Effect of temperature on high pressure cellulose compression

The effect of temperature during cellulose compression has been studied using mechanical testing, particle size analysis, density and pressure–volume–temperature (PVT) measurements, crystallinity index, scanning electron microscope photographs and water sorption isotherms. Commercial cellulose powder samples with different crystallinity levels were compacted at high pressure (177 MPa) for 10 min at two different temperatures: 25 and 160 °C. Three point bending test results for compressed samples are discussed. When pressure was applied directly to powders at room temperature, the cellulose sample with the highest level of crystallinity showed an increase in its crystallinity index of about 5 %, while this was about 22 % for the sample with the lowest level. These increases were even higher at 160 °C attaining 8 and 33 % respectively. Using density measurements, a densification phase related to this crystallinization was observed, and the PVT diagrams from different cellulose samples showed that this was associated with high temperatures. Water sorption isotherms were made on cellulose samples before and after compression. They showed a diminution of cellulose sorption capacity after compression at 160 °C, revealing the effect of temperature on high-pressure cellulose compression, reducing specific surface area. Events of this nature suggest a sintering mechanism, when temperature is associated with high pressure during cellulose compression.     

Study of Ultrafine Iron Powders by Atomic Force Microscopy

The particles of ultrafine iron powders obtained by three different methods (electrolytic deposition, reduction in hydrogen flow, and grinding in a planetary ball mill in heptane medium) were studied by the atomic force microscopy and the results were compared with the data of electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The shape and size of particles were determined from three-dimensional images obtained by atomic force microscopy, and the grain structure of the particle surface layer was studied by measuring the lateral friction forces.     

Hydrothermally assisted complex polymerization method for barium strontium titanate powder synthesis

Barium strontium titanate was obtained by hydrothermal treatment of barium strontium titanate citric precursor solution, previously prepared by complex polymerization method. The thermally induced phase evolution was followed at various temperatures up to 800 °C using thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction analysis, and Raman spectroscopy. Microstructural characterization of barium strontium titanate powders was performed by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The proposed synthesis route has been proven as a better and faster method for barium strontium titanate powder preparation as compared to the conventional complex polymerization route. The method was found efficient for production of low agglomerated, fine, nanosized barium strontium titanate powder with well defined stoichiometry, and sub-micron particle size. The results of structural and microstructural characterization showed the complete crystallization of carbonate-free barium strontium titanate powder at 700 °C with an average size of crystallites below 50 nm.     

Chemical synthesis of tungsten-copper nanocomposite powder

In this study homogeneous powders of CuWO₄ and WO₃ was produced from ammonium para-tungstate (APT) and copper nitrate. Then, the product was used to prepare nano-sized W-Cu powder. Hence, a mixture of ammonium paratungstate and copper nitrate with predetermined weight proportion was made in distilled water, while the content of the beaker was being stirred at a certain speed to reach the desired composition of W-20 wt % Cu. Mixture was heated to 80–100°C for 6 h. Also, pH range was adjusted at about 3–4. The mixture was then evaporated and dried in the air. To reach W-Cu composite powder, the precursor powders burned out at 520°C for 2 h in the air to form W-Cu oxide powder and then were ball milled and reduced in H₂ atmosphere to convert it into W-Cu composite powder. The resulting powders were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and differential thermal analysis techniques. The results showed that homogeneous powders of W-Cu with particle size of around 100 nm and a nearly spherical shape could be obtained by this process. Each particle include smaller parts with size of around 20–30 nm.     

Wide-angle X-ray diffraction study of the effect of periodate oxidation and thermal treatment on the structure of cellulose powder

