Nonylphenol Polyethoxylates Research Articles

Remediating diesel-contaminated soil with a biodegradble surfactant as Triton alternative: Nonylcyclohexanol ethoxylate

The newly forbidden surfactant nonylphenol polyethoxylates (NPEOn, similar as Triton) was considered as a promising eluent for remediating diesel-contaminated soil but remaining a secondary pollution due to their aquatic toxicity. Herein, a comprehensive study is conducted about the performance of a group of new surfactants nonylcyclohexanol ethoxylates (NPEOn</sub) on remediating diesel-contaminated soil, with comparison of NPEO10, along with the nonionic-anionic combination of NCEO9-sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (NCEO9-SDBS). With 1 wt% of NPEOn</sub solution, the elution efficiency on diesel in soil reached up to 86.8% at 25°C in 24 h, which was comparable to that of NPEO10. The mechanism of reducing polyethoxylate surfactant adsorption on soil surface by anionic surfactant was profiled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and zeta-potential analysis. The kinetics of diesel desorption from contaminated soil enhanced with surfactants is found to follow the Elovich equation. Moreover, the bean germination and growth experiment further prove that the NCEO9 washing improved the cultivability of diesel-contaminated soils, especially inspiring the red bean growth that did not germinate in the contaminated soil at all. The findings will be benefit for developing environmentally friendly surfactant systems to clean-up diesel-contaminated soils, and for replacing NPEO10 with NCEO9 in soil remediation applications.

Removal of nonylphenol polyethoxylates by raw lignite coal and activated carbon: materials characterization, adsorption studies, and modeling the adsorption isotherms

Removal of nonylphenol polyethoxylates by raw lignite coal and activated carbon: materials characterization, adsorption studies, and modeling the adsorption isotherms

Cetyl Alcohol Polyethoxylates Disrupt Metabolic Health in Developmentally Exposed Zebrafish.

Alcohol polyethoxylates (AEOs), such as cetyl alcohol ethoxylates (CetAEOs), are high-production-volume surfactants used in laundry detergents, hard-surface cleaners, pesticide formulations, textile production, oils, paints, and other products. AEOs have been suggested as lower toxicity replacements for alkylphenol polyethoxylates (APEOs), such as the nonylphenol and octylphenol polyethoxylates. We previously demonstrated that nonylphenol polyethoxylates induced triglyceride accumulation in several in vitro adipogenesis models and promoted adiposity and increased body weights in developmentally exposed zebrafish. We also demonstrated that diverse APEOs and AEOs were able to increase triglyceride accumulation and/or pre-adipocyte proliferation in a murine pre-adipocyte model. As such, the goals of this study were to assess the potential of CetAEOs to promote adiposity and alter growth and/or development (toxicity, length, weight, behavior, energy expenditure) of developmentally exposed zebrafish (Danio rerio). We also sought to expand our understanding of ethoxylate chain-length dependent effects through interrogation of varying chain-length CetAEOs. We demonstrated consistent adipogenic effects in two separate human bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell models as well as murine pre-adipocytes. Immediately following chemical exposures in zebrafish, we reported disrupted neurodevelopment and aberrant behavior in light/dark activity testing, with medium chain-length CetAEO-exposed fish exhibiting hyperactivity across both light and dark phases. By day 30, we demonstrated that cetyl alcohol and CetAEOs disrupted adipose deposition in developmentally exposed zebrafish, despite no apparent impacts on standard length or gross body weight. This research suggests metabolic health concerns for these common environmental contaminants, suggesting further need to assess molecular mechanisms and better characterize environmental concentrations for human health risk assessments.

Nonylcyclohexanol polyethoxylate, a greener alternative of nonylphenol polyethoxylate endows sodium oleate solution high salt tolerance

