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In this study, Fe3O4/Ag magnetite-silver (MSx) nanocomposites were investigated as catalysts for advanced oxidation processes by coupling the plasmonic effect of silver nanoparticles and the ferromagnetism of iron oxide species. A surfactant-free co-precipitation synthesis method yielded pure Fe3O4 magnetite and four types of MSx nanocomposites. Their characterisation included structural, compositional, morphological and optical analyses, revealing Fe3O4 magnetite and Ag silver phases with particle sizes ranging from 15 to 40 nm, increasing with the silver content. The heterostructures with silver reduced magnetite particle aggregation, as confirmed by dynamic light scattering. The UV–Vis spectra showed that the Fe:Ag ratio strongly influenced the absorbance, with a strong absorption band around 400 nm due to the silver phase. The oxidation kinetics of organic pollutants, monitored by in situ luminescence measurements using rhodamine B as a model system, demonstrated the higher performance of the developed catalysts with increasing Ag content. The specific surface area measurements highlighted the importance of active sites in the synergistic catalytic activity of Fe3O4/Ag nanocomposites in the photo-Fenton reaction. Finally, the straightforward fabrication of diverse Fe3O4/Ag heterostructures combining magnetism and plasmonic effects opens up promising possibilities for heterogeneous catalysis and environmental remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thermal decomposition of iron oleate is a simple and widespread method for synthesizing monodispersed iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) with well‐defined morphology. However, the complexity of the underlying mechanism makes this method rather sensitive to variations in experimental conditions, and the lack of simple techniques to monitor the reaction progress in situ usually results in poor reproducibility and time‐consuming optimizations. Here, a simple, robust, and versatile in situ marker to monitor particle formation based on a sudden change in the temperature during reflux is reported. A linear relationship between the onset of particle formation and the concentration of surfactants is unveiled, corroborating a ‘chemically activated’ burst nucleation mechanism. Using this linear relationship as a guide, highly uniform spherical, cubic, and star‐shaped particles between 12 and 30 nm can be obtained. This temperature marker and the derived linear relationship not only deepen the understanding of the reaction process, but also provide a powerful tool for the straightforward optimization of IONPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ferrofluids based on magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) have been widely studied as multipurpose agents in various medical applications including magnetic hyperthermia, targeted drug delivery and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). To increase their stability and compatibility with the living cells and thus improve their suitability for these purposes, the IONPs are often functionalized with different organic or inorganic molecules. In this work we report on the preparation of polyvinilpyrrolidone (PVP) functionalized IONPs through a simple co-precipitation method and investigated their suitability for magnetic hyperthermia and as a MRI contrast agent. Spherical PVP-coated IONPs, with an average particle size of ≈ 15 nm, showed superparamagnetic behavior and high saturation magnetization Ms = 80.7 emug−1, at room temperature. The specific absorption rate (SAR), a measure of the heating ability, ranged from 17 W/g to 721 W/g (evaluated for various combinations of AC magnetic field amplitudes and frequencies), while the intrinsic loss power (ILP) was in the range from 0.53 nHm2 kg−1 to 2.34 nHm2 kg−1. In addition to relatively good heating ability, high T2 relaxivity, r2 = 126 mM−1 s−1 and high r2/r1 ratio demonstrated that the preparation procedure used here can yield nanoparticles suitable for MRI guided localized magnetic hyperthermia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The photocatalysis technology is widely applied for effective degradation of environmental contaminants. This study aims to examine the effectiveness of heat-treated iron oxide nanoparticles photocatalysts in the photocatalytic degradation of oxalic acid. To provide a comprehensive characterization of the photocatalysts, a range of techniques were utilized. These techniques included transmission electron microscopy (TEM) for the analysis of particle morphology, diffuse reflectance spectroscopy for the calculation of the energy bandgap, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis for the determination of surface area, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) for the identification of crystal structure. The catalyst that was produced demonstrated an increased specific surface area, as well as a band gap of 2.2 eV. These characteristics provide a basis for understanding its photocatalytic performance. This work additionally examines the phenomenon of oxalic acid adsorption on iron oxide nanoparticles that have undergone heat treatment at different temperatures, employing Operando ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Following this, the same approach is used to investigate the photocatalytic breakdown of the adsorbed oxalic acid. Subsequently, a study was undertaken to examine the surface electronic configuration of iron oxide nanoparticles that had undergone heat treatment. This analysis employed Fe–L edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy in the total electron yield (TEY) mode. It yielded valuable insights regarding the distribution of Fe3+/Fe2+ sites on the surface of the nanoparticles. The presence of Fe2+/Fe3+ ions are determined using operando ATR—FTIR spectroscopy, by analyzing the adsorption of oxalic acid onto the surface of iron oxide nanoparticles. The sample subjected to low-heat treatment showed an improved effectiveness in absorbing the oxalic acid, which is related to the presence of Fe2+ sites. The photocatalytic process was further investigated using quantitative analysis methods, namely through kinetic studies. The observed kinetics followed a pseudo first- order model, with a rate constant of 0.010 M−1S−1. The low heat-treated nanoparticles shows greater photocatalytic rate constant and these results highlight the efficient and quick degradation capabilities of these nanoparticles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, electronic devices with trendy flexibility and compatibility have become the competitive alternative to conventional electronics. In the present work, flexible polymer nanocomposite films composed of poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene), iron oxide, and strontium titanate (PVDF-HFP/SrTiO3/Fe2O3) were synthesized by the solution-casting method. The formation and structural features of this composite material have been analyzed by X-Ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Thermogravimetric (TGA), and SEM. SEM results confirm the homogeneous dispersion of SrTiO3 and Fe2O3 within the host polymer. The uniform dispersion of the embedded metal species enhances the dielectric values up to 462 on optimization with infused rigidity. The impedance studies of PVDF-HFP/SrTiO3/Fe2O3 were performed in the temperature region of 50–150 °C at various frequencies ranging from 50 Hz to 10 MHz and the AC conductivity studies suggested that synthesized polymer nanocomposite shows higher conductivity with the maximum conductivity value was 8.20 × 10−3S/m. Polymer nanocomposite films with large dielectric constant and minimum dielectric loss are highly recommendable for flexible energy storage applications. Also, rapid development of novel material for flexible electronics is in great demand, which suggests it is an alternate source for future energy storage application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents the findings of a study on oxide reduction utilizing a novel reducing plasma torch, employing greenhouse gases such as CO2 and CH4 as plasma gases. The primary aim of this investigation is to establish the viability of this approach. The innovative plasma torch was employed to reduce various oxides, including aluminum oxide, iron oxide, and titanium oxide, as well as a mixed oxide composition, employing a CO2/CH4 molar ratio of 1:1 within a spouted bed reactor. Following plasma treatment, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis was conducted to examine the metallic phases, notably titanium, iron, and aluminum. SEM–EDS observations were carried out to assess microstructural changes and identify elemental compositions pre- and post-plasma treatment. The results demonstrate that within the conical section of the reactor, titanium oxide experiences partial reduction, resulting in limited titanium production, while aluminum oxide and iron oxides (magnetite and hematite) undergo reduction to yield aluminum and iron, respectively. Thermodynamic calculations, performed using Factsage software version 8.3, were utilized to predict stable-phase formations