Integrated oxidative-adsorptive desulfurization of model and real fuel oils over a Zn-impregnated hydroxyapatite-activated carbon (Zn/HA-AC) composite

Herein, a Zn-impregnated hydroxyapatite-activated carbon (Zn/HA-AC) composite catalyst was fabricated and was, in turn, applied for the desulfurization of a model and real oil samples via the integrated adsorptive-oxidative desulfurization strategy. Activity results revealed that Zn/HA and AC (25:75) realized 76.7% dibenzothiophene (DBT) adsorptive desulfurization at 50 °C in 60 min reaction time at an adsorbent dose of 0.14 g/20 mL of feed. Zn/HA-AC(25:75) composite catalyst was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, and scanning electron microscopy analysis. In the oxidative desulfurization (ODS) combined with adsorptive desulfurization experiments, under the optimum conditions of 45 oC temperature for 60 min and a catalyst dose of 0.1 g/20 mL of feed using H2O2 and HCOOH, Zn/HA-AC (25:75) achieved 93% DBT conversion. Under these optimized experimental parameters, the adsorptive desulfurization and catalytic ODS performance (% DBT conversion) of Zn/HA-AC (25:75) for real gasoline, kerosene, and diesel oil reached 18, 31 and 15%, and 31.66, 55.31 and 11.19%, respectively. Contrary to this, under the integrated catalytic-oxidative-adsorptive experiments, the desulfurization performance of Zn/HA-AC (25:75) for gasoline, kerosene, and diesel oil reached 61, 41, and 34%, respectively.</p

Advances in the Applications of Mixed Matrix Membranes for Desulfurization of Transportation Fuels

Desulfurization as a pre-treatment technique, of the transportation fuel is peremptory both for upgrading fuel quality for commercial exploitation and reducing the outflow of poisonous sulfur compounds for environmental remediation. This article encompasses the applications of mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) for the desulfurization of transportation fuels. This composite membrane system synergizes viable processability of the polymers and enhanced selectivity of different incorporated fillers. Hence it offers increased thermal stability, mechanical strength, excellent separation, and purification performance over traditional polymeric and inorganic membranes. These composite materials are widely studied for their potential applications in sensing, catalysis, water purification, gas separation, and adsorption. Herein, different types of MMMs with respect to fillers, chemical compositions and fabrication methods are focused and then systematically compiled and discussed the recent trend for the desulfurization of transportation fuels with profound scientific rationale. Finally, future prospects and room for further advancements in the wider spectrum of MMMs are discussed for better applications and adoptability in the processing of fuel oils. This review will assist the researchers working on the large-scale processing of transportation fuels with a single-point source of knowledge and will save ample amount of time as well as contribute into key future research directions.</p

Swellable Array Strategy Based on Designed Flexible Double Hypercross-linked Polymers for Synergistic Adsorption of Toluene and Formaldehyde

High-capacity adsorption and removal of complex volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from real-world environments is a tough challenge for researchers. Herein, a swellable array adsorption strategy was proposed to realize the synergistic adsorption of toluene and formaldehyde on the flexible double hypercross-linked polymers (FD-HCPs). FD-HCPs exhibited multiple adsorption sites awarded by a hydrophobic benzene ring/pyrrole ring and a hydrophilic hydroxyl structural unit. The array benzene ring, hydroxyl, and pyrrole N sites in FD-HCPs effectively captured toluene and formaldehyde molecules through π–π conjugation and electrostatic interaction and weakened their mutual competitive adsorption. Interestingly, the strong binding force of toluene molecules to the skeleton deformed the pore structure of FD-HCPs and generated new adsorption microenvironments for the other adsorbate. This behavior significantly improved the adsorption capacity of FD-HCPs for toluene and formaldehyde by 20% under multiple VOCs. Moreover, the pyrrole group in FD-HCPs greatly hindered H2O molecule diffusion in the pore, thus efficiently weakening the competitive adsorption of H2O toward VOCs. These fascinating properties enabled FD-HCPs to achieve synergistic adsorption for multicomponent VOC vapor under a highly humid environment and overcame single-species VOC adsorption properties on state-of-the-art porous adsorbents. This work provides the practical feasibility of synergistic adsorption to remove complex VOCs in real-world environments

Swellable Array Strategy Based on Designed Flexible Double Hypercross-linked Polymers for Synergistic Adsorption of Toluene and Formaldehyde

High-capacity adsorption and removal of complex volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from real-world environments is a tough challenge for researchers. Herein, a swellable array adsorption strategy was proposed to realize the synergistic adsorption of toluene and formaldehyde on the flexible double hypercross-linked polymers (FD-HCPs). FD-HCPs exhibited multiple adsorption sites awarded by a hydrophobic benzene ring/pyrrole ring and a hydrophilic hydroxyl structural unit. The array benzene ring, hydroxyl, and pyrrole N sites in FD-HCPs effectively captured toluene and formaldehyde molecules through π–π conjugation and electrostatic interaction and weakened their mutual competitive adsorption. Interestingly, the strong binding force of toluene molecules to the skeleton deformed the pore structure of FD-HCPs and generated new adsorption microenvironments for the other adsorbate. This behavior significantly improved the adsorption capacity of FD-HCPs for toluene and formaldehyde by 20% under multiple VOCs. Moreover, the pyrrole group in FD-HCPs greatly hindered H2O molecule diffusion in the pore, thus efficiently weakening the competitive adsorption of H2O toward VOCs. These fascinating properties enabled FD-HCPs to achieve synergistic adsorption for multicomponent VOC vapor under a highly humid environment and overcame single-species VOC adsorption properties on state-of-the-art porous adsorbents. This work provides the practical feasibility of synergistic adsorption to remove complex VOCs in real-world environments

