Integration of Succinic Acid and Ethanol Production With Potential Application in a Corn or Barley Biorefinery

Production of succinic acid from glucose by Escherichia coli strain AFP184 was studied in a batch fermentor. The bases used for pH control included NaOH, KOH, NH₄OH, and Na₂CO₃. The yield of succinic acid without and with carbon dioxide supplied by an adjacent ethanol fermentor using either corn or barley as feedstock was examined. The carbon dioxide gas from the ethanol fermentor was sparged directly into the liquid media in the succinic acid fermentor without any pretreatment. Without the CO₂ supplement, the highest succinic acid yield was observed with Na₂CO₃, followed by NH₄OH, and lowest with the other two bases. When the CO₂ produced in the ethanol fermentation was sparged into the media in the succinic acid fermentor, no improvement of succinic acid yield was observed with Na₂CO₃. However, several-fold increases in succinic acid yield were observed with the other bases, with NH₄OH giving the highest yield increase. The yield of succinic acid with CO₂ supplement from the ethanol fermentor when NH₄OH was used for pH control was equal to that obtained when Na₂CO₃ was used, with or without CO₂ supplementation. The benefit of sparging CO₂ from ethanol fermentation on the yield of succinic acid demonstrated the feasibility of integration of succinic acid fermentation with ethanol fermentation in a biorefinery for production of fuels and industrial chemicals.     

Improving the robustness of a partial least squares (PLS) model based on pure component selectivity analysis and range optimization: case study for the analysis of an etching solution containing hydrogen peroxide

Pure component selectivity analysis (PCSA) was successfully utilized to enhance the robustness of a partial least squares (PLS) model by examining the selectivity of a given component to other components. The samples used in this study were composed of NH₄OH, H₂O₂ and H₂O, a popular etchant solution in the electronic industry. Corresponding near-infrared (NIR) spectra (9000-7500 cm⁻¹) were used to build PLS models. The selective determination of H₂O₂ without influences from NH₄OH and H₂O was a key issue since its molecular structure is similar to that of H₂O and NH₄OH also has a hydroxyl functional group. The best spectral ranges for the determination of NH₄OH and H₂O₂ were found with the use of moving window PLS (MW-PLS) and corresponding selectivity was examined by pure component selectivity analysis. The PLS calibration for NH₄OH was free from interferences from the other components due to the presence of its unique NH absorption bands. Since the spectral variation from H₂O₂ was broadly overlapping and much less distinct than that from NH₄OH, the selectivity and prediction performance for the H₂O₂ calibration were sensitively varied depending on the spectral ranges and number of factors used. PCSA, based on the comparison between regression vectors from PLS and the net analyte signal (NAS), was an effective method to prevent over-fitting of the H₂O₂ calibration. A robust H₂O₂ calibration model with minimal interferences from other components was developed. PCSA should be included as a standard method in PLS calibrations where prediction error only is the usual measure of performance.     

Hemin-phytic Acid Functionalized Porous Conducting Polymer Hydrogel With Good Biocompatibility for Electrochemical Detection of H2O2 Released From Living Cells

A novel hemin/phytic acid doped polyaniline (PA-PANI) hydrogel composite was prepared through a simple chemical and self-assembly method, which was modified onto electrode for electrochemical detection of H₂O₂ released from living cells. It showed good analytical performance with high sensitivity, selectivity and a rapid response for the analysis of H₂O₂ in the range of 2 to 102 μM, with the detection limit of 1.2 μM. The favorable results mainly originated from both the high conductivity of PA-PANI hydrogel and its network structure preventing hemin from self-dimerization to provide active catalytic species. Furthermore, PA-PANI with good biocompatibility allowed living cells to adhere and resulted in a short diffusion distance between H₂O₂ released from cells and electrode.     

