Optimizing hydrogen production by alkaline water decomposition with transition metal-based electrocatalysts

Burning fossil fuels account for over 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions and over 90% of carbon dioxide emissions, calling for alternative fuels such as hydrogen. Since the hydrogen demand could reach 120 million tons in 2024, efficient and large-scale production methods are required. Here we review electrocatalytic water splitting with a focus on reaction mechanisms, transition metal catalysts, and optimization strategies. We discuss mechanisms of water decomposition and hydrogen evolution. Transition metal catalysts include alloys, sulfides, carbides, nitrides, phosphides, selenides, oxides, hydroxides, and metal-organic frameworks. The reaction can be optimized by modifying the nanostructure or the electronic structure. We observe that transition metal-based electrocatalysts are excellent catalysts due to their abundant sources, low cost, and controllable electronic structures. Concerning optimization, fluorine anion doping at 1 mol/L potassium hydroxide yields an overpotential of 38 mV at a current density of 10 mA/cm². The electrocatalytic efficiency can also be enhanced by adding metal atoms to the nickel sulfide framework.

     

Biosorption of uranium by chemically modified Rhodotorula glutinis

The present paper reports the biosorption of uranium onto chemically modified yeast cells, Rhodotorula glutinis, in order to study the role played by various functional groups in the cell wall. Esterification of the carboxyl groups and methylation of the amino groups present in the cells were carried out by methanol and formaldehyde treatment, respectively. The uranium sorption capacity increased 31% for the methanol-treated biomass and 11% for the formaldehyde-treated biomass at an initial uranium concentration of 140 mg/L. The enhancement of uranium sorption capacity was investigated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy analysis, with amino and carboxyl groups were determined to be the important functional groups involved in uranium binding. The biosorption isotherms of uranium onto the raw and chemically modified biomass were also investigated with varying uranium concentrations. Langmuir and Freundlich models were well able to explain the sorption equilibrium data with satisfactory correlation coefficients higher than 0.9.     

Sandy desertification change and its driving forces in western Jilin Province, North China

This paper investigates the sandy desertification change between 1986 and 2000 in the western Jilin province, North China. Land use and land cover data were obtained from Landsat TM data by using a supervised classification approach. We summarized the total area of desertified land by each county, as well as the area for each of the four categories of desertified land. The changes of different types of land use and land cover between 1986 and 2000 were calculated and analyzed. Taking Tongyu and Qianan as examples, both human and natural driving forces of the sandy desertification were analyzed. Our analyses indicate that the material sources and windy, warm and dry climate are the immanent causes of potential land desertification, while the irrational human activities, such as deforestation, reclaiming and grazing in the grassland, are the external causes of potential land desertification. However, rational human activities, such as planting trees and restoring grassland can reverse the land desertification process. Furthermore, the countermeasures and suggestions for the sustainable development in ecotone between agriculture and animal husbandry in North China are put forward.     

Heavy metal contents and magnetic susceptibility of soils along an urban–rural gradient in rapidly growing city of eastern China

The accumulation of heavy metals (Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn) and magnetic minerals in soils along an urban-rural gradient in the rapidly growing Hangzhou City, Eastern China, was measured. The analytical results indicated that heavy metal concentrations, magnetic susceptibility (chilf) and saturation isothermal remnant magnetization (SIRM) in soils decreased with increasing distance from the urban center. The significant relationships existed between heavy metal concentrations, chilf and SIRM and distance from the urban center. The soils in the urban areas were enriched with Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn. Elevated concentrations of heavy metals (especially Cd and Zn) in urban areas indicated the evidence for the accumulation of heavy metal contaminants from anthropogenic activities. Enhanced heavy metal concentrations and magnetic susceptibility were located in the uppermost soil horizons (0-10 cm), decreasing downwards to background values. The significant positive correlations between the Tomlinson Pollution Load Index (PLI) and magnetic susceptibility and SIRM were observed in polluted soil samples. Strong positive correlation indicated that magnetic screening/monitoring provided a fast and non-destructive tool, which can be effectively used as a proxy to detect environmental pollution in rapidly growing urbanization regions affected by anthropogenic activities.     

