MagnoSorbdealswithasophisticatedwaytosuccessfullyincorporatenanotechnologyindrinkingwatertreatment andspecificallyfortheremovalofheavymetalsmetashigh-valentionssuchaschromium,seleniumand molybdenum.Inparticular,MagnoSorbattemptstointroduceanovelclassofadsorbentsengineeredinthe nanoscalebutrealizedinkilogram-scaleproductionratesconsistingofsphericalcore-shellnanoparticleswitha magnetically-responding phase in the inner part covered by a thin layer of the adsorption-active phase.
Motivation
An obvious advantage of nanoparticles in water treatment is their small size and consequently their elevated specific surface area which provides high reactivity, uptake capacity and, therefore, lower quantities of used adsorbents and solid wastesthe challenge for MagnoSorb is to introduce a competitive solution for the serious problem of drinking water pollution with high-valent heavy metals such as chromium, selenium and molybdenum, by engineering multi-phase nanoparticles with higher efficiency than existing adsorbents but also with much lower cost as defined by the value of building phases, the application scheme and a feasible recycling plan.
Synthesis of core-shell
nanocomposite
Preparation of core-shell architecture in threesteps: (i) preparation of spherical Fe3O4 nanoparticles, (ii) heterogeneous precipitation of Sn6O4(OH)4 on the magnetic seeds and (iii) modification by ion-exchange with electrolytes.
Design of water treatment
setup
A contact reactor with a high enough retention time to allow adequate contact between the polluted water and the nanoparticles, and a magnetic separator installed in the outflowtube of the contact reactor.
Environmental impact and
regeneration plan
Effect of particle size, shape and composition will be studied upon exposure to aquatic organisms. Leaching rate of saturated nanoadsorbents will be tested for various environments. Development of a regeneration method
The research project was supported by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I.) under the “2nd Call for H.F.R.I. ResearchProjects to support Post-Doctoral Researchers” (Project Number: 00046).
An obvious advantage of nanoparticles in water treatment is their small size and consequently their elevated specific surface area which provides high reactivity, uptake capacity and, therefore, lower quantities of used adsorbents and solid wastesthe challenge for MagnoSorb is to introduce a competitive solution for the serious problem of drinking water pollution with high-valent heavy metals such as chromium, selenium and molybdenum, by engineering multi-phase nanoparticles with higher efficiency than existing adsorbents but also with much lower cost as defined by the value of building phases, the application scheme and a feasible recycling plan.
Synthesis of core-shell nanocomposite
Preparation of core-shell architecture in threesteps: (i) preparation of spherical Fe3O4nanoparticles, (ii) heterogeneous precipitation of Sn6O4(OH)4 on the magnetic seeds and (iii) modification by ion-exchange with electrolytes.
Design of water treatment setup
A contact reactor with a high enough retention time to allow adequate contact between the polluted water and the nanoparticles, and a magnetic separator installed in the outflowtube of the contact reactor.
Environmental impact and regeneration
plan
Effect of particle size, shape and composition will be studied upon exposure to aquatic organisms. Leaching rate of saturated nanoadsorbents will be tested for various environments. Development of a regeneration method
The research project was supported by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I.) under the “2nd Call for H.F.R.I. ResearchProjects to support Post-Doctoral Researchers” (Project Number: 00046).
A multidisciplinary group of experienced and young scientists joined forces towards studying novel nanomaterials for diverse technological applications and the development of a network of collaborators originating from different fields. The project is mainly conducted in the Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Engineering-AUTh while a number of techniques will be carried in the Department of Physics-AUTh, the Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona and accessible synchrotron facilities in Europe.
Nikos
Maniotis
Postdoc
Fani
Pinakidou
Postdoc
Konstantinos
Simeonidis
Principal investigator
Chemical engineerMSc Materials ScienceSynthesis of magnetic nanoparticles oriented for environmental remediation.
Polina
Asimakidou
PhD Student
Kyriaki
Kalaitzidou
Postdoc
Efthimia
Kaprara
Postdoc
PhysicistMSc NanotechnologyModeling and simulation of magnetic separation processes.
PhysicistMSc NanotechnologyX-ray absorption experiments, data analysis and evaluation of results.
Chemical engineer, MBA,MSc Hydraulics EngineeringDevelopment of continuous flow separation processes.
Chemical engineerMSc Waste Management Adsorption applications for heavy metal removal and surface adsorption mechanisms in inorganic phases.
Materials engineerMSc Materials ScienceCharacterization of nanocomposites by means of composition, structural and surface analysis.
Collaborating institutes
The research project was supported by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I.) under the “2nd Call for H.F.R.I. ResearchProjects to support Post-Doctoral Researchers” (Project Number: 00046).