Nonylphenol polyethoxylate (NPEOn) has been expected to enhance salt tolerance of system containing carboxylates, but banned in countries recently. Herein, a group of new surfactants, nonylcyclohexanol polyethoxylate (NCEOn) was formulated with sodium oleate (NaOA) into binary surfactant systems, to investigate their interaction towards salt tolerance, phase behavior, interface tension and lime soap dispersing requirement in brine with comparison of NPEO10. The results indicate that the salt tolerance of NaOA-NCEOn system increased with increasing NCEOn concentration and EO number, following the order towards the salts: SO42- > Cl- for anions and Na+ > Mg2+ > Ca2+ for cations, respectively. Moreover, cloud point (CP) of NaOA-NCEOn system was increased by adding NaOA but decreased by introducing inorganic salts, respectively. The influence strength of cationic ions on CP decline was in the order: Na+ < Mg2+ < Ca2+. The thermodynamic parameters at CP explains the difference in salt tolerance of NaOA towards monovalent and divalent cations. Notably, the NCEO11(0.02 %)-NaOA (0.05 %) system exhibited similar or superior salt-tolerance in NaCl (20 %) or CaCl2 (2 %) brine, as NPEO10 did. The solubility of NaOA in saline (0.1 %-5%) was up to thousand folds of that in water, suggesting NCEOn a green substitute for NPEO10 in the field.

Performance Evaluation of Demulsifier Using the Optimum Formulation HLD Concept: A Practical Case Using Heavy Crude Oil Diluted in Naphtha or in Synthetic Aromatic Oil

Summary Asphaltene-stabilized water-in-oil (W/O) emulsions can cause severe problems during oil production and transportation. These emulsions are broken by adding a demulsifying agent at a suitable concentration (CD*) to obtain the optimal formulation, with minimal emulsion stability (stability*). Herein, we studied, from a phenomenological point of view, the performance of two demulsifiers on W/O emulsion breaking with high asphaltene content. A very simple polyethoxylated nonylphenol demulsifier (6EO) and a complex commercial demulsifier (COD) were studied. The influence of the chemical nature of the oil phase on the performance of the demulsifiers was evaluated. The emulsion stability* and CD* values of W/O systems of heavy crude oil diluted in cyclohexane (Systems A and B) were compared to W/O emulsions composed by a heavy crude oil diluted in heavy naphtha or in an aromatic synthetic crude oil as the oil phase (Systems C and D). The results show that demulsifier performance improves significantly when the crude oil is diluted in heavy naphtha and in aromatic synthetic crude oil, obtaining unstable W/O emulsions (rupture time of 10−2–10−1 minutes). In the latter cases, the CD* value is significantly lower and with a wide area of low emulsion stability compared to systems formulated with crude oil diluted in cyclohexane. The mechanisms that generate this type of behavior are discussed and strategies to increase performance and robustness analyzed.

Nonylphenol Polyethoxylates Enhance Adipose Deposition in Developmentally Exposed Zebrafish.

Alkylphenol polyethoxylates (APEOs), such as nonylphenol ethoxylates (NPEOs), are high-production-volume surfactants used in laundry detergents, hard-surface cleaners, pesticide formulations, textile production, oils, paints, and other products. NPEOs comprise −80% of the total production of APEOs and are widely reported across diverse environmental matrices. Despite a growing push for replacement products, APEOs continue to be released into the environment through wastewater at significant levels. Research into related nonionic surfactants from varying sources has reported metabolic health impacts, and we have previously demonstrated that diverse APEOs and alcohol polyethoxylates promote adipogenesis in the murine 3T3-L1 pre-adipocyte model. These effects appeared to be independent of the base alkylphenol and related to the ethoxylate chain length, though limited research has evaluated NPEO exposures in animal models. The goals of this study were to assess the potential of NPEOs to promote adiposity (Nile red fluorescence quantification) and alter growth and/or development (toxicity, length, weight, and energy expenditure) of developmentally exposed zebrafish (Danio rerio). We also sought to expand our understanding of the ability to promote adiposity through evaluation in human mesenchymal stem cells. Herein, we demonstrated consistent adipogenic effects in two separate human bone-marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cell models, and that nonylphenol and its ethoxylates promoted weight gain and increased adipose deposition in developmentally exposed zebrafish. Notably, across both cell and zebrafish models we report increasing adipogenic/obesogenic activity with increasing ethoxylate chain lengths up to maximums around NPEO-6 and then decreasing activity with the longest ethoxylate chain lengths. This research suggests metabolic health concerns for these common obesogens, suggesting further need to assess molecular mechanisms and better characterize environmental concentrations for human health risk assessments.

