Cheng-Gang Niu

Removal of cationic dyes from aqueous solution using magnetic multi-wall carbon nanotube nanocomposite as adsorbent.

A magnetic multi-wall carbon nanotube (MMWCNT) nanocomposite was synthesized and was used as an adsorbent for removal of cationic dyes from aqueous solutions. The MMWCNT nanocomposite was composed of commercial multi-wall carbon nanotubes and iron oxide nanoparticles. The properties of this magnetic adsorbent were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and BET surface area measurements. Adsorption characteristics of the MMWCNT nanocomposite adsorbent were examined using methylene blue, neutral red and brilliant cresyl blue as adsorbates. Experiments were carried out to investigate adsorption kinetics, adsorption capacity of the adsorbent and the effect of adsorption dosage and solution pH values on the removal of cationic dyes. Kinetic data were well fitted by a pseudo second-order model. Freundlich model was used to study the adsorption isotherms. The prepared MMWCNT adsorbent displayed the main advantage of separation convenience compared to the present adsorption treatment.

Highly Sensitive Strategy for Hg2+ Detection in Environmental Water Samples Using Long Lifetime Fluorescence Quantum Dots and Gold Nanoparticles

The authors herein described a time-gated fluorescence resonance energy transfer (TGFRET) sensing strategy employing water-soluble long lifetime fluorescence quantum dots and gold nanoparticles to detect trace Hg(2+) ions in aqueous solution. The water-soluble long lifetime fluorescence quantum dots and gold nanoparticles were functionalized by two complementary ssDNA, except for four deliberately designed T-T mismatches. The quantum dot acted as the energy-transfer donor, and the gold nanoparticle acted as the energy-transfer acceptor. When Hg(2+) ions were present in the aqueous solution, DNA hybridization will occur because of the formation of T-Hg(2+)-T complexes. As a result, the quantum dots and gold nanoparticles are brought into close proximity, which made the energy transfer occur from quantum dots to gold nanoparticles, leading to the fluorescence intensity of quantum dots to decrease obviously. The decrement fluorescence intensity is proportional to the concentration of Hg(2+) ions. Under the optimum conditions, the sensing system exhibits the same liner range from 1 × 10(-9) to 1 × 10(-8) M for Hg(2+) ions, with the detection limits of 0.49 nM in buffer and 0.87 nM in tap water samples. This sensor was also used to detect Hg(2+) ions from samples of tap water, river water, and lake water spiked with Hg(2+) ions, and the results showed good agreement with the found values determined by an atomic fluorescence spectrometer. In comparison to some reported colorimetric and fluorescent sensors, the proposed method displays the advantage of higher sensitivity. The TGFRET sensor also exhibits excellent selectivity and can provide promising potential for Hg(2+) ion detection.

Inactivation performance and mechanism of Escherichia coli in aqueous system exposed to iron oxide loaded graphene nanocomposites.

The challenge to achieve efficient disinfection and microbial control without harmful disinfection byproducts calls for developing new technologies. Magnetic-graphene oxide (M-GO) with magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles well dispersed on graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets exerted excellent antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli. The antibacterial performance of M-GO was dependent on the concentration and the component mass ratio of M/GO. The synergetic antibacterial effect of M-GO was observed with M/GO mass ratio of 9.09. TEM images illustrated the interaction between E. coli cells and M-GO nanocomposites. M-GO nanomaterials were possible to deposit on or penetrate into cells leading to leakage of intercellular contents and loss of cell integrity. The inactivation mechanism of E. coli by M-GO was supposed to result from both the membrane stress and oxidation stress during the incubation period. M-GO with excellent antibacterial efficiency against E. coli and separation-convenient property from water could be potent bactericidal nanomaterials for water disinfection.

