In this study, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was phosphorylated using phosphoric acid in the presence of urea and used as an adsorbent for methylene blue (MB) dye removal from an aqueous solution. The obtained products were characterized by different techniques. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted under varying conditions of incubation time, initial MB concentration, pH, and phosphorylation degree.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRegenerated cellulose fibers coated with copper via electroless plating process are investigated for their mechanical properties, molecular structure changes, and suitability for use in sensing applications. Mechanical properties are evaluated in terms of tensile stiffness and strength of fiber tows before, during and after the plating process. The effect of the treatment on the molecular structure of fibers is investigated by measuring their thermal stability with differential scanning calorimetry and obtaining Raman spectra of fibers at different stages of the treatment.
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December 2019
An accelerated stress test (AST) method was developed to estimate the lifetime of ion-exchange membranes in a vanadium redox flow battery. The oxidative VO ions present in the charged positive electrolyte are the predominant stressor causing loss of functional groups and membrane conductivity. Membrane aging was accelerated in ex situ tests by exploiting elevated temperatures and the increased oxidative strength of Ce.
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