Artificial Seawater Research Articles

Publisher Correction: Synergistic inhibition effect of Chlorella sp. and benzotriazole on the corrosion of Q235 carbon steel in alkaline artificial seawater

Publisher Correction: Synergistic inhibition effect of Chlorella sp. and benzotriazole on the corrosion of Q235 carbon steel in alkaline artificial seawater

Effect of Accelerated Aging Temperature under Artificial Seawater on the Properties of Carbon Fiber/Epoxy Composites and the Erosion Mechanism

Effect of Accelerated Aging Temperature under Artificial Seawater on the Properties of Carbon Fiber/Epoxy Composites and the Erosion Mechanism

Design and Corrosion Resistance Performance of Nano-Multilayer Coatings for the Protection of Breathing Gas Cylinders Used in Diving

Seamless gas cylinders for diving exhibit excellent low-temperature impact performance, lightweight characteristics, and good corrosion resistance, making them widely applicable in underwater activities. However, during use, the peeling of paint or corrosion on the surface of these cylinders poses a significant threat to their safety. In this study, environmentally friendly arc ion plating technology was used to deposit TiBN, CrAlN, and nano-multilayer coatings of CrAlN/TiBN. The surface morphology, tribological properties, and corrosion resistance of these coatings were investigated. The results indicated that both CrAlN and CrAlN/TiBN coatings possess fewer droplets, pinholes, and pits, and the cross-section of the CrAlN/TiBN coating exhibits a denser structure. The preferred orientation for TiBN was identified as TiB2 (101), while that for CrAlN was Cr(Al)N (200), with the preferred orientation for CrAlN/TiBN being TiB2 (101). The friction measurements revealed that the lowest coefficient was observed in the CrAlN/TiBN coating (0.489), followed by CrAlN (0.491) and then TiBN (0.642). Electrochemical tests conducted in artificial seawater demonstrated that the self-corrosion potential was highest for the CrAlN/TiBN coating, followed by CrAlN and lastly TiBN. The developed TiBN-based nano-multilayer coatings hold substantial application value in protecting seamless gas cylinders used in diving.

Interference mechanism of electrolyte cations on vanadium-oxygen binary doped carbon nitride for hydrogen evolution from artificial seawater splitting: Coupling experiments, DFT calculations and machine learning

Photocatalytic H2 production from seawater splitting is a promising method for sustainable energy conversion technology. The vanadium-oxygen binary doped carbon nitride (VOX-CN) is successfully prepared for H2 production. Benefiting from the electronic structure alteration, the maximum H2 yield on VOX-CN in artificial seawater reaches 4475.74 μmol h−1g−1, 10 times higher than that of CN in deionized water. The impact of ions on the photocatalytic activity of VO2-CN is followed by Na+ > Mg2+ > K+ > Ca2+. The adsorption of electrolyte ions promotes the formation of delocalized electron clouds on the surface of VO2-CN, facilitating more electrons to participate in H+ reduction. Screening based on six machine models, the decision tree regression algorithm is used to reveal the interaction between cation type, their concentration and H2 yield. Pearson heatmap indicates that Na+, Mg2+, and K+ ions are positively correlated with H2 yield, whereas Ca2+ shows a negative correlation. The interactions among Na+, Mg2+ and K+ atoms facilitate H2 production in multi-ion system, whereas Ca2+ ions do the opposite, especially for high concentration. This work proposes new insights into the interference on H2 yield between the structure alteration of CN framework and the change of ion type and concentration.

