CO preferential oxidation (CO-PROx) on La(1-x)Ce(x)NiO(3) perovskites

La(1-x)Ce(x)NiO(3) perovskites have been prepared, characterized by XRD. TPR and surface area and tested as catalysts for CO-PROx, with a feed of 2.5% CO, 5% O(2), 33% H(2) and N(2) to 100%. The samples exhibited an XRD pattern typical of the perovskite, with traces of NiO in the LaNiO(3) and La(0.95)Ce(0.05)NiO(3) samples, with some La(2)NiO(4) in the La(0.90)Ce(0.10)NiO(3) sample. All samples were active, but the perovskites with cerium showed good catalytic activity, demonstrating the promoter effect of cerium. The highest conversion of CO and H(2) was obtained with La(0.95)Ce(0.05)NiO(3), probably due to a synergy between Ni and Ce that enhanced O(2) mobility. (c) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Effects of the partial replacement of La by M (M=Ce, Ca and Sr) in La(2-x)M(x)CuO(4) perovskites on catalysis of the water-gas shift reaction

The performance of La(2-x)M(x)CuO(4) perovskites (where M = Ce, Ca or Sr) as catalysts for the water-gas shift reaction was investigated at 290 degrees C and 360 degrees C. The catalysts were characterized by EDS, XRD, N(2) adsorption-desorption, XPS and XANES. The XRD results showed that all the perovskites exhibited a single phase (the presence of perovskite structure), suggesting the incorporation of metals in the perovskite structure. The XPS and XANES results showed the presence of Cu(2+) on the surface. The perovskites that exhibited the best catalytic performance were La(2-x)Ce(x)CuO(4) perovslcites, with CO conversions of 85%-90%. Moreover, these perovskites have higher surface areas and larger amounts of Cu on the surface. And Ce has a higher filled energy level than the other metals, increasing the energy of the valence band of Ce and providing more electrons for the reaction. Besides, the La(1.80)Ca(0.20)CuO(4) perovskite showed a good catalytic performance.

The first dimeric trioganotin fluoride : stabilization by unsymmetrically oriented menthyl substituents

In the solid state, (-)-tris([1R,2S,5R]-menthyl)tin fluoride, Men₃SnF (6), exhibits a dimeric structure in which one tin atom is four-coordinate and the other five-coordinate. This novel dimeric association mode is attributed to the orientation of the unsymmetrical menthyl groups, which are arranged to allow a minimum Sn···Sn separation of 4.84 Å within the dimer. The exocyclic isopropyl groups of the menthyl groups point in opposite directions on each tin atom of the dimer, thus preventing further association (Sn···Sn separation outside the dimer 10.49 Å). ¹¹⁹Sn and ¹⁹F MAS NMR spectroscopy were utilized to probe the diverse coordination numbers found by X-ray crystallography for the geometries of the two tin and fluorine sites. In solution, 6 is a monomer at both room temperature and -100 °C. However, upon addition of Bu₄NF, 6 is in equilibrium with [(Men₃SnF)₂F]- (6a), [Men₃SnF₂]^- (6b), and noncoordinating fluoride anions.

Fluoride-assisted synthesis of mullite (Al5.65 Si0.35 O9.175) nanowires

Novel silicon-deficient mullite (Al_5.65Si_0.35O_9.175) single crystal nanowires were synthesized in large quantities on mica substrates assisted by the intermediate fluoride species. The nanowires have diameters in the range 50–100 nm and typical lengths of several µm. Aligned nanowires were observed at the substrate edge. The nanowires have strong photoluminescence (PL) emission bands at 310, 397, 452 and 468 nm.

Absorption and desorption characteristics of fluoride in the calcareous and siliceous sand sheet aquifers of south-west Victoria, Australia

This study assessed the sustainability of utilising groundwater systems to
manage an aluminium smelter's fluoridated trade wastewater stream. Replacing ocean discharge of the wastewater with land irrigation is one option. Using a groundwater model (developed using MODFLOW incorporating parameter estimation software (PEST-ASP)), we found that most of the groundwater flow takes place through surface sands. Fluoride is adsorbed in these sands during the drier summer months, but desorption is rapid when winter rain flushes the aquifer. Underlying clays and other layers prevent significant contamination of the deeper aquifer.

