The environmental risk posed by lead (Pb) in phosphogypsum (PG) is a key factor limiting its resource utilization. Addressing the issues of traditional solidification/stabilization techniques failing to achieve deep removal of Pb and the low efficiency of acid leaching methods, this study proposes an electric-field enhanced method for releasing Pb from PG. The effects of electric field parameters on Pb release behavior were investigated. The results indicate that the optimal parameter conditions are an alloy electrode, an electrode spacing of 15 cm, 100 mmol/L Na2SO4 as the electrolyte, a temperature of 75 degrees C, and a voltage of 15 V. Under these conditions, the highest Pb release concentration was obtained, with the Pb concentration in the anode region reaching a peak of 4.18 mg/L in the later stage of the reaction, indicating significant targeted enrichment. Tessier sequential extraction analysis revealed that electrochemical treatment promoted the transformation of Pb from the residual fraction to the exchangeable, carbonate-bound, and Fe-Mn oxide-bound fractions, with the residual fraction decreasing from over 60 % in the original sample to below 10 %. DFT calculations reveal that the adsorption energies of Pb on (020) and (130) crystal faces in CaSO4.2H2O are-0.409 eV and-0.535 eV, respectively, suggesting that Pb can be effectively desorbed under an electric field. Although the (110) crystal face of alpha-CaSO4.0.5H2O has a strong adsorption energy of-2.479 eV, Pb is mobilized and removed before the crystal phase transformation, preventing its incorporation into the newly formed lattice.
This study presents a dual-functional strategy that integrates environmental remediation with energy conversion through the development of a simple and cost-effective photocatalytic system. The MoS2/ZnIn2S4 photocatalyst was synthesized via a one-pot hydrothermal method, enables simultaneous high-efficiency hydrogen evolution from seawater and the degradation of waste plastics into value-added 1,4-butanediol. The influence of MoS2 loading on photocatalytic hydrogen evolution performance was systematically investigated. Under visible light irradiation, the 11 wt%-MoS2/ZnIn2S4 composite exhibits optimal photocatalytic hydrogen evolution activity, the hydrogen production rate reaches 22.12 mmol center dot g- 1 center dot h- 1 at 5 h, which is 8 times of pure ZnIn2S4. The excellent performance is attributed to the in-situ growth of MoS2 on the ZnIn2S4 surface, which effectively enhances the separation and transfer efficiency of photogenerated carriers. Meanwhile, the abundant active sites provided by MoS2 significantly promote the surface photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction. This work indicates that under continuous sunlight irradiation, the MoS2/ZnIn2S4 catalyst has significant theoretical and practical significance for the coordinated development of ecological restoration of marine white pollution and the production of green clean energy.
Organizational agility is vital for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) operating in dynamic and resource-constrained environments such as Pakistan, where traditional development pathways are limited, and resources are often scarce. Despite its importance, the mechanisms through which social networking enhances agility remain underexplored. This article is grounded in social capital theory to propose and test a dual-path model that investigates the influence of digital social networking platforms on organizational agility, through the mediating role of knowledge sharing and the moderating effects of digital literacy and motivation drive. Survey data were collected from 350 Pakistani SMEs, which yielded 590 complete responses using a structural survey, and the hypothesized relationships were analyzed through structural equation modeling. The results reveal that digital social networking platforms significantly promote knowledge sharing, which in turn enhances organizational agility. Moreover, motivation drive and digital literacy act as positive moderators amplifying these effects. The study contributes to the literature by empirically validating the interplay between social networking and organizational agility in emerging markets and by highlighting the importance of digital competence and motivational factors. The findings provide actionable insights for SME managers and policy makers seeking to strengthen adaptability, innovation, and competitiveness in rapidly changing business environments.
The synthesis of CuxMn(1−x)Fe2O4 magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) was carried out via self-propagating combustion process, their characterizations were performed using VSM, TEM, and XRD. To achieve an increased surface-to-mass ratio and optimal saturation magnetization for separation, the component ratio, calcination temperature and solvent dosage were optimized. For methyl blue (MB) removal, Cu0.1Mn0.9Fe2O4 MNPs thermally processed at 400 °C for 2 h demonstrated a mean diameter of 16 ± 4 nm and saturation magnetization of 26.8 emu/g. MB adsorption mechanisms on Cu0.1Mn0.9Fe2O4 MNPs were resolved via kinetic, isothermal and thermodynamic analyses. MB adsorption on Cu0.1Mn0.9Fe2O4 MNPs was optimally modeled by pseudo-second-order kinetics and the Langmuir isotherm (R2 > 0.98), capturing both the uptake dynamics and equilibrium state, signifying monolayer adsorption governed by chemisorption; while, thermodynamic statistical analysis confirmed endothermic MB adsorption on Cu0.1Mn0.9Fe2O4 MNPs (ΔH° > 0) in the thermodynamic temperature range of 303–323 K, with elevated temperatures significantly enhancing removal efficiency due to favorable energetics. The positive correlation between pH elevation and adsorption capacity revealed pH-tunable adsorption characteristics. After 4 cycles, with 73.3
Microalloying elements (<1 wt%) are widely used in the steel industry, but their effect on AgAu alloys is still unclear. Therefore, this paper uses first-principles calculations and experimental verification to explore this topic. For first-principles calculations, the formation enthalpy, elastic constants, and mechanical properties of AgAu alloys and microalloyed AgAu systems (doped with Pd, Pt, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ti, Y, Be, Mg, Al, Sr) were calculated. The results show that the AgAu alloys and AgAu-Malloys have thermodynamic and mechanical stability. Doping elements increase the hardness, shear modulus, and Young's modulus of the alloys to varying degrees. Except for Be, other doping elements all reduce the elastic anisotropy index of the alloys to varying degrees. Experimentally, an Ag-16wt%Au-0.5wt%Al alloy was prepared, and the alloy contained Ag, Au, AlAu, and trace amounts of AlAu2 phases. The experimental hardness value was slightly lower than the calculated value. Energy-dispersive spectrometer (EDS) results proved that the alloy matrix was an Ag(Au, Al) solid solution and the intermetallic phase AlAu was distributed in the matrix. Additionally, trace amounts of the AlAu2 may be interspersed within the Ag(Au, Al) solid solution. There is a certain mutual verification between the calculation results and experimental results in this article. Therefore, this study provides a new approach to improving the performance of AgAu alloys by doping with microalloying elements.
