Nanoparticles (top image) efficiently break down pollutants and are magnetic, making them easily recoverable for reuse (bottom image).
Adapted from ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces 2022, DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c23466
Membrane filters don’t require much energy to purify water, making them popular for wastewater treatment. To keep these materials in tip-top condition, they’re commonly cleaned with large amounts of strong chemicals, but some of these agents destroy the membranes in the process. Now, researchers reporting in ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces have developed reusable nanoparticle catalysts that incorporate glucose to help efficiently break down contaminants inside these filters without damaging them.
Typically, dirty wastewater filters are unclogged with strong acids, bases or oxidants. Chlorine-containing oxidants such as bleach can break down the most stubborn organic debris. But they also damage polyamide membranes, which are in most commercial nanofiltration systems, and they produce toxic byproducts. A milder alternative to bleach is hydrogen peroxide, but it decomposes contaminants slowly. Previously, scientists have combined hydrogen peroxide with iron oxide to form hydroxyl radicals that improve hydrogen peroxide’s efficiency in a process known as the Fenton reaction. Yet in order for the Fenton reaction to clean filters, extra hydrogen peroxide and acid are needed, increasing financial and environmental costs. One way to avoid these additional chemicals is to use the enzyme glucose oxidase, which simultaneously forms hydrogen peroxide and gluconic acid from glucose and oxygen. So, Jianquan Luo and colleagues wanted to combine glucose oxidase and iron oxide nanoparticles into a system that catalyzes the Fenton-based breakdown of contaminants, creating an efficient and delicate cleaning system for membrane filters.
First, the researchers compared the removal of organic contaminants from polyamide filters by the glucose oxidase enzyme and iron oxide nanoparticles to other cleaning methods, including the traditional Fenton reaction. They found this approach was superior at breaking down the common contaminants bisphenol A and methylene blue, while also preserving more of the membrane structure. Encouraged by their initial results, the team combined glucose oxidase and iron oxide into a single nanoparticle, connecting them with an amino bridge. Finally, they tested the new nanoparticle’s ability to clean methylene blue-soaked nanofiltration membranes, which they fouled and cleaned for three cycles. After each cleaning cycle, the nanoparticles were retrieved with a magnet and reused with fresh glucose to activate the catalyst.
The nanoparticles were highly effective at cleaning the membranes, returning them to 94% of their initial water filtration capacity. Because the nanoparticles don’t require strong chemicals and are easily recoverable, the researchers say their new system is a “greener” and more cost-effective approach for cleaning nanofiltration membranes.
Original Article: A ‘greener’ way to clean wastewater treatment filters
More from: American Chemical Society | Chinese Academy of Sciences
The Latest Updates from Bing News & Google News
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Reusable nanoparticle catalysts
- Activity in a room stirs up nanoparticles left over from consumer sprays
Common household products containing nanoparticles -- grains of engineered material so miniscule they are invisible to the eye -- could be contributing to a new form of indoor air pollution, according ...
- Utilizing HEA Nanoparticles as Catalysts for Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes
Consequently, due to their catalytic potential, HEA nanoparticles (NPs) have garnered significant attention in recent years. Despite their potential, HEA NPs have never been employed as catalysts for ...
- Novel high entropy alloy nanoparticle catalysts for growing high-density carbon nanotubes
Researchers develop a new catalyst using high entropy alloy nanoparticles of five platinum group metals for growing high-density carbon nanotubes. High entropy alloys (HEAs) have attracted ...
- Novel high entropy alloy nanoparticle catalysts for growing high-density carbon nanotubes
As a result, in recent years, HEA nanoparticles (NPs) have been extensively studied for their catalytic potential. However, despite their potential, HEA NPs have never been used as catalysts for ...
- Novel high entropy alloy nanoparticle catalysts for growing high-density carbon nanotubes
As a result, in recent years, HEA nanoparticles (NPs) have been extensively studied for their catalytic potential. However, despite their potential, HEA NPs have never been used as catalysts for ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Reusable nanoparticle catalysts
[google_news title=”” keyword=”reusable nanoparticle catalysts” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]
Go deeper with Bing News on:
Wastewater filters
- CYBER ENVIRO-TECH, INC CLOSE TO SIGNING A LETTER OF INTENT WITH A SALT WATER DISPOSAL FACILITY TO CLEAN CONTAMINATED OIL PRODUCTION WASTEWATER
Cyber Enviro-Tech, Inc is pleased to announce it is in the final stages of signing a Letter of Intent with a Salt Water Disposal (SWD) facility in West Texas to provide CETI's biotechnology solution ...
- EGLE director tours Marquette wastewater plant
After receiving a $12.5 million Clean Water State Revolving Fund loan, the Marquette Area Wastewater Treatment Facility hosted a celebratory tour of all the work accomplished in the last year. Local ...
- Carbon markets could finance green wastewater infrastructure for a huge win-win-win
Researchers found that green wastewater infrastructure could achieve stringent water quality standards, sequester 4.2 million metric tons of carbon emissions—and save $679 million per year.
- Wastewater wetlands in OR, US provide natural filtration option
By Bryn Nelson for Yes! Media.Broadcast version by Eric Tegethoff for Oregon News Service reporting for the YES! Media-Public News Service Collaboration At the Fernhill Wetlands along the Pacific ...
- Magazine features Albert Lea wastewater treatment plant
ALBERT LEA, Minn. - The Albert Lea wastewater treatment plant was recently featured in a national magazine for its work to protect the environment. The magazine, called Treatment Plant Operator, ...
Go deeper with Google Headlines on:
Wastewater filters
[google_news title=”” keyword=”wastewater filters” num_posts=”5″ blurb_length=”0″ show_thumb=”left”]