A series of MgO nanoparticles were prepared by first precipitating and isolating Mg(OH)2 nanoparticles from Mg(NO3)2 at three different temperatures using NaOH followed by their thermal decomposition also at three tem...A series of MgO nanoparticles were prepared by first precipitating and isolating Mg(OH)2 nanoparticles from Mg(NO3)2 at three different temperatures using NaOH followed by their thermal decomposition also at three temperature settings. The effects of temperature at which precipitation and thermal decomposition of the hydroxide occurred were studied to assess their influence on nanoparticle size and surface area. The synthesised nanoparticles were characterized using a suite of techniques including Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis. The average diameter range of MgO nanoparticles ranged between 15 and 35 nm, while for the precursor Mg(OH)2 it varied between 28 and 45 nm. The nanoparticle surface area obtained from BET studies was found in all cases to increase from 77 to 106.4 m2/g with increasing temperature of precipitation. Antibacterial activities of the prepared Mg(OH)2 and MgO nanoparticles were evaluated against the Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli, and the Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, using agar diffusion method. A correlation between surface area and antibacterial activity supported the mechanism of bacterial inactivation as the generation of reactive species. The Mg(OH)2 and MgO nanoparticles both exhibited pronounced bactericidal activity towards the Gram positive bacteria than Gram negative bacteria as indicated by the extend of the zone of inhibition around the nanoparticle.展开更多
In this study, synthesis of copper nanoparticles was performed using organoclay as a support to stabilize the nanoparticles. Organoclay amount was gradually increased, which had an effect on the morphology of the resu...In this study, synthesis of copper nanoparticles was performed using organoclay as a support to stabilize the nanoparticles. Organoclay amount was gradually increased, which had an effect on the morphology of the resultant nanoparticles. Low amount of organoclay added resulted in larger and agglomerated copper nanoparticles whereas increased amount of organoclay gave smaller sized nanoparticles. The hybrid materials were characterized using the SEM and TEM for morphology, XRD and FT-IR spectroscopy for structural elucidation, thermal analysis using TGA and also studying their antibacterial effect on the two well-known gram negative bacteria of E. coli and P. Aeruginosa. The synthesized nanoparticles were found to be crystalline Cu nanoparticles with a mix of CuO. Larger sized copper nanoparticles and agglomerates showed the higher thermal behaviour as compared with smaller nanoparticles with higher organoclay loading. The hybrid showed an improved antibacterial activity as compared with organoclay alone. The hybrid showed the higher antibacterial effect against the P. aeruginosa microorganism as compared with the E. coli microorganism.展开更多
Although PVDF flat sheet membranes have been widely tested in MD,their synthesis and modifications currently require increased use of green and inexpensive materials.In this study,flat sheet PVDF membranes were synthe...Although PVDF flat sheet membranes have been widely tested in MD,their synthesis and modifications currently require increased use of green and inexpensive materials.In this study,flat sheet PVDF membranes were synthesized using phase inversion and water as the pore former.Remarkably,the water added in the casting solution improved the membrane pore sizes;where the maximum pore size was 0.58μm.Also,the incorporation of f-SiO2NPs in the membrane matrix considerably enhanced the membrane hydrophobicity.Specifically,the membrane contact angles increased from 96°to 153°.Additionally,other parameters investigated were mechanical strength and liquid entry pressure(LEP).The maximum recorded values were 2.26 MPa and 239 kPa,respectively.The modified membranes(i.e.,using water as the pore former and f-SiO2NPs)were the most efficient,showing maximum salt rejection of 99.9%and water flux of 11.6 LMH;thus,indicating their capability to be used as efficient materials for the recovery of high purity water in MD.展开更多
This study reports the removal of amoxicillin from environmental water matrices using zinc oxide coated carbon nanofibers composite as an adsorbent.The structural and surface properties of zinc oxide coated carbon nan...This study reports the removal of amoxicillin from environmental water matrices using zinc oxide coated carbon nanofibers composite as an adsorbent.The structural and surface properties of zinc oxide coated carbon nanofiber composite were characterized using X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersion x-ray spectroscopy,transmission electron microscopy,and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.The factors(sample pH and dosage)influencing the adsorption experiments were optimised using central composite design.Freundlich,Langmuir and Flory-Huggin isotherm models were used to study the adsorption isotherms.The results obtained revealed that the maximum adsorption capacity was up to 156 mg g^-1.The kinetic studies demonstrated that the adsorption process was best described by pseudo-second-order model and the equilibrium data followed Langmuir isotherm model.The optimised batch method was then applied for the removal of amoxicillin in real wastewater samples.In addition,the zinc oxide coated carbon nanofibers nanocomposite was found to reusable up to fifteen cycles.展开更多
