Article
Engineering, Chemical
Xiulan Li, Keyu Yi, Qimeng Ran, Zilin Fan, Chenchen Liu, Xiaobo Liu, Kun Jia
Summary: Nanofibrous membranes with high adsorption capacity and selective removal efficiency for cationic dyes have been successfully prepared via one-step electrospinning technique in this study. The membranes showed great potential for advanced applications in wastewater purification.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Rui Zhang, Yahong Li, Jingjing Yan, Jianxian Zeng, Yuan Liu, Mingming Zhang, Pengfei Liu, Xiaoping Huang, Erdong Zhang, Kaipeng Cheng, Jingyu Chen, Jialin Sun
Summary: A novel quaternized chitosan@PVDF/SiO2 membrane was fabricated for the selective separation of heparin, while simultaneously rejecting protein. The prepared membrane exhibited a high adsorption capacity to heparin at various pH values. This membrane technology could be applied for the green, efficient, and selective separation and purification of heparin from crude sources.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Xueyan Wang, Zhong Liu, Xianfeng Liu, Ying Su, Jin Wang, Tingting Fan, Xin Ning, Seeram Ramakrishn
Summary: In this study, PVDF/SiO2@GO aerogels with high-performance absorbency and flame retardancy were prepared, providing a new choice for efficient and continuous oil-water separation and crude oil absorption.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Ying Liu, Na Wang, Zhongqiao Sun, Yide Han, Junli Xu, Yan Xu, Junbiao Wu, Hao Meng, Xia Zhang
Summary: Hybrid membranes of ZIF-67/PVDF with varying ZIF-67 dosages have been fabricated and exhibit favorable efficiencies and selectivities towards malachite green and fuchsin acid. The positive roles of ZIF-67 in enhancing the adsorption ability of the hybrid membranes are demonstrated, highlighting the potential applications in efficient removal of target organics in wastewater treatment.
DALTON TRANSACTIONS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Xu Zhu, Lei Zhu, Hui Li, Jinwei Xue, Chao Ma, Yingying Yin, Xurong Qiao, Daofeng Sun, Qingzhong Xue
Summary: A novel charged hydrogel nanofibmus membrane (CHNM) with negative surface charges, favorable mechanical ability and anti-fouling capacity was prepared, showing outstanding performance in separating oil-in-water emulsions and adsorbing metal ions. This multifunctional membrane offers a promising approach for treating metal ions contained oily wastewater.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Fayez U. Ahmed, Debarun Dhar Purkayastha
Summary: Water resources have been affected by modern industry and oil spills, prompting the development of advanced technology and materials for oily wastewater treatment. In this study, a TiO2-decorated PVDF membrane was created using a hydrothermal approach. The resulting membrane exhibited excellent surface wettability, photo-catalytic degradability, and robustness, allowing for efficient separation of water-in-oil mixtures and water-in-oil emulsions. Furthermore, the photocatalytic nature of the TiO2 enabled the membrane to degrade pharmaceutical and organic pollutants. This technique has the potential to encourage the development of multifunctional superwetting materials for complex oily wastewater treatment.
