Papers by Negin Koutahzadeh, PhD
Chemical Engineering Journal
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Coloring dyes are a huge problem in the recycling of water from the textile, paper, coating, cera... more Coloring dyes are a huge problem in the recycling of water from the textile, paper, coating, ceramic and other industries where the usage of processing water is extensive and the need for recycling it very high. Performance of a hybrid ultraviolet/hydrogen peroxide (UV/H2O2)–mixed matrix membrane system for an azo dye, acid black 1 [AB1], removal in a water purification process was studied. Different mixed matrix membranes embedded with titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and a mixture of them were fabricated by the phase inversion method. Mixed matrix membranes embedded with MWCNTs resulted in higher pure water flux, and mixed matrix membranes embedded with TiO2 showed lower flux declines in the presence of AB1. However, all the membranes exhibited very low total organic carbon (TOC) rejection and none of the mixed matrix membranes could decolorize the AB1 solution. UV/H2O2 pretreatment of the AB1 solution resulted in enhanced TOC rejectio...
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Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research
Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) represent one of the largest classes of porous crystalline materi... more Metal organic frameworks (MOFs) represent one of the largest classes of porous crystalline materials. MOFs have been increasingly applied as functionalizing agents for membranes because of their po...
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ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering
The waste fiber byproduct of the bamboo construction industry was used as the sustainable feedsto... more The waste fiber byproduct of the bamboo construction industry was used as the sustainable feedstock for the fabrication of cellulose-based membranes using 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride [C4mi...
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Separation and Purification Technology
Abstract Water pollution is one of the greatest challenges around the world. Nanocomposite membra... more Abstract Water pollution is one of the greatest challenges around the world. Nanocomposite membranes are a promising modified version of traditional polymeric membranes for water treatment, with three main characteristics of enhanced permeation, improved rejection and reduced fouling. For novel nanocomposite membranes, there is a strong connection between the membrane fabrication method, the properties of fabricated membranes, and membrane performance. This article, first, reviews the different nanocomposite membrane fabrication and modification techniques for mixed matrix membranes and thin film membranes for both pressure driven and non-pressure driven membranes using different types of nanoparticles, carbon-based materials, and polymers. In addition, the advanced techniques for surface locating nanomaterials on different types of membranes are discussed in detail. The effects of nanoparticle physicochemical properties, type, size, and concentration on membranes intrinsic properties such as pore morphology, porosity, pore size, hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity, membrane surface charge, and roughness are discussed and the performance of nanocomposite membranes in terms of flux permeation, contaminant rejection, and anti-fouling capability are compared. Secondly, the wide range of nanocomposite membrane applications, such as desalination and removal of various contaminants in water treatment processes, are discussed. Extensive background and examples are provided to help the reader understand the fundamental connections between the fabrication methods, membrane functionality, and membrane efficiency for different water treatment processes.
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Journal of Membrane Science
Abstract The trade-off relationship between permeability, selectivity, and antifouling capability... more Abstract The trade-off relationship between permeability, selectivity, and antifouling capability of nanocomposite membranes is the focal point of effective membrane technology. This study introduces a new gold nanocomposite membrane with enhanced antifouling behavior and permeability, as well as improved rejection capability for water treatment. Different (0.5, 1 and 2 wt%) concentrations of citrate-stabilized (coating) gold nanoparticles (CT-GNPs) having a core size of 50 nm were embedded into the polysulfone (PSF) membranes by the phase inversion method, resulting in alterations on PSF membrane performance. The intrinsic physicochemical properties and operational ability of all gold nanocomposite membranes were evaluated with regard to the self-cleaning, flux and selectivity criteria for water purification process. The PSF/0.5% GNPs demonstrated the optimal pore structure, morphology, and electrochemical surface properties among the gold nanocomposite and pure PSF membranes. The negative surface charge and the super hydrophilic functional group of CT-GNPs enhanced the permeation (at least three times in comparison with pure PSF membranes) and rejection ability of nanocomposite membranes. In addition, CT-GNPs showed digestive behavior towards humic acid (HA), a natural foulant, that significantly enhanced the antifouling ability (FRR = 95%) of the gold nanocomposite membranes by degrading the HA formed cake layer on the membrane surface and fragmenting the large HA aggregates that blocked the pores. The degradation of HA compounds by the embedded CT-GNPs occurred during the filtration process at room temperature and under the regular visible light. The stability of embedded GNPs into the polymeric matrix of membranes was evaluated at static and dynamic conditions for several days, and no release of CT-GNPs was observed.
