In this study, polyethylene glycol-modified titanium dioxide (PEG-modified TiO2) nanopowders were prepared using a fast solvothermal method under microwave irradiation, and without any further calcination processes. These nanopowders were further impregnated on porous polymeric platforms by drop-casting. The effect of adding iron with different molar ratios (1, 2, and 5%) of iron precursor was investigated. The characterization of the produced materials was carried out by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and Raman spectroscopy. Optical characterization of all the materials was also carried out. SEM showed that pure TiO2 and Fe-TiO2 nanostructures presented similar nanosized and spherical particles, which uniformly covered the substrates. From XRD, pure TiO2 anatase was obtained for all nanopowders produced, which was further confirmed by Raman spectroscopy on the impregnated substrates. XPS and UV–VIS absorption spectroscopy emission spectra revealed that the presence of Fe ions on the Fe-TiO2 nanostructures led to the introduction of new intermediate energy levels, as well as defects that contributed to an enhancement in the photocatalytic performance. The photocatalytic results under solar radiation demonstrated increased photocatalytic activity in the presence of the 5% Fe-TiO2 nanostructures (Rhodamine B degradation of 85% after 3.5 h, compared to 74% with pure TiO2 for the same exposure time). The photodegradation rate of RhB dye with the Fe-TiO2 substrate was 1.5-times faster than pure TiO2. Reusability tests were also performed. The approach developed in this work originated novel functionalized photocatalytic platforms, which were revealed to be promising for the removal of organic dyes from wastewater.
Introduction: People with dementia and their relatives should have timely access to formal care in the community. The EU-Actifcare project analysed access to and use of formal services, as related to unmet needs for care. We describe the cohort study implementation and baseline results in Portugal, with a focus on needs for care and service use assessments.Material and Methods: Our convenience sample consisted of 66 dyads of community-dwelling people with mild to moderate dementia and no significant use of formal services, and their informal carers. Measures included the Camberwell Assessment of Need for the Elderly and Resources Utilization in Dementia.Results: People with dementia had unmet needs (mean 1.1; SD 1.7), mainly regarding company (23%), psychological distress (20%), and daily activities (14%). Family caregivers spent 150 minutes/day (median) providing support, and 44% had psychological distress unmet needs. Problems with access to or use of formal services, when present, were frequently due to attitudes or lack of knowledge of any or both members of the dyad.Discussion: The recruitment process was challenging, since the inclusion criteria were restrictive. Not claiming generalizability, we recruited a typical sample of Portuguese people with mild to moderate dementia and no significant formal community support. Levels and type of unmet needs found in some participants would call for formal support, were it not for problems regarding access or use.Conclusion: There are difficulties regarding timely access and effective use of formal care in dementia, along with relevant unmet needs.
Electrochemical CO2reduction in a reactor that can operate up to 100 bar and 80 °C, with a configuration similar to that of an alkaline electrolyser, for hydrogen production suitable to be used industrially is reported for the first time.
In this work residues and extracts resulting from high-pressure extractions of Eucalyptus globulus Labill. by 1,4-dioxane and l,4-dioxane-CO2 mixtures, in the temperature range 160°C-180°C at 170 bar and 250 bar pressures were characterised by spectroscopic and Chromatographie techniques. Spectral data of extraction residues showed that thermal degradation starts to occur at 180°C. At lower temperatures cellulose is neither degraded nor extracted and changes in intensity of FTIR absorption bands indicate lignin and hemicellulose extraction. Hemicellulose removal is an essentially degradative process. The FTIR spectra of lignins recovered from extraction liquors show absorption bands with very well defined peaks. They are very similar to literature data obtained for hardwood lignins extracted in mild conditions. Namely, all the absorption bands observed in milled wood lignins of GS3-GS4 types are visible. Acid soluble residual lignins appear to be rich in guaiacyl units, while UV and FTIR spectra show that extracted lignins are rich in syringyl units.
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