Search Results (346)

To tackle the environmental challenges associated with industrial oily wastewater discharges and recurrent marine oil spill incidents, developing high-efficiency oil–water separation technologies represents a pressing environmental challenge. This research presents a novel design approach comprising the deposition of a stable SiO₂ anchoring layer followed by the fabrication of a PDA/CS crosslinked coating, thereby achieving successful construction of a superhydrophilic/underwater superoleophobic (SH/UWSO) coating on stainless steel meshes (SSM). In the first step, SiO₂ microspheres were deposited via vapor deposition to create a micro-rough surface architecture. Subsequently, a dopamine/chitosan (DA/CS) reaction solution was introduced to form a Polydopamine/chitosan (PDA/CS) coating, yielding a SiO₂@PDA/CS-SSM separation membrane. The resulting membrane exhibited separation efficiencies surpassing 99% for various oil–water mixtures, achieving a flux of 1.24 × 10⁵ L·m⁻²·h⁻¹ in petroleum ether systems. Notably, the membrane maintained high efficiency and structural stability even after 25 separation cycles, immersion in strong acid and base solutions for 72 h, and 100 abrasion tests. The rational design of the anchoring and crosslinking layers endows SiO₂@PDA/CS-SSM with high efficiency and stability, making it an effective oil–water separation material. Full article

This study aims to evaluate the effects of two phytobiotic mixtures on performance, nutrient digestibility, histomorphology, microbiota, and antioxidant status in fattening ducks. A total of 180 day-old male mixed-type ducks were randomly assigned to three dietary groups: a control group receiving a basal diet, and two treatment groups (PM1: commercial phytobiotic formulation containing menthol, eucalyptus oil and turmeric leaf oil as key ingredients and PM2: commercial phytobiotic formulation containing garlic oil as a key ingredient) supplemented at 250 g/ton of feed. Ducks were reared for 49 days with six replicates of ten ducks. Performance parameters, including body weight (BW), body weight gain (BWG), and average feed intake (AFI), were significantly improved in phytobiotic groups (p ≤ 0.05). Apparent digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, and starch remained unaffected (p > 0.05). Histological analysis showed no significant differences in villus height (VH) or crypt depth (CD). However, cecal microbiota culture-based analysis revealed increased total anerobic bacteria and Lactobacillus counts in PM1 and PM2 (p ≤ 0.05). Antioxidant status demonstrated reduced MDA levels and elevated total phenolic content (TPC) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in breast and thigh tissues of treated ducks. Overall, phytobiotic supplementation improved performance and microbiota balance, supporting the potential application of these phytobiotic formulations at the inclusion level of 250 g/ton in fattening ducks’ nutrition. Full article

A study was conducted on the construction of sulfonated poly(aryl ether ketone) nanomicelles and their dispersion–displacement synergistic behavior in deep oil recovery. Unlike conventional surfactant systems, inorganic nanoparticle-based EOR materials, and polymeric nanofluids that mainly rely on interfacial tension reduction, wettability alteration, or viscosity regulation, this study constructs self-assembled sulfonated poly(aryl ether ketone) nanomicelles that integrate a rigid aromatic backbone, ionizable sulfonic acid groups, nanoscale dispersion, and interfacial regulation within one polymeric architecture. Sulfonated poly(aryl ether ketone) nanomicelles were prepared by combining polymer sulfonation with solvent-induced self-assembly, and their structural features, dispersion stability, interfacial behavior, porous-media transport, and displacement performance were systematically evaluated. Spectroscopic characterization confirmed the successful introduction of sulfonic acid groups into the polymer backbone. The resulting nanomicelles exhibited an average hydrodynamic diameter of 117.8 nm, a polydispersity index of 0.186, and a zeta potential of −38.6 mV in deionized water, while a value of −27.4 mV was still maintained at a salinity of 150,000 mg/L, indicating good electrostatic stability under highly mineralized conditions. Further evaluation showed that the 0.30 wt% system retained a transmittance of 97.4% after 15 d of static standing, and its particle size remained at 151.7 nm even under 120 °C and 150,000 mg/L, demonstrating favorable thermal–salinity tolerance. At the same concentration, the oil–water interfacial tension decreased to 6.9 mN/m at 1800 s, while the contact angle of oil-aged quartz was reduced from 118.4° to 58.7°, indicating effective regulation of both the oil–water interface and the solid surface wettability. During microscopic displacement, the residual oil area fraction decreased from 32.8% after water flooding to 14.6%, and cluster-like oil, corner oil, and film-like oil were reduced from 14.6%, 9.8%, and 8.4% to 5.9%, 4.2%, and 4.5%, respectively. In core flooding, the incremental oil recovery reached 13.2%, the final water cut decreased to 81.2%, and the injection pressure increased only from 0.42 MPa to 0.68 MPa. These results indicate that sulfonated poly(aryl ether ketone) nanomicelles promote deep residual-oil mobilization through the combined effects of stable dispersion, interfacial regulation, and effective transport, with 0.30 wt% identified as the preferred concentration range. The main scientific contribution of this work is to establish a structure–dispersion–interface–transport–displacement relationship for SPAEK nanomicelles under deep-reservoir conditions, providing a polymeric nanomicelle-based strategy distinct from conventional surfactant, sulfonated polymer, and nanoparticle flooding systems. Full article

