Transport of surface-modified iron nanoparticle in porous media and application to arsenic(III) remediation

The surface-modified iron nanoparticles (S-INP) were synthesized, characterized and tested for the remediation of arsenite (As(III)), a well known toxic groundwater contaminant of concern. The S-INP material was fully dispersed in the aqueous phase with a particle size distribution of 2–10 nm estimated from high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) revealed that an Fe(III) oxide surface film was present on S-INP in addition to the bulk zero-valent Fe⁰ oxidation state. Transport of S-INP through porous media packed in 10 cm length column showed particle breakthroughs of 22.1, 47.4 and 60 pore volumes in glass beads, unbaked sand, and baked sand, respectively. Un-modified INP was immobile and aggregated on porous media surfaces in the column inlet area. Results using S-INP pretreated 10 cm sand-packed columns containing ∼2 g of S-INP showed that 100 % of As(III) was removed from influent solutions (flow rate 1.8 mL min⁻¹) containing 0.2, 0.5 and 1.0 mg L⁻¹ As(III) for 9, 7 and 4 days providing 23.3, 20.7 and 10.4 L of arsenic free water, respectively. In addition, it was found that 100% of As(III) in 0.5 mg/L solution (flow rate 1.8 mL min⁻¹) was removed by S-INP pretreated 50 cm sand packed column containing 12 g of S-INP for more than 2.5 months providing 194.4 L of arsenic free water. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) showed S-INP had transformed to elongated, rod-like shaped corrosion product particles after reaction with As(III) in the presence of sand. These results suggest that S-INP has great potential to be used as a mobile, injectable reactive material for in-situ sandy groundwater aquifer treatment of As(III).     

Photocatalytic Activity of Supported Metal Nanoparticles and Single Atoms

Photocatalysis has been known as one of the promising technologies due to its eco-friendly nature. However, the potential application of many photocatalysts is limited owing to their large bandgaps and inefficient use of the solar spectrum. One strategy to overcome this problem is to combine the advantages of heteroatom-containing supports with active metal centers to accurately adjust the structural parameters. Metal nanoparticles (MNPs) and single atom catalysts (SACs) are excellent candidates due to their distinctive coordination environment which enhances photocatalytic activity. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs) and carbon nitride (g-C₃N₄) have shown great potential as catalyst support for SACs and MNPs. The numerous combinations of organic linkers with various heteroatoms and metal ions provide unique structural characteristics to achieve advanced materials. This review describes the recent advancement of the modified MOFs, COFs and g-C₃N₄ with SACs and NPs for enhanced photocatalytic applications with emphasis on environmental remediation.     

Microfluidic fabrication of water-in-water droplets encapsulated in hydrogel microfibers

By combining microfiber spinning techniques with aqueous two phase system (ATPS), a rapid and simple strategy to fabricate water-in-water (w/w) droplets encapsulated in microfibers was proposed for the first time. Hydrophilic environment in hydrogel and the fiber format facilitates higher biocompatibility, convenient manipulation of the droplets and recycling of the contents inside droplets, which would have promising development in biological, pharmacological and environmental fields.     

基于冷原子吸收分光光度法的热解析-低温等离子体脱汞技术研究

研究含汞土壤的修复问题，采用热解析和低温等离子体综合技术探究新途径，调整温度、添加剂、时间等因素来判断脱汞效果并探究其不同形态，分析工艺过程废料的内部联系，并对废气处理进行分析实验。结论如下：(1)通过改良技术的BCR连续萃取法，得出研究区汞的形态主要为有机结合态(53%)。之后依次是氧化物结合态(33%)、酸可提取态(8%)、残渣态(6%)。(2)温度对热解析程度影响较大。在500℃以上的热解析条件下，土壤中的汞浓度不足1.5 mg·kg-1。(3)当选用400℃的解析温度时，40 min汞去除总体完成。在低于1 700 mg·kg-1的浓度下，汞去除率随着土壤中的含量的增大而减小。(4)氯化钙对于热解析的促进作用最强，柠檬酸、升华硫也有一定作用，硫化钠对于汞去除形成阻滞。(5)低温等离子体的最佳状态是电源设置电压为22 kV，频率为660 Hz。整个系统的汞去除程度可达近90%。     

