Yanhui Ao

Preparation, characterization, photocatalytic properties of titania hollow sphere doped with cerium.

Ce-doped titania hollow spheres were prepared using carbon spheres as template and Ce-doped titania nanoparticles as building blocks. The Ce-doped titania nanoparticles were synthesized at low temperature. The prepared hollow spheres were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectrum (DRS). The effect of Ce content on the physical structure and photocatalytic properties of doped titania hollow sphere samples was investigated. Results showed that there was an optimal Ce-doped content (4%) for the photocatalytic activity of X-3B degradation. The apparent rate constant of the best one was almost 31 times as that of P25 titania. The mechanism of photocatalytic degradation of dyes under visible light irradiation was also discussed.

Effect of CuO nanoparticles on the production and composition of extracellular polymeric substances and physicochemical stability of activated sludge flocs.

The effects of CuO nanoparticles (NPs) on the production and composition of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and the physicochemical stability of activated sludge were investigated. The results showed enhanced production of loosely bound extracellular polymeric substances (LB-EPS), protecting against nanotoxicity. Specifically, polysaccharide production increased by 89.7% compared to control upon exposure to CuO NPs (50mg/L). Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed changes in the polysaccharide COC group and the carboxyl group of proteins in the EPS in the presence of CuO NPs. The sludge flocs were unstable after exposure to CuO NPs (50mg/L) because of excess LB-EPS. This also corresponded with decreased cell viability of the sludge flocs, as determined by the production of reactive oxygen species and the release of lactate dehydrogenase. These results are key to assessing the adverse effects of the CuO NPs on activated sludge in wastewater treatment plants.

A simple route for the preparation of Eu, N-codoped TiO2 nanoparticles with enhanced visible light-induced photocatalytic activity

A simple route has been developed for the synthesis of europium, nitrogen-codoped titania photocatalysts under mild conditions (i.e., low temperature, < or = 348 K, and ambient pressure). The as-prepared photocatalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS) analyses. The results showed that the codoped photocatalyst with a spheroidal shape exhibited a smaller size than the undoped titania. The transformation from anatase to rutile was suppressed by doping with Eu and N atoms. Furthermore, the absorbance spectra of Eu, N-codoped TiO(2) exhibited a significant red shift to the visible region. The photocatalytic activity of Eu, N-codoped TiO(2) was evaluated by photodegradation of the dye reactive brilliant red X-3B under visible light. This codoped sample exhibited enhanced photocatalytic activity compared to N-doped TiO(2), pure TiO(2), and P25.

Enhanced photoelectrocatalytic activity for dye degradation by graphene-titania composite film electrodes.

Graphene-titania composite film electrodes have been fabricated by a dip-coating method. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images show that the titania nanoparticles were dispersed uniformly, with only a little aggregation on the surface and edges of the graphene sheets. XRD analysis showed that the composite electrodes comprised the anatase phase of titania with just a little rutile phase. The photoelectrocatalytic activities of the as-prepared samples were investigated by studies of the degradation of Reactive Brilliant Red dye X-3B (C.I. reactive red 2). An enhancement of the photocurrents was observed using the graphene-titania composite electrodes, compared with pure titania film electrodes, under UV light irradiation. This improvement is attributed to the following two reasons: enhanced migration efficiency of the photo-induced electrons and enhanced adsorption activity of the dye molecules. In addition, we investigated the effects of graphene content and pH values on the photoelectrocatalytic activity of the as-prepared composite film electrodes. Results showed that there was an optimal amount of 5% (initial graphite oxide content).

Effects of CeO2 nanoparticles on production and physicochemical characteristics of extracellular polymeric substances in biofilms in sequencing batch biofilm reactor

Extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) are a major component of biofilms that act as a gel-like matrix, binding the cells together to form their three-dimensional structure. The effects of ceria nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) on the production and physicochemical characteristics of EPS in biofilms in a sequencing batch biofilm reactor were investigated. Total EPS production, including loosely bound EPS (LB-EPS) and tightly bound EPS (TB-EPS), increased by 35.41% compared to in control tests without CeO2 NPs. Protein production increased by 47.02% (LB-EPS) and 58.83% (TB-EPS) after 50 mg/L CeO2 NP exposure. Three-dimensional excitation-emission fluorescence spectra revealed that tyrosine (LB-EPS) and aromatic (TB-EPS) protein-like substances formed after CeO2 NP exposure. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results indicated the susceptibility of -OH and -NH2 in EPS hydroxyl and amine groups to CeO2 NPs. Exposure to 50 mg/L CeO2 NPs reduced the flocculating capacity of LB-EPS (51.78%) and TB-EPS (17.14%), consistent with the decreased zeta potential.

