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Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks-8 (ZIF-8) is commonly used as an ideal precursor for non-noble metal catalysts because of its high specific surface area, ultra-high porosity, and N-rich content. Upon pyrolyzing ZIF-8 at 900 °C in Ar, the resulting material, referred to as Z8, displayed good activity toward the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR). Then the ZIF-8 was mixed with various conductive carbon materials, such as multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), Acetylene black (ACET), Vulcan XC-72R (XC-72R), and Ketjenblack EC-600JD (EC-600JD), to form Z8 composites. The Z8/MWCNTs composite exhibited enhanced ORR activity owing to its network structure, meso-/microporous hierarchical porous structure, improved electrical conductivity, and graphitization. Subsequently, iron and nitrogen co-doping is achieved through the pyrolysis of a mixture comprising Fe, N precursor, and ZIF-8/MWCNTs, which is denoted as FeN-Z8/MWCNTs. The intrinsically high electrical conductivity of MWCNTs facilitated efficient electron transfer during the ORR, while the meso-/microporous hierarchical porous structure and network structure of Fe, N co-doped ZIF-8/MWCNTs promoted oxygen transport. The presence of Fe-containing species in the catalyst acted as activity centers for ORR. This strategy of preparing Z8 composites and modifying them with Fe, N co-doping offers an insightful approach to designing cost-effective electrocatalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The need for eco‐friendly cooling materials and material recycling are two urgent challenges to address. In this paper, the role of the ground tyre rubber treatment (cryo‐grinding and devulcanization) is investigated on the tensile and elastocaloric properties of Natural rubber (NR)/ ground tyre rubber (GTR). The GTR particles that are sieved (<63µm) and devulcanized by microwave irradiation (1 min at 800Watts) exhibit a low network chain density (0.53 × 10−4 mol.cm−3) resulting from crosslinks breakage and rubber chains scission, as supported by FTIR showing a decrease of S─S, C─S, and C─C bonds. The NR/GTR blends show a high elastocaloric effect as compared to the pristine NR, which can be ascribed to the high content of carbon black in the GTR (52 wt.%) and also the high level of devulcanization of the GTR. NR/GTR blends reach a heating of +8 °C and a cooling of >−6 °C, resulting in a material's coefficient of performance COPmat = 2.8–3 compared to 2.6 for the pristine NR. The concomitant effect of cryogrinding and microwave devulcanization is proposed as a way to improve the tensile and elastocaloric properties of natural rubber/waste rubber blends for their possible integration into elastocaloric devices for heating/cooling applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the landscape of photovoltaic research, carbon‐based perovskite solar cells (C‐PSCs) have attracted widespread attention due to their outstanding stability. However, compared to metal‐based PSCs, their power conversion efficiency (PCE) lags markedly behind. The key lies in two primary factors: First, the inefficiency of the carbon electrode in transporting and collecting carriers; second, the energy level mismatch with adjacent functional layers. These problems increase both the charge transport resistance and the charge injection barriers, thereby diminishing the overall efficiency of the device. In this study, an effective strategy is presented to tackle this issue by developing modular C‐PSCs that utilize dual carbon electrodes and implement multiscale modulation. This approach specifically focuses on three crucial aspects: establishing a highly conductive network, ensuring sufficient interfacial contact, and achieving well‐matched energy band alignment. By synergistically incorporating 0D carbon black (CB) and 1D carbon nanotube (CNT) into dual carbon electrodes, a resilient conductive network with enhanced interfacial contact is established, creating favorable conditions for efficient carrier transfer. Additionally, the energy level structure of CB is meticulously adjusted at the molecular scale by introducing individually adsorbed titanium (Ti) atoms, effectively addressing the energy level mismatch with the hole transport layer (spiro‐OMeTAD), and notably reducing the charge injection barrier at the interface. Based on the above strategy, the PCE of the C‐PSCs has undergone a remarkable enhancement from 15.27% to 22.45%. Moreover, the device shows excellent stability, with its PCE retaining over 95% of the initial value even after 1000 h of continuous operation under one‐sun intensity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traditional methods for measuring chemical exposure have challenges in terms of obtaining sufficient data; therefore, improved methods for better assessing occupational exposure are needed. One possible approach to mitigate these challenges is to use self-monitoring methods such as sensors, diaries, or biomarkers. In the present study, a self-monitored method for measuring soot exposure, which included real-time air monitoring, a work diary, and the collection of urine samples, was evaluated. To validate the method, exposure measurements during the workday and diary entries were compared with velocities calculated from GPS tracking and the expected polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolite patterns in urine. The method was applied with chimney sweeps, an occupational group at a high risk of many severe health outcomes and for whom effective control measures for reducing exposure are needed. In the study, 20 chimney sweeps followed a self-monitoring protocol for 8 consecutive workdays. Personal exposure to soot was measured as black carbon (BC) using micro-aethalometers. A diary was used to record the work tasks performed, and urine samples were collected and analysed for PAH metabolites. From the expected 160 full day measurements, 146 (91%) BC measurements and 149 (93%) diaries were collected. From the expected 320 urine samples, 304 (95%) were collected. The tasks noted in the diaries overlapped with information obtained from the GPS tracking of the chimney sweeps, which covered 96% of the measurement time. The PAH metabolites in urine increased during the work week. Factors believed to have positively influenced the sample collection and task documentation were the highly motivated participants and the continuous presence of trained occupational hygiene professionals during the planning of the study and throughout the measurement stage, during which they were available to inform, instruct, and address questions. In conclusion, the self-monitored protocol used in this study with chimney sweeps is a valuable and valid method that can be used to collect larger numbers of samples. This is especially valuable for occupations in which the employees are working independently and the exposure is difficult to monitor with traditional occupational hygiene methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

“Anodeless” electrodes for all‐solid‐state batteries (ASSBs) have been attracting attention as a solution for achieving high energy density. Recent studies on anodeless electrodes have shown improvements in cycle life and energy density through the stabilization of plated lithium (Li) using Li‐soluble metals (e.g., Ag, Zn, etc.). In this study, magnesium‐based materials (MgF2@C) are introduced for use as an anodeless electrode. Nanodot magnesium fluoride (MgF2) is synthesized onto a carbon black surface via sonochemical synthesis. MgF2 is converted to a Mg‐Li alloy and LiF during lithiation. The Mg‐Li alloy from the MgF2@C anodeless electrode reduces lithiation overpotential and provides a uniform and dense Li layer between the current collector and the anodeless electrode. The ASSB cell assembled with the MgF2@C anodeless electrode exhibits 81.4% capacity retention after 200 cycles at 30 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Downsizing Pt-based catalysts to generate a higher surface-to-volume ratio and maximize atom utilization efficiency has been recognized as an effective strategy to achieve high mass activity. However, the synthesis of homogeneous, ultra-small bimetallic nanoclusters remains a significant challenge due to the difficulties in controlling stoichiometry and surface state control, large miscible gaps between different metals and surface state changes induced by the reaction gas environment. In this paper, bimetallic Pt-based nanoclusters such as PtPd, PtRu, PtCu deposited on carbon black (Vulcan XC72R) were fabricated by the reduction of H 2 plasma.The structure and morphology of those prepared catalysts were revealed by HAADF-STEM, HR-TEM, EDS and XPS. The results indicated the prepared Pt-based nanoclusters displayed high dispersibility and small size owning to the non-equilibrium characteristics of non-thermal plasma (NTPs). The average sizes of PtPd, PtRu and PtCu were 2.06 ± 0.68 nm, 3.66 ± 1.34 nm and 1.98 ± 0.7 nm, respectively. Meanwhile, the synthesized PtPd nanoclusters with the ratio of 3:4 exhibited high