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Journal of Colloid and Interface Science Jun 2024Exploiting highly efficient, cost-effective and stable electrocatalysts is key to decreasing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) kinetics energy barrier. Herein, the...
Exploiting highly efficient, cost-effective and stable electrocatalysts is key to decreasing hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) kinetics energy barrier. Herein, the alkaline HER kinetics energy barrier can greatly reduce by the joint strategies of the cation vacancy and heterostructure engineering, which is seldom explored and remains ambiguous. In this study, an efficient and stable copper foam-supported CuP-CoP heterostructure electrocatalyst with cation vacancy defects (defined as CuP-CoP-V/CF) was designed for HER via the successive coprecipitation, electrodeposition, alkali etching and phosphorization treatments. As anticipated, the as-obtained CuP-CoP-V/CF electrocatalyst reveals a remarkable catalytic activity for HER with a low overpotential of 205 mV at a current density of 100 mA·cm, a high turnover frequency value of 1.05 s at an overpotential of 200 mV and a small apparent activation energy (E) of 9 kJ·mol, while shows superior long-term stability at large current densities of 100 and 240 mA·cm. Systematic experiment and characterization data demonstrate that the formed cation vacancy could optimize the E, leading to the decrease of the kinetic barriers of CuP-CoP/CF heterostructure, as well as the established heterogeneous interface induced a synergistic effect between biphasic components on boosting the kinetics toward HER. The results of density functional theory disclose that the synergistic effect of CuP-CoP heterostructure could decrease the energy barrier and optimize Gibbs free energy of hydrogen adsorption, resulting in the enhancement of intrinsic catalytic activity of CuP-CoP-V/CF. More significantly, the alkali-cell assembled by CuP-CoP-V/CF (cathode) and RuO/CF (anode) behaves outstanding water splitting performance, delivering a current density of 10 mA·cm at a relatively small applied voltage of 1.58 V, along with encouraging long-term durability. In addition, the alkaline Zn-HO battery with CuP-CoP-V/CF as the cathode has been fabricated for the simultaneous generation of electricity and hydrogen, which displays a large power density of up to 4.1 mW·cm. The work demonstrates that rational strategy for the design of competent electrocatalysts can effectively accelerate the kinetics of HER, which supplies valuable insights for practical applications in overall water splitting.
PubMed: 38945029
DOI: 10.1016/j.jcis.2024.06.215 -
International Journal of Biological... Jun 2024A novel multi-performance SHNC/SA/CaCl hydrogel with multi-performance was prepared via ultra-low-temperature freeze-thaw cycling and Ca cross-linking for the removal of...
A novel multi-performance SHNC/SA/CaCl hydrogel with multi-performance was prepared via ultra-low-temperature freeze-thaw cycling and Ca cross-linking for the removal of methylene blue (MB) from industrial wastewater. Various methods were used to characterize the structure and properties of hydrogel, and the internal structure of hydrogel showed a three-dimensional network with hydrogen and ester bonds. The SHNC/SA/CaCl-15 hydrogel exhibited the highest tensile properties (elongation = 800 %), viscoelasticity (90 kPa), compressive strength (0.45 MPa), tensile strength (0.47 MPa) and ionic conductivity (4.34 S/cm). The maximum adsorption capacity of 2 g SHNC/SA/CaCl-15 hydrogel was 608.49 mg/g at 40 °C, pH = 8 and adsorption 24 h. The adsorption process of hydrogel toward MB was more consistent with the second-order kinetic model and Langmuir isothermal adsorption model. According to the Langmuir isotherm model, the maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of SHNC/SA/CaCl-15 hydrogel toward MB can reach 613.88 mg/g. Finally, it was found that the removal rate of SHNC/SA/CaCl-15 hydrogel for MB was still as high as 90 % after five cycles of the adsorption-desorption test, and it could be reused. The hydrogel can be used as cheap and reusable adsorption material for cationic dyes. Our study provides a new perspective for the development of multifunctional cellulose hydrogel adsorbent materials.
