General trends in concentration and temperature behavior of equivalent conductance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">N,N</Emphasis>-diallylammonium polymers aqueous solutions: Effect of counterion nature and amine structure

The specific and equivalent conductivity of the diluted aqueous solutions of diallyammonium polyelectrolytes, initial monomers (N,N-diallylammonium trifluoroacetate, N,N-diallyl-N-methylammonium trifluoroacetate, N,N-diallyl-N,N-dimethylammonium chloride), and also potassium trifluoroacetate and trifluoroacetic acid solutions are studied. The limiting ionic mobility of diallylammonium cations and trifluoroacetate anion are found. The regularities of concentration changes in the equivalent conductance of polyelectolytes solutions are established. The degree of dissociation of diallyammonium polymers is shown to depend both on the counterion nature and on the amine structure.     

Bio-/Environment-Friendly Cationic Gemini Surfactant as Novel Corrosion Inhibitor for Mild Steel in 1 M HCl Solution

Bio-/environment-friendly cationic gemini surfactant, ethane-1,2-diyl bis(N,N-dimethyl-N-hexadecylammoniumacetoxy)dichloride, referred to as 16-E2-16, was synthesized and characterized. Corrosion inhibition effects of 16-E2-16 on mild steel (MS) surface in 1 M HCl solution at 30, 40, 50 and 60 °C were evaluated using gravimetric analysis, potentiodynamic polarisation and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy measurements. The nature of the protective inhibitor film formed on the MS surface was analysed by SEM, EDAX and FT-IR, while TGA was used to assure the thermal behaviour and stability of the film at high temperature. The formation of [inhibitor-Fe²⁺] on the surface of MS was confirmed by UV–visible spectroscopy. The inhibition efficiency of the studied inhibitor increased with increasing concentration and solution temperature. The compound behaved as a mixed type inhibitor and acted by blocking the electrode surface by means of adsorption obeying the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Surface active properties and corrosion inhibition effects of 16-E2-16 in the presence of inorganic (NaI) and organic (NaSal) salts were also investigated and are discussed. Density functional theory calculations have been carried out to correlate the efficiency of the compound with its intrinsic molecular parameters.     

Properties of perovskite-like phases <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ln</Emphasis>BaCuFeO<Subscript>5 + δ</Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ln</Emphasis> = La,Pr)

The influence of the oxygen content on the crystal chemical parameters of the LnBaCuFeO_{5 + δ} (Ln = La, Pr) ferrocuprates is investigated using X-ray powder diffraction and IR spectroscopy. The electrical conductivity of these phases is studied. The chemical expansion coefficients α_δ and the activation energies E _a for electrical conduction are calculated. It is demonstrated that, for the LnBaCuFeO_{5 + δ} (Ln = La, Pr) phases, the chemical expansion coefficients ad depend on both the ionic radius of Ln ³⁺ cations and the oxygen nonstoichiometry of the ferrocuprate, whereas the activation energies E _a for electrical conduction are predominantly determined by the oxygen content in the samples.     

Crystal structure of Pb<Subscript>6</Subscript>O[(Si<Subscript>6</Subscript>Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>)O<Subscript>20</Subscript>]

The crystal structure of Pb₆O[(Si₆Al₂)O₂₀)] is investigated using X-ray diffraction. The compound has tetragonal symmetry, space group I4/mmm, a = 11.7162(10) Å, c = 8.0435(12) Å, and V = 1104.13(2) ų. The structure is refined to R ₁ = 0.036 for 562 unique reflections with [F ₀] ≥ 4σF. The structure contains two symmetrically independent positions of the Pb²⁺ cations coordinated by five O atoms (Pb²⁺-O^2? = 2.34–2.68 Å). The TO₄ tetrahedra (T = Si, Al) form tubular [(Si₆Al₂)O₂₀] chains extended along the c axis. The O₄ oxygen atom is not bonded to the Si and Al atoms and is octahedrally coordinated by six Pb atoms with the formation of an oxo-centered OPb₆ octahedron. The assumption is made that, in some of lead silicate and aluminosilicate glasses, a number of oxygen atoms are located outside the tetrahedral structure and represent segregation centers of the Pb²⁺ cations due to the formation of oxo-centered complexes.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Surface Properties of Amidosulfobetaine Surfactants Bearing Odd-Number Hydrophobic Tail

