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This research explores the adsorption (AD) of diclofenac sodium (DS) onto a Hydrothermally produced activated carbon impregnated with ZnO (HTC-AC/ZnO) surface, considering various factors such as initial concentration (IC), adsorbent dose, contact time, and pH. The characterization of HTC-AC/ZnO was performed using X-ray diffractometer (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and nitrogen physisorption spectroscopy (BET). Tests were conducted with different adsorbent doses (0.5–4 g/L) at 303 K and various initial diclofenac concentrations (ranging from 50 mg/L to 250 mg/L) to observe their effects. Additionally, pH values were altered from 2 to 12 to study their influence on AD. Kinetic studies, thermodynamic studies, and AD isotherm models were examined. The Temkin isotherm model (TIM) was found to be the most accurate for DS-AD on HTC-AC/ZnO. For DS-AD on HTC-AC/ZnO, pseudo-first-order models (PFOM), intraparticle diffusion model (IPDM), and pseudo-second-order models (PSOM) were applied, with a correlation coefficient of 0.945, indicating a good fit for PFOM. The kinetics suggested rapid adsorption. Notably, the HTC-AC/ZnO composite exhibited consistent AD characteristics across four consecutive cycles, with a removal efficiency exceeding 99.38%. This suggests that HTC-AC/ZnO is an appropriate and economically viable adsorbent for the elimination of DS from water-based solutions. The investigation provides compelling evidence that HTC-AC/ZnO is a viable adsorbent for the effective elimination of DS from water sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, the main aim is to focus the enhancement of aluminium-based metal matrix composites for improving the attributes of light weight metals, aerospace structures and other tailor blank material properties. By this way, the friction stir processing (FSP) was the suited alternate technique to enhancing the mechanical attributes and superior microstructural amendment in the processed MMCs. Therefore, this study investigates the dispersion of ceramic-based strengthening particles of chromium oxide (Cr2O3) in the aluminium base matrix of A356 alloy. During the processing, the different tool pin sizes having the conical threaded tool pin profiles. Similarly, the tool spinning speed and tool travel speed also varied while in FSP. Before the processing, the A356 alloy was prepared by the grooved surfaces for packing the chromium oxide particles to compose the aluminium metal matrix composites. The tensile strength and hardness was employed to carry out from the friction stir processed A356 alloy with influencing of Cr2O3. The maximum occurred tensile processing parameters are 1500 rpm of spinning speed, 6 mm of tool pin sizes and 90 mm/min of tool travel speed. Similarly, the maximum obtained hardness processing parameter are 2000 rpm of spinning speed, 5 mm of tool pin sizes and 90 mm/min of tool travel speed. A scanning electron microscope was utilized to investigate the dispersed Cr2O3 in the A356 alloy for confirming the refinement grains in the nugget zones of FSPed A356 alloy. The increased grain boundary by the influence of different tool pin sizes was the major reason to produces the better mechanical properties in the processed A356/Cr2O3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4) were prepared by chemical coprecipitation method using ferric chloride (FeCl3) and heptahydrate ferrous sulfate (FeSO4·7H2O) salts employing sodium hydroxide (NaOH) as a precipitant. To determine the size, shape, and chemical makeup of the produced magnetite nanoparticles, the generated powders were examined by transmission electron microscope, scanning electron microscope, atomic force microscope, and X-ray diffractometer. It was found that the magnetite powder had made a face-centered cubic crystal structure and spherical-like particle form with particle diameters of about 30 nm. The magnetic properties of magnetite nanoparticles were evaluated using a vibrating sample magnetometer. The obtained superparamagnetic properties of the produced nanoparticles, with saturation magnetization and coercivity of 50.75 emu/g and 30.09 Oe, respectively, allow them for applications in drug delivery, MRI contrast agent, catalysis, degradation of antibiotics, antibacterial activity, removal of heavy metals and organic dyes, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ni-based alloy powder has been melted and bonded to an AISI 316LN austenitic stainless steel (ASS) base material (substrate) using a high-energy disc laser with a maximum power of up to 12 kW. The substrate's hard-faced reservoir is highly diluted due to the significant difference in melting temperature between the substrate and the commonly used Ni-based alloy. The hardness, macrostructure, microstructure, and wear resistance effects of the defocusing distance were examined. The composition, microstructure, hardness, and wear resistance of phases have been examined with a pin-on-disk wear test, an energy dispersion spectroscopy (EDS), a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). According to the findings, the height and diameter of the beads rose when the distance was increased from 17 mm to 37 mm. On the other hand, penetration and dilution decreased from 3.7 mm to 2.7 mm and from 9.7% to 3.1%, respectively. When the defocusing length is increased and the penetration profundity and dilution are limited, the density of energy per unit clad is accessible. The laser hard-faced surfaces contain microstructures of Ni-rich solid solution, boride, and carbide. These different factors cause higher hardness and resistance to wear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photodetectors based on one-dimensional structures have recently attracted great interest due to their high surface-to-volume ratio and light-trapping efficiency. In this study, a self-powered photodetector based on vertically aligned WO3 nanorod with SiO2 as an interfacial layer has been fabricated using glancing angle deposition. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis confirms the successful growth of WO3 nanorod and SiO2 thin film with a thickness of ~125 nm and ~70 nm, respectively. The device's optical properties were also analysed using UV-visible spectroscopy, which revealed a wide bandgap and an intense absorption peak in the ultraviolet region. The electrical analysis showed a nonlinear rectifying current-voltage behaviour with high photosensitivity. Additionally, the photodetector exhibits a fast response of 0.31 s rise time and 0.32 s fall time at 0 V. Moreover, the devices possess a high detectivity and a responsivity of 0.68 mA/W. Thus, the obtained finding reveals a potential candidate for self-powered photodetector application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The investigation was carried out by making use of the design of experiments method in order to achieve its objective, which was to study wear analysis in relation to a cryogenically treated nozzle that was utilized in plasma arc machining. Kerf width and surface roughness are two output characteristics that are key variables in deciding the quality of the cut and the efficiency of the operation. Both of these metrics are outputted by the process. While machining S235 steel, an investigation into the impact that nozzle treatment has on various quality metrics is currently under way. The examination is carried out with the arc voltage, the cutting speed, and the gas pressure, all serving as important components. A cryogenic treatment of the nozzle material using liquid nitrogen at a temperature of −194°C has been attempted in an effort to increase the life of the nozzle. Machining is performed using two different nozzle conditions, such as cryogenically treated and cryogenically untreated, with regard to the input parameter combinations that have been selected. To have a better understanding of the wear behavior of nozzles, an image from a scanning electron microscope is studied. Because of the treatment, the production of wear tracks in the direction that gas flow takes has been drastically decreased. This, in turn, has increased the cutting efficiency by decreasing the amount of arc current that was necessary. In addition, a grey relational analysis is carried out in order to find the best possible machining settings in both conditions. The parameters that were optimized for a nozzle that had been cryogenically treated were 6 bar of gas pressure, 120 amperes of arc current, and 1800 of cutting speed per minute. The use of cryogenic treatment resulted in a reduction of surface roughness by 0.4670 µm and a narrowing of the kerf width by 0.96 mm. It is clear from the SEM pictures of untreated and cryogenically treated nozzles that thermal distortion and wear in the nozzle tip area are minimized to a greater extent in the treated nozzle. This is evidenced by the fact that the treated nozzle has a more uniform appearance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sandy dolomite, being a soluble rock, is prone to dissolution and erosion caused by groundwater, leading to the formation of underground caves and fractures. This may result in geological disasters such as ground subsidence and collapse. In this paper, the changes and mechanical properties of black sandy dolomite after hydrochemistry are studied. A semi-immersion test with different concentrations of iron sulfate solution was carried out to simulate the water-rock interaction in different water environments. After that, scanning electron microscope (SEM) results could reflect the dissolution and pore development of rock by the effect of water-rock interaction from the microscopic. Water-rock interaction enlarges cracks in rocks and dissolves pyrite, carbonate minerals, and other components, reducing the cementation between particles. The change in the mechanical properties of black sandy dolomite under water-rock chemical interaction was revealed by uniaxial compression test. The mechanical properties of the samples exhibit varying degrees of deterioration, with strain increased ranging from 4.96 to 29.58%. The brittleness index modified (BIM) values for each sample ranged from 5.20 to 6.20%, all of which are larger than 4.70% in the natural state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, polypyrrole (PPy) was introduced into durian rind (DR) by in situ polymerization method to prepare durian rind/polypyrrole (DR/PPy) composite. The resulting material was characterized using scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), infrared spectroscopy (IRS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Then, the removing performance of the DR/PPy material for anionic dyes was explored. The impact of key variables such as the amount of adsorbent, initial dye concentration, pH, adsorption temperature, and contacting time on the adsorption efficiency was examined. The result disclosed that the adsorption efficiency of DR/PPy for methyl orange, sunset yellow, and amaranth was satisfactory. In pH of 7, initial concentration of 100 μ g mL-1, and DR/PPy dosage of 1.5 g L-1, the removal efficiency reached 97.31%, 98.48%, and 98.20%, respectively. The adsorptive kinetics and thermodynamic process were analyzed subsequently. The adsorption of anionic dyes on DR/PPy conforms to the pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm models with maximum adsorption capacity ( q m , max ) of 193.05, 171.23, and 147.71 mg g-1 for methyl orange, sunset yellow, and amaranth, respectively. Finally, a possible mechanism involved in the adsorption system was put forward. This study implies a reasonable feasibility for the effective utilization of waste to control the pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the performance of ecological pervious concrete prepared with mixed sandstone/limestone aggregates, limestone and sandstone were used as two aggregates. The sandstone-to-limestone volume ratio was calculated in 0 : 1, 0.25 : 0.75, 0.5 : 0.5, 0.75 : 0.25, and 1 : 0 in coarse aggregate to prepare ecological pervious concrete specimens. The compressive test, water permeability test, cooling test, evaporation test, alkaline test, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) tests were carried out with qualified compressive strength as the indicator to determine the optimum sandstone-to-limestone volume ratio for the ecological pervious concrete. The results show that the water permeability, cooling property, and evaporation property of the ecological pervious concrete increase with the sandstone content. When the sandstone-to-limestone volume ratio is less than 0.32 : 0.68 (the substitution rate of sandstone for limestone in ecological pervious concrete is 32%), the strength of ecological pervious concrete meets the requirements of 5 MPa and achieves the best permeability coefficient of 9 mm/s. This realizes the full use of net water storage and cooling capacity of the ecological pervious concrete and makes the ecological pervious concrete meet the construction requirement of slope protection in sponge cities in the south. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its outstanding physical, chemical, and thermal properties, an increasing consideration has been paid to produce copper (Cu) nanoparticles (NPs). Various methods are accessible for producing Cu NPs by conceiving the top–down and bottom–up approaches. Electrodeposition is a bottom–up method to synthesize high-quality Cu NPs at a low cost. The attributes of Cu NPs rely on their way of deduction and electrochemical process parameters. This work aims to deduce the mean size of Cu NPs. Artificial neural networks (ANN) and nature-inspired algorithms, namely genetic algorithm (GA), firefly algorithm (FA), and cuckoo search (CS) algorithm were used to predict and optimize the electrochemical parameters. The results obtained from ANN prediction agreed with data from the electrodeposition process. All nature-inspired algorithms reveal similar operating conditions as optimal parameters. The minimum NP size of 20 nm was obtained for the process parameters of 4 g·l−1 of CuSO4 concentration, electrode distance of 3 cm, and a potential difference of 27 V. The synthesized NP size was in line with the anticipated NP size. The scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffractometer (XRD) were performed to analyze the nanoparticle size and morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phase equilibriums of the ternary system KCl-(NH2)2CO-H2O at 303.15 K, 323.15 K, 333.15 K, and 343.15 K were studied using the isothermal dissolution equilibrium method, in which the composition of equilibrium solid phase was determined by Schreinemaker's wet residue method and X-ray diffraction (XRD) method. It was found that the ternary system is a simple cosaturated system, without the formation of neither double salt nor solid solution. Wilson and NRTL models were employed to correlate in the solubility data of the system at experimental temperatures. The maximum values of RAD and RMSD of the Wilson model were 2.18 × 10−2 and 0.83 and those of the NRTL model were 1.69 × 10−2 and 0.40, respectively. The two models were utilized to forecast solubility data at various temperatures, and the obtained outcomes were in line with the literature data. Based on the experimental solubility data at 343.15 K, the cooling crystallization process of the system was monitored online by focused beam reflectance measurement (FBRM) and particle video microscope (PVM). The crystal products were characterized by XRD, scanning electron microscope (SEM), and energy dispersive spectrometry (EDS). The results showed that the precipitation of (NH2)2CO occurred during the crystallization process, and this was followed by KCl. KCl was formed on the surface of (NH2)2CO crystal. The crystal was a simple mixture containing KCl and (NH2)2CO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A dendrimer amphiphilic polymer (A-D-HPAM) was synthesized by aqueous solution polymerization of acrylic acid (AA), acrylamide (AM), 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propane sulfonic acid (AMPS), hydrophobic monomer of cetyl dimethyl allyl ammonium chloride (DMCAAC-16), and skeleton monomer of GA1.0, using ammonium persulfate and sodium bisulfite as initiators. The chemical structure of A-D-HPAM was, respectively, analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The tackifying property, the resistance of shear, temperature and salt, the interfacial tension, and the oil displacement performance of A-D-HPAM were determined. Compared with solutions of HPAM (hydrolyzed polyacrylamide) and HPAM-SDBS (sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate), A-D-PAM exhibits the optimal properties, especially achieving the enhanced oil recovery (EOR) of 15.1%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tight sand is an important unconventional reservoir. Aiming at the problem of large unused reserves and the poor development effect of Chang 63 reservoir, this paper researches reunderstanding reservoir and evaluating unused reserves. Employing rock slice and scanning electron microscope (SEM), the experiment of low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), water-oil relative permeability experiment, reservoir space, movable fluid, and oil-water seepage characteristics was studied. The factors affecting NMR T 2 cutoff, controlling factors of movable fluids, and controlling factors of displacing efficiency in tight sandstone reservoirs are discussed. The study demonstrates that (1) the mean pore volume and permeability are 4.4% and 0.068 mD, respectively. The reservoir pertains to tight sandstone, mainly intergranular pore and dissolution pore, and the intercalated materials are mainly chlorite and illite. (2) The characteristic of the NMR T 2 spectrum has bimodal characteristics and can be subdivided into two classes: left peak dominant and right peak dominant. The mean value of mobile fluid saturation was 17.9%. (3) According to the relative permeability curve pattern, it is divided into four categories, and the mean bound water saturation is 29.9%. The average irreducible oil saturation was 40.6%. The mean oil flooding efficiency was 40.2%. (4) The better the pore-throat relationship, the lower the T 2 cutoff, the stronger ability of the fluid migration ability, and the higher of a percentage of active fluid. The percentage of active fluid in a low-permeability reservoir is