Miniemulsion polymerization of cyclodextrin nanospheres for water purification from organic pollutants

The pollution of groundwater and wells has become an environmental and economic hazard as a result of waste spillage, and industrial applications such as pesticides in agriculture. Conventional treatment techniques such as sand filtration, sedimentation, flocculation, coagulation, chlorination, and activated carbon are not very effective in reducing the concentration of the organic pollutants in the presence of dissolved organic matter. The objective of the current work is to design an efficient technology for water purification from organic contaminants by a new class of polymeric nanospheres based on cyclodextrins as building blocks. We synthesized a series of cross-linked cyclodextrin polymeric nanospheres of different sizes by a unique method, miniemulsion polymerization. These cyclodextrin nanospheres exhibit a high ability to absorb aromatic organic molecules such as toluene and phenol. Sorption experiments in solutions with high concentrations of corresponding organic molecules show a high adsorption capacity.     

A green and fast chromatographic method for determining organic compound mobility in soils

Soil leaching column chromatography (SLCC) employing totally aqueous mobile phases has been used for the estimation of retardation factors (R) of heterocyclic compounds and heteroatom-substituted aryl derivatives Aniline, Aniside, Cresol, Hydroquinone, p-Nitroaniline, Phenol, Phenylenediamine, Piridine, Sulfanilamide, Sulfathiazole, Sulfamethoxazole, Metolachlor and Toluene in soils with low fraction of organic carbon. Small columns (0.39 cm × 10 cm i.d.) were packed with soils of different compositions (alluvial sediment, coarse sand and standard Eurosoil4 mixed with quartz). The theory of linear chromatography was employed to correlate statistical peak moments to R. Rs estimated through SLCC were compared with those derived from water–organic carbon partitioning coefficient reported in the literature. The adsorption isotherm of Metolachlor was measured by frontal analysis on a small column packed with alluvial sediment. The approach proposed for measuring the adsorption isotherm requires small amounts of chemicals and soils and does not need fraction collection nor detector calibration. The information obtained by SLCC experiments was used to predict the elution of Metolachlor and Phenol on a large column (8.9 cm × 100 cm i.d.) packed with alluvial sediment. The method used in this work, not making use of any chemical solvents, respects the fundamental concepts of green chemistry.     

半互穿海藻酸钠/聚丙烯酰胺凝胶吸附结晶紫动力学/热力学行为和吸/脱附机理

将含有大量—COO-的聚阴离子海藻酸钠(SA)引入聚丙烯酰胺(PAM)凝胶网络中,采用自由基溶液聚合法制备半互穿网络结构的SA/PAM水凝胶.采用扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)和傅里叶变换红外光谱(FTIR)分析了SA/PAM水凝胶吸附结晶紫(CV)前后的孔洞形态和化学组成变化,采用多种模型研究了SA/PAM水凝胶对CV分子的吸附动力学和热力学行为,并探讨了脱附效率,提出了吸脱附机理.研究结果表明,SA的引入降低了孔径尺寸,增加了孔洞数量;SA/PAM-10凝胶对CV分子吸附量最大,达到13.5838 mg/g,符合伪一级吸附动力学模型,吸附速率受膜扩散和粒子内扩散过程共同影响;等温吸附过程符合Temkin和D-R模型,属于微孔多层吸附;热力学分析结果表明,吸附过程由熵驱动引起,非化学诱导因素影响所致;采用HCl进行脱附,最大脱附率高达94.18%,加入Na OH可实现SA/PAM水凝胶的可逆吸附;较高的吸附量主要源于SA分子链上的COO-与CV分子的—C N+—存在的静电作用,低pH值时由于—COO-和—NH2质子化导致与CV分子的静电斥力增大,脱附率随之增加.     

