Au/TS‐1 catalyst for propene epoxidation with H2/O2: A novel strategy to enhance stability by tuning charging sequence

For propene epoxidation with H₂ and O₂, the catalytic performance of Au/TS‐1 catalyst is extremely sensitive to preparation parameters of deposition‐precipitation (DP) method. In this work, effect of charging sequence in DP process on catalyst structure and catalytic performance of Au/TS‐1 catalyst is first investigated. For different charging sequences, the compositions of Au complexes (e.g., [AuCl(OH)₃]^?) and pore property of TS‐1 (i.e., with or without H₂O prefilling micropores) could affect the transfer of Au complexes into the micropores, resulting in different Au locations and thus significantly different catalytic performance. Notably, when TS‐1 is first filled with H₂O and then mixed with Au complexes, the reduced Au/TS‐1 catalyst could expose Au nanoparticles on the external surface of TS‐1 and show high stability. The results provide direct evidence showing that micropore blocking is the deactivation mechanism. Based on the results, a simple strategy to design highly stable Au/Ti‐based catalysts is developed. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 62: 3963–3972, 2016     

Morphology modulation of gas‐foamed,micrometric, hollow polystyrene particles

In this article, we reports the effects of the processing conditions on the morphological and hollow attributes of polystyrene micrometric hollow particles produced by the use of a recently developed technique based on the gas foaming of spherical, dense particles. By modulating the foaming temperature and saturation pressure, we produced hollow particles with different attributes in terms of hollow dimensions, eccentricity, and open–close features. The results from these small systems were compared, and we found agreement with what is typically observed in bulk polymeric foaming, for example, an increase in the foaming efficiency with saturation pressure and the nonmonotonic effect of temperature. Furthermore, we observed an increase in the hollow number when using nucleating agents with respect to the neat polymer and when using nitrogen with respect to carbon dioxide as the blowing agent. The effects of particle manipulation before foaming to achieve hollow elongated or distorted particles are also reported. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 133, 44236.     

Fabrication and Property of Mullite Whiskers Frameworks with an Ultrahigh Porosity by Expandable Mesocarbon Microbeads

Mullite whiskers frameworks with an ultrahigh porosity were fabricated by the vapor‐phase reaction of AlF₃, Al₂O₃, and SiO₂ and adding expandable mesocarbon microbeads (MCMB) as a pore‐forming agent. A large volume expansion of 122% for MCMB due to its layered structure occurred during the formation of mullite whiskers, resulting in the expansion of samples and high porosities of 87.7%–98.2% at 50–90 wt% MCMB contents. Perfect whiskers and a lap‐joint structure formed due to the formation of mullites through the vapor‐phase reaction. A bimodal pore structure was achieved from the spaces of the whiskers framework and burning of the expanded MCMB. High compressive strengths of 1.7 to 5.4 MPa were obtained for the porous mullite at porosities of 94.2%–87.7%, which suggested a rigid structure; these strengths at the ultrahigh porosities are attributed to the merit of the framework with high strength whiskers and their strong bonding.     

ForceSpinning of polyacrylonitrile for mass production of lithium‐ion battery separators

We present results on the Forcespinning^® (FS) of Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) for mass production of polymer nanofiber membranes as separators for Lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs). Our results presented here show that uniform, highly fibrous mats from PAN produced using Forcespinning^®, exhibit improved electrochemical properties such as electrolyte uptake, low interfacial resistance, high oxidation limit, high ionic conductivity, and good cycling performance when used in lithium ion batteries compared to commercial PP separator materials. This article introduces ForceSpinning^®, a cost effective technique capable of mass producing high quality fibrous mats, which is completely different technology than the commonly used in‐house centrifugal method. This Forcespinning^® technology is thus the beginning of the nano/micro fiber revolution in large scale production for battery separator application. This is the first time to report results on the cycle performance of LIB‐based polymer nanofiber separators made by Forcespinning^® technology. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016 , 132, 42847.     

Dry Sliding Wear Properties of AZ31-Mg<Subscript>2</Subscript>Si Magnesium Matrix Composites

AZ31-Mg₂Si in situ composites were prepared from AZ31 Mg alloy and Si particles by a gravity casting method. Several parameters, such as Si content, normal load, and environmental temperature, were varied in order to study their effects on the composite dry sliding wear properties. Tensile properties and hardness of the composites were also investigated. The obtained results showed that the wear resistance, yield strength, and hardness of the AZ31-Mg₂Si composites increased with size and quantity of the Mg₂Si phase. However, when the environmental temperature increased from 25 to 190 °C, the composite wear resistance and ultimate tensile strength gradually decreased due to softening of the AZ31 matrix.     

Minding the geotechnical data gap: appraisal of the variability of key soil parameters for slope stability modelling in Saint Lucia

Bulletin of Engineering Geology and the Environment - Identification of failure thresholds and critical uncertainties associated with slope stability often requires the specification of...     

Preparation of activated carbon with low ash content and high specific surface area from coal in the presence of KOH

An activated carbon with ash content less than ]0% and specific surface area more than 1600 m^2/g was prepared from cool and the effect of K-containing compounds in preparation of cool-based activated carbon was investigated in detail in this paper. KOH was used in co-carbonization with coal, changes in graphitic crystallites in chars derived from carbonization of coal with and without KOH were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique, activation rates of chars with different contents of K-containing compounds were deduced, and resulting activated carbons were characterized by nitrogen adsorption isotherms at 77 K and iodine numbers. The results showed that the addition of KOH to the coal before carbonization can realize the intensive removal of inorganic matters from chars under mild conditions, especially the efficient removal of dispersive quartz, an extremely difficult separated mineral component in other processes else. Apart from this, KOH demonstrates a favorable effect in control over cool carbonization with the goal to form nongraphitizable isotropic carbon precursor, which is a necessary prerequisite for the formation and development of micro pores. However, the K-containing compounds such as K2CO3 and K20 remaining in chars after carbonization catalyze the reaction between carbon and steam in activation, which leads to the formation of macro pores. In the end an innovative method, in which KOH is added to coal before carbonization and K-containing compounds are removed by acid washing after carbonization, was proposed for the synthesis of quality coal-based activated carbon.     

办好《铀矿冶》,为铀矿冶事业发展作出新贡献

回顾了《铀矿冶》不平凡的20年历程，结合核工业北京化工冶金研究院取得的科研成果，评价了《铀矿冶》在我国铀矿科技和生产中所起的重要作用。     

气固流化床密度的在线测控研究

在对气固流化床选煤系统被控对象特性分析研究的基础上，提出用逆系统控制方法解决具有非线性多变量特点的气固流化床密度控制问题，建立了相关数学模型，介绍了流化床密度逆控制系统和方法，并获得较好的控制精度。