affected by the reservoir's physical property and pore structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metals that are present in surface water and wastewater are becoming a severe environmental problem. Because of its toxicity, heavy metal removal has become the main priority for environmental concerns. Banana peels are low-cost agricultural waste that could be used for heavy metal adsorption in wastewater. The main objective of this study is to evaluate the effective powdered banana peel for the removal of copper (II) from aqueous solutions and real wastewater. The banana peels were collected from domestic waste and ground to get a particle size of 150 µm. Powdered banana peel waste adsorbent (PBPWA) contained moisture content, ash content, volatile matter, and bulk density of 3.8%, 3.5%, 37.5%, and 0.02 g/cm3, respectively. The Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results showed that the alkyne, aldehyde, and amide functional groups were dominant in the powdered banana peel surface, and the scanning electron microscope showed the morphology of the adsorbent. Physicochemical characteristics of the raw wastewater revealed that the concentration of Cu (II), Pb (II), COD, BOD5, and Cd (II) were 2.75 mg/L, 2.02 mg/L, 612.16 mg/L, 185.35 mg/L, and 0.01 mg/L, respectively. At pH 5, adsorbent dose of 2g/100 mL, initial copper (II) concentration of 80 mg/L, and contact time of 90 min, the maximum removal efficiency of synthetic wastewater was 96.8% and textile wastewater was 69.0%. The adsorption isotherm fitted well with the Langmuir isotherm model at R2 = 0.99. The kinetics of copper (II) adsorption followed the second-order kinetic model better. Finally, these studies showed that banana peel bio-adsorbent is a potential adsorbent for heavy metal removal from synthetic and textile wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous essential oils have been researched as biopesticides because of their effectiveness and environmental safety. Nevertheless, encapsulation is necessary to improve its physical, chemical, and biological properties. Therefore, this paper aims to investigate the physicochemical characteristics and antifungal activity of the Artemisia herba-alba essential oil (HAEO) encapsulated in succinic acid-modified β-cyclodextrin (SACD). Hydrodistillation was used to extract a yellowish oil from the plant A. herba-alba, and gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry was performed to determine the chemical composition. The scanning electron microscope, Fourier transform infrared, thermogravimetric analysis, and docking studies were combined to validate the molecular inclusion of HAEO with SACD. The antifungal activity was examined against Botrytis cinerea by direct contact with a potato dextrose agar. The results showed that the main compound in HAEO was α-thujone (65.0%). Furthermore, HAEO has been successfully incorporated into SACD with a binding energy value of −5.3 kJ·mol−1, and its thermal stability improved. At a 0.1% concentration, HAEO in encapsulated form showed a higher ability to inhibit B. cinerea (38.34%), compared to EO in free form (12.00%). Thus, these findings produced evidence that the strategy of encapsulating EOs by SACD can develop novel B. cinerea inhibitors and a promising alternative biopesticide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnesium-based alloys were more prevalent in automobile applications owing to their mechanical properties, low mass, and density. However, its poor mechanical properties are restricting its applications. Therefore, the present study focuses on improving the mechanical properties of AZ31D alloy by reinforcing silicon carbide (SiC) and graphite (Gr) nanoparticles with weight fractions of 2%, 4%, and 6% using stir-casting technique. The microstructure analysis was performed using a scanning electron microscope. The elemental analysis was confirmed using energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction was used to study various phases in the nanocomposites. Further, the mechanical properties, such as microhardness, ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, and compression strength of the nanocomposites, were significantly improved by 53%, 59%, 62%, and 82%, respectively, as compared with base alloy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The intention of this research is to recapitulate the two different fillers like E glass fiber and nanocarbon fiber, which were utilized to fabricate the polymer matrix composites by the assistance of epoxy resin. The mechanical compression molding was influenced to produce the polymer-based nanocomposites under consideration of optimal process parameters. There are three different weight fractions E glass fiber (40%, 45%, and 50%), nanocarbon fiber (10%, 15%, and 20%), and epoxy concentrations (30%, 40%, and 50%), respectively, that were used to produce the polymer matrix composites. Those processing parameters were designed by the L9 Taguchi with DOE technique to conduct the mechanical tests like tensile strength and hardness properties. The signal-to-noise ratios were successfully accomplished to identify optimal process parameters for improving the individual responses. The ANOVA and interaction was additional supports to enhance the mechanical properties. The scanning electron microscope was used to examine the fracture surfaces at the tensile fracture specimens with optimal conditions. Moreover, the maximum mechanical characteristics were attained by the increasing of nanocarbon fiber in the processed polymer matrix composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of isopropyl triisostearoyl titanate (KR-TTS) as a titanate coupling agent (TCA) on surface modification of TiO2 nanotube (TNT) material. From the physical and chemical studies that have been performed on the modified TiO2 nanotube, scanning electron microscope micrographs, energy-dispersive X-ray and viscosity indicated that there was significant reduction in particle aggregation of the modified TiO2 Nanotube. FTIR spectroscopy confirmed that the functional group of the TCA reacted with the hydroxyl groups present on the surface of TiO2 nanotube resulting in an altered surface property from being hydrophilic to hydrophobic. X-ray diffraction indicated that crystalline structure did not change upon the modification with the coupling agent. Isopropyl triisostearoyl titanate (KR-TTS) is found to be superior in performance and has a significant effect on the dispersion and resolving of agglomeration. This paper presents the effect of surface modification with the TCA of isopropyl triisostearoyl titanate (KR-TTS) type on the TiO2 nanotube material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is great potential for tight oil as an alternative to conventional fossil fuels throughout the world. Adsorption, mineralogy, and pore structure of tight sandstone are very important factors for the efficient development of adsorbed tight oil from tight sandstone oil reservoirs. In this study, the occurrence morphology of tight oil adsorbed to varying pore structures was examined, as well as the relationship between adsorption content and occurrence morphology. X-ray energy dispersive spectra, environmental scanning electron microscope observations, and thin fluorescence sections were used to describe the occurrence morphology of adsorbed tight oil in tight sandstone reservoirs. It was found that adsorbed tight oil can be classified into five types: emulsion, cluster, throat, thin-film, and isolation, with average contents of 34.9%, 14.5%, 3.1%, 42.7%, and 4.7%, respectively. In addition, a Soxhlet extraction was developed with four pore structures to describe the geological effects of adsorbed tight oil in reservoirs. The adsorption content of tight oil ranges from 4.015 mg/g to 16.987 mg/g, with an average of 10.115 mg/g. The order of adsorption content for different occurrence morphologies is as follows: emulsion form > throat form > cluster form > isolation form > thin-film form. It is the size and connectivity of the porous throat that determines the desorption efficiency of tight oil. An important outcome of this study can be the introduction of rational development plans and the improvement of oil recovery efficiency for tight oil reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the most fundamental subjects in nanoscience and nanotechnology is structural analysis. We employed a scanning electron microscope (SEM) image of the manufactured Gd3+/13X/DOX/FA nanocomposite in this study. The size, dimensions, and morphology of nanocomposite materials were studied to ensure the uniformity and homogeneity of SEM images. This is the first study to look at segmented SEM images for fractal dimension (FD) and other statistical criteria, including average, maximum, minimum, skewness, and range for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) nanocomposite. The average of FD (FDavg), the standard deviation of FD (FDsd), and the lacunarity of FD (FDlac) fractal data analysis criteria were also employed. The findings show that particle sizes and shapes vary because the minimum-to-maximum range is not zero, and our data provide a reasonable range. This interpretation is further supported by an analysis of the nanocomposite's SEM image. At first glance, the image seemed to be uniform. However, when the calculations were performed, it was discovered that the generated particles were not particularly uniform. The particles were uniformly dispersed throughout all surfaces, although their sizes, dimensions, and morphologies varied. In conclusion, the study was supported by fractal data analysis, emphasizing the importance of structural analysis for future research, particularly for medical applications like MRI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main aim of this research is to analyze the mechanical performances of the influence of silicon carbide (SiC) particles with AA6351 aluminum alloy. The aluminum metal matrix composites were prepared with liquefying stir casting to produce the metal matrix composites (MMCs). The following weight fractions are AA6351-0% SiC, AA6351-2.5% SiC, AA6351-5% SiC, and AA6351-7.5% SiC utilized to compose the MMCs. The mechanical performances like hardness, flexural, impact, compressive, and tensile studies were investigated on the processed MMCs. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) was employed to examine the strengthened particle of SiC. During the SEM examinations, uniformly dispersed SiC-strengthened particles were analyzed. The entire MMCs specimens achieve greater mechanical characteristics; the specimen fabricated with a maximum volume fraction of 7.5 wt% of SiC accumulates higher strength than the other volume fractions samples. The SiC plays a very tedious role in improving mechanical attributes. The fabricated MMCs were highly utilized in the applications of automotive and aerospace usages. This application is fully employed with lesser weight and maximum strength conditions to fulfill the mechanical performances. The stir-casting process was a highly efficient technique to compose better MMCs to achieve greater strength. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanical and thermal properties of nylon 6.6 on polypropylene (PP) blends were investigated. Five weight percentages of nylon 6.6, 1 wt%—5 wt%, were blended with PP by an injection molding process to produce PP/nylon 6.6 blends. The impact of the mixture on the mechanical properties was investigated by performing a three-point bend test to determine the flexural strength and hardness test using nanoindentation. Both differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis were used to study the thermal properties of the mixture. Chemical and morphological testing was performed by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope tests. Mechanical testing revealed improved strength, modulus, and hardness of the PP/nylon 6.6 blends. The 2 wt% blend showed elastic modulus, tensile, and yield stress enhancement. TGA showed variable results with improved thermal resistance for the 3 wt% and 4 wt% blends, whereas there was no effect for the 2 wt% blend and reduced thermal resistance for the 1 wt% and 5 wt% blends. DSC analysis revealed no influence on the melting temperature of the blends. SEM images showed a homogeneous mixture between PP and nylon 6.6, which substantiated the interfacial adhesion between PP and nylon 6.6 and was verified by FTIR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles were prepared by the sol–gel method and the structural, morphological, and optical properties were investigated at different sintering temperatures of 500, 600, 700, 800, and 900°C. A tetragonal structure of anatase, mixed (anatase–rutile), and rutile phases are observed in the X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Pure anatase phase formation occurred at 500°C, whereas anatase-to-rutile phase transformation began at 600°C, and reaching complete conversion to rutile at 800°C. The average crystallite size increased from 23 to 34 nm for anatase and 38 to 62 nm for the rutile when sintering temperature increased from 500 to 900°C. The scanning electron microscope (SEM) result presented the increase of grain size (25–100 nm) with increasing the sintering temperature. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra demonstrated the presence of TiO2 vibrational bonds in all samples. The optical bandgaps of the sintered TiO2 nanoparticles decreased with rising sintering temperature. Photoluminescence spectra exhibited three characteristic peaks centered at 380, 450, and 550 nm. The emission intensity increased with increasing the sintering temperature. The Mie analysis was also studied to calculate scattering cross-section, forward scattering, and asymmetry for different grain sizes. The results showed that by increasing the nanoparticle diameters, the peaks of all spectra are redshifted for larger grain sizes and cross-section peaks shift to high values. In this study, the sintering temperature is observed to have a strong influence on crystalline phase transformation, microstructure, and optical properties of TiO2 nanoparticles. The TiO2 sample sintered at 900°C shows the best result to be used as luminescent material due to the low optical bandgap energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The spread of infectious diseases across the globe as a result of numerous bacterial and fungal variations has become a serious threat to human life. A critical global situation is the need to search for antibiotic resistance and develop new treatments. The most crucial role is for academics to advise the pharmaceutical industry about substances with antimicrobial assessments. One of the challenges in implementing novel medicine delivery is the discovery of compounds having antibacterial and antifungal characteristics against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi. The superiority of the metal oxide-doped liquid crystal technology for antibiotic resistance is revealed. In this work, a bacterially triggered drug delivery system using a nanometal oxide-doped lipid-based liquid crystal system was explored. Copper oxide (CU) and cholesteryl stearate (CS) are processed using ultrasonication to produce the complex chemical in powder form (CSCU). Functional groups are predicted by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analyses, while surface appearance and dimensions that support the compound CSCU's biological characteristics are revealed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM) analyses. Using the agar-well diffusion method, this substance was tested for antibacterial and antifungal activities against the Gram-positive bacteria Streptococcus pyogenes at various concentrations ranging from 0.6 to 1.25 µg/ml. Additionally, this substance exhibits a range of moderate to good antifungal efficacy against Aspergillus niger. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tight sandstone gas has become one of the important unconventional resources. It is of great significance to study the pore throat structure of tight sandstone for the development of tight sandstone gas reservoirs. On the basis of previous research results, this paper studies the tight reservoir characteristics of Yanchang Formation by combining geological data with geophysical logging. The reservoir characteristics are described and studied in detail by ordinary thin section, casting thin section, graphic granularity, and scanning electron microscope experiment. The experimental results show that the reservoir sandstone types of long 6 segments are mainly lithic feldspathic sandstone and feldspathic lithic sandstone, with high component maturity and structural maturity. The components of cement mainly include authigenic clay minerals illite, chlorite, and carbonate minerals. The reservoir space is mainly composed of feldspar-dissolved pores and residual intergranular pores. Compaction and cementation are the decisive factors of pore reduction. At present, the average porosity of the reservoir is 8.33% and the average permeability is 0.12 × 10−3 μm2, which belong to an ultralow porosity and ultralow permeability reservoir. On the basis of studying the origin, superimposition, and distribution of sand bodies and taking into account the sedimentary characteristics, origin, and trigger mechanism of gravity flow, a multisource sedimentary model is established in the study area, which is dominated by sandy debris flow, accompanied by turbidity current and local development of sandy slump. The thick massive sandstone with the most exploration significance in the study area is formed by the superimposition of multistage sandy clastic flow sediments along the gully in the direction of delta to lake. Summarizing the characteristics of reservoir development and evaluating and predicting it can provide geological basis for the next exploration and development of deep-water tight reservoirs in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the conglomerate reservoir is selected as the object to investigate the micropore structure and the compatibility of polymer solutions. Firstly, the characteristics of complex mode pore structure are analyzed based on casting thin sections, scanning electron microscope, and capillary pressure curve. Then the conglomerate reservoir is divided into five types by use of the K-means clustering algorithm, and the differences in micropore