Carbon dots and polyurethane composite for photo-induced elimination of uranium under air atmosphere

Uranium is the main fuel of nuclear power and elimination uranium from nuclear wastewater is significant both in environmental protection and fuel recycle.Here we report for the first time the synthesis of carbon dots/polyurethane(CDs/PU)composite materials for the photoinduced elimination of uranium from water.Irradiated with visible light,CDs/PU could eliminate uranium efficiently with the generation of(UO_(2))O_(2)·_(2)H_(2)O as solid products in air.The further investigated mechanism showed that the addition of CDs/PU could produce more H_(2)O_(2)under visible light,which reacted with uranyl ions to form(UO_(2))O_(2)·_(2)H_(2)O.Importantly,the sponge-like CDs/PU could be easily removed from water with high reusability as the elimination efficiency remained above 95%after 5 cycles.CDs/PU also displayed good selectivity in the presence of other metal ions.Our work affords exciting strategies for developing photocatalysts and eliminating uranium from water.

Fluid-chemical modeling of the near-cathode sheath formation process in a high current broken in DC air circuit breaker

When the contacts of a medium-voltage DC air circuit breaker(DCCB) are separated, the energy distribution of the arc is determined by the formation process of the near-electrode sheath. Therefore, the voltage drop through the near-electrode sheath is an important means to build up the arc voltage, which directly determines the current-limiting performance of the DCCB. A numerical model to describe the near-electrode sheath formation process can provide insight into the physical mechanism of the arc formation, and thus provide a method for arc energy regulation. In this work, we establish a two-dimensional axisymmetric time-varying model of a medium-voltage DCCB arc when interrupted by high current based on a fluid-chemical model involving 16 kinds of species and 46 collision reactions. The transient distributions of electron number density, positive and negative ion number density, net space charge density, axial electric field, axial potential between electrodes, and near-cathode sheath are obtained from the numerical model. The computational results show that the electron density in the arc column increases, then decreases, and then stabilizes during the near-cathode sheath formation process, and the arc column's diameter gradually becomes wider. The 11.14 V–12.33 V drops along the17 μm space charge layer away from the cathode(65.5 k V/m–72.5 k V/m) when the current varies from 20 k A–80 k A.The homogeneous external magnetic field has little effect on the distribution of particles in the near-cathode sheath core,but the electron number density at the near-cathode sheath periphery can increase as the magnetic field increases and the homogeneous external magnetic field will lead to arc diffusion. The validity of the numerical model can be proven by comparison with the experiment.

Carbon dots and carbon nitride composite for photocatalytic removal of uranium under air atmosphere

Photocatalytic removal of uranium has attracted much attention in nuclear wastewater treatment and it is highly needed to develop functional photocatalyst with excellent removal performance.In this work,seven kinds of carbon dots/carbon nitride(CDs/CN)composites were synthesized and Ser CDs/CN with the best photo-assisted uranium removal performance was screened out.It was found that the introduction of CDs could bring in higher photocurrent density,lower interfacial charge transfer impedance and narrower band gap,resulting in a much-improved removal performance.SerCDs/CN had shown a removal capacity as high as 1690 mg/g and the reaction could be operated under air atmosphere which is promising in real application.

Thermogravimetric kinetic analysis of Nannochloropsis oculata combustion in air atmosphere

The thermal behavior of Nannochloropsis oculata combustion in air atmosphere were investigated by performing experiments on STA PT1600 Thermal Analyzer at heating rates of 10℃/min, 40℃/min and 70℃/min and range of temperatures from room tempera- ture to 1200℃. The kinetic parameters were evaluated by using Kissinger and Ozawa methods. The result showed that Nannochloropsis oculata combustion occurred in five stages. Started with initial devolatilization, the main thermal decomposition and combustion process, transition stage, the combustion of char and the last stage was the slow burning reaction of residual char. In line with increasing heating rate, the mass loss rate increased as well, but it delayed the thermal decomposition processes toward higher temperatures. The average activation energy at the main thermal decomposition stage and the stage of char combustion were approximately 251 kJ/mol and 178 kJ/mol, respectively.

