Characterization and kinetic study on ammonia leaching of complex copper ore

Ammonia leaching kinetics of a complex Cu-ore assaying 8.8% Cu and 36.1% Fe was examined. Mineralogical characterization indicated that the major phase of the ore was siderite with chalcopyrite as the major sulfide mineral. The effects of parameters such as agitation, temperature, NH3 concentration, particle size and oxygen partial pressure （Po2） were investigated. Under the standard leaching conditions of 125-212 μm particle size, 120 ℃, 1.29 mol/L NH3 and 202 kPa ofpo2, about 83% Cu could be selectively extracted in 2.5 h. However, when using higher NH3 concentration and lower particle size, more than 95% extraction was achieved. The leaching process was found to be surface reaction controlling. The estimated activation energy was （37.6±1.9） kJ/mol and empirical orders of reaction with respect topos and [NH3] were about 0.2 and 1, respectively.

Factors affecting the shrinkage of fly ash geopolymers

The shrinkage of fly ash geopolymers was studied in the present study.Fly ash was used as the source material for making the geopolymers.The effects of the concentration of NaOH,sodium silicate-to-NaOH ratio,liquid-to-ash ratio,curing temperature,and curing time on shrinkage were investigated.The geopolymers were cured at 25,40,and 60℃,respectively.The results indicate that the shrinkage of geopolymers is strongly dependent on curing temperature and liquid-to-ash ratio.The increase in shrinkage is associated with the low strength development of geopolymers.It is also found that NaOH concentration and sodium silicate-to-NaOH ratio also affect the shrinkage of geopolymers but to a lesser extent.

Synthesis of activated carbon from spent tea leaves for aspirin removal

Adsorption capacity of activated carbon prepared from spent tea leaves （STL-AC） for the removal of aspirin from aqueous solution was investigated in this study. Preliminary studies have shown that treatment with phosphoric acid （H3PO4） increased removal efficiency of STL-AC. Characterizations on STL-AC revealed excellent textural properties （1200 m2.g-1, 51% mesoporosity）, as well as distinctive surface chemistry （1.08 mmol.g-1 and 0.54 mmol.g-1 for acidic and basic oxygenated groups, pHpzc = 2.02）. Maximum removal efficiency of aspirin observed was 94.28% after 60 rain when the initial concentration was 100 mg.L-1, 0.5 g of adsorbent used, pH 3 and at a temperature of 30 ℃. The adsorption data were well fitted to the Freundlich isotherm model and obeyed the pseudo-second order kinetics model. The adsorption of aspirin onto STL-AC was exothermic in nature （△H = - 13.808 kJ.mol-1） and had a negative entropy change, △S （-41.444 J.mol-1）. A negative Gibbs free energy, △G was obtained indicating feasibility and spontaneity of the adsorption process. The adsorp- tion capacity of △C-STL （178.57 mg.g-1） is considerably high compared to most adsorbents synthesized from various sources, due to the well-defined textural properties coupled with surface chemistry of STL-AC which fa- vors aspirin adsorption. The results demonstrate the potential of STL-AC as aspirin adsorbent.

Use of electron microscopy on microstructure characterization of high chromium cast irons

The physical metallurgy underlying the development of cast microstructures in abrasion resistant high chromium cast irons, and their structural modification by thermal treatments is relatively complex. Structural characterisation via electron microscopy therefore has a key role to play in furthering our understanding of the phase transformations that control the microstructures and hence the service performances of these irons as wear parts. This paper shows how both scanning and especially transmission electron microscopy can provide valuable information on the nature of eutectic and secondary carbides and on the matrix structures in these irons. Particular attention is given to current characterisation research on conventionally cast 30%Cr irons that are used for applications involving corrosive wear e.g. slurry pumps and on a semi-solid cast 27%Cr iron that has a potential for applications in industry.

