TiCl4/MgCl2/MCM-41 Bi-Supported Ziegler–Natta Catalyst: Effects of Catalyst Composition on Ethylene/1-Hexene Copolymerization

TiCl4/MgCl2/MCM-41 type bi-supported Ziegler-Natta catalysts with different MgCl2/MCM-41 ratios were synthesized by adsorbing TiCl4 onto MgCl2 crystallites anchored in mesopores of MCM-41 (mesoporous silica with 3.4 nm pore size). Ethylene/1-hexene copolymerization with the catalysts was conducted at different 1-hexene concentrations and ethylene pressures. MgCl2/MCM-41 composite supports and the catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption analysis (BET), and elemental analysis. The copolymers were fractionated by extraction with boiling n-heptane, and comonomer contents of the fractions were determined. Under 4 bar ethylene pressure, the bi-supported catalysts showed higher activity and a stronger comonomer activation effect than the TiCl4/MgCl2 catalyst. In comparison with the TiCl4/MgCl2 catalyst, the bi-supported catalysts produced much less copolymer fraction of low molecular weight and high 1-hexene content, meaning that the active center distribution of the catalyst was significantly changed by introducing MCM-41 in the support. The copolymer produced by the bi-supported catalysts showed similar melting temperature to that produced by TiCl4/MgCl2 under the same polymerization conditions. The space confinement effect of the mesopores of MCM-41 on the size and structure of MgCl2 crystallites is proposed as the main reason for the special active center distribution of the bi-supported catalysts.

Reservoir Characteristics of the Lower Permian Marine-Continental Transitional Shales: Example from the Shanxi Formation and Taiyuan Formation in the Ordos Basin

The pore types and pore structure parameters of the heterogenetic shale will affect the percolation and reservoir properties of shale; therefore, the research on these parameters is very important for shale reservoir evaluation. We used X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), low-pressure CO2 adsorption analysis, mercury injection capillary pressure (MICP), and high-pressure methane adsorption analysis to analyze the characteristics of different pore types and their parameters of the Lower Permian Shanxi Formation and Taiyuan Formation in the Ordos Basin. The influence of different mineral contents on the porosity and pore size is also investigated. The Shanxi Formation (SF) is composed of quartz (average of 38.4%), plagioclase, siderite, Fe-dolomite, calcite, pyrite, and clay minerals (average of 50.1%), while the Taiyuan Formation (TF) is composed of calcite (average of 37%), siderite, Fe-dolomite, quartz, pyrite, and clay minerals (average of 32.3%). The most common types of pores observed in this formation are interparticle pores (InterP pores), intraparticle pores (IntraP pores), interclay pores, intercrystalline pores (InterC pores), organic matter pores (OM pores), and microfractures. CO2 adsorption analysis demonstrates the type I physisorption isotherms, showing microporous solids having comparatively small external surfaces. The similar types of isothermal shapes of the Shanxi Formation (SF) and Taiyuan Formation (TF) suggest that both types have similar pore size distribution (PSD) within the measured pore range by the low-pressure CO2 adsorption experiment. The micropore pore size of the TF is larger than that of the SF. MICP shows the larger pores (>50 nm), and most of the volume was adsorbed by macropores. Methane gas sorption capacity increases with increasing pressure. Clay minerals and quartz played an important role in providing adsorption sites for methane gas. The overall analysis of both formations shows that TF has good reservoir properties than SF.

Physicochemical characterization of the performance of acidified modified eggshell cyclic adsorption of CO2

The CO2 calcium based adsorbent was prepared by using citric acid monohydrate, L(+)-tartaric acid, glacial acetic acid and L(-)-malic acid modified eggshell. The cyclic calcination/carbonation reaction of the adsorbent before and after modification was carried out by thermogravimetric analyzer to investigate the attenuation characteristics of the cyclic CO2 absorption performance of the calcium-based adsorbent after modification. XRD, N2 adsorption analysis and other methods were used for physical and chemical characterization. The phase composition, morphology, specific surface area and porosity of the acidified calcium based adsorbent were investigated. The results showed that: during 20 cycles of calcination/carbonation after 900°C pre-calcination, the maximum carbonation conversion of CIES900 modified with citric acid is significantly higher than that of the previous adsorbent, and its maximum carbonation conversion is 90.7%. The L(-)-malic acid modified adsorbent MAES900 significantly enhanced the carbonation cycle stability of the adsorbent before modification, and the cycle stability reached 92.9%.