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Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering
Abstract Modification of polymeric membranes for generating membranes with enhanced permeability,... more Abstract Modification of polymeric membranes for generating membranes with enhanced permeability, rejection, and self-cleaning capability in water treatment has been the major goal of researchers in academia and industry recently. We report here a new polysulfone (PSF)/ polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) nanocomposite ultrafiltration membrane with enhanced permeability, rejection, and antifouling capability for treatment of feed water containing humic acid (HA) as a model foulant. The effects of incorporation of POSS nano-fillers on intrinsic properties of PSF membranes such as membrane surface charge, surface roughness, pore morphology, tortuosity, porosity, and consequently on membrane performance were evaluated. In general, the main effects of POSS nanoparticles at concentrations of less than 2% (wt.%) can be summarized as (1) increased hydrophilicity and negative electrical surface charge of the membranes which resulted in the enhanced self-cleaning and rejection properties and (2) a change in the membranes pores morphology towards formation of more pores on the top surface and interconnected long finger like pores in the membrane matrix which resulted in higher flux. The addition of 2% POSS into PSF membranes resulted in significantly enhanced membrane permeability, however reduced the rejection ability of the membranes. The concentration of 0.5% POSS was found to be the optimal concentration that increased the permeability as well as the antifouling capability of the membranes while the rejection capability of nanocomposite membranes for HA increased slightly as compared to pure PSF membranes.
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Environmental Progress & Sustainable Energy
Membrane fouling is an important concern for membrane separation technology. Preparation of the f... more Membrane fouling is an important concern for membrane separation technology. Preparation of the feed before entering into the membrane and physicochemical modifications of membrane are both important approaches toward enhancing the permeability and separation in membrane processes. The present report combines both approaches. In terms of membrane characterization, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images showed that the addition of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles and multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) resulted in increased pore numbers at the top surface and more interconnected pores in the porous membrane structure. The surface hydrophilicity and porosity of the PSF/TiO2 and PSF/MWCNT increased compared with pure PSF membranes. PSF/TiO2 nanocomposites showed just 10% flux decline and improved 95% flux recovery ratio (FRR%). UV/H2O2 pretreatment changed the physicochemical properties of humic acid (HA) aggregates by reducing the super-micrometer size range (>1 μm) aggregates to a bimodal distribution of two submicrometer size ranges <1 μm (10–100 nm and 100–1000 nm) and increased the zeta potential of HA solution due to the production of new functional groups. The oxidation pretreatment alone improved flux decline at 120 min from 21% to 80% and increased the FRR from 58% to 80% for the pure PSF. The oxidative pretreatment also improved purification for the PSF/TiO2 nanocomposite membranes. The flux decline improved from 81% to 95% with only a slight improvement on the 94% FRR increasing to about 99% FRR. The FRR in the case of PSF/MWCNT actually declined with the pretreatment. The hybrid process of UV/H2O2 pretreatment and PSF/TiO2 nanocomposite membranes exhibited optimal permeability and antifouling properties. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 36: 27–37, 2017
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Environmental Engineering Science
Abstract Performance of a hybrid ultraviolet/hydrogen peroxide (UV/H2O2)–mixed matrix membrane sy... more Abstract Performance of a hybrid ultraviolet/hydrogen peroxide (UV/H2O2)–mixed matrix membrane system for an azo dye, acid black 1 [AB1], removal in a water purification process was studied. Different mixed matrix membranes embedded with titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles, multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and a mixture of them were fabricated by the phase inversion method. Mixed matrix membranes embedded with MWCNTs resulted in higher pure water flux, and mixed matrix membranes embedded with TiO2 showed lower flux declines in the presence of AB1. However, all the membranes exhibited very low total organic carbon (TOC) rejection and none of the mixed matrix membranes could decolorize the AB1 solution. UV/H2O2 pretreatment of the AB1 solution resulted in enhanced TOC rejection, decolorization, and enhanced antifouling membrane behavior. Combining UV/H2O2 with each type of polysulfone (PSF) mixed matrix membranes (PSF/TiO2, PSF/MWCNT, and PSF/TiO2/MWCNT) resulted in optimal performance in terms of ...
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A corona discharge is an ionic and electronic emission from a high voltage corona, characterized ... more A corona discharge is an ionic and electronic emission from a high voltage corona, characterized by the formation and flow of positive and negative ions and electrons in an electric field between two or more electrodes. Advanced oxidation processes, such as photochemical and non-photochemical methods, are able to generate hydroxyl radicals. The pulsed corona discharge (PCD) causes the formation of hydroxyl radicals, hydrogen peroxide, and aqueous electrons. Several other species such as •OH, •O, O3 are also important reactants. These active species have high oxidation potentials to oxidize organic compounds and kill virus in water and to achieve water purification. Hydroxyl radicals directly attack organic compounds leading to the oxidation of these compounds. The PCD technique involves a complex set of physical and chemical reaction. In our research we investigated the efficiency of PCD and the effect of changing varieties (pH, dye concentrations, voltage) on degradation of organic...
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Water pollution is a major global problem. Organic pollutants are one of the major groups of toxi... more Water pollution is a major global problem. Organic pollutants are one of the major groups of toxic and carcinogenic contaminants that, due to their complex structures, show resistance to biodegrada-tion processes. The pulsed corona discharge (PCD) advanced oxidation technology, with a point-to-point configuration of the electrodes immersed in the aqueous solution, was used for decomposing Acid Black 1 (AB1) as a representative of synthetic organic azo dyes. The effects of electrical field frequencies (60 and 120 Hz) and electrode gap spaces (2, 4 and 6 mm) on decomposition of AB1 were investigated. The largest decomposition achieved was 99.93% with optimal conditions of electrical field frequencies of 120 Hz and an 8 mm electrode gap space. Also, the effect of the catalytic properties of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the treatment process of the PCD reactor was investigated. Different concentrations of TiO 2 NPs (0.075, 0.3, 0.08 and 3 gL −1) were tested. A concentration of 0.08 gL −1 TiO 2 was found to be the optimal concentration that increased the dye degradation from 52.62% (with no titanium dioxide nano particles) to 94.14% in 15 min. However, a higher concentration of TiO 2 showed the adverse effect and decreased the degradation level of AB1. Finally, the pulsed corona discharge as an oxidation process was compared with the photocatalytic processes of UV, UV/H 2 O 2 and UV/TiO 2 in terms of removing AB1 from an aqueous solution, and promising results were reported. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
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Water pollution is a major global problem. Organic pollutants are one of the major groups of toxi... more Water pollution is a major global problem. Organic pollutants are one of the major groups of toxic and carcinogenic contaminants that, due to their complex structures, show resistance to biodegrada-tion processes. The pulsed corona discharge (PCD) advanced oxidation technology, with a point-to-point configuration of the electrodes immersed in the aqueous solution, was used for decomposing Acid Black 1 (AB1) as a representative of synthetic organic azo dyes. The effects of electrical field frequencies (60 and 120 Hz) and electrode gap spaces (2, 4 and 6 mm) on decomposition of AB1 were investigated. The largest decomposition achieved was 99.93% with optimal conditions of electrical field frequencies of 120 Hz and an 8 mm electrode gap space. Also, the effect of the catalytic properties of titanium dioxide nanoparticles on the treatment process of the PCD reactor was investigated. Different concentrations of TiO 2 NPs (0.075, 0.3, 0.08 and 3 gL −1) were tested. A concentration of 0.08 gL −1 TiO 2 was found to be the optimal concentration that increased the dye degradation from 52.62% (with no titanium dioxide nano particles) to 94.14% in 15 min. However, a higher concentration of TiO 2 showed the adverse effect and decreased the degradation level of AB1. Finally, the pulsed corona discharge as an oxidation process was compared with the photocatalytic processes of UV, UV/H 2 O 2 and UV/TiO 2 in terms of removing AB1 from an aqueous solution, and promising results were reported. Published by Elsevier Ltd.
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Acid Black 1 (AB1) is a diazo dye containing both NN and CC chromophores groups that has consider... more Acid Black 1 (AB1) is a diazo dye containing both NN and CC chromophores groups that has considerable
health effects being irritating for skin, eye and respiratory system. It is essential to remove this dye from
wastewater. In this study, the removal of AB1 with brown macroalgae Sargassum glaucescens and Stoechospermum marginatum was studied using a batch system. The effects of parameters such as initial pH (in
the range 2–10), contact time (within 90 min), biomass dosage (in the range 1–9 g L1), initial dye concentration (in the range 10–50 mg L1), particle size of biosorbent (0.53–500 lm) and agitation speed
(from 70 to 180 rpm) on the adsorption capacity of AB1 were investigated. The equilibrium data indicated
that the Freundlich model provided the best correlation of the experimental data for both biosorbents at
least in the concentration range investigated in this study. The biosorption kinetic data were successfully
described with pseudo-second order model (PSORE) for two biosorbents. Thermodynamic parameters
showed adsorption of dye was feasible and endothermic at all temperatures (283–313 K) for both biosorbents. A decrease in particle size of biosorbents increased acidic dye removal capacity. The agitation
speed influences AB1 sorption capacity and optimum agitation speed observed at 130 rpm among different agitation speed (i.e. 70–180 rpm). FT-IR analysis demonstrated the involvement of different functional groups, mainly hydroxyl, carboxyl and amine groups. These results confirm that these algae
have a good potential for removal of AB1 from aqueous solution at low dye concentration.
