Several Research Achievements from Our University Published in Chemical Engineering Journal

1. Research Progress by Professor Xu Guangwen’s Team from Key Laboratory of Featured Resources and Materials, Ministry of Education, on Key Factors Affecting Performance of CuO Adsorbents

On January 15, 2026, Professor Xu Guangwen’s team from the Key Laboratory of Featured Resources and Materials, Ministry of Education, Shenyang University of Chemical Technology, prepared CuO/SiO₂ adsorbents with different CuO loadings (2.5–20 wt%) and evaluated their H₂S removal efficiency at 80–300°C to elucidate the key factors affecting the performance of CuO adsorbents. The H₂S removal performance of all adsorbents was significantly temperature‑dependent: in the low‑temperature region (80–180°C), breakthrough sulfur capacity and CuO utilization increased slightly; in the medium‑temperature region (180–260°C), they increased substantially; and in the high‑temperature region (260–300°C), they remained high but nearly unchanged. Furthermore, it was found that at low temperatures, H₂S removal occurred mainly on the surface and subsurface layers of CuO nanoparticles; at medium temperatures, under kinetic control, a CuO‑core/CuS‑shell nanostructure predominantly formed; at high temperatures, CuS decomposed into elemental sulfur, which then diffused into the inner layers of CuO nanoparticles and reacted with CuO to form Cu₂S, simultaneously releasing SO₂.

Figure. Effect of temperature on sulfur capacity and CuO utilization of Cu‑based adsorbents

Figure. Desulfurization pathways of Cu‑based adsorbents at different temperatures

This research, titled “Experimental investigation on temperature‑dependent H₂S removal performance of CuO/SiO₂ adsorbent,” was recently published in Chemical Engineering Journal. Du Jie, a joint PhD student between our university and Shenyang University of Technology, is the first author. Professor Xu Guangwen and Professor Zhang Zhanguo from our university are the co‑corresponding authors.

2. Research Progress by Associate Professor Song Lixin from the School of Materials Science and Engineering on High‑Performance Bio‑Based Materials

On January 22, 2026, Associate Professor Song Lixin and colleagues from the School of Materials Science and Engineering published a research paper titled “Synergistic dual‑engineering of poly (lactic acid) biodegradable plastics: Low‑carbon toughening meets controlled degradation kinetics” in Chemical Engineering Journal. Shenyang University of Chemical Technology is the first affiliation. Jing Ying, a master’s student from the School of Materials Science and Engineering, is the first author, and Associate Professor Song Lixin is the corresponding author.

As plastic pollution becomes increasingly severe, biodegradable polymers are considered a crucial direction for achieving low‑carbon and sustainable material systems. Poly(lactic acid) (PLA) has attracted extensive attention due to its renewability and good biocompatibility, but its inherent brittleness and insufficient toughness severely limit practical applications. Introducing polycaprolactone (PCL) into PLA is an effective toughening strategy. However, because PLA and PCL are thermodynamically incompatible, they tend to form obvious phase‑separated structures with weak interfacial adhesion, making it difficult to balance mechanical properties and stability. Although existing compatibilizers can improve interfacial interactions to some extent, most rely on petroleum‑based raw materials or only provide single physical plasticization, failing to simultaneously achieve high compatibility, property enhancement, and controlled degradation. Therefore, developing a reactive, bio‑based, multi‑functional compatibilization strategy remains a key scientific and engineering challenge for PLA/PCL composite systems.

Figure. Structural design and performance regulation of high‑performance bio‑based composite materials

Based on a bio‑based reactive compatibilization strategy, the research developed a high‑performance PLA/PCL composite. The phase morphology was effectively refined, the micro‑domains became significantly smaller and more uniformly distributed, and the thermal behavior and mechanical properties further indicated enhanced interfacial interactions, thereby substantially improving toughness and impact resistance. Simultaneously, while maintaining high biocompatibility, biodegradability was promoted, achieving controlled hydrolytic degradation behavior. In addition, within an appropriate loading range, the barrier properties of the composite were also improved to some extent. Overall, this study constructed a balanced‑performance biodegradable material system, laying a foundation for its potential application in sustainable packaging and agricultural engineering.

3. Research Progress by Associate Professor Yu Yanfang from the School of Mechanical and Power Engineering on Numerical Modeling and Mass Transfer Mechanism of CO₂ Absorption in Gas‑Liquid Co‑Current Static Mixers

On January 27, 2026, Associate Professor Yu Yanfang’s research group from the School of Mechanical and Power Engineering published a paper titled “Investigation of mass transfer characteristics in CO₂ absorption within high‑efficiency carbon capture static mixer based on CFD and experimental methods” in Chemical Engineering Journal. Our university is the primary completion unit. Associate Professor Yu Yanfang is the first author, and Professor Meng Huibo from China University of Petroleum (East China) is the corresponding author.

Developing efficient, low‑energy gas‑liquid co‑current CO₂ absorption equipment is one of the key technologies in carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS). As the primary carrier of gas‑liquid mass transfer, the structural design of the reactor directly affects CO₂ absorption efficiency. Static mixers offer great potential for industrial carbon capture due to their absence of moving parts, efficient fluid mixing, and low maintenance costs. However, conventional experimental methods, limited by measurement conditions, struggle to precisely capture local mass transfer characteristics and multiphase flow dynamics inside static mixers. To address these challenges, Associate Professor Yu’s group conducted systematic research and developed a three‑dimensional CFD numerical model coupling the population balance model (PBM), dual‑film mass transfer theory, and chemical reaction kinetics. They numerically simulated the chemical absorption of CO₂ in NaOH solution within a static mixer, aiming to reveal the mass transfer enhancement mechanisms of gas‑liquid phases in complex flow fields. The model accounted for bubble coalescence and breakup, rapid liquid‑phase reactions, and interphase mass transfer enhancement. Its reliability was validated by experimentally measured CO₂ absorption efficiency and carbonate ion concentration.

The study found that the Komax static mixer, owing to its unique blade structure, induced relatively complex vortex systems, increasing the gas‑liquid interfacial area by 0.97% to 36.01%. It outperformed the Ross LPD in both CO₂ absorption efficiency and pressure drop. When the superficial gas velocity increased from 0.104 m/s to 0.207 m/s, the CO₂ interfacial mass transfer rate increased by 103.96% to 165.01%. Meanwhile, compared to the Ross LPD, the Komax mixer reduced energy consumption per unit by 5.27% to 12.92% and increased CO₂ absorption efficiency by 2.70% to 7.36%. Through chaos analysis, the study identified the core absorption region and stable region, providing important theoretical guidance for the process design and optimization of static mixers for efficient carbon capture.

Figure. Static mixing elements enhancing CO₂ bubble breakup and absorption mass transfer performance

Translator: Myradov Tahyr

Reviewer: Luc Thi My Le

Final approval: Wang Meng