Acceleration of floc-water separation and floc reduction with magnetic nanoparticles during demulsification of complex waste cutting emulsions

Waste cutting emulsions are difficult to treat efficiently owing to their complex composition and stable emulsified structure. As an important treatment method for emulsions, chemical demulsification is faced with challenges such as low flocs–water separation rates and high sludge production. Hence, in this study, Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were used to enhance chemical demulsification performance for treating waste cutting emulsions under a magnetic field. The addition of MNPs significantly decreased the time required to attain sludge–water separation and sludge compression equilibrium, from 210 to 20 min. In addition, the volume percentage of sludge produced at the equilibrium state was reduced from 45% to 10%. This excellent flocculation–separation performance was stable over a pH range of 3–11. The magnetization of the flocculants and oil droplets to form a flocculant–MNP–oil droplet composite, and the magnetic transfer of the composite were two key processes that enhanced the separation of cutting emulsions. Specifically, the interactions among MNPs, flocculants, and oil droplets were important in the magnetization process, which was controlled by the structures and properties of the three components. Under the magnetic field, the magnetized flocculant–MNP–oil droplet composites were considerably accelerated and separated from water, and the sludge was simultaneously compressed. Thus, this study expands the applicability of magnetic separation techniques in the treatment of complex waste cutting emulsions.     

Fulvic acid removal by nanoparticle TiO2 using a submerged membrane photocatalysis reactor

The degradation of fulvic acid（FA） by nanoparticle TiO2 in a submerged membrane photocatalysis（SMPC） reactor was studied. In this reactor, photocatalytic oxidation and membrane separation co-occured. The continuous air supplier provided O2 for the photocatalytical reaction and mixed the solution through an airflow controller. The particle TiO2 could automatically settle due to gravity without particle agglomeration so it could be easily separated by microfiltration（MF） membrane. It was efficient to maintain high flux of membranes. The effects of operational parameters on the photocatalytic oxidation rate of FA were investigated. Results indicated that photocatalyst at 0.5 g/L and airflow at 0.06 m^3/h were the optimum condition for the removal of fulvic acid, the removal efficiency was higher in acid media than that in alkaline media. The effects of different filtration duration on permeate flux rate of MF with P25 powder and with nanoparticle TiO2 were compared. Experimental results indicated that the permeate flux rate of MF was improved and the membrane fouling phenomenon was reduced with the addition of nanoparticle TiO2 catalyst compared with conventional P25 powder. Therefore, this submerged membrane photocatalysis reactor can faciliate potential application of photocatalytic oxidation process in drinking water treatment.     

Au/ZnO催化剂的表征及常温常湿 条件下CO氧化性能研究

常温下考察了焙烧温度、金含量及水分对Au/ZnO催化剂上CO氧化性能的影响 ,并在常湿条件下考察了ZnO上CO氧化活性同温度的关系。结果表明 ,金的存在极大地提高了催化剂CO的氧化活性。另外焙烧温度和金含量对Au/ZnO催化剂的活性和稳定性均有较大影响 ,在常温常湿条件下 ,2 4 0℃焙烧的 2 %Au/ZnO催化剂 ,可连续反应 1 750h保持CO完全转化。XRD结果表明 ,锌的化学状态对催化剂的稳定性有较大的影响 ,氧化锌较碳酸锌表现出较高的稳定性。     

纳米TiO_2-CS微球光催化降解亚甲基兰的研究

将用化学方法改性后的纳米TiO2与壳聚糖(CS)共混,通过反相悬浮、交联制备了纳米TiO2-CS微球光催化剂,以亚甲基兰为对象,紫外灯为光源,研究了亚甲基兰的初始浓度、光照时间、不同pH值、纳米TiO2的含量、催化剂用量对亚甲基兰光降解率的影响。结果表明:纳米TiO2-CS微球能显著地降解亚甲基兰,且易于回收、能重复使用,为其实际应用提供了有价值的参数。     

Effect of oxide nanoparticles on the morphology and fluidity of phospholipid membranes and the role of hydrogen bonds