Pretreatment of wastepaper and pulp mill sludge by aqueous ammonia and hydrogen peroxide

Pretreatment of two different softwood-based lignocellulosic wastes (newsprint and Kraft pulp mill sludge) was investigated. Pretreatment was done by aqueous ammonia and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), two delignifying reagents that are environmentally benign. Three different treatment schemes were employed: aqueous ammonia alone (ammonia recycled percolation [ARP]), mixed stream of aqueous ammonia and H₂O₂ and successive treatment with H₂O₂ and aqueous ammonia. In all cases there was a substantial degree of delignification ranging from 30 to 50%. About half of the hemicellulose sugars were dissolved into the process effluent. Retention of cellulose after pretreatment varied from 85 to 100% for newspaper feedstock and from 77 to 85% for the pulp mill sludge. After treatment with aqueous ammonia alone (ARP), the digestibility of newspaper and the pulp mill sludge was improved only by 5% (from 40 to 45% for the former and from 68 to 73% for the latter), despite a substantial degree of delignification occurring after the ARP process. The lign in content thus did not correlate with the digestibility for these substrates. Simultaneous treatment with H₂O₂ and aqueous ammonia did not bring about any significant improvement in the digestibility over that of the ARP. A succcessive treatment by H₂O₂ and ARP showed the most promise because it improved the digestibility of the newspaper from 41 to 75%, a level comparable to that of α-cellulose.     

Oxygen desorption from polycrystalline palladium: Thermal desorption of O<Subscript>2</Subscript> from a chemisorbed layer of O<Subscript>ads</Subscript> in the course of the decomposition of PdO surface oxide and in the release of oxygen from the bulk of palladium

The desorption of oxygen from polycrystalline palladium (Pd(poly)) was studied using temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) at 500–1300 K and the amounts of oxygen absorbed by palladium (n) from 0.05 to 50 monolayers. It was found that the desorption of O₂ from Pd(poly), which occurred from a chemisorbed oxygen layer (O_ads), in the release of oxygen from a near-surface metal layer in the course of the decomposition of PdO surface oxide, and in the release of oxygen from the bulk of palladium (O_abs), was governed by repulsive interactions between O_ads atoms and the formation and decomposition of O_ads-Pd*-O_abs structures (Pd* is a surface palladium atom). At θ ≤ 0.5, the repulsive interactions between O_ads atoms (ɛ_aa = 10 kJ/mol) resulted in the desorption of O₂ from Pd(poly) at 650–950 K. At 0.5 ≤ n ≤ 1.0, the release of inserted oxygen from a near-surface palladium layer occurred during TPD in the course of the migration of O_abs atoms to the surface and the formation-decomposition of O_ads-Pd*-O_abs structures. As a result, the desorption of O₂ occurred in accordance with a first-order reaction with a thermal desorption (TD) peak at T _max ∼ 700 K. At 1.0 ≤ n ≤ 2.0, the decomposition of PdO surface oxide occurred at a constant surface cover-age with oxygen during TPD in the course of the formation-decomposition of O_ads-Pd*-O_abs structures. Because of this, the desorption of O₂ occurred in accordance with a zero-order reaction at low temperatures with a TD peak at T _max ∼ 675 K. At 1.0 ≤ n ≤ 50, oxygen atoms diffused from deep palladium layers in the course of TPD and arrived at the surface at high temperatures. As a result, O₂ was desorbed with a high-temperature TD peak at T > 750 K.     

Recovery of indium from In2O3 and liquid crystal display powder via a chloride volatilization process using polyvinyl chloride

Indium (In) was recovered from indium oxide (In₂O₃) and liquid crystal display (LCD) powder via a chloride volatilization process using polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as the chlorination agent. The recovery of In from In₂O₃ increased with an increasing molar Cl/In ratio in N₂ and air atmospheres. The degree of In recovery at a Cl/In molar ratio of 11 and a temperature of 350 °C was 98.7% and 96.6%, for N₂ and air, respectively. The In recovery also increased notably with increasing temperature in N₂ atmosphere. In both atmospheres, the In recovery increased with an increasing degradation temperature of PVC. However, the In recovery from LCD powder was lower than that from In₂O₃. For LCD powder, the degree of In recovery at a Cl/In molar ratio of 11 and a temperature of 350 °C was 66.7% and 54.1%, for N₂ and air, respectively.     

An efficient synthesis of aryldithiocarbamic acid esters from Michael addition of electron-deficient alkenes with arylamines and CS2 in solid media alkaline Al2O3

An efficient synthesis of dithiocarbamic acid esters from Michael addition of electron-deficient alkenes with arylamines and CS₂ in solid media alkaline Al₂O₃ was presented. This method was suitable for a wide range of amines and a variety of Michael receptors. Specially, a series of aryldithiocarbamic acid esters was obtained from arylamines through this method. The protocol offers clean reactions and high yields with simple experimental procedures. Besides, the alkaline Al₂O₃ could be reused.     

A new monoclinic phase in the Fe2O3TiO2 system. I. Structure determination and Mössbauer spectroscopy

Single crystals with compositions within the Fe₂O₃TiO₂ system were grown from a flux containing various amounts of the basic oxides. Apart from the known pseudobrookite (Fe₂TiO₅) and rutile (TiO₂) structures, a new monoclinic polytype of Fe₂TiO₅ was found, which was isostructural with V₃O₅. The structure was determined by X-ray analysis and Mössbauer spectroscopy contributed data on hyperfine parameters and the magnetic ordering temperature.     

Chromatographic investigation of the effect of dissolved carbon dioxide on the glass transition temperature of a polymer and the solubility of a third component (additive)

The effect of dissolved carbon dioxide on the glass transition temperature of a polymer, PMMA, has been investigated using molecular probe chromatography. The probe solute was iso-octane, and the specific retention volumes of this solute in pure PMMA and mixtures of PMMA with CO₂ were measured over a temperature range of 0 to 180°C and CO₂ pressures from 1 to 75 atm. The amount of CO₂ dissolved in the polymer was calculated from a model fit to previously published solubility data determined chromatographically. Classical van't Hoff-type plots were used to determine the glass transition temperature of CO₂-impregnated PMMA from low pressure up to 46 atm of CO₂. Solvent-induced plasticization was observed with the glass transition temperature decreasing by about 40°C. At some pressures, glass transitions at low temperatures could not be determined from the van't Hoff plots because of the proximity of the polymer glass transition temperature to the gas–liquid transition temperature for CO₂. For these pressures, a new method was developed to determine the glass transition composition. The glass transition pressure was then calculated from the measured composition and temperature using an isotherm model. In every case, the glass transition temperature decreased linearly with increasing concentration of CO₂ in the polymer. However, at higher compositions, the glass transition pressure decreased with increasing composition and decreasing temperature. The observed retention volume of iso-octane with PMMA in a glassy state was correlated with an adsorption model developed from a theory for liquid–solid chromatography derived by Martire. This model accurately described the observed decrease in retention of iso-octane by adsorption on the surface of glassy PMMA with increasing concentration of CO₂ dissolved in the polymer. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J. Polym. Sci. B Polym. Phys. 36: 2537–2549, 1998     

Sulfonic acid-based metal organic framework functionalized magnetic nanocomposite combined with gas chromatography-electron capture detector for extraction and determination of organochlorine

The metal organic framework functionalized with sulfonic acid was combined with magnetic nanoparticles to fabricate a new nanocomposite (denoted as Fe₃O₄@PDA@Zr-SO₃H). By combining with gas chromatography-electron capture detector, the resulting Fe₃O₄@PDA@Zr-SO₃H nanocomposite was successfully used as a high-efficiency adsorbent for pre-concentrating eight organochlorine pesticides from water sample in environment. Apart from the ability of fast separation, the as-prepared Fe₃O₄@PDA@Zr-SO₃H nanocomposite also exhibited high adsorption capacity for organochlorine pesticides. With the use of optimal experimental conditions, the linear relationship can be obtained in the range of 0.05∼300 μg/L, the correlation coefficient was over 0.9978, and the relative standard deviation was located in 2.5%–7.7%. Moreover, the limit of detection and quantification was between 0.005–0.016 μg/L and 0.017∼0.050 μg/L. Finally, the nanocomposite was used for the determination of organochlorine pesticides from environmental water samples, and displayed the recovery of 82%–118%.     

