Application of response surface methodology for modeling of reactive dye removal from solution using starch‐montmorillonite/polyaniline nanocomposite

In this study, starch‐montmorillonite/polyaniline (St‐MMT/PANI) nanocomposite was synthesized by chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline in the presence of St‐MMT nanocomposite dispersion. The prepared ternary nanocomposite was characterized using FTIR, XRD, and SEM techniques. Adsorption properties of the nanocomposite were investigated for removal of reactive blue (RB 194) as a model reactive dye from aqueous solution. Response surface methodology was employed for the modeling of adsorption capacity of the nanocomposite. A second‐order empirical relationship between adsorption capacity and independent variables (initial dye concentration, amount of the nanocomposite, and pH of the solution) was obtained. Pareto analysis for identification of the factors effect on the system revealed that initial dye concentration was the most effective parameter. The adsorption capacity value of reactive dye on St‐MMT/PANI nanocomposite was 91.74 mg g^?1. Further investigations indicated that the adsorption experimental data were well fitted to the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 54:1595–1607, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Investigations of Structural and Magnetic Properties of Nanostructured Ni0.5+xZn0.5‐xFe2O4 Magnetic Feeders for CSEM Application

Marine CSEM is a new technique for detection of deep target hydrocarbons. Aluminum EM antenna was developed, and nanostructured NiZn magnetic feeders were used to increase the field strength from EM antenna for deep hydrocarbons. The doping of Ni²⁺ was aimed at the optimization of initial permeability and magnetic losses. Ni_0.5+xZn_0.5‐xFe₂O₄ (x = 0.3) samples sintered at 950°C presented highest initial permeability (106.23) and low magnetic loss (0.0002) as compared to other samples. Due to better magnetic properties, Ni_0.5+xZn_0.5‐xFe₂O₄ (x = 0.3) samples were used as magnetic feeders for EM antenna. Magnitude of EM waves from the antenna increased up to 186%.     

Optimal Sizing and Siting of Distributed Generators by a Weighted Exhaustive Search

Dispersed generation generally refers to power generation on the customer side of the power network. This article demonstrates the improvement in network parameters that could be achieved by the usage of single and multiple distributed generation (DG) units in three selected standard networks. A reliable multi-variable method is suggested for finding the optimal installation point and size of distributed generation units. Their sites and sizes are recognized by the implementation of the proposed method with an exhaustive search. Optimization is applied on network total active and reactive losses together with voltage variation. IEEE 6-, 14-, and 30-bus standard networks are selected as study cases. The total active and reactive power losses are minimized, while the voltage profile is improved by installing distributed generation units on the recognized optimal points with the achieved optimal size.     

Chemically modified oil palm ash‐filled natural rubber composites and its properties

Chemically modified Oil Palm Ash (OPA)‐filled natural rubber composites were prepared by modifying the functional group of OPA with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) prior to compounding by using laboratory conventional laboratory‐sized two‐roll mills. The functional groups of CTAB‐modified OPA were analyzed by using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and compared with those of non‐modified ones. The CTAB‐modified OPA‐filled NR composites showed shorter scorch time and cure time as compared to those of non‐modified OPA, which was attributed to the new functional groups occurred. The tensile test results showed that the OPA‐filled NR composites with CTAB modification exhibit improvement in tensile strength, tensile modulus, and hardness but lower elongation at break as compared to nonmodified ones. The tensile fractured surface of modified OPA filled NR composites revealed the well embedded and better distribution of CTAB‐modified OPA in NR matrix. The toluene uptake was also found to be lower for the modified OPA‐filled NR composites and showed better rubber–filler interaction; it further showed that surface modification with CTAB could compatibilize the OPA particles and NR matrix. POLYM. COMPOS., 35:691–697, 2014. © 2013 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Physiochemical analysis of selected shale formations of Kohat region by advance characterization for oil potential evaluation

