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Objective Enhancing the heat transfer performance of heat transfer media is an effective means of efficiently exploiting geothermal resources. Numerous studies have shown that the addition of nanoscale metals or metal oxides to fluids can effectively improve the heat transfer capacity of the fluid. The physical parameters that can impact the heat transfer performance of nanofluids are type, mass fraction, size of the nanoparticle, dispersant mass fraction. Additionally, the flow rate can have an important effect on the heat transfer performance of nanofluids. Methods In this study, spherical nano-CuO and spherical nano-Al2O3 were used as nanomaterials for configuring nanofluids. The particle size of nanomaterials ranges from 20 nm to 50 nm. Sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate was selected as the dispersant for configuring the nanofluids. Basic heat transfer experiments are performed on nanofluids by utilizing a self-constructed basic heat transfer experimental setup. The physical parameters of the nanofluids were also optimized. In addition, a self-designed experimental setup for recirculating heat exchange was established. This experimental system uses geothermal water from hydrothermal geothermal wells as the heat source. The experimental system was also utilized for field testing in a hydrothermal-type geothermal well in Yingshan County, Hubei Province. The preferred nanofluid and deionized water from the basic heat transfer experiments were subjected to on-site circulating heat transfer experiments. Comparison of the circulating heat transfer performance of nanofluids and water under actual heat source conditions in the field. The effect of the flow rate on the heat transfer performance of nanofluids and water under real heat source boundary conditions in the field is also discussed. Results The results show that (1) the heat transfer performance of CuO nanofluids is better than that of Al2O3 nanofluids. (2) There is a negative correlation between the heat transfer performance of nanofluids and the nanoparticle mass fraction. (3) The nanofluid warming efficiency was highest at a 1% mass fraction of CuO nanoparticles. The nanofluid temperature increased from 25 ℃ to 79.2 ℃ in 150 s. The nanofluid temperature increased by 4.1 ℃ more than that of deionized water in the same amount of time. Moreover, the wettability of the nanofluid-heat source interface decreases with increasing nanoparticle mass fraction. The heat transfer performance of nanofluids increases and then decreases with increasing particle size. The best heat transfer performance of the nanofluid was achieved when the nanoparticle size was 40 nm. (4) The heat transfer performance of nanofluids is negatively correlated with the dispersant mass fraction. The best heat transfer performance of the nanofluid was achieved when the dispersant mass fraction was 1%. (5) The heat transfer performance of the nanofluid is negatively correlated with the flow rate when the fluid is in laminar flow. The motion of nanoparticles is progressively more intense when the fluid is in a turbulent state. This phenomenon can effectively enhance the heat transfer performance of nanofluids. Conclusion The research results can provide a basis for the application of nanofluids in geothermal heat transfer to improve the heat transfer efficiency of geothermal systems. It also provides theoretical references for the selection of nanofluid parameters as well as fluid flow rate parameters applied to geothermal heat transfer.

Purposes The strain tolerance of Ba(Mg1/3Ta2/3)O3 (BMT) thermal barrier coating prepared by conventional atmospheric plasma spraying is low. Methods With suspension plasma spraying (SPS), BMT suspensions with different compositions are prepared by mechanical ball grinding with ethanol as the dispersion medium and polyacrylic acid (PAA), polyethyleneimine (PEI), and polyethylene glycol (PEG) as dispersants. The dispersion behavior of BMT suspension was studied through gravity sedimentation observation method, UV-Vis spectrophotometry, and Zeta potentiometry. The effects of dispersant type and content on the stability of BMT suspension were analyzed. The BMT coating was deposited by SPS, and the phase structure, surface morphology, and cross-section microstructure of the BMT coating were characterized and analyzed. Findings The results show that the adsorption of the dispersant PEI on the surface of the BMT particles improves their Zeta potential, enhances the repulsive force between particles, and provides a steric hindrance, which results the better dispersion of BMT suspension with PEI dispersant than that with PAA and PEG. In addition, the BMT suspension with PEI has a low viscosity (1.5-2 mPa·s), making it appropriate for SPS. The coating prepared by SPS essentially preserves the BMT phase structure, and shows a clear columnar-crystal microstructure. With the increases of the solid content in the suspension, the deposition efficiency of the BMT coating increase, and the volume of columnar crystals formed becomes larger, which conforms to the microstructural characteristics of high strain tolerance coatings.

Sustainable construction materials and local solutions are crucial for meeting urbanisation demands in tropical regions like French Guiana. Poured earthen construction, primarily composed of local soil, offers a cost-effective and environmentally friendly alternative. To ensure good consistency for pouring, the use of dispersants to deflocculate clay particles is an effective strategy that reduces water demand while enhancing the material's physical and mechanical properties. However, the variability of soil impacts the effectiveness of dispersants and the earth's material properties. It is currently unknown how the specific properties of tropical soils can influence the mix design of poured earth and how it impacts their resulting physical and mechanical characteristics. This work examines the soil properties that could help select suitable soil for poured earth construction. Four tropical soils of French Guiana were characterised in detail and used to prepare mortars with varying amounts of water and dispersant (sodium hexametaphosphate). The consistency and compressive strength of the mortars correlated with the mineralogical and geotechnical characteristics of the soils. In particular, soils with high levels of metal oxides produced mortars with the highest compressive strength. Using a dispersant consistently increased the compressive strength and dry density of the mortars and enabled a reduction in water content. Importantly, the analysis revealed that two easily measurable soil properties, the passing at 63 µm and the pH measured in potassium chloride (pH KCl), could predict the mechanical properties of the mortars and the amount of dispersant needed. Specifically, the pH KCl correlated with the proportion of iron and aluminium oxide and showed a positive linear correlation with the compressive strength. Overall, this study identifies easily measurable soil properties, in particular the pH KCl, for selecting and designing high-performance earth materials with tropical soils. It offers promising prospects for industrialising poured earth construction.

A large amount of pulverized coal is easy to be produced in the process of hydraulic fracturing of coalbed methane reservoir. The accumulation and settlement of pulverized coal will cause serious blockage to the fractures formed by fracturing, and reduce the permeability and conductivity of fractures and affect the effect of fracturing stimulation of coalbed methane wells. Therefore, a new type of coal powder dispersant MFFS-2 was developed through a large number of laboratory experiments and combined with the reservoir characteristics of the target CBM block, and its comprehensive performance was evaluated. The experimental results show that when the mass concentration of MFFS-2 reaches 0.3%, the surface tension of water solution can be reduced to less than 25 mN/m, and the contact angle of coal surface can be reduced from 115.3° to less than 60° with good surface activity and wettability; when the suspension of coal powder is standing for 10 hours, the suspension rate of coal powder can reach more than 30% with the addition of 0.3% MFFS-2. When 0.3% MFFS-2 solution is used to displace for 2 hours, the yield of pulverized coal can reach more than 60%, which indicates that MFFS-2 has good suspension dispersion and carrying effect on pulverized coal; in addition, the damage rate of MFFS-2 to the matrix permeability of block coal core in the target area is less than 10%, and the damage degree of fracturing fluid system to the permeability of coal core is reduced after adding MFFS-2 into the active hydraulic fracturing fluid. The field fracturing operation results of coalbed methane well show that the fracturing operation of S-1 well is smooth after adding new coal powder dispersant MFFS-2, a large amount of coal powder is carried out in the backflow fluid, and the gas production is high, which achieves the expected fracturing effect. Moreover, the construction effect of the new active hydraulic fracturing fluid in the same block is significantly better than that of the conventional active hydraulic fracturing fluid.

In this study, an inorganic retarder and a synthesized dispersant (based on PCE) were used to improve the retention and workability of alkali-activated ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBFS), with NaOH as the sole activator. The objective of the study was to formulate pumpable concrete mixtures with workable time of more than 90 min. The prolonged retention in slump was attained by the addition of the retarder. The effect of the dispersants, synthesized with different monomer to macromonomer ratios, on the workability of the paste was investigated by analyzing the fundamental rheological parameters. The addition of dispersant reduced the initial storage modulus and improved the workability of the alkali-activated paste mixtures. The interaction between the dispersant and NaOH-activated GGBFS systems was investigated by means of adsorption studies and zeta potential measurements. The dispersing ability and the amount adsorbed on GGBFS increased with an increase in the anionic charge of the dispersant. Zeta potential measurements suggested that the dispersion mechanism is primarily due to steric hindrance. Concrete mixtures of compressive strength in the range of ordinary concrete with pumpable workability for 90 and 120 min were achieved with the addition of both retarder and dispersant. The study concludes that a retarder is necessary to prolong the workable times, whereas a dispersant with a higher anionic charge is required to improve the workability of sodium hydroxide-activated GGBFS mixtures.

