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Secondary waste to highly efficient nanoporous carbon: The role of acidic minerals in diesel fuel desulfurization
No full textAdsorptive desulfurization of liquid fuels with cost-effective adsorbents, like waste-derived carbons, has been extensively researched. In this work a (bio)char from gasification of waste mixed biomass was chemically treated with H3PO4 and pyrolyzed at 600 °C. The obtained nanoporous carbon (CERAF) was used for the deep adsorptive desulfurization of model diesel fuels, at ambient conditions. CERAF had a specific surface area of 795 m2/g with a micro- and meso-pore structure, and rich surface chemistry. Desulfurization efficiency reached 74 % (5.2 ppmwS of treated solution) starting with low initial concentration of 4,6-dimethyldibenzothiophene (4,6-DMDBT, 20 ppmwS) in hexadecane and relatively low amount of carbon (2.5 g/L). Two commercial nanoporous carbons exhibited lower desulfurization efficiencies than CERAF, despite their higher surface area and pore volumes. CERAF also showed the highest efficiency for complex model fuel (mimicking real diesel), containing 4,6-DMDBT and high concentrations of mono- and di-aromatics. Detailed physicochemical characterization suggested that the chemical composition of the adsorbent, especially the presence of silicates provide weak acidic sites promoting specific interactions with DMDBT, enhancing the desulfurization efficiency. In addition, the inorganic matter might play an important role in the carbonization and/or activation of the biochar to the nanoporous carbon CERAF. Overall, the main novelty of this work is in the utilization of a secondary char/waste of mixed biomass to produce nanoporous carbon and in highlighting the effect of specific mineral matter on adsorptive desulfurization. © 2025 Elsevier Lt
Superconducting Properties of Borophenes from First Principles
No full textWith outstanding physical and chemical properties, borophene - a 2D allotrope of boron - offers greater application potential than graphene. However, its susceptibility to oxidation under ambient conditions remains a challenge, which can be mitigated through hydrogenation of monolayer or fabrication of bilayer configurations. Using first - principles simulations and solving the anisotropic Migdal-Eliashberg equations, we demonstrate that these two configurations are promising superconducting candidates, with the hydrogenated monolayer reaching a superconducting critical temperature (TC) of 29 K, and alkaline-earth metal-intercalated bilayers reaching TC up to 58 K. Our results also resolve the long-standing question of why bare monolayer borophene lacks superconducting properties, consistent with the absence of experimental evidence. Furthermore, we show how hydrogenation enhances its superconducting properties and how bilayer intercalation enables further tunability, bridging a critical gap in the search for practical boron-based superconducting devices.Advances in Solid State Physics and New Materials - 30 years of the Center for Solid State Physics and New Materials at the Institute of Physics Belgrade, 19 – 23 May 2025, Belgrade, Serbia
Kondo-Like Behavior in Lightly Gd-Doped Manganite CaMnO3
No full textManganese oxides (manganites) are among the most studied materials in condensed matter physics due to the famous colossal magnetoresistance and very rich phase diagrams characterized by strong competition between ferromagnetic (FM) metallic and antiferromagnetic (AFM) insulating phases. One of the key questions that remains open even after more than thirty years of intensive research is the exact conductivity mechanism in insulating as well as in metallic phases and its relation to the corresponding magnetic structure. In order to shed more light on this problem, here, we report magnetotransport measurements on sintered nanocrystalline samples of the very poorly explored manganites Ca1−xGdxMnO3 with x = 0.05 and x = 0.10, in the temperature range 2–300 K, and in magnetic fields up to 16 T. Our results indicate that both compounds at low temperatures exhibit metallic behavior with a peculiar resistivity upturn and a large negative magnetoresistance. We argue that such behavior is consistent with a Kondo-like scattering on Gd impurities coupled with the percolation of FM metallic regions within insulating AFM matrix
Comparative study of electrochemical degradation of rhodamine B using glassy carbon, stainless steel, and nickel electrodes
No full textRhodamine B is a synthetic dye commonly used in the textile and printing industries, recognized as a significant water pollutant. It enters aquatic environments primarily through untreated wastewater, posing serious threats to both environmental ecosystems and human health due to its toxic, carcinogenic, and non-biodegradable properties. The dye's persistence in water can result in harmful effects on ecosystems and contamination of vital water sources, underscoring the urgent need for effective removal methods. Electrochemical degradation has emerged as an eco-friendly technology to tackle this issue, breaking down Rhodamine B into less harmful byproducts and providing a sustainable approach for mitigating its environmental impacts. This study investigates the electrochemical degradation of Rhodamine B using glassy carbon (GC), stainless steel (SS), and nickel (Ni) electrodes in an undivided two-electrode system operating under a galvanostatic regime at a current density of 15 mA cm⁻². The primary goal was to compare the efficiency and kinetics of degradation across different electrode types. Experimental results demonstrated that GC electrodes, followed by SS, exhibited the highest degradation efficiency, with the process adhering to first-order kinetics. These findings highlight the advantages of GC electrodes in terms of speed and efficiency, offering valuable insights for optimizing treatment processes.Proceedings / XVI International Mineral Processing and Recycling Conference, IMPRC, 28 – 30 May 2025, Belgrade, Serbia
Selected aspects of sensor application in the design and implementation of intelligent instrumentation for recycling systems
No full textThe use of sensors in the development of laboratory equipment is widespread, and today there is hardly any modern laboratory device that does not rely on some form of sensor technology. Sensors are selected to meet specific characteristics of a given process. In the selection process, certain dominant features are typically considered; however, there are also specific sensor characteristics that are often overlooked, yet they can significantly impact the realization of the desired functionalities of the laboratory equipment. This paper highlights some of these aspects through a practical example.Proceedings / XVI International Mineral Processing and Recycling Conference, IMPRC, 28 – 30 May 2025, Belgrade, Serbia