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Wenhao Dong, Feng Liu, Xingxing Zhou, Lanlan Wang, Ziqiang Zhao, Yuqi Zhou, Haoxuan Li, Qingsheng Liu, Bingyao Deng, Dawei Li
Summary: In this study, PVDF nanofibrous membranes loaded with ZnO seeds were prepared using solution blow spinning (SBS), and ZnO nanowires were successfully synthesized to create a superhydrophilic surface with hierarchical structure. The membrane exhibited super high water flux and showed potential applications in oil-water separation.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Wenhao Dong, Feng Liu, Xingxing Zhou, Lanlan Wang, Ziqiang Zhao, Yuqi Zhou, Haoxuan Li, Qingsheng Liu, Bingyao Deng, Dawei Li
Summary: In this study, zinc oxide (ZnO) seed loaded polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofibrous membranes (NFMs) were prepared using solution blow spinning (SBS) technique, and ZnO nanowires (NWs) were synthesized through ultrasonic assisted hydrothermal reaction, resulting in a superhydrophilic surface with hierarchical structure. The nanowire equipped membrane showed high water flux and separation efficiency, suggesting its potential applications in oil-water separation, sewage treatment, and catalytic degradation.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Guoqiang Li, Wojciech Kujawski, Katarzyna Knozowska, Joanna Kujawa
Summary: MIL-101 (Fe) and MIL-GO composites were used as fillers to improve the CO2/N-2 separation performance of Pebax (R) 2533/PVDF thin film MMMs. The porous structure of MIL-GO-2 and the diffusion pathways created by GO nanosheets enhanced the permeability and selectivity of the thin film.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Yujie Yang, Enming Huang, Panchan Dansawad, Yize Li, Yashi Qing, Changzheng Lv, Lixia Cao, Siming You, Yanxiang Li, Wangliang Li
Summary: A superwettable nanofibrous membrane was fabricated using an integrated method, which exhibited robust oil-water separation performances and remarkable stability, making it suitable for treating different types of oily wastewater.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
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
Chemistry, Physical
Guoxu He, Menghui Wan, Zhihua Wang, Yanbao Zhao, Lei Sun
Summary: In this study, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofibrous membranes were prepared via the electrospinning method and then surface-modified by ZnO nanoparticles, tannic acid, and n-dodecyl mercaptan to achieve superhydrophobic and antibacterial properties. The resulting membranes exhibited a water contact angle of 156.5 degrees, a porosity of up to 73.3%, and a tensile strength of 69.25 MPa. The PVDF@ZnO@TA@DT nanofibrous membranes demonstrated a separation efficiency of more than 99% and a flow flux of 1008.88 L.m(-2).h(-1) for oil-water emulsion separation. Antimicrobial testing showed a bacteriostatic rate of over 98%. These electrospun nanofibrous membranes have great potential for efficient emulsion separation and wastewater purification.
COLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Junhui Zhao, Xinda You, Guangzhe Wang, Jinqiu Yuan, Yafei Li, Chao Yang, Shiyu Zhang, Xiaoyao Wang, Runnan Zhang, Hong Wu, Zhongyi Jiang
Summary: Mix-charged polyamide membranes (MCPMs) designed through molecular hybridization have the ability to efficiently remove multivalent ions, showing great potential for various applications. The addition of amino-functionalized polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane into the polyamide network enables high rejection of both divalent anionic and cationic ions.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Xuehui You, Ming Wang, Guofei Jiang, Xiaodong Zhao, Zicheng Wang, Fang Liu, Chaocheng Zhao, Zehui Qiu, Ruiyu Zhao
Summary: In this study, a metal-free chlorine-sulphur double-doped graphitic carbon nitride (Cl/S-g-C3N4) photocatalyst was incorporated into a polyacrylonitrile (PAN) nanofibrous membrane via electrospinning. The resulting membrane with a porous structure exhibited superior superhydrophilicity and superoleophobicity, enabling efficient separation (>98.0%) of various oil-in-water emulsions. After visible light irradiation, the membrane showed excellent self-cleaning properties, achieving up to 95% removal of contaminants in crude oil/water mixtures and actual oily wastewater. The porous structure increased the contact between contaminants/bacteria and reactive species, enhancing photodegradation and antibacterial properties, and providing high resistance to contamination.
JOURNAL OF MEMBRANE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Bao Le, Nada Omran, Ahmed H. Hassanin, Ishac Kandas, Mohammed Gamal, Nader Shehata, Islam Shyha
Summary: In this study, a novel flexible piezoelectric membrane based on PVDF/TPU nanofibers was produced using solution blow spinning (SBS). The addition of TPU increased the flexibility, tensile strength, and elasticity of the membranes, resulting in high piezoelectric response and sensitivity. This work provides a promising method to produce high elastic-piezoelectric nanofibrous membranes using SBS.
