Analysis of the Quality of Physical and Chemical Parameters of Groundwater in Three Localities in the Sub-Prefecture of Zanzra (Ivory Coast)

The availability of groundwater of acceptable quality has become a difficult challenge to meet in many countries, particularly Côte d’Ivoire. The State of Côte d’Ivoire and rural populations are building hydraulic infrastructure for this purpose. However, the quality of water coming from these infrastructures remains to be determined. This study therefore aims to analyze certain physicochemical parameters of the groundwater of Gloazra, Kouezra and Trahonfla. These are temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, TDS, salinity level, hardness, alkalinity, chloride content and bicarbonate. To determine the pH, electrical conductivity, temperature, TDS, and salinity rate, an electrochemical analysis was carried out. The titrimetric analysis made it possible to determine the chloride and bicarbonate content, alkalinity, and hardness. The results indicate that the studied groundwater is soft and acidic with good mineralization. This water does not present a health hazard to consumers but can affect hydraulic equipment and household containers.

Optimization of Cellulose Nanocrystal Isolation from Ayous Sawdust Using Response Surface Methodology

This study focuses on the extraction of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), from microcrystalline cellulose (MCC), derived from Ayous sawdust. The process involves multiple steps and a large amount of chemical products. The objective of this research was to determine the effects of factors that impact the isolation process and to identify the optimal conditions for CNC isolation by using the response surface methodology. The factors that varied during the process were the quantity of MCC, the concentration of sulfuric acid, the hydrolysis time and temperature, and the ultrasonic treatment time. The response measured was the yield. The study found that with 5.80 g of microcrystalline cellulose, a sulfuric acid concentration of 63.50% (w/w), a hydrolysis time of 53 minutes, a hydrolysis temperature of 69˚C, and a sonication time of 19 minutes are the ideal conditions for isolation. The experimental yield achieved was (37.84 ± 0.99) %. The main factors influencing the process were the sulfuric acid concentration, hydrolysis time and temperature, with a significant influence (p < 0.05). Infrared characterization results showed that nanocrystals were indeed isolated. With a crystallinity of 35.23 and 79.74, respectively, for Ayous wood fiber and nanocrystalline cellulose were observed by X-ray diffraction, with the formation of type II cellulose, thermodynamically more stable than native cellulose type I.

Selective Laser Melting of Novel SiC and TiC Strengthen 7075 Aluminum Powders for Anti-Cracks Application

The aerospace and military sectors have widely used AA7075, a type of 7075 aluminum alloy, due to its exceptional mechanical performance. Selective laser melting (SLM) is a highly effective method for producing intricate metallic components, particularly in the case of aluminum alloys like Al-Si-Mg. Nevertheless, the production of high-strength AA7075 by SLM is challenging because of its susceptibility to heat cracking and elemental vaporization. In this study, AA7075 powders were mechanically mixed with SiC and TiC particles. Subsequently, this new type of AA7075 powder was effectively utilized in green laser printing to create solid components with fine-grain strengthening microstructures consisting of equiaxial grains. These as-printed parts exhibit a tensile strength of up to 350 MPa and a ductility exceeding 2.1%. Hardness also increases with the increasing content of mixed powder, highlighting the essential role of SiC and TiC in SLM for improved hardness and tensile strength performance. .

Preliminary Investigation of Copper(II) Ion Binding or Complex Coordination in Lysozeme Molecules

Hydrophobic Val derivative Schiff base copper(II) complexes and dipeptide (AlaAla, GlyGly) derivative Schiff base copper(II) complexes were introduced into egg white lysozyme. X-ray crystal structure analysis revealed amino acid derivative Schiff base copper(II) complexes were obtained. Herein we discuss primarily on the binding mode of copper(II) of the complexes obtained with egg white lysozyme. The electron density of copper(II) ions was confirmed by X-ray crystal structure analysis. The Val derivative Schiff base copper(II) complex was weakly bound at Arg114 of egg white lysozyme. In other copper(II) complexes, binding of copper(II) ions with dissociated ligands to various residues was observed. The binding sites of copper(II) ions were compared with computational scientific predictions.

