Analysis of corrosion resistance behavior of inhibitors in concrete using electrochemical techniques

Reinforced concrete is one of the most durable and cost effective construction materials. However, in high chloride environments, it can suffer from corrosion due to chloride induced breakdown of the normal passive layer protecting the reinforcing steel bars inside concrete. One means of protecting embedded steel reinforcement from chloride induced corrosion is the addition of corrosion inhibiting admixtures. In the present investigation, various inhibitors such as sodium nitrite, zinc oxide, mono ethanol amine, diethanolamine, and triethanol amine have been used in concrete in different percentages. Their effectiveness was then studied using various electrochemical techniques such as rapid chloride ion penetration test, open circuit potential measurement, electrochemical impedance measurement, potentiodynamic polarization measurement, and gravimetric weight loss measurement. The results thus obtained indicate that the addition of inhibitors enhances the corrosion resistance properties.     

Electrochemical capacitance of nanostructured ruthenium-doped tin oxide Sn<Subscript>1–<Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Ru<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>O<Subscript>2</Subscript> by the microemulsion method

Synthesis of nanostructured Ru-doped SnO₂ was successfully carried out using the reverse microemulsion method. The phase purity and the crystallite size were analyzed by XRD. The surface morphology and the microstructure of synthesized nanoparticles were analyzed by SEM and TEM. The vibration mode of nanoparticles was investigated using FTIR and Raman studies. The electrochemical behavior of the Ru-doped SnO₂ electrode was evaluated in a 0.1 mol/L Na₂SO₄ solution using cyclic voltammetry. The 5% Ru-doped SnO₂ electrode exhibited a high specific capacitance of 535.6 F/g at a scan rate 20 mV/s, possessing good conductivity as well as the electrocycling stability. The Ru-doped SnO₂ composite shows excellent electrochemical properties, suggesting that this composite is a promising material for supercapacitors.     

Evaluation of Crop Models for Simulating and Optimizing Deficit Irrigation Systems in Arid and Semi-arid Countries Under Climate Variability

The variability of fresh water availability in arid and semi-arid countries poses a serious challenge to farmers to cope with when depending on irrigation for crop growing. This has shifted the focus onto improving irrigation management and water productivity (WP) through controlled deficit irrigation (DI). DI can be conceived as a strategy to deal with these challenges but more knowledge on risks and chances of this strategy is urgently needed. The availability of simulation models that can reliably predict crop yield under the influence of soil, atmosphere, irrigation, and agricultural management practices is a prerequisite for deriving reliable and effective deficit irrigation strategies. In this context, this article discusses the performance of the crop models CropWat, PILOTE, Daisy, and APSIM when being part of a stochastic simulation-based approach to improve WP by focusing primarily on the impact of climate variability. The stochastic framework consists of: (i) a weather generator for simulating regional impacts of climate variability; (ii) a tailor-made evolutionary optimization algorithm for optimal irrigation scheduling with limited water supply; and (iii) the above mentioned models for simulating water transport and crop growth in a sound manner. The results present stochastic crop water production functions (SCWPFs) that can be used as basic tools for assessing the impact on the risk for the potential yield due to water stress and climate variability. Example simulations from India, Malawi, France and Oman are presented and the suitability of these crop models to be employed in a framework for optimizing WP is evaluated.     

Thermal and structural properties of spray pyrolysed CdS thin film

Using photo acoustic technique, the thermal properties of CdS thin films grown by spray pyrolysis are measured. Thermal diffusivity and conductivity in these films decrease at least two orders compared with bulk. These results are compared with our study on nano CdS and the other available literature. The comparison is good. The dependence of thermal diffusivity on the thickness of the layer or the size of the particles on the glass substrate are analysed from the present measurement and discussed. The dependence of thermal diffusivity on the thickness of the layer on the glass substrate is discussed.     

