Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Parinaz Jabbari, Gholam Reza Mahdavinia, Parisa Fathi Rezaei, Bagher Kazemi Heragh, Parisa Labib, Hessam Jafari, Shahrzad Javanshir
Summary: A nanocomposite carrier with double-responsive features was developed by integrating magnetic montmorillonite into a chitosan matrix and crosslinking it with citric acid. The carrier showed high sustained release and antibacterial activity.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Is Fatimah, Putwi Widya Citradewi, Ganjar Fadillah, Imam Sahroni, Gani Purwiandono, Ruey-aan Dong
Summary: Magnetic montmorillonite nanocomposites of Fe3O4/Mt were synthesized with good Cu(II) adsorption capacity and easy separation. The adsorption kinetics followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and the nanocomposites demonstrated chemical stability with maintained adsorption capacity after five cycles.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Gang Li, Deqiang Yan, Jinli Zhang, Jia Liu
Summary: The adsorption characteristics of calcareous sand for heavy metals Pb(II), Cu(II) and Cd(II) were studied in this research. Factors such as solid-liquid ratio, initial pH value, ionic strength, reaction time, temperature, and initial concentration were found to have significant influence on the adsorption process. It was observed that the adsorption process reached equilibrium within 120 min and the removal efficiencies of Pb(II), Cu(II), and Cd(II) were 97.6%, 88.15%, and 65.72%, respectively. Calcareous sand exhibited high adsorption capacity for these heavy metals, with maximum adsorption quantities reaching 1052.95 mg/g, 1329.84 mg/g, and 1050.56 mg/g, respectively. Thermodynamic tests indicated that the adsorption process was exothermic and favored by low temperature.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Fei Yu, Xueting Bai, Mingxing Liang, Jie Ma
Summary: This study presents the adsorptive removal of the model quinolone antibiotic ciprofloxacin (CIP) from wastewater using a metal-organic framework (MOF)-derived carbon. The HDC-1100 carbon material showed a high adsorption capacity for CIP due to metal-organic complexation, electrostatic interactions, and hydrogen bonding. The study also evaluated the effects of environmental factors on the adsorption capacity.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kaishan Yu, Yue Sun, Dingwei Zhu, Ziyi Xu, Jiayi Wang, Junyu Shen, Qijian Zhang, Wei Zhao
Summary: In this study, a commercial Cu complex was chosen as a molecular catalyst for water oxidation due to its simple synthesis and low cost. The chosen catalyst exhibited efficient catalytic activity for water oxidation under neutral conditions, with good stability in long-term electrolysis.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Pritha Sarkar, Suvash Ghimire, Sergey Vlasov, Kausik Mukhopadhyay
Summary: This study investigates the effect of functionalizing bentonite clay with betaines on the rheological properties of clay slurries in suspension. The results show that zwitterion-functionalized clays exhibit higher viscosity, storage moduli, and flow stresses, and the structural properties of the clay slurries are pH-sensitive. XRD and SEM analyses support the proposed intercalation of the clays. The findings suggest the potential application of small-chain betaine functionalized clays in engineering and energy applications.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yi Hu, Nuzahat Habibul, Yan-Yun Hu, Fan-Li Meng, Guo-Ping Sheng
Summary: The study found that under different pH conditions, high pH led to the transformation of CIP from cation (CIP+) to anion (CIP-), reducing its adsorption and uptake by rice roots and intact plants. However, the concentrations of CIP in roots, stems, and leaves did not show significant differences with varying pH levels. Additionally, six CIP intermediates were detected in rice plants, with two possible transformation pathways proposed.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chenchen Zhao, Jun Yao, Tatjana Solevic Knudsen, Jianli Liu, Xiaozhe Zhu, Bo Ma, Hao Li, Ying Cao, Bang Liu
Summary: A series of goethite-modified montmorillonite (GMt) materials were synthesized for the amelioration of cationic cadmium (Cd) and anionic arsenic (As) complex contaminants in soil and water bodies. The results showed that GMt-0.5 had the highest adsorption capacity for Cd(II) and As(III), and its amendment significantly reduced the availability of Cd and As in the soil. This study suggests that GMt-0.5 is a promising candidate for the simultaneous immobilization of metal (loid)s in both, aqueous solution and mine soil.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Lijun Chen, Chenguang Wang, Guozhao Liu, Guanwen Su, Leping Dang, Hongyuan Wei
