Investigating the phenol removal from aqueous media by photocatalytic magnetized graphene oxide nanocomposite

As a large and diverse group of secondary metabolites, phenolic compounds are one of the most common chemical pollutants present in water resources. these compounds can have toxic effects on ecosystems and humans. Therefore, their removal from water sources appears to be of great importance. In this study, a magnetic graphene oxide (MGO) photocatalyst was synthesized and used to remove phenol from water. The fabricated GO magnetic nanocomposites were determined by SEM and FTIR techniques. Afterward, these nanoparticles were used to remove phenol from aquatic media considering different operational parameters, including pH of the solution, initial concentration of phenol, contact time, and adsorbent dosage. The results showed that the magnetized GO nanoparticles could remove 90.83% of phenol molecules under the optimal conditions of solution pH = 3.0, initial phenol concentration of 20 mg/L, adsorbent concentration of 300 mg/L, and contact time of 120 min. additionally have compared the results of UV, Fe₃O₄/GO, and Fe₃O₄/GO/UV on the removal of phenol under optimum conditions. Accordingly, the phenol removal efficiencies for UV alone, Fe₃O₄/GO, and Fe₃O₄/GO/UV were obtained at 4.5, 65.73, and 90.83%, respectively. Based on the findings, the prepared magnetic GO nanoparticles have extended capabilities such as easy and rapid separation from sample and high potential in removing phenolic compounds, so, it can be introduced as an appropriate adsorbent for removal of this pollutant from water and wastewater.     

超声-双氧水和亚铁离子体系处理含酚废水研究

在实验装置上对超声-双氧水和亚铁离子体系联合处理含酚废水进行了实验研究。主要考察了废水初始pH值、初始双氧水浓度、超声功率、反应时间等因素对酚去除率的影响。实验结果表明：超声辐射可以在双氧水和亚铁离子体系氧化过程中起加速反应的作用，而且随着超声功率的增大，加速反应的能力增强；实验条件下废水初始pH值为4～6．8，初始双氧水浓度为140mg／L时酚去除效果最佳；超声-双氧水和亚铁离子体系处理含酚废水过程中苯酚的降解规律符合表现一级反应。     

Cellulose-based anion exchanger with tertiary amine functionality for the extraction of arsenic(V) from aqueous media

A novel cellulose-based anion exchanger (Cell-AE) with tertiary amine functionality was synthesized by graft polymerization reaction of cellulose and glycidyl methacrylate using N,N′-methylene-bis-acrylamide as a crosslinker and benzoyl peroxide as an initiator, followed by dimethylamine (amination) and acid (HCl) treatment. The chemical modification was confirmed by infrared spectroscopy and CHN analysis. The anion exchanger was used in batch processes to study AS(V) adsorption in solutions. The operating variables studied were pH, contact time, initial As(V) concentration, sorbent mass, and ionic strength. The process was affected by solution pH with an optimum adsorption occurring at pH 6.0. Adsorption equilibrium was achieved within 1 h. Increasing ionic strength of solution negatively affected the arsenic uptake. The adsorption process performed more than 99.0% of As(V) removal from an initial concentration of 25.0 mg/L. The process of adsorption followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. The adsorption equilibrium isotherm data were analyzed using the Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich–Peterson and Langmuir–Freundlich equations. The Langmuir–Freundlich isotherm described the adsorption data over the concentration range 25–400 mg/L. The adsorption mechanism appears to be a ligand-exchange process. A simulated groundwater sample was treated with Cell-AE to demonstrate its efficiency in removing As(V). The adsorbed As(V) ions were desorbed effectively by a 0.1 M NaOH solution.     

