A new method of measuring and presenting the membrane fouling potential

The silt density index (SDI) and modified fouling index (MFI) characterisation methods are well known for the evaluation of membrane fouling potential of dispersed particulate matter (suspended solids, colloids) in a feed. The SDI and MFI methods, however, reduce the overall and very complex fouling phenomena into a one number value, on which the interpretation of the fouling potential of the feed is based. Considering such a one number characteristic, a significant amount of information from the fouling measurement (data) is lost. In this paper a concept is introduced in order to preserve such information and supplement the existing indexes. The proposed method measures, processes and presents data in a specific format. To illustrate the concept, some results are shown from measurements on three types of feed. Future systematic research will also include the measurement on some model feeds with, for example, well characterised dispersions for comparison purposes. However, based on the contents of this paper, a discussion on the method could be initiated.     

Heteroepitaxial Growth of Calcium Silicate Hydrate on Calcium Germanate Hydrate

The hydration of tricalcium silicate at 25°C was accelerated by seeding with 5 wt% tricalcium germanate. Based on heat evolution, seeding resulted in the elimination of the induction period. However, the shape of the hydration peak remained the same. Because tricalcium germanate hydrates first, the microstructure of the calcium silicate hydrate which subsequently forms is influenced by the calcium germanate hydrate morphology. Calcium silicate hydrate formed in the presence of calcium germanate hydrate exhibits the morphology typical of the latter. Acceleration of hydration and morphological variation indicate heteroepitaxial growth.     

Optical Properties and London Dispersion Forces of Amorphous Silica Determined by Vacuum Ultraviolet Spectroscopy and Spectroscopic Ellipsometry

Precise and accurate knowledge of the optical properties of amorphous silica is important because of the increasing application of SiO₂ in optical and electrooptical devices, including photolithography masks for semiconductor fabrication, recently as a potential 157 nm mask substrate. The optical properties in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) region have been investigated, because they convey detailed information on the electronic structure and interatomic bonding of the material. In this work, we have combined spectroscopic ellipsometry and VUV spectroscopy to directly determine the optical functions of SiO₂ in this range, thereby reducing the uncertainty in the low-energy extrapolation of the data, essential for Kramers–Kronig analysis of VUV reflectance. We report the complex optical properties of SiO₂, over the range of 1.5 to 42 eV, showing improved agreement with theory when contrasted with earlier results. In addition to the features previously reported at 10.4, 11.6, 14.03, and 17.10 eV, new interband transitions have been observed at 21.3 eV along with O 2 s transitions at 32 eV. We found the bulk plasma peak to be 23.7 eV in the energy loss function spectrum. Based on the magnitude of these new results, the Hamaker constant for SiO₂|Vacuum|SiO₂ is 71.6 zJ, which is larger than the previously reported value of 66 zJ.     

Formation of crystalline titanium dioxide on barrier layer-forming metals in aqueous electrolytes by anodic spark deposition—first mechanistic conceptions

A spark deposition process for the generation of crystalline titanium dioxide layers on barrier layer-forming metals such as Al, Ti, Mg, Zr, etc. was investigated. The process was carried out at high voltages and currents in an aqueous electrolyte. The electrolyte composition is provided and it could be shown that the electrolyte system used has great influence on the properties of the oxide layers. From the titanium balance, it was proven that most of the layer originates from the deposition of electrolyte compounds rather than from conversion of substrate material. Mechanistic conceptions of the layer formation are presented and supported by analytical determination of some reaction intermediates. The titanium dioxide layers generated were characterised regarding their physical and chemical properties.     

Zirconia Nanoparticles Made in Spray Flames at High Production Rates

Synthesis of zirconia nanoparticles by flame spray pyrolysis (FSP) at high production rates is investigated. Product powder is collected continuously in a baghouse filter unit that is cleaned periodically by air-pressure shocks. Nitrogen adsorption (BET), X-ray diffractometry (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) are used to characterize the product powder. The effect of powder production rate (up to 600 g/h), dispersion gas flow rate, and precursor concentration on product particle size, crystallinity, morphology, and purity is investigated. The primary particle size of zirconia is controlled from 6 to 35 nm, while the crystal structure consists of mostly tetragonal phase (80–95 wt%), with the balance monoclinic phase at all process conditions. The tetragonal crystal size is close to the primary particle size, which indicates weak agglomeration of single crystals.     

Mechanical Activation of Tetracalcium Phosphate

It was found that prolonged high-energy ball-milling of Hilgenstokite (tetracalcium phosphate, TTCP) resulted in a decrease in both particle and crystallite size, leading to a mechanical activation of the compound. This mechanically activated material demonstrated a high reactivity such that, in contrast to highly crystalline TTCP, a setting reaction with water to nanocrystalline hydroxyapatite (HA) and Ca(OH)₂ could be achieved at 37°C. However, crystalline TTCP is practically unreactive at physiologic temperatures because of the formation of a thin HA layer on the particle surface preventing further reaction.     

Synthesis and characterization of poly(methylphenylsilylene)–poly(ethylene oxide) and poly(methylphenylsilylene)–polyisoprene multiblock copolymers

Multiblock copolymers were synthesized through condensation reactions of end‐groups of α,ω‐dichloro‐poly(methylphenylsilylene) with hydroxyl end‐groups of poly(ethylene glycol) or the chain‐ends of ‘living’ polyisoprenyl disodium. Optimum conditions have been sought through kinetic studies and by investigation of model reactions. The overall molecular weight distribution of poly(methylphenylsilylene)‐block‐poly(ethylene oxide) is characterized in terms of Flory's theory of condensation reactions, while the limiting step in the reaction is tentatively attributed to the formation of aggregates. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry