Application of Cellulose Microfibrils in Polymer Nanocomposites

Cellulose microfibrils obtained by the acid hydrolysis of cellulose fibers were added at low concentrations (2–10% w/w) to polymer gels and films as reinforcing agents. Significant changes in mechanical properties, especially maximum load and tensile strength, were obtained for fibrils derived from several cellulosic sources, including cotton, softwood, and bacterial cellulose. For extruded starch plastics, the addition of cotton-derived microfibrils at 10.3% (w/w) concentration increased Young’s modulus by 5-fold relative to a control sample with no cellulose reinforcement. Preliminary data suggests that shear alignment significantly improves tensile strength. Addition of microfibrils does not always change mechanical properties in a predictable direction. Whereas tensile strength and modulus were shown to increase during addition of microfibrils to an extruded starch thermoplastic and a cast latex film, these parameters decreased when microfibrils were added to a starch–pectin blend, implying that complex interactions are involved in the application of these reinforcing agents.     

Ecotoxic Effect of Photocatalytic Active Nanoparticles (TiO2) on Algae and Daphnids (8 pp)

Background, Aim and Scope Due to their large potential for manifold applications, the use of nanoparticles is of increasing importance. As large amounts of nanoparticles may reach the environment voluntarily or by accident, attention should be paid on the potential impacts on the environment. First studies on potential environmental effects of photocatalytic TiO2 nanoparticles have been performed on the basis of widely accepted, standardized test systems which originally had been developed for the characterization of chemicals. The methods were adapted to the special requirements of testing photocatalytic nanoparticles. Materials and Methods: Suspensions of two different nanoparticles were illuminated to induce their photocatalytic activity. For testing, the growth inhibition test with the green alga Desmodesmus subspicatus and the immobilization test with the daphnid Daphnia magna were selected and performed following the relevant guidelines (algae: ISO 8692, OECD 201, DIN 38412-33; daphnids: ISO 6341, OECD 202, DIN 38412-30). The guidelines were adapted to meet the special requirements for testing photocatalytic nanoparticles. Results: The results indicate that it is principally possible to determine the ecotoxicity of nanoparticles. It was shown that nanoparticles may have ecotoxicological effects which depend on the nature of the particles. Both products tested differ in their toxicity. Product 1 shows a clear concentration-effect curve in the test with algae (EC50: 44 mg/L). It could be proven that the observed toxicity was not caused by accompanying contaminants, since the toxic effect was comparable for the cleaned and the commercially available product. For product 2, no toxic effects were determined (maximum concentration: 50 mg/L). In the tests with daphnids, toxicity was observed for both products, although the concentration effect-curves were less pronounced. The two products differed in their toxicity; moreover, there was a difference in the toxicity of illuminated and non-illuminated products. Discussion: Both products differ in size and crystalline form, so that these parameters are assumed to contribute to the different toxicities. The concentration-effect curves for daphnids, which are less-pronounced than the curves obtained for algae, may be due to the different test organisms and/or the differing test designs. The increased toxicity of pre-illuminated particles in the tests with daphnids demonstrates that the photocatalytic activity of nanoparticles lasts for a period of time. Conclusions: The following conclusions can be drawn from the test results: (I) It is principally possible to determine the ecotoxicity of (photocatalytic) nanoparticles. Therefore, they can be assessed using methods comparable to the procedures applied for assessing soluble chemicals. - (II) Nanoparticles may exert ecotoxicological effects, which depend on the specific nanoparticle. - (III) Comparable to traditional chemicals, the ecotoxicity depends on the test organisms and their physiology. - (IV) The photocatalytic activity of nanoparticles lasts for a relevant period of time. Therefore, pre-illumination may be sufficient to detect a photocatalytic activity even by using test organisms which are not suitable for application in the pre-illumination-phase. Recommendations and Perspectives: First results are presented which indicate that the topic 'ecotoxicity and environmental effects of nanoparticles' should not be neglected. In testing photocatalytic nanoparticles, there are still many topics that need clarification or improvement, such as the cause for an observed toxicity, the improvement of the test design, the elaboration of a test battery and an assessment strategy. On the basis of optimized test systems, it will be possible to test nanoparticles systematically. If a potential risk by specific photocatalytic particles is known, a risk-benefit analysis can be performed and, if required, risk reducing measures can be taken.     

Investigating the effect of geometric dimensions of median traffic barriers on crashes: Crash analysis of interstate roads in Wyoming using actual crash datasets

IntroductionDespite the numerous safety studies done on traffic barriers’ performance assessment, the effect of variables such as traffic barrier’s height has not been identified considering a comprehensive actual crash data analysis. This study seeks to identify the impact of geometric variables (i.e., height, post-spacing, sideslope ratio, and lateral offset) on median traffic barriers’ performance in crashes on interstate roads.MethodGeometric dimensions of over 110 miles median traffic barriers on interstate Wyoming roads were inventoried in a field survey between 2016 and 2018. Then, the traffic barrier data collected was combined with historical crash records, traffic volume data, road geometric characteristics, and weather condition data to provide a comprehensive dataset for the analysis. Finally, an ordered logit model with random-parameters was developed for the severity of traffic barrier crashes. Based on the results, traffic barrier’s height was found to impact crash severity.ResultsCrashes involving cable barriers with a height between 30″ and 42″ were less severe than other traffic barrier types, while concrete barriers with a height shorter than 32″ were more likely involved with severe injury crashes. As another important finding, the post-spacing of 6.1–6.3 ft. was identified as the least severe range in W-beam barriers.Practical applicationsThe results show that using flare barriers should reduce the number of crashes compared to parallel barriers.     

介孔纳米TiO2的超声化学法合成及其表征

采用超声化学法制备介孔TiO2，并采用XRD，TEM，FT-IR等方法对样品进行了表征．结果表明，在超声波作用下，液相体系中能够一步合成锐钛矿相TiO2；添加有机模板剂并控制实验条件，则能直接合成具有介孔结构的锐钛矿相TiO2．超声化学法能更好地控制粒子的形貌和尺寸，所制备的TiO2晶型完整，孔径均匀，分散性好．     

Bayesian analysis under ordered functions of parameters

Ordered parameter problems arise in a wide variety of real world situations and are dealt with extensively in the literature. Traditional frequentist methods for dealing with these problems are rather complicated theoretically, especially when sample sizes are small. Bayesian methods are not widely used because high dimensional numerical integration is often required. However, Markov chain Monte Carlo methods provide alternatives to such numerical integration and also deal with ordered parameter problems in a straightforward manner. Little is known about the situation where functions of parameters are ordered. Such problems may seem to be of little practical concern initially, but one can readily see their importance in situations where ordering is placed on the means and variances of several normal or Gamma populations. For the Gamma distribution we will present real examples where we will analyze monthly precipitation data from San Francisco, California and Oakland Mills, Iowa. For the San Francisco data we will simultaneously order both monthly precipitation means and variances. For the Iowa data we will place ordering on seasonal average while still estimating monthly means. Our results show that we would obtain sharper, more accurate inference when order restrictions are employed.     

海洋酸化与重金属、有机污染物和人工纳米颗粒的联合毒性效应研究进展

由于大量人类活动的影响,大气CO_2浓度持续增加,其中约1/3被海洋吸收,导致表层海水pH值降低和碳酸盐平衡体系波动,即"海洋酸化"现象。污染物的海洋环境效应一直是全球环境科学领域研究的热点。在实际环境中,海洋酸化往往与污染物共同存在并作用于海洋生态系统,且海洋酸化极有可能改变污染物的海洋环境行为从而影响其毒性效应。但现有研究大多针对海洋酸化或者污染物单独作用下的毒性效应展开,对海洋酸化与污染物的联合毒性效应的研究不足、亟待加强。为此,综述了近年来海洋酸化与典型污染物(重金属、有机污染物)及新型污染物(人工纳米颗粒)的相关文献,重点阐述了海洋酸化对污染物环境行为的影响和海洋酸化与污染物对海洋生物的联合毒性效应,指出当前的研究不足,并对未来的研究方向进行了展望。     

