In this study, we describe the synthesis of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and their direct immobilization onto Ti3C2 MXene. This synthetic approach enables precise control over the AuNP size, affording three hybrid materials composed of Ti3C2 MXene decorated with spherical AuNPs of 39, 14, and 9 nm in diameter. The resulting materials were evaluated as photocatalyst in two well-stablished benchmark reactions: the reduction of nitrophenol and the degradation of organic dyes (Rhodamine B, methyl orange and Congo red). The influence of AuNPs size on photocatalytic performance was systematically investigated, revealing that AuxNPs@MXene with the smallest nanoparticles exhibits the highest activity under mild conditions. The hybrid material Au0.1NPs@MXene containing the smallest AuNPs (9 nm) provides quantitative yield in just 10 min whereas the other catalyst require 1 or 2 h. Recycling experiments were carried out to assess catalyst stability and deactivation pathways. A gradual loss of activity was only observed for nitrophenol reduction after five cycles, whereas no significant deactivation was detected for dye degradation. These findings underscore the potential of AuxNPs@MXene-based materials as photocatalyst in sustainable transformations.
Decarbonizing high-temperature industrial processes is essential to achieve global climate neutrality by 2050. This study evaluates the technical, energy, economic, and environmental performance of solar-assisted heat pumps (SAHPs) for industrial laundry applications, including hot water production at 80 °C and pressurized water (steam economizer) at 140 °C. A validated simulation framework was developed to analyze up to 130 combinations of system configurations and refrigerants. Eight configurations were assessed, comparing single-stage (SS) and two-stage cascade (TSC) cycles using ambient air or solar collectors as heat sources. Low-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants, including hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) such as R1233zd(E) and R1336mzz(Z), and hydrocarbons such as R600 and R601a, were considered. For hot water production, solar-assisted systems provide more stable performance than air-source configurations, with photovoltaic-thermal heat pumps (PV/T HP, SS) achieving the highest COP values (3–5), depending on refrigerant and climate. For steam generation, only PV/T HP TSC configurations are technically feasible, with COP values of 1.6–2.0. Economic analysis, compared with conventional gas boilers, systems using R1233zd(E) and R600 achieve the highest profitability, with payback periods of 3.5–7 years over a 20-year lifetime. The best configurations reduce CO2 emissions by up to 50 %. Overall, optimal system design requires balancing energy efficiency and investment costs, with specific refrigerant–cycle combinations outperforming fossil-fuel technologies across different climates.
Doped cobalt ferrites (CFO, CoFe2O4) are black pigments of considerable interest in ceramic systems, although their conventional production requires high-temperature calcination followed by milling to control particle size. In this work, laser zone melting (LZM) is proposed as an alternative route for the in situ formation and consolidation of CFO spinels directly on the surface, avoiding both pre-synthesis and post-micronization. A precursor layer prepared from milled powders was activated using a high-power nanosecond fiber laser. Irradiance and pulse overlap were systematically varied, identifying an optimal processing window at O-p approximate to 97%, with a scanning speed of 2000 mm/s and an irradiance of 3.49 MW/cm & sup2;. The resulting coatings exhibited distinct crystalline phases together with a vitreous fraction that enabled the integration of similar to 200 nm particles into the surface, and L* values as low as 30.55. These findings highlight LZM as a promising route toward ceramic industry electrification and decarbonization.
Previous literature suggests that higher subjective sexual responsivity may increase the risk of problematic pornography use (PPU), although this assumption remains debated. Empirical studies are scarce, and the methodology used could be improved. We examined individuals' subjective sexual arousal responses and their association with PPU. A total of 219 men and women completed an experimental task in which they self-reported subjective sexual arousal every 20 s during a pornographic film. Profiles were identified using time-series clustering techniques. Participants also reported their online and offline sexual behavior, PPU, other out-of-control sexual behaviors, and dispositional variables (sexual sensation-seeking, impulsivity, affect). Three response patterns emerged: "non-responsive" (36.5%), "low-responsive" (38.8%), and "moderate-responsive" (24.7%). Most participants experienced sexual responsivity during pornography exposure, but a significant proportion did not (non-responsive profile). Those with a non-responsive profile displayed a lower lifetime pornography use (81.25%) than responsive profiles (low-responsive: 95.3%; moderate-responsive: 98.1%; p<.01) and reported less weekly time on the internet for sexual purposes (1.10 h) than the moderate-responsive profile (2.20 h; p<.05), suggesting a possible relationship between arousal responsivity and non-problematic use. No significant differences emerged between profiles in PPU indicators, suggesting that subjective sexual arousal during pornography use is not related to risk of PPU.
In this work, of photoelectrooxidation experiments of three emerging contaminants (ECs), typically found in the Albufera of Vale`ncia such as bentazon (BTZ), diclofenac (DFC) and imazalil (IMZ), were performed using a ceramic electrode made of Sb-SnO2coated with Bi2WO6 as a photocatalyst. When studied individually on a mixed electrolyte of Na2SO4 and NaCl, DFC and IMZ achieved a 100 % degradation in every test, and their mineralization improved the higher the current density and in presence of light, achieving 58.7 % and 63.7 % after 4 h, respectively. Not only reactive oxygen species (ROS) but also reactive chlorine species (RCS) had a major role in the degradation of both ECs. ROS and RCS were further generated photochemically, generally leading to greater oxidation under light application. In the mixture of the three ECs, all could achieve 100 % degradation at 50 mA center dot cm-2 and in the presence of light. Mineralization of the mixture achieved 65 % under these conditions. In general, light influence was greater at lower current densities. In the real wastewater experiments every target pollutant achieved 100 % degradation. The mineralization achieved was 42.2 %, relatively lower. This was attributed to the presence of Natural Organic Matter (NOM) and other inorganic ions which hindered mineralization. These results confirm that these photoanodes are quite sensitive to light and are capable of oxidizing complex organic molecules of different chemical structures not only in synthetic matrices but also in real water, opening future possibilities to in-situ water treatments.
