Determination of organochlorine pesticides from juice samples using magnetic biochar-based dispersive micro-solid phase extraction in combination with dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction

Analysis of pesticide residue levels in juice beverages is important to ensure safe consumption and avoid global trade concerns associated to pesticide contaminations.A simple,inexpensive and effective method was developed for the determination of organochlorine pesticides(OCPs)in bottled juice drinks using GC-MS.Sample pretreatment was performed using dispersive solid-phase microextraction(D-μ-SPE)for matrix desorption and dispersive liquid-liquid microextraction(DLLME)for analyte enrichment.In this study,an affordable and effective sorbent for the adsorption of OCPs from juice samples was synthesized from avocado seeds mixed with magnetic precursors for D-μSPE.The ground avocado seeds combined with a magnetic precursor nanocomposite were characterized using various instruments including scanning electron microscopy(SEM),X-ray diffraction(XRD),Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR),and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller(BET)analysis.The solution obtained from D-μ-SPE desorption was used as a dispersant for the subsequent DLLME,which made the combination of D-μ-SPE with DLLME much easier.The effectiveness of the method was enhanced by optimizing the influential parameters in both D-μ-SPE and DLLME.Then after,the optimal values were determined for the real sample analysis.Accordingly,there was good linear dynamic range with a coefficient of determination(r2)≥0.9989.The limit of detection and quantification were 0.02–0.69 and 0.06–2.10 ng/L respectively.The method showed high enrichment factors ranging from 96 to 313 with recoveries of 87–100%.Intraday and interday precisions were≤4%.Compared with other reported methods,this method is a one-step,simple,cheap,fast,and environmentally friendly alternative and straightforward method for adsorbing organochlorine pesticides from sample solutions.These results demonstrates the high potential of the proposed method for the extraction and cleanup of contaminants in selected juices and other related samples.

Mechanistic insights into sequestration of U(VI) toward magnetic biochar: Batch, XPS and EXAFS techniques

The magnetic iron oxide（Fe3O4） nanoparticles stabilized on the biochar were synthesized by fast pyrolysis of Fe（II）-loaded hydrophyte biomass under N2 conditions. The batch experiments showed that magnetic biochar presented a large removal capacity（54.35 mg/g）at pH 3.0 and 293 K. The reductive co-precipitation of U（VI） to U（IV） by magnetic biochar was demonstrated according to X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and X-ray absorption near edge structure analysis. According to extended X-ray absorption fine structure analysis, the occurrence of U-Fe and U-U shells indicated that high effective removal of uranium was primarily inner-sphere coordination and then reductive co-precipitation at low pH. These observations provided the further understanding of uranium removal by magnetic materials in environmental remediation.

Development of a new hydrophobic magnetic biochar for removing oil spills on the water surface

More technologies are urgently needed for combined use to effectively eliminate the effect of oil spills,an environmental problem of widespread concern.Among these technologies,sorption methods are available to remove residual oil and prevent the further spread on the water surface.In this study,biochars,prepared from different feed-stock materials and pyrolysis temperatures,were screened and further modified to improve their application in the water environment.Among cornstalk biochar(CSBC),corncob biochar(CCBC),Sophora sawdust biochar(SSBC),and rice husk biochar(RHBC),the CSBC had excellent oil sorption capacity,especially prepared at 350℃(CSBC350),which has a complete and full pore structure.Furthermore,magnetic and silane agent modifications of CSBC350(OMBC)were performed to enhance the properties of the magnetic field controllability and hydrophobicity to increase oil sorption.The OMBC exhibited satisfactory oil sorption capacities to crude oil,diesel oil,and engine oil in the water-oil system of 8.77 g g^(−1),4.01 g g^(−1),and 4.44 g g^(−1),respectively.The sorption process of CSBC350 and OMBC complied with the pseudo-second-order kinetics(R^(2)>0.97)and the Langmuir isotherm models(R^(2)>0.80)based on the highest regression coefficients.The sorption mechanisms are dominated by hydrophobic forces,pore intercepts,and hydrogenbond interactions.The biochar adsorbent can availably cooperate with other physical methods to eliminate oil contaminants,which can be an outstanding fuel source for producing heat.

Magnetic Wakame-Based Biochar/Ni Composites with Enhanced Adsorption Performance for Diesel

In this study,the magnetic wakame biochar/Ni composites were prepared with three activating reagents of H_(3)PO_(4),ZnCl_(2) and KOH by one-step pyrolysis activation,characterized by BET,SEM,TEM,FI-IR,XRD,Raman,and elemental analyzer,and their adsorption performance for diesel were also analyzed.The results showed that wakame biochar/Ni composites had larger specific surface area,abundant porous structure,and various reactive groups,rendering its enhancement of adsorption efficiency.The adsorption experiments indicated that the maximum adsorption capacities for diesel using WBPA 0.5,WBHZ 0.5 and WBPH 0.5 were 4.11,8.83,and 13.47 g/g,respectively.The Langmuir model was more suitable for the adsorption isotherms process,and the Pseudo-second-order model could better describe the adsorption kinetic experimental.And the magnetic wakame biochar/Ni composites presented good stability and recyclability.This study provides a novel pattern for the high-value utilization of wakame,having huge potential in the treatment of oily wastewater.

