Tunable Impedance of Cobalt Loaded Carbon for Wide-Range Electromagnetic Wave Absorption.

Impedance matching modulation of the electromagnetic wave (EMW) absorbers toward broad effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) is the ultimate aim in EMW attenuation applications. Here, a Joule heating strategy is reported for preparation of the Co-loaded carbon (Co/C) absorber with tunable impedance characteristics. Typically, the size of the Co can be regulated to range from single-atoms to clusters, and to nanocrystals. The varied sizes of the Co combined with different graphitization degrees of carbon can result in different relative input impedances and electromagnetic loss, leading to the tunable EMW absorption properties of the Co/C absorber. By meticulously coalescing the different prepared Co/C, the working frequency can be easily tuned, covering Ku, X, and C bands. Furthermore, the Co/C demonstrates a high EMW attenuation due to its unique dielectric loss capability and magnetic loss characteristics. The abundant interfaces of Co/C can also contribute to the enhanced interfacial polarization for improving EMW attenuation. This work demonstrates the importance of optimizing the metal and carbon interaction to the impedance matching toward wide EAB of the EMW absorbers.

A Green and Effective Polyethylene Glycols-Based Microwave-Assisted Extraction of Carnosic and Rosmarinic Acids from Rosmarinus officinalis Leaves.

Rosmarinus officinalis leaves (ROLs) are widely used as a popular culinary spice for flavoring food, in which carnosic acid (CA) and rosmarinic acid (RA) are the main active components. The extraction of CA and RA is limited by lowextraction efficiency and extraction rate. In this work, a microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) method using biodegradable, low-toxic and nonflammable solvents polyethylene glycols (PEGs) as extraction solvents was developed for theextraction of CA and RA from ROLs. Experimental results suggest that PEG-400 was a better choice compared with PEG-200, and the optimal extraction conditions were as follows: 45% of PEG-400, 4.3% of phosphoric acid, 20 s of microwave irradiation time at 280 W of microwave irradiation power, and a 10 mg mL-1 solid-liquid ratio, respectively. The tissue structures of ROLs could be effectively disrupted by PEG-based MAE, leading to high CA and RA extraction efficiencies. The PEG-400 extract exhibited stronger 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging ability compared with butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT). Finally, compared with heating reflux extraction, ultrasound-assisted extraction, maceration, and MAE using ionic liquid and ethanol as extraction solvents, the developed PEG-400 based MAE exhibited the highest extraction ability and fastest extraction rate for CA and RA. These findings suggest that MAE using PEGs as extraction solvents is a promising method for the separation of bioactive compounds from natural plants.

Non-catalytic hydropyrolysis of microalgae to produce liquid biofuels.

Non-catalytic hydropyrolysis of Chlorella pyrenoidosa was studied by using a stainless-steel batch reactor at different temperature (150-450 °C), time (5-120 min) and initial hydrogen pressure (1 atm-8 MPa), aiming to find how these parameters affect the product (oil, gas and solid) yields and properties of the hydropyrolysis oil (HPO). Temperature was the most influential factor to the relative amount of each product and properties of the HPOs. The hydrogen favored the stabilization of the active intermediates but cannot guarantee to produce HPOs in higher hydrogen at its higher initial pressure. The HPO, which showed much difference in component strongly depending on the reaction conditions, mainly consisted of aromatics and straight-chain hydrocarbons, amides, amines, nitriles and carboxylic acids at moderate temperatures. The main gas products detected during the hydropyrolysis were unreacted H2, CO2, CO and CH4. About 85% of energy originally present in the microalgae was recovered as oil under the optimal conditions.

Hydrothermal processing of duckweed: effect of reaction conditions on product distribution and composition.

Influences of operating conditions such as temperature (270-380 °C), time (10-120 min), reactor loading (0.5-5.5 g), and K2CO3 loading (0-50 wt.%) on the product (e.g. crude bio-oil, water soluble, gas and solid residue) distribution from the hydrothermal processing of duckweed were determined. Of the four variables, temperature and K2CO3 loading were always the most influential factors to the relative amount of each component. The presence of K2CO3 is unfavorable for the production of bio-oil and gas. Hydrothermal processing duckweed produces a bio-oil that is enriched in carbon and hydrogen and has reduced levels of O compared with the original duckweed feedstock. The higher heating values of the bio-oil were estimated within the range of 32-36 MJ/kg. Major bio-oil constituents include ketones and their alkylated derivatives, alcohols, heterocyclic nitrogen-containing compounds, saturated fatty acids and hydrocarbons. The gaseous products were mainly CO2 and H2, with lesser amounts of CH4 and CO.

Thermo-chemical conversion of Chlorella pyrenoidosa to liquid biofuels.

The aim of the present study is to find how the solvent polarity affects the liquefaction behavior of Chlorella pyrenoidosa and subsequently using the most suitable solvent identified to explore the solvent/biomass ratio, time, and temperature on the products yield and properties of the bio-oil. The products yield was significantly affected by the solvent type, and ethanol was proven to be the most suitable solvent to convert C. pyrenoidosa into bio-oil from the yield and economic points of view. Temperature is the most influential factor on the products yield and properties of the bio-oil. The HHVs of the bio-oils produced under different reaction conditions are within the range of 27.68-36.45 MJ/kg. The major compounds in bio-oil were esters, fatty acids, alkenes, aldehydes, and amides, and fatty acid ethyl esters were the largest portion.