High Performance of Fly Ash Derived Li ₄SiO₄-Based Sorbents for High Temperature CO₂Capture

It is urgent to develop excellent solid CO2 sorbents with higher sorption capacity, simpler synthetic process, better thermal stability and lower costs of synthesis in CO2 capture and storage technologies. In this work, a number of Li4SiO4-based sorbents synthesized by lithium carbonate with three different kinds of fly ashes in various molar ratios were developed. The results indicate that the Li2CO3:SiO2 mole ratio used in the sorbents synthesis significantly affects the CO2 absorption properties. The sorption capacity increased with the excess of Li2CO3 first and then decreased when the excessive quantity was beyond a certain amount. The experiments found that FA-Li4SiO4_0.6, CFA-Li4SiO4_0.4, HCl/CFA-Li4SiO4_0.3 presented the best sorption ability among these fly ash derived Li4SiO4 samples, and the corresponding weight gain was 28.2 wt%, 25.1 wt% and 32.5 wt%, respectively. The three sorbents with the optimal molar ratio were characterized using various morphological characterization techniques and evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis for their capacity to chemisorb CO2 at 450°C - 650°C, diluted CO2 (10%, 20%) and in presence of water vapor (12%). The adsorption curve of FA- Li4SiO4_0.6 at different temperatures was simulated with the Jander-Zhang model to explore the influence of carbon dioxide diffusion on adsorption reaction. Further experiments showed that the adsorbent had a good sorption capacity in a lower partial pressure of CO2 and the presence of steam enhanced the mobility of Li+. What’s more, FA-Li4SiO4_0.6, CFA-Li4SiO4_0.4 and HCl/CFA-Li4SiO4_0.3 particles showed satisfactory sorption capacity in fixed-bed reactor and excellent cyclic sorption stability during 10 sorption/ desorption cycles.

Preparation of Microcapsules Containing Artificial Diet for Tropical Fishes with Spray Gelling Method

The microcapsules containing the artificial diet for tropical fishes were prepared with the spray gelling method in order to prevent water environmental pollution. The carboxymethyl cellulose sodium aqueous solution, in which α-tocopherol droplets containing the powdery artificial diet were dispersed, was dropped or sprayed into the chitosan aqueous solution. Microcapsules were prepared by forming polyionic complex shell made from chitosan and carboxymethyl cellulose sodium. In the experiment, the concentration of carboxymethyl cellulose sodium (CMCNa) was mainly changed to investigate the effect on the diameters of microcapsules, the content and the microencapsulation efficiency. The microcapsules couldn’t be prepared with the concentration of carboxymethyl cellulose sodium less than 3.0 wt%. The microcapsules were the core-shell type. The diameters of microcapsules were increased with the concentration of CMCNa and the microencapsulation efficiency of ca. 100% could be obtained by the preparation method presented in this study. The microcapsules were found to be eaten well by tropical fishes and to prevent water environmental pollution.

Preparation of Microcapsules Containing Aqueous Solution of Azur B with Melting Dispersion Cooling Method and Application to DNA Amplification Detector

Microcapsules containing the aqueous solution of Azur B of a water soluble dye were prepared with the melting dispersion cooling method and applied to the amplification detector of plant DNA. Paraffin wax with melting temperature of 75°C was used as the shell material. In the experiment, the aqueous solution (W) of Azur B as the core material was dispersed in the melted paraffin wax (O) to form the (W/O) emulsion and then, the (W/O) emulsion was dispersed in the silicon oil (O’) as the continuous phase to form the (W/O)/O’ emulsion at 85°C. After formation of the (W/O)/O’ emulsion, the microcapsules were prepared by cooling the (W/O)/O’ emulsion to 50°C. The microcapsules were prepared by changing the concentration of oil soluble surfactant in the (W/O) emulsion and the volume of the (W/O) emulsion in the (W/O)/O’ emulsion. The microencapsulation efficiency increased with the concentration of oil soluble surfactant and finally became 100% under the optimum conditions. Furthermore, the microcapsules were melted down at temperature of 85°C to reveal the sharp thermal responsibility and to release the aqueous solution of Azur B. As a result, it was found that the microcapsules were able to be applied to the amplification detector of plant DNA by utilizing the reaction between DNA and Azur B.

