Preparation of TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> incorporated polyacrylonitrile electrospun nanofibers for adsorption of heavy metal ions

This paper describes the adsorption of lead and cadmium ions from an aqueous solution using a composite of titanium dioxide (TiO₂)-incorporated polyacrylonitrile (PAN) electrospun nanofibers. Adsorption capacities and the mechanical response of the PAN/TiO₂ composite electrospun nanofibers are investigated at different weight percentages of TiO₂ (0.5, 1.0, 2.0, and 5.0 wt.%). The adsorption capacities of the composite PAN/TiO₂ (2.0 and 5.0 wt.%) for Pb(II) and Cd(II) are remarkably increased by approximately 114 and 47%, respectively, compared to those of pure PAN electrospun nanofibers. Moreover, the adsorption of Pb(II) and Cd(II) by PAN/TiO₂ nanofibers reaches an equilibrium within 60 min, and the process can be described using the nonlinear pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The adsorption isotherm study can be represented by the Langmuir model, which suggests the homogeneous distribution of monolayer adsorptive sites on the composite nanofiber surface. Furthermore, the ultimate tensile strength and ductility of all nanofiber membranes are measured through a uniaxial tension test. Mechanical tests reveal a reduction in the tensile strength of the PAN/TiO₂ composite nanofibers with increase in TiO₂ amount due to the possible formation of agglomerates and voids in the nanofiber structure.     

Magnetocaloric Effect for La0.54Sr0.27Gd0.19MnO3 Nanoparticles at Room and Cryogenic Temperatures

The magnetic refrigerator (MR) has gained popularity due to its potential to improve the energy efficiency of refrigeration without the use of unsafe gas, as is the case with traditional gas compression techniques. Magnetocaloric lanthanum manganite investigation, particularly at room and cryogenic temperatures, shows favorable results for the development of MR. Previous thermodynamic models require a significant amount of time and effort to estimate the magnetocaloric effect (MCE). Consequently, we employ the phenomenological model (PM), which is simple and straightforward, requiring fewer parameters than many other modeling methods. We studied the magnetocaloric effect (MCE) of silica-coated La_0.54Sr_0.27Gd_0.19MnO₃ (LSGMO) nanoparticles via PM. According to PM results, MCE parameters were obtained as the consequences of the simulated magnetization of silica-coated LSGMO nanoparticles vs. temperature under 0.1 T a magnetic field. It is revealed that the MCE of silica-coated LSGMO nanoparticles covers a broad range of temperatures between 200 and 330 K. The comparison of MCE parameters for silica-coated LSGMO nanoparticles and some published works shows that silica-coated LSGMO nanoparticles are considerably larger than some of the MCE parameters in these published works. Finally, silica-coated LSGMO nanoparticles are suitable function materials in MR, especially at room and cryogenic temperatures, contributing to efficient MR.

     

Magnetically-driven Ag/Fe3O4/graphene ternary nanocomposite as efficient photocatalyst for desulfurization of thiophene under visible-light irradiation

In current research, hierarchical flower-like Ag/Fe₃O₄/graphene ternary nanocomposites were prepared successfully by a refluxing co-precipitation method. In the synthesis process of the samples, the various reaction conditions such as reflux time and temperature, type of capping agent and reducing agent were investigated. After characterization of the products by XRD, EDS, VSM, FESEM, HRTEM and UV–Vis DRS analysis, the nanocomposites were applied as novel nanophotocatalysts for desulfurization of thiophene under visible light illumination. Results indicate that the porous flower-like Ag/Fe₃O₄/graphene photocatalyst with appropriate band gap energy (2.73 eV), has excellent photocatalytic desulfurization activity (~95%) after 2 h of visible light irradiation, even after 10 cycles. Furthermore, the reliable photo-oxidation mechanism was explained based on the active species trapping experiments, which exhibited that the oxidative h⁺ and ^?O₂^? species were the dominant active species in the photodesulfurization process. Also, the photocatalyst particles can efficiently separate from the solution by applying a magnetic field.     

Generalized differential quadrature analysis of electro-magneto-hydrodynamic dissipative flows over a heated Riga plate in the presence of a space-dependent heat source: The case for strong suction effect

The importance of including an electromagnetic actuator as a moving boundary on the dissipative flows of weakly conducting fluids had led to many published facts. But, nothing is known on the generalized differential quadrature analysis of magnetohydrodynamics over a Riga plate with emphasis on the case of viscous dissipation and space-dependent heat source. After deriving the simplified boundary layer equation that models the transport phenomenon, appropriate variables were used to non-dimensionalize and parameterize the partial differential equations. Thereafter, the resulting set of ordinary differential equations was solved numerically by applying a powerful differential quadrature algorithm. Based on the outcome of the simulation, it can be concluded that the viscous frictional effect can be minimized at the Riga plate either by weakening the suction process or by heightening the magnetic parameter. Moreover, the Lorentz forces have a hastening effect on the fluid motion, in the case when those magnetic causes are directed in the same sense of the developed flow.     

