Porous conductive and biocompatible scaffolds on the basis of polycaprolactone and polythiophene for scaffolding

Polymer Bulletin - The fabrication of novel scaffolds was represented on the basis of conductive and biodegradable copolymers. The star-like polycaprolactone (S-PCL) was synthesized from...     

Removal of acid dyes from aqueous media by adsorption onto amino-functionalized nanoporous silica SBA-3

Adsorption of acid dyes on SBA-3 ordered mesoporous silica, ethylenediamine functionalized SBA-3 (SBA-3/EDA), aminopropyl functionalized SBA-3 (SBA-3/APTES) and pentaethylene hexamine functionalized SBA-3 (SBA-3/PEHA) materials has been studied. The structural order and textural properties of the synthesized materials have been studied by XRD, FT-IR and nitrogen adsorption-desorption analysis. The adsorption capacity of the adsorbents varies in the following order: SBA-3/PEHA > SBA-3/APTES > SBA-3/EDA > SBA-3. The SBA-3/PEHA is found to have the highest adsorption capacity for all acid dyes. The adsorption mechanism which is based on electrostatic attraction and hydrogen bonding is described. Batch studies were performed to study the effect of various experimental parameters such as chemical modification, contact time, initial concentration, adsorbent dose, agitation speed, solution pH and reaction temperature on the adsorption process. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models have been applied and the Freundlich model was found to be fit with the equilibrium isotherm data. Kinetics of adsorption follows the second-order rate equation.     

Shedding light on the poly(5-ethylidene-2-norbornene) microstructural differences: Skeleton rearrangements during polymerization

Here, an attempt is made to study one of the less noticed aspects of the polymerization of 5-ethylidene-2-norbornene (ENB) by nickel α-diimine catalysts. Therefore, several (co)polymerization runs using MMAO-activated binuclear catalyst (BNC) and mononuclear catalyst (MNC) were undertaken. Catalyst activities as high as 561.1 and 925.0 (kg_pol mol⁻¹_Ni h⁻¹) were observed for ENB polymerization by MNC and BNC, respectively. However, the utilization of comonomer (norbornene [NB]) led to a dramatic decline in the catalyst activities, reaching low levels of 69.4 and 144.4 (kg_pol mol⁻¹_Ni h⁻¹), respectively. Structural characterization (NMR and FTIR) corroborated the occurrence of ring opening via β-C elimination and the subsequent β-H elimination. Additionally, tandem transannular polymerization and ring-opening metathesis polymerization of ENB were evidenced. The findings demonstrated that the transannular polymerization prevailed during the polymerization, albeit the MNC catalyst showed a higher contribution of ring opening via β-C elimination. Importantly, comonomer (NB) was displayed to alter the governing polymerization mechanism. According to DMTA analysis, the structures of the monomer and catalyst were found to significantly influence the polymer damping behavior and microstructure heterogeneity. That is, the NB-ENB copolymer obtained by MNC exhibited the lowest T_g value and highest tan δ along with the diminished microstructure heterogeneity.     

Hybrid Energy System with an Energy Management Control Strategy Based on the Online Fuel Consumption

Abstract

Many agriculture investments are oriented to the Sahara. Noticeably, they need electricity which is often provided by diesel generators. The refueling process is a real economic challenge due to the very remote area distance which makes it very expensive. To overcome this issue, the hybridization is initiated with the renewable solar photovoltaic energy. That marks an excess or a shortage of power; to cope this uncontrolled power a storage system is compulsory. This work is specific to the pumped hydroelectric storage system which is favorable due to its ecological aspects and the subject matter. The proposed management takes into account the solar temporal variation combined to the pumping scheduling time and real-time fuel consumption optimization. This last proves the PSH’s performance dual function in both the irrigation and power restitution; it also reduces the gas emission and saves fuel. As far as this study is concerned, the suggested control is successfully examined through the management strategy in comparison to that of the literature. Consequently, this study could be helpful for similar future studies. Because, it links the diesel efficiency, solar variation, and dynamic load under the constraints of diesel rated power optimal sizing, PV panels surface, and water tank dimension.     

Application of poly (amide-<Emphasis Type="Italic">b</Emphasis>-ethylene oxide)/zeolitic imidazolate framework nanocomposite membrane in gas separation

Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) are gaining increasing interest in academic and industrial research due to their combined, desirable properties of both polymers and organic/inorganic filler as important materials. In this work, synthesized zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) suspension (10–50 wt%) was directly incorporated into a [poly (amide-b-ethylene oxide) Pebax^® 1657] matrix in order to improve the gas separation performance of the membrane. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis showed an average diameter of 77.4 nm for the prepared nanoparticles. The transparent membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and X-ray diffractometry (XRD). These indicated excellent dispersion of nanoparticles, which was achieved by ultrasonication before casting the solution. Incorporation of ZIF-8 as filler in the polymer matrix led to improved thermal and mechanical stability of the membranes. This was confirmed by TGA and tensile analyses, indicating good contacts provided at the polymer/filler interfaces. The effect of ZIF-8 loading (up to 50 wt%) on membrane performance was investigated and it showed an optimum loading of 30 %. Single gas (CO₂, N₂ and CH₄) permeation tests revealed rapid, enhanced permeability of the nanocomposite membranes without significant changes in selectivity (compared to those of the pristine polymeric membrane). The permeability increases for CO₂, CH₄ and N₂ in the optimum Pebax^® 1657/ZIF-8 (30 wt%) membrane were found in the stated order as 111, 88 and 99 %. The study revealed that Pebax^® 1657/ZIF-8 membranes displayed better gas permeation properties compared to those of Pebax^® 1657.     

