Cathodic synthesis of Al-Ce-Mn Oxide nanohybride powder with improved surface for effective removal of fluoride from aqueous media

Al-Ce-Mn oxide samples were synthesized by the cathodic electrochemical method at current densities of 5, 15, and 35 mAcm-2. The XRD, SEM, and EDX techniques were used for the characterization of samples. The SEM images show that at high current density the one-dimensional(nanowire) structure and at low current density two-dimensional (nanosheet) structure were obtained. Moreover, the particle sizes are decreased with increasing the current density. The samples were applied for the uptake of fluorine (F-) ions from solutions. The influence of the contact time, initial fluoride concentration, and solution pH on the adsorption was investigated. The results showed more than 80 % of F-  ions were uptake from solution during the three hours initial contact times and the uptake capacity has little change at pH below 6 and it has a sharp decline with increasing solution pH. The kinetic data were well fitted to the pseudo-second-order model and the equilibrium adsorption data was well described by the Langmuir isotherm model.  The adsorption capacity was 48 mg/g at pH 6 and room temperature

Immobilized nickel hexacyanoferrate nano particles on graphen for effective removal of Cs(I) ions from radionuclide wastes

In the current work synthesis and modification of graphene oxide with Nickel Hexa Ferrocyanide (NiHCF) nanoparticles has been reported. The Graphene oxide- Nickel Hexa Ferrocyanide (GO-NiHCF) was used as an adsorbent to remove Cesium (Cs) ions from a simulated solution. The obtained product was characterized with XRD, SEM, TGA, FTIR, and BET techniques. The SEM images and XRD pattern confirms the successful immobilization of Nickel Hexa Ferrocyanide on graphene oxide sheet. The cesium removal ability of GO-NiHCF was evaluated in batch mode. Effect of various parameters such as pH, initial concentration, contact time, and interferences ions were studied. The results cleared that the maximum adsorption for Cs removal was 240 mg g-1. Equilibrium modeling studies suggest that the data are reasonably and relatively fitted well to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Kinetic studies show that sorption process is fairly rapid and the kinetic data are fitted well to the pseudo-second order rate model. This composite offers strong potential in the field of elimination of Cs that requires rapid and complete decontamination

New metal organic framework (MOF) nanoparticle for gas separation by matrix membranes

{[Dy(BTC)(H2O)]•DMF}n metal organic framework nanoparticles was synthezed through solvthermal method. The product was characterized by XRD, TG, BET, and SEM techniques. SEM images showed that the synthesized sample has semi-cubic particles with average size of 70 nm in length.For improve the gas separation performance,the MOF nano particles were dispersed in polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) for preparation of mixed matrix membrane (MMM) on support of polyethersulphone (PES). The performance of obtained MMM in separation of NO, N2 and O2 gas were investigated, and the effect of MOF nanoparticles (5, 10, and 15% wt)and feed pressure (100-250 kPa) on permeability and selectivity were studied. It was found that the membrane performance is evaluated by addition of MOF nano particles in membrane (polymeric matrix), and the feed pressure have not important effect on separation. The performance (NO/N2 and NO/O2 selectivity) increased as the loading of MOF particles (up to 15% wt) being dispersed within the polymer matrices

A call for action to the biomaterial community to tackle antimicrobial resistance

The global surge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major concern for public health and proving to be a key challenge in modern disease treatment, requiring action plans at all levels. Microorganisms regularly and rapidly acquire resistance to antibiotic treatments and new drugs are continuously required. However, the inherent cost and risk to develop such molecules has resulted in a drying of the pipeline with very few compounds currently in development. Over the last two decades, efforts have been made to tackle the main sources of AMR. Nevertheless, these require the involvement of large governmental bodies, further increasing the complexity of the problem. As a group with a long innovation history, the biomaterials community is perfectly situated to push forward novel antimicrobial technologies to combat AMR. Although this involvement has been felt, it is necessary to ensure that the field offers a united front with special focus in areas that will facilitate the development and implementation of such systems. This paper reviews state of the art biomaterials strategies striving to limit AMR. Promising broad-spectrum antimicrobials and device modifications are showcased through two case studies for different applications, namely topical and implantables, demonstrating the potential for a highly efficacious physical and chemical approach. Finally, a critical review on barriers and limitations of these methods has been developed to provide a list of short and long-term focus areas in order to ensure the full potential of the biomaterials community is directed to helping tackle the AMR pandemic

