Review
Engineering, Environmental
Virender K. Sharma, Mingbao Feng, Dionysios D. Dionysiou, Hong-Cai Zhou, Chetan Jinadatha, Kyriakos Manoli, Mallory F. Smith, Rafael Luque, Xingmao Ma, Ching-Hua Huang
Summary: Efforts are being made to enhance the reactivity of ferrate by generating highly reactive iron intermediates (Fe-V and Fe-IV) from the tetraoxy anion of iron in the +6 oxidation state. Various strategies, such as addition of acid, metal ions, and reductants, are utilized to produce Fe-V and Fe-IV species for more efficient treatment of polluted water. Kinetic modeling and DFT calculations provide opportunities to distinguish between Fe-IV and Fe-V in order to improve oxidation reactions using ferrate.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Afzal Ahmed Dar, Bao Pan, Jiani Qin, Qiuhui Zhu, Eric Lichtfouse, Muhammad Usman, Chuanyi Wang
Summary: This review evaluates the application of ferrate (Fe(VI)) as a green coagulant and reactive oxidant for removing micro pollutants, particularly pharmaceutical pollutants in contaminated water. The study summarizes the nature, reactivity, and chemistry of Fe(VI) oxidation, as well as different mechanisms and reactive agents involved in contaminant degradation. Various Fe(VI) application methods and activating agents are discussed, along with innovative aspects to improve stability and effectiveness in degrading micro pollutants in water.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Ying Zhao, Qingxu Li, Qiantao Shi, Beidou Xi, Xinyi Zhang, Zhiqiang Jian, Gaoting Zhou, Xiaoguang Meng, Xuhui Mao, Dejun Kang, Bin Gong
Summary: Extensive studies have been conducted on phosphate removal by micron-scale zero-valent iron (mZVI). The mechanisms of phosphate removal were elucidated using ATR-FTIR, XRD, and XANES techniques, revealing that precipitation is the main pathway for phosphate removal by ZVI under aerobic conditions. This study significantly improves our understanding of the fundamental processes involved in phosphate removal by ZVI.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Qun Wang, Yu Zhang, Ying Yang, Haisong Fu, Youheng Liang, Jun Ma
Summary: This study introduced a new zero valent copper-mediated ferrate(VI) oxidation system for degrading bisphenol AF (BPAF). The effects of various factors on the BPAF degradation process were investigated, including the dosage of ZVC, the concentration of ferrate(VI), the reaction temperature, the initial pH of the solution, inorganic anions, and HA. The results showed that ZVC had a catalytic effect on ferrate(VI), achieving a removal efficiency of 92.4% under standard conditions in just 3 minutes. The use of zero-valent copper and ferrate (VI) provided a viable method for removing refractory organics from wastewater.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mingyang Song, Xiaolei Hu, Tianhang Gu, Wei-xian Zhang, Zilong Deng
Summary: In this study, a nanocellulose-based composite, NC-nZVI, was developed for efficient removal of nickel. The nZVI was anchored to nanocellulose through a liquid-phase reduction method, resulting in varied morphology and dispersion status. Among the developed composites, CNC-nZVI showed the most evenly distributed nZVI particles. The binding between NC and nZVI was achieved through hydrogen bonds, electrostatic attractions, coordination-covalent bonds, and steric hindrance. The CNC-nZVI composite exhibited significantly higher removal efficiency of Ni2+ compared to bare nZVI, and remained effective under a wide pH range and in the presence of interference ions like NO3-, Cl-, and Ca2+. The observed hollow-out structure and Tafel extrapolation curves indicated that CNC activated diffusion path and accelerated electronic transfer from nZVI. The superior removal performance of NC-nZVI and the abundance of raw materials make it a promising material for environmental remediation and wastewater treatment.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Li Liang, Weiying Li, Yue Li, Wei Zhou, Jiping Chen
Summary: The study investigated the removal mechanisms of sulfidated nanoscale zero-valent iron (S-nZVI) towards EDTA-chelated CdII (CdII-EDTA) and the effects of critical factors on CdII-EDTA removal by S-nZVI. Results showed that S-nZVI had a high removal capacity for CdII-EDTA and the mechanism involved two-step replacement reactions.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ruoming Tong, Pengshuang Zhang, Yaoqi Yang, Ruiyuan Zhang, Xuhui Sun, Xingmao Ma, Virender K. Sharma
Summary: A new process was presented for continuous synthesis of ferrate(VI) under different experimental conditions to optimize yield. The newly designed reactor improved reaction efficiency and yield through rapid mixing and flow conditions in the closed coil. Applying ultrasound power density further increased the yield of synthesized ferrate(VI).