Phenol removal from aqueous environments by natural & chemically modified kaolin clay

Natural, acid and base modified kaolin clays were studied for the sake of phenol and 4-chlorophenol removal from aqueous environments and their application to real ground and industrial wastewater samples. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), infrared spectroscopy (IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Thermo Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA), and Surface area analysis were employed for characterization of the adsorbents microstructure. Operating factors such as adsorbent dose, solution pH, initial phenol concentration, and contact time were studied. The experimental data displayed that the increase of the adsorbent dose, contact time, and pH value from 2 to 7 increases the efficiency of the removal process. Optimal conditions for phenolic removal were; contact time of 300 min, primary phenol solution of 25 mg/L, pH 7 and 2.5 g/L as an appropriate adsorbent dose using crude (natural), acid modified and base modified kaolin clays. The higher phenolic removal efficiencies were obtained at 5 mg/L as 90, 97, 96.2%, respectively, for the adsorbents in the previously mentioned order. The adsorption capacity in the removal of phenol and 4-chlorophenol were 7.481 and 4.195, 8.2942 and 3.211, and 8.05185 and 18.565 mg/g, respectively, for the adsorbents in the same mentioned order. The adsorption equilibrium data were fitted and analyzed with four isotherm models, namely, Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm equations. The adsorption process of phenol on studied adsorbents was exothermic, spontaneous and thermodynamically favorable proved by the negative values of their thermodynamic parameters ΔH° and ΔG°. The correlation coefficient (R²) for all concentrations was higher than 0.94, which indicates that in the studied system, the data suitably fit the first-order kinetics. The % desorption capacity was amounted to 96%, 91.11%, and 87.06% of adsorbed phenol, respectively, for the adsorbents in the previous order using 0.1N NaOH and 10% V/V ethanol solutions as eluents at 25°C, indicating the reusability of the adsorbents. Kaolin and its modified forms can be introduced as eco-friendly and low-cost adsorbents in water remediation implementation.     

Arsenic and chromium removal by mixed magnetite–maghemite nanoparticles and the effect of phosphate on removal

Adsorption of arsenic and chromium by mixed magnetite and maghemite nanoparticles from aqueous solution is a promising technology. In the present batch experimental study, a commercially grade nano-size ‘magnetite’, later identified in laboratory characterization to be mixed magnetite–maghemite nanoparticles, was used in the uptake of arsenic and chromium from different water samples. The intent was to identify or develop a practical method for future groundwater remediation. The results of the study showed 96–99% arsenic and chromium uptake under controlled pH conditions. The maximum arsenic adsorption occurred at pH 2 with values of 3.69 mg/g for arsenic(III) and 3.71 mg/g for arsenic(V) when the initial concentration was kept at 1.5 mg/L for both arsenic species, while chromium(VI) concentration was 2.4 mg/g at pH 2 with an initial chromium(VI) concentration of 1 mg/L. Thus magnetite–maghemite nanoparticles can readily adsorb arsenic and chromium in an acidic pH range. Redox potential and pH data helped to infer possible dominating species and oxidation states of arsenic and chromium in solution. The results also showed the limitation of arsenic and chromium uptake by the nano-size magnetite–maghemite mixture in the presence of a competing anion such as phosphate. At a fixed adsorbent concentration of 0.4 g/L, arsenic and chromium uptake decreased with increasing phosphate concentration. Nano-size magnetite–maghemite mixed particles adsorbed less than 50% arsenic from synthetic water containing more than 3 mg/L phosphate and 1.2 mg/L of initial arsenic concentration, and less than 50% chromium from synthetic water containing more than 5 mg/L phosphate and 1.0 mg/L of chromium(VI). In natural groundwater containing more than 5 mg/L phosphate and 1.13 mg/L of arsenic, less than 60% arsenic uptake was achieved. In this case, it is anticipated that an optimum design with magnetite–maghemite nanoparticles may achieve high arsenic uptake in field applications.     

Application of a chemically modified green macro alga as a biosorbent for phenol removal

Phenol and substituted phenols are toxic organic pollutants present in tannery waste streams. Environmental legislation defines the maximum discharge limit to be 5–50 ppm of total phenols in sewers. Thus the efforts to develop new efficient methods to remove phenolic compounds from wastewater are of primary concern. The present work aims at the use of a modified green macro alga (Caulerpa scalpelliformis) as a biosorbent for the removal of phenolic compounds from the post-tanning sectional stream. The effects of initial phenol concentration, contact time, temperature and initial pH of the solution on the biosorption potential of macro algal biomass have been investigated. Biosorption of phenol by modified green macro algae is best described by the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. Biosorption kinetics of phenol onto modified green macro algal biomass were best described by a pseudo second order model. The maximum uptake capacity was found to be 20 mg of phenol per gram of green macro algae. A Boyd plot confirmed the external mass transfer as the slowest step involved in the biosorption process. The average effective diffusion coefficient was found to be 1.44 × 10⁻⁹ cm²/s. Thermodynamic studies confirmed the biosorption process to be exothermic.     

