Insight into the formation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans in hazardous waste incineration and incinerators: Formation process and reduction strategy.

Incineration technology has been widely adopted to safely dispose of hazardous waste (HW). While the incineration process causes the formation of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs). Due to its extreme toxicity, many scholars have been committed to determining the PCDD/F formation process and reducing emissions in incinerators. Previous studies ignored the impact of incineration and fluctuation of feeding materials on PCDD/F formation in hazardous waste incinerators (HWIs). In this study, differences in PCDD/F formation between HWIs and municipal solid waste incinerators (MSWIs) were pointed out. The incineration section in HWIs should be carefully considered. Laboratory experiments, conventional analysis and thermogravimetry experiments were conducted. An obvious disparity of PCDD/F formation between 12 kinds of HWs was found. Distillation residue was found with remarkably higher PCDD/F concentrations (11.57 ng/g). Except for the Cl content, aromatic rings and C-O bond organics were also found with high correlation coefficients with PCDD/F concentrations (>0.92). And PCDD/Fs were formed through a chlorination process and structure formation process. All of these are helpful to further understand the PCDD/F formation process during HW incineration, optimize the operation conditions in HWIs and reduce the emission pressure of PCDD/Fs in the future.

Comprehensive analysis of common polymers using hyphenated TGA-FTIR-GC/MS and Raman spectroscopy towards a database for micro- and nanoplastics identification, characterization, and quantitation.

Environmental contamination by micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) is well documented with potential for their increased accumulation globally. Growing public concern over environmental, ecological, and human exposure to MNPs has led to exponential increase in publications, news articles, and reports (Casillas et al., 2023). Significant knowledge gap exists in standardized analytical methods for the identification and quantification of MNPs from real world environmental samples. Here, we report comprehensive datasets utilizing thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA) coupled to a Fourier transformed infrared spectrometer (FTIR) and a gas chromatography/mass spectrometer (GC/MS) with corresponding Raman spectral data for the most common polymers documented to be present in the environment (35 plastics of 12 polymer types), to serve as a base line reference for the identification and quantitation of MNPs. Various parameters for TGA-FTIR-GC/MS data acquisition were optimized. Commercial consumer plastic product compositions were identified using this analytical database. Case studies to showcase the utility of the method for polymer mixtures analysis is included. This dataset would serve towards the development of a collaborative, global, comprehensive, and curated public database for the identification of various MNPs and mixtures.

Effect of Nanoparticles on the Thermal Stability and Reaction Kinetics in Ionic Nanofluids.

Nowadays, the incorporation of nanoparticles into thermal fluids has become one of the most suitable strategies for developing high-performance fluids. An unconventional improvement of thermo-physical properties was observed with the addition of 1% wt. of nanoparticles in different types of fluids, such as molten salts, allowing for the design of more thermally efficient systems using nanofluids. Despite this, there is a lack of knowledge about the effect that nanoparticles produce on the thermal stability and the decomposition kinetics of the base fluid. The present study performs IR- and UV-vis spectroscopy along with thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of pure nitrate and nitrate based nanofluids with the presence of SiO2 and Al2O3 nanoparticles (1% wt.). The results obtained support that nanoparticles accelerate the nitrate to nitrite decomposition at temperatures below 500 °C (up to 4%), thus confirming the catalytic role of nanoparticles in nanofluids.

New Method Based on Direct Analysis in Real-Time Coupled with Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometry (DART-ToF-MS) for Investigation of the Miscibility of Polymer Blends.

The miscibility of a series of binary blends such as polystyrene/poly(methyl methacrylate) (PS/PMMA), polystyrene/poly(vinyl chloride)(PS/PVC), poly(vinyl chloride)/poly(polymethyl methacrylate)(PVC/PMMA) and poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol)/poly(lactide-co-glycolide acid) PEVAL/PLGA with equal ratios and poly(ethylene oxide)/poly(hydroxyl propyl methyl cellulose) (PEO/PHPMC) containing 30 and 70 wt% PEO, which were randomly chosen among the widely systems reported in the literature, was investigated by a new method based on a direct analysis in real-time coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (DART-ToF-MS). To reach this goal these pairs of polymers and copolymers were prepared by solvent casting method. As a first step, the DSC technique was undertaken in this work to highlight the published results on the miscibility of these binary systems. The thermogravimetry analysis (TGA) was used to define the optimum decomposition temperature of these blends programmed for the study of miscibility using the DART-ToF-MS technique. The results obtained by this method based on the comparison of the nature of the fragments resulting from the isothermal decomposition of the blend with those of their pure components have been very effective in demonstrating the character of miscibility of these systems. Indeed, it was found that the PS/PMMA-50 and PS/PVC-50 blends were immiscible, PVC/PMMA-50 and PEVAL/PLGA-50 miscible, and the PEO/PHMC partially miscible. This method, which is rapid and uses a very small amount of sample (1-2 mg) can be extended in its application to other blends whose other methods used have shown their limits due to the intrinsic properties of the polymers involved.

Non-isothermal drying of bio-wastes: Kinetic analysis and determination of effective moisture diffusivity.

A macro-thermogravimetric analysis (macro-TGA) was applied to analyse the non-isothermal drying of different bio-wastes (quince solid waste, grape marc and pumpkin shell from different enterprises located in San Juan Province, Argentina). The experimental data were obtained at three heating rates (5, 10 and 15 K/min) and two different initial moisture contents (30 and 50% w/w). These data were fitted using the Coats-Redfern and Sharp methods. The D2 model showed the best fitting for all experiments when using the Coats-Redfern method. It is assumed that drying occurs on the solid boundary. The predicted Ea values ranged from 43.60 to 64.50 kJ/mol for the three bio-wastes under the different experimental conditions. The Ea value slightly increases with the increase in heating rate because the wastes require more energy to undergo drying. Deff increases moderately with temperature at the beginning of the dehydration process; then, this increasing behaviour is significant due to the loss of continuous moisture channels. Otherwise, Deff increases with the initial moisture content, showing that the humidity of the samples did not reach the saturation content.

Characterization of pyrolysis products of high-ash excavated-waste and its char gasification reactivity and kinetics under a steam atmosphere.

The focus of this study is the pyrolysis and gasification of Refuse Derived Fuel (RDF) and fine fractions recovered from the excavation of landfill waste, with an emphasize on the characterization of the reactivity and kinetics of the char-steam gasification. The results from the pyrolysis tests demonstrated that CO and CO2 are the main produced gases during the pyrolysis of the finer fraction of landfill waste. This might be caused by the accumulation of degraded organic materials. The oil products from the pyrolysis of landfill waste were dominated by the derivative products of plastics such as styrene, toluene, and ethylbenzene. The chars obtained from the pyrolysis process were gasified under steam and steam/air atmospheres at temperatures between 800 and 900 °C by using thermogravimetry. The results from the gasification tests demonstrated that the char reactivity was mainly affected by the amount ratio between catalytic elements (K, Ca, Na, Mg, and Fe) over the inhibitor elements (Si, Al, and Cl), as well as the ash amount in the char. The results showed that char from the fine fraction of landfill waste has a higher reactivity than the RDF fraction, due to the high content of catalytic metal elements. These results suggest the use of a smaller sieve opening size for landfill waste separation processes may produce waste fuels with a high reactivity during gasification. Further, based on the thermogravimetric data, the kinetic parameters of landfill waste char gasification were calculated to have activation energies ranging from 54 to 128 kJ/mol.

Preparation of PEGylated graphene oxide nanoparticles loaded with oridonin and its inhibitory effects on human colon cancer / 中草药

Objective To prepare PEGylated graphene oxide nanoparticles (GO-PEG-NPs) loaded with oridonin (ORI) and investigate its inhibitory effect on human colon cancer. Methods 4-armed PEG was grafted onto GO via an amidation process and GO-PEG was characterized by IR and TGA. Then, ORI, a widely used cancer chemotherapy drug, was absorbed onto GO-PEG via blending. The encapsulation efficiency and drug loading ratio were measured by UV. The cytotoxicity of ORI-GO-PEG, GO-PEG, and free ORI on SW620 and HT29 human colon cancer cells were evaluated using MTT assay. In vivo anti-tumor activity of ORI-GO-PEG-NPs were evaluated in mice bearing SW620 tumor. Results IR and TGA data indicated that 4-armed PEG was successfully coupled with GO and UV data showed that the encapsulation efficiency and drug loading ratio were 95.81% and 48.92%, respectively. Moreover, ORI-GO-PEG-NPs showed good stability in physiological condition. The results of cytotoxicity test indicated that compared to free ORI, the ORI-GO-PEG-NPs exhibited higher cytotoxicity in SW620 and HT29 cells. Meanwhile, it was confirmed that ORI-GO-PEG- NPs could significantly inhibit the growth of SW620 tumor in vivo compared with ORI. Conclusion The obtained ORI-GO-PEG-NPs displayed excellent drug-loading capacity and better tumor inhibitory effect. These results provided the experimental basis for development of anticancer drug delivery system.

Environmentally-friendly oxygen-free roasting/wet magnetic separation technology for in situ recycling cobalt, lithium carbonate and graphite from spent LiCoO2/graphite lithium batteries.

