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A layer-by-layer strategy is developed to fabricate transition metal silicates/C architecture to enhance their electrochemical properties. [Display omitted] • Layer-by-layer rGO@NiSiO@NiO/C is rationally designed and fabricated. • The rGO@NiSiO@NiO/C shows fast electron/mass transfer kinetics. • The rGO@NiSiO@NiO/C delivers improved electrochemical performances. • The hybrid supercapacitor device achieves the energy density of 26.7 Wh kg−1 at 343.8 W kg−1. In the wake of the carbon–neutral era, the exploration of innovative materials for energy storage and conversion has garnered increasing attention. While nickel silicates have been a focal point in energy storage research, their application in supercapacitors (SCs) has been relatively underreported due to poor conductivity. A newly designed architecture, designated as rGO@NiSiO@NiO/C (abbreviated for reduced graphene oxide (rGO), nickel silicate (NiSiO), nickel oxide/carbon (NiO/C)), has been developed to enhance the electrochemical performance of NiSiO. The incorporation of inner rGO provides structural support for NiSiO, enhancing conductivity, while the outer NiO/C layer not only boosts conductivity but also safeguards NiSiO from structural degradation and electrolyte dissolution. This architecture eliminates multi-phase mixtures, facilitating rapid electron/mass transfer kinetics and accelerating electrochemical reactions, resulting in exceptional electrochemical properties. The rGO@NiSiO@NiO/C architecture achieves a specific capacitance of 324F·g−1 at 0.5 A·g−1, with a superb cycle performance of ∼ 91 % after 10,000 cycles, surpassing state-of-the-art nickel silicates. Furthermore, the hybrid supercapacitor (HSC) device incorporating the rGO@NiSiO@NiO/C electrode attains an areal capacitance of 159 mF·cm−2 at 2.5 mA·cm−2, a retention ratio of ∼ 98 % after 10,000 cycles, and an energy density of 0.68 Wh·m−2 (26.7 Wh·kg−1) at 3.4 W·m−2 (343.8 W·kg−1). This study presents a layer-by-layer approach for constructing transition metal silicates/C architectures to enhance their electrochemical performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Agricultural residues, specifically canola meal (CM) and oat hull (OH), have been innovatively utilized to develop biosorbents for sorbing water vapor from the air. These biomaterials are comprised of hydrophilic functional groups that effectively perform air dehydration. Air, being non-polar, was used as a model gas in this study to simulate gas dehydration. In the current research, these materials were formed into pellets to produce high-quality biosorbents with controlled size, shape, and enhanced moisture uptake capacity. CM (309.48 mg/g) and OH (233.07 mg/g) pellets had higher or comparable water sorption capacities than commercialized adsorbents used for drying gases. The mixed-order kinetic model described the sorption process well and identified both mass transfer and sorption on active site steps (R2 > 0.991 and χ2 < 16.0). Regarding the OH pellet, sorption on active sites was the predominant kinetic mechanism at the beginning, followed by intraparticle diffusion until equilibrium. However, sorption on CM pellets was delayed at 4.2 min at the initial stage, owing to the external mass transfer resistance; then, intraparticle diffusion controlled the process until equilibrium. Adding sodium lignosulfonate (LSNa) lowered the initial sorption rate but enhanced the water uptake and strength of pellets. The addition of LSNa resulted in a 25% and 14% increase in the water uptake capacity of oat hull and canola meal pellets, respectively; conversely, it also caused an increase in the delay time for sorption on CM pellets at the beginning of the process, extending it to 9.50 min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent times, perovskite oxides have recognized to be an ideal alternative to platinum‐based oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts due to their excellent stability, cost‐effectiveness, and tailorable properties. Herein, an ABO3 type LaFeO3 perovskite was doped at its B‐site to form electrochemically active LaFeB′O6 (B′=Cr, Zn, Co) by one‐pot hydrothermal synthesis process. Due to the synergistic effects of increased surface area and electrochemically active sites, Cr‐doped LaFeO3 largely improves the mass transfer kinetics for ORR in both conditions, alkaline (0.1 M KOH) and acidic (0.5 M H2SO4) with a positive onset Eon of 0.80 and 0.81 V (vs Ag/AgCl). Similarly, a half‐wave (E1/2) potential of 0.68 and 0.63 V (vs Ag/AgCl), which was comparable to the commercial 20 % Pt/C. Moreover, the La‐based perovskites were able to catalyze ORR with an electron transfer number (n)>3.6 signifying the superior 4‐electron pathway. Doped and undoped LaFeO3 exhibited remarkable stability in the chronoamperometry studies with a relative current of 92–95 % sustained over 8 h. Additionally, the La‐based electrocatalysts was unaffected by the crossover effect of methanol in both acidic and basic conditions, contrary to the commercial 20 % Pt/C. The present work serves as a useful strategy to maximize the efficiency and reliability in perovskites for energy‐related electrocatalytic applications and for alternative fuel generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work describes a novel method for converting bismuth triiodide (BiI3) microplates into bismuth oxyiodide (BiOI) nanoflakes under ultrasonic irradiation. To produce BiOI nanoflakes with a high yield and high purity, the conversion process was carefully adjusted. Rapid reaction kinetics and increased mass transfer are benefits of the ultrasonic-assisted approach that result in well-defined converted BiOI nanostructures with superior characteristics. The produced BiOI nanoflakes were examined utilizing a range of analytical methods, such as Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The progress in the ultrasonic conversion process with time was monitored through diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The outcomes demonstrated the effective conversion of BiI3 microplates into crystalline, homogeneous, high-surface-area BiOI nanoflakes. Additionally, the degradation of organic dyes (methylene blue) under ultraviolet (UV) light irradiation was used to assess the photocatalytic efficacy of the produced BiOI nanoflakes. Because of their distinct morphology and electrical structure, the BiOI nanoflakes remarkably demonstrated remarkable photocatalytic activity, outperforming traditional photocatalysts. The ability of BiOI nanoflakes to effectively separate and utilize visible light photons makes them a viable option for environmental remediation applications. This work not only shows the promise of BiOI nanoflakes for sustainable photocatalytic applications but also demonstrates a simple and scalable approach to their manufacturing. The knowledge gathered from this work opens up new avenues for investigating ultrasonic-assisted techniques for creating sophisticated nanomaterials with customized characteristics for a range of technological uses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurement of ethanol above the skin surface (supradermal) is used to monitor blood alcohol concentrations (BAC) in both legal and consumer settings. Previously, the relationship between supradermal alcohol concentration (SAC) and BAC was described using partial and ordinary differential equations (PDE model: J. Appl. Physiol. 100: 649‐55, 2006). Using a range of BAC profiles by varying absorption times and peak concentrations, the PDE model accurately predicted experimental measures of SAC. Recently, other mathematical models have relied on the PDE model. This paper proposes a new approach to modeling transdermal ethanol kinetics using a mass transfer coefficient and only ordinary differential equations (ODE model). Using a range of BAC profiles, the ODE model performed very similarly to the PDE model. The ODE model had slightly slower washout rates and slightly slower times to peak SAC and to zero SAC. Similar to the PDE model, a sensitivity analysis on the ODE model showed changes in solubility and diffusivity within the stratum corneum, stratum corneum thickness, and the volume of gas above the skin affected model performance. This new model will streamline integration into larger physiologic models, reduce computation time, and decrease the time to transform skin alcohol measurements to blood alcohol concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: This study investigates the reversible and irreversible structural changes in proteins induced by different salting methods (brining, mixed salting, and dry salting) during the desalting process of Merluccius hubbsi fillets. We focused on mass changes, water content, and NaCl content, employing mathematical models for kinetic analysis and sorption isotherms. Image analysis was utilised to examine tissue microstructure and texture profile analysis assessed the mechanical properties. Our results indicate that salting methods significantly influence mass changes and yield during desalting. Specifically, brining led to the highest weight gain due to controlled