Sample preparation,instrumental analysis,and natural distribution of complex organic pollutants in the wastewater from unconventional gas production

Large amounts of flowback and produced water (FPW) have been generated from hydraulic fracturing process for the production of unconventional gas such as shale gas. Complex organic pollutants are abundantly present in FPW with revealed toxicity to aquatic organisms and these contaminants may transfer into surrounding aquatic environment. Characterization and determination of complicated organic pollutants in FPW remains a challenge due to its complex composition and high salinity matrix. This review article covers the progress of recent 5 years regarding the sample preparation and instrumental analysis methods and thus summarizes the advantages and disadvantages of these methods for critical analysis of organic contaminants in FPW samples. Furthermore, the natural distribution of detected organic compounds and their transformation were reviewed and discussed to enhance the understanding of spatial and temporal behaviors of these organic pollutants in natural environment, paving the way for future development of pollution control policies and strategies. Enlightened by the studies of FPW contamination in the US, the investigations of FPW contamination in China continued to grow due to rapidly growing production of shale gas in China and resulted pollution.     

Solution combustion synthesis,energy and environment: Best parameters for better materials

Solution combustion synthesis (SCS) is a worldwide used methodology for the preparation of inorganic ceramic and composite materials with controlled properties for a wide number of applications, from catalysis to photocatalysis and electrocatalysis, from heavy metal removal to sensoristics and electronics. The high versatility and efficiency of this technique have led to the introduction of many variants, which allowed important optimization to the prepared materials. Moreover, its ecofriendly nature encouraged further studies about the use of sustainable precursors for the preparation of nanomaterials for energy and environment, according to the concept of circular economy. On the other hand, the large variety of expressions to define SCS and the often-contradictory definitions of the SCS parameters witnessed a scarce consciousness of the potentiality of this methodology. In this review article, the most important findings about SCS and the selection criteria for its main parameters are critically reviewed, in order to give useful guidelines to those scientists who want to use this methodology for preparing materials with improved or new functional properties. This review aims as well (i) to bring more clarity in the SCS terminology (ii) to increase the awareness of the SCS as a convenient tool for the synthesis of materials and (iii) to propose a new perspective in the SCS, with special attention to the use of ecofriendly procedures. Part of the review is also dedicated to precautions and limitations of this powerful methodology.     

Enhanced headspace single drop microextraction method using deep eutectic solvent based magnetic bucky gels: Application to the determination of volatile aromatic hydrocarbons in water and urine samples

A facile headspace single drop microextraction method was developed using deep eutectic solvent‐based magnetic bucky gel as the extraction solvent for the first time. The hydrophobic magnetic bucky gel was formed by combining choline chloride/chlorophenol deep eutectic solvent and magnetic multiwalled carbon nanotube nanocomposite. Magnetic susceptibility, high viscosity, high sorbing ability, and tunable extractability of organic analytes are the desirable advantages of the prepared gel. Using a rod magnet as a suspensor in combination with the magnetic susceptibility of the prepared gel resulted in a highly stable droplet. This stable droplet eliminated the possibility of drop dislodgement. The prepared droplet made it possible to complete the extraction process in high temperatures and elevated agitation rates. Furthermore, using larger micro‐droplet volumes without any operational problems became possible. These facts resulted in shorter sample preparation time, higher sensitivity of the method, and lower detection limits. Under the optimized conditions, an enrichment factor of 520–587, limit of detection of 0.05–0.90 ng/mL, and linearity range of 0.2–2000 ng/mL (coefficient of determination = 0.9982–0.9995) were obtained. Relative standard deviations were < 10%. This method was successfully coupled with gas chromatography and used for the determination of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene isomers as harmful volatile organic compounds in water and urine samples.     

Condensed Mode Cooling of Ethylene Polymerization in Fluidized Bed Reactors

This review gives an overview of the evolution of the technology of condensed mode cooling, primarily for the case of ethylene polymerization on supported catalysts in fluidized bed reactors. It is well known that this mode of heat removal is quite effective in allowing polyolefin manufacturers to increase significantly production rates. What is perhaps less well understood are all of the issues that, in addition to the effect of the latent heat of vaporization of injected liquid components, also have an impact on the rate of production and behavior of the reactor. However, the liquid components injected into the reactor can vaporize rapidly under full‐scale conditions, leaving behind several heavy components (with respect to ethylene) that have numerous effects on how the particles behave, on the reaction rate, and on fluidization, fouling, and other parameters related to reactor and process performance.     

Improving the gas barrier,mechanical and thermal properties of poly(vinyl alcohol) with molybdenum disulfide nanosheets

New multifunctional materials with both high structural and gas barrier performances are important for a range of applications. Herein we present a one‐step mechanochemical process to prepare molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) nanosheets with hydroxy functional groups that can simultaneously improve mechanical strength, thermal conductivity, and gas permittivity of a polymer composite. By homogeneously incorporating these functionalized MoS₂ nanosheets at low loading of less than 1 vol %, a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) polymer exhibits elongation at break of 154%, toughness of 82 MJ/m³, and in‐plane thermal conductivity of 2.31 W/m K. Furthermore, this composite exhibits significant gas barrier performance, reducing the permeability of helium by 95%. Under fire condition, the MoS₂ nanosheets form thermally stable char, thus enhancing the material's resistance to fire. Hydrogen bonding has been identified as the main interaction mechanism between the nanofillers and the polymer matrix. The present results suggest that the PVA composite reinforced with 2D layered nanomaterial offers great potentials in packaging and fire retardant applications. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019 , 57, 406–414     