While tunnel boring machines (TBMs) tunneling in clayey strata, the adhered excavated soil on the cutterhead and cutting tools tends to form mudcake after compaction and consolidation. Mudcake can obstruct the cutterhead openings and rendering the cutting tools ineffective, leads to a substantial reduction in advance rate. Dispersants are recognized as an effective method for the disintegration of mudcakes. A novel set of equipment, comprising a mudcake compression device and a mudcake disintegration apparatus, is developed for assessing mudcake disintegration properties. The results showed that mudcakes underwent a tripartite disintegration process in water, including an initial stage, a rapid disintegration stage, and a stable stage. In the initial stage, the mudcakes absorbed water before disintegration, resulting in marginal changes in the weight of the disintegrated mudcakes. In the rapid disintegration stage, the weight of the disintegrated mudcakes increased quickly. During the stable stage, the weight of the disintegrated mudcakes remained relatively constant. The submersion of mudcakes in a dispersant solution substantially increased the rate of disintegration. Greater dispersant concentration corresponded to an increase in the disintegration rate. No weight gain was observed in mudcakes during the initial disintegration stage. When mudcakes disintegrated in a bentonite slurry, the weight of the disintegrated mudcakes initially decreased and then stabilized. The weight of the disintegrated mudcakes turned negative, indicating an increase in the weight of mudcakes. This suggested that bentonite significantly hindered mudcake disintegration.

For enhancing the physical properties of water-based acrylic resin coating, a green modified water-based nano-alumina dispersion was successfully prepared by regulating mass fraction of anti-sedimentation dispersant under the condition of ultrasonication. Subsequently, the water-based nano alumina dispersion was characterized, and the physical properties of commercial water-based acrylic resin composite coating mixed with the dispersion were tested. Results showed that under the conditions of a dispersant mass fraction of 0.50% and an ultrasonic dispersion time of 0.5 h, the storage stability time of the prepared water-based nano-alumina dispersion was greater than 90 d. Besides, after adding 4%(mass fraction) water-based nano-alumina dispersion to commercially available water-based acrylic resin coatings, the wear-resistant rotation number of the as-obtained coating increased from less than 5 r to more than 15 r, and the scratch resistance load increased from 1.10 kg to 2.00 kg.

In this paper, N-vinylpyrrolidone was copolymerized with acrylic acid and itaconic acid by free radical polymerization, and a series of polyacrylic acid-co-itaconic acid-co-N-vinylpyrrolidone (PAIN) dispersants with different pyrrolidone ligand contents were synthesized and characterized. Then, the cobalt blue nano-pigment slurry (20 wt%) was prepared through a water-based grinding method, and the optimum grinding technology was explored and determined as follows: PAIN2 as a dispersant, a dispersant dosage of 10 wt%, and a grinding time of 480 min. According to this optimum grinding technology, the prepared pigment slurry had a significantly decreased agglomeration, the D90 of which was 82 nm, and separately increased to 130 nm and 150 nm after heat storage for 3 and 7 days, exhibiting excellent heat storage stability. Additionally, its TSI value was also the lowest (1.9%), indicating good dispersion stability. The QCM and adorption capacity measuring results showed PAIN2 had a larger adsorption capacity, and the formed adsorption layer had a higher rigidity and was not easy to fall off. This was caused by both the interaction of carboxyl groups and the pyrrolidone ligand (strong coordination interaction) in PAIN2 with cobalt blue. The XPS and FT–IR measurements further proved the above-mentioned adsorption mechanism.

Carbon black particles possess dimensions on the nanometer or sub-nanometer scale. When utilized, these particles have a tendency to aggregate, which compromises their stability under storage conditions. To address this issue, a dispersant was prepared using cotton short fibers as raw materials through etherification and graft polymerization with acrylamide (AM) and 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS) as raw materials. The dispersant was then used to disperse carbon black to test its dispersing performance. A response surface optimization test was utilized to ascertain the influence of AMPS monomer mass, AM monomer mass, and potassium persulfate (KPS) initiator mass on the dispersibility of carbon black during dispersant preparation, and a set of optimal preparation conditions were obtained. The dispersion stability of carbon black in water was assessed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), elemental analysis (EA), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), zeta potential analysis, high magnification scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and contact angle measurements. Results revealed that the optimum mass ratio of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) to AMPS to AM was 1:0.69:1.67, with the KPS initiator comprising 1.56% of the total monomer mass. By incorporating the dispersant at a concentration of 37.50%, the particle size of carbon black particles was observed to decrease from 5.350 μm to 0.255 μm, and no agglomeration of carbon black particles occurred even after 3 weeks of storage.

We propose a new type of CNT hydrogel that has unique conductive and reversible characteristics. We found in previous studies that CNT dispersions became gelatinous without any gelators when a specific CNT was combined with a specific dispersant. This hydrogel has conductive properties derived mainly from the CNTs it contains; and even after gelation, it can be returned to a liquid state by ultrasonic irradiation. Furthermore, the liquid is gelable again. In this study, we prepared several types of CNTs and several types of dispersants, experimentally verified the possibility of gelation by combining them, and geometrically investigated the gelation mechanism to determine how this unique hydrogel is formed. As a result, we found that the experimental results and the theory examined in this study were consistent with the combination of materials that actually become hydrogels. We expect that this study will allow us to anticipate whether or not an unknown combination of CNTs and dispersants will also become gelatinous.

The 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DwH) Oil spill released an enormous volume of oil into the Gulf of Mexico (GoM), prompting the widespread use of chemical dispersants like Corexit® EC9500A. The ecological consequences of this treatment, especially when combined with natural factors such as sunlight, remain unexplored in the context of marine bacterial communities’ dynamics. To address this knowledge gap, our study employed a unique metaproteomic approach, investigating the combined effects of sunlight, crude Macondo surrogate oil, and Corexit on GoM microbiome across different mesocosms. Exposure to oil and/or Corexit caused a marked change in community composition, with a decrease in taxonomic diversity relative to controls in only 24 hours. Hydrocarbon (HC) degraders, particularly those more tolerant to Corexit and phototoxic properties of crude oil and/or Corexit, proliferated at the expense of more sensitive taxa. Solar radiation exacerbated these effects in most taxa. We demonstrated that sunlight increased the dispersant’s toxicity, impacting on community structure and functioning. These functional changes were primarily directed by oxidative stress with upregulated proteins and enzymes involved in protein turnover, general stress response, DNA replication and repair, chromosome condensation, and cell division. These factors were more abundant in chemically treated conditions, especially in the presence of Corexit compared to controls. Oil treatment significantly enhanced the relative abundance of Alteromonas, an oil-degrading Gammaproteobacteria. In combined oil-Corexit treatments, the majority of identified protein functions were assigned to Alteromonas, with strongly expressed proteins involved in membrane transport, motility, carbon and amino acid metabolism and cellular defense mechanisms. Marinomonas, one of the most active genera in dark conditions, was absent from the light treatment. Numerous metabolic pathways and HC-degrading genes provided insights into bacterial community adaptation to oil spills. Key enzymes of the glyoxylate bypass, enriched in contaminant-containing treatments, were predominantly associated with Rhodobacterales and Alteromonadales. Several proteins related to outer membrane transport, photosynthesis, and nutrient metabolisms were characterized, allowing predictions of the various treatments on biogeochemical cycles. The study also presents novel perspectives for future oil spill clean-up processes.

