Effect of the surface microstructure of arsenopyrite on the attachment of Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans in the presence of dissolved As(Ⅲ)

Understanding bacterial adsorption and the evolution of biofilms on arsenopyrite with different surface structures is of great significance to clarifying the mechanism of microbe–mineral interfacial interactions and the production of acidic mine drainage impacting the environment. In this study, the attachment of Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans cells and subsequent biofilm formation on arsenopyrite with different surface structures in the presence of dissolved As(Ⅲ) was studied. Arsenopyrite slices with a specific surface were obtained by electrochemical corrosion at 0.26 V. The scanning electronic microscopy-energy dispersion spectra analyses indicated that the arsenopyrite surface deficient in sulfur and iron obtained by electrochemical treatment was not favorable for the initial adsorption of bacteria, and the addition of As(Ⅲ) inhibited the adsorption of microbial cells. Epifluorescence microscopy showed that the number of cells attaching to the arsenopyrite surface increased with time; however, biofilm formation was delayed significantly when As(Ⅲ) was added.     

Protein adsorption,cell viability and corrosion properties of Ti6Al4V alloy treated by plasma oxidation and anodic oxidation

The hardness, wettability, and electrochemical properties of Ti6Al4V alloy surfaces treated with anodic oxidation and plasma oxidation as well as the viabilities of the different cell lines on the obtained surfaces were investigated. The anodic oxidation was performed for 10 min under 100 V potential, and it resulted in a 0.95 μm thick nanoporous anatase-TiO_2 structure. On the other hand, plasma oxidation was carried out at 650℃ for 1 h and resulted in a dense rutile-TiO_2 structure with a thickness of 1.2 μm. While a hardness of HV_(0.025) 823 and roughness of ～220 nm were obtained by plasma oxidation, those obtained by anodic oxidation were HV_(0.025) 512 and ～130 nm, respectively. The anodic oxidation process created a more hydrophilic surface with a contact angle of 87.2°. Both oxidation processes produced similar properties in terms of corrosion behavior and showed better resistance than the as-received state in a certain range of potential. Moreover, the surface treatments led to no significant change in the protein adsorption levels, which indicates that the difference in viability between the osteoblast and fibroblast cells was not due to the difference in surface protein adsorption. Given all the factors, the surfaces obtained by anodic oxidation treatment revealed higher cell viability than those obtained by plasma oxidation(p = 0.05).     

A study on poly (N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) covalently bonded NiTi surface for inhibiting protein adsorption

Near equiatomic NiTi alloys have been extensively applied as biomaterials owing to its unique shape memory effect, superelasticity and biocompatibility. It has been demonstrated that surfaces capable of preventing plasma protein adsorption could reduce the reactivity of biomaterials with human blood. This motivated a lot of researches on the surface modification of NiTi alloy. In the present work, following heat and alkaline treatment and silanization by trichlorovinylsilane (TCVS), coating of poly (N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP) was produced on the NiTi alloy by gamma ray induced chemical bonding. The structures and properties of modified NiTi were characterized and in vitro biocompatibility of plasma protein adsorption was investigated. The results indicated that heat treatment at 823 K for 1 h could result in the formation of a protective TiO2 layer with “Ni-free” zone on NiTi surface. It was found that PVP was covalently bonded on NiTi surface to create a hydrophilic layer for inhibiting protein adsorption on the surface. The present work offers a green approach to introduce a bioorganic surface on metal and other polymeric or inorganic substrates by gamma irradiation.     