Synthesis and characterization of waterborne polyurethane‐based marine antifouling coating modified via glycerol laurate

AbstractMarine biofouling is a major international challenge since it is responsible for several environmental problems and economic losses. Developing a novel antifouling coating with good water resistance, adhesion, and controlled degradation performance is crucial to solving the problem. Herein, a series of waterborne polyurethane emulsions were synthesized using the prepolymerization chain expansion and self‐emulsification method, with varying contents of glycerol laurate (GL) as the post‐chain extender. The findings demonstrated a notable enhancement in the controllable degradation performance, adhesion, marine antifouling properties, and water resistance with an increase in the concentration of GL. In particular, the film exhibited the most optimal overall properties when the introduction amount of GL was 2 wt%. The absorption rate of the artificial seawater (ASW) reached a state of equilibrium when GWPU2 was immersed in ASW for 60 days, with a final value of approximately 18.5%. The release rates of the GWPU2 antifouling coatings were observed to be the lowest at approximately 120 days, with a rate of approximately 37.59 μg/cm2/day. The long‐term antifouling capability of the GWPU resins was demonstrated in marine field tests, wherein they exhibited sustained antifouling activity for a period exceeding 9 months. In particular, GWPU2 exhibited noteworthy antifouling performance.

High-efficiency treatment of oily wastewater by photocatalytic in-situ Fenton oxidation under visible light

Oily wastewater poses a significant threat to environmental safety, and complex water environments have caused numerous disturbances in oil pollution treatment. Therefore, constructing composite systems is expected to improve oil pollution treatment efficiency. This study developed an efficient photocatalytic in-situ Fenton oxidation system, HTCC@ZnFe2O4/Ag3PO4 (HZFA), loaded onto polypropylene spheres (PP) for treating oily wastewater (diesel oil) in complex environments. The built-in electric field of HZFA promotes photogenerated carrier separation, enhancing photocatalytic effect. At a diesel concentration of 3.2 g/L, performance of HZFA degraded diesel in deionized water and artificial seawater (ASW) were 60.80 % and 52.62 %, respectively, much higher than a pure photocatalytic system (13.84 %). The dual system compensated for single system defects like instability and narrow application range, achieving 8 effective cycles in ASW. Experimental and computational results showed that high oxidation and reduction potentials in the dual system promoted hydrocarbon oxidative degradation and H2O2 production/activation. The amount of OH, O2−, and h+ produced in different environments is fundamental for the stabilization of catalytic degradation by HZFA. GC–MS and DFT analysis revealed potential oxidative chain-breaking processes for diesel components like alkanes, aromatics, alcohols, acids, aldehydes, and esters. This study offers a new method for green and efficient oily wastewater treatment, overcoming inherent defects of traditional Fenton, with broad application prospects.

Disposable Face Masks into aquatic media: chemical and biological testing of the released compounds during the leaching process

The present study investigated the fate, and the biological effects posed by the presence of Disposable Face Masks (DFMs) into fresh- and saltwater media, using both chemical and biological testing. To this end, slightly fragmented DFMs were maintained in tanks with artificial sea water (ASW) or dH2O (DFMASW and DFMdH2O, respectively) for a period of 20 days (under continuous agitation, oxygen supply, and light/dark ration 1:1) to simulate both fresh- and saltwater natural conditions. Thereafter, DFMs leaching substances were determined, before proceeding to biological testing with the use of the marine bacterium Aliivibrio fischeri (Bioluminescence Inhibition assay), the fresh- and saltwater algal species Chlorococcum sp. and Tetraselmis suecica (algal bioassays), as well as the fairy shrimp Thamnocephalus platyurus, the water flea Daphnia magna, and the rotifer Brachionus calyciflorus (acute toxicity screening tests, in terms of microbiotest). According to the results, once into aquatic media (DFMASW and DFMdH2O) DFMs are subjected to degradation, leading to the release of organic, inorganic, and polymeric compounds (PP microfibers). Considering that possible interactions of the leaching substances could differentially affect the aquatic biota, the present study showed that DFMs leaching substances could be harmful to the fairy shrimp T. platyurus, and the water flea D. magna, with slight to non-toxic effects to be observed in case of Chlorococcum sp. and Tetraselmis suecica, the marine bacterium Aliivibrio fischeri, and the rotifer B. calyciflorus. The present findings showed that the DFMs improper disposal into fresh- and/or saltwater media, followed by their degradation and leaching processes, could lead to the release of substances of great environmental concern, thus promoting awareness about their proper handling and management, as well as the long-term monitoring of their environmental risk.