Analyses of Reaction Mechanisms among Different Sulfonation Reagents and m-Diphenylamine and Crystal Structures of the Formed Compounds

In the traditional process, m-phenylenediamine reacts with fuming sulfuric acid at high temperature to get intermediates, and then after dehydration occurs intramolecular rearrangement to get 2,4-diaminobenzenesulfonic acid. Traditional methods need to consume a lot of fuming sulfuric acid or concentrated sulfuric acid, resulting in high industrial large-scale production cost, more waste, and posing a serious environmental pollution risk. In this thesis, three different sulfonation reagents were used for the sulfonation reaction of m-phenylenediamine, and the reaction mechanisms and crystal structures of the three pathways were investigated. The three routes are: 1) one-step synthesis of monosulfonated compound 1 from raw material and sulfur trioxide (SO3);2) rapid reaction of raw material and chlorosulfonic acid to synthesize bisulfonated compound 2;3) direct eutectic crystallization of raw material and ordinary sulfuric acid to obtain compound 3. The crystal structure of the compounds synthesized by three paths was analyzed by X-ray single crystal diffraction, and compound 1 was characterized by NMR, Fourier infrared spectra, UV-visible spectrum and Mass spectrometry. The one-step synthesis of SO3 as a sulfonation reagent has the advantages of mild reaction conditions, simple operation and low cost.

Theoretical Study of Benzothiazole and Its Derivatives: Molecular Structure, Spectroscopic Properties, NBO, MEP and TD-DFT Analyses

Benzothiazole (BTH) and its derivatives are organic molecules with biologic actions. Because of their many applications, they are produced on a massive scale and used in a number of environmental compartments. Their discharge into water produces environmental problems, exposing our environment to public health problems. A solution that can contribute to their deterioration is becoming a necessity. For this reason, a conceptual analysis of the reactivity of benzothiazole and four of its compounds was undertaken in order to investigate certain aspects of their biodegradability. A theoretical investigations of the compounds studied were conducted in the gas and water phases with the most widely used density functional theory method, Becke-3-Parameter-Lee-Yang-Parr (B3LYP) with 6-31G+ (d, p) basis. Reactivity study calculated global indices of reactivity revealed that 2-SCH3_BTH is the most reactive. Dipole moment values analysis reveals that 2-NH2_BTH is the most soluble in water, while the lipophilicity shows that 2-NH2_BTH is the most hydrophilic compound. Thermodynamic parameters values reflect that reactions are respectively exothermic and spontaneous. By analyzing an Electrostatic Molecular Potential (EMP) map, researchers can pinpoint reactive sites on a molecule and anticipate its reactivity. This assessment is further enhanced by incorporating global and local reactivity descriptors. Additionally, an exploration of frontier molecular orbitals offers valuable insights into the molecule’s charge transfer characteristics. Moreover, a combined examination of internal and external molecular interactions unveils hyperconjugative interactions arising from charge delocalization, as elucidated through natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis.

Interaction between Biochar and Algae on Problem Soil

An in-vitro experiment was conducted to assess the interaction between biochar and algae on a problem soil. Experiments were performed with and without algae to observe the effectiveness of algae for overcoming the challenges posed by problem soils. At the end of incubation periods, the adsorption and desorption of phosphorus (P) on a problem soil vis-á-vis algal inoculation were determined. Our results showed that different types of biochars adsorbed different amounts of P suggesting that the source of biochar played a crucial role in determining its behavior towards P. Tannery waste biochar significantly adsorbed 147% and 35% more P compared to that of the chicken litter and orange peel biochars respectively. Significant reductions in adsorption were observed when the biochar was used in combination with the algae which could be due to the beneficial effects of algae leading to the amelioration of the problem soil. Adsorption was reduced to 34%, 24% and 20% for the orange peel biochar + algae, chicken litter biochar + algae and tannery waste biochar + algae, respectively compared to the corresponding biochars present as a single solid. Phosphorus (P) desorption was also reduced significantly in presence of algal inoculation. Overall our findings suggest that the application of algae along with biochar in the problem soil could reduce the adsorption of P which would influence the availability of P.

