Sonochemical degradation of ciprofloxacin and ibuprofen in the presence of matrix organic compounds

Ciprofloxacin (CIPRO) and ibuprofen (IBU), a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic compound, respectively, were degraded by ultrasound at the frequencies of 20 and 620 kHz in aqueous solution containing matrix organic compounds. Compared to in its absence, in the presence of terephthalate (TA), a commonly used OH scavenger, CIPRO degradation was inhibited by a factor of 40–1500 depending on the frequency and initial concentration. However, the degradation rates of IBU were only reduced between 30% and 80% with TA present compared to in its absence. Similar to TA, the presence of Suwannee River Fulvic Acid (SRFA) inhibited CIPRO degradation to a greater extent than that of IBU but overall inhibition by SRFA was dramatically less than by TA. Although both TA and SRFA inhibited the degradation of CIPRO and IBU, the mechanisms of inhibition are different. TA reacts with OH in bulk solution and our evidence also indicates that it accumulates on or interacts with cavitation bubbles. On the other hand, SRFA stays in bulk solution, quenching OH and/or associating with the target compounds.     

Enhanced mechanism of catalytic ozonation by ultrasound with orthogonal dual frequencies for the degradation of nitrobenzene in aqueous solution

The experiments have been performed with a semi-continuous batch reactor to investigate the degradation efficiency of nitrobenzene in aqueous solution by ultrasound with the different orthogonal dual frequencies catalytic ozonation. The introduction of ultrasound can enhance the degradation efficiency of nitrobenzene compared to the results obtained from the processes of ozonation alone and ultrasound alone. The degradation of nitrobenzene is found to be zero-order in the two systems of ultrasound alone, and the reactions follow the pseudo-first-order kinetic model in the processes of ozone alone and ozone/ultrasound. The investigation confirms that the degradation of nitrobenzene follows the mechanism of hydroxyl radical (^•OH) oxidation, and the enhancement function is even more pronounced in the presence of ultrasound with the greater difference between the orthogonal dual frequencies due to the obvious synergetic effect between ozone and ultrasound, which increases the utilization efficiency of ozone, and accelerates the initiation of ^•OH and the formation of H₂O₂, resulting in the rapid formation of an increasing diversity of byproducts and the advancement degree of mineralization of total organic carbon (TOC). The oxidative byproducts have been, respectively identified in the different processes selected, including o, p, m-nitrophenols, phenol, malonic acid, 4-nitrocatechol, nitrate ion, maleic acid, oxalic acid, hydroquinone, p-quinone, 1,2,3-trihydroxy-5-nitrobenzene and acetic acid.     

Dehydration of hydroxenin monoacetate in the presence of ultrasound.

Starting from hydroxenin monoacetate, vitamin A acetate is obtained in a E/Z mixture by dehydration. This result could be explained by the formation of a small amount of hydrochloric acid from trichloromethane under ultrasound irradiation and based on further experiments.     

Enhanced activity of chaperonin GroEL in the presence of platinum nanoparticles

The chaperonin protein GroEL was mixed with varying concentrations of K₂PtCl₄ followed by a 20-fold concentration of sodium borohydride to afford GroEL–platinum nanoparticle complexes in a ratio of between 1:25 and 1:2,000. Typical colour change, from colourless or pale yellow to brown, occurred that was dependent on the amount of platinum present. These complexes were characterised by UV/Vis, inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy, Fourier transform infra red, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. TEM analysis revealed that the size of nanoparticles increased as the molar ratio of platinum to GroEL increased with an average size diameter of 1.72–3.5 nm generated with GroEL–platinum molar ratios of 1:125–1:2,000. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra showed no distinct changes in the structure of GroEL but confirmed that the nanoparticles were attached to the protein. The effect of platinum nanoparticles on the ATPase activity of GroEL showed an activity of 5.60 μmol min⁻¹ ml⁻¹ (87 % increase over a control) at the molar ratio of GroEL–platinum nanoparticles of 1:25.     

