Effects of elevated CO_2 concentration and nitrogen supply on biomass and active carbon of freshwater marsh after two growing seasons in Sanjiang Plain, Northeast China

An experiments were carried out with treatments differing in nitrogen supply （0, 5 and 15 g N/m^2） and CO2 levels （350 and 700 μmol/mol） using OTC （open top chamber） equipment to investigate the biomass of Calamagrostis angustifolia and soil active carbon contents after two years. The results showed that elevated CO2 concentration increased the biomass of C. angustifolia and the magnitude of response varied with each growth period. Elevated CO2 concentration has increased aboveground biomass by 16.7% and 17.6% during the jointing and heading periods and only 3.5% and 9.4% during dough and maturity periods. The increases in belowground biomass due to CO2 elevation was 26.5%, 34.0% and 28.7% during the heading, dough and maturity periods, respectively. The responses of biomass to enhanced CO2 concentrations are differed in N levels. Both the increase of aboveground biomass and belowground biomass were greater under high level of N supply （15 g N/m^2）. Elevated CO2 concentration also increased the allocation of biomass and carbon in root. Under elevated CO2 concentration, the average values of active carbon tended to increase. The increases of soil active soil contents followed the sequence of microbial biomass carbon （10.6%） 〉 dissolved organic carbon （7.5%） 〉 labile oxidable carbon （6.6%） 〉 carbohydrate carbon （4.1%）. Stepwise regressions indicated there were significant correlations between the soil active carbon contents and plant biomass. Particularly, microbial biomass carbon, labile oxidable carbon and carbohydrate carbon were found to be correlated with belowground biomass, while dissolved organic carbon has correlation with aboveground biomass. Therefore, increased biomass was regarded as the main driving force for the increase in soil active organic carbon under elevated CO2 concentration.

Invertebrate community characteristics in biologically active carbon filter

Biologically active carbon （BAC） system was set up in a water plant of South China during January to December 2007,to study the invertebrate community characteristics of BAC filter.Thirty-seven invertebrate species were found,of which 28 belonging to rotifers.Filter operation could lead to an output of invertebrates in high abundances with the filtrate,and the maximum density could reach 5608 individuals/m 3.Average abundances in the effluent water increased in 27-33 folds in comparison to the influent water during the sampling period.Invertebrate community succession had the following trend：filter-feeding animals → small benthic invertebrates → large benthic and resistant invertebrates.Abundances of large-sized invertebrates （copepod adult and oligochaete） at bigger-media column were significantly higher than that at small-media column.The results implied the abundant species diversity of invertebrate in BAC filter.The relationship between invertebrate and biofilm still remain to be studied in detail.

Preparation of active carbons from corn stalk for butanol vapor adsorption

Active carbons(ACs) were prepared through chemical activation of biochar from whole corn stalk(WCS)and corn stalk pith(CSP) at varying temperatures using potassium hydroxide as the activating agent. ACs were characterized via pore structural analysis and scanning electron microscopy(SEM). These adsorbents were then assessed for their adsorption capacity for butanol vapor. It was found that WCS activated at900 °C for 1 h(WCS-900) had optimal butanol adsorption characteristics. The BET surface area and total pore volume of the WCS-900 were 2330 m2/g and 1.29 cm3/g, respectively. The dynamic adsorption capacity of butanol vapor was 410.0 mg/g, a 185.1% increase compared to charcoal-based commercial AC(143.8 mg/g).

Preparation and Supercapacitive Properties of Fe_2O_3/Active Carbon Nanocomposites

Fe2O3/active carbon（Fe2O3/AC） nanocomposites were readily fabricated by pyrolyzing Fe3＋ impregnated active carbon in a nitrogen atmosphere. The as-prepared composites were studied by X-ray powder diffraction（XRD）, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy（XPS） and transmission electron microscopy（TEM）. The capacitive property of the composites was investigated by cyclic voltammetry（CV） and galvanostatic charge-discharge test. Physical characterizations show that the γ-Fe2O3 fine grains dispersed in the AC well, with a mean size of 21.24 nm. Electrochemical tests in 6 mol/L KOH solutions indicate that the as-prepared nanocomposites exhibited improved capacitive properties. The specific capacitance（SC） of Fe2O3/AC nanocomposites was up to 188.4 F/g that was derived from both electrochemical double-layer capacitance and pseudo-capacitance, which was 78% larger than that of pristine AC. A symmetric capacitor with Fe2O3/AC nanocomposites as electrode showed an excellent cycling stability. The SC was only reduced by a factor of 9.2% after 2000 cycles at a current density of 1 A/g.

