Eco-friendly production of high quality low cost graphene and its application in lithium ion batteries

A green method is discussed in which hydrogen exfoliates industrial grade graphite materials into high quality graphene with impressive properties for advanced lithium-ion batteries.This is the final version of the article. It first appeared from the Royal Society of Chemistry via http://dx.doi.org/10.1039/C5GC02455

Electrochemical interaction between graphite and molten salts to produce nanotubes, nanoparticles, graphene and nanodiamonds

The electrochemical interaction between graphite and molten salts to produce carbon nanostructures is reviewed. It is demonstrated that, depending on the conditions, it is possible to electrochemically convert graphite in molten salts to either carbon nanoparticles and nanotubes, metal filled carbon nanoparticles and nanotubes, graphene or nanodiamonds. The application of metal filled carbon nanotubes as anodes in lithium ion batteries is reviewed. Surprisingly, this method of preparation is relatively simple and very similar to the mass production of aluminium in molten sodium aluminium fluoride-alumina mixtures, which is performed economically on a tonnage scale, indicating that it may be possible to apply it for the production of novel carbon nanostructures.This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10853-015-9340-

Effect of graphite on copper bioleaching fromwaste printed circuit boards

The efficient extraction of copper as a valuable metal from waste printed circuit boards (WPCBs) is currently attracting growing interest. Here, we systematically investigated the impact of bacteria on the efficiency of copper leaching from WPCBs, and evaluated the effect of graphite on bioleaching performance. The HQ0211 bacteria culture containing Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans, Ferroplasma acidiphilum, and Leptospirillum ferriphilum enhanced Cu-leaching performance in either ferric sulfate and sulfuric acid leaching, so a final leaching of up to 76.2% was recorded after 5 days. With the addition of graphite, the percentage of copper leaching could be increased to 80.5%. Single-factor experiments confirmed the compatibility of graphite with the HQ0211 culture, and identified the optimal pulp density of WPCBs, the initial pH, and the graphite content to be 2% (w/v), 1.6, and 2.5 g/L, respectively.</jats:p

A detailed systematic anatomical study of monocephalic conjoined symmetric twin lambs

A case of conjoined twins with monocephalus, thoracopagus, partial abdominopagus, tetrabrachius and tetrascelus in lambs complicated with several defects of skeletal, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and urogenital systems is reported. The twins were dead and delivered by cesarean section. This case report highlights the detailed anatomical study of defects in different systems due to an abnormal birth defect.Keywords: Monocephalus, Sheep, Tetrabrachius, Tetrascelus, Thoracopagu

Size-controllable synthesis of lithium niobate nanocrystals using modified Pechini polymeric precursor method

Nanopowders of lithium niobate (LiNbO3, LN) were synthesized by a water-based modified Pechini method, in which Li2CO3 and ammonium niobate (v) oxalate hydrate (C4H4NNbO9·xH2O) are used as the Li and Nb source materials, respectively. The kinetics of formation of the intermediate gelatinous precursor was studied by thermal gravimetry and differential scanning calorimetry. The LN nanoparticles produced by calcining of the gel at various temperatures were characterized by X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy. The effect of the calcination temperature on the morphology and structure of LN nanoparticles produced is investigated. The particle and crystallite sizes of the LN prepared could be controlled in the range of 20–250 nm by changing the calcination temperature of the gelatinous precursor

Nanocasting Synthesis of Ultrafine WO3 Nanoparticles for Gas Sensing Applications

Ultrafine WO3 nanoparticles were synthesized by nanocasting route, using mesoporous SiO2 as a template. BET measurements showed a specific surface area of 700 m 2/gr for synthesized SiO2, while after impregnation and template removal, this area was reduced to 43 m 2/gr for WO3 nanoparticles. HRTEM results showed single crystalline nanoparticles with average particle size of about 5 nm possessing a monoclinic structure, which is the favorite crystal structure for gas sensing applications. Gas sensor was fabricated by deposition of WO3 nanoparticles between electrodes via low frequency AC electrophoretic deposition. Gas sensing measurements showed that this material has a high sensitivity to very low concentrations of NO2 at 250°C and 300°C

A multi-factorial analysis of response to warfarin in a UK prospective cohort

Background Warfarin is the most widely used oral anticoagulant worldwide, but it has a narrow therapeutic index which necessitates constant monitoring of anticoagulation response. Previous genome-wide studies have focused on identifying factors explaining variance in stable dose, but have not explored the initial patient response to warfarin, and a wider range of clinical and biochemical factors affecting both initial and stable dosing with warfarin. Methods A prospective cohort of 711 patients starting warfarin was followed up for 6 months with analyses focusing on both non-genetic and genetic factors. The outcome measures used were mean weekly warfarin dose (MWD), stable mean weekly dose (SMWD) and international normalised ratio (INR) > 4 during the first week. Samples were genotyped on the Illumina Human610-Quad chip. Statistical analyses were performed using Plink and R. Results VKORC1 and CYP2C9 were the major genetic determinants of warfarin MWD and SMWD, with CYP4F2 having a smaller effect. Age, height, weight, cigarette smoking and interacting medications accounted for less than 20 % of the variance. Our multifactorial analysis explained 57.89 % and 56.97 % of the variation for MWD and SMWD, respectively. Genotypes for VKORC1 and CYP2C9*3, age, height and weight, as well as other clinical factors such as alcohol consumption, loading dose and concomitant drugs were important for the initial INR response to warfarin. In a small subset of patients for whom data were available, levels of the coagulation factors VII and IX (highly correlated) also played a role. Conclusion Our multifactorial analysis in a prospectively recruited cohort has shown that multiple factors, genetic and clinical, are important in determining the response to warfarin. VKORC1 and CYP2C9 genetic polymorphisms are the most important determinants of warfarin dosing, and it is highly unlikely that other common variants of clinical importance influencing warfarin dosage will be found. Both VKORC1 and CYP2C9*3 are important determinants of the initial INR response to warfarin. Other novel variants, which did not reach genome-wide significance, were identified for the different outcome measures, but need replication