Recent progress of arsenic adsorption on TiO2 in the presence of coexisting ions： A review

Arsenic（As）-contaminated wastewater and groundwater pose a pressing environmental issue and worldwide concern. Adsorption of As using TiO_2materials, in combination with filtration,introduces a promising technology for the treatment of As-contaminated water. This review presents an overview on the recent progress of the application of TiO_2for removal of As from wastewater and groundwater. The main focus is on the following three pressing issues that limit the field applications of TiO_2for As removal： coexisting ions, simulation of breakthrough curves, and regeneration and reuse of spent TiO_2materials. We first examined how the coexisting ions in water, especially high concentrations of cations in industrial wastewater,affect the efficacy of As removal using the TiO_2materials. We then discussed As breakthrough curves and the effect of compounded ions on the breakthrough curves. We successfully simulated the breakthrough curves by PHREEQC after integrating the CD-MUSIC model. We further discussed challenges facing the regeneration and reuse of TiO_2media for practical applications. We offer our perspectives on remaining issues and future research needs.

A universal thermodynamic model of calculating mass action concentrations for structural units or ion couples in aqueous solutions and its applications in binary and ternary aqueous solutions

A universal thermodynamic model of calculating mass action concentrations for structural units or ion couples in ternary and binary strong electrolyte aqueous solution was developed based on the ion and molecule coexistence theory and verified in four kinds of binary aqueous solutions and two kinds of ternary aqueous solutions. The calculated mass action concentrations of structural units or ion couples in four binary aqueous solutions and two ternary solutions at 298.15 K have good agreement with the reported activity data from literatures after shifting the standard state and concentration unit. Therefore, the calculated mass action concentrations of structural units or ion couples from the developed universal thermodynamic model for ternary and binary aqueous solutions can be applied to predict reaction ability of components in ternary and binary strong electrolyte aqueous solutions. It is also proved that the assumptions applied in the developed thermodynamic model are correct and reasonable, i.e., strong electrolyte aqueous solution is composed of cations and anions as simple ions, H2O as simple molecule and other hydrous salt compounds as complex molecules. The calculated mass action concentrations of structural units or ion couples in ternary and binary strong electrolyte aqueous solutions strictly follow the mass action law.

Universal thermodynamic model of calculating the mass action concentrations of omponents in a ternary strong electrolyte aqueous solution and its application in the NaCl-KCl-H_2O system

A universal thermodynamic model of calculating the mass action concentrations of components in a ternary strong electrolyte aqueous solution has been developed based on the ion and molecule coexistence theory,and verified in the NaCl-KCl-H2O ternary system at 298.15 K. To compare the difference of the thermodynamic model in binary and ternary strong electrolyte aqueous solutions,the mass action concentrations of components in the NaCl-H2O binary strong electrolyte aqueous solution were also computed at 298.15K. A transformation coefficient was required to compare the calculated mass action concentration and reported activity because they were obtained at different standard states and concentration units. The results show that the transformation coefficients between calculated mass action concentrations and reported activities of the same components change in a very narrow range. The calculated mass action concentrations of components in the NaCl-H2O and NaCl-KCl-H2O systems are in good agreement with the reported activities. This indicates that the developed thermodynamic model can reflect the structural characteristics of solutions,and the mass action concentration also strictly follows the mass action law.

Calculating models of mass action concentrations for structural units or ion couples in RbCl-H_2O binary system and RbCl-RbNO_3-H_2O ternary system

Thermodynamic models of calculating mass action concentrations for structural units or ion couples in RbCl-H2O binary and RbCl-RbNO3-H2O ternary strong electrolyte aqueous solutions were developed based on the ion and molecule coexistence theory at 298.15 K.A transformation coefficient is needed to compare the calculated mass action concentration and the reported activity because they are obtained at different standard states and concentration units.The results show that the transformation coefficients between the calculated mass action concentrations and the reported activities of the same structural units or ion couples in RbCl-H2O binary and RbCl-RbNO3-H2O ternary strong electrolyte aqueous solutions change in a very narrow range.The transformed mass action concentrations of structural units or ion couples in RbCl-H2O binary system are in good agreement with the reported activities. The transformed mass action concentrations of RbCl and RbNO3 in RbCl-RbNO3-H2O ternary solution are also in good agreement with the reported activities,aRbCl and 3RbNOa,with different total ionic strengths as 0.01,0.05,0.1,0.5,1.0,1.5,2.0,3.0 and 3.5 mol/kg,respectively.All those results mean the developed thermodynamic model of strong electrolyte aqueous solutions can reflect structural characteristics of RbCl-H2O binary and RbCl-RbNO3-H2O ternary strong electrolyte aqueous solutions and the mass action concentration also strictly follows the mass action law.