structure among the different reservoir types are also clarified. Secondly, the dynamic light scattering technology is used to directly determine the hydrodynamic diameter of different polymer formulations. As the polymer molecular weight increases, the average hydrodynamic diameter becomes larger, and with the same polymer molecular weight, the average hydrodynamic diameter becomes gradually larger as the solution concentration increases. Based on the above research results, the matching relationship between five reservoir types and polymer solutions is determined through laboratory experiments. The experimental results show that when the polymer molecular weight is determined, the volume of pore volume that can be effectively swept by polymer hydration molecules gradually decreases as the concentration of the solution increases. When the polymer molecular weight and its concentration are both determined, the pore volume of effective displacement of polymer-hydrated molecules also gradually reduces with becoming worse reservoir pore structure. The scope of application of different polymer formulations becomes progressively smaller as the microscopic pore structure of type I to type V reservoirs becomes deteriorated. The compatibility between the micropore structure of different conglomerate reservoir types and polymer solution is determined to provide the geological basis for the reasonable formulation of the polymer flooding scheme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The occurrence characteristic of movable fluid is a crucial index for tight sandstone reservoir evaluation, and the study of the differential occurrence of reservoir movable fluid is vitally important for the exploration and development of tight gas. Therefore, on the basis of casting thin section, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, high-pressure mercury injection, and nuclear magnetic resonance testing, the differential occurrence characteristics and influencing factors of reservoir movable fluid are analyzed based on the reservoir of Shan 1 reservoir. The results show that the main types of Shan 1 reservoir are lithic quartz sandstone and lithic sandstone, and intergranular solution pores and cutting solution pores are mainly developed in Shan 1 reservoir in Yanchang area. The movable fluid saturation of Shan 1 reservoir is 21.64%~69.62%, and the average of the movable fluid saturation is 35.32%. Most of the T 2 spectra are unimodal. According to the pore development, the reservoir is divided into four types, and fluid flow property in reservoir varies with the difference of reservoir pore development. Sandstone types, reservoir porosity, permeability, pore type, pore throat parameters, and cement content affect movable fluid saturation. The pores provide the main space for the movable fluid. The better the development of intergranular solution pores, the larger the average pore throat radius and the higher the movable fluid saturation of the reservoir. The higher the content of the calcite, the more obvious pore loss of the reservoir and the lower movable fluid saturation in the reservoir. The higher the content of illite, the worse the pore evolution and the lower fluid flow property in reservoir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aluminum metal matrix composites were broadly exploited in the applications of automotive, aerospace, and other defense with functionally graded materials-related application. Above applications definitely required excellent mechanical characteristics. Therefore, in this way, the major attempt was made on the nano-based composites with aluminum alloy utilization. In this research, aluminum alloy AA8011 and the ceramic-based reinforcement particles of nano boron carbide (B4C) were selected for producing the metal matrix composites by the liquefying process or stir casting route. The weight percentage of nano boron carbide particles having 15 wt% was subjected to add into the aluminum alloy during the stir casting process. Then, processed nano boron carbide and AA8011 specimens were prepared to conduct tribological behaviors with various processing conditions like sliding velocity, setting wear temperature, and applied load by the tribometer setup. The scanning electron microscope was employed to examine the processed composites samples and worn-out surface samples. Finally, the multiobjective optimization was used to measure the individual performances of the tribological parameters by the gray relational technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Packaging plastics are called 'single-use plastics' because of short lifetime. Among which, the three plastics of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) take more than 70%. Due to incompatibility, few research has been done on the alloy of the three plastics. The aim of this study is to investigate the possibility of single-use plastic alloy (SUPA) of ternary PE, PP, and PET as the 3D printing material. Tensile and bending tests are carried out to investigate the mechanical properties, photographs of scanning electron microscope (SEM) are taken for morphology analysis, and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) are used to study the crystallization behavior of the alloys. The results show that there is an optimal ratio for all the components to obtain the best mechanical performances, i.e., the ratio of PP / PE = 40 / 60 with 20 wt% PET, 2 wt% maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene (PP-g-MAH) and 2 wt% organic modified montmorillonite (OMMT). This SUPA has a tensile strength of 14.48 MPa, a tensile modulus of 586.42 MPa, a flexural strength of 15.85 MPa, and a flexural modulus of 544.67 MPa. Due to the function of compatibilizer and nanoclay (NC) will be affected by redundancy, the potential primary fibrosis while collecting the feeding filaments and the secondary fibrosis at the nozzle of 3D printing might be responsible for the variation of the mechanical performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current work investigates the erosion-corrosion behaviour of thermally sprayed tungsten carbide-10% nickel (WC-10% Ni) coatings placed on the AA6061 aluminum alloy. The AA6061 aluminum alloy was coated with tungsten carbide –10% nickel coatings utilising a high-velocityoxy-fuel (HVOF) spray method. The microstructure and hardness of thermally sprayed coatings were examined using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and a Vickers hardness tester. The slurry erosion-corrosion wear tests were carried out by varying the parameters of the slurry erosion process, such as testing time, slurry content, slurry speed, and impinging particle size, on the erosion testing equipment. The data demonstrated that when slurry concentration, slurry speed, and impinging particle size increased, so did the slurry erosion-corrosion wear loss. The wear processes of uncoated and thermally sprayed tungsten carbide –10% nickel have been examined using SEM and a 3-D confocal microscope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study is focused on the application of activated carbon nanoadsorbent derived from Ocimum basilicum Linn (sweet basil) leaves for the removal of methyl orange dye from an aqueous solution. The Ocimum basilicum Linn leaves are dried, powdered, cured with H2SO4, and thermally treated to form an activated carbon biosorbent. Sorbent characterization studies like scanning electron microscope (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy have revealed the adsorption of the methyl orange dye from their aqueous solution in the batch mode process. The biosorbent has shown a maximum adsorption capacity of 1.54 mg g−1 at 10 mg l−1 concentration, 1.2 g sorbent dosage, pH of 3, contact time of 180 min, and pHpzc at 3.9. Experimental results are analyzed using equilibrium models and it is found that the Langmuir isotherm model and kinetic model fit well and also the results have corresponded well with pseudo-first order. The intraparticle diffusion (IPD) mechanism has shown that pore diffusion occurs at a slower rate. The Elovich model has displayed that adsorption is affected by film diffusion. From the statistical optimization studies, it is demonstrated that Box–Behnken model can correlate the good agreement between experimental and predicted values. The highest adsorption capacity for the nanoadsorbent was found using quadrate models and optimizing the variables at a time of 237 min, initial dye concentration of 5.31 mg l−1, adsorbent dose of 1.22 g, and pH of 4.23. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The green synthesis of zinc sulfide nanoparticles (ZnS NPs)-mediated plant extract is gaining importance because of its simplicity, cost-effectiveness, and ecofriendly nature. In this work, ZnS NPs were synthesized using garlic extract as NPs facilitating agent, characterized by Fourier transform infrared, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and UV–visible, then their antibacterial and hemocompatibility were assayed. Analysis revealed a cubic phase, 2.33 nm crystallite size, and a 3.75 eV optical bandgap. Bioactivity test against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli indicated dose-dependent potency closer to that of azithromycin standard drug and more efficient on S. aureus (Gram-positive) than E. coli (Gram-negative) bacteria. Biocompatibility test in terms of erythrocyte hemolysis, in reference to normal saline and water as minimal and maximal controls, confirmed nontoxic substance up to 100 μg/mL as the highest examined concentration and at which a lysis of 2.9% was detected. Therefore, it could be concluded that this biogenic method is effective in producing ZnS NPs with desirable properties for potential biomedical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal matrix composites (MMCs) and their hybrid combinations are widely incorporated in research due to their enhanced mechanical properties and wear resistance. In this work, an investigation is made to fabricate AA2024 matrix flyash and graphite-reinforced hybrid composite for industrial applications and determine its suitability by performing testing and characterization. Tensile properties and compressive strength, wear resistance, fracture toughness, impact energy, and the hardness of the composites are evaluated. A tensile strength maximum of 300 MPa was achieved. Furthermore, the thermal analysis of a disc brake of this hybrid composite is performed using SOLIDWORKS software to identify the temperature distribution up to 469°K. The addition of flyash reinforcement shows the changes in properties with weight reduction. Although the content of graphite particles shows a deterioration in mechanical properties, it acts as a lubricant and reduces wear by friction and friction between the components. The coefficient of friction (COF) for the specimen is in the range of 0.1 to 0.3. The distribution of graphite and flyash is analyzed using the scanning electron microscope. It was found that the properties of the prepared composite are lesser than the base alloy AA2024, but the fabricated composite's density (2.07 g/cc) is lesser than the base alloy AA2024 (2.78 g/cc). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural fiber composites are now more costly than traditional building materials. Currently, industries are moving from traditional materials to natural fiber composites, and the price of natural fiber should be reduced through greater utilization of industrial production. This work aims to determine how matrix alteration affects the interlaminar characteristics of a hemp fiber-reinforced epoxy composite containing nano silicon oxide particles. Interlaminar modulus of rupture in Types I and II is assessed using dual cantilevered beams and end-notched deformation testing samples. Mechanical mixing and sonication are used to blend nanoscale SiO2 (30 nm) into the resin at concentrations of 0, 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6 wt%. The composites were made using the compression molding method. The composites were tested according to the American Society for Testing and Materials standards after manufacturing. The findings show that adding nanoparticles enhances interlaminar toughness values. Interlaminar fracture toughness improved by 20.25% and 30.35% for 0.4 wt% SiO2, respectively. The fiber matrix interaction and failure causes are examined using scanning electron microscope images. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the new route of fabrication of H-AlSi24Cu3.8Mg0.8 alloy, assisted by ultrasonic vibration stirring and squeeze casting (UVSS). The primary objective of this investigation is to establish the tribological characteristics of the prepared aluminium alloy under dry, lubricated, and coated sliding conditions. Oil SAE20W40 is used as a lubricant and diamond-like carbon (DLC) is used as a coating. Under a load between 20 N and 50 N, a linear reciprocating tribometer (LRT) with a ball-on-plate geometry is used. Alloy was examined using an optical microscope, scanning electron microscope with EDS, 3D surface profilometer, Brinell hardness tester, and tensometer for pre- and postcharacterization of alloy, surface, and worn tracks. The DLC-coated condition yields the lowest wear and coefficient of friction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, a bottom pouring-type stir casting machine was used to create AZ31 magnesium alloy hybrid nanocomposites with varying weight percentages (0, 3, 5, and 7) of silicon carbide (SiC) and graphite (Gr) particles. Investigations have been made into the mechanical characteristics and microstructural distribution of manufactured hybrid nanocomposites. The outcomes demonstrate that the mechanical characteristics and uniform distribution of SiC and Gr particles are enhanced compared to those of the base alloy. In comparison to monolithic AZ31 alloy, microhardness, ultimate tensile strength (UTS), yield strength (YS), and compressive strength (CS) were raised by about 54%, 68%, 82%, and 107%, respectively. The presence of reinforced particles, the uniform distribution of particles, and the strong interfacial connection between the matrix and reinforcement all contribute to the improvement of mechanical properties. However, the addition of 7 wt. % SiC/Gr showed good mechanical properties compared to the base alloy. The microstructure of nanocomposites was analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), and particles were described using energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introducing SAP internal curing material and limestone powder into white fair-faced concrete in order to greatly improve the durability of white fair-faced concrete, alleviate the influence of mechanical property deterioration caused by SAP, and facilitate the popularization and application of SAP and limestone powder in white fair-faced concrete. Therefore, this paper studies the effect of the content of SAP and limestone powder on the properties of white fair-faced concrete, conducts slump, electric flux, standard cube compressive strength, and splitting tensile strength tests, and examines SAP and limestone powder from a macroscopic perspective. The effect of the dosage on the properties of white, fair-faced concrete was explained by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) from a microscopic point of view. The results show that SAP can increase the slump of white fair-faced concrete, and the slump of SAP white fair-faced concrete increases with the addition of limestone powder content. Adding SAP can greatly reduce the electric flux of white fair-faced concrete. The addition of limestone powder can further reduce the electric flux and improve the durability and adding SAP will deteriorate the mechanical properties of white fair-faced concrete. Adding limestone powder is beneficial to the improvement of the mechanical properties of SAP mixed with white fair-faced concrete. Adding 30% limestone powder can give full play to the optimal performance of SAP white fair-faced concrete. SAP can refine the internal structure of white fair-faced concrete, and the filling and nucleation effects of limestone powder can improve the situation where SAP deteriorates the mechanical properties of white fair-faced concrete, further optimizing concrete internal structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing demand for eco-friendly materials and technology has made the industry focus on bio-compatible composites. This made the researchers explore the potential of eco-friendly, bio-degradable, and inexpensive banana fibre for automotive applications. This work reports the preparation and testing of banana fibre natural hybrid composite fibres randomly oriented with and without adding silica filler (5–15 wt.%) through a hand lay-up process. The mechanical properties such as tensile modulus, flexural modulus, hardness, impact strength, and water absorption capacity were measured. Composite specimens having a fibre length of 30 mm (15 wt.% of silica) exhibited better mechanical properties. The hardness, tensile, flexural, and impact strength measured were 46.74 HV, 54.71 MPa, 127.94 MPa, and 15.19 kJ/m2. The results showed significant improvement in mechanical properties in silica-reinforced hybrid composite compared to composites without silica filler. The wt.