Advances in Science and Technology Vol. 180

Abstract: Pineapple and sugarcane monocultures are prevalent in Thailand, where growers often misuse pesticides and fertilizers during post-harvest soil preparation. The presence of herbicide residues poses a threat to the natural ecosystem and local communities. Diuron, a common herbicide, is frequently detected on pineapple farms. Although qualitative and quantitative tests are conducted to identify diuron, extracting it from contaminated soil remains a challenging and time-consuming process. This study employs electrochemistry to explore molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs). Polypyrrole films are synthesized on a screen-printed carbon electrode (SPCE), using diuron as a template for creating MIPs. The findings identified optimal conditions for the synthesis of polypyrrole coatings o the working electrode, with adjustments made to the supply voltage and synthesis time for enhanced results. Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) was utilized to characterize the physical surface of the electrode, while voltammetry was used to assess the dynamic behavior and performance of the electrochemical sensors. The sensor exhibited a linear sweep voltammetric current response ranging from 0.05 to 0.4 mM (R²=0.9746), with a detection limit of 0.05 mM and a sensitivity of 2.0441×10⁻⁶ A/mM for diuron. In comparison to other insecticides and inorganic salts, the MIPs demonstrated superior selectivity and electrochemical characteristics. The developed sensor effectively detected diuron in groundwater samples.

Abstract: Aluminum nitride (AlN) is a semiconductor material with interesting properties for optoelectronic applications. In the present research, layers of amorphous AlN were deposited by reactive sputtering at low temperature (RT and 100 °C) on sapphire and ITO-glass. The surface morphology of the films was investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The Young’s modulus and hardness of the thin films were measured by nanoindentation using a Berkovich nanoindenter operating with continuous stiffness measurement (CSM) technique. The influence of temperature, nature of the substrate and radiofrequency power applied to the Al target (P_Al) on the nanomechanical properties has been assessed. Numerous pop-in events were found in the films deposited onto ITO-glass, while very few were observed for those grown onto sapphire, corroborating the influence of the substrate on the mechanical performance of the films. Both E and H increase with increasing P_Al, ascribed to the increase in film thickness, and with increasing the modulus of the substrate, while decrease with increasing temperature. Results obtained herein corroborate that the mechanical properties of these films can be tailored by modifying the substrate nature and the deposition parameters, which is interesting from an application point of view.

Abstract: Th optimizes experimental process and parameters of three-dimensional anodic aluminum oxide (3D AAO) on 5N (99.999%) and 6061 aluminum alloy (AA6061) tubes were study by anodization. The purpose of research is to make a uniform, stable nanostructures, and high-quality 3D AAO for applications in biomedical, semiconductors, and energy. For the high-quality 3D AAO, the controlling parameters including an electrolyte composition, temperature, voltage, current density, and anodic time, film thickness, pore size, and uniformity. In this study, the electrolyte composition for 5 N Al of 3D AAO was used 3 wt.% oxalic acid (C₂H₂O₄) solution and for AA6061 was used mix acids (5 vol.% H₂SO₄ + 6 vol.% C₂H₆O₂ + 2.4 wt.% C₂H₂O₄) solution as electrolytes. The AAO film can be controlled between 15 and 75µm. And the pore size can be controlled between 40 and 100 nm through pore expansion process using 5 wt.% phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) solution.

Abstract: In this study, CaAl-LDHs and magnetic-CaAl-LDHs were prepared through a straightforward co-precipitation method utilizing calcined eggshell as a sustainable calcium source. Physicochemical characterization via XRD, SEM, and FTIR revealed the microstructural properties of the synthesized materials. Results indicated that the Ca²⁺/Al³⁺ molar ratio was critical for optimizing methyl orange adsorption. The magnetite-incorporated variant demonstrated enhanced separability, while kinetic studies confirmed pseudo-second-order adsorption behavior for both adsorbents.

Abstract: The development of chitosan hydrogels for open wound treatment shows promise due to their antibacterial properties, moisture retention, antibiotic loading and release capabilities, and potential for cross-linking modifications. This study investigates the effect of citric acid cross-linking on the sorption behavior of doxycycline in pH-gelated chitosan hydrogels by modeling sorption isotherms and evaluating antibacterial activity through measurements of zones of inhibition. Chitosan hydrogels were prepared via pH-induced gelation using 1.0 % v/v acetic acid and 2.5 M sodium hydroxide. Citric acid cross-linking was facilitated by adding citric acid at concentrations of 0%, 1%, 3%, and 6% (w/v). Results showed that the Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm best described the sorption for 0%, 3%, and 6% citric acid gels, attributed to microporous structures and energy heterogeneity of the adsorption sites, while the Toth isotherm fit the 1% gel. Citric acid concentration did not significantly affect the antibacterial efficacy of the hydrogels, suggesting that cross-linking can improve mechanical properties without negating the antibacterial activity of doxycycline.

Abstract: With the ongoing development and depletion of conventional shallow oil and gas resources, hydrocarbon extraction has progressively shifted toward deep unconventional reservoirs. However, strong heterogeneity and complex geological conditions in ultra‑deep unconventional formations pose significant challenges to efficient resource recovery. To address the imbalance between energy supply and demand and to support national energy security and sustainable development, imbibition‑type polymer fracturing fluid systems have emerged as an effective approach for developing unconventional tight oil reservoirs. Based on an analysis of fracturing technical requirements and enhanced oil recovery (EOR) mechanisms, and in line with oilfield development goals of cost reduction, efficiency improvement, safety, and environmental protection, this study synthesized an enhanced‑imbibition amphiphilic polymer thickener for fracturing fluids. This thickener not only meets the technical demands of fracturing operations but also utilizes its degraded solution to achieve imbibition displacement within the reservoir, thereby improving oil recovery. Using acryloyl chloride (AC), stearyl alcohol polyoxypropylene ether (SPO), and 1,3‑propanesultone as raw materials, a polymerizable amphiphilic sulfonated monomer-octadecyl polyoxypropylene sulfonate-was synthesized. This monomer exhibits both solubilizing and surface‑tension‑reducing capabilities. Subsequently, the monomer was copolymerized with acrylic acid (AA) and acrylamide (AM) to produce a hydrophobically associating polyacrylamide modified with amphiphilic functional groups, which serves as the thickener for the fracturing fluid system. Under high‑salinity conditions (20000 mg/L), the fluid viscosity remains above 55 mPa·s. After shearing at 90°C and 170 s^-1 for 90 minutes, the retained viscosity exceeds 45 mPa·s. Following gel breaking with ammonium persulfate, the broken gel achieves an imbibition efficiency of 34.5%.

Abstract: A novel Mannich-based quaternary ammonium salt (PMQ) corrosion inhibitor was synthesized via Mannich reaction followed by quaternization. Its corrosion inhibition performance for N80 steel in 15 wt% HCl at 303 K was evaluated using electrochemical methods. The addition of 1 wt% PMQ achieved an inhibition efficiency of 98.6%. The adsorption of PMQ onto the metal surface followed a mixed physisorption–chemisorption mechanism. Characterization by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), contact angle measurements, molecular dynamics simulations, and quantum chemical calculations demonstrated that PMQ forms a hydrophobic film through electrostatic adsorption via its quaternary ammonium group and π-electron conjugation from the proline ring. This film effectively blocks the penetration of H⁺ and Cl⁻ ions, forming a dense protective layer that suppresses the diffusion of corrosive species and mitigates acid-induced corrosion.

Abstract: Conventional squeeze treatment scale inhibitors often suffer from short effective duration and require frequent reapplication. To address this limitation, this study focuses on developing long-lasting antiscaling nanoparticles with enhanced formation retention capacity. EDTMPS-Ca/Zn composite nanoparticles were synthesized via hydrothermal method by introducing ZnCl₂, and compared with zinc-free EDTMPS-Ca nanoparticles. A combination of FTIR, TGA, XRD, and SEM analyses was used to systematically characterize the material. This inhibition leads to the formation of an amorphous structure with a smaller particle size, a more uniform distribution, and enhanced thermal stability. Core flooding experiments confirm a significantly lower flowback concentration for the zinc-containing nanoparticles, revealing their stronger retention capability within the formation. The improvement is attributed to the combined effects of reduced particle size, increased specific surface area, and optimized surface charge induced by zinc ions. These factors collectively enhance the adsorption capacity. This work provides an effective metal-ion doping strategy for fabricating high-performance nanoscale materials for prolonged scale inhibition.

Abstract: In this research, the wood-based polymer composite DuraSense® 3D S51 Flex K, composed of 50% wood fibers and 50% polymer, was studied for the manufacture of products using large-scale additive manufacturing technology. Experimental specimens were produced to determine composite properties and the influence of printing strategy on these properties. The study involved creating test samples in four different printing orientations relative to the horizontal axis: 0°, 30°, 45°, and 90°, that is using different printing strategies, which affected the mechanical properties of the products. All sample types were tested for density, tensile strength, flexural strength, and underwent microscopic investigation. The test results demonstrated sufficient mechanical properties and durability of the obtained products, and enabled evaluation of the relationship between printing strategy and the strength characteristics of the products. It was found that the mechanical properties of products obtained by 3D printing are lower than those of the raw materials (granulate for additive manufacturing) as declared by the manufacturer. This is explained by structural changes, specifically the formation of micropores and the reduction of interlayer bonds during large-scale additive manufacturing. Considering the determined strength and durability indicators, as well as the advantages of additive manufacturing technology, the use of wood-based polymer composites is recommended for the production of various products using 3D printing.