A multidisciplinary group of experienced and young scientists joined forces towards studying novel nanomaterials for diverse technological applications and the development of a network of collaborators originating from different fields. The project is mainly conducted in the Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, Department of Chemical Engineering-AUTh while a number of techniques will be carried in the Department of Physics-AUTh, the Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona and accessible synchrotron facilities in Europe.
Konstantinos Simeonidis
Principal investigator
Chemical engineerMSc Materials ScienceSynthesis of magnetic nanoparticles oriented for environmental remediation.
Polina Asimakidou
PhD Student
Materials engineerMSc Materials ScienceCharacterization of nanocomposites by means of composition, structural and surface analysis.
Kyriaki Kalaitzidou
Postdoc
Chemical engineerMSc Waste Management Adsorbents for heavy metal removal and surface adsorption mechanisms in inorganic phases.
The research project was supported by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I.) under the “2nd Call for H.F.R.I. ResearchProjects to support Post-Doctoral Researchers” (Project Number: 00046).
Nikos Maniotis
Postdoc
PhysicistMSc NanotechnolgyModeling and simulation of magnetic separation processes.
Fani Pinakidou
PostdocPhysicist MSc Materials ScienceX-ray absorption experiments, data analysis and evaluation of results.
Efthimia Kaprara
PostdocChemical engineerMSc MSc Hydraulics EngineeringDevelopment of continuous flow separation processes.
Theoverallstrategythatwillbefollowedtoestablishamethodforthesynthesisofmagnetic-core/adsorptive-shell architectureofnanoparticlesanddesignatechnologicalschemefortheirapplicationindrinkingwatertreatment includes five working packages analyzed in multiple tasks:
Synthesis of core-shell nanocomposite
Development of Sn oxy-hydroxide-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles by a low-cost, continuous-flow methodology and ion-exchange activation of the surface.Design and construction of a continuous-flow reactor to transfer the high-temperature oxidative precipitation of FeSO4 for the production of spherical Fe3O4 nanoparticles. Adoption of a second step for the deposition of Sn oxy-hydroxide shell on the nanoparticles. Modification of the core-shell nanoparticles in an anion-rich environment.
Advanced characterization and evaluation of
efficiency
Verification of the structure, the magnetic properties and physicochemical characteristics of the produced samples and estimate Cr(VI) removal capacity.Thorough characterization of produced materials in order to examine the successful preparation of the core-shell architecture and provide feedback to the synthesis. At the same time, validation of the removal efficiency for Cr(VI) and other high-valent pollutants under realistic conditions of use. Advanced characterization techniques will reveal the uptake mechanisms.
Environmental impact and regeneration plan
Evaluation of nanocomposite’s toxicity and leaching effects of metal-loaded nanoparticles. Viable reconstruction of used core-shell nanoparticles to their initial state.A proof for the absence of any health effects is required for a material that enters a drinking water process. For this reason the short-term toxicity in fish cells will be used as an indicator. In addition, saturatednanoparticleswillgothroughleachingteststoverifythatcanbesafely disposed.Amajorbreakthroughwillbethedevelopmentofa methodologytoseparateparticlesfromthepollutantandrebuild nanocomposite for reuse.
Design of water treatment setup
ConstructionofasetupfortheimplementationofSnoxy-hydroxide-coatedFe3O4nanoparticlesindrinkingwatertreatmentunitsforthe uptakeofhigh-valentions.Completerecoveryofusednanoparticlesbya magnetic separator.Thecomponentsofthesetupwillbeseparatelydesignedbefore adoptioninanintegratedsystem.Thefirstpartinvolvesacontactreactor wherenanoparticlesaredispersedinthepollutedwater.Intheoutflowof thisreactor,ahigh-gradientmagneticseparatorwillbeplacedbeingable to collect nanoparticles and partially feed them back to the reactor.
Project management and dissemination
Organizationofastructureforthediscussion,supervisinganddecision-making. Dissemination of the results and the acquired knowledge.Day-to-dayorganizationofprojectactivitiesandreviewofproject’s progress.Qualityassessmentandriskmanagement-mitigationactions. Qualitymonitoringbytheadvisoryboard.Exploitationoftheproject resultsandknowledge.Disseminationininternationalconferencesand peer-reviewpapers.Advertisementinabroadacademic,industrialand public audience through website development and social media.
The research project was supported by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I.) under the “2nd Call for H.F.R.I. ResearchProjects to support Post-Doctoral Researchers” (Project Number: 00046).