The definite aim of the present paper is to present some novel methods that use oxygen-free roasting and wet magnetic separation to in situ recycle of cobalt, Lithium Carbonate and Graphite from mixed electrode materials. The in situ recycling means to change waste into resources by its own components, which is an idea of "waste+waste→resources." After mechanical scraping the mixed electrode materials enrich powders of LiCoO2 and graphite. The possible reaction between LiCoO2 and graphite was obtained by thermodynamic analysis. The feasibility of the reaction at high temperature was studied with the simultaneous thermogravimetry analysis under standard atmospheric pressure. Then the oxygen-free roasting/wet magnetic separation method was used to transfer the low added value mixed electrode materials to high added value products. The results indicated that, through the serious technologies of oxygen-free roasting and wet magnetic separation, mixture materials consist with LiCoO2 and graphite powders are transferred to the individual products of cobalt, Lithium Carbonate and Graphite. Because there is not any chemical solution added in the process, the cost of treating secondary pollution can be saved. This study provides a theoretical basis for industrial-scale recycling resources from spent LIBs.

Physico-chemical and structural characterization of mucilage isolated from seeds of Diospyros melonoxylon Roxb

Mucilage was isolated from the seeds of Diospyros melonoxylon Roxb., a plant growing naturally in the forests of India. Various physico-chemical methods like particle analysis, scanning electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry, differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetry analysis, molecular weight by gel permeation chromatography, rheometry, elemental analysis, x-ray diffraction spectrometry, zeta potential, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, 1D(1H and 13C) (NMR) have been employed to characterize this gum in the present study. Particle analyses suggest that mucilage had particle size in nanometer. SEM analysis suggested that the mucilage had irregular particle size. The glass transition temperature of the gum observed was 78 °C and 74 °C by DSC and DTA respectively. The Thermogravimetry analysis suggested that mucilage had good thermal stability with two stage decomposition. The molecular weight of mucilage was determined to be 8760, by gel permeation chromatography, while the viscosity of mucilage was observed to be 219.1 cP. The XRD pattern of the mucilage indicated a complete amorphous nature. Elemental analysis of the gum revealed specific contents of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen and sulfur. The major functional groups identified from FT-IR spectrum include 3441 cm-1 (-OH), 1632 cm-1 (-COO-), 1414 cm-1 (-COO-) and 1219 cm-1 (-CH3CO). Analysis of mucilage by paper chromatography and 1D NMR indicated the presence of sugars.

Mucilagem foi isolada de sementes de Diospyros melanoxylon Roxb, uma planta que cresce naturalmente nas florestas da Índia. Vários métodos físico-químicos, como análise de partículas, microscopia electrônica, calorimetria diferencial de varredura, análise térmica diferencial, análise termogravimétrica, massa molecular por cromatografia de permeação em gel, viscosidade, análise elementar, espectrometria de difração de raios-x, potencial zeta, espectroscopia no infravermelho com transformada de Fourier, 1D (1H e 13C) (NMR) foram utilizados no presente estudo para caracterizar essa goma. A análise de partículas sugere que a mucilagem tem tamanho de partícula em nm. A análise SEM sugere que a mucilagem tem tamanho de partícula irregular. Observou-se temperatura de transição vítrea da goma de 78 °C e 74 °C por DSC e DTA, respectivamente. A análise termogravimétrica sugeriu que a mucilagem possuía boa estabilidade térmica, com duas fases de decomposição. A massa molecular da mucilagem foi 8760, por meio de cromatografia de permeação em gel, enquanto que a viscosidade foi 219,1 cP. O padrão de DRX da mucilagem indicou natureza completamente amorfa. Os principais grupos funcionais identificados a partir do espectro de FT-IR foram: 3441 cm-1 (-OH), 1632 cm-1 (-COO-), 1414 cm-1 (-COO-) e 1.219 cm-1 (CH3CO-). As análises de mucilagem por cromatografia em papel e 1D RMN indicaram a presença de açúcares.

