Enhanced photocatalytic reduction reaction over Bi(3+)-TiO(2) nanoparticles in presence of formic acid as a hole scavenger.

A series of Bi(3+)-doped TiO(2) (Bi(3+)-TiO(2)) catalysts with a doping concentration up to 2wt% were prepared by a sol-gel method. The prepared photocatalysts were characterized by different means to determine their chemical composition, surface structure and light absorption properties. The photocatalytic activity of different Bi(3+)-TiO(2) catalysts was evaluated in the photocatalytic reduction of nitrate in aqueous solution under UV illumination. In the experiments, formic acid was used as a hole scavenger to enhance the photocatalytic reduction reaction. The experiments demonstrated that nitrate was effectively degraded in aqueous Bi(3+)-TiO(2) suspension by more than 83% within 150min, while the pH of the solution increased from 3.19 to 5.83 due to the consumption of formic acid. The experimental results indicate that the presence of Bi(3+) in TiO(2) catalysts substantially enhances the photocatalytic reaction of nitrate reduction. It was found that the optimal dosage of 1.5wt% Bi(3+) in TiO(2) achieved the fastest reaction of nitrate reduction under the experimental condition. Bismuth ions deposit on the TiO(2) surface behaves as sites where electrons accumulate. Better separation of electrons and holes on the modified TiO(2) surface allows more efficient channeling of the charge carriers into useful reduction and oxidation reactions rather than recombination reactions. Two intermediate products of nitrite and ammonia during the reaction were also monitored to explore the possible mechanisms of photoluminescence quenching and photocatalytic reduction in the context of donor-acceptor interaction with electron trapping centers.

Kinetics of adsorption of Co(II) removal from water and wastewater by ion exchange resins.

The capacity of ion exchange resins, IRN77 and SKN1, for removal of cobalt from aqueous solution has been investigated under different conditions namely initial solution pH, initial metal-ion concentration, and contact time. The equilibrium data obtained in this study have been found to fit both the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms. The adsorption of Co(II) on these resins follows first-order reversible kinetics. The film diffusion of Co(II) in these ion exchange resins was shown to be the main rate limiting step. The studies showed that these cation exchange resins can be used as efficient adsorbent material for the removal of Co(II) from aqueous solutions.

Kinetics and equilibrium adsorption study of lead(II) onto activated carbon prepared from coconut shell.

Removal of lead from aqueous solutions by adsorption onto coconut-shell carbon was investigated. Batch adsorption experiments were performed to find out the effective lead removal at different metal ion concentrations. Adsorption of Pb2+ ion was strongly affected by pH. The coconut-shell carbon (CSC) exhibited the highest lead adsorption capacity at pH 4.5. Isotherms for the adsorption of lead on CSC were developed and the equilibrium data fitted well to the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Tempkin isotherm models. At pH 4.5, the maximum lead adsorption capacity of CSC estimated with the Langmuir model was 26.50 mg g(-1) adsorbent. Energy of activation (Ea) and thermodynamic parameters such as DeltaG, DeltaH, and DeltaS were evaluated by applying the Arrhenius and van't Hoff equations. The thermodynamics of Pb(II) on CSC indicates the spontaneous and endothermic nature of adsorption. Quantitative desorption of Pb(II) from CSC was found to be 75% which facilitates the sorption of metal by ion exchange.

Removal of chromium from water and wastewater by ion exchange resins.

Removal of chromium from water and wastewater is obligatory in order to avoid water pollution. Batch shaking adsorption experiments were carried out to evaluate the performance of IRN77 and SKN1 cation exchange resins in the removal of chromium from aqueous solutions. The percentage removal of chromium was examined by varying experimental conditions viz., dosage of adsorbent, pH of the solution and contact time. It was found that more than 95% removal was achieved under optimal conditions. The adsorption capacity (k) for chromium calculated from the Freundlich adsorption isotherm was found to be 35.38 and 46.34 mg/g for IRN77 and SKN1 resins, respectively. The adsorption of chromium on these cation exchange resins follows the first-order reversible kinetics. The ion exchange resins investigated in this study showed reversible uptake of chromium and, thus, have good application potential for the removal/recovery of chromium from aqueous solutions.

Kinetics of removal of chromium from water and electronic process wastewater by ion exchange resins: 1200H, 1500H and IRN97H.

