Integrated removal of chromium, lead, and cadmium using nano-zero-valent iron-supported biochar: Mechanistic insights and eco-toxicity assessment.

The contamination of water and soil by heavy metals (HMs) is a global issue that should be given much more concern. Modified nano-zero-valent iron (nZVI) composites offer an effective strategy for HMs remediation, but few studies have focused on removing coexisting HMs and the eco-toxicity of the composite. In this study, corn straw biochar-supported nZVI composites (nZVI-BC) were synthesized, characterized and used for the removal of Cr, Pb, and Cd in single and multi-system at different composites dosages, metal concentrations, and solution pH.

Cadmium adsorption onto aluminum hydroxide-modified attapulgite prepared with basic aluminum acetate.

Cadmium pollution in water is becoming increasingly serious. Thus, the effective removal of Cd(II) from water has garnered attention. Aluminum hydroxide-modified attapulgite (ATP-AC) was prepared from basic aluminum acetate through a coprecipitation method that could efficiently adsorb Cd(II) in aqueous solution.

Nano zero-valent iron loaded corn-straw biochar for efficient removal of hexavalent chromium: remediation performance and interfacial chemical behaviour.

To improve the poor stability of nano zero-valent iron (nZVI), corn-straw biochar (BC) was used as a support for the synthesis of composites of nZVI-biochar (nZVI/BC) in different mass ratios. After a thorough characterization, the obtained nZVI/BC composite was used to remove hexavalent chromium [Cr(vi)] in an aquatic system under varying conditions including composite amount, Cr(vi) concentration, and pH. The obtained results show that the treatment efficiency varied in the following order: nZVI-BC (1 : 3) > nZVI-BC (1 : 5) > nZVI alone > BC alone.

Effect of enhanced UV-B radiation on growth and photosynthetic physiology of Iris tectorum maxim.

Iris tectorum Maxim. is an important plant that plays a very crucial role in the ecological welfare of wetlands. In this study, the effects of different intensities of UV-B radiation on the growth, photosynthetic pigment content, chlorophyll fluorescence characteristics, chloroplast ultrastructure, and gas exchange parameters of Iris tectorum Maxim.

A comparative study of Cd(ii) adsorption on calcined raw attapulgite and calcined aluminium hydroxide-modified attapulgites in aqueous solution.

In this study, raw attapulgite and two aluminium hydroxide-modified attapulgites prepared using different aluminium salts were calcined at 600 °C to successfully prepare three novel adsorbents (C-ATP, C-ATP-SO and C-ATP-Cl). The three adsorbents were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Batch experiments revealed that the Cd(ii) adsorption capacity of the three adsorbents increased with increasing pH, increasing the initial concentration of Cd(ii) in solution, and with longer adsorption times.

[Effects of enhanced UV-B radiation on photosynthetic physiology and chloroplast ultrastructure of Phragmites australis].

The effects of different intensities of UV-B radiation on photosynthetic characteristics, photosynthetic pigment content and chloroplast ultrastructure of Phragmites australis were studied in this paper. The results showed that enhanced UV-B radiation significantly reduced the net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and transpiration rate, and the degree of degradation increased with the increasing irradiation intensity. The intercellular CO content increased and the photosynthetic efficiency decreased significantly compared with the control.

Design and evaluation of drug-loaded wound dressing having thermoresponsive, adhesive, absorptive and easy peeling properties.

In order to develop a novel unique wound dressing, a combination of self-adhesive Eudragit E film with antibacterial drug-loaded poly (N-isopropyl-acrylamide) (PNIPAAm) microgel beads was designed. The result indicates that the tack property of Eudragit E film increased with an increase of the PNIPAAm microgel beads added, but there was no significant difference between the dried PNIPAAm microgel beads with or without adsorbing drug. In addition, the peel strength of Eudragit E film initially decreased with the addition of PNIPAAm microgel beads, but increased to a maximum value when PNIPAAm microgel beads were added from 4% to 7.

Organic esters of plasticizers affecting the water absorption, adhesive property, glass transition temperature and plasticizer permanence of eudragit acrylic films.

The materials used in film coating technology are very important tools for pharmaceutical applications. The effects of four organic esters used as plasticizers (triacetin, diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and tributyl citrate (TBC)) on the water absorption behavior and adhesive property of Eudragit films and on the glass transition temperature (T(g)) and plasticizer permanence of Eudragit E film were investigated. The results indicate that the water absorption of these Eudragit films was dependent on the type of Eudragit polymers and plasticizers used.