Search

A strategic option for the production of H2 from renewable resources is use of the ethanol steam reforming reaction. Catalysts based on nickel have been widely investigated for this reaction, offering the advantages of low cost and high activity. However, a difficulty is that nickel may be strongly deactivated by coke formation. Perovskite-type mixed oxides are promising precursors for nickel-based catalysts, since their reduction leads to the formation of highly dispersed metal particles that can mitigate carbon deposition. However, high calcination temperatures are required for perovskite structure formation, resulting in low surface areas and limiting the effectiveness of this method. In order to address this difficulty, the present work proposes a novel strategy whereby the perovskite-type oxide LaNiO3 is supported on SBA-15. Characterization of the catalysts was performed using XRF, XRD, SEM, TPR, TEM, BET, H2-TPD, and TGA techniques. Their performances were then evaluated in catalysis of the ethanol steam reforming reaction to produce hydrogen. Calcination at 750 °C resulted in formation of highly dispersed perovskite on a support that presented high specific surface area. The catalyst obtained from reduced LaNiO3/SBA-15 with 33 wt% perovskite was the most active in the reaction. Analyses using TGA and SEM showed the formation of carbon mainly over Ni catalysts obtained from bulk LaNiO3 perovskite, while supporting LaNiO3 on SBA-15 led to lower deposition of carbon. The superior performance of this material in catalysis could be attributed to the dispersion of the perovskite on SBA-15, resulting in smaller size of the Ni metal particles formed during the reduction, compared to the catalyst derived from bulk perovskite. This promising method could be used in the production of a wide range of other catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Segmented thermoelectric (TE) legs are promising for improving heat‐electricity conversion efficiency, but their practical applications are still limited by the lack of cost‐effective interface‐connection technology. Here, an interface‐connection method for one‐step sintering of GeTe‐Bi2Te3 segmented TE legs is developed using mixtures of Al0.88Si0.12 and Ni (ASN) as diffusion barrier materials. Although the interface‐connection performance using Ni or Al0.88Si0.12 alone is poor, their mixtures can realize a compromise optimization of interface‐connection properties, simultaneously achieving a matched coefficient of thermal expansion, low contact resistivity, high shear strength, and high reliability. These robust interface‐connection properties can be attributed to the activation of the eutectic‐alloy Al0.88Si0.12 and the formation of appropriate reaction‐diffusion layers between ASN and GeTe/Bi2Te3 and between Al0.88Si0.12 and Ni in ASN. Finally, a remarkable energy conversion efficiency of ≈15.5% at a temperature difference of 449 K can be obtained in this segmented TE leg. Moreover, ASN can also be applied in fabricating n‐type PbTe‐Bi2Te3 segmented legs and multi‐pair TE devices, demonstrating the universality of this methodology. This work accelerates the development of robust, low‐cost, one‐step‐sintered segmented TE legs and promotes the use of eutectic alloys as "alloy glues" for advancing TE‐device connection technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Reverse Water Gas‐Shift reaction (CO2+H2 ↽⇀ ${ \mathbin{{\stackrel{\textstyle\rightharpoonup} { {\smash{\leftharpoondown}} } }} }$ CO+H2O) allows to balance syn‐gas under industrial conditions. Nickel has been suggested as a potential catalyst but the temperature required is too high, more than 800 °C, limiting practical implementation but when lowering the temperature methanation occurs. Simulations via Density Functional Theory on well‐defined surfaces have systematically failed to reproduce these experimental results. But under reaction conditions, Ni surfaces are not static and DFT models coupled to microkinetics show that low temperatures (high CO coverages) drive the generation of Ni adatoms that are the active sites for methanation. At higher temperatures, the adatom population decreases, and the selectivity towards CO increases. Thus the mechanism behind the selectivity switch is driven by the dynamics induced by reaction intermediates. Our work contributes to the inclusion of dynamic aspects of materials under reaction conditions in the understanding of complex catalytic behaviour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Slovakia, around 200 environmental burdens that contain a significant amount of usable raw materials were created by the extraction of ores or the dumping of industrial waste. In this research, the hydrometallurgical metal recovery method from a metal-bearing environmental landfill in Sereď was investigated. The analysis of a representative sample of waste obtained from this landfill proved the presence of significant amounts of metals (43.45% Fe; 1.3% Cr; 0.09% Co, and 0.23% Ni). A thermodynamic study of the metals' (Fe, Cr, Ni, and Co) leaching probability confirmed the possibility of metal extraction in an acidic environment. Subsequently, the effect of the most important factors on the leaching process (stirring intensity, temperature, liquid-to-solid phase ratio, and acid concentration) was experimentally tested. The analysis of the results determined the optimal leaching conditions. The extraction of 90.35% Fe and 59.62% Cr was ensured at a stirring intensity of 400 rpm, a leaching temperature of 80 °C, a liquid-to-solid phase ratio of 40, and a H2SO4 concentration of 3 mol/dm3. Various techniques, including SEM, EDX, XRD, Eh-pH diagrams, and AAS analysis, were used to analyze samples and products after leaching. The possibility of precipitating metals/compounds from the leachate to obtain a marketable product was theoretically proposed and proven. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the cathode active material was first separated from the aluminum foil through a heat treatment at 500 °C. The separated cathode active material was calcined at a temperature of 1000 °C to remove completely carbon particles generated from the organic adhesive during heat treatment. Then, Co, Mn, and Ni were recovered from the cathode active material using lactic acid and oxalic acid as leaching and precipitating reagents. The lactic acid showed almost similar metal leaching effects from cathode active material compared to sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, and nitric acid. The optimal metal leaching efficiency by lactic acid was obtained when 30 g of the cathode active material was added to the 2 N lactic acid solution. At these conditions, the leaching efficiencies of Li, Mn, Co, and Ni were 90.4%, 89.2%, 92.2%, and 91.8%, respectively. Subsequently, when 5 g of oxalic acid was added to the lactic leachate of 2 N, a phenomenon in which all metals were precipitated was observed. Based on this result, the optimal condition for precipitating the leached metals using oxalic acid was oxalic acid/cathode active material = 1:7 (w/w %). Through XRD and EDX analysis, the precipitate was identified as a polynuclear