The purpose of this research was to analyze hair from participants in two different age categories: 20-30 years old and 40-50 years old. In this experimental research, several key characteristics were followed, including structure, average hair size and, in particular, degree of surface damage (characteristics assessed by SEM analysis). Also, the composition of the elements in the studied hair (aspects assessed by EDS analysis) was a significant indicator of the degree of air pollution.

The objective of the study was to prepare, characterize, and test a chitosanmagnetite (CS-Fe3O4) nanocomposite as an efficient adsorbent used in the removal of iron ions and decrease in turbidity from a real water sample. The CS-Fe3O4 was characterized using FTIR spectrometry, OM, SEM, and XRD analyses, and the physical and chemical properties of the water samples were determined using standardized methods. The CS-Fe3O4 presented a good adsorption capacity for Fe ions and a decreased turbidity after 24 hours. One advantage of this research is the high efficiency of the nanocomposite and the easy possibility of recuperating, regenerating, and reusing the material in future research.

The research focused on TiO2 nanostructures environmental applications due to the special characteristics that displayed degradation of the organic compounds into environmentally friendly products through exposure to UV light. The protocol behind obtaining the nanostructures involved the use of a Ti material exposed to alkaline treatment and advanced oxidation using NaOH solution and acetone. These studied nanostructures were analyzed extensively by using methods such as scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) for characterizing the elements, compounds and morphological properties of the material. These differences in morphology is attributed to different NaOH solution concentrations. The Ti sheets were immersed into NaOH and acetone mixed solutions for 72 hours. The best results were recorded by using 30% NaOH solution. After obtaining the 3D structures, which improve specific surface and contact area with the environment, the samples were tested under UV light in order to degrade methylene blue in order to determine their photocatalytic performance.

This paper presents the results of the soil quality collected in Romania, Dombovita district. Soil analyses were performed for 7 soil samples, used for rapeseed and wheat crops, and 2 soil samples from an arid area. Since the physical and chemical properties influence the crop yield, for all soil samples the following analyses were determined: pH, conductivity, and quantity of elements, including nutrients. In this context, the results show an acidic capacity of soil (pH between 4.74-7.03), low values of electrical conductivity (EC) (159-608) as a measure of the salinity of soil and a significant concentration of Fe, Ca, K, Mg, Na and Zn.

Abstract 4 TRIP steels were produced by use of an induction furnace with controlled atmosphere and vacuum, one of which having a completely new chemical composition with the purpose of obtaining an increased reaction during impact when compared to the other, already documented, steels. This study follows the heat treatment used in order to obtain the TRIP effect in the produced steels and the reaction that the steels exhibit when submitted to an impact test used to simulate a car crash at approximately 60 km/h. The preparation of the samples for both characterization and testing follow standard procedures in terms of analysis. The crash-like tests were performed by using an INSTRON 9340 Ceast which generated an impact energy of 18J. The comparison between the different types of TRIP steels helps to determine the best application of the purposed steel in the automotive industry.

Removing heavy metals from wastewaters is a challenging process that requires constant attention and monitoring, as heavy metals are major wastewater pollutants that are not biodegradable and thus accumulate in the ecosystem. In addition, the persistent nature, toxicity and accumulation of heavy metal ions in the human body have become the driving force for searching new and more efficient water treatment technologies to reduce the concentration of heavy metal in waters. Because the conventional techniques will not be able to keep up with the growing demand for lower heavy metals levels in drinking water and wastewaters, it is becoming increasingly challenging to implement technologically advanced alternative water treatments. Nanotechnology offers a number of advantages compared to other methods. Nanomaterials are more efficient in terms of cost and volume, and many process mechanisms are better and faster at nanoscale. Although nanomaterials have already proved themselves in water technology, there are specific challenges related to their stability, toxicity and recovery, which led to innovations to counteract them. Taking into account the multidisciplinary research of water treatment for the removal of heavy metals, the present review provides an updated report on the main technologies and materials used for the removal of heavy metals with an emphasis on nanoscale materials and processes involved in the heavy metals removal and detection.

