Publications by authors named "Hongyi Wan"

A nanocomposite membrane incorporating reactive Pd-Fe nanoparticles (NPs) was developed to remediate chlorinated aliphatic hydrocarbons (CAHs) from groundwater. Other than recapturing the produced Fe for in-situ regeneration, the functionalized polyanions prevented NPs agglomeration and resulting in a spherical Fe core (55 nm, O/Fe = 0.05) and an oxidized shell (4 nm, O/Fe = 1.

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Emerging perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances contaminate waters at trace concentrations, thus rapid and selective adsorbents are pivotal to mitigate the consequent energy-intensive and time-consuming issues in remediation. In this study, coal combustion residuals-fly ash was modified (FA-SCA) to overcome the universal trade-off between high adsorption capacity and fast kinetics. FA-SCA presented rapid adsorption (t = 2 min) of PFOX (perfluorooctanoic acid and perfluorooctanesulfonic acid, collectively), where the dynamic adsorption capacity (q = q/t) was 2-3 orders of magnitude higher than that of benchmark activated carbons and anion-exchange resins.

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Article Synopsis
  • PFAS are harmful substances found in water and soil that can be effectively removed using specially designed electrospun membranes.
  • These membranes, made from polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) with added quaternary ammonium groups, feature ultra-thin fibers that enhance their surface area and allow for both hydrophobic and anion-exchange properties.
  • They demonstrate over 95% removal efficiency for PFAS contaminants like PFOA and PFOS, even under challenging conditions, and can be regenerated effectively for long-term use.
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In this study a systematic comparison in morphology, long-term degradation, regeneration and reuse were conducted between palladized and sulfidized nanoscale zero-valent iron (Pd-Fe and S-Fe). Pd-Fe and S-Fe were prepared, after the synthesis of precursor Fe nanoparticles (spherical, ~35 nm radius) for carbon tetrachloride (CTC) treatment. With HAADF-TEM-EDS characterization, dispersive Pd islets were found on the Fe core of Pd-Fe.

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Article Synopsis
  • Perfluorochemicals (PFCs), specifically perfluoro-octanoic acid (PFOA), are pollutants found in water sources, and responsive polymers like poly-N-isopropylacrylamide (PNIPAm) can effectively adsorb and desorb these contaminants based on temperature changes.
  • PNIPAm's unique behavior allows for reversible adsorption at different temperatures, with higher adsorption rates above its lower critical solution temperature (LCST), showing significant adsorption and desorption capacity during kinetic studies.
  • When integrated with polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) membranes, this polymer demonstrates consistent performance in capturing and releasing PFOA across multiple cycles, with optimal desorption occurring in cooler water
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Article Synopsis
  • The study focused on synthesizing poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) within microfiltration membranes to incorporate palladium/iron nanoparticles, aimed at improving groundwater remediation.
  • Key findings indicated that the amount of palladium affects hydrogen production and dechlorination rates, with optimal results shown at 0.5 wt% Pd.
  • In tests, chlorinated compounds like trichloroethylene and carbon tetrachloride were significantly degraded by the Pd/Fe-PMAA-PVDF system, demonstrating its potential effectiveness for on-site groundwater cleanup.
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This article describes the effects of changing monomer and cross-linker concentrations on the mass gain, water permeability, Pd-Fe nanoparticle (NP) loading, and the rate of degradation of 3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB 126) of pore functionalized polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes. In this study, monomer (acrylic acid (AA)) and cross-linker (N, N'- methylene-bis (acrylamide)) concentrations were varied from 10 to 20 wt% of polymer solution and 0.5-2 mol% of monomer concentration, respectively.

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Oil industries generate large amounts of produced water containing organic contaminants, such as naphthenic acids (NA) and very high concentrations of inorganic salts. Recovery of potable water from produced water can be highly energy intensive is some cases due to its high salt concentration, and safe discharge is more suitable. Here, we explored catalytic properties of iron oxide (FeO nanoparticles) functionalized membranes in oxidizing NA from water containing high concentrations of total dissolved solids (TDS) using persulfate as an oxidizing agent.

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Functionalized PVDF membrane platforms were developed for environmentally benign in-situ nanostructured Fe/Pd synthesis and remediation of chlorinated organic compounds. To prevent leaching and aggregation, nanoparticle catalysts were integrated into membrane domains functionalized with poly (acrylic acid). Nanoparticles of 16-19 nm were observed inside the membrane pores by using focused ion beam (FIB).

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