2017, Volume 63(67), Issue 2 (June)
Contents
pages 1- 8 Download
Agri-Wastes – Feedstock for Biorefinery
ANA-MARIA CHEŞCĂ, "Gheorghe Asachi" Technical University of Iaşi, 
	Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection
BOGDAN 
	MARIAN TOFANICĂ, "Gheorghe Asachi" Technical University of Iaşi, Faculty of 
	Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection
ADRIAN CĂTĂLIN PUIȚEL, 
	"Gheorghe Asachi" Technical University of Iaşi, Faculty of Chemical 
	Engineering and Environmental Protection,
	puitelac@tuiasi.ro 
DAN 
	GAVRILESCU, "Gheorghe Asachi" Technical University of Iaşi, Faculty of 
	Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection
	pages 9 - 18 Download
Abstract
Straws and stalks are important categories of 
	lignocellulosic agri- wastes. The availability of these materials is high, 
	taking into account their extended cultivation. Their chemical composition 
	represents an argument for their use as feedstock for papermaking fiber 
	production. In this study, soda pulping process was employed for 
	delignification of wheat straws (Triticum aestivum), corn stalks (Zea mays), 
	rapeseed (Brassica napus) and sunflower (Helianthus annuus). The obtained 
	pulps have been characterized from the perspectives of papermaking. Lignin 
	separated from spent liquors resulted from pulping of agri-wastes is an 
	alternative to increase overall process feasibility. In such context, the 
	separated spent liquors were acid treated for lignins separation, which were 
	further characterized by UV and IR spectroscopy techniques and gel 
	permeation chromatography. The obtained results are important in 
	establishing the potential usage of such lignins.
Keywords: straw; 
	stalks; pulp; paper; lignin. 
	XRD Analysis of the Structural Properties of Layered Double Hydroxides Comprising Zn and Al Partially Substituted with Cu and Ce and their Derived Mixed Oxides
DIANA GILEA, "Gheorghe Asachi" Technical University of Iaşi, Faculty of 
	Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection,
	gilea.diana91@gmail.com 
	GABRIELA CARJA, 
	"Gheorghe Asachi" Technical University of Iaşi, Faculty of Chemical 
	Engineering and Environmental Protection,
	gcarja@ch.tuiasi.ro 
	pages 19 - 25 Download
Abstract
The structural changes of layered double hydroxides (LDHs), when 
zinc was partially substituted by copper and aluminum was partially substituted 
by cerium in the layer of the LDHs matrix was monitored by X-ray diffraction 
(XRD), while the bulk composition of the studied samples was confirmed by X-ray 
fluorescence (XRF). The substituted samples preserved the layered structure, but 
the constrictions of the network appeared as a result of the substitution. After 
calcination at 850°C for 7 h, well crystallized mixed oxides containing copper 
and cerium were formed. The results point out that the calcination temperature 
is important to establish the structural features of the resulting mixtures of 
mixed oxides. 
Keywords: layered double hydroxides; XRD; mixed oxides; 
copper; cerium 
	Diffusion Coefficients from Sorption Experimental Data
IONUŢ OVIDIU FORŢU, "Gheorghe Asachi" Technical University of Iaşi, 
	Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection
RODICA SERETEANU, 
	"Gheorghe Asachi" Technical University of Iaşi, Faculty of Chemical 
	Engineering and Environmental Protection
EUGENIA TEODORA IACOB 
	TUDOSE, "Gheorghe Asachi" Technical University of Iaşi, Faculty of Chemical 
	Engineering and Environmental Protection, etudose@tuiasi.ro 
IOAN MĂMĂLIGĂ, 
	"Gheorghe Asachi" 
	Technical University of Iaşi, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and 
	Environmental Protection
	pages 27 -39 Download
Abstract
The diffusion of volatile components trough polymers or other 
materials of different geometry (plane, spherical or cylindrical) is essential 
for many industrial applications. In order to characterize the mass transport in 
these processes, an effective diffusion coefficient is needed. The diffusion 
coefficients estimation, usually using indirect methods, is based on 
experimental measurements of volatile components diffusion, retained on 
sorbents. Hence, the diffusivity is assessed by measuring pressure, sample 
weight or concentration, externally. These calculations require an appropriate 
model which describes the processes and the occurring transport phenomena. In 
this paper we present estimations of the diffusion coefficients using 
theoretical and experimental methods. These experimental methods are based on 
the kinetics of the solvent retention within materials of different shapes.
