Surface-catalyzed hydrolysis by pyrogenic carbonaceous matter and model polymers: An experimental and computational study on functional group and pore characteristics.

We employed a polymer network to understand what properties of pyrogenic carbonaceous matter (PCM; ., activated carbon) confer its reactivity, which we hereinafter referred to as PCM-like polymers (PLP). This approach allows us to delineate the role of functional groups and micropore characteristics using 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) as a model contaminant.

The role of trace N-Oxyl compounds as redox mediator in enhancing antiviral ribavirin elimination in UV/Chlorine process.

Ribavirin (RBV) is an antiviral drug used for treating COVID-19 infection. Its release into natural waters would threaten the health of aquatic ecosystem. This study reports an effective approach to degrade RBV by the trace N-oxyl compounds (2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-N-oxyl (TEMPO) and N-Hydroxyphthalimide (NHPI)) enhanced UV activated free chlorine (UV/Chlorine) process.

Novel franklinite-like synthetic zinc-ferrite redox nanomaterial: synthesis, and evaluation for degradation of diclofenac in water.

The current study investigates a novel redox technology based on synthetic franklinite-like zinc-ferrite nanomaterial with magnetic properties and redox nature for potential use in water treatment. Physicochemical characterization revealed the nanoscale size and ABO spinel configuration of the zinc-ferrite nanomaterial. The redox activity of nanoparticles was tested for degradation of diclofenac (DCF) pharmaceutical in water, without any added external oxidants and under dark experimental conditions.

Size-Dependent Photocatalytic Activity of Carbon Dots with Surface-State Determined Photoluminescence.

Carbon dots (CDs) were synthesized by a microwave-mediated method and separated by size exclusion chromatography into three different size fractions. There was no correlation of the size with photoluminescence (PL) emission wavelength, which shows that the PL mechanism is not quantum-size dependent. UV/vis absorption and diffuse reflectance spectroscopies showed that the light absorption properties as well as the band gap of the CDs changed with the size of the particle.

An approach to the photocatalytic mechanism in the TiO-nanomaterials microorganism interface for the control of infectious processes.

The approach of this timely review considers the current literature that is focused on the interface nanostructure/cell-wall microorganism to understand the annihilation mechanism. Morphological studies use optical and electronic microscopes to determine the physical damage on the cell-wall and the possible cell lysis that confirms the viability and microorganism death. The key parameters of the tailoring the surface of the photoactive nanostructures such as the metal functionalization with bacteriostatic properties, hydrophilicity, textural porosity, morphology and the formation of heterojunction systems, can achieve the effective eradication of the microorganisms under natural conditions, ranging from practical to applications in environment, agriculture, and so on.

Dehydration of fructose over thiol- and sulfonic- modified alumina in a continuous reactor for 5-HMF production: Study of catalyst stability by NMR.

In the present study, the synthesis of an organic group-modified alumina by the sol-gel method is proposed. This material has shown to have an enhanced catalytic performance with grafted organic groups and showed an improved stability. The prepared material has shown to have several groups and an enhanced surface acidity.

Sonophotocatalytic degradation mechanisms of Rhodamine B dye via radicals generation by micro- and nano-particles of ZnO.

In this work, it is proposed an environmental friendly sonophotocatalytic approach to efficiently treat polluted waters from industrial dyes exploiting ZnO micro- and nano-materials. For the first time, we deeply investigated the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under ultrasound stimulation of different ZnO structures by Electron Paramagnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (EPR). Indeed, five zinc oxide (ZnO) micro- and nano-structures, Desert Roses (DRs), Multipods (MPs), Microwires (MWs), Nanoparticles (NPs) and Nanowires (NWs), were studied for the Rhodamine B (RhB) sonodegradation under ultrasonic irradiation.

In situ grown Ni phosphide nanowire array on Ni foam as a high-performance catalyst for hydrazine electrooxidation.

Synthesis of high-performance and cost-effective electrocatalysts towards hydrazine electrooxidation is vital to develop the direct hydrazine fuel cell (DHFC) as a viable energy conversion technology. Herein, we report a combined experimental and theoretical study of nickel phosphides (NiP) as promising catalysts for hydrazine electrooxidation. NiP nanowire array supported on a Ni foam (NF) was synthesized by a one-step phosphorization method using hypophosphite as a P-source.

Noble metal-modified faceted anatase titania photocatalysts: Octahedron versus decahedron.

