Polymer hydrogels with enhanced stability and heterogeneous Fenton activity in organic pollutant removal

Polymer hydrogel-based materials have been shown to act as novel Fenton catalysts for water treatment, but the rational design of hydrogel-based catalysts with good stability has been a great challenge. To increase the stability and activity of polymer-based Fenton catalysts, uniform urchin-like α-Fe_2O_3 was grown in situ in a PVA carrier matrix here. PVA molecules promoted the growth of urchin-like α-Fe_2O_3, and then the PVA hydrogel acted as a barrier and carrier to reduce agglomeration. Through coordination by hydroxyl groups,PVA had good combination with Fe ions and α-Fe_2O_3. The formation of Fe–O–C bonds between iron oxides and polymers was reported for the first time, enhancing the material stability during catalysis. Under higher PVA concentrations, the resulting composite hydrogel could generate more ˙OH due to the increase in the number of active sites because of the hairy urchin-like structure. In tetracycline degradation through a heterogeneous Fenton reaction, the resulting material had good catalytic activity from pH 2 to pH 10 with low iron leaching, good reusability and remained at a level of nearly 90%after five consecutive cycles. Density functional theory calculations were used to further prove the mechanism of structural change of the iron oxides. The HOMO and LUMO energies of the iron oxides changed from 5.428 and 4.899 eV to 5.926 and 5.310 eV,indicating that the presence of PVA could influence the charge of the iron atom. The results provide new insights into the preparation of polymer hydrogel-based heterogeneous Fenton catalysts with enhanced stability for water treatment.     

Iron-doped Mn-Ce/TiO2 catalyst for low temperature selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3

The catalysts of iron-doped Mn-Ce/TiO 2(Fe-Mn-Ce/TiO 2) prepared by sol-gel method were investigated for low temperature selective catalytic reduction(SCR) of NO with NH 3.It was found that the NO conversion over Fe-Mn-Ce/TiO 2 was obviously improved after iron doping compared with that over Mn-Ce/TiO 2.Fe-Mn-Ce/TiO 2 with the molar ratio of Fe/Ti = 0.1 exhibited the highest activity.The results showed that 96.8% NO conversion was obtained over Fe(0.1)-Mn-Ce/TiO 2 at 180°C at a space velocity of 50,000 hr 1.Fe-Mn-Ce/TiO 2 exhibited much higher resistance to H 2 O and SO 2 than that of Mn-Ce/TiO 2.The properties of the catalysts were characterized using X-ray diffraction(XRD),N 2 adsorption,temperature programmed desorption(NH 3-TPD and NOx-TPD),and Xray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) techniques.BET,NH3-TPD and NOx-TPD results showed that the specific surface area and NH3 and NOx adsorption capacity of the catalysts increased with iron doping.It was known from XPS analysis that iron valence state on the surface of the catalysts were in Fe3+ state.The doping of iron enhanced the dispersion and oxidation state of Mn and Ce on the surface of the catalysts.The oxygen concentrations on the surface of the catalysts were found to increase after iron doping.Fe-Mn-Ce/TiO2 represented a promising catalyst for low temperature SCR of NO with NH3 in the presence of H2 O and SO2.     

Cu(Ⅱ), Fe(Ⅲ) and Mn(Ⅱ) combinations as environmental stress factors have distinguishing effects on Enterococcus hirae

Pollution by various heavy metals as environmental stress factors might affect bacteria. It was established that iron(Fe(Ⅲ)), manganese(Mn(Ⅱ)) and copper(Cu(Ⅱ)) ion combinations caused effects on Enterococcus hirae that differed from the sum of the effects when the metals were added separately. It was shown that the Cu2+–Fe3+combination decreased the growth and ATPase activity of membrane vesicles of wild-type E. hirae ATCC9790 and atp D mutant(with defective FoF1-ATPase) MS116. Addition of Mn2+–Fe3+combinations within the same concentration range had no effects on growth compared to control(without heavy metals). ATPase activity was increased in the presence of Mn2+–Fe3+, while together with0.2 mmol/L N,N′-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide(DCCD), ATPase activity was decreased compared to control(when only 0.2 mmol/L DCCD was present). These results indicate that heavy metals ion combinations probably affect the FOF1-ATPase, leading to conformational changes. Moreover the action may be direct or be mediated by environment redox potential.The effects observed when Fe3+was added separately disappeared in both cases, which might be a result of competing processes between Fe3+and other heavy metals. These findings are novel and improve the understanding of heavy metals ions effects on bacteria,and could be applied for regulation of stress response patterns in the environment.     

Preliminary study on the electrocatalytic performance of an iron biochar catalyst prepared from iron-enriched plants

Eichhornia crassipes is a hyperaccumulator of metals and has been widely used to remove metal pollutants from water, but disposal of contaminated plants is problematic.Biochar prepared from plants is commonly used to remediate soils and sequester carbon.Here, the catalytic activity of biochar prepared from plants enriched with iron was investigated as a potentially beneficial use of metal-contaminated plants.In a 30-day hydroponic experiment, E.crassipes was exposed to different concentrations of Fe(Ⅲ)(0, 4, 8, 16, 32 and 64 mg/L), and Fe-biochar(Fe-BC) was prepared by pyrolysis of the plant roots.The biochar was characterized using X-ray diffraction(XRD), scanning electron microscopy(SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry(EDS), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller(BET) analysis, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) and atomic absorption spectrometry(AAS).The original root morphology was visible and iron was present as γ-Fe_2O_3 and Fe_3O_4.The biochar enriched with Fe(Ⅲ) at 8 mg/L(8-Fe-BC) had the smallest specific surface area(SSA, 13.54 m~2/g) and the highest Fe content(27.9 mg/g).Fe-BC catalytic activity was tested in the electrocatalytic reduction of H_2O_2 using cyclic voltammetry(CV).The largest reduction current(1.82 mA/cm~2) was displayed by 8-Fe-BC, indicating the highest potential catalytic activity.We report here, for the first time, on the catalytic activity of biochar made from iron-enriched plants and demonstrate the potential for reusing metalcontaminated plants to produce a biochar catalyst.     

Dechlorination of carbon tetrachloride by the catalyzed Fe-Cu process

The electrochemical reduction characteristics of carbon tetrachloride (CT) were investigated using cyclic voltammetry in this study. In addition, the difference in reduction mechanisms of CT between Master Builders' iron and the catalyzed Fe-Cu process was discussed. The results showed that CT was reduced directly on the surface of copper rather than by atomic hydrogen produced at the cathode in the catalyzed Fe-Cu process. The reduction was realized largely by atomic hydrogen in Master Builders' iron. The entire CT in 350 ml aqueous solution with 320 mgL was reduced to trichloromethane and dichloromethane in 2.25 h when 100 g of scrap iron with FeCu ratio of 10:1 (ww) were used. Moreover, the reduction rate slowed with time. CT could be reduced at acidic, neutral and alkaline pH from solution by Fe-Cu bimetallic media, but the mechanisms were di?erent. The degradation rate was not significantly in?uenced by pH in the catalyzed Fe-Cu process; in Master Builders' iron it clearly increased with decreasing pH. The kinetics of the reductions followed pseudo-first order in both cases. Furthermore, the reductions under acidic conditions proceeded faster than that under the neutral and alkaline conditions. The catalyzed Fe-Cu process was superior to Master Builders' iron in treating CT-containing water and this advantage was particularly noticeable under alkaline conditions. The reduction was investigated in the cathode (Cu) and anode (Fe) compartments respectively, the results showed that the direct reduction pathway played an important role in the reduction by the catalyzed Fe-Cu process. The catalyzed Fe-Cu process is of practical value.     

