Recent insights in synthesis and energy storage applications of porous carbon derived from biomass waste: A review

In the last few decades, global warming, environmental pollution, and an energy shortage of fossil fuel may cause a severe economic crisis and health threats. Storage, conversion, and application of regenerable and dispersive energy would be a promising solution to release this crisis. The development of porous carbon materials from regenerated biomass are competent methods to store energy with high performance and limited environmental damages. In this regard, bio-carbon with abundant surface functional groups and an easily tunable three-dimensional porous structure may be a potential candidate as a sustainable and green carbon material. Up to now, although some literature has screened the biomass source, reaction temperature, and activator dosage during thermochemical synthesis, a comprehensive evaluation and a detailed discussion of the relationship between raw materials, preparation methods, and the structural and chemical properties of carbon materials are still lacking. Hence, in this review, we first assess the recent advancements in carbonization and activation process of biomass with different compositions and the activity performance in various energy storage applications including supercapacitors, lithium-ion batteries, and hydrogen storage, highlighting the mechanisms and open questions in current energy society. After that, the connections between preparation methods and porous carbon properties including specific surface area, pore volume, and surface chemistry are reviewed in detail. Importantly, we discuss the relationship between the pore structure of prepared porous carbon with surface functional groups, and the energy storage performance in various energy storage fields for different biomass sources and thermal conversion methods. Finally, the conclusion and prospective are concluded to give an outlook for the development of biomass carbon materials, and energy storage applications technologies. This review demonstrates significant potentials for energy applications of biomass materials, and it is expected to inspire new discoveries to promote practical applications of biomass materials in more energy storage and conversion fields.     

Ceramics composites from iron ore tailings and blast furnace slag

The search for materials and methods capable of reducing human impacts on the environment is of utmost importance nowadays. This study's primary purpose was to analyze the technical feasibility of ceramic composites production utilizing Fundão Dam's Iron Ore Tailings (IOT), Blast Furnace Slag (BFS) from charcoal, and Foundry Sand (FS) as partial substitutes for the traditional raw materials – sand and clay – for application in building industry materials. The composites were molded in rectangular specimens and fired at temperatures of 900, 950, 1000, 1050, and 1200 °C. The developed materials were analyzed and characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), Thermogravimetry (TGA), and Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA). The obtained materials had flexural strength modulus of up to 12.19 MPa, water absorption ranging from 2 to 22%, linear shrinkage ranging from 0.02 to 6.50%, and apparent density ranging from 2.03 to 1.63 g/cm³. The study of the internal structure formation process revealed the formation of amorphous structures in the composites. The results demonstrated that these waste materials may be jointly used in construction materials, contributing to the reduction of natural resource extraction, besides enabling their correct disposal, minimizing environmental impacts, and improving the life quality of the surrounding communities.     

Towards the Hydrogen Economy in Paraguay: Green hydrogen production potential and end-uses

This study was conducted to estimate the potential for green H₂ in Paraguay. A total production potential of 22.5 × 10⁶ tons/year was obtained with a main contribution (93.34%) from solar photovoltaic. The greatest potential for producing H₂ from solar and wind resources is in the Western region, and from hydro resources is in the Eastern region of the country. Two end-uses of green H₂ were assessed: (1) automotive transportation, replacing gasoline and diesel; and (2) residential energy, replacing firewood and LPG for cooking in households across the country. In 16 of the 17 departments, green H₂ is able to replace the overall consumption of gasoline and diesel, as well as firewood and LPG. Finally, energy service cost (mobility), environmental aspects and CO₂ emissions were considered for three urban mobility technologies for the Metropolitan Area of Asunción. Results show that the mobility cost of fuel cell hybrid electric buses is still very high in comparison to diesel buses and battery electric buses. However, when a longer driving range is required, fuel cell hybrid electric buses could become a viable alternative in the long term. From an environmental point of view, green H₂ used in fuel cell hybrid electric buses has the potential to save about 96% of CO₂ emissions in comparison to diesel buses. It is concluded that the estimated green H₂ production potential favors the incorporation of the Hydrogen Economy in Paraguay.     