Cellulose and periodate oxidised cellulose powders were investigated for any structural changes occurring when subjected to thermal treatment, since their use as fillers in composites involves prolonged exposure to high temperatures. The wide-angle X-ray diffraction peak at 2θ = 22·9° for the oxidised cellulose samples was found to decrease almost proportionately to the degree of oxidation of the starting cellulose. Whereas heat treatment of cellulose powder at 120°, 180° and 240°C for three hours also produces a continual decrease in the crystallinity of the cellulose, heat treatment of periodate oxidised cellulose at 120°, 180° and 240°C for three hours produces drastic changes in the crystallinity of the resultant products. For 16% oxidised cellulose heated at 240°C for three hours, almost total crystallinity is lost. This is also seen from the increase in line broadening of the X-ray diffractogram. An interesting feature in the above cases was the appearance of an additional peak at 2θ ≈ 12°. In DTG studies the temperature at which the major loss in weight (～ 62%) occurred was ～ 290°C for most samples. The final weight loss (～ 85%) generally occurred at 430–450°C. The 16% oxidised cellulose behaved somewhat differently, and reasons for this are explained.     

The effect of melt flow index, melt flow rate, and particle size on the thermal degradation of commercial high density polyethylene powder

The powder of EX5 grade of high density polyethylene—without any additives—manufactured by Amirkabir petrochemical company was separated by shaker equipment. The separated powder of average diameter ~25, ~62.5, ~87.5, ~112.5, ~137.5, ~175 and the particles >200 μm was tested by a thermogravimetric (TG) analysis instrument in nitrogen atmosphere and heating rates of 10, 20, and 30 °C min^?1. In addition, the separated powders were analyzed by a melt flow index (MFI) instrument, and the viscosity average molecular mass (M _v) of the powders was tested by a viscometer. Kinetic evaluations were performed by Friedman and Kissinger analysis methods and apparent activation energy for the overall degradation of the powders was determined. The effects of molecular mass, MFI, MFR, and particle size on the degradation TG curve, derivative thermogravimetry curve breadth, and activation energy of thermal degradation were considered. The results showed that the M _v of EX5 pipe grade produced by two serial reactors is increased by increasing of the particle size and, MFI is decreased with a little deviation by particle size increasing. The particle size has no obvious effect on the melt flow rate (MFR), and MFR as function of molecular mass distribution does not change very much. The results showed that the powder with bigger particles and higher molecular mass moderately increases the activation energy and shifts the degradation curve to the higher temperatures.     

A facile synthesis of NaNbO<Subscript>3</Subscript> powders by decomposition of ammonium niobium oxalate with sodium salt at low temperature

A facile synthesis of NaNbO₃ powders was performed by solid-state reaction at low temperature. Stoichiometric ammonium niobium oxalate and Na₂CO₃ were mixed in water and then calcined at different temperatures for various times after drying. A combination of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis was used to characterize the product and precursor compound. The XRD patterns show that single-phase NaNbO₃ powders with high crystallinity can be synthesized at 425 °C for 15 min. The particle size from XRD data is found to be about 40 nm for NaNbO₃ powders calcined at 500 °C for 3 h, which is in good agreement with SEM data. The SEM photograph shows that NaNbO₃ powders are cuboid-like and well crystallized when calcination at 800 °C for 3 h. The product compositions prepared using other sodium reactants, such as HCOONa and NaNO₃, are also discussed.     

Evaluation of food-processing conditions of various particle sizes of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Tremella fuciformis</Emphasis> powder via DSC and TG analyses

Tremella fuciformis (Berk.), also known as silver ear, has a high economic value due to being a valuable edible and medicinal mushroom. The focus of this study was on the various particle sizes of 80–300 mesh (particle diameters from 2 mm to 250 μm) for freeze-drying silver ear powder in order to determine the water-holding capacity, viscosity, and crude polysaccharide content of various particle sizes. Our aim was to determine the possible conditions for silver ear powder for food processing under the conditions of oxidation/non-oxidation and heat treatment. Overall, we obtained various particle sizes of silver ear powder, the water-holding capacity decreased from 21.84 to 14.82 g g^?1, the viscosity increased from 8.53 to 71.20 cP, and the content of crude polysaccharides, which remained almost constant, was approximately 300 mg g^?1. In addition, the smaller the particle size of silver ear powder, the greater the thermal stability of the particles by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric (TG) tests. The results for various particle sizes of silver ear powder in food processing are never more than ca. 240 °C by DSC tests. Moreover, comparing the results of thermal decomposition using TG analyzer under nitrogen and air conditions, in nitrogen, the various particle sizes have better preservation for storage conditions and the smaller particle size powders retained good thermal decomposition characteristics.     

