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Lu KG, Ma S, Hua D, Liu H, Li C, Song J, Huang H, Qin Y. Silica mitigated calcium mineral scaling in brackish water reverse osmosis. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 243:120428. [PMID: 37536247 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120428] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Although the autopsies of reverse osmosis (RO) membranes from full-scale, brackish water desalination plants identify the co-presence of silica and Ca-based minerals in scaling layers, minimal research exists on their formation process and mechanisms. Therefore, combined scaling by silica and either gypsum (non-alkaline) or amorphous calcium phosphate (ACP, alkaline) was investigated in this study for their distinctive impacts on membrane performance. The obtained results demonstrate that the coexistence of silica and Ca-based mineral salts in feedwaters significantly reduced water flux decline as compared to single type of Ca-based mineral salts. This antagonistic effect was primarily attributed to the silica-mediated alleviation of Ca-based mineral scaling. In the presence of silica, silica skins were immediately established around Ca-based mineral precipitates once they emerged. Sheathing by the siliceous skins hindered the aggregation and thus the morphological evolution of Ca-based mineral species. Unlike sulfate precipitates, ACP precipitates can induce the formation of dense and thick silica skins via an additional condensation reaction. Such a phenomenon rationalized the notion concerning a stronger mitigating effect of silica on ACP scaling than gypsum scaling. Meanwhile, coating by silica skins altered the surface chemistries of Ca-based mineral precipitates, which should be fully considered in regulating membrane surface properties for combined scaling control. Our findings advance the mechanistic understanding on combined mineral scaling of RO membranes, and may guide the appropriate design of membrane surface properties for scaling-resistant membrane tailored to brackish water desalination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai-Ge Lu
- College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China; Key Laboratory for Water and Sediment Science, Ministry of Education, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, No. 19, Xinjiekouwai Street, Beijing 100875, China.
| | - Shuanglong Ma
- College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Dangling Hua
- College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Hongen Liu
- College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Chang Li
- College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Jia Song
- College of Resources and Environment, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
| | - Haiou Huang
- Key Laboratory for Water and Sediment Science, Ministry of Education, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, No. 19, Xinjiekouwai Street, Beijing 100875, China; Department of Environmental Health and Engineering, The John Hopkins University, 615 North Wolfe Street, MD 21205, USA.
| | - Yuchen Qin
- College of Sciences, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450002, China
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Dai Z, Zhang F, Kan AT, Ruan G, Yan F, Bhandari N, Zhang Z, Liu Y, Lu AYT, Deng G, Tomson MB. Two-Stage Model Reveals Barite Crystallization Kinetics from Solution Turbidity. Ind Eng Chem Res 2019. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.9b01707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
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Whittaker ML, Smeets PJM, Asayesh-Ardakani H, Shahbazian-Yassar R, Joester D. Multi-Step Crystallization of Barium Carbonate: Rapid Interconversion of Amorphous and Crystalline Precursors. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017; 56:16028-16031. [PMID: 29049848 DOI: 10.1002/anie.201709526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2017] [Revised: 10/06/2016] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
The direct observation of amorphous barium carbonate (ABC), which transforms into a previously unknown barium carbonate hydrate (herewith named gortatowskite) within a few hundred milliseconds of formation, is described. In situ X-ray scattering, cryo-, and low-dose electron microscopy were used to capture the transformation of nanoparticulate ABC into gortatowskite crystals, highly anisotropic sheets that are up to 1 μm in width, yet only about 10 nm in thickness. Recrystallization of gortatowskite to witherite starts within 30 seconds. We describe a bulk synthesis and report a first assessment of the composition, vibrational spectra, and structure of gortatowskite. Our findings indicate that transient amorphous and crystalline precursors can play a role in aqueous precipitation pathways that may often be overlooked owing to their extremely short lifetimes and small dimensions. However, such transient precursors may be integral to the formation of more stable phases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael L Whittaker
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, 2220 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Paul J M Smeets
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, 2220 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
| | - Hasti Asayesh-Ardakani
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, 842 W. Taylor Street, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Reza Shahbazian-Yassar
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Illinois at Chicago, 842 W. Taylor Street, Chicago, IL, 60607, USA
| | - Derk Joester
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Northwestern University, 2220 Campus Drive, Evanston, IL, 60208, USA
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Whittaker ML, Smeets PJM, Asayesh‐Ardakani H, Shahbazian‐Yassar R, Joester D. Multi‐Step Crystallization of Barium Carbonate: Rapid Interconversion of Amorphous and Crystalline Precursors. Angew Chem Int Ed Engl 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/ange.201709526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Michael L. Whittaker
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering Northwestern University 2220 Campus Drive Evanston IL 60208 USA
| | - Paul J. M. Smeets
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering Northwestern University 2220 Campus Drive Evanston IL 60208 USA
| | - Hasti Asayesh‐Ardakani
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering University of Illinois at Chicago 842 W. Taylor Street Chicago IL 60607 USA
| | - Reza Shahbazian‐Yassar
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering University of Illinois at Chicago 842 W. Taylor Street Chicago IL 60607 USA
| | - Derk Joester
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering Northwestern University 2220 Campus Drive Evanston IL 60208 USA
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Ruiz-Agudo E, Burgos-Cara A, Ruiz-Agudo C, Ibañez-Velasco A, Cölfen H, Rodriguez-Navarro C. A non-classical view on calcium oxalate precipitation and the role of citrate. Nat Commun 2017; 8:768. [PMID: 28974672 PMCID: PMC5626694 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-00756-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2016] [Accepted: 07/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Although calcium oxalates are relevant biominerals, their formation mechanisms remain largely unresolved. Here, we investigate the early stages of calcium oxalate formation in pure and citrate-bearing solutions. Citrate is used as a well-known oxalate precipitation inhibitor; moreover, it resembles the functional domains of the biomolecules that modulate biomineralization. Our data suggest that calcium oxalate forms after Ca2+ and C2O42- association into polynuclear stable complexes that aggregate into larger assemblies, from which amorphous calcium oxalate nucleates. Previous work has explained citrate inhibitory effects according to classical theories. Here we show that citrate interacts with all early stage CaC2O4 species (polynuclear stable complexes and amorphous precursors), inhibiting calcium oxalate nucleation by colloidal stabilization of polynuclear stable complexes and amorphous calcium oxalate. The control that citrate exerts on calcium oxalate biomineralization may thus begin earlier than previously thought. These insights provide information regarding the mechanisms governing biomineralization, including pathological processes (e.g., kidney stone formation).The formation mechanism of abundant calcium oxalate biomaterials is unresolved. Here the authors show the early stages of calcium oxalate formation in pure and citrate-bearing solutions by using a titration set-up in conjunction with solution quenching, transmission electron microscopy and analytical ultracentrifugation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Encarnación Ruiz-Agudo
- Department of Mineralogy and Petrology, University of Granada, Fuentenueva s/n, 18071, Granada, Spain.
| | - Alejandro Burgos-Cara
- Department of Mineralogy and Petrology, University of Granada, Fuentenueva s/n, 18071, Granada, Spain
| | - Cristina Ruiz-Agudo
- Institut für Mineralogie, Universität Münster, Corrensstrasse 24, 48149, Münster, Germany.,Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Aurelia Ibañez-Velasco
- Department of Mineralogy and Petrology, University of Granada, Fuentenueva s/n, 18071, Granada, Spain
| | - Helmut Cölfen
- Physical Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstraße 10, 78457, Konstanz, Germany
| | - Carlos Rodriguez-Navarro
- Department of Mineralogy and Petrology, University of Granada, Fuentenueva s/n, 18071, Granada, Spain
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Zhang G, Morales J, García-Ruiz JM. Growth behaviour of silica/carbonate nanocrystalline composites of calcite and aragonite. J Mater Chem B 2017; 5:1658-1663. [PMID: 32263938 DOI: 10.1039/c6tb02612e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
The precipitation of barium and strontium carbonate in alkaline silica gels or silica solutions produces nanocrystalline self-assembled composite materials displaying biomimetic shapes and textures. We have crystallized concomitantly in time and space two anhydrous polymorphs of calcium carbonate, under similar conditions at different temperatures. The orthorhombic phase aragonite produces nanocrystalline aggregates exhibiting non-crystallographic morphologies and complex textures characteristic of silica biomorphs. Conversely, the simultaneously forming trigonal phase, calcite, yields rhombohedral crystals that experience fibrous growth and that maintain memory of the point symmetry group of the crystalline structure. Experiments performed at different temperatures (room temperature, 45, 60 and 80 °C) revealed that the higher the temperature the higher the aragonite/calcite precipitation ratio, but the crystallization of calcite was never fully inhibited. We have studied the growth mechanism, the growth texture and the morphogenesis for both cases. We have found that the dramatic difference between the crystallization behaviours of the two mineral phases is due to the difference in the growth mechanism at the nanoscale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gan Zhang
- Laboratorio de Estudios Cristalográficos, Instituto Andaluz de Ciencias de la Tierra (CSIC-UGR), Avenida de las Palmeras 4, E-18100 Armilla, Granada, Spain.
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Nakouzi E, Steinbock O. Self-organization in precipitation reactions far from the equilibrium. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2016; 2:e1601144. [PMID: 27551688 PMCID: PMC4991932 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.1601144] [Citation(s) in RCA: 107] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2016] [Accepted: 07/18/2016] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Far from the thermodynamic equilibrium, many precipitation reactions create complex product structures with fascinating features caused by their unusual origins. Unlike the dissipative patterns in other self-organizing reactions, these features can be permanent, suggesting potential applications in materials science and engineering. We review four distinct classes of precipitation reactions, describe similarities and differences, and discuss related challenges for theoretical studies. These classes are hollow micro- and macrotubes in chemical gardens, polycrystalline silica carbonate aggregates (biomorphs), Liesegang bands, and propagating precipitation-dissolution fronts. In many cases, these systems show intricate structural hierarchies that span from the nanometer scale into the macroscopic world. We summarize recent experimental progress that often involves growth under tightly regulated conditions by means of wet stamping, holographic heating, and controlled electric, magnetic, or pH perturbations. In this research field, progress requires mechanistic insights that cannot be derived from experiments alone. We discuss how mesoscopic aspects of the product structures can be modeled by reaction-transport equations and suggest important targets for future studies that should also include materials features at the nanoscale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias Nakouzi
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306–4390, USA
| | - Oliver Steinbock
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL 32306–4390, USA
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Ruiz-Agudo C, Ruiz-Agudo E, Burgos-Cara A, Putnis CV, Ibáñez-Velasco A, Rodriguez-Navarro C, Putnis A. Exploring the effect of poly(acrylic acid) on pre- and post-nucleation BaSO4species: new insights into the mechanisms of crystallization control by polyelectrolytes. CrystEngComm 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c6ce00142d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Nakouzi E, Knoll P, Steinbock O. Biomorph growth in single-phase systems: expanding the structure spectrum and pH range. Chem Commun (Camb) 2016; 52:2107-10. [DOI: 10.1039/c5cc09295g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Biomorphs are life-like microstructures of selfassembled barium carbonate nanorods and silica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elias Nakouzi
- Florida State University
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Tallahassee
- USA
| | - Pamela Knoll
- Florida State University
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Tallahassee
- USA
| | - Oliver Steinbock
- Florida State University
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Tallahassee
- USA
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Wang YN, Jiang S, Pan H, Tang R. Less is more: silicate in the crystallization of hydroxyapatite in simulated body fluids. CrystEngComm 2016. [DOI: 10.1039/c5ce01861g] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Dilute silicate (0.05–0.5 mM) promoted the nucleation of hydroxyapatite (HAP) in simulated body fluids, while a higher level of silicate (3–8 mM) inhibited it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ya-Nan Wang
- Qiushi Academy for Advanced Studies
- Zhejiang University
- Hangzhou, 310027 China
- Department of Chemistry
- Zhejiang University
| | - Shuqin Jiang
- Department of Chemistry
- Zhejiang University
- Hangzhou, 310027 China
| | - Haihua Pan
- Qiushi Academy for Advanced Studies
- Zhejiang University
- Hangzhou, 310027 China
| | - Ruikang Tang
- Department of Chemistry
- Zhejiang University
- Hangzhou, 310027 China
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Opel J, Hecht M, Rurack K, Eiblmeier J, Kunz W, Cölfen H, Kellermeier M. Probing local pH-based precipitation processes in self-assembled silica-carbonate hybrid materials. NANOSCALE 2015; 7:17434-17440. [PMID: 26439927 DOI: 10.1039/c5nr05399d] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Crystallisation of barium carbonate in the presence of silica can lead to the spontaneous assembly of highly complex superstructures, consisting of uniform and largely co-oriented BaCO3 nanocrystals that are interspersed by a matrix of amorphous silica. The formation of these biomimetic architectures (so-called silica biomorphs) is thought to be driven by a dynamic interplay between the components, in which subtle changes of conditions trigger ordered mineralisation at the nanoscale. In particular, it has been proposed that local pH gradients at growing fronts play a crucial role in the process of morphogenesis. In the present work, we have used a special pH-sensitive fluorescent dye to directly trace these presumed local fluctuations by means of confocal laser scanning microscopy. Our data demonstrate the existence of an active region near the growth front, where the pH is locally decreased with respect to the alkaline bulk solution on a length scale of few microns. This observation provides fundamental and, for the first time, direct experimental support for the current picture of the mechanism underlying the formation of these peculiar materials. On the other hand, the absence of any temporal oscillations in the local pH - another key feature of the envisaged mechanism - challenges the notion of autocatalytic phenomena in such systems and raises new questions about the actual role of silica as an additive in the crystallisation process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julian Opel
- Physical Chemistry, University of Konstanz, Universitätsstrasse 10, D-78464 Konstanz, Germany.
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