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It has been shown that selected types of substituents are able to vary the oxidative behavior of multi-walled carbon nanotubes. Such substituents investigated were sterically hindered secondary amino groups bonded in grafted piperidine units and covalently bonded bromine groups. Their interference and activity was preliminary determined in the model cumene and then in oil diesel fraction and low density polyethylene oxidation reactions. Results obtained indicate that chemical linking of amine moieties containing –NH groups directly to the carbon nanotubes core significantly increases their intrinsic anti-oxidative capacity while the grafting of Br-groups provokes the opposite functioning of the pristine samples. This inference was proved by thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis of the polyethylene composites and experiments on profound aerobic oxidation of petroleum naphthenic fraction derived from the commercial Baku oils blend diesel cut.
This paper reports results from in situ electrochemical X-ray absorption near-edge spectroscopy (XANES) studies of the corrosion processes on model thin iron films in the presence of iron reducing bacteria Shewanella putrefaciens. Here we investigate the electrochemical activity of two cultures grown in the presence and absence of Fe(III) citrate in the culture medium. The XANES spectra and the OCP data of the Fe sample incubated with the culture grown in absence of Fe(III) did not show any significant changes during twenty hours of monitoring. In the case of the culture grown in Fe(III) containing medium, an accelerated dissolution of the iron film was observed together with the formation of a mixed Fe(II)-Fe(III) hydroxide surface layer. The open circuit potential (OCP) steadily approached the free corrosion potential of iron in neutral chloride containing electrolytes, indicating a continuous dissolution process without passivation.
The interaction of microplastics with freshwater biota and their interaction with other stressors is still not very well understood. Therefore, we investigated the ingestion, excretion and toxicity of microplastics in the freshwater gastropod Lymnaea stagnalis.
MP ingestion was analyzed as tissues levels in L. stagnalis after 6–96 h of exposure to 5–90 μm spherical polystyrene (PS) microplastics. To understand the excretion, tissue levels were determined after 24 h of exposure followed by a 12 h–7 d depuration period. To assess the toxicity, snails were exposed for 28 d to irregular PS microplastics (<63 μm, 6.4–100,000 particles mL−1), both alone and in combination with copper as additional stressor. To compare the toxicity of natural and synthetic particles, we also included diatomite particles. Microplastics ingestion and excretion significantly depended on the particle size and the exposure/depuration duration. An exposure to irregular PS had no effect on survival, reproduction, energy reserves and oxidative stress. However, we observed slight effects on immune cell phagocytosis. Exposure to microplastics did not exacerbate the reproductive toxicity of copper. In addition, there was no pronounced difference between the effects of microplastics and diatomite. The tolerance towards microplastics may originate from an adaptation of L. stagnalis to particle-rich environments or a general stress resilience. In conclusion, despite high uptake rates, PS fragments do not appear to be a relevant stressor for stress tolerant freshwater gastropods considering current environmental levels of microplastics.
Small-molecule oxoanions are often imprinted noncovalently as carboxylates into molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), requiring the use of an organic counterion. Popular species are either pentamethylpiperidine (PMP) as a protonatable cation or tetraalkylammonium (TXA) ions as permanent cations. The present work explores the influence of the TXA as a function of their alkyl chain length, from methyl to octyl, using UV/vis absorption, fluorescence titrations, and HPLC as well as MD simulations. Protected phenylalanines (Z-L/D-Phe) served as templates/analytes. While the influence of the counterion on the complex stability constants and anion-induced spectral changes shows a monotonous trend with increasing alkyl chain length at the prepolymerization stage, the cross-imprinting/rebinding studies showed a unique pattern that suggested the presence of adaptive cavities in the MIP matrix, related to the concept of induced fit of enzyme−substrate interaction. Larger cavities formed in the presence of larger counterions can take up pairs of Z-X-Phe and smaller TXA, eventually escaping spectroscopic detection. Correlation of the experimental data with the MD simulations revealed that counterion mobility, the relative distances between the three partners, and the hydrogen bond lifetimes are more decisive for the response features observed than actual distances between interacting atoms in a complex or the orientation of binding moieties. TBA has been found to yield the highest imprinting factor, also showing a unique dual behavior regarding the interaction with template and fluorescent monomer. Finally, interesting differences between both enantiomers have been observed in both theory and experiment, suggesting true control of enantioselectivity. The contribution concludes with suggestions for translating the findings into actual MIP development.
A naphthalimide-based fluorescent indicator monomer 1 for the integration into chromo- and fluorogenic molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) was synthesized and characterized. The monomer was equipped with a urea binding site to respond to carboxylate-containing guests with absorption and fluorescence changes, namely a bathochromic shift in absorption and fluorescence quenching. Detailed spectroscopic analyses of the title compound and various models revealed the signaling mechanism. Titration studies employing benzoate and Z-ʟ-phenylalanine (Z-ʟ-Phe) suggest that indicator monomers such as the title compound undergo a mixture of deprotonation and complex formation in the presence of benzoate but yield hydrogen-bonded complexes, which are desirable for the molecular imprinting process, with weakly basic guests like Z-ʟ-Phe. Compound 1 could be successfully employed in the synthesis of monolithic and thin-film MIPs against Z-ʟ-Phe, Z-L-glutamic acid, and penicillin G. Chromatographic assessment of the selectivity features of the monoliths revealed enantioselective discrimination and clear imprinting effects. Immobilized on glass coverslips, the thin-film MIPs of 1 displayed a clear signaling behavior with a pronounced enantioselective fluorescence quenching dependence and a promising discrimination against cross-analytes.