Novel hyperspectral reflectance models for estimating black-soil organic matter in Northeast China

This paper presents a novel method for estimating black-soil organic matter (SOM) in the black-soil zone of northeast China from hyperspectral reflectance models. Traditional black-soil property measurements are relatively slow, but the pressures of agricultural production and environmental protection require a quick method to collect black-soil organic matter content. SOM estimation using soil hyperspectral reflectance models can meet this requirement, based on the spectral characteristics of black-soil in Northeast China. On the basis of the spectral reflectance and its derivatives, hyperspectral models can be built using correlation analysis and multivariable statistical methods. The concepts of curvature and ratio indices are also applied to compare and test the stability and accuracy of data modeling. The results show that the response of black-soil spectral reflectance from 400-1,100 nm to organic matter content is more marked than that from 1,100-2,500 nm. Specifically, the main response range of black-soil organic matter is between 620-810 nm, with a maximal spectral response at 710 nm. By comparing different models, we found that the normalized first derivate model is optimal for estimating SOM content, with a determination coefficient of 0.93 and root mean squared errors (RMSE) of 0.18%.     

Dissipation and residues of bispyribac-sodium in rice and environment

The dissipation and residues of bispyribac-sodium in rice cropping system were studied. Bispyribac-sodium residues were extracted by a simple analytical method based on QuEChERs and detected by LC-MS/MS. The limit of detection for bispyribac-sodium of this method was 0.375?×?10^?3 ng. The limit of quantification (LOQ) was 5.0 μg/kg for rice plant samples, 2.0 μg/kg for rice hull, 0.2 μg/kg for water, and 0.1 μg/kg for soil and husked rice samples. The average recoveries of bispyribac-sodium ranged from 74.7 to 108 %, with relative standard deviations less than 13 %. The half-lives of bispyribac-sodium in rice plant, water, and soil were in the range of 1.4–5.6 days. More than 90 % of bispyribac-sodium residue dissipated within 5 days. The final residues of bispyribac-sodium in rice were all below LOQ at harvest time.     

t分布受控遗传算法优化BP神经网络的PM2.5质量浓度预测

根据齐齐哈尔大学监测点2014年3—5月PM2?5质量浓度及其对应的每小时的气象因素、气体污染物浓度,建立基于t分布受控遗传算法的BP神经网络模型（ BPM?TCG）,对PM2?5质量浓度进行模拟预测。并将其与BP神经网络模型、遗传算法优化BP神经网络模型（ BP?GA）进行对比分析。3种模型预测结果表明：BPM?TCG模型预测精度最高,泛化能力最好。 BPM?TCG模型对PM2?5质量浓度的准确预测为预防和控制PM2?5提供依据。     

挥发酚和总氰化物在三种水质中测定方法的比对

本文采用连续流动注射法[1]和紫外分光光度法[2-3],分别对地表水、生活污水、工业废水三种水质中的挥发酚和总氰化物进行测定。实验结果表明:两种分析方法测定三种水质中的挥发酚和总氰化物结果基本一致,检出限、精密度、准确度、加标回收率均符合质量控制要求。连续流动注射法的自动化程度更高,操作更简便,可适用于多种水质挥发酚和总氰化物的分析。     

造纸污水处理厌氧系统沼气综合利用

目前厌氧系统已广泛应用于造纸废水处理,厌氧处理系统过程中产生大量的沼气,而沼气的热值很高,很有利用的价值,而本文结合笔者曾编制的某造纸废水处理厌氧技术改造环评探讨造纸污水处理厌氧系统沼气综合利用技术。该项目的实施,既减少了造纸废水的出水浓度,又提高了节能环保效益。