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At least 271 records · Page 15

Nitrogen-doped char as a catalyst for wet oxidation of phenol-contaminated water

Catalytic wet oxidation (CWO) of aqueous effluents rich in organic compounds is a very promising technology for the treatment of liquid wastes from biomass conversion processes. CWO reactions occur through the formation of free radical species, produced in the presence of an oxidant, which act on organic contaminates in the effluent. Although the reaction is well known, there exists a lack of affordable catalysts to conduct this process at the lower temperatures and pressures in novel bioenergy processes. Here, this study assessed the catalytic effect of nitrogen-doped chars as such an option. Phenol in aqueous solution was used as a model waste effluent. Treatment was conducted at moderate temperatures (190 to 260 °C), oxygen partial pressure of 1 MPa, and reaction times of 15, 30, and 45 min in stainless steel and glass-lined tube reactors. High pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) analyses of the products quantified phenol and by-product concentrations used in the calculation of reaction activation energy. The char catalyst was studied by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in order to gain insight into its structure and surface composition. The results indicate that nitrogen-doped char catalysts accelerate the oxidation of phenol by decreasing its reaction activation energy from 82.2 kJ/mol (non-catalyzed) to 40.4 kJ/mol (catalyzed). An analysis from first principles using density functional theory (DFT) was conducted to ascertain which N functional group has the most significant impact on free radical formation in the presence of oxygen. Among all the N functional groups studied, the dipyridinic functional groups showed the most promising characteristics to facilitate the formation of hydroxyl free radicals.

Advanced Oxidation Processes for Organic Pollutant↗

Reaction of BCl 3 with H- and Cl-terminated Si(100) as a pathway for selective, monolayer doping through wet chemistry

The reaction of boron trichloride with the H and Cl-terminated Si(100) surfaces was investigated to understand the interaction of this molecule with the surface for designing wet-chemistry based silicon surface doping processes using a carbon- and oxygen-free precursor. The process was followed with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Within the reaction conditions investigated, the reaction is highly effective on Cl-Si(100) for temperatures below 70°C, at which point both surfaces react with BCl$_3$. The XPS investigation followed the formation of a B 1s peak at 193.5 eV corresponding to (B-O)$_x$ species. Even the briefest exposure to ambient conditions lead to hydroxylation of surface borochloride species. However, the Si 2p signature at 102 eV allowed for a confirmation of the formation of a direct Si-B bond. Density functional theory was utilized to supplement the analysis and identify possible major surface species resulting from these reactions. This work provides a new pathway to obtain a functionalized silicon surface with a direct Si-B bond that can potentially be exploited as a means of selective, ultra-shallow, and supersaturated doping.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Sustainable ammonia synthesis from nitrogen wet with sea water by single-step plasma catalysis

Ammonia synthesis at ambient conditions employing intermittent distributed green sources of energy and feedstocks is globally sought to replace the centralized Haber-Bosch (H-B) process operating at high temperature and pressure. We report herein for the first time an effective and sustainable ammonia synthesis pathway from N 2 wet with seawater vapor over spherical SiO 2 and M/SiO 2 (M: Ag, Cu, and Co) catalysts driven by non-thermal plasma (NTP). Experimental results indicate that the presence of a catalyst is required for ammonia production from seawater vapor and N 2 . The Co/SiO 2 catalyst delivered the highest ammonia synthesis rate (r NH 3 ) of 3.7 mmol g cat -1 h -1 and energy yield of 3.2 g NH 3 ∙kW -1 ∙h -1 at a relatively low input power of 2 W. The extraction of H atoms from H 2 O molecules plays an important role in the ammonia synthesis from seawater vapor. Finally, this work unfolds a novel platform for the subsequent optimization of sustainable ammonia production from endless resources such as seawater and N 2 through catalytic non-thermal plasma potentially powered by renewable sources.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Wet-chemical synthesis of Li7P3S11 with tailored particle size for solid state electrolytes