Aluminium smelter wastewater : groundwater fluoride fate

This study assessed the viability of utilising groundwater systems to manage Portland Aluminium's trade waste water stream. A mathematical groundwater model was created to assess laboratory and field results. Fluoride was modelled for spatio-temporal longevity in the system. All models indicate that fluoride will ultimately exit the site to the seaward boundary.

Properties of a carbon-fibre composite modified by electrospun poly (vinylidene fluoride)

The interlaminar toughening of a carbon-fibre reinforced composite by incorporation of electrospun polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofibrous membranes was explored in this work. The nanofibres were electrospun directly onto commercial pre-impregnated carbon fibre materials under optimised conditions and PVDF was found to primarily crystallise in its β phase polymorphic form. There is strong evidence from DMTA analysis to suggest that a partial miscibility between the amorphous phases of the PVDF nanofibres and the epoxy exists. The improved plastic deformation at the crack tip after inclusion of the nanofibres was directly translated to a 57% increase in the mode II interlaminar fracture toughness (in-plane shear failure). Conversely, the fracture toughness in mode I (opening failure) was slightly lower than the reference by approximately 20%, and the results were interpreted from the complex micromechanisms of failure arising from the changes in polymorphism of the PVDF.

Study on the fouling phenomena of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membrane by protein and yeast

This sub-collection is the result of an investigation into the mechanism of organic fouling in membrane filtration processes. In this experiment, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membranes were used to filter two types of organic foulants, protein and yeast with a concentration of 50mg/l and 20 mg/l, respectively, from suspension in a dead-end filtration cell. These model foulants were stained with fluorescent dyes before filtration. This dataset contains a stack of images of the fouling layer on the PVDF membrane surface captured by a confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) and its associated acquisition software. This dataset would be useful to researchers who are investigating the membrane organic fouling mechanism so that new membrane materials and new anti-fouling surface treatment technologies can be developed for water and wastewater industry in the future.

Evaluating backwashing efficiency of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membrane fouled by protein and yeast

This collection is the result of an investigation into the backwashing efficiency of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membrane fouled by two types of organic foulants, protein and yeast. In this experiement, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membrane was used to filter those organic foulants from suspensions in a dead-end stirred cell. The organic foulants were stained with fluorescent dyes before filtration. After filtration, the PC membrane was backwashed. Consequently, a stack of images were captured from the fouling layers on the PVDF membrane surface using confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) and its associated image acquisition software. It contains image data of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membranes' fouling layer when two types of organic foulants (protein and yeast) present. By comparing with the same membrane without backwashing, the efficiency of backwashing was computed. This data collection would be useful to researchers who are evaluating the backwashing efficiency of PVDF membrane in order to optimize frequency and operational conditions of backwashing by membrane materials and by water.

Evaluating backwashing efficiency of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membrane fouled by yeast and sodium alginate

This collection is the result of an investigation into the backwashing efficiency of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membrane fouled by yeast and sodium alginate. In this experiement, poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membrane was used to filter two types of organic foulants from suspensions in a dead-end stirred cell. The organic foulants including yeast and sodium alginate were stained with fluorescent dyes before filtration. After filtration, the PC membrane was backwashed. Consequently, a stack of images were captured from the fouling layers on the PVDF membrane surface using confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) and its associated image acquisition software. The data collection contains image data of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membranes' fouling layer when two types of organic foulants (yeast and sodium alginate) are present. By comparing with the same membrane without backwashing, the efficiency of backwashing was computed. The collection would be useful to researchers evaluating the backwashing efficiency of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membrane in order to optimize frequency and operational conditions of backwashing by membrane materials and by water.