Research
Control of Organic Micropollutants by KrCl* Excimer Lamps
Krypton chloride (KrCl*) excilamps emitting at far-UVC 222 nm represent a promising technology for microbial disinfection and advanced oxidation of organic micropollutants (OMPs) in water treatment. In this project, KrCl* will be applied to remove OMPs in municipal wastewater and pesticide rinsate and leftovers in agriculture.
Related Publications:
Funds:
- Xu, J.*; Huang, C.H.* Enhanced direct photolysis of organic micropollutants by far-UVC light at 222 nm from KrCl* excilamps. Environ. Sci. Technol. Letters 2023, 10 (6), 543-548.
Funds:
- National Science Foundation, Division of CBET, Environmental Engineering Program. “Collaborative Research: Enhanced Photolysis and Advanced Oxidation Processes by Novel KrCl* (222 nm) Irradiation” (08/2023–08/2026) PI: Jiale Xu. Grant number: 2310137.
- United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). USDA. “Low-Cost and Efficient Control of Onsite Pesticide Contamination by Far-UVC Light to Protect Farmer Health and Ecosystems” (09/2023-08/2026) PI: Jiale Xu. Grant number: GRA0011307.
Sunlight Transformation of Trace Organic Contaminants from Agricultural Runoff
Overuse of fertilizers, pesticides, and antibiotics in agriculture has caused severe pollution of nitrate/nitrite and trace organic contaminants (TrOC) in source water. Sunlight transformation is one of the important transformation pathways of TrOCs, where TrOC undergo direct and indirect photolysis. Specifically, nitrate/nitrite can convert TrOCs to more toxic chemicals, nitro compounds, through photo-nitration. Overlooking this process in watershed management can underestimate the pollution of source water. To tackle this research challenge, our group will use quantum chemistry to explore the mechanism and reactivity of photo-nitration and to achieve accurate prediction of nitro TrOCs in the source water.
Related Publications:
- Xu, J.; Kralles, Z. T.; Hart, C. C.; Dai, N.* Effects of sunlight on the formation potential of dichloroacetonitrile and bromochloroacetonitrile from wastewater effluents. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2020, 54 (6), 3245-3255.
- Xu, J.; Kralles, Z. T.; Dai, N.* Effects of sunlight on the trichloronitromethane formation potential of wastewater effluents: Dependence on nitrite concentration. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2019, 53 (8), 4285-4294.
Controlling Nitrogenous Disinfection Byproducts in Water/Wastewater Treatment
Nitrogenous disinfection byproducts (N-DBP) are toxic chemicals formed during water/wastewater disinfection. N-DBPs are 100–1000 times more toxic than the regulated DBPs, such as trihalomethanes (THMs). They accounted for over 70% of total toxicity from DBPs in drinking water. To date, the formation of N-DBPs in drinking water has attracted more and more concerns. It is critical to determine and control N-DBP levels in tap water.
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Related Publications:
- Xu, J.; Tran, T. N.; Lin, H.; Dai, N.* Modeling the transport of neutral disinfection byproducts in forward osmosis: Roles of reverse salt flux. Water Res. 2020, 185, 116255.
- Xu, J.; Kralles, Z. T.; Hart, C. C.; Dai, N.* Effects of sunlight on the formation potential of dichloroacetonitrile and bromochloroacetonitrile from wastewater effluents. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2020, 54 (6), 3245-3255.
- Xu, J.; Kralles, Z. T.; Dai, N.* Effects of sunlight on the trichloronitromethane formation potential of wastewater effluents: Dependence on nitrite concentration. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2019, 53 (8), 4285-4294.
- Xu, J.; Tran, T. N.; Lin, H.; Dai, N.* Removal of disinfection byproducts in forward osmosis for wastewater recycling. J. Membrane Sci. 2018, 564, 352-360.
Remediating PFAS and Oxyanions by Electrochemical Technologies
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent and carcinogenic chemicals that have been detected in groundwater and drinking water in the United States. When substantial oxyanions (e.g., nitrate, nitrite, and perchlorate) is present in PFAS-contaminated groundwater, current technologies, such as adsorption and ion exchange, fail to remove PFAS efficiently due to the strong competing reactions. The goal of this project is to develop novel electrochemical technologies to remove both PFAS and oxyanions simultaneously.
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Related Publications:
- Xie, X.; Zhao, J.; Liang, S.; He, X.; Yu, C.; Xie, R.; Xu, J.; Yang, L.; Cheng, D.; Lin, H.* Electro-filtration efficient oxidation of herbicide atrazine by Sb, Ce co-doped SnO2 membranes. Electrochim. Acta 2023, 463, 142819.
- Li, W.; Xiao, R.; Xu, J.; Lin, H.*; Yang, K.; He, K.; Tang, L.; Chen, J.; Wu, Y.; Lv, S.* Interface engineering strategy of a Ti4O7 ceramic membrane via graphene oxide nanoparticles toward efficient electrooxidation of 1, 4-dioxane. Water Res. 2022, 118287.
- Yang, K.§; Xu, J.§; Lin, H.*; Xie, R.; Wang, K.; Lv, S.; Liao, J.; Liu, X.; Chen, J.; Yang, Z.* Developing a low-pressure and super stable electrochemical tubular reactive filter: Outstanding efficiency for wastewater purification. Electrochim. Acta 2020, 335, 135634. § Yang and Xu are co-first authors.