Spent green tea leaves for decolourisation of raw textile industry wastewater

True colour measurements of wastewater samples, in terms of American Dye Manufacturers' Institute values, were used to evaluate the effectiveness of decolourisation of textile wastewater using spent green tea leaf powder waste. Raw wastewater samples with a true colour of 868 ADMI were used in the batch adsorption experiments. Results revealed that the true colour removal efficiency of the raw textile wastewater was high in acidic solution and at high temperature, indicating an endothermic nature of the system. The major functional groups of the green tea leaf powder waste involved in adsorption were identified by Fourier Transform‐infrared spectroscopy analysis. Adsorption kinetic data were modelled using the modified Freundlich and intraparticle diffusion kinetics equations. Fitting results of the Langmuir adsorption isotherm showed that the adsorption capacity of the green tea leaf powder waste was 775 ADMI g^?1, which is higher than that of powder activated carbon (526 ADMI g^?1). The low activation energy values (13.9 kJ mol^?1) suggested that adsorption was governed by a diffusion process and the reaction involved a physisorption mechanism. From the perspectives of waste utilisation, remarkable colour adsorption capacity and inexpensive and abundant availability, green tea leaf waste is an attractive alternative for decolourisaton of textile wastewater. Because high temperature favours colour removal, green tea leaf powder can be directly applied in raw textile wastewater treatment.     

Structural Chemistry: The Last 50 Years as Seen by an X-ray Crystallographer

Some aspects of the evolution of structural chemistry are described from the personal perspective of a student of Jack Dunitz who started working for a Ph.D. in crystal chemistry in the mid-1960s. The importance and the change of emphasis of X-ray crystal structure determination through the decades is sketched and related to technological advances. Activities beyond standard structure determination by single-crystal and powder diffraction, some of them significantly underdeveloped, are indicated. While crystal structure determination has become an important, if not indispensable, analytical tool supporting the widespread objectives of the synthetic chemists, structural chemistry has also developed a deep physical understanding of the concept of structure at the atomic length scale and enabled the organization of an enormous volume of individual observations based on the notions of chemical bonding.     

The influence of synthesis conditions on the crystal and aggregate properties of calcium salt azo pigment CI Pigment Red 48:2

The influence of pH and heating time at 80 °C on the final stage (conversion to the calcium salt) of the formation of the metal salt azo pigment, CI Pigment Red 48:2, has been investigated. A series of systematically prepared pigment samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, surface area measurement and a detailed nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherm investigation. Significant differences in the crystal sizes and morphologies and in the crystal growth patterns were observed. The colour and lightfastness properties in air-drying alkyd paints are correlated with the physical property data.     

Synthesis and luminescence studies of Dy3+ doped Li3Sc(BO3)2 polycrystalline powder for warm white light

Li₃Sc(BO₃)₂, an orthoborate polycrystalline compound, was synthesised using the solid-state synthesis method as a pure and Dy₂O₃-doped material. Dy³⁺ ions were used in various concentrations (from 1 to 6 mol. %). The experimental powder X-ray diffraction data and calculated Rietveld refined data are found to be in good agreement, verifying the effectiveness of the synthesis procedure. The luminescence studies were performed under the excitations of X-ray, proton beam, and UV light. The success of radioluminescence studies verifies the prospects of the Dy³⁺-doped compound for its application as a radiation scintillator in imaging. The experimental study of cross-relaxation processes confirms the lack of potential evidence of the quenching of the emission peak at 765 nm through the absorption via ⁶H_15/2 → ⁶F_3/2 electronic transition cross-relaxation channel ?1. The CIE 1931 colour coordinates and correlated colour temperatures were determined for all doped samples under X-ray, proton beam, and photoluminescence excitations. The obtained combined emission colour appeared in the warm white region, unlike many other Dy³⁺-doped phosphors that suffer suppression of luminescence through the cross-relaxation process.     

Ceramic pigments with sphene structure obtained by both spray- and freeze-drying techniques

The present study is focused on the procedure of spray- and freeze-drying techniques for the preparation of Cr-doped sphene pigments (CaSn_0.98Cr_0.02SiO₅, CaTi_0.98Cr_0.02SiO₅) from an aqueous solution of precursor salts, followed by calcinations of the resulting powders in absence of additives. The evolution of the present crystalline phases with applied thermal treatments was studied by X-ray powder diffraction and thermal analysis. The powder morphology was analysed by scanning electronic microscopy. The behaviour of the chromium ion was clarified by ultraviolet and visible spectroscopy. The colour efficiency of pigments was evaluated by colourimetric analysis (CIE L?a?b? system).     

