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Phosphate concentration in natural water has been used as a water quality indicator, as it is one of the major nutrients for aquatic plants. However, the traditional phosphomolybdenum blue (PMB) method has limited sensitivity for visual or camera-based detection, leading to underestimation of the phosphate concentration. We present an ultralow-cost, rapid field preconcentration and digital image colorimetric sensing of low-concentration phosphate method for water analysis. A novel hand-powered paper centrifuge (paperfuge) is used for sample preparation and preconcentration. This paperfuge is made of two circular paper discs and a string. Six centrifuge tubes (CTs) originally used as glue dispensing tips with a sample capacity of ∼230 μL, are loaded on the paperfuge. After sampling, phosphate in the water sample is reacted to form PMB. Then, the reacted sample is drawn into a CT using an autopipette before the CT bottom is sealed by glue. After Oasis® HLB sorbents are added through the top of the CT, the CT top is also sealed with glue. The HLB sorbents adsorb PMB and are accumulated in the CT tip through centrifugation. The CT tips are cut and analyzed with the ImageJ software. It was found that the blue color intensity of sorbents is in a linear relationship to the phosphate concentration, with a linear range of 0–5 μM (r2 = 0.9921) and limit of detection of 0.19 μM. In addition, this method has been applied to in-field water analysis. The results are in agreement with the standard PMB method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Contamination of waterways is of increasing concern, with recent studies demonstrating elevated levels of antibiotics, antidepressants, household, agricultural and industrial chemicals in freshwater systems. Thus, there is a growing demand for methods to rapidly and conveniently monitor contaminants in waterways. Here we demonstrate how a combination of paper microfluidic devices and handheld mobile technology can be used by citizen scientists to carry out a sustained water monitoring campaign. We have developed a paper-based analytical device and a 3 minute sampling workflow that requires no more than a container, a test device and a smartphone app. The contaminant measured in these pilots are phosphates, detectable down to 3 mg L-1. Together these allow volunteers to successfully carry out cost-effective, high frequency, phosphate monitoring over an extended geographies and periods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Aim. To evaluate in vitro the antibacterial effect of a paper made of silver phosphate cellulose fibers (SPCF) on Staphylococcus aureus, the most common diabetic foot ulceration (DFU) pathogen when compared with other common commercial products. Methods. The antibacterial activity of SPCF samples was evaluated through time with cell counting on agar plates. SPCF samples were then compared with commercial wound care products currently in use in DFU treatments (Silvercel™, Acticoat 7, and Aquacel Ag ExtraTM) through time on agar plates (growth inhibition zones). Results. After 6 hours, there was no viable bacterial cell detected on either plate (p < 0.05). There was a net growth inhibition zone for SPCF samples but no significant difference between the two silver concentrations. Compared with common commercial products, SPCF paper provides results equal to Acticoat 7 (p < 0.05) and superior to Aquacel AG ExtraTM and Silvercel™ at lower silver concentrations (p < 0.001). Conclusions. These results have shown the efficiency of SPCF paper to eliminate Staphylococcus aureus in these conditions. SPCF papers are effective when compared with other common commercial products and could have an industrial potential in wound care. Infected DFU could benefit from the antibacterial effectiveness of SPCF, but more relevant experimentations related to foot ulcers are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

In this work, we report atomic-scale reconstruction processes in Fe-Ce oxide-based composites (hydrothermally precipitated at Fe-to-Ce dosage ratios of 1:0, 2:1, 1:1, 1:2, and 0:1), upon treatment at 300 °C. The structural changes are correlated with the adsorptive removal of arsenate, phosphate, fluoride, bromide, and bromate. The presence of the carbonate-based Ce-component and surface sulfate in precursor samples creates favorable conditions for phase transformation, resulting in the formation of novel (unknown) layered compounds of Fe and Ce. These compounds are of the layered double hydroxide type, with sulfate in the interlayer space. In spite of general awareness of the importance of surface area in adsorptive removal, the increase in surface area upon thermal treatment did not increase adsorption of the studied anions. However, EXAFS simulations and the adsorption tests provided evidence of regularities between local structures of Fe in composites obtained at 80 and 300 °C and adsorption performance of most studied anions. The best adsorption of tetrahedral anions was demonstrated by samples whose simulated outer Fe shells resulted from oscillations from both O and Fe atoms. In contrast, the loss of extended x-ray absorption fine structure was correlated with the decrease of adsorptive removal. Both Fe K-edge and Ce L 3 -edge EXAFS suggested the formation of solid solutions. For the first time, the utilization of extended x-ray absorption fine structure is suggested as a methodological approach (first expressed in the companion paper) to estimate the surface reactivity of inorganic materials intended for use as anion exchange adsorbents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries are widely utilized in energy storage systems due to their numerous advantages. However, their further development is impeded by the issue of thermal runaway. This paper offers a comparative analysis of gas generation in thermal runaway incidents resulting from two abuse scenarios: thermal abuse and electrical abuse. The study initially focuses on 13-Ah lithium iron phosphate single-cell batteries. Experiments were conducted to induce thermal runaway through both forms of abuse, analyzing the production and dispersion of H2 and CO gases in each case. It was observed that thermal abuse–induced thermal runaway resulted in higher gas concentrations and more pronounced fluctuations, whereas electrical abuse–induced thermal runaway exhibited lower gas concentrations and lower fluctuations. Subsequently, key materials and temperature variations at the positive and negative electrodes were investigated under both types of thermal runaway, revealing distinct differences that are identified as the primary reasons for the significant disparities in H2 and CO gas generation during the two thermal runaway conditions. The conclusions drawn in this paper advance the understanding of the mechanisms underlying H2 and CO gas concentration generation in thermal runaway scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Ultralong nanowires with ultrahigh aspect ratios exhibit high flexibility, and they are promising for applications in various fields. Herein, a cadmium oleate precursor hydrothermal method is developed for the synthesis of ultralong nanowires of cadmium phosphate hydroxide. In this method, water-soluble cadmium salt is used as the cadmium source, water-soluble phosphate is used as the phosphorus source, and sodium oleate is adopted as a reactant to form cadmium oleate precursor and as a structure-directing agent. By using this method, ultralong nanowires of cadmium phosphate hydroxide are successfully synthesized using CdCl2, sodium oleate, and NaH2PO4 as reactants in an aqueous solution by hydrothermal treatment at 180 °C for 24 h. In addition, a new type of flexible fire-resistant inorganic paper with good electrical insulation performance is fabricated using ultralong nanowires of cadmium phosphate hydroxide. As an example of the extended application of this synthetic method, ultralong nanowires of cadmium phosphate hydroxide can be converted to ultralong CdS nanowires through a convenient sulfidation reaction. In this way, ultralong CdS nanowires are successfully synthesized by simple sulfidation of ultralong nanowires of cadmium phosphate hydroxide under mild conditions. The as-prepared ultralong nanowires of cadmium phosphate hydroxide are promising for applications as the precursors and templates for synthesizing other inorganic ultralong nanowires and have wide applications in various fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Paper sludge, which is an industrial waste generated during the manufacture of recycled paper products, was converted into an effective phosphate (PO4 3−) sequestration agent through calcination and its removal behavior toward phosphate ion in aqueous solution was examined. Paper sludge contains mainly cellulose fibers and inorganic fillers together with coating materials such as calcite and kaolinite. The sludge was calcined at temperatures between 200 and 1000°C for 6h. Crystalline phases originally present were altered at increasing temperatures (up to 800°C) in the order kaolinite more...

