The effect of clay on foaming and mechanical properties of glass foam insulating material

In the current study, the main composition was prepared using soda-lime glass with dolomite [CaMg(CO₃)₂] as a foaming agent. The clay powder was added to the main composition in different ratios, and then, the mixtures were shaped by one-axial pressing. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) was used for the determination of crystallization temperatures, and the samples were heated according to the DTA results. Furthermore, heating microscopy was employed for studying the high-temperature behaviours of the mixtures. The samples were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, and comprehensive strength testing. Porosity and bulk density were measured to assess the foaming capability of the mixtures. The results showed that clay addition has a positive role on the mechanical properties of glass foam.     

Brazilian <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dioscoreaceas</Emphasis> starches

Determination of the characteristics of native starches is crucial in order to select their best application in various industrial fields. Thus, two different types of non-traditional native starches from the Dioscoreaceas species (Dioscorea sp. and Dioscorea piperifolia Humb. var. Wild) were studied regarding their thermal, structural and rheological properties. The results were contrasted with traditional commercial starch sources (potato, cassava and corn). From the thermogravimetric results (TG/DTG), D. piperifolia starch obtained the highest thermal stability of the samples, except for potato starch. Furthermore, using differential scanning calorimetry and viscoamylograph profiles (RVA), it was found that the Dioscoreaceas starches presented a higher onset (T _o) temperature and susceptibility to retrogradation. They also showed lower values in relation to relative crystallinity, which was calculated from their X-ray patterns and tendency to white (L*) colour. The shapes of the Discoreaceas starch granules were determined using electron microscopy; it was found that as the potato starch the Dioscoreaceas starches showed a wide range of particle size.     

An experimental study about the effect of arrangement on the fire behaviors of lithium-ion batteries

The gadolinium ferrochromite (GdFe_1?xCr_xO₃) was used as a case study of influence of chromium substitution on the perovskite structure in the entire composition range. By exploiting thermal analysis techniques (dilatometry, differential thermal analysis) the influence of chromium was investigated in the context of thermal stability of the canted antiferromagnetic ordering. It was found that the higher the chromium concentration was, the more the Néel temperature decreased, e.g., substitution of 26 % of iron atoms corresponded to a depression of about 60 K with respect to undoped gadolinium ferrite. For higher chromium concentrations the mixed gadolinium ferrochromite was paramagnetic at room temperature. Additional information on the crystal structure and, qualitatively, on the magnetic ordering as well was derived from the results of X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy measurements. For chromium content higher than 10 % the gadolinium ferrochromite may be regarded as a solid solution. For lower concentrations, however, a possible formation of clusters with different Fe/Cr ratio occurs as suggested by Mössbauer spectra.     

Microcalorimetric analysis of methylcellulose influence on the hydration process of tricalcium aluminate,alite and their mixture

In the paper, the results of investigation concerning the influence of 0.3% addition of hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (MC) of 40 and 70 Pa s viscosity on the hydration process of main clinker phases C₃S and C₃A are presented. The course of hydration is documented using microcalorimetry, and formed phases were identified by XRD. The research indicated that methylcellulose inhibited the hydration process of clinker phases, analysed both, separately and in their mixture. Moreover, it was found that the presence of MC admixture also led to the reduction in calcium sulphate dihydrate reactivity in the system.     

Synthesis,characterization of nanosized CoAl<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript> and its electrocatalytic activity for enhanced sensing application

Nanosized cobalt aluminate (CoAl₂O₄) was prepared by thermolysis of heteronuclear coordination compound, namely [Al₂Co(C₂O₄)₄(OH₂)₆]. The synthesized precursor was characterized by chemical analysis, vibrational spectra and thermal analysis. The cobalt aluminate obtained after a heating treatment of the precursor at 700 °C was characterized by IR, XRD, TEM coupled with SAED measurements. Two types of carbon-based electrodes, glassy carbon and boron-doped diamond electrodes were decorated with the obtained cobalt aluminate in order to enhance the electroanalytical performance for the tetracycline (TC) detection in the aqueous solutions. Cyclic voltammetry technique was used to determine the effect of the nanosized CoAl₂O₄ on the electrochemical oxidation of TC and as consequence, for TC detection at both carbon-based electrodes. The obtained cobalt aluminate exhibited the electrocatalytic activity toward TC detection in direct relation with the type of the carbon substrate, which allowed enhancing the electroanalytical parameters of TC detection in the aqueous solution.