Optimization of CO2 adsorption capacity and cyclical adsorption/desorption on tetraethylenepentamine-supported surface-modified hydrotalcite

The objective of this research was to investigate CO_2adsorption capacity of tetraethylenepentamine-functionalized basic-modified calcined hydrotalcite(TEPA/b-c HT)sorbents at atmospheric pressure formed under varying TEPA loading levels,temperatures,sorbent weight to total gaseous flow rate(W/F)ratios and CO_2concentrations in the influent gas.The TEPA/b-c HT sorbents were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction(XRD),Fourier transform infrared spectrometry(FT–IR),thermal gravimetric analysis(TGA),Brunauer–Emmet–Teller(BET)analysis of nitrogen(N_2)adsorption/desorption and carbon–hydrogen–nitrogen(CHN)elemental analysis.Moreover,a full 2~4factorial design with three central points at a 95%confidence interval was used to screen important factor(s)on the CO_2adsorption capacity.It revealed that85.0%variation in the capacity came from the influence of four main factors and the15.0%one was from their interactions.A face-centered central composite design response surface method(FCCCD–RSM)was then employed to optimize the condition,the maximal capacity of 5.5–6.1 mmol/g was achieved when operating with a TEPA loading level of 39%–49%(W/W),temperature of 76–90°C,W/F ratio of 1.7–2.60(g·sec)/cm~3and CO_2concentration of 27%–41%(V/V).The model fitted sufficiently the experimental data with an error range of±1.5%.From cyclical adsorption/desorption and selectivity at the optimal condition,the 40%TEPA/b-c HT still expressed its effective performance after eight cycles.     

MgO-based adsorbents for CO2 adsorption: Influence of structural and textural properties on the CO2 adsorption performance

A series of MgO-based adsorbents were prepared through solution–combustion synthesis and ball-milling process.The prepared MgO-based powders were characterized using X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscopy,N_2 physisorption measurements,and employed as potential adsorbents for CO_2 adsorption.The influence of structural and textural properties of these adsorbents over the CO_2 adsorption behaviour was also investigated.The results showed that MgO-based products prepared by solution–combustion and ball-milling processes,were highly porous,fluffy,nanocrystalline structures in nature,which are unique physico-chemical properties that significantly contribute to enhance their CO_2 adsorption.It was found that the MgO synthesized by solution combustion process,using a molar ratio of urea to magnesium nitrate(2:1),and treated by ball-milling during 2.5 hr(MgO-BM2.5h),exhibited the maximum CO_2 adsorption capacity of 1.611 mmol/g at 25℃ and 1 atm,mainly via chemisorption.The CO_2 adsorption behaviour on the MgO-based adsorbents was correlated to their improved specific surface area,total pore volume,pore size distribution and crystallinity.The reusability of synthesized MgO-BM2.5h was confirmed by five consecutive CO_2adsorption–desorption times,without any significant loss of performance,that supports the potential of MgO-based adsorbent.The results confirmed that the special features of MgO prepared by solution–combustion and treated by ball-milling during 2.5 hr are favorable to be used as effective MgO-based adsorbent in post-combustion CO_2 capture technologies.     

Mesoporous carbon adsorbents from melamine-formaldehyde resin using nanocasting technique for CO2 adsorption

