Influence of vegetation type and temperature on the performance of constructed wetlands for nutrient removal.

In this study, the influence of vegetation type and environmental temperature on performance of constructed wetlands (CWs) was investigated. Results of vegetation types indicated that the removal of most nutrients in polyculture was greater than those in monoculture and unplanted control. The greatest removal percentages of NH4+-N, total nitrogen (TN) and total phosphorus (TP) in polyculture were 98.7%, 98.5%, and 92.6%, respectively. In experiments of different temperatures, the removal percentages of NH4+-N, NO3--N, TN and TP in all CWs tended to decrease with the decline of temperature. Especially, a sharp decline in the removal percentages of NO3--N (decreased by above 13.8%) and TN (decreased by above 7.9%) of all CWs was observed at low temperature (average temperature of 8.9 °C). Overall, the performance of CWs was obviously influenced by temperature, and the polyculture still showed best performance in the removal of nitrogen when the average temperature dropped to 19.8 °C. Additionally, the variations of urease activities in rhizosphere soil tended to decrease with the decreasing temperature. Overall, a substantial enhancement for nitrogen and TP removal in polyculture (Canna indica + Lythrum salicaria) was observed. In conclusion, CW cultivated with polyculture was a good strategy for enhancing nutrient removal when temperature was above 19.8 °C.

Comparative study of polycarboxylic acids for sustainable crosslinking of silk fabrics: Evaluating flame retardancy and physical performances.

For protein fibers, polycarboxylic acids represent a green strategy to enhance durability without using formaldehyde. This study evaluated the physical and flame retardant properties of silk fabrics treated with three formaldehyde-free crosslinkers: citric acid (CA), 1,2,3,4-butanetetracarboxylic acid (BTCA), and 2-phosphonobutane-1,2,4-tricarboxylic acid (PBTCA). Results showed that these acids bond with silk protein through esterification and amidation, improving washing durability. Particularly, PBTCA integrates phosphorus into silk, boosting flame retardancy. While BTCA led to the highest weight gain and improved wrinkle recovery, it negatively impacted the tensile strength and softness of silk fabrics. Conversely, PBTCA adeptly balanced enhanced wrinkle resistance with minimal effects on tensile strength and softness, and least affected the silk fabrics' whiteness, thus preserving its aesthetic appeal. All crosslinkers improved flame retardancy, but PBTCA displayed superior performance, achieving a limiting oxygen index of 32.4 % at an 80 g/L concentration. In vertical burning tests, PBTCA treated silk fabrics showed reductions in damage length and demonstrated self-extinguishing properties, qualifying them for a higher flame retardant grade. Phosphorus in PBTCA promotes char formation during combustion, essential for effective flame retardation and smoke reduction. This research highlights the exceptional potential of silk treated with PBTCA, showcasing its suitability for demanding applications.

Enhancing the Flame Retardancy of Polyester/Cotton Blend Fabrics Using Biobased Urea-Phytate Salt.

The use of biobased flame-retardant (FR) agents for reducing the flammability of polyester/cotton (T/C) blend fabrics is highly desirable. In this study, a novel and sustainable phosphorus/nitrogen-containing FR, namely, phytic acid-urea (PA-UR) salt, was synthesized. The PA-UR salt was further used to enhance the FR performance of T/C fabric through surface modification. We further explored the potential chemical structure of PA-UR and the surface morphology, thermal stability, heat release capacity, FR properties, and mode of action of the coated fabric. The coated fabric achieved self-extinguishing and exhibited an increased limiting oxygen index of 31.8%. Moreover, the coated T/C blend fabric demonstrated a significantly reduced heat release capacity, indicating a decreased fire hazard. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed the anticipated decomposition of the coated T/C blend fabric and a subsequent increase in thermal stability. The burned char residues also maintained their fiber shape structures, suggesting the presence of condensed FR actions in the PA-UR-coated T/C blend fabric.

In-situ polymerization of phosphorus/nitrogen flame-retardant coating for polyester/cotton blend fabrics with superior durability.

The durable flame-retardant functional coating of polyester/cotton (T/C) blend fabrics is both interesting and challenging. In this study, a novel in-situ polymerization strategy for phosphorus/nitrogen-based flame-retardant on T/C blend samples was developed through the polycondensation of tetramethylolphosphonium sulfate, dicyandiamide, and anionic cyclic phosphate ester. The chemical structure of the polycondensation compounds, as well as the surface morphology, combustion behavior, flame-retardant capacity, washing durability and flame-retardant mechanism of the coated T/C blend fabrics, were investigated. The coated T/C blend fabrics demonstrated excellent self-extinguishing performance, with the damaged length decreasing to as low as 8.0 cm and the LOI reaching 28 %. Moreover, the peak heat release rate of the coated T/C blend fabrics decreased by 39.7 %. The superior flame retardancy can be attributed to the enhanced dehydration and carbonization by phosphate groups in the condensed phase, as well as the quenching effect and diluting effect in the gas phase. Additionally, the coated T/C blend fabrics exhibited remarkable washing durability and still achieved self-extinguishing after 65 washing cycles, and the in-situ deposition of insoluble three-dimensional polycondensation compounds onto the T/C blend fabrics was beneficial. The flame-retardant coating had a minor impact on the whiteness, tensile strength and breathability of the T/C blend fabrics.