Keywords: cylindrical geometry; diffusion; planar geometry; process; spherical 
geometry. 
	Conformational Analysis of Polysiloxanes Substituted with Azobenzene
SIMONA CIOBOTĂRESCU, "Gheorghe Asachi" Technical University of Iaşi, 
	Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection, University of Angers, France
 Physics Department
ELENA-LUIZA EPURE, 
	"Gheorghe Asachi" Technical University of Iaşi, Faculty of Chemical 
	Engineering and Environmental Protection, lepure@tuiasi.ro 
NICOLAE HURDUC, 
	"Gheorghe 
	Asachi" Technical University of Iaşi, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and 
	Environmental Protection
	pages 41 - 49 Download
Abstract
This work presents a molecular modeling study with regard to the 
conformational behaviour of azo-polysiloxane in function of the content in cis 
azobenzene (CA). Molecular dynamics was used to carry a NVT simulation of 
azobenzene substituted polysiloxane in bulk. Conformational analysis was 
performed to determine how the CA concentration affects the polymeric chain’s 
three-dimensional structure. The radius of gyration was found not to change with 
the variation of CA content, while the potential energy increased with the 
increasing of CA percentage. The low change in free volume from one structure to 
another supports the constant radius of gyration. The correlated results suggest 
that the CA brings conformational tension on the structure. The macromolecular 
chain is unable to position itself in a less structural conflictive arrangement 
and determines a growth in potential energy. More studies are needed for further 
investigation and to link these findings with simulations in layer and solution.
Keywords: molecular modelling; azo; isomerisation; configuration. 
	Iron Based Layered Double Hydroxide and its Calcined Derivate as Efficient Photocatalysts in Phenol Removal
ELENA-FLORENTINA GROSU, "Gheorghe Asachi" Technical University of Iaşi, 
	Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection, 
	elena_grosu89@yahoo.com 
	GABRIELA CARJA, 
	"Gheorghe Asachi" Technical University of Iaşi, Faculty of Chemical 
	Engineering and Environmental Protection, 
	gcarja@ch.tuiasi.ro 
	pages 51 - 60 Download
Abstract
We report here the fabrication of novel semiconductor 
photocatalysts with high efficiency in the advanced oxidation reactions. Layered 
double hydroxides (LDHs) are nontoxic and environmental friendly anionic clays 
studied due to their photoresponses under UV, visible and solar irradiation. In 
this work ZnFeAlLDH and the derived mixed oxides obtained after calcination, 
denoted as ZnFeAl750 were synthesized and used for the first time in the process 
of phenol photodegradation under irradiation with a solar simulator. The 
structure and the optical properties of the catalysts were studied by XRD, FTIR 
and UV-Vis techniques. The photocatalytic tests were done using a solar 
simulator. The results demonstrate that ZnFeAlLDH has a specific hydrotalcite 
structure that transformed into highly homogeneous mixed oxides after 
calcination at 750°C. The tested catalysts are able to absorb light starting 
from the red region of the spectrum. Results show that the maximum 
photodegradation of phenol was reached with ZnFeAl750, which removed 70% from 
the initial concentration of the phenol pollutant after 6 h of irradiation with 
solar light.
Keywords: LDHs; photocatalyst; mixed oxides; pollutant; phenol; 
solar photodegradation. 
	Habilitation Thesis Summary:
	Design of High Performing 
	Materials with Increased Thermal Stability: Structure-Property Relationship 
	and Degradation Mechanism 
	GABRIELA LISA, "Gheorghe Asachi" Technical University of Iaşi, Faculty of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Protection, gapreot@ch.tuiasi.ro
pages 61 - 64 Download