Three amidosulfobetaine surfactants were synthesized namely: 3-(N-pentadecanamidopropyl-N,N-dimethyl ammonium) propanesulfonate (2a); 3-(N-heptadecanamidopropyl-N,N-dimethyl ammonium) propanesulfonate (2b), and 3-(N-nonadecanamidopropyl-N,N-dimethyl ammonium) propanesulfonate (2c). These surfactants were prepared by direct amidation of commercially available fatty acids with 3-(dimethylamino)-1-propylamine and subsequent reaction with 1,3-propanesultone to obtain quaternary ammonium salts. The synthesized surfactants were characterized by IR, NMR and mass spectrometry. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results showed that the synthesized surfactants have excellent thermal stability with no major thermal degradation below 300 °C. The critical micelle concentration (CMC) values of the surfactants 2a and 2b were found to be 2.2 × 10^?4 and 1.04 × 10^?4 mol/L, and the corresponding surface tension (γ_CMC) values were 33.14 and 34.89 mN m^?1, respectively. The surfactants exhibit excellent surface properties, which are comparable with conventional surfactants. The intrinsic viscosity of surfactant (2b) was studied at various temperatures and concentrations of multi-component brine solution. The plot of natural logarithm of relative viscosity versus surfactant concentration obtained from Higiro et al. model best fit the surfactant behavior. Due to good salt resistance, excellent surface properties and thermal stability, the synthesized surfactant has potential to be used in various oil field applications such as enhanced oil recovery, fracturing, acid diversion, and well stimulation.     

Seasonal N<Subscript>2</Subscript>O emissions respond differently to environmental and microbial factors after fertilization in wheat–maize agroecosystem

Biogeochemical processes regulating cropland soil nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions are complex, and the controlling factors need to be better understood, especially for seasonal variation after fertilization. Seasonal patterns of N₂O emissions and abundances of archaeal ammonia monooxygenase (amoA), bacterial amoA, nitrate reductase (narG), nitrite reductase (nirS/nirK), and nitrous oxide reductase (nosZ) genes in long-term fertilized wheat–maize soils have been studied to understand the roles of microbes in N₂O emissions. The results showed that fertilization greatly stimulated N₂O emission with higher values in pig manure-treated soil (OM, 2.88 kg N ha^?1 year^?1) than in straw-returned (CRNPK, 0.79 kg N ha^?1 year^?1) and mineral fertilizer-treated (NPK, 0.90 kg N ha^?1 year^?1) soils. Most (52.2–88.9%) cumulative N₂O emissions occurred within 3 weeks after fertilization. Meanwhile, N₂O emissions within 3 weeks after fertilization showed a positive correlation with narG gene copy number and a negative correlation with soil NO₃^? contents. The abundances of narG and nosZ genes had larger direct effects (1.06) than ammonium oxidizers (0.42) on N₂O emissions according to partial least squares path modeling. Stepwise multiple regression also showed that log narG was a predictor variable for N₂O emissions. This study suggested that denitrification was the major process responsible for N₂O emissions within 3 weeks after fertilization. During the remaining period of crop growth, insufficient N substrate and low temperature became the primary limiting factors for N₂O emission according to the results of the regression models.     