The physicochemical mechanisms and numerical characterization of amine-ether gemini surfactant emulsion flooding remain insufficient, limiting its field application in low-permeability reservoirs. This study developed a refined numerical simulation method that integrates full-process emulsion kinetics, including generation, coalescence, dispersion-assisted oil displacement, and demulsification, with graded emulsion characterization using the differentiated inaccessible pore volume (IPV) and residual resistance factor (RRF). Core-flooding validation demonstrated that the model accurately reproduced the key dynamic responses of water cut reduction and oil production increase, with a relative error of about 3.0%. Mechanistic analysis showed that the enhanced oil recovery performance arose from the combined effects of ultralow interfacial tension and emulsion-induced profile control. Relative to conventional surfactant flooding, emulsion flooding increased oil recovery by an additional 4.8–5.0% and lowered water cut by about 12 percentage points. For the Shengli Oilfield pilot block, the optimized injection design involved a surfactant concentration of 1.2 wt.%, an injection rate of 60 m³/d, a slug size of 0.01 PV, an injection–production ratio of 0.95, and a stepwise concentration-decline strategy. The field pilot further confirmed the applicability of the method: daily oil production of the well group increased by 46.5%, while comprehensive water cut decreased by 8.6 percentage points. These results demonstrate the value of the proposed method for both mechanistic characterization and field design of amine-ether gemini surfactant emulsion flooding in heterogeneous low-permeability reservoirs. Full article

In this research, a novel polyarylene ether nitrile (PEN) coating material was fabricated through a facile stepwise polymerization method, which provides metallic substrates used in the oil industry with remarkable corrosion protection performance. A variety of characterization techniques were employed to evaluate the comprehensive properties of the PEN coating materials against a commercially established high-temperature-resistant epoxy coating. Based on the TGA curves, the PEN3 coating exhibited a T_5% value of 521 °C, which was 44.72% higher than that of the epoxy coating. According to the tensile experiment, the PEN coatings demonstrated improved mechanical performance, achieving tensile strength and breaking elongation values of 89.37 MPa and 7.14% (PEN3), respectively, while the epoxy achieved values of 18.67 MPa and 0.32%, respectively. EIS tests revealed that all the PEN coatings exhibited superior corrosion resistance compared to the epoxy coating. Among them, the PEN3 coating remained intact without failure and showed the highest impedance value (5.665 × 10⁷ Ω·cm²), which was two orders of magnitude higher than epoxy. Our research confirmed that the PEN coating material provided enhanced corrosion resistance, thermal stability and mechanical properties, positioning it as an alternative option to replace epoxy coating in prolonging the service life of steel piping in oil field applications. Full article

