Statistical Optimization for Production of Light Olefins in a Fluidized‐Bed Reactor

The methanol‐to‐olefins reaction (MTO) was studied in a small‐scale fluidized‐bed reactor over synthesized silicoaluminophosphate (SAPO‐34) catalysts. Mesoporous nanocrystalline SAPO‐34 molecular sieves were synthesized hydrothermally by ultrasonic and microwave‐assisted aging processes in the presence of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and tetradecyldimethyl(3‐trimethoxysilylpropyl)ammonium chloride (TPOAC) as surfactant agents. The Box‐Behnken experimental design method was applied to determine the optimum operating parameters of this process conducted in the fluidized‐bed reactor. The optimum conditions in terms of reaction temperature, ratio of inlet gas velocity to minimum fluidizing velocity, and MeOH weight fraction were evaluated.     

In2O3:Ga and In2O3:P-based one-electrode gas sensors: Comparative study

Gas sensing characteristics of one-electrode sensors based on the In₂O₃ ceramics doped by gallium and phosphorus have been discussed. In₂O₃-based ceramic was prepared by sol–gel technology. Ozone, CO, CH₄ and H₂ were used as tested gases. The doping concentration effect on the sensor parameters such as magnitude of response, operating temperature, response and recovery times, sensitivity to the air humidity, and selectivity have been analyzed. It was shown that In₂O₃ doping by Ga and P could be used for the sensor performance optimization. It was assumed that the appearance of the second phase (InPO₄ and Ga₂O₃) and the change of structural parameters, taking place during doping process, were the main factors controlling the change of operating characteristics in In₂O₃:P and In₂O₃:Ga-based sensors.     

The Electron–Phonon Interaction of Low-Dimensional and Multi-Dimensional Materials from He Atom Scattering

Atom scattering is becoming recognized as a sensitive probe of the electron–phonon interaction parameter λ at metal and metal-overlayer surfaces. Here, the theory is developed, linking λ to the thermal attenuation of atom scattering spectra (in particular, the Debye–Waller factor), to conducting materials of different dimensions, from quasi-1D systems such as W(110):H(1 × 1) and Bi(114), to quasi-2D layered chalcogenides, and high-dimensional surfaces such as quasicrystalline 2ML-Ba(0001)/Cu(001) and d-AlNiCo(00001). Values of λ obtained using He atoms compare favorably with known values for the bulk materials. The corresponding analysis indicates in addition, the number of layers contributing to the electron–phonon interaction, which is measured in an atom surface collision.     

Cellulose nanoparticles synthesised from potato peel for the development of active packaging film for enhancement of shelf life of raw prawns (Penaeus monodon) during frozen storage

In this study, the cellulose nanoparticles (CNP) isolated from potato peel were used for reinforcement of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-based active packaging film. The above film was used to pack the raw prawns (Penaeus monodon) at −20 °C, and the colour change, protein content, TVB-N, TMA and microbial analysis were done at regular interval for prawns stored in CNP-PVA active packaging film. A significant difference was observed in the quality of prawns stored in potato CNP-PVA film compared with prawns packed and stored in polyethylene film. The newly designed active packaging with CNP and fennel seed oil enhanced the shelf life of prawns up to two months for both HOSO (head on shell on) prawn and PD (peeled and deveined) prawn. Hence, the study recommends the potato peel CNP-PVA film with fennel seed oil as better choice to extend the shelf life of the prawns during storage compared with polyethylene packaging.     

DC conductivity and AC impedance of Mn doped magnesia alumina spinel (MgAl2-2xMn2xO4) over a large temperature range

MgAl_2-2xMn_2xO₄ (MAMO) with x = 0-0.12 was synthesized in a single-phase form by solid-state reaction. XRD analysis showed that the samples had the cubic center structure of the Fd-3 m space group. Electrical properties of the samples were studied over the temperature range of 300 K∼1073 K. The results showed that the DC conductivity (σ_DC) increased from 10⁻¹¹S/cm at 300 K (MAMO, x = 0) to 10^-3S/cm at 1073 K (MAMO, x = 0.12). The equivalent circuit of the complex impedance spectra suggested that the relaxation of charge carriers was of non-Debye type. The conduction was mainly caused by grain boundaries and the capacitance was mainly attributed to polarization. The complex permittivity values (ε’ and ε’’) were increased by two orders of magnitude with the increase in Mn content and temperature over the measured frequency range (1 Hz-1 MHz). Therefore, doping with Mn could be applied to modify the electrical properties of MAMO at high temperature.     

Rare-earth free sensitizer in NaLuCrF4:Er upconversion material

Upconversion phosphors are known as a material system that can convert near-infrared light into visible/ultraviolet emissions by sequentially absorbing multiple photons. The studies on upconversion materials often use two rare earth (RE) ions as a sensitizer-activator pair. We investigated the influences on luminescence intensity depending on Cr-doping content (x) of hexagonal NaLu_0.98–xCr_xF₄Er_0.02 (x = 0–0.9) upconversion material by substituting Lu³⁺ ions with Cr³⁺in the absence of Gd³⁺. The change in upconversion luminescence intensity appears with saddle-like shape. We suggest that Cr³⁺ ions play the dual role as a constituent in host lattice and a sensitizer in the upconversion process. Optimal conditions for gaining the strongest upconversion emission correspond to x = 0.3–0.5, where there are effective energy transfers between Cr³⁺ and Er³⁺ ions and CrEr dimers. Apart from these values, the emission intensity decreases rapidly which can be ascribed to the absence of multiple-photon absorption for the case of low Cr³⁺ contents, and to the coupling between Cr³⁺ and/or Er³⁺ ions for the case of high Cr³⁺ contents. Magnetization and electron-spin-resonant measurements were performed to understand the correlation between the optical and magnetic properties.     

Damage tolerance in additively manufactured ceramic architected materials

Technical ceramics exhibit exceptional high-temperature properties, but unfortunately their extreme crack sensitivity and high melting point make it challenging to manufacture geometrically complex structures with sufficient strength and toughness. Emerging additive manufacturing technologies enable the fabrication of large-scale complex-shape artifacts with architected internal topology; when such topology can be arranged at the microscale, the defect population can be controlled, thus improving the strength of the material. Here, ceramic micro-architected materials are fabricated using direct ink writing (DIW) of an alumina nanoparticle-loaded ink, followed by sintering. After characterizing the rheology of the ink and extracting optimal processing parameters, the microstructure of the sintered structures is investigated to assess composition, density, grain size and defect population. Mechanical experiments reveal that woodpile architected materials with relative densities of 0.38–0.73 exhibit higher strength and damage tolerance than fully dense ceramics printed under identical conditions, an intriguing feature that can be attributed to topological toughening.