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Structural and nano-mechanical properties of Calcium Silicate Hydrate (C-S-H) formed from alite hydration in the presence of sodium and potassium hydroxide
This research evaluates the effect of sodium and potassium hydroxide on the structure and nano-mechanical properties of Calcium Silicate Hydrate (C-S-H) formed from the hydration of pure alite. Monoclinic (MIII) alite was synthesized and hydrated, using water-to-alite ratios of 0.5 and 0.6 and additions of 10% NaOH and KOH by weight of alite. Based on results of X-ray diffraction, isothermal calorimetry, thermogravimetric analysis, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and nanoindentation, two different effects of the alkaline hydroxides on the hydration reaction of alite, both at early and later ages, can be identified: (i) a differentiated hydration process, attributed to an enhancement in calcium hydroxide (CH) precipitation and a stimulation of the C-S-H nuclei; and (ii) an increase in the elastic modulus of the C-S-H aggregations, attributed to an electrostatic attraction between positive charges from the alkaline cations and negative charges from the C-S-H structure.
Diffusion of oxygen and hydrogen in aqueous potassium hydroxide solutions
Oxygen and hydrogen diffusion coefficients in aqueous potassium hydroxide electrolyte solutions at various temperatures and concentrations
Oxygen reduction of several gold alloys in 1-molar potassium hydroxide
With rotated disk-and-ring equipment, polarograms and other electrochemical measurements were made of oxygen reduction in 1-molar potassium hydroxide on an equiatomic gold-copper (Au-Cu) alloy and a Au-Cu alloy doped with either indium (In) or cobalt (Co) and on Au doped with either nickel (Ni) or platinum (Pt). The results were compared with those for pure Au and pure Pt. The two-electron reaction dominated on all Au alloys as it did on Au. The polarographic results at lower polarization potentials were compared, assuming exclusively a two-step reduction. A qualified ranking of cathodic electrocatalytic activity on the freshly polished reduced disks was indicated: anodized Au Au-Cu-In Au-Cu Au-Cu-Co is equivalent or equal to Au-Pt Au-Ni. Aging in distilled water improved the electrocatalytic efficiency of Au-Cu-Co, Au-Cu, and (to a lesser extent) Au-Cu-In.
Comparative Study of Xylan Extracted by Sodium and Potassium Hydroxides (NaOH and KOH) from Bagasse Pulp: Characterization and Morphological Properties
Xylan is the second most abundant polysaccharide and the predominant hemicellulose component of soda bagasse pulp. The present endeavor focuses on increasing the value addition to underutilized agro-industrial residue such as bagasse. For this purpose, xylan was isolated by two conventional alkali extraction methods i.e. NaOH and KOH. The recovery rate and sugar composition of different reaction times and alkali consumptions were monitored with advanced method such as High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Wide Angle X-ray spectroscopy (WAXS) were respectively employed to characterize the functional groups and Crystallinity Index (CrI) changes during the extraction process. It was explored that highest xylan recovery rates were obtained with 6% of NaOH at 120 min and 6% KOH at 45 min. The xylan morphology via WAXS was found that its structure to be amorphous. HPLC results also showed KOH had higher effectiveness than NaOH in terms of extracted xylan purity. Highest XGRs (Xylose to Glucose Ratios) were also achieved by KOH processes. Hence, this study contributes to the adequate utilization of agricultural residues, with promising potential for applications in the production of certain novel materials and chemical conversion industries.
Electron impact study of potassium hydroxide
An attempt is made to measure the sum of the elastic, rotational and vibrational scattering of electrons by KOH at low impact energies (5 to 20 eV) at angles from 10 to 120 deg. Energy loss spectra taken in the 0 to 18 eV range using an electron impact spectrometer are used to identify the species contributing to electric scattering. At temperatures between 300 and 500 C, only inelastic spectral features belonging to water are detected, while at temperatures from 500 to 800 C strong atomic K lines, indicative of molecular dissociation, and H2 energy loss features become prominent. No features attributable to KOH, the KOH dimer, O2 or potassium oxides were observed, due to the effects of the dissociation products, and it is concluded that another technique will have to be developed in order to measure electron scattering by KOH.
