The effect of high-power ultrasound on the rheological properties of strawberry pulp

This study investigated the effects of high-power ultrasound (HPU, 0–45 °C, 242–968 W/cm², 2–16 min) on the rheological properties of strawberry pulp. Following the HPU treatment, the strawberry pulp exhibited an increase in apparent viscosity, storage modulus (G′), and loss modulus (G″). The water-soluble pectin (WSP), pectin methylesterase (PME) activity, and free calcium ions (Ca²⁺) of the strawberry pulp after HPU treatment were investigated to determine a possible reason for this phenomenon. HPU caused a significant decrease in the degree of esterification (DE), molecular weight (Mw), and particle size of strawberry WSP, but no significant changes were evident in the galacturonic acid (GalA) content and the zeta (ζ)-potential (P > 0.05), resulting in decrease in the apparent viscosity. Moreover, the largest reduction of PME activity was 22.6% after HPU treatment at 605 W/cm² and 45 °C for 16 min, indicating that the PME was resistant to the HPU treatments. The free Ca²⁺ content in the strawberry pulp was significantly decreased after exposure to HPU (P < 0.05). The maximal reduction of 52.01% in the free Ca²⁺ was achieved at 605 W/cm² and 45 °C for 16 min. The overall results indicated that the high residual activity (RA) of PME after HPU might induce the low esterification of WSP, while HPU promoted the interaction of free Ca²⁺ and low-methylated pectin, to form the network structure of Ca²⁺-low-methylated pectin, resulting in an increase in viscosity in the complex strawberry system.     

Proton-conducting biopolymer electrolytes based on pectin doped with NH4X (X=Cl,Br)

Research has been undertaken to develop polymer electrolytes based on biodegradable natural polymers such as cellulose acetate, starch, gelatin, and chitosan, which are being used as polymer hosts for obtaining new polymer electrolytes for their applications in various electrochemical devices such as batteries, sensors, and electrochromic windows. Pectin is a naturally available material which is extracted from the skin of citrus fruits. Pectins, also known as pectic polysaccharides, are rich in galacturonic acid. The present study focuses on the proton-conducting polymer electrolytes based on the biopolymer pectin doped with ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) and ammonium bromide (NH₄Br) prepared by solution casting technique. The prepared membranes are characterized using XRD, FTIR, and AC impedance techniques to study their complexation behavior, amorphous nature, and electrical properties. The conductivity of pure pectin membrane has been found to be 9.41 × 10⁻⁷ S cm⁻¹. The polymer systems with 30 mol% NH₄Cl-doped pectin and 40 mol% NH₄Br-doped pectin have been found to have maximum ionic conductivity of 4.52 × 10⁻⁴ and 1.07 × 10⁻³ S cm⁻¹, respectively. The conductivity value has increased by three orders of magnitude compared to pure pectin membrane. The dielectric behavior of both the systems has been explained using dielectric permittivity and electric modulus spectra.

     

Solvent effect on the optimization of 1.54 μm emission in Er-doped Y2O3–Al2O3–SiO2 powders synthesized by a modified Pechini method

In order to find a new Er-doped host for near infrared (NIR) optical amplifiers, a study on the optimization of the erbium emission ions in the Y₂O₃–Al₂O₃–SiO₂ system was performed. (100 ? x) Y₃Al₅O₁₂ ? (x) SiO₂ powders (x varies from 0 to 70, in mol%) with a fixed Er₂O₃ concentration of 1.0 mol% were synthesized by a modified Pechini method and heat-treated at 900 and 1000 °C. The photoluminescence (PL) spectra at 1540 nm of the ⁴I_13/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transition of Er³⁺ ions and the up-conversion spectra at visible region (²H_11/2 + ⁴S_3/2 + ⁴F_9/2 → ⁴I_15/2) upon 980 nm excitation were evaluated. Different techniques, such as thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) were considered to evaluate crystallization and phase-evolution of the powders as a function of the silica content (x) and annealing temperature. The analyses were based on the comparison between two different solvents used in the preparation of the polymeric resins: ethanol and water. The optimal conditions for ethanol are quite different than the conditions for water used as solvent, confirming that the PL properties at the NIR region are highly sensitive to the changes in the host stoichiometry and processing conditions. The highest emission intensity at 1540 nm was observed for x = 30 for ethanol and x = 70 for water, treated at 900 and 1000 °C, respectively. This result could be attributed to the combination of low symmetry and good dispersion of the Er³⁺ions in these hosts.     