A deoxidation thermodynamic model for 304 stainless steel considering multiple-components coupled reactions

A thermodynamic model for predicting the equilibrium oxygens of 304 stainless steel was developed based on the theory of slag-steel equilibrium,the law of mass conservation,and the ion and molecule coexistence theory.In the developed model,the Fe-Cr-Mn-Si-Al-S-O-melts reaction system and CaO-MgO-CaF_(2)-FeO-MnO-Al_(2)O_(3)-SiO_(2)-Cr2O_(3)slags were considered.The oxygen contents calculated by the model are in good agreement with experimental results and reference data.The equilibrium oxygen contents in 304 stainless steel mainly decrease with increasing binary basicity(w(CaO)/w(SiO_(2)),where w(i)is the mass percentage of component i)and decreasing temperature.Controlling binary basicity at 2.0 while maintaining temperatures lower than 1823 K will keep the oxygen contents in the 304 stainless steel lower than 15×10^(-6).The equilibrium oxygen contents may also be decreased with increasing content of MgO in slags,which is more significant at lower binary basicity.Besides,a small amount of FeO,MnO,and Al_(2)O_(3)(about 0-2.5 wt.%)in slags has little effect on equilibrium oxygen contents.Furthermore,it is found that the[C]-[O]reaction may occur during refining process but will not significantly affect the equilibrium oxygen contents.

Thermodynamic model of lead oxide activity in PbO-CaO-SiO_2-FeO-Fe_2O_3 slag system

According to the ion and molecule coexistence theory, a thermodynamic model of lead oxide activity in PbO-CaO-SiO2-FeO-Fe2O3 slag system was established at the temperature of 1273-1733 K. The activities of Pb O in slag were calculated, and their equal activity curves were plotted. The influences of slag basicity Q, iron oxide rate R and temperature T on activity NPb O and activity coefficient γPbO were also investigated. Results show that the calculated values of γPb O are in good agreement with the reported experimental data, showing that the model can wholly embody the slag structural characteristics. NPbO departures positively from Raoult values, and increases with increasing Pb O content in slag but changes little with T. γPbO increases with increasing Q, and goes through the maximum with increasing R for basic slag（Q0.3）. Results can be applied to the thermodynamic research and operational optimization of modern lead smelting technologies.

A thermodynamic model for predicting activity of CaO-SiO_(2)-Al_(2)O_(3)-MgO-TiO_(2)-V_(2)O_(3)-FeO slags during electric furnace smelting process

To optimize the comprehensive utilization of vanadium titanomagnetite by direct reduction-smelting processes,it is essential to acquire titanium slag with a higher TiO_(2)content of 45–60 wt.%.A thermodynamic model was developed based on the ion and molecule coexistence theory,specifically targeting the CaO–SiO_(2)–Al_(2)O_(3)–MgO–TiO_(2)–V_(2)O_(3)–FeO slag system.The impact of slag composition on the smelting of vanadium titanomagnetite was assessed,and the thermodynamic model was utilized to identify the optimal high-titanium slag.The results revealed that increasing the basicity,MgO content,and FeO content within the slag effectively suppressed the reduction of titanium and silicon oxides.Furthermore,the calculated activity coefficient of TiO_(2)decreased with higher basicity,MgO,and FeO levels.While an increase in basicity significantly enhanced the reduction of vanadium oxides,the effects of MgO and FeO contents on vanadium oxide reduction were comparatively less significant.Notably,higher basicity and FeO content promoted the formation of calcium titanates,whereas an elevated MgO content favored the formation of magnesium titanates.The smelting results indicated that a lower V_(2)O_(3)content and higher TiO_(2)activity corresponded to a smaller titanium mass fraction in the iron alloy,while the opposite trend was observed for vanadium.

Comparative toxicity of silver nanoparticles and silver ions to Escherichia coli

With the increase in silver（Ag）-based products in our lives, it is essential to test the potential toxicity of silver nanoparticles（Ag NPs） and silver ions（Ag ions） on living organisms under various conditions. Here, we investigated the toxicity of Ag NPs with Ag ions to Escherichia coli K-12 strain under various conditions. We observed that both Ag NPs and Ag ions display antibacterial activities, and that Ag ions had higher toxicity to E. coli K-12 strain than Ag NPs under the same concentrations. To understand the toxicity of Ag NPs at a cellular level, reactive oxygen species（ROS） enzymes were detected for use as antioxidant enzymatic biomarkers. We have also studied the toxicity of Ag NPs and Ag ions under various coexistence conditions including： fixed total concentration, with a varied the ratio of Ag NPs to Ag ions; fixed the Ag NPs concentration and then increased the Ag ions concentration; fixed Ag ions concentration and then increasing the Ag NPs concentration.Exposure to Ag NPs and Ag ions clearly had synergistic toxicity; however, decreased toxicity（for a fixed Ag NPs concentration of 5 mg/L, after increasing the Ag ions concentration） to E. coli K-12 strain. Ag NPs and Ag ions in the presence of L-cysteine accelerated the bacterial cell growth rate, thereby reducing the bioavailability of Ag ions released from Ag NPs under the single and coexistence conditions. Further works are needed to consider this potential for Ag NPs and Ag ions toxicity across a range of environmental conditions.Environmental Significance Statement： As silver nanoparticles（Ag NPs）-based products are being broadly used in commercial industries, an ecotoxicological understanding of the Ag NPs being released into the environment should be further considered. Here, we investigate the comparative toxicity of Ag NPs and silver ions（Ag ions） to Escherichia coli K-12 strain, a representative ecotoxicological bioreporter. This study showed that toxicities of Ag NPs and Ag ions to E. coli K-12 strain display different relationships when existing individually or when coexisting, and in the presence of L-cysteine materials. These findings suggest that the toxicology research of nanomaterials should consider conditions when NPs coexist with and without their bioavailable ions.