Blends of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) and poly(ethylene naphthalate) (PEN) were processed into biaxially drawn films, and samples taken from the bi-oriented films were then investigated by dynamic rheology experiments in the melt state. Storage modulus G and loss modulus G were determined in the frequency range of 10-2-102 rad/s at temperatures between 260 and 300°C. Although the time-temperature superposition (TTS) principle was found to hold in the high frequency regime, a breakdown of TTS was observed at low frequencies, and the terminal behavior of the storage modulus G of the blends departs drastically from the terminal behavior observed for the blend components. This is caused by interfacial surface tension effects. The results indicate that despite the effect of transesterification reactions, the PET/PEN blend systems investigated consist of a microseparate phase of PEN platelets in a matrix of PET. This morphology is produced when the blends are processed into biaxially oriented PET/PEN films, and droplets of PEN are deformed into a lamellar structure consisting of parallel and extended, separate layers. The large interfacial surface area of the bi-oriented PET/PEN blends leads to remarkably strong interfacial tension effects in dynamic rheology measurements.
One of the most significant limitations for the quantum efficiency of group III-nitride based light emitters is the spatial electron-hole separation due to the quantum-confined Stark effect (QCSE). To overcome this problem, Hönig et al. [1] proposed a novel concept, the Internal-Field-Guarded-Active-Region Design (IFGARD), which suppresses the QCSE for wurtzite crystals in the [0001] direction. Here, we show how encapsulating the active region by additional guard layers results in a strong reduction of the built-in electric field in c-plane wurtzite nanostructures. Even more importantly, we demonstrate the first experimental evidence for the successful realization of an IFGARD structure based on GaN/AlN heterostructures embedded in GaN nanowires. By means of power-dependent and time-resolved µ-photoluminescence (µ-PL) we experimentally proof the validity of the unconventional IFGARD structure. We managed to tune the emission of 4-nm-thick GaN nano-discs up to 3.32 eV at low excitation powers, which is just 150 meV below the bulk GaN bandgap. Our results demonstrate an almost complete elimination of the QCSE in comparison to conventional structures which show approximately 1 eV red-shifted emission. The suppression of the QCSE results in a significant increase of the radiative exciton decay rates by orders of magnitude and demonstrates the potential of IFGARD structures for future light sources based on polar heterostructures.
[1] Hönig et al., Phys. Rev. Applied 7, 024004 (2017)
Combinations of different common flame retardants in wood–plastic composites (WPCs) are tested to identify synergistic or antagonistic effects with the goal of improving the fire performance of WPCs. Flame retardants investigated are expandable graphite (EG), ammonium polyphosphate (APP), and red phosphorus (RP) and combinations of two of them are used. The fire behavior is studied by cone calorimetric measurements. Additional thermogravimetry is used for further investigations. The fire tests show that EG has the highest potential for flame retardancy, but due to its expansion it cracks the formed residue layer. Combinations of EG with RP or with high amounts of APP are able to suppress this cracking.
The existence of microbial activity hotspots in temperate regions of Earth is driven by soil heterogeneities, especially the temporal and spatial availability of nutrients. Here we investigate whether microbial activity hotspots also exist in lithic microhabitats in one of the most arid regions of the world, the Atacama Desert in Chile. While previous studies evaluated the total DNA fraction to elucidate the microbial communities, we here for the first time use a DNA separation approach on lithic microhabitats, together with metagenomics and other analysis methods (i.e., ATP, PLFA, and metabolite analysis) to specifically gain insights on the living and potentially active microbial community. Our results show that hypolith colonized rocks are microbial hotspots in the desert environment. In contrast, our data do not support such a conclusion for gypsum crust and salt rock environments, because only limited microbial activity could be observed. The hypolith community is dominated by phototrophs, mostly Cyanobacteria and Chloroflexi, at both study sites. The gypsum crusts are dominated by methylotrophs and heterotrophic phototrophs, mostly Chloroflexi, and the salt rocks (halite nodules) by phototrophic and halotolerant endoliths, mostly Cyanobacteria and Archaea. The major environmental constraints in the organic-poor arid and hyperarid Atacama Desert are water availability and UV irradiation, allowing phototrophs and other extremophiles to play a key role in desert ecology.
Terrestrial mud volcanoes are unique structures driven by tectonic pressure and fluids from the deep subsurface. These structures are mainly found in active tectonic zones, such as the area near the Los Bajos Fault in Trinidad. Here we report a chemical and microbiological characterization of three mud volcanoes, which included analyses of multiple liquid and solid samples from the mud volcanoes. Our study confirms previous suggestions that at least some of the mud volcano fluids are a mixture of deeper salt-rich water and surficial/precipitation water. No apparent water quality differences were found between sampling sites north and south of a major geological fault line. Microbiological analyses revealed diverse communities, both aerobic and anaerobic, including sulfate reducers, methanogens, carbon dioxide fixing and denitrifying bacteria. Several identified species were halophilic and likely derived from the deeper salt-rich subsurface water, while we also cultivated pathogenic species from the Vibrionaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Shewanellaceae, and Clostridiaceae. These microorganisms were likely introduced into the mud volcano fluids both from surface water or shallow ground-water, and perhaps to a more minor degree by rain water. The identified pathogens are a major health concern that needs to be addressed.