The small-size solid-state electrodes (SSEs) with high Li+ conductivity play an important role in reducing the interfacial resistance between electrode materials and SSEs and defects between SSEs. As one of the most conductive sulfide based ionic conductors, scalable synthesis of Li7P3S11 with controllable particle sizes is highly desired but rarely reported. Here, we report a facile wet-chemical synthesis method to prepare Li7P3S11 SSEs with variable sizes for all-solid-state lithium batteries (ASSLBs). By fully dissolving 70Li2S-30P2S5 precursors in ethyl acetate solution, the particle size of Li7P3S11 can be manipulated into as small as ~110 nm and high Li+ conductivity of 1.05 mS cm-1 can be achieved. A systematical mechanistic study of solvent effects suggests that the controlled particle sizes are attributed to the excellent solvability and low binding energy of ethyl acetate solvent toward solutes. Moreover, this generic method can be extended to the facilely synthesis of Li3PS4 nanoparticles with an average size of ~200 nm and high Li+ conductivity of 0.1 mS cm-1.

Zhou, Jianbin↗

Towards improved conversion of wet waste to jet fuel with atomic layer deposition-coated hydrodeoxygenation catalysts

The conversion of wet waste-derived volatile fatty acids into jet fuel-range hydrocarbons is a promising route for increasing the production of sustainable aviation fuel; however, the cost and moderate alkane selectivity of Pt-based hydrodeoxygenation catalysts present challenges for commercialization. Here, to address this, we used atomic layer deposition to apply TiO 2 overcoats to Pt/Al 2 O 3 catalysts and create new interface sites that exhibited 8 times higher site time yield of the desirable n-alkane product than uncoated catalyst. Through TPR/TPD, XPS, CO DRIFTS, and DFT calculations, we found that the increased selectivity of the ALD-coated catalyst was due to the creation of O vacancies at the Pt-TiO 2 interface under reducing conditions, resulting in new Ti 3+ acid sites near the active metal. Maximum conversion and alkane selectivity during HDO was achieved with an ALD-coated 0.5% wt Pt catalyst, indicating that TiO 2 ALD can be used to maximize the utility of precious-metal catalysts.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

Potential-induced wetting and dewetting in hydrophobic nanochannels for mass transport control

Wetting and dewetting transitions play a central role in controlling the hydrophobicity of the lining of biological channels in order to regulate aqueous solution permeation. Understanding of the operational characteristics of biological nanochannels led to experimental efforts to mimic their behavior and to achieve potential-induced, repeatedly-switchable wettability transitions in synthetic nanochannels in the early 2010s. Since then, research has identified conditions needed to produce reversible wettability transitions using a number of different environmental stimuli - such as light, pH, and electrostatic charge - in addition to potential. Furthermore, nascent understanding of the underlying phenomena in synthetic nanochannels was rapidly followed by practical applications, including oil-water separations, drug release, and electroactive flow control based on switchable wettability. Furthermore, more practical applications are being developed continuously, as the physical and chemical principles that govern hydrophobic gating at the nanoscale are further elucidated, making it possible to exploit wettability as a design element in nanofluidic systems.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

Enhancing methane production of anaerobic digested sewage sludge by advanced wet oxidation & steam explosion pretreatment

Anaerobic digestion (AD) of sewage sludge is associated with lowered carbon conversion efficiency due to the recalcitrance of microbial cells in the Waste Activated Sludge (WAS) from the aeration basins with 50 % of the dry weight still being present after AD. The effect of Advanced Wet Oxidation & Steam Explosion (AWOEx) pretreatment on the methane yield at variable temperatures (165–200 °C), residence time (15–45 min) and oxygen dosage (1%–10% based on VS concentration) was tested in this study. Central composite design (JMP® Pro) was used to design 19 runs of AWOEx pretreatment of dewatered digested sewage sludge (DADSS) at different operating conditions. After pretreatment the DADSS was fed to 19 bioreactors operated in semi-continues mode at 37 °C. The highest average methane yields of 183 mL/g VS and 170 mL/g VS were found for the bioreactors receiving DADSS pretreated at 165 °C with a retention time of 15 min and 10 % O2 (Condition 1), and, 182.5 °C with a retention time of 15 min and 5.5 % O2 (Condition 2). This corresponds to an increase in the methane production of 156.2 % and 140.5 % compared to the methane production from the DADSS without pretreatment.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

