University of Córdoba (Spain)

About: University of Córdoba (Spain) is a education organization based out in Cordova, Spain. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Catalysis. The organization has 12006 authors who have published 22998 publications receiving 537842 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Córdoba (Spain) & Universidad de Córdoba.

Lignin: A Biopolymer from Forestry Biomass for Biocomposites and 3D Printing

Abstract: Biopolymers from forestry biomass are promising for the sustainable development of new biobased materials. As such, lignin and fiber-based biocomposites are plausible renewable alternatives to petrochemical-based products. In this study, we have obtained lignin from Spruce biomass through a soda pulping process. The lignin was used for manufacturing biocomposite filaments containing 20% and 40% lignin and using polylactic acid (PLA) as matrix material. Dogbones for mechanical testing were 3D printed by fused deposition modelling. The lignin and the corresponding biocomposites were characterized in detail, including thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), antioxidant capacity, mechanical properties, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Although lignin led to a reduction of the tensile strength and modulus, the reduction could be counteracted to some extent by adjusting the 3D printing temperature. The results showed that lignin acted as a nucleating agent and thus led to further crystallization of PLA. The radical scavenging activity of the biocomposites increased to roughly 50% antioxidant potential/cm2, for the biocomposite containing 40 wt % lignin. The results demonstrate the potential of lignin as a component in biocomposite materials, which we show are adequate for 3D printing operations.

Nanoarchitectured TiO2/SnO: A Future Negative Electrode for High Power Density Li-Ion Microbatteries?

Abstract: The synthesis of a nanoarchitectured composite material consisting of tin and tin oxide nanowires grown onto titania nanotubes by anodization of titanium and tin electrodeposition is reported. The crystallinity of the electrodes can be tuned by optional heat treatment, but the initial morphology is preserved. XRD patterns revealed the presence of Sn onto an amorphous titania matrix and Sn/SnO onto a crystalline titania matrix. Here, we highlight that tin and tin oxide nanowires are obtained when using a titania nanotubes matrix. This particular morphology is not obtained using a titania compact seed layer. Their different electrochemical behavior in lithium test cells is studied by a galvanostatic technique at a rate of 100 and 50 μA cm−2. Only tin and tin oxides are checked as electroactive material by limiting voltage ranges to 1.2 and 0.01 V. The nanocomposite with this particular geometry (2 μm of tin/tin oxide thickness) has a remarkable reversible capacity of about 140 μA h cm−2 which is kept about ...

Total mercury and methylmercury concentrations in fish from the Mojana region of Colombia

Abstract: Total mercury (T-Hg) and methylmercury (MeHg) concentrations have been measured in the muscle tissue of 16 fish species consumed in the Mojana region of Colombia. T-Hg analysis was performed by cold-vapor atomic-absorption spectroscopy (CV-ASS) and MeHg analysis by gas chromatography with electron-capture detection. Higher T-Hg and MeHg concentrations were detected in carnivorous species (T-Hg = 0.371 ± 0.172 (μg g−1 fresh wt, MeHg = 0.346 ± 0.171 μg g−1 fresh wt) than in non-carnivorous fish (T-Hg = 0.155 ± 0.108 μg g−1 fresh wt, MeHg = 0.146 ± 0.102 μg g−1 fresh wt). In the different species mercury was present almost completely as the methylated form, with percentages between 80.5 and 98.1% (mean 92.0 ± 3.4%). In 13.5% of fish-tissue samples T-Hg concentrations exceeded the maximum level recommended by the World Health Organization for human consumption (Hg = 0.5 μg g−1 fresh wt). Although mean T-Hg concentrations in all fish samples (0.269 ± 0.181 μg g−1 fresh wt) did not exceed this limit, risk assessment suggested that the consumption of 0.12 kg fish day−1 could increase the risk of mercury poisoning of the inhabitants of this region.

Renewable energy production in Spain: A review

Abstract: This paper reviews the production and consumption of traditional and renewable energy in Spain over the past two decades. It also presents an overview on the development of renewable energy, such as solar (photovoltaic and photothermal), wind, biomass, hydropower, marine and geothermal energies in Spain. A brief overview of the legislation regulating renewable energy in Spain is offered. It was shown that the installed renewable energy of 32,472 MW represented 11.6% of the country׳s primary energy consumption. Furthermore, the installed renewable energy average of electric power in Spain was 0.7 kW per capita and 59 kW/km 2 . Wind energy continues to experience a good growth rate, and does not seem to be affected by regulations, which has made it the most sustainable renewable energy in Spain. Finally, an analysis of energy production and consumption, renewable and non-renewable energy by province is made. The data indicates that highly populated and industrialised provinces made more efficient use of their energy from an electrical consumption viewpoint. This uneven growth was not motivated solely by the existence or lack of renewable energy resources but by the autonomous community or province in their socio-economic context.