Article
Engineering, Chemical
Vipada Dokmai, Kitiphat Sinthiptharakoon, Witchukorn Phuthong, Varong Pavarajarn
Summary: This study used atomic force microscopy force spectroscopy to investigate the interactions between talc particles and matrix materials. The results showed that hydrophilic talc particles obtained from different treatments exhibited better adhesion with the materials, but the anisotropy of talc surfaces persisted. Surface hydrophobization reduced talc's surface anisotropy but also decreased adhesion. The findings suggest that adhesion between talc and materials is influenced by van der Waals interactions and surface polarity, providing insights for modulating talc's adhesion, hydrophobicity, and surface uniformity.
Article
Polymer Science
Vikhyaat Ahlawat, Shatruhan Singh Rajput, Shivprasad Patil
Summary: Force-extension curves are used to measure the entropic elasticity of single polymer chains in force spectroscopy experiments. The Worm-like Chain model describes these experiments, with a parameter called persistence length that measures bending flexibility. Different force regimes may result in discrepancies in estimates of persistence length, but oscillatory rheology provides a more accurate measurement of elastic response.
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
R. Mark Bradley, Patrick D. Shipman
Summary: In this study, the patterns created by scanning an atomic force microscope tip over a polymer surface were investigated using a mesoscopic model. The research discovered that the steady-state solution is only stable below a critical value, beyond which periodic stick-slip motion occurs.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Zhiping Shi, Bin Ran, Liyan Liu
Summary: This study determines the interaction energy of fine particles at different pH levels and provides a framework for improving the solid-liquid separation performance of clay-rich tailings.
Article
Physics, Applied
Gwangmook Kim, YoungJun Cho, Min-Kyun Cho, Dohun Kim, Wooyoung Shim
Summary: Cantilever-free scanning probe microscopy has potential for high-throughput topography imaging. However, the current imaging mechanism lacks efficiency in detection precision and bandwidth, limiting the application of this measurement system. We present a contact resistance-based imaging system using RF reflectometry, achieving sub-micrometer-scale topography imaging with a resolution of 230 nm and a bandwidth of approximately 8.5 MHz.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Luke Oduor Otieno, Bernard Ouma Alunda, Jaehyun Kim, Yong Joong Lee
Summary: Improving the imaging rate of a high-speed atomic force microscope requires specialized hardware and software, with ongoing efforts to enhance general applications. A compact HS-AFM scan-head design with minimal Z-scanner loading is presented in this study as an efficient solution for faster imaging.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yingdi Dong, Zhongbao Hua, Yong Zeng, Tong Yue, Honghu Tang, Wei Sun
Summary: This study introduced polycarboxylate ether (PCE) superplasticizers as auxiliary additives for tailings treatment to improve fine particles sedimentation efficiency while enhancing slurry flowability. The results showed that the synergistic effects of PCE and NPAM increased the initial sedimentation rate (ISR) and decreased the yield stress and thixotropic loop area. DLVO theory calculations showed that PCE mainly affects particle interactions through a decrease in electrostatic repulsion. The study also found strong correlations between floc properties and fluid rheological properties.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Physics, Fluids & Plasmas
Pedro J. Martinez, Enrico Gnecco, Juan J. Mazo
Summary: This study investigates the quantifiable characteristics of wave-like features observed on polymer surfaces when examined with AFM, and demonstrates the presence of ripples and dotted regions under different parameter values. The amplitude, period, and orientation of these features are numerically estimated, revealing a cooperative process involving the scanning of multiple lines leading to the emergence of ripples.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Haochen Feng, Ziwen Cheng, Tingting Yang, Zhibin Lu, Q. -c. He
Summary: In this study, a nanoscale friction test using an atomic force microscope (AFM) is simulated by ab initio DFT calculations. The results show that when a silver tip slides on a honeycomb borophene monolayer supported by a titanium substrate, the friction force varies nonlinearly with the tip height and becomes almost zero near a critical height. This phenomenon is called attraction-induced superlubricity (AISL), and its origin is discussed in terms of electron redistributions.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Marc Schaechtele, Jan Kemmler, Johannes Rheinlaender, Tilman E. Schaeffer
Summary: A high-speed atomic force microscopy setup optimized for imaging live cells has been developed and demonstrated in experiments on live human platelets and cancer cells. Additionally, the study explores the changes in viscoelastic material properties of cells in different cell cycle states.