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Jingjing Yao, Jiayi Wen, Haipu Li, Ying Yang, Hui Ying Yang
Summary: The complexation of tetracyclines with Fe species plays a significant role in the removal of tetracyclines by ferrate. Experimental results show that the complexation of tetracyclines with Fe3+ contributes to 79% of the overall removal, followed by oxidation (11%) and adsorption/flocculation (10%). Thermodynamic and kinetic calculations suggest that complexation reactions between Fe3+ and tetracyclines are more likely to occur than oxidation reactions between ferrate and hydroxyl radicals. The complexation rates of tetracyclines with Fe3+ determine the removal of multiple tetracyclines by ferrate, highlighting the importance of considering complexation in the removal of pollutants.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Wan Ting Tee, Nicholas Yung Li Loh, Billie Yan Zhang Hiew, Pau Loke Show, Svenja Hanson, Suyin Gan, Lai Yee Lee
Summary: Three-dimensional heteroatom-doped graphene is an effective approach for treating pharmaceutical wastewater due to its excellent adsorption and physicochemical properties. A boron-doped graphene oxide composite was successfully synthesized and showed promising adsorption performance for removing amitriptyline from contaminated water.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Peiyuan Deng, Guangzhou Wang, Changkan Li, Shentang Dou, Wei Yuan
Summary: Nano zero-valent iron-supported biochar pellets synthesized via liquid-phase reduction showed promising performance in estrogen removal. The adsorption equilibrium was reached within 10 minutes, with adsorption capacity decreasing with increasing solute pH and pellets dosage, while adsorptivity increasing with initial estrogen concentration.
WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Xiaohui Liu, Jia Wei, Yaodong Wu, Jing Zhang, Luyi Xing, Yifei Zhang, Guoping Pan, Jiamei Li, Mengdie Xu, Jun Li
Summary: The study demonstrated that using SBC and nZVI for the bioremediation of nitrate-contaminated water shows promising potential in practical applications, especially with the use of immobilized active pellets which can improve nitrate removal efficiency and tolerance under different conditions.
BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yu Mao, Zhuo Chen, Yun Lu, Ke-Fan Cao, Yinhu Wu, Hong-Ying Hu
Summary: This study investigated the disinfection efficacy of Fe(VI) on different bacteria in various water matrices. The results showed that Fe(VI) was more effective against Gram-negative bacteria and performed better in a phosphate buffer. It was also observed that Fe(VI) primarily reacted with proteins. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms behind Fe(VI) disinfection and provide useful information for its application in water disinfection.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhuang-Song Huang, Lu Wang, Yu-Lei Liu, Hong-Yan Zhang, Xiao-Na Zhao, Yang Bai, Jun Ma
Summary: This study elucidated the crucial role of ferrate self-decomposition in oxidation reactions and developed a mechanistic kinetics model to understand the involvement of Fe(V), Fe(VI), and Fe(IV) species in the oxidation of PMSO. Results showed that the Fe(V) species derived from ferrate self-decomposition contributed significantly to PMSO oxidation, while the oxidation pathways of Fe(VI) and Fe(V) were influenced by different factors. The findings suggest the general role of Fe(V) and the potential enhancement by Fe(III) during ferrate oxidation of micropollutants.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Minhui Hou, Yu Zhang, Xin Jiao, Ning Ding, Yongli Jiao, Yuwei Pan, Jinkai Xue, Ying Zhang
Summary: Polyphenols were used to modify zero-valent iron (ZVI) and new catalysts were successfully synthesized. The modified ZVI showed improved removal efficiency of Cr(VI) due to enhanced electron transfer rate.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Guocui Wu, Wenjia Kong, Yue Gao, Yan Kong, Zhenguo Dai, Hongbing Dan, Yanan Shang, Shouquan Wang, Fengjiao Yin, Qinyan Yue, Baoyu Gao