Uptake of cadmium,copper, and lead by microporous synthetic Na-birnessite

Removal of cadmium, copper and lead with microporous synthetic Na-birnessite (sodium-birnessite) was investigated by carrying out batch-type sorption experiments with 2 days of equilibration at room temperature. The sorption isotherms indicated that synthetic Na-birnessite showed high affinity for all three heavy metal cations. The Na-birnessite was able to take up Cd, Cu and Pb up to approximately 140, 106 and 60%, respectively of its theoretical cation exchange capacity. The above higher uptakes of Cd and Cu than the theoretical cation exchange capacity of birnessite were probably caused by exchange of not only Cd²⁺ but also CdCl⁺ species with Na⁺ and by exchange of not only Cu²⁺ but also CuCl⁺ species with Na⁺. Some exchange of CdCl⁺ and CuCl⁺ species as well as some pH-dependent specific adsorption of the Cd and Cu cations resulted in higher than theoretical uptakes. The XRD patterns after sorption of Cd with Na-birnessite showed an increase in the d(001)-spacing from 7.144 to 7.244 Å with high Cd²⁺ concentration, which indicated that interlayer Na⁺ ions were replaced by Cd²⁺ ions. After the sorption reactions with high Cu concentrations, the XRD patterns showed that the main d(001)-spacing of the birnessite slightly increased from 7.144 to ~7.179 Å. In the case of Pb sorption, the d(001)-spacing slightly decreased to 7.133 Å from 7.144 Å of the as synthesized Na-birnessite. These results suggest that removal of heavy metal cations by Na-birnessite is likely due to both ion exchange and chemisorption, the latter due to surface complexation at the edges and outer planar surfaces of Na-birnessite. Based on these results, Na-birnessite is proposed as a potential candidate material to remove heavy metal cations from groundwater as well as industrial wastewater.     

A Comprehensive Study on the Synthesis and Micellization of Disymmetric Gemini Imidazolium Surfactants

Two groups of disymmetric Gemini imidazolium surfactants, [C₁₄C₄C _m im]Br₂ (m = 10, 12, 14) and [C _m C₄C _n im]Br₂ (m + n = 24, m = 12, 14, 16, 18) surfactants, were synthesized and their structures were confirmed by ¹H NMR and ESI–MS spectroscopy. Their adsorption at the air/water interface, thermodynamic parameters and aggregation behavior were explored by means of surface tension, electrical conductivity and steady-state fluorescence. A series of surface activity parameters, including cmc, γ _cmc, π _cmc, pC ₂₀, cmc/C ₂₀, Γ _max and A _min, were obtained from surface tension measurements. The results revealed that the overall hydrophobic chain length (N _c) for [C₁₄C₄C _m im]Br₂ and the disymmetry (m/n) for [C _m C₄C _n im]Br₂ had a significant effect on the surface activity. The cmc values decreased with an increase of N _c or m/n. The thermodynamic parameters of micellization (ΔG _m ^θ , ΔH _m ^θ , ΔS _m ^θ ) derived from the electrical conductivity indicated that the micellization process of [C₁₄C₄C _m im]Br₂ and [C _m C₄C _n im]Br₂ was entropy-driven at different temperatures, but the contribution of ΔH _m ^θ to ΔG _m ^θ was enhanced by increasing N _c or m/n. The micropolarity and micellar aggregation number (N _agg) were estimated by steady-state fluorescence measurements. The results showed that the surfactant with higher N _c or m/n can form larger micelles, due to a tighter micellar structure.     

Thermal stability,solubility, and fluorescence property of poly(arylene ether ketone)s bearing <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-arylenebenzimidazole units

A series of novel random poly(arylene ether ketone)s containing N-arylenebenzimidazolyl groups with precise structures in high yields were synthesized from 2-(2′-hydroxyphenyl) benzimidazole and 4,4′-dihydroxybenzophenone with 4,4′-difluorobenzophenone via nucleophilic substitution polycondensation reaction using sulfolane as a solvent. The reaction was carried out at 210 °C in the presence of anhydrous potassium carbonate. The structures of the resulted polymers were characterized by means of FT-IR, ¹H NMR spectroscopy, and elemental analysis, and the results were largely consistent with the proposed structure. X-ray diffraction studies revealed that the incorporation of N-arylenebenzimidazolyl groups decreased the crystallinity of the resulted polymers. As the benzimidazole unit content in the copolymer increased, the solubility and thermal behavior of the prepared polymers improved. The novel poly(arylene ether ketone)s exhibited glass transition temperatures (T _gs) in the range 188–237°C, and there was a good linearity relationship between T _g values and the content of benzimidazolyl groups. The 5% decomposition temperatures were within the range of 512–539 °C in nitrogen and 496–540 °C in air indicating their good thermal stability. Tensile tests of the films showed that these polymers have desirable mechanical properties. Moreover, the resulting polymers showed good fluorescence properties.     