salt absorption and enhanced water retention. The Peleg model accurately described NaCl and water content dynamics during desalting. Microscopic analysis revealed substantial structural alterations, while mechanical properties showed significant differences; dry and mixed salting methods caused notable tissue damage and protein denaturation. These findings provide valuable insights for enhancing salting processes and improving the quality of desalted seafood products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this research, the objective was to optimize the drying process of Astragalus by investigating the effects of microwave vacuum drying parameters, including temperature (30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 °C) and slice thickness (2, 3, 4, 5, and 6 mm). In addition, utilizing COMSOL 6.0 finite element analysis software, we delved into the distribution of heat and moisture during the drying process. The results revealed that drying temperature played a significantly greater role than slice thickness in determining the drying dynamics. The thermal and mass transfer mechanism indicated that the whole drying process conforms to the microwave radiation mechanism and the basic principle of electromagnetic heating. In the case of low temperatures and thinner slice sizes, the more polysaccharide content was retained; The total phenol content peaked when the slice thickness was 5 mm; The increase of slice thickness was not conducive to the retention of total flavonoids content. The potent antioxidant capacity was detected at a temperature of 40 °C, with slice thickness having a negligible effect on this capacity; Low temperatures were beneficial for the preservation of active ingredients. Compared with the scanning electron microscope, the structure appeared more uniform at a temperature of 50 °C. Based on the analysis of the kinetic characteristics of microwave vacuum drying of Astragalus and the quality achieved under various drying conditions, the results of the study can provide valuable guidance for controlling the quality of microwave vacuum drying of Astragalus under different drying requirements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractThis study presents a pore network (PN) model with transient heat transfer and quasi-steady transitional vapor transport that is for the first time applied to irregular porous structures that are obtained by reconstruction of X-ray tomography image data. In contrast to previous studies, the irregular pores are not approximated by spheres but implemented in their original shape. Secondly, instead of assuming cylindrical throats as pore connections, the actual distance between pore centers as well as the pore cross sections are used for the computation of the vapor transport coefficient. The control volume elements of the computational model are matched with the cells obtained by Voronoi tessellation. The improvements have clear advantages over former approaches where the reconstructed void space is usually strongly simplified by balls and sticks confined in a regular lattice structure. A freeze-dried sample of maltodextrin DE12 with 20% (w/w) solid content is used for benchmarking the new methodology. Its morphological and thermal properties are determined by the novel PN model. The simulation results of primary freeze-drying (FD) are compared to reference cases in two ways. First, the differences in heat and mass transfer kinetics as compared to regular PNs are emphasized. Secondly, the PN simulation results are confronted with a simple literature model that neglects pore size distribution (PSD) and transient heat transfer. It is shown that already in small domains with relatively narrow PSD, the variation of the mass transfer coefficient affects the computed sublimation fluxes and yields a significant deviation from the simpler literature model. Moreover, it is revealed in this study that the structure has a significant impact on the sublimation front temperature. This is demonstrated by the comparison of FD in the irregular PN to a regular PN with almost identical PSD but different porosity. The development, verification, and benchmarking of the new PN model can be seen as an important step for studies of the structure dependence of FD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc anodes of zinc metal batteries suffer from unsatisfactory plating/striping reversibility due to interfacial parasitic reactions and poor Zn2+ mass transfer kinetics. Herein, methoxy polyethylene glycol‐phosphate (mPEG‐P) is introduced as an electrolyte additive to achieve long anti‐calendar aging and high‐rate capabilities. The polyanionic of mPEG‐P self‐assembles via noncovalent‐interactions on electrode surface to form polyether‐based cation channels and in situ organic–inorganic hybrid solid electrolyte interface layer, which ensure rapid Zn2+ mass transfer and suppresses interfacial parasitic reactions, realizing outstanding cycling/calendar aging stability. As a result, the Zn//Zn symmetric cells with mPEG‐P present long lifespans over 9000 and 2500 cycles at ultrahigh current densities of 120 and 200 mA cm−2, respectively. Besides, the coulombic efficiency (CE) of the Zn//Cu cell with mPEG‐P additive (88.21%) is much higher than that of the cell (36.4%) at the initial cycle after the 15‐day calendar aging treatment, presenting excellent anti‐static corrosion performance. Furthermore, after 20‐day aging, the Zn//MnO2 cell exhibits a superior capacity retention of 89% compared with that of the cell without mPEG‐P (28%) after 150 cycles. This study provides a promising avenue for boosting the development of high efficiency and durable metallic zinc based stationary energy storage system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The work is devoted to investigating the influence of the mechanical field on temperature and diffusion processes occurring under steady bending of slender beams. The model used here takes account of the finite velocity of propagation of thermal and diffusion disturbances. A mathematical formulation of the problem includes the system of equations of unsteady flexural vibrations of the beam with account of heat and mass transfer, that has been obtained from the general thermomechanodiffusion model for continuous media using the generalized principle of virtual displacements. With the example of a hingedly supported three-component beam fabricated from a zinc, copper, and aluminum alloy and exposed to unsteady bending moments, the authors have investigated the interaction of mechanical, temperature, and diffusion fields, and also have analyzed the influence of relaxation effects on the kinetics of heat and mass transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Sono-osmodehydration was used to accelerate the freezing process. • A new exponential model was proposed for the prediction of WL and SG. • Dehydration pretreatment shortened the freezing time significantly. • High sonication duration resulted in structural damage, as confirmed by SEM. • Sono-osmodehydration at 40 % concentration-35 °C was the most favorable condition. Considerable efforts have been made to minimize the adverse effects of freezing on the quality of frozen products. In this study, ultrasound-assisted osmodehydrofreezing (UOD) was used to accelerate the freezing process. The effects of osmotic solution concentration, temperature, and application of ultrasound on freezing characteristics and quality attributes of frozen carrot were investigated. The changes in water loss (WL) and solid gain (SG) were predicted using kinetic models, with effective diffusivities determined according to Fick's second law of diffusion for a finite cylinder. The results from the kinetic modeling demonstrated the good fitness of the new proposed exponential model. Effective diffusivities for WL and SG ranged from 4.49 × 10−8 m2 s−1 to 8.42 × 10−8 m2 s−1 and 4.30 × 10−8 m2 s−1 to 5.12 × 10−8 m2 s−1, respectively, with the highest diffusivities observed in ultrasound-assisted dehydrated samples at 45 °C in a 60 % sucrose solution. Dehydration pretreatment could shorten the freezing time significantly. Pretreated samples (after thawing) showed higher firmness and lower phenolic contents, as compared to the control samples (freezing without osmodehydration). In addition, the UOD process minimized drip loss and electrolyte leakage. The high duration of ultrasound exposure resulted in structural damage, which was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy. In general, it was revealed that the UOD process prior to freezing was more useful in preventing the quality loss of the samples, as compared to osmodeydration without sonication. These findings, thus indicate that applying UOD is a promising approach for freezing food materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study summarizes the most recent findings on osmotic dehydration, a crucial step in food preservation. The many benefits of osmotic dehydration are listed, including longer shelf life and preserved nutritional value. Mass transfer dynamics, which are critical to understanding osmotic dehydration, are explored alongside mathematical