In this research, the dispersion characteristics of the suspension containing precursors were investigated in terms of charge, particle size, and rheological properties. Zirconium carbide nanopowder was prepared in the four-component system of alkoxide-resin-dispersant-catalyst based on the sol-gel chemical process under acidic conditions. Ammonium polycarboxylate (APC) was manipulated as a sol-dispersing agent to reach a particle size of less than 5 nm. Results depicted that the amount of surface charge of precursors was changed in the presence of ammonium polycarboxylate agent, and the PZC point was shifted towards acidic pHs less than 6.1. According to electrokinetic data, the interaction of surface sites and APC cause alteration of free specific energy for surface adsorption with a negative value. With regard to DLS analysis, the presence of APC stabilizes particles in the sol with precise control over their sizes in less than 10 nm. At intermediate pHs, the viscosity of the sol containing precursor increases which leads to a decrease in the particles stability. FTIR analysis of gel powder confirmed the proper formation of Zr–O–C bonds through hydrolysis and condensation reactions. The surface of the synthesized nanopowders is porous and in the meso range, so that their specific surface area is 165 m2/g. DTA analysis indicated that initial nuclei of ZrC were formed at around 1320 °C, which XRD patterns confirm this. SEM microstructure images showed that ZrC particles were created in the nanometer dimensions, and particle size distribution were reported in a narrow range with uniform morphology. TEM images and their diffraction patterns represented the synthesis of crystalline ZrC particles less than 50 nm.

The development of nano-energetic materials has significantly advanced, leading to enhanced properties and novel applications in areas such as aerospace, defense, energy storage, and automobile. This research aims to engineer multi-dimensional nano-energetic material systems with precise control over energy release rates, spatial distribution, and temporal and pressure history. In this context, sol–gel processing has been explored for the manufacture of nanocomposite aluminum thermites using aerogels. The goal is to produce nano-thermites (Al/Fe2O3) with fast energy release rates that are insensitive to unintended initiation while demonstrating the potential of sol–gel-derived aerogels in terms of versatility, tailored properties, and compatibility. The findings provide insightful conclusions on the influence of factors such as secondary oxidizers (KClO3) and dispersants (n-hexane and acetone) on the reaction kinetics and the sensitivity, playing crucial roles in determining reactivity and combustion performance. In tandem, ignition systems contribute significantly in terms of a high degree of reliability and speed. However, the advantages of using nano-thermites combined with hot bridge-wire systems in terms of ignition and combustion efficiency for potential, practical applications are not well-documented in the literature. Thus, this research also highlights the practicality along with safety and simplicity of use, making nano-Al/Fe2O3-KClO3 in combination with hot bridge-wire ignition a suitable choice for experimental purposes and beyond.

The antiwear properties of tribofilms formed on steel surfaces lubricated with various multi-component lubricants were investigated at an elevated temperature and under load-speed conditions conducive to sliding in the boundary lubrication regime. The lubricants contained base oil, reduced-level (secondary) zinc dialkyl dithiophosphate (ZDDP), and nitrogenous dispersant. The wear resistance of the tribofilms produced from different oil blends was evaluated in the context of the rate of change in the sliding track volume (wear rate for material loss) and the load-bearing capacity, chemical composition, and thickness of the tribofilms. Surface profilometry and scanning electron microscopy were used to quantify the wear performance and detect the prevailing wear mechanisms, whereas X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy elucidated the chemical composition and thickness of the tribofilms. The oil blends without ZDDP did not produce tribofilms with adequate antiwear properties, whereas the oil blends containing ZDDP and dispersant generated tribofilms with antiwear characteristics comparable to those of tribofilms produced from blends with a higher ZDDP content. Although dispersants can suspend oil contaminants and preserve the cleanness of the sliding surfaces, it was found that they can also reduce the antiwear efficacy of ZDDP. This was attributed to an additive-dispersant antagonistic behavior for surface adsorption sites affecting tribofilm chemistry and mechanical properties. Among the blends containing a mixture of ZDDP and dispersant, the best antiwear properties were demonstrated by the tribofilm produced from the blend consisting of base oil, 0.05 wt% ZDDP, and a bis-succinimide dispersant treated with ethylene carbonate. The findings of this investigation demonstrate the potential of multi-component lubricants with reduced-content ZDDP and nitrogen-based dispersant to form effective antiwear tribofilms.

Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are a green energy technology that offers a cleaner and more efficient alternative to fossil fuels. The efficiency and utility of SOFCs can be enhanced by fabricating miniaturized component structures within the fuel cell footprint. In this research work, the parallel-connected inter-digitized design of micro-single-chamber SOFCs (µ-SC-SOFCs) was fabricated by a direct-write microfabrication technique. To understand and optimize the direct-write process, the cathode electrode slurry was investigated. Initially, the effects of dispersant Triton X-100 on LSCF (La0.6Sr0.2Fe0.8Co0.2O3-δ) slurry rheology was investigated. The effect of binder decomposition on the cathode electrode lines was evaluated, and further, the optimum sintering profile was determined. Results illustrate that the optimum concentration of Triton X-100 for different slurries was around 0.2–0.4% of the LSCF solid loading. A total of 60% of solid loading slurries had high viscosities and attained stability after 300 s. In addition, 40–50% solid loading slurries had relatively lower viscosity and attainted stability after 200 s. Solid loading and binder affected not only the slurry’s viscosity but also its rheology behavior. Based on the findings of this research, a slurry with 50% solid loading, 12% binder, and 0.2% dispersant was determined to be the optimal value for the fabricating of SOFCs using the direct-write method. This research work establishes guidelines for fabricating the micro-single-chamber solid oxide fuel cells by optimizing the direct-write slurry deposition process with high accuracy.

This study addresses the problem of prolonged precooling time and excessive weight loss of fruits and vegetables during postharvest processes. Ice slurry precooling system shows potential but faces challenges like low undercooling and ice blockage. Dispersants are introduced to optimize heat and moisture transfer as well as the flow characteristics of the ice slurry. This research investigates the effects of four dispersants on the performance of an ice slurry-based wet precooling system through experiments. Key parameters analyzed include temperature and humidity in the chamber, cooling rate, and weight loss rate of the tested load. Results show that the addition of dispersants effectively reduces the freezing temperature, enhancing the cooling rate in the system. Among the four dispersants tested, sodium diacetate yields the lowest freezing temperature of −6.4 °C and the highest cooling rate of 0.3 °C min−1. Furthermore, dispersants influence moisture transfer between ice slurry and circulating air, impacting the humidity within the precooling chamber. Notably, the addition of sodium diacetate results in the lowest weight loss rate of 2.74 %. This research shows the potential of using dispersants in ice slurry-based wet precooling systems to enhance the postharvest preservation of fruits and vegetables.

Chemical mechanical polishing/planarization (CMP) is an essential manufacturing process in semiconductor technologies. This method combines chemical and mechanical forces to smooth the surfaces of wafers. The effectiveness of CMP relies on a carefully chosen slurry, demanding a sophisticated manufacturing technology. This technology must seamlessly integrate both chemical composition and mechanical elements, highlighting the intricate synergy required for successful semiconductor fabrication. Particularly in milling processes, if agglomerated particles due to slurry particle corrosion are present during polishing, uneven polishing, numerous fine scratches occur, leading to an increase in roughness and a deterioration in the quality of the finished surface. In this study, to overcome the issue of particle agglomeration and uneven polishing in commonly used ceria nanoparticle slurries during CMP processes, we investigated the ceria nanoparticle behavior based on styrene–maleic acid (SMA) dispersant polymer applied with three types of defoaming polymers. The investigations are expected to open up the possibility of utilizing ceria nanoparticles with applied defoaming polymer as an abrasive for advanced CMP applications. All samples were characterized by DLS (dynamic light scattering), SEM-EDX (scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy), pH, conductivity, viscosity, a 10-day stability test at 60 °C, the AF4 test, and the polishing rate efficiency test. Our research demonstrates a significant improvement achieved through the use of SMA dispersant polymer, resulting in a polishing selection ratio exceeding 80 for oxide and nitride films. The G-336 defoaming polymer utilized here is expected to serve as a viable alternative in CMP processes by providing stable uniformity.

In micro-abrasive water jet polishing (MAWJP) technology, where abrasive particles serve as polishing tools, particles tend to form large clusters, leading to increased nozzle wear and diminished material polishing quality. Achieving a polishing solution with good dispersion stability is crucial for enhancing polishing accuracy and minimizing nozzle wear. Therefore, this study employed three dispersants with distinct dispersion mechanisms to examine the impact of each dispersant’s concentration on the dispersion stability of the polishing solution across various abrasive concentrations. Through experimentation, the optimal dispersant type and concentration ratio of abrasive to dispersant were determined, and the effect of the selected dispersant on jet polishing performance was validated. The results of the dispersion stability experiment indicated that, in comparison to Na(PO3)6 and polyethylene glycol (PEG), the polishing solution containing 1.0–2.0 wt% phosphoric ester compounds exhibited a more stable dispersion effect (zeta potential < −50 mV) and superior dispersibility, characterized by a smaller average particle size. Furthermore, K9 optical glass was subjected to fixed-point and local polishing using phosphoric ester compounds as the dispersant. The fixed-point polishing experiment revealed that, at a dispersant concentration of 1.0 wt% and an abrasive concentration of 20 wt%, a smooth and symmetrical material removal profile could be achieved. In the local polishing experiment, the reduction rate of the root mean square of the surface roughness (RMS) increased from 54.33% to 82.24%, and the reduction rate of peak-to-valley height difference in surface (PV) increased from 38.84% to 68.97%. In conclusion, the incorporation of a dispersant proves effective in enhancing the dispersion stability of the polishing solution and dispersibility of the abrasive particles, thereby improving the surface quality of the materials in MAWJP.