Local turbulent energy dissipation rate in an agitated vessel: New approach to dimensionless definition

Using theory of turbulence, particularly using turbulence spectrum analysis, the relations ε^* = ε/(u ⁴/ν) = const., v_K/u = const. and Λ/η_K = const. were derived. Assuming that u ∝ (Nd) from this it follows that the widely used dimensionless local turbulent energy dissipation rate defined as ε/((N ³ d ²) is directly proportional to impeller Reynolds number, i.e. ε/((N ³ d ²) ∝ Re, and length scale ratio Λ/d is indirectly proportional to impeller Reynolds number, i.e. Λ/d ∝ Re^–1, in an agitated vessel at high Reynolds number. The relations obtained by turbulence spectrum analysis were used for estimation of local turbulent energy dissipation rates experimentally measured by Ståhl Wernersson and Trägårdh (1998, 1999) covering the range of Re = 87600–910200 and own experimental data covering the range of Re = 50000–189000. The experiments have been performed in tanks of 300 mm and 400 mm in the inner diameter for three different viscosities and for various impeller rotational speeds.     

Synthesis of polyamine-grafted chitosan and its adsorption behavior

The development of new environment-friendly and efficient adsorbents has attracted a great interest in recent years. In this study, ethylene diamine-grafted chitosan copolymer (CS–MAA–EN) and triethylene tetramine-grafted chitosan copolymer (CS–MAA–TN) were synthesized to remove heavy metal ions from water. The influence of pH, adsorbents dosage and initial metal concentration were investigated to study the adsorbing effect of CS–MAA–EN and CS–MAA–TN for the removal of Cu²⁺ from aqueous solutions. The equilibrium adsorption capacities of CS–MAA–EN and CS–MAA–TN were 85.91 and 102.67 mg/g, respectively. The adsorption process was fitted better by the Langmuir isotherm model (R ² = 0.9993, 0.9991) than the Freundlich isotherm model (R ² = 0.8781, 0.8775). The adsorption kinetics confirmed that the adsorption mechanism could be better described by the pseudo-second-order equation. Two adsorbents showed excellent desorption efficiency (D _e) and reuse ratio (R _u). D _e and R _u of CS–MAA–EN were evaluated as 95.2 and 89.35 %, respectively, and those values of CS–MAA–TN were 92.73 and 83.25 %. The competitive adsorption results of the two adsorbents indicated that the rate sequence was Fe³⁺ > Cu²⁺ > Cr⁶⁺ > Ni²⁺ > Zn²⁺.     

Synthesis and characterization of bio-based benzoxazine oligomer from cardanol for corrosion resistance application

The Mannich-like condensation of a cardanol, paraformaldehyde, and N,N′-bis(2-aminoethyl)ethane-1,2-diamine were carried out to synthesize the amine functional benzoxazine (Bnz) resin. The amine functionality of Bnz resin was evaluated by physiochemical methods, and the structure was characterized using Fourier transform infrared and ¹H-nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The added functionality into the Bnz resin backbone was utilized to modify the Bnz resin structure by glycidoxypropyltrimethoxysilane (GPTMS) in various proportions. The results revealed that the silane-modified Bnz coatings have improved mechanical, chemical, and solvent resistance properties as compared to the neat Bnz coating. The gel and water absorption of polyamide-cured coatings also has been evaluated. Furthermore, the cured films have been evaluated for glass transition temperature (T _g) and thermal resistance by differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis, respectively. The corrosion resistance properties were studied by salt spray and electrochemical analysis. It was observed that the highly crosslinked structure of the GPTMS-modified Bnz coatings enhanced the barrier protection to corrosive species.     