The Crystal Structure Study of CaSrFe0.75Co0.75Mn0.5O6−δ by Neutron Diffraction

The crystal structure of CaSrFe0.75Co0.75Mn0.5O6−δ is investigated through neutron diffraction techniques in this study. The material is synthesized using a solid-state synthesis method at a temperature of 1200˚C. Neutron diffraction data is subjected to Rietveld refinement, and a comparative analysis with X-ray diffraction (XRD) data is performed to unravel the structural details of the material. The findings reveal that the synthesized material exhibits a cubic crystal structure with a Pm-3m phase. The neutron diffraction results offer valuable insights into the arrangement of atoms within the lattice, contributing to a comprehensive understanding of the material’s structural properties. This research enhances our knowledge of CaSrFe0.75Co0.75Mn0.5O6−δ, with potential implications for its applications in various technological and scientific domains.

Improving the Quality of Baobab Oil by Filtration on Activated Carbon from the Fruit Capsules

The baobab, Adansonia digitata L., plays an important role in the economy of local populations. Nowadays, baobab seed oil is highly prized for its many cosmetic and therapeutic applications, and for its composition of unsaturated fatty acids, sterols, and tocopherols. However, it undergoes numerous reactions during production, processing, transport, and storage, leading to undesirable products that make it unstable. The aim of this study was to provide local processors with innovative solutions for the treatment of unrefined vegetable oils. To this end, an experimental device for filtering crude oil on activated carbon made from fruit capsules was designed. The results obtained after the treatment show a significant decrease at (p < 5%) in acid value (1.62 to 0.58 mg KOH/g), peroxide value (4.40a to 0.50c mEqO2/Kg), chlorophyll concentration (1.81 to 0.50 mg/Kg) and primary and secondary oxidation products. According to these results, activated carbon’s adsorptive power eliminates oxidation products and certain pro-oxidants such as chlorophyll, resulting in a cleaner, more stable and better storable oil.

Composite Panels from the Combination of Rice Husk and Wood Chips with a Natural Resin Based on Tannins Reinforced with Sugar Cane Molasses Intended for Building Insulation: Physico-Mechanical and Thermal Properties

The objective of this work is to develop new biosourced insulating composites from rice husks and wood chips that can be used in the building sector. It appears from the properties of the precursors that rice chips and husks are materials which can have good thermal conductivity and therefore the combination of these precursors could make it possible to obtain panels with good insulating properties. With regard to environmental and climatic constraints, the composite panels formulated at various rates were tested and the physico-mechanical and thermal properties showed that it was essential to add a crosslinker in order to increase certain solicitation. an incorporation rate of 12% to 30% made it possible to obtain panels with low thermal conductivity, a low surface water absorption capacity and which gives the composite good thermal insulation and will find many applications in the construction and real estate sector. Finally, new solutions to improve the fire reaction of the insulation panels are tested which allows to identify suitable solutions for the developed composites. In view of the flame tests, the panels obtained are good and can effectively combat fire safety in public buildings.

Preparation of Corncob-Like WO3 Nanomaterials and Their Photocatalytic Treatment of Toluene

Corn rod-like WO3 nanomaterials were successfully synthesized by a simple hydrothermal method. The morphology, structure and optical absorption properties of the prepared samples were characterized by SEM, XRD, FTIR and UV-Vis-DRS. The WO3 materials were corn rod-like morphology with about 800 nm for length and 150 nm for diameter, especially there were plenty of corn particles (about 20 nm) on the surface of corn rods. The X-ray diffraction peaks of the products corresponded with WO3 standard card, and the characteristic peak of W-O bond was found in the infrared spectrum. The absorption band edge of the products was about 480 nm, indicating their potential visible-light-induced photocatalytic activity. In situ FTIR technology research showed that the prepared WO3 nanomaterials had visible photocatalytic activity to gas-phase toluene. After a photocatalytic reaction for 8 hours toluene was effectively degraded, and carboxylic acid and aldehyde could be regarded as the intermediate products, and CO2 was produced as the final product during the reaction process.