From pollutant to solution of wastewater pollution: Synthesis of activated carbon from textile sludge for dye adsorption

Adsorption is an important process in wastewater treatment,and conversion of waste materials to adsorbent offers a solution to high material cost related to the use of commercial activated carbon.This study investigated the adsorption behaviour of Reactive Black 5（RB5）and methylene blue（MB）onto activated carbon produced from textile sludge（TSAC）.The activated carbon was synthesized through chemical activation of precursor followed with carbonization at 650℃ under nitrogen flow.Effects of time（0–200 min）,pH（2–10）,temperature（25–60℃）,initial dye concentration（0–200 mg·L^-1）,and adsorbent dosage（0.01–0.15 g）on dye removal efficiency were investigated.Preliminary screening revealed that TSAC synthesized via H2SO4activation showed higher adsorption behaviour than TSAC activated by KCl and ZnCl2.The adsorption capacity of TSAC was found to be 11.98 mg·g^-1（RB5）and 13.27 mg·g^-1（MB）,and is dependent on adsorption time and initial dye concentration.The adsorption data for both dyes were well fitted to Freundlich isotherm model which explains the heterogeneous nature of TSAC surface.The dye adsorption obeyed pseudo-second order kinetic model,thus chemisorption was the controlling step.This study reveals potential of textile sludge in removal of dyes from aqueous solution,and further studies are required to establish the applicability of the synthesized adsorbent for the treatment of waste water containing toxic dyes from textile industry.

Biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles by using mangrove plant extract and their potential mosquito larvicidal property

Objective:To identify the larvicidal activities of silver nano particles synthesised with Rhizophora mucronata（R.mucronata） leaf extract against the larvae of Aedes aegypti（Ae.aegypti） and Culex quinquefasciatus（Cx.quinquefasciatus）.Methods:In vitro larvicidal activities such as LC50 and LC90 were assessed for the Ae.aegypti and Cx.quinquefasciatus larval species.Further, characterisation such as UV,XRD,FTIR and AFM analysis were carried out for the synthesised silver nano particles.Results:The LC50 value of the synthesised silver nano particle was identified as 0.585 and 0.891 mgg/L for Ae.aegypti and Cx.quinquefasciatus larvae respectively. Further,the LG90 values are also identified as 2.615 and 6.291 mg/L for Ae.aegypti and Cx. quinquefasciatus species respectively.The synthesised silver nanoparticles have maximum absorption at 420 nm with the average size of 60-95 nm.The XRD data showed 20 intense values with various degrees such as 37.10°,47.66°,63.97°and 70.01°.The FTIR data showed prominent peaks in（3 426.89,2 925.49,2 869.56,2 346.95,1 631.49,1 031.73,669.18 and 455.12） different ranges.Conclusions:The biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles with leaf aqueous extract of R. mucronata provides potential source for the larvicidal activity against mosquito borne diseases.

Effects of Heat Treatment on Hardness and Dry Wear Properties of a Semi-Solid Processed Fe-27 wt pct Cr-2.9 wt pct C Cast Iron

EfFects of heat treatments on hardness and dry wear properties of a semi-solid processed Fe-26.96 wt pct Cr- 2.91 wt pct C cast iron were studied. Heat treatments included tempering at 500℃, destabilisation at 1075℃ and destabilisation at 1075℃ plus tempering at 500℃, all followed by air cooling. Electron microscopy revealed that, in the as-cast condition, the primary proeutectic austenite was round in shape while the eutectic M7C3 carbide was found as radiating clusters mixed with directional clusters. Tempering did not change the microstructure significantly when observed by scanning or transmission electron microscopy. Destabilisation followed by air cooling led to a precipitation of secondary M23C6 carbide and a transformation of the primary austenite to martensite. Precipitation behaviour is comparable to that observed in the conventionally cast iron. Tempering after destabilisation resulted in a higher amount of secondary carbide precipitation within the tempered martensite in the eutectic structure. Vickers macrohardness and microhardness in the proeutectic zones were measured. Dry wear properties were tested by using a pin-on-disc method. The maximum hardness and the lowest dry wear rate were obtained from the destabilisation-plus-tempering heat treatment due to the precipitation of secondary carbides within the martensite matrix and a possible reduction in the retained austenite.