Mesoporous carbon adsorbents, having high nitrogen content, were synthesized via nanocasting technique with melamine–formaldehyde resin as precursor and mesoporous silica as template. A series of adsorbents were prepared by varying the carbonization temperature from 400 to 700°C. Adsorbents were characterized thoroughly by nitrogen sorption, X-ray diffraction(XRD), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), transmission electron microscopy(TEM), thermogravimetric analysis(TGA), elemental(CHN) analysis, Fourier transform infrared(FTIR) spectroscopy and Boehm titration. Carbonization temperature controlled the properties of the synthesized adsorbents ranging from surface area to their nitrogen content, which play major role in their application as adsorbents for CO_2 capture.The nanostructure of these materials was confirmed by XRD and TEM. Their nitrogen content decreased with an increase in carbonization temperature while other properties like surface area, pore volume, thermal stability and surface basicity increased with the carbonization temperature. These materials were evaluated for CO_2 adsorption by fixed-bed column adsorption experiments. Adsorbent synthesized at 700°C was found to have the highest surface area and surface basicity along with maximum CO_2 adsorption capacity among the synthesized adsorbents. Breakthrough time and CO_2 equilibrium adsorption capacity were investigated from the breakthrough curves and were found to decrease with increase in adsorption temperature. Adsorption process for carbon adsorbent–CO_2 system was found to be reversible with stable adsorption capacity over four consecutive adsorption–desorption cycles. From three isotherm models used to analyze the equilibrium data, Temkin isotherm model presented a nearly perfect fit implying the heterogeneous adsorbent surface.     

Mesoporous carbon adsorbents from melamine–formaldehyde resin using nanocasting technique for CO2 adsorption

Mesoporous carbon adsorbents, having high nitrogen content, were synthesized via nanocasting technique with melamine–formaldehyde resin as precursor and mesoporous silica as template. A series of adsorbents were prepared by varying the carbonization temperature from 400 to 700°C. Adsorbents were characterized thoroughly by nitrogen sorption, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), elemental (CHN) analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Boehm titration. Carbonization temperature controlled the properties of the synthesized adsorbents ranging from surface area to their nitrogen content, which play major role in their application as adsorbents for CO₂ capture. The nanostructure of these materials was confirmed by XRD and TEM. Their nitrogen content decreased with an increase in carbonization temperature while other properties like surface area, pore volume, thermal stability and surface basicity increased with the carbonization temperature. These materials were evaluated for CO₂ adsorption by fixed-bed column adsorption experiments. Adsorbent synthesized at 700°C was found to have the highest surface area and surface basicity along with maximum CO₂ adsorption capacity among the synthesized adsorbents. Breakthrough time and CO₂ equilibrium adsorption capacity were investigated from the breakthrough curves and were found to decrease with increase in adsorption temperature. Adsorption process for carbon adsorbent–CO₂ system was found to be reversible with stable adsorption capacity over four consecutive adsorption–desorption cycles. From three isotherm models used to analyze the equilibrium data, Temkin isotherm model presented a nearly perfect fit implying the heterogeneous adsorbent surface.     

Adsorption of carbon dioxide on amine-modified TiO2 nanotubes

TiO2 nanotubes (TiNT) were prepared by a hydrothermal treatment and modified by three kinds of amines,namely ethylenediamine,polyetherimide and tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA),to study their CO2 adsorption properties from gas streams.The resultant samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction,transmission electron microscopy,and infrared spectroscopy,as well as low temperature N 2 adsorption.CO2 capture was investigated in a dynamic packed column at 30℃.TEPA-modified TiO2 nanotubes showed the highest adsorption capacity of 167.64 mg/g because it had the highest amino-group content among the three amines.CO2 fixation on TiNT impregnated by TEPA was investigated at 30,50,and 70℃,and the adsorption capacity increased slightly with temperature.Following the adsorption step,the sorbents were regenerated by temperature programmed desorption,and the TiNT-TEPA sample,as CO2 sorbent,was found to be readily regenerated and energy-efficient.The cycle test also revealed that the TiNT-TEPA adsorbent is fairly stable,with only a 5% drop in the adsorption capacity after 10 adsorption/desorption cycles.In addition,the CO2 adsorption behavior was investigated with the deactivation model,and which showed an excellent prediction for the TiNT-TEPA breakthrough curves.     