Optimization of calcination temperature of lead-free BiFeO3–BaTiO3 high-temperature piezoceramics

0.7BiFeO₃-0.3BaTiO₃+1mol% MnO₂(0.7BFO-0.3BTO) ceramics were synthesized by conventional solid-state powder method under different calcination temperatures (T_cal) between 770 and 830 °C. The phase structure, microstructure, and ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties changed greatly depending on the applied T_cal. Benefitting from the formation of low defect levels and large grain size and an appropriate morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) with the rhombohedral-to-pseudocubic phase ratio = 49.1 : 50.9, BFO-BTO ceramics calcined at 785 °C showed the best ferroelectric, piezoelectric, and insulating properties (P_r = 23.1 μC/cm², E_C = 25.8 kV/cm, d₃₃ = 167.8 pC/N, k_p = 0.342%). Above T_cal = 800 °C, however, the ferroelectric and piezoelectric properties deteriorated because volatilization of Bi and reduction of Fe caused a poor insulating property and high degree of chemical inhomogeneity. Moreover, the ceramics calcined at 785 °C showed a high Curie temperature (T_C) of 509.2 °C and excellent thermal aging resistance of d₃₃ up to 450 °C, demonstrating great potential for use in high-temperature applications.     

Structural,ferroelectric, optical properties of A-site-modified Bi0.5(Na0.78K0.22)0.5Ti0.97Zr0.03O3 lead-free piezoceramics

We reported the role of A-site modification on the structural, ferroelectric, optical and electrical field-induced strain properties of Bi_0.5(Na_0.78K_0.22)_0.5Ti_0.97Zr_0.03O₃ lead-free piezoceramics. The Li⁺ ions with concentration from 0 to 5 mol% were used to substitute at A-site. There was no phase transition when Li⁺ ions was added up to 5 mol%. The electric field-induced strain (S_max/E_max) values increased from 600 to 643 pm/V for 2 mol% Li⁺-added which results from distortion both rhombohedral and tetragonal phase structures. The band gap reduced from 2.88 to 2.68 eV and the saturation polarization decreased from 46.2 to 26.1 μC/cm² when Li⁺ ions concentration increased from 0 to 5 mol% respectively. We expect that this work could be helpful for further understanding the role of A-site dopants in comparison with B-site modification in lead-free Bi_0.5(Na,K)_0.5TiO₃-based ceramics.     

White upconversion emission and color tunability of Y2O3:R(R=Yb3+, Er3+, Tm3+) nanophosphors

The Y₂O₃:R(R = Yb³⁺, Er³⁺, Tm³⁺) nanophosphors were synthesized by a solvothermal method and the temperature dependence of the white upconversion emission was studied using a 975 nm LD. The upconversion emission spectra in 1 mol% Er³⁺/5 mol% Yb³⁺/xTm³⁺ tri-doped Y₂O₃ nanophosphors were sintered at 1000 ^°C with x from 0 to 0.5 mol%. The blue emission intensity increases increasing Tm³⁺ concentration from 0 to 0.5 mol%, because the Tm³⁺ state can be easily reached due to the ²F_7/2 → ²F_5/2 transition of Yb³⁺ near 10,000 cm⁻¹. The Y₂O₃: Er³⁺/Yb³⁺/Tm³⁺ nanophosphors exhibit upconversion emission from white to green with increasing sintering temperature. The calculated CIE coordinates are located in the white region at a pump power of 700 mW at 1000 °C, and the color coordinates were very similar to the standard white light emission. Their upconversion process was described through energy level diagrams and results of upconversion emission spectra and pump power dependence.     