ADVANCED MATERIALS TECHNOLOGIES
(2022)
Article
Mechanics
Mehdi Molavian Jazi, Saeed Ziaei-Rad, Reza Ebrahimi
Summary: This paper investigates the chaotic vibration of an AFM microcantilever under base excitation. Using the modified couple stress theory and the Euler-Bernoulli beam model, the nonlinear governing equations are derived and solved numerically. The results reveal that the microcantilever exhibits both 6T-periodic and chaotic motions, and the onset of chaos occurs at higher initial distances than predicted by the classical continuum mechanics theory.
ARCHIVE OF APPLIED MECHANICS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xiaopeng Sun, Wenli Liu, Qiming Zhuo, Penghui Wang, Junfeng Zhao
Summary: The interaction mechanism between coal and collector is important for coal flotation, but direct determination of the interaction force has been rarely reported. In this study, the interaction between different types of coal and collectors was measured using an atomic force microscope (AFM), and the interaction mechanism was simulated at the molecular level using density functional theory (DFT). The results show that the interaction force increases with the metamorphic degree of coal for the same type of collector. The DFT calculations also reveal that n-dodecane has weaker interaction with coal compared to nonyl benzene. This research provides valuable insights into the molecular interaction mechanism between coal and collectors, which can help in developing effective collectors for coal preparation and other engineering processes.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Chenwei Li, Yating Zhang, Haijun Zhang
Summary: Nanobubbles on the solid surface play a crucial role in the removal of fine coal/minerals from slurry. This study investigates the nucleation process of surface nanobubbles and its effect on particle interaction. The findings reveal that surface hydrophobicity is more important than surface roughness in nanobubbles nucleation. The presence of nanobubbles enhances adhesion force and collision probability, leading to improved removal efficiency in flotation techniques.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2024)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Cyrus E. Dreyer, Sinisa Coh, Massimiliano Stengel
Summary: In clean conductors, nonadiabatic Born effective charges are well defined in the low-frequency limit, and the sublattice sum of these charges is proportional to the Drude weight.
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Wagner E. Richter, Leonardo J. Duarte, Roy E. Bruns
Summary: GAPT is a popular charge model with unique features that make it difficult to compare directly with standard partition schemes. Research explores its dynamic nature and how to obtain relevant parts of GAPT from static charge models. Additionally, a conceptual evaluation of charge models aims to explain the strong correlation between GAPT and QTAIM charges.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL INFORMATION AND MODELING
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Fan Yang, Xiao He, Wen Tan, Gang Liu, Tingting Yi, Qingye Lu, Xiaoting Wei, Hanjie Xie, Qiurong Long, GuiChao Wang, Chuanfei Guo, Erica Pensini, Zhouguang Lu, Qingxia Liu, Zhenghe Xu
Summary: The unique adhesion-shielding method was used to synthesize magnetic Janus nanoparticles (IM-JNPs) with excellent interfacial properties and efficient removal of oily wastewater under an external magnetic field.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Physics, Multidisciplinary
Tianzi Bai, Rogerio Manica, Bo Liu, Evert Klaseboer, Zhenghe Xu, Qingxia Liu
Summary: This study investigates the thin film drainage between a viscous oil drop and a mica surface, highlighting the effects of Laplace pressure and viscous normal stress. The research indicates that the drop viscosity plays a significant role in the drainage process, and proposes a mathematical model relating drop size and capillary numbers. These findings have implications for industrial systems involving highly viscous liquids.
PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yi Lu, Yeling Zhu, Fan Yang, Zhenghe Xu, Qingxia Liu
Summary: The recent advances in switchable molecules/materials for oil recovery and oily waste cleanup are explored in this article. These materials with various switchable properties can be deployed into the most suitable applications according to process requirements.
Article
Energy & Fuels
Subhash Ayirala, Abdulkareem Sofi, Zuoli Li, Zhenghe Xu
Summary: The use of surfactants and surfactant-polymers on carbonate surfaces can enhance oil recovery efficiency by altering wettability and reducing interfacial tension, as demonstrated by microscale experiments in this study.
JOURNAL OF PETROLEUM SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xin Cong, Sifang Zhou, Tong Wang, Guibin Pang, Zhenghe Xu
Summary: The study found that biochar application can decrease preferential flow, improve soil water retention capacity, enhance nutrient retention, and increase crop yield. This research is of great significance for improving crop water and fertilizer use efficiency, as well as protecting the ecological environment.
