This study explores the efficacy of 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide and 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride as cleaning agents for aged cellulosic artifacts. A 10% v/v acetone solution of these ionic liquids (ILs) effectively removes the brownish-yellow color of aged paper in a 10 min immersion treatment. Colorimetric analysis shows a remarkable increase in lightness (L*) by up to 40% and a decrease in red/brownish tones (b*) after IL treatment. The cleaning process also deacidifies the paper, shifting the pH to neutral-slightly basic levels and enhancing its long-term stability. Optimal pH outcomes are achieved, with ionic liquid consumption values of 0.4−0.6 g/g of paper. The FTIR analysis revealed structural changes in cellulose induced by the washing step, which is mainly due to the reorganization effect imparted by the ionic liquids. Furthermore, ILs mobilized degraded compounds and acidic species, aiding in their extraction during the restoration pr... [more]

The ultra-low permeability oil reservoir in the HQ oilfield within the Ordos Basin exemplifies a classic “three-low” oil reservoir characterized by low pressure, low permeability, and low abundance. Upon the commencement of oil well production, substantial initial production decline and inadequate pressure maintenance levels are encountered. Consequently, these wells commonly face persistent low production issues resulting from ineffective water injection. Currently, the available technical approaches for repeated stimulation of such wells to enhance production and efficiency are limited, thereby restricting the effective utilization of the remaining oil reserves. In response to this challenge, this article presents an innovative technology tailored for high-efficiency re-fracturing to improve oil recovery in ultra-low permeability reservoirs. Grounded in the theory of multiple flow couplings and volume development, this technology introduces a novel integrated process encompassing see... [more]

One of the latest tendencies in research related to material extrusion based on additive manufacturing is to determine the mechanical characteristics of parts taking into consideration the most influential manufacturing parameters. The main research objective is to describe how the manufacturing parameters, part orientation, layer thickness and infill density influence the tensile behavior of specimens made from PET with 15% short carbon fibers. The most advantageous result is obtained for a layer thickness of 0.15 mm, with 100% material infill, and material deposition on the longitudinal direction of the part. The obtained mean values are: 65.4 MPa tensile strength, 1.93% strain at rupture, and 9 GPa Young Modulus. For these values, the tensile behavior of specimens manufactured along transverse and thickness directions are presented. The least favorable results are obtained for manufacturing by thickness. The novelty of the discussed research consists in all these aspects together wi... [more]

In this research, a new catalyst for activating persulfate was developed by loading iron and nickel ions onto powdered activated carbon (PAC) for treating methyl orange, and the preparation process was optimized and characterized. The efficacy of the treatment was evaluated using the Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) removal rate, which reflects the impact of various process parameters, including catalyst dosage, sodium persulfate dosage, and reaction pH. Finally, the recovery and reuse performance of the catalyst were studied. The optimal conditions for preparing the activated sodium persulfate catalyst were determined to be as follows: a molar ratio of Fe3+ and Fe2+ to Ni of 4:1, a mass ratio of Fe3O4 to PAC of 1:4, a calcination temperature of 700 °C, and a calcination time of 4 h. This preparation led to an increase in surface porosity and the formation of a hollow structure within the catalyst. The active material on the surface was identified as nickel ferrite, comprising the elements... [more]

Intertidal sediments are rich in biological resources, which are important for material circulation and energy exchange. Meanwhile, these areas can be treated as sinks as well as sources of coastal heavy metal pollutants. Due to the influence of the tide, the intertidal sediments are in a state of periodic flooding and exposure, and environmental factors such as dissolved oxygen, salinity and overlying water pressure are changeable. Heavy metals in sediments are prone to migration and transformation with the dynamic effects of tidal water and the changes in the environment factors, which increase the bioavailability of heavy metals. In this review, the characteristics of distribution and the bioavailability of heavy metals in intertidal sediments are described; the migration and transformation behavior of heavy metals and its influencing factors under tidal conditions are analyzed; and the mechanisms of heavy metal’s migration and transformation in the intertidal zone are summarized. M... [more]

