Solid-liquid extraction was investigated to obtain selected major plant nutrients (P, K, Ca, Mg) from biofuel ash using weak organic acids like salicylic acid, citric acid, and oxalic acid as sacrificial leaching agents. In this study, three organic acids were compared to determine the most effective leaching agent for maximizing the P, K, Ca, and Mg extraction from biofuel ash. The findings indicated that 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study investigates the low-temperature hydrogen plasma treatment approach for the improvement of hydrogen generation through waste aluminum (Al) reactions with water and electricity generation via proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEM FC). Waste Al scraps were subjected to ball milling and treated using two different low-temperature plasma regimes: Diode and magnetron-initiated plasma treatment. Hydrolysis experiments were conducted using powders with different treatments, varying molarities, and reaction temperatures to assess hydrogen generation, reaction kinetics, and activation energy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSemiconductor materials used as photocatalysts are considered among the most effective ways to treat biologically polluted water. Certainly, efficiency depends on the selection of photocatalyst and its substrate, as well as the possibility of its application in a broader spectrum of light. In this study, a reactive magnetron sputtering technique was applied for the immobilisation of ZnO photocatalyst on the surface of HDPE beads, which were selected as the buoyant substrates for enhanced photocatalytic performance and easier recovery from the treated water.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPhotocatalysis application is considered as one of the most highly promising techniques for the reduction in wastewater pollution. However, the majority of highly efficient photocatalyst materials are obtained as fine powders, and this causes a lot of photocatalyst handling and reusability issues. The concept of the floating catalyst proposes the immobilization of a photocatalytic (nano)material on relatively large floating substrates and is considered as an encouraging way to overcome some of the most challenging photocatalysis issues.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHigh purity hydrogen and solid-state byproducts are produced using a proposed plasma-activated aluminum and water reactions approach. These byproducts could be transformed into pure gamma AlO powder material, while hydrogen can be used for electricity generation. Various chemical methods can be used for the synthesis of gamma alumina, but most could result in high levels of remaining impurities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe anatase phase TiO films with nanocrystalline structure were successfully deposited on a water-floating non-expanded polystyrene (PS) beads via magnetron sputtering. The combination of UVB light and PS beads with TiO film was used for decomposition of methylene blue as well as inactivation tests for intact and EDTA-treated Escherichia coli bacteria. Crystal structure, elemental composition, elemental mapping, surface morphology and chemical bonds of TiO film were investigated.
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