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Li Y, Yao S, Dong X, Fan Y, Ma X, Zhu B, Chang M. Preparation of a Lignin-Based Cationic Flocculant and Its Application in Kaolin Suspension Treatment. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1131. [PMID: 38675049 PMCID: PMC11054052 DOI: 10.3390/polym16081131] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
The preparation of an environmentally friendly and efficient flocculant for solid-liquid separation in industrial wastewater is highly important. In this study, a novel cationic flocculant (AL-g-PAMA) was synthesized by a thermal initiation method using alkali lignin (AL) as the main chain and acrylamide (AM) and methacrylamido propyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (MAPTAC) as the grafted side chains. The structure, thermal stability, and surface morphology of the copolymers were investigated by various characterization methods. The results indicated the successful synthesis of AL-g-PAMA. AL-g-PAMA was applied to improve solid-liquid separation in kaolin suspensions. The results showed that AL-g-PAMA had excellent flocculation-sedimentation and dewatering efficiency. When the dosage of AL-g-PAMA #5 was 600.0 g/t(s), the thickness of the compressed layer was 2.2 cm, the floc settling velocity was 24.1 cm/min, and the transmittance of the supernatant was 84.0%. The moisture content of the filter cake decreased from 55.0% to 43.4% after treatment with AL-g-PAMA #5. The results of zeta potential and focused beam reflectance measurement (FBRM) analysis indicated that bridging and electroneutralization were the main flocculation mechanisms. Therefore, this study extends the potential for using lignin as a bioflocculant and provides a feasible approach to efficiently purify high-turbidity wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Li
- College of Mining Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
| | - Suling Yao
- College of Mining Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
| | - Xianshu Dong
- College of Mining Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
| | - Yuping Fan
- College of Mining Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
| | - Xiaomin Ma
- College of Mining Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
- State Key Laboratory of Mineral Processing, Beijing 100160, China
| | - Benkang Zhu
- College of Mining Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
| | - Ming Chang
- College of Mining Engineering, Taiyuan University of Technology, Taiyuan 030024, China
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Wang Y, Wang Q, Sabaghi S, Kaboli A, Soltani F, Kang K, Kongvarhodom C, Fatehi P. Dual lignin-derived polymeric system for peptone removal from simulated wastewater. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 343:123142. [PMID: 38142806 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.123142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
The long-term existence of peptone can breed a large number of bacteria and cause the eutrophication of municipal wastewater. Thus, removing peptone in the wastewater is a major challenge facing the current industry. This study used cationic and anionic lignin polymers, i.e., kraft lignin-[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl] trimethylammonium methyl sulfate (cationic lignin polymer, CLP) and kraft lignin-acrylic acid (anionic lignin polymer, ALP), as flocculants to eliminate peptone from model wastewater in the single and dual component systems. The affinity of peptone for ALP or CLP was assessed by quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, contact angle, and vertical scan analyzer. Results illustrated that the adsorption effect of CLP for peptone was significantly superior to that of ALP owing to the stronger vital interaction between cationic polymer and peptone molecules. Based on destabilization and sedimentation analyses, introducing CLP triggered the preliminary flocculation of peptone via bridging action, as indicated by a considerable increment in the destabilization index (from 1.1 to 10.6). Moreover, peptone adsorbed more on the CLP coated surface than on the ALP coated one (14.8 vs 5.4 mg/m2), while ALP facilitated its further adsorption in the dual polymer system. This is because CLP adsorbed a part of peptone molecules on its surface. Then, ALP entrapped the unattached peptone onto the CLP coated surface through electrostatic interaction. Compared with the single polymer system, mixing ALP and CLP subsequently into the peptone solution in the dual system generated larger size aggregates (mean diameter of 6.1 μm) and made the system destabilization (Turbiscan stability index up to 58.1), thereby yielding more flocculation and sedimentation. Finally, peptone was removed successfully from simulated wastewater with a turbidity removal efficiency of 92.5%. These findings confirmed that the dual-component system containing two lignin-derived polymers with opposite charges could be viable for treating peptone wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yingchao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, Shandong, 250353, China; Green Processes Research Centre and Chemical Engineering Department, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 5E1, Canada
| | - Qiang Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Biobased Material and Green Papermaking, Qilu University of Technology (Shandong Academy of Sciences), Jinan, Shandong, 250353, China
| | - Sanaz Sabaghi
- Green Processes Research Centre and Chemical Engineering Department, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 5E1, Canada
| | - Afrouz Kaboli
- Green Processes Research Centre and Chemical Engineering Department, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 5E1, Canada
| | - Farshid Soltani
- Green Processes Research Centre and Chemical Engineering Department, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 5E1, Canada
| | - Kang Kang
- Green Processes Research Centre and Chemical Engineering Department, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 5E1, Canada
| | - Chutima Kongvarhodom
- Chemical Engineering Department, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Bangkok, 10140, Thailand
| | - Pedram Fatehi
- Green Processes Research Centre and Chemical Engineering Department, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON, P7B 5E1, Canada.