Photocatalytic Characterization of TiO_2 Supported on Active Carbon

The Photocatalytic characterization of TiO2 supported on active carbon was investigated for photocatalytic decomposition of dichloroacetic acid. It was found that TiO2 / AC exhibited a higher photocatalytic activity than pure TiO2. The reason is that active carbon acting as powerful adsorbent supports makes high concentration environments of organic pollutant molecules around TiO2 particles.

Study on the Removal of Ammonia Nitrogen from Wastewater Using Microwave Coupled with Active Carbon

[ Objective] The study aimed to discuss the feasibility and optimal conditions of removing ammonia nitrogen by using microwave coupled with active carbon. [ Method ] In the study, a novel process, microwave radiation coupled with active carbon, was applied to remove ammonia nitro- gen from wastewater, and the influences of solution pH, air conditions, active carbon usage, microwave power and time on the removal effect of ammonia nitrogen were studied. [ Result] Microwave coupled with active carbon can remove ammonia nitrogen efficiently, and pumping air into the wastewater can also increase the removal rate of ammonia nitrogen to a certain extent. Higher pH, intensive microwave power and longer treating time could also increase the removal rate of ammonia nitrogen using microwave radiation coupled with active carbon, whereas the usage of active carbon contributed a small impact. It was proved that microwave coupled with active carbon was an effective method for the removal of ammonia ni- trogen from wastewater. Meanwhile, the orthogonal experiment results showed that the removal rate of ammonia nitrogen reached 92.5% under the optimal conditions, that is, the usage of active carbon was 0.5 g, pH = 11, microwave radiation power was 850 W, and microwave action time was 4 minutes. [ Conclusion] The research provided a new method to remove ammonia nitrogen from wastewater, namely microwave coupled with ac- tive carbon.

Co_(2)N Nanoparticles Anchored on N-Doped Active Carbon as Catalyst for Oxygen Reduction Reaction in Zinc–Air Battery

The development of efficient catalytic electrode toward oxygen reduction reaction(ORR)is still a great challenge for the wide use of zinc–air batteries.Herein,Co_(2)N nanoparticles(NPs)anchored on N-doped carbon from cattail were verified with excellent catalytic performances for ORR.The onset and half-wave potentials over the optimal catalyst reach to 0.96 V and 0.84 V,respectively.Current retention rates of 96.8%after 22-h test and 98.8%after running 1600 s were obtained in 1 M methanol solution.Density functional theory simulation proposes an apparently increased electronic states of Co_(2)N in N-doped carbon layer close to the Fermi level.Higher charge density,favorable adsorption,and charge transfer of intermediates originate from the coexistence of Co_(2)N NPs and N atoms in carbon skeleton.The superior catalytic activity of composites also was confirmed in zinc–air batteries.This novel catalytic property and controllable preparation approach of Co_(2)Ncarbon composites provide a promising avenue to fabricate metal-containing catalytically active carbon from biomass.

Study on Treatment of the Pesticide Wastewater by the Composite Process of Biological Active Carbon Filter-Fluid Bed

[ Objectlve] The research aimed to study treatment effect of the pesticide wastewater by the composite process of biological active car- bon filter-fluid bed. [Method] The composite process of biological active carbon filter- fluid bed was applied to treat the mixed pesticide wastewater. The removal efficiencies of CODcr, BODs, NH3-N, SS and the influence factors were investigated. [ Result] The composite process had good treatment efficiency for pesticide wastewater. After running stably, the average removal rates of CODc,, BODs, NH3-N and SS were re- spectively 91.6%, 96.2%, 90.2% and 87.5%. All indices reached the third level cdteda specified in Comprehensive Standard of the Sewage Dis- charge （DB12/356-2008）. [ Conclusionl The whole system operates reliably and simply, and provides a stable, convenient and economical solu- tion for deep treatment of the mixed pesticide wastewater.