Dielectric and piezoelectric properties of non-stoichiometric (K0.5Na0.5)(Nb0.9+xTa0.1)O3 ceramics

In the study, in order to develop the lead-free piezoelectric ceramics for actuator, transformer and other electronic-devices application, (K_0.5Na_0.5)(Nb_0.9+xTa_0.1)O₃ + 0.5 mol% CuO + 0.2 mol% MnO₂ ceramics were prepared by conventional mixed oxide method. The effects of B-site non-stoichiometry in [(K_0.5Na_0.5)] [(Nb_0.9+xTa_0.1)O₃] ceramics on microstructure and piezoelectric properties were investigated. The density, electromechanical coupling factor (k_p), mechanical quality factor (Q_m), piezoelectric constant (d₃₃), T_C and T_O-T of NKNT ceramics with x = 0.0065 showed the optimum values of 4.58 g/cm³, 0.427, 1554, 109 pC/N, 373 °C and 226 °C, respectively, suitable for piezoelectric motor, and transformer applications.     

Thermoluminescence (TL) properties of Al2O3: C,Mg exposed to cobalt-60 gamma radiation doses

TL characteristics of powder form of Al₂O₃ doped with 0.1 mol% carbon and co-doped with different magnesium concentrations of 0.1 mol% and 0.2 mol% exposed to Cobalt-60 gamma ray at doses ranging from 5 Gy to 70 Gy were investigated. The recorded glow curves consist a dominant peak at 180 °C for a heating rate of 1 °C s⁻¹. The TL sample with 0.2 mol% Mg concentration have higher response compared to the sample with 0.1 mol% Mg concentration for a delivered dose of 5 Gy. The TL response has linear relationship with delivered dose for both samples. The TL sensitivity was found as 277.9 nC mg⁻¹ Gy⁻¹ for the sample with Mg concentration 0.2 mol% and 128.2 nC mg⁻¹ Gy⁻¹ for 0.1 mol% Mg. However, the sample with 0.1 mol% Mg concentration has better fading properties compared to the sample with 0.2 mol% Mg concentration. Both samples show good reproducibility with value less than 13%. The experimental value of effective atomic number, Z_eff is 9.21 and 9.44 for the sample with Mg concentration 0.1% mol and 0.2% mol, respectively, which are near to Z_eff of bone with a value of about 11.6.     

Formation and its mechanism of copper metal layers at surface by annealing in reduced atmosphere in CuO–Li2O–Nb2O5–SiO2 glass

A trace amount (0.5 mol%) of CuO-doped 40Li₂O–32Nb₂O₅–28SiO₂ glass (mol%) exhibits the formation of copper metal layers at the glass surface by annealing at temperatures (530 °C) below the glass transition temperature (544 °C) in the reduced atmosphere of 7% H₂–93%Ar. The coordination state of copper ions is examined from optical absorption and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrum measurements, indicating the formation of Si–OH and Si–H bonds due to the diffusion of hydrogen into the inside of the glass and the reduction of Cu⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions. The mechanism of the formation of copper metals at the surface is proposed, in which the key points are the reduction of Cu²⁺ to Cu⁺ ions due to the hydrogen and the migration of Cu⁺ ions in the interior of the glass to the surface. The first finding on copper metal layers at the glass surface might have a potential for practical applications such as electrodes in glass.     

Ultrasound effects on the degradation kinetics,structure and rheological properties of apple pectin

The effects of ultrasound on the molecular weight of apple pectin were investigated. The structure and rheological properties of the degradation products were also tentatively identified by High Performance Liquid Chromatography–Photodiode Array Detector (HPLC–PAD), Infrared spectroscopy (IR), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy (NMR) and Rheometer. The results indicated that the weight-average molecular weight of apple pectin decreased obviously after ultrasound treatment. The molecular weight of degradation products had a uniform and narrow distribution. Ultrasound intensity and temperature play an important role in the degradation reaction. Degradation kinetics model of apple pectin fitted to 1/M_t ? 1/M₀ = kt from 5 to 45 °C. The degree of methylation of apple pectin reduced according to IR analysis when ultrasound was applied. Ultrasound treatment could not alter the primary structure of apple pectin according to the results determined by HPLC, IR and NMR. Meanwhile, the viscosity of apple pectin was 10³ times as large as that of ultrasound-treated apple pectin. The ultrasound-treated apple pectin showed predominantly viscous responses (G′ < G″) over the same frequency range. The results suggested that ultrasound provided a viable alternative method for the modification of pectin.     