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY-JMR&T
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Munir Ullah Khan, Safir Ullah Khan, Xiaohan Cao, Muhammad Usman, Xinchen Yue, Abdul Ghaffar, Muhammad Hassan, Chengjian Zhang, Xinghong Zhang
Summary: This study shows the superiority of a stable and well-defined heterogeneous cobalt hexacyanocobaltate catalyst in the copolymerization of carbonyl sulfide and propylene oxide. By tuning the reaction conditions, the molecular weight and content of the copolymer can be effectively controlled.
CHEMISTRY-AN ASIAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Guo Yu, Habib Ullah, Xinshuai Wang, Jie Liu, Baoliang Chen, Pingping Jiang, Hua Lin, Geoffrey I. Sunahara, Shaohong You, Xuehong Zhang, Asfandyar Shahab
Summary: This study investigated the molecular mechanism of tolerance to manganese (Mn) and cadmium (Cd) in Celosia argentea and found that ABC transporters and glutathione metabolism pathways play important roles in Mn and Cd detoxification.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiangyu Zhu, Kun Wang, Zhengzheng Liu, Jing Wang, Enhui Wu, Wentao Yu, Xiaoying Zhu, Chiheng Chu, Baoliang Chen
Summary: The interactions between dissolved organic matter (DOM) and iron (Fe) oxyhydroxide play a crucial role in the biogeochemical cycling of nutrients and carbon preservation in soils. This study used a microfluidic reactor coupled with online mass spectrometry to investigate the molecular-level evolution of DOM-mineral interface under dynamic interaction conditions. The results showed that the preferential adsorption of aromatic DOM molecules by Fe oxyhydroxide surface transitioned to the adsorption of nonaromatic DOM molecules with greater hydrophobicity, lower acidity, and lower molecular weights from new DOM solutions. This study provides molecular-level evidence supporting the zonal model of DOM assembly on mineral surfaces and demonstrates the potential of microfluidics and high-resolution mass spectrometry for studying environmental carbon dynamics.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Wentao Yu, Chiheng Chu, Baoliang Chen
Summary: Pyrogenic carbon can enhance the retention of Cd associated with Fe-(III) (oxyhydr)-oxides by inhibiting their re-crystallization under varying redox conditions. This has significant implications for the fate of Cd in the presence of pyrogenic carbon.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yishuai Pan, Xiaoshan Zheng, Guoqiang Zhao, Zepeng Rao, Wanchao Yu, Baoliang Chen, Chiheng Chu
Summary: Water vapor condensation on iron minerals leads to the production of hydroxyl radicals, which play a vital role in degrading surface-bound pollutants. This study identified a widespread source of hydroxyl radicals through water vapor condensation on iron mineral surfaces. Distinct hydroxyl radical productions were observed on various iron minerals, and these radicals efficiently transformed organic pollutants associated with the mineral surfaces. These findings expand our understanding of the natural sources of hydroxyl radicals and their potential involvement in pollutant transformation on Earth's surface.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Guoqiang Zhao, Mengxi Tan, Binbin Wu, Xiaoshan Zheng, Ruoxuan Xiong, Baoliang Chen, Andreas Kappler, Chiheng Chu
Summary: Tidal-induced redox oscillations can activate thermodynamically stable iron minerals into a metastable phase for enhanced ROS production.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yuyao Zhang, Wentao Yu, Jian Wang, Tingjie Zhan, Muhammad Aqeel Kamran, Kun Wang, Xiangyu Zhu, Chiheng Chu, Xiaoying Zhu, Baoliang Chen
Summary: Through the use of liquid atomic force microscopy and mass spectrometry, this study reveals that prolonged exposure of graphene oxide (GO) to a solution can lead to the formation of nanopores and the disintegration of its bulk structure into fragment molecules. The active components in GO facilitate the generation of reactive radicals, which can attack and degrade the GO. This finding offers guidance for the engineering applications of GO and GO-based nanomaterials.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhi Yang, Dawei Li, Kaijie Yang, Lei Chen, Jian Wang, Xiaoying Zhu, Baoliang Chen
Summary: This study presents a three-dimensional nitrocellulose membrane-based evaporator with high evaporation rate and efficient salt precipitation, which shows great potential in solar desalination and resource recovery.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Congcong Liu, Shin Giek Goh, Luhua You, Qiyi Yuan, Sanjeeb Mohapatra, Karina Yew-Hoong Gin, Baoliang Chen
