Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yantao Zhou, Zhenbo Wang, Zhiqian Sun
Summary: Electrocoalescence is commonly used in the petroleum industry to separate water from crude oil. In this study, an in-situ observation experiment was conducted to investigate the factors influencing the formation of water chains. The results showed that voltage and frequency had synchronous effects on the length of water chains and the growth rate of droplet diameter. The initial water content initially increased the length of water chains and the growth rate of droplet diameter, but later decreased. The addition of surfactant reduced the initial droplet diameter, inhibiting the formation of water chains and coalescence.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH & DESIGN
(2022)
Article
Instruments & Instrumentation
Gaurav Anand, Samira Safaripour, Craig Snoeyink
Summary: A novel method is introduced to measure the influence of high electric fields on Raman scattering of fluids, which helps understand their interactions. By using a microfluidic chip, highly controlled, uniform electric fields can be applied, eliminating unwanted reactions. The effect of electric fields on ethanol stretching vibrations in water-ethanol mixtures is examined, showing that increasing the electric field decreases the Raman scattering intensity due to reduced polarizability. However, this effect is weaker in mixtures with high water content due to hydrogen bonding and increased temperature.
APPLIED SPECTROSCOPY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Xiangui Ma, Wenyue Gao, Fangxin Du, Fan Yuan, Jing Yu, Yiran Guan, Neso Sojic, Guobao Xu
Summary: Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) combines electrochemical and chemiluminescent methods, used in clinical analysis and biological research. Efforts focus on enhancing sensitivity, portability, and affordability of ECL devices. The research aims to develop new electrodes, wireless power transfer (WPT) based devices, and novel bipolar electrochemistry.
ACCOUNTS OF CHEMICAL RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Nianjun Yang, Xin Jiang
Summary: Diamond electrodes have unique features, such as long-term chemical inertness, wide potential windows, and high microstructural stability. They can be prepared in microcrystalline or nanocrystalline form using chemical vapor deposition techniques. These electrodes have been widely applied in various electrochemical fields, including sensing, energy storage, and environmental degradation.
ACCOUNTS OF CHEMICAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Ruxia Zhang, Chengmei Gui, Junjun Huang, Guisheng Yang
Summary: This study prepared an Ag nanoparticle/polymer brush (Ag/PB) catalytic solution by incorporating silane in AgNO3 solution for enhancing the adhesion of copper patterns. The application in electroless deposition resulted in superior performance of the fabricated copper patterns.
JOURNAL OF THE TAIWAN INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERS
(2021)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Jianfeng Zhou, Yen-Con Hung, Xing Xie
Summary: Water disinfection and food pasteurization are crucial for reducing waterborne and foodborne diseases, and electrified treatment processes, such as electric field treatment (EFT), are emerging as promising alternatives due to their cost-effectiveness and low potential for by-products. This article provides a comprehensive review of EFT, including its principles, recent studies on pathogen inactivation, and developments in device configurations and materials. It also serves as a bridge between environmental engineering and food science.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mainak Bhattacharya, Koyel Bandyopadhyay, Anirban Gupta
Summary: This study designed a simple and inexpensive water disinfection unit to produce chlorine from groundwater for bacterial inactivation. Results indicated partial inactivation of bacteria under the influence of the electric field in the absence of chlorine. In practical applications, the system effectively controlled residual chlorine concentration and efficiently removed total coliform.
ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Wei Zhang, Junfeng Wang, Qiaoling Su, Bin Li, Kai Yu, Haojie Xu, Lei Zuo, Tianyi Wu
Summary: In this study, the polarization motion of bubbles in a determined dielectric liquid medium under a direct current non-uniform electric field was experimentally studied. The effect of applied voltage and gas flow rate on bubble dispersion characteristics was investigated. It was found that increasing the electric field strength led to a shortening of the bubble growth period, a reduction in bubble size, and a rapid generation frequency. The motion of the bubbles exhibited hydrodynamic characteristics at low electric field strength and electrohydrodynamic characteristics at high electric field strength.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xiaomin Liao, Huiyuan Xie, Biru Liao, Sen Hou, Yang Yu, Xiaoyun Fan
Summary: The mechanical degradation of Cu3B2O6 (CBO) through ball milling (BM) is found to efficiently decompose pollutants. The efficiency of CBO under BM is significantly higher than benchmark BaTiO3 and CBO under ultrasonication, attributed to the strong piezoelectric field and abundant reactive species generated. These findings provide insights into the development of high efficient piezocatalytic reactions based on piezocatalysts and ball milling combined strategy.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Bin Han, Yaohua Wang, Chang Liu, Kexuan Sun, Mengjin Yang, Lisha Xie, Shuncheng Yang, Yuanyuan Meng, Shuyuan Lin, Peng Xu, Jun Li, Qingqing Qiu, Ziyi Ge
