Adsorption of typical natural organic matter on microplastics in aqueous solution: Kinetics, isotherm, influence factors and mechanism.

With rapid urbanization, microplastics and natural organic matters (NOMs) are ubiquitous in aquatic environment, and microplastics could act as carriers for organic matters in the aqueous solution and may pose a potential risk. In this study, the adsorption behaviors and mechanism of typical NOM, humic acid (HA), on polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polystyrene (PS) microplastics were investigated. Various influence factors such as solution pH, ions species and concentrations, particle size, and coexisting surfactants were studied.

Fish scale-based biochar with defined pore size and ultrahigh specific surface area for highly efficient adsorption of ciprofloxacin.

A fish scale-based porous activated biochar with defined pore size (DPBC) was fabricated by a one-step calcination and activation method. The DPBC possessed an ultrahigh specific surface area of 3370 m g and its pore diameter centered at 1.49 nm which fits into the ciprofloxacin (CIP) molecular dimension, making it an ideal adsorbent for CIP adsorption due to the molecular pore-filling effect.

Polymer induced one-step interfacial self-assembly method for the fabrication of flexible, robust and free-standing SERS substrates for rapid on-site detection of pesticide residues.

We have demonstrated a one-step approach for the fabrication of flexible, robust, reproducible and free-standing SERS substrates (AuNPs/polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film) through a polymer induced interfacial self-assembly method. In this method, the polymer (PVC) plays dual roles, that is, inducing the interfacial self-assembly of nanoparticles and fixing the assembled nanostructure in the PVC matrix. As the assembled nanoparticles are orderly half-embedded in the PVC film, the AuNPs/PVC film exhibits outstanding reproducibility and stability.

Facile synthesis of electrospun carbon nanofiber/graphene oxide composite aerogels for high efficiency oils absorption.

Oil contamination will seriously affect the health of water environment, so it is necessary to design ideal oil absorbents with large absorption capacity and high selectivity for effectively purify the oil contaminated water. Preparing high performance carbon aerogel for oil absorption has attracted growing attention, but challenges remain. Here we report a facile approach to fabricate mechanical strength enhanced three-dimensional (3D) nanofibrous aerogel principally through supporting agent liquid assisted collection-electrospinning technology, in which the immersion work was applied to measure the immersion capacity of nanofibers according to liquid-solid interfaces theory.

Enhanced adsorption of arsenite from aqueous solution by an iron-doped electrospun chitosan nanofiber mat: Preparation, characterization and performance.

A novel iron-doped chitosan electrospun nanofiber mat (Fe@CTS ENM) was synthesized, which was proven to be effective for the removal of arsenite (As(III)) from water at neutral pH condition. The physiochemical properties and adsorption mechanism were explored by SEM-EDS and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Batch adsorption experiments were carried out to evaluate the As(III) adsorption performance of the Fe@CTS ENM with various process parameters, such as adsorbent dose, solution pH, initial As(III) concentration, contact time, ionic strength, coexisting anions, and natural organic matter.

Facile On-Site Aqueous Pollutant Monitoring Using a Flexible, Ultralight, and Robust Surface-Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Substrate: Interface Self-Assembly of Au@Ag Nanocubes on a Polyvinyl Chloride Template.

Aquatic ecosystems and human health have been seriously threatened by illegal discharge of wastewater, while simple and effective monitoring methods are still sparse. Here, we propose a facile method for on-site pollutant monitoring by surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy with a novel substrate. This substrate is fabricated by interface self-assembly of Au@Ag nanocubes (NCs) on a simultaneously formed polyvinyl chloride (PVC) template, followed by coating with a thin Au film.

Electrospun Chitosan Nanofiber Membrane for Adsorption of Cu(II) from Aqueous Solution: Fabrication, Characterization and Performance.

The preparation, characterization and application of chitosan (CS) based electrospun nanofiber membrane for the adsorptive removal of Cu(II) from water were systematically investigated. Homogeneous, porous polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/CS nanofiber membrane with amorphous structure, and average fiber diameter of 49 nm was successfully fabricated. The adsorption of Cu(II) onto the positively charged PVA/CS nanofiber membrane (pH < 6) was due to chemisorption rather than electrostatic adherence, and was highly pH-dependent.

Functionalized chitosan electrospun nanofiber for effective removal of trace arsenate from water.

An environment-friendly iron functionalized chitosan elctrospun nanofiber (ICS-ENF) was synthesized for trace arsenate removal from water. The ICS-ENF was fabricated by electrospinning a mixture of chitosan, PEO and Fe(3+) followed by crosslinking with ammonia vapor. The physicochemical properties of ICS-ENF were characterized by FESEM, TEM-EDX and XRD.

Synthesis of Fe3O4/Polyacrylonitrile Composite Electrospun Nanofiber Mat for Effective Adsorption of Tetracycline.

Novel Fe3O4/polyacrylonitrile (PAN) composite nanofibers (NFs) were prepared by a simple two-step process, an electrospinning and solvothermal method. Characterization by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) demonstrated formation of a uniform nanoparticles coating (about 20 nm in thickness) on the PAN nanofiber backbone. The coating was constructed by well-crystallized cubic phase Fe3O4 nanoparticles as examined by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD).

Self-assembly of Au nanoparticles on PMMA template as flexible, transparent, and highly active SERS substrates.

We report a simple and rapid method for fabricating a surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrate, which offers good flexibility, excellent optical transparency, and high SERS activity. Specifically, the SERS substrate (AuNPs/PMMA film) was obtained through self-assembly of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) on newborn poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) template. The UV-vis spectroscopy analysis and scanning electron microscopy observation revealed that the gold nanoparticles were closely assembled on the flexible and transparent PMMA template.