High-entropy aluminate spinel oxides: A pathway to advanced functional materials
No full textThis study investigates the synthesis and characterization of high-entropy aluminate spinel oxides (Al-HESOs) with three distinct compositions: (Co,Mn,Ni,Zn,Cu)Al2O4, (Co,Mn,Ni,Zn)Al2O4, and (Co,Mn,Ni,Mg)Al2O4. Using the self-propagating room temperature method for synthesis and spark plasma sintering for densification, single-phased Al-HESOs with relative densities up to 97 % were successfully obtained. Structural, mechanical, and thermal properties were comprehensively analysed, demonstrating significant tunability. Notably, the inclusion of Cu2+ drastically reduced the Young's modulus (3.8 GPa) while maintaining high hardness (9.9 GPa) and low thermal diffusivity (0.78 mm² s⁻¹ at room temperature – 0.63 mm² s⁻¹ at 600 °C), positioning (Co,Mn,Ni,Zn,Cu)Al₂O₄ as a promising candidate for strain-compliant thermal barrier coatings. These findings establish a novel synthesis and densification route for Al-HESOs and their potential for applications in advanced energy, sensing, and thermal management technologies
Wet-adhesive and antibacterial PAH-TPP coacervates with self-mineralizing capability for cranial flap fixation
No full textRepositioning and securing the cranial bone flap after craniotomy remain significant challenges in neurosurgery. Traditional fixation methods often suffer from weak mechanical strength, bioinertness, limited osteogenic capacity, and a lack of antibacterial properties, complicating clinical outcomes. Recent medical adhesives offer superior fixation but face significant limitations in cranial bone applications. In this study, we explored the application of PAH (Poly (allylamine) hydrochloride)-TPP (Tripolyphosphate) coacervate (PT) as a bone adhesive. The PT coacervate demonstrated excellent anti-swelling (anti-swelling ratio less than 1 %), self-healing, and injectable properties, as well as exceptional shape adaptability and cytocompatibility. Adhesion tests revealed its outstanding adhesion (99.06 ± 11.76 kPa for lap shear and 121.42 ± 16.73 kPa for end to end), long-term durability, and tunable adhesion strength. Furthermore, the coacervate demonstrated broad-spectrum antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria (antibacterial rate more than 90 %), with mechanistic studies revealing promising strategies to address localized and systemic drug-resistant infections. Additionally, the coacervate’s self-mineralizing properties significantly enhanced its osteogenic performance. In vivo studies confirmed its effective fixation, robust antibacterial activity, and improved osteogenesis, underscoring its suitability for cranial bone flap repositioning and fixation after craniotomy. In summary, this coacervate adhesive offers a promising therapeutic solution for addressing the challenges of cranial flap fixation in neurosurgery
Influence of microstructure, crystalline form, and crystallinity on free radical evolution and properties of radiation sterilized PP
No full textPolypropylene (PP), a widely used material in the medical industry, mainly for single-use (SU) medical devices such as syringes and disposable containers, belongs to the group of polymers sensitive to ionizing radiation, even at relatively low doses (in the range of sterilization ones) and undergoes excessive oxidative degradation and deterioration in properties upon irradiation in air. Despite its simple chemical composition, commercial PP is sensitive to processing conditions due to its high isotacticity, and it can crystallize into several crystal forms depending on molecular characteristics. All of them show significant applicability in the medical industry but different structure/property sensitivity during and, in some cases, long after exposure to ionizing radiation. Herein, rapid quenching and slow cooling procedures were applied after compression molding to obtain PP samples in mesomorphic (smectic) and monoclinic forms. After that, samples were exposed to gamma radiation, and the annealing treatment was applied to the part of the irradiated samples. The presence and evolution of free radicals were followed using electron spin resonance (ESR) spectroscopy for up to 6 months. Additional characterization was conducted by optical microscopy (OM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), wide angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD), and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The results are analyzed, compared, and discussed, emphasizing the maximal dose of 50 kGy for sterilizing medical devices. Our findings show that, depending on the initial preparation conditions, the radiation-induced changes in structure and properties and the evolution of free radicals differ significantly. The applied annealing procedure substantially reduces the concentration of long-lived free radicals and can benefit the long-term stabilization of the irradiated PP. © 2025 Elsevier Lt
Terenski eksperiment o usvajanju olova, stroncijuma, kobalta i nikla u drvetu i kori smrče (Picea abies L.) i duglazije (Pseudotsuga menziesii MIRB.)
No full textHuman activities have significantly altered the availability and circulation of pollutants, impacting their concentrations in the environment. This pollution notably affects trees. In this study, we conducted two separate experiments (I and II) to investigate the uptake of lead, strontium, cobalt, and nickel in spruce (Picea abies L.) and Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii Mirb.) seedlings. These seedlings were exposed to elevated levels of these metals by adding them to the soil. Our field experiments provide insights into metal accumulation in natural environments. We measured concentrations of these elements, along with manganese and zinc, in the soil, wood, and bark using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES). The results showed increased levels of the added metals in the wood and bark of both tree species. Notably, there was a significant increase in lead and nickel concentrations in Douglas-fir wood. The lead concentration in Douglas-fir wood was 7 and 4 times higher in experiments I and II, respectively, compared to the control group of seedlings, while the nickel concentration was 18 and 10 times higher. These findings suggest that Douglas-fir wood has potential for phytostabilization of lead and nickel based on trace element concentrations and transfer factors
Morphological characteristics of fine air particulate matter collected in the suburban area
No full textThirteenth International Conference on Radiation Natural Sciences, Medicine, Engineering, Technology and Ecology : June 16-20, 2025, Herceg Novi, Montenegro