Photocatalytic degradation of pesticide residues with RE^(3+)-doped nano-TiO_2

The photocatalytic degradation effects of carbofuran solution under concentration of 0.2,0.4,0.8 g/L Re3+-doped nano-TiO2 were studied.The highest degradation rate of 54.89% was obtained after 4 h degradation when the concentration of nano-TiO2 was 0.4 g/L.Then field trials of photocatalytic degradation with suspension nano-TiO2 were conducted.The photocatalytic degradation effect of organic phosphorus and carbamate pesticides in tomato leaves and soil with different concentratio catalyst(0,0.2,0.4,0.6,0.8 g/L) were studied.The results showed that nano-TiO2 could significantly increase photocatalytic degradation rate of pesticide residues in tomato leaves and soil.Pesticide residues degradation rate could be increased by 20%-30% on the tomato leaves and 15%-20% in soil,and the best concentration of photocatalytic degradation was 0.2-0.4 g/L.

Long-term vegetation development on a wildfire slope in Innerzwain(Styria,Austria)

Forest fires in mountainous areas can cause severe defores-tation which can potentially trigger secondary natural hazards like debris falls and avalanches. We documented an extreme case study for the range of possible post-fire land cover （LC） dynamics. We investigated a 15-ha, steep （10°-65°） burnt slope in Styria （Austria） at elevation of 760-1130 m, which burned in 1946 and has not fully recovered to date. Seven 8-class legend LC maps were produced （1954, 1966, 1973, 1982, 1998, 2004, 2009） and integrated in a vector-based GIS, mainly by on-screen interpretation of aerial photos. Our aim was to clarify how post-wildfire LC dynamics take place on a severely damaged, steep slope and to give a basic projection of the future vegetation recovery process. The pre-fire Pinus sylvestrisstands have been mainly replaced by Picea abies and Larix decidua. Regeneration proceeded mainly from the base of the slope upwards. All tree species together still cover no more than 40% of the slope after more than 60 years of recovery, while grassland communities and rock/debris areas have expanded. Multitemporal analysis showed a slow but steady increase in woodland cover. Degraded rock/debris areas, however, expanded as well because soil erosion and related debris flows remained active. Slope angle （with a threshold value of approx. 35-40°） seemed to control whether erosion or regeneration prevailed. According to a simple extrapolation, the slope will not reach its former condition before 2070. This extreme disturbance window of more than 120 years is owed to the steepness of the slope and to the shallow soils on dolomitic bedrock that were severely damaged by the fire. The neglect of any game fencing is a further factor slowing regeneration.

Pd-MnO_2 nanoparticles/TiO_2 nanotube arrays(NTAs) photo-electrodes photo-catalytic properties and their ability of degrading Rhodamine B under visible light

Pd-MnO2/TiO2 nanotube arrays（NTAs） photo-electrodes were successfully fabricated via anodization and electro deposition subsequently; the obtained Pd-MnO2/TiO2 NTAs photo electrodes were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy（SEM）, X-ray diffraction（XRD） and characterized accordingly. Moreover, the light harvesting and absorption properties were investigated via ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectrum（DRS）; photo degradation efficiency was investigated via analyzing the photo catalytic degradation of Rhodamine B under visible illumination（xenon light）. The performed analyses illustrated that Pd-MnO2 codoped particles were successfully deposited onto the surface of the TiO2 nanotube arrays;DRS results showed significant improvement in visible light absorption which was between400 and 700 nm. Finally, the photo catalytic degradation efficiency results of the designated organic pollutant（Rhodamine B） illustrated a superior photocatalytic（PC） efficiency of approximately 95% compared to the bare TiO2 NTAs, which only exhibited a photo catalytic degradation efficiency of approximately 61%, thus it indicated the significant enhancement of the light absorption properties of fabricated photo electrodes and their yield of UOH radicals.

Investigations on the aging behavior of transparent bioplastics for optical applications

In this study,the optical properties of transparent bioplastics have been investigated.The long-term technological goal is to establish biopolymers in a new market segment for demanding optical applications and to contribute to a more sustainable economy.A collection of transparent bioplastics has been tested with respect to the long-term stability and the possibility of an application in optical components for LED lighting.The focus of materials testing was on the influence of short wavelength visible radiation as well as thermal loads.The results show,that some materials may be candidates for subsequent feasibility studies.To the best of our knowledge,the application of such polymers in complex technical products and in particular in luminaires has not yet been realized.The use of bio-based plastics for optical components therefore represents a novelty and has a high development potential.