PubMed: 38944997
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.133417 -
Journal of Hazardous Materials Jun 2024Natural attenuation (NA) is of great significance for the remediation of contaminated groundwater, and how to identify NA patterns of toluene in aquifers more quickly...
Natural attenuation (NA) is of great significance for the remediation of contaminated groundwater, and how to identify NA patterns of toluene in aquifers more quickly and effectively poses an urgent challenge. In this study, the NA of toluene in two typical soils was conducted by means of soil column experiment. Based on column experiments, dissolved organic matter (DOM) was rapidly identified using fluorescence spectroscopy, and the relationship between DOM and the NA of toluene was established through structural equation modeling analysis. The adsorption rates of toluene in clay and sandy soil were 39 % and 26 %, respectively. The adsorption capacity and total NA capacity of silty clay were large. The occurrence of fluorescence peaks of protein-like components and specific products indicated the occurrence of biodegradation. Arenimonas, Acidovorax and Brevundimonas were the main degrading bacteria identified in Column A, while Pseudomonas, Azotobacter and Mycobacterium were the main ones identified in Column B. The pH, ORP, and Fe(II) were the most important factors affecting the composition of microbial communities, which in turn affected the NA of toluene. These results provide a new way to quickly identify NA of toluene.
PubMed: 38944985
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134952 -
Food Chemistry Jun 2024Dual-compartmental emulsions, containing multiple chambers, possess great advantages in co-encapsulation of different cargoes. Herein, we reported a stable...
Properties regulation and mechanism on ferritin/chitooligosaccharide dual-compartmental emulsions and its application for co-encapsulation of curcumin and quercetin bioactive compounds.
Dual-compartmental emulsions, containing multiple chambers, possess great advantages in co-encapsulation of different cargoes. Herein, we reported a stable dual-compartmental emulsion by regulating the ratio of Marsupenaeus japonicus ferritin (MF) and chitooligosaccharide (COS), enabling efficient co-encapsulation of different compounds. The adsorption behavior of MF/COS complex over droplet interface varied at different ratios, thereby exerting an influence on the emulsion properties. Remarkably, emulsions stabilized by MF/COS complex at a ratio of 2:1 exhibited superior stability, as evidenced by no significant creaming or demulsification during storage or heat treatment. The mechanism is that MF/COS complex can enhance the formation of thicker interfacial layer and dense continuous phase network structure. Additionally, curcumin and quercetin can be co-encapsulated into the emulsions and their retention rates were significantly improved than those in oils, implying the potential of the resulting dual-compartmental emulsions in co-encapsulation and delivery of bioactive compounds.
PubMed: 38944931
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.140243 -
Food Chemistry Jun 2024A magnetic adsorbent was synthesized by coupling magnetic nanoparticles, UiO-66-NH and 1-butyl-trimethylimidazole bromide ([BMIM][Br]) to chitosan (CS)-based composite...
A magnetic adsorbent was synthesized by coupling magnetic nanoparticles, UiO-66-NH and 1-butyl-trimethylimidazole bromide ([BMIM][Br]) to chitosan (CS)-based composite conveniently. A series of modern characterizations were employed to assess its properties. The results showed that UiO-66-NH was uniformly distributed within the composite via in-situ growth, which can enhance the porosity obviously. The introduction of various ligands enables the composite to exhibit excellent extraction performance for four aflatoxins (AFs) through multiple interactions. The adsorption mechanism was elucidated and the main factors affecting extraction efficiency were evaluated. Under optimal conditions, the limits of detection (LODs) ranged from 0.08 to 0.56 μg/kg. The established method was successfully utilized to determine AFs from cereal samples (rice, glutinous rice, wheat, soybean, paddy, and corn) with satisfactory recovery of 77% ∼ 119% with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 1.0% ∼ 11.7% (n = 5). The adsorbent demonstrated sufficient robustness for repeated use at least six times without obvious damage of extraction property.
