Nano Research
·
2023
·Vol. 16
·期 8
·11320-11325
·
IF 9.9
Zheng Chunxiao,Fang Sunmiao,Chu Weicun,Tan Jin,Tian Bingkun,Jiang Xiaofeng,Guo Wanlin
The last decade has witnessed the emergence of hydrovoltaic technology, which can harvest electricity from different forms of water movement, such as raindrops, waves, flows, moisture, and natural evaporation. In particular, the evaporation-induced hydrovoltaic effect received great attention since its discovery in 2017 due to its negative heat emission property. Nevertheless, the influence of electrode reactions in evaporation-induced power generation is not negligible due to the chemical reaction between active metal electrodes and water, which leads to “exceptional” power generation. Herein, we designed a series of experiments based on air-laid paper devices with electrodes of different activities as the top and bottom electrodes. To verify the contribution of electrodes, we compared the output performance of different electrode combinations when the device was partially-wetted and fully-wetted. The device hydrophilicity, salt concentration, and acidity or basicity of solutions were also comprehensively investigated. It is demonstrated that the chemical reaction of active metals (Zn, Cu, Ag, etc.) with different aqueous solutions can generate considerable electrical energy and significantly distort the device performance, especially for Zn electrodes with an output voltage from ~ 1.26 to ~ 1.52 V and current from ~ 1.24 to ~ 75.69 µA. To promote the long-term development of hydrovoltaic technology, we recommend use of inert electrodes in hydrovoltaic studies, such as Au and Pt, especially in water and moisture environment.
研究领域:
能量收集
·
环境科学
·
电化学
·
材料科学
·
纳米技术
·
物理化学
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
Nature Water
·
2024
·Vol. 2
·期 7
·649-662
·
IF 0
Gu Chao-Hai,Pan Ya,Wei Ting-Ting,Zhang Ai-Yong,Si Yang,Liu Chang,Sun Zhi-Hu,Chen Jie-Jie,Yu Han-Qing
The worldwide generation of waste sludge emanating from municipal wastewater treatment plants amounts to 80–90 million tons of dry matter annually and continues to escalate, posing a substantial economic and environmental challenge for society. Although waste sludge offers a tantalizing resource to be harnessed, highly efficient and effective strategies for its repurposing remain elusive due to its complex compositions and low concentration of recoverable metallic elements. Here we devise a straightforward methodology for adept transformation of waste sludge into high-value single-atom catalysts (SACs) for water purification. This process involves in situ upcycling of trace redox-reactive transition metals present in sludge into single-atom speciation by carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, phosphorus, silicon and aluminium via the formation of reactive anchoring sites and selective chemical bonds. Sludge-derived SACs demonstrate remarkable reactivity, stability and selectivity in Fenton-like degradation of various contaminants. Structural analyses and density functional theory calculations reveal that co-coordinated iron single atoms act as the principal reactive sites in the catalysts. In addition, other single-atom transition metals with distinct coordination structures form and contribute to catalytic performance. Furthermore, we employ life cycle assessment and payback period analysis to conduct an evaluation of sludge upcycling to SACs with considerations of environmental impacts and production costs at an industrial level. Compared with conventional incineration, the overall life cycle impacts of our upcycling approach on human health, ecosystems and resources are much lower and exhibit a greater potential for reduction of emissions. This innovative technology promises financial benefits, obviates the substantial economic burdens of sludge disposal and charts a new trajectory for waste sludge disposal, promoting the genesis of more sustainable wastewater and waste management frameworks.
