Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Ina Thakur, Anoop Verma, Banu Ormeci
Summary: This study fabricated a low-cost waste-driven visible active iron-titanium oxide composite for treating real municipal wastewater, achieving efficient bacterial inactivation and organic matter degradation. The composite showed excellent stability even after recycling multiple times, demonstrating its lasting durability and potential for field-scale application.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2022)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Julian A. Rengifo-Herrera, Cesar Pulgarin
Summary: Heterogeneous photocatalysis has long been considered as a potential method for water treatment, but its practical application has been hindered by thermodynamic limitations, kinetical drawbacks, and engineering challenges. This critical review focuses on TiO2-based photocatalysis and discusses its drawbacks, limitations, and unsuccessful strategies to overcome them. The ultimate goal is to develop a new photocatalyst that can efficiently degrade pollutants and reduce treatment time.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Nanoscience & Nanotechnology
Anushka Garg, Anjali Chauhan, Charu Agnihotri, Bhim Pratap Singh, Vasundhara Mondem, Soumen Basu, Shekhar Agnihotri
Summary: This paper addresses two contemporary environmental challenges and proposes an eco-friendly method to fabricate a cellulose/g-C3N4/TiO2 photocatalytic composite. The nano-photocatalyst exhibited remarkable degradation of dye and drug contaminants, promising photostability, and disinfection efficacy against E. coli contaminated water.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ina Thakur, Anoop Verma, Banu Ormeci
Summary: In this study, a pilot-scale once-through reactor was used to investigate the inactivation of bacteria and the degradation of organic matter in municipal wastewater. A spherical iron-mediated TiO2 catalyst was fabricated using waste materials and coated with TiO2 for enhanced performance. The results showed significant reductions in bacteria and organic matter after 45 minutes of treatment, indicating the potential of waste materials for water disinfection applications.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Rafael Magana-Lopez, Paloma Zaragoza-Sanchez, Blanca E. Jimenez-Cisneros, Alma C. Chavez-Mejia
Summary: TiO2, as an alternative disinfection method, shows versatility and biocidal potential. Further research is needed to investigate its interaction with different microorganisms and address implementation-related issues.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
So-Seum Yong, Jae-Ik Lee, Dong-Hyun Kang
Summary: This study investigated the photocatalytic activity of TiO2-based photocatalysts in inactivating foodborne pathogens in various environments. The results showed that Degussa P25 under UVA exhibited the highest bactericidal effects.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Alba Hernandez-Zanoletty, Oscar Cabezuelo, Agustin Paris-Reche, Isabel Oller, M. Inmaculada Polo-Lopez, Ana Aguera, Patricia Plaza, M. Luisa Marin, Francisco Bosca, Sixto Malato
Summary: This study evaluated the application of TiO2 photocatalysts supported on glass wool and silica material for urban wastewater treatment. The SiO2_TiO2 photocatalyst showed high and stable performance in removing pollutants in water.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ivana Grcic, Natalija Koprivanac, Gianluca Li Puma
Summary: The study validated photocatalytic reactor models for the decomposition of oxalic acid (OA) and formic acid (FA) in different configurations, and used a systematic methodology to determine intrinsic reaction kinetics rate parameters for water contaminants. This methodology can be used to predict the photocatalytic oxidation of contaminants in various experimental conditions.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Heidi Dayana Pascagaza-Rubio, Stephane Godbout, Joahnn H. H. Palacios, Dany Cinq-Mars, Caroline Cote, Alain N. N. Rousseau, Sebastien Fournel
Summary: This study assessed the disinfection effectiveness of TiO2-coated materials and UV-A LED light, and the impacts of temperature and bacteria concentration. The results demonstrated that TiO2-coated materials and UV-A LED light have high disinfection potential and can be valuable alternatives for dealing with E. coli contamination in cattle troughs.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yongjiang Di, Mengyu Wang, Bi Jia, Hao Zhang, Qian Cai, Sijing Chen, Rong Wang, Xin Wan, Xiaoyan Liu
Summary: In this study, SrFe12O19 powder, SrFe12O19/SiO2 particles, and SrFe12O19/SiO2/TiO2 photocatalysts were successfully synthesized. The photocatalytic activity of the SrFe12O19/SiO2/TiO2 composites was evaluated by degrading methylene blue dye and simulated petroleum wastewater under simulated sunlight and ultraviolet light. The results showed that the SrFe12O19/SiO2/TiO2 photocatalysts synthesized at 170 degrees C with a 1 : 4 mass ratio of SrFe12O19 to TiO2 exhibited high photocatalytic performance.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Silvio Aguilar, Briggitte Guerrero, Angel Benitez, Daniel R. Ramos, J. Arturo Santaballa, Moises Canle, Daniel Rosado, Javier Moreno-Andres