Presence of diamond in the pyrope peridotite, Dreikeesh area, tartous province, NW Syria: a new theory on the origin of diamond

The diatreme facies of a pipe was found partly exposed approximately 15 km northeast of Dreikeesh, NW Syria. Petrographic, chemical, and microprobe analyses revealed the presence of a mixture of asthenospheric kimberlite-pyrope peridotite-basanite, with some lithospheric-lower crust xenoliths and xenocrysts. Microprobed black inclusions, 30-35 vol.% in one olivine grain, were found to be graphite. A second microprobed clean octahedral grain showed 19.26 wt.% carbon, in addition to the presence of olivine or pyroxene, and a trace of S. The C/SiO₂ molecular ratio in these inclusions was found to be 3/1 in favor of carbon, which could be diamond. The Cr₂O₃ (pyrope)/Cr₂O₃ (augite) was 0.86, indicating an asthenospheric origin for the two minerals. It was found that the temperature-pressure conditions for the Ni-Cr association with pyrope, and consequently for the formation of diamond, were approximately 1460 °C and 207 km depth. The compatible association of diamond with silicate phases, chromite, and sulfides suggest that diamond could originate from a silicate-oxide-sulfide-carbon melt deep in the asthenosphere. It is proposed that diamonds can be formed from carbon dioxide released from partially melted olivine grains under appropriate high temperature-pressure conditions. Carbon could be released from the reaction of CO₂ with Fe²⁺ in fractured olivines and pyroxenes, or from the reaction of CO₂ with CH₄ (assuming that CH₄ was present). The liberated carbon could then covalently bond to form diamond.     

Mode-filtered light methane gas sensor based on cryptophane A

A mode-filtered light sensor has been developed for methane (CH₄) gas determination at ambient conditions. The proposed chemosensor consisted of an annular column which was constructed by inserting an optical fiber coated with a thin silicone cladding of cryptophane A into a fused-silica capillary. When CH₄ was introduced to the sensor, selective inclusion of CH₄ into the silicone layer would cause a change in the local refractive index of the cladding, resulting in the change of mode-filtered light that emanated from the fiber. Three detection windows were set alongside the capillary to propagate the light to a charge-coupled device (CCD). The changes of mode-filtered light on exposure to various concentrations of CH₄ were thus simultaneously monitored. The mode-filtered light intensity decreased with the increase in concentration of CH₄. The dynamic concentration range of the sensor for CH₄ was 0.0-16.0% v/v with a detection limit of 0.15% v/v. The highest sensitivity was found at the channel furthest away from the excitation light source. The response time (t_95%) was about 5 min. The reproducibility was good with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of less than 7% from evaluating six cryptophane A-coated fibers. Oxygen, hydrogen and carbon dioxide showed very little interference on detection but interferences from dichloromethane and carbon tetrachloride were observed. The proposed mode-filtered light sensor has been successfully applied to determine CH₄ samples and the accuracy was good. Our work offers a promising approach for CH₄ detection.     

Preparation of multitracer nuclides from UO2 (NO3)2 irradiated by40Ar ion beam

UO₂ (NO₃)₂ was irradiated with a 25 MeV/nucleon⁴⁰Ar ion beam. The target material irradiated was dissolved in ethyl ether, and the uranyl was removed from the back extractant 5M HNO₃ saturated with NH₄NO₃ by means of solvent extraction with TBP in CCl₄. A carrier-free multitracer solution containing 47 elements from Na to Bi and 83 radionuclides was prepared and has been applied to adsorption studies on alumina and soils.     