Flotation separation of arsenopyrite from several sulphide minerals with organic depressants

In this paper, the separation of arsenopyrite from chalcopyrite, pyrite, galena with organic depressants （guergum and sodium humic ） was discussed, and the functioning mechanism of those organic depressants was discussed. The experimental results of monomineral flotation indicated that both guergum and sodium humic have depressing effect on arsenopyrite in the presence of ethyl xanthate. Guergum and sodium humic showed different depressing ability to pyrite, chalcopyrite and galena, and the higher the pH value in pulp, the stronger the depressing ability. Ultraviolet-Visible Spectrophotometric study showed that the adsorption layer of xanthate on surface of minerals had been desorhed by the two organic depressants, and the selective desorption of the collector layer was found from different minerals. The xanthate cover on minerals surface was set free when dosage of the organic depressants was high enough. For artificially-mixed minerals, the separation of arsenopyrite from other sulphides was successfully realized by controlling dosage of the organic depressants. And sodium humic had been concentrates in a commercial Lead-Zinc concentrator.     

Corrosion inhibition of stainless steel by a sulfate-reducing bacteria biofilm in seawater

Corrosion inhibition of stainless steel due to a sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) biofilm in seawater was studied. By atomic force microscopy, a layer of fish-scale-like biofilm was found to form as stainless steel coupons were exposed to the culture media with SRB, and this biofilm grew more and more compact. As a result, coupons' surface under the biofilm turned irregular less slowly than that exposed to the sterilized culture media. Then, physicoelectric characteristics of the electrode/biofilm/solution interface were investigated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), and the coverage of the biofilm as well as the relative irregularity of coupons' surface was also recorded by EIS spectra. Finally, anodic cyclic polarization results further demonstrated the protective property of the biofilm. Therefore, in estimation of SRB-implicated corrosion of stainless steel, not only the detrimental SRB metabolites but also the protective SRB biofilm as well should be taken into account.     

等离子体氧化和阳极氧化处理的Ti6Al4V合金的蛋白吸附、细胞活力和腐蚀性能

The hardness, wettability, and electrochemical properties of Ti6Al4V alloy surfaces treated with anodic oxidation and plasma oxidation as well as the viabilities of the different cell lines on the obtained surfaces were investigated. The anodic oxidation was performed for 10 min under 100 V potential, and it resulted in a 0.95 μm thick nanoporous anatase-TiO₂ structure. On the other hand, plasma oxidation was carried out at 650°C for 1 h and resulted in a dense rutile-TiO₂ structure with a thickness of 1.2 μm. While a hardness of HV_0.025 823 and roughness of ~220 nm were obtained by plasma oxidation, those obtained by anodic oxidation were HV_0.025 512 and ~130 nm, respectively. The anodic oxidation process created a more hydrophilic surface with a contact angle of 87.2°. Both oxidation processes produced similar properties in terms of corrosion behavior and showed better resistance than the as-received state in a certain range of potential. Moreover, the surface treatments led to no significant change in the protein adsorption levels, which indicates that the difference in viability between the osteoblast and fibroblast cells was not due to the difference in surface protein adsorption. Given all the factors, the surfaces obtained by anodic oxidation treatment revealed higher cell viability than those obtained by plasma oxidation (p = 0.05).     

Mechanism of Cathode Process of B(Ⅲ) in LiF-NaF-KBF4 Melt by Electrochemical Titration Technique

The mechanism of cathode process of B(Ⅲ) at molybdenum and platinum electrodes in LiF-NaF-KBF₄ melt was studied and the transferred electron number of the reaction was calculated by means of cyclic voltammetry.The effect of adsorption of electroactive component on the electrochemical response (e.g., the voltammetric i─E curves) was analyzed and discussed. The "electrochemical spectra" for linear sweep voltammetry was used to elucidate the electrode reaction accompanied by a following transform process. The results show that the reduction of B(Ⅲ) to B(0) proceeds in reversible one step three-electron reaction and the cathode process of B(Ⅲ) is affected by product adsorbed strongly at the electrode surface. It is assumed that the reduction and deposition of B(Ⅲ) at molybdenum and platinum electrodes proceed in two kinds of mechanism: (1) B(Ⅲ)+ 3e = B_ads→ B (surface diffusion deposition mechanism) and (2) B(Ⅲ) + 3e = B (direct deposition mechanism).     

