Co-adsorption of gaseous benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene,m-xylene(BTEX) and SO_2 on recyclable Fe_3O_4 nanoparticles at 0–101% relative humidities

We herein used Fe3O4 nanoparticles（NPs） as an adsorption interface for the concurrent removal of gaseous benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and m-xylene（BTEX） and sulfur dioxide（SO2）, at different relative humidities（RH）. X-ray diffraction, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller, and transmission electron microscopy were deployed for nanoparticle surface characterization.Mono-dispersed Fe3O4（Fe2O3·Fe O） NPs synthesized with oleic acid（OA） as surfactant, and uncoated poly-dispersed Fe3O4 NPs demonstrated comparable removal efficiencies.Adsorption experiments of BTEX on NPs were measured using gas chromatography equipped with flame ionization detection, which indicated high removal efficiencies（up to（95 ± 2）%） under dry conditions. The humidity effect and competitive adsorption were investigated using toluene as a model compound. It was observed that the removal efficiencies decreased as a function of the increase in RH, yet, under our experimental conditions, we observed（40 ± 4）% toluene removal at supersaturation for Fe3O4 NPs, and toluene removal of（83 ± 4）% to（59 ± 6）%, for OA-Fe3O4 NPs. In the presence of SO2, the toluene uptake was reduced under dry conditions to（89 ± 2）% and（75 ± 1）% for the uncoated and coated NPs, respectively, depicting competitive adsorption. At RH 〉 100%,competitive adsorption reduced the removal efficiency to（27 ± 1）% for uncoated NPs whereas OA-Fe3O4 NPs exhibited moderate efficiency loss of（55 ± 2）% at supersaturation.Results point to heterogeneous water coverage on the NP surface. The magnetic property of magnetite facilitated the recovery of both types of NPs, without the loss in efficiency when recycled and reused.

Development of a hybrid photo-bioreactor and nanoparticle adsorbent system for the removal of CO2,and selected organic and metal co-pollutants

Fossil fuel combustion and many industrial processes generate gaseous emissions that contain a number of toxic organic pollutants and carbon dioxide（CO_2） which contribute to climate change and atmospheric pollution.There is a need for green and sustainable solutions to remove air pollutants,as opposed to conventional techniques which can be expensive,consume additional energy and generate further waste.We developed a novel integrated bioreactor combined with recyclable iron oxide nano/micro-particle adsorption interfaces,to remove CO_2,and undesired organic air pollutants using natural particles,while generating oxygen.This semi-continuous bench-scale photo-bioreactor was shown to successfully clean up simulated emission streams of up to 45% CO_2 with a conversion rate of approximately 4%CO_2 per hour,generating a steady supply of oxygen（6 mmol/hr）,while nanoparticles effectively remove several undesired organic by-products.We also showed algal waste of the bioreactor can be used for mercury remediation.We estimated the potential CO_2 emissions that could be captured from our new method for three industrial cases in which,coal,oil and natural gas were used.With a 30% carbon capture system,the reduction of CO_2 was estimated to decrease by about 420,000,320,000 and 240,000 metric tonnes,respectively for a typical 500 MW power plant.The cost analysis we conducted showed potential to scale-up,and the entire system is recyclable and sustainable.We further discuss the implications of usage of this complete system,or as individual units,that could provide a hybrid option to existing industrial setups.