructure of the hippocampus, which was obvious in shrunken pyramidal neurones with pyknotic nuclei and completely degenerated chromatin material, as well as in damaged astrocytes and microglial cells. Treatment with quercetin nanoparticles has been found to protect against and ameliorate the toxic effects and oxidative stress induced by acrolein in the hippocampus.ConclusionsThis could pave the way for additional research in nanomedicine and a new line of therapeutic intervention in AD using nanoparticles such as quercetin nanoparticles.

Insightful properties-performance study of Ti–Cu–O heterojunction sonochemically embedded in mesoporous silica matrix for efficient tetracycline adsorption and photodegradation: RSM and ANN-based modeling and optimization

This study aims to provide a comprehensive evaluation of the photocatalytic properties and performance of the Cu–Ti–O heterojunction sonochemically embedded in the mesoporous silica matrix. Various characterization analyses and adsorption/photodegradation experiments were performed to assess the potential of the sample for tetracycline (TC) removal. The characterization results indicated that sonication contributes to better dispersion of Ti–Cu–O species, resulting in more uniform particle sizes, stronger semiconductors-silica interaction, and less agglomeration. Furthermore, sonication significantly affected the optical nanocomposite features, leading to an improvement in charge carrier separation and a decrease in the band gap of Ti–Cu–Si (S) by approximately 2.6 eV. Based on the textural results, the ultrasound microjets increased the surface area and pore volume, which facilitate mass transfer and provide suitable adsorption sites for TC molecules. Accordingly, Cu–Ti–Si (S) demonstrated higher adsorption capacity (0.051 g TC/g adsorbent) and eliminated TC significantly faster (0.0054 L.mg−1.min−1) than a non-sonicated sample during 120 min of irradiation, resulting in 2.84 times improvement in the constant rate. In addition, experimental results were accurately modeled using a central composite design in combination with response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural networks (ANN) to predict and optimize TC photodegradation. Both RSM and ANN models revealed excellent predictability for TC degradation efficiency, with R2 = 99.47 and 99.71%, respectively. At optimal operational conditions (CTC = 20 ppm, photocatalyst dosage = 1.15 g.L−1, pH = 9, and irradiation time = 100 min), more than 95% and 87% of TC were degraded within the UV (375 W) and simulated solar light (400 W) irradiation periods, respectively. It was observed that the Cu–Ti–Si (S) nanocomposite maintained remarkable stability after four cycles with only a negligible 3% loss of activity, owing to the superior interaction between the bimetallic heterojunction and the silica matrix.

Feedback Supersaturation Control Crystallization Process of Itaconic Acid

AbstractSeeding metastable zone of itaconic acid in water is determined using a laser dynamic detecting technique, based on which feedback supersaturation control is performed for the crystallization process. The crystallization is strictly confined within the metastable zone throughout the whole process to effectively inhibit the secondary nucleation and the strategy of seed loading is employed to avoid the burst of primary nucleation, resulting in the uniform particle size distribution. With the aid of solution information, continuous feedback control is conducted to keep the supersaturation at a high level accelerating the crystal growth, which significantly shortens the time consumption, and also the effect of seed amount is discussed in this work.

Preparation of extra coarse-grained WC-Co cemented carbides by doping sodium in the ammonium tungstate solution during evaporation crystallization process

Coarse tungsten powders are usually used as raw material for preparing coarse grained WC-Co cemented carbides. Sodium can effectively promote the growth of tungsten powder during the reduction of tungsten oxide with hydrogen. Conventional addition of sodium salt into tungsten oxide powders by mechanical milling has the disadvantage of uneven distribution of sodium, which leads to abnormal growth of tungsten powders and affects the performance of WC-Co cemented carbides. In this study, uniform sodium doped ammonium paratungstate (APT) was prepared by adding sodium carbonate into ammonium tungstate solution during the evaporation and crystallization process based on the formation of ammonium-sodium paratungstate. Experimental results showed that sodium was uniformly distributed in the APT and promoted the growth of APT crystal. The sodium-doped APT was then used to produce coarse tungsten powders. Compared with tungsten powders obtained from tungsten trioxide with addition of sodium by mechanical milling, the coarse tungsten powders had larger average particle size and more uniform particle size distribution. The coarse tungsten powders were subsequently prepared into tungsten carbide powders and WC-Co cemented carbides by carburization and pressure sintering, respectively. Results showed that the obtained WC-Co cemented carbides had larger average WC grain size (6.8–7.2 μm), higher fracture toughness and transverse ruptures strength, and more uniform microstructure than that of WC-Co cemented carbides obtained by addition of sodium with mechanical milling. Moreover, sodium thoroughly volatilized during hydrogen reduction and carburization process, so that the purity of WC-Co cemented carbides was not reduced. Therefore, this study provided a new route for preparation of extra coarse-grained WC-Co cemented carbides.

