Article
Engineering, Environmental
Claudia Paijens, Damien Tedoldi, Bertrand Frere, Romain Mailler, Vincent Rocher, Regis Moilleron, Adele Bressy
Summary: This study investigates the contamination of river water by biocidal substances in an urban area, finding that urban discharges contribute to the pollution and proposing mitigation solutions in emissions, transport, and treatment.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-WATER RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Karine Phalyvong, Yann Sivry, Helene Pauwels, Alexandre Gelabert, Mickael Tharaud, Guillaume Wille, Xavier Bourrat, James F. Ranville, Marc F. Benedetti
Summary: The study detected the PNC and characteristics of cerium-bearing nanoparticles and titanium-bearing nanoparticles in the Seine River and its tributaries using spICPMS and electron microscopy. It was found that downstream of each confluence, there was an increase in the PNC of the Seine, indicating significant contributions from different tributaries. The study also discussed the strengths and limitations of applying spICPMS to natural samples, and provided crucial data for assessing the potential for quantifying the input of ENPs to surface waters.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Deling Wang, Wu Wen, Weiping Li, Guangxiang He, Chao Zhang
Summary: The visible-light water splitting efficiency was significantly improved by introducing B into ZnO/CdS. B-doped ZnO/CdS rods exhibited excellent H2 generation rate and improved electron separation efficiency. The results from characterization methods and DFT calculations demonstrated the positive effects of B on water adsorption, dissociation, and H-OH bond elongation.
NEW JOURNAL OF CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Salma Izati Sinar Mashuri, Muhd Firdaus Kasim, Noor Haida Mohd Kaus, Yie Hua Tan, Aminul Islam, Umer Rashid, N. Asikin-Mijan, Jeyashelly Andas, Y. H. Taufiq-Yap, Muhamad Kamil Yaakob, Wan Izhan Nawawi Wan Ismail, Mohd Lokman Ibrahim
Summary: This study aimed to synthesize a low-energy consumption photocatalyst by introducing CdS heterojunction to ZnO photocatalyst. The ZnO/CdS photocatalyst with reduced bandgap operates under a 21-Watt LED visible light source and completely degrades 100 mg/L methylene blue solution. The reusability of Z3C1 demonstrates the potential of CdS in wastewater treatment by enhancing visible light absorption and delaying recombination of electron-hole pairs.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ying Li, Tie Liu, Shuang Feng, Wenshu Yang, Ying Zhu, Yingying Zhao, Zhiyan Liu, Haibin Yang, Wuyou Fu
Summary: By synthesizing flower-like ZnO/Au/CdS nanorods ternary composite photocatalyst, the light-responsive range is extended, the recombination of photogenerated electrons is reduced, and the water splitting performance is ultimately improved. The composite material exhibits significantly enhanced gas evolution rate, showcasing great potential for photocatalytic water splitting applications.
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Hoang Nhat Hieu, Van Nghia Nguyen, Vuong Minh Nguyen, Thanh Hai Phan
Summary: 3D-ordered porous CdS/AgI/ZnO nanostructures were designed for high-performance photoelectrodes in PEC water-splitting. They exhibited advantages of large surface area, high absorption in visible-light, fast carrier separation and transportation due to a ladder-like band arrangement. The nanostructures were fabricated using a three-stage experiment involving electrochemical deposition, wet chemical method, and deposition-precipitation. The highest efficiency achieved for the CdS/AgI/ZnO nanostructures was 5.2%, significantly higher than other photoelectrodes tested. The improved performance is attributed to enhanced charge separation and transport caused by the unique band arrangement in the ternary nanostructures.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Xiangbo Feng, Lvwei Sun, Wei Wang, Yuzhen Zhao, Jian-Wen Shi
Summary: A new CdS@ZnO core-shell nanorod array was successfully constructed by atomic layer deposition (ALD) for efficient H2 evolution from photoelectrochemical water splitting. The CdS@ZnO200 obtained after 200 ALD cycles showed a significantly enhanced PEC H2 evolution rate of 21.64 μmol·h-1·cm-2, which was about 9.4 times higher than pristine CdS NRAs. The improved performance could be attributed to the Z-scheme charge transfer mechanism between CdS core and ZnO shell, as well as the reduction of charge carrier transfer resistance due to the close contact between the two semiconductors.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Robin Treilles, Johnny Gasperi, Romain Tramoy, Rachid Dris, Anais Gallard, Chandirane Partibane, Bruno Tassin
Summary: Studies suggest that while urbanization gradient and flow conditions do not significantly impact microfiber and microplastic concentrations, flood events contribute significantly to microplastic fluxes, possibly originating from wastewater treatment plant effluents and untreated stormwater in Greater Paris.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Fawad Tariq, Ameer Abdullah, Mandar A. Kulkarni, Hamza Thaalbi, Jun-Seok-Ha, June Key Lee, Sang-Wan Ryu
Summary: GaN nanowires are promising photoelectrode materials due to their direct bandgap and high-efficiency photon absorption. However, their practical application is limited by poor stability and low conversion efficiency, which can be improved by loading a passivation layer and cocatalyst.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2024)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Songbo Wang, Pengjie Liu, Chengzhen Meng, Yidan Wang, Lei Zhang, Lun Pan, Zhen Yin, Na Tang, Ji-Jun Zou
Summary: This study developed a "one stone, two birds" strategy to promote PEC water splitting by constructing Au@Pt decorated ZnO/CdS heterojunctions. The optimized structure showed the highest photocurrent density and hydrogen evolution rate, which was significantly higher than pure ZnO. In-depth investigations revealed that the surface plasmon resonance effect generated hot electrons, while the Au-S bonds acted as a transmission bridge for electron transfer. Meanwhile, the surface Pt nanoparticles served as active sites for promoted surface reactions.