Recently, we suggested an unconventional approach (the so-called Internal-Field-Guarded-Active-Region Design “IFGARD”) for the elimination of the quantum-confined Stark effect in polar semiconductor heterostructures. The IFGARD-based suppression of the Stark redshift on the order of electronvolt and spatial charge carrier separation is independent of the specific polar semiconductor material or the related growth procedures. In this work, we demonstrate by means of micro-photoluminescence techniques the successful tuning as well as the elimination of the quantum-confined Stark effect in strongly polar [000-1] wurtzite GaN/AlN nanodiscs as evidenced by a reduction of the exciton lifetimes by up to four orders of magnitude. Furthermore, the tapered geometry of the utilized nanowires (which embed the investigated IFGARD nanodiscs) facilitates the experimental differentiation between quantum confinement and Stark emission energy shifts. Due to the IFGARD, both effects become independently adaptable.
Recently, we suggested an unconventional approach [the so-called Internal-Field-Guarded-Active-Region Design (IFGARD)] for the elimination of the crystal polarization field induced quantum confined Stark effect (QCSE) in polar semiconductor heterostructures. And in this work, we demonstrate by means of micro-photoluminescence techniques the successful tuning as well as the elimination of the QCSE in strongly polar [000-1] wurtzite GaN/AlN nanodiscs while reducing the exciton life times by more than two orders of magnitude. The IFGARD based elimination of the QCSE is independent of any specific crystal growth procedures. Furthermore, the cone-shaped geometry of the utilized nanowires (which embeds the investigated IFGARD nanodiscs) facilitates the experimental differentiation between quantum confinement- and QCSE-induced emission energy shifts. Due to the IFGARD, both effects become independently adaptable.
The development of iron oxide nanoparticles for biomedical applications requires accurate histological evaluation. Prussian blue iron staining is widely used but may be unspecific when tissues contain substantial endogenous iron. Here we tested whether microscopy by laser ablation coupled to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS) is sensitive enough to analyze accumulation of very small iron oxide particles (VSOP) doped with europium in tissue sections.
Subjecting a thin NiTi specimen to uniaxial tension often leads to a localized martensitic transformation: macroscopic transformation bands form and propagate through the specimen, separating it into regions of fully transformed martensite and original austenite. In the present study, the alternating current potential drop (ACPD) technique is used to analyze the change in electrical resistance of ultra-fine grained NiTi wires subjected to a broad range of thermo-mechanical load cases: (i) uniaxial tensile straining at constant temperatures (pseudoelastic deformation); (ii) cooling and heating through the transformation range at constant load (actuator load case); (iii) a combination of mechanical and thermal loading. We monitor the ACPD signals in several zones along the gauge length of specimens, and we demonstrate that a localized type of transformation is a generic feature of pseudoelastic as well as of shape memory deformation. Moreover, the ACPD signals allow to differentiate between temperature-induced martensite (formed during cooling at no or relatively small loads), stress-induced martensite, and reoriented martensite (formed under load at low temperatures).
An assessment of the elastic-plastic buckling limit state for multi-strake wind turbine support towers poses a particular challenge for the modern finite element analyst, who must competently navigate numerous modelling choices related to the tug-of-war between meshing and computational cost, the use of solvers that are robust to highly nonlinear behaviour, the potential for multiple near-simultaneously critical failure locations, the complex issue of imperfection sensitivity and finally the interpretation of the data into a safe and economic design.
This paper reports on an international ‘round-robin’ exercise conducted in 2022 aiming to take stock of the computational shell buckling expertise around the world which attracted 29 submissions. Participants were asked to perform analyses of increasing complexity on a standardised benchmark of an 8-MW multi-strake steel wind turbine support tower segment, from a linear elastic stress analysis to a linear bifurcation analysis to a geometrically and materially nonlinear buckling analysis with imperfections. The results are a showcase of the significant shell buckling expertise now available in both industry and academia.
This paper is the first of a pair. The second paper presents a detailed reference solution to the benchmark, including an illustration of the Eurocode-compliant calibration of two important imperfection forms.