following plasma treatment for each material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work reported here deals with fabricating iron oxide nanoparticles incorporated polyvinyl alcohol nanocomposite films via the solution‐casting green route, characterized using various characterization techniques. X‐ray diffraction analysis shows interaction of nanoparticles with the polyvinyl alcohol matrix, scanning electron microscopy shows surface morphology of crack‐free films, energy dispersive spectroscopy indicates elemental purity, tensiometer analysis shows changing behavior of hydrophilic to hydrophobic, thermogravimetric analysis shows improved thermal stability, ultraviolet‐visible spectroscopy shows tunable optical properties, and frequency response analysis shows improved electrical properties. A small incorporation (1 wt. %) of iron oxide nanoparticles has induced significant alternations in structural, wetting, thermal, optical, and electrical properties of the polyvinyl alcohol‐based nanocomposite films. Results showed notable changes in the structural phases, water contact angle (39.5° to 97.7°), optical absorption edge (5.12 eV to 4.84 eV), indirect band gap (4.99 eV to 4.68 eV), direct bandgap (5.41 eV to 5.21 eV), and band tail (0.57 eV to 0.89 eV) from native polyvinyl alcohol to polyvinyl alcohol/iron oxide nanocomposite films. Enhancements were observed in refractive indices, optical conductivity, optical dielectric loss, thermal stability, dielectric constant, and dielectric loss on incorporating iron oxide nanoparticles into the polyvinyl alcohol matrix. The fabricated nanocomposite films might be a potential material for optoelectronic and microelectronics applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this research is to manufacture new filter pellets based on polyacrylamide (PAM) activated carbon (GAC), iron oxide (Fe2O3), zinc oxide (ZnO) and kaolin and to evaluate their effectiveness in removing chromium and nickel from water. The synthesized filter pellets were characterized by FTIR, XRD and X-ray fluorescence. The XRF validation method would involve known amounts of chromium and nickel being retained by the filter pellets. the application of XRF gave precise measurements of the concentrations of Cr(VI) and Ni(II) fixed in the filter pellets. It was found that the values of the retention rates of Cr(VI) ions are higher in comparison with Ni(II) ions .The inclusion of inorganic additives influences the ability of filter pellets (FP) to retain Cr(VI) and Ni(II). FP2 (ZnO) showed reduced retention for both ions in comparison to FP1 (Fe2O3) and FP3 (Kaolin). FP3 (Kaolin) displayed better retention capacities for Cr(VI) and Ni(II) ions. The conductometric approach was also used to evaluate the retention of ions by the filter pellets. Comparing the conductivity of the feed solution with that of the filtered solution and the comparison between the different materials provided information on the most effective filter pellets for this purpose. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A consensus has not yet been reached on effects of climate change and driving mechanisms between the Tibetan Plateau (TP) and adjacent monsoonal areas during the Marine Isotope Stage 3 (MIS 3). Loess–paleosol sequences from the TP provide valuable information about the MIS 3 environmental history. Detailed color index and a diffuse reflectance spectral (DRS) analysis of Zhouqu (ZQ) loess from the Western Qinling Mountains were conducted to investigate climate change on the eastern margin of the TP during the MIS 3. Our results show that the variations in color index and iron oxide content in ZQ loess are mainly caused by the pedogenesis and climate conditions. The lightness (L*) value and hematite (Hm) content were used to reconstruct the precipitation history and temperature changes, respectively. The reconstructed records revealed that climate change during the MIS 3 was characterized by high frequency and large amplitude, with millennial-scale changes superimposed on orbital-scale changes. Warm–humid climate occurred in the late MIS 3, while the early climate of MIS 3 was relatively cold–dry. The Indian summer monsoon (ISM) and temperature variations during the MIS 3 mainly occurred due to obliquity and precession. The North Atlantic cooling led to the southward movement of the Intertropical Convergence Zone, and the downstream cooling of the atmosphere by the westerly jet could result in events on a millennial-scale in the eastern margin of the TP. The interhemispheric forcing may play an important role in driving the strong summer monsoon in the late MIS 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of novel catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction, by means of a fast one-pot microwave-assisted procedure, is reported herein and deeply explained. In particular, the important role of doping atoms, like sulfur and nitrogen, in Fe2O3-reduced graphene oxide nanocomposites is described to address the modification of catalytic performance. The presence of dopants is confirmed by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy analysis, while the integration of iron oxide nanoparticles, by means of decoration of the graphene structure, is corroborated by electron microscopy, which also confirms that there is no damage to the graphene sheets induced by the synthesis procedure. The electrochemical characterizations put in evidence the synergistic catalysis effects of dopant atoms with Fe2O3 and, in particular, the importance of sulfur introduction into the graphene lattice. Catalytic performance of as-prepared materials toward oxygen reduction shows values close to the Pt/C reference material, commonly used for fuel cell and metal–air battery applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron oxide-modified 1Pd0.5Fe and 1Pd10Fe catalysts with a target content of 1 wt % Pd and 0.5 or 10 wt % Fe have been synthesized by the wet impregnation of Al2O3 with iron and palladium nitrates. The catalysts have been compared with each other and with a monometallic 1Pd catalyst in diclofenac (DCF) hydrodechlorination (HDC) in dilute aqueous solutions at 30°C in batch and flow reactors after high-temperature (320°C) and mild reduction (30°C), the latter being run in a batch or flow reactor. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) has revealed that, after reduction at 320°C, the catalysts contain mostly Pd0, Fe2+, and Fe3+. The Fe2+/Fe3+ ratio on the surface increases with a decrease in the iron content. The reduction of Pd2+ to Pd0 can occur even at 30°C; however, on the 1Pd0.5Fe surface, it is significantly less effective than that on 1Pd10Fe. According to XPS, temperature-programmed reduction, and diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy of adsorbed CO, modification with iron oxides leads to an increase in the palladium content on the surface compared with that on 1Pd, contributes to the formation of new Pd–O–Fe sites, and affects the reducibility of palladium. These effects enhance with an increase in the iron content. The iron-modified catalysts reduced at 320°C exhibit similar activity and stability in DCF conversion in flow and batch systems. The 1Pd10Fe catalyst, unlike 1Pd0.5Fe, is highly efficient and stable even after mild reduction at 30°C. Under flow conditions, it provides a DCF conversion comparable to that provided by 1Pd and a selectivity in the DCF HDC reaction that is higher than that provided by 1Pd, which is also active in hydrogenation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The iron industry is the largest energy-consuming manufacturing sector in the world, emitting 4–5% of the total carbon dioxide (CO2). The development of iron-based systems for CO2 capture and storage could effectively contribute to reducing CO2 emissions. A wide set of different iron oxides, such as hematite (Fe2O3), magnetite (Fe3O4), and wüstite (Fe(1−y)O) could in fact be employed for CO2 capture at room temperature and pressure upon an investigation of their capturing properties. In order to achieve the most functional iron oxide form for CO2 capture, starting from Fe2O3, a reducing agent such as hydrogen (H2) or carbon monoxide (CO) can be employed. In this review, we present the state-of-the-art and recent advances on the different iron oxide materials employed, as well as on their reduction reactions with H2 and CO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron oxide-based ferrite ceramics, widely applied in high-frequency applications, are conventionally produced through high-temperature sintering processes, often resulting in grain growth and phase transformation. In this study, we used a cold sintering process (CSP) with oxalic acid (OA) as a solvent to consolidate iron oxide (Fe 3 O 4) ceramics at a low temperature of 160 °C. The OA-assisted CSP technique has demonstrated a remarkable capacity to facilitate the dissolution and redeposition of iron oxide ions, leading to the interconnection of Fe 3 O 4 particles, forming densely packed ceramics even at low-temperature sintering. Importantly, CSP maintained particle sizes and hindered phase transitions of Fe 3 O 4. The OA concentrations in CSP had a minimal impact on