Determination of the Optimal Speed of Pultrusion for Large-Sized Composite Rods

The paper describes a mathematical model of the stress-strain state of polymer composite materials in the pultrusion process of large-sized products. The influence of the pull speed on the stress-strain state of the products is investigated. To determine the maximum possible pull speed series of solutions at different pull speeds are obtained. Depending on the maximum strain in the cross section of the rod determined the optimal value of pulling speed.

Removal from Water and Adsorption onto Natural Quartz Sand of Hydroquinone

Hydroquinone (HQ) is the most important hydroxy aromatic compound which is produced on a large scale. Understanding its fate in the environment is therefore of primary importance to prevent its migration in the soil and/or the contamination of the aquatic ecosystems. Here we present a column based method to investigate the physicochemical processes controlling the removal from the aqueous phase and the adsorption onto natural quartz sand (NQS), of organic pollutant such as HQ molecules. We will focus on the interactions that occur between the organic pollutant and the NQS substrate. Thus, column reactors filled with NQS were used to investigate the influence of physicochemical parameters such as the ionic strength, the pH, the flow rate, and the nature of the electrolyte cation, on the HQ adsorption from water onto NQS substrate. The data indicate that, when divalent instead of monovalent cations, are present in the effluent water injection phase, and/or when the ionic strength of the effluent increases, the adsorbed HQ amount decreases. Similar decrease of the adsorbed HQ amount was also observed, at constant ionic strength, by increasing either, the pH from 3 to 9, the flow rate Q from 1 to 3 ml·mn-1, or by decreasing the HQ initial concentration, C0 from 30 to 6 mg·L-1. Further, large amount of the organic pollutant (up to 93 wt% of HQ molecules) was removed from the effluent water phase by using NQS column. The overall data seem to indicate that the adsorption of HQ molecules on the NQS surface is mainly controlled by electrostatic interaction forces occurring between the organic molecule polar groups and the inorganic matrix silanol groups.

Characterization of Cassava Root Husk Powder: Equilibrium, Kinetic and Modeling Studies as Bioadsorbent for Copper(II) and Lead(II)

This study was aimed to investigate Pb(II) and Cu(II) ions removal ability from aqueous solution by cassava root husks (CRH) as a cheap, sustainable and eco-friendly bioadsorbent. The CRH was characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy which indicated the availability of various functional groups for metal coordination and the result was supported by elemental analysis studies. UV-Visible spectral studies indicated the presence of oxalate () and it could possibly interact with metal ions to give rise to a stable chelated coordination complex which affects metal ions removal efficiency. Bioadsorption process was carried out as a function of metal concentration, contact time, pH of the solution, particle size, and dosage of the adsorbent. Experimental results indicated the optimal adsorption condition of pH 4 for both Pb(II) and Cu(II) ions, dosage of 0.1 g/0.1L and 1 g/0.1L for Pb(II) and Cu(II) ions respectively, adsorption equilibrium time of 2 and 25 minutes for Pb(II) and Cu(II) respectively, and concentration of 0.5 mg/L for both metal ions. Kinetic data best fitted pseudo-second-order model and not the pseudo-first-order model. Equilibrium data best fitted the Freundlich model than the Langmuir model. Specific surface area and pore volume studies indicated that CRH is non-porous and hence rapid adsorption kinetics is expected. Supporting the experimental results, molecular modeling studies performed using Schrödinger software predicted several sites in the structure capable of docking with metal ions.

Highly-Controllable Imprinted Polymer Nanoshell on the Surface of Silica Nanoparticles for Selective Adsorption of 17<i>β</i>-Estradiol

A highly-controllable core-shell silica-MIPs absorbent by anchoring a MIPs layer to the surface of SiO2 nanoparticles via a surface molecular imprinting process was prepared. The templates were covalently modified with functional monomers to form precursor EstSi. The latter together with coupling reagent KH-570, were grafted onto the surface of SiO2 nanoparticles before polymerization, to ensure the quantity and quality of imprinted sites on the surface of the covalently attached matrix. The as-synthesized core-shell nanomaterials (SiO2@MIP2) were then evaluated for selective adsorption of 17β-estradiol (E2) with Raman spectra as detection method. The results indicate that SiO2@MIP2 can fast and selectively adsorb E2 from structural analogues, with detection limit of 0.01 μmol/l.