研究领域:
环境科学
·
催化化学
·
废水处理
·
材料科学
✓ 已验证
DOI
APPLIED SURFACE SCIENCE
·
2024
·
IF 6.3
Yanxia Luo,Shuai Li,Lei Xiao,Yuqin Teng,Rong Tian,Tao Li,Yanhua Liu,Dianming Li,Libang Feng
Solar-driven interfacial evaporation is an eco-friendly and promising method for producing fresh water. Herein, a photothermal fiber membrane with gradient wettability was fabricated using hydrophilic polyacrylonitrile and hydrophobic polystyrene by Side-by-Side electrospinning technology, which can achieve salt resistance and evaporation durability at the same time. The electrospinning fiber membrane skeleton has high porosity, facilitating water transport and steam overflow. Gradient wettability can ensure a sufficient water supply to the photothermal layer and facilitate heat-mass transport in the gradient structure, thereby improving the heat utilization ratio. The evaporation rate for water is maintained at about 1.28 kg m −2 h −1 over 10 cycles. In addition, when the prepared membrane was utilized for desalination, evaporation of acid and alkaline solutions, and wastewater treatment containing organic dyes, the condensed water collected met the drinking-water standards established by the World Health Organization. This study provides a way to design gradient wettability materials used for sustainable and efficient solar-driven interfacial evaporation.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
环境科学
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
·
2018
·Vol. 25
·期 23
·22911-22919
·
IF 2.8
Zhu Xiaobiao,Tian Ye,Li Feifei,Liu Yapeng,Wang Xiaohui,Hu Xiang
Superhydrophobic materials have an excellent performance in oil adsorption. In this study, a novel magnetic polydivinylbenzene (PDVB) nanofiber was synthesized by the method of cation polymerization to adsorb oil from water. The magnetic PDVB was hollow nanofiber with Fe 3 O 4 nanoparticles embedded in its structure. The synthesis condition was optimized that the ratio of divinylbenzene (DVB) to boron fluoride ethyl ether (BFEE) was 10:1 ( v / v ), and the Fe 3 O 4 dosage was 0.175 g/g of DVB. The material showed an excellent oil adsorption performance in wastewater, and the oil concentration could be reduced from 2000 to 92.2 mg/L within 5 min. The magnetic PDVB had relatively high adsorption capacity (12 g/g) for oil, which could be attributed to its super hydrophobicity and one-dimensional nanostructure with high crosslinking degree. The isotherm study indicated that the magnetic PDVB adsorbed oil was an asymmetric or multilayer adsorption process. The material could be regenerated by simple squeeze and maintain its adsorption capacity after it has been used for 10 recycles. In real coking wastewater, the magnetic PDVB kept a good oil adsorption performance without the interference of various pollutants, indicating a wide prospect in practical use.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
环境科学
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
·
2022
·
IF 9.136
Zhiliang Shen,Guihua Yan,Gaofeng Chen,Liuxuan Cao,Xing Tang,Yong Sun,Jian Liu,Shuliang Yang,Lu Lin,Xianhai Zeng
Under the great challenge brought by global warming, nuclear power gains sustained attention as an important low-carbon base load power source. Removal of trace amounts of strontium ion ( 90 Sr 2+ ) from highly Na + -rich liquid wastes generated from the process of nuclear fuel cycle can make nuclear power more economical and environmentally-friendly. The efficient and low-cost method is urgent but still absent. In this study, sodium manganese silicate (SMSO) is prepared via one-pot hydrothermal method. The as-prepared material with high specific surface area (∼559.86 m 2 g −1 ) shows high adsorption of 249.0 mg g −1 for Sr 2+ ions. The removal rate of Sr 2+ by material always keeps a high adsorption capacity (above 98%) in the wide pH range of 3–12. Besides, the removal effect can maintain at a high level in the presence of a variety of competitive ions. Owing the combination of the high performance and low cost, the title SMSO becomes a promising Sr 2+ adsorbent for the nuclear wastewater treatment.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
环境科学
·
核能工程
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
JOURNAL OF DISPERSION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
·
2020
·
IF 1.701
Linyi He,Mengying Long,Xinrui Miao,Qiannan Zhou,Meiqiu Dong,Xiaogang Liu,Wenli Deng
Numerous superwetting materials have been designed to separate water-in-oil emulsions, however, it still remains challenge to realize emulsion separation and dye adsorption simultaneously. In this work, we adopt a simple strategy to remove dyes and tiny water droplets from the dyed surfactant-stabilized water-in-oil emulsion using layer-stacked waste honeycomb cinder (WHC). The layer-stacked WHC with under-oil superhydrophilicity is obtained to separate the dyed emulsions only driven by gravity. The volumetric water fraction of the emulsion is 1%. The WHC displays exceptional separation efficiency and high filtrate flux for the emulsion separation, and highly efficient adsorption for various kinds of dyes in water, oil, and emulsion. Interestingly, no tiny water droplets in the filtrate are detected by dynamic light scattering (DLS), even though the concentration of surfactant in the emulsion is up to 2.4 mg/mL. Furthermore, the WHC could remain considerable recyclability after 10 cycles of emulsion separation. The separation efficiency could be improved after the WHC is immersed in corrosive liquid, which shows the excellent chemical durability of the WHC. This work demonstrates that the WHC as green and sustainable material can be efficiently reused to separate emulsions and adsorb dyes.