Co-metabolism of nonylphenol ethoxylate in sequencing batch reactor under aerobic conditions

The study evaluated the co-metabolism of nonylphenol polyethoxylate (NPEO) within a main substrate stream subjected to biodegradation in an activated sludge system. Peptone mixture simulating sewage was selected as the synthetic substrate. As a novel approach, the NPEO concentration was magnified to match the COD level of the peptone mixture, so that co-metabolism could be evaluated by respirometry and modeling. A sequencing batch reactor (SBR) set-up at high sludge age to also allow nitrification was operated for this purpose. A long acclimation phase was necessary to start NPEO biodegradation, which was completed with 15% residual by-products. Modeling of respirometric data could identify COD fractions of NPEO with corresponding process kinetics for the first time, where the biodegradation of by-products could be interpreted numerically as a hydrolysis mechanism. Nonylphenol diethoxylate (NP2EO) was observed as the major by-product affecting the biodegradation of NPEO, because NPEO and NP2EO accounted for 60 to 70% of the total soluble COD in the solution during the course of biological reactions. The co-metabolism characteristics basically defined NPEO as a substrate, with no appreciable inhibitory action on the microbial culture both in terms of heterotrophic and autotrophic activities.

Tracking pollutants in a municipal sewage network impairing the operation of a wastewater treatment plant

This work provides a screening of organic contaminants and characterization of the dissolved organic matter in the sewer network until the municipal wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), identifying the network areas with a higher degree of contamination and their impact on the WWTP performance, particularly in the activated sludge reactor. Three monitoring campaigns were carried out at six selected locations of the sewage system (PVZ-1, PVZ-2, PS-F, PS-VC, CP-VC, and PS-T), influent (WWTPINF) and effluent (WWTPEFF) of the WWTP. Advanced analytical techniques were employed, namely excitation/emission matrix fluorescence-parallel factor analysis (EEM-PARAFAC), size exclusion chromatography with organic carbon detector (SEC-OCD), and liquid chromatography with high-resolution-mass spectrometric detection (LC-HRMS). EEM-PARAFAC showed higher fluorescence intensity for the protein-like component (C2), particularly at CP-VC (near seafood industries) associated with the presence of surfactants (~50 mg/L). SEC-OCD highlighted the WWTP efficiency in removing low molecular weight acids and neutrals. LC-HRMS tentatively identified 108 compounds of emerging concern (CEC) and similar detection patterns were obtained for all wastewater samples, except for PVZ-2 (lower detection), many of which occurred in the effluent. Eight CECs included on relevant Watch-Lists were detected in all WWTPEFF samples. Furthermore, 111 surfactants were detected, the classes more frequently found being alcohol ethoxylates (AEOs), nonylphenol polyethoxylates (NPEOs) and linear alkylbenzene sulphonates (LAS). The continuous presence of LAS and NPEOs allied to surfactants concentrations in the WWTPINF of 15–20 mg/L, with CP-VC location (linked with food industries) as an important contributor, explain the morphological changes in the activated sludge and high LAS content in the dewatered sludge, which may have impacted WWTP performance.

Removal of Aqueous Nonylphenol Polyethoxylates by Raw Lignite Coal and Activated Carbon: Materials Characterization, Adsorption Studies, and Modelling the Adsorption Isotherms

Removal of Aqueous Nonylphenol Polyethoxylates by Raw Lignite Coal and Activated Carbon: Materials Characterization, Adsorption Studies, and Modelling the Adsorption Isotherms

Removal of Aqueous Nonylphenol Polyethoxylates by Raw Lignite Coal and Activated Carbon: Materials Characterization, Adsorption Studies, and Modelling the Adsorption Isotherms

Removal of Aqueous Nonylphenol Polyethoxylates by Raw Lignite Coal and Activated Carbon: Materials Characterization, Adsorption Studies, and Modelling the Adsorption Isotherms

Synthetic surfactants in Swiss sewage sludges: Analytical challenges, concentrations and per capita loads

Surfactants are high-production-volume chemicals that are among the most abundant organic pollutants in municipal wastewater. In this study, sewage sludge samples of 36 Swiss wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), serving 32% of the country's population, were analyzed for major surfactant classes by liquid chromatography mass spectrometry (LC-MS). The analyses required a variety of complementary approaches due to different analytical challenges, including matrix effects (which can affect adduct ion formation) and the lack of reference standards. The most abundant contaminants were linear alkylbenzene sulfonates (LAS; weighted mean [WM] concentration of 3700 μg g−1 dry weight), followed by secondary alkane sulfonates (SAS; 190 μg g−1). Alcohol polyethoxylates (AEO; 8.3 μg g−1), nonylphenol polyethoxylates (NPEO; 16 μg g−1), nonylphenol (NP; 3.1 μg g−1), nonylphenol ethoxy carboxylates (NPEC; 0.35 μg g−1) and tert-octylphenol (tert-OP, 1.8 μg g−1) were present at much lower concentrations. This concentration pattern agrees with the production volumes of the surfactants and their fates in WWTPs. Branched AEO homologues dominated over linear homologues, probably due to higher persistence. Sludge concentrations of LAS, SAS, and NP were positively correlated with the residence time in the anaerobic digester. Derivation of the per capita loads successfully revealed potential industrial/commercial emission sources. Comparison of recent versus historic data showed a decrease in NPEO and NP levels by one or two orders of magnitude since their ban in the 1980s. By contrast, LAS still exhibit similar concentrations compared to 30 years ago.