Application of surface molecular imprinting adsorbent in expanded bed for the adsorption of Ni(2+) and adsorption model

A new surface molecular imprinting adsorbent (SMIA) was used in an expanded bed. The expansion ratio and adsorption performance were studied at different volumetric rates, inlet concentrations, and pH values. A model based on the Adams-Bohart adsorption model of breakthrough curves was established. The predicted curves had good agreement with the experimental curves. The breakthrough time (T(1/2)) decreased with increasing inlet concentration when the outlet concentration was half the initial concentration (C/C(0)=0.5). The inlet concentration had little effect on the adsorption rate constant (k(1)) value when the initial concentration (C(0)) was above 150 mg/L. However, T(1/2) values increased with increasing initial pH of the inlet solution, and the k(1) value decreased due to the competition between H(+) and Ni(2+).     

Batch sorption dynamics and equilibrium for the removal of lead ions from aqueous phase using activated carbon developed from coffee residue activated with zinc chloride

Lignocellulosic materials are good precursors for the production of activated carbon. In this work, coffee residue has been used as raw material in the preparation of powder activated carbon by the method of chemical activation with zinc chloride for the sorption of Pb(II) from dilute aqueous solutions.The influence of impregnation ratio (ZnCl₂/coffee residue) on the physical and chemical properties of the prepared carbons was studied in order to optimize this parameter. The optimum experimental condition for preparing predominantly microporous activated carbons with high pore surface area (890 m²/g) and micropore volume (0.772 cm³/g) is an impregnation ratio of 100%. The developed activated carbon shows substantial capability to sorb lead(II) ions from aqueous solutions and for relative impregnation ratios of 75 and 100%, the maximum uptake is practically the same. Thus, 75% represents the optimal impregnation ratio.Batch experiments were conducted to study the effects of the main parameters such as contact time, initial concentration of Pb(II), solution pH, ionic strength and temperature. The maximum uptake of lead(II) at 25 °C was about 63 mg/g of adsorbent at pH 5.8, initial Pb(II) concentration of 10 mg/L, agitation speed of 200 rpm and ionic strength of 0.005 M. The kinetic data were fitted to the models of pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order, and follow closely the pseudo-second order model. Equilibrium sorption isotherms of Pb(II) were analyzed by the Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherm models. The Freundlich model gives a better fit than the others.Results from this study suggest that activated carbon produced from coffee residue is an effective adsorbent for the removal of lead from aqueous solutions and that ZnCl₂ is a suitable activating agent for the preparation of high-porosity carbons.     

掺杂型二氧化钛纳米管光催化降解甲基橙研究

利用本实验室制备的N-F原子掺杂二氧化钛纳米管作催化剂,在可见光区对甲基橙(MO)进行光催化降解实验。在催化剂用量固定为3cm2时考察了不同初始浓度、pH值、溶解氧(DO)等对降解率的影响。结果表明,在可见光区该催化剂具有较高的光催化活性;当溶液DO为19.2mg/L、pH值为3、初始浓度为10mg/L、反应时间300min时,降解率可达82.3%。     

Photocatalytic degradation of phenol on different phases of TiO(2) particles in aqueous suspensions under UV irradiation

Photocatalytic degradation of phenol on different phases of TiO₂ particles was examined under 400-W UV irradiation. The effects of various operating parameters including TiO₂ dosage, solution pH (4–10), and initial phenol concentration (0.13–1.05 mM) on phenol degradation were investigated. Three forms of TiO₂ photocatalysts such as pure anatase phase, pure rutile phase, and the mixed phase were prepared by sol-gel method and followed annealing at different temperatures. The annealing temperature used were 500 °C, 700 °C and 900 °C for pure anatase phase, the mixed phase, and pure rutile phase, respectively. It was shown that pure anatase TiO₂ exhibited higher photocatalytic activity than the physical mixture of pure anatase and rutile TiO₂. Moreover, the TiO₂ particle with a specific fraction of mixed anatase and rutile phases exhibited better performance than pure anatase TiO₂. Finally, the degradation rate could be satisfactorily fitted by a pseudo-first-order kinetic model.     

