Abstract: A process for surface treatment of aluminium foils includes steps of applying an etching solution to chemically etch at least one surface of the foil to form an etched surface, and forming an aluminium oxidized coating on the etched surface. The etching solution comprises an aqueous solution which includes hydrogen peroxide as an oxidant and sulfuric, orthophosphoric or nitric acid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to surface treatments of aluminum foils and aluminum foil alloys. The process for surface treatment includes steps of applying an etching solution to chemically etch at least one surface of the foil to form an etched surface, and forming an aluminium oxidized coating on the etched surface. The present invention also relates to a method of producing an immobilized transition metal nanofibre using an electrospinning apparatus having a spinning tip, the method including the steps of, mixing an organo-metallic salt of a transition metal with a low boiling solvent mixture and polymer solution, the polymer solution having an average viscosity selected at between about 110 cp to 180 cp, preferably 130 cp to 160 cp, providing the spinning tip at a location spaced from a support surface, electrospinning the resultant mixture from the spinning tip onto a support surface in an environment substantially isolated from external air currents.

Abstract: A method of producing short chain carbon compounds from effluents that are rich in lignin-model compounds. The method is characterized by controlled photocatalytic degradation of lignin model compounds so as to produce short chain carbon compounds. The present invention provides converting recalcitrant and toxic organic compounds into chemicals which are of commercial value.