Spatial and temporal variations of PAHs in surface sediments of estuarine and coast of CanGio wetland, Vietnam.

Surface sediments from estuarine and coast of CanGio wetland (CGW) of Hochiminh City, Vietnam, were investigated to identify the spatial and temporal variations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). The total PAHs showed wide variation but similar to patterns observed (F = 0.901, p = 0.46) in LongTau (31 ± 77 ng/g dry weight, n = 13), SoaiRap (53 ± 81, n = 4), ThiVai (60 ± 62, n = 10) estuaries, and coastal areas (112 ± 211, n = 9). A decreasing trend in the wet season (F = 8.8, p = 0.01) reflected that inland sources such as wastewater discharged and atmospherically transported contaminants contributed to PAHs in sediments. The risk posed by the PAHs in the coastal and estuarine areas of CGW is still negligible. The present study provides baseline data, which can be used for regular monitoring and future strategy of environmental protection for the study area.

Rattle-type hierarchical particles containing multilevel cores (Ag@AgCl@SiO2 and Au/Ag@AgCl@SiO2) as versatile catalysts.

A protocol for the synthesis of rattle-type core@shell particles containing Ag@AgCl or Au/Ag@AgCl core structures was developed, and the use of these particles as catalysts for the decomposition of toxic materials was demonstrated. A monometallic Ag or bimetallic Au/Ag core was incorporated into the interior of SiO2 capsules via controlled heat treatment of metal nanoparticle/SiO2-coated polymer particles, resulting in the formation of rattle-type core@shell structures. By appropriate treatments, it was possible to transform the Ag or Au/Ag core into multilevel cores (Ag@AgCl or Au/Ag@AgCl) within the SiO2 capsules (Ag@AgCl@SiO2 or Au/Ag@AgCl@SiO2). This method for the synthesis of rattle-type core@shell particles is useful for further introducing AgCl fused with plasmonic materials into the capsule structures. The rattle-type core@shell structures were used as photocatalysts for the decomposition of organic pollutants such as methyl orange. Furthermore, these nanocatalysts containing semiconductors such as AgCl were also applied toward the reduction of nitrophenol (NPh) to aminophenol (APh). The Ag@AgCl@SiO2 or Au/Ag@AgCl@SiO2 catalysts showed excellent catalytic properties in the decomposition of toxic substances in terms of their activity and reusability.