Decolorization of reactive textile dyes using water falling film dielectric barrier discharge

Decolorization of reactive textile dyes Reactive Black 5, Reactive Blue 52, Reactive Yellow 125 and Reactive Green 15 was studied using advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) in a non-thermal plasma reactor, based on coaxial water falling film dielectric barrier discharge (DBD). Used initial dye concentrations in the solution were 40.0 and 80.0 mg/L. The effects of different initial pH of dye solutions, and addition of homogeneous catalysts (H₂O₂, Fe²⁺ and Cu²⁺) on the decolorization during subsequent recirculation of dye solution through the DBD reactor, i.e. applied energy density (45-315 kJ/L) were studied. Influence of residence time was investigated over a period of 24 h. Change of pH values and effect of pH adjustments of dye solution after each recirculation on the decolorization was also tested. It was found that the initial pH of dye solutions and pH adjustments of dye solution after each recirculation did not influence the decolorization. The most effective decolorization of 97% was obtained with addition of 10 mM H₂O₂ in a system of 80.0 mg/L Reactive Black 5 with applied energy density of 45 kJ/L, after residence time of 24 h from plasma treatment. Toxicity was evaluated using the brine shrimp Artemia salina as a test organism.     

Ab initio study of electronic,magnetic and optical properties of CuWO4 tungstate

Ab initio calculations based on the density-functional theory have been employed to study the electronic and magnetic properties of copper tungstate CuWO₄, as well as its optical characteristics in the ultraviolet region, up to 40 eV. The electronic structure around the band gap is dominated by the O p- and the Cu d-states and it is quite different from the recent spin-restricted calculations of the same compound. The most stable antiferromagnetic state and the values of magnetic moments at Cu sites and O(3) oxygen atomic sites (closest to Cu²⁺ ions in zigzag antiferromagnetic chains) are in agreement with experiments. The gap is found to be indirect with the acceptable value only after use of the LDA + U rotationally invariant self-consistent full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP LAPW) approach. The optical spectra are analyzed, compared, and interpreted in terms of calculated band structures. It is shown that absorption process involves significant energy flow from the O ions to the Cu ions.     

Development of UV/VIS spectrometric methodology for corrosion inhibitor residuals monitoring in oilfield brine

This work focuses on the development of UV/VIS spectrometric methodology for corrosion inhibitor residuals monitoring in oilfield brine. There is no standard method for the determination of corrosion inhibitor concentration in oilfield brine. Developed methodology can be described as a rugged and simple alternative to the sophisticate separation techniques and can be easily applied in the field. The applicability of the method is demonstrated by the analyses of three commercial products. The extensive performance characteristics test, in combination with study and quantification of measurement uncertainty, shows that developed method meets all required criteria and can be directly applied for routine monitoring purposes within quality management system conditions. Therefore, this new method was accredited by the respectable accreditation agency. Valid and reliable determination of corrosion inhibitor residuals in oilfield brine is important in order to ensure effective corrosion protection of metal construction.     

Occupational exposure doses in interventional procedures in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Monitoring of occupationally exposed workers in Bosnia and Herzegovina started in 1960s and it was interrupted in 1992. Dosimetry service resumed in 1999 when the International Atomic Energy Agency provided Radiation Protection Centre with Harshaw 4500 Thermoluminescence dosemeter (TLD)-reader and the first set of TLDs. The highest doses are received by professionals working in interventional procedures (radiology, cardiology, gastroenterohepatology etc.). Number of these procedures is increasing each year (just in cardiology this increase is 24 % per year). Results from two TLDs are used to estimate effective dose. One is worn under the apron (chest level), and the other above (neck level). Calculation is performed using Niklason's methodology. Total number of occupationally exposed persons in interventional radiology is 90. The collective dose they receive is 67 person mSv, while the mean dose is 0.77 mSv (based on 12-month period). Highest doses are received by physicians (3.7 mSv), while radiographers and nurses receive 2.1 and 1.9 mSv respectively. This occurs due to the fact that physicians stand closer to the source (patient). The lead apron is proven to be the most efficient radiation protection equipment, but, also, lead thyroid shield and glasses can significantly lower doses received by professionals. The use of this equipment is highly recommended.     

Radon time-series analysis in the underground low-level laboratory in Belgrade, Serbia

Measurements of radon concentration in the underground low-level laboratory in Belgrade, Serbia with a discrete sampling (T=2 h) have been performed. From July 2008 to July 2010, the time-series analysis was carried out. Also, the simultaneous measurements of meteorological parameters (temperature, atmospheric pressure and relative humidity) in the laboratory were done. The simultaneous monitoring of these parameters shows the correlation between temporal variations of radon concentration and meteorological parameters. Also, the radon time-series analysis has been used to study the possible correlation between the anomalous behaviour of the radon concentration and the local seismicity.     