Bacterial reduction and release of adsorbed arsenate on Fe(Ⅲ)-, Al- and coprecipitated Fe(Ⅲ)/Al-hydroxides

Mobilization of arsenic under anaerobic conditions is of great concern in arsenic contaminated soils and sediments. Bacterial reduction of As(V) and Fe(Ⅲ) influences the cycling and partitioning of arsenic between solid and aqueous phase. We investigated the impact of bacterially mediated reductions of Fe(Ⅲ)/Al hydroxides-bound arsenic(V) and iron(Ⅲ) oxides on arsenic release. Our results suggested that As(V) reduction occurred prior to Fe(Ⅲ) reduction, and Fe(Ⅲ) reduction did not enhance the release of arsenic. Instead, Fe(Ⅲ) hydroxides retained their dissolved concentrations during the experimental process, even though the new iron mineral-magnetite formed. In contrast, the release of reduced As(Ⅲ) was promoted greatly when aluminum hydroxides was incorporated. Thus, the substitution of aluminum hydroxides may be responsible for the release of arsenic in the contaminated soils and sediments, since aluminum substitution of Fe(Ⅲ) hydroxides universally occurs under natural conditions.     

Biphasic reduction model for predicting the impacts of dye-bath constituents on the reduction of tris-azo dye Direct Green-1 by zero valent iron(Fe~0)

Influence of common dye-bath additives, namely sodium chloride, ammonium sulphate,urea, acetic acid and citric acid, on the reductive decolouration of Direct Green 1 dye in the presence of Fe~0 was investigated. Organic acids improved dye reduction by augmenting Fe~0 corrosion, with acetic acid performing better than citric acid. Na Cl enhanced the reduction rate by its ‘salting out' effect on the bulk solution and by Cl~-anion-mediated pitting corrosion of iron surface.(NH_4)_2SO_4induced ‘salting out' effect accompanied by enhanced iron corrosion by SO_4~(2-)anion and buffering effect of NH+4 improved the reduction rates.However, at 2 g/L(NH_4)_2SO_4concentration, complexating of SO_4~(2-)with iron oxides decreased Fe~0 reactivity. Urea severely compromised the reduction reaction, onus to its chaotropic and‘salting in' effect in solution, and due to it masking the Fe~0 surface. Decolouration obeyed biphasic reduction kinetics(R~2 0.993 in all the cases) exhibiting an initial rapid phase,when more than 95% dye reduction was observed, preceding a tedious phase. Maximum rapid phase reduction rate of 0.955/min was observed at p H 2 in the co-presence of all dye-bath constituents. The developed biphasic model reckoned the influence of each dye-bath additive on decolouration and simulated well with the experimental data obtained at p H 2.     

Simultaneous Fe(Ⅲ) reduction and ammonia oxidation process in Anammox sludge

In recent years, there have been a number of reports on the phenomenon in which ferric iron(Fe(Ⅲ)) is reduced to ferrous iron [Fe(Ⅱ)] in anaerobic environments, accompanied by simultaneous oxidation of ammonia to NO2-, NO3-, or N2.However, studies on the relevant reaction characteristics and mechanisms are rare. Recently, in research on the effect of Fe(Ⅲ) on the activity of Anammox sludge, excess ammonia oxidization has also been found.Hence, in the present study, Fe(Ⅲ) was used to serve as the electron acceptor instead of NO2-,and the feasibility and characteristics of Anammox coupled to Fe(Ⅲ) reduction(termed Feammox) were investigated. After 160 days of cultivation, the conversion rate of ammonia in the reactor was above 80%, accompanied by the production of a large amount of NO3-and a small amount of NO2-. The total nitrogen removal rate was up to 71.8%. Furthermore,quantities of Fe(Ⅱ) were detected in the sludge fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH) and denaturated gradient gel electrophoresis(DGGE) analyses further revealed that in the sludge, some Anammox bacteria were retained, and some microbes were enriched during the acclimatization process. We thus deduced that in Anammox sludge, Fe(Ⅲ) reduction takes place together with ammonia oxidation to NO2-and NO3-along with the Anammox process.     