A lignin modified salt-resistant branched high-performance water reducer was prepared via free radical polymerization. The water-reducing agent was identified through its NMR spectrum, elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared analysis, thermal gravimetric analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The experiment conducted on cement paste demonstrates that the water-reducing efficiency can reach a maximum of 44%. Additionally, the significant spatial steric hindrance of the application enhances the dispersal capability of the water-reducing agent, resulting in effective water reduction and reduced viscosity. In addition, its compressive strength is the highest after 3-day curing and 3-, 7-, 28-day standard curing, and it has the best overall performance both in water and saline water prepared systems. The application in oil cement slurry shows that it exhibits a good dispersibility in fresh water, saline water, and substitute ocean water. In the Halfaya and Missan Oilfields of Iraq, BHPWR was used in a slurry with a density of 2.28 g/cm3 for casing the salt paste layer of five wells. The cementing results exceeded expectations with 100% qualified including over 85% excellent.

Large quantities of lignin are produced as by-streams via chemical pulping and emerging biorefinery processes. These lignins are typically water-insoluble; however, they can be converted into a water-soluble form by chemical modifications. A novel LigniOx technology solubilizes lignin using alkali-O2 oxidation. The product can be used for bio-based dispersants. This study evaluated the biodegradability of alkali-O2 oxidized kraft, organosolv, and hydrolysis lignin. The oxidized lignins exhibited higher biodegradation in soil and in aquatic environments in comparison to a commercial kraft lignin and a commercial lignosulfonate. In soil, the biodegradabilities of oxidized lignins were 19 to 44%, whereas the reference lignins exhibited only 5 to 12% conversion to CO2. Biodegradation of the oxidized lignins and references in the aquatic environment increased in a similar order as in the soil environment, although the degradation in each sample was slightly smaller than in the soil. The improved biodegradability of the oxidized lignins was due to the altered chemical structure of lignin. Compared to the untreated lignin, the oxidized lignin contained structures formed in aromatic ring opening reactions, making the lignin more accessible to microbial degradation. In addition, the oxidized lignin contained carbon originating from small organic compounds, which are easily biodegradable.

Large quantities of lignin are produced as by-streams via chemical pulping and emerging biorefinery processes. These lignins are typically water-insoluble; however, they can be converted into a water-soluble form by chemical modifications. A novel LigniOx technology solubilizes lignin using alkali-O2 oxidation. The product can be used for bio-based dispersants. This study evaluated the biodegradability of alkali-O2 oxidized kraft, organosolv, and hydrolysis lignin. The oxidized lignins exhibited higher biodegradation in soil and in aquatic environments in comparison to a commercial kraft lignin and a commercial lignosulfonate. In soil, the biodegradabilities of oxidized lignins were 19 to 44%, whereas the reference lignins exhibited only 5 to 12% conversion to CO2. Biodegradation of the oxidized lignins and references in the aquatic environment increased in a similar order as in the soil environment, although the degradation in each sample was slightly smaller than in the soil. The improved biodegradability of the oxidized lignins was due to the altered chemical structure of lignin. Compared to the untreated lignin, the oxidized lignin contained structures formed in aromatic ring opening reactions, making the lignin more accessible to microbial degradation. In addition, the oxidized lignin contained carbon originating from small organic compounds, which are easily biodegradable.

Abstract The application of chemical dispersants aims to stimulate microbial oil degradation by increasing the bioavailability of oil compounds. Overall, nine microcosms were prepared (three for each treatment) using treated sediment with (i) dispersant (d: 25 ppm), (ii) oil (500 ppm), and (iii) with oil + dispersant (500: 25 ppm), respectively. There are also three control microcosms containing only water and sediment without petroleum. Then, we analyzed bacterial abundance, total hydrocarbon, biological oxygen demand (BOD5), and chemical oxygen demand (COD) in each microcosm. Bacterial response density was significantly affected after 40 days of exposure; it was higher in the control microcosm and d (> 24.103 cell/l) than in the other treatments. The index of total hydrocarbons was equal to 53 mg/kg dw in oil and 56 mg/kg dw in oil + dispersant. The higher BOD5 found in oil and in oil + d shows the increased amount of oxygen consumed, which indicates enhanced bacterial activity. Microcosms treated with dispersant had higher COD than the others, but the dispersant did not stimulate microbial hydrocarbon degradation.

The iron grade of a iron concentrate in Sichuan is 64.56%, and the content of SiO2 and Al2O3 is 5.50% and 2.01% respectively. Material composition research shows that iron minerals are mainly in the form of magnetic iron. The process of stage grinding and magnetic separation which added dispersant H01 in regrinding is carried out to increase iron grade and reduce silicon content. Finally, the super iron concentrate with iron grade 72.11%, SiO2 content 0.20%, Al2O3 content 0.16%, acid insoluble content 0.28%, and the iron recovery is 92.72%.

The application of polymer flocculants plays a pivotal role in the slurry separation process of shields, and the dispersant used for treating cutter mud cakes can significantly impact the effectiveness of polymer flocculants, potentially leading to reduced efficiency in slurry separation. Experiments were conducted to select appropriate flocculants and investigate the influence of dispersants on flocculant effectiveness, aiming to assess the effect of flocculants and explore the relationships and mechanisms governing their influence. Changes in the patterns of slurry flocculation were revealed in terms of flocculation-driven precipitation and vacuum-filtration effects. The purpose of this article is to provide a reference for the field application of polymer flocculants in the shield field. The conclusions are as follows. Inorganic flocculants containing 0.5% polyaluminum chloride (PAC) exhibit the most effective flocculation, demonstrating strong charge neutralization action. Organic flocculants containing 0.1% cationic polyacrylamides (CPAM) exhibit the most effective flocculation, demonstrating strong bridging and net capture effects. The dispersant sodium hexametaphosphate (SHMP) can significantly weaken the charge-neutralizing action of flocculants and slightly enhance bridging and net capture effects. SHMP can impede the flocculation of slurry with PAC. For CPAM, SHMP can enhance the flocculation of slurry at a low mass fraction (0.1% and 0.3%), while SHMP can significantly hinder flocculation at a high mass fraction (0.5% and 1%). A low mass fraction of SHMP reduced slurry viscosity to 246.3 mPa.s and enhanced vacuum filtration, while a high mass fraction of SHMP increased slurry viscosity to 667.2 mPa.s and hindered vacuum filtration. In conclusion, while dispersants reduce the effectiveness of inorganic flocculants at any mass fraction, a small number of dispersants enhances the performance of organic flocculants; thus, the organic flocculant CPAM is recommended for slurry separation.

To research viscosity fitting model of stable nano-lithium bromide solution (nano-LiBr), the stability of the nano-LiBr and the dynamic viscosity of LiBr were measued by Ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy (UV-vis) and rotational viscometer respectively. Two LiBr with different additives were measured, i.e., LiBr with dispersant (E414) and LiBr with dispersant + copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO). The ranges of measuring temperature were from 25°C–60°C, the concentrations of LiBr were from 50%–59%, the volume fractions of the dispersants were from 0%–4%, and the fractions of nanoparticle volume were from 0%–0.05%. Results indicated that the nano-LiBr with E414 had good stability. The viscosity of the LiBr decreased when temperature increased, and increased when LiBr concentration and dispersant amount were increased. It is also found that the viscosity was directly proportional to the volume fraction of the nanoparticles. This study also showed that the higher the concentration of the base fluid was, the more significant increase of the viscosity was. An empirical viscosity model of stable nano-LiBr with a maximum error of 13% was developed.