Facile Preparation of Carbon Nitride-ZnO Hybrid Adsorbent for CO2 Capture: The Significant Role of Amine Source to Metal Oxide Ratio

The presence of CO2 in gaseous fuel and feedstock stream of chemical reaction was always considered undesirable. High CO2 content will decrease quality and heating value of gaseous fuel, such as biohydrogen, which needs a practical approach to remove it. Thus, this work aims to introduce the first C3N4-metal oxide hybrid for the CO2 cleaning application from a mixture of CO2-H2 gas. The samples were tested for their chemical and physical properties, using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), physical adsorption analysis (BET), fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The CO2 capacity test was carried out by means of a breakthrough test at 1 atm and 25° C using air as a desorption system. Among the samples, amine/metal oxide mass ratio of 2:1 (CNHP500-2(2-1)) showed the best performance of 26.9 wt. % (6.11 mmol/g), with a stable capacity over 6 consecutive cycles. The hybrid sample also showed 3 times better performance than the raw C3N4. In addition, it was observed that the hydrothermal C3N4 synthesis method demonstrated improved chemical properties and adsorption performance than the conventional dry pyrolysis method. In summary, the performance of hybrid samples depends on the different interactive factors of surface area, pore size and distribution, basicity, concentration of amine precursors, ratio of amines precursors to metal oxide, and framework stability.

Sterically Stabilized Multilayer Graphene Nanoshells for Inkjet Printed Resistors

In the field of printed electronics, there is a pressing need for printable resistors, particularly ones where the resistance can be varied without changing the size of the resistor. This work presents ink synthesis and printing results for variable resistance, inkjet-printed patterns of a novel and sustainable carbon nanomaterial—multilayer graphene nanoshells. Dispersed multilayer graphene nanospheres are sterically stabilized by a surfactant (Triton X100), and no post-process is required to achieve the resistive functionality. A surface tension-based adsorption analysis technique is used to determine the optimal surfactant dosage, and a geometric model explains the conformation of adsorbed surfactant molecules. The energetic interparticle potentials between approaching particles are modeled to assess and compare the stability of sterically and electrostatically stabilized multilayer graphene nanoshells. The multilayer graphene nanoshell inks presented here show a promising new pathway toward sustainable and practical printed resistors that achieve variable resistances within a constant areal footprint without post-processing.

An Efficient Strategy for Enhancing the Adsorption of Antibiotics and Drugs from Aqueous Solutions Using an Effective Limestone-Activated Carbon–Alginate Nanocomposite

Based on the adsorption performance of a porous nanocomposite with limestone (LS), activated carbon (AC) and sodium alginate (SG), a unique, multifunctional LS–AC–SG nanocomposite absorbent was designed and prepared for extracting antibiotics and drugs from aqueous solutions. The composite exhibited the following advantages: quick and simple to prepare, multifunctionality and high efficiency. Amoxicillin (AMX) and diclofenac (DCF) were chosen as the conventional antibiotic and the drug, respectively. The prepared nanocomposite’s physicochemical characteristics were calculated through numerous characterization methods. The structure of the surface was made up of interconnected pores that can easily confine pollutants. The surface area was measured to be 27.85 m2/g through BET analysis. The results show that the maximum absorption capacity of amoxicillin and diclofenac was 99.6% and 98.4%, respectively, at a contact time of 40 min. The maximum removal of amoxicillin and diclofenac was reached at pH = 2. Adsorption analysis revealed that adsorption isotherm and kinetic data matched the pseudo-first-order kinetic and the Langmuir isotherm models. The results imply that the synthesized nanocomposites have the capacity to remove amoxicillin (AMX) and diclofenac (DCF) from aqueous solutions.

