Degradation of simazine from aqueous solutions by diatomite-supported nanosized zero-valent iron composite materials

A novel composite material based on deposition of nanosized zero-valent iron (nZVI) particles on acid-leached diatomite was synthesised for the removal of a chlorinated contaminant in water. The nZVI /diatomite composites were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, elemental analysis, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Compared with the pure nZVI particles, better dispersion of nZVI particles on the surface or inside the pores of diatom shells was observed. The herbicide simazine was selected as the model chlorinated contaminant and the removal efficiency by nZVI /diatomite composite was compared with that of the pristine nZVI and commercial iron powder. It was found that the diatomite supported nZVI composite material prepared by centrifugation exhibits relatively better efficient activity in decomposition of simazine than commercial Fe, lab synthesized nZVI and composite material prepared via rotary evaporation, and the optimum experimental conditions were obtained based on a series of batch experiments. This study on immobilizing nZVI particles onto diatomite opens a new avenue for the practical application of nZVI and the diatomite-supported nanosized zero-valent iron composite materials have potential applications in environmental remediation.

Investigating relationships between relationship quality, customer loyalty and cooperation : an empirical study of convenience stores' franchise chain systems

Franchising has become a way to minimise the risks of small business management. There has been little research into the factors that promote franchise relationship success. This study attempts to empirically examine the important elements (relationship quality, customer loyalty and cooperation), which might promote a successful long-term franchising relationship between franchisors and franchisees within the context of convenience stores in Taiwan. A model of these relationships was developed and tested. A total of 500 surveys were mailed to a random sample of convenience stores’ franchisee owners among the four main franchisors in Taiwan. The results show that relationship quality positively influences the cooperation between franchisors and franchisees and is positively correlated with franchisee loyalty. Additionally, the cooperative behaviour between franchisees and franchisors is significantly associated with franchisees’ loyalty.

Bisphenol A degradation enhanced by air bubbles via advanced oxidation using in situ generated ferrous ions from nano zero-valent iron/palygorskite composite materials

Novel nano zero-valent iron/palygorskite composite materials prepared by evaporative and centrifuge methods are tested for the degradation of bisphenol A in an aqueous medium. A systematic study is presented which showed that nano zero-valent iron material has little effect on bisphenol A degradation. When hydrogen peroxide was added to initiate the reaction, some percentage of bisphenol A removal (∼20%) was achieved; however, with the aid of air bubbles, the percentage removal can be significantly increased to ∼99%. Compared with pristine nano zero-valent iron and commercial iron powder, nano zero-valent iron/palygorskite composite materials have much higher reactivity towards bisphenol A and these materials are superior as they have little impact on the solution pH. However, for pristine nano zero-valent iron, it is difficult to maintain the reaction system at a favourable low pH which is a key factor in maintaining high bisphenol A removal. All materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, elemental analysis, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The optimum conditions were obtained based on a series of batch experiments. This study has extended the application of nano zero-valent iron/palygorskite composites as effective materials for the removal of phenolic compounds from the environment.

Control of morphology and nucleation density of iron oxide nanostructures by electric conditions on iron surfaces exposed to reactive oxygen plasmas

The possibility to control the morphology and nucleation density of quasi-one-dimensional, single-crystalline α -Fe2 O3 nanostructures by varying the electric potential of iron surfaces exposed to reactive oxygen plasmas is demonstrated experimentally. A systematic increase in the oxygen ion flux through rf biasing of otherwise floating substrates and then an additional increase of the ion/neutral density resulted in remarkable structural transformations of straight nanoneedles into nanowires with controlled tapering/aspect ratio and also in larger nucleation densities. Multiscale numerical simulations relate the microscopic ion flux topographies to the nanostructure nucleation and morphological evolution. This approach is applicable to other metal-oxide nanostructures.

Deterministic surface growth of single-crystalline iron oxide nanostructures in nonequilibrium plasma

An innovative approach to precise tailoring of surface density, shapes, and sizes of single-crystalline α-Fe 2O 3 nanowires and nanobelts by controlling interactions of reactive oxygen plasma-generated species with the Fe surface is proposed. This strongly nonequilibrium, rapid, almost incubation-free, high-rate growth directly from the solid-solid interface can also be applied to other oxide materials and is based on deterministic control of the density of oxygen species and the surface conditions, which determine the nanostructure nucleation and growth.