An Imine-Functionalized Silicone-Based Epoxy Coating with Stable Adhesion and Controllable Degradation for Enhanced Marine Antifouling and Anticorrosion Properties.

Biofouling and corrosion of submerged equipment caused by marine organisms severely restrict the rapid development of the marine industry. Traditional antifouling or anticorrosion coatings typically serve a sole purpose and exhibit limited degradability upon failure, rendering them inadequate for current demands. Herein, a novel imine-functionalized command-degradable bio-based epoxy coating (SAHPEP-DDM) with enhanced integrated antifouling and anticorrosion performances was synthesized utilizing 1,3-bis (3-aminopropyl)-1,1,3,3-tetramethyldisiloxane and syringaldehyde. Compared with commercial epoxy resins (E51-DDM) and polydimethylsiloxanes (PDMS), the SAHPEP-DDM coating exhibits superior antifouling and anticorrosion properties due to the existence of -C=N- and Si-O-Si chain segments in the cross-linking network. The coating achieves resistance rates of 99.59 % and 99.20 % against E. coli and S. aureus, respectively, and shows promising resistance against algae and proteins, as well as excellent corrosion resistance in artificial seawater (with |Z|0.01 Hz and arc radius of about 1011 Ω and exceeding 1010 Ω respectively). The coating also exhibits excellent chemical resistance in organic solvents as well as neutral and alkaline environments. Moreover, its controlled degradation after coating failure can be achieved in acid aqueous solutions through temperature and acidity adjustments, facilitated by the presence of -C=N-. This work presents a novel degradable coating successfully coupled the dual functions of antifouling and anticorrosion coatings, avoiding the employment of intermediate coat, indicating vast potential for application in various marine engineering fields.

Viologen-Directed Silver-Thiocyanate-Based Photocatalyst for Rhodamine B Degradation in Artificial Seawater.

Photocatalytic degradation is a leading technology for complete mineralization of organic dyes in the ocean. In this work, a new viologen-bearing silver-thiocyanate-based photocatalyst, i.e., {(i-PrV)[Ag2(SCN)4]}n (i-PrV2+ = isopropyl viologen) has been synthesized and structurally determined, with results showing that it can exhibit excellent degradation performance on rhodamine B (RhB) in artificial seawater. The planar i-PrV2+ dications are confined in the free voids of the [Ag2(SCN)4]n2n- layer with a two-dimensional (6,3) mesh, and strong C-H···S hydrogen bonds contribute to its structural stabilization. This photocatalyst was further characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), UV-Vis, fluorescence, and photo/electrical responsive measurements, pointing to its application in visible-light-driven catalysis. Interestingly, using this photocatalyst, good photocatalytic degradation performance on rhodamine B in artificial seawater could be observed. The dye pollutant could be degraded with a high degradation ratio of 87.82% in 220 min. This work provides a promising catalyst for organic dye-type ocean pollutant treatments.

Investigation of the hygrothermal effects on in-plane failure mechanisms of fine Z-pinned laminates

Hygrothermal effect on the in-plane behavior of fine Z-pinned laminates were studied and the failure mechanisms were explained. Artificial seawater aging experiments were carried out on Z-pinned laminates prepared by ultrasonic vibration equipment. A compression progressive damage numerical model of fine Z-pinned laminates based on moisture-induced interface degradation was proposed to analyze the damage initialization and development of composites. The mechanical results show that the unpinned and Φ0.11 mm Z-pinned laminates have similar in-plane strength retention after 6 months of aging, and the tensile and compressive strengths decrease by 20% and 29%, respectively. EDS analysis confirms that Z-pin provides an additional moisture channel, leading to more elements with high relative atomic mass inside the laminates. It is found through the simulation studies that moisture leads to matrix compression and interlaminar interfacial damage regions to localized areas, weakening the interlayer effect of Z-pins and leading to the decrease of the ultimate bearing capacity of laminates. It denotes that Φ0.11 mm fine Z-pin has the potential to be used in composite marine structures.

