Adomian decomposition method for solving BVPs for fourth-order integro-differential equations

The Adomian decomposition method (ADM) is applied to solve both linear and nonlinear boundary value problems (BVPs) for fourth-order integro-differential equations. The numerical results obtained with minimum amount of computation or mathematics compare reasonably well with exact solutions.     

Enhanced physical and chemical adsorption of carbon dioxide using bimetallic copper–magnesium oxide/carbon nanocomposite

Mixed Cu and Mg oxides on nitrogen-rich activated carbon (AC) from Nypha fruticans biomass were characterized and their CO₂ adsorption performance was measured. Highly dispersed CuO and MgO nanoparticles on AC was obtained using an ultrasonic-assisted impregnation method. The optimum adsorbent is 5%CuO–25%MgO/AC having good surface properties of high surface area, pores volume and low particles agglomeration. The higher content of MgO of 5%CuO–25%MgO/AC adsorbent contributes to less metal carbide formation which increases their porosity, surface area and surface basicity. XPS analysis showed some amount of nitrogen content on the surface of the adsorbent which increased their surface basicity towards selective CO₂ adsorption. The presence of moisture accelerated the CO₂ chemisorption to form a hydroxyl layer on the surfaces. The 5%CuO–25%MgO/AC adsorbent successfully adsorbed CO₂ via physisorption and chemisorption of 14.8 and 36.2 wt%, respectively. It was significantly higher than fresh AC with better selectivity to CO₂.     

Typical conversion of lignocellulosic biomass into reducing sugars using dilute acid hydrolysis and alkaline pretreatment

The development and production of fossil fuel alternatives have become one of the main focal points in recent investigations. Lignocellulosic biomass is a renewable source of fermentable sugars for second-generation biofuels and chemicals via biotechnological pathways. However, the presence of lignin and hemicellulose in lignocellulosic biomass makes it difficult for the biomass to be hydrolyzed or digested during fermentation. Thus, effective biomass pretreatment is vital. The present review shows that chemical pretreatment is the current preferred method to obtain high sugar yields at low cost, with dilute acid and alkaline hydrolysis as the two most reported technologies. Dilute acid favours hydrolysis of the hemicelluloses whereas alkaline hydrolysis targets the lignin fraction. Both methods have merits and demerits, and have been combined with other treatments such as hydrothermal and enzymatic hydrolysis. Further investigation is required to improve the pretreatment processes and to ensure the economic viability of bioconversion.     

Nanostructured Cu-CGO anodes fabricated using a microwave-assisted glycine–nitrate process

This work reports a study of nanostructured copper-doped gadolinium cermet (Cu-CGO) composite anodes prepared via conventional synthesis (CS) and microwave-synthesis (MS) involving the glycine–nitrate process (GNP). A detailed investigation on the mechanical properties, electrical conductivity and electrochemical performance of prepared Cu_0.5(Ce_0.9Gd_0.1)_0.5O_2−δ anodes is included. The prepared samples were characterized by techniques, such as XRD, EDX, SEM and electrical characterizations. After reduction in 10% H₂ and 90% N₂, the DC conductivities of the Cu-CGO anodes prepared via CS-GNP and MS-GNP are found to be 5.43×10³ and 1.09×10⁴ S cm⁻¹ at 700 °C, respectively. The electrochemical performances of the spin-coated anode symmetrical cells sintered at 700 °C are evaluated at cell operating temperatures of 600, 700 and 800 °C. The lowest area specific resistance (ASR) values for the Cu-CGO/CGO/Cu-CGO symmetrical cells prepared via the MS-GNP route at operating temperatures of 600, 700 and 800 °C are found to be 0.34, 0.71 and 1.10 Ω cm², respectively. The as-prepared (via MS-GNP) Cu-CGO anode exhibits excellent electrical and electrochemical performance consistent with the uniform nanostructured morphology compared with the anode prepared via CS-GNP.     

Antiferromagnetic and semiconducting material CrNCN: Prediction from first-principles investigation

The structural stability and physical properties of CrNCN were studied using density functional theory with explicit electronic correlation (GGA+U). Calculated results indicate that the title compound, similar to MNCN (M=Mn, Fe, Co, Ni), is thermodynamically stable but mechanically unstable. Analysis of electronic and magnetic structures reveals that CrNCN is an antiferromagnetic semiconductor. However, the exact magnetic structure of CrNCN consists of an antiferromagnetic intralayer and a ferromagnetic interlayer, which differs from that of the type-II antiferromagnetic semiconductor MNCN (M=Mn, Fe, Co, Ni), which consists of a ferromagnetic intralayer and an antiferromagnetic interlayer.     

Preparation, characterization, and theoretical studies of azelaic acid derived from oleic acid by use of a novel ozonolysis method

Environmentally friendly manufacture of organic compounds has been intensively reexamined in recent years. Many excellent methods have been devised to produce organic compounds from renewable resources. Azelaic acid has been produced by ozonolysis of oleic acid. The reaction was performed in a Bach bubbling reactor, with fine bubbles, at high temperature (150 °C) without utilizing any catalyst or any solvent. Yield of the reaction was 20% after 2 h. Production of azelaic acid was confirmed by use of FT-IR and ¹H NMR spectroscopic data and high-performance liquid chromatography of both synthesized and reference azelaic acid. A theoretical study was performed to obtain quantum chemical data for azelaic acid and to optimize the molecule’s geometry.     

Reduction of hexavalent chromium with colloidal and supported palladium nanocatalysts

Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires (NWs) are exposed to energetic proton (H⁺), nitrogen (N⁺), phosphorus (P⁺), and argon (Ar⁺) ions to understand the radiation hardness and structural changes induced by these irradiations. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy is utilized to see the irradiation effects in NWs. Multiple doses and energies of radiation at different temperatures are used for different set of samples. The study reveals that wurtzite (crystalline)-structured ZnO NWs experience amorphization, degradation, and morphological changes after the irradiation. At room temperature, deterioration of the crystalline structure is observed under high fluence of H⁺, N⁺, and P⁺ ions. While for ZnO NWs, bombarded by Ar⁺ and P⁺ ions, nano-holes are produced. The ZnO NWs surfaces also show corrugated morphology full of nano-humps when irradiated by Ar⁺ ions at 400 °C. The corrugated surface could serve as tight-holding interface when interconnecting it with other NWs/nanotubes. These nano-humps may have the function of increasing the surface for surface-oriented sensing applications in the future.