Microwave Radiation Impact on Heavy Oil Upgrading from Carbonate Deposits in the Presence of Nano-Sized Magnetite

The present paper reports experiments on microwave heating of a carbonate oil-containing rock sample in the presence and absence of an iron-magnetite-based nanocatalyst. It has been shown that the used catalyst improves the processes of destructive hydrogenation of resins and asphaltenes compounds in the oil. The chemical reactions analysis demonstrated a decrease in asphaltenes content and in their molecular weight, which increases the filtration capacity of the oil fluid in the reservoir rock porous medium. Moreover, the content of non-extractable organic matter in the rock sample after experiments and after oil extraction was determined. It has been found that the absence of the catalyst causes the least increase in the content of non-extractable organic matter in the rock. This fact is related to the intensive processes of resinous-asphaltene compounds destruction especially at the level of peripheral groups which are the most condensed fraction, and hence leads to a decrease in their solubility in the organic medium and eases their adsorption on the mineral skeleton surface.

Alternative medium for the growth of endophytic fungi

Medium for the growth of endophytic fungi generally uses Potato Dextrose Agar media, but because the price is expensive, it is necessary to find materials for alternative media from organic materials that are easy to obtain and inexpensive. The legume group was one of the alternative ingredients as the source of protein, corn, and rice as the source of carbohydrates for the growth medium. This study aimed to determine the potential of organic matter such as rice, corn, and legumes as a medium for the growth of endophytic fungi. The research methods included: rejuvenation of endophytic fungus isolation, preparation of organic medium from rice, corn, legumes, and potatoes, growth test of endophytic fungus on 4 types of organic media.

Study of Copolymerization Reaction N,N-Dialylaminocarbonic Acids with Vinyl Acetate

The reaction of radical copolymerization of N, N-diallylaminocarboxylic acids with vinyl acetate in an aqueous and aqueous-organic medium (a mixture of methanol-water in a ratio of 70:30 mol.%) Obtained copolymers of a statistical nature. It was found that vinyl acetate under these conditions is more reactive than N, N-diallylaminocarboxylic acids. The kinetic laws of the reactions have been investigated and the structures of the copolymers have been established.

Solvothermal Synthesis of YF3:Ce3+ Nanophosphors for Medical Applications

In this paper, the time effect of hydrothermal synthesis on YF3 morphology particles is considered. The work was carried out on X-ray-excited YF3:Ce3+ phosphors. The synthesis was carried out by the hydrothermal method, since it avoids high temperatures leading to particle agglomeration. The first stage of research consisted in identifying the most favorable medium for obtaining the required phase and size - water or organic matter (ethylene glycol and ethanol). Research has shown that ethylene glycol has all the advantages: it prevents agglomeration, allows us to get the required phase. Hydrothermal synthesis of YF3 samples to determine the optimal synthesis time was carried out according to the same scheme - in an organic medium of ethylene glycol without using stabilizers for 4, 8, 12, 16, 20 hours. Our study showed that it is possible to obtain a YF3 sample that meets the necessary requirements (including nanoscale) within 16 hours, moreover, without the use of stabilizers. In parallel with the study of the synthesis duration, an experiment was carried out on the effect of various stabilizers on the properties of the YF3:Ce3+ phosphors (5%). The synthesized nanophosphors possessed effective X-ray luminescence with a maximum in the region of 300 nm, which makes it possible to use them in the composition of preparations for PDT.

A multi-analytical study of historical coated plaster surfaces: the examination of a nineteenth-century V&A cast of a tombstone

A multi-analytical study was designed to characterise historical coated plaster surfaces. The method was applied to investigate the surface coatings of the nineteenth-century plaster cast of the tombstone of the Presbyter Bruno that belongs to the Victoria and Albert Museum collection. At first, selected samples of the object were examined with Visible Light Reflectance and Ultra-Violet Fluorescence Optical Microscopy (VLR- and UVf-OM respectively) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) demonstrating a consistent stratigraphy featuring a bulk, an interface and an uppermost layer. The latter layer appeared to consist of an aged coating and dirt. Overpainted and repaired areas of the object generated samples that had additional layers on top of the aforementioned stratigraphy. A layer that seemed to be an additional surface varnish or a coating that had not been absorbed to the bulk has been observed in a couple of samples. Elemental characterization was carried out with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and further analyses were performed with X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy with focal plane array (FPA) imaging which confirmed that the bulk of the object is made of gypsum plaster containing mostly silicate and carbonate inclusions. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and pyrolysis-GC/MS with extraction methods based on n-propanol followed by pentafluoropropionic anhydride (PFPA), tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) and 3-trifluoromethylphenyltrimethylammonium hydroxide (m-TFPTAH) were performed to detect organic media. The results suggest that the organic medium used for the surface coating is a diterpenic resin that contained silicon, aluminium and traces of other inorganic elements. The organic medium of overpainted areas was based on alkyd resins and the in-paints were characterised as a blend of silicon and barium at varied concentrations. This multi-analytical approach can generate a better understanding of manufacturing, component materials and conservation issues of coated plaster objects.