Salting out of nonpolar gases in aqueous potassium hydroxide solutions.
Nonpolar gases solubilities in aqueous KOH solutions in temperature range 25 to 100 C, noting activity coefficients, salting out coefficients and heats of solution
Film breakers prevent migration of aqueous potassium hydroxide in fuel cells
Electrolyte film breakers made from polytetrafluoroethylene are installed in the reactant and water vapor removal outlets of each cell and sealed by elastomers. Use of these devices in the water vapor removal cavity outlets prevents loss of KOH solution through film migration during water removal.
Cadmium poisoning of oxygen reduction on platinum electrode in potassium hydroxide
Experiment with a rotating disk and ring apparatus showed no poisoning by cadmium in 8.5 M KOH, alone or with Cl(-) or CO3(=). Poisoning does not occur either in 0.1 M KOH supernatant at CdO, but a partially reversible poisoning results from .0001 M CdCl2 and traces of fatty acid are present. Evidence indicates that the catastrophic poisoning affects the four-electron O2 reduction more than it does the one-electron H3O(+) discharge.
Three methods for in situ cross-linking of polyvinyl alcohol films for application as ion-conducting membranes in potassium hydroxide electrolyte
Three methods of in situ cross-linking polyvinyl alcohol films are presented. They are: (1) acetalization with a dialdehyde such as glutaraldehyde, (2) acetalization with aldehyde groups formed by selective oxidative cleaving of the few percent of 1,2 diol units present in polyvinyl alcohol, and (3) cross-linking by hydrogen abstraction by reaction with hydrogen atoms and hydroxyl radicals from irradiated water. For the third method, improvement in film conductivity in KOH solution at the expense of mechanical strength is obtained by the presence of polyacrylic acid in the polyvinyl alcohol films. Resistivities in 45 percent KOH are given for in situ cross-linked films prepared by each of the three methods.
Alternative Alkaline Conditioning of Amidoxime Based Adsorbent for Uranium Extraction from Seawater
Alkaline conditioning of the amidoxime based adsorbents is a significant step in the preparation of the adsorbent for uranium uptake from seawater. The effects of various alkaline conditioning parameters such as the type of alkaline reagent, reaction temperature, and reaction time were investigated with respect to uranium adsorption capacity from simulated seawater (spiked with 8 ppm uranium) and natural seawater (from Sequim Bay, WA). An adsorbent (AF1) was prepared at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory by radiation-induced graft polymerization (RIGP) with acrylonitrile and itaconic acid onto high-surface-area polyethylene fibers. For the AF1 adsorbent, sodium hydroxide emerged as a better reagent for alkaline conditioning over potassium hydroxide, which has typically been used in previous studies, because of higher uranium uptake capacity and lower cost over the other candidate alkaline reagents investigated in this study. Use of sodium hydroxide in place of potassium hydroxide is shown to result in a 21-30% decrease in the cost of uranium recovery.
Synthesis and characterization of nano ZnO rods via microwave assisted chemical precipitation method
A microwave assisted chemical precipitation method has been employed for the synthesis of nano zinc oxide rods by reacting zinc nitrate and potassium hydroxide. The amount of potassium hydroxide was adjusted for three different pHs to achieve ZnO nano rods with varying aspect ratio. The mechanism of growth of nano rods is explained briefly. The average crystallite size of the as synthesized samples was analyzed by means of powder XRD pattern and estimated to vary from 25.6 nm to 43.1 nm. The existence of rods was confirmed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The samples were also analyzed using FT-IR. The optical properties of the samples were also studied by means of UV-visible spectra and Room Temperature Photo Luminescence studies. The band gap of the samples was determined from the DRS spectrum. A strong near band emission peaks due to surface defects are observed in the PL spectrum. - Graphical abstract: At the solution pH of 11 and 9, tetrapod-like and flower-like ZnO nano rods were formed along with separated rods respectively due to the formation of activated nuclei of different sizes. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Increase in alkalinity of the precursor solution results in longer rods. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Beyond a saturation limit, the excess of added OH{sup -} ions inhibited the growth of rods. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Keeping all parameters the same, the alkalinity can only modify the aspect ratio of the rods and not their morphology.