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Diaz-Baca JA, Fatehi P. Production and characterization of starch-lignin based materials: A review. Biotechnol Adv 2024; 70:108281. [PMID: 37956796 DOI: 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2023.108281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
In their pristine state, starch and lignin are abundant and inexpensive natural polymers frequently considered green alternatives to oil-based and synthetic polymers. Despite their availability and owing to their physicochemical properties; starch and lignin are not often utilized in their pristine forms for high-performance applications. Generally, chemical and physical modifications transform them into starch- and lignin-based materials with broadened properties and functionality. In the last decade, the combination of starch and lignin for producing reinforced materials has gained significant attention. The reinforcing of starch matrices with lignin has received primary focus because of the enhanced water sensitivity, UV protection, and mechanical and thermal resistance that lignin introduces to starch-based materials. This review paper aims to assess starch-lignin materials' production and characterization technologies, highlighting their physicochemical properties, outcomes, challenges, and opportunities. First, this paper describes the current status, sources, and chemical modifications of lignin and starch. Next, the discussion is oriented toward starch-lignin materials and their production approaches, such as blends, composites, plasticized/crosslinked films, and coupled polymers. Special attention is given to the characterization methods of starch-lignin materials, focusing on their advantages, disadvantages, and expected outcomes. Finally, the challenges, opportunities, and future perspectives in developing starch-lignin materials, such as adhesives, coatings, films, and controlled delivery systems, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan A Diaz-Baca
- Green Processes Research Centre and Chemical Engineering Department, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON P7B5E1, Canada
| | - Pedram Fatehi
- Green Processes Research Centre and Chemical Engineering Department, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, ON P7B5E1, Canada.
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Liang H, Shan S, Li X, Li D, Huang Y. Preparation of cationic aggregates derived from sewage sludge for efficient capture of organic matter. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 333:138909. [PMID: 37187370 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138909] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Capturing the abundant organic matter residing in wastewater can not only reduce the emission of CO2 from the source, but the enriched organics can also be used for anaerobic fermentation to generate and offset energy consumption in wastewater treatment processes. The key is to find or develop low-cost materials that can capture organic matter. Herein, sewage sludge-derived cationic aggregates (SBC-g-DMC) were successfully prepared via a hydrothermal carbonization process coupled with a graft copolymerization reaction for recovering organic matter from wastewater. Based upon preliminary screening of synthesized SBC-g-DMC aggregates regarding grafting rate, cationic degree, and flocculation performance, SBC-g-DMC2.5 aggregate prepared with 60 mg of initiator, DMC-to-SBC mass ratio of 2.5:1, 70 °C, and 2 h of reaction time was selected for further characterization and evaluation. Results showed that SBC-g-DMC2.5 aggregate has a positively-charged surface over a wide pH range of 3-11 and a hierarchical micro-/nano-structure, endowing it with an excellent organic matter capture efficiency (97.2% of pCOD, 68.8% of cCOD, and 71.2% of tCOD). Meanwhile, SBC-g-DMC2.5 exhibits inappreciable trapping ability for the dissolved COD, NH3-N, and PO43-, guaranteeing the regular running of subsequent biological treatment units. Electronic neutralization, adsorption bridging, and sweep coagulation between cationic aggregates surface and organic matter were identified as the primary mechanisms for SBC-g-DMC2.5 to capture organics. This development is expected to provide a theoretical reference for sewage sludge disposal, carbon reduction, and energy recovery during municipal wastewater treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Liang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, China
| | - Sujie Shan
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, China; National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Municipal Sewage Resource Utilization Technology, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, China
| | - Xueying Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, China
| | - Dapeng Li
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, China; National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Municipal Sewage Resource Utilization Technology, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, China.
