Separation of methane from different gas mixtures using modified silicon carbide nanosheet: Micro and macro scale numerical studies

This research discusses the separation of methane gas from three different gas mixtures,CH4/H2 S,CH4/N2 and CH4/CO2,using a modified silicon carbide nanosheet(Si CNS)membrane using both molecular dynamics(MD)and computational fluid dynamics(CFD)methods.The research examines the effects of different structures of the Si CNSs on the separation of these gas mixtures.Various parameters including the potential of the mean force,separation factor,permeation rate,selectivity and diffusivity are discussed in detail.Our MD simulations showed that the separation of CH4/H2 S,and CH4/CO2 mixtures was successful,while simulation demonstrated a poor result for the CH4/N2 mixture.The effect of temperature on the diffusivity of gas is also discussed,and a correlation is introduced for diffusivity as a function of temperature.The evaluated value for diffusivity is then used in the CFD method to investigate the permeation rate of gas mixtures.

Fabrication of g-C_(3)N_(4) nanosheet/Bi_(5)O_(7)Br/NH_(2)-MIL-88B(Fe)nanocomposites:Double S-scheme photocatalysts with impressive performance for the removal of antibiotics under visible light

Novel graphitic carbon nitride(g-C_(3)N_(4))nanosheet/Bi_(5)O_(7)Br/NH_(2)-MIL-88B(Fe)photocatalysts(denoted as GCN-NSh/Bi_(5)O_(7)Br/FeMOF,in which MOF is metal–organic framework)with double S-scheme heterojunctions were synthesized by a facile solvothermal route.The resultant materials were examined by X-ray photoelectron spectrometer(XPS),X-ray diffraction(XRD),scanning electron microscopy(SEM),energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDX),transmission electron microscopy(TEM),high-resolution transmission electron microscopy(HRTEM),photoluminescence spectroscopy(PL),Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FT-IR),UV-Vis diffuse reflection spectroscopy(UV-vis DRS),photocurrent density,electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS),and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller(BET)analyses.After the integration of Fe-MOF with GCN-NSh/Bi_(5)O_(7)Br,the removal constant of tetracycline over the optimal GCN-NSh/Bi_(5)O_(7)Br/Fe-MOF(15wt%)nanocomposite was promoted 33 times compared with that of the pristine GCN.The GCN-NSh/Bi_(5)O_(7)Br/Fe-MOF(15wt%)nanocomposite showed superior photoactivity to azithromycin,metronidazole,and cephalexin removal that was 36.4,20.2,and 14.6 times higher than that of pure GCN,respectively.Radical quenching tests showed that·O_(2)-and h+mainly contributed to the elimination reaction.In addition,the nanocomposite maintained excellent activity after 4 successive cycles.Based on the developed n–n heterojunctions among n-GCN-NSh,n-Bi_(5)O_(7)Br,and n-Fe-MOF semiconductors,the double S-scheme charge transfer mechanism was proposed for the destruction of the selected antibiotics.

Effects of TiO_2 nanoparticles on the aquatic plant Spirodela polyrrhiza: Evaluation of growth parameters, pigment contents and antioxidant enzyme activities

Plants are essential components of all ecosystems and play a critical role in environmental fate of nanoparticles. However, the toxicological impacts of nanoparticles on plants are not well documented. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles（TiO2-NPs） are produced worldwide in large quantities for a wide range of purposes. In the present study, the uptake of TiO2-NPs by the aquatic plant Spirodela polyrrhiza and the consequent effects on the plant were evaluated.Initially, structural and morphological characteristics of the used TiO2-NPs were determined using XRD, SEM, TEM and BET techniques. As a result, an anatase structure with the average crystalline size of 8 nm was confirmed for the synthesized TiO2-NPs. Subsequently, entrance of TiO2-NPSto plant roots was verified by fluorescence microscopic images. Activity of a number of antioxidant enzymes, as well as, changes in growth parameters and photosynthetic pigment contents as physiological indices were assessed to investigate the effects of TiO2-NPs on S. polyrrhiza. The increasing concentration of TiO2-NPs led to the significant decrease in all of the growth parameters and changes in antioxidant enzyme activities. The activity of superoxide dismutase enhanced significantly by the increasing concentration of TiO2-NPs. Enhancement of superoxide dismutase activity could be explained as promoting antioxidant system to scavenging the reactive oxygen species. In contrast, the activity of peroxidase was notably decreased in the treated plants. Reduced peroxidase activity could be attributed to either direct effect of these particles on the molecular structure of the enzyme or plant defense system damage due to reactive oxygen species.