Preparation and characterization of Pd/Fe bimetallic nanoparticles immobilized on Al2O3/PVDF membrane: Parameter optimization and dechlorination of dichloroacetic acid

Using a liquid–solid phase inversion method, a hybrid matrix poly(vinylidene fluoride)(PVDF) membrane was prepared with alumina(Al2O3) nanoparticle addition. Pd/Fe nanoparticles(NPs) were successfully immobilized on the Al2O3/PVDF membrane, which was characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy(TEM). The micrographs showed that the Pd/Fe NPs were dispersed homogeneously. Several important experimental parameters were optimized, including the mechanical properties, contact angle and surface area of Al2O3/PVDF composite membranes with different Al2O3 contents. At the same time, the ferrous ion concentration and the effect of hydrophilization were studied. The results showed that the modified Al2O3/PVDF membrane functioned well as a support. The Al2O3/PVDF membrane with immobilized Pd/Fe NPs exhibited high efficiency in terms of dichloroacetic acid(DCAA) dechlorination. Additionally, a reaction pathway for DCAA dechlorination by Pd/Fe NPs immobilized on the Al2O3/PVDF membrane system was proposed.     

Mesoporous cobalt monoxide-supported platinum nanoparticles: Superior catalysts for the oxidative removal of benzene

Mesoporous Co_3 O_4(meso-Co_3 O_4)-supported Pt(0.53 wt.% Pt/meso-Co304) was synthesized via the KIT-6-templating and polyvinyl alcohol(PVA)-assisted reduction routes.Mesoporous CoO(meso-CoO) was fabricated through in situ reduction of meso-Co304 with glycerol,and the 0.18-0.69 wt.% Pt/meso-CoO samples were generated by the PVA-assisted reduction method.Meso-Co_3 O_4 and meso-CoO were of cubic crystal structure and the Pt nanoparticles(NPs) with a uniform size of ca.2 nm were well distributed on the mesoCo_3 O_4 or meso-CoO surface.The 0.56 wt% Pt/meso-CoO(0.56 Pt/meso-CoO) sample performed the best in benzene combustion(T_(50%)=156℃and T_(90%)=186℃at a space velocity of 80,000 mL/(g h)).Introducing water vapor or C02 with a certain concentration led to partial deactivation of 0.56 Pt/meso-CoO and such a deactivation was reversible.We think that the superior catalytic activity of 0.56 Pt/meso-CoO was intimately related to its good oxygen activation and benzene adsorption ability.     

Au − Pd/mesoporous Fe2O3: Highly active photocatalysts for the visible-light-driven degradation of acetone

Three-dimensionally ordered mesoporous Fe_2O_3(meso-Fe_2O_3) and its supported Au, Pd,and Au-Pd alloy(xA uP dy/meso-Fe_2O_3; x = 0.08–0.72 wt.%; Pd/Au molar ratio(y) = 1.48–1.85)photocatalysts have been prepared via the KIT-6-templating and polyvinyl alcohol-protected reduction routes, respectively. Physical properties of the samples were characterized, and their photocatalytic activities were evaluated for the photocatalytic oxidation of acetone in the presence of a small amount of H_2O_2 under visible-light illumination. It was found that the meso-Fe_2O_3 was rhombohedral in crystal structure. The as-obtained samples displayed a high surface area of 111.0–140.8 m~2/g and a bandgap energy of 1.98–2.12 eV. The Au, Pd and/or Au–Pd alloy nanoparticles(NPs) with a size of 3–4 nm were uniformly dispersed on the surface of the meso-Fe_2O_3 support. The 0.72 wt.% AuP d1.48/meso-Fe_2O_3 sample performed the best in the presence of 0.06 mol/L H_2O_2 aqueous solution, showing a 100% acetone conversion within4 hr of visible-light illumination. It was concluded that the good performance of 0.72 wt.%AuPd_(1.48)/meso-Fe_2O_3 for photocatalytic acetone oxidation was associated with its ordered mesoporous structure, high adsorbed oxygen species concentration, plasmonic resonance effect between AuPd_(1.48) NPs and meso-Fe_2O_3, and effective separation of the photogenerated charge carriers. In addition, the introduction of H_2O_2 and the involvement of the photo-Fenton process also played important roles in enhancing the photocatalytic activity of 0.72 wt.%AuPd_(1.48)/meso-Fe_2O_3.     

