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One-dimensional copper sulfide (CuS) wires were realized by the acrylamide-assisted hydrothermal process using Cu(NO3)2 and thiourea (NH2CSNH2) as reactants at 100 °C. A copper sulfide/carbon nanotube (CNTs) composite was fabricated as a similar method with the addition of CNTs. The samples are characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, and Raman scattering spectra, respectively. The influence of reaction temperature and amine on the morphologies of CuS nanocrystals was investigated. As anode materials for sodium-ion batteries, the electrochemical studies show that the CuS/CNT composite electrode delivers a higher reversible capacity of 428.1 mA h g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 for the 100th cycle, because CNTs can be a conductive agent to provide a fast path for electron transportation, compared with the bare CuS wires (280 mAh·g−1 after 100 cycles). The synthesis results indicate that the amine-directed synthesis strategy of copper sulfide could be extended for the preparation of other metal sulfide nanostructures. Further, the incorporation of the CNT matrix into the copper sulfide is an effective approach to enhance the electrochemical performance of CuS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The energy sector and coal scientists have been enthusiastic about characterizing and understanding the vertical and lateral depositional systems of thick coal seam. However, there are no detailed studies that provide well-connected insight into the regional depositional characteristics of the thick coal seam in the Lower Indus Basin, SE Pakistan. Therefore, field emission scanning electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy backscattered electron, electron probe microanalysis, X-ray powder diffraction spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and coal facies were adopted to study major and subclassified maceral petrography and coal sequence stratigraphic characteristics; coal depositional models were then established. Preferential depositional systems were identified by low-stand system tracts, high-stand system tracts and transgressive system tracts and are likely to include shallow marine sequences that were propagated by slow to rapid regression. The high contents of telohuminite and detrohuminite indicate highly gelified and non-gelified tissue derived from angiosperms and herbaceous plants, which were the most prevalent. The qualitative analysis of the function group suggests peaks, hence stretching the region band adsorption intensity of the particle. Major identified features of Raman spectra with hidden peak intensities tend to include the oscillation of energy particles due to the carbon crystallinity and high reflectance of mineral surfaces. The extensive lateral depositional analytical models revealed that the thick coal seam was deposited in the upper delta during waterlogged/wet and dry cyclic conditions, which were the most prevalent in the mires. This continuation of wet–dry cyclic conditions moves quickly to humification and gelification. Environmental changes led to the accumulation and transformation of organic matter, which resulted in the formation of thick peat deposits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The recovery of nickel from laterite ore with sulphuric acid under the effect of microwave irradiation was studied. The experimental results indicated that the extraction rate of nickel was influenced by reaction time, sulphuric acid concentration, and temperature, especially by microwave power. The results obtained from the experiments of orthogonal arrays showed that the optimum conditions of sulphuric acid concentration, reaction time, microwave power, and temperature were 25 vol.%, 1.5 h, 600 W, and 90°C, respectively. Under the optimal conditions, the nickel recovery could reach approximately 90.8%, which was higher than that obtained by conventional water bath heating. Kinetic experiments showed that the leaching of nickel in a sulphuric acid medium was controlled by chemical reaction occurring on the surface of laterite ore. The apparent activation energy was 38.9 kJ/mol. Microwave heating technology is efficient, clean, and easy to control and facilitate continuous processing of materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]