Hydrophobic fumed silica (HFS) is a commonly used rheology additive in waterborne coatings. A series of experiments were conducted on the HFS-dispersing technology in this study. The size and structure of HFS primary particles were observed via transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The measurement results of the TEM were D50 = 13.6 nm and D90 = 19.7 nm, respectively. The particle size and dispersion performance of HFS were tested via dynamic light scattering (DLS). Additionally, the HFS aqueous dispersion was prepared and compounded with waterborne polyacrylic latex and polyurethane resin. The elemental distribution of the coatings was characterized using energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). The results show that the HFS in a non-ionic polymer dispersant had the best dispersion performance. The particle size of the HFS in the aqueous dispersion is related to the dispersion conditions. Under optimized conditions, the HFS aqueous dispersion can be prepared with a particle size of D50 = 27.2 nm. The HFS aqueous dispersion has stable storage stability. Even after storage for 47 d, the particle size still did not change significantly.

A novel dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction method based on the solidification of a floating organic droplet was proposed to pre-concentrate 16 polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from water samples prior to their determination using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry, in which the effect of hydrophilic deep eutectic solvent (DES) used as a dispersant was investigated. The main extraction parameters were optimized, and the procedure was validated. DES2 synthesized using choline chloride with acetic acid at a molar ratio of 1:2 was selected as the dispersant. Under the optimum extraction conditions, 12 mL of the water sample was injected into the mixed solvent containing 60 μL of 1-dodecanol (extractant) and 316 μL of DES2, ultrasound-mixed for 4 min, and then centrifuged for 5 min to separate the phases. The proposed method showed good linearity in the range of 0.02–5.0 μg/L; the limits of detection were 3.5–14.1 ng/L, the limits of quantification were 11.8–46.9 ng/L, the relative standard deviations were below 6.1%, and the enrichment factors ranged from 142 to 175 for the 16 PAHs. Finally, the proposed method was successfully employed to determine PAHs in real water samples.

Abstract Assembly processes in marine microbial communities amended with crude oil and chemical dispersant are poorly understood and even more so when biosurfactants are used. We set up a microcosm experiment in which microbiome structure was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and six null models to better understand and quantify the mechanisms and patterns controlling the assembly of a marine crude oil degrading microbial community in the presence of chemical dispersant or rhamnolipid biosurfactant. Although each null model quantifies different aspects of the community assembly, there was a general agreement that neither purely stochastic nor purely deterministic processes dominated the microbial communities, and their influence was variable over time. Determinism was dominant in the early phase of incubation, while stochasticity was prevalent in the middle and late stages. There was faster recruitment of phylogenetically distant species in the dispersant‐amended community compared to oil‐only or rhamnolipid‐amended communities. This analysis provides important insights of how chemical dispersants and rhamnolipid influence microbial communities' dynamics and identified which groups may be excluded—an important consideration for biodegradation process and oil spill response.

Abstract Background Biosurfactants are naturally derived products that play a similar role to synthetic dispersants in oil spill response but are easily biodegradable and less toxic. Using a combination of analytical chemistry, 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing and simulation-based approaches, this study investigated the microbial community dynamics, ecological drivers, functional diversity and robustness, and oil biodegradation potential of a northeast Atlantic marine microbial community to crude oil when exposed to rhamnolipid or synthetic dispersant Finasol OSR52. Results Psychrophilic Colwellia and Oleispira dominated the community in both the rhamnolipid and Finasol OSR52 treatments initially but later community structure across treatments diverged significantly: Rhodobacteraceae and Vibrio dominated the Finasol-amended treatment, whereas Colwellia, Oleispira, and later Cycloclasticus and Alcanivorax, dominated the rhamnolipid-amended treatment. Key aromatic hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria, like Cycloclasticus, was not observed in the Finasol treatment but it was abundant in the oil-only and rhamnolipid-amended treatments. Overall, Finasol had a significant negative impact on the community diversity, weakened the taxa-functional robustness of the community, and caused a stronger environmental filtering, more so than oil-only and rhamnolipid-amended oil treatments. Rhamnolipid-amended and oil-only treatments had the highest functional diversity, however, the overall oil biodegradation was greater in the Finasol treatment, but aromatic biodegradation was highest in the rhamnolipid treatment. Conclusion Overall, the natural marine microbial community in the northeast Atlantic responded differently to crude oil dispersed with either synthetic or biogenic surfactants over time, but oil degradation was more enhanced by the synthetic dispersant. Collectively, our results advance the understanding of how rhamnolipid biosurfactants and synthetic dispersant Finasol affect the natural marine microbial community in the FSC, supporting their potential application in oil spills. Video abstract

Asphaltenes are recognized as being troublesome from upstream to downstream in the oil industry due to their tendency to precipitate and self-associate. Their extraction from asphaltenic crude oil for a cost-effective refining process is a crucial and critical challenge in the oil and gas sector. Lignosulfonate (LS), as a by-product of the wood pulping process in the papermaking industry, is a highly available and underutilized feedstock. This study aimed to synthesize novel LS-based ionic liquids (ILs) by reacting lignosulfonate acid sodium salt [Na]2[LS] with different alkyl chains of piperidinium chloride for asphaltene dispersion. The synthesized ILs, 1-hexyl-1-methyl-piperidinium lignosulfonate [C6C1Pip]2[LS], 1-octyl-1-methyl-piperidinium lignosulfonate [C8C1Pip]2[LS], 1-dodecyl-1-methyl-piperidinium lignosulfonate [C12C1Pip]2[LS] and 1-hexadecyl-1-methyl-piperidinium lignosulfonate [C16C1Pip]2[LS] were characterized using FTIR-ATR and 1H NMR for functional groups and structural confirmation. The ILs depicted high thermal stability because of the presence of a long side alkyl chain and piperidinium cation following thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Asphaltene dispersion indices (%) of ILs were tested by varying contact time, temperature and ILs concentration. The obtained indices were high for all ILs, with a dispersion index of more than 91.2% [C16C1Pip]2[LS], representing the highest dispersion at 50,000 ppm. It was able to lower asphaltene particle size diameter from 51 nm to 11 nm. The kinetic data of [C16C1Pip]2[LS] were consistent with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The dispersion index (%), asphaltene particle growth and the kinetic model agreed with the molecular modeling studies of the HOMO–LUMO energy of IL holds.

THE PURPOSE. To develop an apparatus for wave treatment of water-fuel oil and preparation of water-fuel emulsion for combustion. To present a scheme of an innovative vortex burner device for water-oil emulsion combustion. To review existing equipment for preparation of high quality emulsion. Refute the necessity of forced dehydration of fuel oil for high-quality combustion in burners. To present data on the choice of material for manufacturing the dispersant body, taking into account the requirements for corrosion resistance, as well as resistance to cavitation and wear resistance. To develop an experimental setup for the preparation of water-oil emulsion for combustion in a vortex burner. To conduct an analysis to identify the relationship of transformation of physical and chemical properties of water-oil emulsion (sedimentation and aggregative stability, structural viscosity) from temperature and volume of water in them. METHODS. Theoretical methods of viscosity and density determination were used in solving the problem and results were obtained experimentally, by using a capillary viscometer, in different temperature ranges of emulsified fuel preparation. A method was used to assess the clarification of the WFE to evaluate the sedimentation stability, with compulsory conditioning in glass cylinders in a statistical state. RESULTS. The preparation of WOE is conditioned by the water content rationing. The factor of partial loss of moisture at the plant during emulsion preparation can be considered as a positive side effect of dewatering. Data on the density of water-oil emulsion depending on the concentration of water at 70 0C has been obtained. The analysis of dependence of stability of emulsion based on fuel oil M-100 from time of settling at 20 0C is made. CONCLUSION. The presented wave dispersant experimentally demonstrates a high quality of VME preparation. Experimental results prove the presence of a significant numerical increase of the 10 μm particle size, as well as a minimum conversion of 1.25 μm particles towards the 2.5 μm particle size. The use of wave treatment dispersant results in stable water-oil emulsions suitable for use as fuels in the power industry.