Summary: The disinfection efficiency of novel photocatalytic macrocomposites made of Ecuadorian clay mixed with two semiconductor materials has been evaluated. The results show that these composites exhibit a significant increase in the inactivation rate of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli compared to single UVA inactivation. The specific bacterial species and material ratios affect the inactivation kinetics, with the 80% ZnO composite showing the highest efficiency at maximum loading.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yuanyuan Shi, Xi Chen, Qianqian Wu, Haozhi Zhen, Shuang Wang, Hualin Dong, Jianzu Wang, Yuan Li
Summary: A synergistic modified PVDF composite membrane was developed by incorporating polydopamine and titanium dioxide nanoparticles. This composite membrane showed excellent treatment ability for organic wastewater due to the well dispersion of TiO2 induced by polydopamine. After UV irradiation, the composite membrane exhibited significantly increased water flux and high rejection ability for organic pollutants, making it suitable for wastewater treatment applications.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hamed Khorasani, Jiale Xu, Thuy Nguyen, Zachary Kralles, Paul Westerhoff, Ning Dai, Zhenduo Zhu
Summary: This study investigates the impact of treated wastewater on downstream drinking water sources, with non-WWTP sources contributing significantly to HAN-FP concentration, and the contributions of the two sources varying with streamflow discharge fluctuations.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yuan-yuan Ren, Cheng Liu, Zhen Cao, Cong-cong Li
Summary: The efficiency, transformation products, and mechanism of phycocyanin removal from water by simulated sunlight/Cu-decorated TiO2 photocatalyst treatment were investigated. The study found that after 360 mins of photocatalytic degradation, over 96% of phycocyanin was removed, and about 47% of dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) converted into NH4+-N, NO3-, and NO2-. The main active species causing degradation was center dot OH, which contributed approximately 55.7% to the phycocyanin degradation efficiency. The degradation process involved the attack of free radicals, leading to the disintegration of chromophore group PCB and apoprotein, and subsequent breakdown of the apoprotein peptide chain into small molecules. This resulted in the release of amino acids and their derivatives into the water. The Cu-TiO2 photocatalyst reduced the formation potential of CHCl3 but increased the production of dichloroacetamide (DCAcAm) and dichloroacetonitrile (DCAN).
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Electrical & Electronic
Abdullah Sami Mutlag, Ezzat Rafiee, Maryam Khodayari, Sara Eavani
Summary: TiO2/RGO/MoS2 nanocomposite has been synthesized and proven as a high performance photocatalyst in wastewater treatment. The fabrication of an efficient photoreactor and the optimization of various parameters have been studied. The nanocomposite showed excellent photocatalytic degradation and disinfection capabilities.
MATERIALS SCIENCE IN SEMICONDUCTOR PROCESSING
(2022)
Article
Construction & Building Technology
Sofia Eirini Chatoutsidou, Aggeliki Saridaki, Louiza Raisi, Eleftheria Katsivela, George Tsiamis, Mihalis Zografakis, Mihalis Lazaridis
Summary: This study provides a comprehensive measurement of airborne particles and bacterial analysis in a dental clinic, revealing a significant impact of bacterial load in the treatment room on the nearby waiting room where dental procedures were not performed. Dental activities such as grinding and drilling were found to increase the inhaled particles and microorganisms.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Efstathios Avramiotis, Zacharias Frontistis, Ioannis D. Manariotis, John Vakros, Dionissios Mantzavinos
Summary: The study found that the catalytic reactivity of biochar increases with the pyrolysis temperature, making it effective in degrading SMX. In waste water, the removal rate of SMX is 41%, while complete removal can be achieved in ultrapure water. The presence of alcohol slightly inhibits degradation, while the addition of sodium azide causes significant inhibition.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Efstathios Avramiotis, Zacharias Frontistis, Ioannis D. Manariotis, John Vakros, Dionissios Mantzavinos
Summary: The study demonstrates that the preparation conditions of biochar can significantly affect its degradation effectiveness, while different operating conditions can also impact the degradation of organic compounds. Increasing the dosage of biochar and sodium persulfate was found to be beneficial, while higher antibiotic concentrations, a more complex water matrix, and the presence of radical scavengers had a negative effect on the degradation process.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Golfo Papatheodorou, Paraskevi Ntzoufra, Evroula Hapeshi, John Vakros, Dionissios Mantzavinos
Summary: Biochar-ceria materials were synthesized using spent malt rootlets as the template. The materials showed high activity in the degradation of sulfamethoxazole when calcined at temperatures of 300-350 degrees C.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hamida Akli, Spyros Grigorakis, Abdessamie Kellil, Sofia Loupassaki, Dimitris P. Makris, Antony Calokerinos, Abderrahmane Mati, Nikos Lydakis-Simantiris
Summary: In this study, the extraction of phenolic compounds from olive leaves was optimized using three glycerol-based deep eutectic solvents (DESs) with lysine, proline, and arginine. The results showed that glycerol-lysine DES exhibited the best extraction performance. The content of tyrosol was high in the extracts, and a linear relationship between tyrosol content and total phenolic content was observed.