This study evaluated the effects of including palm kernel oil in the diets of pasture-raised sheep on carcass characteristics, meat quality, and fatty acid profiles. A completely randomized design with four treatments was used, consisting of 0, 20, 40, and 60 g/kg of palm kernel oil in the dry matter of the supplement, with eight replicates. Thirty-two uncastrated Santa Inês sheep, with an average initial body weight of 23.2 ± 2.6 kg, were used in this study. The animals were kept on Aruana grass (Panicum maximum (syn. Megathyrsus maximum) cv. Aruana) pastures under continuous stocking for 59 days (preceded by 15 days of adaptation), with each one fed supplements (1.4% of body weight) at 8 am. At the end of the experimental period, the animals were slaughtered in a commercial slaughterhouse for carcass and meat quality evaluation. The inclusion of palm kernel oil had a decreasing linear effect on hot and cold carcass weight (p = 0.0403) (p = 0.0398), but it did not affect hot or cold carcass yields or carcass morphometric measurements, commercial cut weights, pH, or loin area (p > 0.05). However, it affected the color of the L. lumborum muscle, showing an increasing linear effect on yellow intensity (b*) (p = 0.002) and on the centesimal composition, with an increasing linear effect on ether extract content (p = 0.006). Shear force, cooking loss, and water-holding capacity were not affected (p > 0.05). Fatty acid profiles, the atherogenicity and thrombogenicity indices, and the ratio of hypocholesterolemic to hypercholesterolemic fatty acids (h:H) were also unaffected by the inclusion of palm kernel oil (p > 0.05). The inclusion of up to 60 g/kg of palm kernel oil in the diets of pasture-raised sheep had an effect on carcass weight but not yield. It also had an effect on the color and chemical composition of L. lumborum muscle, but these changes did not compromise the overall quality of the meat. Full article

This study assessed the structural stability and in vitro antioxidant capacity of a cosmetic formulation incorporating sangre de grado extract (Croton lechleri Muell) and vegetable oils from aguaje (Mauritia flexuosa L.f.), aguaymanto (Physalis peruviana L.), super sacha inchi (Plukenetia huayllabambana sp. nov.), and sacha inchi (Plukenetia volubilis L.), sourced from Peruvian biodiversity. Structural characterization was conducted using Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR-ATR) on the formulation at the initial time point (ASC T0) and after six months under accelerated stability conditions (ASC T6). Characteristic absorption bands corresponding to carbonyl, ether, and hydroxyl functional groups were observed, confirming the structural integrity of the lipid–polymeric components within the emulsifying system. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using DPPH and ABTS assays, with IC₅₀ values comparable to those of a commercially available cream. In the DPPH assay, ASC T6 exhibited IC₅₀ of 5744.8571 μg/mL, comparable to a commercial formulation (5641.1585 μg/mL). In the ABTS assay, ASC T0 demonstrated antioxidant activity statistically equivalent (p > 0.05) to that of the commercial cream, with IC₅₀ values of 410.2358 and 420.2202 μg/mL, respectively. In conclusion, the preservation of antioxidant activity is attributed to the structural integrity of the formulated system, which stabilized and retained synergistic interactions of the antioxidants. Future studies should explore the incorporation of additional antioxidants and include in vivo instrumental assessments of stability and efficacy. Full article

Castor (Ricinus communis) is a toxic seed used to extract oil for the chemical industry, with castor meal as a by-product. A recently developed industrial method allows its detoxification, enabling its use as a protein-rich feed for ruminants. This study evaluated the safety of detoxified castor meal based on intake, digestibility, and performance of sheep fed sugarcane silage containing increasing levels of this ingredient. The detoxified castor meal, supplied by an oil extraction industry, underwent no additional detoxification treatment. Twenty-four intact male sheep were randomly assigned to diets containing 0%, 10%, 20% or 40% fresh matter castor meal in sugarcane silage. Diets were balanced with soybean meal and ground corn. After 60 days of feeding, no signs of intoxication were observed. Crude protein (CP) intake decreased from 0.157 to 0.128 kg/day (p = 0.03) and ether extract (EE) intake from 0.068 to 0.044 kg/day (p = 0.04). Crude protein digestibility declined from 754 to 473 g/kg (p < 0.01), and EE digestibility from 813 to 725 g/kg (p = 0.02). All other intake, digestibility, and performance variables were not significantly affected (p ≥ 0.05). Industrially detoxified castor meal was shown to be a safe additive in sugarcane silage up to 40% by fresh matter, with no adverse effects on sheep performance. Full article