Dissimilatory Fe(III) reduction characteristics of paddy soil extract cultures treated with glucose or fatty acids

Dissimilatory Fe(Ⅲ) reduction is a universal process with irreplaceable biological and environmental importance in anoxic environments. Our knowledge about Fe(Ⅲ) reduction predominantly comes from pure cultures of dissimilatory Fe(Ⅲ) reducing bacteria (DFRB). The objective of this study was to compare the effects of glucose and a selection of short organic acids (citrate, succinate, pyruvate, propionate, acetate, and formate) on Fe(Ⅲ) reduction via the anaerobic culture of three paddy soil solutions with Fe(OH)3 as the sole electron acceptor. The results showed significant differences in Fe(Ⅲ) reduction among the three paddy soil solutions and suhstrate types. Bacteria from the Sichuan paddy soil responded quickly to substrate supply and showed higher Fe(Ⅲ) reducing activity than the other two soil types. Bacteria in the Jiangxi paddy soil culture solution could not use propionate as a source of electrons for Fe(Ⅲ) reduction. Similarly, bacteria in the Jilin paddy soil culture could not use succinate effectively. Pyruvate was readily used by cultures from all three paddy soil solutions, thus indicating that there were some similarities in substrate utilization by bacteria for Fe(Ⅲ) reduction. The use of glucose and citrate as substrate for dissimilatory Fe(Ⅲ) reduction indicates important ecological implications for this type of anoxic respiration.     

Formation and transformation of schwertmannite in the classic Fenton process

The massive amount of sludge generated by the classic Fenton process, which has often been hypothesized to consist of ferric hydroxide, remains a major obstacle to its large-scale application. Therefore, reutilization of Fenton sludge has recently gained more attention.Understanding the formation, transformation, and properties of Fenton sludge combined with the stages of the Fenton reaction is pivotal, but not well illustrated yet. In this study,SEM-EDS, FT-IR, XRD, and XPS were applied to study the morphology, crystallinity,elemental composition, and valence state of Fenton sludge. The authors report that schwertmannite and 2-line ferrihydrite were generated and transformed in the oxidation phase and the neutralization phase of the Fenton process. SO_4~(2-) in the solution decreased by8.7%–26.0% at different molar ratios of Fe(II) to H_2 O_2; meanwhile, iron ion precipitated completely at pH 3.70 with the formation of schwertmannite containing sulfate groups in the Fenton sludge. The structural sulfate(Fe-SO_4) in schwertmannite was released from the precipitate with the addition of OH-, and the production of Fenton sludge decreased with increasing pH when pH 3.70. Goethite was found to form when the final p H was adjusted to 12 or at a reaction temperature of 80°C. Moreover, the possible thermal transformation to goethite and hematite indicated that Fenton sludge can be reused as a raw material for synthesizing more stable iron(hydro)oxides. The results provide useful insights into the formation and transformation of Fenton sludge, with implications for regulating the crystal type of Fenton sludge for further reuse.     

Fe2O3 particles as superior catalysts for low temperature selective catalytic reduction of NO with NH3

Fe203 particle catalysts were experimentally studied in the low temperature selective catalytic reduction （SCR） of NO with NH3. The effects of reaction temperature, oxygen concentration, [NH3]/[NO] molar ratio and residence time on SCR activity were studied. It was found that Fe203 catalysts had high activity for the SCR of NO with NH3 in a broad temperature range of 150-270℃, and more than 95% NO conversion was obtained at 180℃ when the molar ratio [NH3]/[NO] = 1, the residence time was 0.48 seconds and 02 volume fraction was 3%. In addition, the effect of SO2 on SCR catalytic activity was also investigated at the temperature of 180℃. The results showed that deactivation of the Fe2O3 particles occurred due to the presence of SO2 and the NO conversion decreased from 99.2% to 58% in 240 min, since SO2 gradually decreased the catalytic activity of the catalysts. In addition, X-ray diffraction, Thermogravimetric analysis and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize the fresh and deactivated Fe2O3 catalysts. The results showed that the deactivation caused by SO2 was due to the formation of metal sulfates and ammonium sulfates on the catalyst surface during the de-NO reaction, which could cause pore plugging and result in suppression of the catalytic activity.     