models essential for comprehending this process. The effect of osmotic agents and process parameters on efficacy, such as temperature, agitation and osmotic agent concentration, is closely examined. Pre-treatment techniques are emphasized in order to improve process effectiveness and product quality. The increasing demand for sustainability is a critical factor driving research into eco-friendly osmotic agents, waste valorization, and energy-efficient methods. The review also provides practical insights into process optimization and discusses the energy consumption and viability of osmotic dehydration compared to other drying methods. Future applications and improvements are highlighted, making it an invaluable tool for the food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The adsorption isotherms and intraparticle mass transfer coefficients of a novel adsorbent with various VOCs at different temperatures during the desorption process are investigated. Firstly, the adsorption isotherms of an HCP-5 adsorbent with o-xylene and ethyl acetate systems were determined at temperatures ranging from 30 to 160 °C, and the data were fitted using the Langmuir adsorption isotherm equation. Subsequently, a mathematical model for the fixed-bed desorption breakthrough of VOCs was established. By combining with fixed-bed desorption breakthrough experiments, the intraparticle mass transfer coefficients of o-xylene and ethyl acetate during the desorption process at different temperatures were obtained through the least squares method. This study revealed that the intraparticle mass transfer coefficients of o-xylene and ethyl acetate during the desorption process were basically equal. The intraparticle mass transfer coefficients increased and then decreased with temperature during the desorption process. Compared with the adsorption process, the contribution of surface diffusion inside the adsorbent pores to intraparticle mass transfer decreased during the desorption process, leading to a significant decrease in the intraparticle mass transfer coefficients, which were approximately one-twentieth of those during the adsorption process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonsolvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) is a popular method for creating polymeric particles with internal microstructure, but many fundamental questions remain surrounding the kinetics of the complex coupled mass transfer and phase separation processes. In this work, we use simulations of a phase-field model to examine how (i) finite domain boundaries of a polymer droplet and (ii) solvent/nonsolvent miscibility affect the NIPS process. To isolate the effects of phase separation kinetics and solvent/nonsolvent mass transfer on the NIPS process, we study two different cases. First, we investigate droplet concentrations that originate inside the two-phase region, where phase separation kinetics alone governs the microstructure. Second, we investigate the effects of solvent/nonsolvent mass transfer by studying droplet concentrations that begin outside the two-phase region, where both phase separation kinetics and mass transfer play a role. In both cases, we find that qualitative NIPS behavior is a strong function of the relative location of the initial droplet composition with respect to the phase diagram. We also find that polymer/nonsolvent miscibility competes with solvent/nonsolvent miscibility in driving NIPS kinetic behavior. Finally, we examine polymer droplets undergoing solvent/nonsolvent exchange and find that the model predicts droplets that shrink with nearly Fickian diffusion kinetics. We conclude with a brief perspective on the state of simulations of NIPS processes and some recommendations for future work. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and their composites have garnered significant attention in recent years due to their exceptional properties and diverse applications across various fields. The conventional batch synthesis methods for MOFs and their composites often suffer from challenges such as long reaction times, poor reproducibility, and limited scalability. Continuous flow synthesis has emerged as a promising alternative for overcoming these limitations. In this short review, we discuss the recent advancements, challenges, and future perspectives of continuous flow synthesis in the context of MOFs and their composites. The review delves into a brief overview of the fundamental principles of flow synthesis, highlighting its advantages over batch methods. Key benefits, including precise control over reaction parameters, improved scalability and efficiency, rapid optimization capabilities, enhanced reaction kinetics and mass transfer, and increased safety and environmental sustainability, are addressed. Additionally, the versatility and flexibility of flow synthesis techniques are discussed. The article then explores various flow synthesis methods applicable to MOF and MOF composite production. The techniques covered include continuous flow solvothermal synthesis, mechanochemical synthesis, microwave and ultrasound-assisted flow synthesis, microfluidic droplet synthesis, and aerosol synthesis. Notably, the combination of flow chemistry and aerosol synthesis with real-time characterization is also addressed. Furthermore, the impact of flow synthesis on the properties and performance of MOFs is explored. Finally, the review discusses current challenges and future perspectives in the field of continuous flow MOF synthesis, paving the way for further development and broader application of this promising technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Realizing durative dense, dendrite‐free, and no by‐product deposition configuration on Zn anodes is crucial to solving the short circuit and premature failure of batteries, which is simultaneously determined by the Zn interface chemistry, electro‐reduction kinetics, mass transfer process, and their interaction. Herein, this work unmasks a domino effect of the β‐alanine cations (Ala+) within the hydrogel matrix, which effectively triggers the subsequent electrostatic shielding and beneficial knock‐on effects via the specifical adsorption earliest event on the Zn anode surface. The electrostatic shielding effect regulates the crystallographic energetic preference of Zn deposits and retards fast electro‐reduction kinetics, thereby steering stacked stockier block morphology and realizing crystallographic optimization. Meanwhile, the mass transfer rate of Zn2+ ions was accelerated via the SO42− anion immobilized caused by Ala+ in bulk electrolyte, finally bringing the balance between electroreduction kinetics and mass transfer process, which enables dendrite‐free Zn deposition behavior. Concomitantly, the interfacial adsorbed Ala+ cations facilitate the electrochemical reduction of interfacial SO42− anions to form the inorganic‐organic hybrid solid electrolyte interphase layer. The above domino effects immensely improve the utilization efficiency of Zn anodes and long‐term stability, as demonstrated by the 12 times longer life of Zn||Zn cells (3650 h) and ultrahigh Coulombic efficiency (99.4 %). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Electrocatalytic semihydrogenation of acetylene (C2H2) provides a facile and petroleum-independent strategy for ethylene (C2H4) production. However, the reliance on the preseparation and concentration of raw coal-derived C2H2 hinders its economic potential. Here, a concave surface is predicted to be beneficial for enriching C2H2 and optimizing its mass transfer kinetics, thus leading to a high partial pressure of C2H2 around active sites for the direct conversion of raw coal-derived C2H2. Then, a porous concave carbon-supported Cu nanoparticle (Cu-PCC) electrode is designed to enrich the C2H2 gas around the Cu sites. As a result, the as-prepared electrode enables a 91.7% C2H4 Faradaic efficiency and a 56.31% C2H2 single-pass conversion under a simulated raw coal-derived C2H2 atmosphere (~15%) at a partial current density of 0.42 A cm−2, greatly outperforming its counterpart without concave surface supports. The strengthened intermolecular π conjugation caused by the increased C2H2 coverage is revealed to result in the delocalization of π electrons in C2H2, consequently promoting C2H2 activation, suppressing hydrogen evolution competition and enhancing C2H4 selectivity. Electrocatalytic semihydrogenation of acetylene produces ethylene without petroleum, but is hindered by the need to preprocess coal-derived acetylene. Here the authors report concave carbon-supported Cu nanoparticles to enrich local acetylene concentration for ethylene electrosynthesis from low-concentrated raw coal-derived acetylene with a 91.7% FE at 420 mA cm−2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to apply osmotic dehydration (OD) to produce minimally processed chayote (Sechium edule (Jacq.) Swartz) slices. Thus, the effect of osmotic solution concentration, temperature, processing time, and vacuum pulse application on mass transfer during osmotic dehydration of the fruit was evaluated. The kinetics of water loss (WL), solids gain (SG), and water activity (aw) were obtained