catalytic activity in the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). The Pt 3 Pd 4 /VR-P displayed a low overpotential (19 mV) at 10 mA/cm2 and achieved a high mass activity of 5.4 A/mg for HER in 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 solution, which was 13.8 times higher than those of the commercial Pt/C catalysts. Moreover, the Pt 3 Pd 4 /VR-P demonstrated excellent stability with a negatively shifting about 40 mV after 10,000 cycles at a current density of 10 mA/cm2, which was close to that of JM-Pt/C (32 mV). The results prove NTPs technology is effective for the preparation of bimetallic Pt-based nanoclusters. Non-thermal plasma is an innovative method to prepare Pt-based nanoclusters with high dispersibility and small size. The synthesized Pt 3 Pd 4 nanoclusters with an average size of 2.06 ± 0.68 nm displayed a low overpotential (19 mV) at 10 mA/cm2 and achieved a high mass activity of 5.4 A/mg for HER in 0.5 M H 2 SO 4 solution, which was 13.8 times higher than that of the commercial Pt/C catalysts. [Display omitted] • A plasma fabrication technique for synthesis of Pt-based nanoclusters with high dispersibility and small size was developed. • The average sizes of the prepared PtPd, PtRu and PtCu nanoclusters are 2.06 ± 0.68 nm, 3.66 ± 1.34 nm and 1.98 ± 0.7 nm. • The prepared Pt 3 Pd 4 /VR-P exhibits a low overpotential (19 mV) at 10 mA cm−2 and a high mass activity (5.4 A mg−1) for HER. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gas diffusion layer (GDL) plays an important role in proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) to support the catalytic layer, collect the current, conduct the gas and discharge the reaction product water. Titanium (Ti) can be one of the choices of GDL materials due to its high strength, low density and excellent corrosion resistance. Therefore, this paper investigated Ti substrate material for GDL and comparatively analyzed the changes in the contact angle of the GDL before and after hydrophobic treatment, analyzed the changes in the performance of the cell after different treatment processes, and measured the effect of compression force on the contact resistance of the cell. The results show that, after the selection of Ti felt as the substrate and the carbon plating process, the contact angle of the substrate layer and the microporous layer increased significantly, and the hydrophobicity of the GDL surface improved after carbon plating. The contact resistance of the Ti felt substrate was significantly reduced after carbon plating and was even lower than that of the C–H-060 substrate. Considering the importance of the hydrophobicity of GDL, acetylene black microporous layer coating is also needed to increase the contact angle of the GDL interface and improve the hydrophobicity of GDL. The hydrophobic treatment of MPL using Ti felt as the substrate can significantly improve the output performance of the cell at high current density, avoid flooding inside the cell, and increase the current density operating range of the cell. • The contact angle of Ti-GDL before and after hydrophobic treatment was studied. • The performance of Ti-GDL cell after different treatment processes were compared. • The effect of compression force on the contact resistance was analyzed. • The feasibility of Ti as a substrate for GDL in PEMFC was analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Climate assessments have largely overlooked the radiative effect of anthropogenic coarse particulate matter (PMcoarse, with an aerodynamic diameter between 2.5 and 10 µm) in China. Despite its similar mass concentration to fine particulate matter (PM2.5), anthropogenic sources of PMcoarse in China have been much less studied and typically underrepresented in models. Here, we present a new model simulation for PMcoarse in China that incorporates various anthropogenic sources. The model successfully captures the magnitude and distribution of observed PMcoarse and recently available aerosol optical depth measurements at near-infrared wavelengths, which are substantially underestimated if anthropogenic PMcoarse is not included. We find that anthropogenic PMcoarse exerts a cooling effect of -0.11 Wm−2 (-0.03 to -0.42 Wm−2) in China by aerosol–radiation interaction, capable of completely offsetting the warming effect from black carbon by 2060 under Dynamic Projection model for Emissions in China (DPEC) 1.1 scenario. We conclude that the radiative effect due to anthropogenic PMcoarse will likely dampen the warming penalty caused by the emission reduction of other aerosols in China and should be incorporated into climate models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indoor air quality can be affected by the presence of atmospheric pollutants, which impact severely in human health. The objectives were to show the characterization of particle number (PN0.3–PN2.5), particles mass (PM1.0, PM2.5, PM10), Black Carbon (BC), Brown Carbon (BrC) and bioaerosols (fungi and bacteria) in indoor environments of three pizzerias that have wood ovens as fuel at Londrina, Brazil. Mean Particle mass concentration varied amongst the pizzerias (28.9–42.4 µg m−3 for PM2.5) with the levels of BC and BrC reaching up to 42.9 µg m−3 and 29.4 µg m−3, respectively. These were correlated with the air ventilation of the place, the amount of wood burned, and service mode (e.g., all-can-eat). Furthermore, an average of 934 ± 404 CFU m−3 of bacteria was found in all places and Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Cladosphialophora were the most important fungal genera found. Inside kitchens, the concentrations of PM2.5, BC, BrC, bacteria and fungi were 29.6, 3.0, 2.8 µg m−3, 876, and 1261 CFU m−3, with a mean ratio of BrC/PM2.5 of 0.06, that indicates this as a significant source for BrC. Finally, the concentrations of PM and bioaerosols found inside kitchens demonstrate pollution levels much higher than those recommended by national and international guidelines. Consequently, problems associated with poor indoor air quality will only be solved when adequate kitchen designs are considered. From the results of this work is possible to conclude that the building characteristics of kitchen and the burning process carried out are important factors for the concentrations of pollutants analyzed in the indoor air of wood-burning kitchens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon Blacks (CBs) are primarily used in electrocatalysis as support materials for nanoparticulate electrocatalysts. In fuel cells, CBs, catalysts, and proton conductive polymers (ionomers) undergo a dispersion/homogenization process for electrode coating. The interactions between components in dispersion and the surface of CB particles are complex. The surface characteristics of CB particles impact slurry formulation, electrode coating, and the resulting electrode layer, affecting fuel cell and battery performance and durability. This study investigates commercially available CBs such as Vulcan XC72R, Ketjen Black EC‐300J, Ketjen Black EC‐600JD, and Super C65, focusing on application‐relevant key control characteristics (KCCs). The KCCs include physicochemical features like electrical conductivity (electron transport through the catalyst layer, CL), oxygen‐containing surface groups (hydrophilicity/phobicity of the CL, catalyst functionalization), surface basicity/acidity, ionomer adsorption, and particle dispersibility (catalyst ink stability). KCCs are determined by particle bulk electrical conductivity, Boehm titration (BT), isoelectric point (IEP), and Hansen solubility parameters (HSP). HSP, understood as similarity parameters for particles, indicate how nanoparticle surfaces interact with liquids during dispersion. The proposed KCCs serve as a starting point for characterizing CBs and guiding product design to obtain meaningful structure‐property relationships, essential for a successful energy transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photoacoustic (PA) is an infrequent form of spectroscopy where electromagnetic light waves directly interact with the molecules and an acoustic wave is produced. The absorbed energy is measured by detecting the pressure fluctuations in enclosed air volume. For this experiment, we have fabricated a PA cell and executed parametric studies for maximum sensitivity of its performance. The optimum inert cavity volume is found to be 84.3 × 10−7 m3 for maximum signal. Also, we have designed a pre-amplifier circuit and optimized it for desired frequency response by changing its basic components. Whole setup of the spectrosmeter was optimized using lamp carbon black as a reference sample. Finally, we have measured the thermal diffusivity of Yttrium oxide using PA spectroscopy and it is found to be 6.52 × 10−6 m2/s. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Although photocatalytic H 2 production based on semiconductor materials has a wide potential application, it still facing challenges such as slow reaction kinetics or complex synthesis processes. To meet these challenges, the carbon dots loaded black g-C 3 N 4 (CN-B-CDs) was synthesized by simple calcination method to achieve efficient photothermal-assisted photocatalytic H 2 production. Photothermal imaging experiments confirmed the photothermal effect of CN-B and CDs as dual heat sources to increase the temperature of the composite system, thus improving the effective separation of photo-generated charges. In addition, multiple photocatalytic H 2 production tests exhibited that CN-B-CDs photocatalysts not only have strong stability but also can accommodate a variety of complex water bodies, which displayed the potential for industrial application. This study combined the photothermal effect and the mechanism by which the CDs promote the charge transfer to design a new photocatalytic H 2 production system and provided a new scheme for achieving efficient photothermal-assisted photocatalytic H 2 production using carbon-based materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study provides a state of the art on methods for evaluating active chain density of rubbers from swelling experiments. This review focuses more particularly on the effects of components that are known to limit the swelling, and which typically results in an overestimation of the active chain density. These components are commonly considered as insoluble. Different corrections dealing with the two principal insoluble components, namely zinc oxide (Zn0) and carbon black (CB) filler, are thoroughly investigated. A comparative study on the same natural rubber (NR), either filled and unfilled, vulcanized with three different vulcanization systems, is performed to evaluate the relevance of each predictive approach. The results obtained highlight their respective limitations. In particular, it is shown that the swelling ratio of unfilled and filled natural rubbers are linearly related, suggesting that fillers have no significant effect on the overall number of cross‐links formed during vulcanization. As a result, we propose a unified approach for correcting the ZnO content for unfilled NR and both the ZnO and CB contents for filled NR. By comparing with results issued from uniaxial tensile tests, it is shown that the use of a mechanical response is a relevant alternative for determining the active chain density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights In order to predict the mechanical behavior of particle reinforced polymer composites, it is crucial to study changes in polymer phase distribution upon interaction with the load in the undeformed state. In this work, HDPE composites reinforced with pyrolytic carbon black (rCBNF) particles, including some rCB modified by mild air oxidation (rCBF), which enabled the aggregation of residual chemisorbed rubber at the surface, examined in a previous work. The development of lamellar morphology induces conformational behaviors resulting from interactions fillers/polymer chains. These interactions cannot be determined by DSC alone but involve short‐range FTIR and Raman and long‐range XRD models. The Raman crystalline content of HDPE was significantly reduced by the presence rCBFs and N330, which varied with lamellar morphology. This process involves the displacement of crystalline lamellae into sublayers by nucleation and crystal growth, resulting in the release of linker molecules, limiting entanglement and improving the elastic properties of the amorphous phase. A significant amount of amorphous phase was produced with N330 and oxidized rCBFs, in which the carbon surface was free of residual rubber. Mechanical tensile tests showed an improvement in the elastic modulus of composites containing these fillers. N330 and oxidized rCBFs have surface free of the residual rubber contained in rCBNF. Significant reduction in the Raman crystallinity of HDPE with rCBF and N330. Reduction varies with lamellar size through nucleation and crystal growth. Strong release of the tie molecule improves the elastic modulus of HDPE/rCBF. Improved mechanical tensile properties of HDPE/rCBF and HDPE/N330. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractIn this paper, the effect of carbon black (CB) on the mechanical and electromagnetic performance of cement-based materials was investigated using modified polyether for CB dispersion. Results show that, with suitable CB content and dispersant ratio, the average pore diameter and compressive strength will be decreased and improved with the adding of CB. Moreover, as CB content increases, the electrical conductivity of cement mortar decreases notably. Notably, at a 3% CB content, changes in the electromagnetic properties of cement mortar were observed. Below 3% CB content, dispersants reduce electromagnetic parameters and increase electrical conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights Silica is a renewable resource that has become the primary filler for the rubber used in eco‐friendly tires. However, silica tends to agglomerate in the rubber matrix, particularly, micro‐ and nano‐scale silica, which limits its application. When ordinary‐particle‐size silica with low cost and high stacking density is modified using appropriate methods, high dispersion in rubber and good performance can be achieved with common processing equipment, which has significant engineering application value. In this study, silica particles with different sizes (nano‐scale, 19 and 45 μm) were treated with a 3‐mercaptopropyltriethoxysilane coupling agent (KH580). Subsequently, the silica with the ordinary particle size of 300 mesh (45 μm) was coated with natural latex (NL), and the mechanical properties of the modified silica‐filled styrene‐butadiene rubber (SBR)/carbon black (CB) compounds were investigated. The results revealed that the mechanical properties of the NL‐coated 45 μm silica‐filled composite improved significantly, particularly, in the area of tear strength and elongation at break, the composite properties were improved by 17.1% and 118.2%, respectively. Excellent performance over composites filled with coupling agent‐treated micron‐ and nanoscale silica. Enhancing the surface modification of silica through latex coating provides a means to improve the efficiency of industrial production and reduce costs. The low‐fine silica treated with KH580 has good dispersibility. Improved mechanical compatibility of NL‐coated silica with rubber. Improvement in strain performance of composites after NL coated with silica. The effect of silica dispersion on composite properties is greater than the effect of particle size. Industrial silica can be successfully addressed, paving the way for extensive utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

3D-printing technology allows scientist to fabricate easily electrochemical sensors. Until now, these sensors were designed employing a large amount of material, which increases the cost and decreases manufacturing throughput. In this work, a low-cost 3D-printed on-drop electrochemical sensor (3D-PES) was fully manufactured by fused filament fabrication, minimizing the number of printing layers. Carbon black/polylactic acid filament was employed, and the design and several printing parameters were optimized to yield the maximum electroanalytical performance using the minimal amount of material. Print speed and extrusion width showed a critical influence on the electroanalytical performance of 3D-PES. Under optimized conditions, the fabrication procedure offered excellent reproducibility (RSD 1.3% in working electrode diameter), speed (< 3 min/unit), and costs (< 0.01 $ in material cost). The 3D-PES was successfully applied to the determination of phloridzin in apple juice. The analytical performance of 3D-PES was compared with an equivalent commercial on-drop screen-printed electrode, yielding similar precision and accuracy but lower sensitivity. However, 3D-PES provides interesting features such as recyclability, biodegradability, low-cost, and the possibility of being manufactured near the point of need, some of which meets several demands of Green Chemistry. This cost-effective printing approach is a green and promising alternative for manufacturing disposable and portable electroanalytical devices, opening new possibilities not only in on-site food analysis but also in point-of-care testing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread use of single-use face masks during the recent epidemic has led to significant environmental challenges due to waste pollution. This study explores an innovative approach to address this issue by repurposing discarded face masks for hydrovoltaic energy harvesting. By coating the face masks with carbon black (CB) to enhance their hydrophilic properties, we developed mask-based hydrovoltaic power generators (MHPGs). These MHPGs were evaluated for their hydrovoltaic performance, revealing that different mask configurations and sizes affect their efficiency. The study found that MHPGs with smaller, more structured areas exhibited better energy output, with maximum open-circuit voltages (VOC) reaching up to 0.39 V and short-circuit currents (ISC) up to 65.6 μA. The integration of CB improved water absorption and transport, enhancing the hydrovoltaic performance. More specifically, MHPG-1 to MHPG-4, which represented different