Improved electro-assisted removal of phosphates and nitrates using mesoporous carbon aerogels with controlled porosity

Three-activated carbon aerogels were synthesized by CO₂ activation of the materials prepared by the polycondensation of resorcinol and formaldehyde mixtures followed by supercritical drying. The obtained carbon aerogels were characterized and used as electrode materials for the electrosorption of sodium phosphate and nitrate. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy showed the dependence of the structural ordering of the aerogels with the resorcinol/catalyst ratio and the extent of activation. The electrosorption capacitance evaluated by cyclic voltammetry revealed large values for the activated samples containing a large contribution of mesopores, regardless the electrolyte salt. Due to an adequate combination of chemical and porous features, the desalting capacity of the activated carbon aerogel electrodes exceeded that of the as-prepared materials. The evaluation of the kinetic properties by chronocoulometric relaxation and impedance spectroscopy showed a decrease of time constant and resistances for highly mesoporous activated samples. A high deionization capacity and fast electrode discharge was detected for the deionization of sodium nitrate on the highly mesoporous activated aerogel. Data also showed the efficient electrosorption of ionic species on consecutive charge/discharge cycles, confirming the stability of the aerogel electrodes at the high applied potentials.     

Drying dynamics of polymers films by an interferometric technique

We analyze a simple laser reflectivity measurement as a tool to monitor the drying kinetics of transparent polymer films. The reflectivity signal of a laser beam at normal incidence shows oscillations due to interference arising from multiple reflection of the laser light within the drying film. We develop a model to interpret the reflectivity curves in terms of time evolving refractive indices at the top and bottom of the film. We present results of the drying kinetics of transparent alkyd films on a glass substrate of high refractive index. Data shows a clear hallmark indicating the evolution of the crosslinking process. From the reflectivity curves, the time evolution of the refractive indices at the top and bottom is obtained. Assuming a linear-gradient of the refractive index along the depth of the film the average refractive index and consequently the film thickness as a function of time are estimated. Clear features in the time evolution of the refractive indices and thickness, correlate well with qualitative “dust”, “touch” and “fingerprint” drying times. Additionally, we present some preliminary results for water based latex binders, where scattering of light is present, showing that this simple optical technique could be extended for studying latex film formation.     

Tuning of dielectric and ferroelectric properties in single phase BiFeO3 ceramics with controlled Fe/Fe ratio

Single phase multiferroic BiFeO₃ (BFO) ceramics were synthesized with controllable amount of Fe²⁺ and oxygen vacancies in a very wide concentration range. Double ferroelectric hysteresis loops are observed in fresh BFO ceramics at room temperature without any aging processes. Detailed study shows that this is due to the defect dipoles which have preferential orientations antiparallel to the direction of spontaneous polarization, providing a driving force for domain back-switching. The dielectric constant of BFO could be enormously enhanced by 100 times by increasing the Fe²⁺ content, employing a polaronic relaxation process.     

Long-Term Spinal Ventral Root Reimplantation,but not Bone Marrow Mononuclear Cell Treatment,Positively Influences Ultrastructural Synapse Recovery and Motor Axonal Regrowth

We recently proposed a new surgical approach to treat ventral root avulsion, resulting in motoneuron protection. The present work combined such a surgical approach with bone marrow mononuclear cells (MC) therapy. Therefore, MC were added to the site of reimplantation. Female Lewis rats (seven weeks old) were subjected to unilateral ventral root avulsion (VRA) at L4, L5 and L6 levels and divided into the following groups (n = 5 for each group): Avulsion, sealant reimplanted roots and sealant reimplanted roots plus MC. After four weeks and 12 weeks post-surgery, the lumbar intumescences were processed by transmission electron microscopy, to analyze synaptic inputs to the repaired α motoneurons. Also, the ipsi and contralateral sciatic nerves were processed for axon counting and morphometry. The ultrastructural results indicated a significant preservation of inhibitory pre-synaptic boutons in the groups repaired with sealant alone and associated with MC therapy. Moreover, the average number of axons was higher in treated groups when compared to avulsion only. Complementary to the fiber counting, the morphometric analysis of axonal diameter and “g” ratio demonstrated that root reimplantation improved the motor component recovery. In conclusion, the data herein demonstrate that root reimplantation at the lesion site may be considered a therapeutic approach, following proximal lesions in the interface of central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS), and that MC therapy does not further improve the regenerative recovery, up to 12 weeks post lesion.     

Influence of Waste Glass Powder as an Aluminosilicate Precursor in Synthesizing Ternary Blended Alkali-Activated Binder

Silicon - The formation of alkali-activated binders from industrial end products and landfill materials attracts considerable interest in construction technology since it diminishes the waste...     

About the Nature of Quasi-Cleavage in Low-Carbon Steel Embrittled with Hydrogen

Metal Science and Heat Treatment - Scanning electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy are used to study a fracture surface of hydrogen-charged low-carbon steel, which has been...     

Kinetics of the hydrotreatment of rapeseed oil fatty acid triglycerides under mild conditions

To establish principal regularities of the hydrotreatment of rapeseed oil fatty acid triglycerides (FATs), the kinetics of this process has been studied at temperatures of 300–380°C, contact times of 0.38–0.10 h, and a hydrogen pressure of 1.0 MPa in a flow fixed-bed reactor. The process is performed over nonsulfided nickel catalysts, which are of great practical interest for the production of green diesel. The kinetic scheme of the process with consideration for target products (alkanes) and all oxygen-containing by-products has been proposed. The quantitative estimate, which enables the prediction of the composition of products for other process conditions, has been obtained for the principal paths of the hydrotreatment of rapeseed oil FATs.