Expanded use of antibiotics may increase the ability of pathogenic bacteria to develop antimicrobial resistance. Greater attention must be paid to applying more sustainable techniques for treating wastewater contaminated with antibiotics. Semiconductor photocatalytic processes have proven to be the most effective methods for the degradation of antibiotics. Thus, constructing durable and highly active photocatalytic hybrid materials for the photodegradation of antibiotic pollutants is challenging. Herein, FeTiO3/Fe-doped g-C3N4 (FTO/FCN) heterojunctions were designed with different FTO to FCN ratios by matching the energy level of semiconductors, thereby developing effective direct Z-type heterojunctions. The photodegradation behaviors of the FTO/FCN hybrids were systematically explored toward spiramycin (SPY) destruction under visible-irradiation. Using the FTO/FCN (1:2) photocatalyst, the photodegradation efficiency of the bare FTO boosted from 41.6 % to 96.6 %, which was due to suitable band positions of both photocatalysts and thus Z-type heterojunction transfer pathway to prevent the recombination of photo-charge carriers. More importantly, the FTO/FCN hybrid photocatalysts show broad applicability, as they can decompose other organic contaminants including ibuprofen (IBU), ciprofloxacin (CIP), bisphenol A (BPA), and Rhodamine B (RhB). The photodegradation rates of IBU, CIP, BPA and RhB were 90.9 %, 93.4 %, 80.6 %, and 86.2 %, respectively, after 120 min. The trapping analyses were performed and exhibited that the key reactive-species in the SPY photodegradation were •O2 and h+, while •OH and electrons were secondary species in the reaction. The FTO/FCN composite photocatalyst has the properties of high photo-stability and recycling (the SPY photodegradation and mineralization efficiencies decreased only by 4 % and 5.2 %, respectively).
This paper deals with the nonlinear large-angle bending dynamic analysis of curved beams which investigated by modeling wave’s transmission along curved members. The approach depends on the wave propagation in one-dimensional structural element using the method of characteristics. The method of characteristics (MOC) is found to be a suitable method for idealizing the wave propagation inside structural systems. Timoshenko’s beam theory, which includes transverse shear deformation and rotary inertia effects, is adopted in the analysis. Only geometrical non-linearity is considered in this study and the material is assumed to be linearly elastic. Different boundary conditions and loading cases are examined.
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... Show MoreThis research aims to introduce a new technique-off-site and self-form segmental concrete masonry arches fabrication, without the need of construction formwork or centering. The innovative construction method in the current study encompasses two construction materials forms the self-form masonry arches, wedge-shape plain concrete voussoirs, and carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites. The employment of CFRP fabrics was for two main reasons: bonding the voussoirs and forming the masonry arches. In addition, CFRP proved to be efficient for strengthening the extrados of the arch rings under service loadings. An experimental test was conducted on four sophisticated masonry arch specimens. The research parameters were the Keystone thic
... Show MoreIn this study, thin films of pure titanium dioxide (TiO2) and titanium dioxide dual mixed with zinc oxide (ZnO) and magnesium oxide (MgO) with varying concentrations of (ZnO: MgO)x ranging from 0 to 30 wt% undoped and doped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were prepared on glass using the chemical spray pyrolysis (CSP) technique. The morphological, structural, and sensing properties of the prepared thin films were examined. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) analysis revealed that these films exhibit a consistent structure before and after doping. Initially, the roughness of these films was observed to increase upon the introduction of impurities (ZnO: MgO)x. This trend reversed at x=0.20, where a decrease in roughness occurred. Interestingly, a sub
... Show MoreIn this study, thin films of pure titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) and titanium dioxide dual mixed with zinc oxide (ZnO) and magnesium oxide (MgO) with varying concentrations of (ZnO: MgO) x ranging from 0 to 30 wt% undoped and doped gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were prepared on glass using the chemical spray pyrolysis (CSP) technique. The morphological, structural, and sensing properties of the prepared thin films were examined. Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) analysis revealed that these films exhibit a consistent structure before and after doping. Initially, the roughness of these films was observed to increase upon the introduction of impurities (ZnO: MgO) x . This trend reversed at x = 0.20, where a decrease in roughness occurred. Interestin
... Show MoreEight different Dichloro(bis{2-[1-(4-R-phenyl)-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl-κN3]pyridine-κN})iron(II) compounds, 2–9, have been synthesised and characterised, where group R=CH3 (L2), OCH3 (L3), COOH (L4), F (L5), Cl (L6), CN (L7), H (L8) and CF3 (L9). The single crystal X-ray structure was determined for the L3 which was complemented with Density Functional Theory calculations for all complexes. The structure exhibits a distorted octahedral geometry, with the two triazole ligands coordinated to the iron centre positioned in the equatorial plane and the two chloro atoms in the axial positions. The values of the FeII/III redox couple, observed at ca. −0.3 V versus Fc/ Fc+ for complexes 2–9, varied over a very small potential range of 0.05 V.
... Show MoreFrom the sustainability point of view a combination of using water absorption polymer balls in concrete mix produce from Portland limestone cement (IL) is worth to be perceived. Compressive strength and drying shrinkage behavior for the mixes of concrete prepared by Ordinary Portland Cement (O.P.C) and Portland limestone cement (IL) were investigated in this research. Water absorbent polymer balls (WAPB) are innovative module in producing building materials due to the internal curing which eliminates autogenous shrinkage, enhances the strength at early age, improve the durability, give higher compressive strength at early age, and reduce the effect of insufficient external curing. Polymer balls (WAPB) had been used in the mixes of thi
... Show MoreStudies on the flexural behavior of post-tensioned beams subjected to strand damage and strengthened with near-surface mounted (NSM) technique using carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) are limited and fail to examine the effect of CFRP laminates on strand strain and strengthening efficiency systematically. Furthermore, a design approach for UPC structures in existing design guidelines for FRP strengthening techniques is lacking. Hence, the behavior of post-tensioned beams strengthened with NSM-CFRP laminates after partial strand damage is investigated in this study. The testing program consists of seven post-tensioned beams strengthened by NSM-CFRP laminates with three partial strand damage ratios (14.3% symmetrical damage, 14.3%
... Show MoreBackground: University students in Iraq face rising obesity risk linked to physical inactivity, prolonged sedentary behavior, insufficient sleep, and academic stress. Longitudinal evidence examining the combined influence of these behaviors on weight status in Iraqi universities remains limited. Objective: This study examined six-month longitudinal associations of physical activity, sedentary behavior, sleep duration, and perceived stress with body mass index and percentage body fat among Iraqi university students. Methods: A prospective multi-behavioral study was conducted at six public universities in Iraq. Six hundred undergraduate students aged 18–25 years were followed monthly during one academic semester. Validated questionn
... Show MoreColonialism as a movement was very popular in Europe more than two centuries before. It aimed at controlling and exploiting several countries in Africa and Asia in addition to imposing their power and control on uninhabited islands. It received adherence and criticism as well. There also appeared activists and nations who stood against it and its practices. English novels discussed this notion greatly by pointing out the bad practices of the colonizers and how the colonized received them. This paper explores two narrative fictions that tackle the different aspects of the term. While Defoe, in Robinson Crusoe (1719), shows a colonial European figure who expresses his superiority, Wells, in “The Country of the Blind” (1904), deconstructs
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