Clay Materials for Ceramics Application from N’Djamena in the Chad Republic: Mineralogical, Physicochemical and Microstructural Characterization

Herein, we report some characteristics of the clayey materials (CMs) collected from Kaliwa (C1), Kabé (C2) and Malo (C3) district in N’Djamena (Chad). Three samples were characterized applying XRF, XRD, FTIR, SEM. In addition, TGA/DSC were performed to control decomposition/mass loss and show phase transitions respectively of CMs. Geochemical analysis by XRF reveals the following minerals composition: SiO2 (~57% - 66%), Al2O3 (~13% - 15%), Fe2O3 (~6% - 10%), TiO2 (~1% - 2%) were the predominant oxides with a reduced proportion in C1, and (~7%) of fluxing agents (K2O, CaO, Na2O). Negligible and trace of MgO (~1%) and P2O5 was noted. The mineralogical composition by XRD shows that, C1, C2 and C3 display close mineralogy with: Quartz (~50%), feldspar (~20%) as non-clay minerals, whereas clays minerals were mostly kaolinite (~15%), illite (~5%) and smectite (~10%). FTIR analysis exhibits almost seemingly similar absorption bands characteristic of hydroxyls elongation, OH valence vibration of Kaolinite and stretching vibration of some Metal-Oxygen bond. SEM micrographs of the samples exhibit microstructureformed by inter-aggregates particles with porous cavities. TGA/DSCconfirm the existence of quartz (570˚C to 870˚C), carbonates (600˚C - 760˚C), kaolinite (569˚C - 988˚C), illite (566˚C - 966˚C), MgO (410˚C - 720˚C) and smectite (650˚C - 900˚C). The overall characterization indicates that, these clayey soils exhibit good properties for ceramic application.

Experimental Study of the Influence of Intrinsic Parameters on the Thermal Reactivity of Sawdust, Polyethylene Terephthalate and Composite

Several works have been based on the study of thermal variations in biomass to derive more valuable products such as fuels capable of replacing oil in the event of a crisis or activated carbon used as an adsorbent material, widely used in industry for the elimination of unwanted materials, both in liquid and gaseous environments. A study of thermal parameters such as: heating speed, retention time, drying temperature, carbonization temperature, particle size, was carried out with the aim of determining the characteristic factors of the carbonization of Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), sawdust (SC) and sawdust/polyethylene terephthalate (CPS) mixture. The results of the immediate analysis revealed a very low level of ash in PET (0.013%) compared to the level of ash in sawdust (2.9%), as well as a high level of fixed carbon (82.960%), which suggests the presence of mineral oxides and a significant carbon matrix unlike PET, which indicates a very significant organic matrix (essentially made up of organic matter) with the absence of mineral oxides. The study of thermal parameters showed the water loss from Sawdust (SC) and the Sawdust/Polyethylene terephthalate (CPS) mixture, an increase with temperature, unlike that of PET whose variation is essentially zero. Without heat treatment, sawdust alone contains approximately 7% water. The optimal drying temperature for this study is 110˚C for a stay of 24 hours. It appears that the largest mass losses for the PET samples are between 87.19% and 96.05%, followed by that of the mixture, between 47.33% and 64.37%. And the lowest are observed, those of sawdust (from 24.02% to 62.6%). However, here we can say that the influence of the mass is not great, given the slight difference between the losses by temperature. The results of the study of the influence of grain size showed that the differences are insignificant, even if we vary the diameter of the grains from simple to triple. To better minimize physical constraints such as the intragranular diffusibility of the volatile matter and the homogeneity of the temperature in the grains, 75 μm particles are found to be optimal for our study. It can be noted when studying the heating rate that the mass loss at the end of the reaction is approximately the same depending on each precursor material. However, it has been demonstrated that the heating rate strongly influences the nature of the reaction products both for volatile materials and for the solid residue as well as on the kinetic parameters of the chemical reaction. Furthermore, the variation in apparent density shows a decrease as a function of the increase in the residence time of the materials in the reactor. As the carbonization time increases, the apparent density decreases. We note, for the lignocellulosic material, that the apparent density stabilizes after 60 minutes.