Novel marigold-like CuO@Cu-based MOFs composite photocatalyst for high-performance removal of alkylphenol ethoxylate under visible light

Alkylphenol polyethoxylate (APEOn) is an emerging contaminant mainly referred to nonylphenol polyethoxylate (NPEOn) and octylphenol polyethoxylate (OPEOn). A novel multiscale rough composite photocatalyst (CuO@Cu-H3BTC) with marigold-flower nanosheets and sub-micron flakes was successfully constructed for photodegradation of OPEOn and NPEOn under visible light. Several technologies (such as SEM, EDS, FTIR, XRD, XPS and EPR) were utilized to characterize the structures and properties of the as-obtained sample. The effect of OPEOn and NPEOn removal by CuO@Cu-H3BTC MOF and the influence of reaction conditions on the removal efficiency were explored. It was found that 96% of OPEOn and 79% of NPEOn were removed under the action of adsorption in darkness and degradation in visible light irradiation within 120 min when treating 25 mg/L OPEOn and NPEOn solution with 1.6 g/L of CuO@Cu-H3BTC MOF composite. The corresponding OPEOn and NPEOn removal efficiency could still achieve almost 72% and 51% after the CuO@Cu-H3BTC MOF was recycled five times, respectively. The degradation mechanism of APEOn investigation revealed that the free radicals and holes generated in the CuO@Cu-H3BTC MOF degraded APEOn, and the existence of holes was confirmed to play the major role through quenching experiment. In summary, this facile and novel CuO@Cu-H3BTC MOFs composite photocatalyst boosts the application platform in wastewater treatment.

Predicting Spontaneous Emulsification in Saltwater Environments Using the HLD Model.

Spontaneous emulsification of toluene with nonylphenol polyethoxylate (NPE) and sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS) surfactants in saltwater environments was studied. NaCl promoted the spontaneous emulsification of an otherwise non-spontaneous SDBS-toluene system. Dynamic light scattering and turbidity indicated that spontaneity increased with NaCl concentration. The mechanism of spontaneous emulsification was dependent on surfactant type; NPE emulsified via micelle swelling, and SDBS emulsified via nucleation and growth. Hydrophilic lipophilic difference (HLD) calculations were used to model spontaneous emulsification and spontaneity. As HLD approached zero, conditions became more favorable for spontaneous emulsification. Between HLD values of -2.4 and -2.05, samples transitioned from non-spontaneous to spontaneous. This study aids in predicting spontaneous emulsion formation in saltwater environments for applications in nanoemulsion formation and wastewater remediation.

Multiple exposure of the Boreogadus saida from bessel fjord (NE Greenland) to legacy and emerging pollutants

This work investigates the occurrence of OCPs, such as hexachlorocyclohexane (α-, β-, γ- and δ-HCH) isomers, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (p,p’-DDT) and its metabolite dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p,p’-DDE), endosulfan (α- and β-EDS) isomers, chlorpyrifos (CPF), dacthal (DAC) and phenolic compounds, such as 4-nonylphenol (4-NP) and its precursors nonylphenol polyethoxylates (NP1EO and NP2EO) and bisphenol A (BPA), in polar cod sampled in and outside Bessel Fjord (NE Greenland). Linear regressions between target contaminants and morphological parameters (age, length, weight, gonad- and hepato-somatic indices and Fulton K) have been also evaluated. Polar cod collected at shelf had higher average concentrations of BPA, NP1EO, NP2EO and 4-NP (muscle: 6.2, 13.2, 8.9 and 1.9 ng/g w.w., respectively; liver: 5.8, 7.5, 5.2 and 0.9 ng/g w.w. respectively), than fjord’s specimens (muscle: 3.5, 9.1, 3.9 and 1.0 ng/g w.w., respectively; liver: 2.4, 5.3, 2.9 and 1.1 ng/g w.w. respectively). ΣHCHs, ΣEDSs, ΣDDTs, CPF and DAC, were more accumulated in the polar cod from the fjord (average amount in muscle: 9.1, 4.8, 7.9, 3.8 and 2.8 ng/g w.w., respectively; average amount in the liver: 11.2, 9.0, 3.8, 5.9 and 4.9 ng/g w.w., respectively) than shelf’s ones (average amount in muscle 3.9, 4.5, 4.2, 0.9 and 1.2 ng/g w.w., respectively; average amount in liver 7.8, 6.3, 2.1, 3.4 and 2.5 ng/g w.w., respectively). The comparison between the concentration of target contaminants and morphologic parameters suggested a different exposure of polar cod occupying the fjord and shelf habitats, due to a combination of genetic and dietary differences, climate change effects and increased human activities.