Thermal Preparation and Application of a Novel Silicon Fertilizer Using Talc and Calcium Carbonate as Starting Materials

The deficiency of available silicon (Si) incurred by year-round agricultural and horticultural practices highlights the significance of Si fertilization for soil replenishment. This study focuses on a novel and economical route for the synthesis of Si fertilizer via the calcination method using talc and calcium carbonate (CaCO3) as starting materials. The molar ratio of talc to CaCO3 of 1:2.0, calcination temperature of 1150 °C and calcination time of 120 min were identified as the optimal conditions to maximize the available Si content of the prepared Si fertilizer. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) characterizations elucidate the principles of the calcination temperature-dependent microstructure evolution of Si fertilizers, and the akermanite Ca2Mg(Si2O7) and merwinite Ca3Mg(SiO4)2 were identified as the primary silicates products. The results of release and solubility experiments suggest the content of available metallic element and slow-release property of the Si fertilizer obtained at the optimum preparation condition (Si-OPC). The surface morphology and properties of Si-OPC were illuminated by the results of scanning electron microscope (SEM), surface area and nitrogen adsorption analysis. The acceleration action of CaCO3 in the decomposition process of talc was demonstrated by the thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC) test. The pot experiment corroborates that 5 g kg−1 soil Si-OPC application sufficed to facilitate the pakchoi growth by providing nutrient elements. This evidence indicates the prepared Si fertilizer as a promising candidate for Si-deficient soil replenishment.

SINTESIS ZEOLIT DARI BATU APUNG (PUMICE) DAERAH IJOBALIT LOMBOK TIMUR SEBAGAI ADSORBEN LOGAM Fe

ABSTRAKAktivitas letusan besar Gunung Api Samalas di Lombok meninggalkan jejak mineral batuan beku salah satunya batu apung (pumice). Batu apung memiliki komposisi mineral utama berupa silika sebanyak 58,3%. Tujuan dari penelitian untuk identifikasi karakteristik zeolit dari batu apung sebagai adsorben logam Fe. Zeolite disintesis menggunakan metode kopresipitasi. Identifikasi gugus fungsi, kristalinitas, dan struktur kristal zeolite sintesis menggunakan FTIR dan XRD. Sedangkan analisis adsorbsi menggunakan AAS. Zeolit berhasil terbentuk dari sintesis batu apung ditandai dengan kemunculan gugus fungsi TO4 dan gugus fungsi Si-O-Si pada panjang gelombang 983,85 cm-1 dan 660,02 cm-1. Zeolit yang terbentuk dari proses sintesis batu apung yaitu tipe zeolit ZK-14 dengan struktuk kristal kubik. Adapun hasil analisis kemampuan adsorbs dari zeolite ZK-14 ini sangat baik mencapai 99,22% pada komposisi Si/Al pada 25/30. Sehingga sintesis batub apung menjadi zeolite dapat diaplikasikan sebagai penyerap logam Fe. Kata kunci: Adsorben; Batu Apung; Zeolit. ABSTRACTThe massive eruption activity of the Samalas Volcano in Lombok left traces of igneous rock minerals, one of which was pumice. The pumice has a main mineral composition of 58.3% silica. The purpose of this study is to identify the characteristics of zeolite from pumice as an adsorbent of Fe metal. Zeolite has been synthesized using a coprecipitation method. The identification of functional groups, crystallinity, and crystal structure of synthetic zeolite using FTIR and XRD. Meanwhile, AAS was implemented for the adsorption analysis. The zeolite was successfully formed from the synthesis of pumice characterized by the appearance of the TO4 functional group and the Si-O-Si functional group at wavelengths of 983.85 cm-1 and 660.02 cm-1. The zeolite fabricated from the pumice synthesis process is ZK-14 type zeolite with a cubic crystal structure. The examination results from the adsorption ability of zeolite ZK-14 are very good, reaching 99.22% at the Si/Al composition at 25/30. In fact, the synthesis of pumice into zeolite can be applied as an absorber of Fe metal. Keywords: Adsorbent; Pumice Stone; Zeolite.