Potassium-decorated active carbon supported Co-Mo-based catalyst for water-gas shift reaction

The effect of potassium-decoration was studied on the activity of water-gas shift （WGS） reaction over the Co-Mo-based catalysts supported on active carbon （AC）, which was prepared by incipient wetness co-impregnation method. The decoration of potassium on active carbon in advance enhances the activities of the CoMo-K/AC catalysts for WGS reaction. Highest activity （about 92% conversion） was obtained at 250 ？ C for the catalyst with an optimum K 2 O/AC weight ratio in the range from 0.12 to 0.15. The catalysts were characterized by TPR and EPR, and the results show that activated carbon decorated with potassium makes Co-Mo species highly dispersed, and thus easily reduced and sulfurized. XRD results show that an appropriate content of potassium-decoration on active carbon supports may favors the formation of highly dispersed Co 9 S 8 -type structures which are situated on the edge or a site in contact with MoS 2 , K-Mo-O-S, Mo-S-K phase. Those active species are responsible for the high activity of CoMo-K/AC catalysts.

Catalysis of Active Carbon Supporting Transition Metal Oxides for Pyrotechnical Reagent with Potassium Perchlorate

In order to improve the pyrotechnical reagent with potassium perchlorate,composite catalyst of active carbon supporting transition metal oxides （TMO）,Fe2O3 and CuO,were prepared and added into pyrotechnical reagent with potassium perchlorate.Accelerating rate calorimeter （ARC） was used to study the catalysis of pyrotechnical reagent which is consisted of potassium perchlorate and composite catalyst.Composite catalyst of both Fe2O3 and CuO supported by active carbon can catalyze pyrotechnical reagent with potassium perchlorate.Furthermore,it can lower the apparent activation energy and accelerate the reaction with a smaller quantity than that with Fe2O3 and CuO.The maximal reaction rate of pyrotechnical reagent with potassium perchlorate mixed with Fe2O3/active carbon and CuO/active carbon is 8.31 min-1 and 9.13 min-1,which is 1.74 times and 1.91 times of pyrotechnical reagent mixed with no catalyst;time to maximal rate was 18.99 min and 1.96 min respectively,which is lower than pyrotechnical reagent mixed with no catalyst by 86.46% and 98.67% ;the apparent activation energy is 368.10 kJ·mol-1 and 325.29 kJ·mol-1,which is lower than pyrotechnical reagent mixed with no catalyst by 31.89% and 39.81% respectively.

Direct Electrochemical Reaction of Horseradish Peroxidase Immobilized on the Surface of Active Carbon Powders

It is reported for the first time that horseradish peroxidase (HRP) immobilized on the active carbon can undergo a direct quasi-reversible electrochemical reaction. In addition, the immobilized HRP showed the stable bioelectrocatalytic activity for the reduction of H2O2.

Pilot Study on Powder Active Carbon / Flotation/Microflocculation / Ultrafiltration Combined Process for Treatment of Reservoir Water

[Objective] The study aimed to discover the effects of powder active carbon（ PAC） /flotation /micro-flocculation /ultrafiltration combined process on the treatment of reservoir water. [Method]Taken the water from a mountainous reservoir for the initial samples,the parameters such as turbidity,COD Mn,chlorophyll-a and methylisobormeol（ MIB） of water samples were monitored before and after treated with combined processes of micro-flocculation /ultrafiltration, flotation /micro-flocculation /ultrafiltration, PAC /flotation /micro-flocculation /ultrafiltration. [Result] The results showed that the removal rates of turbidity of water samples by the above three processes were 97. 5%,98. 0% and 98. 6%,respectively. The removal rates of COD Mn were 30. 9%,35. 0% and 52. 0%. The removal rates of chlorophyll-a were 80. 6%,91. 0% and 99. 0%. The removal rates of MIB were 17. 0%,34. 2% and 97. 0%. [Conclusion]The PAC /flotation /micro-flocculation ultrafiltration combined process can be flexibly combined based on the characteristics of algae and odor in water,and is suitable for water plant construction or reconstruction.

Electrochemical performance of nickel oxide/KOH/active carbon super-capacitor

The fabrication and characterization of new type Nickel oxide/KOH/Activecarbon super-capacitor have been described. Porous nickel oxide was prepared by hydrolysis of nickelacetate and heated in air at 300 deg C. The resulting nickel oxide behaved as an electrochemicalcapacitor electrode with a specific capacitance (50-70 F/g) superior to most active carbonelectrodes. This kind of nickel oxide maintained high utilization at high rate of discharge (i.e.,high power density) and had excellent cycle life more than 1000 times, while the capacitance of thecell composed of two identical nickel oxide electrodes was poor at high discharge current densityand the maximum operational voltage of this type capacitor was limited to 0.5 V. A new typesuper-capacitor was designed in which the nickel oxide and the active carbon were applied to thepositive and negative electrodes respectively. The breakdown voltage of this type super-capacitorwas improved effectively to 0.8 V and excellent characteristic of high power discharge was attainedin this way. The Nickel oxide/KOH/Active carbon super-capacitor has promising potentials in portabletelecommunications, uninterruptable power supplies and battery load leveling applications.

