Phosphate group functionalized magnetic metal–organic framework nanocomposite for highly efficient removal of U(VI) from aqueous solution

The phosphate group functionalized metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) as the adsorbent for removal of U(VI) from aqueous solution still suffer from low adsorption efficiency, due to the low grafting rate of groups into the skeleton structure. Herein, a novel phosphate group functionalized metal–organic framework nanoparticles (denoted as Fe3O4@SiO2@UiO-66-TPP NPs) designed and prepared by the chelation between Zr and phytic acid, showing fast adsorption rate and outstanding selectivity in aqueous media including 10 coexisting ions. The Fe3O4@SiO2@UiO-66-TPP was properly characterized by TEM, FT-IR, BET, VSM and Zeta potential measurement. The removal performance of Fe3O4@SiO2@UiO-66-TPP for U(VI) was investigated systematically using batch experiments under different conditions, including solution pH, incubation time, temperature and initial U(VI) concentration. The adsorption kinetics, isotherm, selectivity studies revealed that Fe3O4@SiO2@UiO-66-TPP NPs possess fast adsorption rates (approximately 15 min to reach equilibrium), high adsorption capacities (307.8 mg/g) and outstanding selectivity (Su = 94.4%) towards U(VI), which in terms of performance are much better than most of the other magnetic adsorbents. Furthermore, the adsorbent could be reused for U(VI) removal without obvious loss of adsorption capacity after five consecutive cycles. The research work provides a novel strategy to assemble phosphate group-functionalized MOFs.

Effect of Carbonized Herba schizonepetae on the Bioavailability of Eight Active Components from Pulsatillae Decoction in Its Particular Adsorption and Release Performance

Background: Carbonized herbal medicine has been used clinically for centuries in China; however, its influence on the bioavailability of compatible medicinal herbs is still unknown. Objective: To explore the effect of a carbonized herbal medicine on the in vivo adsorption and release and absorption of other active pharmaceutical ingredients in a compound prescription. Methods: The bioavailability of carbonized Herba schizonepetae (CHS) to eight active components (epiberberine, coptisine, palmatine, berberine, phellodendrine, aesculin, aesculetin, and anemoside B4) in the aqueous extract of Pulsatillae Decoction (PDAE) was evaluated by the in vitro adsorption and release and in vivo pharmacokinetics tests. Activated carbon (AC) was used as the control. Results: In vitro experiment showed that the cumulative adsorption rates of CHS to the eight active components were 33.17%, 54.32%, 21.48%, 42.01%, 39.1%, 25.11%, 32.11%, and 23.08% which was characterized by copsitine > berberine > phellodendrine > epiperberine > aesculetin > anemoside B4 > palmatine., and they were significantly lower than those of AC. The stable release concentration in sequence was 3.23, 3.04, 3.32, 7.29, 3.17, 2.80, 1.45, and 3.81 µg/mL, which was characterized by berberine > anemoside B4 > palmatine > epiberberine > phellodendrine > coptisine > aesculin > aesculetin, and they were significantly higher than those of AC. The animal experiment indicated that the areas under the concentration-time curve (AUC0-∞) of epiberberine, berberine, aesculetin, and anemoside B4 in PDAE+CHS group were significantly higher than those in the PDAE and PDAE+AC groups, and the other four components in the PDAE+CHS group were lower than those in PDAE group but higher than those in PDAE+AC group. Conclusion: CHS could significantly improve the bioavailability of epiberberine, berberine, aesculetin, and anemoside B4 in Pulsatillae Decoction and has a sustained-release effect on berberine, aesculin, aesculetin, and anemoside B4.

Adsorption Features of Loess Calcareous Nodules to Heavy-Metal Ions in Aqueous Solution

This paper explores the use of calcareous tuberculosis as an adsorbent and heavy-metal ions (Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, and Pb2+) as adsorbates, and the influence of varying levels of particle size, adsorption time, pH, adsorbent dosage, and initial concentration of heavy metals is studied through an experiment of single heavy-metal adsorption. In addition, the impact of the temperature and other factors on the adsorption of heavy-metal ions by calcareous nodules is analyzed to identify the optimal conditions for the adsorption of heavy-metal ions by calcareous nodules. As shown by the research findings, the adsorption rates of Cu2+, Zn2+, and Pb2+ gradually declined with the increase in particle size, with no evident effect on Cd2+. In the meantime, with further increases in factors such as the adsorption time, adsorbent dosage, and temperature, the adsorption rates of Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, and Pb2+ experienced gradual increases. The adsorption rates of Cu2+, Zn2+, and Cd2+ gradually declined with the increase in initial concentration of heavy-metal ions, whereas the adsorption rate of Pb2+ experience increased first and then declined. As the pH increased, the adsorption rate of Cd2+ experience increased first and then declined at a slow pace. The adsorption rates of Cu2+, Zn2+, and Pb2+ increased first and then decreased. The adsorption capacity of calcareous nodules toward the four heavy-metal ions was in the order of Pb2+ > Zn2+ > Cu2+ > Cd2+. When the particle size was set to 0.25 mm, the adsorption time was set to 120 min, and the dosage was set to 0.6 g, the calcareous nodules included Pb2+, Zn2+, and Cu2+. Moreover, Cd2+ was able to achieve stronger adsorption capacity, with the adsorption rate able to reach 83.33%, 77.78%, 73.81%, and 81.93% of its maximum level. Therefore, as the particle size of the heavy-metal ions decreased, the adsorption capacity generally became stronger. As the adsorption time increased, the temperature and the amount of adsorbent also increased. The optimal pH value for the adsorption of calcareous nodules toward Pb2+, Zn2+, Cu2+, and Cd2+ was found to be 7, 6, 5, and 8, respectively, and the optimal temperature was 50 °C. In summary, calcareous nodules are a natural, low-cost, and effective adsorbent.