Sonochemical synthesis of photocatalysts and their applications

Sonochemical synthesis has flourished significantly in the last few decades for the preparation of photocatalysts.A large number of photocatalysts have been prepared through sonochemical techniques.This review highlights the scope of sonochemistry in the preparation of photocatalysts,and their applications in energy production and environmental remediation.Beside,the sonochemical degradation of pollutants is discussed in detail.The progress made in sonochemical synthesis and the future perspective for this technique are summarized here.This review may create more enthusiasm among researchers to pay extra attention to the sonochemical synthesis of materials and add their useful contribution to the investigation of new materials for photocatalytic and other applications.This will propel this technique toward commercial sonosynthesis of nanomaterials.

Evaluation of antioxidant enzymes activities and identification of intermediate products during phytoremediation of an anionic dye(C.I. Acid Blue 92) by pennywort(Hydrocotyle vulgaris)

The potential of pennywort （Hydrocotyle vulgaris） for phytoremediation of C.I. Acid Blue 92 （AB92） was evaluated. The effects of various experimental parameters including pH, temperature, dye concentration and plant weight on dye removal efficiency were investigated. The results showed that the optimal condition for dye removal were pH 3.5 and temperature 25~C. Moreover, the absolute dye removal enhanced with increase in the initial dye concentration and plant weight. Pennywort showed the same removal efficiency in repeated experiments （four runs） as that obtained from the first run （a 6-day period）. Therefore, the ability of the plant in consecutive removal of AB92 confirmed the biodegradation process. Accordingly, a number of produced intermediate compounds were identified. The effect of treatment on photosynthesis and antioxidant defense system including superoxide dismutase, peroxidase and catalase in plant roots and leaves were evaluated. The results revealed a reduction in photosynthetic pigments content under dye treatments. Antioxidant enzyme responses showed marked variations with respect to the plant organ and dye concentration in the liquid medium. Overall, the increase in antioxidant enzyme activity under AB92 stress in the roots was much higher than that in the leaves. Nevertheless, no significant increase in malondialdehyde content was detected in roots or leaves, implying that the high efficiency of antioxidant system in the elimination of reactive oxygen species. Based on these results, pennywort was founded to be a capable species for phytoremediation of AB92-contaminated water, may be effective for phytoremediation dye-contaminated polluted aquatic ecosystems.

Stabilization of chromium(Ⅵ) by hydroxysulfate green rust in chromium(Ⅵ)-contaminated soils

Chromium(Cr)-contaminated soils pose a great environmental risk, with high solubility and persistent leaching of Cr(Ⅵ). In this study, hydroxysulfate green rust(GR_(SO4)), with the general formula Fe(Ⅱ)_(4) Fe(Ⅲ)_(2)(OH)_(12) SO_(4)·8 H_(2) O, was evaluated for its efficiency in Cr(Ⅵ) stabilization via Cr(Ⅵ) reduction to Cr(Ⅲ) in four representative Cr(Ⅵ)-spiked soils. The initial concentrations of phosphate buffer-extractable Cr(Ⅵ)(Cr(Ⅵ)b) in soils 1, 2, 3, and 4 were 382.4, 575.9, 551.3, and 483.7 mg kg^(-1), respectively. Reduction of Cr(Ⅵ) to Cr(Ⅲ) by structural Fe(Ⅱ)(Fe(Ⅱ)s) in GR_(SO4) in all studied soils was fast,wherein the application of GR_(SO4) markedly decreased the amount of Cr(Ⅵ)bat the Cr(Ⅵ)b/Fe(Ⅱ)s stoichiometric mole ratio of 0.33. The kinetics of Cr(Ⅵ)reduction by GR_(SO4) could not be determined as this reaction coincided with the release of Cr(Ⅵ) from soil during the experiment. The concentration of Cr(Ⅵ)bdecreased, as the Cr(Ⅵ)b/Fe(Ⅱ)s ratio decreased from 0.46 to 0.20, generally to below 10 mg kg^(-1). Back-transformation of the generated Cr(Ⅲ)was examined in the presence of manganese oxide birnessite at the birnessite/initial Cr(Ⅲ) mole ratio of 4.5. The results of batch tests showed that only 5.2% of the initial Cr(Ⅲ) was converted to Cr(Ⅵ) after two months, while under field capacity moisture conditions, less than 0.05% of the initial Cr(Ⅲ) was oxidized to Cr(Ⅵ) after six months. The results illustrated that remediation of Cr(Ⅵ)-contaminated soils would be fast, successful, and irreversible with an appropriate quantity of fresh GR_(SO_(4)).

One-step pore diffusion mechanism of Li^(+) in solid electrolyte interphase for fast-charging lithium-ion battery

Li^(+) transport in solid electrolyte interphase is recognized as important factor,which has become a research hotspot.Recently,an one-step pore diffusion mechanism for Li^(+) transport through solid electrolyte interphase was proposed,which was different from previous two-step mechanism.Such one-step pore diffusion process could effectively eliminate the dynamic limitations of Li^(+) transport in solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) for rapid charging process.The work will contribute to the development of rapid charging lithium-ion batteries.