ABSTRACT
The properties of aggregates significantly affect the demulsification efficiency within the electrocoagulation reactor. This paper aims to explore aggregate properties including the particle size, strength factor (Fs), and recovery factor (Fr). The experiments were carried out using aluminum-aluminum electrodes. The experimental results indicate that breakage time did not change Fs much but was positively correlated with Fr. When the current was increased from 0.75 A to 1.0 A, Fs experienced a decrease of 12.42%, while Fr exhibited an increase of 19.38%. In comparison to pH 9.0, both Fs and Fr demonstrated an increase at pH levels of 2.0 and 10.0. The size of aggregates significantly decreases under rocking conditions simulating offshore environments, while the oil removal rate does not change much. This phenomenon can be attributed to the fact that different initial mean particle sizes have different Fs and Fr. The aggregates |Fs-Fr| were positively correlated with the initial average particle size of the electroflocculated aggregates. The present study offers a crucial theoretical foundation for the growth and regulation of aggregates formed during electrocoagulation treatment of oil spills on the sea surface.Synopsis: This paper is of great theoretical value for understanding the growth and control of EC aggregates to treat offshore light oil spills using the electrocoagulation process.
ABSTRACT
The fluorescence/magnetic resonance (FL/MR) dual-modal imaging could provide accurate tumor visualization to guide photothermal therapy (PTT) of cancer, which has attracted widespread attention from scientists. However, facile and effective strategies to synergistically enhance fluorescence intensity, MR contrast and photothermal efficacy have rarely been reported. This study presents a novel multifunctional probe Gd-EB-ICG (GI) for FL/MR dual-modal imaging-guided PTT of cancer. GIs can self-assemble with endogenous albumin to form drug-albumin complexes (GIAs), which exhibit excellent biocompatibility. Albumin can protect GIAs from the recognition and clearance by the mononuclear phagocytic system (MPS). High plasma concentration and long half-life allow GIAs to accumulate continuously in the tumor area through EPR effect and specific uptake of tumor. Because of the prolonged rotational correlation time (τR) of Gd chelates, GIAs exhibited superior MR contrast performance over GIs with more than 3 times enhancement of longitudinal relaxation efficiency (r1). The fluorescence quantum yield and photothermal conversion efficiency of GIAs was also significantly improved due to the constrained geometry, disrupted aggregation and enhanced photothermal stability. This simple and feasible strategy successfully resulted in a synergistic effect for FL/MR dual-modal imaging and photothermal therapy, which can cast a new light for the clinical translation of multifunctional probes.
