Catalytic combustion synthesis of CNTs/MgO composite powders and the influences on the thermal shock resistance of low-carbon Al2O3–C refractories

Using MgC₂O₄, Mg powders as raw materials and Ni(NO₃)₂?6H₂O as a catalyst, CNTs/MgO composite powders were prepared by a catalytic combustion synthesis method. The CNTs/MgO composite powders were characterized by XRD, Raman spectroscopy, FESEM/EDS and HRTEM. The effects of catalyst content on the degree of graphitization and aspect ratio of the CNTs in composite powders were investigated. Moreover, the thermal shock resistance of low-carbon Al₂O₃–C refractories after adding the composite powder was investigated. The results indicated that the CNTs prepared with 1 wt% Ni(NO₃)₂?6H₂O addition had a higher degree of graphitization and aspect ratio. In particular, the aspect ratio could reach approximately 200. The growth mechanism of hollow bamboo-like CNTs in the composite powders was proven to be a V-L-S mechanism. The thermal shock resistance of Al₂O₃–C samples could be improved significantly after adding CNTs/MgO composite powders. In particular, compared with CM0, the residual strength ratio of Al₂O₃–C samples with added 2.5 wt% composite powders could be increased 63.9%.     

Effect of mass transfer on the deactivation model and GPLE parameters of Co/γ-Al2O3 catalysts in the Fischer Tropsch synthesis

The activity of catalysts with various sizes was compared in a fixed-bed Fischer–Tropsch reactor under similar operating conditions by determining the deactivation model. Catalyst size had no impact on the type of deactivation model. The smaller catalyst showed a smaller deactivation constant of catalyst (k_d) and a lower deactivation rate in the initial stage. The decline in the activities of the catalyst with a mesh size of 40 was lower than the other catalysts, suggesting its higher long-term stability (a_ss). Larger catalyst sizes led to the fouling of carbon and heavy hydrocarbons, decreasing the specific surface of the catalyst, thus increasing the pore diffusion resistance and further decrementing the catalyst activities.     

Effect of high hydrostatic pressure pretreatment on flavour and physicochemical properties of freeze-dried carambola slices

Ripe carambolas are hard to store and transport, while freeze-dried ones are easy to store. However, its long production time leads to higher costs. This study shows that high hydrostatic pressure (HHP) treatment could shorten the freeze-drying time of carambola slices. After HHP treatment (25–250 MPa), the drying time of the fresh sample can be shortened by 33.3–44.4% and the distribution of water and pigment in tissues is much uniform. With the increment of the pressure, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and hydroxyl radical scavenging rate are increased. At 250 MPa, the total phenolic content (TPC) increased from 11.34 to 13.36 mg GAE g⁻¹, and the total flavonoid content (TFC) of the control sample was increased from 10.77 to 12.73 mg RE g⁻¹. Compared with the untreated sample, HHP treatment can enhance the flavour and shorten the freeze-drying time. This work guides the application of HHP technology for drying food processing.     

Polymer electrets and their applications

Polymer electrets have revealed great potential application in electromechanical devices because of the low weight, large quasi-piezoelectric sensitivity, and excellent flexibility. For an electret, a permanent and macroscopic electric field exists on the surface, principally led by a macroscopic electrostatic charge on the surface or a net orientation of polar groups inside the object. Here, progress in the development of polymer electrets is reviewed. After a brief retrospect of the research courses and those typical polymer electrets that are classified into fluorine polymer and nonfluorine polymer, we present a survey on the charging methods, including corona, soft X-ray, contact, thermal and monoenergetic particle beams. The latest representative applications (i.e., power harvesting, sensors, field effect transistors, and biomedicine) based on polymer electrets are also summarized. Finally, we complete this review with a discussion on perspectives and challenges in this field.     

Synthesis and performance evaluation of a new drag reducer based on acrylamide/12-allyloxydodecyl acid sodium

Hydraulic fracturing with slickwater is a field-proven stimulation technology used in tight reservoirs. Because of the high pumping rate associated with slickwater fracturing, drag reduction (DR) is critical in minimizing pressure drop and the success of oilfield operations. In this paper, a new type of drag reducer (SPR) was synthesized with acrylamide and 12-allyloxydodecyl acid sodium, and its drag reduction performance was evaluated. The results showed that the new drag reducer features low molecular weight, fast-dissolving rate and low interfacial tension. The algorithm of estimating the drag reduction rate of non-Newtonian fluid SPR was proposed and validated. Empirical or semianalytical models for estimating the friction ratio (σ) or friction factor (λ or f) were used to simulate the turbulence behavior of the SPR drag reducer under different Reynolds numbers (Re). The modified Virk's correlation could accurately model the turbulent behavior of the SPR drag reducer. A unified calculation formula was established in this study for different pipe diameters.     

