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This study explores the innovative application of iron filings solid waste, a byproduct from mechanical workshops, as a heterogeneous catalyst in the production of biodiesel from waste cooking oil. Focusing on sustainability and waste valorization, the research presents a dual-benefit approach: addressing the environmental issue of solid waste disposal while contributing to the renewable energy sector. Particle size distribution analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Thermal analysis (TG-DTA), and FTIR analysis were used to characterize the iron filings. The response surface methodology (RSM) was used to guide a series of experiments that were conducted to identify the optimum transesterification settings. Important factors that greatly affect the production of biodiesel are identified by the study, including catalyst loading, reaction time, methanol-to-oil ratio, reaction temperature, and stirring rate. The catalyst proved to be successful as evidenced by the 96.4% biodiesel conversion efficiency attained under ideal conditions. The iron filings catalyst's reusability was evaluated, demonstrating its potential for numerous applications without noticeably decreasing activity. This work offers a road towards more environmentally friendly and sustainable chemical processes in energy production by making a strong argument for using industrial solid waste as a catalyst in the biodiesel manufacturing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a novel method for synthesizing 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole derivatives through a one-pot, multi-component addition reaction using flower-like Cu2O microbeads as a catalyst. The flower-like Cu2O microbeads were synthesized using an aqueous extract of Artimisia Campestris L. This extract demonstrated the capability to reduce and stabilize Cu2O particles during their initial formation, resulting in the formation of a porous flower-like morphology. These Cu2O microbeads exhibit distinctive features, including a cubic close-packed (ccp) crystal structure with an average crystallite size of 22.8 nm, bandgap energy of 2.7 eV and a particle size of 6 μm. Their catalytic activity in synthesizing 1,4-disubstituted 1,2,3-triazole derivatives was investigated through systematic exploration of key parameters such as catalyst quantity (1, 5,10,15, 20, and 30 mg/mL), solvent type (dimethylformamide/H2O, ethanol/H2O, dichloromethane/H2O, chloroform, acetone, and dimethyl sulfoxide), and catalyst reusability (four cycles). The Cu2O microbeads significantly increased the product yield from 20% to 85.3%. The green synthesis and outstanding catalytic attributes make these flower-like Cu2O microbeads promising, efficient, and recyclable catalysts for sustainable and effective chemical transformations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Doping heteroatom in phosphor can effectively improve luminescent properties, which has attracted great attention recently. GdAlO3 phosphors (GAP) doped with Er 3+ /Yb 3+ /Tm 3+ were prepared via the co-precipitation method. Upon 980 nm excitation, strong blue, green, and red up-conversion (UC) emissions centered at 476, 524, 546, and 659 nm were observed, which could be successfully combined to form pure white light. It was found that changing the doping concentration of Er 3+ and Yb 3+ ions, the calcination temperature of the precursor, the laser power of the excitation light source, and doping Li+ could systematically adjust red/green/blue colors of GdAlO3:Er3+/Yb3+/Tm3+ phosphors to optimize the white emitting luminescence. When the Er3+ doping concentration of the phosphors increased, each color distribution successfully moved, making the maximum shift of the CIE coordinate. Finally, the influence of each factor on adjusting the UC white light performance and its mechanism were explored., (Copyright © 2020 Deng, Jiang and Zhang.)