Simple Summary: In spontaneous tumor regression, tumors shrink and disappear without conventional treatments. This phenomenon challenges the view that cancer is an irreversible genetic disease and that the only treatment option is to kill cancer cells or surgically remove them. In tumor reversion, cancer cells have been shown to return to normal cells when they are transplanted into a normal cellular environment. Additionally, people consuming a Western diet ingest excessive amounts of dietary phosphate, and a dysregulated oversupply of phosphate can be transported into cells, stimulating the cellular growth that forms tumors. Based on reviewed evidence, this paper proposes that reducing excessive dietary phosphate potentially activates tumor regression and reversion, as components of cancer cells are self-digested. Furthermore, fevers and fasting-mimicking diets are associated with tumor regression, which also may be initiated by reduced phosphate intake. Studies are needed to test dietary phosphate reduction in tumor regression and reversion to improve cancer patient survival. Tumors that spontaneously shrink from unknown causes in tumor regression, and that return to normal cells in tumor reversion, are phenomena with the potential to contribute new knowledge and novel therapies for cancer patient survival. Tumorigenesis is associated with dysregulated phosphate metabolism and an increased transport of phosphate into tumor cells, potentially mediated by phosphate overload from excessive dietary phosphate intake, a significant problem in Western societies. This paper proposes that reduced dietary phosphate overload and reregulated phosphate metabolism may reverse an imbalance of kinases and phosphatases in cell signaling and cellular proliferation, thereby activating autophagy in tumor regression and reversion. Dietary phosphate can also be reduced by sickness-associated anorexia, fasting-mimicking diets, and other diets low in phosphate, all of which have been associated with tumor regression. Tumor reversion has also been demonstrated by transplanting cancer cells into a healthy microenvironment, plausibly associated with normal cellular phosphate concentrations. Evidence also suggests that the sequestration and containment of excessive phosphate within encapsulated tumors is protective in cancer patients, preventing the release of potentially lethal amounts of phosphate into the general circulation. Reducing dietary phosphate overload has the potential to provide a novel, safe, and effective reversion therapy for cancer patients, and further research is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Fast, simple, and low-cost on-site visualized detection of inorganic phosphate (Pi) is in great demand since phosphate is the major reason of eutrophication. In this work, a ratiometric fluorescent probe composed by green carbon dots (GCDs) and red carbon dots (RCDs) has been established for high-sensitivity and selective sensing of Pi. A trend of color change from red to green is observed for the detection of Pi under ultraviolet light and the detection limit is 0.09 μM in the range of 0 to 55 μM. Fluorescent test paper prepared from the probe solution was successfully applied to semi-quantitative visual detection of Pi in real-world water and soil samples, which shows great real-world application potentials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Phosphate is an essential nutrient for heterotrophic bacteria, affecting bacterioplankton in aquatic ecosystems and bacteria in biofilms. However, the influence of phosphate limitation on bacterial competition and biofilm development in multispecies populations has received limited attention in existing studies. To address this issue, we isolated 13 adhesive bacteria from paper machine aggregates. Intergeneric inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa WW5 by Serratia marcescens WW4 was identified under phosphate-limited conditions, but not in Luria- Bertani medium or M9 minimal medium. The viable numbers of the pure S. marcescens WW4 culture decreased over 3 days in the phosphate-limited medium; however, the mortality of S. marcescens WW4 was significantly reduced when it was co-cultured with P. aeruginosa WW5, which appeared to sustain the S. marcescens WW4 biofilm. In contrast, viable P. aeruginosa WW5 cells immediately declined in the phosphate-limited co-culture. To identify the genetic/inhibitory element(s) involved in this process, we inserted a mini- Tn5 mutant of S. marcescens WW4 that lacked inhibitory effect. The results showed that an endonuclease bacteriocin was involved in this intergeneric inhibition by S. marcescens WW4 under phosphate limitation. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of nutrient limitation in bacterial interactions and provides a strong candidate gene for future functional characterisation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

High concentrations of certain nutrients, including phosphate, are known to lead to undesired algal growth and low dissolved oxygen levels, creating deadly conditions for organisms in marine ecosystems. The rapid and robust detection of these nutrients using a colorimetric, paper-based system that can be applied on-site is of high interest to individuals monitoring marine environments and others affected by marine ecosystem health. Several techniques for detecting phosphate have been reported previously, yet these techniques often suffer from high detection limits, reagent instability, and the need of the user to handle toxic reagents. In order to develop improved phosphate detection methods, the commonly used molybdenum blue reagents were incorporated into a paper-based, colorimetric detection system. This system benefited from improved stabilization of the molybdenum blue reagent as well as minimal user contact with toxic reagents. The colorimetric readout from the paper-based devices was analyzed and quantified using RGB analyses (via ImageJ), and resulted in the detection of phosphate at detection limits between 1.3 and 2.8 ppm in various aqueous media, including real seawater. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

