Liquefaction and FTIR analysis of two desert shrubs Salix psammophila and Caragana intermedia

In order to extend the investigation of the characteristics of desert shrub liquefaction and the structure of liquefied desert shrubs, we studied the liquefaction of Salixpsammophila and Caragana intermedia in the presence of phenol and used FTIR analysis on unliquefied and liquefied S. psammophila and C. intermedia. The results showed that the liquefaction effects are enhanced with an increase in temperature, catalyst content and liquid ratio. FTIR analysis proved that more active functional groups appeared after S. psammophila and C. intermedia were liquefied in the presence of phenol. These results can provide a theoretical basis for the further utilization of liquefied S. psammophila and C. intermedia and the development of desert shrubs in a new utilization field.

Low-Density Microplastics in Recreational Parks of Al Ain, United Arab Emirates: Abundance, Composition, and Potential Effects on Soil Health

Microplastics (MPs) have been an emerging concern due to their harmful effects on the ecosystem and are ubiquitous in various habitats, from marine to terrestrial environments. However, studies on the presence of MPs in recreational areas are limited. One of the previous works has reported that urban recreational parks are considered “sinks” for plastic debris, including MPs. In this study, low-density MPs (LD-MPs) in soil samples collected from recreational parks of Al Ain, United Arab Emirates (UAE) were isolated by density flotation method. Results showed that these parks have varying levels of LD-MPs caused by various anthropogenic activities, such as sludge use and application of reclaimed water from wastewater treatment facilities in those areas. These plastic particles were isolated in 87% of the soil samples, with an average concentration of 1550 ± 340 MPs/kg. Predominantly, these comprised large LD-MPs (300 - 5000 μm), with red and blue being the most common colors. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy identified possible synthetic polymers, including polyethylene and polypropylene. Additionally, a negative correlation was observed between LD-MP concentration and soil pH and moisture content, indicating potential adverse effects on soil health. These findings highlight the need for monitoring and managing microplastic pollution in urban recreational areas to mitigate its ecological impacts.

Effects of Steam Heat Treatment on the Surface Contact Angle of Chinese Fir

The aim of this study was investigate the effects of heat treatment on the contact angle of Chinese fir, and the indicators affecting the change of contact an-gle change. It was determined that the duration of treatment had significant effect on the change curves of contact angle of Chinese fir wood due to the change curves of contact angle became more centralized and orderly after the specimens heat treated at 180 ℃. Compared with the untreated wood, the contact angle in-creased from 51＆#176; to 124＆#176; after 4 h treatment, and hydroxyl absorbance of hy-drophilic functional groups decreased from 2.08 to 1.63, while carbonyl absorbance from 0.92 to 0.62. The surface roughness has not significant influence on the con-tact angle. Heat treatment of the Chinese fir caused surface morphological change, which produced hol owed-out phenomenon. The increased surface contact angle caused by heat treatment can be used for outdoor and sauna facilities.

Growth,Structural and Microhardness Studies on New Semiorganic Single Crystals of Calcium Para Nitrophenolate Dihydrate

Good quality crystals of calcium p-nitrophenolate （NPCa） were grown from saturated solution by slow evaporation method. The crystal structure analysis and the molecular arrangement of these crystals were determined using X-ray diffraction （XRD）. From Single crystal XRD studies, NPCa is found to be crystallized in the mon- oclinic system with a space group P21/n. The functional groups of the material were confirmed qualitatively by F-FIR （Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy） spectral analysis. Optical absorption studies reveal the absorption region and microhardness studies were carried out to confirm the mechanical behaviour of the crystals.

Compositional and Structural Difference of Fulvic Acid from Black Soil Applied with Different Organic Materials: Assessment After Three Years

Knowledge of different effects of various organic materials on soil humic substance is important for both environmental safety and sustainable agriculture.A pot experiment was conducted at Jilin Agricultural University,Jilin Province in northeast China to discover the influence of herb residue,animal excrement,woody residue,animal remnant on fulvic acid（FA） composition and structure using differential thermal analysis-thermogravimetric（DTA-TG）,fourier transform infrared spectroscopy（FTIR） and elemental analysis.DTA-TG showed the range of peak temperature in the first exothermic reaction increased following the trend： CK〉herb residue〉animal excrement〉woody residue=animal remnant,and the most weight loss was observed in animal excrement.Moreover,the second exothermic reaction of CK-and animal excrement-FA was presented as double peaks,the order of weight loss in that area was animal remnant〉CK〉woody residue〉animal excrement〉herb residue.According to FTIR,herb residue displayed higher adsorption intensity at 2 950,1 420,1 240 and 1 030 cm-1,animal excrement was in reverse.At the same time,herb residue-and animal excrement-FA had an absorption peak at 1 720 cm-1,while other organic materials didn＇t have this peak.As elemental analysis showed,FA isolated from various treatments was significantly distinct.It was clearly shown from our results that FA composition and structure in amended soils may be affected in different ways and at various extents on dependence of the nature and origin of amendment.