SrTiO3 nanocubes decorated with Ag/AgCl nanoparticles as photocatalysts with enhanced visible-light photocatalytic activity towards the degradation of dyes, phenol and bisphenol A

Visible-light-sensitive Ag/AgCl/SrTiO3 photocatalysts have been successfully assembled through the precipitation reaction between AgNO3 and NaCl at ambient temperature, wherein Ag/AgCl nanoparticles were immobilized on the surface of SrTiO3. The composition, crystallinity, morphologies and optical properties of the as-prepared photocatalysts were sufficiently studied via various characterization techniques. In this paper, rhodamine B (RhB), methyl orange (MO), methylene blue (MB), phenol and bisphenol A (BPA) solutions were photodegraded as target pollutants under visible light irradiation to evaluate the photocatalytic performances of the obtained products. In contrast with the pristine SrTiO3 and Ag/AgCl nanoparticles, the composite photocatalysts presented dramatically boosted visible-light photocatalytic performance in terms of decomposing organic pollutants. It was observed that the Ag/AgCl/SrTiO3 (21.6%) composite possessed the best photocatalytic performance and maintained favorable stability during the consecutive cycling experiment. The improved photocatalytic performance of the catalysts resulted from the surface plasmon resonance effect of Ag/AgCl nanoparticles, as well as exceptional separation efficiency of photogenerated electrons and holes. Meanwhile, a reasonable reaction mechanism on the Ag/AgCl/SrTiO3 (21.6%) composite photocatalysts was brought up upon band energy analysis and a trapping experiment.

Determination of trace chromium(VI) by an inhibition-based enzyme biosensor incorporating an electropolymerized aniline membrane and ferrocene as electron transfer mediator

A novel inhibition-based glucose oxidase (GOx) biosensor for environmental chromium(VI) detection is described. An electropolymerized aniline membrane has been prepared on a platinum electrode containing ferrocene as electron transfer mediator, on which GOx is cross-linked by glutaraldehyde. The mechanism of the redox reaction on the electrode and the performance of the sensor are studied. The sensors response to glucose decreases when it is inhibited by chromium(VI), with a lower detection limit of 0.49 µg L−1, and the linear response range is divided into two parts, one of which is 0.49–95.73 µg L−1 and the other is 95.73 µg−1 to8.05 mg L−1. The enzyme membrane is shown to be completely reactivated after inhibition, retaining 90% activity over more than forty days. Interference to chromium(VI) determination from lead(II), copper(II), cadmium(II), chromium(III), cobalt(II), tin(II) and nickel(II) is found to be minimal, while high concentrations of mercury(II) and silver(I) may interfere with the determination of trace chromium(VI). The sensor has been used for chromium(VI) determination in soil samples with good results.

A reversible chemosensor for nitrite based on the fluorescence quenching of a carbazole derivative.

The carbazole derivative, with an amino group in 9-position (9-methylacryloylamino carbazole (MAC), has been utilized to prepare a fluorescent sensor and used for the determination of NO(2)(-) based on the reaction between nitrite (NO(2)(-)) and excess I(-) to form I(3)(-), which can quench the fluorescence of carbazole derivative. MAC, as a fluorescent carrier, has a terminal double bond and is covalently immobilized on a quartz glass plate surface by photo-polymerization to prevent the leakage of the dye. The sensor shows sufficient repeatability, selectivity, operational lifetime of 8 weeks, and a fast response of less then 30s. NO(2)(-) can be determined in the range between 1.0x10(-6) and 1.0x10(-4)moll(-1) with a detection limit of 8.0x10(-7)moll(-1) at pH of 2.0. The quenching mechanism is discussed. Most commonly coexisting ions do not interfer with the NO(2)(-) assay.

Decolorization of an azo dye Orange G in microbial fuel cells using Fe(II)-EDTA catalyzed persulfate.

