Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Propane with CO2 Over Cr/H[B]MFI Catalysts

Abstract  

Cr/silicalite-1 and Cr/H[B]MFI catalysts were prepared by the impregnation method, and Cr/H[B]MFI were further treated by steaming. The catalysts were employed for the oxidative dehydrogenation of propane to propylene with CO₂ as the oxidant. Cr/H[B]MFI showed significantly higher catalytic activity than Cr/silicalite-1, and steamed Cr/H[B]MFI was superior in the reaction stability to Cr/H[B]MFI. The nature of the supported chromium species have been characterized by a number of physicochemical techniques, such as Raman, UV–vis and NMR. It is concluded that the steaming led to the auto-reduction of some Cr⁶⁺ to Cr³⁺, and resultant Cr³⁺ species might be located near the boron center in the borosilicate framework to counterbalance the negative charge of the framework. The transformation of Cr⁶⁺ species to Cr³⁺ species, facilitated by the steaming process and the presence of boron in the catalyst, is responsible for the enhanced stability of oxidative dehydrogenation of propane to propylene with carbon dioxide as the oxidant.     

Electrochemical characteristics for redox systems at nano-honeycomb diamond

Electrochemical characteristics for several redox systems at diamond films with highly ordered nanometer-scale cylindrical pores (‘nano-honeycombs’) were examined with cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance measurements. The cyclic voltammetric anodic-cathodic peak separations for these nano-honeycomb electrodes were in the same range as those for polished polycrystalline diamond films, indicating that the involvement of the oxygen-terminated surface of the nano-pore walls, which should give rise to large peak separations for certain redox couples was only slight. Moreover, the peak currents in the CV were not enhanced to the extent expected on the basis of the roughness factors of the nano-honeycomb films. Ac impedance plots results indicated the existence of a concentration gradient of the reactant in the nano-pores, which is in agreement with theoretical predictions for charge transfer reactions in porous electrodes. The average concentration of the reactant (Fe^2+/3+) inside the nano-pores was a factor of ca. 80 lower than that in the bulk electrolyte. The results of the impedance analysis also indicated an increase in the reaction resistances with decreasing pore diameters.     

High-Strength Porous Alumina Ceramics by the Pulse Electric Current Sintering Technique

High-strength porous alumina has been fabricated with a microstructure control using the pulse electric current sintering (PECS) technique. During sintering the discharge, which is assumed to take place in the voids between the particles, is thought to promote the bridging of particles by neck growth in the initial stages of sintering, leaving high porosity. The effect of dopants (MgO, 200 ppm; TiO₂, 1000 ppm) and of secondary inclusions (3 vol% 3Y-TZP) on the constrained densification and the improvement in the mechanical behavior of porous alumina ceramics has been reported. The porosity of the fabricated porous alumina was controllable between 30% and 50% depending on the sintering temperature. The flexural strength of alumina having 30% and 42% porosity showed impressive values of 250 and 177 MPa, respectively. The dominance of the preferential neck growth of grains over densification significantly improved the mechanical properties of porous alumina, besides leaving high porosity.     

Effect of particle size on thermomechanical properties of particulate polymer composite

Particulate composite materials (PCM) consisting of a matrix reinforced by micro to nano-sized dispersed phase are receiving the attention of designers as a promising futuristic materials. This study unearths the thermal and mechanical behavior of maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene/silica (MA-g-PP/silica) composites for reinforcement ranging from micro- to nano-size. The monodisperse silica spherical particles were used in all the formulations of composites. Further the volume fraction was kept the same in all the compounded thermoplastic composites ranging from 100 nm to 130 μm in a co-rotating conical twin-screw micro-compounder. The micrographs were obtained from transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and the scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The SEM and TEM results revealed a good dispersion of the silica spheres within the MA-g-PP matrix. The compounded composite materials were injection molded to fabricate tensile test specimens (ASTM D638 type V) and tested for tensile properties. In order to investigate the effect of particle size on crystallite structure of the matrix, the composites were tested on differential scanning calorimeter and X-ray diffraction (WAXD). The thermal stability and degradation kinetics were studied via thermogravimetric analysis. The results show increase in crystallization rate, crystallinity percentage, Young’s modulus, strength and thermal stability of MA-g-PP by addition of the silica particles. Further it was observed that the small-sized dispersed phase had better overall thermal and mechanical behavior than its larger sized counterpart.     

Novel vitamin E derivative with 4-substituted resorcinol moiety has both antioxidant and tyrosinase inhibitory properties

A novel vitamin E derivative, (6″-hydroxy-2″,5″,7″,8″-tetramethylchroman-2″-yl) methyl 3-(2′,4′-dihydroxyphenyl)propionate (TM4R), which has a chromanoxyl ring and 4-substituted resorcinol moieties, was synthesized; and its inhibitory effects on tyrosinase, antioxidant ability, and lightening effect of ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced hyperpigmentation were estimated. TM4R showed potent inhibitory activity on tyrosinase, which is the rate-limiting enzyme in melanogenesis. The scavenging activities of TM4R on 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and hydroxyl radicals were found to be nearly the same as those of α-tocopherol. Furthermore, an efficient lightening effect was observed following topical application of TM4R to UVB-stimulated hyperpigmented dorsal skin of brownish guinea pigs. These results suggest that TM4R may be a candidate for an efficient whitening agent, possibly by inhibiting tyrosinase activity and biological reactions caused by reactive oxygen species.     