crystal structure and magnetic properties, but it significantly enhanced microstructural features, density, hardness, and electrical resistance. Compared to reference samples prepared without an aqueous solution or with water alone, the CSP-prepared Fe 3 O 4 ceramics with OA exhibited substantially improved density (a relative density of ∼80 %), mechanical properties (Vickers hardness of 3.5–4.0 GPa), magnetic properties (saturation magnetization >70 emu/g), and electrical resistance (electrical conductivity ∼10−3 S/cm at 102–106 Hz). These findings demonstrate a novel approach to fabricating Fe 3 O 4 ceramics at significantly lower temperatures while still achieving properties comparable to those sintered at high temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Standard materials are often used to obtain spectra that can be compared to those from unknown samples. Spectra measured from these known substances are also used as a means of computing sensitivity factors to allow quantification by X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) of less well‐defined materials. Spectra from known materials also provide line shapes suitable for inclusion in spectral models which, when fitted to spectra, permit the chemical state for a sample to be assessed. Both types of information depend on isolating photoemission signals from the inelastically scattered signal. In this Insight note, technical issues associated with the use of XPS of as received Fe3O4 powder sample surface are discussed. The Insight note is designed to show how linear algebraic techniques applied to data collected from a sample marketed as pure Fe3O4 powder are used to verify that XPS has been performed on chemistry representative of the sample. The methods described in this Insight note can further be utilized in elucidating complex XPS data obtained from thin films formed or evolved during cyclic/non‐steady use of complex (electro)catalyst surfaces, especially in the presence of contaminants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyaluronic acid (HA) has attracted much attention in tumor-targeted drug delivery due to its ability to specifically bind to the CD44 cellular receptor, which is widely expressed on cancer cells. We present HA-capped magnetic nanoparticles (HA-MNPs) obtained via the co-precipitation method, followed by the electrostatic adsorption of HA onto the nanoparticles' surfaces. A theoretical study carried out with the PM3 method evidenced a dipole moment of 3.34 D and negatively charged atom groups able to participate in interactions with nanoparticle surface cations and surrounding water molecules. The ATR-FTIR spectrum evidenced the hyaluronic acid binding to the surface of the ferrophase, ensuring colloidal stability in the water dispersion. To verify the success of the synthesis and stabilization, HA-MNPs were also characterized using other investigation techniques: TEM, EDS, XRD, DSC, TG, NTA, and VSM. The results showed that the HA-MNPs had a mean physical size of 9.05 nm (TEM investigation), a crystallite dimension of about 8.35 nm (XRD investigation), and a magnetic core diameter of about 8.31 nm (VSM investigation). The HA-MNPs exhibited superparamagnetic behavior, with the magnetization curve showing saturation at a high magnetic field and a very small coercive field, corresponding to the net dominance of single-domain magnetic nanoparticles that were not aggregated with reversible magnetizability. These features satisfy the requirement for magnetic nanoparticles with a small size and good dispersibility for long-term stability. We performed some preliminary tests regarding the nanotoxicity in the environment, and some chromosomal aberrations were found to be induced in corn root meristems, especially in the anaphase and metaphase of mitotic cells. Due to their properties, HA-MNPs also seem to be suitable for use in the biomedical field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The phase equilibria of the ZnO-"FeO 1..5 ", ZnO-"FeO 1.5 "-SiO 2 , PbO–ZnO-"FeO 1.5 " and PbO–ZnO-"FeO 1.5 "-SiO 2 slag systems in equilibrium with air or metallic lead/iron were studied as part of the investigation of the 19-component PbO–ZnO–Cu 2 O–FeO–Fe 2 O 3 –CaO–SiO 2 –Al 2 O 3 –MgO–S-(As, Sn, Sb, Bi, Ag, Au, Ni, Cr, Co as minor elements) slag/matte/metal/speiss/gas system, supporting the operation/development of existing and emerging pyrometallurgical processes. In the experimental part of the study, samples underwent high temperature equilibration followed by quenching, and the direct measurement of the lead, zinc, iron and silicon concentrations in the liquid slag, solid oxide, and metal phases by electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). The a) massicot (PbO), b) spinel ((Zn, Fe)Fe 2 O 4), c) zincite ((Zn,Fe)O 1+x , 2 polymorphs), d) lead ferrite (Pb 2+x Fe 2 O 5+x), e) plumboferrite (Pb 4 Fe 22-x Zn x O 37), f) magnetoplumbite (Pb(Fe 2 O 3 ,PbFeO 2 ,PbZnO 2)Fe 10 O 16), and g) W-ferrite (PbZn 2-x Fe 16+x O 27) primary phase fields of the PbO–ZnO-"FeO 1.5 " system in equilibrium with air were studied between 780 and 1300 °C. The ZnO-"FeO 1.5 ", ZnO-"FeO 1.5 "-SiO 2 and PbO–ZnO-"FeO 1.5 "-SiO 2 systems in equilibrium with air were studied up to 1745 °C, significantly improving the availability of information on the composition range of the high- and low-Fe zincite ((Zn,Fe)O 1+x) phases, and on the liquid slag composition at the boundaries of their primary phase fields. Lastly, the solubilities of iron in larsenite (Pb(Zn,Fe)SiO 4) and melilite (Pb 2 (Zn,Fe)Si 2 O 7) in equilibrium with air or metal were studied between 700 and 800 °C. The newly obtained and existing experimental data were used to develop a self-consistent set of thermodynamic parameters describing all phases in the system using the FactSage computer package. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fracture surface of rail K76F steel after static bending tests of rail butt joints produced by flash-butt welding was studied. Butt joints of rails of individual batches were fractured on the base metal or heat-affected-zone. It is shown that in the regions of dark color and oval shape, the destruction of the iron oxide film takes place. The formation of films occurs as a result of flashing and spreading of iron oxide inclusions along the structural boundaries probably in the thermo-deformation conditions of the crimping shop at the stage of blooming production. The formation of clusters of iron oxides occurs during the crystallization of the residual melt in steel ingots with an insufficient degree of deoxidation. Oval regions of dark color on the surface of the fracture are evidence of an insufficient degree of deoxidation of rail steel and a factor of its quality reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC) can be converted into carbon materials for the fabrication of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) as well as serve as a substrate for the incorporation of transition metal oxides (TMOs) to restrain the volume expansion, one of the most significant challenges of TMO-based LIBs. To improve the electrochemical performance and enhance the longer cycling stability of LIBs, a nanocrystalline cellulose-supported iron oxide (Fe2O3) composite (denoted as NCC–Fe2O3) is synthesized and utilized as electrodes in LIBs. The obtained NCC–Fe2O3 electrode exhibited stable cycling performance, better capacity, and high-rate capacity, and delivered a specific discharge capacity of 576.70 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1 after 1000 cycles. Moreover, the NCC–Fe2O3 electrode was restored and showed an upward trend of capacity after working at high current densities, indicating the fabricated composite is a promising approach to designing next-generation high-energy density lithium-ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphorus is a limiting factor for eutrophication while also an important nonrenewable resource. Adsorption is one of the most efficient phosphorus pollution control technologies and phosphorus recovery can be promisingly achieved after desorption. The use of iron oxides as adsorbents to remove phosphorus has been extensively studied, due to merits of high adsorption capacity, high selectivity, as well as environmental benign. However, their effectiveness and feasibility in practical applications are still challenged. This review summarized the current achievements of using iron oxides and their modified products to remove phosphorus from wastewater. Phosphorus removal mechanisms and strategies for improving the performance of different types of iron oxide-based adsorbents were summarized. Moreover, the potential methods of phosphorus desorption and subsequent recovery were summarized. Finally, the future challenges on the practical application of iron oxides in phosphorus recovery from wastewater were discussed. This review might provide guidance for the development and application of adsorption-based phosphorus recovery technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study comprehensively investigated the effect of iron-oxide nanoparticles (NPs) on weathering durability and thermal resistance of wood-plastic composites (WPCs). The hydrophobic nature of NPs improved the dimensional stability of WPCs. The small size of NPs deposits the voids in the matrix, which helps to increase the mechanical properties, even after weathering test. The decrease of modulus of rupture (MOR) reached up to 16% for control samples, while it was 2% for IO40-1. Despite the intensive weathering conditions, NPs cover the surface of materials like a UV shield, improving WPCs' UV resistance. Moreover, the increase in the wood and NPs content limited the UV degradation, which resulted in lower color changes. The attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) analysis also proved that there were nearly no changes in the characteristic bands of polymer (2916 and 2846 cm−1) and wood (1512 cm−1). The microscopic investigation, however, revealed the deterioration on the surface of WPCs after weathering exposure. Even though UV degradation is inevitable, iron oxide NPs significantly preserved the WPCs surface. However, there were also crack formations, which were also inhibited. On the other hand, NPs decelerated the thermal degradation by acting as a heat barrier. Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) analysis revealed an increase in the degradation temperature. Limit oxygen index (LOI) values also increased up to 27.6%, which demonstrated an improvement against flammability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for a facile approach for synthesizing multifunctional nanocomposites is increasingly vital across diverse applications. In this study, a polymerizable sol–gel synthesis has been reported to obtain nanocomposites of magnetic iron oxide deposited over alumina nanopowder. The synthesis is mediated by the deposition of a calculated amount of iron(III) methacrylate, along with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate crosslinker, over alumina nanopowder, followed by thermally-inducing free radical polymerization at 125 °C for 30 min. The powder thus obtained has been subjected to calcination at 400 °C for 150 min and the resultant nanocomposites were characterized using wide-angle x-ray scattering, attenuated total reflectance—Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, ultraviolet-diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometer and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area measurements. The nanocomposites containing 15 and 20 wt% of iron oxide have been found to exhibit a saturation magnetization (M s) value ranging from 12 to 14 emu g−1. To the nanocomposite containing 20 wt% of iron oxide, 5 wt% of AgBr was loaded through thoroughly mixing a surfactant-based precursor, silver-tetraoctyl ammonium bromide (Ag-TOAB), followed by thermolysis. All the nanocomposites have been studied for their antibacterial activity against a representative gram-negative bacterium, Escherichia coli, under dark and visible light conditions. While a 3 mg ml−1 loading of the AgBr-loaded nanocomposite has exhibited complete clearance of the bacterial growth by 90 min in the dark, a similar activity has been observed in 60 min under light. The study has revealed the multifunctionality and high potential of the AgBr-loaded iron oxide/alumina nanocomposite as a promising dual-mode antibacterial and magnetically recoverable photocatalyst material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nickel isotope fractionation during continental weathering is not well constrained due to the limited research on Ni isotopes during weathering of mafic rocks such as basalt. This study investigated two weathering profiles (strongly and extremely weathered) derived on basalts in tropical China. The strongly weathered profile was dominated by kaolinite and divided into three layers with depth (soil, saprolite and rock). The extremely weathered profile was mainly composed of Fe- and Al-(oxyhydr)oxides and kaolinite, and included a special ferricrust layer, iron-rich duricrust with ferruginous nodules, between the soil and saprolite. We analysed the Ni speciation (e.g. Fe-oxide phases and residual phase) and isotopic composition of soil, ferricrust, saprolite, rock and water samples in the weathering profiles. Pore water and groundwater were collected underlying the extremely weathered profile, and the size-distribution of particulate Ni (1 kDa–450 nm) in water samples was analysed. Nickel in both profiles was mainly hosted in the residual phase (>71% of total Ni) which included primarily secondary silicates and Al-(oxyhydr)oxides. Weathering intensity controlled the mineral compositions and physico-chemical properties of the weathering profiles as well as Ni isotopic variations. Nickel redistribution (∼30%) and isotope fractionation (Δ60Ni regolith-rock = −0.08‰ to 0.07‰) were slight in the strongly weathered profile due to the dominance of secondary silicates in Ni speciation. For the extremely weathered profile, significant Ni depletion (∼67%) and isotope fractionation (Δ60Ni regolith-rock = −0.25‰ to 0.32‰) were related to the transformation of secondary silicates into Fe- and Al-(oxyhydr)oxides during lateritic weathering. The positive correlation of δ60Ni and Ni concentrations indicated that Ni isotope fractionation was controlled by Ni adsorption and incorporation of secondary minerals. In the lower saprolite, the calculated isotope fractionation between Ni remaining in the profile and leaching to the solution (Δ60Ni solid-solution = −0.47‰) indicated that Ni isotope fractionation was mainly controlled by the preferential adsorption of isotopically light Ni on Fe- and Al-(oxyhydr)oxides. However, in the soil and ferricrust, acidic pH (∼5.0) might reduce Δ60Ni solid-solution to −0.28‰ by releasing the isotopically light adsorbed Ni, leading to the predominance of incorporated Ni in Fe- and Al-(oxyhydr)oxides. Specifically, the highest δ60Ni value (0.27 ± 0.05‰) and Ni concentration in the upper saprolite indicated that the isotopically heavy Ni leached from the soil and ferricrust was scavenged by precipitating secondary silicates. Finally, the estimated isotopic composition of Ni leached from the extremely weathered profile (δ60Ni output = 0.02 ± 0.15‰) was close to that of pore water (0.06 ± 0.01‰) where Ni was mainly present in the particulate phase. Compared with groundwater (δ60Ni = 0.33 ± 0.04‰) dominated by dissolved Ni, Ni output from the profile likely consisted of isotopically heavy dissolved Ni and light particulate Ni. Overall, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of Ni redistribution and speciation in basalt weathering profiles, highlighting the significance of weathering intensity in controlling Ni isotope fractionation and its implications for Ni outputs from continental weathering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work designed a mesoscale method of multi-step reduction of Fe 2 O 3 with H 2 based on Lattice Gas Cellular Automata (LGCA). Particles in the LGCA were marked to distinguish all the reactants, intermediates, products, and inert. A self-organized evolutionary mechanism is designed. The hydrogen reduction of Fe 2 O 3 in the temperature range of 460–550 °C and 650–800 °C was simulated. Results show that the intermediate product Fe 3 O 4 was found in both conditions, and its mass fraction quickly reach a peak at ∼0.8 and gradually decrease thereafter. An "induction period" can be identified in the initial stage of the reaction at 650–800 °C, where the reduction rate is slow due to the hindered formation of FeO. The porosity inside the Fe 2 O 3 particles increases continuously through the reduction process, resulting in significant changes in the flow field around the particles. Consequently, the wake vortex gradually decreases and disappears eventually. • The multiple step reduction of Fe 2 O 3 by hydrogen is investigated in mesoscale. • A mesoscale method with self-organized evolutionary mechanism is developed. • Three obvious reaction rate transitions can be identified at 650–800 °C by the method. • The flow field is altered from internal structural of Fe 2 O 3 changes during reduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Macrophages are known to depict two major phenotypes: classically activated macrophages (M1), associated with high production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and alternatively activated macrophages (M2), which present an anti-inflammatory function. A precise control over M1-M2 polarization is a promising strategy in therapeutics to modulate both tissue regeneration and tumor progression processes. However, this is not a simple task as macrophages behave differently depending on the microenvironment. In agreement with this, non-consistent data have been reported regarding macrophages response to magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MNPs). To investigate the impact of both tissue microenvironment and MNPs properties on the obtained macrophage responses, single-core (SC) and multi-core (MC) citrate coated MNPs, are synthesized and, afterwards, loaded with a macrophage polarization trigger, IL-4. The developed MNPs are then tested in macrophages subjected to different stimuli. We demonstrate that macrophages treated with low concentrations of MNPs behave differently depending