The removal of chromium from aqueous solution by an ion exchange resin is described. Ion exchange resins 1200H, 1500H and IRN97H show a remarkable increase in sorption capacity for chromium, compared to other adsorbents. The adsorption process, which is pH dependent show maximum removal of chromium in the pH range 2-6 for an initial chromium concentration of 10mg/l. The metal ion adsorption obeyed linear, Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The adsorption of chromium on these cation exchange resins follows first-order reversible kinetics and pseudo-first-order kinetics. The intraparticle diffusion of chromium on ion exchange resins represents the rate-limiting step. The uptake of chromium by the ion exchange resins was reversible and thus have good potential for the removal/recovery of chromium from aqueous solutions. We conclude that such ion exchange resins can be used for the efficient removal of chromium from water and wastewater.

Removal of phenol from aqueous solution and resin manufacturing industry wastewater using an agricultural waste: rubber seed coat.

Activated carbon prepared from rubber seed coat (RSCC), an agricultural waste by-product, has been used for the adsorption of phenol from aqueous solution. In this work, adsorption of phenol on rubber seed coat activated carbon has been studied by using batch and column studies. The equilibrium adsorption level was determined to be a function of the solution pH, adsorbent dosage and contact time. The equilibrium adsorption capacity of rubber seed coat activated carbon for phenol removal was obtained by using linear Freundlich isotherm. The adsorption of phenol on rubber seed coat activated carbon follows first order reversible kinetics. The suitability of RSCC for treating phenol based resin manufacturing industry wastewater was also tested. A comparative study with a commercial activated carbon (CAC) showed that RSCC is 2.25 times more efficient compared to CAC based on column adsorption study for phenolic wastewater treatment.

Studies on adsorptive removal of Co(II), Cr(III) and Ni(II) by IRN77 cation-exchange resin.

The adsorption of cobalt, chromium and nickel from aqueous solutions on IRN77 cation-exchange resin has been studied comparatively. The percentage removal of cobalt, chromium and nickel was examined by varying experimental conditions, viz. dosage of adsorbent, pH of the solution and contact time. It was found that more than 95% removal was achieved under optimal conditions. The adsorption capacity (k) for cobalt, chromium and nickel were calculated from the Freundlich adsorption isotherm. The adsorption of cobalt, chromium and nickel on this cation-exchange resin followed the Lagergren kinetic model. Also the competitive adsorption of multi-metals onto the IRN77 resin was studied. The studies showed that this cation-exchange resin can be used as an efficient adsorbent material for the removal of cobalt, chromium and nickel from water and nuclear power plant coolant water.

Agricultural solid waste for the removal of organics: adsorption of phenol from water and wastewater by palm seed coat activated carbon.

Adsorption studies for phenol removal from aqueous solution on activated palm seed coat carbon (PSCC) were carried out under varying experimental conditions of contact time, phenol concentration, adsorbent dose and pH. Adsorption equilibrium was reached within 3 h for phenolic concentrations 10-60 mg l(-1). Kinetics of adsorption obeyed a first order rate equation. The percent removal remained constant over the pH range 4-9 for a phenolic concentration of 25 mg (l-1). The equilibrium data could be described well by the Freundlich isotherm equation. The adsorption of phenol on PSCC follows the film diffusion process. A comparative study with a commercial activated carbon showed that PSCC is two times more effective than commercial activated carbon. The studies showed that the palm seed coat carbon can be used as an efficient adsorbent material for the removal of phenolics from water and wastewater.

Electrochemical determination of guanine and adenine by CdS microspheres modified electrode and evaluation of damage to DNA purine bases by UV radiation.

Sensitive electrochemical sensor based on a composite of novel pearl-like CdS microspheres and chitosan (CdS-CHIT/GCE) was constructed and characterized using cyclic voltammetry. Single-stranded (ssDNA) and double-stranded (dsDNA) deoxyribonuleic acid were electrochemically adsorbed onto CdS-CHIT/GCE and a significant difference in electrochemical impedance spectra of the ssDNA/CdS-CHIT/GCE and dsDNA/CdS-CHIT/GCE electrodes was found. Electrocatalytic properties of CdS allowed to use the CdS-CHIT/GCE successfully for the trace determination of simple guanine and adenine with nanomolar detection limits by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Moreover, damage to the DNA purine bases, guanine and adenine, liberated in previously hydrolyzed calf thymus dsDNA, caused by UV-B, UV-C, and visible light was evaluated. While only minor changes in anodic DPV response of guanine and adenine could be seen after 60 min exposition to UV-B and visible light, total degradation of DNA bases was observed after 20 min exposure to UV-C. A great potential of the CdS microspheres used as the interface at the nucleic acid based biosensors was demonstrated.