Summary: The study demonstrates that sulfide-modified nanoscale zero-valent iron (S-nZVI) is a more promising catalyst for activating persulfate (PS) compared to normal nZVI, especially in the treatment of saline pharmaceutical wastewater. The sulfidation behavior enhances the removal efficiency of chloramphenicol (CAP) and possible degradation pathways of CAP in the S-nZVI/PS system were inferred through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and density functional theory (DFT) calculations.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Cheng Chen, Yongyi Wang, Yajing Huang, Jian Hua, Wei Qu, Dehua Xia, Chun He, Virender K. Sharma, Dong Shu
Summary: This study found that pollutants containing phenolic moiety can greatly enhance the efficiency of the Fe(III)/H2O2 system without catalyst in degrading pollutants. Kinetics analysis revealed the self-catalytic degradation of the pollutants, with the best performance observed at pH 4.0. Spectroscopic measurements and theoretical calculations revealed a previously overlooked self-catalytic mechanism involving the formation of a yellow-colored high-spin P-Fe(III)-OOH complex, which subsequently converts to Fe(II). The oxidation of phenolic moiety generates hydroquinone, which also facilitates the cycling of Fe(III)/Fe(II) and the generation of hydroxyl radicals responsible for efficient decontamination.
APPLIED CATALYSIS B-ENVIRONMENTAL
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Hongbo Liu, Song Qin, Anze Li, Jian Wen, Eric Lichtfouse, Heping Zhao, Xianzhong Zhang
Summary: Nitrogen pollution and the increasing amount of wastewater generation require advanced wastewater treatments. Bioelectrochemical systems (BES) have been developed to simultaneously produce electricity and remove resistant nitrogen from carbon-deficient wastewater. However, BES alone cannot achieve the simultaneous removal of multi-species inorganic nitrogen. This review discusses the latest developments in BES-enhanced denitrification and multiple coupled BES-based denitrification pathways.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Abdelkader Labidi, Haitao Ren, Atif Sial, Hui Wang, Eric Lichtfouse, Chuanyi Wang
Summary: In recent years, water scarcity has become a significant problem due to population growth, industrial progress, and climate change. Water pollution caused by hazardous pollutants like toxic metals and phenolic compounds demands urgent attention. Coal fly ash and coal bottom ash wastes have been explored as low-cost raw materials for producing suitable materials for cleaner wastewater treatment. These materials have shown promise in removing toxic metals and phenolic compounds through adsorption, membrane filtration, and photocatalysis. Future research should focus on recycling coal ashes and advancing processes for more efficient wastewater remediation.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Leslie Kojo Norvihoho, Jing Yin, Zhi-Fu Zhou, Jie Han, Bin Chen, Li-Hong Fan, Eric Lichtfouse
Summary: Despite mass vaccination, lockdowns, and other measures, the transmission of COVID-19 continues. This is due to our limited understanding of droplet transport and viral transmission dynamics. This review explores the effects of various factors, such as droplet size, environmental conditions, virus mutation, and non-volatile components, on droplet evaporation and dispersion, as well as on virus stability. Experimental and computational methods for analyzing droplet transport are presented, along with controlling factors such as environmental conditions, turbulence, ventilation, and droplet size distribution. Results indicate that relative humidity and temperature play a significant role in droplet behavior and virus viability.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY LETTERS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Qijia Zhu, Kai Zhang, Jiani Xu, Xinyu Wei, Lixia Shi, Sumita, Cong Li, Eric Lichtfouse
Summary: This study investigates the use of modified biochar material and catalyzed persulfate advanced oxidation technology to adsorb and separate acid orange 7 (AO7) from wastewater and further oxidize and degrade it. The results suggest that this method offers an effective and eco-friendly solution for treating AO7 in wastewater.