Nanosecond Repetitively Pulsed Dielectric Barrier Discharge in Air at Atmospheric Pressure

Dielectric barrier discharge （DBD） between two cylindrical glass containers with salt water generated by a nanosecond repetitively pulsed power generator is reported. The electrical parameters, luminous images and spectrum diagnosis are presented. It is shown that the DBD possesses a large discharge current and an intense optical emission from the nitrogen second positive system below 400 nm. The gas temperature remains very close to room temperature regardless of pulse polarity. Luminous photographs with a short exposure time down to 2 ns indicate that no filament is observed and the discharge is homogeneous.

Cold atmospheric-pressure air plasma treatment of C6 glioma cells:effects of reactive oxygen species in the medium produced by the plasma on cell death

An atmospheric-pressure air plasma is employed to treat C6 glioma cells in vitro. To elucidate on the mechanism causing cell death and role of reactive species （RS） in the medium produced by the plasma, the concentration of the long-lived RS such as hydrogen peroxide, nitrate, and ozone in the plasma-treated liquid （phosphate-buffered saline solution） is measured. When vitamin C is added to the medium as a ROS quencher, the viability of C6 glioma cells after the plasma treatment is different from that without vitamin C. The results demonstrate that reactive oxygen species （ROS） such as H2O2, and O3 constitute the main factors for inactivation of C6 glioma cells and the reactive nitrogen species （RNS） may only play an auxiliary role in cell death.

Effects of the transverse electric field on nanosecond pulsed dielectric barrier discharge in atmospheric airflow

In this paper,an asymmetric electrode geometry(the misalignment between the ends of highvoltage and grounded electrodes)is proposed in order to investigate the effects of the transverse electric field on nanosecond pulsed dielectric barrier discharge(DBD).The results show that diffuse discharge manifests in the misaligned region and the micro-discharge channel in the aligned region moves directionally.Moreover,the diffuse discharge area increases with the decrease of the discharge gap and pulse repetition frequency,which is consistent with the variation of the moving velocity of the micro-discharge channel.When airflow is introduced into the discharge gap in the same direction as the transverse electric field,the dense filamentary discharge region at the airflow inlet of asymmetric electrode geometry is larger than that of symmetric electrode geometry.However,when the direction of the airflow is opposite to that of the transverse electric field,the dense filamentary discharge region of asymmetric electrode geometry is reduced.The above phenomena are mainly attributed to the redistribution of the space charges induced by the transverse electric field.

Influence of Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x)(MXene)on the generation of dielectric barrier discharge in air

The formation of homogeneous dielectric barrier discharge(DBD)in air is a key scientific problem and core technical problem to be solved for the application of plasmas.Here,we report the effect of two-dimensional(2D)nanomaterial Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x)(Tx=-F,-O and/or-OH)on regulating the electrical discharge characteristics.The field emission and weak bound state property of Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x)can effectively increase the seed electrons and contribute to the generation of atmospheric pressure homogeneous air DBD.The electron avalanche development for the uneven electrode structure is calculated,and the discharge mode transition is modeled.The comparative analyses of discharge phenomena validate the regulation of Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x)on the discharge characteristics of DBD.The light emission capture and the voltage and current waveforms verify that the transition of Townsend discharge to streamer discharge is effectively inhibited.The optical emission spectra are used to characterize the plasma and confirm that it is in a non-equilibrium state and the gas temperature is at room temperature.This is the first exploration of Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x)on the regulation of electrical discharge characteristics as far as we know.This work proves the feasibility of Ti_(3)C_(2)T_(x)as a source of seed electrons to form homogeneous DBD,establishing a preliminary foundation for promoting the application of atmospheric pressure non-equilibrium plasma.

