Indoor heterogeneous photochemistry of furfural drives emissions of nitrous acid

People spend approximately 80% of their time indoor, making the understanding of the indoor chemistry an important task for safety. The high surface-area-to-volume ratio characteristic of indoor environments leads the semi-volatile organic compounds (sVOCs) to deposit on the surfaces. Using a long path absorption photometer (LOPAP), this work investigates the formation of nitrous acid (HONO) through the photochemistry of adsorbed nitrate anions and its enhancement by the presence of furfural. Using a high-resolution proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometer (PTR-TOF-MS), this work also investigates the surface emissions of VOCs from irradiated films of furfural and a mix of furfural and nitrate anions. Among the emitted VOCs, 2(5H)-furanone/2-Butenedial was observed at high concentrations, leading to maleic anhydride formation after UV irradiation. Moreover, the addition of potassium nitrate to the film formed NO_x and HONO concentrations up to 10 ppb, which scales to ca. 4 ppb for realistic indoor conditions. This work helps to understand the high levels of HONO and NO_x measured indoors.     

Annular‐ring slot antenna designs with circular polarization radiation

The design of a microstrip‐fed annular‐ring slot antenna (ARSA) with circular polarization (CP) radiation is initially studied. To obtain CP radiation with broad 3‐dB axial ratio (AR) bandwidth that can cover the WiMAX 2.3 GHz (2305–2320 MHz, 2345–2360 MHz) and WLAN 2.4 GHz (2400–2480 MHz) bands, a novel technique of extending an inverted L‐shaped slot from the bottom section of the annular‐ring is proposed. To suppress the harmonic modes induced by the CP ARSA, the technique of integrating a defected ground structure into the annular‐ring slot is further introduced. From the measured results, 10‐dB impedance bandwidth and 3‐dB AR bandwidth of 44.86 and 9.68% were achieved by the proposed harmonic suppressed CP ARSA. Furthermore, average gain and radiation efficiency of ～4.7 dBic and 71%, respectively, were also exhibited across the bands of interest. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE 25:337–345, 2015.     

某340矫直机上辊快开机构裂纹原因分析及预防措施

340管线矫直机是太原重工成熟产品,在国内占有较大市场,并出口印度、印尼、缅甸、埃及等国际市场。出口印度矫直机在质保期内出现主缸裂纹问题,为探明问题原因并杜绝类似情况发生,快开机构设计静强度分析、疲劳强度分析及生产加工过程等方面探查裂纹原因并提出几点预防措施。     

Formation of Chlorotriophenoxy Radicals from Complete Series Reactions of Chlorotriophenols with H and OH Radicals

The chlorothiophenoxy radicals (CTPRs) are key intermediate species in the formation of polychlorinated dibenzothiophenes/thianthrenes (PCDT/TAs). In this work, the formation of CTPRs from the complete series reactions of 19 chlorothiophenol (CTP) congeners with H and OH radicals were investigated theoretically by using the density functional theory (DFT) method. The profiles of the potential energy surface were constructed at the MPWB1K/6-311+G(3df,2p)//MPWB1K/6-31+G(d,p) level. The rate constants were evaluated by the canonical variational transition-state (CVT) theory with the small curvature tunneling (SCT) contribution at 600–1200 K. The present study indicates that the structural parameters, thermal data, and rate constants as well as the formation potential of CTPRs from CTPs are strongly dominated by the chlorine substitution at the ortho-position of CTPs. Comparison with the study of formation of chlorophenoxy radicals (CPRs) from chlorophenols (CPs) clearly shows that the thiophenoxyl-hydrogen abstraction from CTPs by H is more efficient than the phenoxyl-hydrogen abstraction from CPs by H, whereas the thiophenoxyl-hydrogen abstraction from CTPs by OH is less impactful than the phenoxyl-hydrogen abstraction from CPs by OH. Reactions of CTPs with H can occur more readily than that of CTPs with OH, which is opposite to the reactivity comparison of CPs with H and OH.     

Ultrasmall rhodium nanoclusters anchored on nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes with embedded nickel nanoparticles as magnetically recyclable catalysts for efficient ammonia-borane hydrolysis

Facile yet efficient synthesis of high-performance nanocatalysts for hydrogen evolution from ammonia-borane (AB) hydrolysis is paramount. Here, we reported a novel hybrid nanocatalyst comprised of Rh nanoclusters (1.56 nm in diameters) anchored on nitrogen (N)-doped carbon nanotubes with embedded Ni nanoparticles (Ni@NCNTs), which was fabricated through adsorption of Rh ions on Ni@NCNTs. The achieved hybrid of Rh/Ni@NCNTs displayed excellent catalytic property (Turnover frequency: 959 min⁻¹) toward AB hydrolysis, higher than many prior developed Rh-based catalysts. Note that this hybrid could be reused for at least nine runs with complete AB conversion to hydrogen. Rh nanoclusters with small size exhibiting high atom utilization and the synergetic effect between Ni and Rh are responsible for the excellent catalytic property of Rh/Ni@NCNTs toward AB hydrolysis. This work highlights the importance of utilization of magnetically recyclable Ni@NCNTs as support and synergetic component for efficient hydrolysis of AB.     