Octahedral anatase particles (OAP, with eight equivalent {101} facets) and decahedral anatase particles (DAP, with two additional {001} facets) were modified with nanoparticles of noble metals (Au, Ag, Cu). The titania morphology, expressed by the presence of different arrangements of exposed crystal facets, played a key role in the photocatalytic properties of metal-modified faceted titania. In the UV/vis systems, two-faceted configuration of DAP was more favorable for the reaction efficiency than single-faceted OAP because of an efficient charge separation described by the transfer of electrons to {101} facets and holes to {001} facets.

Heterogeneous activation of persulfate by reduced graphene oxide-elemental silver/magnetite nanohybrids for the oxidative degradation of pharmaceuticals and endocrine disrupting compounds in water.

Reduced graphene oxide hybridized with zero-valent silver and magnetite nanoparticles (NPs) (rGO-Ag/FeO nanohybrids) prepared via nucleation and crystallization was used to activate peroxydisulfate (PDS) for degradation of pharmaceuticals and endocrine disrupting compounds (phenol, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, bisphenol A, 17β-estradiol, and 17α-ethinyl estradiol). The deposition of Ag and FeO in rGO nanosheet enhanced the catalytic removal of phenol in the heterogeneous activation of PDS. The adsorption capacities of rGO-Ag/FeO for 10 μM phenol were 1.

Experimental and modeling study of visible light responsive photocatalytic oxidation (PCO) materials for toluene degradation.

Only limited research has examined the development and application of visible light responsive photocatalytic oxidation (PCO), although such materials have great potential for mitigating concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) when applied to building surfaces. This study evaluates the performance and characteristics of a visible light responsive photocatalyst, specially, a co-alloyed TiNbON compound with a band energy of 2.3 eV.

Size-controlled gold nanoparticles on octahedral anatase particles as efficient plasmonic photocatalyst.

Octahedral anatase particles (OAPs), prepared by ultrasonication-hydrothermal reaction (US-HT), were modified with 2 wt% of gold by photodeposition. Conditions of US-HT process such as durations of US and durations of HT were varied to obtain OAPs products different by physicochemical and morphological properties. Au/OAPs samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS).

A family of Fe-N-C oxygen reduction electrocatalysts for microbial fuel cell (MFC) application: Relationships between surface chemistry and performances.

Different iron-based cathode catalysts have been studied for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in neutral media and then applied into microbial fuel cells (MFC). The catalysts have been synthesized using sacrificial support method (SSM) using eight different organic precursors named Niclosamide, Ricobendazole, Guanosine, Succinylsulfathiazole, Sulfacetamide, Quinine, Sulfadiazine and Pyrazinamide. Linear Sweep Voltammetry (LSV) curves were obtained for the catalysts using a O saturated in 0.

Photocatalytic activity and NIR laser response of polyaniline conjugated graphene nanocomposite prepared by a novel acid-less method.

Herein, we present a novel acid-less synthetic approach for polymerization of aniline synchronized with reduction of graphene oxide to graphene. This method provides uniform deposition of ordered polyaniline nanotubes over the surface of graphene nanosheets. The synthesized graphene-polyaniline nanocomposite has the ability of complete removal of harmful dyes commonly used in industry: such as methyl orange, methylene blue, and rhoadmine B from the waste water under the exposure to natural sunlight.

Effective treatment of alkaline Cr(VI) contaminated leachate using a novel Pd-bionanocatalyst: Impact of electron donor and aqueous geochemistry.

Palladium catalysts offer the potential for the effective treatment of a variety of priority reducible pollutants in natural waters. In this study, microbially synthesized magnetite nanoparticles were functionalized with Pd(0), creating a highly reactive, magnetically recoverable, nano-scale catalyst (Pd-BnM). This was then investigated for the treatment of model Cr(VI) contaminated solutions at a range of pH values, and also alkaline Cr(VI) contaminated leachates from chromite ore processing residue (COPR); a contaminant issue of global concern.

Impact of electrode sequence on electrochemical removal of trichloroethylene from aqueous solution.

The electrode sequence in a mixed flow-through electrochemical cell is evaluated to improve the hydrodechlorination (HDC) of trichloroethylene (TCE) in aqueous solutions. In a mixed (undivided) electrochemical cell, oxygen generated at the anode competes with the transformation of target contaminants at the cathode. In this study, we evaluate the effect of placing the anode downstream from the cathode and using multiple electrodes to promote TCE reduction.