Flowering street trees provide ecological services and health benefits to humans. In this study, three commonly used flowering street trees, Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) Steud., Melia azedarach L., and Magnolia grandiflora L., were selected for analysis of floral volatiles during different flowering stages along roadsides in Shanghai, China. Headspace sampling solid-phase microextraction (HS–SPME) coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) was used to identify volatiles from different floral samples. Simultaneously, selected-ion flow-tube mass spectrometry (SIFT–MS) was employed to detect biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs) in roadside air samples. The results indicated that (1) P. tomentosa volatiles consisted predominantly of alcohols and phenolic ethers, M. azedarach volatiles consisted primarily of alcohols and aldehydes, and M. grandiflora volatiles consisted mainly of terpenes. (2) Air samples from P. tomentosa and M. azedarach were dominated by alcohols, whereas air samples from M. grandiflora were dominated by terpenes and aldehydes. The ozone formation potential (OFP) of some VOCs fluctuated throughout the flowering period. (3) Antibacterial and antioxidant volatiles released from the flowers of all species, such as eugenol, have demonstrated health-promoting effects in essential oils. The results of this study provide a foundation for optimizing the selection and planting of flowering street trees in urban roadside areas that will enhance ecological services and public health benefits. Full article

The threat of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and the need for sustainable disinfectants have spurred interest in natural antimicrobials such as essential oils (EOs). However, their application is limited by volatility, poor water solubility, and cytotoxicity. Herein, we present the development of bio-based core–shell sub-micro-/nanocapsules (NCs) with encapsulated oregano (OO), thyme (TO), eucalyptus (EuO), and tea tree (TTO) oils to enhance antimicrobial (AM) performance and reduce cytotoxicity. NCs were synthesized via a nanoencapsulation method using chemically modified zein or poly(methyl vinyl ether-co-maleic anhydride) (GZA) as shell polymers, with selected EOs encapsulated in their core (encapsulation efficacy > 98%). Chemical modification of zein with vanillin (VA) and GZA with either dodecyl amine (DDA) or 3-(glycidyloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (EPTMS) resulted in improvement in particle size distributions, polydispersity indices (PDIs) of synthesized NCs, and in the stability of the NC-dispersions in water. Antibacterial testing against Staphylococcus aureus and cytotoxicity assays showed that encapsulation significantly reduced toxicity while preserving their antibacterial activity. Among the formulations, GZA-based NCs modified with EPTMS provided the best balance between safety and efficacy. Despite this, life cycle assessment revealed that zein-based NCs were more environmentally sustainable due to lower energy use and material impact. Overall, the approach offers a promising strategy for developing sustainable, effective, and safe EO-based antibacterial agents for AM applications. Full article

Nanoparticle–surfactant composite flooding systems significantly enhance oil recovery through synergistic effects. When the optimal ratio of SiO₂ nanoparticles to nonionic surfactant alkylphenol polyoxyethylene ether (OP-10) in the composite system is 3:2, the oil–water interfacial tension (IFT) decreases to 0.005 mN/m, and the contact angle changes from the original 128° to 42°, achieving effective wettability alteration. Core displacement experiments demonstrate that the recovery rate using nanoparticles alone is 46.8%, and using surfactant alone is 52.3%, while the composite system achieves 71.5%, representing a 39.2 percentage point improvement over water flooding. The composite system operates through multiple mechanisms including interfacial tension reduction, wettability alteration, stable emulsion formation, and enhanced sweep efficiency. The wedging effect of nanoparticles at pore throats and the interfacial activity of surfactants form significant synergistic enhancement, providing a new technical pathway for efficient development of low-permeability reservoirs. Full article

