Application of EIS and SECM Studies for Investigation of Anticorrosion Properties of Epoxy Coatings containing ZrO2 Nanoparticles on Mild Steel in 3.5% NaCl Solution

Journal of Failure Analysis and Prevention - The effect of corrosion protection performance of epoxy coatings containing zirconium oxide (ZrO2) nanoparticles on carbon steel was analyzed using...     

Eggshell derived hydroxyapatite microspheres for chromatographic applications by a novel dissolution - precipitation method

Hydroxyapatite ((Ca₁₀(PO₄)₆(OH)₂, HAp) based chromatography matrix has attracted great interest in the field of protein separation. However, researchers have been trying to combat the growing costs associated with the HAp matrix. In the present investigation, we utilized a cheap biological waste material, viz. eggshells, for the development of hydroxyapatite (HAp) resins and evaluated them for protein purification. Initially, the calcite of the eggshell carbonate was converted into metastable vaterite microspheres. The HAp microspheres (ECHAp) were then prepared from eggshell carbonate microspheres using a novel dissolution-precipitation process. Synthetic source calcium carbonate was also used to prepare HAp microspheres (CHAp) for comparison. The purity and morphology of the apatite microspheres were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) method, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and laser diffraction particle analysis. Although both the apatites have similar morphology, the ECHAp has a larger surface area of 33.8 m² g^?1 compared to CHAp of 17.27 m² g^?1 by surface area analysis method. A commercial HAp matrix (CHT) with similar properties was also studied for comparison. All the apatite microspheres were found to have a similar protein binding capacity for bovine serum albumin (BSA). But ECHAp showed better protein separation for BSA and lysozyme mixture compared to CHAp and CHT matrices. The ECHAp matrix was also found to be highly stable over 20 purification cycles. Hence, the eggshell waste seems to have the potential for HAp matrix by a novel carbonate route with ease of preparation and also an economical packing material for chromatographic purification of biomolecules.     

Microparticle characterization using digital holography

Digital holography is an effective 3D imaging technique, with the potential to be used for particle size measurements. A digital hologram can provide reconstructions of volume samples focused at different depths, overcoming the focusing problems encountered by other imaging based techniques. Several particle analysis methods discussed in the literature consider spherical particles only. With the object sphericity assumption in place, analysis of the holographic data can be significantly simplified. However, there are applications, such as particle analysis and crystallization monitoring, where non-spherical particles are often encountered. This paper discusses the processing of digital holograms for particle size and shape measurement for both spherical and arbitrarily shaped particles. An automated algorithm for identification of particles from recorded hologram and subsequent size and shape measurement is described. Experimental results using holograms of spherical and non-spherical particles demonstrate the performance of the proposed measuring algorithm.     

Improvement of performance efficiency of a hydrocyclone with design modification by suppressing air core

Hydrocyclones have been used for beneficiation of coal and mineral in coal washeries and mineral process industries. To enhance the efficiency of hydrocyclone, it is very essential to quantify the presence or absence of air core within the hydrocyclone. In the present study, for the first time, a new hydrocyclone design has been conceptualized and tested for its efficiency in separation of particles based on gravity. Experimental investigations have been carried out using design of experiments and the results have been analyzed statistically. The results have shown that suppressing the air core improves the separation efficiency of the hydrocyclone. Efforts have been made to explain the concept through fundamentals of fluid flow in hydrocyclone. The air core has a significant effect on particle separation as the relative density of the particles approach to the fluid density. The results will be used in the development of a new design of dense medium hydrocyclone at industrial scale that will improve the separation efficiency of the hydrocyclones by separating the near gravity particles more efficiently.     

Direct bio-electrocatalysis by multi-copper oxidases: Gas-diffusion laccase-catalyzed cathodes for biofuel cells

We have studied the bio-electroreduction of oxygen based on direct electron transfer (DET) between laccase and the electrode. Laccase enzymes from two different sources, namely, tree laccase from Rhus vernicifera, and fungal laccase from Trametes hirsuta were used in the study. The gas-diffusion cathode was made using a mixture of teflonized carbon and untreated carbon black, with a nickel mesh that served as a current collector, sandwiched between a hydrophobic gas diffusion layer, and a hydrophilic biocatalytic layer with physically adsorbed laccase enzyme. High current densities: up to 1 mA cm⁻² under oxygen (for bio-electrocatalytic oxygen reduction) and increased stability (up to 30 days) has been achieved using teflonized carbon blacks at gas–electrode interface, high surface area carbon black for loading the enzyme.Gas diffusion laccase-catalyzed cathode demonstrates a number of advantageous properties including good adhesion, biocompatibility and high bio-electrocatalytic properties. An open circuit potential (OCP) of 600 mV at pH 7 for tree laccase (R. vernicifera) and 725 mV at pH 5 for fungal laccase (T. hirsuta) at zero current densities were obtained with respect to SHE reference electrode. Tafel plots obtained confirmed different DET characteristics for the two sources of laccase enzymes, which could suggest different mechanism of charge transfer: 4-electron electroreduction of oxygen using fungal laccase and 2-electron electroreduction using tree laccase. The performance of the cathode was studied in galvanostatic mode and polarization curves at various conditions are reported including those obtained under air and neat oxygen feed from the gas phase.     

