Comparative study of methods for producing gum arabic powder and the impact of DIC treatment (instant controlled pressure drop) on the properties of the product

In this study, gum arabic powder was produced according to four methods by inserting a restructuring stage by DIC treatment (instant controlled pressure drop) in the classic process of grinding and spray drying. Properties of the final product were compared, and the results show that DIC treatment enables to control and improve the properties of the powder. The DIC treatment can cause a controlled increase in the tapped bulk density, filling rate, compressibility, porosity; and a reduction in interstitial air volume and the loose bulk density. It also facilitated the subsequent grinding and intensified the drying kinetics. The impacts of pressure and DIC treatment time were examined. Pressure was the strongest factor influencing the properties of the gum arabic powder. Selecting an optimal pressure and treatment time plays a decisive role in controlling the properties of powders.     

Synthesis of Emulsion by Using Vegetable Oil Modified by Titanium Dioxide (TiO2) Nanoparticles: A Peculiar Source for Synthesis of Bio-Based Lubricant and Novel Approach to Enhance the Efficiency of Emulsion

Many advanced methods are developed for the synthesis of emulsions in the literature, but the effect of imperative parameters of emulsion like oil concentration, pH, temperature, and time on the emulsion stability index (ESI) by design of experiments have not been studied previously. The ESI is an important parameter of emulsion to run the industrial process extensively and reflects the emulsion efficiency to sustain against instability like creaming, coalescence, and flocculation. In the present study, the research plan consists of three phases. In the first phase, the synthesis of an eco-friendly and cost-effective mustard oil-based nanoemulsion with a suitable selection of the surfactant on the bases of the polydispersity index (PDI) is developed. In the next phase emulsions, characteristic properties are scanned by employing various techniques and antirust property compared with reference emulsion. Finally, the impact of emulsion's parameters on ESI is studied by factorial design. The findings that depict the impact of parameters of oil concentration and time on ESI are found influential, whereas the effect of pH and temperature is insignificant. Therefore, good characteristic results, stability, and the inhibition against rust of newly developed emulsion can be adapted to run the cold rolling process smoothly. Practical Application: In the present era, metal processing industries are forced to explore the environmentally friendly oil-in-water emulsions (that used as an interface, lubricant, cooling, and antifrictional agents in cold rolling industries) to overcome increasing environmental pollution. Mustard oil-based emulsion modified by nanoparticles (Nps) offers a good source of eco-friendly, cost-effective, and economic booster for metal processing industries. The antimicrobial properties of mustard oil are well defined in previous research articles. Such oil is a magnificent source for the synthesis of the emulsion and modification of mustard oil-based emulsion with titanium dioxide. Nps provide significant protection against rust. Such applications can encourage the use of mustard oil-based nanoemulsion for metal processing industries.     

Equilibrium,Thermodynamic, and Kinetic Studies on Trichoderma viride Biomass as Biosorbent for the Removal of Cu(II) from Water

Equilibrium, thermodynamic, and kinetic studies on the biosorption of Cu(II) using biomass, Trichoderma viride were carried out. The biosorbent was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied to describe the biosorption process. The influence of pH, the biomass dosage, the contact time, the initial metal ion concentration, and the temperature of the solution on the biosorption was studied. The maximum Cu(II) biosorption was attained at pH 5. The equilibrium data were better fit by the Langmuir isotherm model than by the Freundlich isotherm. The maximum biosorption capacity of T. viride biomass was found to be 19.6 mg/g for Cu(II). The kinetic studies indicated that the biosorption of Cu(II) followed the pseudo-second-order model. The calculated thermodynamic parameters, Gibbs-free energy (ΔG^o), enthalpy (ΔH^o), and entropy (ΔS^o) showed that the biosorption of Cu(II) onto T. viride biomass was spontaneous and endothermic. It can be concluded that the T. viride biomass has the potential as an effective and low-cost biosorbent for Cu(II) removal from aqueous solutions.     

