Microwave synthesis of mesoporous Cu-Ce0.8Sm0.2O2−δ composite anode for low-temperature ceramic fuel cells

In recent year, new nanocomposite electrolytes materials have been developed for low-temperature ceramic fuel cells (CFCs). To further improve the performance of CFCs based on the nanocomposite electrolyte, compatible active anode with sufficient low polarizations is needed. To improve the performance of anode, i.e. to enlarge tripe phase boundaries (TPB), anode materials with both porous structure and phase homogeneity of metal and ceramic are preferred. In the present study, we developed a novel microwave-assisted template-, surfactant-free synthesis route for mesoporous CuO–Ce_0.8Sm_0.2O_2−δ composite anode by homogeneous precipitation of microspherical precursor in aqueous solutions followed by calcination. The composite anode sample was characterized by thermogravimetry analysis, X-ray diffraction, SEM, EDX, etc. The characterization results indicated that CuO–SDC composite anode with mesoporous structure was prepared and both SDC and CuO phases were homogenously distributed. Fuel cells have been constructed using as-prepared composite as anodes and lithiated NiO as cathode based on the SDC–carbonate nanocomposite electrolyte. Fuel cell performance tests indicated that the cell with mesoporous Cu–SDC anode had better performance than conventional Cu–SDC anode prepared by solid-state method.     

Thermal stability study of SDC/Na2CO3 nanocomposite electrolyte for low-temperature SOFCs

The novel core–shell nanostructured SDC/Na₂CO₃ composite has been demonstrated as a promising electrolyte material for low-temperature SOFCs. However, as a nanostructured material, stability might be doubted under elevated temperature due to their high surface energy. So in order to study the thermal stability of SDC/Na₂CO₃ nanocomposite, XRD, BET, SEM and TGA characterizations were carried on after annealing samples at various temperatures. Crystallite sizes, BET surface areas, and SEM results indicated that the SDC/Na₂CO₃ nanocomposite possesses better thermal stability on nanostructure than pure SDC till 700 °C. TGA analysis verified that Na₂CO₃ phase exists steadily in the SDC/Na₂CO₃ composite. The performance and durability of SOFCs based on SDC/Na₂CO₃ electrolyte were also investigated. The cell delivered a maximum power density of 0.78 W cm⁻² at 550 °C and a steady output of about 0.62 W cm⁻² over 12 h operation. The high performances together with notable thermal stability make the SDC/Na₂CO₃ nanocomposite as a potential electrolyte material for long-term SOFCs that operate at 500–600 °C.     

Fatty acid composition and sensory properties of Wels catfish (Silurus glanis) hot smoked with different sawdust materials

This study aims to compare chemical, physical and sensorial parameters of the Wels catfish (Silurus glanis), hot smoked using vine, poplar, lemon tree and oak sawdust as well as corncob. Significant differences (P < 0.05) in proximate composition were found between fresh and smoked samples; however, the changes in fatty acid composition were less significant. In the fatty acid composition of control group, monounsaturated fatty acids (41.60%) had the highest share in fatty acids, which was followed by saturated fatty acids (29.95%) and polyunsaturated fatty acids (28.34%). The major fatty acids were observed to be C16:0, C18:0; C16:1 n‐7, C18:1 n‐9c, C18:1 n‐9t and C18:2 n6c. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) between the groups considering their colour measurement results. General preference criteria such as appearance, odour, texture, colour and taste were chosen for the sensorial analysis, which were rated by the panellists. According to the results of overall appearance, the fillet pieces smoked with lemon tree (9.00), poplar (8.66), corncob (8.00), oak (7.33) and vine (5.33) sawdust were determined as the most preferred, in order.     