Improved hemimorphite flotation using xanthate as a collector with S(Ⅱ) and Pb(Ⅱ) activation

The flotation of hemimorphite using the S(Ⅱ)–Pb(Ⅱ)–xanthate process, which includes sulfidization with sodium sulfide, activation by lead cations, and subsequent flotation with xanthate, was investigated. The flotation results indicated that hemimorphite floats when the S(Ⅱ)–Pb(Ⅱ)–xanthate process is used; a maximum recovery of approximately 90% was obtained. Zeta-potential, contact-angle, scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive spectrometry (SEM–EDS), and diffuse-reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) measurements were used to characterize the activation products on the hemimorphite surface and their subsequent interaction with sodium butyl xanthate (SBX). The results showed that a ZnS coating formed on the hemimorphite surface after the sample was conditioned in an Na₂S solution. However, the formation of a ZnS coating on the hemimorphite surface did not improve hemimorphite flotation. With the subsequent addition of lead cations, PbS species formed on the mineral surface. The formation of the PbS species on the surface of hemimorphite significantly increased the adsorption capacity of SBX, forming lead xanthate (referred to as chemical adsorption) and leading to a substantial improvement in hemimorphite flotation. Our results indicate that the addition of lead cations is a critical step in the successful flotation of hemimorphite using the sulfidization–lead ion activation–xanthate process.     

Improved hemimorphite flotation using xanthate as a collector with S(Ⅱ) and Pb(Ⅱ) activation

The flotation of hemimorphite using the S(Ⅱ)–Pb(Ⅱ)–xanthate process,which includes sulfidization with sodium sulfide,activation by lead cations,and subsequent flotation with xanthate,was investigated.The flotation results indicated that hemimorphite floats when the S(Ⅱ)–Pb(Ⅱ)–xanthate process is used; a maximum recovery of approximately 90% was obtained.Zeta-potential,contact-angle,scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive spectrometry(SEM–EDS),and diffuse-reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy(DRIFTS) measurements were used to characterize the activation products on the hemimorphite surface and their subsequent interaction with sodium butyl xanthate(SBX).The results showed that a Zn S coating formed on the hemimorphite surface after the sample was conditioned in an Na2 S solution.However,the formation of a Zn S coating on the hemimorphite surface did not improve hemimorphite flotation.With the subsequent addition of lead cations,Pb S species formed on the mineral surface.The formation of the Pb S species on the surface of hemimorphite significantly increased the adsorption capacity of SBX,forming lead xanthate(referred to as chemical adsorption) and leading to a substantial improvement in hemimorphite flotation.Our results indicate that the addition of lead cations is a critical step in the successful flotation of hemimorphite using the sulfidization–lead ion activation–xanthate process.     

Effect of NaNO_3 concentration on anodic electrochemical behavior on the Sb surface in NaOH solution

The effect of NaNO_3 concentration on the anodic electrochemical behavior of antimony in 4 M NaOH solution was investigated using cyclic voltammetry(CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy(EIS) analyses. The mechanism of NO_3~-concentration effect on the anodic electrochemical behavior of antimony was proposed, and its availability was confirmed by experimental results. The effect of NaNO_3 on the anodic behavior of antimony in Na OH solution can be interpreted as a stepwise formation of different antimony compounds with different NaNO_3 concentrations. Metallic antimony is apt to be oxidized into Sb_2O_3 within the NaNO_3 concentration range of 0–0.48 M. NaSbO_3 can be found on the antimony surface when the NaNO_3 concentration increases gradually. Insoluable NaSbO_3 inhibits the anodic oxidation of antimony due to its shielding effect on the mass transport of the reactants and products. Surface morphology and composition were analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS), scanning electronic microscopy(SEM), and electron dispersion spectroscopy(EDS) analyses. Results indicate that the anodic oxidation layer is composed of Sb_2O_3, NaSbO_3, and Sb. The atomic proportion of antimony in the form of NaSbO_3 increases with increasing NaNO_3 concentration due to the powerful oxidizing property of NaNO_3.     

