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PubMed2004

Formation of silver bromide precipitate of nanoparticles in a single microemulsion utilizing the surfactant counterion.

Silver bromide precipitate of nanoparticles was prepared by addition of silver nitrate aqueous solution to a single microemulsion system consisting of dioctyldimethylammonium bromide, n-decanol, and water in isooctane. The silver ion reacted readily with the surfactant counterion, bromide, to form the precipitate of nanoparticles, which was stabilized in the water pools. The use of the surfactant counterion as a reactant is a new approach to nanoparticle preparation in microemulsions. It is characterized by high reactivity and less dependency on the intermicellar exchange of solubilizate. The effects of the surfactant and the cosurfactant concentrations, the amount of silver nitrate, and the water to surfactant mole ratio, R, were evaluated. Increasing the surfactant concentration at fixed R and amount of silver nitrate enhanced the role of intermicellar nucleation and resulted in the formation of larger particles, while increasing the amount of silver nitrate at fixed values of all the other variables enhanced the direct nucleation and resulted in the formation of smaller particles. Particle aggregation and flocculation took place when the concentration of n-decanol or the value of R was increased. Particle aggregation and flocculation were attributed to the decrease in the interaction between the surfactant protective layer and the nanoparticles in the water pools.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Chemical destabilization of oil-in-water emulsion by novel polymerized diethanolamines.

The main objective of this study was to synthesize novel demulsifiers for resolving oil-in-water emulsions. Diethanolamine polyethers are considered as a cationic polymer type. The study describes an improved synthesis of a series of diethanolamine polyethers via condensation of 3-7 or 9 mol of diethanolamine. The structure and the molecular weights of the major components in the reaction mixture were confirmed via IR and MS analyses. The demulsifiers were used for treatment of pollution in the refinery wastewater with or without FeCl3. The flocculation efficiency of the synthesized demulsifiers was determined by turbidity measurement of the treated and untreated O/W emulsion in the Cairo Oil Refinery Company. The critical flocculation concentration (CFC) and charge density of the synthesized demulsifiers were determined. Biodegradation of diethanolamine polyethers was measured in river water within 7-8 days.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Rheological properties of nanopowder alumina coated with adsorbed fatty acids.

The rheological properties of a nanosized alumina powder coated with fatty acid steric stabilizers of varying chain length were investigated. The storage and loss moduli of the complex modulus were measured to characterize the behavior of the flocculated systems. As chain length increased, there was a transition from an elastic response to fluid behavior. However, the fluid system developed elastic characteristics at relatively low volume fractions of 22%. The length of the steric barrier required to produce the fluid dispersion was estimated to be approximately 2 nm and correlates with attractive interactions on the order of the system thermal energy. Moreover, in the flocculated systems, the storage modulus was found to be higher than reported previously in the literature. These higher values were related to the additional attractive forces due to van der Waals attractions between the hydrocarbon tails of the adsorbed fatty acid layers.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2005

Microstructure of beta-lactoglobulin-stabilized emulsions containing non-ionic surfactant and excess free protein: influence of heating.

The influence of the non-ionic surfactant Tween 20 on the microstructure of beta-lactoglobulin-stabilized emulsions with substantial excess free protein present was investigated via confocal microscopy. The separate distributions of oil droplets and protein were determined using two different fluorescent dyes. In the emulsion at ambient temperature the excess protein and protein-coated oil droplets were associated together in a reversibly flocculated state. The pore-size distribution of the initial flocculated emulsion was found to depend on the surfactant/protein ratio R, and at higher values of R the system became more inhomogeneous due to areas of local phase separation. Evidence for competitive displacement of protein from the oil-water interface by surfactant was obtained only on heating (from 25 to 85 degrees C) during the process of formation of a heat-set emulsion gel. By measuring fluorescence intensities of the protein dye inside and outside of the oil-droplet-rich areas, we have been able to quantify the evolving protein distribution during the thermal processing. The results are discussed in relation to previous work on the competitive adsorption of proteins and surfactants in emulsions and the effect of emulsion droplets on the rheology of heat-set protein gels.

Emulsions↗

PubMed2005

Rheology and UV protection properties of suspensions of fine titanium dioxides in a silicone oil.