In this work, the formation and the chemical composition of Water Accommodated Fractions (WAFs) of Intermediate Fuel Oil 180, Naphthenic North Atlantic, and Marine Gas-Oil oils were studied at different temperatures (between 5 and 25 °C) with and without a dispersant (Finasol OSR52). In terms of composition, both the raw oils and the WAFs showed high levels of lighter PAHs (naphthalene related compounds). The WAFs were prepared under slow stirring rate to avoid the formation of droplets. However, the use of dispersant increased the solubility of the PAHs around two orders of magnitude through the formation of small droplets. The kinetics of the WAF formation was followed by direct measurement on the water phase, and through the accumulation on PDMS sheets and commercial stir-bars. This study showed that the water phase achieved the steady state after 48 h of continuous stirring, while the PDMS sheet and Twister required slightly longer times. It was also observed that the solubility of the PAHs increased with the temperature, almost doubling the concentrations in the studied ranged but when the dispersant was used, only Naphthenic North Atlantic crude oil followed this pattern. Finally, the stability of WAF was monitored at room temperature and it was concluded that the concentrations halved after 24–30 h, regardless the use of dispersant. Therefore, for WAF-based toxicity testing, it is important to renew these solutions at least once or twice a day to assure the stable concentrations along the bioassay.

Dispersants have been used in several oil spill accidents, but little information is available on their effectiveness in Baltic Sea conditions with low salinity and cold seawater. This study investigated the effects of dispersant use on petroleum hydrocarbon biodegradation rates and bacterial community structures. Microcosm experiments were conducted at 5 °C for 12 days with North Sea crude oil and dispersant Finasol 51 with open sea Gulf of Bothnia and coastal Gulf of Finland and Norwegian Sea seawater. Petroleum hydrocarbon concentrations were analysed with GC-FID. Bacterial community structures were studied using 16S rDNA gene amplicon sequencing, and the abundance of genes involved in hydrocarbon degradation with quantitative PCR. The highest oil degradation gene abundances and oil removal were observed in microcosms with coastal seawater from the Gulf of Bothnia and Gulf of Finland, respectively, and the lowest in the seawater from the Norwegian Sea. Dispersant usage caused apparent effects on bacterial communities in all treatments; however, the dispersant’s effect on the biodegradation rate was unclear due to uncertainties with chemical analysis and variation in oil concentrations used in the experiments.

The dispersion of nanomaterials in lubricating oil plays an important role in the lubrication and wear-resistance properties. In this work, supramolecular layered double hydroxides (LDHs) were prepared and added to lubricating oil with different dispersants. The content of key elements in the samples was measured by an oil element analyzer, and the dispersion properties of different samples were studied. The friction coefficient of the samples was measured by high-frequency linear vibration (SRV), and the morphology and composition were characterized by SEM to study the antiwear performance and action mechanism of LDH. The oxidation induction time of the samples was measured by RBOT to study the antioxygenic properties of LDH in lubricating oil. The results show that LDH can be well-dispersed in lubricating oil with the action of specific dispersants. After adding LDH, the antiwear performance of lubricating oil was improved, as a uniform and dense protective film was formed on the friction surface.

Traditional water-based dyeing of polyester textiles usually generates burdensome processes and a great deal of wastewater, which can no longer meet the green and sustainable developments in the textile dyeing industry. In the silicone waterless dyeing system, polyester textiles can be dyed with disperse dye without water. However, the dyeing performance of polyester textiles is influenced by the dispersant. In this study, the relationship between the properties of dispersants and disperse dyeing performance was studied. When the amount of dispersant NNO (2-Naphthalenesulfonic acid) was 1.2%, the exhaustion of disperse red 177 and the final K/S value of the dyed fabric improved to 94.18% and 14.73, respectively. However, the exhaustion of disperse red 177 was reduced from 90.73% to 82.61%, and the final K/S value of the dyed fabric was decreased from 14.77 to 14.01 when the dosage of MF (Naphthalenesulfonic acid) was 1.2%. Compared with different dyeing systems, the final uptake of disperse red 177 was 93.81% and 94.18% in traditional water-based and silicone waterless dyeing systems and the K/S value of the dyed fabric was almost the same. The washing and rubbing fastness (wet and dry) of the dyed fabric were found to be at a level of 4 or 4–5, and the light fastness of the dyed fabric was 3–4. If only the dispersant was added in the silicone waterless dyeing system, there was no leveling problems on dyed samples. Moreover, the maximum absorption wavelength of disperse red 177 was not changed after adding the dispersant. With an increasing amount of dispersant NNO, the solubility of the dye in the silicone solvent decreased, but it increased with an increasing amount of dispersant MF. In the relationship between dye exhaustion and dye solubility in a silicone waterless dyeing system, the exhaustion of dye was linearly and inversely proportional to the dye solubility. A dispersant with better hydrophilicity can decrease the solubility of the dye in dyeing media, and the dyeing performance of dye is better. Compared with previous studies, the exhaustion of dye was consistent with the ClogP value (hydrophobic constant) of the dyeing accelerant. Therefore, a dispersant with high hydrophilicity can reduce the solubility of dye and improve the exhaustion of disperse dye in a silicone waterless dyeing system. Moreover, the color fastness of the dyed fabric did not change before and after adding the dispersant.

Rare earth oxides such as La2O3 and Gd2O3 are abundant in waste optical glass. The separation of rare earth oxides is beneficial to the recycling of rare earth resources. In this study, the rare earth oxide Gd2O3 particles were separated from La2O3 particles using high gradient magnetic separation, and the influence of different fluid media (i.e., water, anhydrous ethanol, and their mixture) on the separation results was investigated. By using the measured zeta potential of oxide particles in water/ethanol of different pH and water with different dispersants (Na2SiO3 9H2O, citric acid, Na2CO3, and sodium hexametaphosphate), the DLVO (Derjaguin–Landau–Verwey–Overbeek) potential calculations and their analysis applied to high gradient magnetic separation results were also performed. The results showed that using anhydrous ethanol or adding a dispersant in water as a fluid medium can promote the separation of magnetic Gd2O3 particles under a high-gradient magnetic field. Among the different conditions, anhydrous ethanol can improve the grade of Gd2O3 to 95% from 70% with water. Furthermore, ethanol can be reused after filtration, making it an environmentally friendly fluid medium. Among the four dispersants, sodium hexametaphosphate, Na2SiO3, and Na2CO3 can also increase the separation rate of La2O3 and Gd2O3 to about 95%. The effect of citric acid on the separation performance is slightly worse, and the recovery rate of Gd2O3 is 80%. This study provides a new reference for selecting a fluid medium for magnetic separation.

Recently, a variety of amphiphilic block copolymers for water-based color inks as pigment dispersants have been developed. Although such dispersants require both high adsorption of pigments and dispersion-stability in water, the most crucial issue is the difficulty in controlling the affinity balance of the polymeric dispersants between the pigments and aqueous media. Therefore, it is important to increase the solubility of the hydrophobic polymers with low acid-value for ink design. Amphiphilic block copolymers containing styrene-based blocks as hydrophobic segments and methacrylic acid blocks as hydrophilic segments were prepared. The polymers with low acid-value could not dissolve in the alkaline solution directly. They could dissolve in methyl-ethyl-ketone (MEK) at room temperature and diethylene glycol (DEG), with heating. Polymer aqueous solutions were successfully prepared using polymer solutions in DEG as the pre-solutions. Because they were also unable to dissolve directly even in an alkaline solution containing DEG, the existence of DEG is not important, but the process employing the pre-solution is important. The influence of pre-solution viscosity on solubility in water was evaluated. The result suggests that the high viscosity of the DEG solution would work to slowly disperse the polymers in the alkaline solution, efficiently converting polymers into an aqueous soluble state, owing to there being enough time for the neutralization of the carboxylic acids of the polymers. Note that in the pre-solution of a lower concentration, the aqueous solution did not become clear, and the larger particle sizes were detected. These results showed that the viscosity of the pre-solution is an essential factor in solubilization in water. Using this method, the polymeric dispersants with low hydrophilicity were well dissolved in water, up to a high concentration.