This study constructed a microbial fuel cell (MFC) using Fe(II)-EDTA catalyzed persulfate as the cathode solutions to decolorize Orange G (OG) and harvest electricity simultaneously. Chelated Fe(2+) could activate persulfate to generate sulfate free radicals (SO(4)(-)) which with high oxidation potential (E(0)=2.6 V) can degrade azo dyes. The influence of some important factors such as pH value of cathode solutions, dosages of K(2)S(2)O(8), Fe(2+) and EDTA were investigated in a two-chamber microbial fuel cell. Under an optimal condition, the maximum power density achieved 91.1 mW m(-2), the OG removal rate was 97.4% and the K(2)S(2)O(8) remaining rate was 47.3% after 12 h. The OG degradation by Fe(II)-EDTA catalyzed persulfate was found to follow the second-order kinetic model.

AgI nanoparticles-decorated CeO2 microsheets photocatalyst for the degradation of organic dye and tetracycline under visible-light irradiation

In this paper, CeO2 microplates were synthesized by a sol-gel auto-combustion method. AgI nanoparticles (NPs) were then deposited onto the surface of CeO2 via a facile deposition-precipitation method. The as-prepared AgI/CeO2 samples were characterized by various analytical techniques. The composites exhibited superior photocatalytic activities for the organic dyes (RhB) and the refractory pollutant (tetracycline (TC), a typical antibiotic) degradation under visible light irradiation. The CA-19.03 sample exhibited the highest photocatalytic activity. The enhanced photocatalytic performance could be ascribed to the improved separation of photogenerated charge carriers due to well-matched band structure.

Time-resolved fluorescence biosensor for adenosine detection based on home-made europium complexes.

In this protocol, the authors report a time-resolved fluorescence biosensor based on home-made europium complexes for highly sensitive detection of small molecules using adenosine as a model analyte. The fluorophore that used is europium complexes. Its signal can be measured in a time-resolved manner that eliminates most of the unspecific fluorescent background. The amino modified aptamer probe, which is designed to specifically recognize adenosine, is combined to the aldehyde-group modified glass slide by covalent bond. Europium complex-labeled a short ssDNA, designed to segment hybridize with aptamer probe is immobilized on the glass slide by hybridization reaction. In the presence of adenosine, the aptamer part is more inclined to bounds with adenosine and triggers structure-switching of the aptamer from aptamer/ssDNA duplex to aptamer/target complex. As a result, europium complexes-labeled ssDNA is forced to dissociate from the sensor interface, resulting in time-resolved fluorescence intensity decrease. The decrement intensity is proportional to the amount of adenosine. Under optimized assay conditions, a linear range (1.0×10(-8)M to 1.0×10(-7)M) is got with low detection limit of 5.61nM. The biosensor exhibits excellent selectivity and can provide a promising potential for aptamer-based adenosine detection.

Time-resolved fluorescence based DNA detection using novel europium ternary complex doped silica nanoparticles

A two-probe tandem DNA hybridization assay including capture DNA(1), probe DNA(2), and target DNA(3) was prepared. The long-lived luminescent europium complex doped nanoparticles (NPs) were used as the biomarker. The complex included in the particle was Eu(TTA)(3)(5-NH(2)-phen)-IgG (ETN-IgG), the europium complex Eu(TTA)(3)(5-NH(2)-phen) linking an IgG molecule. Silica NPs containing ETN-IgG were prepared by the reverse microemulsion method, and were easy to label oligonucleotide for time-resolved fluorescence assays. The luminophores were well-protected from the environmental interference when they were doped inside the silica network. The sequences of Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli genes were designed using software Primer Premier 5.0. Amino-modified capture DNA(1) was covalently immobilized on the common glass slides surface. The detection was done by monitoring the fluorescence intensity from the glass surface after the hybridization reaction with the NPs labeled probe DNA(2) and complementary target DNA(3). The sensing system presented short hybridization time, satisfactory stability, sensitivity, and selectivity. This approach was successfully employed for preliminary application in the detection of pure cultured E. coli, it might be an effective tool for pathogen DNA monitoring.