Hydrogen sulfide sensing properties of multi walled carbon nanotubes

This paper investigates the effect of functional groups on the hydrogen sulfide sensing properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes using carboxyl and amide groups and Mo and Pt nanoparticles as decorated precursors in gaseous state at working temperature. Carbon nanotubes were synthesized by the CVD process and decorated with the nano particles; provide higher sensitivity for H₂S gas detection. The MWCNTs were characterized by scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive X-ray (SEM/EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), ATR-IR absorption and Fourier transforms infrared (FT-IR) analyses. The MWCNTs were deposited as a thin film layer between prefabricated gold electrodes on alumina surfaces. The sensitivity of carbon nanotubes was measured for different H₂S gas concentrations and at working temperature. The results showed that the measured electrical conductance of the modified carbon nanotubes with functional groups is modulated by charge transfer with P-type semiconducting characteristics and metal decorated carbon nanotubes exhibit better performances compared to functional groups of carboxyl and amide for H₂S gas monitoring at room temperature.     

Physical–chemical property and activity evaluation of LaB0.5Co0.5O3 (B = Cr,Mn, Cu) and LaMnxCo1−xO3 (x = 0.1, 0.25, 0.5) nano perovskites in VOC combustion

The correlation between physical–chemical properties and activities of LaB_0.5Co_0.5O₃ (B = Cr, Mn, Cu) nano perovskites was studied in combustion of toluene. LaMn_0.5Co_0.5O₃ showed the highest activity among LaB_0.5Co_0.5O₃ catalysts and further optimization study was focused on LaMn_xCo_1?xO₃ (x = 0.1, 0.25, 0.5). The activity and reducibility of catalysts improved due to partial substitution of Co³⁺ by B cation. No direct relationship was between surface area and catalyst activity. T_50% of 2-propanol over LaMn_0.25Co_0.75O₃, LaMn_0.5Co_0.5O₃, LaMn_0.1Co_0.9O₃ and LaCoO₃ was 168, 200, 220 and 229 °C, respectively. LaMn_0.25Co_0.75O₃ was the optimum catalyst and showed robust stability in combustion of toluene and 2-propanol.     

沿同心环面层流流动的气体中颗粒的传热沉积物的预测:发展中的流动和已充分发展的流动的比较

Thermophoresis is an important mechanism of micro-particle transport due to temperature gradients in the surrounding medium. It has numerous applications, especially in the field of aerosol technology. This study has numerically investigated the thermophoretic deposition efficiency of particles in a laminar gas flow in a concentric annulus using the critical trajectory method. The governing equations are the momentum and energy equations for the gas and the particle equations of motion. The effects of the annulus size, particle diameter, the ratio of inner to outer radius of tube and wall temperature on the deposition efficiency were studied for both developing and fully-developed flows. Simulation results suggest that thermophoretic deposition increases by increasing thermal gradient, deposition distance, and the ratio of inner to outer radius, but decreases with increasing particle size. It has been found that by taking into account the effect of developing flow at the entrance region, higher deposition efficiency was obtained, than fully developed flow.     

Characterisation of virgin olive oils from European olive cultivars introduced in Tunisia

The behaviour of three European olive varieties, Ascolana Tenera, Koroneiki and Picholine, cultivated in the north of Tunisia, was compared to an autochthonous variety, Chétoui. Most of the quality indices and the fatty acid composition showed significant variations between the olive oils. Among the introduced varieties, the Picholine cultivar had the highest value of oleic acid (61%) whereas the Ascolana Tenera cultivar was noteworthy for its lowest content of phenolic compounds (175 mg/kg) and presented the highest level of palmitic acid. The Chétoui variety presented a high content of oleic and linoleic acids. But all samples, both the autochthonous Chétoui and the introduced cultivars, have similar levels of antioxidant compounds, with the exception of phenols. The aroma composition showed significant differences between the oils from the foreign cultivars. The major volatile component was the C‐6 aldehyde fraction whose content varied greatly between the different varieties studied: The E‐2‐hexenal content ranged from 1.6 mg/kg of oil in the Ascolana Tenera variety to >5 mg/kg for the Picholine and Koroneiki cultivars, whereas the Chétoui variety had the lowest levels of volatile compounds, with the exception of the hexanal level which was tenfold higher than in the foreign cultivars. Therefore, our results showed that two of the introduced varieties, Koroneiki and Picholine, showed good adaptation to the Tunisian cultivation conditions. So far, we claim the possibility to develop the successful cultivation of these latter imported varieties in the country.     

The effect of foamed cement nanocomposite as counter electrode on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cell

Improper interparticle connection between carbon-based materials, poor interface bonding between the carbon counter electrodes (CEs) and substrate, and low surface area are the main limitations of carbon-based CEs in dye-sensitized solar cells. In this study, we utilized foamed cement and binder for adherence and surface area improvement in carbon-based CEs, such as graphite, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, and carbon black (CB). The results revealed that incorporating foamed cement into carbon materials improved the resistance, short-circuit current density, fill factor, and power conversion efficiency of the device. The porous cement/CB nanocomposite CE with a photoconversion efficiency of 5.51% exhibited the best photovoltaic performance. Moreover, this nanocomposite electrode showed an enhancement catalytic activity by high current density in cyclic voltammogram, low charge transfer resistance $(R_{CT}$) in electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and high exchange current density in Tafel measurements compared to other electrodes. The porosity of foamed cement has been found to be the main cause of its superior photovoltaic performance, which expands the contact area with the electrode and enables rich ion transport. Additionally, the enhanced performance was due to strong bonding, crack-free deposited films, superior conductivity, and high catalytic activity.