Hydrothermal syntheses of zeolite N from kaolin

Zeolite N, an EDI type framework structure with ideal chemical formula K12Al10Si10O40Cl2•5H2O, was produced from kaolin between 100oC and 200oC in a continuously stirred reactor using potassic and potassic+sodic liquors containing a range of anions. Reactions using liquors such as KOH, KOH + KX (where X = F, Cl, Br, I, NO3, NO2), K2X (where X=CO3), KOH + NaCl or NaOH + KCl were complete (>95% product) in less than two hours depending on the batch composition and temperature of reaction. With KOH and KCl in the reaction mixture and H2O/Al2O3~49, zeolite N was formed over a range of concentrations (1M < [KOH] < 18M) and reaction times (0.5h < t < 60h). At higher temperatures or higher KOH molarity, other potassic phases such as kalsilite or kaliophyllite formed. In general, temperature and KOH molarity defined the extent of zeolite N formation under these conditions. The introduction of sodic reagents to the starting mixture or use of one potassic reagent in the starting mixture reduced the stability field for zeolite N formation. Zeolite N was also formed using zeolite 4A as a source of Al and Si albeit for longer reaction times at a particular temperature when compared with kaolin as the source material.

Aluminosilicates of zeolite N structure

A process for making aluminosilicates of zeolite N structure comprising the steps of: (i) combining a water soluble monovalent cation, a solution of hydroxyl anions and an aluminosilicate to form a resultant mixture having a pH greater than 10 and a H.sub.2O/Al.sub.2O.sub.3 ratio in the range 30 to 220; (ii) heating the resultant mixture to a temperature of between 50.degree. C. and boiling point of the mixture for a time between 1 minute and 100 hours until a crystalline product of zeolite N structure is formed as determined by X-ray diffraction or other suitable characteristic; and (iii) separating the zeolite N product as a solid from the mixture.

Magnetic zeolite NaA : Synthesis, characterization based on metakaolin and its application for the removal of Cu2+, Pb2+

The optimum parameters for synthesis of zeolite NaA based on metakaolin were investigated according to results of cation exchange capacity and static water adsorption of all synthesis products and selected X-ray diffraction (XRD). Magnetic zeolite NaA was synthesized by adding Fe3O4 in the precursor of zeolite. Zeolite NaA and magnetic zeolite NaA were characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and XRD. Magnetic zeolite NaA with different Fe3O4 loadings was prepared and used for removal of heavy metals (Cu2+, Pb2+). The results show the optimum parameters for synthesis zeolite NaA are SiO2/Al2O3 = 2.3, Na2O/SiO2 = 1.4, H2O/Na2O = 50, crystallization time 8 h, crystallization temperature 95 �C. The addition of Fe3O4 makes the NaA zeolite with good magnetic susceptibility and good magnetic stability regardless of the Fe3O4 loading, confirming the considerable separation efficiency. Additionally, Fe3O4 loading had a little effect on removal of heavy metal by magnetic zeolite, however, the adsorption capacity still reaches 2.3 mmol g�1 for Cu2+, Pb2+ with a removal efficiency of over 95% in spite of 4.7% Fe3O4 loading. This indicates magnetic zeolite can be used to remove metal heavy at least Cu2+, Pb2+ from water with metallic contaminants and can be separated easily after a magnetic process.

Encapsulation of transition metal species into zeolites and molecular sieves as redox catalysts: Part I-preparation and characterisation of nanosized TiO2, CdO and ZnO semiconductor particles anchored in NaY zeolite

In this paper, we report the preparation and characterisation of nanometer-sized TiO2, CdO, and ZnO semiconductor particles trapped in zeolite NaY. Preparation of these particles was carried out via the traditional ion exchange method and subsequent calcination procedure. It was found that the smaller cations, i.e., Cd2+ and Zn2+ could be readily introduced into the SI′ and SII′ sites located in the sodalite cages, through ion exchange; while this is not the case for the larger Ti species, i.e., Ti monomer [TiO]2+ or dimer [Ti2O3]2+ which were predominantly dispersed on the external surface of zeolite NaY. The subsequent calcination procedure promoted these Ti species to migrate into the internal surface of the supercages. These semiconductor particles confined in NaY zeolite host exhibited a significant blue shift in the UV-VIS absorption spectra, in contrast to the respective bulk semiconductor materials, due to the quantum size effect (QSE). The particle sizes calculated from the UV-VIS optical absorption spectra using the effective mass approximation model are in good agreement with the atomic absorption data.