Synthesis,characterization, and property test of crystalline polyferric sulfate adsorbent used in treatment of contaminated water with a high As(III) content

A crystalline polyferric sulfate (PFS) adsorbent was synthesized by oxidizing and precipitating ferrous ions in air atmospheric conditions. The morphology, structure, specific surface area (SSA), and adsorptive efficacy of the adsorbent to As(Ⅲ) were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images, X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, BET SSA analyses, and adsorption experiments. The adsorbent showed a near-spherical aggregate structure and had good crystallinity. A significant amount of α-goethite co-precipitated with PFS in the case of the initial ferrous concentration of 1 mol/L and increased SSA of the adsorbent. The stability region of ferric compounds in the process was drawn and applied to analyze the iron behavior during the synthesis. The adsorption of As(Ⅲ) in high As(Ⅲ)-containing solutions fitted the Langmuir isotherm model adequately. The absorbent with co-precipitation of α-goethite showed good adsorbability for As(Ⅲ) and good filtering performance in the high As(Ⅲ)-containing solution of 10-100 mg/L under acidic, neutral, and alkaline conditions (pH 2.09-9.01). After the adsorption process, the stability of the residues bearing As(Ⅲ) was evaluated by toxic characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) tests. The results indicated that the residues were extremely stable, and the concentrations of arsenic in the leaching solutions were less than 0.01 mg/L.     

Synthesis,characterization, and property test of crystalline polyferric sulfate adsorbent used in treatment of contaminated water with a high As(Ⅲ) content

A crystalline polyferric sulfate(PFS) adsorbent was synthesized by oxidizing and precipitating ferrous ions in air atmospheric conditions. The morphology, structure, specific surface area(SSA), and adsorptive efficacy of the adsorbent to As(Ⅲ) were characterized by scanning electron microscope(SEM) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM) images, X-ray diffraction(XRD) patterns, Fourier-transform infrared(FTIR) spectra, BET SSA analyses, and adsorption experiments. The adsorbent showed a near-spherical aggregate structure and had good crystallinity. A significant amount of α-goethite co-precipitated with PFS in the case of the initial ferrous concentration of 1 mol/L and increased SSA of the adsorbent. The stability region of ferric compounds in the process was drawn and applied to analyze the iron behavior during the synthesis. The adsorption of As(Ⅲ) in high As(Ⅲ)-containing solutions fitted the Langmuir isotherm model adequately. The absorbent with co-precipitation of α-goethite showed good adsorbability for As(Ⅲ) and good filtering performance in the high As(Ⅲ)-containing solution of 10–100 mg/L under acidic, neutral, and alkaline conditions(pH 2.09–9.01). After the adsorption process, the stability of the residues bearing As(Ⅲ) was evaluated by toxic characteristic leaching procedure(TCLP) tests. The results indicated that the residues were extremely stable, and the concentrations of arsenic in the leaching solutions were less than 0.01 mg/L.     

Preparation of electroless Ni–P composite coatings containing nano-scattered alumina in presence of polymeric surfactant

Ni–P electroless coating was applied on low carbon steel with the incorporation of different amounts of nano Al2O3 powder (ranging from 3 g/l to 30 g/l) in electroless bath. Corrosion properties and microstructures of the coating were studied. The dispersion stability of alumina colloidal particles stabilized by polymeric (non-ionic) surfactants in an electroless bath was also investigated. The surface morphology and the relevant structure were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Corrosion behavior of the coated steel was evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and polarization techniques. The results showed that increasing alumina concentration not only changed the surface morphology, but also promoted the corrosion resistance. Addition of surfactants has an indirect effect on the amount of the incorporated particles. Meanwhile, in the presence of surfactant, corrosion resistance of Ni–P coating containing even a small quantity of alumina was improved since a stabilized bath was obtained.     