pH Neutralization of Aqueous Bio-Oil from Switchgrass Intermediate Pyrolysis Using Process Intensification Devices
Despite the potential carbon-neutrality of switchgrass bio-oil, its high acidity and diverse chemical composition limit its utilization. The objectives of this research are to investigate pH neutralization of bio-oil by adding various alkali solutions in a batch system and then perform neutralization using process intensification devices, including a static mixer and a centrifugal contactor. The results indicate that sodium hydroxide and potassium hydroxide are more appropriate bases for pH neutralization of bio-oil than calcium hydroxide due to the limited solubility of calcium hydroxide in aqueous bio-oil. Mass and total acid number (TAN) balances were performed for both batch and continuous-flow systems. Upon pH neutralization of bio-oil, the TAN values of the system increased after accounting the addition of alkali solution. A bio-oil heating experiment showed that the heat generated during pH neutralization did not cause a significant increase in the acidity of bio-oil. The formation of phenolic compounds during neutralization was initially suspected of increasing the system’s overall TAN value because some of these compounds (e.g., vanillic acid) act as polyprotic acids and have a stronger influence on the TAN value than monoprotic acids (e.g., acetic acid). The amount of phenolics in separated bio-oil phases, however, did not change significantly after pH neutralization. In conclusion, process intensification devices provided sufficient mixing and separation of the organic and aqueous phases, suggesting a scale-up route for the bio-oil pH neutralization process.
27 Al Pulsed Field Gradient, Diffusion–NMR Spectroscopy of Solvation Dynamics and Ion Pairing in Alkaline Aluminate Solutions
Here, pulsed field gradient nuclear magnetic resonance (PFG-NMR) measurements were successfully applied to the 27 Al (I = 5/2) nucleus in concentrated electrolytes to investigate the diffusion of aluminate ions [Al(OH) 4 – ] in simulant high-level nuclear waste (3 M NaOH) between 25 and 85 °C. The temperature-dependent diffusion coefficients obtained from 1 H, 23 Na, and 27 Al PFG-NMR were well fit by a Vogel–Fulcher–Tammann model and a power law equation. Comparison of 27 Al diffusion coefficients of 0.1 M Al(OH) 4 – in ~3 M MOH (where M = Na + , K + , (CH 3 ) 4 N + ) at room temperature varied in agreement with the expected changes in solution viscosity via Stokes–Einstein relationship, confirming that the dominant Al species at these conditions are Al(OH) 4 – monomers. This 27 Al PFG-NMR study extends an established methodology to a previously unexplored nucleus enabling this experimental technique to be leverage for exploring ion transport, speciation, and solution structure in concentrated electrolytes.
One-step green synthesis of cuprous oxide crystals with truncated octahedra shapes via a high pressure flux approach
Cuprous oxide (Cu{sub 2}O) was synthesized via reactions between cupric oxide (CuO) and copper metal (Cu) at a low temperature of 300 deg. C. This progress is green, environmentally friendly and energy efficient. Cu{sub 2}O crystals with truncated octahedra morphology were grown under high pressure using sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and potassium hydroxide (KOH) with a molar ratio of 1:1 as a flux. The growth mechanism of Cu{sub 2}O polyhedral microcrystals are proposed and discussed. - Graphical Abstract: The Cu{sub 2}O crystals with truncated octahedral shape were one-step synthesized in high yield via high pressure flux method for the first time, which is green and environmentally friendly. The mechanisms of synthesis and crystal growth were discussed in this paper. Highlights: > Cuprous oxide was one-step green synthesized by high pressure flux method. > The approach was based on the reverse dismutation reactions between cupric oxide and copper metal. > This progress is green, environmentally friendly and energy efficient. > The synthesized Cu2O crystals were of truncated octahedra morphology.