Engineered oxide nanoparticles (NPs) are widely applied in insulators, catalyzers, paints, cosmetic products, textiles and semiconductors. Their attachment on cell membrane may lead to cytotoxicity. The effects of Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, SiO₂, TiO₂ and ZnO NPs on membrane integrity and fluidity were studied using giant or small unilamellar vesicles in this study. Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ NPs disrupted the oppositely charged membrane, indicating the important role of electrostatic attraction. However, Fe₂O₃, TiO₂ and ZnO NPs did not cause serious membrane disruption as Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ NPs. Membrane fluidity was evaluated by the generalized polarity (GP) values of Laurdan fluorescent emission. SiO₂ NPs induce the membrane gelation of both positively and negatively charged membrane. Al₂O₃ and ZnO NPs induced the gelation of the oppositely charged membrane, but did not cause obvious membrane gelation to the like charged membrane. The phospholipid molecular structural changes after NP exposure were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. FT-IR spectra revealed the hydrogen bond formation between NPs and the carbonyl/phosphate groups of phospholipids. Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ NPs showed strongest evidence of hydrogen bonding on their FT-IR spectra. It was consistent with the microscopic observation and fluorescent data that Al₂O₃ and SiO₂ NPs caused more serious membrane disruption and gelation. This study on membrane damage provides further knowledge on the cytotoxicity of nanomaterials and the safety of NP application.     

不同pH下纳米铁镍颗粒对生物降解苯酚的影响

研究不同pH(8.0、6.0和3.0)下金属纳米颗粒(Fe和Fe/Ni)对纺锤芽孢杆菌(BFN)降解苯酚的影响.实验结果发现pH在8.0和6.0时投加2种金属纳米颗粒(Fe和Fe/Ni)对BFN降解苯酚有促进作用,其原因主要是纳米颗粒在水中持续腐蚀产生H2,为BFN降解苯酚提供电子,促进BFN的生长.但在pH=3.0时,只有BFN-纳米Fe耦合体系才使苯酚得到部分降解,主要是因为纳米Fe颗粒与水反应产生OH-,使pH值有所升高,更适宜BFN的生长,同时提供电子供体H2促进BFN对苯酚的利用.扫描电镜(SEM)和能谱分析(EDS)数据证实金属纳米颗粒(Fe和Fe/Ni)在反应后附着在微生物表面,但微生物的表面形态并未发生显著改变.因此,纳米金属颗粒虽然通过附着影响微生物的活性,但其在腐蚀过程中产生的H2将作为电子供体而被BFN所利用,综合作用的结果是有利于BFN的生长进而提高苯酚的降解速率.     

Enhanced photocatalytic activity of quantum-dot-sensitized one-dimensionally-ordered ZnO nanorod photocatalyst

An efficient photocatalyst was fabricated by assembling quantum dots （QDs） onto one-dimensionally-ordered ZnO nanorods, and the photocatalytic properties for Methyl Orange degradation were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, UV-Vis-NIR absorption spectroscopy and photoluminescence. The results indicate that the catalyst with assembled QDs is more favorable for the degradation than the pristine ZnO nanorods. The QDs with core-shell structure lower the photocatalytic ability due to the higher carder transport barrier of the ZnS shell layer. Besides its degradation efficiency, the photocatalyst has several advantages given that the one-dimensionally-ordered ZnO nanorods have been grown directly on indium tin oxide substrates. The article provides a new method to design an effective and easily recyclable photocatalyst.     