Lignosulfonates are bio-based surfactants and specialty chemicals, which are generated by breaking the near-infinite lignin network during sulfite pulping of wood. Due to their amphiphilic nature, lignosulfonates are used in manifold applications such as plasticizer, dispersant, and stabilizer formulations. Function and performance are determined by their behavior in aqueous solution and at surfaces and interfaces, which is in turn imposed by the chemical make-up. This review hence summarizes the efforts made into delineating the physicochemical properties of lignosulfonates, while also relating to their composition and structure. Lignosulfonates are randomly branched polyelectrolytes with abundant sulfonate and carboxylic acid groups to ensure water-solubility. In aqueous solution, their conformation, colloidal state, and adsorption at surfaces or interfaces can be affected by a range of parameters, such as pH, concentration of other electrolytes, temperature, and the presence of organic solvents. These parameters may also affect the adsorption behavior, which reportedly follows Langmuir isotherm and pseudo second-order kinetics. The relative hydrophobicity, as determined by hydrophobic interaction chromatography, is an indicator that can help to relate composition and behavior of lignosulfonates. More hydrophobic materials have been found to exhibit a lower charge density. This may improve dispersion stabilization, but it can also be disadvantageous if an electrokinetic charge needs to be introduced at solid surfaces or if precipitation due to salting out is an issue. In addition, the monolignol composition, molecular weight distribution, and chemical modification may affect the physicochemical behavior of lignosulfonates. In conclusion, the properties of lignosulfonates can be tailored by controlling aspects such as the production parameters, fractionation, and by subsequent modification. Recent developments have spawned a magnitude of products and technologies, which is also reflected in the wide variety of possible application areas.

The most important component of the success of livestock production is the creation of a solid feed base to meet the needs of the livestock industry. In addition to cereals, oilseeds (flax oil, safflower, sesame seeds, etc.) and products of their processing have great fodder potential. Its physicochemical composition is quite unique: quite high protein content, a large range of fatty acids and vitamins. Therefore, the urgent task of improving the quality of the feed base is the creation of the latest technical and technological support for the waste-free processing of vegetable raw materials of oil crops into feed for organic animal husbandry. The purpose of the research is to improve the technological line of complex non-waste processing of vegetable raw materials of oilseeds into feed for organic animal husbandry. To achieve this goal, the following research objectives were set: to analyze the technologies of processing vegetable oilseeds into feed, to develop a technological line of complex waste-free processing of vegetable oilseeds to feed, to substantiate the composition of the relevant technical and technological support. The studies were conducted using patent information retrieval methods and analysis of previous research results. As a result of the analysis of modern technical and technological support for the processing of vegetable raw materials, the technological line of complex waste-free processing of waste oil-fat complex of oilseeds in feeds for organic animal husbandry was improved. Taking into account the need for both dry and liquid feeds, the processes of granulation and cavitation dispersion of the corresponding feeds were introduced into the production line. This coverage of fodder production makes it possible to use the proposed feed preparation line as universal

In recent years, there has been considerable research into functional materials inspired by living things. Much attention has been paid to the development of adhesive materials that mimic the adhesive proteins secreted by a mussel’s foot. These mussel-inspired materials have superior adhesiveness to various adherents owing to the non-covalent interactions of their polyphenolic moieties, e.g., hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, and even hydrophobic interactions. Various factors significantly affect the adhesiveness of mussel-inspired polymers, such as the molecular weight, cross-linking density, and composition ratio of the components, as well as the chemical structure of the polyphenolic adhesive moieties, such as l-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (l-Dopa). However, the contributions of the position and distribution of the adhesive moiety in mussel-inspired polymers are often underestimated. In the present study, we prepared a series of mussel-inspired alkyl methacrylate copolymers by controlling the position and distribution of the adhesive moiety, which are known as “forced gradient copolymers”. We used a newly designed gallic-acid-bearing methacrylate (GMA) as the polyphenolic adhesive moiety and copolymerized it with 2-ethylhexyl methacrylate (EHMA). The resulting forced gradient adhesive copolymer of GMA and EHMA (poly(GMA-co-EHMA), Poly1) was subjected to adhesion and dispersion tests with an aluminum substrate and a BaTiO3 nanoparticle in organic solvents, respectively. In particular, this study aims to clarify how the monomer position and distribution of the adhesive moiety in the mussel-inspired polymer affect its adhesion and dispersion behavior on a flat metal oxide surface and spherical inorganic oxide surfaces of several tens of nanometers in diameter, respectively. Here, forced gradient copolymer Poly1 consisted of a homopolymer moiety of EHMA (Poly3) and a random copolymer moiety of EHMA and GMA (Poly4). The composition ratio of GMA and the molecular weight were kept constant among the Poly1 series. Simultaneous control of the molecular lengths of Poly3 and Poly4 allowed us to discuss the effects on the distribution of GMA in Poly1. Poly1 exhibited apparent distribution dependency with regard to the adhesiveness and the dispersibility of BaTiO3. Poly1 showed the highest adhesion strength when the composition ratio of GMA was approximately 9 mol% in the portion of the Poly4 segment. In contrast, the block copolymer consisting of the Poly3 segment and Poly4 segment with only adhesive moiety 1 showed the lowest viscosity for dispersion of BaTiO3 nanoparticles. These results indicate that copolymers with mussel-inspired adhesive motifs require the proper design of the monomer position and distribution in Poly1 according to the shape and characteristics of the adherend to maximize their functionality. This research will facilitate the rational design of bio-inspired adhesive materials derived from plants that outperform natural materials, and it will eventually contribute to a sustainable circular economy.

Pure Ti3C2Tx and Ti3C2Tx -multiwalled carbon nanotube (MCNT) anodes with 35 ​mg ​cm−2 active mass (AM) are prepared. The 90%Ti3C2Tx-10%MCNT electrode shows the capacitance (CS) of 1.78 F cm−2 for 2 ​mV s−1 cyclic voltammetry sweep and 1.95 ​F ​cm−2 for a constant current discharge at 3 mAcm−2 in 0.5 ​M Na2SO4 aqueous medium. The CS of the Ti3C2Tx-10 MCNT anode significantly exceeds the literature results for other Ti3C2Tx anodes. The Ti3C2Tx-MCNT electrodes, showed low resistance and good CS retention at fast charging. Good electrode properties at high AM are achieved due to the use of advanced catecholate-type dispersant. The 3,4,5-trihydroxybenzamide (THB) dispersant showed adsorption on Ti3C2Tx and MCNT, favoured their dispersive mixing, and enhanced CS of the composite. High CS in aqueous 0.5 ​M Na2SO4 medium is promising for application in asymmetric supercapacitor cells operating in enlarged voltage range.

Flexible polyurethane foams (FPUs) having polystyrene (PS) stabilized by silica gel or polystyrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) particles were synthesized employing polymer polyether polyols (PPPs). The filler and its content effect on physical, mechanical and thermal properties of FPUs were studied. The FPU thermal stability increased with PS content into PPP and no interaction filler-polymeric network was observed. Meanwhile, FPUs containing PS as filler were more thermally stable and mechanically resistant -except the elongation-than those from the commercial PPP containing SAN. Contrary to porosity and cell size, the density and hardness are function of the filler type and increase with the filler content although the hardness is practically constant from 10 wt%. Closed cell foams instead of tight foams were produced from filler contents higher than 15 wt%. Synthesized FPUs presented better hardness and density properties but worse mechanical properties than the commercial one. Finally, mechanical properties were similar than FPUs containing inorganic fillers.

This investigation is motivated by increasing interest in the development of magnetically ordered pseudocapacitors (MOPC), which exhibit interesting magnetocapacitive effects. Here, advanced pseudocapacitive properties of magnetic CuFe2O4 nanoparticles in negative potential range are reported, suggesting that CuFe2O4 is a promising MOPC and advanced negative electrode material for supercapacitors. A high capacitance of 2.76 F cm−2 is achieved at a low electrode resistance in a relatively large potential window of 0.8 V. The cyclic voltammograms and galvanostatic charge–discharge data show nearly ideal pseudocapacitive behavior. Good electrochemical performance is achieved at a high active mass loading due to the use of chelating molecules of ammonium salt of purpuric acid (ASPA) as a co-dispersant for CuFe2O4 nanoparticles and conductive multiwalled carbon nanotube (MCNT) additives. The adsorption of ASPA on different materials is linked to structural features of ASPA, which allows for different interaction and adsorption mechanisms. The combination of advanced magnetic and pseudocapacitive properties in a negative potential range in a single MOPC material provides a platform for various effects related to the influence of pseudocapacitive/magnetic properties on magnetic/pseudocapacitive behavior.