Fabrication of multifunctional bio-macromolecule organic-inorganic hybrid system for protein silk: Photochromic, UV protection, fire-proof and super durability.

Nowadays, high value-added and multifunctional textiles have attracted widespread attention due to the changing demands of modern life. This study focused on the fabrication of silk with photochromism, flame retardancy, UV resistance and durability using riboflavin sodium phosphate (RSP) and various metal ions (Fe2+, Fe3+, Al3+, and Ti4+). Attractively, the photochromic performance was one of the most distinctive features of the modified silk, and the yellow silk fabric turned into fluorescent green under UV lamp. After a detailed comparison, it was determined that RSP/Fe3+ hybrid system was most effective in improving anti-UV performance of the silk with a high UPF of 25.8, achieving a "Good" level of UV protection. Specifically, it achieved a B1 fire protection with a low damaged-length of 9.4 cm and a high LOI of 28.3 %. Additionally, the modified silk showed the lowest smoke density, reducing by approximately 84.1 % versus that of pristine silk. Moreover, the modified silk was able to meet the B1 classification and the "Good" UV protection requirements even after 75 washing cycles, making it more durable than most functional textiles reported. The further analysis indicated that RSP and metal ions can synergistically enhance the condensed-phase action, thereby improving the fire resistance of silk.

Fabrication of P/N/B-Based Intumescent Flame-Retardant Coating for Polyester/Cotton Blend Fabric.

Polyester/cotton (T/C) blend fabrics are highly flammable due to the particular "scaffolding effect". In this work, an intumescent flame retardant (IFR) agent containing P, N, and B was designed and synthesized using bio-based phytic acid, pentaerythritol, boric acid, and urea. The IFR compounds were deposited onto a T/C blend fabric by the surface-coating route. The chemical structure of IFR agent and its potential cross-linking reactions with T/C fibers were characterized. The morphology, thermal stability, heat-release ability, flame retardancy, and mechanism of coated T/C blend fabrics were explored. The self-extinguishing action was observed for the coated T/C blend fabric with a weight gain of 13.7%; the limiting oxygen index (LOI) value increased to 27.1% versus 16.9% for a pristine one. Furthermore, the intumescent flame retardant (IFR) coating imparted T/C blend fabrics with high thermal stability and significantly suppressed heat release by nearly 50%. The char residue analyses on morphology and element content confirmed the intumescent FR action for coated T/C blend fabrics. The prepared IFR coating has great potential to serve as an eco-friendly approach for improving the flame retardancy of T/C blend textiles.

Adsorption, Antibacterial and Antioxidant Properties of Tannic Acid on Silk Fiber.

Natural bioactive compounds have received increasing attention in the functional modification of textiles. In this work, tannic acid was used to impart antibacterial and antioxidant functions to silk using an adsorption technique, and the adsorption properties of tannic acid on silk were studied. The adsorption quantity of tannic acid on silk increased with decreasing pH in the range of 3-7. The rates of the uptake of tannic acid by silk were well correlated to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and the calculated activation energy of adsorption was 93.49 kJ/mol. The equilibrium adsorption isotherms followed the Langmuir model. The adsorption rate and isotherm studies demonstrated that the chemical adsorption of tannic acid on silk occurred through the ion-ion interaction between tannic acid and silk. Tannic acid displayed good building-up properties on silk. The silk fabric treated with 0.5% tannic acid (relative to fabric weight) exhibited excellent and durable antibacterial properties. Moreover, the silk fabrics treated with 2% and 5% tannic acid had good and durable antioxidant properties. The treatment by tannic acid had less impact on the whiteness of the silk fabric. In summary, tannic acid can be used as a functional agent for preparing healthy and hygienic silk materials.

Adsorption and Flame Retardant Properties of Bio-Based Phytic Acid on Wool Fabric.

Bio-based phytic acid (PA) as a nontoxic naturally occurring compound is a promising prospect for flame-retardant (FR) modifications to polymers. In this work, PA was applied to wool fabric using an exhaustion technique, and the adsorption and FR properties of PA on wool fabric were studied. The flame retardancy of the treated wool fabrics depended greatly on the adsorption quantity of PA, which was related to the pH of treatment solution, immersing temperature and initial PA concentration. The Langmuir adsorption of PA took place due to electrostatic interactions between PA and wool fiber. The limiting oxygen index, vertical burning and pyrolysis combustion flow calorimetry tests revealed that the treated wool fabrics exhibited good flame retardancy. The measurements of the phosphorus content of the burned fabric residues and thermogravimetric analyses suggested that a significant condensed-phase FR action was applicable to the PA treated fabrics. PA treatment was found to have little adverse effect on the whiteness and mechanical performance of wool. Additionally, the washing resistance of the FR fabrics should be further improved.