Chestnut Shell-Activated Carbon Mixed with Pyrolytic Snail Shells for Methylene Blue Adsorption

Activated carbon has been used to treat organic dyes in water systems; however, the adsorption capacity of the samples studied was limited by the specific surface area and influenced by the pH of the aqueous solution. In this study, a hybrid adsorbent consisting of a mixture (MCS) of activated chestnut shell biochar (CN) and pyrolyzed snail shell material (SS) was developed to solve this problem, with the waste snail shell samples being processed by pyrolysis and the chestnut shell samples chemically pretreated and then pyrolyzed. The BET and SEM results revealed that the SS had a mesoporous fluffy structure with a higher specific surface (1705 m²/g) and an average pore diameter of about 4.07 nm, providing a large number of sites for adsorption. In addition, XPS and FTIR results showed that the main component of SS was calcium oxide, and it also contained a certain amount of calcium carbonate, which not only provided an alkaline environment for the adsorption of biochar but also degradation and photocatalytic capabilities. The results showed that the MCS3-1 sample, obtained when CN and SS were mixed in the ratio of 3:1, had good capacity for adsorption for methylene blue (MB), with 1145 mg/g at an initial concentration of 1300 mg/L (92% removal rate). The adsorption behaviors were fitted with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Freundlich isotherm model, which indicated that the adsorption was multilayer chemisorption with a saturated adsorption capacity of 1635 mg/g. The photocatalytic capacity from the SS composition was about 89 mg/g, and the sorption of MB dye onto the sorbent reached equilibrium after 300 min. The results suggested that MCS3-1 has enormous potential for removing MB from wastewater.     

Optimizing Heat Treatment Conditions for Measuring CFRP and GFRP Resin Impregnation

As the use of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic (CFRP) and glass-fiber-reinforced plastic is frequent in the field of construction, a method for measuring FRP resin content is needed. Herein, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) was employed to optimize the heat treatment conditions (temperature and time) for determining the resin content in which only the resin was removed without fiber heat loss. Accordingly, the measurement was performed in 100 °C increments at a resin pyrolysis temperature up to 800 °C with a heat treatment time of 4 h to continuously observe the degree of thermal decomposition of the resin. The thermal decomposition of unsaturated polyester was confirmed at the melting point (350 ℃) regardless of the type of fibers used as reinforcement. In the case of CFRP, most of the resin decomposition occurred at 300 °C. Notably, the resin was removed at a pyrolysis temperature of 400 ℃ and almost no change in weight was observed. However, at a pyrolysis temperature of 500 °C or higher, the thermal decomposition of the fibers occurred partially. The results show that the composite resin was removed within 10 min at a pyrolysis temperature of 400 °C in an air atmosphere when using TGA.     

The Effect of Pyrolysis Temperature and the Source Biomass on the Properties of Biochar Produced for the Agronomical Applications as the Soil Conditioner

Biochar is a versatile carbon-rich organic material originating from pyrolyzed biomass residues that possess the potential to stabilize organic carbon in the soil, improve soil fertility and water retention, and enhance plant growth. For the utilization of biochar as a soil conditioner, the mutual interconnection of the physicochemical properties of biochar with the production conditions used during the pyrolysis (temperature, heating rate, residence time) and the role of the origin of used biomass seem to be crucial. The aim of the research was focused on a comparison of the properties of biochar samples (originated from oat brans, mixed woodcut, corn residues and commercial compost) produced at different temperatures (400–700 °C) and different residence times (10 and 60 min). The results indicated similar structural features of produced biochar samples; nevertheless, the original biomass showed differences in physicochemical properties. The morphological and structural analysis showed well-developed aromatic porous structures for biochar samples originated from oat brans, mixed woodcut and corn residues. The higher pyrolysis temperature resulted in lower yields; however, it provided products with higher content of organic carbon and a more developed surface area. The lignocellulose biomass with higher contents of lignin is an attractive feedstock material for the production of biochar with potential agricultural applications.     

