SBA-15 is an interesting mesoporous silica material having highly ordered nanopores and a large surface area, which is widely employed as catalyst supports, absorbents, drug delivery materials, etc. Since it has a lack of functionality, heteroatoms and organic functional groups have been incorporated by direct or post-synthesis methods in order to modify their functionality. The aim of this article is to review the state-of-the-art related to the use of SBA-15-based mesoporous systems as supports for hydrodesulfurization (HDS) catalysts.

This research studies the crystalline compounds present in nopal (Opuntia ficusindica) cladodes. The identification of the crystalline structures was performed using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, mass spectrometry, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. [KCl]. The SEM images indicate that calcite crystals grow to dipyramidal, octahedral-like, prismatic, and flower-like structures; meanwhile, calcium-magnesium bicarbonate structures show rhombohedral exfoliation and calcium oxalate monohydrate is present in a drusenoid morphology. These calcium carbonate compounds have a great importance for humans because their bioavailability. This is the first report about the identification and structural analysis of calcium carbonate and calcium-magnesium bicarbonate in nopal cladodes, as well as the presence of magnesium oxide, potassium peroxydiphosphate and potassium chloride in these plants. The significance of the study of the inorganic components of these cactus plants is related with the increasing interest in the potential use of Opuntia as a raw material of products for the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries.

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Analyses of calcium compounds in cladodes, soluble dietary fiber (SDF), and insoluble dietary fiber (IDF) ofOpuntia ficus indicaare reported. The characterization of calcium compounds was performed by using Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy Dispersive Spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, and infrared spectroscopy. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy and titrimetric methods were used for quantification of total calcium and calcium compounds. Whewellite (CaC2O4·H2O), weddellite (CaC2O4·(H2O)2.375), and calcite (CaCO3) were identified in all samples. Significant differences (P≤0.05) in the total calcium contents were detected between samples. CaC2O4·H2O content in cladodes and IDF was significantly higher (P≤0.05) in comparison to that observed in SDF, whereas minimum concentration of CaCO3was detected in IDF with regard to CaCO3contents observed in cladodes and SDF. Additionally, molar ratio oxalate : Ca2+in all samples changed in a range from 0.03 to 0.23. These results support that calcium bioavailability inO. ficus indicamodifies according to calcium compounds distribution.

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Palm oil production is among the highest worldwide, and it has been mainly used in the food industry and other commodities. Currently, a lot of palm oil production has been destined for the synthesis of biodiesel; however, its use in applications other than the food industry has been questioned. Thereby for a sustainable development, in this paper the use of palm oil of low quality for corrosion inhibitors synthesis is proposed. The performance of the synthesized inhibitors was evaluated by using electrochemical techniques such as open circuit potential measurements, linear polarization resistance and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results indicate that the fatty amides from palm oil are excellent corrosion inhibitors with protection efficiencies greater than 98%. Fatty amides molecules act as cathodic inhibitors decreasing the anodic dissolution of iron. When fatty amides are added, a rapid decrease in the corrosion rate occurs due to the rapid formation of a molecular film onto carbon steel surface. During the adsorption process of the inhibitor a self-organization of the hydrocarbon chains takes place forming a tightly packed hydrophobic film. These results demonstrate that the use of palm oil for the production of green inhibitors promises to be an excellent alternative for a sustainable use of the palm oil production.

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