Performance of hybridized bamboo-carbon fiber reinforced polypropylene composites processed using wet laid technique

The end-of-life vehicles (ELV) regulations motivate hybrid materials usage in automotive industries to optimize properties at reduced cost and increase eco-friendly designs. This research explores hybrid compositions of natural bamboo fiber and synthetic carbon fiber. The goal of hybridization was to synergistically benefit from each constituent– i.e., sustainability, energy absorption and superior damping from bamboo, and high strength and stiffness from carbon fiber. Carbon fibers (CF), bamboo fibers (BF) and polypropylene (PP) fibers were dispersed in water to produce wet-laid hybrid mats. The mats were compression molded into consolidated panels to obtain the hybrid composite(s) (BF-CF-PP). Four formulations with different fiber-resin weight percent were designed and produced including- BF-PP (30/70), BF-PP (50/50), BF-CF-PP (32/8/60), and BF-CF-PP (8/32/60). The effect of (a) fiber length, (b) surface treatment, (c) fiber content, and (d) consolidation pressure on the mechanical properties were examined. The improved mechanical (flexural strength 76.4 MPa, flexural modulus 4.1 GPa, ILSS 12.4 MPa and impact strength 49.9 KJ/m 2 ) and vibrational damping (1.05%) properties showed that the BF-CF-PP (8/32/60) provided higher properties compared to the other variants. The projected properties at various stoichiometric ratios of carbon and bamboo fiber revealed that the properties of hybrid composites could be tailored to produce desirable, cost-effective, and sustainable automotive components.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Wetting mechanism and alteration of nano-sized shale pores: Insights from contrast variation small angle neutron scattering

Wettability of tight shale is crucial for fluid flow and mass transport process in energy geosciences. However, understanding the interfacial chemistry and wetting mechanisms at sub-nano-pore scales remains a formidable challenge. Here, in this study, the Contrast Variation technique of Small Angle Neutron Scattering (CV-SANS) is employed to investigate shale’s interfacial chemistry using reagents that possess a range of different polarities, including water, n-decane, toluene, and dimethyl methanamide. Through five different experimental strategies, we have demonstrated a successful modification of shale wettability, ranging from enhancement, weakening, to reversal. Delving into the mechanisms, we illustrated the crucial role of pre-existing liquid films in these changes, where the uniquely co-existing polar and non-polar functional groups in dimethyl methanamide acted as a conduit for interfacial chemistry adjustments. Furthermore, a solvent immersion led to matrix dilation as well as liberation of residual oil-occupied pores, resulting in altered pore size distributions, with hydrogen bonding playing a significant role in the polar groups. Interestingly, despite shale exhibiting a stronger affinity for oil over water, hydrophilic solvents induced more substantial dilation than lipophilic ones. Collectively, this work elucidates the dynamic change of interfacial chemistry via the configuration of polarity using chemical reagents, and the CV-SANS technique underscores its invaluable utilities in decoding the interfacial wettability traits in nanopore space of shale.