Preparation and characterization of a new series of solid solutions of Bi1−xYxFeO3 (0 < x < 1) from the thermal decomposition of hexacyanoferrates doped with yttrium

Solid solutions of Bi_1?xY_x[Fe(CN)₆]·4H₂O (0?<?x?<?1) complexes were synthesized and characterized. The crystal structures were refined by Rietveld analysis using X-ray powder diffraction data. The complexes of the series crystallized in the orthorhombic system, space group Cmcm. The gradual decrease in cell volume indicates that the substitution of Bi³⁺ by Y³⁺ was appropriately materialized. The thermal behavior was studied by thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis. A single phase of perovskite-type Bi_1?xY_xFeO₃ powders was obtained by thermal decomposition of the complexes at about 600 °C. The obtained products were identified and characterized by energy-dispersive spectroscopy, Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction. The size and morphology of the complexes and their thermal decomposition products were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy. Thermal analysis showed that the complexes were good intermediaries for the synthesis of high-purity mixed oxides with a uniform particle size of the order of nanometers. To evaluate the effect of doping with yttrium, electrical transport measurements were performed.

     

Experimental study of the ignition temperatures of low-rank coals using TGA under oxygen-deficient conditions

The factors affecting the ignition temperatures of two low-rank coals were experimentally studied using thermogravimetric analysis. The experiments were conducted with coal powders of four different particle size distributions. The thermogravimetric analyzer was operated at three heating rates, 10, 20, and 30 °C min^?1 and four oxygen concentrations of 3, 6, 9, and 12%. The results showed that the ignition temperature decreased by about 25 °C as the oxygen concentration increased from 3% to 12%. The standard deviation of the activation energy was 16.75% at a conversion degree of less than 0.4, and it decreased to 1.35% at the end of the combustion process. At a heating rate of 10 °C min^?1, the ignition temperature increased by about 8 °C as the coal particle size increased by 100 μm. At a heating rate of 30 °C min^?1, the effect of the particle size on the ignition temperature was enhanced and the ignition temperature increased to 15 °C.

     

Preparation of Ultrafine Cobalt Powder by Chemical Reduction in Aqueous Solution

IntroductionThe preparation of ultrafine metal powders has been extensively studied in past years due to their scientific interests and potential applications1. Ultrafine particles exhibit novel material properties that differ from those of the bulk solid state because of the size effect2-4. In particular, ultrafine cobalt powders have many important industrial applications. They are commonly used in alkaline rechargeable batteries, magnetic recording media, heterogeneous catalysis, and especi…     

Comparison of the characteristics of cellulose microfibril aggregates of wood, rice straw and potato tuber

The focus of this study has been to isolate cellulose microfibril aggregates by the one-time grinding treatment from wood, rice straw and potato tuber, and to compare their morphological and mechanical properties. Field emission scanning electron microscopy images showed that the diameter range of isolated microfibril aggregates from wood, 12–20 nm, was smaller than those from rice straw and potato tuber, 12–35 nm and 12–55 nm, respectively. These differences were observed even in the purified rice straws and potato tuber before the grinder treatment, but were hardly observed in the purified wood. The results of X-ray analysis and tensile tests indicated that there were no significant differences among the sources in the cellulose crystallinity and Young’s modulus of the isolated microfibril aggregates in the dry state. These results suggest that the inherent characteristics of cellulose microfibril aggregates in the dry state are very similar regardless of plant sources and tissue functions.     

Synthesis and characterization of magnetic nano-material for removal of Eu3+ ions from aqueous solutions

Ferrite coated apatite magnetic nano-material was synthesized by a co-precipitation method and applied in removal of Eu(III) ions from aqueous solutions. The sample was firstly characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analyses, deferential thermal analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, surface area by nitrogen adsorption and scanning electron microscopy. The results of physicochemical properties indicated that the synthesized magnetic nano-adsorbent had a crystalline structure and possessed a surface area amounted to 85.11 m² g^?1. Further, it was found to have high thermal resistance up to 600 °C and mean particle size of about 63 nm. The kinetic of Eu(III) sorption indicated that equilibrium state was attained within 12 h with using 5 mg as an appropriate nano-adsorbent weight. The sorption process was pH and ionic strength dependent. The maximum adsorbed amount of Eu(III) was attained at pH 2.5 with value reached to 157.14 mg g^?1. Desorption of Eu(III) from loaded samples was studied using various eluents and maximum recovery was obtained using FeCl₃ solution.     