Summary: Rational utilization of surface charge property is an effective method for preparing heterojunctions. A sandwich-like product BPs/Cu/CNs was obtained by using Cu(II) to harmonize g-C3N4 nanosheets (CNs) and black phosphorous nanosheets (BPs) through the interaction of surface charges, resulting in a tight interface and high separation efficiency of photogenerated carriers. The composites exhibited excellent degradation performance for various pollutants under visible light, especially for ciprofloxacin, and the flow of photogenerated carriers in BPs/Cu/CNs was more thermodynamically favorable compared to the typical type-II band structure of BPs/CNs.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Liangliang Chang, Yongping Pu, Panpan Jing, Yongfei Cui, Guochun Zhang, Shan Xu, Baoyue Cao, Jinyi Guo, Fengying Chen, Chengfang Qiao
Summary: An efficient nanocomposite adsorbent MnFe2O4@TiO2-rGO was synthesized and its adsorption properties, thermodynamics, and kinetics were systematically studied. The adsorbent maintained high adsorption capacity even after multiple recycling, showing great potential for water purification applications.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Horticulture
Mohammad Reza Hamze, Amir Hossein Khoshgoftarmanesh
Summary: Foliar spraying is a common method to provide nutrient elements to fruit trees, but its efficiency depends on the characteristics of leaf uptake. This study investigated the foliar potassium uptake in pistachio trees with different fertilizer sources and solution pH. It was found that the effect of foliar K uptake varied with K source and solution pH. The study suggests that foliar K uptake is affected by fertilizer source and solution pH, and the distribution of K in the leaf cells explains the higher nut K concentration in trees treated with K-amino acid complexes compared to K2SO4.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Mengbo Fan, Wei Wang, Xiangbo Fan, Weijun Peng, Yijun Cao, Yukun Huang, Guixia Fan
Summary: Translation: L-cysteine induces the self-assembly of montmorillonite nanosheets, creating a structured adsorbent with high adsorption capacity for Pb(II). The adsorbent maintains the exposed adsorption sites and solves the challenge of nanosheet separation from water. The findings provide valuable insights for the design and development of future adsorbent materials.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Rui Zhao, Wei Ding, Manli Sun, Liuwei Yang, Bingzhi Liu, Huaili Zheng, Hong Li
Summary: The discharge of metals and antibiotics poses a serious risk to public health and the environment. This study explored the use of a low-cost calcite-biochar composite for the removal of Cu(II) and ciprofloxacin (CIP). The composite exhibited superior removal performance for both pollutants, with CIP removal being adsorption coupled with flocculation and Cu(II) removal being adsorption combined with precipitation. In a binary system, Cu(II) had both promotional and inhibitory effects on CIP removal, depending on its concentration. The microstructure analysis revealed the mechanisms of CIP and Cu(II) removal, with cation bridging, hydrogen bonding, surface complexation, and 7C-7C interaction playing important roles.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Danqi Wang, Ruicong Wang, Wencai Peng, Yi Wang, Na Zhang, Yanan Duan, Shiqin Wang, Linye Liu
Summary: The modification of pristine montmorillonite (P-Mt) with sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) resulted in SDBS montmorillonite (SDBS-Mt), which showed improved adsorption capacity for Cu(II) removal from aqueous solution. Characterization techniques revealed the surface morphology and structure of the materials. The adsorption process was described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic equation and the Langmuir equation. Coexisting cations showed varying degrees of influence on the adsorption of Cu(II). The regeneration performance of the adsorbent was also demonstrated. The main mechanisms of Cu(II) adsorption by SDBS-Mt involved electrostatic attraction, ion exchange, and complexation of sulfonate groups. In conclusion, SDBS-Mt holds promise as a cost-effective adsorbent for Cu(II) treatment in aqueous solutions.
