Phenol degradation by Fenton's process using catalytic in situ generated hydrogen peroxide

The recent reported pathway using oxygen and formic acid at ambient conditions has been utilized to generate hydrogen peroxide in situ for the degradation of phenol. An alumina supported palladium catalyst prepared via impregnation was used for this purpose. Almost full destruction of phenol was carried out within 6 h corresponding to the termination of 100 mM formic acid at the same time. In addition, a significant mineralization (60%) was attained. A simulated conventional Fenton process (CFP) using continuous addition of 300 ppm H₂O₂ displayed maximum 48% mineralization. Study of different doses of formic acid showed that decreasing the initial concentration of formic acid caused faster destruction of phenol and its toxic intermediates. The catalytic in situ generation of hydrogen peroxide system demonstrated interesting ability to oxidize phenol without the addition of Fenton's catalyst (ferrous ion). Lower Pd content catalysts (Pd1/Al and Pd0.5/Al) despite of producing higher hydrogen peroxide amount for bulk purposes, did not reach the same efficiency as the Pd5/Al catalyst in phenol degradation. The later catalyst showed a remarkable repeatability so that more than 90% phenol degradation along with 57% mineralization was attained by the used catalyst after twice recovery. Higher temperature (45 °C) gave rise to faster degradation of phenol resulting to almost the same mineralization degree as obtained at ambient temperature. Meanwhile, Pd leaching studied by atomic adsorption proved excellent stability of the catalysts.     

Improving the properties of LDPE/glass fiber composites with silanized-LDPE

Low density polyethylene (LDPE) is a widely used thermoplastic. The dispersion of inorganic fillers in thermoplastic matrices such as polyethylene has been largely employed to improve some of its properties. However, interaction between both components is a major issue so the presence of a coupling agent is usually necessary to increase the interaction among the phases. In this study, LDPE chemically modified with vinyltriethoxysilane (VTES) was used as a coupling agent in glass fiber-reinforced LDPE. The composites were prepared in a mixing chamber and subsequently analyzed by tensile tests, rotational rheometry, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The mechanical properties were significantly increased by the use of small amounts of the coupling agent. Moreover, the rheological behavior and the SEM micrographs showed higher interaction between the matrix and the reinforcing phase in the composites containing LDPE modified with VTES, confirming the suitability of using this coupling agent in these systems. POLYM. COMPOS., 2009. © 2008 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Eu-Doped BaTiO3 Powder and Film from Sol-Gel Process with Polyvinylpyrrolidone Additive

Transparent BaTiO₃:Eu³⁺ films were prepared via a sol-gel method and dip-coating technique, using barium acetate, titanium butoxide, and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as modifier viscosity. BaTiO₃:Eu³⁺ films ~500 nm thick, crystallized after thermal treatment at 700 ºC. The powders revealed spherical and rod shape morphology. The optical quality of films showed a predominant band at 615 nm under 250 nm excitation. A preliminary luminescent test provided the properties of the Eu³⁺ doped BaTiO₃.     

Abatement of 4-Chlorophenol in Aqueous Phase by Ozonation Coupled with a Sequencing Batch Biofilm Reactor (SBBR)

The aim of this work was to assess the mineralization of 100 and 200 mg L^?1 4-chlorophenol (4-CP) solutions by ozonation-biological treatment. The results show that starting from a 4-CP initial concentration from 100 to 500 mg L^?1 and using an ozone flow rate of 5.44 and 7.57 g h^?1, 4-CP was completely removed. A kinetic constant around 9·10^?2 min^?1 was calculated for the ozone direct attack. The biodegradability (BOD₅/COD) of the pre-ozonated solutions increased from 0 until a range between 0.2–0.37. The combination of the ozonation and aerobic biological treatment in an aerobic sequencing batch biofilm reactor (SBBR) gave an abatement of more than 90% of the initial TOC.     

Friction stir welding of duplex stainless steels

Duplex stainless steels are successful in a variety of applications such as the food industry, petrochemicals and plants for desalination of seawater, where high corrosion resistance and high mechanical strength are required. However, the beneficial microstructure may change during fusion welding steps, and it can compromise the performance of these materials. Friction stir welding is a solid-state process avoiding typical problems concerning solidification such as solidification cracks, liquation and segregation of alloying elements. Superduplex stainless steels can avoid unbalanced proportions of ferrite and austenite, formation of secondary deleterious phases and grain growth of ferrite in the heat-affected zone. Consolidated friction stir welded joints with full penetration 6 mm thick were obtained for UNS S32101 and S32205 duplex and S32750 and S32760 superduplex stainless steels. The friction stir welds were submitted to tensile tests indicating an improvement of strength in welded joints, showing increased yield and tensile strength for all studied cases. Regarding the microstructural characterization, an outstanding grain refinement was observed in the welded joint, achieving grain sizes as small as 1 μm. This refinement was associated with the combination of microstructural restoration mechanisms in the dual-phase microstructure promoted by severe deformation associated with a high temperature during the welding process.     