sizes and features, presented mean VOC values of 0.32, 0.17, 0.19 and 0.05 V, as well as mean ISC values of 16.57, 15.59, 47.43 and 3.02 μA, respectively. The findings highlight the feasibility of utilizing discarded masks in energy harvesting systems, offering both environmental benefits and a novel method for renewable energy generation. Therefore, this work provides a new paradigm for waste-to-energy (WTE) technologies and inspires further research into the use of unconventional waste materials for energy production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Computational mechanics has become an essential tool in engineering, just as the use of hyperelastic materials has seen remarkable growth in everyday applications. Therefore, it is fundamental to study hyperelastic models that represent the behavior of these materials, such as elastomers and polymers. With that in mind, the Mooney-Rivlin, Neo-Hookean, Ogden, and Yeoh models were implemented in a computational code in FORTRAN using the Positional Finite Element Method with Reissner kinematics and the Newton-Raphson method for nonlinear analysis of plane frames with samples of elastomers added with different percentages of carbon black. Ultimately, it was concluded that the Yeoh and Ogden models presented coherent values and that the use of the formulation for nonlinear analysis of plane frame performs well after the modifications proposed by this work. These modifications consisted of adding the first and second strain invariants of the simple shear formulation to include the consideration of distortion in the specific strain energy of hyperelastic models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid and simple detection methods of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) residues is highly required for food safety. Herein, an electrochemical H2O2 sensor is developed with cerium oxide nanocubes as highly active non‐enzymatic catalyst. Combined with carbon black to improve conductivity, the disposable sensor can determine H2O2 in the range from 100 to 100 μM with a limit of detection (LOD) of 100 nM. This sensor also shows good selectivity and reproducibility, which is enabled to detect H2O2 in real food samples without any pretreatment in 100 s, providing a new solution for the direct quantitative measurement of H2O2 residues for food safety. © 2024 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To study the smelting reduction behavior of methane in the HIsarna process, the isothermal reduction experiments of HIsarna slag with 6 wt% of FeO were conducted at the temperatures of 1450, 1475, and 1550 °C, using 5 vol% CH4‐Ar. The effect of the gas injection flow rate on the overall reduction rate was investigated in the range of 0.5–1.5 L min−1. The results confirm that the decomposed carbon black acts as the dominant reductant in the reduction process compared to hydrogen. Increased gas flow rate increases the reaction rate, while temperature shows no significant effect. The reduction process could be described by the JMAEK model: by fixing the gas flow rate at 1.0 L min−1 with different temperatures, the exponent n value is around 1.5, indicating FeO mass transfer is the limiting step since there are sufficient carbon blacks as nucleation sites. The reduction process follows the first‐order model controlled by the reactant concentration with the gas flow rate being at 0.5 L min−1 and in the second reaction stage of the gas flow rate at 1.5 L min−1. The determined activation energy for the methane reduction is 59.8 kJ mol−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We established an efficient analytical approach for simultaneous determination of benthiavalicarb-isopropyl and its four metabolites (KIF-230-M1, KIF-230-M3, KIF-230-M4, and KIF-230-M5) in fruits and vegetables. Samples were extracted with acidified acetonitrile, with octadecylsilane and graphitised carbon black as sorbent for clean-up, and UHPLC-MS/MS for determination. The approach was determined at spikes of 5, 50, and 500 μg kg−1. The recoveries of the six matrices analyzed ranged from 74.5% to 115.6% with 0.5–12.6% for intra-day RSDr (n = 5), and 0.4–13.8% for inter-day RSDR (n = 15). The five analytes in all matrices achieved high linearity (R2 > 0.9917). The limit of quantification (LOQ) of benthiavalicarb-isopropyl as well as its four metabolites in all matrices was 5 μg kg−1. This analytical approach allows for monitoring residues of benthiavalicarb-isopropyl and its metabolites in vegetables and fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The rapid and simple detection methods of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) residues is highly required for food safety. Herein, an electrochemical H2O2 sensor is developed with cerium oxide nanocubes as highly active non‐enzymatic catalyst. Combined with carbon black to improve conductivity, the disposable sensor can determine H2O2 in the range from 100 to 100 μM with a limit of detection (LOD) of 100 nM. This sensor also shows good selectivity and reproducibility, which is enabled to detect H2O2 in real food samples without any pretreatment in 100 s, providing a new solution for the direct quantitative measurement of H2O2 residues for food safety. © 2024 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan and Wiley Periodicals LLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Modeling atmospheric black carbon (BC) aerosol optical properties remains largely uncertain due to their complex mixing states, nonsphericity, and heterogeneity of coating distribution. Although there exist numerical models with realistic BC morphologies, these models are mostly limited to particle‐scale studies and have not been coupled to large‐scale atmospheric or climate models. In this study, a multidimensional parameterization scheme is developed by an accurate numerical algorithm for BC optical property calculation in global climate models, by incorporating their mixing state and nonspherical structure as well as heterogeneous coating distribution. The scheme was coupled and tested with the Community Atmosphere Model version 6 (CAM6) by a weighted averaging algorithm for individual particles and integration for particle ensembles. The simulation results indicate that BC morphology has a limited influence on the aerosol absorption cross section (Cabs), and the differences in Cabs between irregularly coated fractal aggregates and ideal core‐shell spherical (CS) counterparts are ∼3% on average. However, the relative positions between the BC core and coating parts may introduce Cabs variations of up to 69% as compared with the CS results. The BC mixing state introduce ∼20% relative variations in the global average aerosol absorption optical depth, which is comparable to that of heterogeneity of coating distribution and three times greater than that of particle nonsphericity. Furthermore, the normalized mean biases of modeled single scattering coalbedo (1−SSA, i.e., the ratio of absorption to extinction) compared to those observed in BC‐rich regions are reduced by 20%∼80% when applying our new parameterization in CAM6. Plain Language Summary: Atmospheric black carbon (BC) aerosols strongly absorb light, but large uncertainties remain in regard to their optical properties. Realistic and complex BC morphologies could be modeled using accurate numerical algorithms in aerosol optical simulations. However, for regional or global weather or climate simulations with large spatial‐temporal scales, models mostly simplify BC as spherical particles homogeneously mixed with other components for a sake of computational efficiency. To better account for BC optical properties with complex BC morphological and inhomogeneous properties in a large‐scale model, we develop a multidimensional optical parameterization for mixed BC based on a global atmospheric model. Our results indicate that the influence of the mixing model on the BC absorption optical depth is comparable to that of the inhomogeneous mass distribution in aerosol populations, and both are approximately three times greater than that due to nonspherical particle structure. To evaluate the performance of our aerosol optical parameterization, the in situ observations are also utilized. The results demonstrate a noteworthy improvement in modeled aerosol absorptions, as the modeled values more closely align with values derived from the observed data, both at specific locations and at the global scale. Key Points: A data set for parameterizing the optical properties of black carbon (BC) with complex inhomogeneous and nonspherical structures is builtThe biases of CAM6‐modeled aerosol absorption‐to‐extinction ratios are reduced by 20%–80% by applying our BC optical modelThe influences of the BC mixing state and heterogeneity on BC AAOD are approximately three times greater than those of BC nonsphericity [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deposition of wildfire smoke on snow contributes to its darkening and accelerated snowmelt. Recent field studies have identified dark brown carbon (d-BrC) to contribute 50–75% of shortwave absorption in wildfire smoke. d-BrC is a distinct class