Influence of refining process and utilization of different slags on inclusions, titanium yield and total oxygen content of Ti-stabilized 321 stainless steel

Ti-stabilized 321 stainless steel was prepared using an electric arc furnace, argon oxygen decarburization (AOD) furnace, ladle furnace (LF), and continuous casting processes. In addition, the effect of refining process and utilization of different slags on the evolution of inclusions, titanium yield, and oxygen content was systematically investigated by experimental and thermodynamic analysis. The results reveal that the total oxygen content (TO) and inclusion density decreased during the refining process. The spherical CaO–SiO2–Al2O3–MgO inclusions existed in the 321 stainless steel after the AOD process. Moreover, prior to the Ti addition, the spherical CaO–Al2O3–MgO–SiO2 inclusions were observed during LF refining pro-cess. However, Ti addition resulted in multilayer CaO–Al2O3–MgO–TiOx inclusions. Two different samples were prepared by conventional CaO–Al2O3-based slag (Heat-1) and -TiO2-rich CaO–Al2O3-based slag (Heat-2). The statistical analysis revealed that the density of inclusions and the -TiOx content in CaO–Al2O3–MgO–TiOx inclusions found in Heat-2 sample are much lower than those in the Heat-1 sample. Furthermore, the TO content and Ti yield during the LF refining process were controlled by using -TiO2-rich calcium aluminate synthetic slag. These results were consistent with the ion–molecule coexist-ence theory and FactSage?7.2 software calculations. When -TiO2-rich CaO–Al2O3-based slag was used, the -TiO2 activity of the slag increased, and the equilibrium oxygen content significantly decreased from the AOD to LF processes. Therefore, the higher -TiO2 activity of slag and lower equilibrium oxygen content suppressed the undesirable reactions between Ti and O.

Activity Calculation Model for Ternary Slag System of Al_2O_3-BaO-B_2O_3

According to the ion and molecule coexistence theory, the activity model of Al2O3- BaO-B2O3 ternary slag system was established, and the influences of BaO/Al2O3 molar ratio, B2O3 mole fraction and temperature on the activity of the slag system were investigated. Finally, the equal activity curves were drawn with the model results. The results show that with the increase of BaO/Al2O3 ratio, the activity of Al2O3 is significantly reduced, the activi- ty of BaO3-Al2O3 is increased obviously, and the activity of 2Al2O3· B2O3 is also decreased. With the increase of B2O3 mole fraction, the activity of BaO · Al2O3 decreased significantly, while the activities of BaO·B2O3 and 2Al2O3·B2O3 increased. In addition, the influence of temperature on the activities of different components is com paratively smaller than the influence of BaO/Al2O3 ratio and B2O3 mole fraction.

Activity Model of Fe-Si-B Ternary Metallic Melts

According to the ion and molecule coexistence theory, the activity model of Fe-Si-B ternary system was es- tablished, and the influence of ratio ：Csi/XZe, boron content and temperature, etc. on the activity of the melt com- pound was investigated. The results show that the FeB activity is high in the liquid iron, when Xsl/XFo is 0. 5 ; the ac- tivity of boron increases with increasing the boron content for different contents of xe and xs, and the activity of boron at the ratio xFo = 0.4 is about one order of magnitude higher than that for the XFo = 0. 8; The activities of the melt compound were also affected by temperature, but the influencing extent was little. The equal activity diagrams of silicon and boron were drawn for the first time according to the model results.

Mathematical model for design of optimized multi component slag for electroslag remelting

Slag is the heart of electroslag remelting(ESR)process.A new mathematical model to design the optimized slag for ESR was developed based on slag–metal equilibrium theory,ion and molecule coexistence theory and modified Butler’s equation.It was assumed that an overall thermodynamic equilibrium did exist at electrode tip–slag interface.With this model,the equilibrium slag and its surface tension could be obtained quantitatively when the initial compositions of consumable electrode were given.An industrial experiment with four types of slags was carried out in a special steel plant in China.The variation of Al,Si and Mn corresponded well with the deviation of corresponding oxide from equilibrium,reflecting the reasonability of the model.Besides that,the effects of Al in electrode as well as CaO,CaF2 and MgO in slag on the equilibrium slag,dissolved oxygen and surface tension were discussed in detail.