Scientific Investigation of the Paintings from the Agarbiciu (Cluj County) Wooden Church

The investigation of the painting materials (pigments, binders and varnish) of Agarbiciu wooden church painted walls was done by employing both nondestructive (XRF and reflection FTIR spectroscopy for pigments) and destructive methods (FTIR spectroscopy and GC-MS spectrometry for pigments and binders). The digital restoration of the interior of the wooden church was done using the physical-chemical composition of the painting layer, a metadata set that describes the timeline, detailed photographic documentation and the 3D scanned interior of the church.

Tribological and Physicochemical Analysis of Squid Pen High-density Polyethylene Biocomposite for Medical Application

High-Density Polyethylene(HDPE)wear debris generated in the hip joint prothesis leads to its loosening.The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of Squid Pen(SP)on the tribological and physicochemical properties of HDPE matrix.Biocomposites filled with 0,5,10,15 and 20 wt.%SP were elaborated by hot compression molding.Wear tests were carried out using a reciprocating pin-on-disc tribometer.Rockwell hardness,Fourier-Transform infra-red(FTIR)analysis,Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM)of the biocomposite were analysed.FTIR analysis results of the biocomposites showed that an increase in the crystallinity rate was obtained with the addition of SP filler.Only 10 wt.%of SP has a significant effect on the hardness of the composite.The correlation between the friction coefficient and the wear resistance of the composite was investigated.The 5 wt.%SP-HDPE biocomposite has the lowest friction coefficient value with a decrease in the specific wear rate,compared to the unfilled HDPE.The SEM results showed that SP wear debris played an important role as a third roller body at the interface reducing the friction coefficient of the composite.It was concluded that the HDPE biocomposite could be successfully reinforced with 5 wt.%of SP.

Evaluation of antibacterial activity of bioactive compounds obtained from the seaweed Chondrococcus hornemanni on ichthyopathogenic bacteria affecting marine ornamental fish

Objective:To investigate antibacterial effects of extracts from the seaweed Chondrococcushornemanni(C.hornemanni)on bacterial pathogens of marine ornamental fish.Method:Methanol extract obtained from C.hornemanni showed a broad and high antibacterial activity against four fish pathogens including Providencia rettgeri,Aeromonas hydrophila,Vibrioalginoticus and Vibrio parahaemolyticus.The crude extract obtained from the dried seaweeds was fractionated and purified using column chromatography.Purified extracts were analyzed with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR)for identifying the functional groups.Phytoconstituents of the active fraction were further identified by means of gas chromatography and mass spectrometric(GC-MS)analysis.Result:The first fraction of the extracts showed effective inhibitory activity against Aeromonashydrophila and Vibrio parahaemolyticus at a concentration of 100μL.However,Vibrio alginolyticus and Providencia rettgeri had shown a moderately lesser inhibitory response to the extract.Conclusion:Hence,it is concluded that extracts of seaweed C.hornemanni,contain potential bioactive compounds with a considerable antibiotic activity.

Synthesis,structural study,thermal,optical properties and characterization of the new compound[C6H7N2O2]3TeCl5·2Cl

The new organic-inorganic compound, [C_6H_7N_2O_2]_3TeCl_5·2Cl was synthesized and its structure was determined at room temperature in the triclinic system （P^-1） with the following parameters： a = 10.5330（11） ？, b = 10.6663（11） ？, c = 15.9751（16）？, α = 82.090（2）°, β = 71.193（2）°, γ = 68.284（2）°and Z = 2. The final cycle of refinement led to R = 0.057 and Rw = 0.149. The crystal structure was stabilized by an extensive network of N--H···Cl and non-classical C--H···Cl hydrogen bonds between the cation and the anionic group. Several thermal analysis techniques such as thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetric analysis and evolved gas analysis were used. We used isoconversional kinetics methods to determine the kinetics parameters. We observe that the decomposition of [C_6H_7N_2O_2]_3TeCl_5·2Cl entails the formation hydrochloric acid of nitroaniline as volatiles. The infrared spectra were recorded in the4000–400 cm^（-1）frequency region. The Raman spectra were recorded in the external region of the anionic sublattice vibration 50–1500 cm^（-1）. The optical band gap was calculated from the UV-Vis absorbance spectra using classical Tauc relation which was found to be 3.12 and 3.67 eV.

Spectroscopic studies of gel-grown lanthanum malonate crystals

Lanthanum malonate crystals were grown by single tube ionic diffusion through silica gel. The crystallinity of the grown crystals was analyzed by powder X-ray diffraction studies. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy （FTIR） and fourier transform （FT） Raman studies confirmed the presence of functional groups in the title compound. The optical band gap energy of the material was extracted from diffuse reflectance spectrum.