Laccase immobilization on core-shell magnetic metal-organic framework microspheres for alkylphenol ethoxylate compound removal

An amino-functionalized magnetic core-shell structure metal-organic framework (MOF), Fe3O4-NH2@MIL-100 (Fe), has been successfully constructed by a step-by-step method. The composite microspheres exhibited excellent magnetic characteristics, large surface area, and pore size, which were employed for the Trametes versicolor laccase immobilization. The immobilized laccase exhibited high activity recovery (72.05%) and significantly improved stability. The reactive activity remained 75% of its initial activity after storage for 4 weeks. Additionally, when the ambient reached 80 °C, the good stability enabled the immobilization laccase to keep 33% residual activity even after 6 h storage. Application of the immobilized laccase for environmental pollutant alkylphenol polyethoxylate (APEO) removal was also investigated. The results showed the immobilized laccase can remove 100% octylphenol polyethoxylate (OPEO) and 98.16% nonylphenol polyethoxylate (NPEO) in 200 min, and can still achieve 63.42% and 46.17% removal efficiency for OPEO and NPEO after reusing four cycles, respectively. The novel MOF based core-shell magnetic composite microspheres introduced by this study showed promising applications as laccase immobilization support, and both the immobilized laccase and its support had great potential in wastewater treatment.

Heterogeneous catalytic degradation of nonylphenol using persulphate activated by natural pyrite: response surface methodology modelling and optimisation

ABSTRACT The degradation of nonylphenol polyethoxylates (NPEOs) was investigated by persulphate (PS) activated using naturally pyrite semi-conductor mineral (NP-SCM) in aqueous solutions. The effects of various factors including solution pH, NP-SCM dosage, NPEOs and PS concentration were examined through response surface methodology (RSM) and Box-Behnken design (BBD) technique. The properties of NP-SCM were characterised by FESEM, BET, XRD and EDX analyses. The results showed that the RSM model had a well correlation (R2 > 0.99) between the predicted data and the experimental findings of NPEOs degradation. In addition, under the optimum conditions (PS = 5.85 mM, pH = 3.0, NP-SCM = 0.85 g/L and NPEOs = 10 µM), the removal efficiency of NPEOs reached more than 99%. The maximum removal efficiency of COD and TOC was obtained 87% and 80% at 90 min reaction time, respectively. The negative effect of various competing ions on the removal of NPEOs was as phosphate>bicarbonate>copper>nitrate>calcium>ammonium. After five successive catalyst cycles reuse, the degradation efficiency was insignificantly decreased from 99.6% to 90.5%, which indicated the excellent potential reusability of NP-SCM catalyst. It can be concluded that NP-SCM along with PS, due to the generation of highly reactive oxidising species (SO4 ●-), its simplicity and easy separation of the catalyst, has a great potential for the degradation of NPEOs from aqueous solutions.

