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The laminated structure of graphene oxide (GO) confers unique interactions with water molecules which may be utilised in a range of applications that require materials with tuneable hygroscopic properties.

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SYNOPSISIn emulsion polymerizations, desorption (exit) from latex particles of monomeric radical species that arise from transfer can be a n important determinant of the overall kinetics. An examination of various methodologies for the testing of postulated free radical exit mechanisms is made. These utilize the model descriptions for the exit process presented in the accompanying article of Casey et al., employing data consisting of conversion as a function of time for the approach to steady state polymerization conditions. Experimental data are presented on the exit rate coefficients as a function of such experimental parameters as: particle size, monomer concentration, and aqueous-phase free-radical concentration for a series of styrene polymerizations a t 50°C, where the average number of free radicals per particle ( i i ) never exceeds 0.5. It is demonstrated for these systems that while the conversion/ time dependence from a single run, under conditions sensitive to exit, is insensitive to mechanistic assumptions as to the fate of desorbed free radicals, the variation of the exit rate coefficient with particle size so obtained suggests a second order dependence on 6, implying complete re-entry of desorbed free radicals under all conditions studied. Once the monomeric radicals have re-entered, they are more likely to remain inside the particle where they will either propagate or undergo termination rather than re-escape. The article also presents a n estimate for the rate coefficient at 50°C of the first propagation step of the monomeric radical subsequent to transfer. The conclusions drawn here for seeded systems should prove useful for study of particle nucleation mechanisms, when exit is particularly likely in small, newly formed, particles.

The environmental benefits and burdens of phosphorus recovery in four centralized and two decentralized municipal wastewater systems were compared using life cycle assessment (LCA). In centralized systems, phosphorus recovered as struvite from the solids dewatering liquid resulted in an environmental benefit except for the terrestrial ecotoxicity and freshwater eutrophication impact categories, with power and chemical use offset by operational savings and avoided fertilizer production. Chemical-based phosphorus recovery, however, generally required more resources than were offset by avoided fertilizers, resulting in a net environmental burden. In decentralized systems, phosphorus recovery via urine source separation reduced the global warming and ozone depletion potentials but increased terrestrial ecotoxicity and salinization potentials due to application of untreated urine to land. Overall, mineral depletion and eutrophication are well-documented arguments for phosphorus recovery; however, phosphorus recovery does not necessarily present a net environmental benefit. While avoided fertilizer production does reduce potential impacts, phosphorus recovery does not necessarily offset the resources consumed in the process. LCA results indicate that selection of an appropriate phosphorus recovery method should consider both local conditions and other environmental impacts, including global warming, ozone depletion, toxicity, and salinization, in addition to eutrophication and mineral depletion impacts.