CO2 capture performance of bi-functional activated bleaching earth modified with basic-alcoholic solution and functionalization with monoethanolamine: isotherms, kinetics and thermodynamics

CO_2 capture performance of bifunctional activated bleaching earth(ABE) was investigated at atmospheric pressure. The sorbents were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction(XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller(BET), Caron-Hydrogen-Nitrogen analysis(CHN), Fourier transform infrared(FT-IR) and thermal gravimetric analysis(TGA). The CO_2 capacity was enhanced via basic-modification and monoethanolamine(MEA) loading of the ABE sorbent to obtain a bifunctional surface property. Here, basic-modified calcined ABE with a 30 wt.%MEA loading(SAB-30) showed the highest CO_2 capture capacity, but this was decreased with excess MEA loading( 30 wt.%). At a 10%(V/V) initial CO_2 concentration feed, the maximum capacity of SAB-30 increased from 2.71 mmol/g at 30℃(without adding moisture to the feed) to 3.3 mmol/g at 50℃ when adding 10%(V/V) moisture to the feed. Increasing the moisture concentration further reduced the maximum CO_2 capacity due to the blocking effect of the excess moisture on the sorbent surface. However, SAB-30 could completely capture CO_2 even in a 100%(V/V) initial CO_2 concentration feed. A maximum CO_2 capacity of5.7 mmol/g for SAB-30 was achieved at 30℃. Varying the ratio of sorbent weight to total flow rate of the gas stream had no discernible effect on the equilibrium CO_2 capture capacity. Avrami's equation and Toth's isotherm model provided a good fitting for the data and suggested the presence of more than one reaction pathway in the CO_2 capture process and the heterogeneous adsorption surface of SAB-30. Thermodynamics studies revealed that CO_2 capture on the bifunctional SAB-30 is feasible, spontaneous and exothermic in nature.     

以粉煤灰为原料制备低温CO2吸附剂的工艺参数优化

利用高铝粉煤灰预脱硅液作为载体原料,通过使用胺基化合物对载体改性制备低温CO_2吸附剂.应用6 sigma中的工具,对制备工艺进行优化,得到理想的吸附剂,并对吸附剂样品进行表征.结果表明制备的CO_2吸附剂表现出良好的CO_2吸附性能.此类CO_2吸附剂具有吸附容量高(160 mg·g~(-1))、吸附速率快、对设备腐蚀低、成本低廉等特点,是一种极具工业应用潜力的CO_2吸附剂.     

树脂基固态胺吸附剂室温下对低浓度CO2的吸附性能研究

以大孔甲基丙烯酸酯吸附树脂为载体,聚乙烯亚胺(PEI)为有机胺,采用液相浸渍法制备出固态胺吸附剂,并研究了其在室温下对低浓度CO2的吸附行为.同时,利用氮气吸附、热重分析和扫描电镜表征了材料的物理化学性质,并采用热重法和固定床吸附法考察了材料的CO2吸附性能.结果表明,大孔树脂担载50%PEI(质量分数)时吸附性能最佳,对纯CO2的最大吸附量为175 mg·g-1;CO2的吸附行为由扩散动力学与吸附热力学共同决定,低温有利于提高吸附容量;吸附剂对400 ppm~15%浓度的CO2都具有优异的动态吸附性能,其中对400 ppm CO2的吸附量达到86 mg·g-1,对15%CO2的吸附量达到150 mg·g-1;湿度对吸附起促进作用,相对湿度为10%时,对400 ppm CO2的吸附量提高至139mg·g-1;吸附剂具有优异的循环性能,具有直接空气捕集CO2的潜力.     

Carbon dioxide capture using polyethylenimine-loaded mesoporous carbons

A high efficiency sorbent for CO2 capture was developed by loading polyethylenimine (PEI) on mesoporous carbons which possessed well-developed mesoporous structures and large pore volume. The physicochemical properties of the sorbent were characterized by N2 adsorption/desorption, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal gravimetric analysis (TG) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) techniques followed by testing for CO2 capture. Factors that affected the sorption capacity of the sorbent were studied. The sorbent exhibited extraordinary capture capacity with CO2 concentration ranging from 5% to 80%. The optimal PEI loading was determined to be 65 wt.% with a CO2 sorption capacity of 4.82 mmol-CO2 /g-sorbent in 15% CO2 /N2 at 75°C, owing to low mass-transfer resistance and a high utilization ratio of the amine compound (63%). Moisture had a promoting effect on the sorption separation of CO2 . In addition, the developed sorbent could be regenerated easily at 100°C, and it exhibited excellent regenerability and stability. These results indicate that this PEI-loaded mesoporous carbon sorbent should have a good potential for CO2 capture in the future.     