Modeling the Rheological Characteristics of Flexible High-Yield Pulp-Fibre-Reinforced Bio-Based Nylon 11 Bio-Composite

The aim of this work was to develop a mathematical model to investigate the rheological characteristics of viscoelastic pulp-fibre composite materials. The rheological properties of High-Yield Pulp (HYP) reinforced bio-based Nylon 11 (Polyamide 11) (PA11) composite (HYP/PA11) were investigated using a capillary rheometer. Novel predicted multiphase rheological-model-based polymer, fibre, and interphasial phases were developed. Rheological characteristics of the compo-site components influence the development of resultant microstructures;this in turn affects mechanical characteristics of a multiphase composite. The main rheological characteristics of polymer materials are viscosity and shear rate. Experimental and theoretical test results of HYP/PA11 show a steep decrease in apparent viscosity with increasing shear rate, and this melt-flow characteristic corresponds to shear-thinning behavior in HYP/PA11. The non-linear mathematical model to predict the rheological behavior of HYP/PA11 was validated experimentally at 200°C and 5000 S-1?shear rate. Finally, predicted and experimental viscosity results were compared and found to be in a strong agreement.

Retention Profile of Zn²⁺and Ni²⁺Ions from Wastewater onto Coffee Husk: Kinetics and Thermodynamic Study

In this work, Coffee husk (CH) was used as a solid phase extractor (SPE) for removal and/or minimization of Zn2+ and Ni2+ ions in aqueous media. XRD, FESEM and FTIR analysis of the SPE were performed for surface morphology and function groups characterisation. Batch mode adsorption studies were performed by varying the operational parameters such as adsorbent dose, solution pH, initial analyte concentration and contact time. The equilibrium data of both analytes was found a better fit with the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The qm of Langmuir for Zn2+ and Ni2+ ions were 12.987 and 11.11 mg/g, respectively. The adsorption capacities of the CH adsorbent towards Zn2+ and Ni2+ resulted of 12.53 and 10.33 mg/g, respectively. In addition, the kinetic data of Zn2+ and Ni2+ ions uptake revealed that the present system fitted well with pseudo-second-order kinetic model (R2 > 0.99). Thermodynamic studies showed that the retention step was exothermic, and spontaneous in nature. The results indicated that the coffee husk provides an effective and economical approach in highly reducing or almost eradication of both metals Zn2+ and Ni2+ from the aqueous solution.

Investigation of Swelling/Sorption Characteristics of Highly Swollen AAm/AMPS Hydrogels and Semi IPNs with PEG as Biopotential Sorbent

The aim of this study was to investigate the equilibrium swelling and sorption properties of chemically crosslinked copolymeric hydrogels as biopotential sorbent consisting of acrylamide (AAm) and 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid (AMPS). Semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi IPNs) hydrogel, composed of AAm with AMPS as co-monomer, with poly (ethylene glycol) (PEG) and a multifunctional crosslinker such as trimethylolpropane triacrylate (TMPTA) was prepared. AAm/AMPS hydrogels and AAm/AMPS/PEG semi IPNs were synthesized by free radical solution polymerization by using ammonium persulphate (APS)/N,N,N’,N’-tetramethylethylenediamine (TEMED) as redox initiating pair. Swelling experiments were performed in water, 0.01 M and 0.03 M aqueous urea solutions at 25oC, gravimetrically. The hydrogels showed enormous swelling in aqueous urea/water medium and displayed swelling characteristics that were highly depended on the chemical composition of the hydrogels. FTIR spectroscopy was used to identify the presence of different repeating units in the semi IPNs. Some swelling and diffusion characteristics were calculated for different semi IPNs and hydrogels prepared under various formulations. For sorption of cationic dye, Lauths violet into the hydrogels was studied by batch sorption technique at 25oC. Dye removal capacity, adsorption percentage and partition coefficient of the hydrogels was investigated. Swelling and dye sorption properties of AAm/AMPS hydrogels and AAm/AMPS/PEG semi IPNs were investigated as a function of chemical composition of the hydrogels.

