Quartz crystallinity index:New quantitative evidence for biogenic silica of the Late Ordovician to Early Silurian organic-rich shale in the Sichuan Basin and adjacent areas,China

Quartz crystallinity index(QCI)was used to reflect the crystallisation of silica in the Late Ordovician Wufeng(WF)and Early Silurian Longmaxi(LM)Formation shale,as well as the airborne volcanic ash-derived silica in the Lucaogou Formation tuffaceous shale,to distinguish the two types of silica.The silica in different graptolite biozones exhibited different crystallisation.The WF2–3,LM1–4 graptolite biozones showed obviously lower QCI values than the LM5–9 graptolite biozones and the Lucaogou Formation samples.The graptolite organisms played the role of adsorption,fixation,and precipitation in silicon accumulation and enrichment in stratum.The biogenic origin caused the poorest quartz crystallisation in WF2–3 and LM1–4 graptolite biozones samples.The airborne volcanic ash-derived silica in the Lucaogou Formation tuffaceous shale exhibited relatively poor quartz crystallisation because of weaker diagenesis intensity.Generally,although the WF2–3 and LM1–4 graptolite biozones underwent strong diagenesis and contained a small amount of detrital quartz,the silica still exhibited lower QCI values than the airborne volcanic ash-derived silica in the Lucaogou Formation tuffaceous shale.The biogenic silica crystallisation was much poorer than that of the airborne volcanic ash-derived silica.QCI is an effective quantitative index to demonstrate the biogenic silica in the organic-rich and silica-rich shale.

Physico-Chemical and Thermal Characterization of Some Lignocellulosic Fibres: <i>Ananas comosus</i>(AC), <i>Neuropeltis acuminatas</i>(NA) and <i>Rhecktophyllum camerunense</i>(RC)

This paper focuses on the study of the physical, biochemical, structural, and thermal properties of plant fibres of Rhecktophyllum camerunense (RC), Neuropeltis acuminatas (NA) and Ananas comosus (AC) from the equatorial region of Cameroon. The traditional use of these fibres inspired researchers to investigated their properties. This study aims at improving the state of knowledge with a view to diversifying applications. The fibres are extracted by retting. Then, their apparent density was measured following the ASTM D792 standard and their water moisture absorption and moisture content were also evaluated. Their molecular structure was studied by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. A quantitative analysis of the biochemical composition was performed according to the analytical technique for the pulp and paper industry (TAPPI). A TGA/DSC analysis was also performed. The results reveal that the AC, NA and RC fibres have densities of 1.26 ± 1.06, 0.846 ± 0.13 and 0.757 ± 0.08 g·cm-3 respectively. They are also hydrophilic with a water absorption rate of 188.64 ± 11.94%, 276.16% ± 8.07% and 198.17% ± 20%. They have a moisture content of 12.21%, 10.36% and 9.37%. The studied fibres exhibit functional groups that are related to the presence of hemicellulose, pectin, lignin and cellulose. The cellulose crystallinity index was found to be 67.99%, 46.5% and 59.72% respectively. The fibres under study have the following chemical composition: an extractive content of 3.07%, 14.77% and 8.74%;a pectin content of 4.15%, 7.69% and 3.45%;a hemicellulose content of 4.90%, 15.33% and 7.42%;a cellulose content of 68.11%, 36.08% and 65.15%;a lignin content of 12.01%, 25.15% and 16.2%;and an ash content of 0.27%, 1.53% and 0.47% respectively. The thermal transitions observed on the thermograms correlate with the TAPPI chemical composition. It is observed that these fibres are thermally stable up to temperatures of 200°C, 220°C and 285°C. These results make it possible to envisage uses similar to those of sisal, hemp and flax fibres.

REFRACTOMETRY AND TEXTURES OF METHYL-CYANOETHYL CELLULOSE/DICHLOROACETIC ACID LIQUID CRYSTA LLI NE SOLUTIONS^+

An Abbe refractometer with a rotatable polarizer mounted on the eyepiece is used for determining the two principal refractive indices of methyl-cyanoethyl cellulose/dichloroacetic acid liquid crystalline solutions. The critical concentration where the mesophase appears can be determined according to the variation of the increment of the refractive index with the concentration. Mesophase textures of the liquid crystalline solutions are observed and the influence of the concentration on mesophase textures is also discussed.

Optimization of Micro Crystalline Cellulose Production from Corn Cob for Pharmaceutical Industry Investment

MCC （micro crystalline cellulose） is a very important product in pharmaceuticals, foods, cosmetics and other industries. MCC can be made from any natural cellulose materials that have high content of cellulose ranging from pure cellulose, commercial grade cellulose to lignocellulosic materials. In this work, Beeswing （-20 L） and Chaff （5/8） which are the parts of corn cobs were used as raw materials to produce MCC via alkaline degradation, bleaching and hydrolysis. The optimum conditions of alkaline degradation, bleaching and hydrolysis were studied. MCC samples that prepared from -20 L and 5/8 were characterized through XRD （X-ray diffraction）, SEM （scanning electron microscopy） and compared with the commercial MCC （Avicel PH 101）. The results show that the degree of crystallinity of alkaline degradation, bleaching and hydrolysis obtained at 10% of NaOH 95 ~C for 2 h, NaCIO21.5 g 10% of acetic acid 0.5 mL 70 ~C for 2 h, 2 N of HC1, 105 ~C for 1 h showed maximum values which are 77.07%, 75.07% and 86.84%, respectively. The degree of crystallinity and the morphology of prepared MCC correspond to that of Avicel PH 101 industrial investment has been studied, the benefits of micro crystalline cellulose production （MCC） is 3,447 baht/kg. The investment of the plant is 7,263,514 baht and the breakeven point is around 6 years.

Zooming in REE and Other Trace Elements on Conodonts:Does Taxonomy Guide Diagenesis?

Conodont elements are calcium phosphate(apatite structure)mineralized remains of the cephalic feeding apparatus of an extinct marine organism.Due to the high affinity of apatite for rare earth elements(REE)and other high field strength elements(HFSE),conodont elements were frequently assumed to be a reliable archive of sea-water composition and changes that had occurred during diagenesis.Likewise,the crystallinity index of bioapatite,i.e.,the rate of crystallinity of biologically mediated apatite,should be generally linearly dependent on diagenetic alteration as the greater(and longer)the pressure and temperature to which a crystal is exposed,the greater the resulting crystallinity.In this study,we detected the uptake of HFSE in conodont elements recovered from a single stratigraphic horizon in the Upper Ordovician of Normandy(France).Assuming therefore that all the specimens have undergone an identical diagenetic history,we have assessed whether conodont taxonomy(and morphology)impacts HFSE uptake and crystallinity index.We found that all conodont elements are characterized by a clear diagenetic signature,with minor but significant differences among taxa.These distinctions are evidenced also by the crystallinity index values which show positive correlations with some elements and,accordingly,with diagenesis;however,correlations with the crystallinity index strongly depend on the method adopted for its calculation.