APPLIED SCIENCES-BASEL
(2022)
Article
Archaeology
Aggeliki Saridaki, Eleftheria Katsivela, Thodoros Glytsos, George Tsiamis, Evaggelia Violaki, Agisilaos Kaloutsakis, Nicolas Kalogerakis, Mihalis Lazaridis
Summary: This study investigated the bacterial communities on the surfaces of museum artefacts made of different materials and found significant variation in bacterial composition and diversity. Paracoccus was the most abundant genus in most art objects, while Modesto-bacter and Streptococcus dominated the objects made of marble and painted plaster, respectively. Statistical analysis showed clustering based on surface material, indicating the direct impact of material on bacterial profile.
JOURNAL OF CULTURAL HERITAGE
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Saule Mergenbayeva, Alisher Kumarov, Timur Sh Atabaev, Evroula Hapeshi, John Vakros, Dionissios Mantzavinos, Stavros G. Poulopoulos
Summary: In this study, a series of mono-doped and co-doped TiO2 catalysts were synthesized and tested for the photocatalytic degradation of 4-tert-butylphenol. The catalysts were characterized using various analytical methods. The results showed that Cu-Mo-TiO2 exhibited the best catalytic activity under UV light irradiation, achieving complete degradation of 4-tert-butylphenol.
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
E. Mavrakis, Z. Toprakcioglu, N. Lydakis-Simantiris, T. P. J. Knowles, S. A. Pergantis
Summary: As the use of microfluidic chips for biological samples handling increases, there is a growing demand to combine them with powerful analytical techniques such as ICP-MS. This study demonstrates the successful coupling of a chip-based supersonic microfluidic nebulizer to an ICP-MS through the use of a spray chamber with a laminar flow makeup gas. The system shows promising performance in single-particle and single-cell analysis.
ANALYTICA CHIMICA ACTA
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Alexandra A. Ioannidi, John Vakros, Zacharias Frontistis, Dionissios Mantzavinos
Summary: Spent malt rootlet-derived biochar was modified by a friendly eco-method, which significantly enhanced the surface area and changed the morphology and carbon phase. The acid-treated biochar exhibited better degradation of the drug losartan. The oxidation of losartan mainly occurred through a non-radical mechanism.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Spyridon Giannakopoulos, John Vakros, Ioannis D. Manariotis, Dionissios Mantzavinos, Panagiotis Lianos
Summary: Biochar was obtained from spent malt rootlets through pyrolysis under limited oxygen supply and further activated by mixing with KOH and pyrolyzing again at high temperature. The activated biochar showed a total specific surface area of 1148 m(2) g(-1) and a micropore specific surface area of 690 m(2) g(-1). When used as an electrode in combination with a photoelectrochemical cell, the biochar electrode acted as a supercapacitor with a specific capacity of 98 Fg(-1), capable of storing and utilizing charges generated by the cell under both illuminated and dark conditions. Additionally, the same electrode exhibited electrocatalyst properties as an air-cathode, enabling oxygen reduction.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Spyridon Giannakopoulos, John Vakros, Zacharias Frontistis, Ioannis D. Manariotis, Danae Venieri, Stavros G. Poulopoulos, Dionissios Mantzavinos
Summary: Pyrolysis of lemon stalks at 850 degrees C under limited oxygen produces highly active and selective biochar that can activate persulfate ion and oxidize sulfamethoxazole (SMX). The biochar consists mainly of carbon and oxygen atoms, with calcium and potassium as the most abundant minerals. It has a moderate specific surface area of 154 m(2) g(-1) and contains carbonate species, possibly in the form of calcium carbonate. In ultrapure water, complete degradation of 0.5 mg L-1 SMX can be achieved within 20 minutes using 500 mg L-1 sodium persulfate (SPS) and 100 mg L-1 biochar. The biochar remains stable for at least five cycles and shows potential as a sustainable, metal-free catalyst.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Chrysanthi Berberidou, Petros Kokkinos, Ioannis Poulios, Dionissios Mantzavinos
Summary: The research findings suggest that there is an optimal concentration of Fenton reagents for degrading clopyralid, excessive concentrations may have detrimental effects. Catalytic degradation under visible light is as effective as under UV-A, highlighting the potential of using natural sunlight as a renewable energy source. The treatment method shows promising perspectives in upgrading water and liquid waste quality containing pesticides.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Rebecca Dhawle, Zacharias Frontistis, Dionissios Mantzavinos