Breakthrough CO2 adsorption in bio-based activated carbons

In this work, the effects of different methods of activation on CO₂ adsorption performance of activated carbon were studied. Activated carbons were prepared from biochar, obtained from fast pyrolysis of white wood, using three different activation methods of steam activation, CO₂ activation and Potassium hydroxide (KOH) activation. CO₂ adsorption behavior of the produced activated carbons was studied in a fixed-bed reactor set-up at atmospheric pressure, temperature range of 25–65°C and inlet CO₂ concentration range of 10–30 mol% in He to determine the effects of the surface area, porosity and surface chemistry on adsorption capacity of the samples. Characterization of the micropore and mesopore texture was carried out using N₂ and CO₂ adsorption at 77 and 273 K, respectively. Central composite design was used to evaluate the combined effects of temperature and concentration of CO₂ on the adsorption behavior of the adsorbents. The KOH activated carbon with a total micropore volume of 0.62 cm³/g and surface area of 1400 m²/g had the highest CO₂ adsorption capacity of 1.8 mol/kg due to its microporous structure and high surface area under the optimized experimental conditions of 30 mol% CO₂ and 25°C. The performance of the adsorbents in multi-cyclic adsorption process was also assessed and the adsorption capacity of KOH and CO₂ activated carbons remained remarkably stable after 50 cycles with low temperature (160°C) regeneration.     

CO2 sequestration utilizing basic-oxygen furnace slag: Controlling factors, reaction mechanisms and V–Cr concerns

Basic-oxygen furnace slag(BOF-slag) contains 35%CaO,a potential component for CO_2sequestration.In this study,slag-water-CO_2 reaction experiments were conducted with the longest reaction duration extending to 96 hr under high CO_2 pressures of 100-300 kg/cm2 to optimize BOF-slag carbonation conditions,to address carbonation mechanisms,and to evaluate the extents of V and Cr release from slag carbonation.The slag carbonation degree generally reached the maximum values after 24 hr slag-water-CO_2 reaction and was controlled by slag particle size and reaction temperature.The maximum carbonation degree of 71%was produced from the experiment using fine slag of0.5 mm under 100℃and a CO_2 pressure of 250 kg/cm~2 with a water/slag ratio of 5.Vanadium release from the slag to water was significantly enhanced(generally 2 orders) by slag carbonation.In contrast,slag carbonation did not promote chromium release until the reaction duration exceeded 24 hr.However,the water chromium content was generally at least an order lower than the vanadium concentration,which decreased when the reaction duration exceeded 24 hr.Therefore,long reaction durations of 48-96 hr are proposed to reduce environmental impacts while keeping high carbonation degrees.Mineral textures and water compositions indicated that Mg-wustite,in addition to CaO-containing minerals,can also be carbonated.Consequently,the conventional expression that only considered carbonation of the CaO-containing minerals undervalued the CO_2 sequestration capability of the BOF-slag by~20%.Therefore,the BOF-slag is a better CO_2 storage medium than that previously recognized.     

Eutectic mixture promoted CO2 sorption on MgO-TiO2 composite at elevated temperature

The development of carbon dioxide(CO_2) sorbents that can operate at elevated temperatures is significant for the advancement of pre-combustion capture technologies.Recently, promoter-based systems composed of alkali/alkaline earth metal nitrates and/or carbonates have been considered as next-generation solid sorbents due to their improved CO_2 uptake and kinetics. However, obtaining stable MgO sorbents against temperature swing regeneration still remained challenging. Herein, we report MgO-TiO_2 solid sorbents promoted by eutectic mixture(KNO_3 and LiNO_3) for elevated temperature CO_2 sorption. The developed sorbents show improved CO_2 sorption capacity, which may be attributed to the alternative CO_2 sorption pathway provided by the ionization of highly dispersed MgO in the eutectic mixture. The MgO-TiO_2 framework was also shown to assist in retaining the MgO configuration by constraining its interaction with CO_2. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that constructing composite structures is essential to improve the CO_2 sorption characteristics,mainly recyclability, at elevated temperatures. The developed promoter integrated sorbents showed exceptionally high CO_2 sorption capacity of 30 wt.% at an elevated temperature(300°C) with pronounced stability under temperature swing operation.     

