Adsorption of reactive yellow BF-3R dye by CTABr modified zeolite NaY

Textile industries generate effluents composed of organic salts and complexes from dyes not fixed on fabrics, or not degraded by the inefficiency of conventional treatment processes, which represents a high potential for environmental impact due to inadequate disposal of the generated effluent. Zeolites are porous materials that have a three-dimensional structure containing tetrahedrals of AlO4 e SiO4 which can be modified to improve its properties. The adsorption process using zeolites as adsorbents can be considered an excellent economic physical treatment to solve or minimize such a problem. This work presents an experimental study focusing on the preparation and characterization of zeolite NaY and modified with organic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTABr) intended to be used as adsorbent in the process of removing yellow dye BF-3R in dye-water system batch system. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Infrared spectroscopy (IR) and thermogravimetry (TG). The effect of process parameter such as pH was studied. Results revealed that even though the modified cetyltrimethylammonium bromide organic surfactant (CTABr) did not cause alterations on the zeolite NaY structure. The IR results revealed that CTABr was successfully incorporated to zeolite NaY structure. The best conditions were established with respect to pH to saturate the available sites located on the zeolite NaY and NaY_CTABr surface. The maximum adsorption capacities were 3.35 and mg/g for dye 5.35 using as-synthesized zeolite NaY and CTABr modified zeolite NaY. Modified zeolites are excellent adsorbents for removing reactive dyes from industrial wastewater.

Use of Allophane as Face Mask Filter for Coronaviruses (Sars-Cov-2)

The traditional mouth cover masks can be made by hand. But with the arrival of the Coronavirus pandemic, these masks have special requirements and we will have to use these until at least 2022. Therefore, the current technological problem is what must be the appropriate filter nanomaterial (cuprum, zinc, zeolite or Allophane) to absorb and/or destroy coronaviruses. In addition, the preparation of this specific purpose mask must be certified, easy to manufacture and inexpensive. Taking these requirements into account, there is a suitable nanomaterial called Allophane, which has active centers of silicon and aluminum (Si / Al), which rapidly absorb micro droplets and nanodrops of water [3, 5] nm. Coronaviruses are microscopically embedded in water droplets. To build an absorbent filter that also destroys coronaviruses, we can use some organic surfactant in optimal proportions and that works cooperatively with Allophane. The physicochemical properties of natural Allophane were studied. For the characterization, analytical techniques were used: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), BET surface area, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Chemisorption and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). In addition, the Navier Stokes 3D equations were studied, which allow us studying molecular dynamics contributing substantively to chemical kinetics describing the process of absorption of water and decomposition of water + coronavirus.

Facile One-Step Dialysis Strategy for Preparation of Porous Silica Nanoparticles with Rough Surface

In this study, porous silica nanoparticles were fabricated in the absence of organic surfactant template at room temperature by a facile one-step dialysis method. By using a dialysis system comprising an ammonia solution as the dialysate, a series of porous silica nanoparticles with a rough surface (e.g., raspberry-like) were obtained by the initiation of a homogeneous ternary tetraethylsilicate-water-ethanol system with different ammonia solution concentrations. The specific surface area and pore volume of porous nanoparticles were regulated by changing the dialysate concentrations. N2 adsorption–desorption measurements revealed that the porous silica nanoparticles owned both mesopores and micropores and exhibited a type IV isotherm, hence, these nanoparticles can be used as mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs). The Au@MSN nanocomposite can be used as a catalyst for the typical reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol by NaBH4 and exhibited excellent catalytic performance.

Removal of Lead(II) and Chromium(III) from Aqueous Solution by Using Organic-Functionalized MCM-41

Ordered mesoporous silica with hexagonal structure, MCM-41 was synthesized under basic media using Ludox as the silica source and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide as the organic surfactant template. Organic-functionalized MPTS-MCM-41 were prepared by grafting method using 3mercaptopropyltrimethoxysilane. The samples were characterized using FTIR, FESEM and XRD to obtain more detailed structural insights of MCM-41. The synthesized MPTS-MCM-41 were tested for adsorption of Pb(II) and Cr(III) ions in aqueous solution. Adsorption studies were analyzed using atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). The effect of adsorbent dose and contact time on the adsorption of Pb(II) and Cr(III) ions from aqueous solution have been investigated. MPTS-MCM-41 was found to be effective adsorbent for metal cation than parent MCM-41 with higher affinity for Pb(II) than Cr(III) from single solution. The highest percentage removal of Pb(II) was achieved at 94.59% using 0.4 g MPTS-MCM-41 at 4 hours contact time whereby the highest percentage removal of Cr(III) ions was achieved at 66.02% using 0.4 g MPTS-MCM-41 at 5 hours contact time. Keywords: Modified MCM-41; MPTS; Heavy metals removal

Effects of surface tension time-evolution for CCN activation of a complex organic surfactant

Time-evolving partitioning effects on surface tension and bulk water activity cancel out in Köhler predictions of CCN activation of mixed NAFA–NaCl particles.

Cu Nanoparticle-Modified High-Density Polyethylene Monofilament and Its Antifouling Performance on Fishing Netting

Cu nanoparticles (CuNPs) were modified by organic surfactant, then CuNP-modified high-density polyethylene (CuNP/HDPE) monofilaments were prepared by melt spinning. The effect of CuNP content on the morphology and properties of nanocomposite monofilaments was investigated. FT-IR and dynamic light scattering proved the successful surface modification for CuNP. Scanning electron microscope was used to observe the dispersed behavior of the CuNP. When the CuNP content was less than 1.0 wt%, the CuNPs were well dispersed in these nanocomposite monofilaments, and the increase of crystallization rate, the breaking strength, and knot strength were observed by differential scanning calorimeter and tensile test. Therefore, nanocomposite monofilaments showed comparable properties at low CuNP contents. With increasing CuNP content, the width of tanδ peak and △Ea for α-relaxation from dynamic mechanical analysis were increased, indicating more amorphous components near the crystalline regions. In addition, burst release of Cu ions in seawater was observed. The coupon tests demonstrated that CuNPs could significantly improve antibiofouling performance of CuNP/HDPE fishing netting. CuNP/HDPE fishing netting have a strong potential for using in marine antifouling mitigation.

Comparative Studies on the Effect of Adjuvants with Urea to Reduce the Overwintering Inoculum of Venturia inaequalis

A 2-year study on the use of organic and conventional adjuvants alone, or mixed with urea, was conducted for management of overwintering inoculum of the apple scab pathogen, Venturia inaequalis. Select adjuvants (LI 700, Bond Max, Latron B-1956, and Organic Wet Betty [OWB]) have the potential to hasten urea-driven leaf litter decomposition and reduce V. inaequalis overwintering inoculum comparable to urea, and that one organic surfactant could perform the same level of leaf decomposition as urea. Combinations of adjuvants with urea significantly improved leaf litter degradation compared with urea alone, concomitant with reducing the number of pseudothecia present and pseudothecium fertility. We demonstrate that the combination of urea with Bond Max or OWB reduced pseudothecia fertility and ascospore production to less than 5% in the remaining pseudothecia, a significantly greater reduction than with urea alone. These results suggest that conventional growers combine urea with Bond Max or OWB to more effectively reduce overwintering inoculum, and that the adjuvant OWB can provide organic growers with comparable performance to urea used in conventional orchards for improved sanitation.