Hemostasis Efficacy and Mechanism of Cold Atmospheric Air Plasma

The capacity of a cold atmospheric-pressure air plasma (CAAP) device for advanced first aid is presented. Using swine as an animal model, two trials: 1) a large, curved cut in hindquarters area and 2) amputation of a front leg, were performed. Cold atmospheric-pressure air plasma effluent, which carries reactive oxygen species (ROS) atomic oxygen (OI), is applied for wound treatments. Swift hemostasis of the wounds by the CAAP treatment was demonstrated. The pressure applied by a finger on the cut arteries in trial 1 and the tourniquet applied in trial 2 could be removed immediately after the treatment and there was no re-bleed in both cases. CAAP hemostasis mechanism was explored via in-vitro tests. The tests on sodium citrate mixed blood-droplet samples show that 1) the heat delivered by the CAAP has no impact on the observed clot formation, 2) plasma effluent activates platelets to promote coagulation state and cascade, and 3) the degree of clotting increases with the total amount of applied OI by means of the CAAP effluent. It took only 16 s of the CAAP treatment to reach full clotting, which was considerably shortened from the natural clotting time of about 25 minutes. The tests on smeared blood samples show that the reduction of the platelet count and the increase of RBC count are proportional to the amount of applied OI. A plausible CAAP hemostasis mechanism is concluded from the in vitro test results and the animal model trials.

Corona with Streamers in Atmospheric Pressure Air in a Highly Inhomogeneous Electric Field

The paper presents research data on positive and negative coronas inatmospheric pressure air in a highly inhomogeneous electric field. Thedata show that irrespective of the polarity of pointed electrodes placed ina high electric field (200 kV/cm), this type of discharge develops via ballstreamers even if the gap voltage rises slowly (0.2 kV/ms). The start voltageof first positive streamers, compared to negative ones, is higher andthe amplitude and the frequency of their current pulses are much lower:about two times and more than two orders of magnitude, respectively.The higher frequency of current pulses from negative streamers provideshigher average currents and larger luminous areas of negative coronascompared to positive ones. Positive and negative cylindrical streamersfrom a pointed to a plane electrode are detected and successive dischargetransitions at both polarities are identified.

Electrical Characteristics of Dielectric-Barrier Discharges in Atmospheric Pressure Air Using a Power-Frequency Voltage Source

Dielectric-barrier discharges （DBDs） in atmospheric pressure air have been studied by using a power-frequency voltage source. In this paper the electrical characteristics of DBDs us- ing glass and alumina dielectrics have been investigated experimentally. According to the Lissajous figures of voltage-charges, it is discovered that the discharge power for an alumina dielectric is much higher than that for a glass dielectric at the same applied voltage. Also~ the voltage-current curves of the glass and alumina dielectrics confirm the fact that the dielectric barriers behave like semiconducting materials at certain applied voltages.

The Effect of the Quartz Tube on the Appearance of Nanosecond Pulsed Discharge in Air

An experimental investigation of a nanosecond pulsed dielectric barrier discharge in atmospheric air is presented. In the setup a quartz tube was inserted between the cone and plane electrodes in the direction parallel to the electric field. It was shown that the appearance and property of the discharge were sensitive to the size and the position of the quartz tube. When the tube was placed on the grounded plane electrode, the discharge intensity was found to improve gradually with the increase in the diameter of the quartz tube. Furthermore, with an appropriate distance between the bottom edge of the quartz tube and the plane electrode, the discharge tended to exhibit better performance in generating homogeneous diffusive plasma. The possible mechanism is discussed.

Experimental Study of ZnO-Coated Alumina DBD in Atmospheric Pressure Air

An investigation on the discharge characteristic of a dielectric barrier discharge （DBD） device was carried out using bare and ZnO-coated alumina dielectric layer in atmospheric pressure air. Highly conductive ZnO film was first deposited on the alumina surface, and the characteristics of the dielectric barrier discharge were examined and compared. Experimental result shows that discharge behavior was definitely improved in the case of ZnO-coated dielectric barrier discharge. Relevant explanation is offered to describe its discharge physics.