Morphological and structural development of hardwood cellulose during mechanochemical pretreatment in solid state through pan-milling

Mechanochemical pretreatment of hardwood cellulose was conducted by our self-designed pan-mill equipment which has an unique and smart structure and can exert strong shear forces and pressure on materials in between and break them down. The structure transformations, including particle size, powder morphology, molecular structure, crystalline structure during milling were investigated by Laser Diffraction Particle Size Analyzer, SEM, FT-IR and WAXD, respectively. Compared with standard method of ball-milling, the pan-mill shows a much higher efficiency in mechanochemical pretreatment of hardwood cellulose. The average particle size reduced to 21 μm and the specific surface area increased to 0.8 m²/g after 40 milling cycles. Mechanical milling also led to collapse of hydrogen bonds and reduction of crystallinity. The crystallinity index of cellulose powder decreased from its original 65 to 22, after milling for 40 cycles. Thermal analysis and solubility testing illustrated that pan-milled cellulose has lower thermal stability and higher solubility in aqueous alkali.     

超细煤粉吸附苯胺机理研究

采用筛分和高能球磨得到不同粒度煤粉,进行吸附试验研究。结果表明,粒度较大的四种煤粉对苯胺的吸附符合Lagergren一级吸附速率方程,较小的三种超细煤粉对苯胺的吸附符合二级吸附动力学方程。并求出了一级、二级吸附速率常数和有效扩散系数,表明煤粉吸附苯胺的过程由颗粒内扩散控制;煤粉对苯胺的吸附量随煤粉粒径的减小呈指数关系增加。平均粒径d50为9.30μm、4.28μm、和4.82μm煤粉对苯胺的吸附符合Langmuir吸附等温式,单层饱和吸附容量为109.05×10－3、246.31×10－3和90.91×10－3。超细煤粉对苯胺的吸附性能量明显好于其他煤粉。     

Preparation of titanium carbide powders by sol–gel and microwave carbothermal reduction methods at low temperature

Titanium carbide ultrafine powders were prepared from tetrabutyl titanate and sucrose by sol–gel and microwave carbothermal reduction. The influences of reaction temperature and molar ratio of Ti to C on the synthesis of titanium carbide were studied. The results show that excess amount of carbon plays a positive effect on the carbothermal reduction of TiO₂ at low temperature. The inceptive carbothermal reduction temperature of TiO₂ and formation of titanium oxycarbide was below 900 °C, and pure TiC can be prepared at 1,200 °C, which was considerably lower compared to that by conventional carbothermal reduction using a mixture of TiO₂ and carbon powders as raw materials. The morphology and particle size of synthesized TiC powder were examined by field emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and the quantities of the phases of the powders were analyzed by Rietveld refinement method, the particle sizes of the TiC powders synthesized at 1,300 °C distribute over 0.1–0.5 μm.     

Cellulose I crystallinity determination using FT–Raman spectroscopy: univariate and multivariate methods