Effects of ultrasound on the enzymatic degradation of pectin

Ultrasound-assisted enzymatic maceration (UAEM) has gained considerable interest in the fruit juice industry, owing to its potential to increase juice yield and content of polyphenols while simultaneously saving time and energy. In this study, the effects of UAEM (ultrasonic probe, 20 kHz, 21 W*cm⁻² and 33 W*cm⁻²) on pectin degradation in a continuous circulation system were investigated over 60 and 90 min. Main pectinolytic enzymes activities of (polygalacturonase, pectin lyase and pectin methylesterase) of a commercial enzyme preparation were examined for individual synergistic effects with US. Pectin hydrolysis by UAEM differed significantly compared to treatment with ultrasound or enzymes alone regarding the profile of degradation products compared to treatment with ultrasound or enzymes alone. Ultrasound fragmented pectin to less branched oligomers of medium molecular weight (Mp approx. 150 kDa), which were further degraded by pectinolytic activities. The low molecular weight fraction (<30 kDa), which is known to be beneficial for juice-quality by adding nutritional value and stabilizing polyphenols, was enriched in small oligomers of homogalacturonan-derived, rhamnogalacturonan I-derived, and rhamnogalacturonan II-derived residues. Synergistic effects of ultrasound application enhanced the effective activities of polygalacturonase and pectin lyase and even prolonged their performance over 90 min, whereas the effective activity of pectin methylesterase was not affected. Final marker concentrations determined by each enzyme assay revealed a considerable higher total process output after UAEM treatment at reduced temperature (30 °C) comparable to the output after conventional batch maceration at 50 °C. The obtained results demonstrate the high potential of UAEM to produce high-quality juice by controlling pectin degradation while reducing process temperature and equally highlight the matrix and enzyme specific effects of a simultaneous US treatment.     

Pneumatic foam generation in the presence of a high-intensity ultrasound field

Designer foams find applications in a wide range of industries. Foam quality is mostly determined by its complex cellular structure which defines its texture, rheology and stability. In addition to formulation design, the formation process is crucial to the development of a foam with an optimum structure. There is, therefore, a need for techniques that can assist in the generation of controlled foam structures. The work described in this paper demonstrates the potential of using high-intensity ultrasound to control foam structure during production. Foam generated in the presence of ultrasound usually exhibits a narrower bubble size distribution, i.e. a more uniform texture. Such enhanced homogeneity in texture is desirable to reduce the presence of aesthetically unattractive large cavities, and to reduce the destabilising effects of foam coarsening. In addition, a smaller mean bubble size and a slower rate of foam collapse usually result when ultrasound is applied. The work shows the effects on foams stabilised with different surfactants.     

Enhanced degradation of 2,4-dichlorophenol by ultrasound in a new Fenton like system (Fe/EDTA) at ambient circumstance

This study investigated the effect of ultrasound (US) enhancement on the degradation of 2,4-DCP in a new Fenton like system. An obviously synergistic effect was observed after introduction of US into the Fe/EDTA system. Good correspondences with pseudo-first-order kinetic were found in each reaction system. It was demonstrated that the degradation rate constant (k_obs) of DCP in US/Fe/EDTA was 7 and 32 times higher than those in Fe/EDTA and US system alone. Simultaneously, lower first-order k_obs was also obtained in the investigation of decomposition of EDTA. At 60 min reaction time, Removals of 81% TOC, complete DCP and 89% EDTA were achieved. Low molecular weight organic acids are identified as the main products, which contribute to the solution self-buffer at about pH 6.5 along with the reaction. In addition, the effect of initials condition, i.e., iron addition, EDTA dosage, DCP concentration and US input power as well as reaction temperature were studied and reaction activation energy (E_a) was also calculated.     