Denitrification and removal of heavy metals from waste water by immobilized microorganisms

Pseudomonas fluorescens, immobilized on soft polyvinyl chloride granules containing up to 35% softeners as carbon source, was used for simultaneous removal of nitrate and heavy metals. In typical continuous column operation, a 100 mg/L nitrate input solution was reduced to a 20 mg/L output at a feeding rate of 1500 mL/h, with a capacity of 14 kg/day/m³, and with an efficiency of 79%. In the same column, Pb(NO₃)₂ concentration was reduced from 1.0 to 0.05−0.1 mg/L and ZnSO₄ concentration was reduced from 10 to 5 mg/L.Pseudomonas aeruginosa immobilized on an O₂ plasma-treated melt blown polypropylene web was used for removing 95% of a 1.7 nCi PuCl₄ activity from a nuclear plant waste water in a batch operation.     

Electrical conductivity of potassium titanyl phosphate KTiOPO<Subscript>4</Subscript> pure crystals and those doped with Na<Superscript>+</Superscript>, Rb<Superscript>+</Superscript>, and F<Superscript>–</Superscript> ions

KTiOPO₄ crystals, both pure and doped with rubidium Rb⁺ and fluorine F^– ions, were grown in temperature range from 1060 to 846°С from salt solvent containing potassium metaphosphate КРО₃ and potassium orthophosphate К3РО₄ by using a Czochralski modified method. Potassium–sodium titanyl phosphate crystals were obtained from KTiOPO₄ crystals by the potassium isomorphic replacement with sodium; to this purpose, sodium chemical diffusion from NaNO₃ melt was used. Their ionic conductivity was studied by the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy method. The KTiOPO₄ crystal doping with rubidium and sodium ions was shown to lower the conductivity, whereas the doping with fluorine ions results in increased conductivity.     

锰负载量对活性炭载锰氧化物的结构及催化分解臭氧性能的影响简

将高锰酸钾与活性炭（AC）原位氧化还原制备的活性炭载锰氧化物（MnO_x/AC）用作臭氧分解的催化剂. 采用扫描电镜、X射线光电子能谱、X射线衍射、电子自旋共振波谱、拉曼光谱以及程序升温还原研究了设计Mn负载量对负载锰氧化物性质（形貌、氧化态和晶体结构）的影响. 结果表明,Mn负载量由0.44%增至11%,负载锰氧化物在活性炭表面由疏松的地衣状变为堆叠的纳米球状体,负载层的厚度由~180 nm增加至~710 nm,结构由氧化态+2.9到+3.1的低结晶β-MnOOH生长为由氧化态+3.7到+3.8的δ-MnO₂结晶. MnO_x/AC室温催化分解低浓度臭氧的活性与负载锰氧化物的形貌及含量密切相关. Mn负载量为1.1%的MnO_x/AC具有疏松的地衣状形貌,催化分解臭氧的性能最高,Mn负载量为11%的MnO_x/AC具有紧密的堆积结构,因而表现出最低的催化臭氧分解活性.     

Characterization of phase transition of Ba2-xSrxIn2O5 by thermal analysis and high temperature X-ray diffraction

The phase transitions of Ba_2-xSr_xIn₂O₅ were investigated with various thermal analyses and high-temperature X-ray diffraction. It was clarified that crystal structure of Ba_2-xSr_xIn₂O₅ with x=0.0~0.4 varies from brownmillerite through distorted perovskite to another distorted perovskite with increase of temperature. The phase transition from brownmillerite to distorted perovskite was revealed to be first order, whereas transition from distorted perovskite to another one was second order. The specimen with x≥0.5 showed only one first order phase transition from brownmillerite to distorted perovskite. The phase diagram of Ba_2-xSr_xIn₂O₅ was established and existence of tricritical point at ~1100°C with x=0.4~0.5 was suggested. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Radiochemical separation of99Mo from natural uranium irradiated with thermal neutrons

