Implementing magnetically-active Sn-based nanocomposites in hexavalent chromium removal from drinking water.

A novel nanocomposite consisting of FeO-loaded tin oxyhydroxy-chloride is demonstrated as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of hexavalent chromium in compliance to the new drinking water regulation. This study introduces a continuous-flow production of the nanocomposite through the separate synthesis of (i) 40 nm FeO nanoparticles and (ii) multilayered spherical arrangements of a tin hydroxy-chloride identified as abhurite, before the application of a wet-blending process. The homogeneous distribution of FeO nanoparticles on the abhurite's morphology, features nanocomposite with magnetic response whereas the 10 % loaded nanocomposite preserves a Cr(VI) uptake capacity of 7.

Tin Oxide Nanoparticles via Solar Vapor Deposition for Hexavalent Chromium Remediation.

Tin oxide nanoparticles optimized to capture low concentrations of hexavalent chromium from water were developed through a facile, scalable, and low-cost one-step solar vapor deposition methodology. Considering the preservation of high electron donation capacity as the key to support the reduction of mobile Cr(VI) into insoluble forms, the growth of SnO nanoparticles was favored by the co-evaporation of SnO with Fe powders at various mass ratios. Characterization techniques indicated that the percentage and the stability of SnO is proportional to the Fe content in the target with a requirement of at least 50% wt to inhibit the formation of a passive SnO surface layer.

Correction: Enhanced detoxification of Cr by adsorption on spherical and flower-like manganese ferrite nanostructures.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1039/D2NA00691J.].

Enhanced detoxification of Cr by adsorption on spherical and flower-like manganese ferrite nanostructures.

Maximizing the safe removal of hexavalent chromium (Cr) from waste streams is an increasing demand due to the environmental, economic and health benefits. The integrated adsorption and bio-reduction method can be applied for the elimination of the highly toxic Cr and its detoxification. This work describes a synthetic method for achieving the best chemical composition of spherical and flower-like manganese ferrite (MnFeO) nanostructures (NS) for Cr adsorption.

Hydrotalcite-Embedded Magnetite Nanoparticles for Hyperthermia-Triggered Chemotherapy.

A magnetic nanocomposite, consisting of FeO nanoparticles embedded into a Mg/Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) matrix, was developed for cancer multimodal therapy, based on the combination of local magnetic hyperthermia and thermally induced drug delivery. The synthesis procedure involves the sequential hydrolysis of iron salts (Fe, Fe) and Mg/Al nitrates in a carbonate-rich mild alkaline environment followed by the loading of 5-fluorouracil, an anionic anticancer drug, in the interlayer LDH space. Magnetite nanoparticles with a diameter around 30 nm, dispersed in water, constitute the hyperthermia-active phase able to generate a specific loss of power of around 500 W/g-Fe in an alternating current (AC) magnetic field of 24 kA/m and 300 kHz as determined by AC magnetometry and calorimetric measurements.

Toxic and Microbiological Effects of Iron Oxide and Silver Nanoparticles as Additives on Extended Ram Semen.

The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of iron oxide (Fe) and silver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) on ram semen. A skim milk extender without antibiotics was used as a diluent of 21 ejaculates (8 rams; 2-3 ejaculates/ram). The groups of control (C; semen without NPs), Fe NPs (3.

Dimpled SiO@γ-FeO nanocomposites - fabrication and use for arsenic adsorption in aqueous medium.

We report the synthesis of nanocomposites made of silica nanoparticles whose six surface dimples are decorated with magnetic maghemite nanoparticles and their use for detection and recovery of arsenic in aqueous media. Precursor silica nanoparticles have aminated polystyrene chains at the bottom of their dimples and the maghemite nanoparticles are surface functionalized with carboxylic acid groups in two steps: amination with 3-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane, then derivatization with succinic anhydride in the presence of triethylamine. In the end, the colloidal assembly consists of the regioselective grafting of the carboxylic acid-modified iron oxide nanoparticles onto the 6-dimple silica nanoparticles.

Iron Oxide Nanoparticles as an Alternative to Antibiotics Additive on Extended Boar Semen.

This study examined the effect of FeO nanoparticles on boar semen. Beltsville thawing solution without antibiotics was used to extend ejaculates from 5 boars (4 ejaculates/boar). Semen samples of control group (C) and group with FeO (Fe; 0.

Improvement of Manganese Feroxyhyte's Surface Charge with Exchangeable Ca Ions to Maximize Cd and Pb Uptake from Water.