Studies on the Separation and Recovery of Plutonium from Nitric Acid Medium using Di-nonyl Phenyl Phosphoric Acid (DNPPA) / n-Dodecane as Extractant System

This paper deals with the studies on the separation and recovery of plutonium from nitric acid medium using Di-nonyl phenyl phosphoric acid (DNPPA) in n-paraffin as an extractant system. The different extraction parameters were investigated. The percentage extraction of plutonium decreased with increase in nitric acid concentration. The optimum solvent concentration for quantitative separation of plutonium from aqueous feed solution was 0.15 M of DNPPA whereas n-paraffin/n-dodecane was the most suitable of diluents with an organic to aqueous phase ratio of 1:1. Among the various strippants used, 0.5 M solution of (NH₄)₂CO₃ was found to be the most suitable for back extraction of plutonium from the loaded organic phase. The developed method was used to separate and recover plutonium from actual wash solution of ion exchange column used for plutonium purification. More than 73% of plutonium was separated from 7 M HNO₃ wash solution using 0.15M of DNPPA in n-dodecane.     

NAS (novel aluminosilicates) as catalysts for the aromatisation of propane: Studies of zinc and gallium modified zeolite-based systems having various extents of XRD crystallinity

A review of existing literature on the behaviour of H-, Zn- and Ga-ZSM-5 systems in the aromatisation of propane suggest that no clear picture emerges regarding: (i) the relative merits of zinc and gallium with respect to activity and aromatics selectivity; (ii) the effects of the extent of crystallinity of the zeolitic material on catalysis. The work now reported involves a direct comparative study of H-NAS, Zn-NAS and Ga-NAS catalysts (NAS=novel aluminosilicates, comprising ZSM-5-based structures having XRD crystallinities ranging from the substantially amorphous to the partially crystalline and their highly crystalline ZSM-5 analogues. Zinc or gallium has been introduced into the parent zeolitic structure by means of solid-state ion-exchange. Zinc appears to enhance both activity and BTX (benzene, toluene and xylenes) selectivity, relative to the zeolitic parent solid, in contrast to gallium, which affects only BTX selectivity. In addition, optimum activity plus BTX selectivity under the conditions used are found for XRD crystallinities in the range 50–85%. The maximum BTX yields (single pass basis) are lowest for the H-NAS samples, markedly higher for the Zn-NAS catalysts, and at an intermediate level for the Ga-NAS samples.     

Studies on the Separation and Recovery of Thorium from Nitric Acid Medium using (2-ethyl hexyl) Phosphonic Acid,Mono (2-ethyl hexyl) Ester (PC88A)/N-Dodecane as Extractant System

This paper deals with the studies on the separation and recovery of thorium and 233-uranium from nitric acid medium using (2-ethyl hexyl) phosphonic acid, mono (2-ethyl hexyl) ester/n-dodecane as an extractant system. The different extraction parameters were investigated. The distribution ratio of thorium decreased with increase in nitric acid concentration. The optimum solvent concentration for quantitative separation of thorium from aqueous feed solution was 0.75 M of PC88A whereas dodecane was the most suitable of diluents with an organic to aqueous phase ratio of 1:1. Among the various strippants used, 2 M solution of (NH₄)₂CO₃ was found to be the most suitable for back extraction of thorium. The developed method was used to recover thorium and ²³³U from radioanalytical waste generated during thorium analysis by ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) titremtric method and recoveries for both Th and U were more than 85%.     