Characterization of AAm/4-Styrenesulfonic Acid Sodium Salt/PEG Hydrogels Crosslinked by PEGDA as Highly Swollen Adsorbents for the Effective Removal of Janus Green B from Aqueous Solutions

In this study, it has been investigated that the incorporation of poly(ethylene glycol) and 4-styrenesulfonic acid sodium salt into acrylamide hydrogel during free radical solution polymerization synthesis for novel highly swollen adsorbents and for the effective removal of some potential pollutants from aqueous solutions such as cationic dyes. Poly(ethylene glycol)diacrylate was used as a multifunctional crosslinker. The main purpose of this study was to combine both monomers and a polymer in a new polymeric system. Dye sorption properties of the polymeric hydrogels were investigated by using cationic dye such as Janus Green B. Swelling and sorption studies were carried out at 25°C. For structural characterization, FT-IR analysis and SEM studies were applied. To determine the sorption behaviors of Janus Green B, some sorption parameters such as dye removal capacity, adsorption percentage, and partition coefficient of the polymeric hydrogels were investigated.

Microstructure of <em>Annona muricata</em>L. Leaves Extract Microcapsules Linked to Physical and Chemical Characteristics

Microstructure is closely related to techno-functional properties in microencapsulated powders intended to protect bioactive compounds. Soursop leaves provide phytochemicals that need to be protected to ensure their functionality. This investigation aimed to study the microstructure of microcapsules containing soursop leaves extract and its linkage with physical and chemical characteristics of the resulting powder. Microcapsules were prepared by spray drying using gum Arabic and maltodextrin as encapsulating agents at 5 and 10%. Powders were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, particle size analysis, solubility, infrared spectroscopy and encapsulation efficiency. Microphotographs showed spherical shape particles ranging from 0.25 to 13.87 μm, where the particles morphology depended on the concentration and the type of the encapsulant used. At higher concentration of encapsulant, there was an increase in the sphericity, integrity, size, and surface smoothness of particles. This relationship was inverse for solubility in treatments with gum Arabic. The extract encapsulation was confirmed by Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy and encapsulation efficiency index, revealing that the treatment with maltodextrin at 10% showed a better capability for entrapment (72.12%). The results evidence that microstructure of microcapsules is closely linked to the type and concentration of encapsulant, which in turn determine the physical and chemical characteristics of powders intended for instant drinks solubility and entrapping soursop bioactive compounds.

Microencapsulation of Lipase and Savinase Enzymes by Spray Drying Using Arabic Gum as Wall Material

Enzymes have been used in detergents over the years. They can improve the detergent’s efficiency due to their activities against hard stains. Nevertheless, enzymes cannot maintain their properties indefinitely, since they are exposed to stress factors, like temperature, pH, mechanical processes and others. Consequently, enzymes lose their structure and they are not functional. For this reason, microencapsulating these proteins is a feasible solution to improve their use in industrial processes and commercial products. Spray drying technology has been selected because a lot of scientific literature proved its useful application in a variety of industries. In particular, savinase and lipase are the two encapsulated enzymes in this work. Savinase attacks proteins and lipase removes fats, so they are suitable enzymes for detergent industry. Arabic gum has been used as wall material. Morphology, size and activity of the obtained microcapsules have been analyzed in order to find the best conditions to produce them. In conclusion, useful microcapsules of lipase and savinase can be obtained with the mentioned technology.

Removal of Phenol from Aqueous Solution by Activated Mud

Activated mud has been employed to remove phenolic compounds, a common contaminant in wastewaters. Because of high surface area per unit area, activated mud is the most effective adsorbent and exhibits high capacity of adsorption of phenolic compounds. A complete study was undertaken on the adsorption of phenol starting from an aqueous solution on activated mud with ammonium chloride. The removal is found to be dependent on concentration of phenol and increasing of concentrations favour the uptake. The isotherms and kinetics of adsorption of phenol on activated mud were studied at 20oC. Equilibrium isotherm of phenol on activated mud is obtained and the results shows that the Langmuir model provided the best fit for the adsorption data. From the experimental results obtained, the adsorption process can be well described with the pseudo-second order model.