One-pot synthesis of multifunctional ternary PtCuNi alloys: Magnetic properties and efficient hydrogen evolution reaction in alkaline media

The development of efficient, recyclable and low-cost electrocatalysts represents a formidable challenge in the production of hydrogen gas for fuel cell technologies. Herein, we reported the catalytic and magnetic properties of multifunctional, low Pt-content ternary Pt21Cu55Ni24, Pt39Cu24Ni37, and Pt45Cu32Ni23 catalysts nanoparticles (NPs), which were synthesized using modified polyol process. X-ray diffraction and Rietveld refinement analysis confirmed the fcc-Fm3¯m space group, with the (111) facets being the most preferred planes and the Pt39Cu24Ni37 catalyst exhibiting the smallest crystal size of 1.75 ± 0.36 nm, the largest dislocation density of 356.16 nm−2 and micro strain of 43.21 × 10−3 a.u. for Pt39Cu24Ni37 catalyst. All NPs exhibited a uniform particle size distribution with an average size ranging between 2 nm and 4 nm. The Pt39Cu24Ni37 catalyst demonstrated excellent HER activity in 1 M KOH alkaline media at room temperature, with the lowest onset potential of 30.3 mV (vs. RHE), an overpotential value of -71.30 mV to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm−2, and the highest electrochemically active surface area of 39.45 m2 gPt−1. Stability tests conducted at a potential of 93.3 mV (vs. RHE) exhibited good stability for all samples. Additionally, Pt21Cu55Ni24, Pt39Cu24Ni37, and Pt45Cu32Ni23 catalysts followed the Volmer–Tafel HER mechanism with Tafel slopes of 49 mV dec−1, 50 mV dec−1 and 42 mV dec−1, respectively. The magnetic results obtained from M-H and M-T curves revealed that all three materials exhibit strong paramagnetic properties.

Effect of Coal Particle Breakage on Gas Desorption Rate during Coal and Gas Outburst

The gas contained in coal plays a crucial role in triggering coal and gas outbursts. During an outburst, a large quantity of gas originally absorbed by coal is released from pulverized coal. The role this part of the gas plays in the process of coal and gas outbursts has not been clearly elucidated yet. Therefore, investigating the changes in gas desorption rate from coal particles of different sizes could provide some meaningful insights into the outburst process and improve our understanding of the outburst mechanism. First, combining the diffusivity of coal of different particle sizes and the distribution function of broken coal, we present a gas desorption model for fragmented gas-bearing coal that can quantify gas desorption from coal particles within a certain range of size. Second, the gas desorption rate ratio is defined as the ratio of the gas desorption rate from coal being crushed to that from coal before breaking. The desorption rate ratio is mainly determined by the desorption index (γ) and the granularity distribution index (α). Within the limit range of coal particle sizes, the ratio of effective diffusion coefficient for coal particles with different sizes is directly proportional to the reciprocal of the ratio of particle sizes. Under uniform particle size conditions before and after fragmentation, the gas desorption rate ratio is the square root of the reciprocal of the effective diffusion coefficient. The gas desorption model quantitatively elucidates the accelerated desorption of adsorbed gas in coal during the continuous fragmentation process of coal during an outburst.

A Study of the Physical and Mechanical Properties of Yellow River Sediments and Their Impact on the Reclamation of Coal-Mined Subsided Land

Coal mining in China has resulted in numerous subsided areas, exacerbating land scarcity issues. The Yellow River carries a high sediment load of nearly 1.6 billion tons annually. Cleaning up the accumulated silt is costly and takes up land. Reusing the sediment from the Yellow River to fill and reclaim the subsided areas caused by coal mining addresses both sedimentation and land reclamation issues, killing two birds with one stone. Nonetheless, technical challenges have emerged, such as machinery sinking into the soil, difficulty draining water, and poor soil quality improvement. To tackle these issues, understanding the physical and mechanical properties of Yellow River sediment is essential. Results show that the average particle size (D50) is 0.08 mm, categorized as fine-grained sandy soil with a relatively uniform particle size distribution. The permeability coefficient is 2.91 × 10−3 cm·s−1, similar to that of silty soil, indicating the feasibility for filling reclamation. However, the low permeability requires drainage improvement to accelerate construction timelines. The internal friction angle of the sediment ranges from 34.67° to 31.76°, with a cohesion from 20.79 to 23.92 kPa. To ensure safe and stable construction, machinery must not sink into the fill material. It is recommended to enhance drainage to about 13% for quicker drainage and stable construction. The sediment has a compression coefficient of 0.05 MPa−1, indicating low compressibility. Mechanical compression is not economically viable during the reclamation process. Design elevation (H) and fill elevation (h) should account for cumulative deformation settlement.