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Biosorption and bioaccumulation studies of acid orange 7
(AO7) dye by an aquatic plant, C. demers... more Biosorption and bioaccumulation studies of acid orange 7
(AO7) dye by an aquatic plant, C. demersum, were investigated in the present work. The effects of different parameters
such as, initial solution pH (2–11), initial dye concentration
(30–90 mg/L), contact time (5–150 min), biomass dosage
(1.8–23.4 g/L for living and 0.2–2.6 g/L for nonliving or dried
plant) and salt concentration (0.5–20 g/L) on the decolorization of AO7 dye were investigated by batch method. The
efficiency of both leaf and stem of the living plant was also
assessed for the dye removal. Living plant of C. demersum
exhibited higher decolorization potential as compared with the
dried plant which might be attributed to the active metabolism
of the former. The sorption kinetic data were successfully
described with pseudo-second order model for living and dried
plant. Thermodynamic studies revealed that the sorption
process is endothermic in nature at studied temperature range
of 283–313 K. These findings revealed that aquatic plant,
C. demersum, can be a suitable alternative for decolorization
of AO7 dye from aqueous solution. 2012 American Institute of
Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 00: 000–000, 2012
Keywords: biosorption, bioaccumulation, decolorization,
water treatment, acid orange 7 dye
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The aim of this study is to optimize the removal conditions of C.I. Acid black 1 (AB1) by a brown... more The aim of this study is to optimize the removal conditions of C.I. Acid black 1 (AB1) by a brown alga biomass, Cystoseira indica, and a red alga biomass, Gracilaria persica, using Box-Behnken design. The variables examined were the biomass dosage (0.5e1.5 g L À1), initial AB1 concentration (10e50 mg L À1), initial pH (2e6) and time (20e80 min). The determination coefficients (R 2) of predicted models were 0.9903 and 0.9955 for C. indica and G. persica biomass, respectively. These findings indicated models high validity in predicting the AB1 removal by both of biomasses. At the optimum conditions, the maximum removal efficiencies of AB1 achieved for C. indica and G. persica were 90.76 and 98.18%, respectively. These results also imply that the used brown and red algal biomasses are favorable biosorbents for the removal of AB1 from aqueous solutions.
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The biosorption potential of six brown macroalgae viz. Nizamuddina zanardinii, Stoechospermum mar... more The biosorption potential of six brown macroalgae viz. Nizamuddina zanardinii, Stoechospermum marginatum, Cystoseira indica, Dictyota cervicornis, Padina australis, and Sargassum glaucescens, for the removal of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) was investigated in the present study. Optimum conditions were determined by studying the effect of initial solution pH, biomass dosage, initial Cr(VI) concentration, and contact time on Cr(VI) removal by the macroalgae. Cr(VI) sorp-tion was found to be highly pH dependent and maximum sorption was obtained at pH 1.0. Freundlich isotherm model showed the best fit with the equilibrium data. The removal rate of Cr(VI) was relatively rapid during the first 30 min, although the rate decreased gradually and the sorption reached equilibrium in about 70 min for S. marginatum, 90 min for N. zanardinii, and 150 min for D. cervicornis, P. australis, S. glaucescens, and C. indica. Different kinetic models such as pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and intra-particle diffusion model were tested, and the experimental data was in agreement with the pseudo-second-order model. The results of the present study suggest that brown macroalgae could be used as effective biosor-bents for Cr(VI) removal from aqueous solution.