Film studies of certain new aromatic–aliphatic polyamides

Two new aromatic–aliphatic polyamides containing azo linkage in the main chain based on 2,2′‐dimethyl‐4,4′‐diaminoazobenzene and adipic/2‐chloro‐5‐methyl‐1,2‐dioic acid (α‐chloro‐δ‐methyl adipic acid) were synthesized and analyzed by thermogravimetry and films were cast. Also three polymers obtained from condensation of 4,4′‐azodibenzoic acid/adipic acid and 2,2′‐bis [4‐(p‐amino phenoxy) phenyl] propane/4,4′‐diaminoazobenzene were studied in terms of mechanical and morphological properties. Film studies were carried out interms of tensile property, scanning electron microscope, dielectric, microwave, and X‐ray diffraction pattern. Thermal studies have been done using thermogravimetric analysis, differential thermal analysis, and pyrolysis‐mass spectral data. The results were correlated with structure and orientation of the molecules. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 93: 1305–1316, 2004     

Cardiac Protective Effect of Kirenol against Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiac Hypertrophy in H9c2 Cells through Nrf2 Signaling via PI3K/AKT Pathways

Kirenol (KRL) is a biologically active substance extracted from Herba Siegesbeckiae. This natural type of diterpenoid has been widely adopted for its important anti-inflammatory and anti-rheumatic properties. Despite several studies claiming the benefits of KRL, its cardiac effects have not yet been clarified. Cardiotoxicity remains a key concern associated with the long-term administration of doxorubicin (DOX). The generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) causes oxidative stress, significantly contributing to DOX-induced cardiac damage. The purpose of the current study is to investigate the cardio-protective effects of KRL against apoptosis in H9c2 cells induced by DOX. The analysis of cellular apoptosis was performed using the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining assay and measuring the modulation in the expression levels of proteins involved in apoptosis and Nrf2 signaling, the oxidative stress markers. Furthermore, Western blotting was used to determine cell survival. KRL treatment, with Nrf2 upregulation and activation, accompanied by activation of PI3K/AKT, could prevent the administration of DOX to induce cardiac oxidative stress, remodeling, and other effects. Additionally, the diterpenoid enhanced the activation of Bcl2 and Bcl-xL, while suppressing apoptosis marker proteins. As a result, KRL is considered a potential agent against hypertrophy resulting from cardiac deterioration. The study results show that KRL not only activates the IGF-IR-dependent p-PI3K/p-AKT and Nrf2 signaling pathway, but also suppresses caspase-dependent apoptosis.     

Dinitrophenyl Triazoles – “A Class of Energetic Azoles”: Synthesis,Characterisation, and Performance Evaluation Studies

Energetic azoles have shown great potential as powerful energetic molecules, which find various applications in both military and civilian fields. This work describes the synthesis, characterization and performance evaluation of two energetic triazole derivatives, viz. N‐(2,4‐dinitrophenyl)‐3‐nitro‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazole ( 1a ) and N‐(2,4‐dinitrophenyl)‐3‐azido‐1H‐1,2,4‐triazole ( 1b ). The compounds were synthesized from 3‐nitro‐1,2,4‐triazole and 3‐azido‐1,2,4‐triazole, by a simple synthetic route and structurally characterized using FT‐IR and NMR (¹H, ¹³C) spectroscopy as well as elemental analysis. Thermal analyses on the molecules were performed using simultaneous TG‐DTA. Both compounds ( 1a , 1b ) showed good thermal stability with exothermic decomposition peaks at 348 °C and 217 °C, respectively, on DTA. The energetic and sensitivity properties of both compounds like friction sensitivities and heats of formation are reported. The heats of combustion at constant volume were determined using oxygen bomb calorimetry and the results were used to calculate the standard molar heats of formation (Δ_fH^m). The azido derivative ( 1b ) showed a higher positive heat of formation. The thermo‐chemical properties of the compounds as well as the thermal decomposition products were predicted using the REAL thermodynamic code.     

Lattice Boltzmann method for population balance equations with simultaneous growth,nucleation, aggregation and breakage

Lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) is developed for solution of one-dimensional population balance equations (PBEs) with simultaneous growth, nucleation, aggregation and breakage. Aggregation and breakage, which act as source terms in PBEs, are included as force terms in LBM formulation. The force terms representing aggregation and breakage are evaluated by fixed pivot (FP) method. Multiscale analysis is used to derive the kinetic equations associated with LBM, whose long-time large-scale solution provides the solution of the PBE. A coordinate transformation is proposed, which allows the use of non-uniform grid for LBM to obtain accurate solution of PBE with moderate number of grid points. The performance of the proposed LBM-FP method is compared with finite volume (FV) and method of characteristics (MOC) combined with FP (MOC-FP) methods. Using benchmark examples, the proposed LBM-FP method is shown to be useful for solving PBEs due to its computational efficiency and ability to handle a wide range of problems.