ORCID Profile
0000-0003-1022-4705
Current Organisation
Sun Yat-Sen University
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Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.JHAZMAT.2018.11.047
Abstract: Highly efficient and cost-effective adsorbents for phosphate (P) recovery are the key to control eutrophication and recover phosphorus from waste streams to enhance food production. This study assembled corn stalk-derived biochar (BC) with various forms of layered double hydroxides (LDHs) (B-M-LDH) through simultaneous pyrolysis of waste biomass and metal (i.e., Zn/Al, Mg/Al, and Ni/Fe) hydroxide precipitates. Batch sorption experiments evaluated the kinetics and isotherms of phosphate adsorption as well as the influence of pH value and co-existing anions. Morphological characterization showed that crystalline LDH flakes were impregnated within the framework of fabricated B-M-LDH composites. Superior P adsorption capacity (152.1 mg (P) g
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.ENVINT.2019.01.076
Abstract: Thallium (Tl) is a typical toxic metal, which poses a great threat to human health through drinking water and the food chain (biomagnification). China has rich Tl-bearing mineral resources, which have been extensively explored and utilized, leading to release of large amounts of Tl into the environment. However, research on Tl pollution and removal techniques is relatively limited, because Tl has not been listed within the scope of environmental monitoring in China for several decades. This paper reviewed Tl pollution in wastewater arising from various industries in China, as well as the latest available methods for treating Tl-containing industrial wastewater, in order to give an outlook on effective technologies for controlling Tl pollution. Conventional physical and chemical treatment technologies are efficient at removing trace amounts of Tl, but it proved to be difficult to achieve the stringent environmental standard (≤0.1-5 μg/L) cost-effectively. Adsorption by using newly developed nanomaterials, and metal oxide modified polymer materials and microbial fuel cells are highly promising and expected to become next-generation technologies for remediation of Tl pollution. With the potential for greater Tl contamination in the environment under accelerated growth of industrialization, researches based on lab-scale implementation of such promising treatment technologies should be further expanded to pilot and industrial scale, ensuring environmental protection and the safety of drinking water for sustainable development. Comprehensive insights into experiences of Tl pollution in China and in-depth perspectives on new frontier technologies of Tl removal from wastewaters will also benefit other nations/regions worldwide, which are susceptible to high exposure to Tl likewise.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.ENVPOL.2017.09.052
Abstract: The increasing application of iron-based nanoparticles (NPs), especially high concentrations of zero-valent iron nanoparticles (nZVI), has raised concerns regarding their environmental behavior and potential ecological effects. In the environment, iron-based NPs undergo physical, chemical, and/or biological transformations as influenced by environmental factors such as pH, ions, dissolved oxygen, natural organic matter (NOM), and biotas. This review presents recent research advances on environmental transformations of iron-based NPs, and articulates their relationships with the observed toxicities. The type and extent of physical, chemical, and biological transformations, including aggregation, oxidation, and bio-reduction, depend on the properties of NPs and the receiving environment. Toxicities of iron-based NPs to bacteria, algae, fish, and plants are increasingly observed, which are evaluated with a particular focus on the underlying mechanisms. The toxicity of iron-based NPs is a function of their properties, tolerance of test organisms, and environmental conditions. Oxidative stress induced by reactive oxygen species is considered as the primary toxic mechanism of iron-based NPs. Factors influencing the toxicity of iron-based NPs are addressed and environmental transformations play a significant role, for ex le, surface oxidation or coating by NOM generally lowers the toxicity of nZVI. Research gaps and future directions are suggested with an aim to boost concerted research efforts on environmental transformations and toxicity of iron-based NPs, e.g., toxicity studies of transformed NPs in field, expansion of toxicity endpoints, and roles of laden contaminants and surface coating. This review will enhance our understanding of potential risks of iron-based NPs and proper uses of environmentally benign NPs.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2020
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2019.136080
Abstract: The application of pesticides reduces the loss of crops while simultaneously increasing crop productivity. However, the frequent use of pesticides can cause serious environmental problems due to their high accumulative and persistent nature. Recently, microalgae technology has received considerable success in the efficient treatment of pesticides pollution. In this review, the metabolic mechanisms responsible for the removal of pesticides are summarized based on previous studies. Different methods used to enhance the ability of microalgae to remove pesticides are critically evaluated. The recycling of microalgae biomass after wastewater treatment for biochar preparation and biodiesel production using the biorefinery approach is also introduced. Furthermore, we present potential future research directions to highlight the prospects of microalgae research in the removal of pesticides along with the production of value-added products.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.CHEMOSPHERE.2016.09.120
Abstract: Zero-valent iron (ZVI) was tested for the removal of 150 μg L
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2016.11.141
Abstract: Hydraulic fracturing has advanced the development of shale gas extraction, while inadvertent spills of flowback water may pose a risk to the surrounding environment due to its high salt content, metals/metalloids (As, Se, Fe and Sr), and organic additives. This study investigated the potential impact of flowback water on four representative soils from shale gas regions in Northeast China using synthetic flowback solutions. The compositions of the solutions were representative of flowback water arising at different stages after fracturing well establishment. The effects of solution composition of flowback water on soil ecosystem were assessed in terms of metal mobility and bioaccessibility, as well as biological endpoints using Microtox bioassay (Vibrio fischeri) and enzyme activity tests. After one-month artificial aging of the soils with various flowback solutions, the mobility and bioaccessibility of As(V) and Se(VI) decreased as the ionic strength of the flowback solutions increased. The results inferred a stronger binding affinity of As(V) and Se(VI) with the soils. Nevertheless, the soil toxicity to Vibrio fischeri only presented a moderate increase after aging, while dehydrogenase and phosphomonoesterase activities were significantly suppressed with increasing ionic strength of flowback solutions. On the contrary, polyacrylamide in the flowback solutions led to higher dehydrogenase activity. These results indicated that soil enzyme activities were sensitive to the composition of flowback solutions. A preliminary human health risk assessment related to As(V) suggested a low level of cancer risk through exposure via ingestion, while holistic assessment of environmental implications is required.
Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)
Date: 29-04-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2017.09.332
Abstract: In this study, alginate and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-alginate entrapped nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) was tested for structural evolution, chemical transformation, and metals/metalloids removal (Cu(II), Cr(VI), Zn(II), and As(V)) after 1-2month passivation in model saline wastewaters from hydraulic fracturing. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed successful prevention of Fe
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2020
DOI: 10.1016/J.ENVRES.2020.109156
Abstract: The selective degradation of recalcitrant antibiotics into byproducts with low toxicity and high biodegradability has been increasingly popular using peroxymonosulfate (PMS) based advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). In this paper, two Fe-based heterogeneous catalysts, bentonite supported Fe-Ni composite (BNF) and biochar-supported Fe composite (Fe/C), were tailored and comprehensively characterized for distinctive physicochemical properties, crystalline structures, and interfacial behaviors. Two widely used antibiotics, sulfapyridine (SPY) and oxytetracycline (OTCs) at their common concentrations in pharmaceutical wastewaters (250 and 10 mg L
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.BIORTECH.2022.127838
Abstract: This study innovated the concept in designing an efficient and reusable microwave (MW) absorbent through concurrent exploitation of carbon graphitization, oxygen functionalization, and carbothermal iron reduction underpinned by an endothermic co-pyrolysis of wood waste and low-dosage iron. A powerful MW assimilation was accomplished from nanoscale amorphous magnetic particles as well as graphitized microporous carbon-iron skeleton in the biochar composites. Relative to a weak magnetic loss derived from the iron phase, the graphitic carbon architecture with abundant surface functionalities (i.e., CO and CO) exhibited a strong dielectric loss, which was thus prioritized as major active sites during MW reuse. The MW-absorbing biochar demonstrated a fast, robust, and durable removal of a refractory herbicide (2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid) under mild MW irradiation with zero chemical input, low electricity consumption, and negligible Fe dissolution. Overall, this study will foster carbon-neutral industrial wastewater treatment and wood waste valorization.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.JHAZMAT.2021.127060
Abstract: The science-informed design of 'green' carbonaceous materials (e.g., biochar and activated carbon) with high removal capacity of recalcitrant organic contaminants (e.g., pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs)) is indispensable for promoting sustainable wastewater treatment. In this study, machine learning (ML) incorporating PPCPs and biochar properties as well as adsorption conditions were applied to build adsorption prediction models and explore the contributions of various biochar's inherent properties to their PPCPs adsorption capacity. The results demonstrated that the models developed by detailed biochar properties (e.g., surface functionality and hierarchical porous structure) from advanced microscopic and spectroscopic techniques were more accurate (i.e., the root-mean-square error decreased by 18-24%) than those by general information such as bulk elemental composition and total pore volume. The relative importance of surface carbon functionalities ranked in the order of C-O bond > CO bond > non-polar carbon for predicting the adsorption capacity. According to the partial dependence analysis, the average pore diameters of adsorbents that were larger than the maximum diameter of PPCPs molecules by 1.5-fold to 2.5-fold favored the PPCPs adsorption. This study reveals new insights into the adsorption of PPCPs and provides a comprehensive reference for the sustainable engineering of biochar adsorbents for PPCPs wastewater treatment.
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Date: 2020
DOI: 10.1039/D0GC00717J
Abstract: Biochar-based carbocatalysis is synergized from electroactive components including reactive-active moieties, metals, defective sites, heteroatoms, and graphitic structure for sustainable remediation.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2021.151124
Abstract: The science-informed design of stable carbonaceous materials as 'green' soil amendment will be indispensable for improving the soil fertility and carbon sequestration ability. In this study, a series of biochars were prepared from mineral-rich cellulosic corn straw (C), lignocellulosic pine wood (P), and lignin-rich walnut shell (W) at 500 or 700 °C. Their change of carbon stability after 90-day interaction with two typical soil clay minerals (i.e., kaolinite or montmorillonite) under a field-relevant condition (mass ratio of biochar to soil clay at 1:5) was evaluated as carbon loss (%) determined by the K
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 07-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.JHAZMAT.2019.04.071
Abstract: This study fabricated a new and multifunctional mixed metal-biochar composites (MMBC) using the mixture of two abundant industrial wastes, red mud (RM) and lignin, via pyrolysis under N
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.ENVPOL.2017.01.044
Abstract: Produced water is a type of wastewater generated from hydraulic fracturing, which may pose a risk to the environment and humans due to its high ionic strength and the presence of elevated concentrations of metals/metalloids that exceed maximum contamination levels. The mobilization of As(V) and Se(VI) in produced water and selected soils from Qingshankou Formation in the Songliao Basin in China were investigated using column experiments and synthetic produced water whose quality was representative of waters arising at different times after well creation. Temporal effects of produced water on metal/metalloid transport and sorption/desorption were investigated by using HYDRUS-1D transport modelling. Rapid breakthrough and long tailings of As(V) and Se(VI) transport were observed in Day 1 and Day 14 solutions, but were reduced in Day 90 solution probably due to the elevated ionic strength. The influence of produced water on the hydrogeological conditions (i.e., change between equilibrium and non-equilibrium transport) was evidenced by the change of tracer breakthrough curves before and after the leaching of produced water. This possibly resulted from the sorption of polyacrylamide (PAM (-CH
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2019
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.ENVINT.2019.02.019
Abstract: Shale gas extraction via horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing (HF) has enhanced gas production worldwide, which has altered global energy markets and reduced the prices of natural gas and oil. Water management has become the most challenging issue of HF, as it demands vast amounts of freshwater and generates high volumes of complex liquid wastes contaminated by erse potentially toxic elements at variable rates. This critical review focuses on characterizing HF wastewater and establishing strategies to mitigate environmental impacts. High prioritization was given to the constituents with mean concentrations over 10 times greater than the maximum contamination level (MCL) guidelines for drinking water. A number of potentially harmful organic compounds in HF wastewaters were identified via the risk quotient approach to predict the associated toxicity for freshwater organisms in recipient surface waters. Currently, two options for HF wastewater treatment are preferred, i.e., disposal by deep well injection or on-site re-use as a fracturing fluid. Supplementary treatment will be enforced by increasingly rigorous regulations. Partial treatment and reuse remain the preferred method for managing HF wastewater where feasible. Otherwise, advanced technologies such as membrane separation/distillation, forward osmosis, mechanical vapor compression, electrocoagulation, advanced oxidation, and adsorption-biological treatment will be required to satisfy the sustainable requirements for reuse or surface discharge.
Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Date: 2019
DOI: 10.1039/C9GC01843C
Abstract: Engineered biochar synergized from copper heteroatoms and CO 2 fosters non-radical persulfate activation for sustainable remediation.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.BIORTECH.2018.06.029
Abstract: Pyrolyzing low-cost agro-waste into biochar is a promising means for waste biomass utilization. This study engineers corn stalk-derived biochar with abundant hydrophilic functional groups as a support material for iron nanoparticles impregnation (nZVI-HCS). Surface chemistry and morphology of nZVI-HCS composites is characterized by SEM, TEM, TG, XRD, FTIR, XPS, and BET techniques, which helps to elucidate the mechanisms of Pb
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2017
DOI: 10.1016/J.CHEMOSPHERE.2017.02.119
Abstract: Nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) was tested for the removal of Cu(II), Zn(II), Cr(VI), and As(V) in model saline wastewaters from hydraulic fracturing. Increasing ionic strength (I) from 0.35 to 4.10 M (Day-1 to Day-90 wastewaters) increased Cu(II) removal (25.4-80.0%), inhibited Zn(II) removal (58.7-42.9%), slightly increased and then reduced Cr(VI) removal (65.7-44.1%), and almost unaffected As(V) removal (66.7-75.1%) by 8-h reaction with nZVI at 1-2 g L
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.ENVINT.2019.01.047
Abstract: This paper evaluates a novel sorbent for the removal of potentially toxic elements, inherent cations, and hetero-chloride from hydraulic fracturing wastewater (FWW). A series of iron-biochar (Fe-BC) composites with different Fe/BC impregnation mass ratios (0.5:1, 1:1, and 2:1) were prepared by mixing forestry wood waste-derived BC powder with an aqueous FeCl
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.JHAZMAT.2022.128223
Abstract: Heteroatom doping is a promising technique to enhance biochar for effective environmental remediation. However, development of electroactive heteroatom-doped biochars, e.g., sulfur-doped biochar, has been hindered due to complex nature of non-stoichiometric biomass-derived carbon and changeable electrochemical state of dopants. Herein, we produced a series of wood waste-derived biochars with customized levels of minerals and redox-active moieties, aiming to unravel the crucial factors for sulfur doping. Calcium (Ca) in biochar was found to preferentially coordinate with sulfur to form inactive inorganic sulfur minerals (i.e., CaSO
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 04-2018
DOI: 10.1016/J.CHEMOSPHERE.2017.12.151
Abstract: With the increasing application of hydraulic fracturing, it is urgent to develop an effective and economically feasible method to treat the large volumes of fracturing wastewater. In this study, bare and entrapped nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) were introduced for the removal of carbon tetrachloride (CT) and 1,1,2-trichloroethane (TCA) in model high-salinity fracturing wastewater. With increasing ionic strength (I) from Day-1 (I = 0.35 M) to Day-90 (I = 4.10 M) wastewaters, bare nZVI presented significantly lower removal efficiency of CT (from 53.5% to 38.7%) and 1,1,2-TCA (from 71.1% to 21.7%) and underwent more serious Fe dissolution from 1.31 ± 1.19% in Day-1 to 5.79 ± 0.32% in Day-90 wastewater. Particle aggregation induced by high ionic strength was primarily responsible for the lowered performance of nZVI due to less available reactive sites on nZVI surface. The immobilization of nZVI in alginate with/without polyvinyl alcohol provided resistance to particle aggregation and contributed to the superior performance of entrapped nZVI in Day-90 wastewater for 1,1,2-TCA removal (62.6-72.3%), which also mitigated Fe dissolution (4.00-4.69%). Both adsorption (by polymer matrix) and reduction (by immobilized nZVI) were involved in the 1,1,2-TCA removal by entrapped nZVI. However, after 1-month immersion in synthetic fracturing wastewater, a marked drop in the reactivity of entrapped nZVI for 1,1,2-TCA removal from Day-90 wastewater was observed with significant release of Na and total organic carbon. In summary, bare nZVI was sensitive to the nature of the fracturing wastewater, while the use of environmentally benign entrapped nZVI was more promising for wastewater treatment.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.SCITOTENV.2019.02.006
Abstract: In this work, the degradation of cefalexin, norfloxacin, and ofloxacin was examined via various advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). Direct photolysis by ultraviolet (UV) and vacuum ultra violet (VUV) was less effective for the degradation of fluoroquinolone antibiotics such as norfloxacin and ofloxacin than that of cefalexin. Both hydrogen peroxide (H
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 06-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.BIORTECH.2019.02.105
Abstract: Due to abundant biomass and eco-friendliness, biochar is exemplified as one of the most promising candidates to mediate the degradation of environmental contaminants. Recently, environmentally persistent free radicals (EPFRs) have been detected in biochars, which can activate S
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 03-2023
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2019
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2019
DOI: 10.1016/J.BIORTECH.2018.10.042
Abstract: A novel method incorporating electrochemical (EC) modification and one-step pyrolysis is developed to prepare sustainable Fe
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 08-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 11-2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 10-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 05-2022
DOI: 10.1016/J.JHAZMAT.2022.128479
Abstract: Electroactive Fe-biochar has attracted significant attention for As(III)/Cr(VI) immobilization through redox reactions, and its performance essentially lies in the regulation of various Fe/C moieties for desired redox performance. Here, a series of Fe-biochar with distinct Fe/C speciation were rationally produced via two-step pyrolysis of iron minerals and biomass waste at 400-850 °C (BCX-Fe-Y, X and Y represented the first- and second-step pyrolysis temperature, respectively). The redox transformation of Cr(VI) and As(III) by Fe-biochar was evaluated in simulated wastewater under oxic or anoxic conditions. Results showed that more effective Cr(VI) reduction could be achieved by BCX-Fe-400, while a higher amount of As (III) was oxidized by BCX-Fe-850 under the anoxic environment. Besides, BCX-Fe-400 could generate more reactive oxygen species (e.g.,
Publisher: Wiley
Date: 17-03-2020
Publisher: Informa UK Limited
Date: 12-09-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2020
DOI: 10.1016/J.JHAZMAT.2019.121240
Abstract: High-efficiency and cost-effective catalysts are critical to completely mineralization of organic contaminants for in-situ groundwater remediation via advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). The engineered biochar is a promising method for waste biomass utilization and sustainable remediation. This study engineers maize stalk (S)- and maize cob (C)-derived biochars (i.e., SB300, SB600, CB300, and CB600, respectively) with oxygen-containing functional groups as a carbon-based support for nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI). Morphological and physiochemical characterization showed that nZVI could be impregnated within the framework of the synthesized Fe-CB600 composite, which exhibited the largest surface area, pore volume, iron loading capacity, and Fe
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 2021
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 09-2020
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2020
DOI: 10.1016/J.JHAZMAT.2019.121243
Abstract: Bioretention systems, as one of the most practical management operations for low impact development of water recovery, utilize different soil amendments to remove contaminants from stormwater. For the sake of urban sustainability, the utilization of amendments derived from waste materials has a potential to reduce waste disposal at landfill while improving the quality of stormwater discharge. This study investigated the efficiency of food waste compost and wood waste biochar for metal removal from synthetic stormwater runoff under intermittent flow and co-presence of colloids. Throughout intermittent infiltration of 84 pore volumes of stormwater, columns amended with compost and biochar removed more than 50-70% of influent metals, whereas iron-oxide coated sand was much less effective. Only a small portion of metals adsorbed on the compost (< 0.74%) was reactivated during the drainage of urban pipelines that do not flow frequently, owing to abundant oxygen-containing functional groups in compost. In comparison, co-existing kaolinite enhanced metal removal by biochar owing to the abundance of active sites, whereas co-existing humic acid facilitated mobilization via metal-humate complexation. The results suggest that both waste-derived compost and biochar show promising potential for stormwater harvesting, while biochar is expected to be more recalcitrant and desirable in field-scale bioretention systems.
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 02-2020
DOI: 10.1016/J.JHAZMAT.2019.121321
Abstract: The degradation of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) was examined as an ex le to capitalize on the potential interactions of peroxydisulfate (PS) and ferrous iron (Fe
Publisher: Elsevier BV
Date: 12-2021
No related grants have been discovered for Yuqing Sun.