Article
Polymer Science
Courtney Moore, Weijue Gao, Pedram Fatehi
Summary: The study aimed to produce lignin-based flocculants for simulated wastewater by attempting radical polymerization of METAC with acid-washed and unwashed softwood kraft lignin. Results showed that lignin-METAC polymers improved water solubility and cationic charge density, and exhibited significant removal effects on COD and TOC in wastewater treatment. The use of METAC-modified lignin as a flocculant led to enhanced organic content reduction in wastewater treatment processes.
Review
Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering
Kaveh Asgari, Hamid Khoshdast, Fardis Nakhaei, Mohammad Reza Garmsiri, Qingqing Huang, Ahmad Hassanzadeh
Summary: Flotation process is commonly used for mineral beneficiation, and the particle size is an important factor affecting its effectiveness. Fine and ultra-fine particles present challenges in flotation due to their large surface area and reduced collision and attachment probabilities. Agglomeration and flocculation techniques combined with flotation show promise in economically recovering these particles, although there are still gaps in understanding the exact mechanisms and effects on flotation behavior.
MINERAL PROCESSING AND EXTRACTIVE METALLURGY REVIEW
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yongsun Jang, Han-Shin Kim, Jeong-Hoon Lee, So-Young Ham, Jeong-Hoon Park, Hee-Deung Park
Summary: A novel approach for the evaluation of critical flux was developed in this study based on the relationship between particle properties and critical flux. A prediction model for critical flux was derived with an R-2 of 0.9, indicating that particle properties regulate critical flux. The new method reduced the measurement cost and time significantly compared to the conventional flux-stepping method, offering a practical fouling control strategy for MBR plants.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Kangying Guo, Baoyu Gao, Jie Wang, Jingwen Pan, Qinyan Yue, Xing Xu
Summary: In this study, a papermaking sludge-based flocculant (PSBF) was compared to polyaluminium chloride (PAC) and polyacrylamide (PAM) for practical printing and dyeing wastewater (PPDW) treatment. PSBF showed better performance than PAC at a pH higher than 7.0, and when used in combination with PAC, it enhanced removal efficiencies of color, CODCr and turbidity in PPDW treatment.
FRONTIERS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Zhimin Guo, Jiandong Liu, Zhiwu Lei, Pengfei Hu
Summary: In this study, the researchers investigated the effect of alternate shear conditions on the flocculant-aided filtration performance of coal tailings. They found that sequenced flocculation produced stronger flocs compared to single shear conditions. The flocs formed under two cycles of high and low shear rates were the strongest and contained fewer particles and small flocs. Filtration experiments showed that the coal tailings had the best comprehensive filtration performance under the sequenced flocculation with two cycles of high and low shear rates. The filtration outcomes were consistent with the measurements given by FBRM and PVM.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Bing Zhang, Xin Mao, Xiaomin Tang, Heli Tang, Bing Zhang, Yu Shen, Wenxin Shi
Summary: This study compares the application of modified microbial flocculants (MMFs) with conventional organic flocculants in mitigating membrane fouling. The results show that MMF has better performance in pollutant removal and membrane fouling control. The study also reveals that cake layer formation is the main mechanism of membrane fouling and MMF can reduce the accumulation of foulants on the membrane surface. Correlation analysis indicates that total phosphorus, polysaccharide, zeta potential, and particle size have the greatest correlation with fouling resistance.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qiyun Feng, Baoyu Gao, Qinyan Yue, Kangying Guo
Summary: PSBF and LBF, synthesized from papermaking sludge and commercial lignin respectively, showed superior flocculation performance in removing dyes from wastewater and were insensitive to pH variation. In the presence of dye auxiliaries, they exhibited even better decolorization efficiencies by slightly increasing their dosages.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Bing Zhang, Xin Mao, Xiaomin Tang, Heli Tang, Bing Zhang, Yu Shen, Wenxin Shi
Summary: This study reveals that modified microbial flocculants (MMFs) are effective in mitigating membrane fouling, with an optimal dosage of 10 mg/L. The occurrence of membrane fouling is found to be mainly related to total phosphorus, chemical oxygen demand, and polysaccharides in the raw wastewater.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhangzheng Wang, Ruhui Chen, Yunyun Li, Weiben Yang, Ziqi Tian, Nigel J. D. Graham, Zhen Yang
Summary: This study proposes an innovative approach of using elevated membrane cleaning temperature to reduce membrane fouling in the water treatment process. By increasing the temperature, residual hydrophobic-modified chitosan flocculant (TRC) can be induced to reduce membrane fouling in ultrafiltration.