The lack of traceability to meter of X-ray Computed Tomography (CT) measurements still hinders a more extensive acceptance of CT in coordinate metrology and industry. To ensure traceable, reliable, and accurate measurements, the determination of the task-specific measurement uncertainty is necessary. The German guideline VDI/VDE 2630 part 2.1 describes a procedure to determine the measurement uncertainty for CT experimentally by conducting several repeated measurements with a calibrated test specimen. However, this experimental procedure is cost and effort intensive. Therefore, the simulation of dimensional measurement tasks conducted with X-ray computed tomography can close these drawbacks. Additionally, recent developments towards a resource and cost-efficient production (“smart factory”) motivate the need for a corresponding numerical model of a CT system (“digital twin”) as well. As there is no standardized procedure to determine the measurement uncertainty of a CT system by simulation at the moment, the project series CTSimU was initiated, aiming at this gap. Concretely, the goal is the development of a procedure to determine the measurement uncertainty numerically by radiographic simulation. The first project (2019-2022), "Radiographic Computed Tomography Simulation for Measurement Uncertainty Evaluation - CTSimU" developed a framework to qualify a radiographic simulation software concerning the correct simulation of physical laws and functionalities. The most important outcome was a draft for a new guideline VDI/VDE 2630 part 2.2, which is currently under discussion in the VDI/VDE committee. The follow-up project CTSimU2 "Realistic Simulation of real CT systems with a basic-qualified Simulation Software" will deal with building and characterizing a digital replica of a specific real-world CT system. The two main targets of this project will be a toolbox including methods and procedures to configure a realistic CT system simulation and to develop tests to check if this replica is sufficient enough. The result will be a draft for a follow-up VDI/VDE guideline proposing standardized procedures to determine a CT system's corresponding characteristics and test the simulation (copy) of a real-world CT system which we call a "digital twin".
For simulation and acceleration of artificial polymer ageing, polyolefin foils were exposed to low-pressure Ar plasma. Plasma particle bombardment and irradiation induce C–C and C–H bond scissions by σ→σ* excitations on the surface and in near-surface layers. Consequently, radicals are generated. They react by recombination, cross-linking, metastable trapping of the radical site or formation of olefinic double bonds. The long-living and metastable trapped C-radicals as well as double bonds in polyolefins were immediately exposed to bromine vapour without breaking the vacuum after switching-off the plasma. These reactive sites rapidly react with the molecular bromine under formation of C–Br bonds. For 5 min of argon plasma exposure, the elemental concentration of bromine was 13% for polyethylene and 22% Br/C for polypropylene as analysed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Nevertheless, not all C radical sites have reacted with bromine. Later on, when the polyolefins brought in contact with ambient air, an additional post-plasma reaction of the remaining trapped radicals with oxygen was observed. The oxygen concentrations were lower after bromine gassing, thus repressing partially the post-plasma oxidation in the analysed layer (ca. 6 nm) by radical quenching. Such bromination took place either at the surface or in near-surface layers because the Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR)-FTIR spectra (sampling depth ca. 2500 nm) did not show significant changes for argon plasma-treated PE foils with and without bromine vapour exposure. Further addition of bromine may also occur on C=C double bonds.
In this in vitro study, we got a first insight of a possible potential of Hypericin for the treatment of pediatric soft tissue sarcoma. By coupling with radioiodine, we developed a novel approach for a combined anti-tumor treatment. The in vitro experiments lay the foundation for further in vivo experiments, which are needed to study the effects of a sequential administration of 131I-HYP and HYP.
The fluorolytic sol–gel synthesis is applied with the intention to obtain two different types of core–shell nanoparticles, namely, SrF2–CaF2 and CaF2–SrF2. In two separate fluorination steps for core and shell formation, the corresponding metal lactates are reacted with anhydrous HF in ethylene glycol. Scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) confirm the formation of particles with mean dimensions between 6.4 and 11.5 nm. The overall chemical composition of the particles during the different reaction steps is monitored by quantitative Al Kα excitation X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Here, the formation of stoichiometric metal fluorides (MF2) is confirmed, both for the core and the final core–shell particles. Furthermore, an in-depth analysis by synchrotron radiation XPS (SR-XPS) with tunable excitation energy is performed to confirm the core–Shell character of the nanoparticles. Additionally, Ca2p/Sr3d XPS intensity ratio in-Depth profiles are simulated using the software Simulation of Electron Spectra for Surface Analysis (SESSA). In principle, core–shell like particle morphologies are formed but without a sharp interface between calcium and strontium containing phases.
Surprisingly, the in-depth chemical distribution of the two types of nanoparticles is equal within the error of the experiment. Both comprise a SrF2-rich core domain and CaF2-rich shell domain with an intermixing zone between them. Consequently, the internal morphology of the final nanoparticles seems to be independent from the synthesis chronology.
A guided drop test was performed to achieve a defined and reproducible impact orientation of jerrycans. The drop heights where 50% of the jerrycans experienced a failure from a crack where fluid can escape (50% failure drop height) were compared among jerrycans made of four different materials, in their original state and preconditioned with standard liquids. To analyse the impact of only elevated temperatures, the packages were preconditioned for 21?days at 40°C without the use of chemicals.
The 50% failure drop height was compared by using Young's modulus; the notched impact strength (NIS) of specimen cut from plates which were manufactured by compression moulding and the notched tensile impact strength of specimen cut-outs of the jerrycans' side walls. The NIS depends highly on the thermal preconditioning of the plates being manufactured by compression moulding. A trend can be seen that a higher Young's modulus, a higher NIS and a higher notched tensile impact strength result in a higher 50% failure drop height, but the values are spread. The influence of the wall thickness cannot be neglected.
The change of the 50% failure drop height in regard to the preconditioning at 40°C with and without nitric acid was compared in terms of their resistance to molecular degradation, density and degree of crystallinity. The conditioning at elevated temperature causes post-crystallization. It was shown that the resistance to molecular degradation determined on pressed plates correlates with the change of the 50% failure drop height after pre-storage with nitric acid.
