Lead Acetate-induced Changes in Haematological Indices and Bone Marrow of Adult Wistar Rats: Protective Role of α-Tocopherol (Vitamin E)

Lead exposure has been associated with several adverse health effects involving multiple body systems and organ failure. Hence, the objective of this paper was to the effects of α-Tocopherol (Vitamin E) on haematological indices and bone marrow of lead acetate (LA)-exposed adult Wistar rats. Twenty (20) adult Wistar rats (n=5) were randomly assigned as follows: Control group (A) received 1ml of distilled water; Group B received 100 mg/kg body weight (BW) of LA; Group C received 50 mg/kg BW of α-Tocopherol and 100 mg/kg BW of LA; Group D received 50 mg/kg BW α-Tocopherol only. All administrations, via an oral gavage, lasted for twenty-eight days. Following the sacrifice of experimental rats, blood samples were collected in Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid bottles for hematological analysis and the femur of rats were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin for histological evaluation. Results showed that the haematological indices in group B rats were significantly different (P0.05) in the parameters investigated when compared to control. Conclusively, results from this study showed that α-Tocopherol can mitigate the toxic effects of lead on the haematological system, and further studies are needed to corroborate these findings and investigate the mechanisms of action

Analysis of Sustainable Cassava Biofuel Production in Nigeria

Nigeria's biofuels policy advocates the adoption of cassava as feedstock for a 10%-biofuel substitution option in Nigerian transport fuel demand. This policy option is expected to address energy security and environmental consequences of using fossil fuels as the sole source of transport energy in the country. This paper appraised the technological and economic factors necessary for achieving Nigeria's cassava-based biofuel initiative at different substitution levels of 5, 10, and 15% by the Year 2020. A multi-stage energy forecasting and project analysis framework adapted from Coate's structure for technology assessment, as well as engineering economy methodology was used for the study. Technological analysis entailed determining petrol consumption projection, R&D capability, input feedstock requirements, environmental considerations and land requirement for feedstock crop production while engineering economy analysis evaluated the economic viability of the project. The results showed that petrol consumption in Nigeria and bioethanol substitution requirements were in the range of 18,285.7 – 19,142.84 thousand tons and 914.28 (5% low demand) – 2871.43 (15% high demand) thousand tons, respectively by 2020. Cassava feedstock and landmass requirements for bioethanol production were in the range of 4.64 – 14.53 million tons and 4.08 – 12.80 thousand sq. km, respectively while carbon dioxide savings were between 1.87 – 5.89 million tons by 2020. The recovery price for cassava bioethanol was estimated to be US$ 0.74/litre . Petrol being subsidised presently is harmful to the environment though it ‘oils’ the economy. Nigeria currently subsidizes petroleum products to the tune of 28% of 2011 budget. The government plans to remove this by 2012. Thus we conclude that weighing both economic and environmental benefits of bioethanol substitution in petrol consumption in Nigeria, the study showed that bioethanol production from cassava feedstock would be both technically and economically viable, provided subsidy, which depends on political will on the side of the government, is introduced for the first ten years of its implementation

Synthesis of 3D porous carbon based on cheap polymers and graphene foam for high-performance electrochemical capacitors

A scalable production of high surface area nanoporous carbon material (~ 2994 m2 g-1) with good distribution of micro-, meso- and macro-pores was hydrothermally synthesized using both cheap polymers and graphene foam as carbon sources. The as synthesised material shows a unique interconnected porous graphitic structure. The electrochemical double-layer capacitor fabricated from this nanoporous carbon material exhibited a superior supercapacitive performance of 188 F g-1 at current density 0.5 A g-1. This corresponded to areal capacitance of 6.3 μF cm-2 coupled with a high energy of 0.56 μWh cm-2 (16.71 Wh kg-1) and a power density of 13.39 μW cm-2 (401 W kg-1) due to extended potential window of 1.6 V in KOH aqueous electrolyte. Moreover, no capacitance loss after 10,000 cycles was observed, owing to the unique structure and large surface area of the active material. The outstanding performance of this material as supercapacitor electrode shows that it has great potential for high performance energy-related applications.South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChi) in Carbon Technology and Materials of the Department of Science and Technology (DST) and the National Research Foundation (NRF). University of Pretoria.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/electacta2016-09-30hb2016ChemistryInstitute of Applied MaterialsPhysic