% of banana fibre increases, and the number of free hydroxyls (-OH) groups increases in cellulose, increasing moisture absorption. The pattern in which the composite absorbs the moisture at room temperature is called "Fickian behaviour." Furthermore, scanning electron microscope (SEM) characterisation studied the interaction between fibre matrix and the distribution of silica reinforcement. This research concludes that bio-composites that exhibit improved mechanical properties are eco-friendly and are found to be suitable for automotive applications that meet present-day requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assesses hydration, rheology, and sorptivity of cementitious pastes using relatively low-cost Arduino-based platforms with integrated sensors. The prime objective is to develop a correlation between conventional apparatus-based and Arduino-integrated sensor-based assessment. A total of six samples of cementitious paste were prepared at a room temperature of 26°C, with a w/b ratio of 0.3, containing cement, fly ash, and silica fume. First, the conventional apparatus was employed to assess hydration, rheology, and sorptivity of cementitious mixes. Afterward, a platform arranged for data acquisition, comprising Arduino Mega 2560, a temperature sensor, a soil moisture sensor, and a voltage supply, was used to assess the same properties. The recorded temperature and moisture content data were transmitted using the Android application and the Wi-Fi modem router. A 5-minute moisture analysis test was conducted to monitor the rheological behavior of cementitious mixes. The heat of the hydration mechanism was evaluated for 32 hours using a temperature sensor, enabling continuous and real-time monitoring. Moreover, a sorptivity test on cube samples was performed using shielded self-based apparatus in an adiabatic condition, resulting in relatively long-term monitoring. The microscopic details are analyzed by using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) in conjunction with EDX analysis. Thus, the potential application of the inexpensive sensor-based method is verified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coffee husk (CH) is a sustainable and abundantly available cellulosic waste material. Its fiber consists of cellulose as the major structural part which leads to potential utilization for the manufacturing of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) products that can be utilized for different industrial applications. In the present study, chemical composition of outer skin-isolated coffee husk was determined and sequential treatments of various untreated (UT) sample, ethanol—toluene treated sample through dewaxed (DW) treatment, sodium hydroxide (NaOH)—treated sample through alkali (AT) treatment, and sulfuric acid (H2SO4)—treated sample through bleaching (BL) treatment have been carried out. The Micro Crystalline Cellulose (MCC) has been extracted through hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) after BL treatment. The BL treatment for MCC extraction process was conducted without chlorine and additional harsh acid treatment, respectively. The characterization of chemically treated samples was carried out to investigate their morphological, physico-chemistry, and thermal behavior through a scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transform infrared—ray (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermo gravimetric analysis (TGA), and differential temperature analyzer (DTA). From the chemical composition analysis; the cellulose, hemicellulose, lignin, and extractive content were determined and its values were (52.9%), (12.5%), (24.3%), and (9.4%), respectively. In the morphological examination, the great untreated (UT) fiber sample was greatly reduced into a micro-sized BL sample, revealing that (from FTIR analysis) the lignin and hemicellulose contents were greatly removed during chemical treatments and the presence of a micro crystalline cellulose region with 54.7% yield. Also, the sample AT and BL showed the lowest amorphous region in X-RD due to the removal of hemicellulose and lignin. The highest crystallinity index has been determined for the BL sample, i.e., 89.9%. Additionally, the thermal analysis shows that the AT and BL sample has great thermal stability than other (UT and DW) samples at high temperature. Therefore, the outer skin separated coffee husk was prepared from agricultural waste was subjected to eco-friendly chemical treatments to yield MCC. Thus, the extracted MCC is expected to be reliable for replacing other plant materials for the production of crystalline nanomaterial and reinforcing constituent for the fabrication of bio composite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

p -sulphonated calix[4]arene (p -SOCX) functionalized cellulose acetate/graphene oxide (CA/GO) nanofibers were successfully prepared via the electrospinning technique. The presence of p -SOCX within the fiber matrix was ascertained using Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy and Carbon-Hydrogen-Nitrogen-Sulphur elemental analyses. Apparent changes in morphology of the samples were observed under scanning electron microscope where fiber diameters increased with increasing p -SOCX content. Preliminary dye removal test at different pH, dosage, and temperature of functionalized CA/GO nanofiber demonstrates enhanced adsorption capacity of methylene blue in presence of p -SOCX compared to pristine CA nanofiber and CA/GO nanofiber at an optimum pH 8. The highest removal efficiency obtained was 88.84% with initial methylene blue dye concentration of 10 mg/L, adsorbent dosage of 20 mg/10 mL, contact time of 30 min at room temperature ca. 293 K. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wellbore scaling is a complex and one of the common problems encountered during the depletion of an oilfield. Many studies have been conducted on general scale mechanisms, scale predictions, and removal measurements. However, the detailed study of the scaling characteristics and mechanisms in Huanjiang oilfield is limited. The objective of this work is to investigate the scaling mechanisms and characteristics to provide guidance for scale inhibitor selection, synthesis, and testing in the Huanjiang oilfield. Ion chromatography (IC) was used to test the composition of 100 water samples, and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were utilized to analyze the composition of 120 wellbore scale samples that were collected from the Huanjiang oilfield. The results show that the water types of formation and groundwater are CaCl2 and Na2SO4, respectively. The oil wells produced from Chang 4 + 5 , Chang 6, and Chang 8 reservoir layers in the development of Yanchang group are mainly calcium-based scale (CaCO3 and CaSO4), supplemented by wax deposition scale, corrosion scale, and NaCl and KCl crystal scale. In contrast, the oil wells in Yan'an group (Yan 6, Yan 7, Yan 8, Yan 9, and Yan 10 reservoir layers) are mainly wax deposition scale and corrosion scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Clove essential oil nanoemulsion with optimal antimicrobial activity and stability was formulated and analyzed using response surface methodology with a central composite design (CCD). The optimal clove oil nanoemulsion was obtained from a microfluidizer (10,000 psi of operating pressure) of 1% (v/v) clove oil and 3% (v/v) of Tween® 80 (surfactant), with a droplet size of 30.76 nm, 0.179 polydispersity index (PDI), −50.01 mV Zeta potential, and 7.81 cP viscosity. It also exhibited good stability against particle aggregation and phase separation during 48 h of storage at 5°C. Clove essential oil nanoemulsion had higher amount of eugenol, but lower amount of benzyl alcohol and caryophyllene than those contained in bulk oil. The clove oil nanoemulsion exhibited better antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa when compared to clove oil. Bacterial cell morphological destruction caused by clove oil nanoemulsion or clove oil was also observed using a scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive x‐ray spectrometer (SEM‐EDS). The results suggested that the fabrication of clove essential oil into nanoemulsion improved its antimicrobial activity and has the potential to be used as a natural preservative for food applications. Novelty Impact Statement: The experiments in this research were designed to determine the feasibility of using the clove oil nanoemulsion as antimicrobial agent directly in food and its stability if used under different food processing conditions, storage, or usages. Our study is, however, not only the first to optimize the important factors required to formulate antimicrobial clove essential oil nanoemulsion using microfluidization but also the first to report the chemical stability of clove essential oil after nanoemulsion formation and storage. In addition, the bacterial cell morphology was visualized using a scanning electron microscope and energy dispersive x‐ray spectrometer (SEM‐EDS) to verify the antimicrobial efficiency of clove essential oil nanoemulsion, clove essential oil, and kanamycin sulfate (as control), which has never been reported in the literature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Titanium alloy-based components are now attracted by the industries with their distinguished properties even though they are difficult to machine. The tooling industries encounter numerous problems in machining these metals like higher tool wear, huge volumes of cutting fluid consumption, and shorter tool life. The objective of this research is to enhance the surface of the cutting tool with carbon nanotube (CNT) deposition to solve the aforementioned difficulties. This research used the plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition method to coat CNT on high-speed steel tools. Microstructural investigations were performed using a scanning electron microscope and a Raman spectroscopic technique to ensure the homogenous deposition of CNT. Additionally, scratch testing was also conducted to assess the adhesive strength of the deposited layer to the substrate. Finally, the machining performance of the CNT-coated tool was compared with commercially available diamond-like carbon (DLC) and titanium aluminum nitride (TiAlN)-coated tools. Machining experiments conducted under three distinct cutting levels