吡虫啉防治褐稻虱应用技术及其对天敌的影响研究

在三代褐稻虱低龄若虫高峰期，亩用吡虫啉１６克，对水６０公斤常规喷雾，药后２天的防效为８０．８％，比噻嗪酮高２９．０％，持效期长达３０天以上。吡虫吡对稻田蜘蛛的杀伤率为２７．９％，与噻嗪酮相似；对黑肩绿盲蝽的杀伤率为８５．９％，比噻嗪酮高２７．２％，仅次于甲胺磷、毒死蜱、喹硫磷的杀伤率１００％。     

Studies on probing SiO2 surface using BF3 as probe and SiO2/Al2Et3Cl3/TiCl4(PhMgCl) catalytic system for copolymerization of ethylene and propylene

Using BF₃ as probe, the surface of SiO₂ was probed. The effects of the roast temperature on the SiO₂ surface were investigated and a possible mechanism is suggested. Using SiO₂ as starting material for supports, new supported catalysts for copolymerization of ethylene and propylene were prepared and their possible structures are discussed. It was found that higher polymerization productivity, for instance, 480 kg P/mol_Ti h, can be obtained by using a SiO₂/Al₂Et₃Cl₃/TiCl₄ catalytic system and addition of PhMgCl to this catalytic system can significantly increase polymerization activity. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 76: 1583–1589, 2000     

Oviposition and feeding preferences of the southern pine coneworm (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) for different host-plant materials and observations on monoterpenes as an oviposition stimulant

Bioassays were conducted with first-stage larvae and newly emerged females of the southern pine coneworm,Dioryctria amatella (Hulst), to detect feeding and ovipositional preferences for different host-plant materials collected between April and August. Correlations between measures of insect preferences and estimates of wood parameters indicated that larvae preferred to feed on host-plant materials with high moisture contents, low wood densities, and low monoterpene contents. Female moths, however, did not necessarily select those plant materials preferred by larvae for feeding, but tended to oviposit more frequently on materials with high monoterpene contents. A synthetic mixture of monoterpenes similar in composition to those present in fusiform rust galls of slash pine (Pinus elliottii) Englem. var.elliottii) elicited mating and oviposition behavior.Mention of proprietary products does not necessarily imply endorsement by USDA.     

Aminolysis of poly(ethylene terephthalate) wastes based on sunlight and utilization of the end product [bis(2‐hydroxyethylene) terephthalamide] as an ingredient in the anticorrosive paints for the protection of steel structures

The increasing demand for poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) polymer, the simultaneous shortage in landfill disposal spaces, and known problems associated with PET waste specifically (e.g., its nonbiodegradability and huge accumulation) are challenges with which mankind must cope nowadays. In this study, PET postconsumer bottle wastes were cut to very small slides and then subjected to an aminolysis process with ethanol amine as a degradative agent in the presence of one catalyst from three used in this study. These catalysts were dibutyl tin oxide, sodium acetate, and cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide. The reaction was performed in sunlight: a beneficial, clean, cheap, and renewable source of energy. The end product, which was a white precipitate of bis(2‐hydroxyethylene) terephthalamide, was subjected to spectrophotometric and thermal analyses. The product was characterized to asses its suitability for use in pigments in anticorrosive paint formulations. In general, this process was a green, environmentally friendly degradation based on the utilization of solar energy for the aminolysis reaction using simple, cheap, available chemicals as catalysts. The originality of this study was derived from the use of waste materials to yield a product with beneficial applications in the field of corrosion inhibition. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2011     

Grafting of Citric Acid as a Green Coupling Agent on the Surface of CuO Nanoparticle and its Application for Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Nanocomposites Based on Poly(amide-imide) Containing N-trimellitylimido-L-valine Linkage

In this article, at first, citric acid (CA) was used as a capping agent to control the size, dispersion and morphology of copper oxide (CuO) NPs (CuO-CA). The presence of CA on the surface of CuO NPs was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analyses. Then biodegradable poly(amide-imide) (PAI) was synthesized through a polycondensation reaction of N-trimellitylimido-L-valine and 4,4′-methylenebis(3-chloro-2,6-diethylaniline) in green media. PAI/CuO-CA nanocomposites (PAI/CuO-CA NCs) containing different amounts of CuO-CA NPs in the PAI matrix were prepared using an ultrasonic-assisted technique. The PAI/CuO-CA NCs obtained were characterized using different methods.     