Article
Materials Science, Textiles
Chaoying Chen, Xiumei Zhang, Hridam Deb, Fugen Liang, Haidong Zhu, Kecong Cui, Yong Zhang, Juming Yao
Summary: BC-g-PAM, an eco-friendly flocculant, has shown excellent flocculation performance on papermaking wastewater, effectively removing suspended solids and improving water quality. Additionally, BC-g-PAM exhibits outstanding biodegradability, making it environmentally friendly.
FIBERS AND POLYMERS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lijie Zhou, Nan Dong, Biao Ye, Wei-Qin Zhuang, Siqing Xia
Summary: Calcium ions can trigger the coagulation-flocculation process to form macro-flocculated sludge, where an elevated Ca2+ concentration in MBRs can lead to the formation of granular sludge with diameters up to 900 μm. The addition of Ca2+ can flocculate and precipitate soluble proteins and polysaccharides, resulting in a negative correlation between extracellular polymeric substances concentrations and the formation of MFS. The microbial communities in the MBRs undergo significant changes with the addition of Ca2+, affecting total nitrogen removal due to the formation of diffusion barriers by the enlarging MFS.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Lianjie Zhao, Jonathan Diaz-Baca, Ayyoub Salaghi, Jia Gao, Yingchao Wang, Qiang Wang, Pedram Fatehi
Summary: A novel cationic tall oil lignin (TOL)-starch copolymer was successfully synthesized using a polymerization reaction and demonstrated improved solubility, molecular weight, and charge density. The copolymer exhibited the most efficient flocculation behavior in clay suspension systems, making it a promising flocculant option. This study provides a new strategy for developing sustainable cationic lignin-starch flocculants for various applications.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaodong Chen, Danfeng Wang, Shuang Wang, Hongying Song, Qiang Gu, Yumin Zhang
Summary: A novel amphoteric CMC-g-PDMC flocculant was synthesized via graft copolymerization, with optimal conditions determined through orthogonal experiments. Characterization of the structure and properties revealed that CMC-g-PDMC has good dewatering capabilities for municipal sludge.
JOURNAL OF POLYMERS AND THE ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Kun Dai, Peng Chen, Zichen Wang, Pengpeng Yang, Ming Li, Chenglun Tang, Wei Zhuang, Chenjie Zhu, Hanjie Ying, Jinglan Wu
Summary: The magnetic composite Ca(OH)(2)/Fe3O4 can efficiently separate lignin from pulp liquor, demonstrating good tolerance to salts and pH levels, and exhibiting superior flocculation performance in actual black liquor treatment, outperforming traditional flocculants.
ADVANCED POWDER TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Bin Wang, Si Hong, Qian Sun, Xuefei Cao, Shixin Yu, Zhuohua Sun, Tong-Qi Yuan
Summary: In this study, the heterogeneity of lignin was improved by an organic solvent fractionation method, which resulted in the synthesis of efficient flocculants. The homogeneity of the fractionated lignin contributed to the improved efficiency, while the low molecular weight and hydrophilicity enhanced the dispersibility and reactivity of the flocculants in polymerization reactions.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Luxin Zhang, Meng Hu, Ruijun Sun, Xu Xing
Summary: In this study, three porous tetra-component metal oxide solid acid catalysts were synthesized and found to efficiently catalyze the synthesis of EMF from glucose. The SO42-/ZFSA-F-20 catalyst exhibited the best catalytic performance. The reaction parameters were also found to significantly affect the catalytic performance, and the catalyst showed good reusability.
CANADIAN JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Luxin Zhang, Xu Xing, Yuting Liu, Weiwei Shi, Mingzhe Wang
Summary: Heterogeneous acid-base catalytic methanolysis was used to transform ordinary kitchen waste into high-value liquid biofuels, such as methyl levulinate and fatty acid methyl esters. By utilizing the co-catalysis of carbon-silica composite and zirconium modified ultrastable Y zeolite, yields of 53.3% methyl levulinate and 98.5% fatty acid methyl esters were achieved. This strategy can be applied to different types of kitchen waste and supports the value-added utilization of such waste.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Kexin Yin, Yanan Shang, Dongdong Chen, Baoyu Gao, Qinyan Yue, Xing Xu
Summary: Versatile persulfate-based catalytic mechanisms induced by highly-effective single atom catalysts (SACs) have been intensively studied. However, the relationship between the different mechanisms and the properties of pollutants has been overlooked. In this study, the redox potential characteristics of eight selected pollutants were determined, and a correlation between their redox potentials and oxidation performances/pathways in the Mn-SAC/PMS system was confirmed. Based on these insights, the sources of Fenton-like systems with tunable oxidation processes can be revealed.