The surface configuration of tetravalent manganese feroxyhyte (TMFx) was appropriately modified to achieve higher negative surface charge density and, hence, to improve its efficiency for the removal of dissolved Cd and Pb mostly cationic species from water at pH values commonly found in surface or ground waters. This was succeeded by the favorable engagement of Ca cations onto the surface of a mixed Mn-Fe oxy-hydroxide adsorbent during the preparation step, imitating an ion-exchange mechanism between H and Ca; therefore, the number of available negatively-charged adsorption sites was increased. Particularly, the calcium coverage can increase the deprotonated surface oxygen atoms, which can act as adsorption centers, as well as maintain them during the subsequent drying procedure.

Reductive precipitation and removal of Cr(VI) from groundwaters by pipe flocculation-microfiltration.

Chromium (Cr(VI)) is a very toxic and carcinogenic element, which is widely present in groundwaters, mainly due to geogenic conditions. The limit of Cr(VI) in drinking water is expected to be reduced to 10 μg/L in both the USA and the European Union. Recent literature findings indicated that the most efficient process in reducing Cr(VI) levels to below 10 μg/L proved to be Cr(VI) reduction by Fe(II), by applying a molar ratio Fe(II)/Cr(VI) of around 9.

The use of Sn(II) oxy-hydroxides for the effective removal of Cr(VI) from water: Optimization of synthesis parameters.

The development of a novel adsorbent based on Sn(II) oxy-hydroxide nanoparticles and the optimization of main synthesis parameters was examined for the efficient removal of hexavalent chromium at low residual concentration levels. The aqueous hydrolysis of Sn(II) salts in a continuous-flow process was evaluated as an effective method to synthesize an appropriate material able to operate both as an electron donor for Cr(VI) reduction, and provide a suitable crystal structure that favors strong complexation with the formed Cr(III) species. Experimental results revealed that the main hydrolysis parameters, such as pH value and tin origin/source, can be used to determine the chemical formula of the produced materials and thereby, eventually improve their uptake capacity for Cr(VI).

In-situ particles reorientation during magnetic hyperthermia application: Shape matters twice.

Promising advances in nanomedicine such as magnetic hyperthermia rely on a precise control of the nanoparticle performance in the cellular environment. This constitutes a huge research challenge due to difficulties for achieving a remote control within the human body. Here we report on the significant double role of the shape of ellipsoidal magnetic nanoparticles (nanorods) subjected to an external AC magnetic field: first, the heat release is increased due to the additional shape anisotropy; second, the rods dynamically reorientate in the orthogonal direction to the AC field direction.

Enrichment and oral bioaccessibility of selected trace elements in fly ash-derived magnetic components.

The mineralogy, morphology, and chemical composition of magnetic fractions separated from fly ashes (FAs) originating from Greek lignite-burning power plants was investigated. The oral bioaccessibility of potentially harmful elements (PHEs) from the fly ash magnetic fractions (FAMFs) was also assessed using in vitro gastrointestinal extraction (BARGE Unified Bioaccessibility Method, UBM). The FAMFs isolated were in the range 4.

FeO@NiFeO Nanoparticles with Enhanced Electrocatalytic Properties for Oxygen Evolution in Carbonate Electrolyte.

The design and engineering of earth-abundant catalysts that are both cost-effective and highly active for water splitting are crucial challenges in a number of energy conversion and storage technologies. In this direction, herein we report the synthesis of FeO@NiFeO core-shell nanoheterostructures and the characterization of their electrocatalytic performance toward the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Such nanoparticles (NPs) were produced by a two-step synthesis procedure involving the colloidal synthesis of FeO nanocubes with a defective shell and the posterior diffusion of nickel cations within this defective shell.

One-Step Route to Iron Oxide Hollow Nanocuboids by Cluster Condensation: Implementation in Water Remediation Technology.

The fabrication procedure of hollow iron oxide nanoparticles with a large surface to volume ratio by a single-step gas condensation process at ambient temperature is presented. Fe clusters formed during the sputtering process are progressively transformed into hollow cuboids with oxide shells by the Kirkendall mechanism at the expense of oxygen captured inside the deposition chamber. TEM and Raman spectroscopy techniques point to magnetite as the main component of the nanocuboids; however, the magnetic behavior exhibited by the samples suggests the presence of FeO as well.

Sn(II) oxy-hydroxides as potential adsorbents for Cr(VI)-uptake from drinking water: An X-ray absorption study.

