Treatment of wastewater having estrogen activity by ionizing radiation

Decomposition of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in wastewater was investigated by use of ⁶⁰Co γ-ray. Estrogen activities of wastewaters were estimated by the yeast two-hybrid assay based on human or medaka estrogen receptors. The dose required for the elimination of estrogen activity of wastewater below 1 ng dm⁻³ was about 200 Gy (J kg⁻¹). The elimination dose of the estrogen activity depended on the amounts of total organic carbons in wastewater. The economic cost of the treatment process of EDCs using electron beam was estimated at 17 yen m⁻³.     

Kinetics of the diazotization and azo coupling reactions of procaine in the micellar media

The kinetics of the diazotization reaction of procaine in the presence of anionic micelles of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and cationic micelles of cetyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), dodecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (DDTAB) and tetradecyltrimethyl ammonium bromide (TDTAB) were carried out spectrophotometrically at λ_max = 289 nm. The values of the pseudo first order rate constant were found to be linearly dependent upon the [NaNO₂] in the concentration range of 1.0 × 10⁻³ mol dm⁻³ to 12.0 × 10⁻³ mol dm⁻³ in the presence of 2.0 × 10⁻² mol dm⁻³ acetic acid. The concentration of procaine was kept constant at 6.50 × 10⁻⁵ mol dm⁻³. The addition of the cationic surfactants increased the reaction rate and gave plateau like curve. The addition of SDS micelles to the reactants initially increased the rate of reaction and gave maximum like curve. The maximum value of the rate constant was found to be 9.44 × 10⁻³ s⁻¹ at 2.00 × 10⁻³ mol dm⁻³ SDS concentration. The azo coupling of diazonium ion with β-naphthol (at λ_max = 488) nm was found to linearly dependent upon [ProcN₂⁺] in the presence of both the cationic micelles (CTAB, DDTAB and TDTAB) and anionic micelles (SDS). Both the cationic and anionic micelles inhibited the rate of reactions. The kinetic results in the presence of micelles are explained using the Berezin pseudophase model. This model was also used to determine the kinetic parameters e.g. k_m, K_s from the observed results of the variation of rate constant at different [surfactants].     

A simple method of electrochemical lithium intercalation within graphite from a propylene carbonate-based solution

Electrochemical lithium intercalation within graphite from 1 mol dm^− 3 solution of LiClO₄ in propylene carbonate (PC) was investigated at 25 and − 15 °C. Lithium ions were intercalated into and de-intercalated from graphite reversibly at − 15 °C despite the use of pure PC as the solvent. However, ceaseless solvent decomposition and intense exfoliation of graphene layers occurred at 25 °C. The results of the Raman spectroscopic analysis indicated that the interaction between PC molecules and lithium ions became weaker at − 15 °C by chemical exchange effects, which suggested that the thermodynamic stability of the solvated lithium ions was an important factor that determined the formation of a solid electrolyte interface (SEI) in PC-based solutions. Charge–discharge analysis revealed that the nature of the SEI formed at − 15 °C in 1 mol dm^− 3 of LiClO₄ in PC was significantly different from that formed at 25 °C in 1 mol dm^− 3 of LiClO₄ in PC containing vinylene carbonate, 3.27 mol kg^− 1 of LiClO₄ in PC, and 1 mol dm^− 3 of LiClO₄ in ethylene carbonate.     

Catalytic effect of CTAB on the interaction of dipeptide glycyl-tyrosine (Gly-Tyr) with ninhydrin

The effect of cationic micelles of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) on the interaction of dipeptide glycyl-tyrosine (Gly-Tyr) with ninhydrin under varying conditions has been studied spectrophotometrically at 70 °C and pH 5.0. The reaction followed first- and fractional-order kinetics with respect to [Gly-Tyr] and [ninhydrin], respectively. Increase in total concentration of CTAB from 0 to 70 × 10⁻³ mol dm⁻³ resulted in an increase in the pseudo-first-order rate constant (k_ψ) by a factor of ca. 3. Quantitative kinetic analysis of k_ψ − [CTAB] data was performed on the basis of pseudo-phase model of the micelles (proposed by Menger and Portnoy and developed by Bunton) and Piszkiewicz model. A possible mechanism has been proposed and the kinetic data have been used to evaluate the micellar binding constants K_S (268 mol⁻¹ dm³ for Gly-Tyr) and K_N (64 mol⁻¹ dm³ for ninhydrin).     