Enhanced photocatalytic performance of ultrasound treated GO/TiO2 composite for photocatalytic degradation of salicylic acid under sunlight illumination

The current research work deals with the preparation of TiO₂ and GO/TiO₂ composite by simple, chemical, cost effective hydrothermal method. Graphene oxide (GO) is prepared by modified Hummer’s method. Dispersion of GO is achieved by an ultrasonic cleaning bath for 1 h. using a power of 200 W and at a frequency of 40 kHz. The prepared catalyst material is characterized by different characterization techniques. XRD study confirms the prepared material is polycrystalline in nature. The synthesized TiO₂ and GO/TiO₂ photocatalyst materials are used to study the photocatalytic degradation of salicylic acid under sunlight illumination. GO/TiO₂ composite shows superior photocatalytic activity than TiO₂. GO/TiO₂ composite shows 57% degradation of salicylic acid. Mineralization of salicylic acid is studied using chemical oxygen demand.     

Oxidative degradation of phenol in aqueous media using ultrasound

The degradation of phenol with ultrasound and the influence of several parameters - hydrostatic pressure, nature of the dissolved gas, frequency of the ultrasound - have been studied. Primary degradation products are dihydroxy benzenes and quinones. These products are further degraded upon time into low molecular carboxylic acids. COD reduction can be increased by the addition of Raney nickel. Based on the determination of the degradation products by HPLC and HPICE, a reaction scheme can be suggested.     

Enhanced sonochemical degradation of bisphenol-A by bicarbonate ions

Sonochemical elimination of organic pollutants can take place through two degradation pathways. Molecules with relatively large Henry’s law constants will be incinerated inside the cavitation bubble, while nonvolatile molecules with low Henry’s law constants will be oxidised by the OH ejected from the bubble of cavitation. Taking bisphenol-A as a model pollutant, this study points out an alternate degradation route, mediated by bicarbonate ions, which is significant for the elimination of micro-pollutants at concentrations present in natural waters. In this process, OH radicals react with bicarbonate ions to produce the carbonate radical, which, unlike the OH radical, can migrate towards the bulk of the solution and therefore induce the degradation of the micro-pollutants present in the bulk solution. As a consequence, initial degradation rate is increased by a factor 3.2 at low concentration of bisphenol-A (0.022 μmol l⁻¹) in presence of bicarbonate in water.     

A new sono-electrochemical method for enhanced detoxification of hydrophilic chloroorganic pollutants in water

A new method for detoxification of hydrophilic chloroorganic pollutants in effluent water was developed, using a combination of ultrasound waves, electrochemistry and Fenton's reagent. The advantages of the method are exemplified using two target compounds: the common herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and its derivative 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP). The high degradation power of this process is due to the large production of oxidizing hydroxyl radicals and high mass transfer due to sonication. Application of this sono-electrochemical Fenton process (SEF) treatment (at 20 kHz) with quite a small current density, accomplished almost 50% oxidation of 2,4-D solution (300 ppm, 1.2 mM) in just 60 s. Similar treatments ran for 600 s resulted in practically full degradation of the herbicide; sizable oxidation of 2,4-DCP also occurs. The main intermediate compounds produced in the SEF process were identified. Their kinetic profile was measured and a chemical reaction scheme was suggested. The efficiency of the SEF process is tentatively much higher than the reference degradation methods and the time required for full degradation is considerably shorter. The SEF process maintains high performance up to concentrations which are higher than reference methods. The optimum concentration of Fe²⁺ ions required for this process was found to be of about 2 mM, which is lower than that in reference techniques. These findings indicate that SEF process may be an effective method for detoxification of environmental water.     

Enhanced electric dipole moment of the muon in the presence of large neutrino mixing

The electric dipole moment (edm) of the muon ( d(e)(&mgr;)) is evaluated in supersymmetric models with nonzero neutrino masses and large neutrino mixing arising from the seesaw mechanism. It is found that if the seesaw mechanism is embedded in the framework of a left-right symmetric gauge structure, the interactions responsible for the right-handed neutrino Majorana masses lead to an enhancement in d(e)(&mgr;) to values as large as 5x10(-23)e cm, with a correlated value of (g-2)(&mgr;) approximately 13x10(-10). This should provide a strong motivation for improving the edm of the muon to the level of 10(-24)e cm as has recently been proposed.     

