Porosity enhancement of activated carbon by hydrolyzed lignin from black liquor

Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy - In this work, the porosity enhancement of activated carbon by hydrolyzed lignin extracted from black liquor was studied. Lignin was treated before...     

Lead(II)‐ion removal by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid ligand functionalized magnetic chitosan–aluminum oxide–iron oxide nanoadsorbents and microadsorbents: Equilibrium,kinetics, and thermodynamics

Novel nanosized and microsized chitosan–Al₂O₃–Fe₃O₄ (CANF and CAMF, respectively) adsorbents were functionalized with ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) ligands and applied to the removal of Pb(II) ions. The prepared adsorbents were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis, and their adsorption potentials were investigated with Pb(II) as a target metal under various experimental conditions. Our results show that the EDTA functionalization of CANF and CAMF increased their adsorption capacities about 31.5 and 38 times, respectively. The optimum dosage obtained was 1.0 g/L for both EDTA‐functionalized adsorbents, and the maximum adsorption took place at pH = 5.3. The kinetic results revealed that the adsorption obeyed the pseudo‐second‐order model and that the pore diffusion process played a key role in the adsorption kinetics. Also, the results of equilibrium isotherms indicate the good fit of the experimental data by the Langmuir isotherm model under the studied concentration and temperature ranges, and the adsorptions of Pb(II) ions from aqueous solution followed the monolayer coverage of the adsorbents. The maximum Pb(II)‐ion adsorption capacities of EDTA–CANF and EDTA–CAMF were 160 and 157 mg/g, respectively. These metal‐loaded adsorbents could be readily recovered from aqueous solution by magnetic separation and reused. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 44360.     

Density functional complexation study of metal ions with poly(carboxylic acid) ligands. Part 1. Poly(acrylic acid) and poly(α-hydroxy acrylic acid)

We have studied metal ion complexation with poly(carboxylic acid) ligands using density functional methods and a continuum-solvation model (COSMO). Geometry optimisations have been carried out for metal complexes of poly(acrylic acid-co-maleic acid), poly(methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic acid), and poly(epoxy succinic acid) oligomers. The complexation energies for Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Mn²⁺, and Fe³⁺ have been calculated and they have been corrected with previously determined metal specific correction parameters. The most effective ligand for all the metal ions was found to be poly(epoxy succinic acid). With Ca²⁺, poly(epoxy succinic acid) was found to form 6-coordinated complex with three metal-coordinating carboxylate oxygen, two ether oxygens, and one hydroxyl oxygen atom. All the other metals favoured 5-coordinated complexation geometry with four metal-coordinating carboxyl oxygens and one ether oxygen atom.     

Water quality in the southern Tibetan Plateau: chemical evaluation of the Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra)

Yarlung Tsangpo (Brahmaputra) is the largest river system draining the northern slopes of the Himalayan ranges on the southern Tibetan Plateau. It remains one of only two large non‐regulated rivers in China. In this paper the chemical composition of Yarlung Tsangpo and its major tributaries (Raga Tsangpo, Nyangchu and Lhasa River) are studied. Water samples (n = 55) were collected and measured for major ions, trace elements and nutrients in order to: (1) define the present chemical quality of this water course; (2) address possible mechanisms governing the water chemical compositions, and (3) identify potential sources for contaminants. Multivariable analysis shows that geology and climate are the major explanatory variables for the spatial variation in water chemistry in this river system. In general, water chemistry is mainly controlled by carbonate weathering, with Ca²⁺ and HCO being the dominant ions. In addition, runoff from brackish/saline lakes and geothermal waters, enriched in Na⁺, Cl^?, SO, Mg²⁺ and Li, are major contributors of elevated concentrations of these solutes in the headwater regions resulting in a relatively high loading of total dissolved solids (TDS, 146–397 mg L^?1). Levels of most heavy metals and total dissolved nutrients were generally found to be low. However, elevated As concentration (avg. 95 μg L^?1) in the headwaters and additions from untreated wastewater were evident at some locations. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.) isoflavones: determination of concentrations by plant stage,flower colour,plant part and cultivar

BACKGROUND: Red clover (Trifolium pratense L.), a widely used fodder, has recently received considerable interest as a valuable source of isoflavones for many health‐related applications. The aim of this study was to analyse the concentrations of four isoflavones, daidzein, genistein, formononetin and biochanin A, in extracts of leaves, stems, roots and different coloured flowers from red clover by high‐performance liquid chromatography and to determine the antifungal activities of the extracts. RESULTS: Among greenhouse‐grown samples the highest amounts of daidzein and genistein were found in petioles (0.11–0.28 and 0.30–0.54 mg g^?1 respectively), while leaves were rich in formononetin and biochanin A (5.57–9.05 and 10.94–14.59 mg g^?1 respectively). High formononetin concentrations were found in roots, but very little biochanin A. Among field‐grown samples the highest concentrations of daidzein and genistein were detected in stems collected in August (0.24 and 0.55 mg g^?1 respectively), while the highest amounts of formononetin and biochanin A were found in young leaves collected in June (7.47 and 9.69 mg g^?1 respectively). Most of the extracts inhibited the growth of Drechslera teres, while the root extract showed the strongest effect against Microdochium nivale. CONCLUSION: High levels of bioactive compounds found not only in inflorescences but also in roots, leaves and stems suggest that red clover may be an inexpensive and valuable resource for many applications. Copyright © 2007 Society of Chemical Industry     

A new table for work with a microscope, a solution to ergonomic problems

Microscope workers are exposed to continuous static muscular work and an increased risk of musculoskeletal disorders in the neck, shoulder and upper extremities. In a Finnish research centre, microscope workers reported pain in the shoulder, neck, lower back and upper back. As a consequence, a programme to solve the ergonomic problems of microscope work was initiated and led to the construction of a new table for microscopes. Ten experienced male microscope workers were chosen as subjects to carry out an experimental study in which the new table and an old one, an ordinary non-adjustable laboratory table, were compared in a standardized microscope task. The dependent variable was the electromyographic activity measured from muscles in the neck–shoulder region. The new table allowed the microscope to be used with the head in an upright position, the forearms supported and with less flexion of the upper arm. Surface electromyographic measurements also confirmed that the changes were ergonomic improvements.     

Decomposition of beta-alaninediacetic acid and diethylenetriamine-pentaacetic acid by hydrogen peroxide in alkaline conditions

The chemical decompositions of beta-alaninediacetic acid (ADA) and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) were studied in a pilot-plant flow-through system simulating alkaline (pH 10-11) hydrogen peroxide bleaching environments. The amount of hydrogen peroxide decomposition was evaluated, and the distribution calculation was performed. Under the conditions investigated, ADA was more degradable than DTPA (average residual 71% vs 94%). The decomposition of hydrogen peroxide was not dependent on the chelate; the residual percent of hydrogen peroxide was 40 in both cases.     

Application of a multiline material characterization method to inkjet printed electronics

Material characterization has become increasingly important with the adoption of simulation‐based workflow for microwave electronics design. This article focuses on the characterization of printable electronics materials using transmission‐line measurements and demonstrates the capability of the multiline characterization method to separate dielectric and conductor losses when line geometry and material properties vary between the lines. The effects of multiline algorithm, number of line standards, and methods for selecting optimal line lengths are demonstrated. Consistent characterization results are obtained from inkjet‐printed transmission lines on two different substrate materials. In addition, local conductor thickness variations are demonstrated as an effective way to decrease losses. Finally, the simulation‐based procedure for determining the material properties is outlined and applied to printable electronics characterization. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Int J RF and Microwave CAE 24:177–183, 2014.