程序升温热重法研究神府高温煤焦-CO2气化反应性

在制焦温度为1223~1773 K内,制备了慢速和快速神府煤焦,采用程序升温热重法研究了煤焦-CO2高温气化反应性。主要研究了升温速率、制焦温度和热解速率对煤焦反应性的影响,并对一种高温慢速热解焦(制焦温度为1573 K)的程序升温和等温动力学进行了比较。结果表明:升温速率对煤焦-CO2气化反应有明显影响;制焦温度较高的煤焦反应性较低;快速热解有利于提高煤焦的反应性;由程序升温法和等温法所得活化能随转化率变化呈现不同的趋势,但所得活化能的平均值分别为160.13 kJ/mol和163.21 kJ/mol,十分接近。     

Synthesis of Li2Ti3O7 Anode Materials by Ultrasonic Spray Pyrolysis and Their Electrochemical Properties

Ramsdellite-type lithium titanate (Li₂Ti₃O₇) powders were synthesized by performing ultrasonic spray pyrolysis, and their chemical and physical properties were characterized by performing Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), powder X-ray Diffraction (XRD), and Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) analyses. The as-prepared Li₂Ti₃O₇ precursor powders had spherical morphologies with hollow microstructures, but an irregularly shaped morphology was obtained after calcination above 900 °C. The ramsdellite Li₂Ti₃O₇ crystal phase was obtained after the calcination at 1100 °C under an argon/hydrogen atmosphere. The first rechargeable capacity of the Li₂Ti₃O₇ anode material was 168 mAh/g at 0.1 C and 82 mAh/g at 20 C, and the discharge capacity retention ratio was 99% at 1 C after the 500th cycle. The cycle performance of the Li₂Ti₃O₇ anode was also highly stable at 50 °C, demonstrating the superiority of Li₂Ti₃O₇ anode materials reported previously.     

Identification of pyrolysis products of the new psychoactive substance 2‐amino‐1‐(4‐bromo‐2,5‐dimethoxyphenyl)ethanone hydrochloride (bk‐2C‐B) and its iodo analogue bk‐2C‐I

2‐Amino‐1‐(4‐bromo‐2,5‐dimethoxyphenyl)ethanone hydrochloride (bk‐2C‐B) has recently emerged as a new psychoactive substance (NPS). It is most commonly consumed orally, although there are indications that it might also be ingested by inhalation or ‘smoking’. Information about the stability of bk‐2C‐B when exposed to heat is unavailable and the potential for pyrolytic degradation and formation of unknown substances available for inhalation prompted an investigation using a simulated ‘meth pipe’ scenario. Twelve products following pyrolysis of bk‐2C‐B were detected and verified by organic synthesis of the corresponding standards. In addition, 2‐amino‐1‐(4‐iodo‐2,5‐dimethoxyphenyl)ethanone hydrochloride (bk‐2C‐I) was characterized for the first time and subjected to pyrolysis as well. Similar products were formed, which indicated that the replacement of the bromo with the iodo substituent did not affect the pyrolysis pattern under the conditions used. Two additional products were detected in the bk‐2C‐I pyrolates, namely 1‐(2,5‐dimethoxyphenyl)‐ethanone and 1‐iodo‐4‐ethenyl‐5‐methoxyphenol. The potential ingestion of pyrolysis products with unknown toxicity adds an element of concern. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Impact of Zr-Doped Bi2O3 Radiopacifier by Spray Pyrolysis on Mineral Trioxide Aggregate

Mineral trioxide aggregates (MTA) have been developed as a dental root repair material for a range of endodontics procedures. They contain a small amount of bismuth oxide (Bi₂O₃) as a radiopacifier to differentiate adjacent bone tissue on radiographs for endodontic surgery. However, the addition of Bi₂O₃ to MTA will increase porosity and lead to the deterioration of MTA’s mechanical properties. Besides, Bi₂O₃ can also increase the setting time of MTA. To improve upon the undesirable effects caused by Bi₂O₃ additives, we used zirconium ions (Zr) to substitute the bismuth ions (Bi) in the Bi₂O₃ compound. Here we demonstrate a new composition of Zr-doped Bi₂O₃ using spray pyrolysis, a technique for producing fine solid particles. The results showed that Zr ions were doped into the Bi₂O₃ compound, resulting in the phase of Bi_7.38Zr_0.62O_12.31. The results of materials analysis showed Bi₂O₃ with 15 mol % of Zr doping increased its radiopacity (5.16 ± 0.2 mm Al) and mechanical strength, compared to Bi₂O₃ and other ratios of Zr-doped Bi₂O₃. To our knowledge, this is the first study of fabrication and analysis of Zr-doped Bi₂O₃ radiopacifiers through the spray pyrolysis procedure. The study reveals that spray pyrolysis can be a new technique for preparing Zr-doped Bi₂O₃ radiopacifiers for future dental applications.     