PubMed: 38944928
DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2024.140215 -
International Journal of... Jun 2024immobilization is a potential approach that can be used to remediate low-to-medium levels of heavy-metal in contaminated-soil. There is little known about how...
immobilization is a potential approach that can be used to remediate low-to-medium levels of heavy-metal in contaminated-soil. There is little known about how modifications to soil characteristics may affect Pb's release from soil. The four different amendments, triple-superphosphate and attapulgite were combined in Ad-1; zeolite and triple-superphosphate were in Ad-2; hydroxyapatite and humus were in Ad-3; and nano-carbon. These amendments are mostly made of phyllosilicate minerals, humus, base minerals, and nano-carbon, respectively. Results revealed that the test amendments' maximal Pb-adsorption capacity varied from 7.47 to 17.67 mg g. Surface precipitation and ion-exchange were found to be the main mechanisms for Pb-adsorption by Ad-1 and Ad-2, while Ad-3 and Ad-4 were promising among the all, according to analysis of the modifications both before and after Pb loading. When the pH dropped (7-1) or the ion-strength rose (0-0.2 M), there was a discernible rise in the Pb-desorption percentages from the amendments. It was determined that Ad-3 and Ad-4 were more effective immobilizing lead in contaminated-soils because of their high adsorption capacities (12.82 and 17.67 mg g) and low-desorption percentages (4.46-6.23%) at ion-strengths of 0.01-0.1 mol L and pH levels ranging from 5 to 7.
PubMed: 38944679
DOI: 10.1080/15226514.2024.2372850 -
International Journal of Biological... Jun 2024This study investigates the potential applications of incorporating 2D bacterial cellulose microfibers (BCM) biochar into chitosan/polyethyleneimine beads as a...
This study investigates the potential applications of incorporating 2D bacterial cellulose microfibers (BCM) biochar into chitosan/polyethyleneimine beads as a semi-natural sorbent for the efficient removal of tetracycline (TET) and metronidazole (MET) antibiotics. Batch adsorption experiments and characterization techniques evaluate removal performance and synthesized adsorbent properties. The adsorbent eliminated 99.13 % and 90 % of TET and MET at a 10 mg.L concentration with optimal pH values of 8 and 6, respectively, for 90 min. Under optimum conditions and a 400 mg.L concentration, MET and TET have possessed the maximum adsorption capacities of 691.325 and 960.778 mg.g, respectively. According to the isothermal analysis, the adsorption of TET fundamentally follows the Temkin (R = 0.997), Redlich-Peterson (R = 0.996), and Langmuir (R = 0.996) models. In contrast, the MET adsorption can be described by the Langmuir (R = 0.997), and Toth (R = 0.991) models. The pseudo-second-order (R = 0.998, 0.992) and Avrami (R = 0.999, 0.999) kinetic models were well-fitted with the kinetic results for MET and TET respectively. Diffusion models recommend that pore, liquid-film, and intraparticle diffusion govern the rate of the adsorption process. The developed semi-natural sorbent demonstrated exceptional adsorption capacity over eleven cycles due to its porous bead structure, making it a potential candidate for wastewater remediation.
PubMed: 38944566
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.132953 -
Environmental Pollution (Barking, Essex... Jun 2024The extraction of TcO from radioactive effluents is extremely crucial for the purposes of nuclear disposal and environmental remediation. Herein, utilizing a facile and...