Spray drying is a widely used method of converting liquid material (aqueous or organic solutions, emulsions and suspensions) into a dry powder. Good flowability, narrow size distribution, and controllable morphology are inherent in powders produced by spray drying. This review considers the granulation factors that influence the final properties of the silicon nitride dried powders. The first group includes the types of atomizers, manifolds, and drying chamber configurations. The process parameters fall into the second group and include the following: inlet temperature, atomizing air flow, feed flow rate, drying gas flow rate, outlet temperature, and drying time. Finally, the last group, feedstock parameters, includes many factors such as feed surface tension, feed viscosity, solvent type, solid particle concentration, and additives. Given the large number of factors affecting morphology, particle size and moisture, optimizing the spray drying process is usually achieved by the “trial and error” approach. Nevertheless, some factors such as the effect of a solvent, dispersant, binder, and sintering additives considered in the literature that affect the Si3N4 granulation process were reviewed in the work. By summarizing the data available on silicon nitride powder production, the authors attempt to tackle the problem of its emerging demand in science and industry.

We investigate the pseudocapacitive properties of ferrimagnetic NiFe2O4 ceramics in a 0.5 ​M Na2SO4 aqueous electrolyte. These ceramics have a high capacitance of 2.33 Fcm−2 since a more efficient colloidal technique is applied, which enhances the current response of the electrode in the negative potential range. NiFe2O4 is co-dispersed with multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) using Celestine Blue (CB) dye as a multifunctional co-dispersant. The capacitance measurements are performed by cyclic voltammetry, impedance spectroscopy and galvanostatic charge-discharge. The experiments reveal the synergistic effects of NiFe2O4 and conductive MWCNTs additives and the benefit they provide through co-dispersion with CB, which acts as an electron transfer mediator, enhancing pseudocapacitance. The mass ratio of NiFe2O4 and MWCNTs in the composite electrodes is varied to optimize the capacitance enhancement, lower electrical resistance at a high active mass loading of 40 ​mg ​cm−2, and achieve favorable capacitance retention at high charge-discharge rates. The results reveal a path for the development of pseudocapacitive ferrimagnetic ceramic composites that have advanced functionality.

A versatile dispersant plays a critical role in suspension stability of pesticide aqueous suspension concentrate (SC), thus it is extremely important to design and synthesize an effective dispersant for SC. Herein, nonionic trimeric nonylphenol polyoxyethylene (10) (TNP10) was successfully synthesized using nonylphenol polyoxyethylene(10) ethers (NP10) as raw materials. The surface activities of TNP10 were evaluated according to critical micelle concentration (CMC), and the surface tension at CMC (γCMC). TNP10 showed higher surface activity due to its lower CMC value compared with that of NP10. In addition, the dispersing and stabilizing properties of TNP10 in 25 wt.% pyraclostrobin SC system were investigated. The results showed that TNP10 as a dispersant exhibited more excellent dispersion performance than NP10. Meanwhile, the obtained SC system exhibits shear thinning behavior under high-speed shearing showing typical features of pseudo-plastic non-Newtonian fluids, which conforms to the Herschel-Buckley model. The nonionic trimeric nonylphenol polyoxyethylene (10 can effectively improve the surface activities and the suspension rate and stability of SC compared with its monomer NP10.

This investigation is motivated by increasing interest in ferrimagnetic materials and composites, which exhibit electrical capacitance. It addresses the need for the development of magnetic materials with enhanced capacitive properties and low electrical resistance. γ-Fe2O3-multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) composites are developed by colloidal processing and studied for energy storage in negative electrodes of supercapacitors. High energy ball milling (HEBM) of ferrimagnetic γ-Fe2O3 nanoparticles results in enhanced capacitive properties. The effect of HEBM on particle morphology is analyzed. Gallocyanine is used as a co-dispersant for γ-Fe2O3 and MWCNTs. The polyaromatic structure and catechol ligand of gallocyanine facilitated its adsorption on γ-Fe2O3 and MWCNTs, respectively, and facilitated their electrostatic dispersion and mixing. The adsorption mechanisms are discussed. The highest capacitance of 1.53 F·cm−2 is achieved in 0.5 M Na2SO4 electrolyte for composites, containing γ-Fe2O3, which is high energy ball milled and co-dispersed with MWCNTs using gallocyanine. HEBM and colloidal processing strategies allow high capacitance at low electrical resistance, which facilitates efficient charge–discharge. Obtained composites are promising for fabrication of multifunctional devices based on mutual interaction of ferrimagnetic and capacitive properties.

Biological oil weathering facilitated by specialized heterotrophic microbial communities plays a key role in the fate of petroleum hydrocarbon in the ocean. The most common methods of assessing oil biodegradation involve (i) measuring changes in the composition and concentration of oil over time and/or (ii) biological incubations with stable or radio-labelled substrates. Both methods provide robust and invaluable information on hydrocarbon biodegradation pathways; however, they also require extensive sample processing and are expensive in nature. More convenient ways to assess activities within microbial oil degradation networks involve measuring extracellular enzyme activity. This perspective article synthesizes previously published results from studies conducted in the aftermath of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon (DwH) oil spill in the northern Gulf of Mexico (nGoM), to test the hypothesis that fluorescence assays of esterases, including lipase activity, are sensitive indicators for microbial oil degradation in the ocean. In agreement with the rates and patterns of enzyme activity in oil-contaminated seawater and sediments in the nGoM, we found close correlations between esterase activity measured by means of methylumbeliferyl (MUF) oleate and MUF butyrate hydrolysis, and the concentration of petroleum hydrocarbons in two separate laboratory incubations using surface (1200 m). Correlations between esterase activities and oil were driven by the presence of chemical dispersants, suggesting a connection to the degree of oil dissolution in the medium. Our results clearly show that esterase activities measured with fluorogenic substrate proxies are a good indicator for oil biodegradation in the ocean; however, there are certain factors as discussed in this study that need to be taken into consideration while utilizing this approach.

In this work, a novel amphoteric copolymer named Poly(sodium p-styrenesulfonate–co-acrylic acid-co-diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (P(SS-co-AA-co-DMDAAC)) was synthesized via free radical polymerization. Afterwards, P(SS-co-AA-co-DMDAAC) was explored for use as a dispersant in coal water slurry (CWS) preparation. The structure of P(SS-co-AA-co-DMDAAC) was verified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance. The synthetic conditions were optimized as the feed ratio of AA to SS was 1 : 1 (for Yulin coal) or 1.5 : 1 (for Yili coal), and DMDAAC dosage was 4.0 wt% (for Yulin coal) and 6.0 wt% (for Yili coal) toward total monomers. The performances of P(SS-co-AA-co-DMDAAC) as a dispersant for CWS were evaluated by various technologies, such as apparent viscosity, zeta potential, static stability and contact angle measurements. The results revealed that the optimized dosage of P(SS-co-AA-co-DMDAAC) in CWS preparation was 0.3 and 0.4 wt% for Yulin coal and Yili coal respectively. In this optimum condition, CWS prepared using P(SS-co-AA-co-DMDAAC) as dispersant showed a typical shear thinning behaviour and excellent stability, which are desired in industries. The rheological models also confirmed the pseudo-plastic characteristics of CWS. Finally, compared with the widely used anionic dispersant naphthalene sulphonate formaldehyde condensate (NSF) and poly(sodium p-styrenesulfonate) (PSS), P(SS-co-AA-co-DMDAAC) developed in this work exhibited better slurry making performance. The introduction of cationic functional groups promoted the adsorption of the dispersant, which further enhanced the electrostatic repulsion and steric hindrance among coal particles. Accordingly, the viscosity of CWS decreased and static stability enhanced.

The high theoretical capacitance of MnO2 renders it a promising material for the cathodes of asymmetric supercapacitors. The good dispersion of MnO2 and conductive additives in a nanocomposite electrode is a key factor for efficient electrode performance. This article describes, for the first time, the application of rhamnolipids (RL) as efficient natural biosurfactants for the fabrication of nanocomposite MnO2-carbon nanotube electrodes for supercapacitors. RL act as co-dispersants for MnO2 and carbon nanotubes and facilitate their efficient mixing, which allows for advanced capacitive properties at an active mass of 40 mg cm−2 in Na2SO4 electrolytes. The highest capacitance obtained from the cyclic voltammetry data at a scan rate of 2 mV s−1 is 8.10 F cm−2 (202.6 F g−1). The highest capacitance obtained from the galvanostatic charge–discharge data at a current density of 3 mA cm−2 is 8.65 F cm−2 (216.16 F g−1). The obtained capacitances are higher than the capacitances of MnO2-based electrodes of the same active mass reported in the literature. The approach developed in this investigation is simple compared to other techniques used for the fabrication of electrodes with high active mass. It offers advantages of using a biocompatible RL biosurfactant.