This paper reviews the phosphate phases in meteorites and those measured by landed spacecraft, what they reveal about past igneous and aqueous conditions on Mars, and important implications for potential prebiotic chemistry, past habitability, and potential biosignatures that could be detected in samples returned from Mars. A review of the 378 martian meteorites as of 2023 indicate that of the two most common phosphate minerals in Mars meteorites, merrillite and apatites, the apatite composition is largely F- and Cl-rich, with shergottites containing more OH. The phosphate concentrations examined across multiple missions show a relatively narrow range of phosphate, with higher concentrations observed in the Mount Sharp Group in Gale crater and Wishstone at Gusev crater and lower concentrations observed at Jezero crater floor and Jezero fan. Possible secondary phosphates detected on Mars, including Fe phosphates at Jezero crater and Gusev crater and Ca- and Al-bearing secondary phosphates, temperatures of formation of secondary phases and their dissolution rates and solubilities are reviewed and summarized. Despite this wealth of information about phosphates on Mars, due to their fine scale and relatively low concentrations, Mars Sample Return is needed to better understand phosphate and its implications for the igneous, aqueous, and astrobiological history of Mars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Crystalline cerium(III) phosphate (CePO4), cerium(IV) phosphates, and nanocrystalline ceria are considered to be promising components of sunscreen cosmetics. This paper reports on a study in which, for the first time, a quantitative comparative analysis was performed of the UV-shielding properties of CePO4, Ce(PO4)(HPO4)0.5(H2O)0.5, and CePO4/CeO2 composites. Both the sun protection factor and protection factor against UV-A radiation of the materials were determined. Ce(PO4)(HPO4)0.5(H2O)0.5 was shown to have a sun protection factor of 2.9, which is comparable with that of nanocrystalline ceria and three times higher than the sun protection factor of CePO4. Composites containing both cerium dioxide and CePO4 demonstrated higher sun protection factors (up to 1.8) than individual CePO4. When compared with the TiO2 Aeroxide P25 reference sample, cerium(III) and cerium(IV) phosphates demonstrated negligible photocatalytic activity. A cytotoxicity analysis performed using two mammalian cell lines, hMSc and NCTC L929, showed that CePO4, Ce(PO4)(HPO4)0.5(H2O)0.5, and nanocrystalline ceria were all non-toxic. The results of this comparative study indicate that cerium(IV) phosphate Ce(PO4)(HPO4)0.5(H2O)0.5 is more advantageous for use in sunscreens than either cerium(III) phosphate or CePO4/CeO2 composites, due to its improved UV-shielding properties and low photocatalytic activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

This paper analyses the basic obstacles preventing the fine particles from floating and suggests solutions for the wetting zone between the bubble and the particle during their collision. It has been shown in our recent paper that the basic problem of fine particle flotation is not the low frequency of collisions with the bubbles, but it consists of the efficiency of these collisions. Moreover, there exists a thermodynamic lower size limit for flotation of fine hydrophobized particles in the sub-micron range, and it is weakly dependent on the size of the bubbles. It was shown that fast flotation with high recovery of fine particles can be achieved by means of: (i) electrostatic attraction between particles and bubbles; (ii) a significant increase in the level of their hydrophobicity; (iii) existence of fine bubbles in the flotation cell. It was shown as well that the drainage of the wetting film between bubbles and particles is unimportant, but the deformation of the bubble by the particle during their clash plays a major role in its rupturing. Electrostatic attraction between bubbles and fine silica particles was achieved with hexylamine. It causes a moderate increase of their hydrophobicity from contact angle = 39.5° ± 2.5° to contact angle = 51.7° ± 7.5° and gave almost 90% recovery within 2 min. Unfortunately, the selectivity of this collector is unsatisfactory if the fine silica particles are mixed with fine magnesite particles. It was shown that even being hydrophilic, the recovery of fine particles can jump to almost 50% if strong electrostatic attraction with the bubbles exists. It was demonstrated as well with the collector hexamethyldisilazane causes significant increase of the hydrophobicity of the fine silica particles (contact angle ≈ 90°) results in skin flotation with 100% recovery when alone and 97% recovery when being mixed with fine magnesite particles (51/49). A new collector significantly increasing the hydrophobicity of magnesite fine particles was tested (disodium dodecyl phosphate) resulting in 89% recovery of fine magnesite particles alone and about 98% recovery in a mixture with fine silica particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Carbon steel is one of the most widely used alloys in many industries, however, its use is limited by its low corrosion resistance. Depositing a layer of phosphate on its surface improves the corrosion resistance as well as other properties, such as wear resistance, adhesion etc. Accordingly, preliminary studies demonstrated that carbon steel coated with phosphate layers can be used in the manufacture of carabiners for various fields: civil engineering, oil industry etc. Whereas, to demonstrate their capacity to operate in severe conditions related to fire rescue and extinguishing operations, it is necessary to evaluate the thermal behaviour of these materials. Thus, the main goal of this paper is to study the behaviour at high temperatures of three different types of phosphate layers deposited on carbon steel surface, by STA analysis. Also, the paper aims to study the formation of different phosphate layers by determining the types of compounds formed after the completion of the phosphating process, by XRD analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

In the Bohemian Massif, there are many localities with the occurrence of secondary phosphates bound to the fissures of the host rocks. The type of these rocks partly determines the character of individual phosphate associations. As part of this comprehensive work, based on the author’s PhD thesis, the main host rock types have been classified and selected mineral associations have been studied in detail. This paper is a summary not only of the author’s research, but also of the historical knowledge in the field of secondary fissure phosphates in the Bohemian Massif. The paper concludes with a brief outline of the likely conditions for the formation of fissure phosphates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

This paper explores the hydrothermal treatment of α-Al2O3 powders to improve the binding in ceramic parts produced via a chemical bonding of ceramic powders combining a phosphate binder and infrared (IR) curing. Alumina powders are pre-treated in hydrothermal conditions with both water and phosphoric acid solution before slurry preparation and infrared irradiation. The effects of hydrothermal treatments on the powder's chemical reactions and the composite's final microstructure are assessed upon IR irradiation. While the water treatment does not induce any chemical changes, the presence of phosphoric acid leads to the appearance of phosphate phases Al(PO3)3 and AlPO4. Hydrothermal treatments in water and in phosphoric acid solution are found to drive faster and more intense phosphate condensation reactions at lower temperatures, with a stronger effect in the presence of H3PO4 (condensation temperature of 150 °C for the H3PO4-hydrothermal treated powder compared to 165 °C for the untreated powder). This improved reactivity of hydrothermal treatment α-Al2O3 powders, especially in the presence of H3PO4, leads to a general decrease of porosity for 3D printed parts compared to untreated alumina (for both top surfaces and cross-sections). While further optimization is needed to reduce the final porosity, it is possible to rapidly print 3D parts using this method, demonstrating a possible pathway to a single-step additive manufacturing (AM) process for ceramics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Near-infrared phosphor-converted light-emitting diodes (NIR pc-LEDs) are expected to be the next-generation NIR light sources, with the advantages of small size, broad bandwidth, and easy tuning of emission peaks. The key for NIR pc-LEDs is to develop highly efficient broadband NIR phosphors that can be effectively excited by blue light. Cr3+ -activated NIR phosphors have been widely studied, and this paper reviews the development of Cr3+ -doped NIR phosphors peaked at 800~900 nm. Based on phosphates, pyroxenes, and other systems, the relationships between the structure and the emission peak and bandwidth are summarized. Furthermore, to enhance the NIR performance, strategies of synthesis technology optimization, components design, and co-doping sensitizers are discussed in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