The current scientific study summarized the physiochemical analysis of shale sample by advance characterization such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy? (FTIR), X-ray diffraction? (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy? to evaluate the energy potential of shale rock pertinent in Kohat region of Pakistan. The samples were collected during the drilling of mines from 1,670 to 4,500 m depth. A total of 21 samples were collected, among which 14 samples were taken from Patala Formation, 4 were from Panoba formation, and 3 were from Kuldana Formation. The proximate analysis was conducted to determine the gross calorific value, moisture, and volatile matters. SEM confirmed the porous surface of shale samples. XRD analysis revealed the presence of quartz, calcite, and plagioclase in the collected shale samples. FTIR tests were conducted to identify functional groups inside the shale samples. It was observed that Panoba Formation has a considerable amount of hydrocarboneous matters with an average value of 6.25%. Patala Formation got lower hydrocarboneous matters than Panoba with an average value of 5.22%, whereas Kuldana Formation contains a hydrocarboneous average value of 3.51%.

Abbreviations: FTIR: Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy; XRD: X-ray diffraction; SEM: Scanning electron microscope; EDX: Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy; VOC: Volatile organic compound; ASTM: American Society for Testing and Materials.     

Systematic study of Ce3+ on the structural and magnetic properties of Cu nanosized ferrites for potential applications

Ce~(3+) substituted Cu-spinel nanoferrites CuCe_xFe_(2-x)O_4(x=0.00, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06, 0.08 and 0.10) were synthesized via sol-gel self-combustion hybrid route. Single phase spinel ferrite of Cu nanoferrites were examined using X-ray diffraction(XRD) analysis whereas the multiphase structure was observed as Ce contents increased from x=0.06. Field emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM), Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis(TGA and DTA) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR) were used to find out the morphology phase and metal stretching vibrations of Ce~(3+) substituted nanocrystalline ferrites. The crystallite size was increased and found in the range of 25-91 nm. The agglomerations in Cu ferrite samples increase as the Ce~(3+) concentration increases. The magnetic properties such as remanence, saturation magnetization, coercivity, Bohr magneton and magnetocrystalline anisotropy constant(K) were determined using M-H loops recorded from a vibrating sample magnetometer(VSM). Saturation magnetization, remanence and coercivity are increased as the Ce~(3+)contents increase in Cu nanocrystalline samples. Moreover, law of approach to saturation(LoA) was used to calculate the maximum value of saturation for Ce-doped Cu nanoferrites. The soft magnetic behaviour of the Cu nanoferrite is observed as compared to the samples substituted with the increased Ce contents in Cu nanocrystalline ferrite. Bohr magneton and magnetocrystalline anisotropy are found to increase with the substitution of rare earth Ce~(3+) contents in Cu spinel nanocrystalline ferrite. Cedoped Cu nanocrystalline ferrites with excellent properties may be suitable for potential applications in sensing, security, switching, core, multilayer chip inductor, biomedical and microwave absorption applications.     

The analysis for inositol phosphate forms in feed ingredients

Limited data are available on the content of inositol phosphates in feed ingredients. The doubtfulness over the identity and literature values of the inositol hexaphosphate (phytate) analysed in feed ingredients by the classical iron precipitation method prompted the analysis for inositol phosphates in some feed ingredients using a modified high-performance liquid chromatography method. The inositol phosphates analysed were inositol triphosphate (IP3), inositol tetraphosphate (IP4), inositol pentaphosphate (IP5) and inositol hexaphosphate (IP6). At least 97% of the inositol phosphates in grains occurred as IP6 and the remainder as IP5. In milled products the relative percentage of IP5 was higher (up to 14·5% in wheat bran) but the overall IP6 relative percentage was still high (more than 82%). IP3 and IP4 were not present in grains, and their amounts were very low when present in their milling or processed fractions. The absolute IP6 content was highest in rice bran and wheat bran at 68·31 and 47·63 g kg⁻¹, respectively. The results indicate that processed plant products may contain hydrolysis products of IP5 and IP6. These products contain greater percentages of IP3, IP4 and IP5 than in grains or milling products. © 1998 SCI.