Synthesis,Characterization, Speciation,and Biological Studies on Metal Chelates of Carbohydrates with Molecular Docking Investigation

The role of starch aerogel (St-AG) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) as biolgical active compounds, when they subjected for complexation with metal ions, is assessed in this work. The complexation is carried out with palladium(II) and copper(II) ions, in solid state. Different tools of analysis are carried out to characterize and elucidate the structures of these complexes, namely: elemental analysis, IR, thermal analysis, magnetic measurement and molar conductance techniques. All synthesized complexes are formed with 1:2 (metal:ligand) stoichiometry except the case of aerogel starch 1:1 (Pd:starch). All isolated complexes show a satisfactory cytotoxic effect results against colon cancer cell lines HCT11. Additionally, these complexes are screened for their antibacterial activities against two types of Gram positive and negative bacteria. Molecular docking investigation confirmed the cytotoxicity and antibacterial results. Proton–ligands association constants and their complex formation constants with some bivalent metal ions, using potentiometric method show that the complexes formed in solution have a stoichiometry of 1:1 [metal:ligand]. The effects of metal ion, ionic radius, electronegativity and nature of ligand on the formation constants are discussed. The formation constants of the complexes with 3D transition metals followed the order Mn²⁺ < Co²⁺ < Ni²⁺ < Cu²⁺ > Zn²⁺.     

Interfacial microstructure and mechanical properties of Ti3SiC2 ceramic and TC11 alloy joint diffusion bonded with a Cu interlayer

Reliable joints of Ti₃SiC₂ ceramic and TC11 alloy were diffusion bonded with a 50 μm thick Cu interlayer. The typical interfacial structure of the diffusion boned joint, which was dependent on the interdiffusion and chemical reactions between Al, Si and Ti atoms from the base materials and Cu interlayer, was TC11/α-Ti + β-Ti + Ti₂Cu + TiCu/Ti₅Si₄ + TiSiCu/Cu(s, s)/Ti₃SiC₂. The influence of bonding temperature and time on the interfacial structure and mechanical properties of Ti₃SiC₂/Cu/TC11 joint was analyzed. With the increase of bonding temperature and time, the joint shear strength was gradually increased due to enhanced atomic diffusion. However, the thickness of Ti₅Si₄ and TiSiCu layers with high microhardness increased for a long holding time, resulting in the reduction of bonding strength. The maximum shear strength of 251 ± 6 MPa was obtained for the joint diffusion bonded at 850 °C for 60 min, and fracture primarily occurred at the diffusion layer adjacent to the Ti₃SiC₂ substrate. This work provided an economical and convenient solution for broadening the engineering application of Ti₃SiC₂ ceramic.     

Nido-Hydroborate-Based Electrolytes for All-Solid-State Lithium Batteries

Hydroborate-based solid electrolytes have recently been successfully employed in high voltage, room temperature all-solid-state sodium batteries. The transfer to analogous lithium systems has failed up to now due to the lower conductivity of the corresponding lithium compounds and their high cost. Here LiB₁₁H₁₄ nido-hydroborate as a cost-effective building block and its high-purity synthesis is introduced. The crystal structures of anhydrous LiB₁₁H₁₄ as well as of LiB₁₁H₁₄-based mixed-anion solid electrolytes are solved and high ionic conductivities of 1.1 × 10⁻⁴ S cm⁻¹ for Li₂(B₁₁H₁₄)(CB₁₁H₁₂) and 1.1 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹ for Li₃(B₁₁H₁₄)(CB₉H₁₀)₂ are obtained, respectively. LiB₁₁H₁₄ exhibits an oxidative stability limit of 2.6 V versus Li⁺/Li and the proposed decomposition products are discussed based on density functional theory calculations. Strategies are discussed to improve the stability of these compounds by modifying the chemical structure of the nido-hydroborate cage. Galvanostatic cycling in symmetric cells with two lithium metal electrodes shows a small overpotential increase from 22.5 to 30 mV after 620 h (up to 0.5 mAh cm⁻²), demonstrating that the electrolyte is compatible with metallic anodes. Finally, the Li₂(B₁₁H₁₄)(CB₁₁H₁₂)  electrolyte is employed in a proof-of-concept half cell with a TiS₂ cathode with a capacity retention of 82% after 150 cycles at C/5.     