This paper introduces a fast, low‐temperature, pressureless process to chemically bind ceramic parts with the help of infrared (IR) irradiation and phosphate binder condensation. Ceramic components are synthesized from slurries of ceramic powders and Al(H2PO4)3 binder that are irradiated with short‐waved IR light capable of heating the system to 350°C. This irradiation is found to be sufficient to drive phosphate condensation, binding the ceramic powders together within a matter of seconds. The IR‐irradiated components show an increase in density and Vickers hardness. Layer‐by‐layer spraying and irradiation is demonstrated as a route to additive manufacturing using various ceramic chemistries. While further optimization is needed to control desired microstructure, this process of using chemically bonded ceramic binders with IR heating for additive manufacturing shows the potential to find applications in various ceramic systems, including refractories, bone implants, electronics, and thermal barrier coatings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

This document is a correction for an article titled "Vibrio fischeri Possesses Xds and Dns Nucleases That Differentially Influence Phosphate Scavenging, Aggregation, Competence, and Symbiotic Colonization of Squid." The correction addresses specific experiments that were repeated and confirms the previous findings regarding the nuclease activity of the xds mutant strain. The timing of measurable Dns activity was found to vary slightly, but these results do not change the conclusions of the original publication. The corrected and republished paper is available for further reference. [Extracted from the article] more...

The phosphating of zinc surfaces, increasing their roughness and surface tension, provides high adhesion and a significant increase in the protective ability of subsequently applied organic coatings. This paper presents the results obtained in a study of combined coatings, including the formation of amorphous phosphate films on galvanized steel surfaces, followed by the application of layers of three type paints and varnishes. By means of gravimetric and physical-analytical methods, the influence of various factors such as concentration and temperature on the formation, composition and properties of the coatings obtained on zinc surfaces in phosphating solutions have been investigated. Coatings obtained at pH 4.0 are distinguished with best homogeneity and color density. The thickness of the coatings grows with increasing of temperature, at other conditions being equal. The composition, structure, roughness and probable compounds of the obtained phosphate coatings have been determined by physical analytical methods. The phosphate coatings contain such elements as oxygen, phosphorus, zinc, molybdenum, nickel, which are probably combined as phosphate and oxide compounds. The phosphate films are X-ray amorphous, with indefinite habit and very well expressive relief. Using physico-mechanical methods, the adhesion, elasticity and impact strength of paint and varnish coatings on phosphated and non-phosphated zinc surfaces were measured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The origin of Libyan Desert Glass (LDG) found in the western parts of Egypt close to the Libyan border is debated in planetary science. Two major theories of its formation are currently competing: (1) melting by airburst and (2) formation by impact-related melting. While mineralogical and textural evidence for a high-temperature event responsible for the LDG formation is abundant and convincing, minerals and textures indicating high shock pressure have been scarce. This paper provides a nanostructural study of the LDG, showing new evidence of its high-pressure and high-temperature origin. We mainly focused on the investigation of Zr-bearing and phosphate aggregates enclosed within LDG. Micro- and nanostructural evidence obtained with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) are spherical inclusions of cubic, tetragonal, and orthorhombic (Pnma or OII) zirconia after zircon, which indicate high-pressure, high-temperature decomposition of zircon and possibly, melting of ZrO2. Inclusions of amorphous silica and amorphous Al-phosphate with berlinite composition (AlPO4) within mosaic whitlockite and monazite aggregates point at decomposition and melting of phosphates, which formed an emulsion with SiO2 melt. The estimated temperature of the LDG melts was above 2750 °C, approaching the point of SiO2 boiling. The variety of textures with different degrees of quenching immediately next to each other suggests an extreme thermal gradient that existed in LDG through radiation cooling. Additionally, the presence of quenched orthorhombic OII ZrO2 provides direct evidence of high-pressure (>13.5 GPa) conditions, confirming theory 2, the hypervelocity impact origin of the LDG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Due to the increasing contamination of the environment, including water pollution by numerous emerging contaminants, there is a growing interest in advanced water purification/treatment processes. A technique of particular and growing interest over the years is ozonation in its broadest sense. It is a complex process, and its course, both in the version without and with the participation of a catalyst, depends on a number of factors that can affect its efficiency and the correct interpretation of the obtained results. The paper discusses the importance of the most relevant of these factors: ozone initiation and decomposition, proper catalyst preparation, potential sources enhancing the ozonation process (H 2 O 2 and 1O 2), the influence of commonly used buffers and natural water admixtures, and the importance of adsorption processes. The paper also explains how the structure of the ozonated compound can affect its oxidation efficiency and identifies the most common sources of errors having the influence on the interpretation of experimental data. • It is easy to overlook factors which may increase/decrease the efficiency of the ozonation process. • Possible sources of experimental errors have been identified. • Basic parameters can be a source of error in estimating the reaction mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

In general, phosphate cements have a very rapid setting reaction at room temperature. The same holds for copper slag-based phosphate cements. This means that using them as a binder, for instance as mortar, is always possible on a small scale, but very difficult on a large scale. In this paper, the heat treatment of the copper slag was shown to be an effective way to increase the setting time and keep the mix workable for an adequate period. The main objective of this research was to examine the changes in the phase composition of quenched copper slag after exposure to 500 °C and to evaluate the impact of these changes on the reactivity of the material in an acidic environment, as well as on the mechanical properties, microstructure, and structure of the produced phosphate cement materials. Various experimental methods were utilized to characterize the raw materials and the obtained phosphate cementitious materials, including isothermal microcalorimetry (TAM Air), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), as well as the determination of the chemical composition using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and the particle size distribution. Furthermore, compressive strength tests were conducted to gauge the mechanical resistance of the materials. The main findings of this work revealed that subjecting the copper slag to a thermal treatment of 500 °C induced a partial transformation in its structure. The high temperature caused the oxidation of some of the divalent iron oxide in the slag, leading to the formation of hematite. This treatment increased the setting time and reduced the reactivity of the copper slag with phosphoric acid, ultimately enabling the production of a dense phosphate-based cementitious material with outstanding mechanical properties. The compressive strength of the newly developed cement was recorded to be greater than 78.9 MPa after 7 days, and this strength continued to increase, reaching 82.5 MPa after 28 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Preventing hypertension by restricting dietary salt intake, sodium chloride, is well established in public health policy, but a pathophysiological mechanism has yet to explain the controversial clinical finding that some individuals have a greater risk of hypertension from exposure to salt intake, termed salt-sensitive hypertension. The present perspective paper synthesizes interdisciplinary findings from the research literature and offers novel insights proposing that the pathogenesis of salt-sensitive hypertension is mediated by interaction of salt-induced hypervolemia and phosphate-induced vascular calcification. Arterial stiffness and blood pressure increase as calcification in the vascular media layer reduces arterial elasticity, preventing arteries from expanding to accommodate extracellular fluid overload in hypervolemia related to salt intake. Furthermore, phosphate has been found to be a direct inducer of vascular calcification. Reduction of dietary phosphate may help reduce salt-sensitive hypertension by lowering the prevalence and progression of vascular calcification. Further research should investigate the correlation of vascular calcification with salt-sensitive hypertension, and public health recommendations to prevent hypertension should encourage reductions of both sodium-induced hypervolemia and phosphate-induced vascular calcification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