58 GEOSCIENCES↗

Phosphate amendment drives bloom of RNA viruses after soil wet-up

Soil rewetting after a dry period results in a surge of activity and succession in both microbial and DNA virus communities. Less is known about the response of RNA viruses to soil rewetting—while they are highly diverse and widely distributed in soil, they remain understudied. We hypothesized that RNA viruses would show temporal succession following rewetting and that phosphate amendment would influence their trajectory, as viral proliferation may cause phosphorus limitation. Using 39 time-resolved metatranscriptomes and amplicon data, 2190 RNA viral populations were identified across five phyla, with 26 % of these predicted to infect bacteria, and 11 % fungi. Only 1.2 % of viral populations had annotated capsid genes, suggesting most persist via intracellular replication without a free virion phase. Phosphate amendment altered RNA viral community composition within the first week and amended vs. unamended communities remained distinguishable for up to three weeks. While the overall host community remained stable, certain bacterial populations showed reduced abundance in phosphate-amended soils, likely due to increased viral lysis, as RNA bacteriophages proliferated significantly. Notably, 60 % of the viruses with increased abundance under phosphate amendment belonged to basal Lenarviricota clades rather than well-known groups like Leviviricetes. We estimate RNA bacteriophage infections may affect 10 7 –10 9 bacteria per gram of soil, aligning with the total bacterial population (10 7 –10 10 g -1 soil), suggesting that RNA phages significantly influence bacterial communities post-wet-up, with phosphorus availability modulating this effect.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

Pilot microbial electrolysis cell closes the hydrogen loop for hydrothermal wet waste conversion to jet fuel

The global shift toward net-zero emissions necessitates resource recovery from wet waste. In this study, we demonstrate the first feasibility of combining pilot-scale microbial electrolytic cells (MECs) with hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) for simultaneous post-hydrothermal liquefaction wastewater (PHW) treatment and efficient hydrogen (H₂) production to meet biocrude upgrading requirements. Long-term single reactor operation revealed that fixed anode potential enabled rapid startup, and low catholyte pH and high salinity were effective in suppression of cathodic methanogenesis and acetogenesis – resulting in high current density of 16.6 A m –2 and 9.3 A m –2 when feeding synthetic wastewater and PHW respectively. Additionally, the anode biofilm exhibited spatial variations in response to local environmental conditions. In conclusion, onsite parallel or serial operations of multiple MECs showed good performance using actual PHW with a record-high H 2 production rate of 0.5 L L R day –1 for MEC over 10 liters scale, and the optimal chemical oxygen demand (COD)-to-H 2 yield reached 0.127 kg-H 2 per kg-COD, supporting a self-sufficient, closed-loop upgrade to jet fuel.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Characterization of partial wetting by CMAS droplets using multiphase many-body dissipative particle dynamics and data-driven discovery based on PINNs

The molten sand that is a mixture of calcia, magnesia, alumina and silicate, known as CMAS, is characterized by its high viscosity, density and surface tension. The unique properties of CMAS make it a challenging material to deal with in high-temperature applications, requiring innovative solutions and materials to prevent its buildup and damage to critical equipment. Here, we use multiphase many-body dissipative particle dynamics simulations to study the wetting dynamics of highly viscous molten CMAS droplets. The simulations are performed in three dimensions, with varying initial droplet sizes and equilibrium contact angles. We propose a parametric ordinary differential equation (ODE) that captures the spreading radius behaviour of the CMAS droplets. The ODE parameters are then identified based on the physics-informed neural network (PINN) framework. Subsequently, the closed-form dependency of parameter values found by the PINN on the initial radii and contact angles are given using symbolic regression. Finally, we employ Bayesian PINNs (B-PINNs) to assess and quantify the uncertainty associated with the discovered parameters. In brief, this study provides insight into spreading dynamics of CMAS droplets by fusing simple parametric ODE modelling and state-of-the-art machine-learning techniques.

Mechanics↗

Molecular Dynamics Investigation of Nanoscale Hydrophobicity of Polymer Surfaces: What Makes Water Wet?

The wettability of a polymer surface–related to its hydrophobicity or tendency to repel water–can be crucial for determining its utility, such as for a coating or a purification membrane. While wettability is commonly associated with the macroscopic measurement of a contact angle between surface, water, and air, the molecular physics that underlie these macroscopic observations are not fully known, and anticipating relative behavior of different polymers is challenging. To address this gap in molecular-level understanding, we use molecular dynamics simulations to investigate and contrast interactions of water with six chemically distinct polymers: polytetrafluoroethylene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, poly(methyl methacrylate), Nylon 66, and polyvinyl alcohol. We show that several prospective quantitative metrics for hydrophobicity agree well with experimental contact angles. Moreover, the behavior of water in proximity to these polymer surfaces can be distinguished with analysis of interfacial water dynamics, extent of hydrogen bonding, and molecular orientation–even when macroscopic measures of hydrophobicity are similar. The predominant factor dictating wettability is found to be the extent of hydrogen bonding between polymer and water, but the precise manifestation of hydrogen bonding and its impact on surface-water structure varies. In the absence of hydrogen bonding, other molecular interactions and polymer mechanics control hydrophobic ordering. Furthermore, these results provide new insights into how polymer chemistry specifically impacts water-polymer interactions and translates to surface hydrophobicity. Such factors may facilitate the design or processing of polymer surfaces to achieve targeted wetting behavior, and presented analyses can be useful in studying the interfacial physics of other systems.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

