Optimization of composting methods for efficient use of cassava waste, using microbial degradation.

With the recent revolution in the green economy, agricultural solid waste resource utilization has become an important project. A small-scale laboratory orthogonal experiment was set up to investigate the effects of C/N ratio, initial moisture content and fill ratio (vcassava residue: vgravel) on the maturity of cassava residue compost by adding Bacillus subtilis and Azotobacter chroococcum. The highest temperature in the thermophilic phase of the low C/N ratio treatment is significantly lower than the medium and high C/N ratios. The C/N ratio and moisture content have a significant impact on the results of cassava residue composting, while the filling ratio only has a significant impact on the pH value and phosphorus content. Based on comprehensive analysis, the recommended process parameters for pure cassava residue composting are a C/N ratio of 25, an initial moisture content of 60%, and a filling ratio of 5. Under these conditions, the high-temperature conditions can be reached and maintained quickly, the organic matter has been degraded by 36.1%, the pH value has dropped to 7.36, the E4/E6 ratio is 1.61, the conductivity value has dropped to 2.52 mS/cm, and the final germination index increased to 88%. The thermogravimetry, scanning electron microscope, and energy spectrum analysis also showed that the cassava residue was effectively biodegraded. Cassava residue composting with this process parameter has great reference significance for the actual production and application of agriculture.

An intelligent cooling material modified with carbon dots for evaporative cooling and UV absorption.

The emergence of cooling technology has brought about huge social benefits to society, but it is also accompanied by the serious problem of energy consumption. In countries close to the equator, intense solar radiation is accompanied by unbearable high temperatures and strong ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, we prepared a simple hydrogel with good evaporative cooling, which can work continuously and has good UV absorption, to solve the indoor cooling and UV radiation problems. Polyacrylamide (PAM) in the hydrogel provides a mechanically strong backbone, and polyethylene glycol (PEG) slows water loss and provides the hydrogel with the ability to reflect infrared light. Lithium bromide (LiBr) is a highly efficient water vapor absorbent, which can provide the hydrogel with water regeneration capability. Carbon dots (CDs) can provide excellent UV absorption for hydrogels, and CDs (4.28 kJ kg-1 K-1) have a higher specific heat capacity than water (4.20 kJ kg-1 K-1), which can store more heat for a better indoor cooling effect. The composite hydrogel has a good prospect of application in the windows of residential and high-rise buildings.

Recyclable, UV-Blocking, and Radiative Cooling Multifunctional Composite Membranes.

It is well known that UV radiation can cause human health problems and that energy consumption can lead to human survival problems. Here, we prepared a composite membrane that can block UV radiation as well as reduce energy consumption. Carbon dots (CDs) and acrylates were prepared from xylose and epoxidized soybean oil as biomass feedstocks, respectively, and the composite membrane was prepared by a self-assembly strategy. The first layer of the membrane is composed of CDs and epoxy resin. Its main function is not only to weaken UV rays and the aggregation-induced quenching effect of CDs but also to reduce the absorption of UV rays by the second layer of the membrane. The second layer consists of barium sulfate (BaSO4) and acrylate. Compared to TiO2 (3.2 eV), BaSO4 (∼6 eV) has a higher electronic band gap, which reduces the absorption of UV light by the membrane. The composite membrane exhibits excellent UV-blocking and radiative cooling performance, shielding 99% of UV rays. In addition, the membrane can reduce 4.4 °C in radiative cooling tests, achieving a good cooling effect. Finally, the recyclability of the BaSO4/acrylate membrane is discussed, and 95% recovery rate provides sustainable utilization of the membrane. The composite membrane is expected to be popularized and used in low latitudes and areas with high temperature and high UV radiation near the equator.

3-(3,4-Dichloro-phen-yl)-1-(2-naphth-yl)prop-2-en-1-one.

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C(19)H(12)Cl(2)O, contains four independent mol-ecules, which can be divided into two pairs of mol-ecules with close values of the C-C(=O)-C=C torsion angles in each pair, viz. 165.12 (16) and 165.68 (15)° in one pair, and -164.66 (15) and -164.81 (15)° in the other pair. The crystal packing exhibits short inter-molecular Cl⋯Cl contacts of 3.362 (1) Å.

1-[3-(2-Naphth-yl)-5-(3,4,5-trimethoxy-phen-yl)-4,5-dihydro-1H-pyrazol-1-yl]ethanone.

In the title compound, C(24)H(24)N(2)O(4), the pendant benzene and naphthalene ring systems make dihedral angles of 87.9 (3) and 19.2 (3)°, respectively, with the central pyrazoline ring. In the crystal structure, weak C-H⋯O inter-actions help to establish the packing.