Thermochemistry of some barium compounds

The molar enthalpies of reaction of metallic barium with 0.047 mol·dm⁻³ HClO₄ as well as the molar enthalpies of dissolution of BaCl₂ in 1.01 mol·dm⁻³ HCl and in water have been measured at T=298.15 K in a sealed swinging calorimeter with an isothermal jacket. From these results the standard molar enthalpy of formation of the barium ion in an aqueous solution at infinite dilution, as well as the enthalpies of formation of barium chloride and barium perchlorate, are calculated to be: Δ_fH⁰_m(Ba²⁺,aq)=−(535.83±1.25) kJ · mol⁻¹; Δ_fH⁰_m(BaCl₂,cr)=−(855.66±1.28) kJ · mol⁻¹; and Δ_fH⁰_m(BaClO₄,cr)=−(796.26±1.35) kJ · mol⁻¹. The results obtained are discussed and compared with previous experimental values.     

Ammonia treatment of carbon cloth anodes to enhance power generation of microbial fuel cells

Changes in microbial fuel cell (MFC) architecture, materials, and solution chemistry can be used to increase power generation by microbial fuel cells (MFCs). It is shown here that using a phosphate buffer to increase solution conductivity, and ammonia gas treatment of a carbon cloth anode substantially increased the surface charge of the electrode (from 0.38 to 3.99 meq m⁻²), and improved MFC performance. Power increased to 1640 mW m⁻² (96 W m⁻³) using a phosphate buffer, and further to 1970 mW m⁻² (115 W m⁻³) using an ammonia-treated electrode. The combined effects of these two treatments boosted power production by 48% compared to previous results using this air-cathode MFC. In addition, the start up time of an MFC was reduced by 50%.     

Hollow fiber supported liquid membrane: a novel technique for separation and recovery of plutonium from aqueous acidic wastes

Low plutonium content acidic waste is generated in nuclear chemical facilities. Study was initiated to develop hollow fiber supported liquid membrane (HFSLM) technique for quantitative separation and recovery of plutonium (Pu) from such wastes using tri-n-butyle phosphate (TBP) in dodecane as carrier. Hollow fiber test module was fabricated using 20 lumens of 33.91 cm² surface area and 9 cm length. After satisfactory testing of the hydrodynamic condition of the module, it was operated at a flow rate of 3 ml min⁻¹ on recycling mode with acidic waste solution containing Pu=8 mg dm⁻³, uranium=15 dm⁻³, gross β⁻=49.33 mCi dm⁻³, gross γ=15.73 mCi dm⁻³ and acidity 3 M HNO₃. In presence of various fission products, selective permeation of Pu(IV) through the bundle of hollow fiber test module was observed to be more than 90% into a stripping phase consisting 0.1 M NH₂OH·HCl in 0.3 M HNO₃. A model is presented to describe the transport mechanism and to evaluate the mass transfer coefficient. The radiation stability was also tested by exposing the membrane upto irradiation level of 1 M rad. Potentiality of the method for the selective separation of plutonium from acidic waste is, thus, clearly seen.     

VO2 nano-sheet negative electrodes for lithium-ion batteries

Vanadium dioxide (VO₂) nano-sheets were directly synthesized via a continuous hydrothermal process and were investigated as electrodes in a wide potential range of 0.05–3 V vs. Li/Li⁺. The nano-sheets showed excellent capacity retention, with a specific capacity of 350 mAh g^− 1 at an applied current of 0.1 A g^− 1 and 95 mAh g^− 1 at 10 A g^− 1. Further electrochemical testing suggested that a significant proportion of the charge storage in the cells was due to pseudocapacitive processes.     