Given the environmental problems caused by burning fossil fuels, it is believed that converting carbon dioxide (CO2) into chemical inputs is a great ally to generating clean energy. In this way, investigative studies related to electrochemical CO2 reduction (CO2RE) concerning the behavior of metal catalysts have received attention about the processes involved. CO2RE can be an important tool to mitigate the presence of this gas in the Earth’s atmosphere. Given these considerations, in this review, we report the main catalysts used to act as CO2RE. Among them, we emphasize catalysts based on Ni, Zn, and Cu, which encompass the main properties related to the electrochemical conversion of CO2. Regarding the Cu-based catalyst, it presents high conversion efficiency but low selectivity. Furthermore, we also describe the main mechanisms related to the electrochemical conversion of CO2.

Silicone monomers are the basic raw materials for the preparation of silicone materials. The secondary dust generated during the preparation of silicone monomer by the Rochow−Müller method is a fine particulate waste with high silicon content. In this paper, the physical and chemical properties of silicon powder after pretreatment were analyzed, and an experimental study was conducted on the use of silicon dust in the preparation of Si3N4, a nitrogen enhancer for steelmaking, by direct nitriding method in order to achieve the resourceful use of this silicon dust. Furthermore, the thermodynamics and kinetics of the nitriding process at high temperatures were analysed using FactSage 8.1 software and thermogravimetric experiments. The results indicate that after holding at a temperature range of 1300~1500 °C for 3 h, the optimal nitriding effect occurs at 1350 °C, with a weight gain rate of 26.57%. The nitridation of silicon dust is divided into two stages. The first stage is the chemical... [more]

Coal penetration enhancement technology is the key to increase the production of coalbed methane. Coal bodies are subjected to different peripheral pressures in the in situ strata, and the study of the changes in the mechanical strength of coal bodies under different peripheral pressures after the action of liquid nitrogen is crucial for the penetration enhancement of liquid nitrogen (LN2)-fractured coal. In this paper, an MTS universal testing machine was utilized to carry out experiments to obtain the stress−strain curves of the coal under different freezing times under 1 MPa surrounding pressure and different surrounding pressures after 50 min of LN2 action. The experimental results showed the following: (1) the uniaxial compressive strength and peak strain of coal samples in a frozen state are positively correlated under two conditions. The modulus of elasticity decreased before 100 min at different times of LN2 action, and the modulus of elasticity was maximum at 5 MPa at differen... [more]

In order to find the optimal expansion effect of a new curing expansion material so that it can better meet the requirements of the efficient sealing of drilled holes, the expansion and creep characteristics of the new curing expansion material were studied. Based on the creep results of graded loading, the Kelvin−Volgt model was selected to analyze its mechanical parameters, and a new “concentric ring” reinforcement sealing method was proposed. Numerical simulation was employed to analyze and discuss the reinforcement radius and depth of the “protective wall rock hole ring” in the “concentric ring” model, and on-site application experiments were carried out in a soft coal seam. The results show that the “concentric ring” reinforcement sealing method can effectively solve the problems of easy collapse and stress concentration instability in the sealing section of soft coal seams, ensuring long-term and efficient sealing of gas extraction boreholes in soft coal seams. When the diameter... [more]

In this study, circulating fluidized bed fly ash (CFBFA) non-sintered ceramsite was innovatively developed. The CFBFA was addressed by adding ternary activator (including cement, hydrated lime, and gypsum) to prepare ceramsite. In the curing process, the use of power plant flue gas for curing not only captured greenhouse gas CO2, but also enhanced the compressive strength of the ceramsite. The compressive strength of the composite gravels prepared by the CFBFA was modeled using a novel approach that employed the response surface methodology (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN) coupled with genetic algorithm (GA). Box−Behnken design (BBD)-RSM method was used for the independent variables of cement content, hydrated lime content, and gypsum content. The resulting quadratic polynomial model had an R2 value of 0.9820 and RMSE of 0.21. The BP-ANN with a structure of 3-10-1 performed the best and showed better prediction of the response than the BBD-RSM model, with an R2 value of 0.9932... [more]

Texture is an important indication of the quality of food products, and the analysis of texture involves the measurement of their response when subjected to mechanical forces, such as cutting, scissoring, chewing, and compression or stretching. There is a close correlation between the texture of agri-food products and their mechanical properties. In this study, the textural characteristics of red radish roots were analyzed under different storage conditions using a penetration test. The physical parameters analyzed are the skin strength and elasticity, breaking point, ripening and softening profile, and flesh firmness. The results of the breaking point after the products’ storage at room temperature (tested after one, two, and three days, respectively) are: 184.96 N, 151.29 N, and 154.42 N, respectively; for radishes stored at a temperature of 2.8 °C, the breaking point is: 132.12 N, 109.76 N, and 141.16 N, respectively. The lowest value of firmness is recorded for the radishes tested... [more]

A biofilm is a biologically active matrix attached to the surface of cells and their extracellular products. As they are a mixture of many microorganisms, the microbiological activity of biofilms varies according to their position in the aggregate. With particular emphasis on drinking water distribution systems, this review focuses on the process of biofilm formation, associated bacteria, chlorine resistance of bacteria, and the predominant surface materials. We have compiled studies on the bacteria in drinking water distribution systems and their interactions with biofilm formation on different materials, and we also analysed the chlorine-resistant bacteria and their problems in the water networks. The materials used in the drinking water network are significantly affected by the disinfection method used to produce the biofilm that adheres to them. Some studies propose that the material is inconsequential, with the disinfection process being the most significant factor. Studies sugges... [more]

In the quest for enhanced precision in near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), in this study, the application of a novel BEST-1DConvNet model for quantitative analysis is investigated against conventional support vector machine (SVM) approaches with preprocessing such as multiplicative scatter correction (MSC) and standard normal variate (SNV). We assessed the performance of these methods on NIRS datasets of diesel, gasoline, and milk using a Fourier Transform Near-Infrared (FT-NIR) spectrometer having a wavelength range of 900−1700 nm for diesel and gasoline and 4000−10,000 nm for milk, ensuring comprehensive spectral capture. The BEST-1DConvNet’s effectiveness in chemometric predictions was quantitatively gauged by improvements in the coefficient of determination (R2) and reductions in the root mean square error (RMSE). The BEST-1DConvNet model achieved significant performance enhancements compared to the MSC + SNV + 1D + SVM model. Notably, the R2 value for diesel increased by approximat... [more]

The development of efficient and low-cost non-metallic catalysts is of great significance for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in fuel cells. Heteroatom-doped carbon-based catalysts are one of the popular candidates, although their preparation method is still under exploration. In this work, single (CS)-, double (NCS)-, and triple (NBCS)-heteroatom-doped carbon-based catalysts were successfully prepared by a “cook-off” process. The morphology, elemental composition, and bonding structure of the catalysts were investigated by SEM, TEM, Raman spectra, BET, and XPS. ORR catalytic performance measurements suggested an activity trend of CS < NCS < NBCS, and NBCS demonstrated better methanol resistance and slightly higher stability than the commercial Pt/C catalyst, as evaluated with both rotating disk electrode (RDE) and rotating ring-disk electrode (RRDE) systems. The mechanism for the promoted performance was also proposed based on the conductivity of the catalysts. In this paper... [more]

The drying process of polymeric coatings, particularly in the presence of surfactants, poses a complex challenge due to its intricate dynamics involving simultaneous heat and mass transfer. This study addresses the inherent complexity by employing Artificial Neural Networks (ANNs) to model the surfactant-enhanced drying of poly(styrene)-p-xylene coatings. A substantial dataset of 16,258 experimentally obtained samples forms the basis for training the ANN model, showcasing the suitability of this approach when ample training data is available. The chosen single-layer feed-forward network with backpropagation adeptly captures the non-linear relationships within the drying data, providing a predictive tool with exceptional accuracy. Our results demonstrate that the developed ANN model achieves a precision level exceeding 99% in predicting coating weight loss for specified input values of time, surfactant amount, and initial coating thickness. The model’s robust generalization capability e... [more]

Lignocellulosic biomass holds promise as a renewable feedstock for various applications, but its efficient conversion requires cost-effective degradation strategies. The main objective of this study was to investigate the effect of the growth conditions of Cellulomonas phragmiteti in the production of (hemi)cellulosic supernatants. To meet this aim, different lignocellulosic residues were used as carbon sources for growth using defined mineral or nutritive culture media. Cell-free culture supernatants with xylanolytic activity were produced in all the conditions evaluated, but the highest xylanase activity (15.3 U/mL) was achieved in Luria−Bertani (LB) medium containing 1% waste paper. Under these conditions, almost negligible β-glucosidase, cellobiohydrolase, β-xylosidase, and α-arabinofuranosidase activity was detected. The xylanolytic supernatant showed tolerance to salt and displayed maximal catalytic efficiency at pH 6 and 45 °C, along with good activity in the ranges of 45−55 °C... [more]

A solid-phase microextraction (SPME) injection gas chromatography was validated with the flame ionization detection method (GC-FID) using a capillary column to detect ethanol. The method was used to determine ethanol in fluids with biomedical, clinical, and forensic importance, including water, phosphate-buffered saline (PBS), and artificial sweat. The strategy produced good peak resolution and showed a linear correlation between the concentration and peak areas for ethanol in all matrices. The inter- and intra-day precisions of the method were below 15.5% and 6.5%, respectively, varying according to the matrix. The method achieved detection limits below 1.3 mg/L, varying according to the matrix. Lower limits were obtained for the aqueous solution (0.22 mg/L), followed by the PBS solution (0.96 mg/L), and finally, the sweat solution (1.29 mg/L). This method is easy to perform and suitable for use in routine clinical biochemistry and forensic laboratories, allowing ethanol detection at... [more]

Pouring semi-flexible pavement material (PSFM) is widely used as a wearing layer material or below pavement due to its excellent resistance to deformation at high temperatures and under heavy loads. However, in cold regions, the material exhibits severe cracking issues. The primary objective of this study is to enhance the resistance of pouring semi-flexible pavements (SFPs) to low-temperature cracking in cold regions by strategically designing pavement structures that incorporate PSFM. To achieve this goal, we conducted indoor tests to determine the relaxation modulus and temperature shrinkage coefficient of PSFM and simulated a pavement structure using COMSOL finite element simulation. The impacts of different application layers and layer thicknesses on low-temperature stresses were investigated based on these findings. The research findings indicate that when PSFM is used as the wearing layer material, the low-temperature stress is 4.7% lower than that of typical materials used in t... [more]

is one of the oilseeds in the Brassicaceae family, possessing seed quality traits such as oil with various fatty acid profiles suitable for many industrial applications. Determination of such quality traits using conventional methods is often expensive, time-consuming, and destructive. In contrast, the Near-Infrared Spectroscopic (NIRS) technique has been proven fast, cost-effective, and non-destructive for the determination of seed compositions. This study aimed to demonstrate that NIRS is a rapid and non-destructive method for determining the fatty acid profile and oil content in diverse germplasms of B. carinata. A total of 96 genetically diverse B. carinata germplasms that include accessions, advanced breeding lines, and varieties were used in this study. Reference data sets were generated using gas chromatography and the Soxhlet oil extraction method for fatty acid profile and oil content, respectively. Spectra data were taken from the wavenumber range of 11,500 to 4000 cm−1 using... [more]

In the preparation of high specific surface area activated carbon (AC) by KOH activation, the swelling of the reactant mixture and the particles’ agglomeration deteriorates the process and the property of product. In this study, a novel method using a rotary kiln loaded with steel balls has been developed for the preparation of AC from petroleum coke (PC) by KOH activation. It has been found that the molten KOH caused the swelling of the reaction mixture at a lower activation temperature, while the molten K2O led to the particles’ agglomeration at a higher temperature. The steel balls could relieve the swelling and agglomeration and enhance the pore structure development of the AC by boosting the heat and mass transfer in the reactor. At an activation temperature of 800 °C and a KOH/PC mass ratio of 3:1, the specific surface area of the AC obtained without the addition of steel balls in the kiln is 1492 m2/g, while that with the steel balls is 1996 m2/g. The introduction of CO2 during... [more]

