Self-assembled silver nanoparticles with an average diameter of 5 nm have been successfully fabricated by reduction of Ag + with ascorbic acid in the mixture of water, alkylamine, and oleic acid. Thermogravimetry (TG), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and contact angle measurements indicate that oleic acid molecules are well capped on the silver nanoparticles. The effects of temperature and reaction-medium pH on the morphology and composition of the silver nanoparticles are discussed. A decrease in pH leads to a tendency to produce silver nanorods and nanospheres. The temperature can affect the thickness of the organic layer on the surfaces of the silver nanoparticles. The stabilities of the silver nanoparticles in the nanofluids were monitored at different temperatures. Thermal conductivity enhancements were determined in kerosenebased nanofluids with the prepared silver nanoparticles. The surface-capped silver nanoparticles exhibited excellent dispersity in kerosene and conventional organic solvent such as n-hexane and chloroform. The highly dispersible silver nanoparticles are therefore suitable for the preparation of oil-based nanofluids.
High-cost carbon sources are not economical or sustainable for the heterotrophic culture of Chlorella vulgaris. In order to reduce the cost, this study used sweet sorghum extract (SE) and its enzymatic hydrolysate (HSE) as alternative carbon sources for the heterotrophic culture of Chlorella vulgaris. Under the premise of the same total carbon concentration, the value-added product production performance of Chlorella vulgaris cultured in HSE (supplemented with nitrogen sources and minerals) was much better than that in the glucose medium. The conversion rate of the total organic carbon and the utilization rate of the total nitrogen were both improved in the HSE system. The biomass production and productivity using HSE reached 2.51 g/L and 0.42 g/L/d, respectively. The production of proteins and lipids using HSE reached 1.17 and 0.35 g/L, respectively, and the production of chlorophyll-a, carotenoid, and lutein using HSE reached 30.42, 10.99, and 0.88 mg/L, respectively. The medium cost using HSE decreased by 69.61% compared to glucose. This study proves the feasibility and practicability of using HSE as a carbon source for the low-cost heterotrophic culture of Chlorella vulgaris.
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