Rhus laccase catalysis and product characterization of 1,2-dimethoxyphenol in organic solutions

Dimethoxyphenol was a widely used substrate in determination of laccases activity. It was surprised, however, that the products of it had not been completely determined until now. Studies were thus conducted on Rhus laccase （RL） and immobilized Rhus laccase （IRL）-catalyzed oxidation of 2,6-dimethoxyphenol （DMP） in water-organic solvent systems. Only one product, 3,3′,5,5′- tetramethoxy-1 ,1′-biphenyl-4,4′-diol （TMBP）, was produced by RL catalysis, and it was thoroughly characterized by FT-IR, NMR and GC-MS, etc.

Hydrometallurgical Processing of Manganese Ores: A Review

Hydrometallurgy is the most suitable extractive technique for the extraction and purification of manganese as compared to all other techniques including biometallurgy and pyrometallurgical processes. In the hydrometallurgical processing of manganese from its ore, the leach liquors often contain divalent ions such as iron, manganese, copper, nickel, cobalt and zinc along with other impurities which make manganese very difficult to separate. The processes employed for solution concentration and purification in the hydrometallurgical processing of manganese include precipitation, cementation, solvent extraction and ion exchange. Solvent extraction also proves more efficient and it plays vital roles in the purification and separation of the manganese as compared to all other techniques. A detailed review of the various steps involved in the hydrometal-lurgical manganese processing, concentration and purification processes and newer processes of extraction of manganese from ores and waste materials were discussed.

Preparation and characterization of polyvinylchloride membrane embedded with Cu nanoparticles for electrochemical oxidation in direct methanol fuel cell

Copper nanoparticles were prepared by the chemical reduction method.These copper particles were embedded into the polyvinylchloride(PVC)matrix as support and used as an electrode(PVC/Cu)for the oxidation of methanol fuel for improving the current response.The PVC/Cu electrodes were characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis(TGA)for thermal stability of the electrode,X-ray diffraction(XRD)for identification of copper nanoparticles in the electrode,Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR)to identify the interaction between PVC and Cu and scan electron microscopy(SEM)with EDAX for the morphology of the electrode.The electrocatalytic activity of the electrode was characterized by the cyclic voltammetry,linear sweep voltammetry,and chronoamperometry techniques.An increase in the electrode activity was observed with the increase of copper quantity from 0.18 g(PVC/Cu-0.18 g)to 0.24 g(PVC/Cu-0.24 g)and the maximum was found at 0.24 g of copper in the electrode.Also,it was observed that the electrode achieved the maximum catalytic current in 0.5 mol/L CH3OH+1 mol/L Na OH solution.FTIR identified that water molecules,C—H group,copper nanoparticle and its oxide were available in the electrode.SEM images with EDAX showed that copper particles were properly embedded in the polyvinylchloride matrix.

Dissolution kinetics of kaolin mineral in acidic media for predicting optimal condition for alum production

The dissolution kinetics and mechanisms of reaction of Batagbon Kaolin in sulphuric and fluosilicic acids were studied. Leaching temperature, acid concentration, particle size, solid-to-liquid ratio, and stirring speed were selected as process parameters. It is observed that the dissolution rate increases with decreasing particle size and solid-to-liquid ratio, and increases with stirring speed, acid concentration, and leaching temperature. The experimental results indicate that the dissolution rate is of mixed control via hydrogen ion [H＋] action, with reaction order of 0.813 and the reaction kinetics can be expressed as gmt=[1-（1-x）l/3＋y/6[（l-x）l/3＋ 1-2（1-x）2/3]. The activation energy of the process is determined to be 21.6 k J/mol. The level of the product quality is also evaluated.

