Photocatalytic Fe-doped n-TiO2: From synthesis to utilization of in vitro cell models for screening human and environmental nanosafety

The utilization of different types nanomaterials (NMs) in environmental remediation and wastewatertreatment requires information on the potential harmful effects on human and environmental health. Inthis light, the utilization of human cell models together with cells from lower organisms, representativeof different environmental compartments, could represent a valuable tool for the in vitro screening of thepotential toxicity of different NMs used in nanoremediation. Among NMs, n-TiO2, because of its peculiaroptical and chemical properties, is widely applied for photosensitized UV oxidation of organic pollutants.Moreover, development in design of metal- and non metal- doped TiO2 with extended photocatalyticactivity in the visible region represents the subject of ongoing research

Innovative Method and Apparatus for Deep Cleaning of Soluble Salts from Mortars and Lithic Materials

Abstract A new method improves the quality and durability of decontamination by soluble salts, compared with conventional application of wraps. The salts inside the porous material are brought in solution by soaking with distilled water, then aspired by a suction nozzle applied to the sample surface, allowing the solution to move towards the surface. Finally, the method tested on plaster samples with different suction flows is effective in the cleaning. As every surface to be cleaned could be affected by different extent of deterioration, specific flows of suctions were investigated

Photocatalytic Fe-doped n-TiO2: From synthesis to utilization of in vitro cell models for screening human and environmental nanosafety

The utilization of different types nanomaterials (NMs) in environmental remediation and wastewater treatment requires information on the potential harmful effects on human and environmental health. In this light, the utilization of human cell models together with cells from lower organisms, representative of different environmental compartments, could represent a valuable tool for the in vitro screening of the potential toxicity of different NMs used in nanoremediation. Among NMs, n-TiO2, because of its peculiar optical and chemical properties, is widely applied for photosensitized UV oxidation of organic pollutants. Moreover, development in design of metal- and non metal- doped TiO2 with extended photocatalytic activity in the visible region represents the subject of ongoing research. In this work, the cytotoxic effects of three different types of recently synthetized Fe-doped n-TiO2 were compared in two cell models widely utilized for screening cellular toxicity of NMs in humans and aquatic organisms, human vascular endothelial cells (HECV) and immune cells (hemocytes) of the marine invertebrate, the mussel Mytilus spp, respectively. Parallel studies were carried out using N-doped n-TiO2. The results indicate both distinct and common behavior (agglomeration state) in different media (human cell culture medium and mussel hemolymph serum) and biological effects (cytotoxicity, nitric oxide production) of different types of doped- n-TiO2 in different cell models. Although in vitro studies represent a first step in the toxicological assessment of NMs, studies comparing their effects on human and aquatic invertebrate cells that take into account the effects of different exposure media represent an useful tool for evaluating potential cytotoxicity of those NMs, like TiO2-based photocatalytic NMs, widely applied in environmental remediation, and whose potential risks are poorly understood

Potential dopant in photocatalysis process for wastewater treatment-a review

Nowadays, too much pollution has happened around us, and one of them is water pollution, which each day has become more severe and worse. One of the sources of water pollution comes from the industry that has used dyes either excessively or not. In case of that, the wastewater needs to be treated before released to the river or environment. In this paper, a review of the wastewater treatment using dopants such as nitrogen and magnesium, will be discussed

Solid-phase extraction of vanadium(V) from teainfusions and wines on immobilized nanometer titanium dioxide followed by ICP-OES analysis

Nanosized titanium dioxide immobilized on silica gel was synthesized and used as fixedbed phase for V(V) pre-concentration, followed by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) analysis. Three different sorbents were prepared by sol\u2013gel method starting from a mixture of titanium isopropoxide, 2-propanol and water, and characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and BET analysis. V(V), the most stable and toxic oxidation state of the element, present in water and beverages samples, was selectively sorbed, pre-concentrated, quantitatively eluted by 0.1 M HCl and analyzed by ICP-OES. The effectiveness of the procedure was first assessed on tap water enriched with 1 lg L1 of V(V) obtaining recoveries up to 92% (n= 4). The pre-concentration step was then optimized for complex matrices such as tea infusions and red and white wines. The reliability of the procedure was assessed on the same beverages samples spiked with 20\u2013250 lg L1. Quantitative recoveries (82\u2013 95%, n= 4) were assured avoiding any sample pre-treatment, generally essential in such complex matrices, obtaining good precision (RSD< 12%, n= 3). The method was then applied to the determination of V(V) in commercial tea infusions and wines

Enhancement of TiO2 NPs Activity by Fe3O4 Nano-Seeds for Removal of Organic Pollutants in Water

The enhancement of the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs), synthesized in the presence of a very small amount of magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles, is here presented and discussed. From X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses, the crystallinity of TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) seems to be affected by Fe3O4, acting as nano-seeds to improve the tetragonal TiO2 anatase structure with respect to the amorphous one. Photocatalytic activity data, i.e., the degradation of methylene blue and the Ofloxacin fluoroquinolone emerging pollutant, give evidence that the increased crystalline structure of the NPs, even if correlated to a reduced surface to mass ratio (with respect to commercial TiO2 NPs), enhances the performance of this type of catalyst. The achievement of a relatively well-defined crystal structure at low temperatures (Tmax = 150 \u25e6C), preventing the sintering of the TiO2 NPs and, thus, preserving the high density of active sites, seems to be the keystone to understand the obtained results

Effects of ventilator settings, nebulizer and exhalation port position on albuterol delivery during non-invasive ventilation: an in-vitro study.

BACKGROUND:Few studies have investigated the factors affecting aerosol delivery during non-invasive ventilation (NIV). Our aim was to investigate, using a bench-top model, the effect of different ventilator settings and positions of the exhalation port and nebulizer on the amount of albuterol delivered to a lung simulator. METHODS: A lung model simulating spontaneous breathing was connected to a single-limb NIV ventilator, set in bi-level positive airway pressure (BIPAP) with inspiratory/expiratory pressures of 10/5, 15/10, 15/5, and 20/10 cmH2O, or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) of 5 and 10 cmH2O. Three delivery circuits were tested: a vented mask with the nebulizer directly connected to the mask, and an unvented mask with a leak port placed before and after the nebulizer. Albuterol was collected on a filter placed after the mask and then the delivered amount was measured with infrared spectrophotometry. RESULTS: Albuterol delivery during NIV varied between 6.7\u2009\ub1\u20090.4% to 37.0\u2009\ub1\u20094.3% of the nominal dose. The amount delivered in CPAP and BIPAP modes was similar (22.1\u2009\ub1\u200910.1 vs. 24.0\u2009\ub1\u200910.0%, p\u2009=\u20090.070). CPAP level did not affect delivery (p\u2009=\u20090.056); in BIPAP with 15/5 cmH2O pressure the delivery was higher compared to 10/5 cmH2O (p\u2009=\u20090.033) and 20/10 cmH2O (p\u2009=\u20090.014). Leak port position had a major effect on delivery in both CPAP and BIPAP, the best performances were obtained with the unvented mask, and the nebulizer placed between the leak port and the mask (p\u2009<\u20090.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this model, albuterol delivery was marginally affected by ventilatory settings in NIV, while position of the leak port had a major effect. Nebulizers should be placed between an unvented mask and the leak port in order to maximize aerosol delivery