Responses of greenhouse gas fluxes to experimental warming in wheat season under conventional tillage and no-tillage fields

Understanding the effects of warming on greenhouse gas(GHG, such as N_2O, CH_4 and CO_2 )feedbacks to climate change represents the major environmental issue. However, little information is available on how warming effects on GHG fluxes in farmland of North China Plain(NCP). An infrared warming simulation experiment was used to assess the responses of N_2O, CH_4 and CO_2 to warming in wheat season of 2012–2014 from conventional tillage(CT) and no-tillage(NT) systems. The results showed that warming increased cumulative N_2O emission by 7.7% in CT but decreased it by 9.7% in NT fields(p 0.05). Cumulative CH_4 uptake and CO_2 emission were increased by 28.7%–51.7% and 6.3%–15.9% in both two tillage systems,respectively(p 0.05). The stepwise regressions relationship between GHG fluxes and soil temperature and soil moisture indicated that the supply soil moisture due to irrigation and precipitation would enhance the positive warming effects on GHG fluxes in two wheat seasons.However, in 2013, the long-term drought stress due to infrared warming and less precipitation decreased N_2O and CO_2 emission in warmed treatments. In contrast, warming during this time increased CH_4 emission from deep soil depth. Across two years wheat seasons, warming significantly decreased by 30.3% and 63.9% sustained-flux global warming potential(SGWP) of N_2O and CH_4 expressed as CO_2 equivalent in CT and NT fields, respectively. However, increase in soil CO_2 emission indicated that future warming projection might provide positive feedback between soil C release and global warming in NCP.     

Preparation and evaluation of aminopropyl-functionalized manganese-loaded SBA-15 for copper removal from aqueous solution

A novel material, aminopropyl-functionalized manganese-loaded SBA-15 (NH₂-Mn-SBA-15), was synthesized by bonding 3-aminopropyl trimethoxysilane (APTMS) onto manganese-loaded SBA-15 (Mn-SBA-15) and used as a Cu^2 + adsorbent in aqueous solution. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction spectra (XRD), N₂ adsorption/desorption isotherms, high resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to characterize the NH₂-Mn-SBA-15. The ordered mesoporous structure of SBA-15 was remained after modification. The manganese oxides were mainly loaded on the internal surface of the pore channels while the aminopropyl groups were mainly anchored on the external surface of SBA-15. The adsorption of Cu^2 + on NH₂-Mn-SBA-15 was fitted well by the Langmuir equation and the maximum adsorption capacity of NH₂-Mn-SBA-15 for Cu^2 + was over two times higher than that of Mn-SBA-15 under the same conditions. The Elovich equation gave a good fit for the adsorption process of Cu^2 + by NH₂-Mn-SBA-15 and Mn-SBA-15. Both the loaded manganese oxides and the anchored aminopropyl groups were found to contribute to the uptake of Cu^2 +. The NH₂-Mn-SBA-15 showed high selectivity for copper ions. Consecutive adsorption–desorption experiments showed that the NH₂-Mn-SBA-15 could be regenerated by acid treatment without altering its properties.     