The extraction of TcO from radioactive effluents is extremely crucial for the purposes of nuclear disposal and environmental remediation. Herein, utilizing a facile and low-cost synthesis method, we report a pyridinium-based cationic polymer network, CPP-Cl, with impressive adsorption performance and ultrafast adsorption kinetics towards ReO. The structure featuring highly density of charged pyridinium units was synthesized, making it an effective adsorbent for capturing ReO. The material showed fast ReO adsorption kinetics reaching adsorption equilibrium within 30 s, an excellent capture capability of 1069.7 mg/g, and exceptional separation efficiency of 94.3% for removing 1000 ppm ReO. Furthermore, it possessed excellent reusability in multiple sorption/desorption trials and good uptake capacity within a widely ranging pH values. It is noteworthy that the extraction efficiency of CPP-Cl for ReO from simulated nuclear waste can be up to 94.2%. The favorable performance of the material in multiple tests revealed that CPP-Cl has tremendous potential as a high-efficiency sorbent for capturing TcO/ReO in complex nuclear associated environmental systems.
PubMed: 38944180
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124442 -
Food and Chemical Toxicology : An... Jun 2024Alicyclobacillus bacteria are important contaminants in the beverage industry because their spores remain in the product after usual pasteurization. At the same time,...
Alicyclobacillus bacteria are important contaminants in the beverage industry because their spores remain in the product after usual pasteurization. At the same time, their impact on human health has yet to be characterized, as it is generally assumed to be low or non-existent. However, these bacteria are causing quality concerns mainly due to odor and taste changes of the product. Since potential health effects are not precisely known, an experimental assessment was performed, including a biosafety assessment of six viable and non-viable vegetative and spore forms of Alicyclobacillus spp. strains using cell cultures and rodent study. The monolayer of Caco-2 (Cancer coli-2) cells was investigated for its adsorption effect on the epithelium of the small intestine of mice. Lactate dehydrogenase leakage (LDH) and transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) tests were used to ensure the integrity of the cell membrane and tight junctions. The methylthiazole tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay examined in vitro cytotoxicity in Caco-2 and HepG2 cell lines. The hemolysis of erythrocytes was spectrophotometrically measured. The results showed negligible cytotoxicity or non-toxic response in mice. In conclusion, Alicyclobacillus spp. exhibited biocompatibility with negligible cytotoxicity and minimal safety concerns.
PubMed: 38944144
DOI: 10.1016/j.fct.2024.114840 -
Environmental Research Jun 2024An efficient and economical way of eliminating fluoride from water is being investigated by employing the buoyant aquatic plant (Dal weed). Two post-pyrolysis chemical...
Comprehensive batch studies on removal of fluoride from aqueous solution by acid and alkali-activated adsorbents prepared from Dal lake weeds: Mechanism, Kinetics and Thermodynamics.
An efficient and economical way of eliminating fluoride from water is being investigated by employing the buoyant aquatic plant (Dal weed). Two post-pyrolysis chemical activation alteration techniques were implemented: acidic activation by employing sulfuric acid (H-activation) and alkaline activation using sodium hydroxide (OH-activation). The batch kinetic studies have been carried out considering varying starting fluoride levels such as 2 - 10 mg/L. The impact of diverse procedural factors, including dosage of Dal weed, starting fluoride level, pH and contact duration was observed to determine their influence on fluoride adsorption kinetics. Based on analyzed exploratory results, removal efficacy of 63% for the OH-activated carbon and 83% for H-activated carbon was achieved at commencing fluoride level of 10 mg/L, adsorbent dosage of 0.8 g, at 25 °C after 120 minutes. The maximal fluoride uptake capacity for H-activated carbon was observed to be 78.158 mg/g. Kinetic investigations showed that the Freundlich isotherm model provided a satisfactory match with an R value of 0.99. The reaction order nature adhered to kinetics resembling pseudo second order. Thermodynamic investigation revealed endothermic sorption, with negative ΔG indicating spontaneous fluoride uptake. In comparison, the positive number for ΔS suggested random behavior at the contact involving the adsorbent and adsorbate. The investigations into the regeneration capabilities of the adsorbent material revealed that even after undergoing for five consecutive cycles of adsorption and regeneration, the adsorbent exhibited an uptake potential of 45%. The presence of competing ions in the solution negatively impacted defluoridation efficacy, with the influence following the order of HCO< NO< Cl< SO< PO.
PubMed: 38944101
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119493