Morphology of silicate glasses with lead sulfide nanocrystals

The specific features in the structure of nanostructured glass-ceramic materials based on sodium zinc silicate glasses doped with lead sulfide are investigated using small-angle X-ray scattering and X-ray powder diffraction. It is established that a close-to-monodisperse size distribution of PbS nanocrystals is an important structural feature of the system under investigation. An analysis of the X-ray powder diffraction data demonstrates that the shape of the lead sulfide nanocrystals precipitated depends on the heat treatment conditions and can differ from a spherical shape.     

Doped oxides of cerium as inorganic colorants

The colour of inorganic colorants is based on metal ions such as cadmium, lead, chromium or cobalt, the majority of which are unfortunately potentially toxic. Thus, there is in a need to introduce alternative metal or metal oxides, which would be environmentally friendly and economically viable as a replacement for potentially toxic inorganic colorants. Rare earth-based colorants offer an additional opportunity for the development of optically pure colours. In this study, a replacement for potentially toxic colorants has been sought through the use of a rare earth metal ion, cerium. Appropriate doping of cerium oxides with molybdenum and iron gives an orange–red colorant. The conditions ideal for optimal colour have been standardised and the resultant colorant characterised through powder X-ray diffraction techniques, particle size measurement, etc. The colorants exhibit good hiding power and tinting strength.     

Flow of wet powder in a conical centrifugal filter—an analytical model

A one-dimensional analytical model is developed for the steady state, axisymmetric, slender flow of saturated powder in a rotating perforated cone. Both the powder and the fluid spin with the cone with negligible slip in the hoop direction. They migrate up the wall of the cone along a generator under centrifugal force, which also forces the fluid out of the cone through the powder layer and the porous wall. The flow thus evolves from an over-saturated paste at inlet into a nearly dry powder at outlet. The powder is treated as a Mohr–Coulomb granular solid of constant void fraction and permeability. The shear traction at the wall is assumed to be velocity and pressure dependent. The fluid is treated as Newtonian viscous. The model provides the position of the colour line (the transition from over- to under-saturation) and the flow velocity and thickness profiles over the cone. Surface tension effects are assumed negligible compared to the centrifugal acceleration. Two alternative conditions are considered for the flow structure at inlet: fully settled powder at inlet, and progressive settling of an initially homogeneous slurry. The position of the colour line is found to be similar for these two cases over a wide range of operating conditions. Dominant dimensionless groups are identified which control the position of the colour line in a continuous conical centrifuge. Experimental observations of centrifuges used in the sugar industry provide preliminary validation of the model.     

高反差彩色相纸乳剂的检测研究

感光胶片的卤素比（卤化银比例）、微晶体结构检测，是感光胶片制造工艺中两项主要物化分析。高反差彩色相纸是目前通用优质负一正彩色相纸。应用ｘ射线荧光光谱、ｘ时线衍射和扫描电子显微镜检测了高反差彩色相纸各层乳剂的卤素比和微晶体结构，这些方法简单迅速。     

Preparation and Characterization of Submicron Hafnium Oxide

Submicron hafnium oxide powder prepared by hydrolytic decomposition of alkoxides was studied. The particle size range of this powder was 10 to 50 Å. Emission spectrographic analysis of the powder after it was calcined at 250°C for 0.5 h indicated a purity of >99.995%. Up to 320°C, the powder showed no crystallinity by X-ray analysis. The amorphous HfO₂ was isothermally aged at 5° to 10°C intervals between 200° and 500°C. X-ray diffraction patterns indicate a sharp transition from an amorphous state to the monoclinic phase at 325°C. High-temperature X-ray studies and DTA suggest nucleation and growth of small crystallites at 420°C leading to conversion to monoclinic HfO₂ at 480°C. BET surface area measurements and TGA of the powders were also conducted. A powder which transformed at 325°C to the monoclinic phase was isothermally aged below 325°C for 150 h without change.     