Summary: During the pandemic of COVID-19, the increased use of quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs) for virus inactivation raised concerns about the evolution and transmission of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). This study investigated the potential contribution and mechanism of QACs in the propagation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). The results showed that certain QACs promoted the transfer of ARGs within and across genera at environmentally-relevant concentrations. QACs altered the membrane permeability and composition of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), which were correlated with the conjugation frequency.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Congcong Liu, Xiangyu Zhu, Luhua You, Karina Yew-Hoong Gin, Hong Chen, Baoliang Chen
Summary: Emerging contaminants can accelerate the transmission of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) from environmental bacteria to human pathogens, posing a great challenge to public health. In this study, the researchers found that perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA), and ammonium perfluoro (2-methyl-3-oxahexanoate) (GenX) at low concentrations promoted the transfer of plasmid RP4 within Escherichia coli, while higher concentrations of these contaminants inhibited the conjugation. The co-regulation of ROS production, enhanced cell membrane permeability, energy shortage, and L-arginine pool depletion were identified as the underlying mechanisms.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jiayi Wu, Congcong Liu, Rui Wang, Saitao Yan, Baoliang Chen, Xiaoying Zhu
Summary: In this study, the initial bacterial adhesion and subsequent biofilm growth of a Rifampin (Rif) resistant E. coli (RRE) and a normal gram-positive B. subtilis on plastic were investigated. The results showed that Rif resistance enhanced the adhesion force of RRE to plastic, possibly due to the higher secretion of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and higher ATP level of RRE in the presence of Rif. The study highlights the impact of antibiotic resistance on microbial colonization on plastic.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhen Qiu, Chiheng Chu, Kun Wang, Jianjian Shen, Xiaoying Zhu, Muhammad Aqeel Kamran, Baoliang Chen
Summary: Electrified membrane technologies have great potential in addressing water pollution. A Janus porous membrane (JPEM) was developed, which combined direct oxidation and electro-Fenton reactions. The JPEM system showed competitive performance in degradation and mineralization of organic pollutants, and it operated solely on electricity and oxygen, making it environmentally friendly and operation friendly.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Habib Ullah, Baoliang Chen, Audil Rashid, Ruohan Zhao, Asfandyar Shahab, Guo Yu, Ming Hung Wong, Sangar Khan
Summary: This review evaluates the efficiency of different biosorbents for selenium removal, examines the adsorption mechanism, and identifies influencing factors. The study provides a comprehensive analysis of various studies on the use of modified biochars, iron oxides, and other non-conventional biosorbents for selenium removal. The findings contribute to a better understanding of the current state of selenium biosorption and the effectiveness of non-conventional biosorbents, offering valuable insights for further research and practical applications in water treatment processes.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yuyao Zhang, Tingjie Zhan, Yang Sun, Lun Lu, Baoliang Chen
Summary: This study explores the potential of machine learning in predicting ionic conductivity in NASICON. A database of 211 datasets, covering 160 NASICON materials, was used to develop and optimize random forest and neural network models. The results show that the stoichiometric count of Na plays a pivotal role in ionic conductivity, while synthesis parameters have comparable significance to structural factors in determining conductivity.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Yuyao Zhang, Xiaoying Zhu, Bokai Zhu, Chiheng Chu, Baoliang Chen
Summary: The hydrophobicity of nanomaterials plays a crucial role in various interfacial phenomena. However, it is challenging to study the high-resolution surface hydrophobicity at the nanoscale. In this study, a chemical force microscopy technique is used to profile in situ hydrophobicity images with nanoscale resolution, providing significant improvement compared to traditional methods. The method is applied to recognize the spatial fine structure hydrophobicity of different materials and reveals new findings regarding the hydrophobicity of graphene oxides (GO) and the influence of wrinkles/edges on hydrophobicity. Furthermore, the technique enables the observation of local oxidation variation during interfacial reactions.
