Adsorption of Iron (II) Ion by Using Magnetite-Bentonite-Based Monolith from Water

In this study, iron removal was carried out by the adsorption process as a well-known method of removing heavy metal. Natural bentonite with magnetic properties in a monolithic form or Magnetite-Bentonite-based Monolith (MBM) adsorbent was used as an adsorbent to remove Iron (II) ion from the aqueous solution. The magnetic properties of adsorbents are obtained by adding magnetite (Fe3O4), which is synthesized by the coprecipitation process. The characterization of magnetic properties was performed using the Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM). VSM results showed that the magnetic particles were ferromagnetic. Adsorption efficiency, isotherm model, and adsorption kinetics were investigated in a batch system with iron solution concentration varied from 2 to 10 mg/L and magnetite loading at 2% and 5% w/w. The highest removal efficiency obtained reached 89% with a 5% magnetite loading. The best fit to the data was obtained with the Langmuir isotherm (non-linear) with maximum monolayer adsorption capacity (Qo) at 5% magnetic loading MBM adsorbent is 0.203 mg/g with Langmuir constants KL and aL are 2.055 L/g and 10.122 L/mg respectively. The pseudo-first-order (non-linear) kinetic model provides the best correlation of the experimental data with the rate of adsorption (k1) with magnetite loading 2% and 5%, respectively are 0.024 min-1 and 0.022 min-1.

Synthesis of Inorganic Compounds in the Matrix of Polysaccharide Chitosan

Data related to the fabrication of hybrid materials based on the polysaccharide chitosan were systematized and reviewed. The possibility of using chitosan as a “host” matrix for in situ synthesis of inorganic compounds for the preparation of various types of composite materials were investigated. Coprecipitation of metal oxides/hydroxides (Fe, Ni, Al, Zr, Cu and Mn) with chitosan was carried out through the alkalinization of solutions containing metal salts and chitosan, with the addition of ammonia or alkali solutions, homogeneous hydrolysis of urea, or electrophoretic deposition on the cathode. The synthesis of transition metal ferrocyanides and hydroxyapatite was achieved from precursor salts in a chitosan solution with simultaneous alkalinization. The mechanism of composite formation during the coprecipitation process of inorganic compounds with chitosan is discussed. Composite materials are of interest as sorbents, coatings, sensors, and precursors for the production of ceramic and electrode materials.

Effect of 3D Metal on Electrochemical Properties of Sodium Intercalation Cathode P2-NaxMe1/3Mn2/3O2 (M = Co, Ni, or Fe)

This research aims to evaluate the influence of different 3D metals (Fe, Co, and Ni) substituted to Mn on the electrochemical performance of P2-NaxMe1/3Mn2/3O2 material, which was synthesized by the coprecipitation process followed by calcination at high temperature. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results revealed that the synthesized Mn-rich materials possessed a P2-type structure with a negligible amount of oxide impurities. The materials possessed their typical cyclic voltammogram and charge-discharge profiles; indeed, a high reversible redox reaction was obtained by NaxCo1/3Mn2/3O2 sample. Both NaxCo1/3Mn2/3O2 and NaxFe1/3Mn2/3O2 provided a high specific capacity of above 140 mAh·g−1; however, the former showed better cycling performance with 83% capacity retention after 50 cycles at C/10 and high rate capability. Meanwhile, the Ni-sub NaxNi1/3Mn2/3O2 exhibited excellent cycling stability but a low specific capacity of 110 mAh·g−1 and inferior rate capability. The diffusion coefficient of Na+ ions into the structure tended to decrease with a depth of discharge; those values were in the range of 10−10–10−9 cm2·s−1 and 10−11–10−10 cm2·s−1 in the solid solution region and biphasic region, respectively.