Characterization of microwave processed aluminium powder

Commercial Al powder was exposed to microwave radiation for 45 min. The as received and microwave heated Al powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). XRD of the microwave treated Al powder confirmed the formation of Al-Al₂O₃ composite. FTIR studies and EDX analysis indicated the transformation of Al powder into Al-Al₂O₃ core-shell composite powder after microwave processing. SEM showed that the morphology of the microwave processed Al powder was quite different from that of the as-received Al powder. TEM image of the microwave treated Al powder supported the FTIR and EDX data.     

Synthesis of nanocrystalline ZnO–NiO mixed metal oxide powder by homogeneous precipitation method

Nanocrystalline ZnO–NiO mixed metal oxide powder has been successfully prepared via a simple homogeneous precipitation method in short time. The nanocrystalline sample was obtained at low calcination temperature (350 °C). Specific surface area, crystallite size and optical band gap of the samples depend on calcination temperature. The synthesized samples were characterized by means of powder X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, surface area measurements, scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray analysis, transmission electron microscopy and magnetic measurements. The synthesized powder samples have been tested for their catalytic reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol in the presence of sodium borohydride.     

A small-angle X-ray scattering study of powder compaction

This work demonstrated a novel and potentially important application of two-dimensional small-angle X-ray scattering (2D-SAXS) to investigate powder compaction. SAXS from powder compacts of three materials commonly used for pharmaceutical tabletting exhibited azimuthal variations, with stronger intensity in the direction of the applied compaction force, relative to the transverse direction. This implied that compaction of a (macroscopic) powder could also produce changes on the molecular (nanometre) scale, which can be probed by 2D-SAXS. Two possible explanations for this effect were suggested. A combination of anisometric (i.e. elongated or flattened) granules with anisotropic morphologies could result in azimuthal variation in X-ray scattering due to granule orientation. It is expected that this mechanism would require relatively low packing density, so may operate during die filling. Granule re-orientation appeared less likely at higher packing densities and compaction pressures, however. Under these conditions, the changes in the 2D-SAXS patterns would be consistent with the powder granules becoming relatively flattened in the compression direction, with corresponding changes in their nano-scale morphology. The magnitude of this effect was found to vary between the materials used and increased with compaction pressure. This suggested that 2D-SAXS studies could provide useful information on force-transmission within a compressed powder. Further analysis of the data also suggested differences in the compaction mechanisms (i.e. granule re-orientation, deformation or fragmentation) between the materials studied.     

Synthesis,consolidation and dielectric properties of BLT ceramics processed by M-PVA gel ignition technique

Abstract

Abstract

Polycrystalline samples of lanthanum modified bismuth titanate ceramics with composition Bi_3·25La_0·75Ti₃O₁₂ (BLT) were prepared at three different sintering temperatures (1050, 1100 and 1150°C) using M-PVA gel ignition technique. The samples were characterised for structural and electrical properties. A significant amount of as burnt BLT powder was found to be crystalline in nature having a yellowish colour. Very fine BLT nanoparticles were characterised by TEM analysis. Single phase with orthorhombic crystal structure was observed for all the samples, confirmed by X-ray analysis. Dielectric properties were studied as a function of frequency and temperature. More than 95% relative density was observed for all the three sintered samples. The sample sintered at 1100°C showed highest dielectric constant and relative density and lowest loss.     

Investigation of the Sintering of Heterogeneous Powder Systems by Synchrotron Microtomography and Discrete Element Simulation

Collective particle behavior such as interparticle coordination and particle rearrangement plays a significant role in the sintering of heterogeneous powder systems. Those phenomena have been investigated by in situ X-ray microtomography and discrete element simulation (DEM). In situ 3D images of sintering copper-based systems have been obtained at the European Synchrotron Research Facilities. The sintered systems comprise a dense packing of atomized copper powder with a size range of 0–63 μm and the same powder including artificial pores. Quantitative analysis of these images provided valuable data on local strain, coordination number, and particle movement. The sintering of the same systems has been simulated with the discrete element code dp3D. From this set of information, the importance of collective behavior on densification and microstructural evolution is assessed and the relevance of DEM to describe it is discussed.     