using sucrose solutions with concentrations of 40, 50 and 60 °Bx at 25, 35 and 45 °C. Osmotic solution concentration, temperature, and processing time had a greater influence than vacuum pulse application on WL and SG. The temperature showed an Arrhenius-type dependence on effective diffusivity. The osmodehydrated chayote had lower aw (up to 0.846), higher total soluble solids (TSS) content (up to 31.9 °Bx) and purer and more intense color (up to 18.75 in chroma) compared to fresh chayote. These findings suggest that OD allows for the production of minimally processed chayote that could be included in quick-cook products, such as salads or soup mixes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Ultrasound-assisted steam distillation (USD) increased the yield of cinnamon oils extracted from cinnamon leaves by fitting a mass transfer kinetic model during the distillation process. A response surface optimization experiment was conducted to optimize the experimental conditions, which revealed that the order of factors was particle size, ultrasound power, ultrasound time, and pulse ratio. The optimal conditions were determined to be a 40 mesh particle size, 286 W ultrasound power, 31 min ultrasound time, and 7:3 pulse ratio, resulting in a 2.36% yield of cinnamon oils. The yield of cinnamon oils was 0.57% greater in USD than that of steam distillation (SD). The nonsteady-state diffusion model was the most suitable model for the distillation process. The washing coefficient b value of USD was 0.0210, indicating that cinnamon oils were enriched on the particle surface during the initial stages. The diffusion coefficient k of the USD was 0.1770, 40.36% higher than that of the SD, indicating a higher mass transfer efficiency. The main components in cinnamon oils were cinnamaldehyde, coumarin, and 2-methoxycinnamaldehyde. Compared with those of SDs, USDs increased the diffusion coefficient k values of these components increased by 48.51%, 77.67%, and 82.43%, respectively. Ultrasound cavitation improved the mass transfer efficiency of the distillation process, allowing components such as 2-methoxycinnamaldehyde to be more easily enriched in cinnamon oils than in other oils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study improves and expands the scope of application of the theoretical model previously proposed by the authors, which describes the relationship between the strength and electromigration (diffusion) properties of interfaces formed by connected materials. In the developed model, a linear relationship is established between the values of the work of reversible interface separation and electromigration activation energy in the interface. Estimates are made and the coefficients of the resulting relation are compared with experiments studying electromigration in a copper conductor coated with a protective dielectric. Using also the model previously developed by the authors, which describes the dependence of the quantity on the concentrations of nonequilibrium lattice defects presenting in the volumes of connected materials, a number of effects due to the influence of such defects on processes caused by electromigration are predicted and studied. This study shows that by introducing nonequilibrium lattice defects in the form of atomic interstitial or substitutional impurities into the volumes of the joined materials, we can effectively influence on the characteristics of the electromigration instability of the shape of the interlayer boundary. For interstitial impurities, quantitative analytical estimates of the impurity concentration required to significantly change (both increase and decrease) the characteristic growth time of the instability of the shape of an initially flat interface are performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the applicability of the Peleg model to the osmotic dehydration of various sweet potato variety samples in sugar beet molasses, addressing a notable gap in the existing literature. The osmotic dehydration was performed using an 80% sugar beet molasses solution at temperatures of 20 °C, 35 °C, and 50 °C for periods of 1, 3, and 5 h. The sample-to-solution ratio was 1:5. The objectives encompassed evaluating the Peleg equation's suitability for modeling mass transfer during osmotic dehydration and determining equilibrium water and solid contents at various temperatures. With its modified equation, the Peleg model accurately described water loss and solid gain dynamics during osmotic treatment, as evidenced by a high coefficient of determination value (r2) ranging from 0.990 to 1.000. Analysis of Peleg constants revealed temperature and concentration dependencies, aligning with previous observations. The Guggenheim, Anderson, and de Boer (GAB) model was employed to characterize sorption isotherms, yielding coefficients comparable to prior studies. Effective moisture diffusivity and activation energy calculations further elucidated the drying kinetics, with effective moisture diffusivity values ranging from 1.85 × 10−8 to 4.83 × 10−8 m2/s and activation energy between 7.096 and 16.652 kJ/mol. These findings contribute to understanding the complex kinetics of osmotic dehydration and provide insights into the modeling and optimization of dehydration processes for sweet potato samples, with implications for food processing and preservation methodologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep-fried breaded tilapia nuggets (DFBTNs) have good market prospects as a tilapia deep-processed product. In this study, we used pre-optimized DFBTNs to simulate the mass change from storage to consumption and investigated the changes in storage shelf-life and frying mass transfer kinetics of DFBTNs. Microbial growth trend and shelf-life prediction models at different storage temperatures were developed using a modified Gompertz equation. The R2 of the fitted equations were all greater than 0.98, and the predicted shelf-life of the products was close to the actual measurement time. The ability of the electronic nose and tongue to differentiate between odor and taste can be used as a secondary indicator to determine whether a product is spoiled or not. During the reheating process of deep-frying, the batter shell moisture decreased (18.69 %→6.89 %), and the oil content increased (2.76 %→27.35 %). The mass transfer coefficient k fitted by Fick's second law for moisture evaporation was 0.0086, and the mass transfer coefficient k fitted by the first-order kinetic equation for oil absorption was 0.1137. This study is informative for storing and consuming DFBTNs, which can provide a basis for the deep processing and high-value utilization of tilapia.

Introduction. The impact of microorganisms on the cement stone of concrete accelerates the removal of “free calcium hydroxide” from the pore structure and promotes the decomposition of calcium-containing phases, resulting in a decrease in the strength characteristics of concrete and further destruction. Biodegradation must be taken into account when determining the durability of concrete. Mathematical modelling makes it possible to predict its condition at any stage of the life cycle of a concrete product and to establish its remaining service life.Materials and methods. The effect of mass transfer parameters on changes in calcium hydroxide concentrations in concrete and on the intensity of its leaching into a liquid medium is shown graphically by the results of numerical modelling. The description of mass transfer processes in concrete biocorrosion was carried out using a developed mathematical model, which takes into account the influence of microorganisms and their waste products as an internal source of absorption or release of mass of “free calcium hydroxide” in concrete cement stone. The conditions for reaching the values of calcium hydroxide concentrations in cement stone corresponding to the beginning of decomposition of highly basic components are described by solving the mass transfer problem.Results. Based on the mathematical model describing the kinetics of mass transfer, a mathematical apparatus for predicting the degree of biodegradation of cement concrete was developed. Graphical dependences are presented, which are the result of a simulated numerical experiment, describing the effect of similarity criteria (Fourier, Bio) and a coefficient taking into account phase characteristics on the dynamics and kinetics of the mass transfer process during concrete biodegradation in a wide range of system parameters. The most intense change in the kinetics and dynamics of mass transfer occurs at the initial stages of exposure to the products of microorganisms during liquid corrosion of concrete.Conclusions. The obtained graphical dependences provide an understanding of the conditions for slowing down and intensifying mass transfer processes in the concrete – biofilm – liquid medium system. The engineering methodology of calculation of mass transfer parameters and service life of concrete is applicable at any stage of operation of reinforced concrete products and structures and makes it economically feasible to assign protective equipment and set the terms of their use.