The Effect of Biodegradable Waste Pyrolysis Temperatures on Selected Biochar Properties

Biochars produced during biodegradable waste pyrolysis are products with a wide range of environmental applications. The effect of impact biochars depends on their properties which determine the course of specific processes. The main aim of the study was to investigate the effect of pyrolysis temperature on selected properties of biochar produced from various plant wastes (beech wood chips, walnut shells, wheat-rye straw), the valorization of which is of key importance for the implementation of the circular economy. Biochars were produced at temperatures of: 400 °C, 500 °C, 600 °C and 700 °C in a nitrogen atmosphere. An increase in the pyrolysis temperature caused a drop in the biochar production yield. As the temperature increased, higher carbon content and lower hydrogen content could be seen in the products obtained. An increase in the pH and total organic carbon (TOC) values also found. The influence of temperature on ash content, observed in the case of BWS (biochar from walnut shell) and BWRS (biochar from wheat and rye straw), did not occur in the case of BWC (biochar from beech wood chips). Another parameter that demonstrated a growing tendency with increasing temperature was the BET specific surface area (except for biochars from wheat and rye straw). An increase in pyrolysis temperature caused a decrease in the diversity and density of the surface functional groups of biochars. The influence of the type of precursor used in the production of biochar on the presence of surface functional groups was demonstrated. The presence of intense stretching vibrations of C–O bonds, having a potential impact on the sorption capacity of biochars, was determined in the FTIR spectra of BWC600 and BWC700 biochars, this feature, combined with the large BET surface area, may affect the sorption potential of these biochars. The presence of this type of high-intensity vibrations was also observed in the spectra of biochar BWRS600 and BWRS700. This can compensate for the low BET surface value and play an important role when using these biochars in sorption processes for organic and inorganic compounds.     

Removal of Cr (VI) by Biochar Derived from Six Kinds of Garden Wastes: Isotherms and Kinetics

Garden waste is one of the main components of urban solid waste which affects the urban environment. In this study, garden waste of Morus alba L. (SS), Ulmus pumila L. (BY), Salix matsudana Koidz (LS), Populus tomentosa (YS), Sophora japonica Linn (GH) and Platycladus orientalis (L.) Franco (CB) was pyrolyzed at 300 °C, 500 °C, 700 °C to obtain different types of biochar, coded as SSB300, SSB500, SSB700, BYB300, etc., which were tested for their Cr (VI) adsorption capacity. The results demonstrated that the removal efficiency of Cr by biochar pyrolyzed from multiple raw materials at different temperatures was variable, and the pH had a great influence on the adsorption capacity and removal efficiency. GHB700 had the best removal efficiency (89.44%) at a pH of 2 of the solution containing Cr (VI). The pseudo second-order kinetics model showed that Cr (VI) adsorption by biochar was chemisorption. The Langmuir model showed that the adsorption capacity of SSB300 was the largest (51.39 mg·g⁻¹), BYB500 was 40.91 mg·g⁻¹, GHB700, CBB700, LSB700, YSB700 were 36.85 mg·g⁻¹, 36.54 mg·g⁻¹, 34.53 mg·g⁻¹ and 32.66 mg·g⁻¹, respectively. This research, for the first time, used a variety of garden wastes to prepare biochar, and explored the corresponding raw material and pyrolysis temperature for the treatment of Cr (VI). It is hoped to provide a theoretical basis for the research and utilization of garden wastes and the production and application of biochar.     

正构烷烃含量对裂解烯烃收率的影响及乙烯裂解的原料调配

为了优化乙烯裂解原料并合理利用石脑油资源,将石脑油中的正构烷烃进行分离。不含正构烷烃的吸余油作为优质催化重整原料或高辛烷值清洁汽油的调和组分,正构烷烃质量百分数大于98.2%的脱附油作为乙烯裂解原料。在工业操作条件下,与石脑油原料相比,气体收率从85.8%提高到96.1%,乙烯收率从31.4%提高到47.2%,乙烯、丙稀和丁二烯三烯总收率从52.1%提高到65.9%。考察了不同正构烷烃含量的裂解原料对乙烯、丙烯和丁二烯收率的影响,得出乙烯、丙烯和丁二烯收率与原料中正构烷烃含量的关联式。提出了乙烯裂解与催化重整耦合的石脑油资源优化利用方案及以吸附分离脱附油和石脑油共同作为裂解原料的石脑油部分吸附分离加工方案。并对省略中间油切割步骤的吸附分离流程进行了探讨。