of water-insoluble, light-absorbing organic carbon that co-exists in abundance with black carbon (BC) in snow across the world. However, the importance of d-BrC as a snow warming agent relative to BC remains unexplored. We address this gap using aerosol-snow radiative transfer calculations on datasets from laboratory and field measurement. We show d-BrC increases the annual mean snow radiative forcing between 0.6 and 17.9 W m−2, corresponding to different wildfire smoke deposition scenarios. This is a 1.6 to 2.1-fold enhancement when compared with BC-only deposition on snow. This study suggests d-BrC is an important contributor to snowmelt in midlatitude glaciers, where ~40% of the world's glacier surface area resides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fabricating high-conductive composites and constructing highly conductive networks are crucial for high-performance electrothermal film. In this study, an Ag nanowires/graphene (Ag/G) composite synthesized by liquid-phase exfoliation and in-situ photoreduction is mixed with carbon black (CB) to form a composite conductive ink, and a CB/Ag/G composite electrothermal film with a point-line-plane three-dimensional microstructure is obtained via blade coating process. Both the addition of Ag nanowires and a subsequent compression rolling treatment induce the establishment of the effective conductive network in the film, endowing it with an outstanding conductivity of 399.4 S cm−1. The film reaches a Ts of 204 °C with an input voltage of 3.0 V, and is successfully applied in water heating and de-icing, demonstrating its extraordinary electrothermal performance and vast potential for practical applications. The film is also used as an electromagnetic shielding film and heat dissipation substrate, showing exceptional electromagnetic shielding (42.5 dB) and heat dissipation properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cleaner synthesis of amines remains a key challenge in organic chemistry because of their prevalence in pharmaceuticals, agrochemicals and synthetic building blocks. Here, we report a different paradigm for chemoselective hydrogenation of nitro compounds to amines, under mild, aqueous conditions. The hydrogenase enzyme releases electrons from H2 to a carbon black support which facilitates nitro-group reduction. For 30 nitroarenes we demonstrate full conversion (isolated yields 78 – 96%), with products including pharmaceuticals benzocaine, procainamide and mesalazine, and 4-aminophenol – precursor to paracetamol (acetaminophen). We also showcase gram-scale synthesis of procainamide with 90% isolated yield. We demonstrate potential for extension to aliphatic substrates. The catalyst is highly selective for reduction of the nitro group over other unsaturated bonds, tolerant to a wide range of functional groups, and exhibits excellent stability in reactions lasting up to 72 hours and full reusability over 5 cycles with a total turnover number over 1 million, indicating scope for direct translation to fine chemical manufacturing. The reduction of nitro-groups is a common synthetic route to amines, but biocatalytic strategies for such reactions are still being developed. In this study, the authors repurposed the hydrogenase enzyme by immobilisation on carbon black to yield a heterogeneous chemobiocatalyst for selective production of amines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electron transport in complex fluids, biology, and soft matter is a valuable characteristic in processes ranging from redox reactions to electrochemical energy storage. These processes often employ conductor-insulator composites in which electron transport properties are fundamentally linked to the microstructure and dynamics of the conductive phase. While microstructure and dynamics are well recognized as key determinants of the electrical properties, a unified description of their effect has yet to be determined, especially under flowing conditions. In this work, the conductivity and shear viscosity are measured for conductive colloidal suspensions to build a unified description by exploiting both recent quantification of the effect of flow-induced dynamics on electron transport and well-established relationships between electrical properties, microstructure, and flow. These model suspensions consist of conductive carbon black (CB) particles dispersed in fluids of varying viscosities and dielectric constants. In a stable, well-characterized shear rate regime where all suspensions undergo self-similar agglomerate breakup, competing relationships between conductivity and shear rate were observed. To account for the role of variable agglomerate size, equivalent microstructural states were identified using a dimensionless fluid Mason number, Mnf, which allowed for isolation of the role of dynamics on the flow-induced electron transport rate. At equivalent microstructural states, shear-enhanced particle-particle collisions are found to dominate the electron transport rate. This work rationalizes seemingly contradictory experimental observations in literature concerning the shear-dependent electrical properties of CB suspensions and can be extended to other flowing composite systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of electronic fuze has placed higher demands on encapsulation resins, which are required to provide not only insulation and protection, but also higher impact resistance and good electromagnetic shielding performance. A new composite material consisting of hollow glass microspheres (HGM) and modified epoxy resin was developed. This material exhibits significant electromagnetic shielding capabilities for terahertz (THz) waves, as well as superior impact energy absorption properties. Bisphenol A‐type epoxy resin (E‐44) was modified using Al(OH)3, red phosphorus, carbon black, and SiO2, and the material properties were optimized by adjusting the HGM content. The electromagnetic shielding effectiveness and impact energy absorption of the composite material in the THz band were comprehensively tested using THz time‐domain spectroscopy and split Hopkinson pressure bar testing systems. Additionally, a comprehensive evaluation of the mechanical and dielectric properties, thermal conductivity, and thermal stability of the material was conducted. The results showed that the electromagnetic shielding effect of 60 vol.% HGM hybrid‐modified resins was the best, reaching 43.78 dB. The 20 vol.% HGM hybrid‐modified resins not only has a specific absorption energy of 18.51 J/cm3, but also has the best overall performance. This work has advanced the design and development of multifunctional and impact‐resistant potting epoxy resins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Doping–dedoping chemistry lays the cornerstone for converting heteroatom dopants into intrinsic defects as the emerging active sites of carbon catalysts, but the defect content is yet hindered by inadequate doping efficiencies. Comprehending crucial factors behind the doping of pristine carbon and their correlation to the catalytic properties of dedoped carbon is thus of high significance. Here, the overlooked impact of native defects in pristine carbon on dopant‐mediated defect engineering of carbon catalysts is explicitly unveiled. Intact fullerene (C60), C60‐derived carbon, and carbon black in distinct pentagon/edge defect states are employed as respective precursors to undergo a nitrogen doping–dedoping treatment. Theoretical and experimental evidence consistently indicates that native pentagons change the preferred N doping site from the edge to the basal plane, leading to a substantially higher doping level. Importantly, in addition to pentagons from the removal of zigzag‐edged pyridinic N, N dopants in in‐plane pentagons are more easily dedoped than those in hexagons, generating even more pentagons in a new pentagon–heptagon–pentagon structure as oxygen reduction active sites. The optimized defect‐rich carbon gives an outstanding half‐wave potential of 0.834 V (0.846 V for Pt/C) via the four‐electron pathway, excellent long‐term durability, and prospective applicability in zinc–air batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Finely divided carbon char products offer a cost-effective method for the safening of herbicides in soil. In this investigation, two contrasting carbon char sources: Virgin Activated Charcoal (VAC) and Recovered Carbon Black (RCB) products were evaluated for safening of metsulfuron, sulfentrazone and pyroxasulfone herbicides in soil using sugar beet bioassay, and of rimsulfuron using perennial ryegrass bioassay. Plants were grown for seven days in WhirlPack® bags in soil with added carbon char product and added herbicide, and the root or shoot lengths were measured. The VAC was more efficacious in herbicide safening than the RCB. For the VAC, concentrations in soil (wt/wt) as low as 0.375% fully deactivated metsulfuron, sulfentrazone and pyroxasulfone, while for the RCB product a gradual degree of safening was observed, except for pyroxasulfone that was completely deactivated by both VAC and RCB. The VAC at concentrations of 3% and above fully deactivated