Treatment of sugar processing industry wastewater using copper electrode by electrocoagulation: Performance and economic study

This paper demonstrates the use of copper electrode for the treatment of sugar processing industry wastewater (SPIW) in terms of chemical oxygen demand (COD) by applying electrocoagulation (EC) method. EC process was carried out in batch mode with electrode effective area of 0.0112 m², supplied current intensity (CI) of 44.64 A/m² - 223.21 A/m², electrode gap (EG) of 0.5–2.5 cm, electrolyte (NaCl) dose (ED) of 0.5–2.5 g/L to treat SPIW with initial chemical oxygen demand (COD) of 6000 mg/L. The maximum COD removal 73% of SPIW is achieved at optimized condition of SPIW pH: 7, CI: 89.28 A/m², EG: 1.5 cm & ED: 1.5 g/L. Sludge and scum generated during EC process were characterized by FTIR, TGA/DTA/DTG, proximate & ultimate analysis to find its applicability and their disposal. Additionally, economic study of EC treatment process at optimum condition suggest treatment cost was 11.2 US$/m³ and it indicate economic results as comparison to other available treatment processes.     

Selective hydrogenation of furfuryl alcohol to tetrahydrofurfuryl alcohol over Ni/γ-Al2O3 catalysts

Research on Chemical Intermediates - A series of nickel-based catalysts (with <5 nm Ni particle size) with γ-alumina as a support (x wt% Ni/γ-Al2O3, x represents the Ni...     

Titania nanotube formation in chloride and bromide containing electrolytes

Titania nanotubes and nanofibers were grown by anodization of titanium in fluoride-free electrolytes composed of NaCl and KBr dissolved in either water, ethylene glycol (EG), glycerol, or 50/50 mixtures of water and EG, and water and glycerol. The tubes and fibers grew out of pits in the titanium foil. The 15 nm diameter of the nanotubes was significantly smaller, and the growth rates were much faster than those of tubes developed in fluoride solutions. Nanotubes were nucleated in all electrolytes investigated, but the tubes’ lengths were limited to a few nms in EG and glycerol. Nanofibers produced in the aqueous solutions and nanotubes formed in the 50/50 aqueous mixtures grew to many tens of microns in less than 60 s.     

Ag/ZrO2 and Ag/Fe–ZrO2 catalysts for the low temperature total oxidation of toluene in the presence of water vapor

Transition Metal Chemistry - New mesoporous and well-structured Ag-based catalysts (xAg/ZrO2 and xAg/Fe–ZrO2 with x = 2 wt%) have been investigated in the total...     

Effect of Fluoride or Chloride Ions on the Morphology of ZrO2 Thin Film Grown in Ethylene Glycol Electrolyte by Anodization

0.3 wt % ammonium fluoride (NH₄F) or ammonium chloride (NH₄Cl) was added to ethylene glycol (EG) as an active ingredient for the formation of anodic oxide comprising of ZrO₂ nanotubes (ZNTs) by anodic oxidation of zirconium (Zr) at 20 V for 10 min. It was observed that nanotubes were successfully grown in EG/NH₄F/H₂O with aspect ratio of 144.3. Shorter tubes were formed in EG/NH₄F/H₂O₂. This could be due to higher excessive chemical etching at the tip of the tubes. When fluoride was replaced by chloride in both electrolytes, multilayered oxide resembling pyramids was observed. The pyramids have width at the bottom of 3-4 μm and the top is 1-2 μm with 10.7 μm height. Oxidation of Zr in EG/NH₄Cl/H₂O₂ was rater rapid. The multilayered structure is thought to have formed due to the re-deposition of ZrO₂ or hydrated ZrO₂ on the foil inside pores formed within the oxide layer. XRD result revealed an amorphous structure for as-anodized samples regardless of the electrolytes used for this work.     