Optimization of the dissolution of molybdenum disks. FY-16 results
Argonne National Laboratory is providing technical development assistance to NorthStar Medical Technologies LLC in its pursuit of two pathways for production of molybdenum-99: the 98 Mo(n,γ) 99 Mo reaction and the photonuclear reaction, 100 Mo(γ,n) 99 Mo. Processing of irradiated targets, from either production mode, requires dissolution of the target material in H 2 O 2 followed by a concentration step, addition of ferric ion to precipitate impurities, and conversion of the final solution to 5M potassium hydroxide solution of potassium molybdate. Currently, NorthStar is using pressed and sintered Mo disks as targets. Several options are being considered for the design of Mo targets for the production of 99 Mo using the (γ,n) reaction. In the current design, the target holder contains a series of sintered Mo disks lined up perpendicular to two incident electron beams, one entering from each side of the target stack. In this configuration, the front-most disks absorb most of the heat from the electron beam and need to be thinner to allow for better cooling, while the middle of the target can be thicker. Distribution of the total mass of Mo allows for larger masses of Mo material and thus larger production batches of 99 Mo. A limitation of the sintering approach is the production of very thin disks. Recent advances in 3D printing allow for much thinner target components can be achieved than when the traditional press-and-sinter approach is used. We have demonstrated that several factors can play important roles in dissolution behavior: particle size of Mo metal used for production of targets, sintering conditions, degree of open porosity, and thickness of the sintered Mo targets. Here we report experimental results from studies of small-scale dissolution of sintered Mo disks fabricated from various recycled and commercial Mo materials, and dissolution of 3D-printed Mo disks that were fabricated by Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL). We also report on large-scale dissolution studies with 600 g batches of sintered Mo disks.
The design of absorption towers dissolving H2 and O2 in aqueous KOH
Design of absorption towers for dissolving oxygen and hydrogen in aqueous potassium hydroxide
Steam-Coal Gasification Using CaO and KOH for in Situ Carbon and Sulfur Capture
We present experimental results of coal gasification with and without the addition of calcium oxide and potassium hydroxide as dual-functioning catalyst-capture agents. Using two different coal types and temperatures between 700 and 900 °C, we studied the effect of these catalyst-capture agents on (1) the syngas composition, (2) CO 2 and H 2 S capture, and (3) the steam-coal gasification kinetic rate. The syngas composition from the gasifier was roughly 20% methane, 70% hydrogen, and 10% other species when a CaO/C molar ratio of 0.5 was added. We demonstrated significantly enhanced steam–coal gasification kinetic rates when adding small amounts of potassium hydroxide to coal when operating a CaO-CaCO 3 chemical looping gasification reactor. For example, the steam–coal gasification kinetic rate increased 250% when dry mixing calcium oxide at a Ca/C molar ratio of 0.5 with a sub-bituminous coal, and the kinetic rate increased 1000% when aqueously mixing calcium oxide at a Ca/C molar ratio of 0.5 along with potassium hydroxide at a K/C molar ratio of 0.06. In addition, we conducted multi-cycle studies in which CaCO 3 was calcined by heating to 900 °C to regenerate the CaO, which was then reused in repeated CaO-CaCO 3 cycles. The increased steam-coal gasification kinetics rates for both CaO and CaO + KOH persisted even when the material was reused in six cycles of gasification and calcination. The ability of CaO to capture carbon dioxide decreased roughly 2-4% per CaO-CaCO 3 cycle. We also discuss an important application of this combined gasifier-calciner to electricity generation and selling the purge stream as a precalcined feedstock to a cement kiln. In this scenario, the amount of purge stream required is fixed not by the degradation in the capture ability but rather by the requirements at the cement kiln on the amount of CaSO 4 and ash in the precalcined feedstock.