Applied bias photon-to-current conversion efficiency of ZnO enhanced by hybridization with reduced graphene oxide

The role of reduced graphene oxide（rGO） in the enhancement of photo-conversion efficiency of ZnO films for photoelectrochemical（PEC） water-splitting applications was analyzed. ZnO and rGO-hybridized ZnO（rGO/ZnO） films were prepared via a two-step electrochemical deposition method followed by annealing at 300 °C under argon gas flow. The physical, optical and electrochemical properties of the films were characterized to identify the effect of rGO-hybridization on the applied bias photon-to-current efficiency（ABPE） of ZnO. Scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction indicated the formation of verticallyaligned, wurtzite-phase ZnO nanorods. Diffuse-reflectance UV–visible spectroscopy indicated that rGO-hybridization was able to increase the light absorption range of the rGO/ZnO film. UPS analysis showed that hybridization with rGO increased the band gap of ZnO（3.56 eV） to 3.63 eV for rGO/ZnO sample,which may be attributed to the Burstein–Moss effect. Photoluminescence（PL） spectra disclosed that rGOhybridization suppressed electron-hole recombination due to crystal defects. Linear sweep voltammetry of the prepared thin films showed photocurrent density of 1.0 and 1.8 m A/cm;for ZnO and rGO/ZnO at+0.7 V, which corresponded to an ABPE of 0.55% and 0.95%, respectively. Thus, this report highlighted the multi-faceted role of rGO-hybridization in the enhancement of ZnO photo-conversion efficiency.

Preparation of PVDF/SiO₂Composite Nanofiber Membrane Using Electrospinning for Polymer Electrolyte Analysis

Superhydrophobic poly(vinylidene fluoride) PVDF-SiO2 composite membranes with different % of SiO2 contents were prepared by electrospinning. The surface morphologies of the membranes are characterized by using scanning electron microscopy. The nanofibers in the membranes were stacked in layers to produce fully interconnected pores that resulted in high porosity. The incorporation of SiO2 into the nanofiber membrane improved the ionic conductivity from 0.2428 × 10-4Scm-1 to 7.731 × 10-4Scm-1 at room temperature. The surface roughness of the membranes increased with increasing the SiO2 content, while the average diameter of nanofibers was rarely affected. Superhydrophobic PVDF membrane with a contact angle larger than 136° was prepared by the electrospinning of the SiO2 functionalized PVDF. The surface composition of the membranes is analyzed by using FTIR and the contact angles and water drops on the surface of the membrane are measured. The contact angle experimental results of PVDF-SiO2 composite membranes showed an improvement of hydrophobicity with % of nano SiO2.

Conversion enhancement of tubular fixed-bed reactor for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis using static mixer

Recently, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis （FTS） has become an interesting technology because of its potential role in producing biofuels via Biomass- to-Liquids （BTL） processes. In Fischer-Tropsch （FT） section, biomass-derived syngas, mainly composed of a mixture of carbon monoxide （CO） and hydrogen （H2）, is converted into various forms of hydrocarbon products over a catalyst at specified temperature and pressure. Fixed-bed reactors are typically used for these processes as conventional FT reactors. The fixed-bed or packed-bed type reactor has its drawbacks, which are heat transfer limitation, i.e. a hot spot problem involved highly exothermic characteristics of FT reaction, and mass transfer limitation due to the condensation of liquid hydrocarbon products occurred on catalyst surface. This work is initiated to develop a new chemical reactor design in which a better distribution of gaseous reactants and hydrocarbon products could be achieved, and led to higher throughput and conversion. The main goal of the research is the enhancement of a fixed-bed reactor, focusing on the application of KenicsTM static mixer insertion in the tubular packed-bed reactor. Two FTS experiments were carried out using two reactors i.e., with and without static mixer insertion within catalytic beds. The modeled syngas used was a mixed gas composed of H2/CO in 2 ： 1 molar ratio that was fed at the rate of 30 mL（STP）·min^- 1 （GHSV ≈ 136 mL·gcat^-1 ·h^-1） into the fixed Ru supported aluminum catalyst bed of weight 13.3 g. The reaction was carried out at 180 ℃ and atmospheric pressure continuously for 36 h for both experiments. Both transient and steady-state conversions （in terms of time on stream） were reported. The results revealed that the steady-state CO conversion for the case using the static mixer was approximately 3.5 times higher than that of the case without static mixer. In both cases, the values of chain growth probability of hydrocarbon products （α） for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis were 0.92 and 0.89 for the case with and without static mixer, respectively.

