CO2 reforming of CH4 over nanocrystalline zirconia-supported nickel catalysts

Mesoporous nanocrystalline zirconia with high-surface area and pure tetragonal crystalline phase has been prepared by the surfactant-assisted route, using Pluronic P123 block copolymer surfactant. The synthesized zirconia showed a surface area of 174 m² g⁻¹ after calcination at 700 °C for 4 h. The prepared zirconia was employed as a support for nickel catalysts in dry reforming reaction. It was found that these catalysts possessed a mesoporous structure and even high-surface area. The activity results indicated that the nickel catalyst showed stable activity for syngas production with a decrease of about 4% in methane conversion after 50 h of reaction. Addition of promoters (CeO₂, La₂O₃ and K₂O) to the catalyst improved both the activity and stability of the nickel catalyst, without any decrease in methane conversion after 50 h of reaction.     

Microwave‐assisted hydrodistillation of essential oil from Zataria multiflora Boiss

Microwave‐assisted hydrodistillation (MAHD) has recently gained attention for the extraction of essential oils. A concern with the use of MAHD is the possibility of sample deterioration during the extended exposure to microwave irradiation. In this study, MAHD was applied as a new and green technology for the extraction of essential oil from Zataria multiflora Boiss. (Shirazi thyme) aerial parts. Superior results were obtained with the proposed method in terms of extraction time [1 h vs. 4 h in hydrodistillation (HD)] for an essential oil recovery of 3.66 and 3.44%, respectively. Images obtained from thyme leaves using scanning electron microscopy indicated a sudden eruption of essential oil glands undergoing MAHD. GC‐MS analysis of the essential oils did not indicate any new or missing compounds in the essential oil obtained by MAHD in comparison with that by HD. Therefore, a microwave oven can be safely used for the extraction of essential oil from Shirazi thyme.     

Application of ionic liquids as an electrolyte additive on the electrochemical behavior of lead acid battery

Ionic liquids (ILs) belong to new branch of salts with unique properties which their applications have been increasing in electrochemical systems especially lithium-ion batteries. In the present work, for the first time, the effects of four ionic liquids as an electrolyte additive in battery's electrolyte were studied on the hydrogen and oxygen evolution overpotential and anodic layer formation on lead–antimony–tin grid alloy of lead acid battery. Cyclic and linear sweep voltammetric methods were used for this study in aqueous sulfuric acid solution. The morphology of grid surface after cyclic redox reaction was studied using scanning electron microscopy. The results show that most of added ionic liquids increase hydrogen overpotential and whereas they have no significant effect on oxygen overpotential. Furthermore ionic liquids increase antimony dissolution that might be related to interaction between Sb³⁺ and ionic liquids. Crystalline structure of PbSO₄ layer changed with presence of ionic liquids and larger PbSO₄ crystals were formed with some of them. These additives decrease the porosity of PbSO₄ perm selective membrane layer at the surface of electrode. Also cyclic voltammogram on carbon–PbO paste electrode shows that with the presence of ionic liquids, oxidation and reduction peak current intensively increased.     

Electrospun core-shell nanofibers based on polyethylene oxide reinforced by multiwalled carbon nanotube and silicon dioxide nanofillers: A novel and effective solvent-free electrolyte for lithium ion batteries

Insertion of conductive fillers into solvent-free polymer electrolytes enhances electrochemical behavior of the electrolyte membranes leading to higher ionic conductivity, lower capacity fading, and so on. Although, the presence of the conductive fillers in the polymer matrixes increases the risk of electrical shorting, herein, polyethylene oxide (PEO)-based core-shell nanofibers were prepared via a simple electrospinning method. In the core-shell electrospun fibers, ethylene carbonate (EC) and lithium perchlorate (LiClO₄) were used as a plasticizer and as a lithium salt, respectively. The core component was enwrapped by the PEO/EC/LiClO₄ shell part incorporated with SiO₂ nanoparticles. Various properties of the fabricated membranes were evaluated by changing the ratio of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) in the core part of the nanofibers. The morphology and core-shell structure of the electrospun fibers were studied by FESEM and TEM images. According to FTIR and XRD results, addition of the EC plasticizer and the fillers into the as-spun fibers increased the fraction of free ions and the amorphous regions. From electrochemical impedance spectroscopy studies, the ionic conductivity enhanced by insertion of the plasticizer molecules and the filler particles into the core-shell structures. The highest ionic conductivities of 0.09 and 0.21 mS.cm⁻¹ were obtained for the free-filler and the filler-loaded nanofibrous membranes, respectively. The prepared mats obeyed the Arrhenius behavior ( R²~1 ). Dielectric studies confirmed the obtained data from the ionic conductivities. Furthermore, the capacity residual was enhanced from 69% to 85% by incorporation of the MWCNTs filler into the core component of the electrospun nanofibers. The presented results may facilitate development of versatile nanofibrous membranes embedded with the conductive fillers as solvent-free electrolytes applicable in lithium-ion batteries.     

Synthesis and characterization of PVAm/SBA-15 as a novel organic–inorganic hybrid basic catalyst

Composite polyvinyl amine/SBA-15 (PVAm/SBA-15) in various amounts of SBA-15 were prepared and characterized. The physical and chemical properties of PVAm/SBA-15 were investigated using FT-IR, XRD, BET, SEM and TGA techniques. The catalytic performance of each material was determined for the Knoevenagel condensation reaction between carbonyl compounds and ethyl cyanoacetate in the presence of ethanol as solvent. The effects of reaction temperature, solvent and the amounts of catalyst as well as recyclability of the catalyst were investigated. The catalyst used for this synthetically useful transformation showed a considerable degree of reusability besides being very active.     

Inspection interval optimization for complex equipment in automotive manufacturing under dependent failures

Forschung im Ingenieurwesen - Inspection activities in automotive manufacturing play a crucial role in diagnosing and preventing unexpected failures by adopting the well-planned intervals....     

Ni Catalysts Supported on Mesoporous Nanocrystalline Magnesium Silicate in Dry and Steam Reforming Reactions

Mesoporous nanocrystalline MgSiO₃ with high surface area was synthesized by a hydrothermal method and employed as support in dry and steam reforming of methane. Ni/MgSiO₃ catalysts were prepared by an impregnation method and characterized by different techniques. N₂ adsorption analysis indicated that addition of nickel shifted the pore size distributions to smaller sizes. Temperature‐programmed reduction analysis revealed that a higher nickel loading enhanced the reducibility of the catalyst. The catalytic performance was improved with increasing the nickel content. The Ni/MgSiO₃ catalyst exhibited high stability in dry reforming but methane conversion declined with time‐on‐stream in the steam reforming reaction. Temperature‐programmed oxidation profiles of spent catalysts indicated that the high amount of carbon deposited on the catalyst surface in dry and steam reforming was assigned to whisker‐type carbon.     

Preparation of Ni0.1Mg0.9O nanocrystalline powder and its catalytic performance in methane reforming with carbon dioxide

Ni_0.1Mg_0.9O nanocrystalline powders were prepared by surfactant assisted precipitation method and employed as catalyst in dry reforming. The powders were characterized by using XRD, BET, SEM, TGA/DSC and TPR techniques. The results showed that the surfactant to metal mole ratio affects the textural properties. Increasing in surfactant to metal mole ratio increased the specific surface area and decreased the crystallite and particle size. The Ni_0.1Mg_0.9O with the highest surface area (115.39 m² g^?1) was employed as catalyst in dry reforming. This catalyst showed a high catalytic activity and stability during 122 h time on stream without any decrease in methane conversion.