Iron stability in drinking water distribution systems in a city of China

A field study on the estimation and analysis of iron stability in drinking water distribution system was carried out in a city of China. The stability of iron ion was estimated by pC-pH figure. It was found that iron ion was unstable, with a high Fe （OH）3 precipitation tendency and obvious increase in turbidity. The outer layer of the corrosion scale was compact, while the inner core was porous. The main composition of the scale was iron, and the possible compound constitutes of the outer scale were α-FeOH, γ-FeOOH, α-Fe2O3, γ-F2O3, FeCl3, while the inner were Fe3O4, FeCl2, FeCO3. According to the characteristics of the corrosion scale, it was thought that the main reason for iron instability was iron release from corrosion scale. Many factors such as pipe materials, dissolved oxygen and chlorine residual affect iron release. Generally, higher iron release occurred with lower dissolved oxygen or chlorine residual concentration, while lower iron release occurred with higher dissolved oxygen or chlorine residual concentration. The reason was considered that the passivated out layer of scale of ferric oxide was broken down by reductive reaction in a condition of low oxidants concentration, which would result more rapid corrosion of the nine and red water phenomenon.     

Iron and lead ion adsorption by microbial flocculants in synthetic wastewater and their related carbonate formation

Although microbial treatments of heavy metal ions in wastewater have been studied, the removal of these metals through incorporation into carbonate minerals has rarely been reported. To investigate the removal of Fe^3＋ and Pb^2＋, two representative metals in wastewater, through the precipitation of carbonate minerals by a microbial flocculant （MBF） produced by Bacillus mucilaginosus. MBF was added to synthetic wastewater containing different Fe^3＋ and Pb^2＋ concentrations, and the extent of flocculation was analyzed. CO2 was bubbled into the mixture of MBF and Fe^3＋/Pb^2＋ to initiate the reaction. The solid substrates were analyzed via X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The results showed that the removal efficiency decreased and the MBF adsorption capacity for metals increased with increasing heavy metal concentration. In the system containing MBF, metals （Fe^3＋ and Pb^2＋）, and CO2, the concentrated metals adsorbed onto the MBF combined with the dissolved CO2, resulting in oversaturation of metal carbonate minerals to form iron carbonate and lead carbonates. These results may be used in designing a method in which microbes can be utilized to combine CO2 with wastewater heavy metals to form carbonates, with the aim of mitigating environmental problems.     

Low-carbon transition of iron and steel industry in China: Carbon intensity, economic growth and policy intervention

As the biggest iron and steel producer in the world and one of the highest CO₂ emission sectors, China's iron and steel industry is undergoing a low-carbon transition accompanied by remarkable technological progress and investment adjustment, in response to the macroeconomic climate and policy intervention. Many drivers of the CO₂ emissions of the iron and steel industry have been explored, but the relationships between CO₂ abatement, investment and technological expenditure, and their connections with the economic growth and governmental policies in China, have not been conjointly and empirically examined. We proposed a concise conceptual model and an econometric model to investigate this crucial question. The results of regression, Granger causality test and impulse response analysis indicated that technological expenditure can significantly reduce CO₂ emissions, and that investment expansion showed a negative impact on CO₂ emission reduction. It was also argued with empirical evidence that a good economic situation favored CO₂ abatement in China's iron and steel industry, while achieving CO₂ emission reduction in this industrial sector did not necessarily threaten economic growth. This shed light on the dispute over balancing emission cutting and economic growth. Regarding the policy aspects, the year 2000 was found to be an important turning point for policy evolution and the development of the iron and steel industry in China. The subsequent command and control policies had a significant, positive effect on CO₂ abatement.     