磨料有序排布电镀砂轮的制备及其把持力研究

为解决电镀砂轮磨削加工中容屑空间不足的问题，采用点胶微粘接的方法制备了磨料有序排布的电镀砂轮，分析了磨料粘接效果和镀层力学性能。通过SEM分析了磨料/镀层/导电胶的结合界面，并进行了干磨削试验。研究结果表明，直径约为磨料粒径40%的胶点可粘接住磨料，单个胶点上粘接多颗磨料的占比小于6%；双脉冲电镀工艺制备的镀层显微硬度大于500HV，表层残余应力小于100MPa，磨料/镀层/导电胶之间的界面贴合紧密，无明显缺陷；砂轮在磨削时没有出现磨料脱落现象。     

From modification to mechanism: Supercritical hydrothermal synthesis of nano-zirconia

Nano-zirconia has been widely applied due to its excellent physical and chemical properties (e.g., high strength, corrosion resistance, oxygen ion conductivity). Existing preparation methods of nano-zirconia tend to require long reaction time, and the sizes of final particles are large with uneven distributions. Sub-/supercritical hydrothermal synthesis of nanoparticles is favored by researchers owing to controllable reaction process, uniform particle size distribution, good reproducibility, short reaction time, high conversion rate and harmlessness to environment. In this paper, the characteristics and mechanisms of dissolution, crystallization and growth of nano-zirconia during sub-/supercritical hydrothermal synthesis are systematically reviewed. The influences of process and material parameters on the size and purity of particles are analyzed. Then, the reaction mechanism and product phase transition mechanism during hydrothermal synthesis of zirconia are summarized to provide a theoretical reference for the oriented preparation. Finally, the improvement and commercialization of sub-/supercritical hydrothermal synthesis technology are evaluated, and the future research topics are proposed.     

Solution-Synthesized Multifunctional Janus Nanotree Microswimmer

Synthetic active matters are perfect model systems for non-equilibrium thermodynamics and of great potential for novel biomedical and environmental applications. However, most applications are limited by the complicated and low-yield preparation, while a scalable synthesis for highly functional microswimmers is highly desired. In this paper, an all-solution synthesis method is developed where the gold-loaded titania-silica nanotree can be produced as a multi-functional self-propulsion microswimmer. By applying light, heat, and electric field, the Janus nanotree demonstrated multi-mode self-propulsion, including photochemical self-electrophoresis by UV and visible light radiation, thermophoresis by near-infrared light radiation, and induced-charge electrophoresis under AC electric field. Due to the scalable synthesis, the Janus nanotree is further demonstrated as a high-efficiency, low-cost, active adsorbent for water decontamination, where the toxic mercury ions can be reclaimed with enhanced efficiency.     

The Chemistry of DPPH· Free Radical and Congeners

Since the discovery in 1922 of 2,2-diphenyl-1-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) hydrazyl stable free radical (DPPH^·), the chemistry of such open-shell compounds has developed continuously, allowing for both theoretical and practical advances in the free radical chemistry area. This review presents the important, general and modern aspects of the chemistry of hydrazyl free radicals and the science behind it.     

Structural,optical, and electrical properties of tin iodide-based vacancy-ordered-double perovskites synthesized via mechanochemical reaction

Over the recent past, lead-based halide perovskite materials have drawn significant attention due to their excellent optical and electrical properties for solar cells and optoelectronics applications. However, the toxicity of lead elements and instability under ambient conditions leads to develop alternative compositions. Herein, we report a novel mechanochemical synthesis of tin iodide-based double perovskites (A₂SnI₆; A = Rb⁺, Cs⁺, methylammonium, and formamidinium), and their structural, optical, and electrical properties are investigated. Importantly, we found that the hydrogen iodide (HI) addition during the ball-milling process minimizes secondary phase formation in the synthesized A₂SnI₆ powders. The effects of HI addition and the A-site substitution are investigated with respect to the lattice parameters, optical bandgaps, and electrical properties of the synthesized perovskite materials. Our results demonstrate essential information to improve the understanding of halide perovskite materials and develop efficient lead-free perovskite photoelectric devices.