JOURNAL OF CATALYSIS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Ajay Lathe, Anil M. Palve
Summary: CdS/ZnO/rGO, ZnO/CdS, and ZnO/rGO hetero-nanocomposites were successfully prepared using a facile one-pot solvothermal method. The ternary tandem CdS/ZnO/rGO showed ultrafast catalytic activity in the photoreduction of toxic hexavalent chromium to non-toxic trivalent chromium, completing the reaction in just 2 minutes without the use of noble metals. Additionally, the ternary nanocomposite achieved complete photodegradation of methyl blue in 50 minutes. Mechanisms for sunlight harvesting and reactive species involved in dye photodegradation were suggested based on valence and conduction band potentials and Mulliken electronegativity values.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Mingze An, Li Li, Qianqian Wu, Hualiang Yu, Xinyu Gao, Wenlin Zu, Jiahui Guan, Yan Yu
Summary: In this study, a three-dimensional ordered hollow spherical ZnTiO3-ZnO-TiO2 composite modified with CdS quantum dots was successfully prepared, exhibiting a complex crystal structure and chemical composition, which showed high photocatalytic activity.
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Najme Mehrabanpour, Alireza Nezamzadeh-Ejhieh, Shirin Ghattavi
Summary: Increased water pollution from industrial/urban/hospital wastewater discharge has led to the development of new removal techniques/catalysts/adsorbents. Hexagonal (wurtzite) CdS and cubic PbS nanoparticles were synthesized and supported onto clinoptilolite NPs (CNP). The characterization of the sample was done using XRD, DRS, FTIR, and SEM-EDX techniques. The supported binary catalysts showed enhanced photocatalytic activity towards cefotaxime (CT). The COD results indicated a decrease in the photodegraded CT solutions, suggesting effective treatment of water pollution.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Junyi Wu, Yan Zhang, Yu Tang
Summary: This study analyzed the removal effectiveness of MPs in a DWTP, showing that the removal efficiency for MPs <20pm needs improvement. The results indicate that more attention should be paid to the fragmentation of MPs and the removal rate of MPs <20pm in a DWTP.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xiaoyu Xie, Ru Wang, Yi Ma, Jinping Chen, Zengliang Shi, Qannan Cui, Zhiyong Li, Chunxiang Xu
Summary: This study presents a strategy of in situ [SO4] modification and heterojunction construction to design photoelectrodes with multicharge-transfer channels for enhanced PEC performance. The core-shell heterojunction of sulfate-functionalized CdS decorated on ZnO nanorod arrays and Ag2S nanoparticles provides active sites for accelerated charge transfer and improved PEC reaction kinetics. The addition of AO suppresses the photocorrosion of CdS and facilitates efficient separation and transportation of photogenerated charge carriers. The optimized photoanode exhibits high PEC performance, with a maximum photocurrent density 7.75 times higher than that of pristine ZnO photoanode under simulated AM 1.5 solar light illumination.