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Sulphanilamide/Epoxy Resin Modified Polyester for Thermal Stability and Impact Strength

The synthesis of thermally stable Tetra-di-glycidyl ether bisphenol-A (TDGEBA) Epoxy resin and Sulphanilamide (SAA) have been synthesized from (SAA) and TDGEBA by in situ polymerization technique to obtain Te-tra-di-glycidyl ether bisphenol-A Sulphanilamide (TDGEBA/SAA) Epoxy resin and modified with various per-centages of polyester (PE) to obtain Tetra diglycidyl ether bisphenol-A Sulphanilamide polyester (TDGEBA/SAA-PE), highly cross-linked thermosetting polymer network. These materials were cured with triethylenetetramine TETA (hardener) to obtain highly cross-linked thermosetting resin. The physical properties of the resulting blends were evaluated by measuring the impact strength of (TDGEBA/SAA-PE) (increased more than 30% than the unmodified epoxy resin) and hardness that is found to be higher than unmodified epoxy resin. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermo gravimetric (TGA) analysis were also cured to assess the thermal behavior of the samples. DSC of the (TDGEBA/SAA) Epoxy resin cured with TETA showed exothermic reactions and the glass transition temperature (Tg) shifted from 350℃ to 400℃compared with uncured epoxy and the thermal stability of the TDGEBA/SAA epoxy resin modified increased with increasing of PE. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) studied the morphology of the samples after unnotched impacts on fracture surfaces. These materials exhibited a higher degree of solvent resistance.

Production, Characterisation and Fatty Acid Composition of <i>Jatropha curcas</i>Biodiesel as a Viable Alternative to Conventional Diesel Fuel in Nigeria

Ethyl ester biodiesel has been produced from a non-edible Jatropha curcas oil. Oil was extracted from the plant seed using n-hexane at 60°C and pretreated by alkaline refining process to reduce the free fatty acid level to less than 1%. Base-catalysed transesterification reaction with absolute ethanol using potassium hydroxide catalyst was adopted for the conversion. Various physicochemical properties of the refined Jatropha curcas oil were investigated. The ethyl ester biodiesel produced was characterised for its fuel properties such as specific gravity at 15°C, flash point, pour point, kinematic viscosity, cetane number, iodine value and higher heating value using American Society for Testing and Materials Standard Methods. The crude and refined Jatropha curcas oil yields were 58.16% and 52.5%. The physicochemical analysis revealed FFA, saponification value and peroxide value of refined Jatropha curcas oil to be 0.58 mg KOH/g, 159.9 and 1.92 m E/kg respectively. The fatty acid composition obtained from gas chromatography (GC) revealed that the oil contained 44.85% oleic acid as the dominant fatty acid, while Margaric 0.01% and Behenic 0.02% the least. The biodiesel yield was 57.6%, and its measured fuel properties conformed with ASTM 6751 and EN 14214 standards.

Differentiation of Fungal Destructive Behaviour of Wood by the White-Rot Fungus Fomes fomentarius by MALDI-TOF Mass Spectrometry

There are many methods to identify and recognize the molecular and behavioural differences between organisms.One of the methods for the detection and identification of unknown organisms as well as intermolecular and intramolecular structural differences is MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.Therefore,differentiation of Fomes fomentarius decay capabilities on the chemical properties of the wood cell wall of the tree species Quercus castaneifolia,Juglans regia,and Carpinus betulus were used to determine and characterize the destructive behaviour of F.fomentarius decay by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.The results showed that the fungus had more significant destructive behaviour on J.regia than the other species.For this evidence,completely removal of xylan hemicellulose fragment+Na+at peak 1227 Da and severe digestion of fragment of glucomannan hemicellulose at peak 1477–1480 Da that it seems that signs of soft-rot patterns were obtained from the decayed sample of J.regia,while these were incremental and unchanged for C.betulus and Q.castaneifolia,respectively.However,C.betulus had different peaks of atomic mass than J.regia and Q.castaneifolia wood,respectively.These results showed that this technique could be useful for separating and identifying unknown compounds of the wood cell wall attacked by fungi relying on their biological behaviour.