| | - Yong Huang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, China; National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Municipal Sewage Resource Utilization Technology, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou, China
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Diaz-Baca JA, Salaghi A, Fatehi P. Generation of Sulfonated Lignin-Starch Polymer and Its Use As a Flocculant. Biomacromolecules 2023; 24:1400-1416. [PMID: 36802502 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.2c01437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/23/2023]
Abstract
This paper reports the polymerization of tall oil lignin (TOL), starch, and 2-methyl-2-propene-1-sulfonic acid sodium salt (MPSA), a sulfonate-containing monomer, in a three-component system to generate flocculants for colloidal systems. By utilizing the advanced 1H, COSY, HSQC, HSQC-TOCSY, and HMBC NMR techniques, it was confirmed that the phenolic substructures of TOL and the anhydroglucose unit of starch were covalently polymerized by the monomer to generate the three-block copolymer. The molecular weight, radius of gyration, and shape factor of the copolymers were fundamentally correlated to the structure of lignin and starch, as well as the polymerization outcomes. The deposition behavior of the copolymer, studied by a quartz crystal microbalance with dissipation (QCM-D) analysis, revealed that the copolymer with a larger molecular weight (ALS-5) deposited more and generated more compact adlayer than the copolymer with a smaller molecular weight on a solid surface. Owing to its higher charge density, molecular weight, and extended coil-like structure, ALS-5 produced larger flocs with faster sedimentation in the colloidal systems, regardless of the extent of agitation and gravitational force. The results of this work provide a new approach to preparing a lignin-starch polymer, i.e., a sustainable biomacromolecule with excellent flocculation performance in colloidal systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan A Diaz-Baca
- Biorefining Research Institute and Chemical Engineering Department, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B SE1, Canada
| | - Ayyoub Salaghi
- Biorefining Research Institute and Chemical Engineering Department, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B SE1, Canada
| | - Pedram Fatehi
- Biorefining Research Institute and Chemical Engineering Department, Lakehead University, 955 Oliver Road, Thunder Bay, Ontario P7B SE1, Canada
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Evaluation of the Cytotoxicity of Cationic Polymers on Glioblastoma Cancer Stem Cells. J Funct Biomater 2022; 14:jfb14010017. [PMID: 36662064 PMCID: PMC9862959 DOI: 10.3390/jfb14010017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/20/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Cationic polymers such as polyethylenimine (PEI) have found a pervasive place in laboratories across the world as gene delivery agents. However, their applications are not limited to this role, having found a place as delivery agents for drugs, in complexes known as polymer-drug conjugates (PDCs). Yet a potentially underexplored domain of research is in their inherent potential as anti-cancer therapeutic agents, which has been indicated by several studies. Even more interesting is the recent observation that certain polycations may present a significantly greater toxicity towards the clinically important cancer stem cell (CSC) niche than towards more differentiated bulk tumour cells. These cells, which possess the stem-like characteristics of self-renewal and differentiation, are highly implicated in cancer drug resistance, tumour recurrence and poor clinical prognosis. The search for compounds which may target and eliminate these cells is thus of great research interest. As such, the observation in our previous study on a PEI-based PDC which showed a considerably higher toxicity of PEI towards glioblastoma CSCs (GSCs) than on more differentiated glioma (U87) cells led us to investigate other cationic polymers for a similar effect. The evaluation of the toxicity of a range of different types of polycations, and an investigation into the potential source of GSC's sensitivity to such compounds is thus described.
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