Leachate characterization in semi-aerobic and anaerobic sanitary landfills: A comparative study

This study analyzes and compares the results of leachate composition at the semi-aerobic Pulau Burung Landfill Site (PBLS) (unaerated pond and intermittently aerated pond) and the anaerobic Kulim Sanitary Landfill in the northern region of Malaysia. The raw samples were collected and analyzed for twenty parameters. The average values of the parameters such as phenols (1.2, 6.7, and 2.6 mg/L), total nitrogen (448, 1200, and 300 mg/L N-TN), ammonia-N (542, 1568, and 538 mg/L NH₃-N), nitrite (91, 49, and 52 mg/L NO₂^?-N), total phosphorus (21, 17, and 19 mg/L), BOD₅ (83, 243, and 326 mg/L), COD (935, 2345, and 1892 mg/L), BOD₅/COD (0.096,0.1124,0.205%), pH (8.20, 8.28, and 7.76), turbidity (1546, 180, and 1936 Formazin attenuation units (FAU)), and color (3334, 3347, and 4041 Pt Co) for leachate at the semi-aerobic PBLS (unaerated and intermittently aerated) and the anaerobic Kulim Sanitary Landfill were recorded, respectively. The obtained results were compared with previously published data and data from the Malaysia Environmental Quality Act 1974. The results indicated that Pulau Burung leachate was more stabilized compared with Kulim leachate. Furthermore, the aeration process in PBLS has a considerable effect on reducing the concentration of several pollutants. The studied leachate requires treatment to minimize the pollutants to an acceptable level prior to discharge into water courses.     

Unexpected difference in phenol sorption on PTMA- and BTMA-bentonite

The comparison of phenol sorption on phenyltrimethylammonium (PTMA)- and benzyltrimethylammonium (BTMA)-bentonite shows a clear difference as far as phenol sorption isotherms are concerned. For PTMA-bentonite the sorption isotherm is of a straight-line character which results from simple partitioning of phenol between the aqueous and organic phases sorbed on the bentonite surface. For BTMA-bentonite the isotherm has a convex shape, characteristic of physicochemical sorption.For the first time a three-parametric model, including the dissociation constant of phenol pK_a, distribution constant of phenol Kd_phen and phenolate anion Kd_phen⁻ between the aqueous phase and the bentonite phases is used for the evaluation of phenol sorption on organoclays with pH change. The model shows that the values of Kd_phen are higher than those of Kd_phen⁻ for all investigated initial phenol concentrations.The inspection of the FTIR spectrum of BTMA-bentonite loaded with phenol in the regions 1300–1600 and 1620–1680 cm⁻¹ shows the features of π–π electron interaction between the benzene rings of phenol and the BTMA cation together with the phenol–water hydrogen bond strengthened by this interaction.     

Mineralization of integrated gasification combined-cycle power-station wastewater effluent by a photo-fenton process

The aim of this work was to study the mineralization of wastewater effluent from an integrated-gasification combined-cycle (IGCC) power station sited in Spain to meet the requirements of future environmental legislation. This study was done in a pilot plant using a homogeneous photo-Fenton oxidation process with continuous addition of H₂O₂ and air to the system.The mineralization process was found to follow pseudo-first-order kinetics. Experimental kinetic constants were fitted using neural networks (NNs). The NNs model reproduced the experimental data to within a 90% confidence level and allowed the simulation of the process for any values of the parameters within the experimental range studied. At the optimum conditions (H₂O₂ flow rate = 120 mL/h, [Fe(II)] = 7.6 mg/L, pH = 3.75 and air flow rate = 1 m³/h), a 90% mineralization was achieved in 150 min.Determination of the hydrogen peroxide consumed and remaining in the water revealed that 1.2 mol of H₂O₂ was consumed per each mol of total organic carbon removed from solution. This result confirmed that an excess of dissolved H₂O₂ was needed to achieve high mineralization rates, so continuous addition of peroxide is recommended for industrial application of this process.Air flow slightly improved the mineralization rate due to the formation of peroxo-organic radicals which enhanced the oxidation process.     