Theoverallstrategythatwillbefollowedtoestablish amethodforthesynthesisofmagnetic-core/adsorptive-shellarchitectureofnanoparticles anddesignatechnologicalschemefortheir applicationindrinkingwatertreatmentincludesfive working packages analyzed in multiple tasks:
Synthesis of core-
shell
nanocomposite
Development of Sn oxy-hydroxide-coated Fe3O4nanoparticles by a low-cost, continuous-flow methodology and ion-exchange activation of the surface.Design and construction of a continuous-flow reactor to transfer the high-temperature oxidative precipitation of FeSO4 for the production of spherical Fe3O4nanoparticles. Adoption of a second step for the deposition of Sn oxy-hydroxide shell on the nanoparticles. Modification of the core-shell nanoparticles in an anion-rich environment.
Advanced
characterization
and evaluation of
efficiency
Verification of the structure, the magnetic properties and physicochemical characteristics of the produced samples and estimate Cr(VI) removal capacity.Thorough characterization of produced materials in order to examine the successful preparation of the core-shell architecture and provide feedback to the synthesis. At the same time, validation of the removal efficiency for Cr(VI) and other high-valent pollutants under realistic conditions of use. Advanced characterization techniques will reveal the uptake mechanisms.
Environmental
impact and
regeneration plan
Evaluation of nanocomposite’s toxicity and leaching effects of metal-loaded nanoparticles. Viable reconstruction of used core-shell nanoparticles to their initial state.A proof for the absence of any health effects is required for a material that enters a drinking water process. For this reason the short-term toxicity in fish cells will be used as an indicator. In addition, saturatednanoparticleswillgo throughleachingteststo verifythatcanbesafely disposed.Amajor breakthroughwillbethe developmentofa methodologytoseparate particlesfromthe pollutantandrebuild nanocomposite for reuse.
The research project was supported by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I.) under the “2nd Call for H.F.R.I. ResearchProjects to support Post-Doctoral Researchers” (Project Number: 00046).
Design of water
treatment setup
Construction of a setup for the implementation of Sn oxy-hydroxide-coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles in drinking water treatment units for the uptake of high-valent ions. Complete recovery of used nanoparticles by a magnetic separator.The components of the setup will be separately designed before adoption in an integrated system. The first part involves a contact reactor where nanoparticles are dispersed in the polluted water. In the outflow of this reactor, a high-gradient magnetic separator will be placed being able to collect nanoparticles and partially feed them back to the reactor.
Environmental
impact and
regeneration plan
Evaluation of nanocomposite’s toxicity and leaching effects of metal-loaded nanoparticles. Viable reconstruction of used core-shell nanoparticles to their initial state.A proof for the absence of any health effects is required for a material that enters a drinking water process. For this reason the short-term toxicity in fish cells will be used as an indicator. In addition, saturated nanoparticles will go through leaching tests to verify that can be safely disposed. A major breakthrough will be the development of a methodology to separate particles from the pollutant and rebuild nanocomposite for reuse.
Thepresenceofheavymetalsinaqueoussystemsisconsideredamajorworldwideproblemrelatedtomanyharmful effectsonthehealthofhumansandotherlifeforms.Accordingtotheirchemistry,suchpollutantsareclassifiedin divalentcations(Pb,Cd,Ni,Hg),high-valentions(Cr,Mo,Se,U)andoxy-ionicspecies(metalloidsAs,Sb).Long-term exposuretowaterwithhighconcentrationsofheavymetalsisimplicatedwithchronicdiseases,cancerdevelopment, organdamageandincreasedhumanmortality.High-valentheavymetalpollutantsrepresentthelessstudiedcategory butalsotheonesignifiedbythelackofeffectiveandeconomicfeasiblemethodsforwaterpurification.Inorderto removeheavymetalsfromthesuppliedwater,anextraprocessisusuallyappliedintheexistingwatertreatment sequence.Thegoalofthisprocessisthereductionofresidualconcentrationtobelowtheregulationlimitsetbythe EuropeanUnionorotherinternationalorganizations.Dependingonthehealthrisksderivedforeachheavymetal,its concentration must comply with a different tolerance limit.
Thedesignoftheadsorptionsystemwilltakeintoaccountthe observedpropertiesofthequalifiednanoadsorbentsinbatch removaltestsandtheirmagneticcharacteristics.Ingeneral,the systemwillconsistofacontactreactorwithahighenough retentiontimetoallowadequatecontactbetweenthepolluted waterandthenanoparticles,andamagneticseparatorinstalled in the outflow tube of the contact reactor.