crystalline material (NiCoMnC2O4·2H2O) in which the three components of Mn, Co, and Ni oxalates were mixed with approximately 7:4:10 in integer ratio of weight. The produced precipitate can be recycled as a raw material of cathode active material through simple heat treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work was aimed at quantifying the effects of Ni addition in the range of 0–4% together with 0.3%Zr on the hardness and the tensile properties, volume fraction of intermetallics, and changes in size and distribution of phase precipitation in Sr-modified Al-9%Si-2%Cu-0.6%Mg cast alloys. The study was mainly carried out using high-resolution FESEM and TEM microscopes equipped with EDS facilities. Samples were solidified at the rate of ~3 °C/s and examined at different aging conditions. The investigations are supported by thermal analysis carried out at a solidification rate of ~0.8 °C/s. The results revealed that the main compositions of the Ni-based phases are close to Al3(Ni,Cu), Al3CuNi, and Al3Ni. An Al3Ni2Cu2 phase was also detected in the 4%Ni alloy. The Cu–Ni phases were observed to precipitate, covering the surfaces of pre-existing primary Al3Zr particles. The TEM analysis indicated the magnitude of the reduction in both size and density of the precipitated Al2Cu phase particles as the Ni content reached 4%, coupled with a delay in the transition from coherent to incoherency of the Al2Cu precipitates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its super plasticity, low weight, and high mechanical resistance properties, generally, Ti6Al4V is used for aeronautical applications. However, it has low resistance to plastic shearing. In addition, it has poor wear resistance. For these reasons, a lot of techniques have been developed to improve its wear resistance. Investigations of microstructure and interfacial reactions of diffusion bonding of Ni and Ti6Al4V materials have been performed experimentally. Ni samples were prepared with 50 ± 5 µm Ni powders in cylindrical shape. For diffusion bonding, Ag foil was used for improving the interlayer and connection quality. Nickel and its alloys can be joined by using some different processes, and the use of an interlayer can further facilitate the joining process and improve the joint quality. The experiments were carried out under the protected atmosphere. Argon gas was used for protection. The experiments were performed under 5 MPa pressure for 60 min duration at 850 °C, 900 °C, and 950 °C thermal conditions. Investigations of metallurgical structure occurring in the interface areas were examined by optic analysis of EDS, SEM, and X-ray. The strength of the joints was tested by lap-shear tests. From observations, the best quality of the coalescence at interfaces was indicated at elevated temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To replace the noble metal catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR), a Ni@C-supported N-doped carbon material (Ni@C/NC) is in-situ prepared via one-step pyrolyzing the polymerizable ionic liquid of vinyl imidazole combined with Ni(NO 3) 2. Systemic investigations demonstrate that these nanosized Ni particles are tightly wrapped with a thin carbon layer to form the core/shell structure, meanwhile carbon capsules are synchronously yielded on the carbon matrix. As a result, both the carbon shell and the carbon capsule jointly increase the active sites of the Ni@C/NC, while the carbon shell also contributes the fast electron-transfer from Ni particle. Compared with the normal Ni-supported carbon catalyst, the Ni@C/NC shows the respectable ORR performance with the onset and half-wave potentials of 0.96 and 0.84 V RHE. After the long-term electrocatalysis (10 h), the Ni@C/NC is found to possess the great structural and electrocatalytic stabilities, which maintains 93 % of the initial current density and the well-dispersed and uniform Ni@C particles. Subsequently, a Zn-Air battery with the Ni@C/NC cathode is assembled and exhibits a peak power density of 200 mW cm−2. Therefore, the as-obtained Ni@C/NC with the high electroactivity and stability can be expected as an ideal candidate to apply in the metal-air batteries and fuel cells in the future. Ni particles wrapped with a thin carbon layer is in-situ formed and supported on a N-doped carbon with many capsules, fabricating the Ni@C/NC catalyst, which exhibit the superior catalytic performance for oxygen reduction. [Display omitted] • A Ni@C-supported N-doped carbon material is in-situ prepared. • Nanosized Ni particles are wrapped with a thin carbon layer. • Carbon capsules are synchronously yielded on the carbon matrix. • The Ni@C/NC shows the respectable ORR performance. • The Ni@C/NC possesses the great structural and electrocatalytic stabilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dry reforming of methane (DRM), the catalytic conversion of CH4 and CO2 into syngas (H2+CO), is an important process closely correlated to the environment and chemical industry. NiAl‐based catalysts have been reported to exhibit excellent activity, low cost, and environmental friendliness. At the same time, the rapid deactivation caused by carbon deposition, Ni sintering, and phase transformation exerts great challenges for its large‐scale applications. This review summarizes the recent advances in NiAl‐based catalysts for DRM, particularly focusing on the strategies to construct efficient and stable NiAl‐based catalysts. Firstly, the thermodynamics and elementary steps of DRM, including the activation of reactants and coke formation and elimination, are summarized. The roles of Al2O3 and its mixed oxides as the support, and the influences of the promoters employed in NiAl‐based catalysts over the DRM performance, are then illustrated. Finally, the design of anti‐coking and anti‐sintering NiAl‐based catalysts for DRM is suggested as feasible and promising by tailoring the structure and states of Ni and the modification of Al‐based supports including small Ni size, high Ni dispersion, proper basicity, strong metal‐support interaction (SMSI), active oxygen species as well as high phase stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Massive MIMO (mMIMO) is the essential technique for attaining the exponential increase in the data rate needed for future communication systems. These advancements have been significantly supported by progress in VLSI technology, which enables the integration of an enormous number of antennas and the complex signal processing essential for massive MIMO systems on a single chip. This work conducts a comprehensive analysis of the intricacy of seven matrix decomposition techniques for symbol detection in future mMIMO communication systems: ADMM-based infinity norm (ADMIN), Neumann series (NS), Newton iteration (NI), Jacobi iteration (Ja), improved Gauss-Seidel (IGS), conjugate gradient (CG), and QR decomposition (QR), against linear and near-optimal minimum mean square error (MMSE). QR, GS, Ja, and CG belong to linear algebraic methods based on matrix decomposition. MMSE and ADMIN are nonlinear optimization methods; NS and NI are iterative methods. The analysis examines into the complexity of these detection algorithms, considering the symbol error rate, the convergence rate, the initial solution vector, and the correlation factor. Performance evaluations are conducted on 8 and 16-user mMIMO systems with 64 and 128 base station antennas, modulation schemes (32-QAM and 64-QAM), iteration counts (p = 1, 2, 3, 4), correlation factors (α = 0.2, 0.4, and 0.6), and initial solution vectors (zero vector, D−1 and W2−1yMF). The result clearly shows that if the initial solution and number of iterations are chosen properly, the IGS-based linear detector achieves near-optimal performance with a lower computational complexity of O(K2) compared to the nonlinear MMSE-based detector with a computational complexity of O(K3). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Total Alkalinity (TA) is identified as one of the EssentialClimateVariable (ECV) by the GlobalClimateObservingSystem (GCOS) for climate change impact assessment studies. This also plays an important role in understanding the oceanic carbon cycle, and ocean acidification. The existing global algorithms are Sea Surface Salinity (SSS) based and inadequate for precise estimation of TA fields and their dynamics due to precluding physical and biological parameters such as Sea Surface Temperature (SST), Chlorophyll-a concentration (Chl-a) and its influencing parameters (nutrients). In the present study, a novel algorithm known as the ImprovedSingleLinearRegression (ISLR) was devised based on SSS and Nitrate (Ni) concentration. The ISLR was formulated using simultaneous in-situ measurements of SSS and Ni acquired across the global oceans. The primary objective was to mitigate uncertainties and generate consistent TA fields for the global surface ocean. ISLR performance was assessed with independent satellite and in-situ TA observations. The validation results demonstrate the ISLR approach superior performance, characterized by significant low errors (mean relative error (MRE) = 0.04 µmol kg−1; mean normalized bias (MNB) = -0.0003 µmol kg−1; and root mean square error (RMSE) = 10.08 µmol kg−1) with a high correlation coefficient (R2 = 0.96). The ISLR derived TA fields were used to study the spatiotemporal variability and seasonal dynamics of the global oceans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the corrosion resistance and wear behaviour of aluminium matrix composites (AMCs) manufactured through the ultrasonic-assisted stir-casting technique. These composites were synthesized by introducing titanium carbide (TiC) and nickel (Ni) into aluminium alloys (AA6061). The X-ray diffraction results confirmed the presence of α-Al, TiC and Al3Ni phases within the composites. Microstructural examination demonstrated an uniform dispersion of TiC particles and dispersion of Al3Ni along grain boundaries. To evaluate the corrosion behaviour, samples were subjected to immersion tests and electrochemical techniques, including potentiodynamic polarization and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), in a 3.5 wt% NaCl solution. Immersion tests indicated that the composites exhibited slower dissolution rates than base AA6061 alloys. Potentiodynamic polarization results revealed that the inclusion of TiC and Ni reinforcements enhanced corrosion resistance, with TiC having a more pronounced influence. The EIS tests suggested that the composites had higher charge-transfer resistance than AA6061 alloys. After conducting corrosion tests, scanning electron microscope (SEM) images of the base AA6061 alloys unveiled the presence of deep pits but the inclusion of reinforcements resulted in the shallow pits. In addition, Vickers hardness tests and pin-on-disc wear tests were conducted to investigate hardness and wear properties. Notably, hybrid composites containing 3% TiC and 3% Ni exhibited a substantial 42.18% increase in hardness as compared to the base alloy. These hybrid composites also demonstrated superior wear resistance, with a wear rate that was 58.6% lower compared to AA6061 alloy and 41% less than that of the 3% Ni-reinforced composite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing fertilizer-N rate, applying a nitrification inhibitor (NI), and incorporating straw are widely recommended to improve N use efficiency of crops and decrease N losses. A field 15N tracer study was conducted to compare their effectiveness on fertilizer-N fates during the maize growing season in Northeast China. The following six treatments were used: (1) no N fertilization (control); (2) 200 kg urea-N ha−1 (100%N); (3) 200 kg urea-N ha−1 and straw (100%N + S); (4) 160 kg urea-N ha−1 (80%N); (5) 160 kg urea-N ha−1 and NI (Nitrapyrin in this study) (80%N + NI); and (6) 160 kg urea-N ha−1, NI, and straw (80%N + NI + S). The results showed that the five N fertilization treatments yielded 16–25% more grain and 39–60% more crop N uptake than the control, but the differences among the five treatments were not statistically significant. Compared with the 100%N, 20% fertilizer-N reduction (80%N) decreased the 15N concentration in topsoil and plant pools but increased the proportion of plant 15N recovery at harvesting (NUE15N, 60% vs. 50%). Compared with the 80%N, NI co-application (80%N + NI) delayed soil nitrification and increased soil 15N retention at harvesting (52% vs. 36%), thereby decreasing NUE15N significantly. Straw incorporation decreased fertilizer-N retention in soil compared with NI co-application because it promoted NUE15N significantly. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that NI and straw additions are efficient strategies for stabilizing fertilizer-N in soils and potentially minimizing N loss; however, their effects on NUE15N vary and the related mechanism must be further clarified in long-term trials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The findings of this study indicate that Cr-advanced steels exhibit increased corrosion resistance when Ni is incorporated into the alloy. To investigate this phenomenon, the corrosion products and corrosion behavior of Cr-advanced steels with varying Ni contents were evaluated in CO2-saturated NaCl solutions at 90 and 180 °C. The underlying corrosion resistance mechanism can be elucidated from two distinct perspectives. At 90 °C, the addition of Ni into Cr-advanced steels causes the transformation of Fe oxides to NiFe2O4, and it offers superior protection for steel. In addition, the NiFe2O4 phase generated with electronegative properties can enhance the adsorption of Fe2+, thereby promoting the precipitation of FeCO3 crystals. Furthermore, the residual Ni in the inner film continues to serve a pivotal role in the filling of a considerable number of pores and cracks. Upon comprehensive evaluation of the associated costs, the Cr-advanced steel with enhanced corrosion resistance through the incorporation of 1.0 wt% Ni content provides a potential alternative to a conventional 3Cr steel in a CO2 environment. On the other hand, at 180 °C, the concentrations of Fe2+ and CO32− are significantly higher than the solubility of FeCO3 in initial corrosion, which is conducive to generate a denser nanometer-size FeCO3 layer with a better protectiveness, and thus, the effect of Ni is significantly weakened.