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Papers by Negin Koutahzadeh, PhD
health effects being irritating for skin, eye and respiratory system. It is essential to remove this dye from
wastewater. In this study, the removal of AB1 with brown macroalgae Sargassum glaucescens and Stoechospermum marginatum was studied using a batch system. The effects of parameters such as initial pH (in
the range 2–10), contact time (within 90 min), biomass dosage (in the range 1–9 g L1), initial dye concentration (in the range 10–50 mg L1), particle size of biosorbent (0.53–500 lm) and agitation speed
(from 70 to 180 rpm) on the adsorption capacity of AB1 were investigated. The equilibrium data indicated
that the Freundlich model provided the best correlation of the experimental data for both biosorbents at
least in the concentration range investigated in this study. The biosorption kinetic data were successfully
described with pseudo-second order model (PSORE) for two biosorbents. Thermodynamic parameters
showed adsorption of dye was feasible and endothermic at all temperatures (283–313 K) for both biosorbents. A decrease in particle size of biosorbents increased acidic dye removal capacity. The agitation
speed influences AB1 sorption capacity and optimum agitation speed observed at 130 rpm among different agitation speed (i.e. 70–180 rpm). FT-IR analysis demonstrated the involvement of different functional groups, mainly hydroxyl, carboxyl and amine groups. These results confirm that these algae
have a good potential for removal of AB1 from aqueous solution at low dye concentration.
(AO7) dye by an aquatic plant, C. demersum, were investigated in the present work. The effects of different parameters
such as, initial solution pH (2–11), initial dye concentration
(30–90 mg/L), contact time (5–150 min), biomass dosage
(1.8–23.4 g/L for living and 0.2–2.6 g/L for nonliving or dried
plant) and salt concentration (0.5–20 g/L) on the decolorization of AO7 dye were investigated by batch method. The
efficiency of both leaf and stem of the living plant was also
assessed for the dye removal. Living plant of C. demersum
exhibited higher decolorization potential as compared with the
dried plant which might be attributed to the active metabolism
of the former. The sorption kinetic data were successfully
described with pseudo-second order model for living and dried
plant. Thermodynamic studies revealed that the sorption
process is endothermic in nature at studied temperature range
of 283–313 K. These findings revealed that aquatic plant,
C. demersum, can be a suitable alternative for decolorization
of AO7 dye from aqueous solution. 2012 American Institute of
Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 00: 000–000, 2012
Keywords: biosorption, bioaccumulation, decolorization,
water treatment, acid orange 7 dye
health effects being irritating for skin, eye and respiratory system. It is essential to remove this dye from
wastewater. In this study, the removal of AB1 with brown macroalgae Sargassum glaucescens and Stoechospermum marginatum was studied using a batch system. The effects of parameters such as initial pH (in
the range 2–10), contact time (within 90 min), biomass dosage (in the range 1–9 g L1), initial dye concentration (in the range 10–50 mg L1), particle size of biosorbent (0.53–500 lm) and agitation speed
(from 70 to 180 rpm) on the adsorption capacity of AB1 were investigated. The equilibrium data indicated
that the Freundlich model provided the best correlation of the experimental data for both biosorbents at
least in the concentration range investigated in this study. The biosorption kinetic data were successfully
described with pseudo-second order model (PSORE) for two biosorbents. Thermodynamic parameters
showed adsorption of dye was feasible and endothermic at all temperatures (283–313 K) for both biosorbents. A decrease in particle size of biosorbents increased acidic dye removal capacity. The agitation
speed influences AB1 sorption capacity and optimum agitation speed observed at 130 rpm among different agitation speed (i.e. 70–180 rpm). FT-IR analysis demonstrated the involvement of different functional groups, mainly hydroxyl, carboxyl and amine groups. These results confirm that these algae
have a good potential for removal of AB1 from aqueous solution at low dye concentration.
(AO7) dye by an aquatic plant, C. demersum, were investigated in the present work. The effects of different parameters
such as, initial solution pH (2–11), initial dye concentration
(30–90 mg/L), contact time (5–150 min), biomass dosage
(1.8–23.4 g/L for living and 0.2–2.6 g/L for nonliving or dried
plant) and salt concentration (0.5–20 g/L) on the decolorization of AO7 dye were investigated by batch method. The
efficiency of both leaf and stem of the living plant was also
assessed for the dye removal. Living plant of C. demersum
exhibited higher decolorization potential as compared with the
dried plant which might be attributed to the active metabolism
of the former. The sorption kinetic data were successfully
described with pseudo-second order model for living and dried
plant. Thermodynamic studies revealed that the sorption
process is endothermic in nature at studied temperature range
of 283–313 K. These findings revealed that aquatic plant,
C. demersum, can be a suitable alternative for decolorization
of AO7 dye from aqueous solution. 2012 American Institute of
Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 00: 000–000, 2012
Keywords: biosorption, bioaccumulation, decolorization,
water treatment, acid orange 7 dye