UVA/persulfate-driven nonylphenol polyethoxylate degradation: effect of process conditions

ABSTRACT UV/persulfate (UV/PS) technologies have gained increased attention as efficient alternatives for removing pollutants from different classes, although processes based on the UVA-driven (PS) activation have not yet been discussed in the literature for the removal of the nonionic surfactant nonylphenol polyethoxylate (NPEO). The present study investigated the simultaneous effect of the initial persulfate concentration ([PS]0) and specific photon emission rate (E P,0) on NPEO degradation by UVA/PS following a Doehlert experimental design. The results for [NPEO]0 = (4.65 ± 0.15) mg L−1 indicated more than 97.8% NPEO removal after 2 h, with pseudo first-order specific degradation rate (k obs) of 0.0320 min−1, for [PS]0 = 7.75 mmol L−1 and E P,0 = 0.437 μmol photons L−1 s−1. Under these conditions, NPEO half-life time was about 22 min, and the EC50-48 h (% v/v) values for Daphnia similis before and after treatment did not differ significantly. Higher values of E P,0 would influence NPEO removal for [PS]0 not higher than 8–10 mmol L−1, although lower degradation efficiencies were obtained with higher [NPEO]0 or real wastewater, except for longer reaction times. Additionally, UVA/PS showed to be efficient for tensoactivity removal, despite the negligible total organic carbon (TOC) removal achieved. Finally, UVC and UVA resulted in NPEO degradation higher than 96% and similar tensoactivity removals when UVA/PS was conducted under optimal conditions ([PS]0 = 10 mmol L−1; E P,0 = 0.324 μmol photons L−1 s−1), suggesting that UVA radiation available in solar light could be advantageously employed for NPEO removal at concentrations usually found in wastewater.

Diffusion-Controlled Spontaneous Emulsification of Water-Soluble Oils via Micelle Swelling.

Spontaneous emulsification of toluene, xylenes, cyclohexane, and mineral oil in a nonionic nonylphenol polyethoxylate surfactant solution was investigated by visual observations coupled with dynamic light scatting measurements and interfacial tensiometry. For water-soluble oils, nanoscale emulsions formed spontaneously by diffusion of oil molecules into the aqueous surfactant solutions and subsequent swelling of surfactant micelles with oil. Micelle swelling rates were quantified to assess system spontaneity, revealing that oil solubility in water was directly correlated to the spontaneity of the emulsion (toluene > xylenes > cyclohexane). When experiments were intentionally designed to create surfactant concentration gradients, Marangoni flows were found to enhance spontaneity. Despite their spontaneous formation, emulsion stability was limited over the course of 40 days by Ostwald ripening followed by creaming and evaporation. These results provide insights on the likelihood of nanoemulsion formation and persistence in oily wastewater as the components in this study are present in many wastewater systems.

Removal of nonylphenol polyethoxylates by adsorption on polyurethane foam and biodegradation using immobilized Trametes versicolor

Nonylphenol polyethoxylates (NPEOs) are banned in EU due to their endocrine disrupting properties. In a proof of concept study including continuous reactor lab-scale experiments, polyurethane foam (PUF)-immobilized Trametes versicolor was used to reduce the concentration levels of these compounds in an acidic nutrient solution over an 18-day period. Biodegradation and adsorption were identified as the major removal principles. A 90% removal was achieved by solely biodegradation in an experimental setup in which steady state conditions occurred, including NPEO-saturated glass and PUF surfaces. Biotransformation products containing mono- and di-ethoxylated nonylphenol, nonylphenol (NP1EO, NP2EO, NP) and nonylphenol polyethoxy carboxylates (NPECs) were tentatively identified.The maximum static NPEO adsorption capacity of PUF (determined with Erlenmeyer flask experiment) was calculated to 106 mg g−1, and the adsorption was described by the Langmuir isotherm equation. The corresponding maximum dynamic adsorption capacity (determined by continuous reactor experiment) was 100 mg g−1. These findings show that PUF is an excellent adsorbent to NPEOs. Therefore, PUF can either be used as a stand-alone adsorbent to NPEOs or as an immobilizing agent for Trametes versicolor through which a highly efficient biodegradation of these potentially harmful compounds can be achieved. The findings can be of importance in the search for alternative methods to remove NPEOs in process effluents.

Photocatalytic Activity of Cu-based Nanoparticles Synthesized by Glycine-Nitrate Combustion Technique

The copper based nanoparticles was synthesized by glycine-nitrate process (GNP), using copper nitrate trihydrate [Cu(NO3)2 · 3H2O] as main starting materials and glycine [C2H5NO2] as complexant and incendiary agent. The as-prepared powders were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. Results of the photocatalytic degradation of Nonylphenol polyethoxylates (NP9EO) in a custom-made photoreactor indicated that the maximum degradation (more than 94% and 70% TOD removal) of NP9EO occurred with CuO+Cu2O composite catalyst (dosage of 0.3 g/L) when a combination of ultraviolet (UV) irradiation for 600 min, and a heterogeneous system was used.