This paper is focused on obtained two catalysts such as TiO 2 nanoparticles and Fe 3 O 4 /SiO 2 /TiO 2 nanocomposite for adsorption and photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue (MB) dyes from aqueous solution. The morphology, structure and chemical proprieties of synthesized materials were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), N 2 adsorption-desorption isotherms and Zeta potential. The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue under UV light in the presence of different synthesized catalysts was analyzed with Spectrometer UV-Vis. The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue was studies by focusing of photoactivity performance of Fe 3 O 4 /SiO 2 /TiO 2 in comparation with TiO 2 . An attempt has been made to study the effect of process parameters through amount of the catalysts and initial concentrations of methylene blue. In all cases was found that the kinetics of the MB photocatalytic degradation under UV light was fitted to the Langmuir–Hinshelwood. Even if the photocatalytic degradation study revealed that Fe 3 O 4 /SiO 2 /TiO 2 and TiO 2 degraded about 90 % of methylene blue within 60 min, the magnetic nanocomposite Fe 3 O 4 /SiO 2 /TiO 2 serves as better catalyst compared with TiO 2 nanoparticles. An important role in the photocatalytic degradation of MB is adsorption characteristic of TiO 2 and Fe 3 O 4 /SiO 2 /TiO 2 surface. The photocatalytic performance of Fe 3 O 4 /SiO 2 /TiO 2 remained greater than TiO 2 after 4 cycles of use.

A nanocomposite (ION-CS) consisting of magnetite nanoparticles (ION) physically mixed with chitosan (CS) was synthesized by a green protocol in order to investigate the adsorption of hexavalent chromium Cr(VI) from synthetic aqueous solutions. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to characterize the ION-CS nanomaterial in comparison with magnetite. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, absorption spectroscopy, and equilibrium sorption of Cr(VI) on ION-CS and CS described by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were investigated. Finally, the reusability of the ION-CS nanomaterial was investigated by successive three sorption/desorption cycles. The results revealed that the magnetite nanoparticles were entrapped into the chitosan matrix, having an average particle size in the range from 10 to 15 nm. The removal of Cr(VI) by ION-CS and CS was explored; a significant enhancement in the percentage of Cr(VI) removed was obtained using the ION-CS nanomaterial. The remarkable sorption capacities and high reusability and stability of the ION-CS nanomaterial suggest the promising potential of this novel sorbent for the removal of Cr(VI).

The presence of heterocyclic dyes as refractory pollutants into wastewaters represent a serious problem of the biodegradability of the waters. The photocatalytic activity and chemistry surface of nano-anatase as photoacatalyst become more and more attractive option for degradation process. Thus, the steps of the synthesis, characterization and applications are necessary being investigated in detail. The production of a single-controlled phase as anatase was synthesized due its strong photocatalytic properties. The morphology, size and elemental composition were monitored by scanning electron microscopy [SEM] and Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy [EDS]. In order to identify the crystal structure, X-ray diffraction [XRD] was used and Zeta potential measurements were used for estimating agglomeration tendency and surface stability. The photocatalytic activity of nano-anatase was evaluated by measuring the degradation tendency of methylene blue. Good results were achieved regarding the degradation efficiency.

Photocatalysis has become common and nanomaterials having photocatalytic functions have been widely characterized. At present, among the many candidates for photocatalysis, TiO2 is almost the only material suitable for industrial use. In this paper, we present a TiO2 synthesis starting from Ti sheets put in contact with a mixture of 0.1 N NaOH and acetone for 72 hours under ambient conditions. The obtained sheets were washed with distilled water and ethanol, and the surface was analyzed for its structural and morphological properties. Thus, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) investigations indicated the formation of TiO2 on the edges of nanometer circles on the surface of the Ti sheets. For characterizing the photocatalytic capacity for wastewater treatment, Ti sheets with TiO2 on the surface contacted with methylene blue solutions at room temperature under ultraviolet light. The degradation of the methylene blue concentration was measured by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, demonstrating 99.94% efficiency for wastewater treatment using the obtained material.

Increasing biocompatibility of implant materials is an important factor in developing better and long-lasting implants that function in a very close way to real tissue and bone. Various alloys have been chosen due to their biocompatibility, such as: stainless steels, titanium alloys and nickel or cobalt alloys. According to the alloying elements it is possible to change the material properties to fit into various application niches such as pacemaker devices, stents, biosensors, dental or bone implants and others. Some alloying elements confer higher biocompatibility than others and the commonly used alloys include elements that can be detrimental to human health such as Nickel, Vanadium and Cobalt. Choosing alloying elements such as Nb, Fe and Zr in order to replace the commonly used metals reduces the risks of accumulation of various substances that can damage the human tissues and lead to health complications. The proposed alloys are elaborated in a Five Celes melting furnace under argon atmosphere in order to create a more homogeneous material with lesser defects and inclusions. The cast alloys are then analyzed through modern methods such as SEM, XRD, EDS and their mechanical properties such as hardness and strength and these properties are compared to that of the bone in order to assess mechanical reliability.