rimsulfuron, while RCB did not. The two carbon char products examined in this study had different physical properties, of which the specific surface area (91 and 515 m2 g−1 for the RCB and VAC, respectively) and specific surface area of pores (75 and 247 m2 g−1 for RCB and VAC, respectively) showed the greatest difference. Higher surface area promoting greater sorption may explain more effective deactivation of herbicides by the VAC. To obtain the same degree of herbicide safening, more RCB would be required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple and scalable production of micro-supercapacitors (MSCs) is crucial to address the energy requirements of miniature electronics. Although significant advancements have been achieved in fabricating MSCs through solution-based printing techniques, the realization of high-performance MSCs remains a challenge. In this paper, graphene-based MSCs with a high power density were prepared through screen printing of aqueous conductive inks with appropriate rheological properties. High electrical conductivity (2.04 × 104 S∙m−1) and low equivalent series resistance (46.7 Ω) benefiting from the dense conductive network consisting of the mesoporous structure formed by graphene with carbon black dispersed as linkers, as well as the narrow finger width and interspace (200 µm) originating from the excellent printability, prompted the fully printed MSCs to deliver high capacitance (9.15 mF∙cm−2), energy density (1.30 µWh∙cm−2) and ultrahigh power density (89.9 mW∙cm−2). Notably, the resulting MSCs can effectively operate at scan rates up to 200 V∙s−1, which surpasses conventional supercapacitors by two orders of magnitude. In addition, the MSCs demonstrate excellent cycling stability (91.6% capacity retention and ~100% Coulombic efficiency after 10,000 cycles) and extraordinary mechanical properties (92.2% capacity retention after 5000 bending cycles), indicating their broad application prospects in flexible wearable/portable electronic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanocomposites with a natural rubber (NR) matrix containing organomodified montmorillonite (MMT) as a precursor of nanoparticles were prepared using two different polyoxazolines as surface modifiers of the MMT. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electronic microscopy and ultimate mechanical properties, and parameters obtained by DMTA method (storage and loss moduli and loss tangent) were determined. It was found that the effect of nanofillers presence has a significant effect on tensile strength as well as elongation at break, which are higher for materials with higher viscosity due to the presence of carbon blacks compared to the composites without carbon blacks. From the two modifiers, poly(2-ethyl-2-oxazoline) was identified as a prospective modifier for surface modification of MMT used as the possible additive for tyre treads exhibiting optimal balance between fuel consumption and safety of driving concerning breaking action and lateral breakaway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are representative indoor air pollutants that negatively affect the human body owing to their toxicity. One of the most promising methods for VOC removal is photocatalytic degradation using TiO2. In this study, the addition of carbon black (CB) and heavy metal nanoparticles (NPs) was investigated to improve the efficiency of a TiO2-based photocatalytic VOC decomposition system combined with ultrasonic atomization and ultraviolet irradiation, as described previously. The addition of CB and Ag NPs significantly improved the degradation efficiency. A comparison with other heavy metal nanoparticles and their respective roles are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fine inhalable particulate matter (PM) triggers an inflammatory response in the airways and activates mononuclear cells, mediators of tissue homeostasis, and tumour-promoting inflammation. We have assessed ex vivo responses of human monocytes and monocyte-derived macrophages to standardised air pollutants: carbon black, urban dust, and nanoparticulate carbon black, focusing on their pro-inflammatory and DNA-damaging properties. None of the PM (100 μg/mL/24 h) was significantly toxic to the cells, aside from inducing oxidative stress, fractional DNA damage, and inhibiting phagocytosis. TNFα was only slightly increased. PM nanoparticles increase the expression and activate DNA-damage–related histone H2A.X as well as pro-inflammatory NF-κB. We have shown that the urban dust stimulates the pathway of DNA damage/repair via the selective post-translational phosphorylation of H2A.X while nanoparticulate carbon black increases inflammation via activation of NF-κB. Moreover, the inflammatory response to lipopolysaccharide was significantly stronger in macrophages pre-exposed to urban dust or nanoparticulate carbon black. Our data show that airborne nanoparticles induce PM-specific, epigenetic alterations in the subsets of cultured mononuclear cells, which may be quantified using binary fluorescence scatterplots. Such changes intercede with inflammatory signalling and highlight important molecular and cell-specific epigenetic mechanisms of tumour-promoting inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) polymer has received considerable attention due to its high versatility for applications, including additive manufacturing. However, its electrical and thermal transport properties limit its application potential. One route to enhance electrical and thermal conductivities is the development of ABS‐based composites by using carbonaceous fillers, which have exceptional mechanical properties and remarkable functional properties. Here, we testing the presence of carbonaceous fillers with different dimensionalities on the electrical and thermal conductivity of ABS composites. In particular, one dimensional (1D) carbon nanotubes (CNT), two dimensional (2D) reduced graphene oxide (rGO), and three dimensional (3D) carbon black (CB) have been used to develop ABS‐based composites with different filler contents. A similar trend exist for the electrical and thermal conductivity results, where the highest conductivity values (electrical conductivity 0.0305 S·cm−1 and thermal conductivity 0.56 W·mK−1) being achieved for ABS‐based composites with 2D rGO filler, highlighting the relevance of specific characteristics of the 2D type filler. In addition, electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding effectiveness (SE) of the ABS‐based composites containing rGO was superior to other 1D and 3D fillers. The stated correlation between electrical and thermal properties and their dependence on carbonaceous filler dimensionality are essential to be taken into account for properly tailoring functional properties of ABS‐based composites. Carbonaceous fillers are used to tailor several properties of ABS composites Significant differences are established between filler type or content Electrical percolation threshold strongly depends on the dimensionally 2D rGO more effective to improve electrical/thermal conductivities 1D CNT and 2D rGO fillers exhibit best EMI shielding properties [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

​​​​​​​This study compares aerosol mixing-state parameters obtained via simultaneous measurements using DMA–CCNC, H(/V)TDMA, and DMA–SP2, shedding light on the impacts of primary aerosol emissions and secondary aerosol (SA) formation. The analysis reveals significant variations in mixing-state parameters among different techniques, with VTDMA and DMA–SP2 indicating that non-volatile particles mainly stem from black carbon (BC)-containing aerosols, while a substantial proportion of nearly hydrophobic aerosols originates from fossil fuel combustion and biomass-burning emissions. Synthesizing the results, some nearly hydrophobic BC-free particles were found to be cloud condensation nuclei (CCN)-inactive under the measured supersaturated conditions, likely from fossil fuel combustion emissions, while others were CCN-active, linked to biomass-burning emissions. Moreover, BC-containing aerosols emitted from fossil fuel combustion exhibit more external mixing with other aerosol components compared to those from biomass burning. Secondary nitrate and organic aerosol formation significantly affect aerosol mixing states, enhancing aerosol hygroscopicity and volatility while reducing heterogeneity among techniques. The study also highlights distinct physical properties of two resolved secondary organic aerosol factors, hinting at their formation through different mechanisms. These findings underscore the importance of comparing aerosol mixing states from different techniques as a tool for understanding aerosol physical properties from different sources and their responses to SA formation, as well as aiding in the exploration of SA formation mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Untreated pyrolytic tire char was used in natural rubber (STR20) composites as single filler at loadings of 30–70 phr and co‐filler with carbon black (N330) at a total loading of 50 phr. The results were compared with rubbers filled with N330 and