Evaluation of the occurrence of mechanical constriction of the Arc in A-TIG welding of austenitic stainless steels

This paper evaluates indications of arc constriction by the thermal and electrical insulation caused by oxides of a single component in A-TIG welding of austenitic stainless steels. Changes in arc dimensions, in its electric voltage and in weld bead morphology caused by three oxide fluxes (SiO₂, Cr₂O₃ e Al₂O₃) applied with two surface densities (30 e 60 g/m2), and with and without a flux-free central strip (of 1, 2 and 4 mm) were studied. Results showed no significant change in the width of the electric arc for the experimental conditions used, therefore not supporting a possible mechanical constriction in the electric arc by oxide electrical and thermal insulation. Lateral filming indicated that the arc is delayed by the fluxes with silica causing the strongest effect. The presence of a clean central strip in the flux layer decreased weld penetration and weld bead cross section, besides the reduction of the width of the bead. Therefore, the results of the present work seem to support Marangoni convection as the main mechanism responsible for increasing penetration in A-TIG welding of stainless austenitic steels.     

Characterization of Mechanical Properties and Residual Stress in API 5L X80 Steel Welded Joints

The use of high-strength and low-alloy steels, high design factors and increasingly stringent safety requirements have increased the operating pressure levels and, consequently, the need for further studies to avoid and prevent premature pipe failure. To evaluate the possibility of improving productivity in manual arc welding of this type of steel, this work characterizes the mechanical properties and residual stresses in API 5L X80 steel welded joints using the SMAW and FCAW processes. The residual stresses were analyzed using x-ray diffraction with the sin² ψ method at the top and root of the welded joints in the longitudinal and transverse directions of the weld bead. The mechanical properties of the welded joints by both processes were characterized in terms of tensile strength, impact toughness and Vickers microhardness in the welded and shot peening conditions. A predominantly compressive residual stress was found, and shot peening increased the tensile strength and impact toughness in both welded joints.     

Description of the thermodynamic properties and fluid-phase behavior of aqueous solutions of linear,branched, and cyclic amines

The SAFT-γ Mie group-contribution equation of state is used to represent the fluid-phase behavior of aqueous solutions of a variety of linear, branched, and cyclic amines. New group interactions are developed in order to model the mixtures of interest, including the like and unlike interactions between alkyl primary, secondary, and tertiary amine groups (NH₂, NH, N), cyclic secondary and tertiary amine groups (cNH, cN), and cyclic methine-amine groups (cCHNH, cCHN) with water (H₂O). The group-interaction parameters are estimated from appropriate experimental thermodynamic data for pure amines and selected mixtures. By taking advantage of the group-contribution nature of the method, one can describe the fluid-phase behavior of mixtures of molecules comprising those groups over broad ranges of temperature, pressure, and composition. A number of aqueous solutions of amines are studied including linear, branched aliphatic, and cyclic amines. Liquid–liquid equilibria (LLE) bounded by lower critical solution temperatures (LCSTs) have been reported experimentally and are reproduced here with the SAFT-γ Mie approach. The main feature of the approach is the ability not only to represent accurately the experimental data employed in the parameter estimation, but also to predict the vapor–liquid, liquid–liquid, and vapor–liquid–liquid equilibria, and LCSTs with the same set of parameters. Pure compound and binary phase diagrams of diverse types of amines and their aqueous solutions are assessed in order to demonstrate the main features of the thermodynamic and fluid-phase behavior.     

Syndecan-1 Depletion Has a Differential Impact on Hyaluronic Acid Metabolism and Tumor Cell Behavior in Luminal and Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cells

Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and proteoglycans (PGs) are major components of the glycocalyx. The secreted GAG and CD44 ligand hyaluronic acid (HA), and the cell surface PG syndecan-1 (Sdc-1) modulate the expression and activity of cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and adhesion molecules, acting as critical regulators of tumor cell behavior. Here, we studied the effect of Sdc-1 siRNA depletion and HA treatment on hallmark processes of cancer in breast cancer cell lines of different levels of aggressiveness. We analyzed HA synthesis, and parameters relevant to tumor progression, including the stem cell phenotype, Wnt signaling constituents, cell cycle progression and apoptosis, and angiogenic markers in luminal MCF-7 and triple-negative MDA-MB-231 cells. Sdc-1 knockdown enhanced HAS-2 synthesis and HA binding in MCF-7, but not in MDA-MB-231 cells. Sdc-1-depleted MDA-MB-231 cells showed a reduced CD24-/CD44+ population. Furthermore, Sdc-1 depletion was associated with survival signals in both cell lines, affecting cell cycle progression and apoptosis evasion. These changes were linked to the altered expression of KLF4, MSI2, and miR-10b and differential changes in Erk, Akt, and PTEN signaling. We conclude that Sdc-1 knockdown differentially affects HA metabolism in luminal and triple-negative breast cancer model cell lines and impacts the stem phenotype, cell survival, and angiogenic factors.     

Local Preirradiation of Infarcted Cardiac Tissue Substantially Enhances Cell Engraftment

The success of cell therapy for the treatment of myocardial infarction depends on finding novel approaches that can substantially implement the engraftment of the transplanted cells. In order to enhance cell engraftment, most studies have focused on the pretreatment of transplantable cells. Here we have considered an alternative approach that involves the preconditioning of infarcted heart tissue to reduce endogenous cell activity and thus provide an advantage to our exogenous cells. This treatment is routinely used in other tissues such as bone marrow and skeletal muscle to improve cell engraftment, but it has never been taken in cardiac tissue. To avoid long-term cardiotoxicity induced by full heart irradiation we developed a rat model of a catheter-based heart irradiation system to locally impact a delimited region of the infarcted cardiac tissue. As proof of concept, we transferred ZsGreen⁺ iPSCs in the infarcted heart, due to their ease of use and detection. We found a very significant increase in cell engraftment in preirradiated rats. In this study, we demonstrate for the first time that preconditioning the infarcted cardiac tissue with local irradiation can substantially enhance cell engraftment.