Spectroscopic investigation of the polymerisation of pyrrole and thiophene within zeolite channels

The reaction of pyrrole and thiophene monomers with copper- or nickel-exchanged mordenite has been investigated using X-ray photoelectron (XPS) and photoacoustic infrared (PAIRS) spectroscopies. Because of the differing oxidising powers of the cations studied, polymerisation occurred only with copper-exchanged mordenite. PAIRS and XPS data indicated that both polypyrrole and polythiophene were partially oxidised when synthesised within the zeolite structure. IR spectra of polythiophene and polythiophene and polypyrrole showed intense bands typical of ring vibrations which could couple to the large dipole change induced by charges moving along the polythiophene chain. In addition it was noted that only vibrations typical of oxidised polymer structures were recorded, suggesting that the charge carrier was located within these segments. Furthermore, N 1s spectra contained a high binding energy peak at 402.5 eV which was attributed to a positively charged nitrogen species, in agreement with IR data. Significantly, C 1s spectra confirmed that molecular wires were formed within the confines of the zeolite lattice. Depth-profiling experiments suggested that polypyrrole was distributed throughout the entire zeolite host. By contrast, polythiophene may have been restricted to the uppermost zeolite channels owing to the ability of sulfur species to bond to CuI sites [produced by reduction of copper(II) ions during the polymerisation process], thus obstructing movement along the channels.

Ethnic differences in the BMI-%BF relationships between young Japanese and Australian-Caucasian males living in Australia using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry

The Body Mass Index (BMI) has been used worldwide as an indicator of fatness. However, the universal cut-off points by the World Health Organisation (WHO) classification may not be appropriate for every ethnic group when consider the relationship with their actual total body fatness(%BF). The application of population-specific classifications to assess BMI may be more relevant to public health. Ethnic differences in the BMI%BF relationship between 45 Japanese and 42 Australian-Caucasian males were assessed using whole body dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scan and anthropometry using a standard protocol. Japanese males had significantly (p<0.05) greater %BF at given BMI values than Australian males. When this is taken into account the newly proposed Asia-Pacific BMI classification of BMI 23 as overweight and 25 as obese may better assess the level of obesity that is associated increased health risks for this population. To clarify the current findings, further studies that compare the relationships across other Japanese populations are recommended.

X-ray your data with Rasch

By using the Rasch model, much detailed diagnostic information is available to developers of survey and assessment instruments and to the researchers who use them. We outline an approach to the analysis of data obtained from the administration of survey instruments that can enable researchers to recognise and diagnose difficulties with those instruments and then to suggest remedial actions that can improve the measurement properties of the scales included in questionnaires. We illustrate the approach using examples drawn from recent research and demonstrate how the approach can be used to generate figures that make the results of Rasch analyses accessible to non-specialists.

Zeolite from alkali modified kaolin increases NH4+ retention by sandy soil : column experiments

Sandy soils have low water and nutrient retention capabilities so that zeolite soil amendments are used for high value land uses including turf and horticulture to reduce leaching losses of NH4+ fertilisers. MesoLite is a zeolitic material made by caustic treatment of kaolin at 80-95oC. It has a moderately low surface area (9-12m2/g) and very high cation exchange capacity (494 cmol(+)/kg). Laboratory column experiments showed that an addition of 0.4% MesoLite to a sandy soil greatly (90%) reduced leaching of added NH4+ compared to an unamended soil and MesoLite is 11 times more efficient in retaining NH4+ than natural zeolite. Furthermore, NH4+-MesoLite slowly releases NH4+ to soil solution and is likely to be an effective slow release fertiliser.