Synthesis and Characterization of β-Cyclodextrin Modified Biochar Environmental Remediation Materials

In this paper, biochar (BC) was used as raw material, activated by deionizing aqueous solution, NaCl solution, CA solution and HCl solution respectively. Epichlorohydrin (EPI) was used as crosslinking agent, and β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) was used to modify biochar (BC). The prepared modified biochar materials were labeled with β-CDBC, β-CDBC-Na, β-CDBC-CA and β-CDBC-H, respectively. The infrared spectrum, X-ray diffractometer, scanning electron microscope and specific surface area of the four modified materials were tested. The results showed that the C-O stretching vibration peak at 1020 cm−1 of the modified materials was slightly offset compared with that of biochar. The characteristic absorption peaks of XRD pattern decrease obviously at 2θ = 26.7˚ and 29.5˚. It can be obviously observed on the electron microscope image that the surface is loaded or formed clathrates, and BET data and graphs also show that the specific surface area of the modified biochar is larger. Therefore, β-cyclodextrin successfully modified biochar and formed clathrates on the surface of biochar or was loaded in the pore structure of biochar, especially β-CDBC-CA achieved better modification effect. Because biochar and β-cyclodextrin raw materials are cheap, easy to prepare and green, and less prone to secondary pollution, it has a good advantage in environmental governance.

Hexavalent Chromium Cr (VI) Removal from Water by Mango Kernel Powder

Metal trace elements (MTE) are among the most harmful micropollutants of natural waters. Eliminating them helps improve the quality and safety of drinking water and protect human health. In this work, we used mango kernel powder (MKP) as bioadsorbent material for removal of Cr (VI) from water. Uv-visible spectroscopy was used to monitor and quantify Cr (VI) during processing using the Beer-Lambert formula. Some parameters such as pH, mango powder, mass and contact time were optimized to determine adsorption capacity and chromium removal rate. Adsorption kinetics, equilibrium, isotherms and thermodynamic parameters such as ΔG˚, ΔH˚, and ΔS˚, as well as FTIR were studied to better understand the Cr (VI) removal process by MKP. The adsorption capacity reached 94.87 mg/g, for an optimal contact time of 30 min at 298 K. The obtained results are in accordance with a pseudo-second order Freundlich adsorption isotherm model. Finally FTIR was used to monitor the evolution of absorption bands, while Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) were used to evaluate surface properties and morphology of the adsorbent.

Study on Key Joining Technology and Test Method of Steel/Al Hybrid Structure Body-in-White

Green and low carbon promote the application and development of light-weight materials in body-in-white. Large-scale die-casting Al alloy (DCAA) and high-strength thermo-formed steel sheet (TFSS) have put forward higher requirements for the application of joining technology of high-strength steel/Al dissimilar materials. Taking the new die-casting Al alloy body as an example, this paper systematically studies the progress of the latest joining methods of steel/Al dissimilar material with combination of two-layer plate and three-layer plate. By analyzing the joining technologies such as FSPR, RES, FDS and SPR, the technology and process characteristics of steel/Al dissimilar material joining are studied, and the joining technical feasibility and realization means of different material combination of the body are analyzed. The conditions of material combination, material thickness, material strength, flange height, preformed holes and joint spacing for achieving high-quality joining are given. The FSPR joining technology is developed and tested in order to meet with the joining of parts with DCAA and TFSS, especially for the joining of three-layer plates with them. It finds the method and technical basis for the realization of high quality joining of dissimilar materials, provides the early conditions for the application of large DCAA and TFSS parts in body-in-white, and meets the design requirements of new energy body. .

An Affordable and Easily Accessible Approach for Acrylonitrile Monomer Purification through a Simple Column Technique

This manuscript presents a dataset detailing a method for purifying monomers. Purification plays a crucial role in every chemical process, as it leads to an improvement in product quality through the removal of impurities. The primary method for monomer purification, like acrylonitrile (AN), is the distillation technique. However, this technique is unsafe and hard to set up or handle. A straightforward, risk-free, low-cost method like the column technique resolves these issues. A simple column technique demonstrated the successful execution of purifying AN. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analyses confirmed that AN was successfully purified, with purity reaching 99.8%. FTIR spectra revealed changes in the position and intensity of the stretching vibration peaks after purification. Also, the functional groups of the inhibitor monomethyl ether of hydroquinone (MeHQ) were undetected after purification. Furthermore, after purification, NMR spectra revealed the absence of aromatic protons and carbons associated with MeHQ. In conclusion, the column technique is a successful and inexpensive way to purify AN monomers. This makes it useful for a wide range of applications, especially in polymerization reactions where MeHQ needs to be removed to prevent self-polymerization during the initiation process.