THE HYDROXYLATON OF INACTIVE HYDROCARBONS WITH ACTIVE CARBON SUPPORTED METALLOPORPHYRINS

A supported Mn-porphyrin catalyst was prepared by adsorption of Mn-porphyrin on active carbon, and found to be efficient for the hydroxylation of hexane with hydrogen peroxide.

Performance of Electric Double Layer Capacitors using Active Carbons Prepared from Petroleum Coke by KOH and Vapor Re-Etching

The electrochemical storage of energy in a special kind of active carbon materials used as capacitor electrodes is considered. Petroleum coke was used for preparation of carbons with different porosities by KOH and vapor etching with catalysis of FeCI3 in turn. Carbon electrodes were fabricated and used as electrodes of double layer capacitors. Nitrogen adsorption was used to characterize the porous structure of the carbons. The electrochemical performance of the capacitors in 6 mol/L KOH was investigated with constant current charge and discharge experiments. A specific capacitance larger than 160 F/g was achieved with an electrode composed of 75% active carbon with a specific surface area of 1180 m2/g and 20% graphite as conductive agent. Evaluation of capacitor performance was conducted by different techniques, e.g. voltammetry and impedance spectroscopy. Characteristics of the capacitor were also discussed. A hybrid power source consisting of nickel- hydrogen and double layer capacitor was demonstrated by powering successfully a simulated power load encountered in communication equipment.

Highly reactive and reusable heterogeneous activated carbons-based palladium catalysts for Suzuki-Miyaura reaction

Suzuki-Miyaura reaction of aryl halides with phenylboronic acid using a heterogeneous palladium catalyst based on activated carbons(AC) was systematically investigated in this work. Two different reaction modes(batch procedure and continuous-flow procedure) were used to study the variations of reaction processing. The heterogeneous catalysts presented excellent reactivity and recyclability for iodobenzene and bromobenzene substrates in batch mode, which can be attributed to stabilization of Pd nanoparticles by the thiol and amino groups on the AC supports. However, significant dehalogenation in the reaction mixture and Pd leaching from the heterogeneous catalysts were observed in continuous-flow mode.This unique phenomenon in continuous-flow mode resulted in a dramatic decline in reaction selectivity and durability of heterogeneous catalysts comparing with that of batch mode. In addition, the heterogeneous Pd catalysts with thiol-and amino-modified AC supports exhibited different reactivity and durability in batch and continuous-flow mode owing to the difference of interaction between Pd species and AC supports.

High adsorption selectivity of activated carbon and carbon molecular sieve boosting CO_(2)/N_(2) and CH_(4)/N_(2) separation

Flue gas and coal bed methane are two important sources of greenhouse gases.Pressure swing adsorption process has a wide range of application in the field of gas separation,and the selection of adsorbent is crucial.In this regard,in order to assess the better adsorbent for separating CO_(2) from flue gas and CH_(4) from coal bed methane,adsorption isotherms of CO_(2),CH_(4) and N_(2) on activated carbon and carbon molecular sieve are measured at 303.15,318.15 and 333.15 K,and up to 250 kPa.The experimental data fit better with Langmuir 2 compared to Langmuir 3 and Langmuir-Freundlich models,and Clausius-Clapeyron equation was used to calculate the isosteric heat.Both the order of the adsorbed amount and the adsorption heat on the two adsorbents are CO_(2)>CH_(4)>N_(2).The adsorption kinetics are calculated by the pseudo-first kinetic model,and the order of adsorption rates on activated carbon is N_(2)-CH_(4)>CO_(2),while on carbon molecular sieve,it is CO_(2)-N_(2)>CH_(4).It is shown that relative molecular mass and adsorption heat are the primary effect on kinetics for activated carbon,while kinetic diameter is the main resistance factor for carbon molecular sieve.Moreover,the adsorption selectivity of CH_(4)/N_(2) and CO_(2)/N_(2) were estimated with the ideal adsorption solution theory,and carbon molecular sieve performed best at 318.15 K for both CO_(2) and CH_(4) separation.The study suggested that activated carbon is a better choice for separating flue gas and carbon molecular sieve can be a strong candidate for separating coal bed methane.