The X-Factor and its relationship to golfing performance

It is often postulated that an increased hip to shoulder differential angle (`X-Factor') during the early downswing better utilises the stretch-shorten cycle and improves golf performance. The current study aims to examine the potential relationship between the X-Factor and performance during the tee-shot. Seven golfers with handicaps between 0 and 10 strokes comprised the low-handicap group, whilst the high-handicap group consisted of eight golfers with handicaps between 11 and 20 strokes. The golfers performed 20 drives and three-dimensional kinematic data were used to quantify hip and shoulder rotation and the subsequent X-Factor. Compared with the low-handicap group, the high-handicap golfers tended to demonstrate greater hip rotation at the top of the backswing and recorded reduced maximum X-Factor values. The inconsistencies evident in the literature may suggest that a universal method of measuring rotational angles during the golf swing would be beneficial for future studies, particularly when considering potential injury.

3-D reconstruction of an ancient Egyptian mummy using X-ray computer tomography

Computer tomography has been used to image and reconstruct in 3-D an Egyptian mummy from the collection of the British Museum. This study of Tjentmutengebtiu, a priestess from the 22nd dynasty (945-715 BC) revealed invaluable information of a scientific, Egyptological and palaeopathological nature without mutilation and destruction of the painted cartonnage case or linen wrappings. Precise details on the removal of the brain through the nasal cavity and the viscera from the abdominal cavity were obtained. The nature and composition of the false eyes were investigated. The detailed analysis of the teeth provided a much closer approximation of age at death. The identification of materials used for the various amulets including that of the figures placed in the viscera was graphically demonstrated using this technique.

X-ray computed tomography

X-ray computed tomography (CT) is a medical imaging technique that produces images of trans-axial planes through the human body. When compared with a conventional radiograph, which is an image of many planes superimposed on each other, a CT image exhibits significantly improved contrast although this is at the expense of reduced spatial resolution.----- A CT image is reconstructed mathematically from a large number of one dimensional projections of the chosen plane. These projections are acquired electronically using a linear array of solid-state detectors and an x ray source that rotates around the patient.----- X-ray computed tomography is used routinely in radiological examinations. It has also be found to be useful in special applications such as radiotherapy treatment planning and three-dimensional imaging for surgical planning.

Customer satisfaction survey of the facilities provided by office building “X” in Surabaya

Many high-rise office buildings have been built in Surabaya. The investors have provided complimentary facilities to satisfy their tenants. However, not all given facilities has satisfied the tenants. The purpose of this study is to find out the level of tenant satisfaction in office “X” to the existing facilities and to suggest additional required facilities. Although office “X” is offered the highest rental rate and has known as a prestigious place in Surabaya, only location and public transport have satisfied the Indonesian tenants. Meanwhile, the multi National companies have not satisfied for any existing facilities. Additional ATM facilities and presentable cafeteria, improvement of service and the security system are required by tenants.

Smectite flocculation structure modified by AI13 macromolecules; as revealed by the Transmission X-ray Microscopy (TXM)

The aggregate structure which occurs in aqueous smectitic suspensions is responsible for poor water clarification, difficulties in sludge dewatering and the unusual rheological behaviour of smectite rich soils. These macroscopic properties are dictated by the 3-D structural arrangement of smectite finest fraction within flocculated aggregates. Here, we report results from a relatively new technique, Transmission X-ray Microscopy (TXM), which makes it possible to investigate the internal structure and 3-D tomographic reconstruction of the smectite clay aggregates modified by Al13 keggin macro-molecule [Al13(O)4(OH)24(H2O)12 ]7+. Three different treatment methods were shown resulted in three different micro-structural environments of the resulting flocculation.