Hydrophobic,superabsorbing materials from reduced graphene oxide/MoS2 polyurethane foam as a promising sorbent for oil and organic solvents

This study illustrates the preparation of robust superhydrophobic and superoleophilic reduced graphene oxide (rGO) and MoS₂ nanoparticles incorporated polyurethane (PU) foam by in-situ polymerization via the one-shot method. Spectroscopic analyses confirmed the successful formation of nanoparticles and also the development of the hybrid PU material. The sponges were evaluated based on hydrophobicity and oil absorbance capacities and the modified foam exhibits the water contact angle of 151°. The pore size of the foam analyzed using an optical microscope and the effect on the density and porosity were also analyzed. The oil absorption capacity of the foam was studied using standard sorption testing. The oil and organic solvent selectivity and recyclability of hybrid PU foam were performed to estimate whether the foams could be recycled and reused. The modified system shows very high selectivity (83–94%). The recyclability of the foam was about 35 cycles without much reduction in its own weight and after 55 cycles more than 80% of the oil absorption capacity was conserved. The resulting hybrid PU material is highly efficient, porous, ultralight, hydrophobic and reusable sorbent material and displays great potential for versatile environmental remediation.     

Background-free,fast protein staining in sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel using counterion dyes,zincon and ethyl violet

A background-free, fast protein staining method in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis using an acidic dye, zincon (ZC) and a basic dye, ethyl violet (EV) is described. It is based on the counterion dye staining technique that employs two oppositely charged dyes to form an ion-pair complex in staining solution. The selective binding of free dye molecules to proteins in acidic solution produces bluish violet-colored bands. It is a rapid and end-point staining procedure, involving only fixing and staining steps that are completed in 1-1.5 h. The detection limit of this method is 8-15 ng of protein that is comparable to the sensitivity of the colloidal Coomassie Brilliant Blue G (CBBG) stain. Due to its sensitivity and speed, this stain may be more practical than any other dye-based stains for routine laboratory purposes.     

Unpredictable adsorption and visible light induced decolorization of nano rutile for the treatment of crystal violet

Photocatalysts containing different ratios of anatase and rutile are prepared via heat treatment of Degussa P-25 titania. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Bruuauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), ultraviolet–visible light diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS), Raman spectra (Raman), positron annihilation lifetime spectra (PAL) and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) are applied to investigate the phase composition of the synthesized catalysts. Using crystal violet (CV) as the target pollutant, the unexpected visible light decolorization of rutile is observed. Despite the decreased specific surface area, the as-synthesized rutile samples exhibit much higher adsorption capability of CV than P-25 does, which in turn leads to improved photoreaction efficiency. Since the rutile samples can't absorb the visible light, the degradation under visible light irradiation is attributed to self-sensitization of CV on the surface of rutile.     

Morphology mediation of MoS_2 nanosheets with organic cations for fast sodium ion storage

Ion diffusion kinetics,depending on the size,tortuosity,connectivity of the channels,greatly affects the rate performance of the electrodes.Two-dimensional materials(2DMs) has emerged as promising electrode materials in the past decades.Howeve r,the applications of 2DMs electrodes are limited by the strong restacking problem,which leads to a poor rate capability.In this work,we for the first time mediated the mo rphology of molybdenum disulfide(MoS_2) nanosheets via a facile coagulation method;abundant sheet crumples were induced,which greatly enhance their surface accessibility and thus benefit the ion diffusion kinetics.Consequently,the crumpled-MoS_2 electrodes follow a capacitive Na-ion charge-storage mechanism to a large extent.Importantly,we demonstrate the special role of organic cations in the inter-sheet assembly configuration,in sharp contrast with that of alkali/alkaline-earth ones.We propose that organic cations cause edge/face contact of the sheets,instead of the face/face contact,thus affording a house-of-cards structure.     