Estudios organolépticos, fisicoquímicos, microbiológicos e interacción con excipientes farmacéuticos de un extracto purificado de cera de Apis mellifera / Organoleptic, physicochemical and microbiological studies and its interaction with pharmaceutical excipients of a purified extract from Apis mellifera wax

El D-002, ingrediente activo antioxidante extraído de la cera de abejas Apis mellifera, fue caracterizado desde el punto de vista físicoquímico, de igual forma se analizó su interacción con excipientes de interés farmacéutico. El D-002 es un polvo fluido inodoro de color blanco a crema, con pérdidas por secado £ 1 por ciento; es insoluble en agua y etanol, y muy ligeramente soluble en otros disolventes orgánicos. Su composición, determinada por cromatografía de gases, fue: 1-tetracosanol (6-15 por ciento), 1-hexacosanol (7-20 por ciento), 1-octacosanol (12-20 por ciento), 1-triacontanol (25-35 por ciento) 1-dotriacontanol (18-25 por ciento) y 1-tetratriacontanol (£ 7,5 por ciento), para una pureza ³ 85 por ciento. Fue estable durante 5 años en la zona climática IV y su análisis por calorimetría diferencial de barrido mostró 2 transiciones de fusión a 59,0 y 81,1 ºC sin descomposición, una alta estabilidad térmica hasta 200 ºC, así como la ausencia de interacciones con lactosa, almidón, croscarmelosa sódica, polivinil pirrolidona, celulosa microcristalina y estearato de magnesio, lo que posibilita el empleo de estos excipientes en la formulación de las tabletas

The D002, an antioxidant active ingredient extracted from the Apis mellifera bees wax was characterized from the physicochemical point of view analyzing its interaction with excipients of pharmaceutical interest. The D-002 is a creamy white odourless fluid powder with losses by £ 1 percent dry; it is water and ethanol insoluble and very slightly soluble in other organic solvents. Its composition, determined by gas chromatography was: 1-tetracosanol (6-15 percent), 1-hexacosanol (7-20 percent), 1-octacosanol (12-20 percent), 1-triacontanol (25-35 percent, 1-dotriacontanol (18-25 percent) and 1-tetratriacontaol (£ 7,5 percent) for ³ 85 percent of purity. It remained stable during 5 years in the IV climatic zone and its analysis by differential scanning calorimetry showed 2 fusion transitions at 59,0 and 81,1 ºC. without decomposition, a high thermal stability up to 200 ºC, as well as a lack of interactions with lactose, starch, sodium croscarmelosa, polyvinylpyrrolidone, microcrystalline cellulose, and magnesium stearate allowing the use of these excipients in tablets formula

Estudios organolépticos, fisicoquímicos, microbiológicos e interacción con excipientes farmacéuticos de un extracto purificado de cera de Apis mellifera / Organoleptic, physicochemical and microbiological studies and its interaction with pharmaceutical excipients of a purified extract from Apis mellifera wax

El D-002, ingrediente activo antioxidante extraído de la cera de abejas Apis mellifera, fue caracterizado desde el punto de vista físicoquímico, de igual forma se analizó su interacción con excipientes de interés farmacéutico. El D-002 es un polvo fluido inodoro de color blanco a crema, con pérdidas por secado £ 1 por ciento; es insoluble en agua y etanol, y muy ligeramente soluble en otros disolventes orgánicos. Su composición, determinada por cromatografía de gases, fue: 1-tetracosanol (6-15 por ciento), 1-hexacosanol (7-20 por ciento), 1-octacosanol (12-20 por ciento), 1-triacontanol (25-35 por ciento) 1-dotriacontanol (18-25 por ciento) y 1-tetratriacontanol (£ 7,5 por ciento), para una pureza ³ 85 por ciento. Fue estable durante 5 años en la zona climática IV y su análisis por calorimetría diferencial de barrido mostró 2 transiciones de fusión a 59,0 y 81,1 ºC sin descomposición, una alta estabilidad térmica hasta 200 ºC, así como la ausencia de interacciones con lactosa, almidón, croscarmelosa sódica, polivinil pirrolidona, celulosa microcristalina y estearato de magnesio, lo que posibilita el empleo de estos excipientes en la formulación de las tabletas(AU)

The D002, an antioxidant active ingredient extracted from the Apis mellifera bees wax was characterized from the physicochemical point of view analyzing its interaction with excipients of pharmaceutical interest. The D-002 is a creamy white odourless fluid powder with losses by £ 1 percent dry; it is water and ethanol insoluble and very slightly soluble in other organic solvents. Its composition, determined by gas chromatography was: 1-tetracosanol (6-15 percent), 1-hexacosanol (7-20 percent), 1-octacosanol (12-20 percent), 1-triacontanol (25-35 percent, 1-dotriacontanol (18-25 percent) and 1-tetratriacontaol (£ 7,5 percent) for ³ 85 percent of purity. It remained stable during 5 years in the IV climatic zone and its analysis by differential scanning calorimetry showed 2 fusion transitions at 59,0 and 81,1 ºC. without decomposition, a high thermal stability up to 200 ºC, as well as a lack of interactions with lactose, starch, sodium croscarmelosa, polyvinylpyrrolidone, microcrystalline cellulose, and magnesium stearate allowing the use of these excipients in tablets formula(AU)