Thermoluminescence and optically stimulated luminescence characteristics of Al2O3 doped with Tb

In the present work policrystals of α − Al₂O₃ doped with terbium were synthesized using the solvent evaporation method. The samples were prepared using Al(NO₃)₃·9H₂O and Tb(NO₃)₃·5H₂O reagents, with Tb concentrations between 1 and 5 mol% and thermally treated at high temperature above ∼1400 °C. X-ray diffraction measurements showed the α-phase formation of samples. TL glow curve presented an intense peak at ∼190 °C and two other with low intensity at 290 and 350 °C after gamma irradiation. The best doping concentration which presented high luminescence was the sample doped with 3 mol% of Tb. TL spectra and fluorescence measurements showed similar luminescence spectra with lines attribute to Tb³⁺ ions. A linear behavior to gamma dose between 1 and 20 Gy was observed in TL, using 190 °C peak as well as in OSL signal, this last carried out using 532 nm wavelength stimulation.     

Sonication in combination with heat and low pressure as an alternative pasteurization treatment – Effect on Escherichia coli K12 inactivation and quality of apple cider

Escherichia coli K12 cells suspended in apple cider were treated by manothermosonication (MTS, 400 kPa/59 °C), thermosonication (TS, 100 kPa/59 °C), and manosonication (MS, 400 kPa/55 °C) for up to 4 min. A 5-log reduction was achieved in 1.4 min by MTS, 3.8 min by TS, and 2.5 min by MS. The inactivation curves of the E. coli exhibited a fast initial reduction followed by a slow inactivation section. The Weibull, log–logistic, and biphasic linear models showed a good fit of the inactivation data. Quality analyses were conducted with raw apple cider (control), thermally-pasteurized (TP), and MTS-, TS-, and MS-treated cider samples over a 3-week period at refrigeration temperature. Titratable acidity and pH did not differ among any of the samples. During storage, the turbidity value of the control was the highest, followed by TP, TS, MTS and MS. All color parameters of the TP sample were significantly different from those receiving the other treatments. The control and sonicated samples showed similar color parameters during storage. In total, 97 aroma compounds were identified in the control, TS-, MS-, and MTS-treated cider samples, while 95 aroma compounds were found in the TP at Week 0. Among all the aroma compounds, 9 key ones were identified in all samples, including ethyl 2-methylbutanoate, butyl acetate, 1-butanol, ethyl hexanoate, 1-hexanol, butanoic acid, β-damascenone, hexanoic acid, and octanoic acid. The profiles of the key aroma compounds in all sonicated samples were more similar to the control than the TP sample at Weeks 0 and 3.     

Effect of Li2CO3 addition on the structural,optical, ferroelectric,and electric-field-induced strain of lead-free BNKT-based ceramics

In this work, we reported the effect of Li₂CO₃ addition on the structural, optical, ferroelectric properties and electric-field-induced strain of Bi_0.5(Na,K)_0.5TiO₃ (BNKT) solid solution with CaZrO₃ ceramics. Both rhombohedral and tetragonal structures were distorted after adding Lithium (Li). The band gap values decreased from 2.91 to 2.69 eV for 5 mol% Li-addition. The maximum polarization and remanent polarization decreased from 49.66 μC/cm² to 27.11 μC/cm² and from 22.93 μC/cm² to 5.35 μC/cm² for un-doped and 5 mol% Li- addition BNKT ceramics, respectively. The maximum S_max/E_max value was 567 pm/V at 2 mol% Li₂CO₃ access. We expected this work will help to understand the role of A-site dopant in lead-free ferroelectric BNKT materials.     