Deep desulfurization of real fuel oils over tin-impregnated graphene oxide-hydrogen peroxide and formic acid catalyst-oxidant system

Herein, Tin-impregnated graphene oxide (Sn/GO) composite was designed and tested for the catalytic removal of sulfides from the simulated and real commercial oils in the hydrogen peroxide and formic acid (HCOOH/H2O2) oxidation system. The prepared GO and Sn/GO were characterized in terms of surface morphology and other catalytic properties, which confirmed that the Sn/GO catalyst has a large surface area and more surface functional groups than GO. The desulfurization activity of the Sn/GO-HCOOH/H2O2 system was analyzed for the model dibenzothiophene (DBT) and real commercial oil at different substrate concentrations, time, temperature, pH, and oxidant and catalyst doses. The results showed that the Sn/GO-HCOOH/H2O2 system removed 97% DBT from the model oil and accumulative sulfur of 90%, 69%, and 61%, respectively, from gasoline, diesel, and kerosene oil employing 0.03 g/10 mL catalyst, 2 mL of H2O2/HCOOH in 50 min at 50°C, and pH 3. Sn/GO could be recycled up to five consecutive runs retaining more than 57% efficiency. Due to its environmental greenness, ease of preparation, and cost-effectiveness, this unique catalyst-oxidant system can be envisioned for the oxidation of sulfides from real oils. Research HighlightsPristine and Sn-loaded GO composite were synthesized and characterized.The Sn/GO-HCOOH/H2O2 system oxidized 97 and 90 % DBT from the model and real oil.O2− radicals generated due to synergism between Sn/GO and HCOOH/H2O2 species.The Sn/GO-HCOOH/H2O2 system remained active for five successive reuses. Pristine and Sn-loaded GO composite were synthesized and characterized. The Sn/GO-HCOOH/H2O2 system oxidized 97 and 90 % DBT from the model and real oil. O2− radicals generated due to synergism between Sn/GO and HCOOH/H2O2 species. The Sn/GO-HCOOH/H2O2 system remained active for five successive reuses.</p

Table_1_Intra- and inter-specific responses of plant functional traits to environmental variables: implications for community ecology in the tropical monsoonal dwarf forest on Hainan Island.docx

In the context of tropical monsoonal dwarf forest restoration, it is well known that the interaction between soil properties and plant functional traits influences the dynamics and forest composition of plant communities. The main aim of this study was to determine the relationships and variations between the plant functional traits and environmental variables in tropical coastal secondary forests. However, it is undisputed whether trait variation is coordinated and whether there is a relationship between the community-weighted mean (CWM) traits and soil variables. TNNR conducted a ground survey to collect actual ground data on the biophysical characteristics of individual trees and shrubs, along with soil sample data. All soil samples and plant materials were collected at the end of June, in the 2020 growing season (July and August), in each quadrat with a 400-m2 area. To gain insight into these questions, a total of 4 plant functional traits of 167 species and 5 soil nutrients from 128 soil samples were analyzed from 128 plots in a tropical evergreen monsoon forest on Hainan Island. Using SMA (standardized major axis), wood density (WD), and leaf thickness (LT), as well as specific leaf area (SLA) and relative leaf water content (RLWC), were significantly positively correlated. Using Pearson correlation analysis, leaf thickness (LT) was significantly positively correlated with soil organic matter (OM). Using principal component analysis (PCA), we also found that soil TN and OM were the strongest predictors for functional traits, i.e., WD and LT. Moreover, using path analysis, OM and TN have a major impact on plant CWM traits, e.g., SLA and RLWC. Our results show a significant relationship between functional traits and soil pH and soil nutrients in tropical coastal secondary forests. Our results highlight that plant traits can be used to predict specific soil nutrients and ecosystem functioning in tropical secondary forests, but we are concerned about how variation in the physical structure of plant affect ecosystem function in forest communities. This research can help us to better understand the restoration of habitats and green infrastructure design, suggesting that selecting different species across multiple trait axes can help ensure functionality at the maximum level.</p

Development of new thiazolidine-2,4-dione hybrids as aldose reductase inhibitors endowed with antihyperglycaemic activity: design, synthesis, biological investigations, and <i>in silico</i> insights

This research study describes the development of new small molecules based on 2,4-thiazolidinedione (2,4-TZD) and their aldose reductase (AR) inhibitory activities. The synthesis of 17 new derivatives of 2,4-TZDs hybrids was feasible by incorporating two known bioactive scaffolds, benzothiazole heterocycle, and nitro phenacyl moiety. The most active hybrid (8b) was found to inhibit AR in a non-competitive manner (0.16 µM), as confirmed by kinetic studies and molecular docking simulations. Furthermore, the in vivo experiments demonstrated that compound 8b had a significant hypoglycaemic effect in mice with hyperglycaemia induced by streptozotocin. Fifty milligrams per kilogram dose of 8b produced a marked decrease in blood glucose concentration, and a lower dose of 5 mg/kg demonstrated a noticeable antihyperglycaemic effect. These outcomes suggested that compound 8b may be used as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of diabetic complications.</p

Additional file 1 of The emergence of highly resistant and hypervirulent Klebsiella pneumoniae CC14 clone in a tertiary hospital over 8 years

Supplementary Material 1