Quantification of carboxyl-functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes in plant tissues with programmed thermal analysis.

In this study, carboxyl functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes (c-MWCNTs) in plant (lettuce [Lactuca sativa Bionda Ricciolina]) tissues were quantitatively analyzed with programmed thermal analysis coupled with a sequential digestion. Programmed thermal analysis evidenced a linear relationship between c-MWCNT-bound C and elemental C detected. A detection limit of 114-708 µg C g-1 plant tissues (dry mass) was achieved for analysis of c-MWCNTs. The method was demonstrated using the tissues of lettuce cultured hydroponically for 3 wk with c-MWCNTs at an exposure of 10 and 20 µg ml-1 . This quantitative analysis can be used to provide insights into carbon nanotube exposure through agricultural products and promote its sustainable application.

Microbial Transformation of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes by Mycobacterium vanbaalenii PYR-1.

Carbonaceous nanomaterials are widely used in industry and consumer products, but concerns have been raised regarding their release into the environment and subsequent impacts on ecosystems and human health. Although many efforts have been devoted to understanding the environmental fate of carbonaceous nanomaterials, information about their microbial transformation is still rare. In this study, we found that within 1 month a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-degrading bacterium, Mycobacterium vanbaalenii PYR-1, was able to degrade both pristine and carboxyl-functionalized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (p-MWCNT and c-MWCNT), as demonstrated by consistent results from high resolution transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and confocal Raman microspectroscopy. Statistical analysis of Raman spectra identified a significant increase in the density of disordered or amorphous carbon in p-MWCNT and c-MWCNT after biodegradation. Microbial respiration further suggested potential mineralization of MWCNTs within about 1 month. All of our analyses consistently showed higher degradation or mineralization of c-MWCNT compared to p-MWCNT. These results highlight the potential of using bacteria in engineered systems to remove residual carbonaceous nanomaterials and reduce risk of human exposure and environmental impact. Meanwhile, our finding suggests possible transformation of carbonaceous nanomaterials by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon-degrading bacteria in the natural environment, which should be accounted for in predicting the environmental fate of these emerging contaminants and in nanotechnology risk regulation.

Electrochemical treatment of Orange II dye solution--use of aluminum sacrificial electrodes and floc characterization.

Electrocoagulation (EC) of Orange II dye in a flow through cell with aluminum as sacrificial electrodes was carried out under varying conditions of dye concentration, current density, flow rate, conductivity, and the initial pH of the solution in order to optimize the operating parameters for maximum benefits. Maximum removal efficiency of 94.5% was obtained at the following conditions: dye concentration=10 ppm, current density=160 A/m(2), initial pH 6.5, conductance=7.1 mS/cm, flow rate=350 mL/min, and concentration of added NaCl=4.0 g/L of dye solution. The EC-floc was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and powder X-ray diffraction techniques. The removal mechanism has been proposed that is in compliance with the Pourbaix diagram, solubility curve of aluminum oxides/hydroxides, and physico-chemical properties of the EC-floc.