Synthesis and Adsorption Properties of 4-Vinylpyridine and Styrene Copolymer In Situ Immobilized on Silica Surface

Copolymer of 4-vinylpyridine with styrene was in situ immobilized on silica gel surface via the heterogeneous radical polymerization. Anchorage of the copolymer on the surface layer was confirmed by IR spectroscopy. The quantity of copolymer on the silica gel surface was evaluated as 25.73 wt.% by TG and DSC-MS analysis. “Islet” location of polymer layer on the silica surface was confirmed by the scanning electron microscopy. A high adsorption activity of silica gel with immobilized copolymer towards microquantitatives of Cu(II), Cd(II), Pb(II), Fe(III), and Ni(II) ions in steady state conditions as well as of Ni(II) ions in dynamic regime was found

Have a Good Trip! Expanding our Concepts of the Quality of Everyday Travelling with Flow Theory

The dominant tradition in transport planning and policy practice considers travel as a derived activity and travel time as an economic disutility. A growing body of literature is challenging this perspective, demonstrating that being ‘on the move’ is a rich experience interlaced with profound shared and individual meanings that can have positive implications on quality of life, well-being and personal development. Yet, mobility in general, and commuting in particular, is often reported as one of the least pleasant daily experiences and as a source of massive environmental impacts. This exploratory article hypothesizes that flow theory, based on Csikszentmihalyi´s seminal work on optimal states of consciousness, has the potential to offer important insights that can contribute to research and policy action on achieving both sustainable and satisfying forms of daily mobility. The article draws on an online exploratory questionnaire in order to reflect on flow theory in relation to the capacity of different mobility modes to either facilitate or constrain the occurrence and duration of optimal states of consciousness. Preliminary conclusions provide a basis for outlining a set of future research directions aimed at better understanding mobility experiences and their relationships with flow theory

Determination of generations X, Y, Z user preferences in the Russian mobile application market

In the work, the authors reveal the user preferences of the mobile application market. The study is based on the Strauss–Howe generational theory. The mobile application market appears to be dynamic and fast-growing in an environment of exponential growth in consumer demand and a highly competitive environment. In the article, the authors classify and identify categories and subcategories of mobile applications based on their functional and value purpose. This classification formed the basis for determining the dependence based on the analysis of contingency matrices between the preference of the application for its purpose and the age category of the user, which made it possible to identify the relationship between generations of users and their choice of certain types of applications. The text provides a justification for the choice of certain applications on a daily basis by generations X, Y, Z. The relevance of the study lies in the fact that the authors examine a market, the rapid growth of which is conditioned by the global socio-economic situation. The information obtained during the analysis of user preferences of the Russian mobile application market can be used by specialists in determining the target audience of a digital product and developing marketing strategies

Mechanism and Kinetics of Interaction of FLiNaK–CeF3 Melt with Water Vapors and Oxygen in the Air Atmosphere

The mechanism and kinetic parameters of the interaction of the FLiNaK–CeF3 melt with water vapors and oxygen in the air atmosphere were determined using Raman and IR spectroscopy, XRD analysis, and thermodynamic modeling of processes. The presence of the 4CeF3(solution) + 6H2O (gas) + O2(gas) = 4CeO2(solid) + 12HF(gas) reaction, which disturbs the fluoride melt homogeneity, was verified in situ by Raman spectroscopy adopted for high-temperature, chemically aggressive fluoride systems. Based on the obtained spectral data, the type of the kinetic equation, order, and rate constant of the chemical reaction were determined. The concentration of cerium dioxide was found to increase linearly in time and a zero reaction order with respect to CeO2 was detected. The change in the concentration of CeO2 over time at T = 510 °C is described by the equation C = 0.085t; the reaction rate constant is 0.085 mol. %∙min−1. The obtained kinetic parameters may be used to model emergencies related with the depressurization of the coolant circuit or the working area of the molten salt reactor. © 2023 by the authors