In recent years, research on pure ZnO, Ni-doped ZnO, Mg-doped ZnO, and Fe-doped ZnO nanostructures has been gradually progressing to create more effective materials that may be applied in a variety of applications. In this investigation, hydrothermal synthesis was used to create both pure ZnO nanoparticles and ZnO that had been doped with Ni, Mg, and Fe at a concentration of 7%. Before testing the nanostructures' ability to inhibit harmful bacteria (Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter sp.), they were shown to have antibacterial activity. With the use of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis), their physicochemical characteristics were initially determined. When Ni, Mg, and Fe are inserted into ZnO, XRD measurements show that the particle size decreases from 28.94 nm to 19.96 nm. The optical bandgap decreases from 3.17 eV to 3.08 eV with the least value for Fe/ZnO NPs, according to UV–Vis spectral data, which also shows that the absorption edge changes to higher wavelengths (redshift). This research has produced nanoparticle samples of Ni/ZnO, Mg/ZnO, and Fe/ZnO that, when compared to the pure ZnO sample, show intriguing antibacterial activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reducing fertilizer-N rate, applying a nitrification inhibitor (NI), and incorporating straw are widely recommended to improve N use efficiency of crops and decrease N losses. A field 15N tracer study was conducted to compare their effectiveness on fertilizer-N fates during the maize growing season in Northeast China. The following six treatments were used: (1) no N fertilization (control); (2) 200 kg urea-N ha−1 (100%N); (3) 200 kg urea-N ha−1 and straw (100%N + S); (4) 160 kg urea-N ha−1 (80%N); (5) 160 kg urea-N ha−1 and NI (Nitrapyrin in this study) (80%N + NI); and (6) 160 kg urea-N ha−1, NI, and straw (80%N + NI + S). The results showed that the five N fertilization treatments yielded 16–25% more grain and 39–60% more crop N uptake than the control, but the differences among the five treatments were not statistically significant. Compared with the 100%N, 20% fertilizer-N reduction (80%N) decreased the 15N concentration in topsoil and plant pools but increased the proportion of plant 15N recovery at harvesting (NUE15N, 60% vs. 50%). Compared with the 80%N, NI co-application (80%N + NI) delayed soil nitrification and increased soil 15N retention at harvesting (52% vs. 36%), thereby decreasing NUE15N significantly. Straw incorporation decreased fertilizer-N retention in soil compared with NI co-application because it promoted NUE15N significantly. In conclusion, the results demonstrate that NI and straw additions are efficient strategies for stabilizing fertilizer-N in soils and potentially minimizing N loss; however, their effects on NUE15N vary and the related mechanism must be further clarified in long-term trials.

Abstract The aim of the experiment was to determine the yield of Miscanthus × giganteus M 19 in the first three years of cultivation and its bioaccumulation of Zn and Ni in aboveground and underground parts in response to different doses of sewage sludge and substrate left after the production of white mushrooms. Miscanthus × giganteus is a grass species that adapts to different environmental conditions and can be grown in various climatic zones of Europe and North America. In April 2018 the experiment was established in a randomized block design and with four replications in central-eastern Poland. Waste organic materials (municipal sewage sludge and mushroom substrate) were applied to the soil in 2018 in the spring before the rhizomes of giant miscanthus were planted. Each year (from 2018 to 2020) biomass was harvested in December. The yield of fresh and dry matter and the total content of Zn and Ni, after wet mineralization of plant samples, were determined by optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). After the third year of cultivation, the content of Zn and Ni in rhizomes and in the soil was determined again. In relation to control, an increase in the yield of miscanthus biomass in response to organic waste materials was noted. Plants responded to mushroom substrate (SMS) with the highest average yield (16.89 Mgha−1DM), while on the control plot it was 13.86 Mg ha−1DM. After the third year of cultivation, rhizomes of Miscanthus x giganteus contained higher amounts of Zn (63.3 mg kg−1) and Ni (7.54 mg kg−1) than aboveground parts (40.52 and 2.07 mg kg–1), which indicated that heavy metals were retained in underground parts.

