Catalytic flash pyrolysis for recovery of gasoline-range hydrocarbons from electric cable residue using a low-cost natural catalyst: An analytical Py-GC/MS study.

This investigation's novelty and objective reside in exploring catalytic flash pyrolysis of cross-linked polyethylene (XLPE) plastic residue in the presence of kaolin, with the perspective of achieving sustainable production of gasoline-range hydrocarbons. Through proximate analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and heating value determination, this study also assessed the energy-related characteristics of cross-linked polyethylene plastic residue, revealing its potential as an energy source (44.58 MJ kg-1) and suitable raw material for pyrolysis due to its low ash content and high volatile matter content. To understand the performance as a low-cost catalyst in the flash pyrolysis of cross-linked polyethylene plastic residue, natural kaolin was subjected to characterization through thermogravimetric analysis, X-ray diffractometry (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). Cross-linked polyethylene plastic residue was subjected to thermal and catalytic pyrolysis in an analytical microreactor coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS system), operating at 500 °C, to characterize the distribution and composition of volatile reaction products. The application of kaolin as a catalyst resulted in a decline of the relative concentration of hydrocarbons in the diesel range (C8-C24) from approximately 87 % to 28 %, and a reduction in lubricating oils (C14-C50) from about 70 % to 13 %, while concomitantly increasing the relative concentration of lighter hydrocarbons in the gasoline range (C8-C12) from around 28 % to 87 %. Therefore, catalytic flash pyrolysis offers the potential for converting this plastic waste into a new and abundant chemical source of gasoline-range hydrocarbons. This process can be deemed viable and sustainable for managing and valorizing cross-linked polyethylene plastic residue.

Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) Spectroscopy and Simple Algorithm Analysis for Rapid and Non-Destructive Assessment of Cotton Fiber Maturity and Crystallinity for Plant Mapping.

Information on boll distribution within a cotton plant is critical to evaluate the adaptation and response of cotton plants to environmental and biotic stress in cotton production. Cotton researchers have applied available conventional fiber measurements, such as the high volume instrument (HVI) and advanced fiber information system (AFIS), to map the location and the timing of boll development and distribution within plants and further to determine within-plant variability of cotton fiber properties. Both HVI and AFIS require numerous cotton bolls combined for the measurement. As an alternative approach, attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR FT-IR) spectroscopy was proposed to measure fiber maturity (MIR) and crystallinity (CIIR) of a sample as little as 0.5 mg lint. Extending fiber maturity and crystallinity measurement into a single boll for node-by-node mapping, FT-IR method might be advantageous due to less sampling amount compared with HVI and AFIS methods. Results showed that FT-IR technique enabled the evaluation of fiber MIR and CIIR at a boll level, which resulted in average MIR and CIIR values highly correlated with HVI micronaire (MIC) and AFIS maturity ratio (M). Hence, FT-IR technique possesses a good potential for a rapid and non-destructive node-by-node mapping of cotton boll maturity and crystallinity distribution.

Application of Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy for the Assessment of Wine Spoilage Indicators: A Feasibility Study.

Wine aroma is one of the most frequently used and explored quality indicators. Typically, its assessment involves estimating the volatile composition of wine or highly trained assessors conducting sensory analysis. However, current methodologies rely on slow, expensive and complicated analytical procedures. Additionally, sensory evaluation is inherently subjective in nature. Therefore, the aim of this work is to verify the feasibility of using FTIR spectroscopy as a fast and easy methodology for the early detection of some of the most common off-odors in wines. FTIR spectroscopy was combined with partial least squares (PLS) regression for the simultaneous measurement of isoamyl alcohol, isobutanol, 1-hexanol, butyric acid, isobutyric acid, decanoic acid, ethyl acetate, furfural and acetoin. The precision and accuracy of developed calibration models (R2P > 0.90, range error ratio > 12.1 and RPD > 3.1) proved the ability of the proposed methodology to quantify the aforementioned compounds.

Aluminum zirconate nanoparticles in etch and rinse adhesive to caries affected dentine: An in-vitro scanning electron microscopy, elemental distribution, antibacterial, degree of conversion and micro-tensile bond strength assessment.