研究领域:
环境科学
·
材料科学
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGICAL MACROMOLECULES
·
2024
·
IF 7.7
Teng Chen,Xin Li,Qiyuan Wang,Ye Li,Le Xu,Yihang Yang,Yunfan Qiao,Yuchen Dai,Jie Ke,Hongri Wan,Shuai Zhou,Zhaojian Gao
The frequently encountered wastewater contaminations, including soluble aromatic compound and dye pollutants, pathogenic bacteria, and insoluble oils, have resulted in significant environmental and human health issues. It poses a challenge to utilize identical materials for the treatment of complex wastewater. Herein, in this research, multifunctional Ag NPs/guar gum hybrid hydrogels were fabricated using a facile in situ reduction and self-crosslinking method for efficient remediation of complex wastewater. The Ag NPs/guar gum hybrid hydrogel showed remarkable remodeling, adhesive, and self-healing characteristics, which was favorable for its versatile applications. The combination of Ag NPs with the guar gum skeleton endowed the hybrid hydrogel with exceptional catalytic activity for reducing aromatic compounds and dye pollutants, as well as remarkable antibacterial efficacy against pathogenic bacteria. In addition, the Ag NPs/guar gum hybrid hydrogel could be employed to coat a variety of substrates, including cotton fabrics and stainless steel meshes. The hydrogel coated cotton fabrics and meshes presented superhydrophilicity/underwater superoleophobicity, excellent antifouling capacity, and outstanding recyclability, which could be successfully applied for efficient separation of oil-water mixtures. The findings of this work provide a feasible and cost-effective approach for the remediation of intricate wastewater.
研究领域:
环境科学
·
材料科学
·
生物学
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
·
2020
·
IF 8.758
Binbin Dong,Yahao Guo,Shuangjie Sun,Hao-Yang Mi,Ping He,Maxwell Fordjour Antwi-Afari,Chuntai Liu,Changyu Shen
High-performance low-cost superhydrophobic sponges are desired for selective recycling of leaking oils from open water. Herein, an ingenious method is proposed to fabricate an ultrathin superhydrophobic coating layer on a commercial sponge. The coating layer is composed of a shish–kebab-structured porous ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) film that is fabricated from a UHMWPE/xylene solution by shear flow-induced crystallization. A strong relationship between the shish–kebab crystallite morphology and the superwetting performance is confirmed. The UHMWPE coating layer fabricated at a 900 rpm rotation rate possesses a lamellae size of 95.1 nm and a lamellae distance of 27.4 nm, which lead to a high water contact angle of 157° and a low contact angle hysteresis of 4.5°. The UHMWPE layer prepared in 4 min of treatment is thick enough to prevent the intrusion of water even under vacuum and remain superoleophilic. The developed UHMWPE-coated sponge (UCS) exhibited a high absorption capability of 70–191 g/g toward various oils and solvents, which is comparable with the neat melamine sponge. Its excellent compressibility and durability enabled fast recovery of absorbed oil with a high recovery rate (over 85%) by mechanical squeezing. The UCS could be assembled into small devices to selectively collect oil from open water and a water/oil mixture using a pump, which manifests its promising practical applicability. Apart from these extraordinary properties, the approach developed has the lowest material cost and the shortest processing time hitherto.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
环境科学
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF HYDROGEN ENERGY
·
2019
·
IF 4.084
Qingli Xu,Wenluan Gao,Miao Wang,Gang Yuan,Xiaona Ren,Rong Zhao,Sida Zhao,Qingfa Wang
To develop earth-abundant and cost-effective catalysts for overall water splitting is still a major challenge. Herein, a unique “raisins-on-bread” Ni–S–P electrocatalyst with NiS and Ni 2 P nanoparticles embedded in amorphous Ni(OH) 2 nanosheets is fabricated on Ni foam by a facile and controllable electrodeposition approach. It only requires an overpotential of 120 mV for HER and 219 mV for OER to reach the current density of 10 mA cm −2 in 1 M KOH solution. Employed as the anode and cathode , it demonstrates extraordinary electrocatalytic overall water splitting activity (cell voltage of only 1.58 V @ 10 mA cm −2 ) and ultra-stability (160 h @ 10 mA cm −2 or 120 h @50 mA cm −2 ) in alkaline media . The synergetic electronic interactions, enhanced mass and charge transfers at the heterointerfaces facilitate HER and OER processes. Combined with a silicon PV cell, this Ni–S–P bifunctional catalyst also exhibits highly efficient solar-driven water splitting with a solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency of 12.5%.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
电化学
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
Cell Reports Physical Science
·
2022
·
IF 7.832
Wei Yao,Jian Tan,Xiaodong Zhu,Guanglei Liu,Zhenglong Xu,Mingxin Ye,Jianfeng Shen
Wastewater containing organic pollutants, such as emulsion, soluble organic sewage, oily seawater, and acid/alkali corrosive sewage, poses a grand challenge to the existing membrane separation technology for obtaining freshwater. Inspired by leaf structure, here we report a carbon felt/poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) solar-driven device to separate versatile oily wastewater. This evaporator exhibits superior full-spectrum solar energy absorption (88%) and steady vapor release capacity (1.3–1.4 kg m −2 h −1 ) under 1.0 sun irradiation. The carbon felt/PVA foam with strong underwater superoleophobicity cannot only achieve efficient separation of oil-in-water but also purify extra high oil/water ratio emulsion directly with high efficiency of 99.99%. It is noteworthy, for seawater-emulsion and water-soluble organic sewage, that the purification efficiency of carbon felt/PVA foam can exceed 99.86%. More importantly, strong acid and alkali water do not affect the operation of carbon felt/PVA foam. This work provides a feasible method to purify versatile wastewater in a harsh environment.
