Ceramic anion-exchange membranes based on microporous supports infiltrated with hydrated zirconium dioxide

Anion-exchange membranes made from inexpensive ceramic materials were synthesized by using a simple procedure based on incorporating particles of an ion exchanger into a host microporous structure. Microporous ceramics produced from alumina and kaolin were used as supports, and their internal voids were functionalized by direct precipitation of hydrated ZrO2. The addition of starch as pore former to the sintering mixture induces the formation of pores within the micrometer range, where the subsequent deposition of hydrated ZrO2 occurred preferentially. An increase in the loading of hydrated ZrO2 particles improved the ion exchange capacity (IEC) and induced anion-selective properties on the membranes. However, when more than six infiltration cycles were performed, the membrane porosity was substantially reduced. Electrochemical measurements conducted in acidic and neutral media corroborated the implication of the hydrated ZrO2 particles on the development of concentration polarization and confirmed the strong relationship existing between the membrane porosity and electrical conductivity. Conversely, chronopotentiometric curves showed that the membranes practically lack of ion-exchange properties when tested under alkaline conditions. The methodology proposed to synthesize ceramic ion-conducting membranes could significantly broaden the utilization of electromembrane processes in industrial applications where the use of polymeric membranes is restricted due to their expensive cost or poor chemical stability

Transients of micropollutant removal from high-strength wastewaters in PAC-assisted MBR and MBR coupled with high-retention membranes

[EN] Removal of micropollutants from wastewaters is crucial to ensure safe water reuse and protect natural water-courses. Although membrane bioreactors (MBRs) yield improved degradation of organic compounds, hydraulic retention times are often too short to satisfy acceptable removal rates of recalcitrant organics. Often, results regarding micropollutant removal in treatment plants are susceptible to uncontrolled feed concentrations, which are concomitant to seasonality and consumer habits. In this work, we investigate the concentration transients of four selected pesticides (carbendazim, diuron, 2,4-D and atrazine), which were constantly dosed to a MBR pilot plant treating high-strength industrial effluents (COD values ). In addition to the regular MBR operation, two feasible means of extending pesticide retention in bioreactors were evaluated: (i) addition of small concentrations of powdered activated carbon (PAC) into the activated sludge and (ii) coupling of the PAC-assisted MBR and a reverse osmosis unit (RO) with recirculation of the retentate. The aim of this work is to provide reliable information on the fate of micropollutants within wastewater treatment plants using different configurations under controlled feed conditions. Results have shown that carbendazim was the only pesticide efficiently (>80%) removed during regular MBR operation, which has been attributed to the presence of electron donating groups attached to its aromatic ring structure. Improved retention of diuron by addition of PAC enhanced its long-term removal, whereas the effect of PAC addition on the removal of 2,4-D and atrazine was only temporary, thus being mainly attributed to an adsorption effect. Additionally, the function of PAC as platform for biofloc formation limited sludge production and slowed down membrane fouling, further improving the general performance of the MBR. The MBR-RO hybrid process was the most effective one in increasing the residence time of pesticides in the bioreactor, regardless of their functional groups and properties, thus facilitating a generalized removal of micropollutants.M.W. acknowledges the support through an Alexander-von-Humboldt Professorship. M.C. Marti-Calatayud acknowledges the support to Generalitat Valenciana through the funding APOSTD2017. This work was supported by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) through the project BRAMAR (02WCL1334A). The authors thank the company Intrafrut S.A., Almir Gomes da Costa, Lisa Awater, Thiago Santos, Carlos Pereira and Sybille Hanisch for their cooperation.Martí Calatayud, MC.; Hessler, R.; Schneider, S.; Bohner, C.; Yüce, S.; Wessling, M.; De Sena, R.... (2020). 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Anti-angiogenic drug loaded liposomes: Nanotherapy for early atherosclerotic lesions in mice - Fig 4

<p>(A) Fluorescence imaging of harvested aortas. The arrows point the patchy areas where plaques are located. (B) Harvested aortas stained with Oil Red O.</p

Experimental plan designed to test the action of liposomes loaded with the anti-angiogenic agent fumagillin in early atherosclerotic lesions.

<p>Experimental plan designed to test the action of liposomes loaded with the anti-angiogenic agent fumagillin in early atherosclerotic lesions.</p

Chromatographic conditions for the analysis of fumagillin content by HPLC-UV.

<p>Chromatographic conditions for the analysis of fumagillin content by HPLC-UV.</p

Percent of aortic arch plaque obtained after treatment with angiogenesis inhibitors (LF and ILF) in mice.

<p>Plain liposomes control <b>L</b> (x), liposomes loaded with fumagillin <b>LF</b> (○), and immunoliposomes with fumagillin <b>ILF</b> (Δ) animals were treated for 5 weeks as previously described. Red line centered at each group represents median plaque area of aortic arch lesions measured in a cohort (n = 6).</p

Cross-sectional images of the aortic arch on <i>in vivo</i> T1-weighted MRI of mice treated with L and LF liposomes and obtained 24 hours after final injection.

<p>Cross-sectional images of the aortic arch on <i>in vivo</i> T1-weighted MRI of mice treated with L and LF liposomes and obtained 24 hours after final injection.</p

Representative chromatogram of the fumagillin sample obtained after liposome extraction.

<p>Fumagillin spectra presented two maximum peaks of absorbance at 335.5 and 351.1 nm. We used a wavelength of 351nm for the detection of fumagillin to avoid interferences from other liposome components. The retention time obtained was 5.35 ± 0.05 minutes (mean ± SD; n = 10).</p