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bo Guo, Sen Zhang, Xing Xu, Baoyu Gao, Qian Li, Qinyan Yue
Summary: The deterioration of water caused by industrial production is a significant problem. This study demonstrates the use of ferric chloride and poly-ferric chloride coupled with polyamidine to enhance coagulation and remove toxic organics. The addition of polyamidine significantly improves the coagulation performance of the iron-based coagulants. The results show that charge neutralization and adsorption-bridging are the main processes for the removal of organics, and the purification performance is enhanced by the higher charge density of polyamidine.
CHINESE CHEMICAL LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Pengcheng Hu, Jianing Wang, Xionglei Lin, Xu Xing, Haijin Fu, Jiubin Tan
Summary: In this work, a novel phase measurement method based on digital dual frequency comb is proposed, which improves the signal-to-noise ratio for phase calculation and achieves higher precision than the phase-locked loop method. The experiment with a circuit board combined with a 100-Msps sampling 16-bit analog-to-digital converter (ADC) shows that the phase measurement precision can reach 0.77 mrad, equivalent to the displacement measurement precision of the double-pass interferometer (19 pm) at a measurement speed of less than 2.77 m/s.
IEEE SENSORS JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Mingxin Li, Hongling Dai, Peng Zhan, Chaoqun Tan, Zhihui Ning, Fengping Hu, Xing Xu, Xiaoming Peng
Summary: Rapid reduction of aqueous Cr(VI) to Cr(III) was achieved using waste biomass N-doped lignin charcoals (PLCNx) as a catalyst in the presence of oxalic acid (OA). The PLCN20 composite exhibited the highest Cr(VI) removal capacity, with a removal rate of over 98% when 5 mM OA was added. The bubble-shaped structures of PLCNx facilitated electron transfer and the N vacancies defects and graphitic N on its surface played a crucial role in initiating the reduction process. Additionally, the formation of the Cr(VI)-OA complex enhanced electron transfer, leading to significantly enhanced Cr(VI) reduction on PLCNx. This work provides insights into the synthesis of efficient catalysts and proposes a new mechanism for enhancing catalytic capacity with PLCNx and OA.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Tengfei Ma, Yan Kong, Haibao Liu, Xing Xu, Qinyan Yue, Baoyu Gao, Yue Gao
Summary: This study aims to synthesize a self-floating composite graphene aerogel (GA) named PEGA for desalination using solar energy, and the experimental results showed that the modification of PEG improved the hydrophilic functional ability of PEGA, resulting in an increased evaporation rate and photothermal conversion efficiency.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Hongbing Dan, Yue Gao, Lidong Feng, Weiyan Yin, Xing Xu, Baoyu Gao, Qinyan Yue
Summary: A peroxymonosulfate-based Pickering emulsion catalytic (PPEC) system was constructed using super-amphiphilic graphene as a solid emulsifier and a heterogeneous catalyst for hazardous oil purification. Results showed that this PPEC system can stabilize and efficiently remove organic pollutants. This study provides new insights into the purification and recovery of waste oil.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yandong Chai, Hongling Dai, Peng Zhan, Zhaochen Liu, Zhen Huang, Chaoqun Tan, Fengping Hu, Xing Xu, Xiaoming Peng
Summary: In this study, Se@NC-x decorated with Se was successfully synthesized using a two-step calcination method with zeolitic imidazole framework (ZIF) as a precursor. Mechanistic studies revealed that an active complex (Se@NC-900/PMS*) was formed through the adsorption of PMS onto the surface of Se@NC-900, and this complex could oxidize phenol by rapidly decomposing PMS. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations demonstrated that the doping of Se induced local charge redistribution, activating the catalytic potential of the initially inert carbon skeleton. Linear correlations were observed between the XLogP, Delta E, VIP, ELUMO (Se@NC/PMS)-HOMO (pollutants) values and the degradation rate constants of different micropollutants, indicating the high selectivity of the Se@NC-900/PMS system for pollutant degradation. These findings not only shed light on the role of Se in enhancing the activation of PMS in Se@NC-x, but also provide insights into the physicochemical properties and degradation performance of Se@NC catalysts.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Agronomy