Kinetic study of key species and reactions of atmospheric pressure pulsed corona discharge in humid air

In this study, we examined the key particles and chemical reactions that substantially influence plasma characteristics. In summarizing the chemical reaction model for the discharge process of N_(2)–O_(2)–H_(2)O(g)mixed gases, 65 particle types and 673 chemical reactions were investigated. On this basis, a global model of atmospheric pressure humid air discharge plasma was developed, with a focus on the variation of charged particles densities and chemical reaction rates with time under the excitation of a 0–200 Td pulsed electric field. Particles with a density greater than 1% of the electron density were classified as key particles. For such particles, the top ranking generation or consumption reactions(i.e. where the sum of their rates was greater than 95% of the total rate of the generation or consumption reactions) were classified as key chemical reactions. On the basis of the key particles and reactions identified, a simplified global model was derived. A comparison of the global model with the simplified global model in terms of the model parameters, particle densities, reaction rates(with time), and calculation efficiencies demonstrated that both models can adequately identify the key particles and chemical reactions reflecting the chemical process of atmospheric pressure discharge plasma in humid air. Thus, by analyzing the key particles and chemical reaction pathways, the charge and substance transfer mechanism of atmospheric pressure pulse discharge plasma in humid air was revealed, and the mechanism underlying water vapor molecules’ influence on atmospheric pressure air discharge was elucidated.

Generation of Atmospheric Pressure Plasma by Repetitive Nanosecond Pulses in Air Using Water Electrodes

Dielectric barrier discharge （DBD） excitated by pulsed power is a promising method for producing nonthermal plasma at atmospheric pressure. Discharge characteristic in a DBD with salt water as electrodes by a home-made unipolar nanosecond-pulse power source is presented in this paper. The generator is capable of providing repetitive pulses with the voltage up to 30 kV and duration of 70 ns at a 300 Ω resistive load. Applied voltage and discharge current are measured under various experimental conditions. The DBD created between two liquid electrodes shows that the discharge is homogeneous and diffuse in the whole discharge regime, Spectra diagnosis is conducted by an optical emission spectroscopy. The air plasma has strong emission from nitrogen species below 400 nm, notably the nitrogen second positive system.

A Method of Using a Carbon Fiber Spiral-Contact Electrode to Achieve Atmospheric Pressure Glow Discharge in Air

During discharge, appropriately changing the development paths of electron avalanches and increasing the number of initial electrons can effectively inhibit the formation of filamentary discharge. Based on the aforementioned phenomenon, we propose a method of using microdischarge electrodes to produce a macroscopic discharge phenomenon. In the form of an asymmetric structure composed of a carbon fiber electrode, an electrode structure of carbon fiber spiral-contact type is designed to achieve an atmospheric pressure glow discharge in air, which is characterized by low discharge voltage, low energy consumption, good diffusion and less ozone generation.

Anchoring heterometallic cluster on P-doped carbon nitride for efficient photocatalytic nitrogen fixation in water and air ambient

Light-driven nitrogen fixation to produce ammonia is a green and economical technology of nitrogen reduction but is still quite challenging, especially in an air atmosphere without any sacrificial reagents.Herein, we demonstrate efficient photocatalytic nitrogen fixation using water and air directly by loading lanthanide–transition metal(4f–3d) cluster NdCo_(3) on two-dimensional P-doped graphitic carbon nitrides(PCN) material surface. Benefiting from the increase in the number of nitrogen vacancies(NVs) and highly matched band gap structure and excellent hole trapping ability of clusters, the NdCo_(3)/PCN photocatalyst exhibits efficient nitrogen reduction activity with 371(in air) and 825 μmol h^(-1)g^(-1)(in pure nitrogen)without any sacrificial reagents. The introduction of potassium sulfate inhibits hydrogen production and promotes nitrogen reduction activation. This work suggests that anchoring precisely structured clusters on 2D materials may enhance photocatalytic nitrogen reduction under normal temperature and pressure.