Application of titanium carbide/nitride (MXene)-based NPs in adsorption of radionuclides and heavy metal ions for wastewater remediation: A review

Contamination of water resources by various non-biodegradable pollutants such as heavy metals, hydrocarbons, organic chemicals, microorganisms, and volatile organic compounds has become a public concern because of urbanization, industrialization, and inefficient wastewater management (organic and inorganic). Transition Metal Carbide/Nitride (MXene) is an emerging nano-material that be used for the treatment of polluted waters due to its mechanical flexibility, scalable production, good conductivity, rich surface functionality, layered morphology, and high specific surface area. Furthermore, it has an excellent ability to simultaneously adsorb of different pollutants according to their interlayer spacing and surface terminal groups (O−, OH− and F−). Due to its stability and ease of processing, Titanium carbide (Ti3C2Tx) is most researched so far. In addition, it has displayed a great performance in captivating radioactive nano-particles and heavy metal ions. In this review article, the synthesis of Ti3C2Tx-MXene nanoparticles with conventional selective etching methods, parameters affecting the structure and morphology of Ti3C2Tx-MXene nanoparticles, control of surface functional groups, sonication, interpolation and functionalization with the aim of using nanoparticles in water purification and heavy metals and radionuclides are examined. Most of the adsorption potential of heavy metals and radionuclides with Ti3C2Tx-MXene nanoparticles is investigated with parameters affecting surface adsorption such as temperature, water quality and presence of background ions, pH and parameters such as contact time and adsorbent dose and adsorption mechanism. A review on the adsorption potential of heavy metals and radionuclides of Ti3C2Tx-MXene and is done. The feasibility of MXene-based nano-particles in environmental and economic aspects has been evaluated for understanding their potential practical applications in industries. Moreover, the challenges regarding the toxicity importance and synthesis of these newly nano-materials to be discussed. Finally, some appropriate suggestions are presented

Cd(II) Sorption on Iranian nano zeolites: Kinetic and Thermodynamic Studies

An uptake of Cd(II) from aqueous solutions by ion exchange on Iranian natural zeolitic (TOSKA) has been studied. Experiments were carried out using batch method as a function of the initial concentration of metal ions, contact time, and temperature. The adsorbent is characterized using XRF, FTIR, TEM, and XRD. The TEM images showed that the zeolite particle sizes are reduced into the size range of less than 90 nm by means of ball milling. The characterization of sample indicates that the natural zeolite used in this study was classified into clinoptilolite. Equilibrium modelling data were fitted to linear Langmuir and Freundlich models. Thermodynamics parameters such as change in free energy (ΔG◦), enthalpy (ΔH◦) and entropy (ΔS◦) were also calculated. The negative values obtained for ΔG◦ indicated that the sorption of Cd(II) on natural zeolite was spontaneous at all studied concentrations. These results show that natural zeolites hold great potential to remove Cd(II) from industrial wastewater

Evaluation of charge storage ability of chrome doped Mn2O3 nanostructures derived by cathodic electrodeposition

A facile synthetic route has been proposed to prepare cauliflower-like nanostructures of Cr doped Mn2O3. The synthesis was carried out by constant current cathodic electrodeposition from Mn2+ nitrate solutions containing minor amounts of dichromate. It was found that the presence of Cr mediates the formation of cathodic MnO2 which then reacts with the excess Mn2+ species to form Mn2O3 nanostructures. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Differential Thermal Analysis (DTA) were used to characterize the nanostructures. The storage ability of the obtained nanostructures was investigated by cyclic voltammetry (CV) in 0.5 M Na2SO4 solution. The results indicated that the Cr doped manganese oxide material shows better performance than the non-doped one, and the charge capacity (SC) of doped manganese oxide (218 F/g) was higher than pure manganese oxide (208 F/g)