Preparation, Properties, and Microbial Impact of Tungsten (VI) Oxide and Zinc (II) Oxide Nanoparticles Enriched Polyethylene Sebacate Nanocomposites

Nanoparticles of tungsten oxide (WO3) and zinc oxide (ZnO) enriched polyethylene sebacate (PES) nanocomposites were prepared through the coprecipitation process and condensation polymerization reaction. The obtained nano-sized particles of WO3 and ZnO, PES, and nanocomposites (WO3-PES NC and ZnO-PES NC) were investigated. The average molecular weight of the cured PES was measured by employing the gel permeation chromatography (GPC) technique. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra assured the formation of the polymeric nanocomposites.WO3 and ZnO nanoparticles supposed a condensed porous spherical phase found implanted in the polymer structure, as detected by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) methods. These nano-scale systems achieved an electrical activity based on the conductive nanoparticles embedded matrix as a result of the ion–ion interactions. The microbial influence of the nanocomposites was examined against pathogenic bacteria; Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Escherichia Coli, Staphylococcus Aureus, and Bacillus subtilis, and Fungi; Aspergillus niger, and Candidaalbicans. Results exhibited that these nanocomposites have antimicrobial effects from moderate to slightly high on bacteria and high on fungi which was confirmed by a clear zone of inhibition. This study contributes to the design of reasonable composites to be under evaluation for their catalytic effect.

Stabilization of Soil Arsenic with Iron and Nano-Iron Materials: A Review

Soil arsenic (As) contamination is an important environmental problem, and chemical stabilization is one of the major techniques used to remediate soil As contamination. Iron and iron nanoparticle materials are widely used for soil As stabilization because they have one or more of the following advantages: high adsorption capacity, high reduction capacity, cost effectiveness and environmental friendliness. Therefore, this review introduces the stabilization of soil As with iron and iron nanoparticles, including zero-valent iron, iron oxides/hydroxides, some iron salts and Fe-based binary oxides and the nanoparticles of these iron materials. The mechanism of chemical soil As stabilization, which involves adsorption and the coprecipitation process, is discussed. The factors affecting the chemical stabilization process are presented, and challenges to overcome in the future are also discussed in this review.

Synthesis of Ternary Fe3O4/ZnO/Chitosan Magnetic Nanoparticles via an Ultrasound-Assisted Coprecipitation Process for Antibacterial Applications

In this study, Fe3O4/ZnO/chitosan magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized by an ultrasound-assisted coprecipitation method. The magnetic nanoparticles were characterized by XRD, FT-IR, FESEM, and VSM techniques. The effects of ultrasonication time and content of chitosan on crystal size and lattice parameters of the nanoparticles were also studied via XRD spectra. FESEM measurements revealed that the coating consists of Fe3O4/ZnO nanoparticles of 15-20 nm in diameter homogeneously dispersed on the surface of chitosan substance. The VSM measurements at room temperature showed that the Fe3O4/ZnO/chitosan nanoparticles had superparamagnetic properties. These results indicated that ultrasonication time and chitosan content had a significant effect on the characteristics of nanoparticles. The antibacterial activities of the Fe3O4/ZnO/chitosan were tested against both gram-positive Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Bacillus subtilis and gram-negative E. coli bacteria using a disk diffusion method.

Preparation of Magnetic Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4/ZnO Nanocomposites and Their Photocatalytic Performances for Methylene Blue in Aqueous Solution

Magnetic Ni0.5Zn0.5Fe2O4/ZnO-R (NZFO/ZnO-R) nanocomposites are prepared via the rapid combustion-coprecipitation process, and they are characterized by the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), the X-ray Diffraction (XRD), the Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), the Energy Dispersive X-ray Detector (EDX), the Specific Surface Area (BET), the UV-vis Diffuse Reflection Spectroscopy (DRS), and the Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM). The photocatalytic activity of NZFO/ZnO-R nanocomposites is assessed in ultraviolet light (365 nm) by decoloration of methylene blue (MB). The results show that the magnetic NZFO/ZnO-0.2 nanocomposites consist of particles and rods. The size of particles is 18 nm. The width and length of rods are 66 nm and 198 nm, respectively. NZFO/ZnO-0.5 nanocomposites have better photocatalytic performance than that of NZFO, ZnO and NZFO/ZnO-R (R = 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.6, or 0.7) from the results. Through careful investigation of influencing parameters (the amount of catalysts, pH and concentration of MB solution), the degradation efficiency of MB is closely connected with the transparency of solution and surface charge of catalysts. The enhanced photocatalytic activity of NZFO/ZnO-0.5 nanocomposites can be ascribed to the matching band positions between ZnO and NZFO, which results in a low recombination between the photogenerated electron-hole pairs. The possible mechanism is proposed for the improved ultraviolet photocatalytic activity of NZFO/ZnO-0.5 nanocomposites.