Adsorption of methylene blue from aqueous solution by jackfruit (Artocarpus heteropyllus) leaf powder: A fixed-bed column study

Continuous fixed-bed studies were undertaken to evaluate the efficiency of jackfruit leaf powder (JLP) as an adsorbent for the removal of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution under the effect of various process parameters like bed depth (5–10 cm), flow rate (30–50 mL/min) and initial MB concentrations (100–300 mg/L). The pH at point of zero charge (pH_PZC) of the adsorbent was determined by the titration method and a value of 3.9 was obtained. A FTIR of the adsorbent was done before and after the adsorption to find the potential adsorption sites for interaction with methylene blue molecules. The results showed that the total adsorbed quantities and equilibrium uptake decreased with increasing flow rate and increased with increasing initial MB concentration. The longest breakthrough time and maximum MB adsorption were obtained at pH 10. The results showed that the column performed well at low flow rate. Also, breakthrough time and exhaustion time increased with increasing bed depth. The bed-depth service time (BDST) model and the Thomas model were applied to the adsorption of MB at different bed depths, flow rates, influent concentrations and pH to predict the breakthrough curves and to determine the characteristic parameters of the column that are useful for process design. The two model predictions were in very good agreement with the experimental results at all the process parameters studied indicating that they were very suitable for JLP column design.     

苯酚降解菌Y_1的分离与鉴定

旨在从微生物降解的角度出发,解决苯酚大量应用带来的含酚废水对环境污染问题.采用富集培养、驯化筛选和平板划线等方法,从某化工厂废水中分离得到4株苯酚降解菌.利用4-氨基吡啉分光光度法测定其苯酚降解能力,筛选出降解率较高的菌株Y_1.经形态学观察、生理生化鉴定和16S rDNA序列分析,将该菌初步鉴定为苏云金芽孢杆菌(Ba...     

Utilization of waste product (tamarind seeds) for the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions: Equilibrium, kinetics, and regeneration studies

In the present study, an adsorbent was prepared from tamarind seeds and used after activation for the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions. The tamarind seeds were activated by treating them with concentrated sulfuric acid (98% w/w) at a temperature of 150 °C. The adsorption of Cr(VI) was found to be maximum at low values of initial pH in the range of 1–3. The adsorption process of Cr(VI) was tested with Langmuir, Freundlich, Redlich–Peterson, Koble–Corrigan, Tempkin, Dubinin–Radushkevich and Generalized isotherm models. Application of the Langmuir isotherm to the system yielded a maximum adsorption capacity of 29.7 mg/g at an equilibrium pH value ranging from 1.12 to 1.46. The adsorption process followed second-order kinetics and the corresponding rate constants obtained were 2.605 × 10⁻³, 0.818 × 10⁻³, 0.557 × 10⁻³ and 0.811 × 10⁻³ g/mg min⁻¹ for 50, 200, 300 and 400 mg/L of initial Cr(VI) concentration, respectively. The regenerated activated tamarind seeds showed more than 95% Cr(VI) removal of that obtained using the fresh activated tamarind seeds. A feasible solution is proposed for the disposal of the contaminants (acid and base solutions) containing high concentrations of Cr(VI) obtained during the regeneration (desorption) process.     

Control strategies for biohydrogen production by immobilized co-culture of Clostridium butyricum and Rhodopseudomonas palustris

In this study, we evaluated biohydrogen production of Clostridium butyricum and Rhodopseudomonas palustris by immobilized co-culture. Effects of free cells and immobilized cells, immobilized biomass ratio, sucrose concentration, and initial pH on hydrogen production were investigated. The immobilized co-culture can achieve high cumulative hydrogen volume yield (604 mL) as compared to free co-culture cumulative hydrogen volume (513 mL) while the initial sucrose concentration was 17.8 g/L. The optimum C. butyricum/R. palustris ratio was 1:10, yielding the highest cumulative hydrogen (728 mL). High sucrose concentration (above 35.6 g/L) would inhibit hydrogen production. The optimal initial pH value for hydrogen production of immobilized co-culture was 7.0 (cumulative hydrogen volume 830 mL).     