Controlled crystal phase and particle size of loaded-TiO2 using clinoptilolite as support via hydrothermal method for degradation of crystal violet dye in aqueous solution

TiO₂-supported clinoptilolites (TiO₂/clinoptilolites) were successfully synthesized with controlled crystal phase and particle size via hydrothermal method to enhance photocatalytic performance of TiO₂. The effects of various parameters including temperature, acidity and concentration of Ti-containing solutions on the particle size, crystal phase and agglomeration of TiO₂ supported on clinoptilolite were investigated thoroughly by characterizations of X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), BET isotherm, UV–visible (UV–vis) spectrophotometer and Malvern zetasizer. The results demonstrate that increasing temperature and strengthen acidity are beneficial to enhance the crystallinity and particle size of supported TiO₂. Increase in acidity also leads to more uniform distribution of TiO₂ on the surface of clinoptilolite. The TiO₂ nano-crystals deposited on the surface of clinoptilolite, exhibit rutile or anatase phase, strongly depending on the preparation procedure. The resultant TiO₂/clinoptilolites could be used as photo-catalysts for the degradation of crystal violet (CV) dye in aqueous solution, showing a higher photo-catalytic activity with 89% degradation within 100 min. The effect of operational parameters, such as pH values of reaction media, dose of used catalyst, and concentration of CV dye on the CV degradation performance were investigated, in which the kinetics of CV dye degradation was found to follow the pseudo-first order kinetic model.     

痕量铁的光化学伏安分析法及其应用研究

在稀硫酸介质中及活化剂草酸存在下，痕量铁（Ⅲ）对结晶紫光化学褪色反应有强烈催化作用，结晶紫的光化学反应产物于－０．７０产生一灵敏的２．５次微分级谱波。     

Banana peel: A green and economical sorbent for the selective removal of Cr(VI) from industrial wastewater

This study describes the use of banana peel, a commonly produced fruit waste, for the removal of Cr(VI) from industrial wastewater. The parameters pH, contact time, initial metal ion concentration, and temperature were investigated and the conditions resulting in rapid and efficient adsorption (95% within 10 min) were determined. The binding of metal ions was found to be pH dependent with the optimal sorption occurring at pH 2. The retained species were eluted with 5 mL of 2 M H₂SO₄. To elucidate the mechanism of the process, total amounts of chromium and Cr(VI) were analyzed using flame atomic absorption and ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) spectroscopic techniques, respectively. The Langmuir and Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R) isotherms were used to describe the partitioning behavior for the system at different temperatures. Kinetics and thermodynamics of Cr(VI) removal by banana peel were also studied. The influence of diverse ions on the sorption behavior revealed that only Fe(II) ions (of those tested) suppressed the sorption of Cr(VI) ions to some extent. The method was applied for the removal of Cr(VI) from industrial wastewater.     

The use of amidoximated cellulose for the removalof metal ions and dyes from waste waters

The adsorption of metal ions such as Cu(II), Cr(III), Cd(II) and Ni(II)and dyes such as Acid Blue 25, Calmagite and Eriochrome Blue Black Bis performed onto amidoximated cellulose (Am-Cell). Different ways are possible for theadsorption of these pollutants onto Am-Cell : adsorption of each pollutantaloneon the support, or cumulative adsorption of both metal ions and dyes on the samesupport. In the last case, the pollutants may be adsorbed simultaneously from aunique solution, or successively from two different solutions, whatever theorder. Am-Cell loaded or not with metal ions shows a high capacity for dyeadsorption. Ternary complexes involving metal/dye/amidoxime are formed. Theobserved stoichiometries are 1/1/1 with Cu(II), Cr(III) and Cd(II) ions and1/1/2with Ni(II) ion. A quasi-total and specific desorption of either metal ions (bytreatment with ethylenediaminetetracetic salt) or of dyes (by heating inaqueoussolution) is possible from these ternary complexes. Concerning the dyes, manysuccessive adsorption/desorption cycles are possible without a noticeablechange in the adsorption capacity.     