JOURNAL OF THE CHINESE CHEMICAL SOCIETY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Huihui Du, Ning Nie, Wenkai Rao, Lei Lu, Ming Lei, Boqing Tie
Summary: Research findings suggest that the coadsorption behavior of Cd-As on organomineral composites differs from that on pure minerals, and the presence of organics significantly affects the speciation and distribution of metals (loids). Organomineral composites are a more suitable analog than pure mineral phases to predict the mobility and fate of Cd-As in natural environments.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chao Xue, Qu Zhang, Wenpeng Li, Gary Ownes, Zuliang Chen
Summary: In this study, a new material, ZIF-8@FeNPs, was successfully synthesized and showed good performance in removing Sb(V) from wastewater. The material exhibited high adsorption capacity and magnetic properties, allowing for effective removal and recovery of Sb(V). It has potential for practical applications.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shurui Guo, Mingqin Jiang, Jiajiang Lin, Nasreen Islam Khan, Gary Owens, Zuliang Chen
Summary: This study found that the availability of arsenic (As) in soil is closely related to the presence of iron (Fe) oxides and humic acid (HA). However, the relationship between Fe oxides and HA and As species is not well understood. The experiment showed that As(V) is mainly distributed to certain bound forms of Fe and Al oxides, while As(III) is mainly found in the residual fraction. The addition of HA and green synthesized Fe oxide nanoparticles (FeNPs) affected the distribution of As species in the soil, with HA/FeNPs treatment increasing As(V) in certain bound forms and decreasing As(III) in the residual fraction. The study proposed a mechanism involving the combination of HA and FeNPs to explain the redistribution of As species in the soil.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yuanyuan Zhou, Chao Xue, Li Gan, Gary Owens, Zuliang Chen
Summary: Bio-reduced graphene oxide (B-rGO) synthesized by Lysinibacillus sp. can simultaneously remove triclosan (TCS) and Cadmium (Cd(II)), with higher adsorption capacities compared to commercially available reduced graphene oxide (C-rGO). The presence of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) on B-rGO surface plays a crucial role in enhancing the removal of contaminants. The adsorption mechanism of TCS involves 7C-7C interactions and hydrogen bonding, while Cd(II) is removed through a combination of electrostatic interactions and chelation/complexation.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Xiaoyu Lin, Li Gan, Gary Owens, Zuliang Chen
Summary: In this study, biofunctional reduced graphene oxide (B-rGO) was successfully synthesized and used to remove Cd from wastewater with an efficiency of 99.2%. The adsorption capacity of Cd was significantly enhanced by extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) generated during the reduction of graphene oxide. Advanced characterization techniques confirmed the Cd adsorption and proposed a potential removal mechanism based on electrostatic attraction, ion-exchange, and complexation.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jing Wu, Jiabing Li, Gary Owens, Zuliang Chen
Summary: The widespread use of antibiotics has caused severe environmental contamination. A green-synthesized iron/manganese nanoparticle system was developed, which effectively removed oxytetracycline and levofloxacin from aqueous solutions. The system showed high catalytic activity and generated various reactive oxygen species, leading to the degradation of the antibiotics. The system also demonstrated potential for wastewater treatment.
JOURNAL OF COLLOID AND INTERFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jing Wu, Xiulan Weng, Gary Owens, Zuliang Chen
Summary: By optimizing the synthesis conditions of Fe/Mn nanoparticles (Fe/Mn NPs) using response surface methodology (RSM), the efficiency of Fe/Mn NPs in removing oxytetracycline (OTC) and copper ion (Cu(II)) from livestock and poultry farming wastewater was significantly increased. The Fe/Mn NPs were found to have elliptic shape with amino, carboxyl, and hydroxyl functional groups on the surface, maintaining a high negative charge density between pH 1 and 11. A removal mechanism based on a combination of complex-bridging effect, pore-filling, hydrogen bonding, surface complexation, ion exchange, and electrostatic attraction was proposed. In swine wastewater experiments, Fe/Mn NPs achieved a removal rate of 99.9% for OTC and 55.6% for Cu(II).