Synergistic inhibition effect of Chlorella sp. and benzotriazole on the corrosion of Q235 carbon steel in alkaline artificial seawater

The interaction of microalgae on the reinforced concrete with corrosion inhibitor is not well understood. Moreover, the inhibition role of microalgae on corrosion has been reported in recent years. In this study, the corrosion inhibition behavior of Q235 carbon steel (CS) due to the presence of Chlorella sp. and benzotriazole (BTA) in alkaline artificial seawater was investigated by means of weight loss, electrochemical measurements including open circuit potential, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and potentiodynamic polarization curves, and surface analysis including scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersion spectrometer, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results of reduced corrosion rates in the algae-BTA system demonstrated that Chlorella sp. could facilitate the corrosion inhibition efficiency of BTA on the CS specimens. Moreover, polarization measurement showed the algae-BTA system had a mixed-type corrosion inhibition effect. The mechanisms of inhibition were proposed to be the precipitation of iron complexes such as Fe-BTA-EPS and Fe-BTA and iron compounds on the steel surface in the presence of the microalgae and BTA–. This study highlights the application of CS corrosion control by combining biological and chemical approaches that can be used for future research and practice, rather than purely chemical approaches.

Natural sea water and artificial sea water are not equivalent in plastic leachate contamination studies

Natural sea water and artificial sea water are not equivalent in plastic leachate contamination studies

Photoinitiated Degradation Kinetics of the Organic UV Filter Oxybenzone in Solutions and Aerosols: Impacts of Salt, Photosensitizers, and the Medium.

Organic UV filters like oxybenzone (BP3) in sunscreens are seawater pollutants suspected to transfer to the atmosphere via sea spray aerosol (SSA). This study examines the photoinitiated degradation of BP3 in artificial and real seawater compared to SSA mimics containing NaCl and 4-benzoylbenzoic acid (4-BBA). We investigated pure, binary, and ternary mixtures of BP3, NaCl, and 4-BBA using solar-simulated light to isolate the effects of salt and photosensitization on BP3 degradation. Results showed significantly faster degradation in the aerosol phase (J eff,env ≈ 10-3-10-2 s-1 or t 1/2 < 10 min) compared to bulk solutions (J eff,env ≈ 10-6 s-1 or t 1/2 > 1 day). The photosensitizer enhanced BP3 photodegradation in both phases more than when mixed with salt or all three components in solutions. BP3 photodegradation was most enhanced by salt in the aerosol phase. High-resolution molecular analysis via Orbitrap LC-MS/MS revealed more acutely toxic compounds (benzophenone, benzoic acid, and benzaldehyde) in irradiated aerosols than in solution, supported by electronic structure and toxicity modeling. These findings highlight that seawater may serve as a reservoir for BP3 and other organic UV filters and that upon transfer into SSA, BP3 rapidly transforms, increasing aerosol toxicity.

The Influence of Seawater on Fe(II)-Catalyzed Ferrihydrite Transformation and Its Subsequent Consequences for C Dynamics.

Short-range-ordered minerals like ferrihydrite often bind substantial organic carbon (OC), which can be altered if the minerals transform. Such mineral transformations can be catalyzed by aqueous Fe(II) (Fe(II)aq) in redox-dynamic environments like coastal wetlands, which are inundated with seawater during storm surges or tidal events associated with sea-level rise. Yet, it is unknown how seawater salinity will impact Fe(II)-catalyzed ferrihydrite transformation or the fate of bound OC. We reacted ferrihydrite with Fe(II)aq under anoxic conditions in the absence and presence of dissolved organic matter (DOM). We compared treatments with no salts (DI water), NaCl-KCl salts, and artificial seawater mixes (containing Ca and Mg ions) with or without SO42-/HCO3-. Both XRD and Mössbauer showed that NaCl-KCl favored lepidocrocite formation, whereas Ca2+/Mg2+/SO42-/HCO3- ions in seawater overrode the effects of NaCl-KCl and facilitated goethite formation. We found that the highly unsaturated and phenolic compounds (HuPh) of DOM selectively bound to Fe minerals, promoting nanogoethite formation in seawater treatments. Regardless of salt presence, only 5-9% of Fe-bound OC was released during ferrihydrite transformation, enriching HuPh relative to aliphatics in solution. This study offers new insights into the occurrence of (nano)goethite and the role of Fe minerals in OC protection in coastal wetlands.