Ultrafast gas chromatography coupled to electronic nose to identify volatile biomarkers in exhaled breath from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patients: A pilot study

An analytical method to identify volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the exhaled breath from patients with a diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) using a ultrafast gas chromatography system equipped with an electronic nose detector (FGC eNose) has been developed. A prospective study was performed in 23 COPD patients and 33 healthy volunteers; exhalation breathing tests were performed with Tedlar bags. Each sample was analyzed by FCG eNose and the identification of VOCs was based on the Kovats index. Raw data were reduced by principal component analysis (PCA) and canonical discriminant analysis [canonical analysis of principal coordinates (CAP)]. The FCG eNose technology was able to identify 17 VOCs that distinguish COPD patients from healthy volunteers. At all stages of PCA and CAP the discrimination between groups was obvious. Chemical prints were correctly classified up to 82.2%, and were matched with 78.9% of the VOCs detected in the exhaled breath samples. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated the sensitivity and specificity to be 96% and 91%, respectively. This pilot study demonstrates that FGC eNose is a useful tool to identify VOCs as biomarkers in exhaled breath from COPD patients. Further studies should be performed to enhance the clinical relevance of this quick and ease methodology for COPD diagnosis.     

基于气体浓度定量的嗅觉刺激器优化设计

现有的基于磁共振测量的嗅觉刺激器，通过调节嗅剂液体浓度的方法可以实现不同浓度的嗅觉刺激，但随着实验进行，受到嗅剂挥发以及实验环境（温度、湿度、气流量）变化的影响，很难确保输送至鼻腔的嗅剂气体浓度的稳定性，进而影响实验结果的准确性．本研究对本实验室前期开发的嗅觉刺激装置进行改进，实现了气体浓度精确定量．改进后的嗅觉刺激器主要分为三个部分：控制系统、反馈系统和气路系统．控制系统主要实现气路系统的送气控制和嗅剂气体浓度调节；反馈系统则负责对气体浓度进行测量；气路系统则在原有基础上添加活性炭装置，降低无关因素干扰．装置改进之后，不同气路切换时间为75.2 ms，比原装置减少了1 s，有效提高刺激精度．实验结果显示，气体浓度调节前，300 s内乙醇、吡啶、乙酸戊酯嗅剂气体浓度分别下降6.7%、71.4%、79.2%，嗅剂气体浓度短时间内发生较大改变．加入气体浓度调节功能后，当气体浓度下降至目标浓度的90%时，可通过调节气泵电压改变嗅剂气流与空气气流比例，从而调节嗅剂气体浓度至目标值，其中吡啶、乙酸戊酯用时13 s．     

γ-Valerolactone (GVL) as a green and efficient dipolar aprotic reaction medium

The great challenge for modern research is to define the most efficient tools to make more sustainable the industrial production and manufacturing. Among the different aspects that require attention the replacement of toxic and/or non-renewable solvents it is certainly playing a crucial role. Dealing with widely used dipolar aprotic solvents, among the different alternatives proposed in the literature γ-valerolactone (GVL) plays a pivotal role covering different application area. In this contribution, the benefits derived from the use of GVL as a circular, safe, biomass-derived reaction medium are highlighted covering most recent publications (2021). The presentation has been divided into three major sections: (i) biomass valorization, (ii) materials synthesis, manufacturing and recycle and (iii) new synthetic methodologies.     

A novel microwave assisted reverse micelle fabrication route for Th (IV)‐MOFs as highly efficient adsorbent nanostructures with controllable structural properties to CO and CH4 adsorption: Design,and a systematic study

Reducing gas contaminants by affordable and effective adsorbents is a major challenge in the 21^st century. In the present study, thorium metal organic framework (Th‐MOF) nanostructures are introduced as highly efficient adsorbents. These compounds were manufactured via a novel route resulting from the development of microwave assisted reverse micelle (MARM) and ultrasound assisted reverse micelle (UARM) methods. The products were characterized utilizing XRD, SEM, TGA/DSC, BET, and FT‐IR analyses. Based on the results, the samples synthesized by MARM had uniform size distribution, high thermal stability, and significant surface area. Calculations using DFT/B3LYP indicated that the compounds have a tendency to the polymeric form, which could theoretically confirm the formation of Th‐MOF. Results of analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that synthesis parameters played a critical role in the manufacturing of products with distinctive properties. Response surface methodology (RSM) predicted the possibility of creating Th‐MOF adsorbents with the surface area of 2579 m²/g, which was a considerable value in comparison with the properties of other adsorbents. Adsorption studies showed that, in the optimum conditions, the Th‐MOF products had high adsorption capacity for CO and CH₄. It is believed that the synthesis protocol developed in the present study and the systematic studies conducted on the samples which lead to products with ideal adsorption properties.     

Solid-State NMR Spectroscopy: A Powerful Technique to Directly Study Small Gas Molecules Adsorbed in Metal–Organic Frameworks

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) have shown great potential in gas separation and storage, and the design of MOFs for these purposes is an on-going field of research. Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (SSNMR) spectroscopy is a valuable technique for characterizing these functional materials. It can provide a wide range of structural and motional insights that are complementary to and/or difficult to access with alternative methods. In this Concept article, the recent advances made in SSNMR investigations of small gas molecules (i.e., carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, hydrogen gas and light hydrocarbons) adsorbed in MOFs are discussed. These studies demonstrate the breadth of information that can be obtained by SSNMR spectroscopy, such as the number and location of guest adsorption sites, host–guest binding strengths and guest mobility. The knowledge acquired from these experiments yields a powerful tool for progress in MOF development.