Thermal pretreatment of willow branches impacts yield and pore development of activated carbon in subsequent activation with ZnCl_(2) via modifying cellulose structure

Development of pore structures of activated carbon(AC)from activation of biomass with ZnCl_(2) relies on content and structure of cellulose/hemicellulose in the feedstock.Thermal pretreatment of biomass could induce dehydration and/or aromatization to change the structure of cellulose/hemicellulose.This might interfere with evolution of structures of AC,which was investigated herein via thermal pretreatment of willow branch(WB)from 200 to 360℃and the subsequent activation with ZnCl_(2) at 550℃.The results showed that thermal pretreatment at 360℃(WB-360)could lead to substantial pyrolysis to form biochar,with a yield of 31.9%,accompanying with nearly complete destruction of cellulose crystals and remarkably enhanced aromatic degree.However,cellulose residual in WB-360 could still be activated to form AC-360 with specific surface area of 1837.9 m~2·g^(-1),which was lower than that in AC from activation of untreated WB(AC-blank,2077.8 m~2·g^(-1)).Nonetheless,the AC-200 from activation of WB-200 had more developed pores(2113.9 m~2·g^(-1))and superior capability for adsorption of phenol,due to increased permeability of ZnCl_(2) to the largely intact cellulose structure in WB-200.The thermal pretreatment did increase diameters of micropores of AC but reduced the overall yield of AC(26.8%for AC-blank versus 18.0%for AC-360),resulting from accelerated cracking but reduced intensity of condensation.In-situ infrared characterization of the activation showed that ZnCl_(2) mainly catalyzed dehydration,dehydrogenation,condensation,and aromatization but not cracking,suppressing the formation of derivatives of cellulose and lignin in bio-oil.The thermal pretreatment formed phenolic-OH and C=O with higher chemical innerness,which changed the reaction network in activation,shifting morphology of fibrous structures in AC-blank to“melting surface”in AC-200 or AC-280.

Ultra-high specific surface area activated carbon from Taihu cyanobacteria via KOH activation for enhanced methylene blue adsorption

Cyanobacteria-based activated carbon(CBAC)was successfully prepared by pyrolysis-activation of Taihu cyanobacteria.When the impregnation ratio and activated temperature were 2 and 800-C,respectively,the optimal CBACs possessed an ultra-high specific surface(2178.90 m^(2)·g^(-1))and plenty of micro-and meso-pores,as well as a high pore volume(1.01 cm^(3)·g^(-1)).Ascribed to ultra-high surface area,π-π interaction,electrostatic interaction,as well as hydrogen-bonding interactions,the CBACs displayed huge superiority in efficient dye removal.The saturated methylene blue adsorption capacity by CBACs could be as high as 1143.4 mg·g^(-1),superior to that of other reported biomass-activated carbons.The adsorption was endothermic and modeled well by the pseudo-second-order kinetic,intra-particle diffusion,and Langmuir models.This work presented the effectiveness of Taihu cyanobacteria adsorbent ascribed to its super large specific surface area and high adsorption ability.

Mechanical Property and Microstructure of Cement Mortar with Carbonated Recycled Powder

Carbonated recycled powder as cementitious auxiliary material can reduce carbon emissions and realize high-quality recycling of recycled concrete.In this paper,microscopic property of recycled powder with three carbonation methods was tested through XRD and SEM,the mechanical property and microstructure of recycled powder mortar with three replacement rates were studied by ISO method and SEM,and the strengthening mechanism was analyzed.The results showed that the mechanical property of recycled powder mortar decreased with the increasing of replacement rate.It is suggested that the replacement rate of recycled powder should not exceed 20%.The strength index and activity index of carbonated recycled powder mortar were improved,in which the flexural strength was increased by 27.85%and compressive strength was increased by 20%at the maximum.Recycled powder can be quickly and completely carbonated,and the improvement effect of CH pre-soaking carbonation was the best.The activity index of carbonated recycled powder can meet the requirements of Grade II technical standard for recycled powder.Microscopic results revealed the activation mechanism of carbonated recycled powder such as surplus calcium source effect,alkaline polycondensation effect and carbonation enhancement effect.