The effect of the wall thickness variation of blow-moulded bodies made of high-density polyethylene on an internal pressure test after prestoring the packaging with standard liquids was evaluated in experiments and simulations. The objects of the investigation were jerrycans used for the transportation and storage of dangerous goods.
The wall thickness was determined using two alternative methods to the magnetostatic measurement. These alternative methods are used for research purpose to get a volumetric model of the jerrycan wall as a geometric model for the simulation. The comparison of the experiments and the simulations of the internal pressure test were performed using the digital image correlation method. The integral strain and deformation of the whole jerrycan was detected by measuring the total mass of the jerrycan being filled with water during the internal pressure test. This is a suitable alternative to the optical measurements of local deformation by the digital image correlation method. Prestorage at 40°C without the influence of chemicals strengthens the jerrycan, whereas the swelling effect of butyl acetate and hydrocarbon mixture softens the jerrycan. The comparison with the experiment is necessary to verify the accuracy of the simulation. It shows that the deformation can be simulated more precisely by using the actual measured geometry. The weakening of the high-density polyethylene caused by a hydrocarbon mixture can be simulated using the Arrhenius equation. The aim of the simulation was to discover whether it is possible to use specimens to predict the behaviour of a packaging both after the influence of standard liquids.
Combining the abundance and inexpensiveness of their constituent elements with their atomic dispersion, atomically dispersed Fe−N−C catalysts represent the most promising alternative to precious-metal-based materials in proton Exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells. Due to the high temperatures involved in their synthesis and the sensitivity of Fe ions toward carbothermal reduction, current synthetic methods are intrinsically limited in type and amount of the desired, catalytically active Fe−N4 sites, and high active site densities have been out of reach (dilemma of Fe−N−C catalysts). We herein identify a paradigm change in the synthesis of Fe−N−C catalysts arising from the developments of other M−N−C single-atom catalysts. Supported by DFT calculations we propose fundamental principles for the synthesis of M−N−C materials. We further exploit the proposed principles in a novel synthetic strategy to surpass the dilemma of Fe−N−C catalysts. The selective formation of tetrapyrrolic Zn−N4 sites in a tailor-made Zn−N−C material is utilized as an active-site imprint for the preparation of a corresponding Fe−N−C catalyst.
By successive low- and high-temperature ion exchange reactions, we obtain a phase-pure Fe−N−C catalyst, with a high loading of atomically dispersed Fe (>3 wt %). Moreover, the catalyst is entirely composed of tetrapyrrolic Fe−N4 sites. The density of tetrapyrrolic Fe−N4 sites is more than six times as high as for previously reported tetrapyrrolic single-site Fe−N−C fuel cell catalysts.
A well-defined terminology of fire-related variables is important for correct analyses and supporting knowledge-based decisions regarding the evaluation of building fires at the European level. After developing an overview of current practices for fire statistics in Part I, the terminology used and the data collected by the EU Member States and eight other countries regarding fire incidents, property damage and human losses were mapped to increase awareness of their practice and support a comprehensive assessment of several fire statistical datasets. A questionnaire was distributed to relevant authorities responsible for the collection, elaboration/analysis, and fire statistical data publications to define and select the essential variables for an appropriate fire assessment and fire incident description. Based on the results of the questionnaire able to identify the essential fire statistical variables and a detailed analysis of current definitions adopted in the fire statistics of the EU Member States and other countries, a common terminology is proposed to collect the necessary data in the EU Member States and obtain meaningful datasets based on standardised terms and definitions. The results will generate essential outputs to move towards harmonised fire statistics at the EU level and contribute to an appropriate analysis able to improve fire prevention and fire mitigation in building fires.
The analysis of the current state of fire statistics and data collection in Europe and other countries is needed to increase awareness of how fire incidents affect buildings and to support pan-European fire prevention and fire mitigation measures.
The terminology and data collected regarding fire incidents in buildings in the EU Member States were mapped to obtain meaningful datasets to determine common terminology, collection methodology, and data interpretation system. An extensive literature review showed that fire data collection systems have been instrumental in informing firefighting strategies, evidence-based planning, prevention, and educational programmes. Differences and similarities between fire data collection systems were also investigated. The amount and quality of the information in fire statistical recording systems appear to be influenced by the complexity and structure with which the data are collected. The analysis also examined the existing fire statistics in the EU Member States and a few other countries. Finally, a detailed investigation of the number of fires, fire deaths, and injuries from 2009 to 2018 in several countries was examined based on data from a report by CTIF. The trends showed differences attributable to the existing fire statistical practices in terms of terminology and data
collection, and interpretation. Part II proposes a common terminology for selected fire statistical variables. The results provide relevant information regarding fire safety at the European level and should be used to guide the development of more uniform fire statistics across Europe.