crumb rubber at 30 phr. The effects of fillers on cure characteristic, crosslink density, filler dispersion in natural rubber vulcanizates and their mechanical properties were investigated. The slight reversions were seen for the cure characteristics of 70 phr‐char‐filled and all co‐filler samples because the sulfur amount in the char together with the added sulfur could shift the vulcanization system from EV to SEV, whereas plateau cure curves were seen for the rest. While the highest tensile strength of char‐filled sample was obtained at 50 phr loading, whose tensile strength was about 88% of the N330 sample at 30 phr, 70‐phr‐char filled sample was superior in surface hardness, abrasion resistance and tear strength to N330 sample at 30 phr. For rubber with co‐fillers, the mechanical properties depended on the mass ratio of N330 to pyrolytic tire char. Therefore, it is possible to use untreated char as reinforcing filler for suitable applications according to their properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Alveolar macrophages (AMs) have been predicted to affect the pulmonary clearance of nanomaterials; however, their qualitative and quantitative roles are poorly understood. In this study, carbon black nanoparticles (CBNPs) were instilled into the lungs of Wistar rats at 30, 100, and 300 µg/rat. The concentrations of particles in organs, including the lung, lung-associated lymph nodes (LALN), liver, spleen, and kidney, were evaluated at days 0 (immediately after instillation), 1, 7, 28, 60, and 90 post-instillation. Results: The results indicated a multimodal pulmonary clearance pattern for CBNPs: slow clearance until day 28, fast clearance from days 28 to 60, and slow clearance from days 60 to 90. To determine the mechanism of this unique clearance pattern, CBNPs were instilled into AM-depleted rats using clodronate liposomes (CLO). At 28 days after instillation, the CBNP levels in the lungs treated with CLO showed about 31% higher reduction than in normal rats. In addition, the concentration of CBNPs in LALN treated with CLO significantly increased on day 28, whereas in normal rats, no detectable levels were observed. Conclusions: This result highlights that the prolonged retention of poorly soluble NPs in the lung until day 28 is mediated by the phagocytosis of AMs, and the fast clearance between days 28–60 is due to the turnover time of AMs, estimated around 1–2 months after birth. Similarly, new generations of AMs mediate the slow phase between days 60 and 90. However, further studies are needed to understand the multimodal clearance mechanism and the modulation of pulmonary clearance of poorly soluble NPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study focuses on the cogeneration of hydrogen (H 2) and solid carbon from microwave-driven methane pyrolysis in a fluidized bed of carbon pellets. Numerical simulations using a coupled gas-solid chemistry approach reveal that introducing microwave thermal effects improves methane conversion rate, H 2 selectivity, and carbon deposition rate. The chemical pathways analysis divulges that once the leading reaction for decomposing CH 4 into H 2 , i.e., CH 4 +H ↔ CH 3 +H 2 , is completed, the C 2 H 2 deposition mechanism onto the carbon pellets is the dominant pathway for the solid carbon production, indicating almost no carbon black (i.e., nanoparticles) formation. Carbon pellets provide abundant surface area for the conversion of C 2 H 2 to H 2 , enhancing H 2 selectivity in the resulting products. More importantly, the importance of more complex molecules, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, greatly diminishes when using carbon pellets in the pyrolysis process, implying that smaller kinetic mechanisms are equally effective and desirable. • Cogeneration of H 2 and carbon from microwave-driven methane pyrolysis is studied. • Reaction CH 4 +H ↔ CH 3 +H 2 is the leading reaction in decomposing CH 4 and producing H 2. • Almost 100% of solid carbon comes from the addition of C 2 H 2 on the carbon pellets. • Carbon pellets suppress the formation of PAHs, resulting in no carbon black. • Microwave thermal effects exhibit positive impacts on H 2 and carbon production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the method of hot compaction (HC) of mechanically activated powder mixtures of titanium and carbon (carbon black) in an ethanol medium, titanium-matrix composites with a carbide strengthening phase were obtained. To obtain a composite with different content of titanium carbide, the amount of carbon was varied within the range of 0–1 wt.%. The mechanically activated carbon-doped titanium powder mixtures, as well as the mechanically activated titanium powder subjected to HC (temperature of 900°C and holding time of 15 min) and additional annealing at different temperatures and holding times are studied by optical metallography, scanning electron microscopy, and X-ray diffraction and chemical analysis. According to the metallography and X-ray diffraction results, the TiC content in the HC composite has been found to be significantly higher than the estimated value. The reason is a destruction of ethanol molecules during mechanical activation resulting in the release of carbon and hydrogen. To obtain the targeted (no more than 10 vol.%) TiC content in the titanium matrix composite, it is necessary to establish a specific technological mode for the mechanical activation of the titanium powder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to improve the performance of polymer fuel cells in low-humidity environments. This paper investigates the anode gas diffusion layer (GDL), uses carbon black and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) as conductive and hydrophobic materials, NH4HCO3 as pore-forming agent. Anode GDL with dual MPL structure was prepared by the spraying method, and dual MPL has gradient hydrophobicity and pore-sized structure, which greatly ensures high efficiency in the water transport process. This has been tested for polarization curves, power density, electrochemical impedance, SEM, roughness, water contact angle, resistivity, etc. It was found that when the total thickness of MPL is 80 μ m, the thickness of the first layer of MPL is 20 μ m, and the second layer of MPL is 60 μ m, which can achieve good electrochemical performance. When humidity is 40%, the power density is higher than SGL29BC, and the current density can reach 1700 mA/cm2(Pt = 0.2 mg/cm 2). It is concluded that anode GDL with gradient pore size and gradient hydrophobicity can improve the performance of polymer fuel cells at low humidity (40%), and can enhance the water management ability of cathode GDL. Gradient pore size GDL was prepared by spray coating method. When the Pt loading was 0.2 mg/cm2, the power density could reach 1700 mA/cm2 at low humidity (40%). The results showed that the anode GDL, with gradient pore size and gradient hydrophobicity, could improve the performance of polymer fuel cells at low humidity (40%) and enhance the water management ability of cathode GDL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tryptophan, an essential amino acid playing a pivotal role in various biological processes, stands as a focal point in our investigation. In this study, we introduce a groundbreaking electrochemical sensor that integrates a nanocomposite comprising carbon black (CB) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) for the selective detection of L-tryptophan (Trp). The synthesis of ZnO-NPs, accomplished through the sol-gel technique, was meticulously characterized using XRD, FTIR, and UV-visible methods to unveil their structural and optical properties. The construction of the sensing electrode involved the deposition of a CB/ZnO-NP nanocomposite onto a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) utilizing the drop-coating method. Rigorous evaluation and analysis of the modified glassy carbon electrode were carried out through scanning electron microscopy (SEM), cyclic voltammetry (CV), and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). The resulting CB/ZnO-NPs/GCE electrode exhibited an augmented surface area and outstanding electrocatalytic activity. Significantly, the CB/ZnO-NP sensor displayed remarkable analytical performance for tryptophan detection over an extensive concentration range from 0.01 to 100 µmol.L−1, featuring a low detection limit of 0.017 µmol.L−1. Moreover, the proposed electrochemical sensor exhibited notable selectivity, specifically targeting tryptophan, emphasizing its potential for diverse analytical applications. This work not only expands our understanding of tryptophan detection but also offers a highly sensitive and selective tool with broad applications in biomedical and environmental fields, underscoring the significance of this innovative sensor in advancing analytical methodologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bipolar plates are an important component of polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC), and their production is crucial for the commercialization of PEMFCs. Therefore, phenolic resin/carbon black/graphite composite bipolar plates were