Wheat germ (WG) oil is highly used in cosmetics and pharmaceutics for its high tocopherol content. The present study explored and optimized the ultrasound-assisted extraction of oil and bioactive compounds from stabilized wheat germ at a laboratory scale. Optimum conditions were 15 s, 36% amplitude, and 10:1 solvent-to-solid ratio. The yield (5.1%) and the ether-soluble fraction (87.92%) obtained were remarkable considering the short extraction time, and the solvent used was absolute ethanol. Sonication did not have a significant impact on oil oxidation parameters (acidity and peroxide value), tocopherol content (1499 μg toc/g extract), and antiradical scavenging activity of the extracts (71% DPPH loss). The total fiber content (16%) and type of the remaining solids were not affected as well. Protein solubility increased with sonication. Altogether, these findings propose ultrasound-assisted extraction of oil from wheat germ as a promising alternative to conventional techniques. Full article

In order to solve the problems of high volatility and insufficient absorption effect when using chemical by-product washing oil to treat benzene-containing waste gas, this study innovatively proposed a composite solvent screening method based on the solvation free energy (ΔGsol), and reasonably predicted the absorption performance of 26 solvents for benzene. Through theoretical calculation and experimental verification, tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether (TGDE) was finally determined to be the optimal composite component of washing oil. The absorption efficiency of the composite solvent reached 96.2%, and the regeneration efficiency was stable after 12 cycles with a mass loss of only 2.4%. Quantum computing simulation revealed that the dispersion force is dominant between benzene and the solvent, and TGDE enhances the electrostatic interaction through weak hydrogen bonds. The synergistic effect of the two improves the absorption performance. This study provides theoretical and technical support for the development of efficient and renewable benzene waste gas recovery solvent systems. Full article

Nanoemulsions (NEs) offer a promising strategy for delivering lipophilic cannabidiol (CBD) to protect skin from particulate matter (PM)-induced damage. In this study, CBD-loaded oil-in-water NEs based on Brij^® O10 (polyoxyethylene (10) oleyl ether) and olive oil were prepared by the phase inversion temperature (PIT) method and characterized. A 20% w/w Brij^® O10 formulation (B20) remained clear and stable for 30 days. CBD solubility was markedly enhanced in Brij^® O10 micelles and further increased in NEs, exceeding theoretical predictions and indicating synergistic solubilization in the oil–surfactant system. CBD incorporation lowered the PIT and induced nonlinear changes in droplet size with oil content. All formulations exhibited nanoscale droplets by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy, moderately low zeta potentials consistent with nonionic steric stabilization, and maintained physical stability despite increased turbidity at higher oil levels. In a full-thickness human ex vivo skin model exposed to PM, both blank and CBD-loaded NEs reduced interleukin-6 (IL-6) and matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) in PM-exposed skin, with CBD-loaded NEs providing additional reductions and uniquely restoring procollagen type I C-peptide (PIP) relative to their blanks. Overall, PIT-based CBD NEs enhance CBD solubilization and protect human ex vivo skin from PM-induced inflammation and extracellular matrix degradation. Full article

This study evaluated the efficacy of an environmentally friendly degreasing agent formulated from orange peel extract as both a cleaning agent and corrosion inhibitor for surgical instruments manufactured from 316LVM stainless steel. The extract was obtained via microwave-assisted hydrodistillation and subsequently blended with biodegradable surfactants. Its performance was compared against a benchmark commercial cleaner (West Oxyclean^®) through Tafel polarization, Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). FTIR analysis confirmed the presence of terpenic compounds, predominantly limonene, alongside ethers, alcohols, and unsaturated structure characteristics of citrus essential oils. Polarization and EIS results showed that the formulation containing 0.12% extract exhibited the highest charge-transfer resistance and the lowest corrosion current density (0.093 μA/cm²), achieving an inhibition efficiency of 81.29%, whereas the 0.08% formulation showed greater corrosive response than the commercial cleaner. SEM imaging demonstrated a progressive decline in both the severity and density of localized corrosion attacks with increasing extract concentration, while XRD diffractograms indicated a marked reduction in corrosion-product formation—completely absent at the optimal concentration. These findings demonstrate that orange peel extract functions as an effective and environmentally sustainable corrosion inhibitor, capable of preserving the structural and surface integrity of surgical-grade steel. Its technical performance, combined with its biodegradable profile, positions it as a promising alternative to conventional industrial cleaners within medical and hospital applications. Full article