The inorganic-carbonate dual-phase membrane represents a class of dense membranes that are fabricated using diverse support materials, ranging from metals to ceramics. This dual-phase membrane consists of a porous metal or ceramic support with an introduced carbonate phase within the support pores. Compared with polymer and zeolite membranes, inorganic-carbonate dual-phase membranes exhibit exceptional CO2 selectivity at elevated temperatures (>500 °C), making them an ideal choice for high-temperature CO2 separation in power plant systems. The present paper provides a comprehensive overview of the separation principle, significant models, and preparation techniques employed in carbonate dual-phase membranes for CO2 separation. The present study aims to discuss key factors that limit the CO2 permeation performance and stability of membranes, while also exploring the potential applications of dual-phase membranes in various fields. The identification of key challenges in the future devel... [more]

This study investigated the characteristics of radiofrequency, middle-pressure argon plasma used in the atomic layer deposition (ALD) of Al2O3 films. Based on the electrical characteristics—the current, voltage, and phase shift between them—and the stability of the plasma plume, the optimum plasma power, allowing reliable switching on of the plasma for any step of an ALD cycle, was determined. Spectral measurements were performed to determine the gas temperature and reactive species that could be important in the ALD process. The density of metastable argon atoms was estimated using tunable laser absorption spectroscopy. It was concluded that plasma heating of substrates did not affect film growth. The crystallization-enhancing effect of plasma observed in these experiments was due to the action of OH radicals produced in the plasma.

Rapid detection and sensitive analysis of MMZ is of great importance for food safety. Herein, a fluorescent molecularly imprinted sensor based on upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) grafted onto covalent organic frameworks (COFs) was designed for the detection of MMZ. COFs with a high specific surface area and excellent affinity serve as substrates for grafting of UCNPs, which can inhibit the aggregation burst of UCNPs and improve the mass transfer rate of the sensor. Through a series of characterizations, it was found that the proposed UCNP-grafted COFs@MIP-based sensor had good optical stability, high adsorption efficiency, strong anti-interference ability, and high sensitivity owing to the integration of the advantages of UCNPs, COFs and MIPs. Under the optimal conditions, a good linear relationship was presented between the fluorescence intensity of UCNP-grafted COFs@MIPs and the methimazole concentration in the range of 0.05−3 mg L−1, and the detection limit was 3 μg L−1. The as-pr... [more]

The increasing demand for efficient wastewater treatment technologies, driven by global population growth and industrialisation, highlights the necessity for advanced, reliable solutions. This study investigated the efficacy of a slurry photocatalytic membrane reactor (PMR) for the advanced removal of organic pollutants, quantified via chemical oxygen demand (COD), under natural and simulated solar light irradiation. Employing two variants of iron-doped titania as photocatalysts and a polysulfone-based polymeric membrane for the separation process, the investigation showcased COD removal efficiencies ranging from 66−85% under simulated solar light to 52−81% under natural sunlight over a 7 h irradiation period. The overall PMR system demonstrated COD removal efficiencies of 84−95%. The results confirmed the enhanced photocatalytic activity afforded by iron doping and establish solar-powered slurry PMRs as an effective, low-energy, and environmentally friendly alternative for the advance... [more]

Nanomaterials play a beneficial role in enhancing the rheological behavior of fracturing (frac) fluid by reacting with intermolecular structures. The inclusion of these materials into the fluid improves its stability, increases the viscosity of polymers, and enhances its resistance to high temperature and pressure. In this investigation, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs), nano-zinc oxides (N-ZnO), and nano-copper oxides (N-CuO) have been utilized to ameliorate the rheological properties of water-based fracturing fluid. Different concentrations of these aforementioned nanomaterials were prepared to determine their effects on the rheological behavior of the fluid. The results revealed that the size of nanoparticles ranged from 10 to 500 nm, 300 nm, and 295 nm for CNTs, N-ZnO, and N-CuO, respectively. Moreover, employing CNTs exhibited a resistance of 550 cp at 25 °C and reached 360 cp at 50 °C with a CNT concentration of 0.5 g/L. In contrast, N-CuO and N-ZnO showed a resistance of 206... [more]