Recent advances in BiOBr-based photocatalysts for environmental remediation

The efficient utilization of solar energy through photocatalysis is ideal for solving environmental issues and the development sustainable future. BiOBr-based semiconductors possess unique narrowed bandgaps and layered structures, thereby widely studied as photocatalysts for environmental remediation. However, a little has been focused on the comprehensive reviewing of BiOBr despite its extensive and promising applications. In this review, the state-of-the-art developments of BiOBr-based photocatalysts for environmental remediation are summarized. Particular focus is paid to the synthetic strategies for the control of the resulting morphologies, as well as efficient modification strategies for improving the photocatalytic activities. These include boosting the bulk phase by charge separation, enhancing the spatial charge separation, and engineering the surface states. The environmental uses of BiOBr-based photocatalysts are also reviewed in terms of purification of pollutants and CO₂ reduction. Finally, future challenges and opportunities of BiOBr-based materials in photocatalysis are discussed. Overall, this review provides a good basis for future exploration of high-efficiency solar-driven photocatalysts for environmental sustainability.     

环境化学开放性实验设计:重金属污染土壤的化学淋洗*

介绍了一个开放性环境化学实验。该实验以被重金属污染的土壤为研究对象,分别使用稀盐酸、乙二胺四乙酸、氯化钙为淋洗剂,对其进行化学淋洗修复。通过电感耦合等离子体光谱仪分析比较修复前后土壤中铅、镉的含量,用以帮助学生加深理解配合/螯合作用、酸-碱反应、离子交换反应、胶体的性质、土壤重金属形态、土壤性质与组成等相关环境化学知识。实验所用的土壤样品由学生自选,不同类型土壤的理化性质影响淋洗效果,从而增加了实验结果的不确定性。本实验贴近学科前沿且联系工程实际,可激发学生独立思考和探索精神,提高学生的科研能力与解决复杂问题的能力。     

Relevance of gaseous flows in electrochemically assisted soil thermal remediation

Treatment of polluted soil is one of the priorities in the search of a more sustainable planet. Electrochemically assisted soil remediation has been considered a good option for removing organic contaminants contained in soil, including the removal of volatile organic compounds, associated with gaseous streams produced during the treatment. Also, recently, electrochemical gas treatment technologies have been appointed as promising for the treatment of volatile organic compounds. In this work, we review the current opinion about the most recent studies in both areas. The first section focuses on the production of gaseous compounds during soil remediation by conventional and electrochemical systems. The second section describes the recent progress in the integration of adsorption and absorption with electrochemical processes. Finally, we discuss the holistic application of assisted electrochemical technologies in soil remediation, considering also emerging processes recently published in the literature.     

基于零价铁的地下水化学还原修复体系中的电子转移有效性和电子竞争机制

近年来,基于零价铁的化学还原技术因其高效性逐渐被应用于受污染地下水的原位修复。但是,该技术在实际应用中仍面临一些亟待解决的问题。零价铁作为一种高活性的电子供体,除了和目标污染物反应外,还可以与地下水中其他的氧化性物质（如O₂、H⁺或NO₃^-等）反应。这些反应所造成的零价铁腐蚀,不仅会降低修复效率还会增加地下水修复成本。此外,同类或多类污染物间也存在对零价铁所释放电子的相互竞争,从而影响各自的去除效率。本文综述了基于零价铁的地下水修复体系中的电子传递过程和氧化物间的电子竞争机制,从零价铁的腐蚀和电子传递、零价铁电子选择性量化指标的提出和量化方法、地下水体中多种共存氧化物间电子竞争作用、电子效率的影响因素以及强化措施等方面进行详细介绍。最后,对该技术今后发展方向作出了展望,以期为其今后实际的地下水修复应用提供参考。