on the polarization stage independently of the concentration of iron. Moreover, we find out that MNPs size and morphology determines the effect of the IL-4 loaded MNPs on M1 macrophages, since IL-4 loaded SC MNPs favor the polarization of M1 macrophages towards M2 phenotype, while IL-4 loaded MC MNPs further stimulate the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The establishment of a new metallurgical complex in Bellara, located in El-Milia in the Jijel region, is geographically advantageous due to its proximity to the Sidi Maarouf deposit (Algeria). This proximity has been a fundamental motivation for the completion of the current study. The object of research is the quality of iron products from Sidi Maarouf. The research is aimed at developing a treatment process aimed at improving the quality of iron products from Sidi Maarouf, while reducing the impurities of quartz and clay present in this ore. This approach will be based on an approved technological treatment scheme, implemented through an experimental approach to ensure reliable results that meet the requirements of the steel industry. The problem issue revolves around the difficulties encountered in the production of steels due to the natural characteristics of the raw material. In the absence of a physico-chemical characterization of the Sidi Maarouf iron ore deposit, samples taken undergo a series of thorough analyses, including microscopic examinations, X-ray diffraction (XRD), as well as additional chemical analyses using X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The identified minerals are predominantly composed of hematite in terms of iron. As for the gangue, it is mainly composed of calcite and quartz. Through to the pretreatment process involving washing, we have successfully removed lightweight particles, resulting in a concentrate containing dense particles. This approach was crucial in achieving satisfactory results during the high-intensity dry magnetic separation. As a result of the research it is shown that the enrichment of the Sidi Maarouf iron ore through high-intensity dry magnetic separation, a final concentrate was obtained with a Fe2O3 content exceeding 67 %, along with a significant reduction in silica impurities to 0.92 % and alumina to 0.77 %. It was concluded that this concentrate, derived from the –1+0.5 mm fraction and obtained under a current intensity of 12 A, meets the requirements of the steel industry. Following the work carried out, it is found that the methods of valorization of iron ore through mineralogical processes consistently require a high level of efficiency and performance in terms of equipment and characterization of the products obtained. In the future, iron ore processing will be conducted using innovative methods, integrating advanced technologies to enhance its characteristics while adopting environmentally friendly practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organometallic complexes of transition metals with inorganic anions are considered as promising precursors for the synthesis of nanoscale materials used in various applications including chemical catalysis. In this work, organometallic complexes of nickel, iron, and copper with imidazole as an organic ligand and the nitrate anion as an inorganic ligand were synthesized and characterized. The kinetic parameters of thermal decomposition of the synthesized organometallic complexes were determined by low heating-rate thermogravimetric analysis and high-speed dynamic mass spectrometric thermal analysis. The main gaseous products of thermal decomposition of the complexes under high-speed heating were identified. The chemical and phase compositions of condensed combustion products of the organometallic complexes in air were studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetite quantum dots were synthesized by solvothermal method in a conventional reflux setup, in an inert environment, at different reaction temperatures and times. Powder X-ray diffraction patterns of the as-prepared iron oxide confirmed magnetite crystalline phases irrespective of the reaction conditions. TEM micrographs revealed that the iron oxides obtained at 200, 180 and 165 °C are spherical in shapes with mean particle sizes of 3.25, 3.3 and 3.90 nm respectively, showing an increase in particle size with decreasing temperature. TEM micrographs revealed that particles obtained at 6 and 3 h have a mean particle size of 3.25 nm while particles obtained at 4.5-h has a bigger mean particle size of 7.5 nm. The results show that irrespective of the synthetic parameters, the average particle sizes of the magnetite are in the range 3–8 nm and could be described as quantum dots. Optical absorption spectra of the as-prepared magnetite quantum dots exhibited maximum absorption in the range of 200–210 nm. Fe3O4-1, Fe3O4-2 and Fe3O4-3 synthesized at 200, 180 and 165 °C have energy band gaps of 5.49, 5.13 and 5.01 eV respectively, showing a decrease in band gap with decreasing temperature. Fe3O4-4 and Fe3O4-6 synthesized at 6 and 3 h have optical band gap of 5.44 eV while Fe3O4-5 synthesized at 4.5 h has a band gap of 3.75 eV. FTIR spectra confirmed the passivation of the surface of the as-prepared magnetite quantum dots by oleate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticles have been shown to inhibit major life cycle stages of ticks, indicative of the promising application of nanomaterials against hard ticks. The study thus probed into one of the alternative options to curtail Hyalomma by employing nanocomposites consisting of pyrethroids (cypermethrin and deltamethrin) coated nanoparticles of iron oxides and iron sulfides keeping alongside the evaluation of their toxicity through plant and mammalian cell lines. The nanoparticles used in this study were roughly spherical in morphology and exhibited various size dimensions upon characterization using SEM, EDX, and FTIR. The application of nanomaterials on female ovipositioning tick showed a decline up to 15% (females ovipositioned) in deltamethrin-coated FeO NPs, whereas this decline was up to 18% in Cyp-FeS NPs and up to 5% in Cyp-FeO NPs. Similarly, the larval hatching was also impacted, leading to a hatching percentage of 5% and only 1% by application of Cyp-FeS NPs and Cyp-FeO NPs, respectively. Similarly, the larval groups had LC90 of 4.1 and 4.73 mg/L for the Cyp-FeO NPs and Cyp-FeS NPs groups. The delta-FeO NPs and delta-FeS NPs demonstrated a promising effect against adult ticks, showing LC50= 3.5 mg/L, LC90= 6.7 mg/L and LC50= 3.8 mg/L, LC90= 7.9 mg/L, respectively. MTT assay revealed that the pyrethroids coupled with iron oxide nanoparticles showed the least cytotoxicity even at the highest concentration (10–1 µL) among other nanomaterials. The study thus concluded a safer spectrum of non-target effects of pyrethroids-coated nanomaterials in addition to their significant anti-tick activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and spectral induced polarization (SIP) are widely used to investigate the electrical properties of mineral surfaces at vastly different scales of measurement. We compare AFM and SIP measurements made on two different materials (glass beads and silica gel) subjected to etching, deposition of iron oxide particles, and inclusion of calcite grains. We found that the treatments produced qualitatively consistent behaviors in the AFM and SIP data. Direct AFM measurements of surface charge density for silica and calcite surfaces were quantitatively compared to values estimated from the SIP results using a grain polarization model. No statistically significant difference (at a 95% confidence level) was found between the surface charge density of silica estimated by AFM (2.3 ± 6.6 mC/m2 for glass beads and 1.6 ± 0.1 mC/m2 for silica gel) versus SIP (5.4 ± 4.4 mC/m2 for glass beads and 1.6 ± 0.5 mC/m2 for silica gel). The surface charge density for calcite determined by AFM (43.5 ± 12.9 mC/m2) was approximately 19 times higher than that found for silica. While the charge density of calcite surfaces determined by SIP was also generally higher than that found for silica, different treatments produced significantly different values between 4.7 and 258 mC/m2 (with a maximum 95% CI of ±8.7 mC/m2). Several possible explanations exist for the range of the observed SIP measurements, including aging of the calcite surfaces. Overall, this study suggests the potential for the complementary use of AFM and SIP measurements to constrain future investigations of polarization mechanisms in porous media. Plain Language Summary: The electrical properties of rock and mineral surfaces are sensitive to their physical and chemical environment and are therefore important for earth applications ranging from detecting minerals to monitoring microbial growth. In most environmental settings, these properties are controlled by ions that move through the open pore spaces between grains and along mineral surfaces, where they are more tightly bound to charged surfaces. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) provides a way to directly measure the charge present on a mineral surface, but makes measurements at a microscopic scale and is not practical for field investigations or monitoring real‐time experiments in porous media. In contrast, spectral induced polarization (SIP) can measure electrical properties averaged over volumes of earth in the lab or field, but it is not always clear what exactly is being measured by this geophysical measurement. We therefore compare AFM and SIP measurements for glass beads and silica gel subjected to different treatments (etching, iron oxide deposition, and calcite formation) to assess whether these two distinct measurements provide consistent responses to the modifications. We found that the two measurements qualitatively provide consistent measurement responses and quantitatively determine similar amounts of charge present on mineral surfaces for both silica and calcite. The study suggests the combined use of AFM and SIP could improve our understanding of electrical process in porous media across measurement scales. Key Points: Atomic force microscopy (AFM) and spectral induced polarization (SIP) provide consistent information on the electrical properties of mineral surfaces despite having vastly different scales of measurementA grain polarization model was used to obtain consistent estimates of the surface charge density from SIP and AFM measurements for silica and calciteThe surface charge of calcite is an important contributor to the electrical response of porous media [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein we synthesized biochar/iron oxide composite (C/α‐Fe2O3/γ‐Fe2O3) by two‐step calcination method. The prepared C/α‐Fe2O3/γ‐Fe2O3 had a highly pure and a concentration ratio of α‐Fe2O3 and γ‐Fe2O3 about 1 : 1. The optical properties of as‐synthesized C/α‐Fe2O3/γ‐Fe2O3 show a lower bandgap energy (1.90 eV) than that of pure C/α‐Fe2O3 (2.02 eV). The effects of different biochar composite catalysts on the removal of amino black were investigated. Upon illumination, the total removal rate of amino black dye by C/α‐Fe2O3/γ‐Fe2O3 catalyst reached 98 %, which was about 1.7 times that of C/α‐Fe2O3. In addition, the coercivity and the remanence intensity of C/α‐Fe2O3/γ‐Fe2O3 is respectively 1.81 times and 7.17 times that of C/α‐Fe2O3. The catalyst could be magnetically separated and reused for five times with a slight loss of its reactivity. The study of biochar composite provides a new direction for the removal of toxic organic dye in wastewater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The utilization of nanoparticles to enhance bacterial activity and boost hydrogen production in fermentation processes has gained significant attention due to their unique properties such as high specific surface area and quantum size. This research aimed to improve the biohydrogen yield from food waste by adding iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe 3 O 4) at various concentrations (50, 75, 100, 150, and 200 mg/l) and titanium dioxide (TiO 2) at different amounts (25–150 mg/l) to a single-stage hybrid (dark/photo) fermentation reactor. After obtaining the optimal amount of these two nanoparticles, the effect of synergic addition of nanoparticles on hydrogen production yield, was investigated at ratios of Fe 3 O 4 /TiO 2 = 50/50 and 100/50 mg/mg. At the ratio of Fe 3 O 4 /TiO 2 = 100/50, the cumulative hydrogen production and yield of hydrogen have increased from 1613 to 3392 ml and 101.60 to 213.66 mlH 2 /gVS, respectively, compared to the control experiment. We also found that the COD removal rate has enhanced from 28% to 40.1%. In the optimal value, the bacterial growth lag phase has also remarkably decreased from 8.19 to 4.81 h. • Synergic application of TiO 2 and Fe 3 O 4 significantly increased biohydrogen purity and production yield. • TiO 2 played an important role in the activity of bacteria in the photo fermentation process. • Fe 3 O 4 played an important role in the dark fermentation system. • Nanoparticles may act as a scaffold for enzyme and substrate binding. • Optimal nanoparticle concentration may differ for different bioreactors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluorine magnetic resonance imaging (19F MRI) has emerged as an attractive alternative to conventional 1H MRI due to enhanced specificity deriving from negligible background signal in this modality. We report a dual nanoparticle conjugate (DNC) platform as an aptamer‐based sensor for use in 19F MRI. DNC consists of core–shell nanoparticles with a liquid perfluorocarbon core and a mesoporous silica shell (19F‐MSNs), which give a robust 19F MR signal, and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) as magnetic quenchers. Due to the strong magnetic quenching effects of SPIONs, this platform is uniquely sensitive and functions with a low concentration of SPIONs (4 equivalents) relative to 19F‐MSNs. The probe functions as a "turn‐on" sensor using target‐induced dissociation of DNA aptamers. The thrombin binding aptamer was incorporated as a proof‐of‐concept (DNCThr), and we demonstrate a significant increase in 19F MR signal intensity when DNCThr is incubated with human α‐thrombin. This proof‐of‐concept probe is highly versatile and can be adapted to sense ATP and kanamycin as well. Importantly, DNCThr generates a robust 19F MRI "hot‐spot" signal in response to thrombin in live mice, establishing this platform as a practical, versatile, and biologically relevant molecular imaging probe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluorine magnetic resonance imaging (19F MRI) has emerged as an attractive alternative to conventional 1H MRI due to enhanced specificity deriving from negligible background signal in this modality. We report a dual nanoparticle conjugate (DNC) platform as an aptamer‐based sensor for use in 19F MRI. DNC consists of core–shell nanoparticles with a liquid perfluorocarbon core and a mesoporous silica shell (19F‐MSNs), which give a robust 19F MR signal, and superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) as magnetic quenchers. Due to the strong magnetic quenching effects of SPIONs, this platform is uniquely sensitive and functions with a low concentration of SPIONs (4 equivalents) relative to 19F‐MSNs. The probe functions as a "turn‐on" sensor using target‐induced dissociation of DNA aptamers. The thrombin binding aptamer was incorporated as a proof‐of‐concept (DNCThr), and we demonstrate a significant increase in 19F MR signal intensity when DNCThr is incubated with human α‐thrombin. This proof‐of‐concept probe is highly versatile and can be adapted to sense ATP and kanamycin as well. Importantly, DNCThr generates a robust 19F MRI "hot‐spot" signal in response to thrombin in live mice, establishing this platform as a practical, versatile, and biologically relevant molecular imaging probe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, we propose a comprehensive chemical experiment that include the preparation, characterization and lithium storage performance evaluation of mesoporous carbon-coated iron oxide nanoparticles. Students are guided to acquaint themselves with the characterization methods of material structure, the operation of battery assembly and battery testing technique. This experiment will disclose the interrelationship between material structure and performance to students, and cultivate their experiment skills, scientific literacy, and practical innovation ability. Furthermore, this experiment serves as a gateway for students to explore the frontier in new energy, and stimulate their scientific interest. Therefore, this experiment is recommended as a comprehensive chemical experiment course for senior undergraduates majoring in materials chemistry or applied chemistry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are many nanoparticle preparation techniques such as the biological approach sol-gel method and physical methods, etc. However, the co-precipitation approach requires few chemical reagents and reaction time as well as produces highly pure products with comparatively lower costs among the available techniques. In present work co-precipitation method is use to synthesize magnetic iron oxide (Fe3O4) nanoparticles, followed by characterization to check its applicability and the presence of undesired substrate. UV–visible spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) were examined to determine the synthesized Fe3O4 nanoparticles. The nanoparticles' sizes lies between 1 nm to 100 nm, according to the SEM and HR-TEM analyses. XRD measurements verified the crystalline characteristics of the Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Dielectric spectroscopy of synthesized Fe3O4 nanoparticle pellets has been investigated at a wide frequency range 0.1 to 105 Hz. Capacitance and dielectric permittivity of Fe3O4 nanoparticles decrease continuously with frequency as dipole gets less time to orient in the field. The dielectric permittivity of Fe3O4 pellets increases up to 3 mm thickness and subsequently drops, perhaps because a rise in resistance. The electrical conductivity of Fe3O4 rises exponentially with frequency. According to the dielectric studies, the dielectric permittivity and electrical conductivity of Fe3O4 are greatly dependent on the thickness and extent of frequency. Additionally, the dielectric impedance of Fe3O4 