Feasibility of zeolites in converting butyric acid into propylene for biorefineries

The biorefinery has been recognized as a new industry to produce both energy and chemical materials such as olefins and BTX from renewable resources. In this context the conversion of butyric acid over zeolites was investigated for establishing a new production route of propylene. Propylene was mainly generated by decarbonylation and dehydration of butyric acid. Our study proved that H-ZSM-5 (750) and silicalite were the best industrial catalyst among the tested ones. For H-ZSM-5 (750), the selectivity of propylene reached 64.2 C% and the ratio of the yield for propylene to theoretical yield (75 C%) became 85.6%.     

Mutual influences of a chemical reaction and thermal radiation on a peristaltic pump of synovial nanofluids in a 3D tapered asymmetric channel

This investigation discusses the influences of a chemical reaction and concentration‐dependent viscosity on a magnetohydrodynamics peristaltic pump of synovial nanofluid in a tapered channel. Chemical reaction and Hall current effects are considered in the proposed investigation. The current study is solved for two suggestion models. In Model‐(I), the concentration is considered as a function in viscosity. In Model‐(II), concentration is considered as a function of the shear‐thinning index. The related study is rearranged under the models of low Reynolds number and long wavelength. The system study of highly nonlinear partial differential equations is explained mathematically with the aid of ParametricNDSolve by using Mathematica 11. Both models have been compared numerically and a huge difference is found between them. Results for velocity profile, temperature, and nanoparticle concentration distributions are obtained graphically for similar values of various physical parameters in three‐dimensional forms. Furthermore, a trapping bolus sketch is proposed in the terminus. The results confirm that the AJ patients can be cured by using the magnetic field in the presence of an electrically inducing influence, as a result of the effort of the ions inside the cell, which accelerates the metabolism of fluids. In addition, maximum values of velocity can control the friction between the joints and thus reduce arthritis.     

中国大气田科学开发的内涵

大气田是指天然气探明地质储量超过300×10~8 m~3、天然气峰值年产量在10×10~8 m~3以上且具有一定稳产期的气田。其是中国天然气储产量快速增长和未来长期稳定发展的重要基础,也是保障我国供气安全的关键。通过对国内外260余个大气田开发实践的系统分析和典型气田的解剖模拟,综合研究了大气田科学开发的内涵、核心技术以及全生命周期指标体系。大气田科学开发的内涵包括:①提出以"识别水、控制水、治理水"为技术体系的天然气开发理念,即常规气田"控水开发"、非常规气田人工压裂"注水开发",根据气藏类型和气藏特征,确定合理的采气速度;②综合评价气田开发经济效益和社会效益,保障气田长期稳产;③根据气井生产特征和储层发育特征,选取适用的气田稳产方式;④依据对常规与非常规气藏不同开发阶段的精细描述、气藏开发特征和生产动态的监测,确定气田可采储量、气田水与人工注水开发规律、气田提高采收率技术对策、气田效益稳产期与发展战略。大气田科学开发的核心技术包括:规模优化技术、科学布井技术、均衡开采技术和深度挖潜技术。进而综合优选出产量、压降、采出程度、单位压降产量等多个参数作为评价大气田科学开发的关键指标,建立了高压、低渗透—致密、裂缝—孔隙型和页岩气等4类气藏的全生命周期指标体系。结论认为,该研究成果有助于指导不同类型大气田的科学开发,进一步促进我国天然气产业的快速发展。