Visible light driven mineralization of spiramycin over photostructured N-doped TiO2 on up conversion phosphors

A novel visible light-active photocatalyst formulation(NdT/OP) was obtained by supporting N-doped TiO_2(NdT) particles on up-conversion luminescent organic phosphors(OP). The photocatalytic activity of such catalysts was evaluated for the mineralization process of spiramycin in aqueous solution. The effect of NdT loading in the range 15–60 wt.% on bulk and surface characteristics of NdT/OP catalysts was investigated by several chemicophysical characterization techniques. The photocatalytic performance of NdT/OP catalysts in the removal of spyramicin from aqueous solution was assessed through photocatalytic tests under visible light irradiation. Total organic carbon(TOC) of aqueous solution,and CO and CO_2 gas concentrations evolved during the photodegradation were analyzed. A dramatic enhancement of photocatalytic activity of the photostructured visible active NdT/OP catalysts,compared to NdT catalyst,was observed. Only CO_2 was detected in gas-phase during visible light irradiation,proving that the photocatalytic process is effective in the mineralization of spiramycin,reaching very high values of TOC removal. The photocatalyst NdT/OP at 30 wt.% of NdT loading showed the highest photocatalytic activity(58%of TOC removed after 180 min irradiation against only 31% removal after 300 min of irradiation of NdT). We attribute this enhanced activity to the high effectiveness in the utilization of visible light through improved light harvesting and exploiting. OP particles act as "photoactive support",able to be excited by the external visible light irradiation,and reissue luminescence of wavelength suitable to promote NdT photomineralization activity.     

Capture of carbon dioxide from flue gas on TEPA-grafted metal-organic framework Mg2(dobdc)

Carbon dioxide （CO2） adsorption on a standard metal-organic framework Mg2（dobdc） （Mg/DOBDC or Mg-MOF-74） and a tetraethylenepentamine （TEPA） modified Mgz（dobdc） （TEPA-Mg/DOBDC） were investigated and compared. The structural information, surface chemistry and thermal behavior of the adsorbent samples were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction （XRD）, infrared spectroscopy （IR）, thermogravimetric analysis （TGA） and nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm analysis. CO2 adsorption capacity was measured by dynamic adsorption experiments with N2-CO2 mixed gases at 60℃. Results showed that the CO2 adsorption capacity of Mg/DOBDC was significantly improved after amine modification, with an increase from 2.67 to 6.06 mmol CO2/g adsorbent. Moreover, CO2 adsorption on the TEPA-Mg/DOBDC adsorbent was promoted by water vapor, and the adsorption capacity was enhanced to 8.31 mmol CO2/g absorbent. The adsorption capacity of the TEPA-Mg/DOBDC adsorbent dropped only 3% after 5 consecutive adsorption]desorption cycles. Therefore, this kind of adsorbent can be considered as a promising material for the capture of CO2 from flue gas.     

Choice of precipitant and calcination temperature of precursor for synthesis of NiCo2O4 for control of CO–CH4 emissions from CNG vehicles

Compressed natural gas(CNG)is most appropriate an alternative of conventional fuel for automobiles.However,emissions of carbon-monoxide and methane from such vehicles adversely affect human health and environment.Consequently,to abate emissions from CNG vehicles,development of highly efficient and inexpensive catalysts is necessary.Thus,the present work attempts to scan the effects of precipitants(Na_2CO_3,KOH and urea)for nickel cobaltite(Ni Co_2O_4)catalysts prepared by co-precipitation from nitrate solutions and calcined in a lean CO-air mixture at 400°C.The catalysts were used for oxidation of a mixture of CO and CH_4(1:1).The catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffractometer,Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface-area,X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy;temperature programmedreductionandScanningelectronmicroscopycoupledwith Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Spectroscopy.The Na_2CO_3was adjudged as the best precipitant for production of catalyst,which completely oxidized CO-CH_4mixture at the lowest temperature(T_(100)=350°C).Whereas,for catalyst prepared using urea,T_(100)=362°C.On the other hand the conversion of CO-CH_4mixture over the catalyst synthesized by KOH limited to 97%even beyond 400°C.Further,the effect of higher calcination temperatures of 500 and600°C was examined for the best catalyst.The total oxidation of the mixture was attained at higher temperatures of 375 and 410°C over catalysts calcined at 500 and 600°C respectively.Thus,the best precipitant established was Na_2CO_3and the optimum calcination temperature of 400°C was found to synthesize the Ni Co_2O_4catalyst for the best performance in CO-CH_4oxidation.     