revealed that the CNT-deposited tool is appropriate for turning more challenging materials. CNT-coated tools showed substantial decreases in cutting tooltip temperature, turning forces, and tool wear compared to DLC and TiAlN-coated tools. In particular, tool life studies conducted under elevated machining circumstances recorded the enhancement in tool life as 96.3% and 26.8% in comparison with TiAlN and DLC, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The environmental pollution caused by organic dyes has damaged serious harm to human life. Hence, a series of Zr-Mg composite oxide nanoclusters with different metal ratios were synthesized by solvothermal method for adsorption of malachite green in aqueous solution. The optimal adsorbent with Zr/Mg metal molar ratio of 1 : 2 presented good adsorption performance, which adsorption capacity reached 12647.60 mg/g, and removal rate of malachite green reached more than 99%. These adsorbents were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectra, nitrogen adsorption-desorption, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscope, and other methods. Influence of initial concentration of malachite green solution, pH, adsorption temperature, and contact time on absorption efficiency was investigated through batch experiments. Pseudo-second-order kinetic model can well describe the adsorption kinetic data. The three-parameter Sips isotherm model was more suitable for predicting the experimental results than Langmuir and Freundlich, and the adsorption process was endothermic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of construction and demolition waste is useful for sustainable infrastructure development and protecting the environment. In this research, the properties of self-compacting concrete produced by replacing the natural coarse aggregates (NCA) with inferior recycled coarse aggregates (RCA) were investigated. The properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC) and self-compacting mortar (SCM) with varying replacements of RCA (0, 25, 50, and 100%) in NCA were determined. The flow, strength, early shrinkage tests, and microstructure using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and a scanning electron microscope (SEM) were investigated. The fresh property results indicated that the viscosity of freshly mixed SCC increased with higher replacement levels of RCA, thus reducing flow. The compressive strength of RCA SCC was reduced up to 30% for a 100% replacement level, while the flexural strength was reduced by about 15%. The compressive strength and flexural strength of SCMs, however, increased up to 12% and 28% for 100% replacement with RCA. The mechanical strength of SCM increases with RCA because of high fine content which reduces the porosity and makes the system denser. The early age linear shrinkage increases with RCA due to its greater water absorption. The results indicate that recycled coarse aggregate can be effectively used as the replacement of NCA in SCC to produce sustainable and eco-friendly structural concrete. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural gas hydrate is a kind of environmentally friendly unconventional energy with large reserves, which attract increasing attention in recent years. The microscopic pore structure and mineral composition of natural gas hydrate reservoir have a great influence on its seepage characteristics during exploitation. In this study, computed tomography and scanning electron microscope are used to obtain digital images of three clayey-silt natural gas hydrate reservoir samples in the Shenhu area of South China Sea, and then, the pore structure and the mineral composition of the samples are obtained after image processing. The result indicates that the clayey-silt samples show strong hydrophilic characteristics, small particles, good sorting properties, variable pore distribution, small average pore and throat radius, large porosity, and a large content of submicron pores. The mineral composition of the reservoir is mainly quartz and contains a certain amount of clay minerals, mainly illite, while the mineral composition of reservoir rich in microbial fossils is mainly carbonate. The results indicate that the pore structure and mineral composition of natural gas hydrate reservoirs in Shenhu area lay a foundation for the efficient development of the clayey-silt reservoir. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. To evaluate and compare the impacts, bond strength, residual adhesive, and time invested on the enamel surface after debonding of recently introduced ceramic buccal molar tubes with different systems. Materials and Methods. Ceramic molar tubes were bonded to fifty-four maxillary molar teeth, and a shear bond strength (SBS) test was performed. The adhesive remnant index (ARI) scores were recorded, and the samples were divided into two groups for adhesive removal with low-speed instruments: tungsten carbide bur or diamond-coated micropolisher point. The time to clean the enamel surfaces was also noted down for each tooth. The enamel surfaces were investigated with scanning electron microscope (SEM) after adhesives were cleaned. Shapiro-Wilk's, Kolmogorov-Smirnov's, and Student's independent t tests were used for statistical analysis. Results. The mean SBS value of the tested ceramic molar tubes was 9.78 ± 1.85 MPa, and the majority of the samples were scored as ARI 1 and ARI 2. No statistically significant difference between PoGo micropolisher and TCB was found in terms of time values for surface cleaning. The enamel surface characteristics of TCB for adhesive remnant removal resulted in a better enamel surface than the single-step diamond polisher when the samples were investigated by using SEM. Conclusions. Ceramic molar tubes may be an enamel-safe product for patients seeking for fully aesthetic orthodontic treatment, if used in carefully handled clinical conditions. One-step polishing systems utilised with low-speed instruments could be used confidentially for cleaning the resin remnants on enamel after orthodontic treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The organic soil is widely distributed around Dianchi Lake in Kunming, which is rich in the humic group (HG). In order to explore the effect of HG on the strength development of organic soil, this paper adopts the method of adding humic acid (HA) reagent into the undisturbed cohesive soil (blending method) and soaking it in fulvic acid (FA) solution (steeping method) to simulate the organic soil. Then, the effect of HG on soil is analyzed by the unconfined compressive strength (UCS) and the scanning electron microscope (SEM) tests. The UCS test shows that HA can significantly reduce the UCS of the samples, and it continues to decrease with the increase of the HA reagent content. FA can substantially enhance the UCS of the samples, which continues to increase with the concentration of FA solution (decreasing the pH value). Under each HG condition, the steeping of FA can significantly increase the UCS of the sample when the content of the HA reagent is less than 10%, and the growth rate of the UCS decreases when it is greater than 10%. With the increase of steeping age, the UCS of the 5% HA samples continued to increase and gradually became stable, and when the content of the HA reagent is more than 5%, the UCS curve first increases and then decreases. The SEM test shows that adding HA reagent can significantly increase the pore size, improve the connectivity between the pores, and weaken the connection of the soil structure. The steeping of FA can reduce the pore size, weaken the connectivity between the pores, and strengthen the connection of the sample structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to investigate the advantages of liquid nitrogen freezing (LNF) over normal contact freezing (NCF) and individual quickly freezing (IQF). The quality attributes of LNF on crayfish (Procambarus clarkia) were characterized by biochemical and structural properties. Compared with NCF and IQF, LNF presented lower total viable counts (TVC) value of 5.83 log(CFU/g), thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value of 0.74 mg/kg, total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB‐N) content of 23.43 mg/100 g and α‐glucosidase and β‐acetyl glucosaminidase enzyme activities. SDS‐PAGE patterns confirmed less protein denaturation in LNF. Meanwhile, texture parameters analysis indicated LNF held texture quality better, while scanning electron microscope patterns revealed that muscle fibers in LNF were more uniform. The mathematical models exhibited the significant correlation among biochemical and structural properties. Therefore, LNF was a promising freezing process for crayfish preservation, due to the formation of small intracellular ice crystals and maintenance of cell integrity. Novelty impact statement: The LNF which was considered as a promising freezing method was applied in crayfish preservation.The preservation behavior of LNF was characterized and the related protective mechanism was illustrated.The mathematical models were established to clarify the inner relationship between freezing conditions and quality attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]