Two-dimensional investigation of forced bubble oscillation under microgravity

Recent referential studies of fluid interfaces subjected to small vibration under microgravity conditions are reviewed. An experimental investigation was carried out aboard the American Space Shuttle Discovery. Two-dimensional (2-D) modeling and simulation were conducted to further understand the experimental results. The oscillation of a bubble in fluid under surface tension is governed by the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations. The SIMPLEC algorithm was used to solve the partial differential equations on an Eulerian mesh in a 2-D coordinate. Free surfaces were represented with the volume of fluid (VOF) obtained by solving a kinematic equation. Surface tension was modeled via a continuous surface force (CSF) algorithm that ensures robustness and accuracy. A new surface reconstruction scheme, alternative phase integration (API) scheme, was adopted to solve the kinematic equation, and was compared with referential schemes. Numerical computations were conducted to simulate the transient behavior of an oscillating gas bubble in mineral oil under different conditions. The bubble positions and shapes under different external vibrations were obtained numerically. The computed bubble oscillation amplitudes were compared with experimental data.     

Effect of sulphate-reducing bacteria on the electrochemical impedance spectroscopy characteristics of 1Cr18Ni9Ti

The electrochemical characteristics of 1Cr18Ni9Ti in sulphate-reducing bacteria (SRB) solutions and the biofilm of SRB on the surface of the 1Cr18Ni9Ti electrode were studied by electrochemical, microbiological, and surface analysis methods. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) of 1Cr18Ni9Ti was measured in the solutions with and without SRB at the culture time of 2, 4, 8 d, respectively. The measurement used two test methods, the nonimmersion electrode method and the immersion electrode method. It was found that the polarization resistance (R_p) of 1Cr18Ni9Ti in the solutions without SRB is the greatest for each test method. When using the nonimmersion electrode method, R_p shifts negatively at first and then positively, and the time constant is only one. Although using the immersion electrode method, the R_p shifts positively at first and then negatively, and the time constant also changes when the biofilm forms. The biofilm observed through SEM is with pores. It was demonstrated that SRB has accelerated corrosion action on 1Cr18Ni9Ti. The protection effect of the biofilm on the electrode depends on the compact degree of the film.     

Characterization of Amino Terminated Hyperbranched Collagen Fiber and Adsorption Thermodynamics to Cr(Ⅵ)

In this study, a novel adsorption material amino terminated hyperbranched polyamide collagen fiber( CF-HBPN)was prepared by loading amino terminated hyperbranched polyamide( HBPN) which was synthesized by polycondensation of methacrylate and diethylenetriamine onto the surface of collagen fiber( CF) with glutaraldehyde as the cross-linking agent. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy( XPS) and thermogravimetric analysis( TGA) were employed to characterize the structures of CF and CFHBPN. In addition,the adsorption property of CF-HBPN toward Cr( Ⅵ) and adsorption thermodynamic were studied as well. The experimental results indicated that the Cr( Ⅵ) 's removal rate by CF-HBPN was 3. 09 higher than that of CF under the same conditions. Langmuir single layer adsorption model was found more suitable to describe the adsorption process than Freundlich adsorption model. The adsorption process was an endothermic reaction. The adsorption efficiency was enhanced with the increase of temperature. X-ray diffraction( XRD) was employed to elucidate the difference between CF-HBPN and Cr( Ⅵ) loaded CF-HBPN[CF-HBPN-Cr( Ⅵ) ].     