In recent years, the production of galvanized sheet steels with organic coatings applied to its surfaces has considerably expanded. Phosphating of the zinc surfaces raises its roughness and surface tension, providing high adhesion of subsequent organic coatings and respectively, significant increasing of their protective properties. The paper presents the results obtained in the investigation of combined anti-corrosion coatings, including formation of phosphate films on galvanized steel surfaces followed by the application of three types of paint and varnish coatings. The indicators characterizing the phosphating preparation (density, pH, conductivity, acid capacity) as well as the thickness of the coatings were measured. The chemical composition of the phosphate films, their morphology and topography were determined by means of EDX and SEM, respectively. The adhesion, elasticity and impact toughness of the organic coatings, with and without phosphating treatment of the zinc surfaces were measured. The corrosion resistance of the combined coatings in a model sodium chloride solution was also determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

A very rare secondary Zn-Al phosphate, kleemanite, was found in association with Al-rich chalcosiderite and krásnoite on samples from the Huber stock in the Krásno deposit near Horní Slavkov (Karlovy Vary Region, Czech Republic). Kleemanite forms small white needle-like to fibrous crystals clustering into urchin-like aggregates up to 2 mm in size. Individual crystals reach a length of up to 0.5 mm. The mineral grows on the walls of the corrosion cavity of the fluorapatite aggregate in quartz gangue. Its chemical composition corresponds to the empirical formula Zn1.02(Al2.04 Fe0.09)Σ2.13(PO4)2.00[(OH)2.41(F)0.04] Σ2.45·3H2 O. Kleemanite is monoclinic, unit-cell parameters refined from X-ray powder diffraction data are a 7.286(8), b 7.194(5), c 9.774(8) Å, β 110.2(6)° and V 480.9(7) ų . The Raman spectrum of kleemanite has not been published before and is included in this paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

In view of the current situation wherein acid resources and valuable components in titanium dioxide waste acid cannot be effectively extracted and are prone to secondary pollution, our research team proposed a new technique consisting of step extraction and the comprehensive utilization of titanium dioxide waste acid. In this paper, the thermodynamics of selective precipitation and the preparation of doped iron phosphate from waste acid were studied. The thermodynamics results show that the content of Al3+, Mn2+, Mg2+, and Ca2+ in the reaction system can be tuned by adjusting the pH during the pre-precipitation process. In the first step, these impurity ions should be settled as much as possible; then, Fe2+ should be oxidized to Fe3+ so as to obtain iron phosphate with higher purity in the next step of the precipitation process. The effects of the reaction temperature, seed crystals, pH value, and P/M on the precipitation process were investigated in detail. The experimental results show that in the reduced state, the optimal precipitation conditions are a temperature of 75 °C, an initial pH value of 4.5, and an optimal P/M molar ratio of 1.1. In the oxidized state, the optimal precipitation conditions are a temperature of 60 °C, a solution pH = 2.5, and a reaction time of 25 min. After calcination, the precipitate mainly consists of iron phosphate, which basically meets the requirements of an iron phosphate precursor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

This paper concerns the development of a central tenet of modern biochemistry: that cellular metabolism coordinates biological energy supply through the cyclical making and breaking of "energy-rich" phosphate bonds. This interpretation of intermediary metabolism was comprehensively set forth in two review articles published nearly simultaneously (though independently) in early 1941 by German biochemist Fritz Lipmann and Danish biochemist Herman Kalckar. Lipmann and Kalckar first met in the early 1930s in Copenhagen, where they were in frequent contact until 1939, when both left Denmark. Despite the similar claims advanced in Lipmann's and Kalckar's reviews, the two men's presentations differed substantially with respect to their descriptions of "energy-rich" phosphate bonds and their target audiences. In order to explore the circumstances behind these divergences, this paper utilizes a "parallel lives" approach. By analyzing Lipmann's and Kalckar's lives in parallel, particular institutional contexts emerge as having been especially significant in shaping their differing interpretations of the power of phosphate bonds. The period that Lipmann spent in muscle researcher Otto Meyerhof's laboratory (1927-30) conditioned his physiological interpretation of the role of phosphate bonds in cellular energy metabolism. Kalckar's time at California Institute of Technology (1939-40)-- where he was in regular communication with chemists such as Linus Pauling--played the most significant role in his decision to present the power of phosphate bonds from a chemical perspective. Ultimately, an examination of the life stories behind Lipmann's and Kalckar's 1941 reviews illuminates how older physiological perspectives were combined with recent advances in theoretical chemistry to explain how energy flows through living organisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Tricalcium phosphate (TCP) is a food additive, labeled E341(iii), used in powdered food preparation, such as baby formula. In the United States, calcium phosphate nano-objects were identified in baby formula extractions. Our goal is to determine whether the TCP food additive, as is used in Europe, can be classified as a nanomaterial. The physicochemical properties of TCP were characterized. Three different samples (from a chemical company and two manufacturers) were thoroughly characterized according to the recommendations of the European Food Safety Authority. A commercial TCP food additive was identified as actually being hydroxyapatite (HA). It presents itself in the form of particles of different shapes (either needle-like, rod, or pseudo-spherical), which were demonstrated in this paper to be of a nanometric dimension: E341(iii) is thus a nanomaterial. In water, HA particles sediment rapidly as agglomerates or aggregates over a pH of 6 and are progressively dissolved in acidic media (pH < 5) until the complete dissolution at a pH of 2. Consequently, since TCP may be considered as a nanomaterial on the European market, it raises the question of its potential persistency in the gastrointestinal tract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

In this experiment, 20P 2 O 5 –50SnF 2 -(30-x-y)SnO-xWO 3 -yB 2 O 3 (x = 0,y = 0,5,10,15; x = 5,10,15,y = 0; x = 10,5, y = 5,10mol%) phosphate glasses were prepared. In this paper, the effect of the addition of WO 3 and B 2 O 3 on the properties of phosphate glasses was investigated. The results show that the network structure of all glass samples is basically composed of Q 1 and Q 0 short chain groups. The addition of WO 3 disrupts the network structure of the glass and leads to a decrease in the glass thermal, mechanical, corrosion properties. B 2 O 3 participates in the formation of the glass as a [BO 4 ] structural unit, which strengthens the network structure and thus improves the glass properties. However, with the increase of B 2 O 3 , some of the B 2 O 3 existed as [BO 3 ], which reduced the cross-linkage of the glass structure and the glass properties appeared abnormal. In the glass with the coexistence of WO 3 and B 2 O 3 , the glass properties were better, especially the chemical stability of the glass was significantly improved. The smallest weight loss rate in the aqueous solution is only 9.52 × 10−7 g·cm−2·min−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