Sodium carbonate solvent absorbent has been widely studied for CO2 reduction to deal with global warming because of its green, low cost, and non-corrosive advantages. However, in the application of sodium carbonate as an absorbent for CO2 capture, there is no unified cognition of the mass transfer process, which leads to the lack of guidance for the industrial large-scale process. Moreover, the mechanism of mass transfer enhancement of surfactants, which can effectively improve the mass transfer performance, has not been effectively explored in the literature. Based on this, this paper firstly adopts the molecular dynamics method to analyze the solution characteristics after surfactant addition and optimize the surfactant. Subsequently, a classical dissolved oxygen test method was used to measure the gas-liquid mass transfer coefficient for CO2 absorption into sodium carbonate solution. And based on this mass transfer coefficient measurement method, the mass transfer process of sodium carbonate solution with surfactant was analyzed. The results showed that the sodium carbonate solution with 5 wt% concentration and 10 wt% concentration at 30 °C did not satisfy the pseudo first-order fast chemical reaction kinetics assumption. To improve CO2 absorption mass transfer rate, dodecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (DTAC) surfactant was introduced, which was improved by 119 % compared with non-enhanced solvent at 5 wt% concentration solution, and the assumption of pseudo first order fast chemical reaction was satisfied. After the introduction of surfactant, the barrier effect decreased the liquid phase mass transfer coefficient, but the Marangoni effect happened in the 5 wt% concentration of sodium carbonate solution, which enhanced the liquid-phase mass-transfer coefficient. This finding reveals the mechanism of mass transfer promotion of sodium carbonate by the surfactant DTAC, which is of great engineering significance for the application in the field of decarbonization after the introduction of surfactant.

The diffusion, adsorption/desorption behaviors of water molecules and hydrogen molecules are of great importance in heterogeneous photocatalytic hydrogen production. In the study of structure–property–performance relationships, nanoconfined space provides an ideal platform to promote mass diffusion and transfer due to their extraordinary properties that are different from the bulk systems. Herein, we designed and prepared a nanoconfined CdS@SiO2-NH2 nanoreactor, whose shell is composed of amino-functionalized silica nanochannels, and encapsulates spherical CdS as a photocatalyst inside. Experimental and simulated results reveal that the amino-functionalized nanochannels promote water molecules' and hydrogen molecules' directional diffusion and transport. Water molecules are enriched in the nanocavity between the core and the shell, and promote the interfacial photocatalytic reaction. As a result, the maximized water enrichment and minimized hydrogen-occupied active sites enable photocatalyst with optimized mass transfer kinetics and localization electron distribution on the CdS surface, leading to superior hydrogen production performance with activity as high as 37.1 mmol·g−1·h−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The present study aimed to evaluate the combined application of edible coatings (alginate or pectin) and the osmotic dehydration process (glucose solution at 40 °Brix and 60 °Brix, solution temperatures of 20 and 40 °C, and process times of 1, 2, 4, 8, and 16 h) on mass transfer kinetics and physicochemical parameters (weight reduction (WR), water loss (WL), solids gain (SG), and optical and mechanical properties) of pear cubes. The best dehydration performance was observed in the coated samples treated at 60 °Brix‐40 °C. At the end of this process, the coated samples showed higher values of WR (77.30% and 75.13%) and WL (77.39%; 74.38%) and lower values of SG (1.69% and 1.24%) than the uncoated samples (WR: 65.97%, WL: 68.38%, and SG: 4.12%). Additionally, optimal retention of optical and mechanical properties was achieved in the coated samples exposed to the 40 °Brix‐40 °C condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to model the coupled phenomena of photocatalytic reaction and mass transfer in the degradation of Amoxicillin (AMX) and Doxycycline (DOX) using Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles within microreactor systems. The objective is to gain a comprehensive understanding of the dynamic interaction between the photocatalytic degradation kinetics and the mass transfer processes to optimize the conditions for efficient antibiotic removal from contaminated water. This involves characterizing the reaction kinetics via the Langmuir-Hinshelwood model, estimating the mass transfer coefficients, and analyzing the effects of axial dispersion to ensure the accurate determination of intrinsic kinetic constants and minimize mass transfer limitations. This study used a syringe pump to ensure a consistent flow of antibiotic solution into the microreactor. The results indicate that AMX reaches adsorption equilibrium more rapidly than DOX, corresponding to its faster photocatalytic degradation kinetics and higher final conversion rate (89% for AMX, 86% for DOX). The mass transfer coefficient (kd) was estimated using the Sherwood number, derived from three different models, with the constant Sherwood model best fitting the R1 microreactor data. An analysis of the Damköhler number (DaII) indicates that high flow rates minimize mass transfer limitations in the R1 microreactor, allowing the determination of near-intrinsic kinetic constants. On the contrary, at low flow rates, kinetic constants are apparent as a result of mass-transfer limitations. The study concludes that higher flow rates (= 10 mL/h) in the R1 microreactor are preferable to approach intrinsic kinetics and reduce mass transfer limitations during photocatalytic degradation of antibiotics. These findings underscore the potential of ZnO-based oxidation processes in treating antibioticcontaminated water with optimized conditions, providing a pathway for efficient and sustainable wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Developing a highly active and stable electrode with a controllable size is greatly demanded to satisfy the large‐scale application of electrochemical hydrogen production via water splitting. To overcome this challenge, a novel binder‐free membrane electrode comprising Pd anchored on ZIF‐62 glass supported on a porous TiC substrate has been developed to catalyze the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) in both acidic and alkaline conditions. The optimal Pd@ZIF‐62/TiC membrane electrode only requires a stable overpotential of ∼90 mV to reach a current density of 30 mA cm−2 within 20 h of operation. The outstanding HER performance of such electrode can be ascribed to its unique porous membrane structure, which accelerates the mass transfer kinetics of electrolyte ions and in situ generated hydrogen bubbles. As the Pd decorated molten ZIF‐62 glass penetrated heavily into the TiC support pores, a very strong adhesion between Pd@ZIF‐62 electrocatalytic layer and TiC substrate could be formed, which lowers the interfacial resistance between the catalyst and its substrate as well as promotes the charge transfer kinetics of HER electrode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smart multi-layer architectures were developed using spray coating of carbon nanotube-rich layers and carbon nanotube-free layers, layer-by-layer, boosting electrochemical charge/discharge kinetics of high mass loading lithium ion battery electrodes. [Display omitted] The ability of lithium ion batteries (LIBs) to provide rapid charging characteristics while retaining a substantial energy storage capacity is of paramount significance for their applicability in portable smart electronic devices. In this research, an effective approach to enhance re-charging rates of LIB cells was developed through incorporating carbon nanotube (CNT) conductivity boosters strategically into Li 4 Ti 5 O 12 (LTO) electrodes. A layer-by-layer spray coating was exploited to manufacture multi-layer architectures that comprise sequential, discrete electrode layers of CNT-rich LTO