Photo-Fenton-peroxide process using FE (II)-embedded composites based on activated carbon: Characterization of catalytic tests

Cost-efficient Fenton-like catalysts for the removal of organic molecules in aqueous solutions were elaborated by a simple process. Porous activated carbons (ACs) were directly impregnated with a precursor solution using the wet impregnation method. Their efficiency as Fenton-like catalysts was studied. Photo-Fenton tests were performed to establish the performance of the prepared Fe-impregnated activated carbons in relation to the degradation of an organic pollutant (Indigo Carmine) model in aqueous solution, under different conditions. Photo-catalytic tests were carried out by means of a laboratory photo-reactor (UV-Consulting Peschl). The influence of several parameters such as solution pH value, initial concentration of the model pollutant, and hydrogen peroxide dose on the process performance was investigated. The ACs and prepared catalysts were characterized by nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms at 77 K, SEM, and thermogravimetric analyses. The total Fe content of the synthesized composites was estimated by the phenanthroline method using UV-vis spectrophotometry. The results show an increase in the degradation rate when the heterogeneous photo-Fenton process is conducted with an ozone generating UV lamp.     

Improved compaction of ZnO nano-powder triggered by the presence of acetate and its effect on sintering

The retention of nanocrystallinity in dense ceramic materials is still a challenge, even with the application of external pressure during sintering. The compaction behavior of high purity and acetate enriched zinc oxide (ZnO) nano-powders was investigated. It was found that acetate in combination with water plays a key role during the compaction into green bodies at moderate temperatures. Application of constant pressure resulted in a homogeneous green body with superior packing density (86% of theoretical value) at moderate temperature (85 °C) in the presence of water. In contrast, no improvement in density could be achieved if pure ZnO powder was used. This compaction behavior offers superior packing of the particles, resulting in a high relative density of the consolidated compact with negligible coarsening. Dissolution accompanying creep diffusion based matter transport is suggested to strongly support reorientation of ZnO particles towards densities beyond the theoretical limit for packing of ideal monosized spheres. Finally, the sintering trajectory reveals that grain growth is retarded compared to conventional processing up to 90% of theoretical density. Moreover, nearly no radial shrinkage was observed after sinter-forging for bodies performed with this advanced processing method.     

Effect of microstructure on electrical and mechanical properties of La5.4WO12-δ proton conductor

The relationships between microstructural characteristics and electrical as well as mechanical properties of La_5.4WO_12-δ (LWO54) materials were studied. Polycrystalline LWO54 samples revealed identical transport mechanisms regardless of the sample microstructure. The studied samples show predominately proton conductor behaviour below 800?°C and become predominant n-type and oxygen ion conductors above this temperature. The magnitude of the total conductivity is enhanced with larger grain size and lower porosity. Young’s modulus decreased by 20% with increasing temperature up to 1000?°C regardless of grain size and atmosphere. Fracture strength was determined via ring-on-ring bending tests, yielding values that strongly depended on microstructural characteristics and homogeneity of the microstructure. Elevated temperature deformation studies revealed that creep is governed by cation diffusion mechanism.     

Sintering resistance of advanced plasma-sprayed thermal barrier coatings with strain-tolerant microstructures

Sintering is one of the key issues in the high temperature service of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs), considering the continuously increasing operation temperature of gas-turbine for higher energy efficiency. Based on the conventional processing method of air plasma spraying (APS), suspension plasma spraying (SPS) technique has been developed recently, in order to improve the strain tolerance of TBCs. This strain tolerance of plasma-sprayed TBCs is largely effected by the sintering behavior, which is presently not fully understood. In this work, evolution of mechanical properties, in terms of Young’s modulus and viscosity, is systematically investigated by in-situ three-point bending test at 1200?°C on free-standing coatings, including micro-cracked APS, segmented APS, vertically cracked SPS and columnar structured SPS TBCs and correlated to the microstructural evolution. Based on experimental results, power law relations are proposed for the sintering induced mechanical evolution, which deepen the understanding of the sintering behavior of plasma-sprayed TBCs.     