This paper reports on the preparation and properties of phosphate materials for medical applications: brushite (CaHPO4·2H2O) or monetite (CaHPO4) based cements prepared from β- and α-Ca3(PO4)2 (TCP) via isomorphous substitutions of Na+ or K+ for Ca2+ and of or for . The mixing liquid used to prepare phosphate cements from substituted TCP was orthophosphoric acid or H2O, and TCP was mixed with dry Ca(H2PO4)2·H2O. Isomorphous substitutions of Na+ and K+ for Ca2+ ions and and for were confirmed by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray microanalysis, and X-ray diffraction. It has been shown that, as a result of hardening of cement pastes with the use of different mixing liquids, one can obtain materials differing in microstructure, in which brushite or monetite prevails, depending on the TCP phase used in the preparation of the cement. In addition, we have studied interaction of the cements with water for a long time (16 days). The pH of the aqueous medium has been shown to vary from 5 to 7.5. This pH range is favorable for medical applications of the phosphate materials studied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Phosphates and citrates are calcium sequestering salts (CSS) most commonly used in the manufacture of processed cheese, either singly or in mixtures. Caseins are the main structure forming elements in processed cheese. Calcium sequestering salts decrease the concentration of free calcium ions by sequestering calcium from the aqueous phase and dissociates the casein micelles into small clusters by altering the calcium equilibrium, thereby resulting in enhanced hydration and voluminosity of the micelles. Several researchers have studied milk protein systems such as rennet casein, milk protein concentrate, skim milk powder, and micellar casein concentrate to elucidate the influence of calcium sequestering salts on (para-)casein micelles. This review paper provides an overview of the effects of calcium sequestering salts on the properties of casein micelles and consequently the physico-chemical, textural, functional, and sensorial attributes of processed cheese. A lack of proper understanding of the mechanisms underlying the action of calcium sequestering salts on the processed cheese characteristics increases the risk of failed production, leading to the waste of resources and unacceptable sensorial, appearance, and textural attributes, which adversely affect the financial side of processors and customer expectations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

This paper presents the results of a study exploring the potential of magnetic-susceptibility and phosphate soil analyses to locate and characterize buried Neolithic settlements in Thessaly, Greece. Using the preliminary results of large-area magnetometer surveys, soil samples were collected at three well-known sites along exploratory lines and augers targeting the locations of possible features of interest, including habitational structures and enclosures. The results demonstrated the capability of these analyses to detect the sites, outline hotspots and better interpret the features identified in the magnetometer results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Lists forthcoming papers concerning biochemistry, published in the February 1983 issue of the "European Journal of Biochemistry". "Kinetic Properties of Hydrogenase Isolated From Desulfovibrio vulgaris (Hildenborough)," by H.J. Grande, A. van Berkel-Arts, J. Bregh, K. van Dijk; "Sequence Analysis of the Cloned mRNA Coding of for Glyceraldehyde-3-Phosphate Dehydrogenase From Chicken Heart Muscle," by H. Domdey and colleagues; "Mitochondrial Pantetheinephosphate Adenylytransferase and Dephospho-CoA Kinase," by S. Skrede and O. Halvorsen. more...

The article lists several research papers that would be published in the coming issues of the European Journal of Biochemistry. Some of the articles and topics are related to glucogen synthase, protein phosphates, DNA sequences, etc. more...

Background: Arterial stiffness and calcification propensity are associated with high cardiovascular risk and increased mortality in chronic kidney disease (CKD). Both magnesium and phosphate are recognized as modulators of vascular calcification and chronic inflammation, both features of CKD that contribute to arterial stiffness. In this paper, we outline the rationale and design of a randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigating whether 24 weeks of oral magnesium supplementation with or without additional phosphate-binding therapy can improve arterial stiffness and calcification propensity in patients with stage 3-4 CKD.Methods: In this multi-center, placebo-controlled RCT, a total of 180 participants with an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 15 to 50 ml/min/1.73 m2 without phosphate binder therapy will be recruited. During the 24 weeks intervention, participants will be randomized to one of four intervention groups to receive either magnesium citrate (350 mg elemental magnesium/day) or placebo, with or without the addition of the phosphate binder sucroferric oxyhydroxide (1000 mg/day). Primary outcome of the study is the change of arterial stiffness measured by the carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity over 24 weeks. Secondary outcomes include markers of calcification and inflammation, among others calcification propensity (T50) and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. As explorative endpoints, repeated 18F-FDG and 18F-NaF PET-scans will be performed in a subset of participants (n = 40). Measurements of primary and secondary endpoints are performed at baseline, 12 and 24 weeks.Discussion: The combined intervention of magnesium citrate supplementation and phosphate-lowering therapy with sucroferric oxyhydroxide, in stage 3-4 CKD patients without overt hyperphosphatemia, aims to modulate the complex and deregulated mineral metabolism leading to vascular calcification and arterial stiffness and to establish to what extent this is mediated by T50 changes. The results of this combined intervention may contribute to future early interventions for CKD patients to reduce the risk of CVD and mortality.Trial Registration: Netherlands Trial Register, NL8252 (registered December 2019), EU clinical Trial Register 2019-001306-23 (registered November 2019). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Aluminosilicate phosphate (ASP) geopolymers are a new kind of green cementitious materials synthesized from aluminosilicate precursors and acidic activators (phosphoric acid or phosphate), which have received extensive attention from researchers because of their excellent and unique characteristics. The current investigation indicates that ASP geopolymers have the characteristics of a low-carbon synthesis process, high mechanical properties (e.g., the highest compressive strength can reach 146 MPa), a strong heat resistance (e.g., withstanding a high temperature of 1500 °C), and excellent dielectric properties. These excellent properties make them have broad application prospects in the fields of new building materials, coating materials, insulating materials, and heavy metal curing. Based on the research findings of approximately 85 relevant literatures on ASP geopolymers in past decades, this paper focuses on the latest research progress of ASP geopolymers from the perspectives of synthesis processes, performances, modifications, and application developments. In addition, this study summarizes the key problems existing in the current research of ASP geopolymers and suggests their possible applications in the future, which will help to provide directions for further research activities of relevant researchers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The present paper investigated the association of Parkinson's disease etiology with phosphate toxicity, a pathophysiological condition in which dysregulated phosphate metabolism causes excessive inorganic phosphate sequestration in body tissue that damages organ systems. Excessive phosphate is proposed to reduce Complex I function of the mitochondrial electron transport chain in Parkinson's disease and is linked to opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore, resulting in increased reactive oxygen species, inflammation, DNA damage, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, and ATP depletion causing cell death. Parkinson's disease is associated with α-synuclein and Lewy body dementia, a secondary tauopathy related to hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, and tauopathy is among several pathophysiological pathways shared between Parkinson's disease and diabetes. Excessive phosphate is also associated with ectopic calcification, bone mineral disorders, and low levels of serum vitamin D in patients with Parkinson's disease. Sarcopenia and cancer in Parkinson's disease patients are also associated with phosphate toxicity. Additionally, Parkinson's disease benefits are related to low dietary phosphate intake. More studies are needed to investigate the potential mediating role of phosphate toxicity in the etiology of Parkinson's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