Easy preparation of recyclable thermally stable visible-light-active graphitic-C3N4/TiO2 nanocomposite photocatalyst for efficient decomposition of hazardous organic industrial pollutants in aqueous medium

Research on Chemical Intermediates - Graphitic-C3N4/TiO2 nanocomposite was prepared as a photocatalyst (PC) active under visible light (λ?≥?420 nm) by preparation of...     

ANN modelling and experimental investigation on effective thermal conductivity of ethylene glycol:water nanofluids

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry - In this study, ethylene glycol (EG)–water (35:65 %v)-based nanofluids have been prepared to study enhancement in thermal conductivity....     

Photoreduction of CCl3F in aqueous solutions containing sulfonated poly(ether etherketone) and formate buffers

Research on Chemical Intermediates - Irradiation of aqueous solutions containing the sodium salt of sulfonated poly(ether etherketone) and HCO2H/HCO2? buffers with 350 nm photons...     

Picosecond laser ultrasonic measurements of interlayer elastic properties of 2H-MoSe2 and 2H-WSe2

We have used the ultrafast pump-probe technique known as picosecond ultrasonics to generate and detect coherent acoustic phonon pulses with frequencies reaching 40 GHz in exfoliated crystals of MoSe₂ and WSe₂ on Si and sapphire substrates. We report picosecond time-resolved reflectivity data from samples ranging from 180 nm to 920 nm in thickness and compare our results to a 1D simulation of strain-induced changes in the optical reflectivity. We find the longitudinal sound velocity along the c-axis (the interlayer direction) to be 2800 m/s ± 40 m/s for MoSe₂ and 2510 m/s ± 60 m/s for WSe₂. We also report the measured lifetime of longitudinal acoustic phonons approaching 40 GHz to be 0.85 ± 0.2 ns and compare this value with predictions of relaxation damping and 3-phonon models, as well as discuss its relationship to the predicted thermal conductivity of MoSe₂.     

A CIDEP study of photolysis of duroquinone/hydrogen-donor homogeneous and triton micelle solutions

The CIDEP spectra of transient radicals during photolysis of the duroquinone (DQ)/ethylene glycol (EG) system in acid, basic, and micellar environments were measured with a home-made highly time-resolved ESR spectrometer. In the DQ/EG homogeneous solution, the enhanced emissive CIDEP signal of the neutral durosemiquinone radical DQH^• was observed. When the DQ/EG solution at pH 9 or the DQ/EG/TX-100/H₂O micelle system was photolyzed, the CIDEP signal of the duroquinone anion radical (DQ^•−) was obtained. When the DQ/EG solution at pH 2.5 was irradiated, the CIDEP signal of DQH^• appeared. These experimental results indicate that the neutral radical DQH^• was formed by proton transfer from EG to ³DQ*, and that DQ^•− was formed by dissociation of DQH^• accompanying polarization transfer.     

Modulating effect of graphine oxide loaded hesperidin nanocomposite on the 1,2-dimethylhydrazine provoked colon carcinogenesis in rats via inhibiting the iNOS and COX-2 pathways

Hesperidin is a flavonoid derived from citrus plant peels. It have convinced biological actions, which includes antioxidant possessions, anti-inflammatory outcome, and thus we investigate that hesperidin will encompass chemopreventive probable next to 1,2-dimethylhydrazine (DMH)-provoked experimental colon carcinogenesis in male Wistar rats. Rats were randomly alienated into six groups. Group I rats were considered as control. Group II rats received only DMH. Groups III&IV animals received 20 mg/kg b.w of DMH subcutaneous one time a week, for initial 4 weeks. In adding, groups III & IV animals given DMH along with hesperidin at the dose of 5&10 mg/kg b.w., correspondingly for about 16 weeks. In present study we optimized hesperidin loaded with graphine oxide as a result achieved and was itemized and illustrated by UV Visible spectroscopy (876.25 nm), X-Ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy and Dynamic light scattering (45.50 nm). Hesperidin to the DMH induced rats drastically diminished the incidence of polyps as contrast to the DMH alone animals. Additionally in hesperidin management over DMH exposed experimental rats, we observed elevated actions of the oxidation inhibitors and diminished planes of LPO in liver and passage along with improved stage of lipids and antioxidants in colon tissues, which be distorted in the DMH unaided rats. Moreover, we experiential tainted actions of Interleukins, tumor necrosis factor and bioactive enzymes in DMH only rats, which are upturned in hesperidin treatment. All remarks are sustained in our histological conclusion. Ultimately, hesperidin might worned as effectual chemopreventive agent adjacent to DMH tempted colon cancer.     