and CNT-free LTO, aiming at promoting charge transfer kinetics of high mass loading electrodes. Initially, the optimal proportion of a CNT-rich layer and its best location within multi-layer electrode structures were investigated in half-cell configurations. The best performing multi-layer was then paired with a spray-coated LiFePO 4 (LFP) positive electrode in full-cell LIBs, offering attractive power performance of ∼ 1500 W/kg that outperformed conventional LTO || LFP combinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to investigate the drying kinetics and internal and external mass transfer characteristics of walnuts for an understanding of the drying mechanism. The drying characteristics, mass transfer characteristics, and color of walnut during hot air drying (HAD) were investigated under different initial moisture content (IMC) (0.35, 0.39, and 0.43 g water/g wet mass) and drying temperatures (50, 60, 70, and 80 °C). The results indicated that the IMC and drying temperature both have significant effects on the drying process of walnut, showing the higher the IMC, the longer the preheating time, the smaller the effective moisture diffusivity (Deff) and mass transfer coefficient (hm), and the longer the drying time, but reverse results for drying temperature. The values of Deff and hm for walnut ranged from 4.94 × 10−10 to 1.44 × 10−9 m2/s and 1.24 × 10−7 to 3.90 × 10−7 m/s, respectively. The values of activation energy for moisture diffusion and mass transfer ranged from 21.56 to 23.35 kJ/mol and 28.92 to 33.43 kJ/mol, respectively. Multivariate linear prediction models were also established for estimating the Deff and hm as a function of the HAD process parameters. The drying temperature has a greater effect on the walnut kernel lightness than the IMC. The Verma et al model could be used to describe the HAD process of the walnut. The findings contribute to the understanding of moisture transfer mechanisms in walnuts and have practical value for the evaluation and improvement of drying systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biomaterials are a class of porous materials that have been widely exploited over the past two decades. However, the implications of controlling adsorption by rate-limiting steps are still not adequately established. Identifying the rate-limiting step is a promising approach for the design of adsorption systems. In this review, we study in detail the rate-limiting step of the adsorption of dyes in aqueous media on biomaterials to rationalize the factors governing the rate-limiting step involved in the adsorption process using empirical kinetics and mass transfer models. This knowledge is then applied to identify the best fit of these models to study the rate-controlling step involved in the adsorption process, which is crucial for the design of the adsorption system. This review first studies the limiting step of adsorption of dyes in an aqueous medium on biomaterials. Kinetic modeling is used to better understand the rate control step involved in biosorption. Generally, the equations used are empirical models of kinetics and mass transfer and the biomaterials come from the following categories: agricultural and industrial waste, algae, fungi, bacteria, and plants. In most adsorption studies reported in this review, the pseudo second-order model was found to be best suited for fitting the kinetic data of dyes on biomaterials, indicating that chemisorption is the rate-limiting step that controls adsorption. Concerning the diffusion effects of mass transfer, intraparticle diffusion is among the most often used models to examine the rate-limiting step which is controlled by both film diffusion and intraparticle diffusion. The first takes place when the external transfer is greater than the internal transfer while the opposite occurs in the case of porous diffusion. However, the majority of works do not study the real step of controlling the overall adsorption kinetics, namely, film diffusion or intraparticle diffusion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphite felt is commonly used in redox flow batteries, but the low specific surface area and poor catalytic activity cause unsatisfactory mass transfer and reaction kinetics. Here, nitrogen‐doped vertical graphene is in‐situ grown on graphite felt via a metal‐free chemical vapor deposition method, which exhibits a high specific surface area and remarkable catalytic activity due to abundant exposed high‐density sharp graphene edges and nitrogen doping. Multiphysical simulations reveal that the vertical‐standing nanostructure promotes the accessibility of vanadium ions to electrode/electrolyte interfaces, effectively decreasing the mass transport resistance of active species. Density functional theory calculation evidence shows that nitrogen doping aids in the improvement of catalytic activity via boosting vanadium ions' adsorption and redox. Consequently, the nitrogen‐doped vertical graphene/graphite felt electrode shows an energy efficiency of 87.1% at 200 mA cm−2, significantly higher than that of pristine (65.9%) and air‐oxidize (73.1%) electrodes, an energy efficiency over 80.2% at 300 mA cm−2 during 1500 cycles, and a high‐peak power density of 1308.56 mW cm−2, which are superior to previously reported carbon nanomaterial decorated electrodes for flow batteries. Significantly, the synthesis process only involves gas‐phase reactions without metal catalysts to avoid hydrogen evolution reactions. This work provides an exciting pathway for developing high‐performance electrodes for flow batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (e‐NITRR) process based on plasma has become a potential technology for commercial large‐scale green ammonia synthesis. This work emphasized the prominent influence of operating parameters on e‐NITRR through the combination of experiments and simulations in an electrocatalytic flow cell reactor. An integrated model was developed and the non‐linear functions between operating conditions and exchange current density were obtained by optimization fitting. The average relative error of experiments and simulations was <5%, which can provide solutions for the design of reactor structures and optimization of process parameters. Besides, the results also showed that the tandem steps of NO3− → NO2− and NO2− → NH3 were, respectively, controlled by mass transfer and electrochemical kinetics at low electrolyte flow rate, and this characteristic makes the increase in electrode dimensions have the opposite effect on the formation rate of NO2− and NH3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heat and mass transfer processes and the rate of fuel oxidation are the determining parameters of combustion of non-premixed gaseous fuel–oxidizer flows and solid-fuel combustion in a gaseous oxidizer. A correct description of these processes is of both scientific and practical interest. The influence of the kinetics of chemical reactions and diffusion of fuel molecules on the thermal and chemical structure of the flame forming around a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) sphere in air under natural convection has been studied by numerical simulation. The three-dimensional gas flow around the solid body has been calculated using the full Navier–Stokes equations for a multicomponent mixture taking into account diffusion and heat transfer between the surface and gas, convection, and radiative heat transfer. The kinetic model represents the conjugate reactions both on the condensed material surface and in the gas phase. The formation of the gaseous fuel methyl methacrylate (MMA) on the surface is described by an effective one-step pyrolysis reaction of PMMA. The oxidation of MMA in the gas phase is described by the global reaction C5H8O2 + 6O2 5CO2 + 4H2O. It has been found that the temperature and species concentration profiles in the flame practically do not depend on the rate constant of this reaction provided that the characteristic reaction time is much less than the characteristic time of MMA diffusion. It has been shown that varying the MMA diffusion coefficient has a significant effect on the thermal and chemical structure of the flame. Increasing the MMA diffusion coefficient increases the maximum flame temperature. The results of the study show