We combined two completely different methods measuring the frequency-dependent electrical properties of moist porous materials in order to receive an extraordinary large frequency spectrum. In the low-frequency (LF) range, complex electrical resistivity between 1 mHz and 45 kHz was measured for three different soils and sandstone, using the spectral induced polarization (SIP) method with a four electrode cell. In the high-frequency (HF) radio to microwave range, complex dielectric permittivity was measured between 1MHz and 10 GHz for the same samples using dielectric spectroscopy by means of the coaxial transmission line technique. The combined data sets cover 13 orders of magnitude and were transferred into their equivalent expressions: the complex effective dielectric permittivity and the complex effective electrical conductivity.We applied the Kramers-Kronig relation in order to justify the validity of the data combination. A new phenomenological model that consists of both dielectric permittivity and electrical conductivity terms in a Debye- and Cole–Cole-type manner was fitted to the spectra. The combined permittivity and conductivity model accounts for the most common representations of the physical quantities with respect to the individual measuring method. A maximum number of four relaxation processes was identified in the analysed frequency range. Among these are the free water and different interfacial relaxation processes, the Maxwell-Wagner effect, the counterion relaxation in the electrical double layer and the direct-current electrical conductivity. There is evidence that free water relaxation does not affect the electrical response in the SIP range. Moreover, direct current conductivity contribution (bulk and interface) dominates the losses in the HF range. Interfacial relaxation processes with relaxations in the HF range are broadly distributed down to the LF range. The slowest observed process in the LF range has a minor contribution to the HF response.
Five distinct analytical techniques were compared for the quantification of the H2O (0·1-7·4 wt%) and D2O (up to 5·5 wt% D2O) contents in rhyolitic glasses. The hydrogen concentration in obsidians was measured using nuclear reaction analysis (NRA) and converted into H2O concentration. The bulk water content (H2O+D2O) of synthesised glasses was determined using thermal extraction in conjunction with KarlFischer titration (KFT). Unextracted H2O was measured by infrared (IR) spectroscopy after remelting the KFT products at high pressure. These well characterised glasses were subsequently used to calibrate secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), infrared and evolved gas analysis (EGA). The calibrations of SIMS for H2O and D2O show a significant matrix effect at H2O and D2O concentrations larger than ~3 mol/l with the relative sensitivity factor (RSF) decreasing with bulk water content. Molar absorption coefficients for the OH stretching vibration band at 3570 cm-1 and the OD stretching vibration band at 2650 cm-1 in the infrared absorption spectra were reinvestigated. In the range 0·1-6 wt% the H2O content of glasses could be reproduced within analytical error using a constant linear molar absorption coefficient. However, it appears that the absorption coefficients for the 3570 cm-1 band as well as for the 2650 cm-1 band both decrease systematically with concentration of dissolved H2O and D2O (epsi3570=80 (±1) - 1·36(±0·23)CH2Ot and epsi2650=61·2(±1) - 2·52(± 0·30)CD2Ot). EGA allows quantification of the H2O content as well as the study of dehydration kinetics. It is shown that H2O is released under vacuum already at room temperature from glasses containing >7 wt% H2O.
Among new types of plasma processes, the underwater plasma is one of the most attractive methods for functionalization of polymer surfaces. The interesting features of plasma solution system are that the material surfaces to be modified remain in contact with the plasma-moderated solution. The role of plasma-moderated liquids, allows the reach of the reactive species through solution onto the geometrically hindered sites. The UV radiation produced in plasma formation helps in generating additional excited, ionized, and dissociated molecules and species in the reaction solution. An interesting feature of the technique is its flexibility to use a wide variety of additives as or in solution system. This allows us to create a selective or monotype functionalization of material surfaces. Such system was studied for the selective hydroxyl functionalization of polypropylene surface. The oxidation of polymer surfaces and the introduction of O-containing functional groups by underwater plasma was found to exceed concentrations typically achieved in oxygen low-pressure gas discharge plasmas up-to two-folds (maximal 56 O/100 C). The fraction of OH groups among all O-containing moieties amounts from 25 to 40% in comparison to that in the gas plasma of about 10% OH groups. Addition of hydrogen peroxide into this same system increases the fraction of C—O bonds up to 75% (27-OH/100 O). A study was focused to optimize the role of hydrogen peroxide on the efficiency of oxidation and selectivity with chemical derivatization with respect to the formation of mono-sort hydroxyl functionalities, calculated using a chemical derivatization technique.
Study of carboxylic functionalization of polypropylene surface using the underwater plasma technique
(2009)
Non-equilibrium solution plasma treatment of polymer surfaces in water offers the possibility of more dense and selective polymer surface functionalization in comparison to the well-known and frequently used low-pressure oxygen plasma. Functional groups are introduced when the polymer surface contacts the plasma moderated solution especially water solutions. The emission of ions, electrons, energy-rich neutrals and complexes, produced by the ion avalanche are limited by quenching, with the aid of the ambient water phase. The UV-radiation produced in plasma formation also helps to moderate the reaction solution further by producing additional excited, ionized/dissociated molecules. Thus, monotype functional groups equipped polymer surfaces, preferably OH groups, originating from the dissociated water molecules, could be produced more selectively. An interesting feature of the technique is its flexibility to use a wide variety of additives in the water phase. Another way to modify polymer surfaces is the deposition of plasma polymers carrying functional groups as carboxylic groups used in this work. Acetic acid, acrylic acid, maleic and itaconic acid were used as additive monomers. Acetic acid is not a chemically polymerizing monomer but it could polymerize by monomer/molecular fragmentation and recombination to a cross linked layer. The other monomers form preferably water-soluble polymers on a chemical way. Only the fragmented fraction of these monomers could form an insoluble coating by cross linking to substrate. The XPS analysis was used to track the alterations in -O-CO- bond percentage on the PP surface. To identify the -COOH groups on substrate surface unambiguously, which have survived the plasma polymerization process, the derivatization with trifluoroethanol was performed.