Hao Jiang, Xu Xing, Xin Meng, Junlei Chen, Kuo Yu, Xiaotian Xu, Rui Zhang, Zhiheng Wei, Dongchao Wang, Baifeng Cang, Chenyang Bai, Yunzhe Li, Zixian Jiang, Xiaoshuang Wei, Ping Tian, Meiying Yang, Zhihai Wu
Summary: The conflict between rice production and water scarcity is becoming more severe, making the advancement of water-saving rice cultivation crucial for ensuring food and ecological security. This study provides an overview of various water-saving cultivation techniques for rice, including alternate wetting and drying irrigation, wet irrigation, controlled irrigation, the system of rice intensification, direct seeding rice, and dry cultivation of rice (DCR). The study also discusses the characteristics of different rice varieties and their impact on yield and quality under water-saving cultivation models. Regulatory measures are summarized, and future challenges and strategies for the development of water-saving rice cultivation are proposed.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Wen Song, Lu Zhang, Bo Guo, Qianyun Sun, Zihan Yu, Xing Xu, Yanxia Zhao, Liangguo Yan
Summary: The excessive presence of phosphorus in surface water is the primary cause of eutrophication, and removing phosphorus from water prior to discharge is necessary. Straw was used as a raw material for quaternization and loaded with La(OH)3 nanoparticles to create a composite material (AM-La) with exceptional phosphate affinity. AM-La effectively promoted the adsorption capacity for phosphate, particularly in the presence of a high nitrate concentration, and showed remarkable selectivity towards phosphate in the presence of other competing anions.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Optics
Ruitao Yang, Hao Sun, Pengcheng Hu, Hongxing Yang, Haijin Fu, Liang Yu, Xu Xing, Xuemei Ding, Jiubin Tan
Summary: Laser ranging with frequency comb intermode beats has been facing the problem of random phase drifts for the past two decades. This study investigates the influence of signal transmission path on the phase drifts and proposes a real-time suppression method using two intermode beats of similar frequencies from different combs. The method achieves a 19-fold suppression effect for a sampling time of 100 s, providing a new solution for the long-standing phase drift problem in laser ranging with comb intermode beats.
CHINESE OPTICS LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
H. F. Tian, H. N. Ren, X. Y. Li, X. D. Zhang, X. Xu, S. G. Wang
Summary: This study systematically reviewed the regularities of marine disasters, water quality variations, water quality risk assessments, and wastewater treatment in the Pearl River Delta using comprehensive monitoring data. The study found that the total water resources in the region have been decreasing, seasonal marine disasters occur frequently causing loss of life and economic damage. A monitoring and early-warning system was constructed to provide scientific basis for responding to marine disasters.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL INFORMATICS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jiasheng Mao, Kexin Yin, Yang Zhang, Yanan Shang, Qian Li, Yanwei Li, Baoyu Gao, Xing Xu
Summary: In this study, a Si-O doped carbon-based catalyst with biomimetic montmorillonite (MT) structure was prepared for oxidizing refractory organic pollutants via peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation. The C/Si@MT/PMS system demonstrated ultrafast oxidation of versatile refractory organics and strong resilience against interference from environmental matrixes by enhancing both radicals and electron transfer process (ETP). The ETP oxidation of pollutants in the C/Si@MT/PMS system proceeded through the Si-O site, with kobs data positively correlated to redox parameters such as falling potential and energy gap. The removal of inert aluminosilicate in C/Si@MT retained the lamellar structure, promoting continuous oxidation of pollutants with high stability in a catalytic membrane.