Effects of co-ion initial concentration ratio on removal of Pb<Superscript>2+</Superscript> from aqueous solution by modified sugarcane bagasse

A modified sugarcane bagasse (SCB) fixed bed column was used to remove Pb²⁺ from aqueous solution. To determine the optimal condition for Pb²⁺ separation, Ca²⁺ was chosen as the model interfering ion, and effects of Ca²⁺ and Pb²⁺ initial concentration ratio (C ₀ ^Ca : C ₀ ^Pb ) on the adsorption of Pb²⁺ were investigated. Results showed that adsorption amount ratio of Ca²⁺ and Pb²⁺ (q _e ^Ca : q _e ^Pb ) had a good linear relationship with C ₀ ^Ca : C ₀ ^Pb . Mass ratio of Pb²⁺ absorbed on the modified SCB was higher than 95% at C ₀ ^Ca : C ₀ ^Pb <1.95, illustrating that Pb²⁺ could be selectively removed from aqueous solution. To verify that, simulated waste water containing co-ions of K⁺, Na⁺, Cd²⁺ and Ca²⁺ was treated, and results showed that the equilibrium amount of Pb²⁺, K⁺, Na⁺, Cd²⁺ and Ca²⁺ adsorbed was 134.14, 0.083, 0.058, 1.28, and 1.28mg g^?1, respectively, demonstrating that the modified SCB could be used to remove Pb²⁺ from aqueous solution in the investigated range.     

Cu<Superscript>2+</Superscript> adsorption onto ion-imprinted composite hydrogels: thermodynamics and mechanism studies

In the current study, in situ free radical polymerization was employed to prepare Cu²⁺-imprinted composite hydrogel (Cu²⁺-ICH). The cross-sectional morphology of the Cu²⁺-ICH evaluated by scanning electron microscopy indicated that the copper-loaded Cu²⁺-ICH became rougher and the pore size of the gel became smaller compared to the unloaded Cu²⁺-ICH. The ability of the Cu²⁺-ICH to adsorb Cu²⁺ from aqueous solutions was assessed using batch adsorption technique. The adsorption capacity increased with the initial concentration of Cu²⁺, but decreased as the temperature rose from 298 to 318 K. Thermodynamic parameters such as Gibbs free energy (ΔG ⁰), enthalpy (ΔH ⁰), and entropy (ΔS ⁰) for the Cu²⁺ adsorption were evaluated. It was suggested that the adsorption process was a spontaneous, exothermic process that had positive entropy. Selectivity study indicated that ion imprinting technique resulted in excellent affinity of the Cu²⁺-ICH toward Cu²⁺. Finally, the adsorption mechanism was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results indicated that copper adsorption was mainly through interactions with the amine and carbonyl groups.     

Removal of organic water pollutant using magnetite nanomaterials embedded with ionic copolymers of 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sodium sulfonate cryogels

Magnetite cryogel composites as macroporous crosslinked matrices have received wide attention and attract much interest in the water purification and desalination industry. They can be used to produce effective adsorbents with high adsorption rate, capacity and desorption for water pollutants. In this work, the incorporation of magnetite nanoparticles into cryogels by the in situ method is proposed to increase the dispersion of nanoparticles in the gel composites and to produce effective magnetic materials with high adsorption capacities. Ionic sodium‐2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulfonate (Na‐AMPS) monomer was selected to prepare cryogels as the homopolymer or copolymers with 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) or N‐vinyl pyrrolidone (VP) by the crosslinking polymerization technique in the frozen state. Magnetite nanoparticles were introduced into the cryogel by the in situ co‐precipitation method after introducing iron cations into the cryogel networks. The surface morphologies, crystal structure, magnetite content, thermal stability and magnetic properties were determined for the cryogels and their magnetite composites. The magnetite cryogel composites show significantly enhanced methylene blue dye removal in short times with higher adsorption efficiencies and good regeneration to form an effective adsorbent for water treatment. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry     

Modulating the Aggregation Behavior of 1-Methyl-3-Octylimidazolium Chloride by Alcohols in Aqueous Media