Sub- and supercritical glycolysis of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into the monomer bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET)

Sub- and supercritical glycolysis of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) with ethylene glycol (EG) to bis(2-hydroxyethyl) terephthalate (BHET) was investigated for the purpose of developing a PET recycling process. Supercritical glycolysis was carried out at 450 °C and 15.3 MPa while subcritical glycolysis was carried out at 350 °C and 2.49 MPa or at 300 °C and 1.1 MPa. High yields (gt; 90%) of the monomer BHET were obtained in both super- and subcritical cases. For the same PET/EG weight ratio of about 0.06, the optimum reaction time was 30 min for supercritical glycolysis and 75 and 120 min for two cases of subcritical glycolysis. GPC, RP-HPLC, ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR, and DSC were used to characterize the polymer and reaction products. Supercritical glycolysis will be suitable to a process requiring a high throughput due to its short reaction time.     

Ethylene glycol-assisted electrochemical synthesis of CaMoO4 crystallites with different morphology and their luminescent properties

CaMoO₄ crystallites with different morphology were successfully prepared by an electrochemical method with the assistance of ethylene glycol (EG) for the first time. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and photoluminescent spectra techniques (PL), respectively. The results showed that the crystallization of CaMoO₄ relies on both applied electric current intensity and EG content in the electrolytic solution. With the increase of EG content, CaMoO₄ crystallite sizes decreased, and their morphology gradually changed from a cake-like shape into micro-rods with a higher aspect ratio. Moreover, the higher the applied electric current intensity, the more obvious the above effect was. All samples exhibit a green emission centered at 512 nm with 280 nm excitation wavelength at room temperature, but show different PL intensity.     

Crystal structure,chemical stability and electrical properties of Sr2MnNbO6 − δ, Sr2Cr0.5Mn0.5NbO6 − δ and Sr2CuNbO6 − δ perovskites

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - The 3d-cation-substituted perovskites Sr2MnNbO6 − δ, Sr2Cr0.5Mn0.5NbO6 − δ and...     

Fabrication a thin nickel oxide layer on photoanodes for control of charge recombination in dye-sensitized solar cells

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - A thin NiO layer (∼164 nm in thickness) is fabricated on the surface of TiO2 photoanode by a simple hydrothermal method. The TiO2/NiO...     

Profiling Differential Expression of Cellulases and Metabolite Footprints in Aspergillus terreus

This study reports differential expression of endoglucanase (EG) and β-glucosidase (βG) isoforms of Aspergillus terreus. Expression of multiple isoforms was observed, in presence of different carbon sources and culture conditions, by activity staining of poly acrylamide gel electrophoresis gels. Maximal expression of four EG isoforms was observed in presence of rice straw (28 U/g DW substrate) and corn cobs (1.147 U/ml) under solid substrate and shake flask culture, respectively. Furthermore, the sequential induction of EG isoforms was found to be associated with the presence of distinct metabolites (monosaccharides/oligosaccharides) i.e., xylose (X), G₁, G₃ and G₄ as well as putative positional isomers (G₁/G₂, G₂/G₃) in the culture extracts sampled at different time intervals, indicating specific role of these metabolites in the sequential expression of multiple EGs. Addition of fructose and cellobiose to corn cobs containing medium during shake flask culture resulted in up-regulation of EG activity, whereas addition of mannitol, ethanol and glycerol selectively repressed the expression of three EG isoforms (Ia, Ic and Id). The observed regulation profile of βG isoforms was distinct when compared to EG isoforms, and addition of glucose, fructose, sucrose, cellobiose, mannitol and glycerol resulted in down-regulation of one or more of the four βG isoforms.     