CO 2 Hydrogenation to Methanol over Inverse ZrO 2 /Cu(111) Catalysts: The Fate of Methoxy under Dry and Wet Conditions

Understanding the surface chemistry of CH 3 O species is essential for the production of methanol by CO 2 hydrogenation over Cu-based heterogeneous catalysts, as it facilitates the rational design of more efficient conversion processes. Recent research has identified inverse ZrO 2 /Cu catalysts as highly active and selective systems for the transformation of CO 2 to methanol with a performance that can be better than that of commercial Cu/ZnO catalysts. Here, we employed synchrotron-based ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (AP-XPS) and calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) to understand the fate of CH 3 O groups under dry and wet environments. AP-XPS spectra revealed that under CO 2 hydrogenation conditions, formate and methoxy are two key intermediates to produce methanol. Furthermore, there are three different types of reactive sites on the surface: One is active for methoxy adsorption, which is stable and responsible for the methanol synthesis; Another one transforms CO 2 into CO; and a third one is active for CO 2 and methoxy dissociation, leading to C and methane formation. The theoretical calculations indicate that CH 3 OH readily dissociates to CH 3 O species following a highly exothermic (ΔE = -20.99 kcal/mol) and barrierless process. The water produced by the reverse water-gas shift reaction (CO 2 + H 2 → H 2 O + CO) can prevent the decomposition of CH 3 O species. We discovered that by introducing a tiny amount of water vapor (2 × 10 -6 Torr) into the reaction chamber, the energy barrier for the reaction CH 3 O(ads) + H(ads) → CH 3 OH(gas) is dramatically reduced. AP-XPS and computational modelling showed that water is quite capable of extracting adsorbed methoxy to form gaseous methanol. With this in mind, one could boost the methanol selectivity by adding appropriate amounts of water or steam, which is an inexpensive and feasible solution for industrial operations.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗

Wetting of a Hydrophobic Surface: Far-IR Action Spectroscopy and Dynamics of Microhydrated Naphthalene

The interaction of water and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons is of fundamental importance in areas as diverse as materials science and atmospheric and interstellar chemistry. The interplay between hydrogen bonding and dipole–π interactions results in subtle dynamics that are challenging to describe from first principles. Here, we employ far-IR action vibrational spectroscopy with the infrared free-electron laser FELIX to investigate naphthalene with one to three water molecules. We observe diffuse bands associated with intermolecular vibrational modes that serve as direct probes of the loose binding of water to the naphthalene surface. These signatures are poorly reproduced by static DFT or Møller–Plesset computations. Instead, a rationalization is achieved through Born–Oppenheimer Molecular Dynamics simulations, revealing the active mobility of water over the surface, even at low temperatures. Therefore, our work provides direct insights into the wetting interactions associated with shallow potential energy surfaces while simultaneously demonstrating a solid experimental–computational framework for their investigation.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗

An Overview of Atmospheric Features Over the Western North Atlantic Ocean and North American East Coast - Part 1: Analysis of Aerosols, Gases, and Wet Deposition Chemistry

