Materials Science Forum Vol. 1155

Abstract: In this study, zinc dross (ZD) was used as precursor to prepare hematite/zinc oxide (Fe₂O₃/ZnO) nanocomposites with bacterial cellulose (BC) as catalyst support to prevent agglomeration of the obtained Fe₂O₃/ZnO. pH during the dissolution process of ZD was varied at 4.2 and 5.5 (namely ZD4 and ZD5, respectively) to know the effect of pH on the formation of Fe₂O₃/ZnO/BC. As comparison, Fe₂O₃/ZnO from its pure precursor was also prepared with the same pH and Zn concentration of ZD4 and ZD5 (namely ZF4 and ZF5, respectively). Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) results showed that Zn and Fe content in ZD4 sample (42,059 and 8,615 ppm, respectively) are higher than Zn and Fe content in ZD5 sample (25,554 and 2,204 ppm, respectively). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infra-red (FTIR) results of all samples confirmed the successful synthesis and deposition of Fe₂O₃/ZnO on BC. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) results revealed that the average particle size of Fe₂O₃/ZnO/BC samples at pH 5.5 (341 nm for ZD5 and 385 nm for ZF5 samples respectively) are slightly smaller than samples at pH 4.2 (418 nm for ZD4 and 426 nm for ZF4 samples respectively). Photocatalytic activities results showed that Fe₂O₃/ZnO/BC samples at pH 5.5 (45.7% for ZD5 and 57.9% for ZF5 samples respectively) have slightly higher activity than samples at pH 4.2 (38.1% for ZD4 and 41.9% for ZF4 samples respectively). These findings demonstrate the potential use of ZD and suggest that dissolution of ZD at pH 5.5 led to smaller particles size and higher photocatalytic activity than pH 4.2.

Abstract: Asphalt pavement performance is based on several parameters and properties of the materials’ element. surface free energy that the modifier and the asphalt binder both displays. The resistance of the modified asphalt binder to stresses and moisture damage is largely determined by the bond energies. Asphalt binder qualities may be altered by either technical or natural processes, which subsequently impact on the chemical and mechanical characteristics. In addition, a correlated investigation revealed that surface free energy values may be used to assess the compatibility of a binder in relation to moisture-induced damage. Data demonstrates that the incorporation of soft clay into the asphalt binder resulted in a favorable coating and bonding capacity, as compared to the control asphalt binder. moisture-induced damage in HMA is a combined effect of loss of cohesion of asphalt binder and loss of adhesion between asphalt binder and aggregate. It was indicated that the modified binders of BPSC ratios would delay and weaken the oxidation reaction asphalt binder which can enhance the aging process. Based on absorbance peaks of carbonyl and sulfoxide bonds, the addition of BPSC would delay the aging process of asphalt binder.

Abstract: The adsorption behavior of Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Cr³⁺ from aqueous solutions onto bacterial cellulose/magnetite (BC/Fe₃O₄) composite in multiple systems was systematically investigated, with particular focus on competitive adsorption and inorganic ion effects. The BC/Fe₃O₄ composite demonstrated significant adsorption capacity for the three heavy metals through mechanisms involving surface complexation and electrostatic interactions. Binary and ternary competitive adsorption studies revealed that the adsorption capacity followed the sequence of Pb²⁺ (0.847 mmol/g) > Cu²⁺ (0.673 mmol/g) > Cr³⁺ (0.556 mmol/g), correlating inversely with their hydration energies. The presence of inorganic ions (Na⁺, K⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺) showed inhibitory effects on heavy metal adsorption, primarily due to competition for adsorption sites. Conversely, Al³⁺ and Fe³⁺ enhanced adsorption performance through synergistic effects. Notably, Pb²⁺ adsorption remained relatively unaffected by competing ions due to its strong affinity for BC/Fe₃O₄, while Cr³⁺ showed unique behavior in competitive systems. EDTA demonstrated superior desorption efficiency compared to HNO₃, with efficiencies ranging from 61.2% to 68.4%. This study highlights the potential of BC/Fe₃O₄ composite as an effective adsorbent for heavy metal removal from complex water matrices.

Abstract: Electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) conventionally necessitates the preparation of flat, damage-free surfaces, typically achieved through mechanical or chemical polishing. However, for porous materials susceptible to fracture, such procedures are not only technically challenging but also risk altering or obscuring critical microstructural features, particularly at fine length scales. Despite the widespread reliance on surface polishing, its necessity in EBSD analysis—especially for highly porous materials—has seldom been critically examined, and studies omitting such preparation remain scarce. In the present study, EBSD analysis was conducted on porous polycrystalline YBa₂Cu₃O_y without any surface treatment. The absence of polishing preserved the pristine microstructure, free from artifacts commonly introduced by conventional preparation techniques. Although the surface topography limited the number of pixels yielding high-quality diffraction patterns, orientation imaging revealed that the surface granules predominantly exhibit single-crystalline domain structures. These findings demonstrate that EBSD can be successfully applied to porous materials without surface polishing, thereby providing a rapid, non-destructive approach for microstructural characterization while preserving the material’s intrinsic structural integrity.