Metals such as nickel, cobalt, lithium, and manganese are widely used in lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) in electronic devices and electric vehicles. It is forecast that there will be a strong increase in the number of electronic devices and electric vehicles in the coming years. (1) Background: In this paper, the application of ultrasound waves on improving Li, Co, Mn, and Ni leaching efficiency from mixed active cathode materials from different types of LIBs is presented. (2) Methods: Environmentally friendly, low-concentrated (0.75 M) organic acids (oxalic acid, citric acid) and, additionally, sulfuric acid, were used in sonochemical and chemical leaching (stirring process) at a temperature of 60 °C. (3) Results: The results showed significantly higher leaching efficiency of metals with ultrasound-assisted treatment, especially when using organic acids. An average of 50% better leaching results were obtained for Li in oxalic acid (99.6%) and for Co (93.1%) in citric acid during sonochemical leaching. (4) Conclusions: Based on the theory of hydrogen peroxide formation during ultrasound wave transition in solutions, the role of H2O2 as one of the most effective reductants used to enhance cobalt, manganese, and nickel leaching from LIBs is indicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Bulletin of the Chinese Ceramic Society is the property of Bulletin of the Chinese Ceramic Society Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

CO2 methanation is an effective strategy for making full use of waste gases and converting them into valuable chemicals. Nowadays, the key challenge is the design of efficient catalysts to enhance low-temperature catalytic performance. The present work studies the effect of metal type on the catalytic performance of yttrium oxide-supported catalysts for CO2 methanation reaction. Ru/Y2O3, Ni/Y2O3, and Co/Y2O3 catalysts were prepared by wetness incipient impregnation method, characterized using N2-adsorption/desorption isotherm, XRD, FTIR, and H2-TPR and TGA techniques to evaluate the surface, crystal phase, and thermal stability. The catalytic test was conducted with the use of a fixed-bed reactor under atmospheric pressure. The temperature of catalytic performance was 350 °C with a supply of H2: CO2 molar ratio of 4 and a total flow rate of 200 mL/min. The main products of the reaction were CH4, and traces of carbon monoxide were present among the products. The methane yield reached 64.67%, 60.03%, and 50.82% over Ru/Y2O3, Ni/Y2O3, and Co/Y2O3 catalysts, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the experiment was to determine the yield of Miscanthus × giganteus M 19 in the first three years of cultivation and its bioaccumulation of Zn and Ni in aboveground and underground parts in response to different doses of sewage sludge and substrate left after the production of white mushrooms. Miscanthus × giganteus is a grass species that adapts to different environmental conditions and can be grown in various climatic zones of Europe and North America. In April 2018 the experiment was established in a randomized block design and with four replications in central-eastern Poland. Waste organic materials (municipal sewage sludge and mushroom substrate) were applied to the soil in 2018 in the spring before the rhizomes of giant miscanthus were planted. Each year (from 2018 to 2020) biomass was harvested in December. The yield of fresh and dry matter and the total content of Zn and Ni, after wet mineralization of plant samples, were determined by optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). After the third year of cultivation, the content of Zn and Ni in rhizomes and in the soil was determined again. In relation to control, an increase in the yield of miscanthus biomass in response to organic waste materials was noted. Plants responded to mushroom substrate (SMS) with the highest average yield (16.89 Mgha−1DM), while on the control plot it was 13.86 Mg ha−1DM. After the third year of cultivation, rhizomes of Miscanthus x giganteus contained higher amounts of Zn (63.3 mg kg−1) and Ni (7.54 mg kg−1) than aboveground parts (40.52 and 2.07 mg kg–1), which indicated that heavy metals were retained in underground parts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The water–gas shift (WGS) performance of 10%Ni/Al2O3, 20%Ni/Al2O3 and 10%Ni/CaO-Al2O3 catalysts was studied to reduce CO concentration and produce extra hydrogen. Ni was added onto the Al2O3 support by an impregnation method. The physicochemical properties of nickel catalysts that influence their catalytic activity were examined. The most influential factors in increasing the CO conversion for the water–gas shift reaction are Ni dispersion and surface acidity. Ni metal sites were identified as the active sites for CO adsorption. The main effect of nickel metal was reducing the adsorbed CO amount by reducing the active site concentration. The 10%Ni/Al2O3 catalyst was more active for the WGS reaction than other catalysts. This catalyst presents a high CO conversion rate (75% CO conversion at 800 °C), which is due to its high Ni dispersion at the surface (6.74%) and surface acidity, thereby favoring CO adsorption. A high Ni dispersion for more surface-active sites is exposed to a CO reactant. In addition, favored CO adsorption is related to the acidity on the catalyst surface because CO reactant in the WGS reaction is a weak base. The total acidity can be evaluated by integrating the NH3-Temperature-Programmed Desorption curves. Therefore, an enhancement of surface acidity is identified as the favored CO adsorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are performed to calculate the energetic structural, electronic and magnetic properties of M/Ni(100) where M = Ru, Rh, Pd and Ag with 0.25, 0.50 and 1.00 monolayer (ML) coverages. The calculations find that Ru, Rh and Pd possess magnetic moment and increase the magnetization properties of Ni topmost surface atoms at 0.25 and 0.50 ML coverage. The adsorption of M reduces the magnetic moment of Ni substrate at 1.0 ML coverage. Adsorption of Ag has no significant effect on the magnetic moment of Ag and decreases the magnetization of Ni surface. Friedel-like oscillation is found for Ni subsurface layers at Pd/Ni(100) system consequently with a small negative magnetic moment for Pd atoms layer. The charge transfer between M and Ni and the hybridization between 3d Ni and 4d M band are responsible for the change in the magnetic moment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This review provides a