pellets has also been investigated as a function of frequency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a literature review of the iron oxide nanoparticles synthesis routes with applications as nanocatalysts in the synthesis of carbon nanostructures using the plastic pyrolysis method. Through pyrolysis, it is possible to synthesize structures such as single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), double-walled carbon nanotubes (DWCNTs), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and carbon nanofibers (CNFs). The morphological and chemical properties of the nanocatalysts ensure the majority production with minimal defects of these nanostructures. Regarding the iron oxide nanocatalyst, this review emphasizes the importance of parameters such as its shape and size, properties that are controlled during the synthesis process, and the significance of the interaction between nanoparticles and the support material used. These factors directly influence the nanocatalyst's performance in terms of catalytic activity, selectivity, and durability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The possibility of using quartz sands from the Oinakum deposit as a promising source of high-quality quartz-containing raw materials for the glass industry in order to obtain higher grades of glass is considered. The chemical, granulometric, and mineralogical compositions of quartz sands of the Oinakum deposit were investigated; different enrichment schemes were used to obtain high concentrations of quartz sand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a type of non-protein-coding and small RNAs, are encouraging molecular biomarkers for prior diagnosis of the certain diseases. Here, an electrochemical sensor based on iron oxide/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulfonate (Fe3O4/PEDOT:PSS) hybrid coated glassy carbon electrode (GCE) is reported to determine microRNA-21 (miRNA-21) as a biosensing platform based on hybridization event. The biosensor was characterized by cyclic voltammetry (CV) measurements. The Fe3O4/PEDOT:PSS demonstrated good sensing performance, including a wide detection range (0.1 pM-1 µM) and a low detection limit (0.023 pM) for potential medical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nanoparticles have a wide range of industrial applications, including heat transfer, innovative materials, electronics, catalysis, and medical. The rheological characteristics of Fe3O4–SiC hybrid nanoparticles dispersions in heat transfer oil were experimentally investigated at varying loadings of nanoparticles ranging from 0 to 2 wt%. A mixture of ultrasonication and stabilizer addition was employed to produce stability. The nanofluid viscosity is determined at a variety of temperatures (ranging from 25 to 65 °C) and (1–2000 s−1) shear rates. The viscosity of nanofluid is measured at several temperatures (25–65 °C) and shear rates (1–2000 s−1). The acquired results suggested that nanofluids show non-Newtonian and shear thinning behavior. An increased of 33% in viscocity was observed at 65 °C, in 1 wt% Fe3O4–SiC nano-suspension. The viscosity data of hybrid nanofluid was subjected to empirical quadratic polynomial modeling with response surface method (RSM) and artificial neural network (ANN). Viscosity predictions were excellent for both models. ANN showed better agreement compared to RSM with R2 0.999 and average absolute deviation (AAD) 1.2914%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Significant quantities of Fenton sludge (FS) are produced during the treatment of industrial wastewater from the plating industry because of the removal of residual organic matter and color‐causing substances. This study proposes repurposing waste FS as a valuable resource to contribute to environmentally favorable remediation initiatives. This study focuses on producing Fenton sludge biochar (FS‐BC), which effectively removes As(V) from wastewater and offers a sustainable solution for wastewater treatment. Different FS‐BC samples were produced at various pyrolysis temperatures (300–900 °C), with FS‐BC‐900 exhibiting the greatest As(V) adsorption capacity. As(V) removal was primarily mediated by electrostatic attraction with iron oxide, and adsorption via inner‐sphere complex formation, as revealed by the XPS analysis. FS‐BC‐900 had a remarkable maximum As(V) adsorption capacity of 148.7 mg/g (initial concentration: 100–900 mg/l; reaction time: 96 h; pH 7.86), surpassing many other adsorbents reported in the literature. FS‐BC‐900 also demonstrated a high As(V) removal percentage, with 6.67 g/l of FS‐BC‐900 removing 96.8% of the As(V). Notably, the adsorption of As(V) by FS‐BC‐900 was affected by certain factors, including pH and carbonate presence. High pH and carbonate inhibited the ability of FS‐BC‐900 to adsorb As(V). This study presents a novel method for utilizing FS to combat As(V)‐contaminated water‐induced environmental contamination. This study contributes to eco‐friendly and sustainable wastewater treatment and As(V) remediation strategies by transforming waste into valuable resources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemical Looping Hydrogen (CLH) allows the direct production of pure hydrogen exploiting the redox properties of Fe, with high flexibility on the type of reductant used. In this work, a highly pure hydrogen stream suitable for the direct use into Proton Exchange membrane Fuel Cells was produced, using bioethanol as renewable fuel. The influence of both redox temperature (675°C–750 °C) and chemical composition of the Fe-based particles (2 wt% and 40 wt% of alumina added) on the carbon formation rate during reduction step was also deeply analyzed. Al 2 O 3 changed both Fe x O y redox kinetics and equilibrium phases, leading to a complete iron deactivation at high Al 2 O 3 concentration. The addition of an air oxidation step (3 steps CLH) is fundamental to restore the redox activity, with a constant efficiency of about 30% at 750 °C for 10 cycles. Furthermore, Al 2 O 3 promotes the ethanol conversion into carbon, undermining the hydrogen purity. [Display omitted] • Pure H 2 suitable for PEMFCs is obtained using bioethanol as renewable fuel. • The influence of Fe/Al interaction on H 2 yields and H 2 purity was studied. • 3 steps CLH allows the use of Fe 2 O 3 -40 wt% Al 2 O 3 with no reduction in performance. • Fe 2 O 3 -2 wt% Al 2 O 3 withstands 10 redox cycles in the temperature range 675–750 °C. • A process efficiency of 30% was achieved at 750 °C for 10 consecutive redox cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibacterial textiles can help prevent infections from antimicrobial-resistant pathogens without using antibiotics. This work aimed to enhance the cotton fabric's antimicrobial properties by depositing Fe2O3 nanoparticles on both sides of its surface. The nanoparticles were deposited using low-temperature plasma technology in a pure oxygen atmosphere, which is environmentally friendly. The Fe2O3 nanoparticles formed clusters on the fabric surface, rather than thin films that could reduce the airflow of the textile. The optimal conditions for the nanoparticle deposition were 200 W of plasma power, 120 min of immersion time, and 5 cm of Fe cathode–textile sample distance. The received antimicrobial textile was tested and the high efficiency of developed materials were successfully demonstrated against 16 microbial strains (Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and fungi). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arsenic in water at low concentration (1–5 mg/L) presents difficulty in its removal by adsorption due to low concentration gradient. In the present study, silica was extracted from rice husk ash via sol–gel method and loaded with iron oxide using co-precipitation method. The maximum removal As(III) percentage (97.5%) was achieved using 0.1 g/L of adsorbent with a contact time of 90 min at pH = 7.0. Modelling of the experimental data with Freundlich isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models showed the highest regression coefficient (R2 > 0.95). Adsorption was spontaneous at all temperatures (∆G° value). Film and intraparticle diffusivities followed power-law model with initial concentration. FTIR spectra (at 825 cm−1) indicated the presence of monodentate arsenic complexes. The presence of PO43- ions affected the As(III) removal from water. The synthesised adsorbent exhibited excellent reusability up to three adsorption-desorption cycles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pottery of the Neolithic and Bronze Ages excavated from South Korea were analyzed in terms of mineral composition, firing temperature, and color factors of the pottery body based on the physical and mineralogical characteristics. In this investigation, the red pottery of the Neolithic Age was black in body color, and that of the Bronze Age was reddish yellow. All pottery body was mainly composed of quartz and plagioclase. The color factors of the pottery body were assumed by hematite and maghemite in the case of reddish yellow, and by amorphous carbon and magnetite in the case of black color. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study delves into the atmospheric corrosion behavior of chromium-free complex-phase (CP) steel, specifically investigating the influence of wet/dry frequency and ratio in cyclic corrosion tests (CCT). The study employs a modified ISO 14993 standard CCT method, which involves salt spray, dry, and wet stages. After 15 and 30 CCT cycles, mass loss, maximum corrosion depth, and corrosion products were analyzed to gain insights into corrosion mechanisms. In general, increasing the frequency and wet/dry stage ratio in CCT extends the time for autocatalytic reactions to occur, leading to accelerated localized CP steel corrosion and increased pitting factors. However, as the rust layer thickens, uniform corrosion may also intensify, so careful considerations are necessary. This study underscores the importance of controlling the frequency and ratio of wet/dry stages in CCT for effectively analyzing localized corrosion behavior in specimens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fe3O4 is a magnetic material (ferrimagnet at room temperature), and its nanoparticles find wide applications in industry and biotechnology. In general, they are coated with suitable organic material to avoid their self-agglomeration. A variety of coating materials have been used and their choice largely depends on the applications of nanoparticles. This paper deals with the synthesis, characterization and study of magnetic properties of Fe3O4 particles having several different coatings, but similar magnetic properties. Nanoparticles were synthesized using a wet route involving co-precipitation of Fe2+and Fe3+ ions and they were coated with citric acid, ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid, tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide, polyethylene glycol and oleic acid using standard chemical methods. These particles were characterized using X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared. Magnetization studies were carried out using a vibrating sample magnetometer and data have been analysed to obtain information about the magnetic moment on the particle and other parameters, such as saturation magnetization, structural defects and magnetocrystalline anisotropy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a known pollutant that must be captured from gas streams. Dry desulfurization processes are investigated due to their lower energy requirement and potentially high capture efficiency. Carbon materials and metal oxides have been shown to have an affinity with SO2. The aim of this study was to combine iron oxide and graphene oxide (GO) as a composite material for SO2 capture for low-concentration streams. Iron oxide particles were prepared using a polyol method in which the precursor was dispersed in ethylene glycol, heated under reflux and then deposited on GO, a two-dimensional, single-layer material with a surface area of 400 m2/g. The synthesized material was tested for continuous desulfurization in a flow-through capture system with a stream of gas containing 25 ppm SO2 entering at 20 °C and 100 °C. Under all conditions tested, the breakthrough times, evaluated when the SO2 started to be detected at the outlet with a concentration of 1 ppm, as well as the capture capacities, were significantly higher for the iron oxide GO composite than for the pristine GO alone. The presence of sulfur compounds as well as the composite composition were confirmed by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDXS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The breakthrough experiment results at various temperatures also suggest that the capture was not governed only by pure physical adsorption with the presence of iron oxide. Addition of iron oxide particles positively influences SO2 affinity with the synthesized material as shown by the increase in breakthrough time and capture capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural limonite, which contains mainly nano-sized iron and manganese oxides, is widely distributed worldwide. This study investigated the kinetics, thermodynamics, and the effects of pH, ion strength, and anions on the adsorption of Sb(III) via limonites sampled from Xinqiao and Yeshan (Tongling, China). Results show that adsorption equilibrium is achieved after 24 h for all experiments. Under initial Sb(III) = 200 mg/L, pH = 3.0, and temperature = 25 °C, Sb adsorption quantities for X1 (Mn-free limonite from Xinqiao), X2 (Mn-containing limonite from Xinqiao), Y1 (Mn-free limonite from Yeshan), and Y2 (Mn-containing limonite from Yeshan) are 10.92, 12.97, 27.12, and 89.34 mg/g, respectively. Manganese oxides in limonites promote Sb removal through oxidizing Sb(III) to Sb(V). The adsorption processes for all four limonites are fitted with a pseudo-second-order model. All adsorptions except for X1 fit with the Freundlich model; for X1, the Langmuir adsorption model is better. All adsorptions are spontaneous reactions (ΔG < 0). All adsorptions except for Y1 (ΔH < 0, exothermic reaction) are endothermic reactions (ΔH > 0). Antimony adsorption is independent of solution pH for Mn-free limonites but is negatively related to solution pH for Mn-containing limonites. Generally, ion strength has a weak positive effect on Sb adsorption. The effects of anions on Sb adsorption are grouped into three types: weak negative (NO3− and SO42−), negative (CO32−, SiO44−, and PO43−), and equivocal (humic acid). This study indicates that due to a much higher surface area, Yeshan (124.8 m2/g for X1 and 171.7 m2/g for X2) rather than Xinqiao (13.7 m2/g for Y1 and 12.8 m2/g for Y2) limonites are better materials for Sb(III) removal in an aqueous solution. The key factors for the better use of limonite as an Sb(III) treatment material include temperature, pH, ion strength, and Mn content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fe 2-x Sn x O 3 structures grown by RF-DC magnetron co-sputtering. The band gap of Fe 2 O 3 , SnO 2 , Fe 2-x Sn x O 3 structure was calculated as 2.86, 4.06, 2.77 eV, respectively. The Fe 2 O 3 thin film has shown a tetragonal as well as the SnO 2 structure, however, the Fe 2-x Sn x O 3 (0 < x < 1) has shown rhombohedral structure. XPS measurements have shown change in binding energy which is due to the electron exchange of tin-iron with oxygen, and iron - tin oxide structure. This binding energy increases slightly with the chemical environment effect. The films were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM). In AFM images was seen that the iron oxide structure was pyramidal and the tin oxide structure was spherical, similar to the SEM image. The response of the film to hydrogen gas was measured at flow values of 100, 500 and 1000 ppm at 300 °C. Fe 2 O 3 thin films show 46%, SnO 2 61% and, Fe 2-x Sn x O 3 6.5% response to 1000 ppm H 2 gas. It is seen that the gas sensor response was affected by the morphological and structural features of the grown film. Current vs. time graph for thin films gas sensor. [Display omitted] • Thin films were successfully grown by RF-DC co-sputtering system. • Metal oxide hydrogen gas sensor devices were measured depending on different grown structures. • Fe 2 O 3 , SnO 2 , Fe 2-x Sn x O 3 thin films show 46%, 61%, 6.5% response to 1000 ppm H 2 gas. • Iron oxide and tin oxide have n-type carrier, while iron tin oxide has p-type carrier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron (oxyhydr)oxides strongly adsorb phosphate and limit its bioavailability, but interactions between phosphate and various Fe (oxyhydr)oxides are poorly constrained in natural systems. An in-situ incubation experiment was conducted to explore Fe (oxyhydr)oxide transformation and effects on phosphate sorption in soils with contrasting saturation and redox conditions. Synthetic Fe (oxyhydr)oxides (ferrihydrite, goethite and hematite) were coated onto quartz sand and either pre-sorbed with phosphate or left phosphate-free. The oxide-coated sands were mixed with natural organic matter, enclosed in mesh bags, and buried in and around a vernal pond for up to 12 weeks. Redox conditions were stable and oxic in the upland soils surrounding the vernal pond but largely shifted from Fe reducing to Fe oxidizing in the lowland soils within the vernal pond as it dried during the summer. Iron (oxyhydr)oxides lost more Fe (− 41% ± 10%) and P (− 43 ± 11%) when incubated in the redox-dynamic lowlands compared to the uplands (− 18% ± 5% Fe and − 24 ± 8% P). Averaged across both uplands and lowlands, Fe losses from crystalline goethite and hematite (− 38% ± 6%) were unexpectedly higher than losses from short range ordered ferrihydrite (− 12% ± 10%). We attribute losses of Fe and associated P from goethite and hematite to colloid detachment and dispersion but losses from ferrihydrite to reductive dissolution. Iron losses were partially offset by retention of solubilized Fe as organic-bound Fe(III). Iron (oxyhydr)oxides that persisted during the incubation retained or even gained P, indicating low amounts of phosphate sorption from solution. These results demonstrate that hydrologic variability and Fe (oxyhydr)oxide mineralogy impact Fe mobilization pathways that may regulate phosphate bioavailability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]