Reduction in Insect Attachment Caused by Different Nanomaterials Used as Particle Films (Kaolin, Zeolite, Calcium Carbonate)

In the present investigation, we compared the reduction in attachment ability of the southern green stinkbug Nezara viridula (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) to glass induced by three different nanoparticle (kaolin, zeolite, and calcium carbonate) films. Using traction force experiments, behavioral experiments, and scanning electron microscopy observations, we analyzed the insect attachment ability and linear speed on untreated and treated glass with the three particle films. The three nanomaterials strongly reduced insect attachment ability mainly owing to contamination of attachment pads. The ability to reduce insect attachment was different for the three tested particle films: kaolin and zeolite induced a significantly higher reduction in N. viridula safety factor than calcium carbonate. The coating of the surface was more uniform and compact in kaolin and zeolite compared to calcium carbonate particle film. Moreover, kaolin and zeolite particles can more readily adhere to N. viridula attachment devices, whereas calcium carbonate particles appeared less adherent to the cuticular surface compared to the two aluminosilicate (kaolin and zeolite) particles. Only the application of kaolin reduced insect linear speed during locomotion. Nanoparticle films have a great potential to reduce insect attachment ability and represent a good alternative to the use of insecticides for the control of pentatomid bugs and other pest insects.

Controlling Calcium Carbonate Particle Morphology, Size, and Molecular Order Using Silicate

Calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is one of the most abundant substances on earth and has a large array of industrial applications. Considerable research has been conducted in an effort to synthesize calcium carbonate microparticles with controllable and specific morphologies and sizes. CaCO3 produced by a precipitation reaction of calcium nitrate and sodium carbonate solution was found to have high polymorphism and batch to batch variability. In this study, we investigated the polymorphism of the precipitated material and analyzed the chemical composition, particle morphology, and crystalline state revealing that the presence of silicon atoms in the precipitant is a key factor effecting particle shape and crystal state. An elemental analysis of single particles within a polymorphic sample, using energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) conjugated microscopy, showed that only spherical particles, but not irregular shaped one, contained traces of silicon atoms. In agreement, silicon-containing additives lead to homogenous, amorphous nanosphere particles, verified by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). Our findings provide important insights into the mechanism of calcium carbonate synthesis, as well as introducing a method to control the precipitants at the micro-scale for many diverse applications.

Optimization of the microstructure of carbonized lime mud by sodium polyacrylate

Lime mud (LM) is a by-product originated from the causticization process of papermaking industry. Microscopic structural changes of LM in carbonization process lead to defects on its performance. Regulating the growth of calcium carbonate obtained from the carbonization process and preventing its influence on the surface microstructure of LM has become the key to achieve the self-digestion of this solid waste. In this study, microscopic structural changes of LM co-carbonized with sodium polyacrylate (PAAS) were investigated. The results showed that, compared with traditional carbonation, the microstructure of LM co-carbonized with PAAS was changed remarkably. The newly calcium carbonate formed in the carbonization process would be solidified and coated on the LM surface. Then LM co-carbonized with PAAS would have a smaller specific surface area, pore volume and pore size, which significantly improved its application performance when it was used as paper filler. In addition, a potential technique for improving the surface microstructure of calcium carbonate particle was proposed.

Characterization of Cellulose/Calcium Carbonate Biocomposite Film

In this study were to explore the properties of interaction between cellulose and calcium carbonate particle (CaCO3) which derive from Papia Undulates Shell in procedure of biocomposite synthesis. The structural properties of cellulose powder Papia Undulates Shell and cellulose-calcium carbonate composite film were investigated by using X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and the compositions of cellulose/CaCO3 biocomposite film were studied by Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (EDXRF). The experimental results demonstrated the morphology of Papia Undulates Shell were crystalline aragonite phase and the cellulose have structural as amorphous-crystalline but after film forming the composite film between cellulose and Papia Undulates Shell also have amorphous structural. The result of FTIR used to confirmed the formation of bonding between molecular, it indicated that the cellulose/CacO3 biocomposite film had good biocompatibility due to the biocomposite film have both characteristic feature of CO3-2 group (~874 cm-1 and ~713 cm-1) and the glucose of cellulose at ~1635, ~1064 and ~946 cm-1. Another that, the result from EDXRF shown the chemical composition of organic compound of cellulose/CaCO3 biocomposite film was highest with 99.437 while the Papia Undulates Shell have 0.341 Wt% with corresponding with the ratio of filler material which mixture as 1%. So that, the cellulose/calcium carbonate bicomposite film could be candidate for biocomposite film application.