Effect of Wood Fibers on the Rheological and Mechanical Properties of Polystyrene/Wood Composites

The effects of wood fibers on the rheological and mechanical properties of polystyrene/wood (PS/wood) composites were investigated. The composites with different ratios of PS and wood were prepared by means of internal mixer and, additionally, two different sizes of the wood particles were used, such as ～100 and ～600 µm. The rheological properties were studied using capillary rheometer, apparent shear rate, apparent shear stress, apparent viscosity, power law index, and flow activation energy at a constant shear stress were determined. The rheological results showed that the shear stress–shear rate variations obeyed a power law equation, and the composites exhibited shear thinning. The flow activation energy of the composites increased with the addition of wood particles. Mechanical results showed that stress at break of the composites was higher than that of pure PS, whereas the strain at break and impact strength of the composites were lower than that of PS. In addition, the mechanical properties of the present composites were improved when the small size of wood particles were incorporated.     

Relationship between surface chemistry and surface energy of different shape pigment blend coatings

The influence of pigment shapes and pigment blends on the surface energy was investigated and compared with the surface chemistry of pigmented latex coatings. The coatings were made of different volume ratios of two pigments: plate-like kaolin clay pigment and prismatic precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC) pigment. These were mixed together with carboxylated styrene–butadiene–acrylonitrile latex (SBA), and applied over nonabsorbent substrates as well as absorbent substrates. The composition of the surface of the coatings was investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Two approaches were used to estimate the total surface energy and the components of the coatings: a conventional approach—“the Kaelble approach”—and a more modern approach—“the van Oss approach.” Pigment blends with different shapes and increments caused a change in the surface chemistry and the surface energy of the latex coatings. As the prismatic PCC pigment particles increased in the kaolin/SBA coating system, the SBA latex content at the coating surface increased and the total surface energy of the coating decreased. This is valid for both nonabsorbent as well as absorbent substrates. It was found that there was a strong correlation between the surface energy and the surface composition. The surface energy of the coatings estimated by the Van Oss approach was always lower than that estimated by the Kaelble approach. Colloidal interactions between pigment–pigment and/or pigment–binder were thought to play an essential role in determining the final coating surface energy and its components. Changes in the surface latex content and the surface energy due to the different pigment blends investigated were found to fit straight-line equations.     

Behavior of T-shaped reinforced concrete beams partially confined by structural steel

External confinement of reinforced concrete (R/C) members with structural steel sections or fiber reinforcing wraps is commonly used to improve the flexural behavior of structural members. Flexural strengthening of R/C beams by external steel members is among the most effective and convenient techniques. A study is presented in this paper investigating the flexural behavior of R/C beams having T cross-sections partially confined (P/C) by a combination of various steel members connected together by intermittent batten plates. Four R/C specimens, representing dropped beams in solid slabs, were tested. One control beam had no confinement whereas the three other beams had four steel angles simply wrapped and tied around the stem by batten plates, two angles at the bottom corners of the stem and the other two angles at the stem-flange junctions. Two plates were placed on the top surface of the flange and connected by studs to the two angles at the bottom of the flange. The resulting P/C beams are categorized as partial composite beams because no shear connectors were used between the R/C beam and the jacketing bottom-tension steel angles as in the case of conventional composite beams. All specimens were tested in positive bending under two points loading. Test results revealed an enhancement in the flexural behavior, particularly in the post-yield range of loading, and ductility due to the proposed strengthening and partial composite effect. The number and spacing of the intermittent battens played a significant role in the behavior of the strengthened specimens. Analytical values of loads and deformations at yield and ultimate loading showed good agreement with the measured values.     

Nonclassical features of entangled coherent states

Nonclassical features of entangled coherent states (two-mode superposition coherent states) based on two coherent states shifted in phase by π/2 are discussed. Analysis of Cauchy–Schwartz inequality, two-mode quadrature squeezing, oscillatory and sub-Poissonian photon statistics show that nonclassicality exists for these states. Furthermore, it is also observed that special states have remarkably strong nonclassical properties than the entangled coherent states based on famous even–odd coherent states.     

Reassessment of fenestration characteristics for residential buildings in hot climates: energy and economic analysis

This paper attempts to resolve the reported contradiction in the literature about the characteristics of high-performance/cost-effective fenestration of residential buildings, particularly in hot climates. The considered issues are the window glazing property (ten commercial glazing types), facade orientation (four main orientations), window-to-wall ratio (WWR) (0.2–0.8), and solar shading overhangs and side-fins (nine shading conditions). The results of the simulated runs reveal that the glazing quality has a superior effect over the other fenestration parameters and controls their effect on the energy consumption of residential buildings. Thus, using low-performance windows on buildings yields larger effects of WWR, facade orientation, and solar shading than high-performance windows. As the WWR increases from 0.2 to 0.8, the building energy consumption using the low-performance window increases 6.46 times than that using the high-performance window. The best facade orientation is changed from north to south according to the glazing properties. In addition, the solar shading need is correlated as a function of a window-glazing property and WWR. The cost analysis shows that the high-performance windows without solar shading are cost-effective as they have the largest net present cost compared to low-performance windows with or without solar shading. Accordingly, replacing low-performance windows with high-performance ones, in an existing residential building, saves about 12.7 MWh of electricity and 11.05 tons of CO₂ annually.