comprehensive overview of the production and modification of CZTS nanoparticles (NPs) and their application in electrocatalysis for water splitting. Various aspects, including surface modification, heterostructure design with carbon nanostructured materials, and tunable electrocatalytic studies, are discussed. A key focus is the synthesis of small CZTS nanoparticles with tunable reactivity, emphasizing the sonochemical method's role in their formation. Despite CZTS's affordability, it often exhibits poor hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) behavior. Carbon materials like graphene, carbon nanotubes, and C60 are highlighted for their ability to enhance electrocatalytic activity due to their unique properties. The review also discusses the amine functionalization of graphene oxide/CZTS composites, which enhances overall water splitting performance. Doping with non-noble metals such as Fe, Co., and Ni is presented as an effective strategy to improve catalytic activity. Additionally, the synthesis of heterostructures consisting of CZTS nanoparticles attached to MoS2-reduced graphene oxide (rGO) hybrids is explored, showing enhanced HER activity compared to pure CZTS and MoS2. The growing demand for energy and the need for efficient renewable energy sources, particularly hydrogen generation, are driving research in this field. The review aims to demonstrate the potential of CZTS-based electrocatalysts for high-performance and cost-effective hydrogen generation with low environmental impact. Vacuum-based and non-vacuum-based methods for fabricating CZTS are discussed, with a focus on simplicity and efficiency. Future developments in CZTS-based electrocatalysts include enhancing activity and stability, improving charge transfer mechanisms, ensuring cost-effectiveness and scalability, increasing durability, integrating with renewable energy sources, and gaining deeper insight into reaction processes. Overall, CZTS-based electrocatalysts show great promise for sustainable hydrogen generation, with ongoing research focused on improving performance and advancing their practical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Low-Carbon Chemistry & Chemical Engineering is the property of Low-Carbon Chemistry & Chemical Engineering Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Journal of University of Anbar for Pure Science is the property of Republic of Iraq Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research (MOHESR) and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

In this study, a combination of Ni elemental and Al2O3 ceramic reinforcing phases was introduced through an electroless plating method to address the issue of load-bearing and wear in dental implants resulting from friction within the oral environment and during food mastication. This was followed by combining CoCrMo powder and reinforcing phase powder. Subsequently, SLM processing was employed to form CoCrMo, Al2O3–CoCrMo (CCMA), and Ni@Al2O3–CoCrMo (CCMN) composites. The samples' hardness, wear resistance, and strength were determined. Employing FIB technology, the samples were examined for morphology, energy spectrum, and electron diffraction patterns. The results indicated that the CCMN sample displayed optimal hardness and friction resistance. While the tensile strength of the CCMN sample was slightly below international standards, an enhancement in elongation was observed, effectively striking a balance between strength and plasticity. The preparation process flow chart of the composite material (CCMN, CCM, CCMA) and the characterization of the morphology composition and properties, as well as the mechanism of Ni enhancement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Relevance. The need to study the features of aerogenic effects of the Norilsk industrial complex on the natural environment. Aim. To study the features of the aerogenic effects of the Norilsk industrial complex in the south-southwest zone at a distance of 40–60 km using lichens Cladonia rungeferina and Cetraria sp. Objects. Soil, lichens Cladonia rungeferina and Cetraria sp. Methods. Soil and lichen samples were taken 40–60 km south-southwest of the Norilsk Industrial district. Sampling was carried out according to the scheme of two profiles with a length of 14 and 20 km. The samples were analyzed using a set of methods consisting of X-ray fluorescence (S4 Pioneer Bruker AXS), atomic absorption methods (KVANT-2A, Julia-5K) and induction-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ELEMENT-2) in the laboratory of the GIN RAS, Moscow. The concentration of Ti, V, Ni, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Rb, Cd, Sb, Ba, La was determined. Results. The authors have obtained the data on the concentration of the 21 elements in soils and lichens. The paper demonstrates the calculation of distribution of elements in soil and lichens relative to the concentration in the upper part of the continental crust. The authors calculated the enrichment factor EF for Mn, Ni, Cu, Hg, Pb and estimated the distribution of this coefficient for both profiles. It is shown that the technogenic component of the aerogenic effect for Mn, Ni, Cu, Pb to the south-southwest of the Norilsk industrial complex at a distance of 40–60 km is practically absent. The increased values of the enrichment factor EF in lichens for Hg are explained by a combination of two factors – the constant presence of mercury in significant concentrations in ecosystems and tundra fires that took place in this zone in 2019–2020, which ultimately led to the re-deposition of Hg in the burnt areas.

The dry reforming of CH4 (DRM) reaction can simultaneously convert two greenhouse gases CO2 and CH4 into high valued syngas. Nickel-based catalysts have been widely studied because of the low cost and high activity. However, carbon deposition making the deactivation of Ni-based catalyst is the main challenges for DRM reaction. This review illustrates DRM reaction mechanism and the causes of carbon deposition, as well as the resistance strategies of carbon deposition for Ni-based catalyst. The deposited carbon can be restrained by adjusting the size of Ni particles, introduction of promoters, reasonable design of support, controlling the reaction process and employing the confinement effect of the catalysts. The valuable insights are garnered for the further augmentation and optimization of the anti-carbon performance of catalysts by DFT and microkinetic. This work provides a tutorial for designing Ni-based catalysts with high anti-carbon deposition properties for DRM reaction.