Effect of ecofriendly sealing coat against corrosion protection of steel rebars in concrete

Phosphating is one of the most important chemical conversion treatments for steel, mainly to improve corrosion resistance and paint adhesion and as an absorbing layer for waxes, oils, lacquers, etc. However, phosphate coating are crystalline and porous and need a sealing treatment after phosphating. Chromate sealing is a well known practice, and due to its toxicity, development of an ecofriendly sealing treatment is very essential. This paper focuses on the effect of zinc phosphate chemical conversion coating with the addition of nano-SiO₂ to protect the mild steel rebars against corrosion in chloride contaminated concrete. The coated surfaces were characterised by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. Corrosion resistances of coated and uncoated rebars were evaluated by anodic polarisation, linear polarisation resistance, Tafel and alternating current impedance spectroscopy and cyclic polarisation technique. The results indicated that the coated rebars have considerably reduced the corrosion rate even in the presence of 3% chloride environments.     

Polyaniline–13X zeolite composite‐supported platinum electrocatalysts for direct methanol fuel cell applications

We successfully synthesized 13X zeolite using a hydrothermal method. Then, composites of polyaniline (PANI) with 13X zeolite and PANI–13X with platinum were prepared by chemical oxidative polymerization and chemical reduction, respectively. Field emission scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller techniques were used to characterize the PANI–Pt and PANI–Pt–13X composites. Further, the electrocatalytic activity towards methanol oxidation of the synthesized catalysts was explored using cyclic voltammetry in 1 mol L^?1 CH₃OH + 0.5 mol L^?1 H₂SO₄ solution. From the obtained results, PANI–Pt–13X shows superior performance compared to PANI–Pt towards methanol oxidation and electrical conductivity. Hence, the 13X zeolite‐incorporated PANI–Pt composite could be an efficient catalyst for direct methanol fuel cell applications. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry     

Optimization of supercritical CO2 extraction of dried Helichrysum italicum flowers by response surface methodology: GC-MS profiles of the extracts and essential oil

Supercritical (SC) CO₂ extraction of dried Immortelle flowers was performed at different process parameters. The optimal extraction conditions related to the yield were determined by response surface methodology (yield 4.09% at 20 MPa and 52°C). The extracts were analyzed by GC-MS and tremetone derivatives dominated: bitalin A, 12-acetoxytremetone, gnaphaliol, 1-[2-(2-methyl-2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-5-yl]ethanone, isobutyl bitalin A, and 1-[2-(acetylprop-1-en-2-yl)-3-hydroxy-2,3-dihydro-1-benzofuran-5-yl]ethanone. Striking differences were found among the essential oil and SC-CO₂ extracts composition. The major oil compounds were γ-curcumene, α-pinene, β-selinene, α-selinene, and limonene. Mono- and sesquiterpene were found among minor constituents of the extracts. Neryl acetate was present in the extracts and essential oil.     

Exploring bioactive fraction of Sargassum wightii: In vitro elucidation of angiotensin-I-converting enzyme inhibition and antioxidant potential

Bioactive fraction of brown algae Sargassum wightii (SWE) was obtained using silica column chromatography and preparative Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC). FT-IR and LC–mass spectrometry ESI analysis revealed presence of various phlorotannins in the SWE. The IC₅₀ value of SWE was found to be 59.91, 51.04, and 55.21 μg/ml for scavenging of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl, 2,2-azino-bis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid), and Ferric Reducing Antioxidant Power assay, respectively. SWE inhibited angiotensin-I-converting enzyme (ACE) in mixed-type manner with IC₅₀ value of 56.96 µg/ml and Ki value of 45 µg/ml. The dual function such as antioxidant and ACE inhibition of SWE warrants further study to understand the antihypertensive potential in vivo.     

Moisture sorption isotherms of two varieties of millet

Moisture sorption isotherms of EX-BORNO and SOSAT C88 millets at temperature range of 30–70 °C and water activity range of 0.07–0.98 were determined using the static gravimetric method. The sorption isotherms of both millet varieties decreased with increasing temperature, exhibited type II behaviour according to BET classification and hysteresis having loop size increasing with increasing temperature. This is as a result of the hard nature of the millet varieties. The moisture sorption and the data fitted well with Modified Henderson, Modified Halsey, Modified Oswin and Modified GAB models. The constants of the equations used in fitting were determined by non-linear regression analysis when the models were compared using the standard error of estimate, mean relative percent deviation, fraction explained variation and residual plots. The Modified Oswin model gave the best fit for the whole set of data. The study has provided information and data useful in large scale drying and processing of millet which have remained at the traditional level despite the importance of the drought resistance crop in poverty alleviation.