Interface-mediated synthesis of monodisperse ZnS nanoparticles with sulfate-reducing bacterium culture

We have created a new method of ZnS nanospheres synthesis. By interface-mediated precipitation method (IMPM), monodisperse ZnS nanoparticles was synthesized on the particle surface of sulfate-reducing bacterium nutritious agar culture. Sulfate-reducing bacterium (SRB) was used as a sulfide producer because of its dissimilatory sulfate reduction capability, meanwhile produced a variety of amino acids acting as templates for nanomaterials synthesis. Then zinc acetate was dispersed into nutritious agar plate. Subsequently agar plate was broken into particles bearing much external surface, which successfully mediated the synthesis of monodisperse ZnS nanoparticles. The morphology of monodisperse ZnS nanospheres and SRB were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the microstructure was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The thermostability of ZnS nanoparticles was determined by thermo gravimetric-differential thermo gravimetric (TG-DTG). The maximum absorption wavelengh was analysed with an ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer within a range of 199–700 nm. As a result, monodisperse ZnS nanoparticles were successfully synthesized, with an average diameter of 80 nm. Maximum absorption wavelengh was 228 nm, and heat decomposed temperature of monodisperse ZnS nanoparticles was 596°C.     

Interface-mediated synthesis of monodisperse ZnS nanoparticles with sulfate-reducing bacterium culture

We have created a new method of ZnS nanospheres synthesis. By interface-mediated precipitation method (IMPM), monodisperse ZnS nanoparticles was synthesized on the particle surface of sulfate-reducing bacterium nutritious agar culture. Sulfate-reducing bacterium (SRB) was used as a sulfide producer because of its dissimilatory sulfate reduction capability, meanwhile produced a variety of amino acids acting as templates for nanomaterials synthesis. Then zinc acetate was dispersed into nutritious agar plate. Subsequently agar plate was broken into particles bearing much external surface, which successfully mediated the synthesis of monodisperse ZnS nanoparticles. The morphology of monodisperse ZnS nanospheres and SRB were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and the microstructure was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The thermostability of ZnS nanoparticles was determined by thermo gravimetric-differential thermo gravimetric (TG-DTG). The maximum absorption wavelengh was analysed with an ultravioletvisible spectrophotometer within a range of 199-700 nm. As a result, monodisperse ZnS nanoparticles were successfully synthesized, with an average diameter of 80 nm. Maximum absorption wavelengh was 228 nm, and heat decomposed temperature of monodisperse ZnS nanoparticles was 596℃.     

纳米材料对斑马鱼的氧化损伤及应激效应研究

以斑马鱼(Daniorerio)为受试动物,研究了纳米及常规TiO2、ZnO悬浮液对其鳃、消化道及肝脏的氧化损伤及应激效应,同时对纳米及常规TiO2、ZnO悬浮液中的颗粒形貌特征及·OH生成量进行了测定.结果发现,虽然纳米TiO2、ZnO颗粒与其常规颗粒在溶液中的粒径分布接近,但50mg/L纳米TiO2、ZnO悬浮液中·OH产生量(96h光照下,分别为2.17mmol/L、0.72mmol/L)远远高于50mg/L常规颗粒(未检测到).50mg/L纳米TiO2处理下,斑马鱼肝脏中超氧化物歧化酶(SOD)、过氧化氢酶(CAT)、还原型谷胱甘肽(GSH)、蛋白质羰基含量分别为对照的70.2%、65.4%、53%、178.1%;消化道中SOD活性及GSH、丙二醛(MDA)含量分别为对照的149.6%、212.9%、217.2%;鳃中MDA含量为对照的160.9%.而50mg/L常规TiO2悬浮液对斑马鱼没有产生毒理效应.5mg/L纳米及常规ZnO对斑马鱼肝脏的氧化伤害最强,其中5mg/L纳米ZnO处理组中SOD、CAT活性及GSH、MDA含量分别为对照的62.9%、53.1%、45.2%、204.2%,5mg/L常规ZnO处理组中SOD、CAT活性及GSH、MDA含量分别为对照组48.3%、51.8%、34.6%、289.6%;虽然斑马鱼鳃及消化道也受到明显氧化应激效应(p0.05),但并没有受到氧化损伤.研究表明,团聚作用对不同化学组成纳米颗粒的毒性影响程度不同;且不同化学组成纳米颗粒在生物体内可能通过不同机制产生了不同种类的ROS,从而对不同细胞组分产生的氧化损伤及应激效应是其重要的毒理机制.