Band gap tunable and improved microstructure characteristics of Cu2ZnSn(S1−x,Sex)4 thin films by annealing under atmosphere containing S and Se

Cu₂ZnSn(S_xS_1?x)₄ (CZTSSe) thin films were prepared by annealing a stacked precursor prepared on Mo coated glass substrates by the sputtering technique. The stacked precursor thin films were prepared from Cu, SnS₂, and ZnS targets at room temperature with stacking orders of Cu/SnS₂/ZnS. The stacked precursor thin films were annealed using a tubular two zone furnace system under a mixed N₂ (95%) + H₂S (5%) + Se vaporization atmosphere at 580 °C for 2 h. The effects of different Se vaporization temperature from 250 °C to 500 °C on the structural, morphological, chemical, and optical properties of the CZTSSe thin films were investigated. X-ray diffraction patterns, Raman spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results showed that the annealed thin films had a single kesterite crystal structure without a secondary phase. The 2θ angle position for the peaks from the (112) plane in the annealed thin films decreased with increasing Se vaporization temperature. Energy dispersive X-ray results showed that the presence of Se in annealed thin films increased from 0 at% to 42.7 at% with increasing Se vaporization temperatures. UV–VIS spectroscopy results showed that the absorption coefficient of all the annealed thin films was over 10⁴ cm^?1 and that the optical band gap energy decreased from 1.5 eV to 1.05 eV with increasing Se vaporization temperature.     

Manothermosonication (MTS) treatment of apple-carrot juice blend for inactivation of Escherichia coli 0157:H7

This study was performed to evaluate the responses of Escherichia coli 0157:H7 inoculated in an apple-carrot blended juice to manothermosonication (MTS) treatments. The MTS treatments were conducted in a continuous-flow MTS system. The juice samples were exposed to ultrasound treatment at combinations of three temperatures (60, 50 and 40 °C) and three pressure levels (100, 200, and 300 kPa) for five residence times (15, 30, 45, 60, and 75 s). The results showed that higher treatment temperature (i.e. 60 °C) and hydrostatic pressure in the MTS system significantly enhanced the microbial reduction. A FDA mandated 5-log CFU/ml reduction of E. coli 0157:H7 for juice processing was achieved in 30 s for MTS treatment at 60 °C, in comparison to 60 s at 50 °C. The Weilbull and Log-logistic models provided the best fitting of the inactivation data for the MTS treatments. Extensive damage of E. coli 0157:H7 cells treated with MTS was observed on micro-images of scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy.     

Interaction of dioxouranium(VI) ion with EDTA at different ionic strengths

The formation of complex species of dioxouranium(VI) ion with EDTA was studied in the pH range of 1–3.5 and at 25 °C using a combination of potentiometric and spectrophotometric techniques. Results showed evidence for formation of the following species: [UO₂H₄EDTA]²⁺, [UO₂H₃EDTA]⁺, and [UO₂H₂EDTA]. Investigations were performed in sodium perchlorate as background electrolyte at 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 1.0 mol dm^? 3. The parameters based on the formation constants were calculated, and the dependences of protonation and the stability constants on ionic strength are described. The dependence on ionic strength of the formation constants was analyzed using the specific ion interaction theory (SIT) model. The stability constant values at infinite dilution, obtained using SIT model, are log β°₁₄₁ = 6.77, log β°₁₃₁ = 5.99 and log β°₁₂₁ = 9.29, where indexes for the overall stability constant, β_pqr, refer to the equilibrium pUO₂²⁺ + qH⁺ + rL^4? ? M_pH_qL_r^{(2p + q ? 4r)}. The specific interaction coefficients are also reported.     