Nitrate Adsorption by Activated Carbon

Activated carbon is a type of carbon that is a known catalyst for a variety of chemical reactions. Uses of activated carbon include purifying liquids and gases, food and beverage processing, odor removal, industrial pollution control, and numerous other applications. There are a variety of different activated carbons, with most being derived from coal, peat, and wood. Activated carbon is a catalyst because the small pores of the carbon increase the surface area available for adsorption or chemical reactions. One primary use of activated carbon is how it adsorbs nitrates onto its surface. This paper delves into different adsorption rates of an activated carbon (Filtrasorb 600) that is treated with different chemicals and then subjected to a chemical activation at a constant pressure under different gaseous conditions. Data collected during experiments indicate there are significant interactions between surface functional groups and nitrate. Keywords: activated carbon, adsorption, nitrates

Understanding the Adsorption of Peptides and Proteins onto PEGylated Gold Nanoparticles

Polyethylene glycol (PEG) surface conjugations are widely employed to render passivating properties to nanoparticles in biological applications. The benefits of surface passivation by PEG are reduced protein adsorption, diminished non-specific interactions, and improvement in pharmacokinetics. However, the limitations of PEG passivation remain an active area of research, and recent examples from the literature demonstrate how PEG passivation can fail. Here, we study the adsorption amount of biomolecules to PEGylated gold nanoparticles (AuNPs), focusing on how different protein properties influence binding. The AuNPs are PEGylated with three different sizes of conjugated PEG chains, and we examine interactions with proteins of different sizes, charges, and surface cysteine content. The experiments are carried out in vitro at physiologically relevant timescales to obtain the adsorption amounts and rates of each biomolecule on AuNP-PEGs of varying compositions. Our findings are relevant in understanding how protein size and the surface cysteine content affect binding, and our work reveals that cysteine residues can dramatically increase adsorption rates on PEGylated AuNPs. Moreover, shorter chain PEG molecules passivate the AuNP surface more effectively against all protein types.

Organic-free large-pore-sized γ-alumina for the removal of three azo dyes from aqueous solution

A series of γ-alumina with different pore sizes (5.7 nm–21.6 nm) and similar specific surface areas were synthesized via an organic-free method and their adsorption rates and capacities for Congo red (CR), direct blue 78 (DB78) and direct green 26 (DG26) were investigated. The kinetics study reveals that the dye adsorptions of all γ-alumina samples fit the pseudo-2nd-order model. For CR, its k2 and the pore size of absorbent are in a linear relationship at low dye concentrations. Both of the experimental results and Langmuir isotherm calculation results suggest that the dye adsorption capacities of the γ-alumina prepared in our lab are much higher than those of other γ-alumina reported in literatures. GA-1 with the largest specific area of surface and largest size of pores exhibits a CR adsorption capacity up to 4213.6 mg/g. In addition, initial dye adsorption rates of the γ-alumina prepared in-house are much higher than that of the γ-alumina prepared with the commercially available alumina under the same conditions.

Sanky (Corryocactus brevistylus) Peel as Low-Cost Adsorbent for Removal of Phosphate from Aqueous Solutions

This study aimed to evaluate the adsorption capacity of an adsorbent obtained using sanky peel for the removal of phosphate from aqueous solutions. The study was conducted in two stages: (1) adsorbent preparation considering yield, phosphate removal, adsorption capacity, and textural characteristics; (2) an assessment of the effectiveness of using sanky peel as an adsorbent for removing phosphates from aqueous solutions. Batch adsorption was studied in aqueous solutions containing phosphate and calcium ions with the selected adsorbent. Adsorption kinetics and equilibrium isotherms were studied using mathematical models. The adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order, Elovich, and Weber–Morris models, thus demonstrating that adsorption rates were not controlled by multiple processes. Adsorption equilibrium data fitted best with the Dubinin–Radushkevich model. Finally, a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed the presence of brushite spectra bands after adsorption. The results of this study can help better understand the use of sanky peel as an adsorbent and good alternative for aqueous phosphate adsorption.

Effective Adsorption of Nutrients from Simulated Domestic Sewage by Modified Maifanite

Modified maifanite (MMF) was prepared by synthesized method with sulfuric acid treatment and high temperature calcination, and evaluated as an effective adsorption material to remove the nutrient salt in waste watery. Compared with the raw maifanite (RMF), the MMF exhibited the higher adsorption capacity and higher removal efficiency. The results showed that the adsorption rates of total phosphorus (TP), total nitrogen (TN), ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), nitrate nitrogen (NOx-N) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) by MMF (RMF) were86.7% (76.7%), 44.9% (34.5%), 29.1% (20.8%) and 79.8% (13.0%) respectively at 20 ℃ for 24 h. MMF kept the basic structure and composition of maifanite with stronger surface roughness and more adsorption active sites. This study suggests that MMF can be further applied to treat domestic sewage and eutrophic water.

Effect of Total Pressure and Furnace Tube Material on the Oxidation of T22 in Humidified Air

Oxidation of the Fe-base alloy T22 in humid air at 500 °C was investigated. The samples were exposed for up to 1000 h at 1 bar and 20 bar. The influence of three furnace tube materials, alumina, ET45 and quartz glass, on the oxide scale morphology was investigated. Samples and their cross sections were examined using optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, electron probe micro analysis and Raman spectroscopy. Multilayered oxide scales consisting of hematite, magnetite and Fe–Cr spinel were found on all samples. However, the composition and morphology of the oxide scales depend on the furnace tube material and on the system pressure. The system pressure is assumed to change the reaction equilibria and adsorption rates. The tube material changed the initial gas composition by formation of volatile Cr species. This volatilization rate increased at higher system pressures.