Operation of industrial-scale electron beam wastewater treatment plant

Textile dyeing processes consume large amount of water, steam and discharge filthy and colored wastewater. A pilot scale e-beam plant with an electron accelerator of 1 MeV, 40 kW had constructed at Daegu Dyeing Industrial Complex (DDIC) in 1997 for treating 1,000 m³ per day. Continuous operation of this plant showed the preliminary e-beam treatment reduced bio-treatment time and resulted in more significant decreasing TOC, COD_Cr, and BOD₅. Convinced of the economics and efficiency of the process, a commercial plant with 1 MeV, 400 kW electron accelerator has constructed in 2005. This plant improves the removal efficiency of wastewater with decreasing the retention time in bio-treatment at around 1 kGy. This plant is located on the area of existing wastewater treatment facility in DDIC and the treatment capacity is 10,000 m³ of wastewater per day. The total construction cost for this plant was USD 4 M and the operation cost has been obtained was not more than USD 1 M per year and about USD 0.3 per each m³ of wastewater.     

Solubility and dissolution enthalpy of xanthine

At a constant ionic strength corresponding to human urine (I_c =  0.300 mol · dm ^− 3), the solubilities of xanthine were measured as a function of  − lg{c (H ⁺ ) / c^o} (c^o =  1 mol · dm ^− 3) at the temperatures T =  298.15 K and T =  310.15 K, respectively. Highly reproducible solubility and dissociation constants were obtained. Also, for the first time, the dissolution enthalpy of xanthine was determined calorimetrically. The values of this quantity obtained from both calorimetric determination and temperature dependence of solubility equilibrium constants are thermodynamically consistent.     

Effect of hydrolysis on the diffusion of ferric sulphate in aqueous solutions at T = 298.15 K

Diffusion coefficients of the Fe₂(SO₄)₃)/water system at T = 298.15 K and at concentrations between 0.050 mol · dm⁻³ and 0.200 mol · dm⁻³ have been measured, using a conductimetric cell and an automatic apparatus to follow diffusion. The cell uses an open-ended capillary method. A conductimetric technique is used to follow the diffusion process by measuring the resistance of a solution inside the capillaries at recorded times. These data are discussed on the basis of the Onsager–Fuoss model. The diffusion of Fe₂(SO₄)₃ is clearly affected by the Fe (III) hydrolysis. These data permit us to have a better understanding of the structure of such systems and the thermodynamic behaviour of ferric sulphate in different media.     

Solubilities of l-glutamic acid, 3-nitrobenzoic acid,p-toluic acid,calcium-l-lactate,calcium gluconate,magnesium-dl-aspartate,and magnesium-l-lactate in water

Solubilities of l -glutamic acid, 3-nitrobenzoic acid, p -toluic acid, calcium-l -lactate, calcium gluconate, magnesium- dl -aspartate, and magnesium- l -lactate in water were determined in the temperature range 278 K to 343 K. The apparent molar enthalpies of solution at T =  298.15 K as derived from these solubilities areΔ_solH_m (l -glutamic acid,m_sat =  0.0565 mol · kg ^− 1)  =  30.2 kJ · mol ^− 1,Δ_solH_m (3-nitrobenzoic acid, m =  0.0188 mol · kg ^− 1)  =  28.1 kJ · mol ^− 1, Δ_solH_m( p - toluic acid, m =  0.00267 mol · kg ^− 1)  =  23.9 kJ · mol ^− 1,Δ_solH_m (calcium- l -lactate tetrahydrate,m =  0.2902 mol · kg ^− 1)  =  25.8 kJ · mol ^− 1,Δ_solH_m (calcium gluconate, m =  0.0806 mol · kg ^− 1)  =  22.1 kJ · mol ^− 1, Δ_solH_m(magnesium-dl -aspartate tetrahydrate, m =  0.1469 mol · kg ^− 1)  =  11.5 kJ · mol ^− 1, andΔ_solH_m (magnesium- l -lactate trihydrate,m =  0.3462 mol · kg ^− 1)  =  3.81 kJ · mol ^− 1.     