Plasma chemical methods are well suited for introducing functional groups to the surfaces of chemically inert polymers such as polyolefins. However, a broad variety of functional groups are often formed. Unfortunately, for further chemical processing such as grafting of molecules for advanced applications a highly dense monotype functionalized polyolefin surface is needed. Therefore, the main task was to develop a selective surface functionalization process, which formed preferably only a single type of functional groups at the surface in high concentration. Amongst the novel plasma methods, the underwater plasma process (UWP) is one of most attractive options to solve the problem of monotype functionalization. Such plasma is an efficient source of ions, electrons, UV-radiation, high-frequency shock waves, radicals such as hydroxyl radical, and reactive neutral molecules such as hydrogen peroxide. In contrast to established gas phase glow discharge processes, the water phase limits the particle and radiation energies and thus the energy input into the polymer. By virtue of the liquid water environment, which moderates highly energetic plasma species, extensive oxidation, degradation, cross-linking and radical formation on the polymer are more limited as compared to gas plasma exposure. The variety of plasma produced species in the water phase is also much smaller because of the limited reaction possibilities of the plasma with water. The possibility to admix a broad variety of chemical additives makes underwater plasma even more attractive. Hydrogen peroxide and the catalyst (Fe-ZSM5) should influence and increase the equilibrium concentration of OH radicals in the underwater plasma process. It was found that these radicals played a very important role in OH functionalization of polyolefin surfaces. Hydrogen peroxide was identified to be the most prominent precursor for OH group formation in the UWP. The catalyst would affect the steady state of OH radical formation and its reaction with the substrate surface and thus accelerates the functionalization process.
This study describes an interlaboratory comparison (ILC) among nine (9) laboratories to evaluate and validate the standard operation procedure (SOP) for single-particle (sp) ICP-TOFMS developed within the context of the Horizon 2020 project ACEnano. The ILC was based on the characterization of two different Pt nanoparticle (NP) suspensions in terms of particle mass, particle number concentration, and isotopic composition. The two Pt NP suspensions were measured using icpTOF instruments (TOFWERK AG, Switzerland).
Two Pt NP samples were characterized and mass equivalent spherical sizes (MESSs) of 40.4 ± 7 nm and 58.8 ± 8 nm were obtained, respectively. MESSs showed <16% relative standard deviation (RSD) among all participating labs and <4% RSD after exclusion of the two outliers. A good agreement was achieved between the different participating laboratories regarding particle mass, but the particle number concentration results were more scattered, with <53% RSD among all laboratories, which is consistent with results from previous ILC studies conducted using ICP-MS instrumentation equipped with a sequential mass spectrometer. Additionally, the capabilities of sp-ICP-TOFMS to determine masses on a particle basis are discussed with respect to the potential for particle density determination. Finally, because quasi-simultaneous multi-isotope and multielement determinations are a strength of ICP-TOFMS instrumentation, the precision and trueness of isotope ratio determinations were assessed. The average of 1000 measured particles yielded a precision of below ±1% for intensity ratios of the most abundant Pt isotopes, i.e. 194Pt and 195Pt, while the accuracy of isotope ratios with the lower abundant isotopes was limited by counting statistics.
The quenching and partitioning (Q&P) heat treatment enables a higher deformability of high strength martensitic steels. The Q&P heat treatment was applied on the martensitic stainless steel 1.4034 (X46Cr13) to study the influence of partitioning time. Therefore, extensive characterizations of the mechanical properties, focussing on the materials behaviour under different mechanical load scenarios, were performed. A comprehensive analysis of the microstructural evolution was per-formed for different heat treatment and mechanical loading states. A complete solution of chromium carbides was detected to be a first requirement for successful Q&P heat treatment. The comparison of common quenching and tempering with the Q&P heat treatment verifies the extensively enhanced materials strength whereat the formability is still acceptable. The microstructural reason was detected to be an increasing aus-tenite fraction due to austenite reversion at subgrain boundaries of martensite besides the stabilising of retained austenite. Further a distinctive strength differential effect was observed.
