Comprehension of the Route for the Synthesis of Co/Fe LDHs via the Method of Coprecipitation with Varying pH

Co/Fe-based layered double hydroxides (LDHs) are among the most promising materials for electrochemical applications, particularly in the development of energy storage devices, such as electrochemical capacitors. They have also been demonstrated to function as energy conversion catalysts in photoelectrochemical applications for CO2 conversion into valuable chemicals. Understanding the formation mechanisms of such compounds is therefore of prime interest for further controlling the chemical composition, structure, morphology, and/or reactivity of synthesized materials. In this study, a combination of X-ray diffraction, vibrational and absorption spectroscopies, as well as physical and chemical analyses were used to provide deep insight into the coprecipitation formation mechanisms of Co/Fe-based LDHs under high supersaturation conditions. This procedure consists of adding an alkaline aqueous solution (2.80 M NaOH and 0.78 M Na2CO3) into a cationic solution (0.15 M CoII and 0.05 M FeIII) and varying the pH until the desired pH value is reached. Beginning at pH 2, pH increases induce precipitation of FeIII as ferrihydrite, which is the pristine reactional intermediate. From pH > 2, CoII sorption on ferrihydrite promotes a redox reaction between FeIII of ferrihydrite and the sorbed CoII. The crystallinity of the poorly crystalized ferrihydrite progressively decreases with increasing pH. The combination of such a phenomenon with the hydrolysis of both the sorbed CoIII and free CoII generates pristine hydroxylated FeII/CoIII LDHs at pH 7. Above pH 7, free CoII hydrolysis proceeds, which is responsible for the local dissolution of pristine LDHs and their reprecipitation and then 3D organization into CoII4FeII2CoIII2 LDHs. The progressive incorporation of CoII into the LDH structure is accountable for two phenomena: decreased coulombic attraction between the positive surface-charge sites and the interlayer anions and, concomitantly, the relative redox potential evolution of the redox species, such as when FeII is re-oxidized to FeIII, while CoIII is re-reduced to CoII, returning to a CoII6FeIII2 LDH. The nature of the interlamellar species (OH−, HCO3−, CO32− and NO3−) depends on their mobility and the speciation of anions in response to changing pH.

Modified zeolite-supported biofilm in service of pesticide biodegradation

The development of biofilms on modified natural zeolites was investigated with purpose to obtain biocomposites with biodegradation activity towards pesticides MCPA (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid) and glyphosate (N-(phosphonomethyl)glycine) for potential application in bioaugmentation of polluted agricultural soils. Microbial communities were selected from agricultural pesticide-contaminated soil/water samples and enriched on the basis of their ability to biodegrade the pesticides. In order to enhance affinity of microbial communities to the support material, the natural mineral zeolite was modified by nontoxic environmentally friendly cations (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, NH₄⁺, H⁺, Mg²⁺, Ca²⁺, Fe³⁺) by methods preserving its structure and characterised using powder XRD, surface area measurement and chemical composition analysis. Kinetics of pesticide degradation by the biocomposites was studied in liquid media. Results showed that according to zeolite modifications, the microbial activity and biodiversity changed. The best biodegradation rate of MCPA and glyphosate reached 0.12-0.13 mg/h with half-life of 16-18 h, which is considerably quicker than observed in natural environment. However, in some cases, biodegradation activity towards pesticides was lost which was connected to unfavourable zeolite modification and accumulation of toxic metabolites. High-throughput sequencing on the 16S rRNA genes of the biofilm communities highlighted the selection of bacteria genera known to metabolise MCPA (Aminobacter, Cupriavidus, Novosphingobium, Pseudomonas, Rhodococcus, Sphingobium and Sphingopyxis) and glyphosate (Pseudomonas). Altogether, results suggested that zeolites do not only have a passive role of biofilm support but also have protective and nutrient-supportive functions that consequently increase biodiversity of the pesticide degraders growing in the biofilm and influence the pesticide biodegradation rate.

New EAF Slag Characterization Methodology for Strategic Metal Recovery

The grown demand of current and future development of new technologies for high added value and strategic metals, such as molybdenum, vanadium, and chromium, and facing to the depletion of basic primary resources of these metals, the metal extraction and recovery from industrial by-products and wastes is a promising choice. Slag from the steelmaking sector contains a significant amount of metals; therefore, it must be considered to be an abundant secondary resource for several strategic materials, especially chromium. In this work, the generated slag from electric arc furnace (EAF) provided by the French steel industry was characterized by using multitude analytical techniques in order to determine the physico-chemical characteristics of the targeted slag. The revealed main crystallized phases are larnite (Ca₂SiO₄), magnetite (Fe₃O₄), srebrodolskite (Ca₂Fe₂O₅), wüstite (FeO), maghemite (Fe_2.6O₃), hematite (Fe₂O₃), chromite [(Fe,Mg)Cr₂O₄], and quartz (SiO₂). The collected slag sample contains about 34.1% iron (48.5% Fe₂O₃) and 3.5% chromium, whilst the vanadium contents is around 1500 ppm. The Mössbauer spectroscopy suggested that the non-magnetic fraction represents 42 wt% of the slag, while the remainder (58 wt%) is composed of magnetic components. The thermal treatment of steel slag up to 900 °C indicated that this solid is almost stable and few contained phases change their structures.

Tuning Redox State and Ionic Transfers of Mg/Fe-Layered Double Hydroxide Nanosheets by Electrochemical and Electrogravimetric Methods

Studying the electrogravimetric behavior of Mg/Fe-layered double hydroxide (LDH) nanoparticles with an electrochemical quartz crystal microbalance demonstrates its pseudocapacitance properties of mix cation and anion exchanger. The electrochemical control of the oxidation state of iron constituting the layered sheets allowed anion intercalation/deintercalation into the LDH interlayer space. Concomitantly, in agreement with the pH of zero point of net charge of the Mg/Fe-LDH, the interfacial pH increase via catalyzed hydrogen evolution reaction allows cation electroadsorption onto the external surfaces of the nanoplatelets.

[Pressure sores: management and treatment]

The global management of pressure sores is best ensured with a multidisciplinary approach. We present the experience of the "Groupe de Travail Escarres" (Pressure Sore Workgroup) which gathers physicians and nurses interested with this pathology. The majority of the decubitus ulcers will heal spontaneously with a conservative treatment only. This treatment typically aims at relieving the causes that lead to pressure sores, at eliminating the necrotic tissues, at obtaining favourable local conditions to allow wound healing and at controlling the health status of the patient. Surgical treatment of pressure sores is indicated when wound healing does not occur and when the health status of the patient is sufficiently good. Defect coverage is best carried out using myocutaneous flaps since their excellent blood supply allows a good cleansing of the wound.