prepared using different molding temperatures (150, 160, 170, 180 °C). The electrical conductivity, mechanical strength, corrosion resistance and mass loss of the composite bipolar plates were measured according to the applicable standards. Among the four composite plates, the composite bipolar plate prepared at 170 °C had a compressive strength of 68 MPa, a flexural strength of 45.3 MPa, an electrical conductivity of 331 S/cm, and the best properties. The electrical conductivity, flexural strength and mass loss of the composite plate prepared at 170 °C after being corroded in acid solution for 20 days are maintained in a relatively stable state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the years, the Cape Peninsula has seen a rise in the number of fires that occur seasonally. This study aimed to investigate the extent of fire spread and associated damages during the 2023/2024 Cape Peninsula fire events. Remote sensing datasets from Sentinel-5P, Sentinel-2, Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS), and Modern-Era Retrospective analysis for Research and Applications, Version 2 (MERRA-2) were used. Most of the fires on the northern side of the Cape Peninsula had a short burning span of between 6 and 12 h, but fires with a duration of 12–24 h were minimal. The northern area is composed of low forests and thickets as well as fynbos species, which were the primary fuel sources. Excessive amounts of carbon monoxide (CO) and black carbon (BC) emissions were observed. High speeds were observed during the period of the fires. This is one of the factors that led to the spread of the fire. Relative humidity at 60% was observed, indicating slightly dry conditions. Additionally, the Leaf Water Content Index (LWCI) indicated drier vegetation, enhancing fire susceptibility. High temperatures, low moisture and strong winds were the main drivers of the fire. The Normalized Burn Ratio (NBR) values for the targeted fires showed values close to −1, which signifies presence of a fire scar. The study can be of use to those in the fire management agencies and biodiversity conservation in the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon black nanoparticles (CBNPs) are widely distributed in the environment and are increasingly recognized as a contributor in the development of cardiovascular disease. A variety of cardiac injuries and diseases result from structural and functional damage to cardiomyocytes. This study explored the mechanisms of CBNPs-mediated myocardial toxicity. CBNPs were given to mice through intra-tracheal instillation and it was demonstrated that the particles can be taken up into the cardiac tissue. Exposure to CBNPs induced cardiomyocyte inflammation and apoptosis. In combination with in vitro experiments, we showed that CBNPs increased the ROS and induced mitochondria fragmentation. Functionally, CBNPs-exposed cardiomyocyte exhibited depolarization of the mitochondrial membrane potential, release of cytochrome c , and activation of pro-apoptotic BAX, thereby initiating programmed cell death. On the other hand, CBNPs impaired autophagy, leading to the inadequate removal of dysfunctional mitochondria. The excess accumulation of damaged mitochondria further stimulated NF-κB activation and triggered the NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. Both the antioxidant N -acetylcysteine and the autophagy activator rapamycin were effective to attenuate the damage of CBNPs on cardiomyocytes. Taken together, this study elucidated the potential mechanism underlying CBNPs-induced myocardial injury and provided a scientific reference for the evaluation and prevention of the CBNPs-related heart risk. [Display omitted] • CBNPs can be taken up into cardiomyocytes through intra-tracheal instillation and induce myocardial toxicity. • ROS mediates myocardial cell damage through disruption of mitochondrial quality control. • Inhibition of mitophagy triggers the inflammation and mitochondrial-dependent apoptosis in myocardial cell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Communities near transportation sources can be impacted by higher concentrations of particulate matter (PM) and other air pollutants. Few studies have reported on air quality in complex urban environments with multiple transportation sources. To better understand these environments, the Kansas City Transportation and Local-Scale Air Quality Study (KC-TRAQS) was conducted in three neighborhoods in Southeast Kansas City, Kansas. This area has several emissions sources including transportation (railyards, vehicles, diesel trucks), light industry, commercial facilities, and residential areas. Stationary samples were collected for 1-year (October 24, 2017, to October 31, 2018) at six sites using traditional sampling methods and lower-cost air sensor packages. This work examines PM less than 2.5 μm in diameter (PM2.5), black carbon (BC), and trace metals data collected during KC-TRAQS. PM2.5 filter samples showed the highest 24-h mean concentrations (9.34 μg/m3) at the sites located within 20–50 m of the railyard. Mean 24-h PM2.5 concentrations, ranging from 7.96 to 9.34 μg/m3, at all sites were lower than that of the nearby regulatory site (9.83 μg/m3). Daily maximum PM2.5 concentrations were higher at the KC-TRAQS sites (ranging from 25.31 to 43.76 μg/m3) compared to the regulatory site (20.50 μg/m3), suggesting short-duration impacts of localized emissions sources. Across the KC-TRAQS sites, 24-h averaged PM2.5 concentrations from the sensor package (P-POD) ranged from 3.24 to 5.69 µg/m3 showing that, out-of-the-box, the PM sensor underestimated the reference concentrations. KC-TRAQS was supplemented by elemental and organic carbon (EC/OC) and trace metal analysis of filter samples. The EC/OC data suggested the presence of secondary organic aerosol formation, with the highest mean concentrations observed at the site within 20 m of the railyard. Trace metals data showed daily, monthly, and seasonal variations for iron, copper, zinc, chromium, and nickel, with elevated concentrations occurring during the summer at most of the sites. Implications: This work reports on findings from a year-long air quality study in Southeast Kansas City, Kansas to understand micro-scale air quality in neighborhoods impacted by multiple emissions sources such as transportation sources (including a large railyard operation), light industry, commercial facilities, and residential areas. While dozens of studies have reported on air quality near roadways, this work will provide more information on PM2.5, black carbon, and trace metals concentrations near other transportation sources in particular railyards. This work can also inform additional field studies near railyards. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of easy and direct real-time monitoring of welded joint quality instead of surface damage analysis is crucial to improve the quality of industrial products. This work presents the results of high-density polyethylene (HDPE)-based composites with various carbon black (CB) content (from 20 to 30 vol.%) for use as a heating element and strain sensor in electrofusion-welded polymer joints. The pyroresistive heating process was used to determine the effect of generated Joule heat during welding on the structure and sensor properties of polymer–carbon composites. It is shown that the generation of Joule heat depends on the nanocarbon content and affects the crystallinity of the polymer matrix. The partial disruption of the conductive path of carbon black particles was observed and, as a result, a decrease in electrical conductivity for composites with lower CB content after welding was found. For the highest CB amount, conductivity increased, which is caused by smaller particle-to-particle distance for filler paths. Therefore, the best balance between pyroresistive and sensor properties was found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carbon nanomaterials were introduced into this research as modifiers for polymeric membranes for single-piece electrodes, and their properties were studied for the case of nitrate-selective sensors. The use of graphene, carbon black and carbon nanotubes is shown to significantly improve the potentiometric response, while no redox response was observed. The use of carbon nanomaterials results in a near-Nernstian response (54 mV/pNO3−) towards nitrate ions over a wide linear range (from 10−1 to 10−6 M NO3−). The results obtained by chronopotentiometry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy reveal little resistance, and the capacitance parameter is as high as 0.9 mF (for graphene-based sensor). The high electrical capacity of electrodes results in the good stability of the potentiometric response and a low potential drift (0.065 mV/h). Introducing carbon nanomaterials into the polymetric membrane, instead of using them as separate layers, allows for the simplification of the sensors' preparation procedure. With single-piece electrodes, one step of the procedure could be omitted, in comparison to the procedure for the preparation of solid-contact electrodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]