Visible light activated photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline by a magnetically separable composite photocatalyst: Graphene oxide/magnetite/cerium-doped titania

In this study, magnetic graphene oxide-loaded Ce-doped titania (MGO-Ce-TiO2) hybridized composite was prepared by a facile method. The as-prepared samples exhibited good adsorption capacity, high visible-light photoactive and magnetic separability as a novel photocatalyst in the degradation of tetracyclines (TC). The intermediate products and photocatalytic route of TC were proposed based on the analysis results of LC-MS. Moreover, the repeatability of the photoactivity with the use of MGO-Ce-TiO2 was investigated in the multi-round experiments with the assistance of an applied magnetic field. Therefore, the prepared composite photocatalysts were considered as a kind of promising photocatalyst in a suspension reaction system, in which they can offer effectively recovery ability. The effect of MGO content on the photocatalytic performance was also studied, and an optimum content was obtained.

Effects of CeO2 nanoparticles on biological nitrogen removal in a sequencing batch biofilm reactor and mechanism of toxicity

The effects of CeO2 nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) exposure on biological nitrogen removal in a sequencing batch biofilm reactor (SBBR) were investigated. At low concentration (1 mg/L), no significant effect was observed on total nitrogen (TN) removal. However, at high concentrations (10 and 50 mg/L), the TN removal efficiency reduced from 74.09% to 64.26% and 55.17%, respectively. Scanning electron microscope imaging showed large amounts of CeO2 NPs adsorbed on the biofilm, which increased the production of reactive oxygen species. The exposure at only 50 mg/L CeO2 NPs measurably affected the lactate dehydrogenase release. Confocal laser scanning microscopy showed that high concentrations of CeO2 NPs reduced bacterial viability. Moreover, after a short-term exposure, extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) were observed to increase, forming a compact matrix to protect the bacteria. The activities of nitrate reductase and ammonia monooxygenase were inhibited, but there was no significant impact on the activity of nitrite oxidoreductase.

Salicylic acid involved in the regulation of nutrient elements uptake and oxidative stress in Vallisneria natans (Lour.) Hara under Pb stress

In this study, the alterations in nutrient elements content, reactive oxygen species level and antioxidant response were studied in leaves of Vallisneria natans (Lour.) Hara exposed to salicylic acid (SA, 10 or 100 μM), or Pb (50 μM) or their combinations for 4d. No significant alterations in Mn and Ca content were observed but content of Cu, Zn, Fe and P decreased in plants exposed to SA alone. SA application inhibited the uptake of Pb and partially reversed Pb-induced the alterations in Mn, Ca and Fe content in leaves of V. natans exposed to 50 μM Pb. The decreased chlorophyll (a+b) and increased malondialdehyde and O(2-) and H(2)O(2) content were detected in plants exposed to 100 μM SA, 50 μM Pb, 10 μM SA+50 μM Pb or 100 μM SA+50 μM Pb. Application SA partially inhibited Pb-induced the increase of malondialdehyde, O(2-) and H(2)O(2) content. 100 μM SA decreased the activity of NADH oxidase and the content of non-protein thiols, carotenoids and ascorbic acid and increased the content of dehydroascorbate in plants treated with or without Pb. SA alone decreased the ascorbate peroxidase activity and increased the catalase and peroxidase activity, while SA application increased catalase activity but had no significant effect on ascorbate peroxidase and peroxidase activity in V. natans exposed to Pb. The results indicate that SA involves in the regulation of Pb uptake, nutrient balance and oxidative stress.

Absorption and fluorescence characteristics of chromophoric dissolved organic matter in the Yangtze Estuary

The Yangtze Estuary is heavily influenced by coast-continent geochemical processes and anthropogenic activity; thus, the source and distribution of chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) in the estuary are strongly impacted by these processes. Here, a series of samples were collected from across the Yangtze Estuary to investigate the source and spatial dynamics of CDOM and its components throughout the system. Three indices (a(355), spectral slope, and fluorescence) were then calculated and interpreted. The results indicated that the distribution of CDOM was dominated by allochthonous input, conservative mixing, and phase transfer. The contribution of biogenic CDOM to total CDOM increased with salinity, and three individual CDOM components were identified upon fluorescence excitation emission matrix spectroscopy and parallel factor analysis of the water samples: C1, corresponding to humic substance-like CDOM, C2, corresponding to tryptophan-like CDOM, and C3, corresponding to tyrosine-like CDOM. C1 primarily originated from a terrestrial source, C2 had widespread origins, none of which played a dominant role, and C3 mainly originated from allochthonous input in the medium salinity area. Unexpectedly, no marine humic-like component was found in the surface water of the Yangtze Estuary, possibly because turbidity decreased the depth of sunlight penetration, limiting production of this component.

Preparation, characterization and photocatalytic activity of a novel composite photocatalyst: ceria-coated activated carbon.

In the present work, a novel composite photocatalyst ceria-coated activated carbon (CCAC) was prepared by a facile method. The composite photocatalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and photocatalytic degradation of 4-chlorophenol (4-CP). A synergy effect for 4-CP degradation was observed because the activated carbon (AC) with strong adsorbent activity provided sites for the adsorption of 4-CP. Then, the adsorbed 4-CP can migrate continuously onto the surface of ceria particles and then degraded at there. Hydroquinone (HQ) and benzoquinone (BQ) were found to be the main intermediates of the photocatalytic 4-CP degradation with ceria or CCAC by HPLC measurement. The results suggested that the same reaction mechanism occurred in the presence of ceria or titania.