Calorimetric study of ytterbium orthovanadate YbVO4 polycrystalline ceramics

The heat capacity of ytterbium orthovanadate was first measured by adiabatic calorimetry in the temperature range T?=?12.28–344.06?K. No obvious anomalies were observed on the curve obtained. The values of standard thermodynamic functions in the temperature range T?=?0–400 K were calculated. Based on low-temperature calorimetry data obtained, previously published data on the high-temperature heat capacity of ytterbium orthovanadate were corrected. The anomalous contribution to heat capacity for YbVO₄ was compared with the data known for YbPO₄.     

The influence of activated carbon as an additive in anode materials for low temperature solid oxide fuel cells

The effects of activated carbon (AC) as an additive in multi-oxide nano composite LiNiCuZn–O for application as anode in solid oxide fuel cell (SOFC) is reported. The composite was synthesized using solid state reactions method with varying content of AC in range 0.1%–0.9% for use as anode in the cell. The cell was composed of the synthesized composite as anode, LiNiCuZn–O as cathode and Samaria doped ceria (SDC) as electrolyte. The prepared composites were characterized for morphology and crystal structure by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and x-ray diffraction (XRD) respectively. Furthermore, the crystallite sizes of LiNiCuZn–O and LiNiCuZn–O with AC as an additive have been found in the range from 50 nm to 70 nm. The prepared composite materials were observed porous and the porosity of the sample having 0.5% additive was found highest. The conductivity and power density of the SOFC were studied at temperature of 600 °C. The maximum value of conductivity was found as 4.79 S/cm for the composite containing 0.5% AC as measured by using 4-probe method. The maximum value of power density of the fuel cell with anode comprising of 0.5% AC along with the mentioned cathode and the electrolyte was 455 mW/cm². Therefore, out of the compositions studied, the composite comprising of LiNiCuZn–O with 0.5% AC offered best performance for anode in the cell. This oxide composite is reported as a potential candidate for use as anode in low temperature SOFCs.     

Multiplex PCR system to track authorized and unauthorized genetically modified soybean events in food and feed

A diverse range of genetic elements has been used to develop genetically modified organisms (GMOs) over the last 18 years. Screening methods that target few elements, such as the Cauliflower Mosaic Virus 35S promoter (P-35S) and Agrobacterium tumefaciens nopaline terminator (T-nos), are not sufficient to screen GMOs. In the present study, a multiplex PCR system for all globally commercialized GM soybean events was developed to easily trace the events. For this purpose, screening elements of 24 GM soybean events were investigated and 9 screening targets were selected and divided into three individual triplex PCR systems: P-35S, ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase small subunit promoter of Arabidopsis thaliana, T-nos, T-35S, pea E9 terminator, open reading frame 23 terminator of A. tumefaciens, proteinase inhibitor II terminator of potato, acetohydroxy acid synthase large subunit terminator of A. thaliana, and the revealed 3′ flanking sequences of DP-305423-1. The specificity of the assays was confirmed using thirteen GM soybean events as the respective positive/negative controls. The limit of detection of each multiplex set, as determined using certified reference materials of specific GM events, ranged from 0.03 to 0.5%, depending upon target. Furthermore, 26 food samples that contained soybean ingredients, which were purchased from the USA, China, Japan, and Korea, were analyzed, 17 of which contained one or more GM soybean events. These results suggest that the developed screening method can be used to efficiently track and identify 24 GM soybean events in food and feed.     

CO2 abatement and CH4 recovery at vehicle exhausts: Comparison and characterization of Ru powder and pellet catalysts

The catalytic conversion of CO₂ to CH₄ (Sabatier reaction) has been studied to develop an after-treatment process at vehicles exhausts. Three different formulations of Ru commercial catalysts, two in powder and one in pellets shape, were tested and characterized by means of X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDX), N₂ adsorption at −196 °C and temperature-programmed reduction (TPR).Experimental results show a high CO₂ conversion (X_CO2 = 0.96 @ T = 280 °C) for one powder catalyst formulation whereas the other one has maximum CO₂ conversion = 0.69. In both cases a high CH₄ selectivity is measured. High CO₂ conversion (X_CO2 = 0.92 @ T = 300 °C) is obtained also with pellet catalysts but only at lower GHSV values. The different behavior of the catalysts was ascribed to the different physicochemical properties and the key parameters for the application development of the process were identified. In particular, the possibility to use pellets or monolithic reactors, thus minimizing the pressure drops in the reactor, makes possible a commercial application in the treatment of vehicles exhausts.     

酸性废水中As(Ⅲ)、Cu(Ⅱ)与铁粉的反应行为

在Fe-As(Ⅲ)-Cu(Ⅱ)-H₂O体系中, 研究了酸性废水中As(Ⅲ)、Cu(Ⅱ)与金属铁粉的反应行为, 考察了反应过程中As在气、液、固三相中的分配比。结果表明, As(Ⅲ)和Cu(Ⅱ)离子被Fe还原为单质As和Cu后, As、Cu进一步结合成Cu₅As₂等金属间化合物, 从而促进As(Ⅲ)沉淀反应的发生, 且无AsH3生成。在反应时间40min、铁粉过量系数1.2、溶液初始pH=0.0、温度40 ℃、Cu/As摩尔比1.0条件下, As在气、液、固三相中的分配比分别为0、20.7%和79.3%, 沉砷率为79.3%。