Tailor-made FAU zeolite composite membrane for wastewater treatment

In this work, a novel multipurpose Faujasite (FAU) zeolite composite membrane was fabricated by in-situ hydrothermal method to separate different solute molecules such as vanillic acid, phenol, and brilliant green from the aqueous solution. The coal fly ash based ceramic substrate was synthesized and used as substrate for preparing the zeolite composite membrane. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern confirmed the crystalline nature of membranes and the presence of Quartz and hematite in the composite membrane. The presence of Si-O and Al-O in zeolite coated composite membrane was confirmed by Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis showed the porous structure and 8.34 μm thickness of zeolite coating on membrane. The isoelectric point of composite membrane was observed at pH 2.07 through zeta potential analysis. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area, average pore volume and pore diameter of zeolite composite membrane were estimated as 6.406 m²/gm, 0.0070 cm³/gm, and 4.371 nm, respectively. The hydraulic pore radius and porosity of composite membranes were 27.7 nm and 20.1%. The maximum separation efficiency of FAU zeolite composite membrane towards vanillic acid, phenol and brilliant green was estimated as 78.67%, 89.13%, and 94.28%, respectively, for 200 mg/L feed concentration at 276 kPa applied pressure. The results obtained in this study reveals that the multipurpose FAU zeolite composite membrane fabricated in this study can be effectively used for separation of various solutes molecules present in the wastewater.     

Biosorption of Cu and Zn from aqueous solutions by dried marine green macroalga Chaetomorpha linum

The biosorption of the heavy metals Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ by dried marine green macroalga (Chaetomorpha linum) was investigated. The biosorption capacities of the dried alga for copper and zinc were studied at different solution pH values (2–6), different algal particle sizes (100–800 μm) and different initial metal solution concentrations (0.5–10 mM). An optimum pH value of 5 was found suitable for both metal ions biosorption for both metal ions. At the optimum particle size (100–315 μm), biosorbent dosage (20 g/l) and initial solution pH (pH 5), the dried alga produced maximum copper and zinc uptakes values (q_max) of 1.46 and 1.97 mmol/g respectively (according to the Langmuir model). The kinetic data obtained at different initial metal concentrations indicated that the biosorption rate was fast and most of the process was completed within 120 min. This study illustrated an alternative technique for the management of unwanted biological materials using processed algal material. C. linum is one of the fast-growing marine algae in the lake of Tunis and could be utilized as a biosorbent for the treatment of Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ contaminated wastewater streams.     

Treatment of landfill leachates by nanofiltration

Landfill leachate contains high concentrations of organic matter, color, heavy metals and toxic substances. This study presents the feasibility of a commercial nanofiltration membrane (NF-300) in the removal of pollutants from a landfill leachate generated from the Treatment Stabilization and Disposal Facility in Gujarat state of India. Two different leachate samples (Leachates A and B) were collected from the downstream side of closed landfill cells A and B. The average quality of the leachate was 67 719 mg/L COD, 217 mg/L ammonical nitrogen, 22 418 mg/L BOD, 3847 mg/L chlorides and 909 mg/L sulphate. The operating variables studied were applied pressure (4–20 atm), feed flowrate (5–15 L/min) and pH (2, 4, 5.5 and 6.7). It was observed that the solute rejection (R_O) increased with increase in feed pressure and decreased with increase in feed concentration at constant feed flowrate. In the present study, the rejection of cations followed the sequence: R_O (Cr³⁺) > R_O (Ni²⁺) > R_O (Zn²⁺) > R_O (Cu²⁺) > R_O (Cd²⁺) for leachates A and B. The order of solute rejection sequence is inversely proportional to the diffusion coefficients. The rejection of sulphate ions by the NF-300 membrane was 83 and 85%, while the rejection of chlorides was 62 and 65% for leachates A and B, respectively. The NF-300 membrane was characterized by using the combined-film theory-Spiegler–Kedem (CFSK) model based on irreversible thermodynamics and the ion transport model based on the extended Nernst–Planck equation. The membrane transport parameters were estimated using the Levenberg–Marquadt method. The estimated parameters were used to predict the membrane performance and the predicted values are in good agreement with the experimental results.