A dual-use of DBD plasma for simultaneous NO(x) and SO(2) removal from coal-combustion flue gas

Dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) was investigated for the simultaneous removal of NO(x) and SO(2) from flue gas in a coal-combustion power plant. The DBD equipment was used in either a mode where flue gas was directed through the discharge zone (direct oxidation), or a mode where produced ozonized air was injected in the flue gas stream (indirect oxidation). Removal efficiencies of SO(2) and NO for both methods were measured and compared. Oxidation of NO is more efficient in the indirect oxidation, while oxidation of SO(2) is more efficient in the direct oxidation. Addition of NH(3), has lead to efficient removal of SO(2), due to thermal reaction, and has also enhanced NO removal due to heterogeneous reactions on the surface of ammonium salt aerosols. In the direct oxidation, concentration of CO increased significantly, while it maintained its level in the indirect oxidation.     

Constrained simulations of flow in haemodynamic devices: towards a computational assistance of magnetic resonance imaging measurements

Cardiovascular diseases, mostly related to atherosclerosis, are the major cause of death in industrial countries. It is observed that blood flow dynamics play an important role in the aetiology of atherosclerosis. Especially, the blood velocity distribution is an important indicator for predisposition regions. Today magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) delivers, in addition to the morphology of the cardiovascular system, blood flow patterns. However, the spatial resolution of the data is slightly less than 1 mm and owing to severe restrictions in magnetic field gradient switching frequencies and intensities, this limit will be very hard to overcome. In this paper, constrained fluid dynamics is applied within the smoothed particle hydrodynamics formalism to enhance the MRI flow data. On the one hand, constraints based on the known volumetric flow rate are applied. They prove the plausibility of the order of magnitude of the measurements. On the other hand, the higher resolution of the simulation allows one to determine in detail the flow field between the coarse data points and thus to improve their spatial resolution.     

Electroluminescence from nanoscale materials via field-driven ionization

The high degree of morphological and energetic disorder inherent to many nanosized materials places limitations on charge injection into and transport rates through thin films of these materials. We demonstrate electroluminescence achieved by local generation of charge that eliminates the need for injection of charge carriers from the device electrodes. We show electroluminescence from thin films of nanoscale materials that do not support direct current excitation and suggest a mechanism for the charge generation and electroluminescence that is consistent with our time-averaged and time-resolved observations.     

Unidirectional broadband light emission from supported plasmonic nanowires

Metal nanowires are thought to become key elements in future nanophotonics applications. Here we show that single crystal silver nanowires supported on a dielectric interface behave similar to broadband unidirectional antennas for visible light. The degree of directionality can be controlled through the nanowire radius and its dielectric environment and the effect can be interpreted in terms of so-called leakage radiation from surface plasmons propagating in a single direction along a wire. We measure a forward-to-backward emission ratio exceeding 15 dB and an angular spread of 4° for wires with radii of the order 150 nm on glass in air. These findings could pave the way for development of metal nanowires as subwavelength directors of light in solar, sensor, and spectroscopy applications.     

Improved current extraction from ZnO/PbS quantum dot heterojunction photovoltaics using a MoO3 interfacial layer

The ability to engineer interfacial energy offsets in photovoltaic devices is one of the keys to their optimization. Here, we demonstrate that improvements in power conversion efficiency may be attained for ZnO/PbS heterojunction quantum dot photovoltaics through the incorporation of a MoO(3) interlayer between the PbS colloidal quantum dot film and the top-contact anode. Through a combination of current-voltage characterization, circuit modeling, Mott-Schottky analysis, and external quantum efficiency measurements performed with bottom- and top-illumination, these enhancements are shown to stem from the elimination of a reverse-bias Schottky diode present at the PbS/anode interface. The incorporation of the high-work-function MoO(3) layer pins the Fermi level of the top contact, effectively decoupling the device performance from the work function of the anode and resulting in a high open-circuit voltage (0.59 ± 0.01 V) for a range of different anode materials. Corresponding increases in short-circuit current and fill factor enable 1.5-fold, 2.3-fold, and 4.5-fold enhancements in photovoltaic device efficiency for gold, silver, and ITO anodes, respectively, and result in a power conversion efficiency of 3.5 ± 0.4% for a device employing a gold anode.