Introduction of copper nanoparticles in chitosan matrix as strategy to enhance chromate adsorption

In this study, copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) were incorporated to chitosan (CHI) matrix as strategy to enhance the chromate adsorption by CHI membrane. The CuNPs were synthesized using NaBH₄ as the reducing agent. Dispersive X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy (DXAS) was used to monitor the in situ reduction of Cu(II). The influence of the presence of CuNPs on the hygroscopic behavior was also evaluated. DXAS technique showed that the adsorbed Cu(II) was reduced to Cu(I) (63%) and Cu(0) (37%) species, at the end of the reduction reaction (using NaBH₄, after ∼30 min). The hygroscopic behavior of the proposed sorbent was more influenced by CuNPs when the water vapor adsorption was conducted under synthetic air atmosphere. A decrease in the energy of interaction among the water molecules adsorbed on the monolayer was observed. The chromate adsorption study has shown a higher equilibrium concentration of adsorbed chromium species when the CHI membrane containing CuNPs was used as sorbent. The CuNPs offered a second active adsorption site, which was characterized by a higher coefficient of affinity (12 L mmol⁻¹, against 0.18 L mmol⁻¹ reported for CHI). The enhanced adsorption of chromium in the presence of CuNPs was associated to the redox reaction between the CuNPs and chromate anions.     

Studies on the interactions between bovine β-lactoglobulin and chitosan at the solid-liquid interface

Chitosan ultrathin films have been formed on polycrystalline Au substrates using the LbL technique with the purpose of studying its interaction with bovine β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) at the solid-liquid interface. The immobilization of chitosan was followed by Quartz Crystal Microbalance with energy dissipation (QCM-D), Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). The behavior of the chitosan films in the presence of β-LG solutions with different bulk concentrations ([β-LG]), ionic strength (I), and pH has been investigated using the same techniques plus Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM). The results showed that for pHs lower than protein's pI, weak intermolecular forces (H bonding, Van der Waals, hydrophobic, etc.) are established between β-LG and chitosan (especially close to the pI) leading to low coverage nonspecific adsorption. On the contrary when pH > pI, strong ionic bonding through attractive electrostatic interactions lead to high coverage adsorbed phases composed of large β-LG aggregates. The adsorption process was shown to consist of a relatively fast step (in which these interactions are predominant) which is followed, once the β-LG monolayer is exceeded, by the slow formation of thicker and increasingly viscoelastic films through β-LG self-aggregation. QCM-D and AFM experiments unveiled the role of [β-LG] and I on the formation of these aggregates. The adsorption isotherm built from impedance data in the medium-low [β-LG] range (0.001-0.3 mg mL⁻¹), showed good fitting to the Langmuir model confirming that the formation of one β-LG monolayer is achieved in this concentration range.     

Atom transfer radical polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate followed by amination on the surface of monodispersed highly crosslinked polymer microspheres and the study of cation adsorption

The introduction of reactive groups on the surface of monodispersed highly crosslinked poly(styrene–divinylbenzene) (PSDVB) microspheres was accomplished in two steps. The first step requires immobilizing the initiating groups by a Friedel–Craft acylation between 2-chloropropionyl chlorides and the phenyl groups on the spheres. The second step requires the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) to obtain spheres (PSDVB-g-PGMA) with epoxy groups on the surface. To demonstrate the feasibility of introducing functionality, the epoxy groups were ring-opened by ethylenediamines, resulting in spheres with amino functionality (PSDVB-g-PGMAEDA). The final spheres were found to have an adsorption capacity of 0.66 mmol/g in the Cu²⁺ adsorption experiments, as a preliminary application study.     

微纳多孔结构中稀薄气体流动渗透率的解析型预测模型

针对多孔结构内气体表观渗透率受稀薄效应的影响而显著高于其固有渗透率的现象,从孔隙尺度流线的几何拓扑特性出发,提出了利用固有渗透率、孔隙率、弯曲度和收缩-扩张因子来表示多孔结构的有效孔隙尺寸的方法,并将该有效孔隙尺寸与经典的稀薄气体管道流动模型相结合,理论推导出一种新的多孔结构稀薄气体渗透率模型。利用该模型,可以在孔隙几何结构和物性状态已知的条件下对气体的表观渗透率进行预测。随后,通过高精度的直接模拟Monte Carlo方法(DSMC)对提出模型的准确性进行验证。通过对Knudsen数在0.01~10范围、孔隙率在0.17~0.90范围、不同气体工质以及多种有序性孔隙形式下的气体流动过程进行数值模拟表明,所提出的理论模型与模拟数据的平均偏差小于10%。     