The self-organization and aggregation behavior of a surface active ionic liquid (SAIL) 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium chloride [C₈mim]Cl, was investigated in aqueous solutions of alcohols 1,2-propanediol and 1-propanol in different compositions using conductivity, surface tension and fluorescence measurements at room temperature. This surface active ionic liquid was synthesized by the reaction of 1-methylimidazole with 1-chlorooctane. Fluorescence spectroscopy was employed to get detailed insight into the local microenvironment of the aggregates, critical aggregation concentrations (CAC) and aggregation number (N _agg.). Degree of ionization (α), CAC and various thermodynamic parameters like the standard Gibbs free energy of aggregation (ΔG _agg. ⁰ ), standard enthalpy of aggregation (ΔH _agg. ⁰ ) and standard entropy of aggregation (ΔS _agg. ⁰ ) were calculated using conductivity measurements at different temperatures (288.15, 298.15 and 308.15 K). The surface activity of the IL in various mixed solvents was evaluated from surface tension measurements by calculating various surface parameters like the minimum surface area occupied by a single ionic liquid molecule (A _min), adsorption efficiency (pC ₂₀), maximum excess concentration at the surface (Γ _max), effectiveness of surface tension reduction(Π _CAC), surface tension at CAC (γ _CAC), p (packing parameter) and CAC at different compositions. Increases in the CAC values were observed with the increase in the amount of alcohols which is attributed to the balancing between electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions. The results from different techniques show that the CAC increases with increase in the amount of the alcohol which is due to the solubilization of the IL molecules which delays the aggregation process. This shows that the spontaneity of the aggregation process of IL decreases with the increase in the concentration of alcohols in water.     

Deep desulfurization of model oil by photocatalytic air oxidation and adsorption using Ti<Subscript>(1−<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis>)</Subscript>M<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> (M=Zr,Ce)

Deep desulfurization of model oil by photocatalytic air oxidation and adsorption using Ti_(1?x)M _x O₂ (M=Zr, Ce) was investigated. Ti_(1?x)M _x O₂ (M=Zr, Ce) was prepared by urea gelation/co-precipitation method, and characterized by N₂ adsorption, XRD and UV-vis spectra. UV irradiation greatly enhanced the adsorptive capacity and selectivity of TiO₂-ZrO₂ for organosulfur in model oil because organosulfur compounds were first photocatalytically oxidized to sulfoxides and sulfones over TiO₂-ZrO₂, which were then selectively adsorbed on the bifunctional material due to much higher polarities of generated sulfoxides and sulfones. The Ti/Zr molar ratio and calcination temperature were optimized to 5 : 5 and 500 °C with the sulfur removal of 99.6% after reaction for 2 h under UV irradiation. After adding 25 wt% toluene into model oil, the sulfur removal could still reach 97.2% after reaction for 7 h. TiO₂-ZrO₂ could be well regenrated by washing with acetonitrile followed by thermal treatment in air.     

Reusability and selective adsorption of Pb<Superscript>2+</Superscript> on chitosan/P(2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-acrylic acid) hydrogel

Reusability and selective adsorption toward Pb²⁺ with the coexistence of Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions on chitosan/P(2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid-co-acrylic acid) [CS/P(AMPS-co-AA)] hydrogel, a multi-functionalized adsorbent containing –NH₂, –OH, –COOH and –SO₃H groups was studied. The CS/P(AMPS-co-AA) was prepared in aqueous solution by a simple one-step procedure using glow discharge electrolysis plasma technique. The reusability of adsorbent in HNO₃, EDTA-2Na and EDTA-4Na was investigated in detail. The competitive adsorption of the metal ions at the initial stage was compared between their equal mass concentration and equal molar concentration. In addition, the adsorption mechanism of the adsorbent for adsorption of Pb²⁺ was also analyzed by XPS. The results showed that the optimum pH of adsorption was 4.8, and time of adsorption equilibrium was about 180 min. Adsorption kinetics fitted well in the pseudo second-order model. The equilibrium adsorption capacities of Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Ni²⁺ at pH 4.8 were obtained as 673.3, 358.3, 176.7, 235.0 and 171.7 mg g^?1, in their given order. The adsorbent displayed an excellent reusability using 0.015 mol L^?1 EDTA-4Na solution as the eluent, and the desorption ratio could not correctly reflect the true characteristics of adsorption/desorption process. Moreover, the adsorbent showed good adsorption selectivity for Pb²⁺. The molar adsorption capacity at the initial stage with equal molar concentration was more reliable than the mass adsorption capacity during the study of selective adsorption. According to the XPS results, the adsorption of Pb²⁺ ions by the CS/P(AMPS-co-AA) absorbent could be attributed to the coordination between N atom and Pb²⁺ and ion-exchange between Na⁺ and Pb²⁺.     