A direct borohydride–peroxide fuel cell using a Pd/Ir alloy coated microfibrous carbon cathode

A direct borohydride fuel cell with a Pd/Ir catalysed microfibrous carbon cathode and a gold-catalysed microporous carbon cloth anode is reported. The fuel and oxidant were NaBH₄ and H₂O₂, at concentrations within the range of 0.1–2.0 mol dm⁻³ and 0.05–0.45 mol dm⁻³, respectively. Different combinations of these reactants were examined at 10, 25 and 42 °C. At constant current density between 0 and 113 mA cm⁻², the Pd/Ir coated microfibrous carbon electrode proved more active for the reduction of peroxide ion than a platinised-carbon one. The maximum power density achieved was 78 mW cm⁻² at a current density of 71 mA cm⁻² and a cell voltage of 1.09 V.     

Study of the chemical composition of particulate matter from the Rio de Janeiro metropolitan region,Brazil, by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry and optical emission spectrometry

Air quality in the metropolitan region of Rio de Janeiro was evaluated by analysis of particulate matter (PM) in industrial (Santa Cruz) and rural (Seropédica) areas. Total suspended particles (TSP) and fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) collected in filters over 24 h were quantified and their chemical composition determined. TSP exceeded Brazilian guidelines (80 μg m^− 3) in Santa Cruz, while PM_2.5 levels exceeded the World Health Organization guidelines (10 μg m^− 3) in both locations. Filters were extracted with water and/or HNO₃, and the concentrations of 20 elements, mostly metals, were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and optical emission spectrometry (ICP OES). Water soluble inorganic anions were determined by ion chromatography (IC). To estimate the proportion of these elements extracted, a certified reference material (NIST SRM 1648a, Urban Dust) was subjected to the same extraction process. Concordant results were obtained by ICP-MS and ICP OES for most elements. Some elements could not be quantified by both techniques; the most appropriate technique was chosen in each case. The urban dust was also analyzed by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) method, which employs a combination of hydrochloric and nitric acids for the extraction, but higher extraction efficiency was obtained when only nitric acid was employed. The US EPA method gave better results only for Sb. In the PM samples, the elements found in the highest average concentrations by ICP were Zn and Al (3–6 μg m^− 3). The anions found in the highest average concentrations were SO₄^2 − in PM_2.5 (2–4 μg m^− 3) and Cl⁻ in TSP (2–6 μg m^− 3). Principal component analysis (PCA) in combination with enrichment factors (EF) indicated industrial sources in PM_2.5. Analysis of TSP suggested both anthropogenic and natural sources. In conclusion, this work contributes data on air quality, as well as a method for the analysis of PM samples by ICP-MS.     

Direct measurement of electrochemical reaction kinetics in flow-through porous electrodes

This work demonstrates the feasibility of measuring electrochemical reaction rates on common flow-through porous electrodes by traditional Tafel analysis. A customized microfluidic channel electrode was designed and demonstrated by measuring the intrinsic kinetics of the V^2 +/V^3 + and VO^2 +/VO₂⁺ redox reactions in carbon paper electrodes under forced electrolyte flow. The exchange current density of the V^2 +/V^3 + reaction was found to be nearly two orders of magnitude slower than the VO^2 +/VO₂⁺ reaction, indicating that this may be the limiting reaction in vanadium redox flow batteries. The forced convection in this technique is found to generate reproducible exchange current densities which are consistently higher than for conventional electrochemical methods due to improved mass transport.     