Summary: The electrochemical oxidation of the breast-cancer drug anastrozole has been studied in this work, with factors such as current density, pH, ANZ concentration, and supporting electrolytes being evaluated. ANZ removal was achieved at a certain initial concentration, with the degradation following pseudo-first-order kinetics. The addition of chloride was found to have a positive effect within a certain range, but detrimental effects above a certain concentration. The presence of bicarbonate or organic matter had a slightly negative effect on the process.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alexandra A. Ioannidi, Joanne Zappa, Athanasia Petala, Manolis Souliotis, Dionissios Mantzavinos, Zacharias Frontistis
Summary: The pursuit of low-cost, high-efficiency co-catalysts without noble metals in photocatalysis has attracted significant interest in recent years. In this study, a series of cobalt phosphide (CoP 0.125-1.00 wt.%) promoted bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) photocatalysts were synthesized and characterized. The efficiency of these photocatalysts was investigated for sulfamethoxazole (SMX) degradation under simulated solar light irradiation. The results showed that the deposition of a small amount of CoP on BiVO4 enhanced SMX degradation.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Eleftheria Katsivela, Louisa Raisi, Mihalis Lazaridis
Summary: The study found that the levels of airborne microbes in the Historical Museum of Crete were related to indoor activities, environmental conditions, and the treatment of exhibits. The deployment of photocatalytic ionizers significantly reduced the viable microbe concentrations indoors by 5.5% to 76%.
AEROSOL AND AIR QUALITY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Arvin Sohrabi, Mousa Meratizaman, Shuli Liu
Summary: This paper simulates and discusses possible solutions to improve the economic and technical performances of a battery-less renewable energy-powered BWRO system under real climate conditions. The study finds that the photovoltaic-based system performs better in terms of specific energy consumption and unused energy ratio.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Chunlan Pan, Xiaoyin Hu, Vishal Goyal, Theyab R. Alsenani, Salem Alkhalaf, Tamim Alkhalifah, Fahad Alturise, Hamad Almujibah, H. Elhosiny Ali
Summary: This paper introduces a novel waste heat recovery method using the hot flue gas from a ship's engine to produce liquefied hydrogen while meeting the ship's air-conditioning requirement. A comprehensive feasibility assessment is conducted and an artificial neural network with a multiobjective grey wolf optimization method is used for optimization. The findings indicate the highest mean sensitivity index of the flash temperature and the best optimization scenario for exergy efficiency, CO2 emission reduction, and liquefied hydrogen cost.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Daniele Chinello, Jan Post, Louis C. P. M. de Smet
Summary: In this study, PVDF-based anion-exchange membranes were designed to selectively separate nitrate from chloride. Experimental data showed that increasing the concentration of PVDF enhanced nitrate transport but also increased the membrane electrical resistance. The selectivity of nitrate was found to be independent of the membrane thickness and mainly driven by the increased affinity between the anion and the membrane.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Umar Noor, Muhammad Fayyaz Farid, Ammara Sharif, Amna Saleem, Zubair Nabi, Muhammad Furqan Mughal, Kiran Abbas, Toheed Ahmed
Summary: Global water scarcity is increasing, and water desalination is an important solution. Multifunctional advanced materials, such as membrane materials and solar-driven desalination, play a crucial role in water desalination. Additionally, these materials can be used for water purification, wastewater treatment, and pollutant elimination.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Emrah Gumus
Summary: With growing global concerns about climate change and environmental impacts, the use of nuclear energy in naval vessels offers a cleaner and more efficient solution to reduce emissions and address water and energy supply challenges. This study explores a novel system that combines a nuclear-driven supercritical carbon dioxide power cycle with reverse osmosis cogeneration to meet the water and electricity demands in maritime operations, enhancing the sustainability, efficiency, and self-sufficiency of naval vessels. The results indicate that the system has the potential to be a viable and effective solution for naval operations.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Dao Thi Thanh Huyen, Saikat Sinha Ray, Young -Nam Kwon
Summary: This study focuses on the modification of a commercially available polyamide thin-film composite membrane with a zwitterionic material to enhance its fouling resistance. The modified membrane shows improved salt rejection and reduced permeability compared to the pristine membrane. Fouling tests demonstrate that the modified membrane has a lower fouling ratio and higher recovery ratio. The enhanced antifouling characteristics are attributed to the improved hydrophilicity resulting from the zwitterionic brushes and the salting-in effect.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Niklas Koeller, Lukas Mankertz, Selina Finger, Christian J. Linnartz, Matthias Wessling