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY
(2024)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Jie Wang, Lijing Pang, Yue Gao, Kangying Guo, Qinyan Yue, Xing Xu, Baoyu Gao
Summary: The study investigates the effect of wavelength on the removal of hexazinone using ultraviolet light-emitting diode (UV-LED) in combination with H2O2. It is found that the highest degradation efficiency of hexazinone is achieved at a wavelength of 265 nm in the UV-LED/H2O2 process, with the lowest energy consumption. Dual-wavelength UV-LED irradiation (265 and 280 nm) accelerates the photolysis of H2O2 and increases the efficiency of pollutant degradation. The UV-LED/H2O2 process demonstrates high degradation efficiency and energy savings in various pH environments, except under strongly alkaline conditions.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Shaofeng Zhou, Wenwen An, Cuifen Gan, Meiying Xu
Summary: Bacteria generate and release extracellular reactive oxygen species (eROS), which significantly contribute to the natural ROS pool and play a crucial role in metabolic interactions of bacteria with their environment. Understanding the behavior of eROS-generating bacteria and its environmental implications is of great importance in the cycling of biogeochemical elements, transformation of organic matter, and regulation of antibiotic resistance genes.
INTERNATIONAL BIODETERIORATION & BIODEGRADATION
(2024)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ji-Dong Gu, Tim Ford, Bryce Mitton, Ralph Mitchell
Summary: Plastics and microplastics are widely present and accumulating in the environment, leading to increasing public attention. In addition to packaging plastics, materials from industries such as electronics, space and aviation are also accumulating, but receiving less attention. The production of degradable and biodegradable plastics is seen as a way to reduce environmental impacts, but enhancing the non-degradability of functional polymers is also a feasible option. Microbial colonization and deterioration pose significant challenges to these materials.
INTERNATIONAL BIODETERIORATION & BIODEGRADATION
(2024)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Justyna Bohacz, Michal Mozejko
Summary: This study evaluated the keratinolytic activity of 37 strains of Trichophyton ajelloi and found that pigmented strains isolated from loamy soil were more efficient in degrading native feather keratin, while non-pigmented strains isolated from chernozem showed better abilities. The keratinolytic activity increased over time, as evidenced by the increase in extracellular keratinase activity and release of soluble proteins and peptides. Protease activity peaked in the first 7 days and again on day 28 of culture. The release of ammonium and sulfate ions, associated with an increase in pH, reached its maximum on day 21. Three pigment-producing strains were among the most active in releasing large amounts of ammonium and sulfate ions. The biodegradation of feather waste by Trichophyton ajelloi strains can be used to produce fertilizers suitable for plants with high sulfur requirements.
INTERNATIONAL BIODETERIORATION & BIODEGRADATION
(2024)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Joseph M. Suflita, Brenda J. Little
Summary: This article reviews the major achievements of the International Biodeterioration & Biodegradation Society (IBBS) on its 50th anniversary and provides recommendations for addressing new challenges and developments based on personal experiences.
INTERNATIONAL BIODETERIORATION & BIODEGRADATION
(2024)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Zhenyan Lin, Tuo Jin, Xin Xu, Xiao Yin, Dan Zhang, Mengjiao Geng, Chunyu Pang, Gongwen Luo, Lizhi Xiong, Jianwei Peng, Jiangchi Fei
Summary: The incomplete recycle of residual mulch film (RMF) in recent years has led to an increase in plastic fragments in soil, posing a serious threat to the soil ecological environment. In this study, seven potential plastic-degrading microorganisms were screened and identified from film-mulched vegetable fields. The degradation ability experiments showed that both single strains and mixed strains demonstrated varying levels of degradation of RMF.
INTERNATIONAL BIODETERIORATION & BIODEGRADATION
(2024)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Tiina Belt, Michael Altgen, Muhammad Awais, Martin Nopens, Lauri Rautkari
Summary: This study investigated the degradation of heat-treated wood by brown rot fungi and found that the decay increased the hygroscopicity of wood in the decaying state. Furthermore, it was observed that heat-treated samples were more susceptible to fungal decay compared to untreated samples, which may be related to the increase in moisture content.
INTERNATIONAL BIODETERIORATION & BIODEGRADATION
(2024)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Marta Cicardi, Davide Bernasconi, Luca Martire, Linda Pastero, Giulia Caneva, Sergio E. Favero-Longo
Summary: This study investigated the phenomenon of Centimetric circular areas Uncolonized by Microbial Biofilms (CUMBs) on natural and heritage stone surfaces. The analysis revealed a compatibility in distribution and size between CUMBs and lichen thalli, suggesting a lichen origin for some CUMBs. Microscopic analysis also showed similar modifications in marble layers beneath CUMBs and lichens, indicating a possible alteration of stone properties by lichens.
INTERNATIONAL BIODETERIORATION & BIODEGRADATION
(2024)