文摘A series of MgO nanoparticles were prepared by first precipitating and isolating Mg(OH)2 nanoparticles from Mg(NO3)2 at three different temperatures using NaOH followed by their thermal decomposition also at three temperature settings. The effects of temperature at which precipitation and thermal decomposition of the hydroxide occurred were studied to assess their influence on nanoparticle size and surface area. The synthesised nanoparticles were characterized using a suite of techniques including Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analysis. The average diameter range of MgO nanoparticles ranged between 15 and 35 nm, while for the precursor Mg(OH)2 it varied between 28 and 45 nm. The nanoparticle surface area obtained from BET studies was found in all cases to increase from 77 to 106.4 m2/g with increasing temperature of precipitation. Antibacterial activities of the prepared Mg(OH)2 and MgO nanoparticles were evaluated against the Gram-negative bacteria, Escherichia coli, and the Gram-positive bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, using agar diffusion method. A correlation between surface area and antibacterial activity supported the mechanism of bacterial inactivation as the generation of reactive species. The Mg(OH)2 and MgO nanoparticles both exhibited pronounced bactericidal activity towards the Gram positive bacteria than Gram negative bacteria as indicated by the extend of the zone of inhibition around the nanoparticle.
文摘In this study, synthesis of copper nanoparticles was performed using organoclay as a support to stabilize the nanoparticles. Organoclay amount was gradually increased, which had an effect on the morphology of the resultant nanoparticles. Low amount of organoclay added resulted in larger and agglomerated copper nanoparticles whereas increased amount of organoclay gave smaller sized nanoparticles. The hybrid materials were characterized using the SEM and TEM for morphology, XRD and FT-IR spectroscopy for structural elucidation, thermal analysis using TGA and also studying their antibacterial effect on the two well-known gram negative bacteria of E. coli and P. Aeruginosa. The synthesized nanoparticles were found to be crystalline Cu nanoparticles with a mix of CuO. Larger sized copper nanoparticles and agglomerates showed the higher thermal behaviour as compared with smaller nanoparticles with higher organoclay loading. The hybrid showed an improved antibacterial activity as compared with organoclay alone. The hybrid showed the higher antibacterial effect against the P. aeruginosa microorganism as compared with the E. coli microorganism.
基金The authors would like to acknowledge the South African National Research Foundation for funding this work.
文摘Although PVDF flat sheet membranes have been widely tested in MD,their synthesis and modifications currently require increased use of green and inexpensive materials.In this study,flat sheet PVDF membranes were synthesized using phase inversion and water as the pore former.Remarkably,the water added in the casting solution improved the membrane pore sizes;where the maximum pore size was 0.58μm.Also,the incorporation of f-SiO2NPs in the membrane matrix considerably enhanced the membrane hydrophobicity.Specifically,the membrane contact angles increased from 96°to 153°.Additionally,other parameters investigated were mechanical strength and liquid entry pressure(LEP).The maximum recorded values were 2.26 MPa and 239 kPa,respectively.The modified membranes(i.e.,using water as the pore former and f-SiO2NPs)were the most efficient,showing maximum salt rejection of 99.9%and water flux of 11.6 LMH;thus,indicating their capability to be used as efficient materials for the recovery of high purity water in MD.
基金The authors are grateful to the University of Johannesburg,Applied Chemistry Department,National Nanoscience Postgraduate Teaching and Training Programme(NNPTTP)National Research Foundation(NRF)Thuthuka(grant no.99720)for the permission to do this work as well as financial support.
文摘This study reports the removal of amoxicillin from environmental water matrices using zinc oxide coated carbon nanofibers composite as an adsorbent.The structural and surface properties of zinc oxide coated carbon nanofiber composite were characterized using X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersion x-ray spectroscopy,transmission electron microscopy,and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.The factors(sample pH and dosage)influencing the adsorption experiments were optimised using central composite design.Freundlich,Langmuir and Flory-Huggin isotherm models were used to study the adsorption isotherms.The results obtained revealed that the maximum adsorption capacity was up to 156 mg g^-1.The kinetic studies demonstrated that the adsorption process was best described by pseudo-second-order model and the equilibrium data followed Langmuir isotherm model.The optimised batch method was then applied for the removal of amoxicillin in real wastewater samples.In addition,the zinc oxide coated carbon nanofibers nanocomposite was found to reusable up to fifteen cycles.