Influence of Saliva and Mucin on the Adhesion of <i>Candida</i>Oral Clinical Isolates

Objectives: This research work intends to clarify the role of artificial saliva, in particularly the role of mucin, a salivary protein, on the surface properties and adhesion ability of Candida spp. oral clinical isolates to abiotic surfaces. Methods: Four oral clinical isolates of Candida spp. were used: two Candida albicans strains (AC;AM) and two Candida parapsilosis strains (AD;AM2). The strains were isolated from patients using oral prosthesis. The microorganisms were cultured in the absence or presence of mucin and artificial saliva, and their adhesion to an abiotic surface (coated with mucin and artificial saliva) was evaluated. Results: The presence of mucin per se onto the abiotic surface decreased the adhesion of all strains, although the combination of mucin with artificial saliva had reduced this effect. No direct correlation between adhesion and the surface free energies of adhesion of the microorganisms was found. Significance: Candida spp. were human commensal microorganisms that became pathogenic when the host immune defenses were compromised. Medical devices were colonized by Candida spp. particularly, oral prostheses, which might lead to the degradation of the prostheses and systemic infections. The salivary secretions that constantly cover the oral cavity influenced Candida spp. adhesion process. Therefore, it was important to understand the interactions between Candida spp., salivary proteins and the characteristic of oral prosthesis when developing materials for oral prostheses.

Nanorobot Drug Delivery System for Curcumin for Enhanced Bioavailability during Treatment of Alzheimer’s Disease

Robotics has emerged as a collegiate course about 20 years ago at Stanford University, Stanford, CA. From the first IRB6, the electrically powered robot in 1974, the industry has grown over a 30-year period. A leading supplier of robots has put out over 100,000 robots by year 2001. Robot capable of handling 500 kg load was introduced in 2001, IRB 7000. A number of advances have been made in nanostructuring. About 40 different nanostructuring methods were reviewed recently [1]. Nanobots can be developed that effect cures of disorders that are difficult to treat. Principles from photodynamic therapy, fullerene chemistry, nanostructuring, X-rays, computers, pharmacokinetics and robotics are applied in a design of nanorobot for treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. The curcuma longa that has shown curative effects in rats’ brain with Alzheimer’s is complexed with fullerenes. The drug is inactive when caged. It is infused intrathecally into the cerebrospinal system. Irradiation of the hypothalamous and other areas of the brain where Alzheimer’s disease is prevalent lead to breakage of fullerenes and availability of the drug with the diseased cells. Due to better mass transfer, better cure is affected. The other plausible reactions such as addition polymerization of fullerene, polycurcumin formation and other hydrolysis reactions are modeled along with the drug action under the Denbigh scheme of reactions. The fractional yield of drug-curcumin interaction is a function of intensity of radiation, frequency of radiation, patient demographics, age, gender, and other disorders etc. Chromophore in curcumin is used as a sensor and computer imaging and feedback control design can result in more bioavailability for curcumin therapeutic action to cure Alzheimer’s disease. This study examines the principles used in the design, the strategy of the design of the nanorobot drug delivery system with a specific target and pharamacokinetic formulation of the associated competing parallel reactions. The burrow and link capabilities at a nanoscopic level are also available if needed.