POLISH JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Jessica V. Fuentes, Edgar B. Zamora, Anirban Chakraborty, Gerardo Zavala, Zhenghe Xu, William McCaffrey, Zuoli Li, Flavio Vazquez, Cesar A. Flores
Summary: A novel random acrylic terpolymer based on butyl acrylate, 2-(dimethylamino)ethyl acrylate, and 2-carboxyethyl acrylate monomers showed efficient demulsifying properties in heavy crude oils with stable water-in-oil emulsions. The best water removal performance was achieved with terpolymers containing 90-80% of the hydrophobic monomer B and small amounts of the hydrophilic monomers Ae and Ce. The correlation between molecular parameters of the terpolymers and physicochemical parameters of the crude oils allows for accurate prediction of water removal efficiency, aiding in selecting the best demulsifier for a specific petroleum stream.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hongbiao Tao, Yue Yang, Shengming Xu, Qi Liu, Guoyong Huang, Zhenghe Xu
Summary: The study introduces a selective leaching strategy based on defect-induced lattice instability, allowing simultaneous recovery and separation of high-value metals from spent cathode materials without the need for a separation step. This technique demonstrates high recoveries of lithium, nickel/cobalt, and manganese using different leaching agents and provides new insights for developing advanced recycling strategies.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jiming Lu, Prashant Kumar Mishra, Timothy N. Hunter, Fan Yang, Zhouguang Lu, David Harbottle, Zhenghe Xu
Summary: This study demonstrates the effectiveness of functionalized bio-sorbents derived from pomelo peel in rapidly and efficiently decontaminating water, with the potential for large-scale remediation strategies of contaminated wastewater.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Yi Lu, Rui Li, Rogerio Manica, Zhiqing Zhang, Qingxia Liu, Zhenghe Xu
Summary: This study demonstrates the feasibility and advantages of using CO2-responsive surfactants in water-based oil sands extraction to enhance bitumen recovery. By adjusting interfacial tension, both bitumen liberation and aeration can be significantly improved. The use of these surfactants not only increases the recovery rate but also produces cleaner bituminous froths and reduces energy consumption.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Xiangyu Chen, Xinrui Ma, Tony Yeung, Dejun Sun, Zhenghe Xu
Summary: This study presents a method of using CO2-responsive microemulsions to treat oil-contaminated soils. The method effectively cleans oil-contaminated soils at low energy consumption and allows for the recovery of value-added oil.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wen Tan, Fan Yang, Tingting Yi, Gang Liu, Xiaoting Wei, Qiurong Long, Yi Liu, Yingzhi Li, Chuanfei Guo, Kun Liu, Zhouguang Lu, Qingxia Liu, Zhenghe Xu
Summary: Carbon coating is a common method to improve the performance of Li-ion batteries, but conventional carbon coatings are brittle. This study proposes a scalable and low-cost synthesis method to deposit a highly-elastic fullerene-like protective carbon layer on silicon nanoparticles, which exhibits high cycle stability and capacity retention.
ENERGY STORAGE MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Wen Tan, Lina Wang, Zhouguang Lu, Fan Yang, Zhenghe Xu
Summary: Researchers have successfully synthesized a stable and scalable Si/C nanocomposite for lithium-ion battery anodes by controlling the concentration of asphaltenes. The resulting electrode exhibits high reversible capacity, capacity retention, and stability under high mass loading and area capacity conditions.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Wen Tan, Fan Yang, Zhouguang Lu, Zhenghe Xu
Summary: This study improves the electrochemical performance of carbon-coated silicon anodes by forming uniform carbon coatings with different degrees of graphitization. The high elasticity and high Li+ diffusion coefficient of the carbon coating greatly enhance the stability and rate capability of the electrode.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Lingfei Liu, Mingshan Zhang, Zhouguang Lu, Zhehui Jin, Yi Lu, Dejun Sun, Zhenghe Xu
Summary: This study investigates the impact of the molecular structure of pseudo-Gemini surfactants (PGS) on the stability and switchability of emulsions. The findings suggest that increasing the spacer length improves the interfacial activity, while introducing an amino group enhances the CO2 responsivity of PGS.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yunhui Hua, Zhenghe Xu, Baojun Zhao, Zuotai Zhang
Summary: An electrochemical approach was developed to evaluate redox abilities and a salt leaching method using water-soluble NH4Fe(SO4)(2) as a redox intermediate was proposed for the synergistic recovery of valuable metals from spent lithium-ion batteries, achieving high efficiency and selectivity.