As the population continues to rise, the demand for resources and environmentally friendly management of produced wastes has shown a significant increase in concern. To decrease the impact of these wastes on the environment, it is important to utilize the wastes in producing and/or recovering usable products to provide for the sustainable management of resources. One non-renewable and rapidly diminishing resource is phosphorus, which is used in several products, the most important being its use in manufacturing chemical fertilizer. With the increase in demand but reduction in availability of naturally occurring mineral phosphorus, it is important to investigate other sources of phosphorus. Phosphorus is most commonly recovered through struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate) precipitation. The recovery of phosphorus from various wastewater has been well established and documented with recovery rates mostly above 90%. However, one of the major drawbacks of the recovery is the high cost of chemicals needed to precipitate the phosphorus. Since the external magnesium needed to achieve struvite precipitation accounts for around 75% of the total chemical cost, applicability of low-cost magnesium sources, such as bittern or seawater, can help reduce the operational cost significantly. This paper investigates the different magnesium sources that have been used for the recovery of phosphorus, highlighting the different approaches and operating conditions investigated, and their corresponding phosphorus recovery rates. An investigation of the economic aspects of the magnesium sources used for removal/recovery show that costs are dependent on the raw waste treated, the source of magnesium and the location of treatment. A review of published articles on the economics of phosphorus removal/recovery also indicates that there is a lack of studies on the economics of the treatment processes, and there is a need for a comprehensive study on life cycle assessment of such processes that go beyond the technical and economical aspects of treatment processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The experimental data reported in this paper suggest that titanium(IV) oxyhydroxyphosphate-based ion-exchange materials are potentially attractive for extraction of heavy metal cations from solutions. We have studied the time-dependent ion exchange activity of titanium phosphates for Zn2+, Co2+, and Ni2+ cations in relation to the liquid : solid ratio, temperature, and equilibrium pH of the cation exchange process. The results demonstrate that the selectivity of an ion exchanger for metal cations is determined by the ionic radii of the metals. Conditions for effective use of titanium phosphate materials for extraction of Zn2+, Co2+, and Ni2+ cations from solutions (liquid : solid ratio, temperature, and pH) have been optimized experimentally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Oyster shells are considered as a byproduct or solid waste in mariculture or related food processing areas that face a major disposal problem at the landfill in coastal regions for sustainable development. Oyster shell is composed mostly of CaCO3, and it is also considered as a secondary source of calcium for various applications. In this paper, we extracted the calcium carbonate from oyster shell and used it as the source of calcium for the preparation of feed-grade monocalcium phosphate (MCP). The investigation shows that the heavy metal contents in oyster shells as well as in the synthesized MCP are extremely low, and the synthesized product meets the requirements for the European Union (EU) maximum limits applied for feed additives. The XRD, TG, and IR data analyses confirmed that the synthesized product is monocalcium phosphate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

[Display omitted] Hydrogen has attracted increasing attention as clean energy for fuel cells over the past decade. Photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting is considered the most feasible production method but its practical efficiency depends significantly on the photogeneration rate of electron (e−) and hole (h+) on a semiconductor photoanode and the rapid separation of these charge carriers. A proper match of small and large bandgap positions is also necessary. This paper presents a three-dimensional core–shell heterostructured tungsten trioxide/bismuth molybdate/cobalt phosphate (WO 3 /Bi 2 MoO 6 /Co‐Pi) photocatalyst synthesized using simultaneous hydrothermal and electrodeposition techniques. Uniform Bi 2 MoO 6 nanoflakes formed on WO 3 nanoplates as evidenced by various micro-spectroscopic techniques. The as-prepared WO 3 /Bi 2 MoO 6 /Co‐Pi hetero-photocatalyst exhibited significantly high photoelectrochemical activity, where its photocurrent efficiency was 4.6 times greater than that of the constituent WO 3. Such drastic improvement in the PEC properties can be corroborated by the appropriate bandgap alignment among WO 3 , Bi 2 MoO 6 , and Co‐Pi, resulting in a sufficient charge carrier density with efficient, fast charge-transport complementing their structural-morphological synergy. Furthermore, a heterojunction charge-transfer mechanism was proposed to verify the role of the co-catalyst, Co‐Pi, in enhancing the photocurrent at the WO 3 /Bi 2 MoO 6 photoanode under the same applied bias. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

According to the complexity of ocean data, this paper adopts a parallel mining algorithm of association rules to explore the correlation and regularity of oxygen, temperature, phosphate, nitrate and silicate in the ocean. After the marine data is interpolated, this paper utilizes the parallel FP-growth algorithm to mine the data and then briefly analyzes the mining results of the frequent itemsets and association rules. The relationship between the parallel efficiency and the core number of CPU is analyzed through datasets with different scales. The experimental results indicate that the acceleration effect is ideal when each thread scored 200,000-300,000 data, which leads to more than 1.2 times of performance improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