Role of Ag and Cu as an interfacial layer on the electrochemical performance of Ni/Ag/ Co3(PO4)2 and Ni/Cu/Co3(PO4)2 electrodes for hybrid energy storage devices

Hybrid energy storage devices unifying the effect of both batteries (high specific energy) and capacitors (high specific power) have emerged in recent years due to their admirable cyclic stability and charge storage capability. Considerable amount of research has been conducted to optimize the electrode materials capable of showing good electrochemical characteristics. Here, we report the influence of interfacial layer of Ag and Cu on the electrochemical performance of cobalt phosphate electrode. Sputtering of Ag and Cu has been amalgamated to improve the interfacial properties of the current collector. After initial structural and morphological study, detailed electrochemical characterizations have been employed for Ni/Ag/Co₃(PO₄)₂ and Ni/Cu/Co₃(PO₄)₂ have been investigated by utilizing various characterizations. Hybrid device was fabricated using the combination Ni/Ag/Co₃(PO₄)₂ since, Ag possess impressive electrochemical characteristics and electrical conductivity. The fabricated device has achieved the energy density of 65.8 Whkg^?1 and power density of 6012 Wkg^-1 along with the 85.6% retention after 1000 GCD cycles showing the device is stable enough. These results make the hybrid device a potential candidate for supercapattery applications.     

Preparation and characterization of poly(o‐anisidine) with the influence of surfactants on stainless steel by electrochemical polymerization as a counter electrode for dye‐sensitized solar cells

Efficient fast electron transfer from counter electrode to an electrolyte is a key process during the operation of dye‐sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). We introduce a surfactants assisted electro‐polymerized poly(o‐anisidine) (POA) counter electrodes (CE) for DSSCs. Commencing the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, the POA/sodium dodecyl sulphate (SDS) CE exhibited very low series and charge‐transfer resistance. This is due to high electrocatalytic activity confirmed by cyclic voltammetry, surface area and the conductivity of the stainless steel film. The photovoltaic performance of POA/SDS counter electrode shows an energy conversion efficiency of 2.5% under 1 sun illumination. Short‐term stability test for POA/SDS point out that CE have almost uphold its initial performance. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015 , 132, 42310.     

A comparison on the catalytic activity of Zn1−xCoxFe2O4 (x = 0, 0.2, 0.5, 0.8 and 1.0)-type ferrospinels prepared via. a low temperature route for the alkylation of aniline and phenol using methanol as the alkylating agent

Depending on the variation of the Zn²⁺/Co²⁺ ratio in the Zn_1−xCo_xFe₂O₄ (x=0, 0.2, 0.5, 0.8 and 1.0)-type ferrospinels, the systems showed different activity trends for aniline and phenol methylation using methanol as the alkylating agent. An increase in Zn²⁺/Co²⁺ ratio increased the rate of N-monomethylation of aniline, whereas, a decrease in the ratio favored the rate of ortho methylation of phenol. An attempt has been made to interpret the observed trends based on the variation of surface acid–base properties of the catalyst surface with changes in the spinel composition. The efficiency of adsorption of aniline, phenol or methanol depends not only on the catalyst surface acid–base properties but also on the polarity of the adsorbing molecules. A controlled interplay of surface acid–base properties and polarity of the respective reacting molecules determines the efficiency of a particular reaction. In the case of aniline methylation, surface basicity plays a dominating role, whereas for phenol methylation surface acidity plays a dominating role.     

Comments on “Electrocatalysts for the anodic oxidation of borohydrides” by B.H. Liu, Z.P. Li, S. Suda [Electrochim. Acta 49 (2004) 3097]: Questions and remarks about catalytic activity of nickel foam used as substrate of electrocatalyst

Suda and co-workers [B.H. Liu, Z.P. Li, S. Suda, Electrochim. Acta 49 (2004) 3097] reported the use of nickel foam as substrate of electrocatalyst for the electrooxidation of tetrahydroborate. Nickel is a catalytic material that is active towards the electrooxidation of tetrahydroborate as well as the hydrolysis of tetrahydroborate. Hence, the present discussion article discusses the use of nickel foam.