Summary: By incorporating a two-dimensional ferroelectric material into a three-dimensional perovskite, the built-in electric field is increased, enhancing exciton dissociation efficiency and leading to the formation of more homogeneous and highly-oriented perovskite crystals. This results in a highly efficient flexible perovskite solar cell with a power conversion efficiency of over 23% and outstanding ambient stability.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yinxiang Xu, Junbo Xu, Huizhou Liu, Chao Yang
Summary: Pumping fluids at the nanoscale is crucial for nanofluidic systems. This study demonstrates the possibility of using non-uniform electric fields to induce continuous and unidirectional net flow of water confined in nanochannels through molecular dynamics simulations and the extended Navier-Stokes (ENS) equation. The net flow is a result of the combination of the unidirectional orientation of water molecules and the net force induced by the electric field intensity difference. Higher flow rates can be achieved by enhancing the electric field intensity gradients. The ordered arrangements of water molecules in electric fields make electropumping more effective than pressure-driven flow. The proposed ENS equation is more applicable to flows with high order degree of water molecules.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Yun-Kai Qi, Shu-Min Yang, Xin Li, He-Ming Wang, Qin Xu, Jian-Jun Gu
Summary: The Co@alumina composite film with multicolor structural color was prepared using an alternating current electrodeposition method under a non-uniform electric field. By adjusting the angle between electrodes, fine-tuning of the microstructure and physical properties of the film was achieved. The experimental results showed a gradient change in microstructure and properties along the radial direction under the non-uniform electric field.
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Hongzhu Jiang, Zheng Chen, Yuanyuan Yang, Cheng Fan, Jingwen Zhao, Guanglei Cui
Summary: This review discusses the challenges, progress, and future research directions of electrolytes for dual-ion batteries (DIBs). The composition of electrolytes has a significant impact on battery performance, making the study of electrolyte properties crucial.
Review
Energy & Fuels
Shujuan Yin, Xueqian Zhang, Yishan Wang, Lianyu Zhao, Yun Sheng, Xiaoxiao Huang, Guangwu Wen
Summary: This article reviews the recent research progress of heterostructure anode materials, focusing on the electrochemical behavior, reaction mechanism, and future modification strategies of the materials. The most recent advancements in research are exhibited through the paths of synthesis, techniques of characterization, and variations of heterostructures. Additionally, the prospects and challenges of heterostructure development are reviewed to guide the development of the next generation of secondary batteries.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2023)
Article
Acoustics
Mehran Afshari, Behrooz Arezoo
Summary: In this study, the shapes of slots of wide blade horns were optimized using NURBS curves for the first time. The designed horns, with high amplitude uniformity and low maximum stresses, demonstrate the potential for higher gain ratios without fatigue failure.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mourin Jarin, Zeou Dou, Haiping Gao, Yongsheng Chen, Xing Xie
Summary: The salinity exchange process involves transferring salts from seawater or brackish water to treated wastewater to produce desalinated water for drinking purposes. This method has been successfully demonstrated using electrodialysis, showing promising results in laboratory-scale systems with low energy consumption. Further evaluation is needed for implementing this technology on a larger scale using real water.
FRONTIERS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ping Lei, Lu Wang, Yun Yan, Wubin Deng, Jingsi Gao, Jia Zhu, Miaoqing Liang, Jiaheng Wen, Jianfeng Lv, Jianfeng Zhou
Summary: In this study, an improved headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) procedure was developed to extract and enrich trace amounts of Epichlorohydrin (ECH) with high sensitivity and accuracy. The optimized method, combined with gas chromatography with mass spectrometry, showed excellent linearity and precision. The method has a high potential for application in drinking water quality monitoring and water treatment process assessment.
FRONTIERS IN CHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yutong Wu, Fengyi Zhang, Ting Wang, Po-Wei Huang, Alexandros Filippas, Haochen Yang, Yanghang Huang, Chao Wang, Huitian Liu, Xing Xie, Ryan P. Lively, Nian Liu
Summary: Flow batteries are a promising energy storage solution, but the size and cost need to be reduced for commercial viability. We introduce a submillimeter bundled microtubular (SBMT) flow battery cell configuration that significantly improves volumetric power density. Our SBMT cell shows peak charge and discharge power densities of 1,322 W/L-cell and 306.1 W/L-cell, respectively, compared with average power densities of <60 W/L-cell and 45 W/Lcell in conventional planar flow battery cells. The SBMT flow cell represents a device-level innovation to enhance the volumetric power of flow batteries and potentially reduce the size and cost.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zeou Dou, Maria Vitoria Bini Farias, Wensi Chen, Dongjing He, Yuhang Hu, Xing Xie
Summary: This study presents a controlled-release fertilizer excipient based on chitosan and montmorillonite, which can reduce fertilizer loss, improve soil water retention, and has high degradability with minimal impact on long-term soil fertility.