Antioxidative and antimicrobial activities of shrimp chitosan on gilthead sea bream (Sparus aurata) during refrigerated storage

This study aims to determine the effects of chitosan obtained from Metapenaeus stebbingi shells on the shelf life of refrigerated gilthead sea bream. It was determined that 1% chitosan‐coated samples had the lowest thiobarbituric acid (TBA) (3.05 mg malondialdehyde (MDA) kg^?1) and free fatty acids (FFA) value (2.79% oleic acid), while the control group had the highest TBA (5.08 mg MDA kg^?1) and FFA value (6.13% oleic acid) on the 27th day of storage. In the last day of storage, TVB‐N was found higher in control group (25.62 mg 100 g^?1) than chitosan‐coated samples (14.57 mg 100 g^?1). Total viable count value of the control group exceeded maximum permissible limit on the 27th day of storage. However, it was lower than 7.0 log CFU/g in chitosan‐coated samples during the refrigerated storage. As a result of this study, it was determined that shelf life of refrigerated gilthead sea bream can be increased up to 27 days with chitosan.     

Effects of spraying nano‐materials on the absorption of metal(loid)s in cucumber

This report investigates the spraying of nano‐silica and fullerene on cucumber leaves to expose their ability to reduce the toxicity and uptake of metal(loid)s. Cucumber seedlings were randomly divided into six treatment groups: 10 mg/L nano‐SiO₂, 20 mg/L nano‐SiO₂, 10 mg/L Fullerene, 20 mg/L Fullerene, 5 mg/L Fullerene + 5 mg/L nano‐SiO₂, and 10 mg/L Fullerene + 10 mg/L nano‐SiO₂. Nano‐silica‐treated plants exhibited evidence of the potential mitigation of metal(loid)s poisoning. Specifically, results showed that 20 mg/L of nano‐silica promoted Cd uptake by plants; comparatively, 10 mg/L of nano‐silica did not significantly increase the silicon content in plants. Both low‐concentration combined treatment and low‐concentration fullerene groups inhibited metal(loid)s uptake by plants. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was then used to observe the surface morphology of cucumber leaves. Significant differences were observed on disease resistance in plants across the different nano‐material conditions. Collectively, these findings suggest that both nano‐silica materials and fullerene have the potential to control metal(loid)s toxicity in plants.Inspec keywords: soil pollution, cadmium, silicon compounds, surface morphology, fullerenes, toxicology, fertilisers, scanning electron microscopy, crops, spraying, nanoparticles, sorption, plant diseases, agricultural safetyOther keywords: cucumber leaves, nanosilica materials, fullerene, spraying process, metalloids absorption, toxicity, scanning electron microscopy, surface morphology, disease resistance, soil pollution, SiO₂ , Cd     

EXTRACTION OF NITRIC AND PHOSPHORIC ACIDS WITH TRIBUTYL PHOSPHATE

The extraction of nitric acid and phosphoric acid by tributyl phosphate (TBP), from solutions containing acid mixture and in the presence of nitrate salts, has been studied. The effect of the temperature on acid extraction has been also investigated. It is found that TBP extracts nitric acid preferentially to phosphoric acid, especially in the presence of nitrate salts. The coextraction of nitric acid suppresses the extraction of phosphoric acid. These results were interpreted in terms of common ion effect and variation of the activity coefficients variation in both phases. The simultaneous effects of the salts and acids on the extraction of both acids is also studied

Some tests were carried out, using process solution, to evaluate the extraction of acids. Both batch experiments and continuous tests (using mixer settler) were performed. Some flowsheets were tested in order to improve the extractivity and the selectivity of phosphoric acid. The results show the limitation of TBP for the extraction of phosphoric acid. TBP can be used to selectively extract nitric acid.     

EXTRACTION KINETICS OF COPPER BY TRILAURYLAMMONIUM CHLORIDE IN TOLUENE FROM AQUEOUS CHLORIDE MEDIA

Abstract

The rate of extraction of copper(II) from aqueous chloride solutions by tri-n-laurylammonium chloride (TLAHC1) dissolved in toluene has been investigated. The extraction rate was evaluated as function of the chemical composition of the system. The experiments were performed by using a stirred cell with constant inter-facial area. The experiments were performed at a stirring rate of the two phases where the influence of film diffusion is minimized. The data have been interpreted by a mechanism which assumes interfacial chemical reactions between the bulk species containing copper(II) and the molecules of TLAHC1 absorbed at the interface as rate determining.