Toxicity issues and reuse
Theapplicationofadsorbentswithparticleunitslyinginthe nanoscalemayintroduceunknownhealtheffectstohumansand otherlivingorganismsduringuseordisposal.Theeffectof particlesize,shapeandcompositionwillbestudiedupon exposuretoaquaticorganisms.Anotheroptionwillbethe developmentofaregenerationmethodabletogiveanadded valuetotheintroducedtechnologyandrecovervaluableheavy metals for other applications.
Aim
Since, the increase of specific surface area is a critical task for the improvement of adsorption efficiency, the development of nanomaterials for adsorption comes as an obvious sequence in the evolution of the field especially if low-cost availability and recycling are achieved. The conjunction of nanoparticles synthesis and modern water treatment technology describe a rather challenging field for the development of novel adsorbents beyond the current state of the art.MagnoSorb project will focus on the fabrication of core-shell nanostructures in which a large percentage of tin oxy-hydroxide will be substituted by a cheap and magnetically-responsive iron oxide while high removal efficiency for Cr(VI) will be preserved.
The research project was supported by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I.) under the “2nd Call for H.F.R.I. ResearchProjects to support Post-Doctoral Researchers” (Project Number: 00046).
Since, the increase of specific surface area is a critical task for the improvement of adsorption efficiency, the development of nanomaterials for adsorption comes as an obvious sequence in the evolution of the field especially if low-cost availability and recycling are achieved. The conjunction of nanoparticles synthesis and modern water treatment technology describe a rather challenging field for the development of novel adsorbents beyond the current state of the art.MagnoSorb project will focus on the fabrication of core-shell nanostructures in which a large percentage of tin oxy-hydroxide will be substituted by a cheap and magnetically-responsive iron oxide while high removal efficiency for Cr(VI) will be preserved.
The research project was supported by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I.) under the “2nd Call for H.F.R.I. ResearchProjects to support Post-Doctoral Researchers” (Project Number: 00046).
Thegeneralplanoftheprojectincludesthedevelopmentofalow-costandscalable methodforthepreparationofcore-shellnanoparticlesoptimizedformaximum uptakeofhigh-valentpollutantsandforsufficientmagneticresponse.Designingan integratedpilotsystemfortheimplementationofthenanocompositeindrinking watertreatmentfacilitiesisanothercriticalobjectivethatwillbecoveredbymeans oftechnicalandmodellingconsideration.Inordertoincreasethechancesfor viabilityofthetechnology,theprojectwillfocusonamethodologyforthecomplete regenerationoftheusednanocompositetoitsinitialstatewhilethehealthand environmental effects of its application in water treatment will be also studied.
The research project was supported by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I.) under the “2nd Call for H.F.R.I. ResearchProjects to support Post-Doctoral Researchers” (Project Number: 00046).
Thegeneralplanoftheprojectincludesthe developmentofalow-costandscalable methodforthepreparationofcore-shell nanoparticlesoptimizedformaximumuptake ofhigh-valentpollutantsandforsufficient magneticresponse.Designinganintegrated pilotsystemfortheimplementationofthe nanocompositeindrinkingwatertreatment facilitiesisanothercriticalobjectivethatwillbe coveredbymeansoftechnicalandmodelling consideration.Inordertoincreasethechances forviabilityofthetechnology,theprojectwill focusonamethodologyforthecomplete regenerationoftheusednanocompositetoits initialstatewhilethehealthandenvironmental effectsofitsapplicationinwatertreatmentwill be also studied.
The research project was supported by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I.) under the “2nd Call for H.F.R.I. ResearchProjects to support Post-Doctoral Researchers” (Project Number: 00046).
For technical details on the Magnosorb project, the offered product and services or any collaboration please contact to the given address information.
Information
Analytical Chemistry LaboratoryChemistry SectionDepartment of Chemical EngineeringAristotle University of Thessaloniki1st floor buliding C3rd September & Egnatia Str 54124 Thessalonikit: +30 2310 996256e: ksime@physics.auth.grwww.magnosorb.eu
The research project was supported by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I.) under the “2nd Call for H.F.R.I. ResearchProjects to support Post-Doctoral Researchers” (Project Number: 00046).
For technical details on the Magnosorb project, the offered product and services or any collaboration please contact to the given address information.
Information
Analytical Chemistry LaboratoryChemistry SectionDepartment of Chemical EngineeringAristotle University of Thessaloniki1st floor buliding C3rd September & Egnatia Str 54124 Thessalonikit: +30 2310 996256e: ksime@physics.auth.grwww.magnosorb.eu
The research project was supported by the Hellenic Foundation for Research and Innovation (H.F.R.I.) under the “2nd Call for H.F.R.I. ResearchProjects to support Post-Doctoral Researchers” (Project Number: 00046).