Summary: This study presents a methodology to scale up Flow-electrode Capacitive Deionization (FCDI) technology from lab-scale to pilot-scale systems. By increasing membrane area and using a stacking approach, the FCDI modules were successfully scaled up and achieved a salt transfer rate comparable to lab-scale systems. This provides a foundation for future assessments of energy demand and economics.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Mona Gulied, Sifani Zavahir, Tasneem Elmakki, Hyunwoong Park, Guillermo Hijos Gago, Ho Kyong Shon, Dong Suk Han
Summary: This study introduces a novel hybrid system that combines direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD) and electrically switched ion exchange (ESIX) to facilitate seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) brine enrichment and selective lithium recovery.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Zhiqiang Zhang, Ruifeng Deng, Jiao Zhang, Lu She, Guangfeng Wei, Renyong Jia, Pengyu Xiang, Siqing Xia
Summary: A transmembrane electro-chemisorption system with authigenic acid and base was developed for enhancing ammonia recovery from strong ammonia wastewater. The system efficiently transformed ammonium into free ammonia, which was then adsorbed and recovered through transmembrane chemisorption. This system yielded pure (NH4)2SO4 product and produced valuable byproducts of pure hydrogen and oxygen. Higher applied voltage resulted in better ammonia recovery.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Alena Popova, Sandrine Boivin, Takuji Shintani, Takahiro Fujioka
Summary: This study aimed to produce a high-integrity RO membrane by forming a polyamide skin layer on a TE support layer, in order to enhance the integrity of the membrane and improve the microbiological safety of potable water reuse.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Sanjana Yagnambhatt, Saber Khanmohammadi, Jonathan Maisonneuve
Summary: This study investigates the concept of using heat to enhance reverse osmosis (RO) desalination. The effect of temperature on water permeate flux, specific energy, permeate quality, and applied operating pressures is evaluated using an analytical model. The results suggest that under specific conditions, the tradeoff between savings in mechanical pump work and thermal energy input in thermally-enhanced RO can be favorable, leading to overall energy savings.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Jiangju Si, Chenrui Xue, Shun Li, Linchao Yang, Weiwei Li, Jie Yang, Jihong Lan, Ningbo Sun
Summary: To meet the huge demand for lithium resources, there is an urgent need to develop a new efficient technology for lithium recovery from salt-lake brines. In this study, a selective membrane capacitive deionization system is reported, which achieves high lithium recovery capacity and rate through the use of materials with efficient intercalated pseudo-capacitance and a high specific area porous carbon. The use of a modified thin-coated membrane allows for selective Li+ recovery, and adjusting the concentrations of Li+ and Mg2+ in the feed solution enables higher Li+/Mg2+ selectivity.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Mohamed R. Salem, R. Y. Sakr, Ghazy M. R. Assassa, Omar A. Aly
Summary: This research proposes a new method of using wasted thermal energies as an additional heating source for solar still distillation units (SSDUs) to increase productivity and reduce pollution and global warming. By testing two SSDUs, the study shows that heating airflow can raise temperatures, enhance freshwater production, and improve system thermal efficiency.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Qimeng Sun, Miao Sun, Linyan Yang, Yuan Gao, Xinghai Zhou, Lihua Lyu, Chunyan Wei
Summary: This study presents an innovative design and fabrication of a fabric-based conical roll (FCR) evaporator, which enables low-temperature evaporation and achieves high evaporation efficiency with excellent thermal management ability. The evaporator has demonstrated advanced light-harvesting capability and can produce freshwater that meets drinking water standards, showing great potential for applications in desalination and sewage treatment.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yidong Zhang, Wangfang Deng, Meiyan Wu, Chao Liu, Guang Yu, Qiu Cui, Pedram Fatehi, Chunlin Xu, Bin Li
Summary: In this study, a novel polydopamine-functionalized lignin-containing pulp foam evaporator with high-efficiency desalination and multi-contaminant adsorption capabilities was designed. The foam evaporator showed excellent light absorption, water absorption, thermal conductivity, and chelation abilities, allowing for solar evaporation and contaminant adsorption synergistically. It also exhibited potential applications in metal ion concentration and contaminated seawater treatments, and demonstrated superior biodegradability compared to poly-styrene foam. This foam material holds promise for developing multifunctional photo-thermal systems for solar-driven water purification.
