Analysis of Hexavalent Chromium in Cement Samples From Countries Within and Outside the EU: A Study From the International Contact Dermatitis Research Group.

Background: Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) caused by hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is often severe and difficult to treat. The content of Cr(VI) in cement can be reduced by, for example, addition of iron(II) sulfate. Since 2005 the content of Cr(VI) in cement is regulated in the EU Directive 2003/53/EC and must not exceed 2 ppm. Since this regulation came into force, ACD caused by cement has markedly been reduced. Objective: To investigate Cr(VI) and total chromium content in samples of cement from countries within and outside the EU. Methods: The members of the International Contact Dermatitis Research Group (ICDRG) were invited to participate in the study with the aim to collect cement samples from geographically different areas. The content of Cr(VI) in the samples was estimated by the diphenyl carbazide spot test, atomic absorption spectroscopy was used to assess the total chromium content. Results: Forty-five cement samples were analyzed, containing amounts of Cr(VI) from <0.1 to >70 ppm. Twenty-one samples contained >2 ppm Cr(VI), 24 contained less. Four of 17 samples from within the EU contained >2 ppm Cr(VI), that is, higher amounts than stipulated in the EU directive, as compared with 17 samples from countries outside the EU. Conclusion: In countries outside the EU, significantly more cement samples contained >2 ppm Cr(VI).

Fly-Ash Evaluation as Potential EOL Material Replacement of Cement in Pastes: Morpho-Structural and Physico-Chemical Properties Assessment.

The main objective of the study was to produce alternative binder materials, obtained with low cost, low energy consumption, and low CO2 production, by regenerating end-of-life (EOL) materials from mineral deposits, to replace ordinary Portland cement (OPC). The materials analyzed were ash and slag from the Turceni thermal power plant deposit, Romania. These were initially examined for morphology, mineralogical composition, elemental composition, degree of crystallinity, and heating behavior, to determine their ability to be used as a potential source of supplementary cementitious materials (SCM) and to establish the activation and transformation temperature in the SCM. The in-situ pozzolanic behavior of commercial cement, as well as cement mixtures with different percentages of ash addition, were further observed. The mechanical resistance, water absorption, sorptivity capacity, resistance to alkali reactions (ASR), corrosion resistance, and resistance to reaction with sulfates were evaluated in this study using low-vacuum scanning electron microscopy.

Effect of the Exchanged Cation in an Algerian Montmorillonite Used as a Heterogeneous Catalyst for Biginelli Reaction.

In this work, an Algerian montmorillonite (Mt) is exchanged by different cations from the transition metals family, namely: Cu2+, Ni2+, Cr3+, Co2+, Fe2+ and Fe3+, it is used as a heterogeneous catalyst for Biginelli reaction. The exchanged cations are known for their catalytic properties in homogeneous catalysis. The main purpose is to study the effect of the exchanged cations on the yield and the kinetics of the reaction. The characterization of montmorillonite was carried out by XRD, which allows us to follow the evolution of the basal spacing d001 as a function of the exchanged cation and to show that the exchange operation has not altered the montmorillonite structure. The cation exchange capacity (CEC) is determined by the titration of the exchanged cation by atomic absorption. The product of the reaction is characterized by NMR, IR and by the determination of the melting point. In addition, the importance of the introduction order of the reagents into the reaction medium has been demonstrated on the yield and the kinetics. Finally, the obtained results show that the exchanged montmorillonite is competitive with other costly heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysts.

Complex Impedance Analyses of Li doped ZnO Electrolyte Materials.

The recent studies indicate that internal point defects in solid electrolytes modify the electronic and ionic conductivity and relaxation mechanism of solid oxide fuel cells. We focused on synthesis of Lithium (Li) doped Zn1-xCoxO (x = 0.00, and 0.10) nanoparticles employing chemical synthesis technique with a reflux setup under constant Argon gas flow. The structural characterizations were performed by x-ray powder diffractometer (XRD) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Then, Rietveld refinements were performed to investigate the replacement of Li atom amount in ZnO lattice. Moreover, the variations in ionic conduction dependent on 5, 10 and 20 mol% Li doped ZnO were analysed via ac impedance spectroscopy. The complex measurements were performed in an intermediate temperature range from 100 °C to 400 °C. Ac conductivity responses of each sample were disappeared at a certain temperature due to becoming electronic conductive oxides. However, this specific temperature was tuned to high temperature by Li doping amount in ZnO lattice. Furthermore, the activation energy change by Li dopant amount implied the tuneable ionic conduction mechanism.

End-of-Life Materials Used as Supplementary Cementitious Materials in the Concrete Industry.

A sustainable solution for the global construction industry can be partial substitution of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) by use of supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) sourced from industrial end-of-life (EOL) products that contain calcareous, siliceous and aluminous materials. Candidate EOL materials include fly ash (FA), silica fume (SF), natural pozzolanic materials like sugarcane bagasse ash (SBA), palm oil fuel ash (POFA), rice husk ash (RHA), mine tailings, marble dust, construction and demolition debris (CDD). Studies have revealed these materials to be cementitious and/or pozzolanic in nature. Their use as SCMs would decrease the amount of cement used in the production of concrete, decreasing carbon emissions associated with cement production. In addition to cement substitution, EOL products as SCMs have also served as coarse and also fine aggregates in the production of eco-friendly concretes.

Structural, Morphological and Electrical Properties of La1-xSrxAlO3-δ (x = 0, 0.1, 0.15) Synthesized by the Pechini Method.

La1-xSrxAlO3-δ (x = 0, 0.1, 0.15) fine particles were prepared by the Pechini process using citric acid and ethylene glycol at low temperature 900 °C. The powders were studied by several physical characterization techniques. The FTIR spectrum of the resin treated at 200 °C revealed the formation of a metalorganic complex and a polymerized form of ethylene glycol. XRD spectra of the samples, calcined at 900 °C, illustrated a single phase LaAlO3. However, La0.9Sr0.1AlO3-δ and La0.85Sr0.15AlO3-δ powders mainly consist of a deficient hexagonal perovskite phase with a small amount of a second phase (LaSrAl3O7). Ionic conductivities of these materials were studied by impedance spectroscopy in the range of 100-700 °C in air.