Characterization of tandem aerosol classifiers for selecting particles: implication for eliminating multiple charging effect

Accurate particle classification plays a vital role in aerosol studies. Differential mobility analyzer (DMA), centrifugal particle mass analyzer (CPMA) and aerodynamic aerosol classifier (AAC) are commonly used to select particles with a specific size or mass. However, multiple charging effect cannot be entirely avoided either using individual technique or using tandem system such as DMA-CPMA, especially when selecting soot particles with fractal structures. In this study, we demonstrate the transfer functions of DMA-CPMA and DMA-AAC systems, as well as the potential multiple charging effect. Our results show that the ability to remove multiply charged particles mainly depends on particles morphology and instruments setups of DMA-CPMA system. Using measurements from soot experiments and literature data, a general trend in the appearance of multiple charging effect with decreasing size when selecting aspherical particles was observed. Otherwise, our results indicated that the ability of DMA-AAC to resolve particles with multiple charges is mainly related to the resolutions of classifiers. In most cases, DMA-AAC can eliminate multiple charging effect regardless of the particle morphology, while particles with multiple charges can be selected when decreasing resolutions of DMA and AAC. We propose that the multiple charging effect should be reconsidered when using DMA-CPMA or DMA-AAC system in estimating size and mass resolved optical properties in the field and lab experiments.

Controllable preparation and electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution characteristics of Fe3S4 nanocrystals

In order to obtain better electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance, Fe3S4 with different morphologies was synthesized by controlling the reaction conditions. During that progress, the ferric oleate as an iron source, and the sulfur powder dissolved in oleylamine as a sulfur source. Fe3S4 with particle morphology proved to have the best electrochemical catalytic activity after adding 40% carbon black. In dehydrogenation, the overpotential was 234 mV and the Tafel slope was 213 mV/dec at a current density of 10 mA/cm2. Meanwhile, Fe3S4 with a particle morphology exhibited superior electrochemical stability. Therefore, the controllably fabricated Fe3S4 with a particle morphology is a promising electrocatalyst for dehydrogenation.

Improvement of zeolite adsorption and catalytic properties by precisely controlling its particle morphology

Aluminosilicate zeolite has a porous structure with opening comparable to molecular size, which endows it with unique adsorptive and catalytic properties that are highly dependent on its chemical compositions and...

Investigation of Changes to Triaxial Shear Strength Parameters and Microstructure of Yili Loess with Drying–Wetting Cycles

This research examined the drying–wetting cycles induced changes in undrained triaxial shear strength parameters and microstructural changes of Yili loess. The drying–wetting cycles were selected as 0, 1, 3, 5, 10, 20 and 30. Then, we collected Yili loess samples and performed unconsolidated-undrained (U-U) triaxial shearing tests to ascertain the variation in shear strength parameters with drying–wetting cycles. Additionally, we investigated the microstructural changes of Yili loess samples under drying–wetting cycles simultaneously via nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and scanning electron electroscopy (SEM). Finally, we established a grey correlation model between shear strength and microstructural parameters. Under U-U conditions, the prime finding was that the loess’s shear strength parameters changed overall after drying–wetting cycles; in particular, the internal friction angle φ dropped significantly while the cohesion c changed only slightly during cycles. For all the cycles, the first cycle gave the highest change. Soil morphology deterioration was evident at the initial stage of cycles. During the entire drying–wetting cyclic process, pore size distribution showed progressive variance from two-peak to a single-peak pattern, while both porosity and the fractal dimension of pores increased gradually towards stability. Soil particle morphology became slowly simple and reached the equilibrium state after 20 drying–wetting cycles. Under cyclic drying–wetting stress, the shear strength parameter changes were significantly correlated to microstructural modifications. This investigation was related to loess in the westerly region. The findings were expected to provide new insight into establishment of the connection between microstructure and macro stress–strain state of loess. To some extent, it provided a theoretical basis for the prevention and control of loess engineering geological disasters in Yili, Xinjiang and other areas with similar climate and soil types.

Physical Evaluation of Transfersome that Contains Pandan Leaves Extract (Pandanus amaryllifolius R.)

Pandan leaves have been researched and have effectiveness in the treatment of burns. The process of healing burns takes a long time and cause a hard tissue because it loses its elasticity, making it difficult to penetrate. In this study, pandanus leaves were formulated into the nanovesicle carrier system, namely trasfersom. Transfersomes have the ability to deform, namely the ability to reduce the particle size 5-10 times from the original size when passing through the gaps between cells so that transfersom can increase the penetration of active substances. The three formulas used are based on the ratio of concentrations of trasfersome vesicles, namely phospholipids and span 80. Formula 1 is (90:10), Formula 2 (85:15) and Formula 3 (80:20). The best formula is determined based on transfersom characterization, including particle size and PDI (solidispersity index), zeta potential, entrapment efficiency, deformability, and TEM particle morphology. The results showed that Formula 3 (80:20) is the most stable formula with an average particle size of 730.1 ± 4.9 nm, PDI value <0.7, zeta potential - 9.94 ± 1.02 mV, efficiency absorption 80.23%, and the deformability value 6.225.

Zinc oxide hollow spheres decorated with cerium dioxide. The role of morphology in the photoactivity of semiconducting oxides

The photochemical activity of the recently proposed CeO2-ZnO photocatalytic material active under visible light has been improved by means of significant modifications of its morphology. A polymeric templating agent (Pluronic) has been used in the synthesis obtaining a particle morphology based on hollow spheres that is better defined in the case of high template concentration. The charge separation ability and the light-induced surface electron transfer under irradiation with visible polychromatic light in various ranges of frequency has been investigated by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance. The reactivity of the photogenerated holes has been monitored by the spin trapping technique in the presence of DMPO. The hollow spheres morphology achieved through the synthesis here reported leads to systems with a higher photoactivity under visible irradiation than the same system displaying the classic platelets morphology. A parallel increase of the photocatalytic activity of this novel system in pollution remediation reactions is therefore predictable.