新型多胺型聚苯乙烯树脂的合成及性能研究

以聚苯乙烯树脂为起始原料,经乙酰化后与三乙烯四胺进行缩合反应,合成了一种含有三乙烯四胺功能基的多胺型聚苯乙烯树脂。考察了溶剂、催化剂、物料比、时间和温度对树脂合成的影响,研究了树脂的稳定性及其对4-硝基苯酚的吸附性能。结果表明,以偏三甲苯为溶剂、对甲苯磺酸为催化剂,在160℃下反应20 h,制得的多胺型聚苯乙烯树脂的全交换容量为4.35 mmol/g,树脂对4-硝基苯酚的平衡吸附量为192.43 mg/g。     

吸附法净化制氨原料气技术方案的财务评价

采用吸附法净化制合成氨原料气,比传统的铜洗法有节约能源,物耗,降低生产成本。净化度高以及工艺简单等优点,通过对年产8万吨吸附法净化制氨原料气技术方案的财务评价,得出应大力推广该项新技术的结论。     

Determination of optimal conditions for selected adsorbent combinations to recover used frying oils

The treatment of frying oils with adsorbents could practically extend the frying life of oils. Combined synthetic adsorbent treatment of used frying oils was studied the first time. The combinations of four commonly used filter aids: Britesorb (Br), Hubersorb 600 (HB), Frypowder (Fr), and Magnesol (Ma) were evaluated for frying oil recovery. AOCS official methods were used to evaluate their adsorptiveness, including free fatty acids (FFA), conjugated diene value, total polar components, oxidative stability index (OSI), and absorbance at 420 nm. The selected combinations HB+Ma+Fr and HB+Ma+Br exhibited consistent high recovery abilities on various used oil samples. A 3, 3, and 2% HB, Ma, and Fr, respectively, for the first combination (F), and 2, 3, and 2% HB, Ma, and Br, respectively, for the second combination (B) were the most effective. The optimal treatment duration was 6–9 min and 3–6 min for combinations F and B, respectively, which reduced FFA by 82.6–87.6%, absorbance by 26.8–32.6%, and Foodoil Sensor readings by 5.6–8.6%. Addition of antioxidant, such as 50 ppm butylated hydroxytoluene and 50 ppm propyl gallate, increased the OSI value by 48.9–80.8%. Such adsorbent combinations may be used in practical operation to extend frying life of frying oils and improve the healthy aspects of used frying oils.     

Preparation of a modified crosslinked chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol blended affinity membrane for purification of His-tagged protein

Based on a crosslinked chitosan (CS)/polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix membrane, an immobilized metal ion affinity membrane (IMAM) using Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions as affinity ligands was prepared for purification of the His-tagged recombinant protein. The affinity membrane possessed a favorable membrane structure including 1.39 μm average pore size and 0.33 mL·cm⁻²·s⁻¹ water flux under 0.08 MPa pressure at 25 °C. The Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions capacities immobilized on the IMAM were 155.6 and 137.3 μmol·disk⁻¹, respectively. The IMAM had an excellent specific affinity to His-tagged protein. About 10-fold purification factor for the model protein was obtained in a batch adsorption, and serine hydroxymethyl transferase could be purified to a single band in sodium dodecyl sulfate–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis from its crude extract solution with an affinity membrane cartridge by a dynamic purification process. This work provides a promising IMAM for the purification of His-tagged recombinant proteins. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47347.     

Robocast zirconia-toughened alumina scaffolds: Processing,structural characterisation and interaction with human primary osteoblasts

Zirconia-toughened alumina (ZTA) is the gold-standard ceramic in hip arthroplasty, but still lacks direct osseointegration and a metal shell, often coated with a bioactive layer, is currently required. The latter could potentially be replaced by a thinner, architectured ZTA layer, thereby allowing for larger acetabular components, with larger range of motion and lower dislocation risk. Robocasting may be an adequate technique to fabricate the architectured layer. Therefore, as a first step, this study aimed to produce ZTA scaffolds (3D-ZTA) by robocasting and assess their in vitro response. Shape retention was achieved by using a stable, well-dispersed, high solid loading ink injected in acid pH waterbath. 3D-ZTA exhibit regularly spaced microporous, rough struts and fully interconnected macroporosity. Human primary osteoblasts were homogenously distributed inside 3D-ZTA and showed increased osteogenic marker expression compared to 2D-ZTA control. Further work will focus on optimizing scaffold design to improve cell retention and extracellular matrix maturation.