Reduction and adsorption of Pb2+ in aqueous solution by nano zero-valent iron : a SEM, TEM and XPS study

This study reports the synthesis, characterization and application of nano zero-valent iron (nZVI). The nZVI was produced by a reduction method and compared with commercial available ZVI powder for Pb2+ removal from aqueous phase. Comparing with commercial ZVI, the laboratory made nZVI powder has a much higher specific surface area. XRD patterns have revealed zero valent iron phases in two ZVI materials. Different morphologies have been observed using SEM and TEM techniques. EDX spectrums revealed even distribution of Pb on surface after reaction. The XPS analysis has confirmed that immobilized lead was present in its zero-valent and bivalent forms. ‘Core-shell’ structure of prepared ZVI was revealed based on combination of XRD and XPS characterizations. In addition, comparing with Fluka ZVI, this lab made nZVI has much higher reactivity towards Pb2+ and within just 15 mins 99.9% removal can be reached. This synthesized nano ZVI material has shown great potential for heavy metal immobilization from waste water.

Dispersion of zero valent iron nanoparticles onto bentonites and the decolourization of orange II

Nano Zero valent iron (Fe0) were reported as an effective material for azo dye removal, however, similar to other nano-materials, ultra-fine powder has a strong tendency to agglomerate into larger particles, resulting in an adverse effect on both effective surface area and catalyst performance. Here we report nano sized Fe0 particles dispersed onto the surface of natural bentonites. X-ray diffraction was used to study the sample phases. Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy were applied to study the morphology and morphological changes. Spherical individual Fe0 particles were observed after dispersion onto bentonites, and these samples were used for orange II (OII) decolourization with wide working pH range. Higher reactivity is attributed to good dispersion of Fe0 particles on clay minerals’ surface. This study is significant for providing novel modified clay based catalyst materials for the decolourization of azo dye contaminants from wastewater.

Iron(II) spin transition complexes with dendritic ligands, Part I

The ligands G1- and G2-oligo (benzyl ether) (PBE) dendrons and their iron(II) complexes [Fe(Gn-PBE)3]A2·xH2O (with n = 1, 2 and A = triflate, tosylate) were prepared. The magnetic properties of the complexes were investigated by a SQUID magnetometer. All complexes exhibit gradual spin transition below room temperature. At very low temperatures the magnetic behaviour reflects zero-field splitting (ZFS) effects. 57Fe-Mössbauer spectroscopy was performed to distinguish between ZFS of high spin species and spin state conversion into the low spin state. Further characterisation was carried out by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and FT-IR spectroscopy. Structural features have been determined by powder XRD measurements.

Iron(II) spin-transition complexes with dendritic ligands, part II

The dendritic triazole-based complexes \[Fe(G1-BOC)3](triflate) 2·xH2O (1; G1-BOC = tert-butyl {3-\[3-(3-tert- butoxycarbonylaminopropyl)-5-(\[1,2,4]triazol-4-ylcarbamoyl)-phenyl]propyl} carbamate, triflate = CF3SO3-), \[Fe(G1-BOC) 3]-(tosylate)2·xH2O(2;tosylate = p-CH3PhSO3-),\[Fe(G1-DPBE)3]-(triflate) 2·xH2O {3; G1-DPBE = 3,5-bis(3,5- didodecaoxybenzyloxy)-N-\[1,2,4]triazol-4-ylbenzamide}, \[Fe(G1-DPBE) 3]-(tosylate)2·xH2O (4) and \[Fe(G1-DPBE)3](BF4)2·xH2O (5) were designed and synthesized. Magnetic and thermal properties of these novel complexes were characterized by magnetic susceptibility measurements, 57Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis or differential scanning calorimetry, respectively. All dendritic complexes under study show different spin-transition behaviour with respect to the nature of different dendritic ligands and counteranions. Complexes 1 and 2 have pronounced effects of a spin-state change during the first heating process and gradual spintransition properties for further temperature treatments, whereas 3 and 4 exhibited a very sharp spin-state change in the first heating procedures. Complex 5 showed a gradual spin-transition curve. In this paper, we report how the magnetic properties of these complexes are correlated with noncoordinated water molecules and their effects on spin states.

Changes in environmentally sensitive productivity and technological modernization in China's iron and steel industry in the 1990s

Technological modernization is widely believed to contribute positively both to economic development and to environmental and resource conservation, through improvements in productivity and strengthening of business competitiveness. However, this may not always be true, particularly in the short term, as it requires substantial investments and may impose financial burdens on firms undertaking such investments. This study empirically examines the effects of technological modernization in China's iron and steel industry in the 1990s on conventional economic productivity (CEP) and environmentally sensitive productivities (ESPs). We employ a directional distance function that can handle multiple inputs and outputs to compute relative production efficiencies. We apply these models to the data covering 27 iron and steel firms in China between 1990 and 1999-a period when the Chinese iron and steel industry modernized rapidly. We find that ESPs have continuously improved, even in the period when the CEP declined.

The use of correspondence analysis to compare major and trace elements for provenance studies of iron-age pottery from the Mngeni river area, South Africa

Provenance studies of iron-age pottery specimens originating from the Mngeni river area in South Africa was carried out by applying XRF spectrometry. A total of sixteen major and trace elements were analysed in a batch of 107 potsherds, excavated from four different archaeological sites in the aforementioned area. A multivariate statistical programme Correspondence Analysis was used in this study to obtain the relevant clustering patterns according to the similarity of the elemental distributions. Differences and similarities in the clusters obtained for the majors and trace elements are discussed.

A study, by fire-assay and ICP-MS, of the distribution of rhodium, platinum, and gold in iron-age pottery

Forty-six archaeological specimens were treated by fire-assay and subsequently analysed by ICP-MS for selected precious metals: Ph, Pt and Au. The investigation was prompted by the possibility that archaeological samples could serve as "indicators" of the precious metal composition of the clays from the excavated sites. Therefore, the experimentally obtained concentrations were carefully studied to determine if there were anomalous levels of these precious metals in the deposits from which the specimens originated. Furthermore, the analytical data were used to establish if it was feasible to distinguish ancient potsherds based on precious metal concentrations, for employment as a basis in provenance studies.

PSMA-targeting iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles enhance MRI of preclinical prostate cancer

Aim Evaluate potential of newly-developed, biocompatible iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) conjugated with J591, an antibody to an extracellular epitope of prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), to enhance MRI of prostate cancer (PCa). Materials & Methods Specific binding to PSMA by J591-MNP was investigated in vitro. MRI studies were performed on orthotopic tumor-bearing NOD.SCID mice 2h and 24hr after intravenous injection of J591-MNPs, or non-targeting MNPs. Results and Conclusions In vitro, MNPs did not affect PCa cell viability, and conjugation to J591 did not compromise antibody specificity and enhanced cellular iron uptake. In vivo, PSMA-targeting MNPs increased MR contrast of tumors, but not by non-targeting MNPs. This provides proof-of-concept that PSMA-targeting MNPs have potential to enhance MR detection/localization of PCa.,

Enhancing MRI of prostate cancer using PSMA-targeting iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles

Introduction Novel imaging techniques for prostate cancer (PCa) are required to improve staging and real-time assessment of therapeutic response. We performed preclinical evaluation of newly-developed, biocompatible magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) conjugated with J591, an antibody specific for prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA), to enhance magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of PCa. PSMA is expressed on ∼90% of PCa, including those that are castrate-resistant, rendering it as a rational target for PCa imaging. Materials and Methods The specificity of J591 for PSMA was confirmed by flow cytometric analysis of several PCa cell lines of known PSMA status. MNPs were prepared, engineered to the appropriate size, labeled with DiR fluorophore, and their toxicity to a panel of PC cells was assessed by in vitro Alamar Blue assay. Immunohistochemistry, fluorescence microscopy and Prussian Blue staining (iron uptake) were used to evaluate PSMA specificity of J591-MNP conjugates. In vivo MRI studies (16.4T MRI system) were performed using live immunodeficient mice bearing orthotopic LNCaP xenografts and injected intravenously with J591-MNPs or MNPs alone. Results MNPs were non-toxic to PCa cells. J591-MNP conjugates showed no compromise in specificity of binding to PSMA+ cells and showed enhanced iron uptake compared with MNPs alone. In vivo, tumour targeting (significant MR image contrast) was evident in mice injected with J591-MNPs, but not MNPs alone. Resected tumours from targeted mice had an accumulation of MNPs, not seen in normal control prostate. Conclusions Application of PSMA-targeting MNPs into conventional MRI has potential to enhance PCa detection and localization in real-time, improving patient management.