To incorporate different concentrations of Al2O9Zr3 (1%, 5%, and 10%) nanoparticles (NP) into the ER adhesive and subsequently assess the impact of this addition on the degree of conversion, µTBS, and antimicrobial efficacy. The current research involved a wide-ranging examination that merged various investigative techniques, including the application of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for surface characterization of NP coupled with energy-dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, µTBS testing, and microbial analysis. Teeth were divided into four groups based on the application of modified and unmodified three-step ER adhesive primer. Group 1 (0% Al2O9Zr3 NPs) Control, Group 2 (1% Al2O9Zr3 NPs), Group 3 (5% Al2O9Zr3 NPs), and Group 4 (10% Al2O9Zr3 NPs). EDX analysis of Al2O9Zr3 NPs was performed showing elemental distribution in synthesized NPs. Zirconium (Zr), Aluminum (Al), and Oxides (O2). After primer application, an assessment of the survival rate of Streptococcus mutans was completed. The FTIR spectra were analyzed to observe the characteristic peaks indicating the conversion of double bonds, both before and after the curing process, for the adhesive Etch and rinse containing 1,5,10 wt% Al2O9Zr3 NPs. µTBS and failure mode assessment were performed using a Universal Testing Machine (UTM) and stereomicroscope respectively. The µTBS and S.mutans survival rates comparison among different groups was performed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey post hoc (p = .05). Group 4 (10 wt% Al2O9Zr3 NPs + ER adhesive) specimens exhibited the minimum survival of S.mutans (0.11 ± 0.02 CFU/mL). Nonetheless, Group 1 (0 wt% Al2O9Zr3 NPs + ER adhesive) displayed the maximum surviving S.mutans (0.52 ± 0.08 CFU/mL). Moreover, Group 2 (1 wt% Al2O9Zr3 NPs + ER adhesive) (21.22 ± 0.73 MPa) samples displayed highest µTBS. However, the bond strength was weakest in Group 1 (0 wt% Al2O9Zr3 NPs + ER adhesive) (14.13 ± 0.32 MPa) study samples. The etch-and-rinse adhesive exhibited enhanced antibacterial activity and micro-tensile bond strength (µTBS) when 1% Al2O9Zr3 NPs was incorporated, as opposed to the control group. Nevertheless, the incorporation of Al2O9Zr3 NPs led to a decrease in DC. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: 10 wt% Al2O9Zr3 NPs + ER adhesive specimens exhibited the minimum survival of S.mutans. 1 wt% Al2O9Zr3 NPs + ER adhesive samples displayed the most strong composite/CAD bond. The highest DC was observed in Group 1: 0 wt% Al2O9Zr3 NPs + ER adhesive.

Análise de Resíduos de Diclofenaco Sódico Veterinário em Leite por Espectroscopia no Infravermelho Próximo / Analisys Of Residues Of Veterinary Sodium Diclofenac in Milk through Near Infrared Spectroscopy

O leite é um dos alimentos mais consumidos no mundo,principalmente por crianças e idosos. Em 2007, a Polícia Federal realizou uma operação que apontou um gigantesco esquema de fraudes em leites comercializados no Brasil, constatou-se ainda que 1/3 do leite consumido no Brasil não passava por fiscalização. Muitas são as adulterações: adição de água, soda cáustica, cloreto de sódio, entre outros. No entanto, ainda há outro problema, o da contaminação por fármacos veterinários. Estes podem estar presentes em altas concentrações no leite caso este tenha sido ordenhado dentro do período de carência da vaca. O leite contaminado pode causar sérios dados à saúde do consumidor ou então causar prejuízos para a produção de seus derivados. Objetivo: Desenvolver uma técnica complementar para detectar a presença de resíduos de medicamentosveterinários em amostras de leites. Material e Métodos: Atualmente,com o desenvolvimento tecnológico há muitas técnicas de análisemultielementar que permitem estudar os componentes químicos dedeterminadas amostras. O presente trabalho utiliza a técnica deEspectroscopia no Infravermelho Próximo por Transformada de FourierFT-NIR e a Análise de Componentes Principais PCA para detectar apresença de resíduos do medicamento veterinário em leites. Paraisto, simulou-se adulteração do leite com percentuais de (0,1; 0,5 e10)% de fármaco no leite. Resultados: Crioscopia: 0,539 ºH com0,18% de água; leite não ácido pelo teste do Alizarol; pH 6,71; Gordura:3,25%; Proteína: 3,01%; Lactose: 4,55%; Sólidos: 10,80%. Resíduosdo fármaco foram observados via derivada primeira de espectros derefletância, e análise de PCA em níveis inferiores a 1%. Conclusão:o sistema FT-NIR pôde detectar os resíduos dos fármacos estudadosdentro dos percentuais simulados...

Milk is one of most consumed food by human beings,especially children and elderly. In 2007, the Federal Police conductedan operation that showed an enormous fraud scheme in industrializedmilk in Brazil. In addition, they found out that 1/3 of the milk consumedin Brazil did not pass by inspection. There are several ways to adulteratemilk, such as with addition of water, caustic soda, sodium chlorideand others. However, there is another issue, that is, milk contaminationwith veterinary drugs. These drugs may be present in highconcentrations in milk, in case the cow was milked in the clearanceperiod. Contaminated milk can cause damages to consumers’ healthor injury to the production of derivates. Objective: To develop acomplementary technique to detect the presence of residues ofveterinary drugs in milk samples. Material and Methods: currently,given the technological development, there are many techniquesbased on multielement analysis for studying the chemical componentsof different samples. This paper uses the technique of FourierTransform Near Infrared Spectroscopy and the Principal ComponentsAnalysis (PCA) to detect the evidence of residues of veterinarydrugs in milk. To this end, we simulated adulteration in milk withpercentages of 0.1%, 0.5% and 10% drugs in milk. Results: cryoscopy:0.539 ºH with 0.18% water; non-acid milk according to Alizarol test; pH6.71; Fat: 3.25%; Protein: 3.01%; Lactose: 4.55%; Solids: 10.80%.Drug residues were observed via the first derivative of reflectancespectra and PCA analysis at levels below 1%. Conclusion: The resultwas positive indicating that the FT-NIR system can detected theresidues of studied drugs within the simulated percentage...