Modeling of fixed-bed adsorption of Cs+ and Sr2+ onto clay–iron oxide composite using artificial neural network and constant–pattern wave approach

A low-cost, non-toxic and effective adsorbent constituted by a montmorillonite coated by iron oxides (montmorillonite–iron oxide composite) was prepared to assess its effectiveness in the removal of Cs⁺ and Sr²⁺ from aqueous solution. Dynamic adsorption experiments were carried out at room temperature under the effect of various operating parameters such as bed depth Z (5–15 cm), initial cation concentration C ₀ (2–50 mg L^?1) and volumetric flow rate Q (0.5–8 mL min^?1). Column performance has been modeled with constant-pattern wave approach combined to the Freundlich isotherm model and artificial neural network (ANN) models. The time, initial cation concentration, bed depth and volumetric flow rate were chosen as the input variables whereas, the outlet concentration C _t was considered as the output variable. The developed network was found to be useful in predicting the breakthrough curves. Experimental data for the used system were well fitted with ANN than the combined constant–pattern wave approach.     

Combinatorial optimization and Green Logistics

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the area of Green Logistics and to describe some of the problems that arise in this subject which can be formulated as combinatorial optimization problems. The paper particularly considers the topics of reverse logistics, waste management and vehicle routing and scheduling.     

Catalytic dehydrogenation of natural terpenes via CuPd alloy nanoparticles generated on mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride

A facile wet-chemical protocol for the synthesis of bimetallic CuPd alloy nanoparticles (NPs) anchored on mesoporous graphitic carbon nitride (m-gCN), serving as both stabilizer and support material, was presented herein. The presented protocol allowed to synthesize nearly monodisperse CuPd alloy NPs with an average particle size of 3.9 ± 0.9 nm without use of any additional surfactants and to prepare CuPd/m-gCN nanocatalysts with different Cu/Pd compositions (Cu₂₅Pd₇₅/m-gCN, Cu₃₅Pd₆₅/m-gCN, Cu₁₆Pd₇₄/m-gCN, Cu₃₂Pd₆₈/m-gCN, Cu₁₀Pd₉₀/m-gCN, and Cu₅₀Pd₅₀/m-gCN). After the detailed characterization of CuPd/m-gCN nanocatalysts, they were utilized as catalysts in the dehydrogenation of terpenes. Among all tested nanocatalysts, Cu₅₀Pd₅₀/m-gCN showed the highest activity in terms of the product yields within the same reaction time. Various parameters influencing the catalytic activity of Cu₅₀Pd₅₀/m-gCN were studied using himachalene as a model substrate and the optimum conditions were determined. Under the optimized reaction conditions, the catalytic application of Cu₅₀Pd₅₀/m-gCN nanocatalysts was extended to nine different terpenes and the corresponding products were obtained in high conversion yields (>90%) under mild conditions. A reusability test showed that Cu₅₀Pd₅₀/m-gCN nanocatalysts can be re-used up to four cycles without significant loss in their initial activity.     

Multifunctional Electrocatalytic Cathodes Derived from Metal–Organic Frameworks for Advanced Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

The rechargeable lithium-sulfur (Li-S) battery is a promising candidate for the next generation of energy storage technology, owing to the high theoretical capacity, high specific energy density, and low cost of electrode materials. The main drawbacks in the development of long-life Li-S batteries are capacity fading and the sluggish kinetics at the cathode caused by the polysulfides shuttle. These limitations are addressed through the design of novel nanocages containing cobalt phosphide (CoP) nanoparticles embedded in highly porous nitrogen-doped carbon (CoP-N-GC) by thermal annealing of ZIF-67 in a reductive atmosphere followed by a phosphidation step using sodium hypophosphite. The CoP nanoparticles, with large surface area and uniform homogeneous distribution within the N-doped nanocage graphitic carbon, act as electrocatalysts to suppress the shuttle of soluble polysulfides through strong chemical interactions and catalyze the sulfur redox. As a result, the S@CoP-N-GC electrode delivers an extremely high specific capacity of 1410 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.1 C (1 C=1675 mA g⁻¹) with an excellent coulombic efficiency of 99.7 %. Moreover, capacity retention from 864 to 678 mA h g⁻¹ is obtained after 460 cycles with a very low decay rate of 0.046 % per cycle at 0.5 C. Therefore, the combination of the CoP catalyst and polar conductive porous carbon effectively stabilizes the sulfur cathode, enhancing the electrochemical performance and stability of the battery.     

Synthesis of iron-MFI zeolite and its photocatalytic application for hydroxylation of phenol

This work focuses on the preparation of Fe-MFI zeolites by a one-step method with different iron concentrations and their characterization by different methods such as X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), nitrogen sorption measurements at 77 K, scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM), and UV–Vis reflectance diffuse spectroscopy. The results show that the modification of the zeolites with high iron concentrations led to the formation of well-dispersed oxides within the framework, decreasing the specific surface area. The photocatalytic activity of the iron-modified zeolites was evaluated using hydroxylation of phenol with hydrogen peroxide at room temperature. High conversion (80%) of phenol was obtained by Fe–Al-MFI (0.5) containing lower iron concentration. Interesting selectivity towards catechol was achieved, confirming that the reaction is influenced by sites on the external surface.     

Acquisition of stability data for pesticides in water sample through proficiency tests

Accreditation and Quality Assurance - In the framework of a proficiency test for multiresidue determination, three water samples, coming from the same batch, were sent to each of the 25...