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaonan Cai, Chao Xue, Gary Owens, Zuliang Chen
Summary: A microorganism sustained secrete laccase-straw oxidation system (MLOS) was established for efficient removal of As(III) from wastewater, achieving a removal efficiency of 99.9% at an initial As(III) concentration of 1.0 mg/L. The study also revealed the involvement of hydroxyl, amine, and amide groups on the surface of rice straw in the As(III) removal process.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Wanling Cai, Yaling Ye, Xiulan Weng, Gary Owens, Zuliang Chen
Summary: The increasing global efflux of antibiotics into aquatic environments has significant detrimental impacts on natural ecosystems. Consequently, the controlled release of antibiotics and their metabolites is an important issue. In this study, a new carbonized iron nanoparticles-metal organic framework (C-Fe3O4@ZIF-8) composite was developed for loading doxorubicin hydrochloride (DOX) with high efficiency. The adsorption mechanism of DOX on C-Fe3O4@ZIF-8 was found to involve surface complexation and electrostatic interaction, and the loading mechanism was proposed based on specific site adsorption. The magnetic property of C-Fe3O4@ZIF-8 also allowed for easy separation and desirable recycle/reuse performance.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Ming Liu, Mei Lin, Pan Wu, Gary Owens, Zuliang Chen
Summary: A green tea extract was used as a natural reducing agent to prepare three different manganese oxides (Mn3O4, Mn2O3 and MnO) for degradation of estriol (E3). The catalytic ability of the manganese oxides varied, with Mn2O3 showing the highest E3 degradation efficiency. The morphology of the manganese oxides was primarily olive-shaped with a uniform distribution of elements.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Qu Zhang, Chao Xue, Gary Owens, Zuliang Chen
Summary: Green tea extract was used to synthesize reduced graphene oxide (rGO) as a carrier to immobilize Ochrobactrum sp. FJ1, forming a functional bionanomaterial (FJ1@rGO) for the degradation of 17beta-estradiol (E2). Response surface methodology (CCD) was used to optimize the synthesis conditions, and the optimized FJ1@rGO showed a significantly higher removal efficiency of 93.7% for E2 within 10 days. Advanced characterization confirmed the successful immobilization of FJ1 on rGO, and FJ1@rGO exhibited excellent removal effects on E1, BPA, and triclosan, as well as excellent recycling properties.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Lu Yang, Xiaoying Jin, Qiang Lin, Gary Owens, Zuliang Chen
Summary: This study introduces a green sustainable carbon@nano-zero-valent iron composite (C@nZVI) derived from biosynthesis for removing Pb(II) and Zn(II) heavy metal ions from mining wastewater. The C@nZVI exhibits high removal capacities for Pb(II) and Zn(II) of 98.37 and 26.38 mg center dot g 1, respectively. The adsorption of both Pb(II) and Zn(II) onto carbon and iron oxides was confirmed, followed by the reduction of Pb(II) to Pb(0) by nZVI with the assistance of biomass-derived carbon. The Langmuir and pseudo-second-order kinetic models were found to best fit the adsorption process. Furthermore, C@nZVI also demonstrated high removal efficiencies for other contaminants such as As, Cd, and Sb, indicating its great potential for environmental remediation applications.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Heng Li, Xiaoying Jin, Gary Owens, Zuliang Chen
Summary: As a green and sustainable technology, biosynthesis of iron sulfide nanoparticles (FeS) has gained attention. The function of the capping layer in biosynthesized FeS is important, and it was found that the biomolecules in the capping layer enhanced the removal capacity of Sb(III) and Sb(V). Advanced characterizations revealed that the removal mechanism of FeS was predominantly adsorption, while bare-FeS showed adsorption and oxidation behavior. LC-QTOF-MS confirmed the presence of oxygen-containing functional groups in the capping layer, which played a significant role in the binding of Sb.
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yalin Yang, Qiuting Yan, Xiulan Weng, Gary Owens, Zuliang Chen
Summary: In this study, iron nanoparticles (FeNPs) synthesized from euphorbia cochinchinensis extracts were successfully used for selective recovery of rare earth elements (REEs) from mining wastewater. The FeNPs showed high selectivity for Y(III) and Ce(III) compared to Zn(II) due to selective adsorption and ion exchange mechanisms. The FeNPs exhibited excellent reusability, making them a potential high-quality selectivity material for recovering REEs from mining wastewaters.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zibin Pan, Zhengxian Chen, Gary Owens, Zuliang Chen
Summary: Biosynthesis strategies are promising methods for the sustainable preparation of nanoparticles due to their lower toxicity to organisms and the environment. This study focused on understanding the biosynthetic mechanism and specific biomolecules involved in the formation of a Fe/Cu bimetallic bio-composite used for arsenic removal. The results showed that the surface of Fe/Cu-OC contained various functional groups and had both crystalline and amorphous features. The biosynthetic mechanism involved a series of spontaneous coordination, redox, and organic adsorption reactions.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Jingyuan Zhao, Xuan Wu, Huimin Yu, Yida Wang, Pan Wu, Xiaofei Yang, Dewei Chu, Gary Owens, Haolan Xu
Summary: Direct conversion of low-grade heat into electricity has great potential for energy generation. This study presents a thermogalvanic cell that utilizes a cellulose fiber-based porous aerogel to harvest and convert thermal energy, while minimizing heat loss.