A Novel Magnetic Carbon Based Catalyst Synthesized from Reed Straw and Electric Furnace Dust for Biodiesel Production

In the era of serious greenhouse gas emission and energy shortage,it is necessary to use solid waste to prepare new renewable materials.In this work,the potential application of reed straw and electric furnace dust was explored.Firstly,magnetic carbon carrier(EFD&C)was prepared by high temperature calcination,and then magnetic carbon catalyst(SM@EFD&C)was prepared by activation of sodium methoxide.The catalyst was used to prepare biodiesel by transesterification reaction to test its activity and stability.Reed biochar,EFD&C and SM@EFD&C were detected by Diffraction of X-rays(XRD),Fourier transform infrared(FT-IR),Inductively coupled plasma(ICP),Scanning electron microscope(SEM),Transmission electron microscope(TEM),Brunauer-Emmett-Teller(BET),Vibrating sample magnetometer(VSM),Temperature programmed desorption of CO_(2)(CO_(2)-TPD)and Thermogravimetric analysis(TG-DTG).The results showed that SM@EFD&C catalyst had some characteristics including porous structure,easy adsorption and better magnetism.Under the reaction conditions of 65℃for 2 h with 6 wt%catalyst and methanol/oil molar ratio of 15:1,the biodiesel yields from reed biochar and EFD&C were only 4.88 wt%and 0.03 wt%,respectively,while the yield from SM@EFD&C catalyst reached 93.14 wt%(89.84 wt%after 7 cycles)under the same conditions,which proved that it had good catalytic activity and stability when used in biodiesel production.This study is of great significance of carbon dioxide emission reduction and environmental protection.

Review of organic and inorganic pollutants removal by biochar and biochar-based composites

Biochar(BC)has exhibited a great potential to remove water contaminants due to its wide availability of raw materials,high surface area,developed pore structure,and low cost.However,the application of BC for water remediation has many limita-tions.Driven by the intense desire of overcoming unfavorable factors,a growing number of researchers have carried out to produce BC-based composite materials,which not only improved the physicochemical properties of BC,but also obtained a new composite material which combined the advantages of BC and other materials.This article reviewed previous researches on BC and BC-based composite materials,and discussed in terms of the preparation methods,the physicochemical properties,the performance of contaminant removal,and underlying adsorption mechanisms.Then the recent research progress in the removal of inorganic and organic contaminants by BC and BC-based materials was also systematically reviewed.Although BC-based composite materials have shown high performance in inorganic or organic pollutants removal,the potential risks(such as stability and biological toxicity)still need to be noticed and further study.At the end of this review,future prospects for the synthesis and application of BC and BC-based materials were proposed.This review will help the new researchers systematically understand the research progress of BC and BC-based composite materials in environmental remediation.

Mechanochemical route to fabricate an efficient nitrate reduction electrocatalyst

The electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction(NO_(3)RR)to ammonia under ambient conditions is a promising approach for addressing elevated nitrate levels in water bodies,but the progress of this reaction is impeded by the complex series of chemical reactions involving electron and proton transfer and competing hydrogen evolution reaction.Therefore,it becomes imperative to develop an electro-catalyst that exhibits exceptional efficiency and remarkable selectivity for ammonia synthesis while maintaining long-term stability.Herein the magnetic biochar(Fe-C)has been synthesized by a two-step mechanochemical route after a pyrolysis treatment(450,700,and 1000℃),which not only significantly decreases the particle size,but also exposes more oxygen-rich functional groups on the surface,promoting the adsorption of nitrate and water and accelerating electron transfer to convert it into ammonia.Results showed that the catalyst(Fe-C-700)has an impressive NH_(3)production rate of 3.5 mol·h^(−1)·gcat^(−1),high Faradaic efficiency of 88%,and current density of 0.37 A·cm^(−2)at 0.8 V vs.reversible hydrogen electrode(RHE).In-situ Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR)is used to investigate the reaction intermediate and to monitor the reaction.The oxygen functionalities on the catalyst surface activate nitrate ions to form various intermediates(NO_(2),NO,NH_(2)OH,and NH_(2))and reduce the rate determining step energy barrier(*NO_(3)→*NO_(2)).This study presents a novel approach for the use of magnetic biochar as an electro-catalyst in NO_(3)RR and opens the road for solving environmental and energy challenges.