Two new methods based on FT–Raman spectroscopy, one simple, based on band intensity ratio, and the other using a partial least squares (PLS) regression model, are proposed to determine cellulose I crystallinity. In the simple method, crystallinity in cellulose I samples was determined based on univariate regression that was first developed using the Raman band intensity ratio of the 380 and 1,096 cm^?1 bands. For calibration purposes, 80.5% crystalline and 120-min milled (0% crystalline) Whatman CC31 and six cellulose mixtures produced with crystallinities in the range 10.9–64% were used. When intensity ratios were plotted against crystallinities of the calibration set samples, the plot showed a linear correlation (coefficient of determination R ² = 0.992). Average standard error calculated from replicate Raman acquisitions indicated that the cellulose Raman crystallinity model was reliable. Crystallinities of the cellulose mixtures samples were also calculated from X-ray diffractograms using the amorphous contribution subtraction (Segal) method and it was found that the Raman model was better. Additionally, using both Raman and X-ray techniques, sample crystallinities were determined from partially crystalline cellulose samples that were generated by grinding Whatman CC31 in a vibratory mill. The two techniques showed significant differences. In the second approach, successful Raman PLS regression models for crystallinity, covering the 0–80.5% range, were generated from the ten calibration set Raman spectra. Both univariate-Raman and WAXS determined crystallinities were used as references. The calibration models had strong relationships between determined and predicted crystallinity values (R ² = 0.998 and 0.984, for univariate-Raman and WAXS referenced models, respectively). Compared to WAXS, univariate-Raman referenced model was found to be better (root mean square error of calibration (RMSEC) and root mean square error of prediction (RMSEP) values of 6.1 and 7.9% vs. 1.8 and 3.3%, respectively). It was concluded that either of the two Raman methods could be used for cellulose I crystallinity determination in cellulose samples.     

Crystal and pore structure of wheat straw cellulose fiber during recycling

The changes in crystal structure and pore size of wheat straw fiber after repeated recycling were studied by means of X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry, and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that in unbleached wheat straw cellulose crystallinity increased and the water retention value decreased with increasing rounds of recycling. After five rounds, the crystallinity increased by 14.6% compared with fiber never used for papermaking. The width of the crystallite in a 002 lattice plane (L₀₀₂) increased after each round of recycling, which indicated co-crystallization during the recycling process. The pore-size distribution of wheat straw fiber consisted of numerous micropores and mesopores but few macropores. The pore volumes of pulp micropores and mesopores decreased after two rounds of recycling, but subsequent rounds scarcely affected the pore-volume distribution. The average pore size and specific surface area of the fiber decreased after recycling. In addition, after recycling and rewetting, the fiber lumen became irreversibly collapsed and distorted, with numerous pleats that changed the shapes and size of the pores.     

Mechanochemical-hydrothermal synthesis of calcium phosphate powders with coupled magnesium and carbonate substitution

Magnesium- and carbonate-substituted calcium phosphate powders (Mg-, CO₃-CaP) with various crystallinity levels were prepared at room temperature via a heterogeneous reaction between MgCO₃/Ca(OH)₂ powders and an (NH₄)₂HPO₄ solution using the mechanochemical-hydrothermal route. X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis were performed. It was determined that the powders containing both Mg²⁺ and CO₃²⁻ ions were incorporated uniformly into an amorphous calcium phosphate phase while in contrast, the as-prepared powder free of these dopants was crystalline phase-pure, stoichiometric hydroxyapatite. Dynamic light scattering revealed that the average particle size of the room temperature Mg-, CO₃-CaP powders was in the range of 482 nm-700 nm with a specific surface area between 53 and 91 m²/g. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that the Mg-, CO₃-CaP powders consisted of agglomerates of equiaxed, ≈20-35 nm crystals.     

The oxidation kinetics study of ultrafine iron powders by thermogravimetric analysis

The oxidation kinetics of ultrafine metallic iron powder to hematite (α-Fe₂O₃) up to temperatures 800 °C were studied in air using non-isothermal and isothermal thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. The powders with average particles size of 90, 200, and 350 nm were made by the electric explosion of wire. It was observed that the reactivity of the iron powder is increased with the decreasing particle size of powder. The experimental TG curves clearly suggest a multi-step process for the oxidation, and therefore a model-fitting kinetic analysis based on multivariate non-linear regressions was conducted. The complex reaction can be best described with a three-step reaction scheme consisting of two concurrent and one parallel reaction step. In one reaction pathway Fe is oxidized to α-Fe₂O₃. The other pathway is described by the oxidation of Fe to magnetite (Fe₃O₄). At higher temperatures the formed Fe₃O₄ is further oxidized in a α-Fe₂O₃. It is established that the best fitting three-step mechanism employed a branching set of n-order equations for each step.