FRONTIERS OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ching-Hua Huang, Junyue Wang, Wensi Chen, Ting Wang, Elliot Reid, Caroline Krall, Juhee Kim, Tianqi Zhang, Xing Xie
Summary: Peroxyacids (POAs) show potential as alternatives to chlorine for disinfection byproduct reduction, but further research is needed to understand their microbial inactivation capabilities and mechanisms of action. This study evaluated the efficacy of three POAs (performic acid, peracetic acid, and perpropionic acid) compared to chlor(am)ine for inactivating representative microorganisms and reacted with biomolecules. Results showed that POAs were more effective than chlorine for bacterial inactivation but less effective for viral inactivation. Mechanistic insights suggest that POAs interact selectively with certain biomolecules, which may explain their differential effectiveness against bacteria and viruses.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Jianfeng Zhou, Yen-Con Hung, Xing Xie
Summary: Water disinfection and food pasteurization are crucial for reducing waterborne and foodborne diseases, and electrified treatment processes, such as electric field treatment (EFT), are emerging as promising alternatives due to their cost-effectiveness and low potential for by-products. This article provides a comprehensive review of EFT, including its principles, recent studies on pathogen inactivation, and developments in device configurations and materials. It also serves as a bridge between environmental engineering and food science.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Shuo Yang, Shruti Sarkar, Xing Xie, Dan Li, Jianmin Chen
Summary: This paper conducts statistical analysis on data extracted from 138 papers, evaluating and comparing the detection performance and potential of different types of optical hydrogels (OHs) in various environmental pollutant detection scenarios, compared to standard detection methods. The target recognition and sensing mechanisms of two main types of OHs, photonic crystal hydrogels (PCHs) and fluorescent hydrogels (FHs), are reviewed and discussed. The potential academic research directions for addressing the challenges of applying and developing OHs in environmental sensing are proposed.
ENERGY & ENVIRONMENTAL MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xing Xie, Zeou Dou
Summary: This study explores the potential of an electrolyte biohydrogel based on chitosan as a phosphate sorbent and controlled releaser for recovering nutrients from wastewater and releasing them as fertilizer. The hydrogel reached saturation within 2 hours and had a maximum phosphate sorption capacity above 86.7 mg·g-1. In successive desorption experiments, 72.4% of the loaded P was continuously released over 16 days, indicating its potential as a controlled-release P fertilizer.
ACS ES&T ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shengjie He, Jianfeng Zhou, Li Zhou, Nan Yang, Jingsi Gao, Jia Zhu, Jiawei Chen, Junjie Chen
Summary: Recently, breweries have been allowed to discharge brewery wastewater (BWW) to the sewage pipe network to alleviate the shortage of carbon sources for municipal wastewater treatment plants (MWTPs) in some countries. This study provides a model-based method for MWTPs to evaluate the impact of receiving BWW, including the threshold, effluent risk, economic benefits, and potential greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction. By analyzing 189 parameters, a simulation model of an anaerobic-anoxic-oxic process (A2O) receiving BWW was established and calibrated to be of high-quality and reliable. The evaluation showed that receiving a certain amount of BWW can effectively reduce carbon source cost and GHG emissions for MWTPs while still meeting discharge standards.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jiaxin Wang, Li Zhou, Jingsi Gao, Jia Zhu, Jianfeng Zhou
Summary: This study investigates the process optimization of powdered activated carbon (PAC) adsorption and potassium permanganate (KMnO4) pre-oxidation for the control of 2-Methylisoborneol (2-MIB) in drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs). It was found that pre-oxidation with KMnO4 does not affect the adsorption of 2-MIB by PAC. However, when PAC and KMnO4 are added simultaneously, the adsorption efficiency of 2-MIB decreases with an increase in KMnO4 dosage. This is due to the shrinking of micropore volume caused by KMnO4. Therefore, it is recommended to dose KMnO4 early to avoid negative effects on PAC for 2-MIB removal. This study provides practical guidance and theoretical fundamentals for the operation of DWTPs using KMnO4 pre-oxidation and PAC for 2-MIB removal.
JOURNAL OF WATER PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yuefeng Liu, Jingsi Gao, Tuxiong Li, Zhichang Shao, Jiaxin Wang, Jia Zhu, Wenhe Song, Miaoqing Liang, Wenlong Zhang, Jianfeng Zhou
Summary: In this study, three strains of bacteria were isolated and demonstrated high 2-MIB degradation efficiency. The bacterial growth and 2-MIB removal were studied under different conditions, and the xenobiotic-degradation-related functional genes were analyzed.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wensi Chen, Eric Mei, Xing Xie
Summary: The continuous outbreaks of viral pathogens pose significant challenges to public health. This study utilizes bovine serum albumin-modified porous superabsorbent polymer beads to encapsulate and stabilize viruses, eliminating the need for temperature regulations in virus sample storage.