Surface modified TiO2/reduced graphite oxide nanocomposite anodes for lithium ion batteries

Journal of Solid State Electrochemistry - Anatase TiO2 nanoparticles with an average crystallite size of ~ 20 nm are synthesized through a sol-gel method. A composite anode for...     

Solubility of novel open-chain crown ether bridged diphosphates in supercritical carbon dioxide

The solubility of newly synthesized chelating agents, i.e., tetraethylene glycol bis (2-ethylhexyl) dimethyl diphosphate (EG4EH), tetraethylene glycol bis (n-octyl) dimethyl diphosphate (EG4Oct), and tetraethylene glycol bis (2-butoxyethyl) dimethyl diphosphate (EG4BOE) in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂) were determined at temperatures ranging from (318.15 to 333.15) K and pressures ranging from (12 to 21) MPa. Solubility increases in the order of EG4Oct (MW = 606.33) < EG4BOE (MW = 582.26) < EG4EH (MW = 606.33), indicating that branched side chains of the ligands play an important part in increasing solubility in scCO₂. Semi empirical density-based models proposed by Bartle and Chrastil were used to correlate the experimental data, and AARD values were calculated to be (1.2 to 2.9)% and (0.40 to 0.93)% for Bartle and Chrastil model, respectively. Additionally, the partial molar volumes of those compounds were estimated following the theory developed by Kumar and Johnston.     

Dimeric naphthalene diimide based small molecule acceptors: synthesis,characterization, and photovoltaic properties

Herein, we present two naphthalene diimide (NDI) dimer based small molecule acceptors, Bis-NDI-T-EG and Bis-NDI-BDT-EG, in which two NDI units are bridged, respectively, by a thiophene (T) or a benzodithiophene (BDT), and further symmetrically substituted by 2-methoxylethoxyl (EG), both through the bay-region. These two NDI dimers exhibit broad absorption in the visible region of 300–650 (800) nm and display a HOMO/LUMO energy level of −5.88 eV/−3.80 eV and −5.46 eV/−3.78 eV, respectively. When PBDTTT-C-T was chosen as the polymer donor, Bis-NDI-T-EG and Bis-NDI-BDT-EG exhibited efficiencies of 1.31% and 1.24%, respectively.     

Anticancer and microbicide action of carbon quantum dots derived from microcrystalline cellulose: Hydrothermal versus infrared assisted techniques

Urgent requirement for medication from cancer diseases and different microbial infections is interestingly considered. Carbon quantum dots (CQDs) as environmentally friendly fluorescent carbon nano-functionalized materials are popularly considered for application in medical purposes. Herein, a comparative study is presented for the affinity of CQDs ingrained from microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) prepared under hydrothermal conditions (CQDs-HT) versus that prepared under infrared assisted technique (CQDs-IR) for acting as anticancer and antimicrobial laborers. The estimated size averages for the obtained CQDs-HT & CQDs-IR were 7.8 & 9.8 nm, respectively. CQDs-HT showed rationally higher anti-proliferative action against Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HepG2) compared to CQDs-IR. Treatment with 1000 μg/mL of CQDs-IR & CQDs-HT exhibited 78 & 90 % mortality percentage of cancer cells, respectively. The obtained CQDs showed excellent microbicide potentiality and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) from the synthesized CQDs-TH and CQDs-IR was ranged in 100–350 µg/mL and 300–400 µg/mL against different pathogens including bacteria and fungi, respectively. As a conclusion, hydrothermal technique showed seniority over infrared assisted technique in nucleation of CQDs with higher anticancer and microbicidal activities.