Review of the QuEChERS method for the analysis of organic pollutants: Persistent organic pollutants,polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons,and pharmaceuticals

In multi-residue pesticide analysis, the quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe (QuEChERS) extraction method has replaced less efficient traditional extraction methods due to its many advantages. In addition to pesticide analysis, this method has been widely used for the detection and analysis of pharmaceuticals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and several persistent organic pollutants (POPs), including dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls, perfluoroalkyl substances, and brominated flame retardants in food, biological, and environmental matrices. The analysis of PAHs and POPs is challenging due to the properties of the target compounds and their low concentrations in complex matrices. This review summarizes previously reported the QuEChERS extraction approaches to the analysis of a wide range of analytes. The QuEChERS approaches, which include dispersive solid phase extraction (d-SPE), have generally been combined with either gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) or liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) analysis. Further on, in recent years, GC and LC-tandem mass spectrometry has been utilized with the QuEChERS extraction due to its high selectivity, sensitivity, and specificity. This enables the extraction methods for target analytes to be modified through the selection of different extraction solvents, salt formulations, and buffers for salting-out partitioning and the selection of different d-SPE and SPE sorbents for the clean-up process. The most significant advantage of this method is that concentration steps are not required. This review aims to provide an up-to-date overview of information regarding the modification of extraction techniques based on target compounds and sample matrices.     

Enzyme-based biocatalysis for the treatment of organic pollutants and bioenergy production

Enzyme-based biocatalysis is emerging as an advanced technique to develop green processes that help to maintain the sustainability of the environment. The bioremediation of toxic organic pollutants and waste to bioenergy production using enzymes as biocatalysts is rapidly growing due to its eco-friendly and sustainable nature. Additionally, a range of microbial species that typically grow on organic wastes can be used to produce these enzymes in an efficient manner. This is seen as a potential strategy for the development of cost-effective manufacturing for a number of biotechnological applications. The present study discusses biocatalysis as a promising and sustainable method toward the bioremediation of hazardous organic pollutants as well as for bioenergy production, based on the immense potential of enzymes as biocatalysts. Emphasis has been placed on evaluating the critical elements that can enhance the production of enzymes used as biocatalysts, as well as their functional effectiveness and stability.     

Sampling and analytical framework for routine environmental monitoring of organic pollutants

Dubious data would lead to incorrect interpretations and consequently faulty conclusions. Environmental monitoring results therefore have to be unambiguous to avoid misunderstanding the problems under investigation. Representative sampling and appropriate laboratory procedures are keys to acquiring quality data in order to draw unbiased conclusions.Although a large number of studies on organic pollutants have been published, few efforts have been directed towards instituting a systematic framework from sampling design to instrumental analysis. Generally, the main components in such a framework should include sampling design, sample preparation, sample extraction, extract purification and fractionation, and quantification (including qualitative and quantitative analyses).This review outlines the sampling and analytical framework appropriate for routine monitoring of organic pollutants, particularly persistent organic pollutants widely occurring in the environment. We emphasize statistically-based sampling schemes and quality-assurance and quality-control measures desirable for environmental monitoring programs.By way of demonstrating their importance, we especially review procedures for collecting unconventional environmental samples (e.g., human blood, breast milk, human hair, fish and bird tissues, and ice and snow) and analytical methods for typical emerging organic chemicals.     

Liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and strategies for trace-level analysis of polar organic pollutants

Liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry using atmospheric pressure ionization (LC–API-MS) has drastically changed the analytical methods used to detect polar pollutants in water. The present status of application of this technique to organic water constituents is reviewed. The selection of the appropriate LC conditions, whether reversed-phase liquid chromatography, ion-pair chromatography, capillary electrophoresis or ion chromatography, and of the most sensitive ionization mode, electrospray ionization (ESI) or atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI), depends upon the polarity and acidity of the analytes. Strongly acidic compounds such as aromatic sulfonates, sulfonated dyes, haloacetic acids, linear alkylbenzene sulfonates, aliphatic sulfonates and sulfates and complexing agents, weakly acidic compounds such as carboxylates and phenols, neutral compound classes, namely alkylphenol ethoxylates, alcohol ethoxylates and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and the basic toxins, quaternary ammonium compounds and organometallic compounds are considered. The selection of the mass spectrometer depends upon the analytical task: triple-quadrupole mass spectrometers are highly suited for sensitive quantitation and for qualitative analyses, ion traps are especially suited for structure elucidation, whereas time-of-flight mass spectrometers and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometers with their higher mass resolution are ideal for the determination of molecular formulas of unknown compounds and for screening purposes. While large steps have already been made, future efforts with respect to water analysis may be directed at fine-tuning the methodical arsenal for increased sensitivity and selectivity and to extend LC–MS application to transformation products.     