Linear α-olefins (LAOs) are linear alkenes with double bonds at the ends of the molecular chains. LAOs with different chain lengths can be widely applied in various fields. Ethylene oligomerization has become the main process for producing LAOs. In this review, different homogeneous or heterogeneous catalysts recently reported in ethylene oligomerization with Ni, Fe, Co, Cr, etc., as active centers will be discussed. In the homogeneous catalytic system, we mainly discuss the effects of the molecular structure and the electronic and coordination states of complexes on their catalytic activity and selectivity. The Ni, Fe, and Co homogeneous catalysts are discussed separately based on different ligand types, while the Cr-based homogeneous catalysts are discussed separately for ethylene trimerization, tetramerization, and non-selective oligomerization. In heterogeneous catalytic systems, we mainly concentrate on the influence of various supports (metal–organic frameworks, covalent organic frameworks, molecular sieves, etc.) and different ways to introduce active centers to affect the performance in ethylene oligomerization. Finally, a summary and outlook on ethylene oligomerization catalysts are provided based on the current research. The development of highly selective α-olefin formation processes remains a major challenge for academia and industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of efficient Ni-based catalysts for low-temperature (=600 °C) dry reforming of methane remains a challenge because of their susceptibility to carbon deposition. Herein, we report a Ni-La2O3/SiO2 catalyst prepared by using the glycine-assisted impregnation method. Small Ni nanoparticles were confined by La2O3 on the SiO2 support in the catalyst, which exhibited remarkable resistance to carbon deposition for the dry reforming of methane at 600 °C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photothermal carbon dioxide (CO2) methanation has attracted increasing interest in solar fuel synthesis, which employs the advantages of photocatalytic H2O splitting as a hydrogen source and photothermal catalytic CO2 reduction. This work prepared three-dimensional (3D) honeycomb N-doped carbon (NC) loaded with core–shell NiO@Ni nanoparticles generated in situ at 500 °C (NiO@Ni/NC-500). Under the photothermal catalysis (200 °C, 1.5 W/cm2), the CH4 evolution rate of NiO@Ni/NC-500 reached 5.5 mmol/(g·h), which is much higher than that of the photocatalysis (0.8 mmol/(g·h)) and the thermal catalysis (3.7 mmol/(g·h)). It is found that the generated localized surface plasmon resonance enhances the injection of hot electrons from Ni to NiO, while thermal heating accelerates the thermal motion of radicals, thus generating a strong photo-thermal synergistic effect on the reaction. The CO2 reduction to CH4 follows the *OCH pathway. This work demonstrates the synergistic effect of NiO@Ni and NC can enhance the catalytic performance of photothermal CO2 reduction reaction coupled with water splitting reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current study attempted to assess the amount of key trace element (Fe, Ni, Li) found in squid Loligo duvacelii purchased from Ennore and Royapuram, the two most prominent markets on the Chennai coast. Lithium, nickel, and iron, was determined using the ICP- OES. Metal concentrations fluctuated in the study area, which might be attributed to a variety of environmental conditions. The research findings contribute to the development of a dataset of seafood quality in this region and give a scientific foundation for management planning for improved protection and sustainable development of aquaculture in the study area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The catalysts for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) are of great significance to the development of electrochemical energy systems. In this paper, the ORR catalytic performance of Mn–Ni dual-metal doped N-coordinated graphene is studied by density functional theory (DFT). The results show that the catalysts with dual-metal active sites are more stable than that with single metal site, and all catalysts show certain catalytic activity. The reaction pathway analyses of catalysts with two different adsorption configurations of O 2 show that when O 2 is adsorbed on two metal sites, OOH will automatically split into OH and O. When O 2 is adsorbed on Mn site alone, the other site does not participate in the adsorption of oxygen-containing intermediates. The thermodynamic calculation results show that the catalytic performance is mainly influenced by the adsorption strength of O, which is controlled by the number of active sites involved in the adsorption, bond length and the number of transferred electrons at the active sites. The G-MnNiN 6 -3 shows the best catalytic performance with an overpotential of 0.453 V and a reaction energy barrier of 0.19 eV. The results of this study highlight the potential application of Mn–Ni dual-metal doped N-coordinated graphene as a highly efficient non-precious catalyst. • The ORR catalytic performance of Mn–Ni dual-metal doped N-coordinated graphene is studied for the first time. • The adsorption of O 2 can be classified into single adsorption and co-adsorption on bimetallic catalyst. • The catalytic performance is most affected by the adsorption strength of O. • The best catalyst shows the overpotential of 0.453 V and a reaction energy barrier of 0.19 eV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ni anisotropic microgroove structures were prepared by lithographic processes and electroforming to investigate the effect of microstructures on friction forces. For Ni microgroove structures, the friction forces varied significantly depending on the indenter sliding direction to the anisotropic microstructures. The friction forces of parallel sliding directions on microgroove structures were unstable and considerably larger than those of the perpendicular directions owing to the difference in the structure continuousness. These results suggest that anisotropic microstructures affect friction forces and can deploy fail-safe functions when a large load is accidentally applied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of metal oxides in catalytic oxidation of organic pollutants has gained high interest due to their high efficiency and eco-friendly character. In this study, styrene was catalytically oxidized by coating Co and Ni oxides on Al 2 O 3 , SiO 2 , and Al 2 SiO 5 support materials. Combination of 30 wt% Co oxide and Al 2 O 3 presented the best styrene catalytic oxidation with detection of Co 3 O 4 structure. The impact of different operating conditions on 30 wt % Co 3 O 4 /Al 2 O 3 was also investigated. Higher initial concentration of styrene reduced the active site number and led to lower conversion. Likewise, decline of catalytic performance was also seen in the presence of higher space velocity and the absence of O 2 in the system. In the deactivation test, deposited carbon was found through tests of catalyst characteristic. Moreover, the Langmuir-Hinshelwood and Mars van Krevelen kinetics modeling well fitted the data to describe the reaction kinetics of the study. [Display omitted] • Co was converted into Co 3 O 4 and performed better styrene removal than NiO. • 95% styrene removal was achieved by Co/Al 2 O 3 at around 291 °C. • Lower temperature at long term application caused carbon deposition. • Co 3 O 4 was not converted into other compounds after catalytic oxidation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cobalt, nickel, copper, and tin nanosized particles were synthesized through a borohydride reduction method with a reducing agent of NaBH4. The reductive precipitation was carried out at room temperature and atmospheric pressure. The nanoparticle powders were synthesized from water solutions of sulfate salts. The obtained nanosized particles were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and XRD analyses. The SEM micrographs showed the nanoparticles’ morphology and structure. The chemical elements’ distribution was determined by energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analysis. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis determined the phase composition and state (amorphous or crystalline). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Iron Steel Vanadium Titanium is the property of Iron Steel Vanadium Titanium Editorial Office and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Perpendicular magnetic anisotropy at transition metal/oxide interfaces plays a significant role in technological applications such as magnetic storage and spintronics. In this study, we investigate the effects of thermal annealing and Pt ultrathin interlayers on the magnetic anisotropy in Ni/NiO multilayers. Ni/NiO/Pt multilayers were fabricated via radiofrequency magnetron sputtering and natural oxidation. The static magnetic properties of the samples were studied using temperature-dependent SQUID magnetometry. We focus on a sample with a Nickel thickness of 6.7 nm in each multilayer period. This multilayer in Ni/NiO form showed the maximum enhancement of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy after mild thermal annealing in past work. In this work, we study the effects of ultrathin Pt interlayers on the magnetic properties of such a Ni/NiO multilayer before and after annealing. We have observed a further increase in perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, and we study the temperature-dependent magnetic properties of this system, which combines the favorable magnetic properties of Ni/Pt and Ni/NiO multilayers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perpendicular magnetic anisotropy at transition metal/oxide interfaces plays a significant role in technological applications such as magnetic storage and spintronics. In this study, we investigate the effects of thermal annealing and Pt ultrathin interlayers on the magnetic anisotropy in Ni/NiO multilayers. Ni/NiO/Pt multilayers were fabricated via radiofrequency magnetron sputtering and natural oxidation. The static magnetic properties of the samples were studied using temperature-dependent SQUID magnetometry. We focus on a sample with a Nickel thickness of 6.7 nm in each multilayer period. This multilayer in Ni/NiO form showed the maximum enhancement of perpendicular magnetic anisotropy after mild thermal annealing in past work. In this work, we study the effects of ultrathin Pt interlayers on the magnetic properties of such a Ni/NiO multilayer before and after annealing. We have observed a further increase in perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, and we study the temperature-dependent magnetic properties of this system, which combines the favorable magnetic properties of Ni/Pt and Ni/NiO multilayers.

In this study, we investigated the phase transition of cobalt spinel (Co3O4) nanoparticles into Co3-xNixO4/CoO heterostructures by introducing varying amounts of nickel (x = 0.0–0.16) and subjecting the particles to high annealing temperatures of 1000 ℃. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the Co3-xNixO4CoO structure for all samples. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) provided further insights into the phase or heterostructure of the samples after annealing, revealing the arrangement of the two phases. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy measurements demonstrated a band shift around 537 cm-1 with increasing Ni content, while ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) measurements indicated the energy band (Eg). Significant morphological changes were observed in scanning electron microscope (SEM) measurements at 0.16 Ni, displaying irregular agglomerates. Our findings suggest that introducing Ni into the Co3O4 structure and increasing the annealing temperature to 1000 ℃ can lead to the formation of a heterostructured system. Furthermore, our study's significance is highlighted by the streamlined synthesis of NiCo2O4/CoO using the sol-gel method followed by calcination. This departure from complex techniques provides an efficient route to acquiring the NiCo2O4/CoO system, a promissory material for advancing supercapacitor research.

Due to its super plasticity, low weight, and high mechanical resistance properties, generally, Ti6Al4V is used for aeronautical applications. However, it has low resistance to plastic shearing. In addition, it has poor wear resistance. For these reasons, a lot of techniques have been developed to improve its wear resistance. Investigations of microstructure and interfacial reactions of diffusion bonding of Ni and Ti6Al4V materials have been performed experimentally. Ni samples were prepared with 50 ± 5 µm Ni powders in cylindrical shape. For diffusion bonding, Ag foil was used for improving the interlayer and connection quality. Nickel and its alloys can be joined by using some different processes, and the use of an interlayer can further facilitate the joining process and improve the joint quality. The experiments were carried out under the protected atmosphere. Argon gas was used for protection. The experiments were performed under 5 MPa pressure for 60 min duration at 850 °C, 900 °C, and 950 °C thermal conditions. Investigations of metallurgical structure occurring in the interface areas were examined by optic analysis of EDS, SEM, and X-ray. The strength of the joints was tested by lap-shear tests. From observations, the best quality of the coalescence at interfaces was indicated at elevated temperatures.

The present work was aimed at quantifying the effects of Ni addition in the range of 0–4% together with 0.3%Zr on the hardness and the tensile properties, volume fraction of intermetallics, and changes in size and distribution of phase precipitation in Sr-modified Al-9%Si-2%Cu-0.6%Mg cast alloys. The study was mainly carried out using high-resolution FESEM and TEM microscopes equipped with EDS facilities. Samples were solidified at the rate of ~3 °C/s and examined at different aging conditions. The investigations are supported by thermal analysis carried out at a solidification rate of ~0.8 °C/s. The results revealed that the main compositions of the Ni-based phases are close to Al3(Ni,Cu), Al3CuNi, and Al3Ni. An Al3Ni2Cu2 phase was also detected in the 4%Ni alloy. The Cu–Ni phases were observed to precipitate, covering the surfaces of pre-existing primary Al3Zr particles. The TEM analysis indicated the magnitude of the reduction in both size and density of the precipitated Al2Cu phase particles as the Ni content reached 4%, coupled with a delay in the transition from coherent to incoherency of the Al2Cu precipitates.