Anderson Heteropolymolybdates Cluster Loaded on Zeolite Materials: Preparation and Characterization

Polyoxometalate (POM) catalysts with different trivalent hetero ions (Mn+ = Fe3+, Al3+, and Cr3+) were prepared by incipient wetness impregnation method and supported on different zeolites namely, NaY, ZSM-5 and Mordenite. The intended catalysts samples were distinguished by X-ray diffraction, FTIR and surface texture measurements. The data given disintegration in the crystallinity of zeolite structure, enlarge in particle size and new phases of metal oxides Al2(MoO4)3 and Fe2(MoO4)3 were exposed by XRD and FTIR techniques. These phases caused widening of pores of the employed zeolites and change of the surface texture. The physical changes indicate the considerable interaction of polyoxomolybdate with the zeolite structure. The assessment of the catalytic activity was thorough by applied the photocatalytic degradation of direct blue 1 dye (DB1) in existence of H2O2 as a green oxidant. The catalytic activity of Mn+Mo-ZSM-5 sample is higher than that of Mn+Mo-Y or Mn+Mo-Mord.

Synthesis of Sulfated Cyclodextrin Amphiphiles with Liposomal Encapsulation Properties

A novel class of amphiphiles with sulfate groups at the C-6 position and palmitoyl groups at the C-2, 3 positions of α-, β-, and γ-cyclodextrin (CD) were efficiently synthesized. These compounds formed stable monolayers with high collapse pressures at the air-water interface. The mixed monolayer behaviors of the 6-O-sulfated CD amphiphiles (SO3-CDC16) in the presence of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC) and cholesterol were discussed using the surface pressure-molecular area (π-A) isotherms. The collapse pressures showed maxima at molar ratios of SO3-CDC16 lower than 10 mol%. A morphological analysis of the liposomes containing DPPC and 4 mol% SO3-CDC16 formed in PBS was carried out using transmission electron microscopy with negative staining, and vesicles with maximum diameters of 350-500 nm were observed. Moreover, the releasing ability of these liposomes was examined using a fluorescent compound, calcein. It was clearly shown that liposomes containing SO3-CDC16 could release encapsulated calcein more easily than liposomes consisting only of DPPC, and that the release rate depended on the phase transition temperature of the SO3-CDC16 included in the liposome membrane.

Urban Wastewater Treatment by Adsorption of Organic Matters on Modified Bentonite by(Iron-Aluminum)

In this research, the natural bentonite clay (from Maghnia, western Algeria) was purified (Na+- montmorillonite, CEC = 91 meq/100 g), noted (puri.bent) and modified with mixed hydroxy-Fe-Al (FeAl-PILC). The purified bentonite clay and FeAl-PILC were heated at 383 K for 2 hr and characte-rized by the chemical analyses data, XRD, and N2 adsorption to 77 K techniques. Puri.bent and FeAl-PILC were applied to fix the organic matter (OM) present in urban wastewater from the city of Sidi Bel-Abbes (western Algeria). The adsorption of organic matter was followed by spectro-photometry at 470 nm, and the adsorption data were a good fit with Freundlich isotherm for pu-ri.bent but for FeA-lPILC, were well fit by Elovitch isotherm model. The maximum adsorption ca-pacity (qm) was 571.6 mg/g for puri.bent and 1120.69 mg/g for FeAl-PLC. The degree of OM removal was 67% for puri.bent and 97% for FeAl-PILC. FeAl-PILC can be considered as a promising adsorbent for the removal of OM from wastewater.

Cadmium Removal from Aqueous Solution by a Tunisian Smectitic Natural and Activated Clay: Thermodynamic Study

The removal of heavy metals from industrial waste streams has become one of the most important applications in wastewater treatment in terms of protecting public health and environment. The recovery of metals present in the industrial effluents by adsorption onto natural materials constitutes a technological option increasingly studied throughout the world. However, the implementation of such process on an industrial scale requires the use of adsorbents easily available and inexpensive. Clay in these two forms natural and activated answers very well to these two requirements. The present research aimed the study of the capacity of fixing of cadmium present in aqueous solution, by two types of clay: natural and activated. The adsorption capacity of adsorbent was investigated using batch experiments. The influence of pH, temperature and adsorbent dose were investigated and the experimental data obtained were evaluated and fitted using adsorbent equilibrium isotherms. Adsorption isotherms of cadmium onto natural and activated clay were determined and correlated with common isotherm equations such as the Langmuir and Freundlich models. The Langmuir model agrees very well with experimental data. The thermodynamic parameters obtained indicated that the adsorption of cadmium ions onto natural clay was a spontaneous and an endothermic process.