that the transport properties of compounds required to calculate their transport coefficients are among the most important parameters for accurate CFD simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of mass transfer intensity on the kinetics of the catalytic oxidation of flax shives with oxygen in alkaline media to aromatic aldehydes and pulp was studied. The process was carried out in two autoclaves, with moderate stirring (stirrer engine of 8 W) and intense stirring (stirrer engine of 200 W). The oxidation of flax shives into vanillin, syringaldehyde, and pulp was shown to proceed as a completely diffusion-controlled process under the studied conditions, both moderate and intense stirring. Depending on the process conditions, it can be limited by stages of oxygen transfer through the diffusion boundary layer near the gas–liquid interface (low intensity of mass transfer) as well as by reagents' inner diffusion in the porous and solid matter of the flax shive particle (high intensity of mass transfer). The results on the influence of the stirring speed and volume of the reaction mass on the rates of oxygen consumption and vanillin accumulation were obtained. They were described using a known simple model connecting the intensity of mass transfer and the stirring power density in the bulk of the liquid phase in terms of algebra equations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new sensor has been developed to detect miRNA-15 using nanoelectrodes and a hairpin DNA-based electrochemical amplification technique. By utilizing a complex DNA cylinder connected with hairpin DNA1, the sensor is able to absorb more methylene blue (MB) than simple double-stranded DNA. Another hairpin DNA2 is modified on an Au nanoelectrode surface and, when miRNA-15 is introduced, it triggers a chain reaction. This reaction unlocks two hairpins alternatively to polymerize into a complex structure that attaches more MB. The miRNA-15 is then replaced by DNA1 due to strand displacement reactions and continues to react with the next DNA2 to achieve circular amplification. The electrochemical signal from MB oxidation has a linear relationship with the miRNA-15 concentrations, making it possible to detect miRNA-15. Moreover, this method can be readily adapted for the detection of various other miRNA species. The newly devised nanosensor holds promising applications for the in vivo detection of miRNA-15 within biological systems, which is achieved by leveraging the advantageous characteristics of nanoelectrodes, including their low resistance–capacitance time constant, rapid mass transfer kinetics, and small diameter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The simultaneous optimization of sluggish reaction kinetics and mass transfer in bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts for air cathodes remains a great challenge. This study utilizes CoAl‐layered double hydroxide as a metal precursor to fabricate a bifunctional oxygen electrocatalyst, denoted as CoAlOXD‐Thin. This electrocatalyst features a specific core–shell structure of Co species, which grows on an aerophilic and conductive substrate composed of Al2O3 and carbon. It is successfully demonstrated that the thickness of Co@Co3O4 core–shell structure can be easily controlled by selecting different precursors and the combination of Co core and Co3O4 shell optimizes the adsorption strength of intermediates, leading to enhanced catalytic performance. Additionally, the Al species plays a dual role. It not only facilitates the mass transfer of oxygen species but also hinders the 2e− pathway of oxygen reduction reaction, leading to improved selectivity. Notably, the Zn–air batteries utilizing CoAlOXD‐Thin demonstrate an impressive peak power density of 216.2 mW cm−2, a high specific capacity of 800.8 mAh gZn−1, and excellent cycling stability and reversibility, surpassing those of the Pt/C + RuO2 catalyst. This study presents a novel approach to enhance air cathode performance by optimizing reaction kinetics and mass transfer through precursor design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thus, the "terroir", or the physical environment in which coffee is grown, does not solely dictate the coffee's sensory profile, but rather involves the interplay of numerous other factors, including fermentation techniques, that determine the final coffee experience. I C. arabica i L (Arabica coffee) makes up the bulk of this production, with I ca i . 60%, with I C. canephora i Pierre (Robusta/Conilon coffee) contributing the remaining I ca i . 40%. Coffee farmers, the "warriors" in this arena, confront ongoing challenges in producing and marketing coffee. Complementing this, Schmidt et al. [[12]] examined the relationship between coffee's genetic diversity and mineral nutrient concentrations, specifically in Robusta ( I C. canephora i ) coffee genotypes grown in the Amazon. [Extracted from the article]

This study aimed to evaluate coconut sugar (CS) as an alternative osmotic agent to sucrose for the osmotic dehydration (OD) of strawberries. OD was performed by immersing strawberries cut into 13.6 ± 0.4 mm edge cubes in osmotic solutions of CS or sucrose, at two different concentrations (40% and 60%, w/w), with and without application of vacuum (AV) in the first 20 min of the process. The total OD time was 300 min. Evaluations of the kinetics of solid gain (SG), water loss (WL), and weight reduction (WR) were performed at 30, 60, 120, 180, 240, and 300 min. SG, WL, and WR increased over the OD time and showed values of up to 7.94%, 63.40%, and 55.94%, respectively. AV increased WL, WR, shrinkage, pH, and total color difference and decreased anthocyanin, ascorbic acid (AA), phenolic, and antioxidant contents. The higher concentration led to higher SG, WL, WR, shrinkage, hardness, and lower moisture content, water activity, anthocyanin, AA, phenolic, and antioxidant contents. The use of CS instead of sucrose had little influence on strawberry properties, except pH and color responses. The optimal treatment was using a 60% CS solution without AV, showing a very distinct color change, hardness increased by approximately 4.5 times and maintenance of acidity, anthocyanins, AA, total phenolics, and antioxidants of 38.0%, 39.6%, 11.8%, 30.0%, 31.1%, and 30.3%, respectively, compared to fresh strawberries. Practical Application: Osmotic dehydration of fruit is a process traditionally carried out using sucrose. However, increasing health concerns have made consumers seek alternative sugars to sucrose. The use of coconut sugar made it possible to produce osmo‐dehydrated strawberries different from the traditional one, maintaining product quality and process efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the applicability of the Peleg model to the osmotic dehydration of various sweet potato variety samples in sugar beet molasses, addressing a notable gap in the existing literature. The osmotic dehydration was performed using an 80% sugar beet molasses solution at temperatures of 20 °C, 35 °C, and 50 °C for periods of 1, 3, and 5 h. The sample-to-solution ratio was 1:5. The objectives encompassed evaluating the Peleg equation’s suitability for modeling mass transfer during osmotic dehydration and determining equilibrium water and solid contents at various temperatures. With its modified equation, the Peleg model accurately described water loss and solid gain dynamics during osmotic treatment, as evidenced by a high coefficient of determination value (r2) ranging from 0.990 to 1.000. Analysis of Peleg constants revealed temperature and concentration dependencies, aligning with previous observations. The Guggenheim, Anderson, and de Boer (GAB) model was employed to characterize sorption isotherms, yielding coefficients comparable to prior studies. Effective moisture diffusivity and activation energy calculations further elucidated the drying kinetics, with effective moisture diffusivity values ranging from 1.85 × 10−8 to 4.83 × 10−8 m2/s and activation energy between 7.096 and 16.652 kJ/mol. These findings contribute to understanding the complex kinetics of osmotic dehydration and provide insights into the modeling and optimization of dehydration processes for sweet potato samples, with implications for food processing and preservation methodologies.