Bacterial target-specific photocatalyst for the enhancement of antibacterial property to targets.

A bacterial target-specific titanium oxide (TiO) photocatalyst was developed for the enhancement of selective inactivation of targeted bacteria. An antibacterial composition comprising TiO particles immobilized with a bacterial-specific antibody having affinity to bacteria of interest was prepared via a carbodiimide hydrochloride/N-hydroxysulfosuccinimide (EDC/NHS) coupling reaction between polyacrylic acid (PAA) coated TiO and an antibody. As a model case, an antibody to was conjugated with the PAA-coated TiO (TiO-Ab).

Photocatalytic activity of Cu/TiO-coated cordierite foam inactivates bacteriophages and .

We investigated the antiviral activity of TiO-coated cordierite foam used in air cleaners, as well as the evaluation methodology. Furthermore, we developed Cu/TiO-coated cordierite foam and investigated the reduction in viral infection ratio. The method for evaluation of antibacterial activity of TiO-coated cordierite foam could also be applied to evaluation of antiviral activity.

Dissolution of Mesoporous Silica Supports in Aqueous Solutions: Implications for Mesoporous Silica-based Water Treatment Processes.

Under pH 7 - 10 conditions, the mesoporous silica supports proposed for use in water treatment are relatively unstable. In batch experiments conducted in pH 7 solutions, the commonly used support SBA-15 dissolved quickly, releasing approximately 30 mg/L of dissolved silica after 2 hours. In column experiments, more than 45% of an initial mass of 0.

Mono- and bimetallic Rh and Pt NSR-catalysts prepared by controlled deposition of noble metals on support or storage component.

Mono- and bimetallic Rh and Pt based NO storage-reduction (NSR) catalysts, where the noble metals were deposited on the AlO support or BaCO storage component, have been prepared using a twin flame spray pyrolysis setup. The catalysts were characterized by nitrogen adsorption, CO chemisorption combined with diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning transmission electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The NSR performance of the catalysts was investigated by fuel lean/rich cycling in the absence and presence of SO (25 ppm) as well as after H desulfation at 750 °C.

Photocatalytic activity of CdS and Ag(2)S quantum dots deposited on poly(amidoamine) functionalized carbon nanotubes.

Two novel ternary nanocatalysts, f-MWCNTs-CdS and f-MWCNTs-Ag(2)S were successfully constructed by covalent grafting of fourth generation (G4) hyperbranched, crosslinked poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM) to carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs-COOH) and subsequent deposition of CdS or Ag(2)S quantum dots (QDs). The structural transformation, surface potential, and morphology of functionalized MWCNTs (f-MWCNTs) and nanocatalysts were characterized by UV-vis spectrophotometer, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Transmission electron microscopy reveals the effective anchoring of QDs on f-MWCNTs.

Antibacterial performance of a novel photocatalytic-coated cordierite foam for use in air cleaners.

A novel titanium dioxide-coated cordierite foam (TiO/cordierite foam) was developed for use in air cleaners. By a simple impregnation procedure, TiO nanoparticles were immobilized firmly onto the surface of a cordierite foam substrate through high-temperature (500 °C) calcination. The strong bactericidal performance of the fabricated foam was evaluated by a newly developed test method for complex three-dimensional through-pore structures.

Visible-Light-Induced Photocatalytic Inactivation of Bacteria by Composite Photocatalysts of Palladium Oxide and Nitrogen-Doped Titanium Oxide.

Composite photocatalysts of palladium oxide and nitrogen-doped titanium oxide (PdO/TiON) were synthesized by a solgel process, as convenient forms of nanopowder or immobilized powder on nanofiber. The PdO/TiON catalysts were tested for visible-light-activated photocatalysis using different bacterial indicators, including gram-negative cells of Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and gram-positive cells of Staphylococcus aureus. Disinfection data indicated that PdO/TiON composite photocatalysts have a much better photocatalytic activity than either palladium-doped (PdO/TiO(2)) or nitrogen-doped titanium oxide (TiON) under visible-light illumination.

Catalytic Dechlorination of Gas-phase Perchloroethylene under Mixed Redox Conditions.

The validity of a new method to destroy gas-phase perchloroethylene (PCE) is demonstrated at bench scale using a fixed-bed reactor that contains a Pt/Rh catalyst. Hydrogen and oxygen were simultaneously fed to the reactor together with PCE. The conversion efficiencies of PCE were sensitive to H(2)/O(2) ratio and reactor temperature.