研究领域:
环境科学
·
材料科学
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
Journal of Bionic Engineering
·
2023
·Vol. 20
·期 5
·1956-1966
·
IF 4
Fu Ye,Ai Shulun,Guo Zhiguang,Liu Weimin
Oily wastewater pollution is an urgent problem to be solved. Complicated preparation process, toxic hydrophobic modifiers and poor mechanical properties limit the application of polysaccharide-based aerogel in oil–water separation. Inspired by the Strider’s Leg structure in nature, an eco-friendly and reusable polysaccharide-based composite aerogel was prepared by hydrophobic modification with zein for efficient oil–water separation. The introduction of hydrophobic zein into aerogel by simple immersion method without the use of toxic modifiers can build micro/nanostructures similar to the villi on a water strider’s leg to increase the surface roughness and the hydrophobicity. And three degradable, non-toxic and economical polysaccharides including chitosan, carboxylated cellulose nanofibers and starch were used to construct aerogel skeleton, endowing aerogel with porous structures and good mechanical properties. The resulting composite aerogel (ZOMA) showed low density (0.11 g/cm 3 ), good oil absorption capacity (9 g/g), high flux oil–water separation (5595 L m −2 h −1 ) and excellent oil–water separation performance (99.8%). And ZOMA still had good tensile strength and elasticity after 50 compression cycles. After 10 cycles of absorption and desorption, ZOMA aerogel remained still more than 90% of its initial absorption capacity. This study provides new insight for the design of environmentally friendly and efficient adsorbents for oil–water separation.
研究领域:
材料科学
·
环境科学
·
生物仿生学
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
·
2020
·
IF 5.774
Dongdong Ge,Jiamu Xiao,Chang Bian,Haiping Yuan,Nanwen Zhu
Waste activated sludge (WAS), as a kind of hydrophilic colloid substance, is still a major technical challenge in wastewater treatment industry. For enhancing WAS dewaterability, the approach of tannic acid (TA)/Fe 3+ conditioning was verified to be feasible. During conditioning, sludge extracellular protein decreased pronouncedly. Fluorescence quenching analysis revealed that Fe 3+ reduced the binding sites of extracellular polymeric substances available for TA, and the formed TA-Fe 3+ complexes possibly promoted TA aggregates’ settlement and compression. Sludge supernatant viscosity, absolute value of zeta potential and pH value also decreased distinctly, and sludge particle size became larger than that of raw sludge or Fe 3+ -conditioned sludge. Scanning electron microscope suggested that sludge surface morphology became more compacted and denser after TA/Fe 3+ conditioning, which was helpful for the release of water trapped in sludge bio-polymeric network. With 0.15 mmol/gTS TA and 0.9 mmol/gTS Fe 3+ conditioning, sludge capillary suction time, specific resistance of filtration and water content of dewatered sludge cake were decreased by 76.3%, 94.7% and 13.5%, respectively. The findings not only shed new light on the means of applying natural plant organic polymer coupled with inorganic cation to promote WAS dewaterability but offered a potentially theoretical principle of the utilization of plant waste containing TA in WAS treatment.
研究领域:
环境科学
·
污水处理
✓ 已验证
DOI
高影响因子
危险品化学品经营许可证（带存储）