This research aimed to explore the effects of combined ultrasound and vacuum assisted osmotic dehydration on the mass transfer kinetics and qualities of fresh-cut orange slices. The experiments were carried out under four different conditions, i.e., osmotic dehydration (OD), vacuum osmotic dehydration (VOD), ultrasound assisted osmotic dehydration (UOD) and ultrasound assisted vacuum osmotic dehydration (UVOD). Aqueous solutions of the four osmotic agents – sucrose, xylitol, sorbitol, and maltitol at a concentration of 50°Brix were used in each condition. The results showed that UVOD had the highest (p < 0.05) water loss (WL) and solid gain (SG). The high regression coefficient (R2 > 0.99) and low χ2 and RMSE values revealed the applicability of Peleg model for fitting mass transfer of orange slice during osmotic dehydration. Low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (LF-NMR) spectra revealed the water distribution in orange cells. Electronic nose data indicated that osmotic dehydration did not significantly (p > 0.05) change the flavor of orange slices. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra indicated osmotic dehydration could preserve internal chemical composition of orange slice. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images illustrated the mechanisms of VOD, UOD and UVOD. The results of mass transfer kinetics and qualities showed that sugar alcohols were good alternative osmotic agents to sucrose. Although UVOD led to the largest loss of vitamin C due to its highest WL, UVOD exhibited better hardness and could combine the advantages of VOD and UOD in water activity and color, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microwave vacuum drying of pineapple slices was carried out to investigate the microwave power degree on the drying kinetics and heat mass transfer characteristics. Numerical simulation and bench test were used to study the variation characteristic of microwave volumetric heating and temperature and moisture during the drying process, and the best drying model was selected. The result shows that the drying process of the pineapple slices belonged to the falling rate period without constant drying stage; Among 6 common thin layer drying kinetic models, the mean values of R 2 were maximum, χ 2 and RMSE for the Two-term exponential model were minimum, which were 0.9993, 0.000107 and 0.00839, respectively. As the temperature rose to 40 ∼ 45 ∘ C at the late stage of drying, the thermal runaway phenomenon appeared, and the internal temperature of pineapple slices rose sharply. Hot spots appeared at the center and edge of pineapple at the late stage of drying, and it generated by microwave volumetric heating focusing. The predicted values of moisture ratio (MR) obtained from COMSOL simulation showed good consistency with the Two-term exponential model and the experimental. In order to improve the drying quality of the pineapple, the microwave power should be varied and reasonable interval to make the drying temperature lower than the thermal runaway temperature range. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of efficient hydrogen storage materials is crucial for advancing hydrogen-based energy systems. In this study, we prepared a highly innovative palladium-phosphide-modified P-doped graphene hydrogen storage material with a three-dimensional configuration (3D Pd3P0.95/P-rGO) using a hydrothermal method followed by calcination. This 3D network hindering the stacking of graphene sheets provided channels for hydrogen diffusion to improve the hydrogen adsorption kinetics. Importantly, the construction of the three-dimensional palladium-phosphide-modified P-doped graphene hydrogen storage material improved the hydrogen absorption kinetics and mass transfer process. Furthermore, while acknowledging the limitations of primitive graphene as a medium in hydrogen storage, this study addressed the need for improved graphene-based materials and highlighted the significance of our research in exploring three-dimensional configurations. The hydrogen absorption rate of the material increased obviously in the first 2 h compared with two-dimensional sheets of Pd3P/P-rGO. Meanwhile, the corresponding 3D Pd3P0.95/P-rGO-500 sample, which was calcinated at 500 °C, achieved the optimal hydrogen storage capacity of 3.79 wt% at 298 K/4 MPa. According to molecular dynamics, the structure was thermodynamically stable, and the calculated adsorption energy of a single H2 molecule was −0.59 eV/H2, which was in the ideal range of hydrogen ad/desorption. These findings pave the way for the development of efficient hydrogen storage systems and advance the progress of hydrogen-based energy technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional adsorbents and catalysts shaped by granulation or extrusion have high pressure drop and poor flexibility for chemical, energy, and environmental processes. Direct ink writing (DIW), a kind of 3D printing, has evolved into a crucial technique for manufacturing scalable configurations of adsorbents and catalysts with satisfactory programmable automation, highly optional materials, and reliable construction. Particularly, DIW can generate specific morphologies required for excellent mass transfer kinetics, which is essential in gas‐phase adsorption and catalysis. Here, DIW methodologies for mass transfer enhancement in gas‐phase adsorption and catalysis, covering the raw materials, fabrication process, auxiliary optimization methods, and practical applications are comprehensively summarized. The prospects and challenges of DIW methodology in realizing good mass transfer kinetics are discussed. Ideal components with a gradient porosity, multi‐material structure, and hierarchical morphology are proposed for future investigations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A triple photocatalytic composite of biochar, metal–organic framework, and phosphomolybdic acid was prepared through hydrothermal treatment of iron (III) chloride hexahydrate, terephthalic acid, lavandulifolia-derived biochar, and phosphomolybdic acid. It was characterized and utilized for photodegradation of Rhodamine-B (RhB) dye under visible-light irradiation. Investigations of reaction variables confirmed that, the highest yield of 96.2% was achieved at ambient temperature using 0.07 g of catalyst at pH of 7, and a dye concentration of 10 ppm. Under these optimum conditions, Methyl Orange (MO) dye was also degraded to yield 93% removal. In addition, the kinetic and thermodynamic parameters for RhB were determined. It was revealed that the photodegradation of RhB followed a pseudo-first-order kinetics with no mass transfer limitations. A corresponding chemical mechanism for this process was also suggested. Adsorption isotherms were investigated for rate of adsorption as well as adsorption capacity of the catalyst under dark conditions. Notably, the catalyst could have been reused for five cycles with a loss of around 20% activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ghee is a major Indian dairy product with a pleasant flavor. During its manufacture, ghee residue is obtained as the by‐product, which consists of substantial quantity of phospholipids. Phospholipids exhibit emulsifying properties and offer some health benefits. The present study aimed to optimize the process parameters for the extraction of phospholipids from ghee residue (GR) using ultrasonication. The GR was subjected to a series of pre‐treatments before ultrasonication. The hot water treatment led to reduction in nonpolar lipids and improved polar lipids (35.47% fat basis). Taguchi orthogonal array design was employed for optimization of ultrasound power, treatment temperature, time and solvent:solid (S:S) ratio with phospholipid content and antioxidant activity as the response variables. The phospholipid content ranged between 18.54% and 23.89% and antioxidant activity of the extracted samples varied from 47.01% to 50.64% expressed as radical scavenging activity by DPPH assay, while for the untreated GR, the PL and antioxidant activity were 4.98% and 32.75%, respectively. The power level of 80%, 80°C treatment temperature, S:S ratio of 15 and sonication time of 4 min. resulted in maximum extraction of phospholipids (24.12%). The yield of phospholipids was quantified as 13.1% and 8.88% by two elution techniques using solid phase extraction methods. The predicted and experimental values for the responses were in good agreement with R2 value of 0.98. Power and temperature were found to be significant (p < 0.01) in influencing phospholipids yield. For antioxidant activity of the extract, S:S ratio exerted significant effect (p < 0.01). The experimental data were fit in four defined empirical models for understanding the extraction kinetics. Based on the R2 values, the models explained the kinetics in the following order: Parabolic model>Power law>Peleg's model>Elovich's model. Practical applications: Presently, ghee residue is often discarded as waste or used as animal feed by most of the ghee manufacturing dairy plants. Few studies were conducted to incorporate ghee residue as an ingredient in different food products. However, the present study opens new avenues for utilization of this by‐product for extraction of high value bioactive components, that is, phospholipids, with the help of novel technology; namely ultrasonication. The phospholipids have techno‐functional properties as an emulsifier. One of the classes of phospholipids, that is, sphingomyelin has unique health benefits, therefore this extract will also have scope as a nutraceutical. Thus, there is great practical utility for the present findings. In addition, for the scaling up of extraction techniques, the understanding of mass transfer kinetics is very vital and the same had been studied in the present investigation. Thus, the findings of this study are helpful in determining the ideal ultrasound‐assisted extraction conditions for extraction of phospholipids from ghee residue. Kinetics of extraction will help to explore opportunities for scale‐up of the process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A detailed heterogeneous model considering the thermodynamic incompatibility was developed to simulate polyurethane/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PU/PMMA) interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) formation. The Gibbs free energy was calculated to predict the phase separation point and a two‐film theory was used to quantify the mass transfer between the PU‐rich phase and the PMMA‐rich phase. Compared with the homogeneous model, the cross‐linking density of PMMA increases rapidly during the network formation, because the monomer dispersion in two phases improves the possibility of free radical cross‐linking reaction, whereas the cross‐linking density of PU is unaffected. Simulations show that the partitioning of monomer significantly affects the PMMA network structure. The phase separation is strongly dependent on the onset of MMA polymerization. The proposed model allows visualizing of the IPN formation process and provides direction for reducing the extent of phase separation. Moreover, the structural information derived from the simulations can be further related to the properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]