PVA-CuSO_4着色原液性能的研究

本文研究了砂磨色浆和色粉浆PVA-CuSO_4着色原液的流变性、过滤性和稳定性,并对色粉浆的制备、加料顺序以及分散状况进行了探讨。实验证明:采用该着色原液凝胶化纺丝,可获得有色中空维纶,为中空维纶原液着色提供了依据。用气流粉碎至1～2μm的颜料直接配制色粉浆,运输储存方便,合理可行。     

Effect of calcination temperature on use of high-boron-content waste for low-temperature wall tile production

The effects of the calcination temperature on raw-colemanite-waste properties and calcined waste content on wall tile production were investigated. Waste containing 11.24% B₂O₃ calcined between 500 and 800°C was added to wall tile granules in various ratios (0–100 wt.%) to produce a low-temperature-sintered wall tile by adding the maximum content of boron waste, as determined through optimal calcination. The low-temperature (850–1000°C) sinterability of the samples and the effect of the calcined colemanite-waste content on the wall tile properties were investigated. The samples were characterised using X-ray fluorescence, X-ray powder diffraction, differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and colourimetry. The waste calcined at 800°C exhibited a substantially different phase distribution, bond structure, morphology, and colour. The wall tile produced using 40 wt.% colemanite waste calcined at 800°C and subsequently sintered at 950°C exhibited the optimal properties. The linear firing shrinkage, water absorption, and flexural strength of the optimised wall tile were 0.88%, 16.04%, and 36.07 MPa, respectively. The optimised wall tile exhibited major albite, quartz, and diopside phases and 64% higher strength. The sample calcined at 800°C showed that high colemanite-waste content could be incorporated into ceramic bodies.     

Novel route to submicrometer tungsten carbide

A mixture of graphite and scheelite (CaWO₄) have been mechanically milled together for 40 h. The resultant powder and an unmilled powder were examined by thermal analysis, isothermal annealing, and X-ray diffraction to determine the effect of milling on the reduction of scheelite to tungsten carbide. The milled powder underwent a rapid reduction reaction at 800°C–300°C lower than the unmilled powder. The reduction sequence to WC was shown to differ for the two powders with W₂C intermediate in the milled powder and W in the unmilled powder. The milled powder showed complete reduction to WC in 1 h at 1,000°C, whereas the unmilled powder was incompletely reduced, even after 1 h at 1,200°C. Separation of the final phases was readily achieved by a simple acid leach, leaving WC grains around 200 nm in size.     

Preparation and characterization of maleic anhydride-grafted desulfurization rubber powder by free-radical polymerization

The objective of the article was to enhance the recycling value of solid waste rubber by surface functionalization of desulfurized rubber powder using a one-pot method based on free-radical polymerization theory. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and elemental analysis were used to characterize the maleic anhydride-grafted desulfurized rubber powder, and the grafting mechanism was also investigated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed that maleic anhydride was grafted onto the desulfurized rubber powder. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated that the maleic anhydride-grafted desulfurized rubber powder and desulfurized rubber powder possessed different thermal properties and structure. The results of scanning electron microscopy and elemental analysis illustrated that the surface of the desulfurized rubber powder was covered with a layer of fold-like maleic anhydride polymer. The mechanism of grafting desulfurized rubber powder with maleic anhydride may be achieved by replacing the active α-H on the methylene group of the desulfurized rubber macromolecule chain.     

Synthesizing and Comparing the Photocatalytic Properties of High Surface Area Rutile and Anatase Titania Nanoparticles

Rutile titania nanocrystalline particles with high specific surface areas were directly prepared by thermal hydrolysis of titanium tetrachloride aqueous solution. The as-prepared rutile titania powder was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis, and Fourier transform Raman and IR spectroscopies. Neither anatase nor amorphous titania could be detected in this titania powder by XRD, Raman spectroscopy, and high-resolution TEM. In the phenol degradation reaction, the rutile titania powder with an initial crystalline size of 7 nm was found to have higher photocatalytic activity than that of anatase titania with the same specific surface area. The rutile titania powders calcined at 300° and 450°C also showed a relatively high photocatalytic property. The high activity of the as-prepared rutile titania was attributed to the abundance of hydroxy groups in the powder, as was proven by thermogravimetric analysis data, which provided more active sites for the degradation reaction.