Ultrafine particles of titanium dioxide (TiO2) are very attractive as a UV protection ingredient in cosmetic products. The UV-scattering behavior of TiO2 suspensions in a silicone oil are studied in relation to rheological properties. To control the dispersion stability of suspensions, two types of polyether-modified silicones are used as dispersants. When the suspensions are prepared with branch-type dispersants in which the polyether groups are incorporated as side chains along the backbone, the flow is shear-thinning even at low shear rates. The appearance of plateaus in the frequency-dependence curves of storage modulus implies the solidlike responses. On the other hand, the suspensions prepared with linear conformation dispersants, in which the silicone group and polyether group are alternately repeated in one long chain, are Newtonian at low shear rates. The suspensions are regarded as liquids, because the storage modulus decreases rapidly in the low-frequency region. The suspension rheology is strongly associated with flocculated structures that are primarily controlled by the interparticle attractions. The differences in rheological behavior can be explained by the differences in the adsorbed conformation of dispersant silicones. From optical measurements, it is confirmed that UV scattering increases with decreasing flocculation degree. Therefore, good agreement is established between rheological properties and UV protection ability.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2006

Beta-lactoglobulin-dextran Maillard conjugates: their effect on interfacial thickness and emulsion stability.

The influence of dextran molecular weight on the steric layer thickness and oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion flocculation stability of beta-lactoglobulin-dextran Maillard conjugates was investigated. Maillard conjugates were formed by reacting beta-lactoglobulin with various molecular weight dextrans (Mw = 18.5-440 kDa) under mild conditions (60 degrees C, 76% RH). Purified Maillard conjugates or beta-lactoglobulin were adsorbed onto latex spheres and the thickness of the adsorbed layer measured using photon correlation spectroscopy. The adsorbed layer thickness was 3 nm for beta-lactoglobulin alone. Attachment of dextran increased adsorbed layer thickness to 5 nm for the conjugate with low molecular weight dextran (Mw = 18.5 kDa) and 20 nm for that with high molecular weight dextran (Mw = 440 kDa). Enzymatic digestion of the adsorbed layers with dextranase reduced the layer to a thickness corresponding to that of beta-lactoglobulin alone. This suggests that the protein segment of the Maillard conjugate anchors the emulsifier to the interface. Attachment of dextran, irrespective of its molecular weight (18.5-440 kDa), increased the stability of emulsions against calcium induced flocculation, demonstrating that a low molecular weight dextran is sufficient for imparting high steric stability. The observation that the steric layer size was controlled by the dextran molecular weight, suggests that the results of layer thickness and emulsion stability should be universal across all globular proteins.

Dextrans↗

PubMed2006

Light scattering study on the size and structure of calcium phosphate/hydroxyapatite flocs formed in sugar solutions.

The formation, flocculation and sedimentation of calcium phosphate particles are among the main physico-chemical reactions that occur during the clarification of cane sugar juice. The mechanisms through which processes occur in juice clarification are still poorly understood. This study (being part of a comprehensive investigation to unravel these mechanisms) reports on the size and structure of calcium phosphate particles and aggregates in water and sugar solutions at 20 degrees C using the small angle laser light scattering technique. The average size of the primary calcium phosphate particles was in the range 10.4+/-1.1 microm to 17.5+/-1.2 microm and the scattering exponents, which describe the structure of the calcium phosphate flocs, varied from 1.97 to 2.76. The flocs formed without flocculant are more compact in water than those formed in sugar solution. The compactness of the flocs was also affected by pH of the solution. This effect has been explained by considering the electrical double layer phenomenon.

Carbohydrates↗

PubMed2004

Preparation of polyelectrolytes for wastewater treatment.

Liquid-phase polymerisation of acrylamide-acrylic acid to form polyelectrolytes used in wastewater cleaning was examined using accelerated electron beam and microwave irradiation methods. Polymerisation was carried out in aqueous solutions at temperatures approximately 60 degrees C. Monomers total concentration was established at 40% (36% acrylamide and 4% acrylic acid). Only using the features of simultaneous radiation-induction and microwave heating can result in the formation of linear polymer chains with good water solubility and low residual monomer concentration. The flocculation capacity of the obtained polymers was tested using two wastewaters, one sampled from a slaughterhouse and the other from a vegetable oil plant. Quality indicators such as total suspended matters (TSM), chemical oxygen demand (COD), biological oxygen demand (BOD) and fat, oils and grease (FOG) were measured before and after the treatment with polymeric flocculants and compared with the results obtained in classical treatment with Al(2)(SO(4))(3). It was found that the combined treatment with polymers and Al(2)(SO(4))(3) increases the degree of purification of both wastewaters up to 99%.

Acrylamide↗

PubMed2006

Characterization and photo-Fenton treatment of used tires leachate.

In this study the leachates derived from used tires were firstly characterized by means of the evaluation of their organic matter content. The leachate from tire powder presented a COD value of 508 mg O(2) l(-1) and a TOC of 214 mg Cl (-1). The main identified organic substances were constituents of the rubber structure: benzothiazole derivatives, phthalates, phenolic derivatives, hydrocarbons and fatty acids. The application of photo-Fenton treatment was investigated in order to obtain the maximum organic matter removal. When a solar chamber as light source was used (light intensity=500 Wm(-2)), the best operational conditions were the following: [H(2)O(2)]=3703 mg l(-1), [Fe(2+)]=92.1 mg l(-1), initial pH 2.7-3.0, reaction time=100 min. After the photo-Fenton treatment at optimum conditions, the reached COD and TOC reduction was 64% and 48%, respectively. The main initial organic substances were eliminated after the reaction and no significant by-products were identified. A complementary treatment consisted of coagulation-flocculation carried out with FeCl(3) x 6H(2)O at pH 12 produced a maximum organic matter removal of 43% as COD and 39% as TOC. A combination of photo-Fenton followed by coagulation-flocculation enhanced the organic matter removal: a reduction of 77% of COD and 64% of TOC was attained.

Chemical Phenomena↗

PubMed2006

Characterization of the phosphate adsorption and morphology of sediment particles under simulative disturbing conditions.

The behavior of nutrient release and adsorption from sediments was influenced by hydrodynamic disturbance significantly. The resuspension/sedimentation processes of sediment particles and phosphate adsorption in Taihu Lake were investigated under different disturbing intensity by utilizing simulative conditions. The effect of morphological characteristics of suspended particles on phosphate adsorption was also studied. In order to elucidate the characteristics of particles suspended by disturbance, the size and structure of particles during different time were monitored on-line by using photometric dispersion and particles image analysis. The method of fractal geometry to explore the morphology characteristics of particles was also used. The results showed that sediments suspended obviously and the phosphate concentration of overlying water decreased rapidly when strong disturbance was applied. Moreover, two different disturbing conditions, one was static condition without wind and the other was weak disturbing intensity with slow wind velocity, following heavy disturbance were compared, and it turned out that the turbidity and phosphate concentration were lower in the latter because the size and the structure of suspended particles were more favorable in the latter disturbing condition. The flocculation index of suspended particles was 0.25 and characteristic length was 30 microm under 100 rpm disturbance; comparatively, when heavy disturbance increased to 120 rpm, the flocculation index grew up to 0.60 and the characteristic length was greater than 60 microm. The fractal dimensions of suspended particles were between 1.65 and 1.92.

Adsorption↗

PubMed2006

Ultrasonic treatment on activated sewage sludge from petro-plant for reduction.

In this essay, the influences of low frequency ultrasound (20 kHz) on dewater ability and anaerobic digestion behaviors of activated sewage sludge, obtained from Yangzi Water Treatment Plant, Yangzi Petrochemical Corporation, were discussed. Ultrasound pretreatment could enhance the filtration progress and decrease the moisture content of the sludge from 99% to 80%. Together with flocculant, the ultrasound pretreatment decreased the specific filtration resistance (SFR) of the sludge from 3.59 x 10(12) m/kg to 1.18 x 10(12) m/kg and saved about 25-50% of the flocculant dosage. Bound water of the sludge was measured by dilatometer. After 2-4 min treatment of ultrasound under intensity of 400 W/m(2), the bound water of sludge decreased from 16.7 g/g (dry base) to above 2.0 g/g (dry base). Ultrasound pretreatment could also enhance digestion and reduce digestion time. To the same resolution ratio, such as 49%, the digestion time of sludge with ultrasound pretreatment was 7 days less than that without ultrasound. Proper ultrasound pretreatment could also improve the dewater ability of the digested sludge, the final moisture of which was 73.7%.

Dose-Response Relationship, Radiation↗

PubMed2005

A simple purification and activity assay of the coagulant protein from Moringa oleifera seed.

Use of extracts from Moringa oleifera (MO) is of great interest for low-cost water treatment. This paper discusses water and salt extraction of a coagulant protein from the seed, purification using ion exchange, its chemical characteristics, coagulation and antimicrobial properties. The coagulant from both extracts is a cationic protein with pI greater than 9.6 and molecular mass less than 6.5 kDa. Mass spectrometric analysis of the purified water extract indicated that it contained at least four homologous proteins, based on MS/MS peptide sequence data. The protein is thermoresistant and remained active after 5h heat treatment at 95 degrees C. The coagulant protein showed both flocculating and antibacterial effects of 1.1--4 log reduction. With samples of high turbidity, the MO extract showed similar coagulation activity as alum. Cecropin A and MO extract were found to have similar flocculation effects for clay and microorganisms. Simple methods for both the purification and assay of MO coagulating proteins are presented, which are necessary for large-scale water treatment applications.

Anti-Bacterial Agents↗

PubMed2005

Nitrogen and phosphorus removal from an abattoir wastewater in a SBR with aerobic granular sludge.

The formation and performance of granular sludge was studied in an 8l sequencing batch reactor (SBR) treating an abattoir (slaughterhouse) wastewater. Influent concentrations averaged 1,520 mg l(-1) volatile suspended solids (VSS), 7,685 mg l(-1) Chemical oxygen demand (COD), 1,057 mg l(-1) total kjeldahl nitrogen (TKN), 217 mg l(-1) total P. The COD loading was 2.6 kgm(-3)d(-1). The SBR was seeded with flocculating sludge from a SBR with an 1h settle time, but granules developed within 4 days by reducing the settle time to 2 min. The SBR cycle also had 120 min mixed (anaerobic) fill, 220 min aerated react, and 18 min draw/idle. The granules had a mean diameter of 1.7 mm, a specific gravity of 1.035, a density of 62 g VSS l(-1), a zone settling velocity (ZSV) of 51 mh(-1), and a sludge volume index (SVI) of 22 ml g(-1). Without optimizing process conditions, removal of COD and P were over 98%, and removal of N and VSS were over 97%. Nitrification and denitrification occurred simultaneously during react. The results indicate that conventional SBRs treating wastewaters with flocculating sludge can be converted to granular SBRs by reducing the settle time.

Abattoirs↗

PubMed2003

Interfacial interactions between amphiphilic cyclodextrins and physiologically relevant cations.

The compression isotherms of a series of amphiphilic cyclodextrins, formed (a) by acylation at the secondary hydroxyl face and (b) by acylation accompanied by varying degrees of sulfatation (DS) at the primary hydroxyl face (DS=0, 4, and 7), have been studied on subphases of pure water and of water containing NaCl, KCl, MgCl(2), and CaCl(2) at inter- and extracellular concentrations. The formation of solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) by two of the molecules has been observed, while these do not aggregate at concentrations of monovalent salts up to 150 mM for the sulfated derivative. In the presence of divalent salts one of these with a DS=0 for sulfatation degree flocculates at divalent salt concentrations below 0.1 mM while the other with a DS=4 flocculates at Mg(2+) concentration above 5 mM and a Ca(2+) concentration above 3 mM. AFM noncontact mode imaging has been carried out, in air, for the SLNs deposited on mica.

Cations↗

PubMed2003

Adsorptive removal of methylene blue from colored effluents on fuller's earth.

The adsorption behavior of methylene blue (MB) on four fuller's earth (FE) samples of varying compositions was investigated using a spectrophotometric technique to obtain information on the color removal. The distribution coefficient (K(D)) increased with an increase in the initial concentration (C(0)) of the dye, attained a maximum value, and decreased again at higher initial concentrations. Dye solutions became colorless for a C(0) value corresponding to maximum K(D). A progressively increased flocculation behavior in the clay suspensions was observed and the maximum value of K(D) corresponds to optimum flocculation of the clay. The K(D) values were found to decrease exponentially after of the solution again became colored while the amount adsorbed increased with an increase in the initial concentration of MB. Only adsorption data obtained for this region could be defined by adsorption isotherm equations. The shifts of the C(0) values corresponding to K(D)(max) toward higher concentrations were correlated with the composition of FE samples by using XRF, XRD patterns, and SEM images. The influence of temperature on MB adsorption was also studied and thermodynamic parameters were calculated.

Journal Article↗

PubMed2003

Analysis of the structure of very large bacterial aggregates by small-angle multiple light scattering and confocal image analysis.

This work aims at developing a more accurate measurement of the physical parameters of fractal dimension and the size distribution of large fractal aggregates by small-angle light scattering. The theory of multiple scattering has been of particular interest in the case of fractal aggregates for which Rayleigh theory is no longer valid. The introduction of multiple scattering theory into the interpretation of scattering by large bacterial aggregates has been used to calculate the fractal dimension and size distribution. The fractal dimension is calculated from the form factor F(q) at large scattering angles. At large angles the fractal dimension can also be computed by considering only the influence of the very local environment on the optical contrast around a subunit. The fractal dimensions of E. coli strains flocculated with two different cationic polymers have been computed by two techniques: static light scattering and confocal image analysis. The fractal dimensions calculated with both techniques at different flocculation times are very similar: between 1.90 and 2.19. The comparison between two completely independent techniques confirms the theoretical approach of multiple scattering of large flocs using the Mie theory. Size distributions have been calculated from light-scattering data taking into account the linear independence of the structure factor S(q) relative to each size class and using the fractal dimension measured from F(q) in the large-angle range or from confocal image analysis. The results are very different from calculations made using hard-sphere particle models. The size distribution is displaced toward the larger sizes when multiple scattering is considered. Using this new approach to the analysis of very large fractal aggregates by static light multiple scattering, the fractal dimension and size distribution can be calculated using two independent parts of the scattering curve.

Bacteria↗

PubMed2003

Application of the method of images on electrostatic phenomena in aqueous Al2O3 and ZrO2 suspensions.

A new solution for the Poisson equation for the diffuse part of the double layer around spherical particles will be presented. The numerical results are compared with the solution of the well-known DLVO theory. The range of the diffuse layer differs considerably in the two theories. Also, the inconsistent representation of the surface and diffuse layer charge in the DLVO theory do not occur in the new theory. Experimental zeta potential measurements were used to determine the charge of colloidal Al2O3 and ZrO2 particles. It is shown that the calculated charge can be interpreted as a superposition of independent H+ and OH- adsorption isotherms. The corresponding Langmuir adsorption isotherms are taken to model the zeta potential dependence on pH. In the vicinity of the isoelectric point the model fits well with the experimental data, but at higher ion concentrations considerable deviations occur. The deviations are discussed. Furthermore, the numerical results for the run of the potential in the diffuse part of the double layer were used to determine the electrostatic interaction potential between the particles in correlation with the zeta potential measurements. The corresponding total interaction potentials, including the van der Waals attraction, were taken to calculate the coagulation half-life for a suspension with a particle loading of 2 vol%. It is shown that stability against coagulation is maintained for Al2O3 particles in the pH region between 3.3 and 7 and for ZrO2 only around pH 5. Stability against flocculation can be achieved in the pH regime between 4.5 and 7 for Al2O3, while the examined ZrO2 particles are not stable against flocculation in aqueous suspensions.

Journal Article↗

PubMed1998

Effect of coating of aluminum carboxymethylcellulose beads on the release and bioavailability of diclofenac sodium.

The production of spheres loaded with diclofenac sodium by the cross linking technique was achieved. The hydrophilic polymer sodium carboxymethylcellulose (Na-CMC) which gels in the presence of a cross linking agent, aluminum chloride (AlCl3), was used as a matrix forming agent for the bead production. To obtain a regular and uniform rate of drug release, the produced beads were coated with sodium alginate to increase the pathway of the diffused medium. Two processing variables were studied, the flocculating agent concentration (20, 40 and 60% w/v) and different coating times (15, 30 and 60 min). The results show that the higher concentrations of aluminum chloride (40 and 60% w/v) produced more uniform and rounded beads than that prepared using 20% w/v salt. The particle size of the core beads decreased insignificantly (P > 0.05) as the flocculating agent concentration increased. The coating time did not affect the particle size of the coated beads within the same concentration of aluminum chloride. The dissolution studies showed that the release rate of diclofenac sodium from the core beads increased with the increase of AlCl3 concentration and that the rate of drug release was markedly reduced after the coating of the core beads with Na-alginate. The results also show a linear relationship for drug release over a 4-5 h period from the core beads where it showed a longer straight line relationship (7 h) for the coated beads. The coating of the Al-CMC beads, prepared using 60% w/v AlCl3.6H2O, with 2% w/v aqueous solution of Na-alginate resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) sustaining action of the Al-CMC beads as indicated by the shift in Tmax from 1.7 +/- 0.84 to 3 +/- 0.71 h and the prolongation of the MRT from 7.86 +/- 0.54 to 10.82 +/- 1.33 h. The Cmax increased significantly from 5.43 +/- 2.91 to 11.66 +/- 6.18 micrograms/ml while the AUC0-->24 increased insignificantly (P > 0.05) from 39.82 +/- 26.61 to 57.92 +/- 25.58 micrograms h/ml resulting in a relative bioavailability of 145.45% relative to Al-CMC beads.

Administration, Oral↗