Sintering Behavior and Surface Microstructure of PbO-Rich PbNi1/3Nb2/3O3–PbTiO3–PbZrO3 Ceramics

The sintering behavior and surface microstructure of PbNi_1/3Nb_2/3O₃–PbTiO₃–PbZrO₃ (PNiNb-PT-PZ) ceramics were investigated. The PNiNb-PT-PZ ceramics with the stoichiometric composition and the addition of excess lead oxide (PbO-rich ceramics) were sintered by liquid-phase sintering in accordance with the solution-reprecipitation mechanism at temperatures below the melting point of PbO. The temperature at which the liquid phase forms fell to near the eutectic point of the PbO–Nb₂O₅ and the PbO–TiO₂ system (868°C) with the addition of 5 mol% PbO. As the calcination temperature influenced the sinterability of the stoichiometric PNiNb-PT-PZ ceramic, unreacted PbO was considered to be the source of the liquid phase in the sintering of the stoichiometric powder. The secondary phase was observed at the surface of PbO-rich ceramics and was suggested to be a liquid phase expelled from inside the ceramic. A sintering scheme of PNiNb-PT-PZ ceramics was proposed, and the high sinterability of PNiNb-PT-PZ ceramics was attributed to the low formation temperature of the liquid phase.     

Significant Roles of Regulatory T Cells and Myeloid Derived Suppressor Cells in Hepatitis B Virus Persistent Infection and Hepatitis B Virus-Related HCCs

The adaptive immune system, including type1 helper T cells (Th1 cells), cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), and dendritic cells (DCs), plays an important role in the control of hepatitis B virus (HBV). On the other hand, regulatory T cells (Tregs) and myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) suppress the immune reaction in HBV and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Excessive activation of immune suppressive cells could contribute to the persistent infection of HBV and the progression of HCC. The frequency and/or function of Tregs could affect the natural course in chronic hepatitis B patients and the treatment response. In addition to the suppressive function of MDSCs, MDSCs could affect the induction and function of Tregs. Therefore, we should understand in detail the mechanism by which Tregs and MDSCs are induced to control HBV persistent infection and HBV-related HCC. Immune suppressive cells, including Tregs and MDSCs, contribute to the difficulty in inducing an effective immune response for HBV persistent infection and HBV-related HCC. In this review, we focus on the Tregs and MDSCs that could be potential targets for immune therapy of chronic hepatitis B and HBV-related HCC.     

Sieving of aerosol particles with metal screens

Metal screens with uniform micrometer-sized opening were employed to sieve aerosol particles by suppressing the adhesion of particles smaller than the openings. The collection efficiencies of monodispersed polystyrene latex (PSL) particles were experimentally determined using the metal screens with 1.2, 1.8, 2.5, and 4.2 μm openings at various filtration velocities. The particles smaller than the mesh opening adhered on the metal screen at a low filtration velocity, but the bounce-off of particles on the mesh surface suppressed the adhesion at a high velocity. As a result, we found that the adhesion of PSL particles larger than 0.3 μm mostly suppressed at a filtration velocity higher than 10 m s^?1 and therefore we can sieve aerosol particles according to the opening size of metal screens. We also found that the particle number concentration could be determined by measuring the increase in pressure drop since the clogging of metal screen openings takes place by the individual particles.

© 2016 American Association for Aerosol Research     

Joining of SiC by Al infiltrated TiC tape: Effect of joining parameters on the microstructure and mechanical properties

SiC ceramics were successfully joined by Al infiltrated TiC tapes at 900-1100 °C for 0.5-2 h in vacuum. Phase constituents, microstructure and mechanical strength of the prepared SiC joints were characterized. The prepared SiC joints display dense interlayer and crack-free interface. The interlayer primarily consists of TiC and Al phases, together with small amount of TiAl₃ and trace of Al₄C₃. With increasing the joining temperature or time, the interface layer either thickens or grows to multiple layers. The bending strengths of the SiC joints are higher than 190 MPa as bonded at present conditions, and are closely related with the property of interface and interlayer.     

Piezoresistivities of vapor‐grown carbon fiber/silicone foams for tactile sensor applications

Due to the growing demand for tactile sensors, the possibility of detecting an external uniaxial pressure by the piezoresistive measuring of a conductive filler/elastomer composite was investigated. A series of piezoresistive models are discussed. Novel highly sensitive piezoresistive foams with excellent elasticity were fabricated using vapor‐grown carbon fiber (VGCF), two‐component silicone elastomer and a new type of thermally expandable micro beads foaming agent to overcome the disadvantages of the silicone elastomer in the utilization of a tactile sensor. Deformations of the foams caused by uniaxial pressure were observed using scanning electron microscopy from cross‐sections. Effects of the VGCF and the foaming agent on the piezoresistivitiy were investigated. The piezoresistive mechanisms of the foams are discussed according to the measurements, and good fit was found between the theoretical calculations and the experimental piezoresistivity measurements. It is found that the addition of the micro beads foaming agent can improve the piezoresistivity of the VGCF/silicone foam and increase the sensitivity and repeatability for its application in a tactile sensor. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry