Amino-grafted Biochar as a Novel Photocatalyst for degradation of high concentration dye

Photocatalytic degradation of organic pollution by biochar was a sustainable strategy for waste water remediation, nevertheless, it still suffers drawbacks like low efficiency due to the poor photocatalytic properties of pristine biochar. Herein, amino groups were grafted on the edge sites/defects of biochar by Friedel-Crafts acylation to enhance the degradation of high concentration dye solutions. The results suggested that the amino groups played an important role in imparting photocatalytic properties to biochar. Owing to the strong Lewis basicity and electron-donating ability of amino groups, their interaction with oxygen-containing functional groups/aromatic structures in biochar was improved, which enhanced the electron exchange ability of biochar under visible light irradiation, resulting in excellent degradation performances of high concentration RhB (∼10 times faster than ungrafted biochar). In this work, amino-grafted garlic peel biochar delivered a new idea for the future direction of biochar-based photocatalysis in wastewater remediation.

Cu(II) and Cd(II) removal from aqueous solution with LDH@GO-NH2 and LDH@GO-SH: kinetics and probable mechanism

Two novel adsorbents (LDH@GO-NH2 and LDH@GO-SH) were successfully synthesized by grafting thiol- or amino-functionalized GO onto LDH and their adsorption capacities for heavy metal ions (Cu(II) and Cd(II)) were significantly enhanced. Characterization experiments illustrated that the thiol group (-SH) or amino group (-NH2) was grafted onto LDH@GO-NH2 or LDH@GO-SH. Adsorption isotherms were satisfactorily fitted by both Langmuir and Freundlich models. The maximum adsorption capacity of Cd(II) on LDH@GO-SH at 308 K was 102.77 mg/g, which was about triple that of LDH@GO-NH2. The enhancement in adsorption capacity of LDH@GO-SH was due to the cooperative effect of LDH and GO-SH. The kinetic experimental data for LDH@GO-NH2 and LDH@GO-SH were found to be in good agreement with the pseudo-second-order model. The thermodynamic parameters calculated from the temperature-dependent adsorption isotherms indicated that the adsorption was spontaneous and an endothermic process. The possible adsorption mechanisms comprising formation of precipitation, isomorphic substitution of Mg(II), and formation of complexation with amino groups or thiol groups were proposed. Desorption experiments put into evidence that LDH@GO-NH2 and LDH@GO-SH may be promising suitable candidates for the remediation of metal ions from aqueous solutions in real work in the near future.

Removal of p-arsanilic acid and phenylarsonic acid from water by Fenton coagulation process: influence of substituted amino group

Phenylarsonic acid compounds, which were widely used in poultry and swine production, are often introduced to agricultural soils with animal wastes. Fenton coagulation process is thought as an efficient method to remove them. However, the substituted amino group could apparently influence the removal efficiency in Fenton coagulation process. Herein, we investigated the optimal conditions to treat typical organoarsenic contaminants (p-arsanilic acid (p-ASA) and phenylarsonic acid (PAA)) in aqueous solution based on Fenton coagulation process for oxidizing them and capturing the released inorganic arsenic, and elucidated the influence mechanism of substituted amino group on removal. Results showed that the pH value and the dosage of H₂O₂ and Fe²⁺ significantly influenced the performance of the oxidation and coagulation processes. The optimal conditions for removing 20 mg L^-1-As in this research were 40mg L^-1 Fe²⁺ and 60mg L^-1 H₂O₂ (the mass ratio of Fe²⁺/H₂O₂ = 1.5), initial solution pH of 3.0, and final solution pH of 5.0 adjusting after 30-min Fenton oxidation reaction. Meanwhile, the substituted amino group made p-ASA much more easily be attacked by ·OH than PAA and supply one more binding sites for forming complexes with Fe³⁺ hydrolysates, resulting in 36% higher oxidation rate and 7% better coagulation performance at the optimal conditions.

Sulfate radical-based oxidation of the aminopyralid and picloram herbicides: The role of amino group on pyridine ring

The widespread utilization of pesticides has attracted increasing attention to their environmental impacts and effective removal strategies. In the present study, the degradation of herbicides picloram (PCLO) and aminopyralid (AMP) with similar structures were investigated systematically by thermo activated persulfate. Overweight SO₄^•- was determined to be the predominant oxidizing species by quenching experiment. Obtained by laser-flash photolysis (LFP), reaction rate constants of SO₄^•- towards AMP and PCLO were determined at 1.56 × 10⁹ M^-1s^-1 and 1.21 × 10⁹ M^-1s^-1, respectively. Product analysis revealed that both substances underwent similar oxidation paths, namely, successive oxidation on pyridine ring and formation of coupling-products as well as further hydroxylation and decarboxylation. Amino group on the pyridine ring was identified as the main reactive site, which was further confirmed by DFT calculation. It was susceptible attacked by SO₄^•- to form deamination, nitration, and self-coupling products. These couples could be further oxidatively dehydrated to form azo and a series of azo derivatives. EOCSAR program predicted significant hazards on aquatic species during the formation of these couplings and azo derivatives. Our work emphasized the potential ability and toxicity of contaminates to produce azo substances in the presence of amino groups on the pyridine ring.

The obvious advantage of amino-functionalized metal-organic frameworks: As a persulfate activator for bisphenol F degradation

In this study, two iron-based metal-organic framework compounds (MOFs), were used and compared as catalysts for persulfate (PS) activation to degrade bisphenol F (BPF). The outstanding advantage of using amino-functionalized MOFs in the catalytic system was verified under different reaction conditions, and the mechanism was explored. The results indicated that NH₂-MIL-101(Fe)/PS system not only had a wide pH application range, but also possessed an excellent catalytic performance towards interference from the coexisting anions and humic acid. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations showed that, compared with MIL-101(Fe), the -NH₂ modification could significantly improve the electronic conductivity of NH₂-MIL-101(Fe) by enhancing its Fermi level (-4.28 eV) and binding energy to PS (-1.19 eV). The free radical quenching experiments were combined with electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) confirmed that free radicals (SO₄^-, OH, O₂^-) worked together with the non-radical (¹O₂) reaction to remove 91% BPF within 40 min in the NH₂-MIL-101(Fe)/PS system. The two proposed BPF degradation pathway were related to hydroxylation, oxidation and ring cracking. The toxicity of the BPF degradation intermediates as well as its final products were also evaluated.

Two spiroketal derivatives with an unprecedented amino group and their cytotoxicity evaluation from the endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis flavidula

Two new spiroketal derivatives with an unprecedented amino group, 2'-aminodechloromaldoxin (1) and 2'-aminodechlorogeodoxin (2), along with one known analogue dechloromaldoxin (3), were isolated from the plant endophytic fungus Pestalotiopsis flavidula. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis. The purification was cytotoxicity-guided which indicated the extract, fractions and compounds were evaluated in vitro for anti-proliferative activity against a panel of human cancer cell lines. The results showed compounds 1 and 2 with moderate cytotoxicity while 3 was inactive, which suggested -NH₂ group might play a very important role for their cytotoxicity. This is the first study for P. flavidula and the first time to report the spiroketal derivatives as alkaloids from the Pestalotiopsis genus.

Amino-functionalized poloxamer 407 with both mucoadhesive and thermosensitive properties: preparation, characterization and application in a vaginal drug delivery system

Lack of mucoadhesive properties is the major drawback to poloxamer 407 (F127)-based in situ hydrogels for mucosal administration. The objective of the present study was to construct a novel mucoadhesive and thermosensitive in situ hydrogel drug delivery system based on an amino-functionalized poloxamer for vaginal administration. First, amino-functionalized poloxamer 407 (F127-NH2) was synthesized and characterized with respect to its micellization behavior and interaction with mucin. Then using acetate gossypol (AG) as model drug, AG-loaded F127-NH2-based in situ hydrogels (NFGs) were evaluated with respect to rheology, drug release, ex vivo vaginal mucosal adhesion, in vivo intravaginal retention and local irritation after vaginal administration to healthy female mice. The results show that F127-NH2 is capable of forming a thermosensitive in situ hydrogel with sustained drug release properties. An interaction between positively charged F127-NH2 and negatively charged mucin was revealed by changes in the particle size and zeta potential of mucin particles as well as an increase in the complex modulus of NFG caused by mucin. Ex vivo and in vivo fluorescence imaging and quantitative analysis of the amount of AG remaining in mouse vaginal lavage all demonstrated greater intravaginal retention of NFG than that of an unmodified F127-based in situ hydrogel. In conclusion, amino group functionalization confers valuable mucoadhesive properties on poloxamer 407.

Chemically modified surface functional groups of Alcaligenes sp. S-XJ-1 to enhance its demulsifying capability

Cell-surface functional groups (amino, carboxyl, hydroxyl, as well as phosphate) were chemically modified in various ways to enhance the demulsification capability of the demulsifying bacteria Alcaligenes sp. S-XJ-1. Results demonstrated that the demulsifying activity was significantly inhibited by amino enrichment with cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, amino methylation, hydroxyl acetylation, and phosphate esterification, but was gradually promoted by carboxyl blocking with increasing the extents of esterification. Compared with the raw biomass, an optimal esterification of carboxyl moieties enhanced the demulsification ratio by 26.5% and shortened the emulsion half-life from 24 to 8.8 h. The demulsification boost was found to be dominated by strengthened hydrophobicity (from 53° to 74°) and weakened electronegativity (from -34.6 to -4.3 mV at pH 7.0) of the cell surface, allowing the rapid dispersion and adsorption of cells onto the oil-water interface. The chemical modification of the functional groups on the biomass surface is a promising tool for the creation of a high-performance bacterial demulsifier.

Integration of antibody by surface functionalization of graphite-encapsulated magnetic beads using ammonia gas plasma technology for capturing influenza A virus

Antibody-integrated magnetic beads have been functionalized for influenza A virus capture. First, ammonia plasma produced by a radio frequency power source was reacted with the surface of graphite-encapsulated magnetic beads to introduce amino groups. Anti-influenza A virus hemagglutinin antibody was then anchored by its surface sulfide groups to the amino groups on the beads via N-succinimidyl 3-(2-pyridyldithio) propionate. After incubation with influenza A virus, adsorption of the virus to the beads was confirmed by immunochromatography, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and inoculation of chicken embryonated eggs, indicating that virus infectivity is maintained and that the proposed method is useful for the enhanced detection and isolation of influenza A virus.

Antibody-integrated and functionalized graphite-encapsulated magnetic beads, produced using ammonia gas plasma technology, for capturing Salmonella

Salmonella spp. is the single and most important causative agent of foodborne infections, especially involving foods such as eggs, milk and meat. To prevent infection, a reliable surveillance system is required that can quickly and sensitively detect Salmonella. Here, we describe the development of antibody-integrated magnetic beads that are functionalized by a novel strategy using ammonia gas plasma. Ammonia plasma, produced by a radio frequency (RF) power supply, was allowed to react with the surface of graphite-encapsulated magnetic beads, resulting in the introduction of amino groups. An anti-Salmonella antibody was then anchored by sulfide groups present on the protein surface to the amino groups of the magnetic beads via N-succinimidyl 3-(2-pyridyldithio) propionate (SPDP). The potential usefulness of these magnetic beads for capturing Salmonella was examined as follows. The beads were incubated with Salmonella in liquid medium and then separated from the supernatant by applying a magnetic field. After thorough washing, adsorption of Salmonella to the beads was confirmed by immunochromatography, polymerase chain reaction and a direct culture assay. Our findings indicate that the capture and concentration of Salmonella using the antibody-integrated magnetic beads was more efficient than commercial Dynabeads® anti-Salmonella, which are conventionally used for concentrating Salmonella from liquid cultures. We believe this novel bead technology will contribute to the enhanced detection of Salmonella.

Effective adsorptive removal of indole from model fuel using a metal-organic framework functionalized with amino groups

Nitrogen-containing compounds (NCCs) should be removed from fuels because of the negative effect of NCCs on the environment and catalyst stability. NCCs are composed of basic materials such as quinoline (QUI) and neutral materials such as indole (IND). The NCCs can be removed by various methods including adsorption. Compared with basic NCCs, neutral NCCs are more difficult to remove through adsorption due to their less affinity toward adsorbents. In this report, adsorption of IND (as one of the representative neutral NCCs) was studied over the metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), UiO-66 and UiO-66-NH2, which contain terephthalate and aminoterephthalate linkers, respectively. In spite of the reduced porosity of UiO-66-NH2, the adsorption capacity of IND was improved upto 46% when compared with pristine UiO-66. Therefore, the additional amino group in the MOF imparts extra adsorption capability on the MOF. For a detailed investigation, adsorption of other NCCs such as QUI, pyrrole, and methylpyrrole was studied. The improved adsorption of IND over amino-functionalized MOFs could be attributed to the improved interaction of IND with the MOF via H-bonding because of the NH2 group. In addition to this remarkable improvement in IND adsorption, UiO-66-NH2 could be regenerated several times for the adsorption of IND by simple solvent washing.

Heparin stability by determining unsubstituted amino groups using hydrophilic interaction chromatography mass spectrometry

The thermal instability of the anticoagulant heparin is associated, in part, with the solvolytic loss of N-sulfo groups. This study describes a new method to assess the increased content of unsubstituted amino groups present in thermally stressed and autoclave-sterilized heparin formulations. N-Acetylation of heparin samples with acetic anhydride-d6 is followed by exhaustive heparinase treatment and disaccharide analysis by hydrophilic interaction chromatography mass spectrometry (HILIC-MS). The introduction of a stable isotopic label provides a sensitive probe for the detection and localization of the lost N-sulfo groups, potentially providing valuable insights into the degradation mechanism and the reasons for anticoagulant potency loss.