Chemischer Angriff auf Betonbauwerke - Bewertung des Angriffsgrads und geeignete Schutzprinzipien
(2014)
In verschiedenen Bereichen des Betonbaus ist Beton einem chemischen Angriff von außen ausgesetzt, der die Dauerhaftigkeit des betreffenden Bauteils bzw. des gesamten Bauwerks beeinträchtigen kann. Für einen chemischen Angriff in natürlichen Böden und Grundwässern bestehen normative Vorgaben in DIN 4030-1 [R10] bzw. DIN 1045-2 [R19], um den Angriffsgrad anhand der Art und Konzentration der angreifenden Stoffe in Expositionsklassen XA1 (schwach angreifend) bis XA3 (stark angreifend) einzustufen. Hinsichtlich weiterer maßgeblicher Einflussfaktoren wird an dieser Stelle nicht näher differenziert, ob und inwieweit die Regelungen für Böden und Grundwässer auch auf andere Bereiche mit chemischem Angriff auf Beton zu übertragen sind, ist stets im Einzelfall zu überprüfen. Ebenfalls sind die zu treffenden Maßnahmen über die Vorgaben der DIN EN 206-1/DIN 1045-2 [R19] hinaus anwendungsspezifisch festzulegen. Der Hauptausschuss Baustofftechnik (HABT) des DBV hat daher den Arbeitskreis "Chemischer Angriff auf Beton" beauftragt, dieses Merkblatt zu erarbeiten, das Hilfestellung bei der Bewertung einer projektspezifischen chemischen Angriffssituation auf Beton sowie bei der Planung und Ausführung von Schutzprinzipien leisten soll.
ln den letzten Jahren wurden diverse Prüfverfahren und Methoden entwickelt, um die Leistungsfähigkeit von Beton bzw. Bindemittel hinsichtlich des Widerstands gegenüber betonaggressiven Einwirkungen beurteilen zu können. Ein wesentliches Ziel von Prüfverfahren zur Beurteilung der Dauerhaftigkeit von Baustoffen ist, die im Laufe der Nutzungsdauer zu erwartenden Einwirkungen auf den Baustoff realitätsnah abzubilden. Dazu sind die Prüfparameter auf die im jeweiligen Anwendungsbereich vorherrschenden Umgebungs- und Randbedingungen anzupassen. Daneben sind auch die Bewertungskriterien individuell unter Berücksichtigung der im Einzelfall geforderten Nutzungsdauer eines Bauwerks festzulegen. Eine systematische Zuordnung von adäquaten Prüfverfahren bzw. Prüfparametem und Bewertungskriterien für die verschiedenen Anwendungsbereiche im Betonbau, in denen betonaggressive Einwirkungen auftreten, ist mit Ausnahme von Einzelfällen bislang nicht vorhanden. Daneben stellt sich in der Praxis immer wieder das Problem, das Angriffspotenzial der Umgebung eines Bauwerks (prüftechnisch) zu erfassen und zu bewerten.
Der Hauptausschuss Baustofftechnik des DBV hat daher den Arbeitskreis „Chemischer Angriff auf Beton“ beauftragt, dieses Merkblatt zu erarbeiten, das auf Basis von einschlägigen Erfahrungen der Baupraxis und wissenschaftlichen Erkenntnissen Grundsätze und bewährte Methoden zur Beurteilung der Einwirkungs- und Widerstandsseite beim chemischen Angriff auf Beton aufzeigt und diesbezüglich Hinweise für verschiedene Anwendungsbereiche im Betonbau liefert.
Mononuclear Fe ions ligated by nitrogen (FeNx) dispersed on nitrogen-doped carbon (Fe-N-C) serve as active centers for electrocatalytic O2 reduction and thermocatalytic aerobic oxidations. Despite their promise as replacements for precious metals in a variety of practical applications, such as fuel cells, the discovery of new Fe-N-C catalysts has relied primarily on empirical approaches. In this context, the development of quantitative structure−reactivity relationships and benchmarking of catalysts prepared by different synthetic routes and by different laboratories would be facilitated by the broader adoption of methods to quantify atomically dispersed FeNx active centers. In this study, we develop a kinetic probe reaction method that uses the aerobic oxidation of a model hydroquinone substrate to quantify
the density of FeNx centers in Fe-N-C catalysts. The kinetic method is compared with low-temperature Mössbauer spectroscopy, CO pulse chemisorption, and electrochemical reductive stripping of NO derived from NO2 − on a suite of Fe-N-C catalysts prepared by diverse routes and featuring either the exclusive presence of Fe as FeNx sites or the coexistence of aggregated Fe species in addition to FeNx. The FeNx site densities derived from the kinetic method correlate well with those obtained from CO pulse chemisorption and Mössbauer spectroscopy. The broad survey of Fe-N-C materials also reveals the presence of outliers and challenges associated with each site quantification approach. The kinetic method developed here does not require pretreatments that may alter active-site distributions or specialized equipment beyond reaction vessels and standard analytical instrumentation.
Iron-based catalysts are employed in CO2-FTS due to their ability to convert CO2 into CO in a first step and their selectivity towards higher hydrocarbons in a second CO hydrogenation step. According to the literature, iron carbides represent the active phase for hydrocarbon formation and are claimed to emerge in the presence of CO. We propose nanostructured FeOx films as model systems to assess information about the complex phase transformations during CO2-FTS. Mesoporous hematite, ferrihydrite, maghemite, maghemite/magnetite films were exposed to CO2-FTS atmospheres at 20 bar and 300°C. Up to three distinct phases were observed depending on the timeon-stream (TOS): a sintered maghemite/magnetite phase, a carbidic core-shell structure, and a low-crystalline, needle-type oxide phase. Our findings indicate that the formation of an intermediary maghemite/magnetite phase, predominant after short TOS (30 h), precedes the evolution of the carbide phase.
Yet, even after prolonged TOS (185 h), no full conversion into a bulk carbide is observed.