ACS APPLIED ENERGY MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Peiyu Liu, Yan Liu, Xiang Zhao, Andrew P. Roberts, Heng Zhang, Yue Zheng, Fuxian Wang, Lushan Wang, Nicolas Menguy, Yongxin Pan, Jinhua Li
Summary: A large-scale analysis of modern magnetotactic cocci revealed 19 novel species, which cluster into an independent branch within Alphaproteobacteria MTB. Statistical analysis showed species-specific biomineralization of magnetosomal magnetite morphologies, indicating strict control by MTB cells.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Ecology
Caroline L. Monteil, Karim Benzerara, Nicolas Menguy, Cecile C. Bidaud, Emmanuel Michot-Achdjian, Romain Bolzoni, Francois P. Mathon, Margot Coutaud, Beatrice Alonso, Camille Garau, Didier Jezequel, Eric Viollier, Nicolas Ginet, Magali Floriani, Sufal Swaraj, Martin Sachse, Vincent Busigny, Elodie Duprat, Francois Guyot, Christopher T. Lefevre
Summary: Bacteria can synthesize a variety of non-biological precipitates with different chemical compositions and structures within cells, including magnetic particles and calcium carbonate granules. Research has shown that the amorphous calcium carbonate granules formed by these bacteria are contained within membrane-delimited vesicles. Analysis of a new genus of Alphaproteobacteria revealed atypical structure of the magnetosome gene cluster, and the bacteria consume energy to maintain an environment suitable for calcium carbonate granule formation.
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Mickael Tharaud, Pascale Louvat, Marc F. Benedetti
Summary: The study introduces a new sample introduction system for single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICP-MS), enabling accurate measurement and determination of the average diameters of gold, silver, and platinum nanoparticles, with successful application in complex matrices.
ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pierre Lefebvre, Alkiviadis Gourgiotis, Arnaud Mangeret, Pierre Sabatier, Pierre Le Pape, Olivier Diez, Pascale Louvat, Nicolas Menguy, Pauline Merrot, Camille Baya, Mathilde Zebracki, Pascale Blanchart, Emmanuel Malet, Didier Jezequel, Jean-Louis Reyss, John R. Bargar, Jerome Gaillardet, Charlotte Cazala, Guillaume Morin
Summary: The study investigates the evolution of uranium speciation in naturally highly uranium-enriched sediments over a period of 3,300 years. It reveals that mononuclear U(IV) species associated with organic matter transformed into polymeric U(IV)-silica species, which then partially converted to a nanocrystalline coffinite-like phase in less than 700 years. The incomplete transformation observed suggests implications for the long-term management of uranium-contaminated sediments and uranium-bearing wastes in silica-rich subsurface environments.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Vincent Busigny, Francois P. Mathon, Didier Jezequel, Cecile C. Bidaud, Eric Viollier, Gerard Bardoux, Jean-Jacques Bourrand, Karim Benzerara, Elodie Duprat, Nicolas Menguy, Caroline L. Monteil, Christopher T. Lefevre
Summary: Studying magnetotactic bacteria in Lake Pavin, utilizing various sampling methods, understanding their ecological niche, and efficiently collecting large volumes of water samples using an online pumping system. This research provides a foundation for further multidisciplinary investigations of magnetotactic bacteria populations in Lake Pavin and elsewhere, as well as chemical and isotopic analyses of their magnetosomes.
ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Karine Phalyvong, Yann Sivry, Helene Pauwels, Alexandre Gelabert, Mickael Tharaud, Guillaume Wille, Xavier Bourrat, James F. Ranville, Marc F. Benedetti
Summary: The study detected the PNC and characteristics of cerium-bearing nanoparticles and titanium-bearing nanoparticles in the Seine River and its tributaries using spICPMS and electron microscopy. It was found that downstream of each confluence, there was an increase in the PNC of the Seine, indicating significant contributions from different tributaries. The study also discussed the strengths and limitations of applying spICPMS to natural samples, and provided crucial data for assessing the potential for quantifying the input of ENPs to surface waters.
FRONTIERS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Brice Siroux, Christelle Latrille, Catherine Beaucaire, Cristina Petcut, Michel Tabarant, Marc F. Benedetti, Pascal E. Reiller
Summary: This study investigated the adsorption behaviors of Sr2+ and Cs+ in soils using a multi-site ion exchange model. The results showed that the clay mineral type and organic matter content in soils have minimal effects on the adsorption of Sr2+ and Cs+, while the exchangeable aluminum content in soils can influence the adsorption of Sr2+. The study also verified the robustness of the ion exchange parameters from the database by simulating the decrease in adsorption of Sr and Cs with increasing concentrations of KNO3 in a synthetic CaCl2 pore water for a calcosol soil.
APPLIED GEOCHEMISTRY
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Physical
Ali Saad, Subharanjan Biswas, Effrosyni Gkaniatsou, Clemence Sicard, Eddy Dumas, Nicolas Menguy, Nathalie Steunou
Summary: MOFs have shown great potential in various applications due to their high and tunable porosity as well as chemical diversity. However, research on certain forms of MOF nanocrystals is limited. Controlling the crystal size, morphology, and porosity is a major challenge for practical applications, but different synthetic strategies offer potential solutions to this issue.