Influence of the anionic part of the stabilizer on electroless nickel-boron plating

Selectivity and smooth operation of electroless nickel plating require that a stabilizing agent is used. It operates by blocking catalytic activity on unwanted germination sites and regulating the activity of the substrate. In the case of alkaline electroless nickel-boron plating systems, which use sodium (or potassium) borohydride as reducing agent, lead and thallium salts are the most popular stabilizers. However, there is little knowledge about the way the stabilizer acts. In this study, 4 different lead-based stabilizers (tungstate, sulphate, nitrate and chloride) have been used, all other things left constant, in electroless nickel-boron plating baths. The thickness, composition, roughness, morphology, hardness and structure of all the obtained coatings have been investigated. Chloride led to thinner deposits and the boron content varied between 5.5?wt.% for lead tungstate and 6.5?wt.% for lead nitrate and lead sulphate, with a lead content between 0.2 and 0.25?wt.%. Coatings obtained with a lead tungstate stabilized bath were thicker, harder and contained less boron and lead than the others. This shows the influence of the anionic part of the stabilizing agent on the plating process.     

Adhesion of resin cement to contemporary hybrid ceramic and polymeric CAD/CAM materials: effect of conditioning methods and ageing

This study assessed the effect of different surface conditioning methods and ageing protocols on adhesion of resin cement to hybrid ceramic and polymeric CAD/CAM materials. CAD/CAM materials (n?=?360, n?=?30 per group), namely (a) Lithium disilicate (IPS e.max CAD-LIS), (b) Zirconia (IPS e.max ZirCAD-ZIR), (c) Polymer (Lava Ultimate-LAV), (d) Polymer infiltrated ceramic network (Enamic-ENA), (e) Polymer infiltrated ceramic (Experimental-1-CS1), (f) Polymer infiltrated ceramic (Experimental-2-CS2), (g) Lithium disilicate reinforced alumina (n!ce-NIC) were cut into slices (3?×?6 × 8?mm³) and conditioned: (a) Method 1: 5% hydrofluoric acid etching (H)+silane and (b) Method 2: Silica coating (CoJet (A)+silane). Group LIS was conditioned with only Method 1 and Group ZIR only with Method 2 (control). Resin cement (Variolink Esthetic II) was bonded onto the conditioned specimens and photopolymerized. One-half of the specimens was subjected to ageing (thermocycling 5–55°, 5000 cycles) and the other half was stored in distilled water (37?°C, 24?h). The resin-substrate interface was loaded under shear forces in a Universal Testing Machine (1?mm/min). Data (MPa) were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Tukey`s tests (α?=?0.05). Substrate type, conditioning method and ageing had a significant effect on adhesion values (p?<?.05). In aged conditions, ENA-H, ENA-A, LAV-H, LAV-A, CS2-A (15?±?4 – 11.6?±?5) showed no significant difference (p?>?.05), with the CS2-A (15?±?4) showing the least reduction (5.5%) compared to all other groups (5.8–62.6%). CS1-A (100%) followed by ENA-H, ENA-A (93%), CS2-A (80%) presented the highest incidence of cohesive failures after ageing.     

Removal of hexavalent chromium with a lignocellulosic substrate extracted from wheat bran

In this paper, a new recovery system of the toxic hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) is proposed that uses a lignocellulosic substrate derived from the industrial treatment process of wheat bran. We studied the adsorption mechanism of Cr(VI) onto the lignocellulosic substrate and showed that the adsorption reaction consumes a large amount of protons goes along the reduction of Cr(VI) into Cr(III). The oxidation of lignin moieties takes place concurrently to the chromium reduction and leads to the formation of hydroxyl and carboxyl functions. The latter contribute to an increase in the number of ion-exchange sites for the reduced chromium. The maximum adsorption capacity for hexavalent chromium was found at about 35 mg g(-1) in an acidic medium. This is comparable to other natural substrates and ordinary adsorbents.