The feasibility of implementing a Sn(II) oxy-hydroxide (Sn6O4(OH)4) for the reduction and adsorption of Cr(VI) in drinking water treatment was investigated using XAFS spectroscopies at the Cr-K-edge. The analysis of the Cr-K-edge XANES and EXAFS spectra verified the effective use of Sn6O4(OH)4 for successful Cr(VI) removal. Adsorption isotherms, as well as dynamic Rapid Small Scale Test (RSSCT) in NSF water matrix showed that Sn6O4(OH)4 can decrease Cr(VI) concentration below the upcoming regulation limit of 10μg/L for drinking water.

In vitro application of Mn-ferrite nanoparticles as novel magnetic hyperthermia agents.

Manganese ferrite nanoparticles were synthesized by a facile, low-cost, environmentally friendly and high yield methodology based on the aqueous co-precipitation of proper salts. Firstly, structural, morphological and magnetic characterization schemes were performed to determine crucial factors for optimizing their heating potential, such as size, polydispersity, saturation magnetization and coercivity. In an effort to simulate the in vivo environment of animal tissue phantoms and study the thermal heating effects resulting from Brownian motion and hysteresis losses, nanoparticles at various concentrations were embedded in aqueous media of varying agar concentration.

A novel approach for arsenic adsorbents regeneration using MgO.

An integrated procedure for the regeneration of iron oxy-hydroxide arsenic adsorbents by granulated MgO is proposed in this study. A continuous recirculation configuration, with a NaOH solution flowing sequentially through the saturated adsorbent (leaching step) and the MgO (adsorption step) column beds, was optimized by utilizing the high arsenic adsorption efficiency of MgO at strong alkaline environments. Experimental results indicated that the total amount of leached arsenic was captured by MgO whereas the regenerated iron oxy-hydroxide recovered around 80% of its removal capacity upon reuse.

Tetravalent manganese feroxyhyte: a novel nanoadsorbent equally selective for As(III) and As(V) removal from drinking water.

The development of a single-phase Fe/Mn oxy-hydroxide (δ-Fe0.76Mn0.24OOH), highly efficient at adsorbing both As(III) and As(V), is reported.

Learning from nature to improve the heat generation of iron-oxide nanoparticles for magnetic hyperthermia applications.

The performance of magnetic nanoparticles is intimately entwined with their structure, mean size and magnetic anisotropy. Besides, ensembles offer a unique way of engineering the magnetic response by modifying the strength of the dipolar interactions between particles. Here we report on an experimental and theoretical analysis of magnetic hyperthermia, a rapidly developing technique in medical research and oncology.

Kilogram-scale synthesis of iron oxy-hydroxides with improved arsenic removal capacity: study of Fe(II) oxidation--precipitation parameters.

Various iron oxy-hydroxides were synthesized in a continuous flow kilogram-scale production reactor through the precipitation of FeSO(4) and FeCl(2) in the pH range 3-12 under intense oxidative conditions to serve as arsenic adsorbents. The selection of the optimum adsorbent and the corresponding conditions of the synthesis was based not only on its maximum As(III) and As(V) adsorption capacity but also on its potential efficiency to achieve the arsenic health regulation limit in NSF challenge water. As a result, the adsorbent prepared at pH 4, which consists of schwertmannite, was selected because it exhibited the highest adsorption capacity of 13 μg As(V)/mg, while maintaining a residual arsenic concentration of 10 μg/L at an equilibrium pH 7.

Electron correlation in real time.

Electron correlation, caused by the interaction among electrons in a multielectron system, manifests itself in all states of matter. A complete theoretical description of interacting electrons is challenging; different approximations have been developed to describe the fundamental aspects of the correlation that drives the evolution of simple (few-electron systems in atoms/molecules) as well as complex (multielectron wave functions in atoms, molecules, and solids) systems. Electron correlation plays a key role in the relaxation mechanisms that characterize excited states of neutral or ionized atoms and molecules populated by absorption of extreme ultraviolet (XUV) or X-ray radiation.

Self-assembled multifunctional Fe/MgO nanospheres for magnetic resonance imaging and hyperthermia.

Unlabelled: A one-step process for the production of nanoparticles presenting advanced magnetic properties can be achieved using vapor condensation. In this article, we report on the fabrication of Fe particles covered by a uniform MgO epitaxial shell. MgO has a lower surface energy than Fe, which results in a core-shell crystal formation.