Assessing the Impact of Gas Flaring and Carbon Dioxide Emissions on Precipitation Patterns in the Niger Delta Region of Nigeria Using Geospatial Analysis

This research utilizes geospatial methodologies to investigate the influence of gas flaring and carbon dioxide emissions on precipitation patterns within the Niger Delta region of Nigeria.The study relies on average mean precipitation data sourced from CHRS at the University of Arizona and carbon dioxide emissions data from NASA’s AIRS in Giovanni,spanning from July 2002 to November 2011.To carry out the analysis,ArcGIS 5.0 and SPSS 25,employing Inverse Distance Weighting(IDW),were employed to assess CO_(2) emissions and rainfall for both November and July during the period from 2002 to 2011.Over the course of this study,it was observed that CO_(2) emission exhibited an upward trend,increasing from 327.5226 parts per million(ppm)in July 2002 to 390.0077 ppm in November 2011.Simultaneously,the rainfall demonstrated an increase,rising from 56.66 millimeters to 390.78 millimeters for both July and November from 2002 to 2011.Noteworthy findings emerged from the correlation analysis conducted.Specifically,from July 2000 to 2011,there was a weak positive correlation(0.3858)observed between CO_(2) emissions and minimum rainfall,while a strong negative correlation(–0.7998)was identified for maximum rainfall values.In November,both minimum and maximum CO_(2) emissions displayed strong negative correlations with rainfall,with coefficients of–0.8255 and–0.7415,respectively.These findings hold significant implications for comprehending the environmental dynamics within the Niger Delta.Policymakers and stakeholders can leverage this knowledge to formulate targeted strategies aimed at mitigating CO_(2) emissions and addressing potential climate change-induced alterations in rainfall patterns.

An Atmospheric Large-Scale Cold Plasma Jet

This letter reports on the generation and characteristics of a large-scale dielectric barrier discharge plasma jet at atmospheric pressure. With appropriate parameters, diffuse plasma with a 50×5 mm2 cross-sectional area is obtained. The characteristics of the discharges are diag- nosed by using electrical and optical methods. In addition to being generated in helium, plasma is also generated in a mixed gas of helium and oxygen. The oxygen atomic radiant intensity （3p5P→ 3s5S, 3p3P→3s3S transition） is not proportional to the proportion of oxygen in the gas mixture, as shown by the experimental results.

Experimental and simulated investigation of microdischarge characteristics in a pin-to-pin dielectric barrier discharge(DBD)reactor

Both experimental and simulated studies of microdischarge(MD)are carried out in a dielectric barrier discharge with a pin-to-pin gap of 3.5 mm,ignited by a sinusoidal voltage with a peak voltage of 10 kV and a driving frequency of 5 kHz.Statistical results have shown that the probability of the single current pulse in the positive half-period(HP)reaches 73.6%under these conditions.Experimental results show that great luminous intensity is concentrated on the dielectric surface and the tip of the metal electrode.A 1D plasma fluid model is implemented by coupling the species continuity equations,electron energy density equations,Poisson equation,and Helmholtz equations to analyze the MD dynamics on the microscale.The simulated results are in good qualitative agreement with the experimental results.The simulated results show that the MD dynamics can be divided into three phases:the Townsend phase,the streamer propagation phase,and the discharge decay phase.During the streamer propagation phase,the electric field and electron density increase with the streamer propagation from the anode to the cathode,and their maximal values reach 625.48 Td and 2.31×10^(19)m^(-3),as well as 790.13 Td and 3.58×10^(19)m^(-3)in the positive and negative HP,respectively.Furthermore,a transient glow-like discharge is detected around the anode during the same period of streamer propagation.The formation of transient glow-like discharge is attributed to electrons drifting back to the anode,which is driven by the residual voltage in the air gap.