Oxidation of diesel soot on binary oxide CuCr(Co)-based monoliths

Binary oxide systems (CuCr₂O₄, CuCo₂O₄), deposited onto cordierite monoliths of honeycomb structure with a second support (finely dispersed Al₂O₃), were prepared as filters for catalytic combustion of diesel soot using internal combustion engine's gas exhausts (O₂, NO_x, H₂O, CO₂) and O₃ as oxidizing agents. It is shown that the second support increases soot capacity of aforementioned filters, and causes dispersion of the particles of spinel phases as active components enhancing thereby catalyst activity and selectivity of soot combustion to CO₂. Oxidants used can be arranged with reference to decreasing their activity in a following series: O₃ ? NO₂ > H₂O > NO > O₂ > CO₂. Ozone proved to be the most efficient oxidizing agent: the diesel soot combustion by O₃ occurs intensively (in the presence of copper chromite based catalyst) even at closing to ambient temperatures. Results obtained give a basis for the conclusion that using a catalytic coating on soot filters in the form of aforementioned binary oxide systems and ozone as the initiator of the oxidation processes is a promising approach in solving the problem of comprehensive purification of automotive exhaust gases at relatively low temperatures, known as the “cold start” problem.     

Effects of elevated atmospheric CO2 concentration and temperature on the soil profile methane distribution and diffusion in rice–wheat rotation system

The aim of this experiment was to determine the impacts of climate change on soil profile concentrations and diffusion effluxes of methane in a rice–wheat annual rotation ecosystem in Southeastern China. We initiated a field experiment with four treatments: ambient conditions (CKs), CO₂ concentration elevated to ~ 500 μmol/mol (FACE), temperature elevated by ca. 2°C (T) and combined elevation of CO₂ concentration and temperature (FACE + T). A multilevel sampling probe was designed to collect the soil gas at four different depths, namely, 7 cm, 15 cm, 30 cm and 50 cm. Methane concentrations were higher during the rice season and decreased with depth, while lower during the wheat season and increased with depth. Compared to CK, mean methane concentration was increased by 42%, 57% and 71% under the FACE, FACE + T and T treatments, respectively, at the 7 cm depth during the rice season (p < 0.05). Mean methane diffusion effluxes to the 7 cm depth were positive in the rice season and negative in the wheat season, resulting in the paddy field being a source and weak sink, respectively. Moreover, mean methane diffusion effluxes in the rice season were 0.94, 1.19 and 1.42 mg C/(m²·hr) in the FACE, FACE + T and T treatments, respectively, being clearly higher than that in the CK. The results indicated that elevated atmospheric CO₂ concentration and temperature could significantly increase soil profile methane concentrations and their effluxes from a rice–wheat field annual rotation ecosystem (p < 0.05).     

Physico-chemical characterization and source tracking of black carbon at a suburban site in Beijing

Particles from ambient air and combustion sources including vehicle emission, coal combustion and biomass burning were collected and chemically pretreated with the purpose of obtaining isolated BC (black carbon) samples. TEM (transmission electron microscopy) results indicate that BC from combustion sources shows various patterns, and airborne BC appears spherical and about 50 nm in diameter with a homogeneous surface and turbostratic structure. The BET (Barrett–Emmett–Teller) results suggest that the surface areas of these BC particles fall in the range of 3–23 m²/g, with a total pore volume of 0.03–0.05 cm³/g and a mean pore diameter of 7–53 nm. The nitrogen adsorption–desorption isotherms are indicative of the accumulation mode and uniform pore size. O₂-TPO (temperature programmed oxidation) profiles suggest that the airborne BC oxidation could be classified as the oxidation of amorphous carbon, which falls in the range of 406–490°C with peaks at 418, 423 and 475°C, respectively. Generally, the BC characteristics and source analysis suggest that airborne BC most likely comes from diesel vehicle emission at this site.