Carbon-supported trimetallic catalysts (PdAuNi/C) for borohydride oxidation reaction

The synthesis of palladium-based trimetallic catalysts via a facile and scalable synthesis procedure was shown to yield highly promising materials for borohydride-based fuel cells, which are attractive for use in compact environments. This, thereby, provides a route to more environmentally friendly energy storage and generation systems. Carbon-supported trimetallic catalysts were herein prepared by three different routes: using a NaBH4-ethylene glycol complex (PdAuNi/CSBEG), a NaBH4-2-propanol complex (PdAuNi/CSBIPA), and a three-step route (PdAuNi/C3-step). Notably, PdAuNi/CSBIPA yielded highly dispersed trimetallic alloy particles, as determined by XRD, EDX, ICP-OES, XPS, and TEM. The activity of the catalysts for borohydride oxidation reaction was assessed by cyclic voltammetry and RDE-based procedures, with results referenced to a Pd/C catalyst. A number of exchanged electrons close to eight was obtained for PdAuNi/C3-step and PdAuNi/CSBIPA (7.4 and 7.1, respectively), while the others, PdAuNi/CSBEG and Pd/CSBIPA, presented lower values, 2.8 and 1.2, respectively. A direct borohydride-peroxide fuel cell employing PdAuNi/CSBIPA catalyst in the anode attained a power density of 47.5 mW cm−2 at room temperature, while the elevation of temperature to 75 °C led to an approximately four-fold increase in power density to 175 mW cm−2. Trimetallic catalysts prepared via this synthesis route have significant potential for future development

Trimetallic carbon-supported catalysts for borohydride oxidation and oxygen reduction in alkaline solutions

ECEE 2019 meeting abstract

Boñar stone (León, Spain) as a construction resource: historical heritage and prospects

Congreso realizado en Batalha (Portugal), de 18 al 23 de junio de 2023.[EN] Boñar stone is an Upper Cretaceous (Coniacian-Campanian) dolomitized limestone that crops out near the village of Boñar, in the province of León, northern Spain. Geologically, it has been traditionally called the Boñar Formation, an eminently carbonate succession with sandy and clayey intercalations, which in some sectors is over 300 m thick. In the region, there are numerous small indications in which Boñar stone was historically exploited, although currently only the Sierra Redonda quarry remains active. Its use in the architectural historical heritage is extensive in the province and in the city of León, with outstanding examples such as the Cathedral of Santa María de la Regla, the Hospital of San Marcos and the Royal Collegiate Church of San Isidoro of León, among many others. It is currently used as a construction material, with different finishing, being used in different parts of the Spanish geography and exported abroad.Peer reviewe

Efeito de extratos aquosos de Azadirachta indica, Melia azedarach e Aspidosperma pyrifolium no desenvolvimento e oviposição de Plutella xylostella Effect of aqueous extracts of Azadirachta indica (A. Juss), Melia azedarach (L.) and Aspidosperma pyrifolium (Mart.) on the development and oviposition of Plutella xylostella (L.) (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae)

Foram avaliados a CL50 e o efeito de extratos aquosos de plantas na biologia, oviposição e período embrionário de Plutella xylostella L. (Lepidoptera: Plutellidae). Para determinação da CL50 foram utilizadas concentrações entre 0,03 e 0,8 % para amêndoas de Azadirachta indica (A. Juss.) 0,5 e 7,0 % para casca de Aspidosperma pyrifolium (Mart.) e 0,5 e 12,5 % para frutos de Melia azedarach (L.), obtendo-se as CL50 de 0,06; 2,17 e 2,90%, respectivamente. Verificou-se que os extratos aquosos de todas as espécies vegetais afetaram o desenvolvimento do inseto, principalmente na fase larval. Na fase de pupa, os extratos reduziram a massa e a viabilidade. Houve deformação de adultos para os extratos de A. pyrifolium e M. azedarach e o de A. indica causou maior porcentagem. Todos os extratos possuem efeito tóxico para ovos de P. xylostella, sendo dependente do aumento da concentração. Nos extratos da casca de A. pyrifolium, do fruto de M. azedarach e da amêndoa de A. indica observa-se ação ovicida quando usados na concentração letal de lagartas de primeiro ínstar da praga. Em observações do ovo de P. xylostella com auxílio de um microscópio eletrônico de varredura, verificou-se a existência de microporos onde pode ocorrer a penetração do produto ovicida, além da constatação da textura rugosa da casca do ovo que pode reter ou fixar os extratos.<br>The effects of aqueous extracts of plants on the biology, preference for oviposition and embryonic period of Plutella xylostella were evaluated. Concentrations between 0.03 and 0.8 % for kernel of Azadirachta indica, 0.5 and 7.0% for peel of Aspidosperma pyrifolium and 0.5 and 12.5% for fruits of Melia azedarach were used, with LC50 values of 0.06; 2.17 and 2.90%, respectively, being obtained. It was verified that the aqueous extracts of all of the appraised vegetable species affected the development of the insect, mainly in the larval phase. In the pupae phase, the extracts reduced the weight and the viability. There was adults' deformation for the extracts of A. pyrifolium and M. azedarach, being it of A. indica what caused larger percentage. Toxics effects on the eggs of P. xylostella were observed for all extracts. The extracts from A. pyrifolium (peel); M. azedarach (fruit) and A. indica (kernel) presented ovicide action in the lethal concentration of caterpillars at first instar of the pest. Observations of P. xylostella eggs with the aid of an electronic microscope showed presence of microspore, revealing ovicide action, besides wrinkled texture of the eggs peel retaining the extracts