High-performance hydrogel membranes with superior environmental stability for harvesting osmotic energy

A collection of innovative nanofluidic systems has been developed to harness Gibbs free energy and convert it into osmotic energy. Nevertheless, these systems frequently encounter challenges such as low output power density, inadequate mechanical stability, and diminished performance in extreme conditions. In this work, we utilized a simple thermal polymerization method to fabricate a charged phytic acid (PA)–acrylic acid (AA)–3-sulfopropyl acrylate potassium salt (SPAK) hydrogel (PASH) membrane with anti-drying and anti-freezing properties, alongside mechanical stability. Using a silicon window with a testing area of 3 × 10−8 m2, a high power density of 30.94 W/m2 was achieved in artificial seawater and river water environments (0.5/0.01 M NaCl). Notably, an even higher power density of 103.9 W/m2 was attained in artificial saline lake and river water environments (5/0.01 M NaCl). Meanwhile, the PASH membrane demonstrated outstanding performance in low temperatures and various acidic and alkaline environments, offering the potential for osmotic power generation in extreme conditions. This work provides essential theoretical foundations and experimental evidence for the development of sustainable osmotic energy conversion technologies, contributing to the advancement and innovation in the field of blue osmotic energy.

Enhanced Salinity Gradient Energy Conversion by Photodegradable MXene/TiO2 Membrane Utilizing Saline Dye Wastewater

AbstractThe utilization of nanochannel membranes for harvesting salinity gradient energy has shown promising potential in addressing the energy crisis and environmental pollution issues. While previous studies have mainly focused on extracting salinity energy from mixing artificial seawater with river water, the research introduces a creative approach involving dye wastewater treatment using MXene/TiO2 membranes to achieve simultaneous photocatalytic degradation and power generation via salinity gradients. The built‐in electric field generated by MXene/TiO2 heterojunctions enhances ionic transport and electron‐hole separation. After photocatalytic treatment of saline dye wastewater, the membrane is defined as a photodegradable membrane. This membrane exhibits increased surface charge and expanded layer spacing to optimize salinity gradient energy conversion efficiency, yielding an impressive power density of up to 11.78 W m−2, which is 20% higher than that of the original MXene/TiO2 membrane. This work offers valuable insights into the development of multifunctional materials for sustainable power generation that comprehensively utilize industrial wastewater and domestic sewage.

Excellent tribocorrosion resistance in artificial seawater of high entropy alloy FeCrNiCoAl coating prepared by HVOF

In marine environments, steel friction pairs undergo significant degradation due to the combined effects of wear and corrosion, known as tribocorrosion. This study investigates the tribocorrosion behavior and mechanisms under high loads of a High Entropy Alloy (HEA) FeCrNiCoAl coating applied by HVOF spraying, as well as cast ingot FeCrNiCoAl and 304SS samples, in artificial seawater. The investigations were conducted using electrochemical methods and in situ wear- electrochemical techniques. The tribocorrosion rate of the HVOF coating is approximately 1/5 that of the HEA cast ingot and 304SS samples. This is attributed to the coating's high hardness and the supporting and isolating effects of its oxide layers between splats. An intriguing finding is that the Open-Circuit Potential (OCP) trough value of the HVOF coating coincides with the peak Coefficient of Friction (COF) value during tribocorrosion in artificial seawater. This is due to the exposure of fresh surfaces following the local peeling off of flattened particles. Furthermore, the coating exhibits high re-passivation capabilities during wear because of high oxygen content in the coating. In comparison to corrosion, wear-induced material loss was identified as the primary contributor (≥ 99.8 %) to mass loss in both HEA cast ingot and coating samples. Optimizing the quantity and morphology of the HVOF coating has the potential to further enhance its tribocorrosion resistance. This study lays the foundation for developing advanced tribocorrosion-resistant coatings for use in seawater environments.