Application of power ultrasound for azo dye degradation

Power ultrasound of 850 kHz at 60, 90 and 120 W was used for the degradation of industrial azo dyes Acid Orange 5 and 52, Direct Blue 71, Reactive Black 5 and Reactive Orange 16 and 107. The results show that power ultrasound is able to mineralize azo dyes to non-toxic end products, which was confirmed by respiratory inhibition test of Pseudomonas putida. All investigated dyes have been decolorized and degraded within 3-15 h at 90 W and within 1-4 h at 120 W, respectively. Mass spectrometric investigations show, that hydroxyl radicals attack azo dyes by simultaneous azo bond scission, oxidation of nitrogen atoms and hydroxylation of aromatic ring structures. A volumetric scale-up showed a correlation between the energy input and the absolute amount of degraded dye. Up to an energy input of about 90 W no enzymatic deactivation of laccase was observed which might be helpful for a simultaneous action of sonochemical and enzymatic treatments.     

Hydroxylation of phenolic compounds under the condition of ultrasound in aqueous solution

Ultrasound (200 kHz)-assisted hydroxylation of phenolic compounds, such as phenol, 4-methyl phenol, 4-hydroxyanisol, 2-naphthol, catechol, resorcinol, 3-t-butyl-4-hydroxyanisole, 3-methyl-4-hydroxyanisole, in aqueous solution was successfully carried out in 12–18 h to give the hydroxylated products which were identified as their respective acetates.     

Electrochemical study of silver thiosulphate reduction in the absence and presence of ultrasound

The electrochemical reduction of silver thiosulphate was studied potentiostatically on platinum electrodes in the absence and presence of ultrasound (20 kHz). This system is irreversible and the reaction is both diffusion and kinetically controlled. The slowest step is the kinetic reaction especially the chemisorption of ions at the electrode surface. Ultrasound greatly improves the mass transport, which can be explained by changing from diffusion to mainly convection. This paper reports the effect of ultrasound upon electrode kinetic and mass-transport parameters at various RDE rotation speeds and ultrasonic intensities. It was found that the heterogeneous rate constant (kf) is improved in the presence of ultrasound due to the increase in the formal or standard heterogeneous rate constant (k0) (approximately by 10-fold under sonication).     

Kinetics of ultrasonic degradation of phenol in the presence of TiO2 particles

The degradation of phenol by ultrasonic irradiation in the presence of TiO2 was investigated in complete darkness. The effects of amount of TiO2 and the combination of TiO2 addition with gas (air or oxygen) supply on the degradation kinetics of phenol and the formation of the reaction products were examined. The degradation rate of phenol increased with the amount of TiO2. As the dissolved oxygen concentration increased by supplying oxygen, the degradation rate of phenol also increased. A kinetic model for the disappearance of phenol was proposed. The model takes into account the OH radical formation by direct water degradation, indirect degradation by oxygen atom and indirect degradation by TiO2 catalysis. The calculated results explained well the fact that a higher amount of TiO2 and dissolved oxygen concentration gave faster disappearance rate.     

Sonolytic degradation of hazardous organic compounds in aqueous solution

Benzene, chlorobenzene, 1,2-, 1,3-, 1,4-dichlorobenzene, biphenyl, and polychlorinated biphenyls such as 2-, 4-chlorobiphenyl and 2,2′-dichlorobiphenyl in aqueous solutions have been subjected to sonolysis with 200 kHz ultrasound at an intensity of 6 W cm⁻² under an argon atmosphere. 80–90% of initial amount of these compounds were degraded by 30–60 min of sonication when the initial concentrations were 10–100 μmol l⁻¹. The degradation rate of these compounds increased with increase in their vapor pressures. In all cases of sonolysis of chlorinated organic compounds, an appreciable amount of liberated chloride ion was observed.