Influence of bath composition on the electrodeposition of cobalt-molybdenum amorphous alloy thin films

Cobalt-molybdenum (Co-Mo) amorphous alloy thin films were deposited on copper substrates by the electrochemical method at pH 4.0. Among the experimental electrodeposition parameters,only the concentration ratio of molybdate to cobalt ions ([MoO₄2-]/[Co2+]) was varied to analyze its influence on the mechanism of induced cobalt-molybdenum codeposition. Voltammetry was one of the main techniques,which was used to examine the voltammetric response,revealing that cobalt-molybdenum codeposition depended on the nature of the species in solution. To correlate the type of the film to the electrochemical response,various cobalt-molybdenum alloy thin films obtained from different [MoO₄2-]/[Co2+] solutions were tested. Crack-free homogeneous films could be easily obtained from the low molybdate concentrations ([MoO₄2-]/[Co2+]≈0.05) applying low deposition potentials. Moreover,the content of molybdenum up to 30wt% could be obtained from high molybdate concentration; in this case,the films showed cracks. The formation of these cracked films could be predicted from the observed distortions in the curves of electric current-time (j-t) deposition transients. The films with amorphous structure were obtained. The hysteresis loops suggested that the easily magnetized axis was parallel to the surface of the films. A saturation magnetization of 137 emu·g-1 and a coercivity of 87 Oe of the film were obtained when the deposition potential was -1025mV,and [ MoO₄2-]/[Co2+] was 0.05 in solution,which exhibited a nicer soft-magnetic response.     

Action time effect of lime on its depressive ability for pyrite

Two sample groups of bulk concentrates consisting mainly of pyrite and chalcopyrite from Daye and Chenghchao Mines in Hubei Province of China were used to investigate the effect of the action time of lime on its depressive ability for pyrite. The experimental results conducted with different samples and collectors showed that the action time between lime and pyrite markedly influences the depressive ability of lime. The depressive ability of lime increased with the action time increasing. It was also proved that the depressive results obtained at a large lime dosage after a shorter action time are similar to those obtained at a small lime dosage after a longer action time. The increase of depressive ability of lime after a longer action time is because that there are different mechanisms in different action time. The composition on the surface of pyrite acted for different time with lime was studied by using ESCA (Electron Spectroscopic Chemical Analysis). The results showed that iron hydroxide and calcium sulphate formed on the pyrite surface at the presence of lime in the pulp but the amounts of iron hydroxide and calcium sulphate were different at different action time. At the beginning action time the compound formed on the pyrite surface was mainly calcium sulphate and almost no iron hydroxide formed; but with the action time increasing, iron hydroxide formed. The longer the action time, the more iron hydroxide and the less calcium sulphate formed. It was considered that the stronger depressive ability of lime after a longer action time is because more iron hydroxide forms on the pyrite surface.     

Study on the hyperspectral polarized reflection characteristics of oil slicks on sea surfaces

This study is concerned with the need for remote sensing techniques for the monitoring of oil-slick pollution on sea surfaces and the effects of oil-slick pollution on the sea.We used Daqing crude oil,Jilin crude oil,heavy oil and seawater from Dalian Bay to simulate oil-slick pollution on the sea surface and obtained multi-angle hyperspectral polarized reflectance information,from which we calculated the polarization for different kinds of crude oil,and oil-slicks of different thicknesses.By comparing the degree of polarization between oil-slicks of different thickness,and sea water,it was found that in the case of thin oil-slicks,the degree of polarization of seawater is higher than that of oil slicks with wavelengths of between 400-1000 nm.However,there was little difference at a wavelength of 785 nm.At angles of incident of 20° and 30° (the viewing angle equals the incident angle),it was easy to distinguish the changes of oil-slick thickness by the degree of polarization at 785 and 880 nm in the near-infrared band.The crude oil showed its inherent polarized characteristic as the oil-slick thickness increased to a certain degree.That is to say,the polarization of the seawater was higher than that of the oil-slick in the visible light range,but less than that in the near-infrared band.As the incident angle changed from 40° to 50°,the degree of polarization of seawater increased,and it was higher than that for the oil-sick between wavelengths of 400-1000 nm at an angle of incidence of 50°.This research on the polarized characteristics of an oil-slick on a sea surface brings new scientific techniques to the monitoring of sea-surface pollution by remote sensing.