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Noor Zaouri, Leonardo Gutierrez, Marc F. Benedetti, Jean-Philippe Croue
Summary: Ceramic materials have been used in challenging water treatments due to their mechanical, thermal, and chemical resistance, with different metal oxides tested as active layers. However, organic fouling remains a major issue impacting performance. This study focused on the interactions between model organic acids and MeO to understand adsorption phenomena, finding that adsorption efficiency is influenced by various factors such as carboxyl group abundance, aliphaticity/aromaticity, alkyl chain length, and presence of hydroxyl groups.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jinhua Li, Peiyu Liu, Alima Tamaxia, Heng Zhang, Yan Liu, Jian Wang, Nicolas Menguy, Xiang Zhao, Andrew P. Roberts, Yongxin Pan
Summary: Magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) are prokaryotes that primarily inhabit the oxic-anoxic transition zone in aquatic environments, synthesizing magnetic nanocrystals and intracellular inclusions. The new magnetotactic spirillum strain WYHS-1 produces nearly isotropic magnetite crystals and contains various submicron inclusions, suggesting a role in biogeochemical elemental cycling and biomineral distribution in sediments.
JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH-BIOGEOSCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Geochemistry & Geophysics
Pauline Merrot, Farid Juillot, Pierre Le Pape, Pierre Lefebvre, Jessica Brest, Isabelle Kieffer, Nicolas Menguy, Eric Viollier, Jean-Michel Fernandez, Benjamin Moreton, Olivier Radakovitch, Guillaume Morin
Summary: Ferralsols upon ultramafic rocks are rich in Cr and represent a major source of Cr for coastal sediments downstream. The speciation of Cr and Mn in tropical sedimentary settings downstream of these soils was investigated, showing Cr mainly exists as Cr(III) in chromite and clay minerals, while Mn is found in clay minerals and Mn-carbonates. Despite the potential hazard, the sediments appear to favor Cr sequestration as the less mobile and less toxic Cr(III) form.
JOURNAL OF GEOCHEMICAL EXPLORATION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jia-Lan Wang, Enrica Alasonati, Paola Fisicaro, Marc F. Benedetti
Summary: Surface water samples from three catchments with different land uses (forested, agricultural, and urban) were analyzed for nanoparticulate titanium dioxide (NPs-TiO2). The study found an increase in NPs-TiO2 concentration during warmer months in forested and agricultural catchments, with NPs-TiO2 primarily originating from geogenic sources in these systems. The annual flux of NPs-TiO2 was highest in the agricultural catchment, indicating different impacts of agricultural practices on NPs-TiO2 dynamics compared to other land uses.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jinhua Li, Peiyu Liu, Nicolas Menguy, Xingliang Zhang, Jian Wang, Karim Benzerara, Lianjun Feng, Lei Sun, Yue Zheng, Fanqi Meng, Lin Gu, Eric Leroy, Jialong Hao, Xuelei Chu, Yongxin Pan
Summary: Biosilicification, the process of forming biological structures composed of silica, is widely distributed among eukaryotes and plays a significant role in global biogeochemical cycles. Recent discoveries of silica transporter genes and silicon accumulation in bacteria suggest that prokaryotes, particularly in ancient times, may also have played a previously unrecognized role in the Si cycle. This study reports the identification of a magnetotactic bacterium that forms intracellular, amorphous silica globules, revealing intracellularly controlled silicification within prokaryotes and its potential influence on the biogeochemical Si cycle during early Earth history.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Mickael Tharaud, Lukas Schlatt, Phil Shaw, Marc F. Benedetti
Summary: In this study, different types of nanoparticles were analyzed using ICP-ToF-MS in single particle mode. The elemental composition and mass distribution of these nanoparticles were determined, and the presence of specific nanoparticles in kaolinite was highlighted. The study also demonstrated a post-processing approach combined with hierarchical agglomerative clustering to differentiate mixed nanoparticles based on their elemental fingerprints.
JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL ATOMIC SPECTROMETRY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Thomas Gaudisson, Surender K. Sharma, Rahamane Mohamed, B. Sitamtze Youmbi, Nicolas Menguy, Florent Calvayrac, Mahamadou Seydou, Souad Ammar-Merah
Summary: Monodispersed CoO crystals about 5 nm in size were prepared by forced hydrolysis of cobalt(ii) acetate in diethyleneglycol (DEG). The adsorption of solvent molecules causes in situ oriented aggregation resulting in the precipitation of submicrometer-sized polycrystals.