Degradation of diazinon contaminated waters by ionizing radiation

Study of degradation of diazinon pesticide by ⁶⁰Co gamma irradiation in a single aqueous solution was conducted on a laboratory scale and the effect of ionizing radiation on the removal efficiency of diazinon residues was investigated. Distilled water solutions at three different concentrations of targeted compound (i.e. 0.329, 1.643 and 3.286 μmol dm⁻³) were irradiated over the range 0.1–6 kGy. The initial concentration of contaminant and irradiation doses play a significant role in the rate of destruction; this was evident from the calculated decay constants of diazinon residue. Gamma radiolysis showed that the absorbed doses from 1.5 to 5.6 kGy at a dose rate of 4.79 kGy h⁻¹ achieved 90% destruction for diazinon with initial concentrations over the range 0.329–3.286 μmol dm⁻³. The radiolytic degradation by-products and their mass balances were qualitative determined with good confidence by using GC/quadrupole mass spectrometry (GC/MS) with EI⁺ or CI in positive and negative ionization mode and diazinon degradation pathways were proposed. Additionally, the final products of irradiation were identified by ion chromatography (IC) to be acetic and formic acid.     

Highly active PtRuFe/C catalyst for methanol electro-oxidation

High methanol electro-oxidation activity was obtained on novel PtRuFe/C (2:1:1 at.%) catalyst. Mass and specific activities were 5.67 A  g⁻¹ catal. and 177 mA m⁻² for the PtRuFe/C catalyst while those of the commercial PtRu/C catalyst were 2.28 A g⁻¹ catal. and 87.7 mA m⁻², respectively. CO stripping results showed that on-set voltage for CO electro-oxidation was lowered by incorporation of Fe. XRD and XPS results revealed that Fe₂O₃ was formed instead of Fe(0), which resulted in large electron deficiency in Pt and easy CO electro-oxidation. The electron deficiency of Pt was proved by XPS results of Pt4f peaks, which moved to higher binding energies in PtRuFe/C than PtRu/C.     

3D-printed porous electrodes for advanced electrochemical flow reactors: A Ni/stainless steel electrode and its mass transport characteristics

Porous electrodes have shown high performance in industrial electrochemical processes and redox flow batteries for energy storage. These materials offer great advantages over planar electrodes in terms of larger surface area, superior space time yield and enhanced mass transport. In this work, a highly ordered porous stainless steel structure was manufactured by 3D-printing and coated with nickel from an acidic bath by electrodeposition in a divided rectangular channel flow cell. Following the electrodeposition, the volumetric mass transport coefficient of this electrode was determined by the electrochemical reduction of 1.0×10⁻³ mol dm⁻³ of ferricyanide ions by linear sweep voltammetry and chronoamperometry. The convection diffusion characteristics are compared with other geometries to demonstrate the novelty and the advantages of 3D-printed porous electrodes in electrochemical flow reactors. Robust porous electrodes with tailored surface area, composition, volumetric porosity and flow properties are possible.     

Decomposition of 14C containing organic molecules released from radioactive waste by gamma-radiolysis under repository conditions

Decomposition of ¹⁴C containing organic molecules into an inorganic compound has been investigated by γ-ray irradiation experiments under simulated repository conditions for radioactive waste. Lower molecular weight organic acids, alcohols, and aldehydes leached from metallic waste are reacted with OH radicals to give carbonic acid. A decomposition efficiency that expresses consumption of OH radicals by decomposition reaction of organic molecules is proposed. Decomposition efficiency increases with increasing concentration of organic molecules (1×10⁻⁶–1×10⁻³ mol dm⁻³) and is not dependent on dose rate (10–1000 Gy h⁻¹). Observed dependence indicates that decomposition efficiency is determined by reaction probability of OH radicals with organic molecules.     

Highly mesoporous and high surface area carbon: A high capacitance electrode material for EDLCs with various electrolytes

Activated carbon fibers (ACFs) with high surface area and highly mesoporous structure for electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLCs) have been prepared from polyacrylonitrile fibers by NaOH activation. Their unique microstructural features enable the ACFs to present outstanding high specific capacitance in aqueous, non-aqueous and novel ionic liquid electrolytes, i.e. 371 F g⁻¹ in 6 mol L⁻¹ KOH, 213 F g⁻¹ in 1 mol L⁻¹ LiClO₄/PC and 188 F g⁻¹ in ionic liquid composed of lithium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide (LiN(SO₂CF₃)₂, LiTFSI) and 2-oxazolidinone (C₃H₅NO₂, OZO), suggesting that the ACF is a promising electrode material for high performance EDLCs.