⁹⁹Mo was separated from uranium and insoluble fission product hydroxides. More than 98% of⁹⁹Mo radioactivity was extracted with bis (2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid. The organic phase was washed and⁹⁹Mo was back-extracted from the organic phase with NH₄OH solution. The percent recovery from the organic phase was 91% and the purity of⁹⁹Mo was more than 99%. Pure^99mTc was also extracted from the organic phase with a saline solution. Reversed-phase partition chromatography was used for the purification of⁹⁹Mo from¹³¹I and other fission products (10% HDEHP on kieselguhr bed).¹³¹I and other isotopes were quantitatively eluted with 0.1M H₂SO₄,⁹⁹Mo was eluted using a mixture of 0.5 M HCl and 30% H₂O₂.     

Further studies on reactions of organic halides with disilanes catalysed by transition metal complexes

The interaction of a range of organic halides with (Cl₃Si)₂ or (Me₃Si)₂ in the presence of a variety of transition metal catalysts (very predominantly Pd⁰ or Pd^II complexes) have been examined. PhSiMe₃ was formed from PhCl[m.y., 15%] (m.y. - maximum yield), PhBr (m.y., 92%, with [PdL₂Br₂] as catalyst (L - PPh₃)), and (contrary to earlier reports) PhI (m.y. 51%, with [PdL₂I₂]). MeSiCl₃ was formed from MeBr (m.y., 78% with [PdL₄]) and MeI (m.y., 91% with [PdL₄]), and EtSiCl₃ from EtBr (m.y., 49%, with [PdL₂“Br₂]; L” - P(C₆H₄OMe-p)₃) and EtI (m.y. 45%, with [PdL₄]). Me₄Si was satisfactorily formed from MeBr (m.y. 42%, with [PdL₄]). Evidence was obtained for the formation of Me₃SiCF₃ from CF₃I. Very poor yields of XC₆H₄CH₂SiMe₃ were obtained from XC₆H₄CH2Br (X - H orp-Me) (with X - H some PhSiMe₃ was formed), butp-O₂NC₆H₄CH₂SiMe₃ was formed in 48% yield fromp-O₂NC₆H₄CH₂Cl with [PdL“₄] as catalyst. PhCOSiMe₃ was formed from PhCOCl (m.y. 52% with [PdL₂I₂]. The nickel complex [NiL₄] was moderately effective as a catalyst for reactions between (Cl₃Si)₂ and MeBr, EtBr, or PhCH₂Br. The new complex [PdL₂(SiCl₃)₂] was prepared by treatment of [PdL₄] with (Cl₃Si)₂ or Cl₃SiH, and shown to catalyse the reaction between MeBr and (Cl₃Si)₂.     

Investigation of Electron Behavior in Nano‐TiO2 Photocatalysis by Using In Situ Open‐Circuit Voltage and Photoconductivity Measurements

The in situ open‐circuit voltages (V_oc) and the in situ photoconductivities have been measured to study electron behavior in photocatalysis and its effect on the photocatalytic oxidation of methanol. It was observed that electron injection to the conduction band (CB) of TiO₂ under light illumination during photocatalysis includes two sources: from the valence band (VB) of TiO₂ and from the methanol molecule. The electron injection from methanol to TiO₂ is slower than that directly from the VB, which indicates that the adsorption mode of methanol on the TiO₂ surface can change between dark and illuminated states. The electron injection from methanol to the CB of TiO₂ leads to the upshift of the Fermi level of electrons in TiO₂, which is the thermodynamic driving force of photocatalytic oxidation. It was also found that the charge state of nano‐TiO₂ is continuously changing during photocatalysis as electrons are injected from methanol to TiO₂. Combined with the apparent Langmuir–Hinshelwood kinetic model, the relation between photocatalytic kinetics and electrons in the TiO₂ CB was developed and verified experimentally. The photocatalytic rate constant is the variation of the Fermi level with time, based on which a new method was developed to calculate the photocatalytic kinetic rate constant by monitoring the change of V_oc with time during photocatalysis.