Synthesis and evaluation of FeO-impregnated activated carbon for dioxin removal.

Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and -furans (PCDD/PCDFs) are highly toxic organic pollutants in soils and sediments which persist over timescales that extend from decades to centuries. There is a growing need to develop effective technologies for remediating PCDD/Fs-contaminated soils and sediments to protect human and ecosystem health. The use of sorbent amendments to sequester PCDD/Fs has emerged as one promising technology.

Impact of Intrinsic Structural Properties on the Hydration of 2:1 Layer Silicates.

Several 2:1 layer silicates comprising di- and trioctahedral smectites of different layer charge between 0.2 and 0.4 per formula unit and a trioctahedral vermiculite were studied by an method that allowed Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra and water vapor sorption isotherms to be obtained simultaneously.

Soilless plant growth media influence the efficacy of phytohormones and phytohormone inhibitors.

Plant growth regulators, such as hormones and their respective biosynthesis inhibitors, are effective tools to elucidate the physiological function of phytohormones in plants. A problem of chemical treatments, however, is the potential for interaction of the active compound with the growth media substrate. We studied the interaction and efficacy of propiconazole, a potent and specific inhibitor of brassinosteroid biosynthesis, with common soilless greenhouse growth media for rice, sorghum, and maize.

Interaction of biological molecules with clay minerals: a combined spectroscopic and sorption study of lysozyme on saponite.

The interaction of hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL) with Na- and Cs-exchanged saponite was investigated using sorption, structural, and spectroscopic methods as a model system to study clay-protein interactions. HEWL sorption to Na- and Cs-saponite was determined using the bicinchoninic acid (BCA) assay, thermogravimetric analysis, and C and N analysis. For Na-saponite, the TGA and elemental analysis-derived sorption maximum was 600 mg/g corresponding to a surface coverage of 0.

Structure and adsorption properties of commercial calcium phosphate adjuvant.

Calcium phosphate adjuvant is a commercially available vaccine adjuvant that potentiates the immune response to antigens. Although its name suggests that it is Ca3(PO4)2, X-ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, thermal analysis and the Ca/P molar ratio identify commercial calcium phosphate adjuvant as non-stoichiometric hydroxyapatite, Ca10-x (HPO4)x (PO4)6-x (OH)2-x, where x varies from 0 to 2. The surface charge is pH-dependent (point of zero charge = 5.