Genotoxicity of ferric oxide nanoparticles in Raphanus sativus: Deciphering the role of signaling factors, oxidative stress and cell death

We have studied the genotoxic and apoptotic potential of ferric oxide nanoparticles(Fe_2O_3-NPs) in Raphanus sativus(radish).Fe_2O_3-NPs retarded the root length and seed germination in radish.Ultrathin sections of treated roots showed subcellular localization of Fe_2O_3-NPs,along with the appearance of damaged mitochondria and excessive vacuolization.Flow cytometric analysis of Fe_2O_3-NPs(1.0 mg/m L) treated groups exhibited 219.5%,161%,120.4% and 161.4% increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS),mitochondrial membrane potential(ΔΨm),nitric oxide(NO) and Ca2+influx in radish protoplasts.A concentration dependent increase in the antioxidative enzymes glutathione(GSH),catalase(CAT),superoxide dismutase(SOD) and lipid peroxidation(LPO) has been recorded.Comet assay showed a concentration dependent increase in deoxyribonucleic acid(DNA) strand breaks in Fe_2O_3-NPs treated groups.Cell cycle analysis revealed 88.4% of cells in sub-G1 apoptotic phase,suggesting cell death in Fe_2O_3-NPs(2.0 mg/m L) treated group.Taking together,the genotoxicity induced by Fe_2O_3-NPs highlights the importance of environmental risk associated with improper disposal of nanoparticles(NPs) and radish can serve as a good indicator for measuring the phytotoxicity of NPs grown in NP-polluted environment.     

Co-adsorption of gaseous benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, m-xylene (BTEX) and SO2 on recyclable Fe3O4 nanoparticles at 0-101% relative humidities

We herein used Fe3O4 nanoparticles(NPs) as an adsorption interface for the concurrent removal of gaseous benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and m-xylene(BTEX) and sulfur dioxide(SO2), at different relative humidities(RH). X-ray diffraction, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, and transmission electron microscopy were deployed for nanoparticle surface characterization.Mono-dispersed Fe3O4(Fe2O3·Fe O) NPs synthesized with oleic acid(OA) as surfactant, and uncoated poly-dispersed Fe3O4 NPs demonstrated comparable removal efficiencies.Adsorption experiments of BTEX on NPs were measured using gas chromatography equipped with flame ionization detection, which indicated high removal efficiencies(up to(95 ± 2)%) under dry conditions. The humidity effect and competitive adsorption were investigated using toluene as a model compound. It was observed that the removal efficiencies decreased as a function of the increase in RH, yet, under our experimental conditions, we observed(40 ± 4)% toluene removal at supersaturation for Fe3O4 NPs, and toluene removal of(83 ± 4)% to(59 ± 6)%, for OA-Fe3O4 NPs. In the presence of SO2, the toluene uptake was reduced under dry conditions to(89 ± 2)% and(75 ± 1)% for the uncoated and coated NPs, respectively, depicting competitive adsorption. At RH 100%,competitive adsorption reduced the removal efficiency to(27 ± 1)% for uncoated NPs whereas OA-Fe3O4 NPs exhibited moderate efficiency loss of(55 ± 2)% at supersaturation.Results point to heterogeneous water coverage on the NP surface. The magnetic property of magnetite facilitated the recovery of both types of NPs, without the loss in efficiency when recycled and reused.     

Dissimilatory Fe(Ⅲ) reduction characteristics of paddy soil extract cultures treated with glucose or fatty acids

Dissimilatory Fe(Ⅲ) reduction is a universal process with irreplaceable biological and environmental importance in anoxic environments. Our knowledge about Fe(Ⅲ) reduction predominantly comes from pure cultures of dissimilatory Fe(Ⅲ) reducing bacteria (DFRB). The objective of this study was to compare the effects of glucose and a selection of short organic acids (citrate, succinate, pyruvate, propionate, acetate, and formate) on Fe(Ⅲ) reduction via the anaerobic culture of three paddy soil solutions with Fe...