添加剂升温烧蚀法在制备新型介孔水环境净化材料中的应用

首次探索了一种破坏式造孔与有机复合相结合的新方法以制备介孔复合水环境净化材料,使最终产品成为一种具有广谱孔结构分布的复合环境材料。详细介绍了该方法的第二步工艺即添加剂升温烧蚀法,在优化后的最佳条件下,产品的孔径得到了进一步扩大,其中部分孔道直径可达至介孔级,同时材料的表面得到了进一步活化。经此步工艺后,所制备的中间产品染料吸附量是原材料的194倍,是酸洗刻蚀后产品的122倍;24h吸湿率是原材料的38倍,是酸洗刻蚀后产品的19倍。     

Cu/ZnO-RGO的抗菌性能及应用

采用溶胶-凝胶法制备铜锌复合氧化物（Cu/ZnO）,并将Cu/ZnO纳米粒子负载到还原氧化石墨烯（RGO）表面制备Cu/ZnO-RGO复合材料.对Cu/ZnO-RGO复合材料进行表征分析及抗菌性能考察,结果表明,Cu/ZnO纳米粒子成功负载在RGO表面,负载前后Cu/ZnO纳米粒子形态不发生改变,复合材料纯度较高.Cu/ZnO-RGO复合材料对大肠杆菌与金黄色葡萄球菌均有着优异的抗菌性能,可以破坏细菌细胞膜,导致细菌内容物流出,延长细菌进入对数生长期所需的时间.当RGO质量分数为15%?Cu/ZnO-RGO复合材料使用量为120μg/mL时,在循环冷却水系统中作用2h即可拥有96.76%的抗菌率.     

金属离子诱导Trichoderma sp.WL-Go合成纳米金特性研究

生物法合成纳米金是一种环境友好且经济高效的合成途径,受到广泛关注.普遍认为微生物合成纳米金是通过胞外分泌生物大分子而实现的一种自发脱毒过程.同时,相关研究表明低浓度的重金属离子对菌株胞外酶的活性会产生一定的影响,进而会对菌株合成纳米金的能力产生影响.基于此,本研究选择一株前期筛选得到的真菌Trichoderma sp. WL-Go,探究不同金属离子诱导菌株对其合成的纳米金特性的影响.结果表明,经Co~(2+)、Al~(3+)、Zn~(2+)、Sn~(2+)、Ni~(2+)等金属离子诱导后,菌株WL-Go合成纳米金的能力均有所提升,而Pb~(2+)、Cu~(2+)、Fe~(3+)与对照组相比,其合成的纳米金浓度及转化率都无明显变化.此外,Co~(2+)诱导菌株合成的纳米金呈现肉眼可见的团簇状,发生明显的团聚现象.本实验还考察了生物合成纳米金对4-硝基苯酚还原的催化特性,结果表明,Sn~(2+)和Pb~(2+)的诱导使菌株WL-Go合成的纳米金催化速率得到明显提升,而其他金属离子均有所抑制.最后选取革兰氏阳性菌Arthrobacter sp. W1和革兰氏阴性菌Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3)验证了不同金属离子诱导后合成的纳米金均具有良好的生物相容性.综上,本研究为对于拓宽纳米金的工业化应用前景有着重要意义.     

纳米刻蚀法制备氧化锰介孔材料及其降解高含盐废水中罗丹明B

为了有效去除高含盐废水中的有机染料污染物,利用有序介孔硅材料作为模板剂,通过硬模板法制备了新型锰系氧化物（MnO_x）介孔材料作为类Fenton催化剂.催化剂的结构表征结果表明,模板剂在锰前驱物溶液中浸渍和后续煅烧成型过程决定了氧化锰介孔材料的结构.浸渍-煅烧成型重复次数越多,MnO_x介孔材料中孔道结构的有序度和氧化锰的结晶度越好.浸渍-煅烧成型次数过少,MnO_x介孔材料中孔道呈现无序状态,比表面积较大但氧化锰结晶度不足;次数过多则形成更为致密的小孔径的孔道结构,从而使MnO_x介孔材料的比表面积减小.由于对罗丹明B（RhB）良好的选择性吸附能力和较多的Mn³⁺/Mn⁴⁺对,具有有序规则孔道的氧化锰介孔材料具有优异的类Fenton催化活性,对高含盐废水中RhB的5 h降解去除率最高可达90%左右.