Insight into adsorption mechanism of cationic dye onto agricultural residues-derived hydrochars: Negligible role of <Emphasis Type="Italic">π-π</Emphasis> interaction

Hydrochars derived from golden shower pod (GSH), coconut shell (CCH), and orange peel (OPH) were synthesized and applied to remove methylene green (MG5). The results indicated that the hydrochars possessed low specific surface areas (6.65-14.7m²/g), but abundant oxygen functionalities (1.69-2.12mmol/g). The hydrochars exhibited cellular and spherical morphologies. Adsorption was strongly dependent on the solution pH (2-10) and ionic strength (0-0.5M NaCl). Equilibrium can be quickly established in the kinetic study (60-120 min). The maximum Langmuir adsorption capacities at 30 °C followed the order GSH (59.6mg/g)>CCH (32.7mg/g)>OPH (15.6mg/g)> commercial glucose-prepared hydrochar (12.6mg/g). The dye adsorption efficiency was determined by the concentrations of oxygen-containing functionalities on the hydrochar surface. The adsorption process occurred spontaneously (? ΔG^o) and exothermically (?ΔH^o). Desorption studies confirmed the reversible adsorption process. Oxygenation of the hydrochar surface through a hydrothermal process with acrylic acid contributed to increasing MG5 adsorption and identifying the negligible role of π-π interaction to the adsorption process. The analysis of Fourier transform infrared spectrometry demonstrated that the aromatic C=C peak did not significantly decrease in intensity or shift toward higher/lower wavenumbers after adsorption, which further confirms the insignificant contribution of π-π interaction. Electrostatic attraction played a major role in adsorption mechanisms, while minor contributions were accounted for hydrogen bonding and n-π interactions. The primary adsorption mechanisms of MG5 onto hydrochar were similar to biosorbent, but dissimilar to biochar and activated carbon (i.e., π-π interaction and pore filling).     

Development of Novel Amidosulfobetaine Surfactant–Polymer Systems for EOR Applications

Experimental studies were conducted to evaluate the thermal stability and rheological properties of novel surfactant–polymer (SP) systems for enhanced oil recovery applications. One in-house synthesized amphoteric amidosulfobetaine surfactant 3-(N-pentadecanamidopropyl-N,N-dimethylammonium)propanesulfonate and three different polymers were evaluated. Polymer A was a terpolymer of acrylamide, acrylamido tert-butyl sulfonate, and acrylic acid, whereas polymers B and C were terpolymers of acrylamide, N-vinylpyrrolidone, and acrylamido tert-butyl sulfonate with different anionicity. Long-term thermal stability of the surfactant was assessed using FTIR, ¹H NMR, and ¹³C NMR. The surfactant was compatible with seawater at 90 °C and no precipitation was observed. Structural analysis showed good thermal stability and no structural changes were observed after aging at 90 °C. The effects of surfactant concentration, shear rate, salinity, and polymer concentration on rheological properties of the SP systems were determined. Polymer A showed highest viscosity among the investigated polymers in deionized and seawater. The interactions between the surfactant and polymer A were assessed using rheological measurements. In the presence of salts, the viscosity of all three polymers reduced significantly as a result of charge screening. At low shear rates, the added surfactant slightly decreased the viscosity and storage modulus of polymer A. At high shear rates, the effect of the surfactant on the viscosity and storage modulus of polymer A was insignificant.