Abiotic degradation and accelerated ageing of microplastics from biodegradable and recycled materials in artificial seawater

Microplastics (MPs) are considered one of the most widespread pollutants in all ecosystems worldwide. In the environment, MPs can undergo hydrolysis and/or oxidation, resulting in the release of low-molecular weight degradation products, along with additives, and adsorbed organic pollutants. In this study, the morphological, chemical, and thermal changes of microplastics obtained from two biodegradable plastics, polylactic acid and Mater-Bi®, and a recycled plastic, recycled-polyethylene terephthalate, were examined after accelerated ageing under photo-oxidative conditions in synthetic seawater in a Solarbox system, and after thermal treatment in the dark. Thermal properties were studied by thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, and evolved gas analysis-mass spectrometry. Compositions and changes of chemical components of the polymers were evaluated by attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and pyrolysis-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The leachable fractions and degradation products released in synthetic seawater by degraded MPs were characterized by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. This study allowed us to identify hydrolysis as the main degradation pathway of the polymers under analysis, and to characterize not only the oligomers and degradation products released in the water as a consequence of degradation, but also additives used in plastic item formulations. This study improves our understanding of these polymers' behavior under accelerated ageing conditions.

Quasi-static punch shear behavior of glass/epoxy composite: Experimental and numerical study in artificial seawater environment

Enhancing the understanding of how fiber-reinforced polymer composites respond to high-speed impacts is crucial, particularly in comparison to Quasi-Static Punch Shear Test (QS-PST). While researchers have extensively investigated QS-PST in FRP composites through experimental and numerical approaches, there's a notable gap in studies addressing the aging effects through both experimental and numerical methods. In this study, the QS-PST was conducted on S2 glass fiber reinforced epoxy composite materials aged in an artificial seawater environment. Composite plates were fabricated using Vacuum-assisted resin transfer molding (VARTM). Test samples were subjected to aging for durations of 4, 8, and 12 months. Experimental QS-PST were performed on the samples, followed by Finite Element Analysis (FEA) using LS-DYNA and the MAT 162 material model. The mechanical properties of the composite material were incorporated into the FEA and aging effects were simulated with a maximum error of 8.08% by using the proposed material model. The results indicated that the aging process led to a reduction in the punch shear strength of the composite by up to 26.84%. These findings provide valuable insights into the degradation mechanisms of composite materials in marine environments, aiding in the development of strategies for enhanced durability and performance in such conditions.

Evolution mechanism of element Ni on matrix, surface and interface during static soaking of copper-nickel alloy

This article uses XRF, WLI, SEM, EDS, XPS and EIS techniques to characterize the surface element segregation and the state of corrosion product films under different periods of artificial seawater immersion. The research results show that when the film is intact, a uniform Ni-rich layer is formed below the film due to the preferential dissolution of Cu elements, which weakens the segregation degree of Ni elements on the surface of the substrate. At the same time, Ni elements enter the film in the form of doping, which increases the resistance of the film. When the film layer is damaged, the Ni-rich layer between matrix and surface will be rapidly converted to NiO, the enrichment state of Ni element will be destroyed, and the segregation degree will be increased. However, NiO only plays a temporary protective role, and it is easy to hydrolysis into loose Ni (OH)2, resulting in the film layer fall off. After the matrix is exposed, the Cu element is preferentially dissolved again, and the nickel-rich layer is re-formed on the substrate surface.