The Western North Atlantic Ocean (WNAO) and adjoining East Coast of North America are of great importance for atmospheric research and have been extensively studied for several decades. This broad region exhibits complex meteorological features, diverse cloud types, and a wide range of conditions associated with gas and particulate species that originate from many sources regionally and from other continents. As Part 1 of a 2-part paper series, this work provides a characterization of quantities associated with atmospheric chemistry, including gases, aerosols, and wet deposition, based on satellite observations, ground-based data, model simulations, and reanalysis products. Key results include spatial and seasonal differences in composition along the North American East Coast and over the WNAO associated with varying sources of smoke and dust and meteorological drivers such as temperature, moisture, and precipitation. Spatial and seasonal variations of tropospheric carbon monoxide and ozone highlight different pathways towards accumulation of these species in the troposphere. Spatial distributions of speciated aerosol optical depth and vertical profiles of aerosol mass mixing ratios show a clear seasonal cycle highlighting the influence of both natural and anthropogenic sources in addition to the impact of intercontinental transport on their vertical profiles. Analysis of long-term climate model simulations of aerosol species and satellite observations of carbon monoxide confirm that there has been a significant decline in recent decades among anthropogenic constituents owing to regulatory activities. The results can inform current and future lines of research for the region.

Corral, Andrea↗

Lagged Wetland CH 4 Flux Response in a Historically Wet Year

While a stimulating effect of plant primary productivity on soil carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions has been well documented, links between gross primary productivity (GPP) and wetland methane (CH 4 ) emissions are less well investigated. Determination of the influence of primary productivity on wetland CH 4 emissions (FCH 4 ) is complicated by confounding influences of water table level and temperature on CH 4 production, which also vary seasonally. Here, in this work, we evaluate the link between preceding GPP and subsequent FCH 4 at two fens in Wisconsin using eddy covariance flux towers, Lost Creek (US-Los) and Allequash Creek (US-ALQ). Both wetlands are mosaics of forested and shrub wetlands, with US-Los being larger in scale and having a more open canopy. Co-located sites with multi-year observations of flux, hydrology, and meteorology provide an opportunity to measure and compare lag effects on FCH4 without interference due to differing climate. Daily average FCH4 from US-Los reached a maximum of 47.7 ηmol CH 4 m -2 s -1 during the study period, while US-ALQ was more than double at 117.9 ηmol CH 4 m -2 s -1 . The lagged influence of GPP on temperature-normalized FCH4 (T air -FCH 4 ) was weaker and more delayed in a year with anomalously high precipitation than a following drier year at both sites. FCH 4 at US-ALQ was lower coincident with higher stream discharge in the wet year (2019), potentially due to soil gas flushing during high precipitation events and lower water temperatures. Better understanding of the lagged influence of GPP on FCH 4 due to this study has implications for climate modeling and more accurate carbon budgeting.

59 BASIC BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES↗

The Role of Atmospheric Rivers on Groundwater: Lessons Learned From an Extreme Wet Year

Abstract In the coastal regions of the western United States, atmospheric rivers (ARs) are associated with the largest precipitation generating storms and contribute up to half of annual precipitation, but the impact of ARs on the integrated hydrologic cycle, specifically on groundwater storage and hydrodynamics, is largely unknown. To better explore the hydrologic behavior of AR versus non‐AR event precipitation, we present a novel combination of two water tracking methods (one in the atmosphere and one in the subsurface) to explicitly track the full lifecycle of water parcels generated by ARs. Simulations of northern California's Cosumnes River watershed during the record wet 2017 water year are performed via the coupling of a high‐resolution regional climate model and a land surface‐groundwater model accounting for lateral groundwater flow. Despite ARs contributing more precipitation than non‐AR storms, we find less AR water is preferentially stored in aquifers by year end. Fractionally, ARs result in 300% less snow derived groundwater‐recharged compared to non‐AR precipitation. Rain‐on‐snow (RoS) plays an important role in AR‐driven discharge, where over 50% of total discharge from ARs snow is from RoS events. Finally, despite record‐breaking annual precipitation, simulated groundwater depletion occurs by year end due to estimates of groundwater pumping activities. The results from these simulations serve as a partial analogue of future hydrologic conditions where ARs are expected to intensify and provide a greater fraction of annual precipitation due to climate change.

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES↗