Adjustment of the ZSM-5 zeolite support towards the efficient hydrogen production by ethanol steam reforming on cobalt catalysts

The world is on track for replacing fossil fuels with alternative energy carriers. In the face of the ongoing global energy transformation, the focus is on hydrogen. Its production in the ethanol steam reforming (ESR) process with the use of a substrate from bio-sources deserves special attention. The ESR process requires a catalyst, which should be selective and resistant to the deactivation processes. We have taken a challenge to develop the cobalt catalyst based on the ZSM-5 zeolite support. We synthesized a series of catalysts based on zeolite with increasing Si/Al ratios (32, 750, ∞ that is Al-free zeolite) and different zeolite morphology. The substantial difference in their performance we discussed based on the multifaceted physicochemical characterization and unique operando UV–Vis and FT-IR spectroscopy studies in the ESR conditions. We have checked the effect of potassium introduction to the Co|ZSM-5 catalyst. The increase in ethanol conversion and decrease in selectivity to undesired C2H4 product with the decrease of the Al content, and further competitive activity and stability of the Al-free catalyst we discussed in terms of the zeolite acidity and its impact on the cobalt phase oxidation state. The advantage of nanometric zeolite over the micrometric one, we attributed to much better dispersion of cobalt active phase over its surface. Thus, the adjustment of zeolite support properties allows us to get the extraordinary ESR catalyst. Our results overthrow the existing paradigm of low activity and stability of zeolite-based ESR catalysts, opening the way to the development of competitive catalysts that give real hope for implementation.The work was financed by Grant No. 2021/43/D/ST4/03016 from the National Science Centre, Poland. K.T. and K.G.M. acknowledge the financial support from National Science Centre of Poland (grant 2020/37/B/ST4/01215). The open-access publication of this article has been supported by a grant from the Faculty of Chemistry under the Strategic Programme Excellence Initiative at Jagiellonian University

TREATMENT PATTERNS OF SCHIZOPHRENIA BASED ON THE DATA FROM SEVEN CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPEAN COUNTRIES

Objective: The aim is to analyze how schizophrenia is pharmacologically treated in seven CEE countries: Croatia, Estonia, Hungary, Poland, Serbia, Slovakia and Slovenia. Methods: Psychiatrists from selected centers in each of participating countries were asked to complete a pre-defined questionnaire on their current clinical practice. Information on protocols and resource utilization in schizophrenia treatment was included and derived from randomly selected patient medical records. Expert opinions on country-wide treatment patterns were additionally sought. This sub-analysis focuses on pharmacological treatment patterns in the last six months and over the course of the disease. Results: 961 patients’ data show that during last six months the most commonly prescribed medications were oral atypical antipsychotics: olanzapine (n=268), clozapine (n=234) and risperidone (n=160). The most frequently prescribed atypical antipsychotics over course of disease were: risperidone (54.5%), olanzapine (52.4%) and clozapine (35.1%), along with haloperidol (39.3%). Experts reported risperidone (four countries) and olanzapine (three countries) as first-line treatment, with the same two medications prescribed as second-line treatment. Clozapine was the most reported medication for refractory patients. Approximately 22% of patients received polypharmacy with antipsychotics in at least one period over the disease course. Mean time since diagnosis was 13.1 years and on average 4.8 treatment courses received during that period. Anxiolytics (70%), antidepressants (42%), moodstabilizers (27%) were also prescribed, with diazepam (35.4%), sertraline (10.5%), valproic acid (17.5%) the most commonly reported, respectively, in each group. The most frequently reported treatment change was switch from one oral atypical antipsychotic to another (51%). Conclusion: Oral atypical antipsychotics, mostly older drugs (risperidone, olanzapine, clozapine), were most commonly prescribed for schizophrenia treatment in participating countries. Given that results are from the first large-scale analysis of RWD, we believe these findings can be a benchmark for future real-world studies, which could contribute to the optimization of treatment for this debilitating disease

SCHIZOPHRENIA CAUSES SIGNIFICANT BURDEN TO PATIENTS’ AND CAREGIVERS’ LIVES

Background: Schizophrenia is a serious public health problem and is ranked among the most disabling diseases in the world. The sub-study presented here was part of a larger project to characterize the burden of schizophrenia on healthcare systems and on individuals living with the disease in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). Aims: This sub-study aimed to assess and analyze the impact of schizophrenia on many aspects of the lives of patients and caregivers. Methods: Psychiatrists from selected centers in seven Central and Eastern European countries were asked to complete a questionnaire in order to collect information about the disease history, characteristics, treatment protocols and resources used for each randomly selected patient. All data were statistically analyzed and compared between countries. Results: Data from 961 patients with schizophrenia (mean age 40.7 years, 45.1% female) were included in the analysis. The mean number of days spent in hospital per patient per year across all seven countries was 25.3 days. Hospitalization occurred on average once per year, with psychiatrist visits 9.4 times per year. Of the patients in the study, 61% were single, 12% divorced and 22% married or cohabiting. Almost 84% were living with relatives or a partner; only 17% lived alone and, on average, 25% of patients received support from social workers. Relatives provided care for approximately 60% of patients and 4% of them had to stop working in order to do so. Twenty-nine percent of the patients were unemployed, and 56% received a disability pension or were retired, with only 19% in full-time employment or education. Conclusion: Schizophrenia has a significant effect on the lives of patients and caregivers and impacts their social integration

Termokatalityczna degradacja polimerów

Komitet Redakcyjny : Zarzycki Roman Skrzypski Jerzy Ledakowicz Stanisław Tarkowski StanisławWydano z pomocą finansową Komitetu Badań Naukowych oraz Wojewódzkiego Funduszu Ochrony Środowiska i Gospodarki Wodne

Thermal and thermo-catalytic conversion of waste polyolefins to fuel-like mixture of hydrocarbons

Thermal and thermo-catalytic conversion of waste polyolefins to fuel-like mixture of hydrocarbons Results of the investigation of thermal degradation of polyolefins in the laboratory-scale set-up reactors are presented in the paper. Melting and cracking processes were carried out in two different types of reactors at the temperature of 390-420°C. This article presents the results obtained for conversion of polyolefin waste in a reactor with a stirrer. Next, they were compared with the results obtained for the process carried out in a reactor with a molten metal bed, which was described in a previous publication. For both processes, the final product consisted of a gaseous (2-16 % mass) and a liquid (84-98 % mass) part. No solid product was produced. The light, "gasoline" fraction of the liquid hydrocarbons mixture (C4-C10) made up over 50% of the liquid product. The overall (vapor) product may be used for electricity generation and the liquid product for fuel production.</jats:p