Optimization of Methylene Blue Dye Adsorption onto Coconut Husk Cellulose Using Response Surface Methodology: Adsorption Kinetics, Isotherms and Reusability Studies

In this study, coconut husk cellulose was employed as a cost-effective and environmentally friendly adsorbent to eliminate methylene blue (MB) dye from aqueous solutions. The successful development of response surface methodology paired with a central composite design (RSM-CCD) enabled the optimization and modelling of the adsorption process. The study investigated the individual and combined effects of three variables (pH, contact time, and initial MB dye concentration) on the adsorption of MB dye onto coconut husk cellulose. The developed RSM-CCD model exhibited a remarkable degree of precision in predicting the removal efficiency of MB dye within the specified experimental parameters. This was demonstrated by the strong regression parameters, with an R2 value of 99.79% and an adjusted R2 value of 99.6%. The study depicted that the optimal parameters for attaining a 98.8827% removal of MB dye using coconut husk cellulose were as follows: an initial MB dye concentration of 30 mg∙L−1, contact time of 120 minutes, and pH 7 at a fixed adsorbent dose of 0.5 g. The Freundlich isotherm model provided the most satisfactory description of the equilibrium adsorption isotherms, suggesting that MB dye adsorption onto coconut husk cellulose occurs on a heterogeneous surface. The experimental results demonstrated a strong agreement with the pseudo-second-order kinetics model, indicating that the number of active sites present on the cellulose adsorbent predominantly influences the adsorption process of MB dye. Additionally, the adsorbent made from coconut husk cellulose exhibited the potential to be reused, as it retained its efficiency for a maximum of three cycles of adsorption of MB dye. The results of this study show that coconut husk cellulose has the potential to be an effective and sustainable adsorbent for removing MB dye from aqueous solutions.

Study of the Viscosity and Specific Gravity of the Ternary Used Frying Oil (UFO)-Bioethanol-Diesel System

Fossil fuels cover around 80% of global energy consumption. However, the problems linked to their use justify the choice of using biofuel. In order to reduce as much as possible, diesel rate, an increase in the number of additives may be considered. Thus, in this work, the study of the used frying oil (UFO), bioethanol and diesel ternary system was undertaken. It emerges from this study that the addition of bioethanol reduces the viscosity and the density of the ternary system and permits a 90% substitution rate for diesel between the UFO and bioethanol. Finally, the percentage of oil becomes 40% after adding alcohol compared to the binary diesel crude vegetable oil mixture where this rate is 30%.

Three-Dimensional Multi-Phase Microscopic Simulation of Service Life of Recycled Large Aggregate Self-Compacting Concrete

Recycled large aggregate self-compacting concrete (RLA-SCC) within multiple weak areas. These weak areas have poor resistance to chloride ion erosion, which affects the service life of RLA-SCC in the marine environment. A three-dimensional multi-phase mesoscopic numerical model of RLA-SCC was established to simulate the chloride ions transportation in concrete. Experiments of RLA-SCC immersing in chloride solution were carried out to verify the simulation results. The effects of recycled large aggregate (RLA) content and RLA particle size on the service life of concrete were explored. The results indicate that the mesoscopic numerical simulation results are in good agreement with the experimental results. At the same depth, the closer to the surface of the RLA, the greater the chloride ion concentration. The service life of RLA-SCC in marine environment decreases with the increase of RLA content. Compared with the service life of 20% content, the service life of 25% and 30% content decreased by 20% and 42% respectively. Increasing the particle size of RLA can effectively improve the service life of RLA-SCC in chloride environment. Compared with the service life of 50 mm particle size, the service life of 70 mm and 90 mm increased by 61% and 163%, respectively. .