金属有机骨架材料在吸附分离大气污染物中的应用

大气污染问题是关系人民生命健康和经济社会和谐发展的重大问题.因此需要开发高效的吸附材料用于大气污染物的吸附和分离.金属有机骨架材料(MOFs)是一类新型的多孔材料,该材料具有结构多样、孔结构有序、大比表面积和高孔隙率等结构特点.MOFs通过调节有机配体的长度和官能团调节孔径和孔道尺寸,并进行功能化修饰在孔道中引入功能性...     

A surface-enhanced Raman scattering method for detection of trace glutathione on the basis of immobilized silver nanoparticles and crystal violet probe

Unsatisfactory sensitivity and stability for molecules with low polarizability is still a problem limiting the practical applications of surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) technique. By preparing immobilized silver nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄/Ag) through depositing silver on the surface of magnetite particles, a highly sensitive and selective SERS method for the detection of trace glutathione (GSH) was proposed on the basis of a system of Fe₃O₄/Ag nanoparticles and crystal violet (CV), in which the target GSH competed with the CV probe for the adsorption on the Fe₃O₄/Ag nanoparticles. Raman insensitive GSH replaced the highly Raman sensitive CV adsorbed on the surface of Fe₃O₄/Ag particles. This replacement led to a strong decrease of the CV SERS signal, which was used to determine the concentration of GSH. Under optimal conditions, a linear response was established between the intensity decrease of the CV SERS signal and the GSH concentration in the range of 50–700 nmol L⁻¹ with a detection limit of 40 nmol L⁻¹. The use of a Fe₃O₄/Ag substrate provided not only a great SERS enhancement but also a good stability, which guarantees the reproducibility of the proposed method. Its use for the determination of GSH in practical blood samples and cell extract yielded satisfactory results.     

Development of a Simple and Inexpensive Optical Absorption One‐Shot Sensor Membrane for Detection and Determination of Cyanide Ions in Water Samples

A new one‐shot optical cyanide ion sensor is proposed for determination of cyanide ions. The sensor was constructed by immobilizing crystal violet (CV) on triacetylcellulose membrane. The sensing mechanism involves reaction between cyanide ions and the immobilized CV at pH = 5.4, which results in a decrease in absorbance of the membrane at 600 nm. The sensor shows sufficient repeatability, reproducibility, operational lifetime of 3 weeks, and a response of less then 10 min under the optimum conditions and response time of 8 min. Cyanide can be determined in the concentration range of 50.0‐800 μg mL^‐1 with a detection limit of 5.0 μg mL^‐1. Most ions do not interfere with the determination of cyanide ions. The proposed sensor was successfully applied to the determination of cyanide in spiked water samples.     

Theory and application of cyclic voltammetry for measurement of fast electrode kinetics at microdisk electrode

An analytical expression describing voltammetric behaviors responses at microdisk electrode for various diffusion conditions and degrees of reversibility is reported in this paper. Results of theoretical calculation made it possible to use cyclic voltammetry to evaluate heterogeneous rate constants under intermediate diffusion conditions. At relatively low scan rate, the distortion of current-voltage can be reduced due to small iR drops and charging current. The effects of transfer coefficient, a, kinetic parameter, (=k0r/4D), and switching potential, s, on potential peak separation are discussed in detail. The relationship obtained in this paper between potential peak separation and \ is in good agreement with that in Ref. 14, whose authors have got their results by using digital simulation technique. After the experiment of Fe(CN)64- oxidation, k0 and a were obtained by the theory of this paper. The result agrees with that in Ref. 19.