Microwave synthesis : characterization and electrochemical properties of amorphous activated carbon-MnO2 nanocomposite electrodes

The green chemistry route (Microwave) has been used to produce nanocomposite materials based on activated carbon (AC) and manganese (Mn) oxide nanostructures. XRD analysis revealed that amorphous and crystalline oxide structures were synthesized. Morphological studies reveal rod-like α-MnO2 for the pristine sample, while cubic Mn3O4 and irregular shaped MnO2 structures were anchored on the AC substrate as revealed by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showing that the nanostructures were uniformly distributed on AC. The electrochemical tests of the composites as electrodes show that the amorphous ACMnO2 had a specific capacitance of 180 F g−1, nearly four times higher than that of crystalline AC-Mn3O4 composite electrode (55 F g−1). The Coulombic efficiency for the AC-MnO2 cell was 98 % after 5000 cycles indicating a small capacitance loss. The green route technique and good electrochemical properties indicate that the amorphous AC-MnO2 nanocomposite could be a good material for high-capacity, low-cost, and environmentally friendly electrodes for electrochemical capacitors.South African Research Chairs Initiative of the Department of Science and Technology and National Research Foundation of South Africa (Grant No 97994) and University of Pretoria.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/jalcom2017-10-31hb2016ChemistryPhysic

Ni–Zn hydroxide-based bi-phase multiscale porous nanohybrids : physico-chemical properties

Please read abstract in the article.The Algerian minister programhttps://link.springer.com/journal/132042020-05-25hj2020Physic

Electrochemical studies of microwave synthesised bimetallic sulfides nanostructures as faradaic electrodes

A microwave irradiation method has been used to prepare mixed nickel cobalt sulfide (NixCoyS4) nanosheets with different stoichiometric composition as electrodes for electrochemical capacitors. This study has been undertaken to determine the effect of synthesis time and concentration of nickel on the morphology and pseudocapacitance behavior of the NixCoyS4. It was observed that the time had an effect on the morphology of NixCoyS4, producing sheet-like (leaf-like) morphology which curls in flower-like shapes with increase in growth (synthesis) time. The effect of morphology on the electrochemical behavior was studied by cyclic voltammetry (CV), chronopotentiometry (CP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques in aqueous solutions. The sample with a concentration ratio of 2:1 of nickel and cobalt (NixCoyS4-3) shows higher faradaic performance when compared to other samples grown under similar conditions but with different ratios. The maximum specific capacitance values obtained for was 1110 F g 1 at a scan rate of 5 mV s 1 for this sample. The Coulombic efficiency of the sample was 80% after 2000 galvanostatic charge-discharge cycles at a current density of 5 A g 1.South African Research Chairs Initiative of the South African Department of Science and Technology (SARCHi-DST), the National Research Foundation (NRF) and University of Pretoria.http://www.elsevier.com/locate/electacta2016-08-31hb201

Investigation of different aqueous electrolytes on the electrochemical performance of activated carbon-based supercapacitors

In this study, porous activated carbons (AC) were synthesized by an environmentally friendly technique involving chemical activation and carbonization, with an in-depth experimental study carried out to understand the electrochemical behaviour in different aqueous electrolytes (KOH, LiCl, and Na2SO4). The electrochemical performance of the AC electrode was evaluated by different techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, galvanostatic charge/discharge and impedance spectroscopy. The results obtained demonstrate that the AC materials in different electrolytes exhibit unique double layer properties. In particular, the AC electrode tested in 6 M KOH showed the best electrochemical performance in terms of specific capacitance and efficiency. A specific capacitance of 129 F g 1 was obtained at 0.5 A g 1 with a corresponding solution resistance of 0.66 U in an operating voltage window of 0.8 V, with an efficiency of 100% at different current densities.The South African Research Chairs Initiative of the Department of Science and Technology and National Research Foundation of South Africa (Grant No. 97994). F. Barzegar and D. Y. Momodu acknowledge financial support from the University of Pretoria and the NRF while A. Bello acknowledge the University of Pretoria's financial support for their postdoctoral fellowships.http://www.rsc.org/advancesam2017ChemistryPhysic

Electrochemical measurements of 1D/2D/3DNi-Co bi-phase mesoporous nanohybrids synthesized using free-template hydrothermal method

Please read abstract in the article.The National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Directorate General for Scientific Research and Technological Development (DGRSDT).http://www.elsevier.com/locate/electacta2019-06-10hj2018Physic