Search the digital library catalog

Abstract: Since the introduction of electronic cigarettes (ECs) to the global market, the composition of e-liquids has been a controversial topic. While some consider ECs to be an effective tool for quitting smoking, their primary criticism lies in the uncertain and varied composition of e-liquids. Manufacturers create the desired formulations by mixing different ratios of humectants, flavorings, nicotine, cannabinoids, and cooling agents. However, the health effects of inhaling these compounds are still not well understood. Regular analytical control of e-liquids and aerosols is crucial to gain valuable insights into e-liquid composition, generating new compounds during aerosolization, and the potential impact on human health. This work presents an overview of the analytical techniques used for the qualitative and quantitative determination of e-liquid and aerosol compounds, including a description of the methods used for aerosol collection. Gas and liquid chromatography are the most used analytical techniques for compound determination, followed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Additionally, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy are the most frequently used analytical techniques for elemental determination in e-liquids and their aerosols.
Keywords: electronic cigarettes, e-liquids, aerosol, gas chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
Published in DKUM: 21.03.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 1
Full text (2,11 MB)

Abstract: The development of sensitive, selective, and reliable glucose biosensors remains a persistent challenge in clinical diagnostics. In this study, we exploited the advantageous (electro)catalytic properties of bismuth ruthenate (Bi2Ru2O7) pyrochlore clusters, known for their high surface activity and metallic-like conductivity, and the favorable physicochemical properties of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by combining them with glucose oxidase (GOD) in a sensitive and selective disposable glucose biosensor. The integration of Bi2Ru2O7 enabled an enhanced and more reproducible response of the biosensor along with fast and improved communication between the supporting electrode and the upper biosensing layer. The architecture of the biosensor involves the deposition of an MWCNT layer on a ferrocyanide-modified screen-printed carbon electrode (FCN-SPCE), followed by the application of a biorecognition layer including GOD and Bi2Ru2O7 clusters. The voltammetric biosensor showed excellent electroanalytical performance, capable of detecting low glucose concentrations with a detection limit of 40 μM along with a linear response across the examined concentration range of 1.0–20.0 mM. The biosensor exhibited good reproducibility with a relative standard deviation (RSD) of 1.2% and interference-free operation against several of the most common interfering compounds. The practical applicability of the biosensor was demonstrated by the determination of glucose in a real serum sample spiked with different concentrations of glucose.
Keywords: glucose sensor, glucose oxidase, Bi2Ru2O7 pyrochlore, multi-walled carbon nanotubes, voltammetry, serum
Published in DKUM: 20.03.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 0
Full text (3,68 MB)

Abstract: Lithium-sulfur (Li─S) batteries are an attractive option for future energy storage devices because they offer higher theoretical specific capacity, energy density, and cost-effectiveness than commercial lithium-ion batteries. However, the practical applications of Li─S batteries are significantly limited by the shuttle effect caused by intermediate lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) and slow redox kinetics. In this study, the molecular engineering of chalcone-linked, sp2-bonded nanographene-type covalent organic frameworks (COFs) as sulfur hosts is reported to enhance interactions with LiPSs, thereby effectively suppressing the shuttle effect. The developed sulfur-hosting cathode material demonstrated outstanding battery performance, surpassing most reported materials by achieving a specific capacity of 1228 mA h g−1 at 0.5C, with 80% retention after 500 cycles and an average Coulombic Efficiency (C.E.) of 99%. Additionally, the mechanisms of sulfur immobilization, the subsequent conversion into lithium polysulfides (LiPSs), and their binding energies with COFs are investigated using density functional theory (DFT) calculations. These findings offer valuable insights into the structure-property relationships essential for developing more efficient sulfur-hosting cathodes.
Keywords: covalent organic frameworks, lithium-sulfur battery, nanographene, anion-pi interaction, polysulfide shuttle
Published in DKUM: 17.03.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 0
Full text (2,87 MB)
This document has many files! More...

Abstract: Knowledge of defect formation mechanisms in the manufacturing process helps improve product quality. In this study, defect formation due to re-melting of each layer in selective laser melting of Ti-6Al-4V demonstrated the physical behavior in the manufacture of metallic parts. The re-melting strategy was based on scanning with low energy density (ED) and increased ED with various combinations of laser processing parameters. The increased EDs and their parameters, namely laser power, scanning speed, and hatch distance, were selected based on the previous research experience by the authors. The concept of selecting a low ED followed by a high ED was to reduce the spattering of the powder material during the process. The low ED caused partial sintering of the powder, while the high ED caused the melting of the material, resulting in different metallurgical properties of the manufactured parts. Densities, pore properties, porosity in the initial layers, surface morphologies, and microstructures in the defective areas of the samples were studied to determine the effects of re-melting. Advantages and disadvantages were found with respect to the range of applications of the products
Keywords: re-melting, pore properties, defect, surface morphology, Ti-6Al-4V, selective laser melting
Published in DKUM: 14.03.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 1
Full text (16,16 MB)

Abstract: The petroleum industry is often faced with accidental spills and discharges that pollute valuable natural resources such as soil. The purpose of this study was to assess bioremediation potential of an on-site landfarming unit (LU), a highly economical solution that complies with the zero-waste policy, for bioremediation of the contaminated soil after an actual diesel fuel leakage in a fuel depot. The first aim was to evaluate the effects of different climates on hydrocarbon bioremediation. For this reason, a part of the contaminated soil was moved from the initial location with a sub-Mediterranean climate to an LU at another location with a temperate continental climate. Our results demonstrated that remediation in sub-Mediterranean climate is less effective than the remediation in a temperate continental climate. The second aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of different plant species on the microbial population during bioremediation. For that purpose, 365-day monitoring of phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) was performed. Our results support the hypothesis that plant-assisted bioremediation can diminish toxic effects of diesel-polluted soil and that the changes in plant species during bioremediation cause changes in the microbial population.
Keywords: bioremediation, climatic effect, contamined soil, microbial community, petroleum hydrocarbons
Published in DKUM: 21.02.2025; Views: 0; Downloads: 1
Full text (2,18 MB)