This paper reports a study of leaching of uranium and P2O5 from Syrian phosphate using commercial nitric and hydrochloric acids. The effect of different parameters such as the liquid:solid ratio, the acid concentration, the leaching time and the reaction temperature is studied aiming optimization of various process parameters and hence maximization of uranium and P2O5 recovery. The optimal dissolution efficiency of uranium and P2O5 in hydrochloric acid referring to 88.46 % and 91.37 %, respectively, is obtained under the following conditions: a liquid:solid ratio of 5:1 mL:g, an acid concentration of 29.6 %, contact time of 25 min and a reaction temperature of 40°C. The optimal dissolution efficiency of uranium and P2O5 in nitric acid referring to 94.16 % and 93.07 %, respectively, is obtained under the following conditions: a liquid:solid ratio of 6:1 mL:g, an acid concentration of 40.9 %, contact time of 20 min and a reaction temperature of 50°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Laterite leach residue receives minimal attention, which causes severe environmental problems and resource wastage. In this paper, a facile and inexpensive method is proposed for preparing iron phosphate from laterite residues via phase transformation in phosphate medium. The laterite leach residue used in this study contains 59.2% Fe in the form of hematite. Based on the thermodynamic analysis of the system Fe 2 O 3 –H 3 PO 4 and characterization of X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM), phase transformation mechanism and operating conditions are determined. Phase transformation is divided into two stages, namely, dissolving and precipitating. Phase transformation should control pH-0.4 at first, which is beneficial to dissolving Fe 2 O 3 , and then increase pH to 1.8–3.9 to finish the precipitation of FePO 4. In experiments, hematite can be completely transformed into iron phosphate at the following optimal conditions: 90 °C, 3.0 mol/L H 3 PO 4 , 3 h, and liquid-to-solid ratio of 10:1 ml/g. XRD patterns and SEM images show that the crystal structure and pure phase of product match the standard iron phosphate well, and micro sheets aggregate to form a flowerlike morphology. Additionally, the initial discharge of the LFP synthesized by iron phosphate is 146.1 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C and shows good cycling performance at different C-rates. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy shows that the Rct LFP synthesized by precursors is 80.83 Ω. The novel and facile method to treat laterite residue solves not only environmental problems of residue accumulation and wastage of iron resource but also improves the economic benefits of laterite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Recovery of phosphorus (P) from wastewater has led to growing public concern considering its scarcity and future availability as well as its detrimental environmental impacts. However, the recovered P is inevitably contaminated with co-existing antibiotics like tetracycline (TC) and sulfamethazine (SMT) which will pose serious risks to the health of human and animals after being spread to the environment. In this study, we propose a novel scheme that can recover P from synthetic wastewater and at the same time degrade the co-existing antibiotics. To achieve such a goal, a series of biochar (BC) were prepared from calcination of waste sludge and were used both as the adsorbent for P recovery and as the catalyst for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation and antibiotic degradation. Results showed that the sludge source (i.e. S m : municipal sludge, S p : paper mill sludge), calcination atmosphere (i.e. air-deficient, N 2 , vacuum) and temperature (i.e. 600 and 800 °C) exhibited significant influence on P adsorption capacity. Generally, the BC calcined in N 2 showed better P uptake, and increase of calcination temperature from 600 °C to 800 °C could further improve P uptake. Though BC p-N-600 (prepared from S p in N 2 at 600 °C) showed faster and higher P uptake (56.3 mg/g) than its counterpart BC m-N-600 (33.2 mg/g), BC m-N-600 showed stronger catalytic activity and more stable performance in the complex pollutant system (P + SMT). It was proposed that P was recovered primarily through the chemisorption and precipitation mechanism, while SMT was nearly completely degraded primarily by the ROS generated from PMS activation. [Display omitted] • Sludge-derived biochar (BC) can be used as both P adsorbent and PMS activator. • BC showed perfect uptake for P, with CaO and MgO as main adsorption sites. • BC could activate PMS efficiently for antibiotic degradation. • BC from municipal sludge was more stable in complex pollutant removal. • The recovered P showed no contamination of antibiotics and oxidation byproducts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Recovery of phosphorus (P) from wastewater has led to growing public concern considering its scarcity and future availability as well as its detrimental environmental impacts. However, the recovered P is inevitably contaminated with co-existing antibiotics like tetracycline (TC) and sulfamethazine (SMT) which will pose serious risks to the health of human and animals after being spread to the environment. In this study, we propose a novel scheme that can recover P from synthetic wastewater and at the same time degrade the co-existing antibiotics. To achieve such a goal, a series of biochar (BC) were prepared from calcination of waste sludge and were used both as the adsorbent for P recovery and as the catalyst for peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation and antibiotic degradation. Results showed that the sludge source (i.e. S m : municipal sludge, S p : paper mill sludge), calcination atmosphere (i.e. air-deficient, N 2 , vacuum) and temperature (i.e. 600 and 800 °C) exhibited significant influence on P adsorption capacity. Generally, the BC calcined in N 2 showed better P uptake, and increase of calcination temperature from 600 °C to 800 °C could further improve P uptake. Though BC p-N-600 (prepared from S p in N 2 at 600 °C) showed faster and higher P uptake (56.3 mg/g) than its counterpart BC m-N-600 (33.2 mg/g), BC m-N-600 showed stronger catalytic activity and more stable performance in the complex pollutant system (P + SMT). It was proposed that P was recovered primarily through the chemisorption and precipitation mechanism, while SMT was nearly completely degraded primarily by the ROS generated from PMS activation. [Display omitted] • Sludge-derived biochar (BC) can be used as both P adsorbent and PMS activator. • BC showed perfect uptake for P, with CaO and MgO as main adsorption sites. • BC could activate PMS efficiently for antibiotic degradation. • BC from municipal sludge was more stable in complex pollutant removal. • The recovered P showed no contamination of antibiotics and oxidation byproducts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

The production of ionic liquids involves a metathesis step in which the desired anion and cation are combined. Depending on the desired product purity, this step can be accomplished by different methods, including acid base neutralisation reactions, the use of silver salts and electrodialysis. In this paper, electrodialysis metathesis is used for the production of choline dihydrogen phosphate. The influence of operating parameters was investigated. It was found that a high current density, low diluate and choline dihydrogen phosphate concentration yield the highest product purity. Furthermore, it was illustrated for the first time that electrodialysis metathesis is able to yield a product purity comparable with that obtained by using silver salts. An electrical efficiency of 94.0% for choline and 58.6% for dihydrogen phosphate was achieved. The total cost of the electrodialysis process was estimated at 0.06€ per mole of choline dihydrogen phosphate. The second aim of this paper is the characterization of the flow of impurities in electrodialysis metathesis. In addition, the effect of operating variables on this flow of impurities was quantified. In the further optimization of the electrodialysis metathesis process, this knowledge is likely to be of great interest in conducting salt metathesis reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...

Here, a novel Mg/Al-layered double oxide (MgAl-LDO) with a flower-like architecture was synthesized through facile green co-precipitation and calcination methods for phosphate separation and recycle from wastewater. The as-prepared MgAl-LDO demonstrated high specific surface area of 200.17 m2/g based on its 3D hierarchical flower-like structure. The phosphate adsorption was well conformed to Pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir model, suggesting a homogeneous monolayer chemisorption with a maximum adsorption capability of 103.61 mg P/g. The existence of Cl−, NO 3 − ions did not interfere with phosphate adsorption, while high concentration SO 4 2− and CO 3 2− affected the phosphate adsorption. In addition, adsorption mechanism analysis revealed that high-efficiency phosphate capture by MgAl-LDO was mainly due to the electrostatic adsorption, surface inner-sphere complexation, ligand exchange and precipitation combined process. Remarkably, the phosphate adsorbed MgAl-LDO (P-LDO) can be employed as synergistic flame retardant to improve the flame retardancy of paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] more...