Review
Engineering, Chemical
Poulami Mukherjee, Krishnamoorthy Sathiyan, Tomer Zidki, Mallikarjuna N. Nadagouda, Virender K. Sharma
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Hui Wang, Qifan Ying, Eric Lichtfouse, Zexu Hu, Yongfa Diao
Summary: The presence of metal foam in phase change materials (PCM) improves the storage of latent heat thermal energy but reduces natural convection and increases cost. We studied the internal flow of heat transfer in a PCM filled with metal foam at different filling heights. Results show that the configuration of bottom-filled PCM has higher natural convection and shorter melting time in the pure PCM area. However, the melting time is longer in the bottom-filled configuration in the metal foam-PCM composite region.
JOURNAL OF ENERGY STORAGE
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Anuradha Sharma, Peter R. Makgwane, Eric Lichtfouse, Naveen Kumar, Ahmad Hosseini Bandegharaei, Muhammad Tahir
Summary: This article provides a comprehensive analysis and summary of the application of nickel sulfide-based heterostructures in water decontamination. It discusses the characteristics of metal sulfides and the advantages of nickel sulfides. The synthesis strategies and structural properties of nickel sulfide photocatalysts are also discussed, along with the formation of heterostructures using metal modification, metal oxides, and carbon hybridized nanocomposites. The study highlights the significant improvements in the degradation efficiency of hetero-interfaced NiS and NiS2 photocatalysts and their potential for sustainable environmental remediation.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Thermodynamics
H. Wang, Q. F. Ying, E. Lichtfouse, C. G. Huang
Summary: Gradient metal foam was studied for its heat transfer performance and bubble behavior in this experiment. The positive gradient configuration showed better heat transfer performance, reaching 6.14x105 W/m2, compared to the uniform metal foam surface of 3.94x105 W/m2. Boiling heat transfer performance increased and then decreased with pore density for the positive gradient, while it remained nearly constant for the inverse gradient. Different bubble escape behaviors were observed for the two configurations, with larger bubbles and higher bubble detachment frequency on the positive gradient surface. Two liquid replenishment models were proposed for the different configurations.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED FLUID MECHANICS
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Krishnamoorthy Sathiyan, Asmita Dutta, Vered Marks, Ohad Fleker, Tomer Zidki, Richard D. Webster, Arie Borenstein
Summary: In this study, the researchers improved the performance of CO2 electroreduction by growing metal-organic framework (MOF) nanoparticles inside hierarchically mesoporous carbon. This resulted in the production of valuable commodity chemicals.
NPG ASIA MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Untika Pengsomjit, Waleed Alahmad, Pakorn Varanusupakul, Sibel A. Ozkan, Virender K. Sharma, Charoenkwan Kraiya
Summary: This paper presents a greener methodology for determining streptomycin in honey using gel electromembrane extraction (G-EME) technique with exfoliated graphene (EG). The addition of EG enhances the extraction efficiency and sensitivity. The problem of increased electric current and electroendosmosis due to graphene-based nanomaterials is solved by tuning the acceptor phase's volume.
Article
Mechanics
Xiang-Wei Lin, Dong-Qing Zhu, Zhi-Fu Zhou, Shu-Qin Xue, Teng-Fei Liu, Jia-Feng Wang, Bin Chen, Eric Lichtfouse
Summary: The dynamics of superheated liquids in flashing jets were studied, and it was found that the flashing patterns can be classified into non-flashing, transitional flashing, and flare flashing. The contribution of thermodynamic effect decreases as mechanical effect intensifies. An index k was proposed to identify different flashing regions, and a new correlation for drop size was proposed.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MULTIPHASE FLOW
(2024)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Anuradha Sharma, Peter R. Makgwane, Eric Lichtfouse, Naveen Kumar, Ahmad Hosseini Bandegharaei, Muhammad Tahir
Summary: Heterostructured nanomaterials, specifically nickel sulfide-based heterostructures, have shown potential in environmental science, particularly in waste water treatment. This review provides a thorough analysis and summary of recent progress in the application of nickel sulfide-based heterostructures in water decontamination, focusing on synthesis strategies, structural properties, and improved photocatalytic performances.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)