Low-Temperature Carbonization and More Effective Degradation of Carbohydrates Induced by Ferric Trichloride

Influence of different stalks on the metallization degree of FeCl3-derived magnetic biochar through pyrolysis behavior and compositional differences

To investigate the effect of stalk type on the metallization degrees in FeCl3-derived magnetic biochar (MBC), MBC was synthesized via an impregnation-pyrolysis method using six different stalks. The Fe0 content in MBC significantly influenced its magnetic properties and ostensibly governed its catalytic capabilities. Analysis of the interaction between stalks and FeCl3 revealed that the variation in metallization degrees, resulting from FeCl2 decomposition (6.1%) and stalk-mediated reduction (20.7%), was directly responsible for the observed differences in MBC metallization. The presence of oxygen-containing functional groups and fixed carbon appeared to promote metallization in MBC induced by reduction. A series of statistical analyses indicated that the cellulose, lignin, and hemicellulose content of the stalks were key factors contributing to differences in MBC metallization degrees. Further exploration revealed that hemicellulose and cellulose were more effective than lignin in enhancing metallization through FeCl2 decomposition and reduction. Constructing stalk models demonstrated that the variance in the content of these three biomass components across the six stalk types could lead to differences in the metallization degree attributable to reduction and FeCl2 decomposition, thereby affecting the overall metallization degree of MBC. A prediction model for MBC metallization degree was developed based on these findings. Moreover, the elevated Si content in some stalks facilitated the formation of Fe2(SiO4), which subsequently impeded the reduction process. This study provides a theoretical foundation for the informed selection of stalk feedstocks in the production of FeCl3-derived MBC.

Solid phase extraction of explosives on Ni-doped carbosils prepared by mechanochemistry

The article presents the application of two sets of Ni-doped carbosils in the solid phase extraction of explosives. The adsorbents were prepared by two different methods. The first set of carbosils was obtained by mechanochemical deposition of potato starch and nickel salt on the surface of silica gel, and subsequent carbonization. The second set of carbosils was obtained from the same precursors and under quite similar conditions, i.e. with the exception of mechanochemical deposition of potato starch replaced by the gelation step. The prepared adsorbents were applied in solid phase extraction of explosive nitrate esters, and nitroaromatics from aqueous solutions. The adsorption and desorption steps were evaluated separately. It was found that textural properties, influenced by carbon deposit and nickel content, have a large impact on the solid phase extraction results. The recovery rates obtained onto carbosils prepared by mechanochemical method are approximately thrice as high as those observed for carbosils prepared by gelation method. It was shown that the composites with moderate nickel content can be used as effective materials for extraction both of aliphatic and aromatic explosives.

Enhanced luminescence intensity of novel red-emitting phosphor -Sr3Lu2(BO3)4:Bi3+,Eu3+ via energy transfer

Bi3+/Eu3+ co-activated Sr3Lu2(BO3)4 was successfully synthesized via a solid state reaction. The optimal concentration of Bi3+,Eu3+ and Bi3+/Eu3+ are 1 mol%, 60 mol% and 1 mol%/20 mol%, respectively. The emission spectra of Sr3Lu2(BO3)4:Bi3+, Eu3+ gives three peaks located at 405 nm, 489 nm which were attributed to Bi3+ S6 (blue) and C2 (green) site symmetry, respectively and 610 nm which was ascribed to Eu3+ (5D0 → 7 F2) transition. The emission intensity of Bi3+ decreases with increasing Eu3+ content which indicates that a efficient energy transfer occurred in the Sr3Lu2(BO3)4 host. The relative intensity of Sr3Lu1.79(BO3)4:0.01Bi3+,0.20Eu3+ excited at 327 nm and 370 nm was remarkably enhanced by 201% and 265%, respectively, via the energy transfer from Bi3+ to Eu3+. The results indicate that Sr3Lu2(BO3)4:Bi3+, Eu3+ is a potential novel red-emitting phosphor for UV LED applications.

Synthesis and lithium storage performance of nickel oxide octahedra

Octahedral NiO crystals obtained by a facile synthesis route show high performance for lithium storage.

Leveling effects of ammonium salts on thermal stabilities of polyethylene glycols

In this work, the thermal stabilities of a series of polyethylene glycols (PEG 4000, 6000 and 10000) were investigated after compositing with different kinds of inorganic salts, such as ammonium molybdate tetrahydrate (AMT), NH4VO3, (NH4)2SO4, NH4NO3, Na2SO4, Na2MoO4. It was first observed that all the ammonium salts exerted leveling effects for the thermal stabilities of the PEGs. In other words, the presence of the ammonium salts caused the occurrence of the maximum decomposition rates of the PEGs with the same repeat sequence but different chain lengths at almost the same temperatures. Leveling effects were defined by three parameters: leveling spans, leveling degrees and dispersion degrees of leveling. Further experiments revealed that leveling effects also occur in similar types of polymers: polypropylene glycols (PPG 2000, 3000 and 4000). A series of independent experiments including Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, time-of-flight mass spectrometry, conductivity and field-emission scanning electron microscopy were performed to explore the origin of leveling effects. We consider that the interaction between inorganic ions and polymer molecules and the Hofmeister effect of ions in solution are two important factors affecting the stability of salt–polymer composites, because they can contribute to decrease the interaction between the polymer chains, leading to changes in the conformation and pyrolysis mode of polymers. We believe that the finding of leveling effects would be significant for both basic and applied research of soft matter.