Analytical Relevance of Trace Metal Speciation in Environmental and Biophysicochemical Systems

This article presents a review of the analytical relevance of trace metal speciation analysis, which must be considered in environmental and biophysicochemical systems for reliable and efficient assessment and monitoring of trace metals. Examples are given of methodological approaches used for speciation analysis. An overview of speciation analysis in sediments, aquatic ecosystems and agrosystems is also presented.

Investigation of structural parameters and self-aggregation of Algerian asphaltenes in organic solvents

Elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared （FTIR）, 1H-NMR, fluorescence spectroscopy, and surface tension methods have been used to characterize the molecular structure and the aggregation behaviors of two asphaltenic fractions derived, respectively, from an Alge- rian petroleum well and a corresponding storage tank deposit. Elemental analysis, FTIR, ~H-NMR, and fluores- cence spectroscopy were used to investigate the chemical composition and structural parameters of asphaltenes, while the surface tension method was used to measure the critical micelle concentration （CMC） in organic solvents with different solubility parameters and polarities in order to characterize the asphaltenes＇ aggregation behaviors. Results show that the unstable asphaltenes fraction extracted from the storage tank deposit possesses a higher polarity （higher heteroatoms content） and a lower aro- maticity than stable asphaltenes from the petroleum well. The CMC results indicate that asphaltenes with high polarity and low aromaticity have a high solubility in polar solvents such as nitrobenzene, whereas asphaltenes with low polarity and high aromaticity are more soluble in solvents with weak polarity, like toluene. It is concludedthat the difference of structure of asphaltene samples and polarity of solvents can lead to difference of aggregation behaviors.

Synthesis, Characterization and Antibacterial Activities of Polydentate Schiff Bases, Based on Salicylaldehyde

Three Schiff bases L1, L2 and L3 were synthesized by condensing salicylaldehyde with 4-aminoantipyrine, ethylendiamine and 2-aminophenol respectively and subsequently characterized by various physicochemical investigations. All the three compounds were screened for their In-vitro antibacterial activity against two gram positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus (S.A), Staphylococcus epidermidis (S.E) and two gram negative bacteria Klebsiella pneumoniae (K.P) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P.A) by agar diffusion method. On comparing the results obtained with the activity of commercially available antibiotics such as Ciprofloxacin and Chloramphenicol, the newly synthesized compounds showed comparable antibacterial activities. The solvent methanol exhibit activity against all bacterial species with IZs ranging from 8 ± 0.25 to 17 ± 0.29 mm while the standard antibiotics Ciprofloxacin and Chloramphenicol exhibited an activities with IZs varying from 21.3 ± 0.31 to 28.3 ± 0.32 and 26.3 ± 0.24 mm to 32.3 ± 0.23 mm, respectively. However, the newly synthesized Schiff bases L1, L2 and L3 showed IZs ranging from 7.4 ± 0.23 to 32.5 ± 0.14, 3 ± 0.57 to 12 ± 0.28 and 10 ± 0.20 to 32 ± 0.36 respectively. Among the Schiff bases, L3 showed the activity (32 ± 0.36) against S.E and P.A which is higher than the activity of standard antibiotics Ciprofloxacin and Chloramphenicol against the same bacterial strains. The results obtained revealed that all the synthesized Schiff bases exhibit appreciable antibacterial activity against all the bacteria species which potentially makes them, to apply as wide range antibacterial drugs, after further in-vivo cytotoxicity investigations. Their activity can also be further modified by changing the functionality of precursors for Schiff base condensation.