Polymorphic phase transition and thermal stability in squaric acid (H2C4O4)

Phase transformations in squaric acid (H₂C₄O₄) have been investigated by thermogravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry with different heating rates β. The mass loss in TG apparently begins at onset temperatures T_di=245±5 °C (β=5 °C min^?1), 262±5 °C (β=10 °C min^?1), and 275±5 °C (β=20 °C min^?1). A polymorphic phase transition was recognized as a weak endothermic peak in DSC around 101 °C (T_c⁺). Further heating with β=10 °C min^?1 in DSC revealed deviation of the baseline around 310 °C (T_i), and a large unusual exothermic peak around 355 °C (T_p), which are interpreted as an onset and a peak temperature of thermal decomposition, respectively. The activation energy of the thermal decomposition was obtained by employing relevant models. Thermal decomposition was recognized as a carbonization process, resulting in amorphous carbon.     

Synthesis and electrical transport properties of Lu2+xTi2−xO7−x/2 oxide-ion conductors

The Lu_2+xTi_2−xO_7−x/2 (x = 0; 0.052; 0.096; 0.286; 0.44; 0.63; 33.3–49 mol% Lu₂O₃) nanoceramics with partly disordered pyrochlore-type structure are prepared by sintering freeze-dried powders obtained by a co-precipitation technique with 1600 °C annealing. Similar to pyrochlore-like compositions in the zirconate system, some of the new titanates are good oxide-ion conductors in air. The new solid-state electrolytes have oxide-ion conductivity in the interval of 1.0 × 10^− 3 – 2.5 × 10^− 3 S/cm at 740 °C in air. This value of conductivity is comparable with that of ZrO₂/Y₂O₃ ceramics. The conductivity of Lu_2+xTi_2−xO_7−x/2 depends on the chemical composition. The highest ionic conductivity is exhibited by nearly stoichiometric Lu_2+xTi_2−xO_7−x/2 (x = 0.096; 35.5 mol% Lu₂O₃) material containing ∼ 4.8 at.% Lu_Ti anti-site defects.     

Low-temperature preparation and properties of ceramics with composition (1−x)CaTiO3−xPbF2−xLiF

Fluorinated ceramics with initial composition (1−x)CaTiO₃+xPbF₂+xLiF were sintered at 950 °C. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of the samples showed the formation of a novel solid solution in the initial composition range 0⩽x⩽0.125. SEM observations were performed on fractured ceramics and DSC analyses were carried out from room temperature up to 600 °C. Three second-order phase transitions were detected for all the samples. Capacitors were prepared from the pre-sintered ceramics then dielectric measurements were performed as a function of temperature in the frequency range 10²–4×10⁷ Hz. The ε′_r−T curves exhibit the profile of dielectrics for class I capacitors, however the values of tan δ are too high (tan δ⩾1%).     

Conductivities of electrolytes based on PEI-b-PEO-b-PEI triblock copolymers with lithium and copper TFSI salts

Tri block-copolymer poly(iminoethylene)-b-poly(oxyethylene)-b-poly(iminoethylene) with a poly(oxyethylene) central block (PEI-b-PEO-b-PEI) were used as a “dual” matrix for polymer electrolytes having selectivity for hard cations (Li⁺/PEO) in one phase and for soft cations (Cu²⁺/PEI) in the other. Conductivity measurements were recorded for 20:1, 12:1 and 8:1 coordinating atom (O or/and N) to cation (Li⁺, Cu²⁺) ratios, for each of the three complexes studied: PEI-b-PEO-LiTFSI-b-PEI, PEI-Cu(TFSI)₂-b-PEO-b-PEI-Cu(TFSI)₂ and PEI-Cu(TFSI)₂-b-PEO-LiTFSI-b-PEI-Cu(TFSI)₂. For either low (20 °C) or high temperature (80 °C) the highest conductivity was given by the polymer electrolyte based on Cu(TFSI)₂ with N/Cu²⁺ = 20:1 (10^− 6, respectively 2 × 10^− 4 S cm^− 1). In the present paper, the conductivity evolution is discussed in relation with the polymer structure, the type and the concentration of the salt and the thermal behavior of our systems.