Citation: Jinhui Xu, Yanting Zhang, Kecheng Wen, Xinyu Wang, Zhiwei Yang, Yuan Huang, Guozhong Zheng, Lupeng Huang, Jing Zhang. Enhanced removal of polystyrene nanoplastics by air flotation modified by dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride: Performance and mechanism[J]. Chinese Chemical Letters, ;2025, 36(5): 110240. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110240 shu

Enhanced removal of polystyrene nanoplastics by air flotation modified by dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride: Performance and mechanism

Jinhui Xu ^a ,
Yanting Zhang ^a ,
Kecheng Wen ^a ,
Xinyu Wang ^a ,
Zhiwei Yang ^a ,
Yuan Huang ^a ,
Guozhong Zheng ^a ,
Lupeng Huang ^a ,
Jing Zhang ^{a, b, *,}

a.
College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
b.
Yibin Industrial Technology Research Institute of Sichuan University, Yibin 644000, China

zjing428@163.com

Received Date: 29 April 2024
Revised Date: 16 June 2024
Accepted Date: 10 July 2024
Available Online: 13 March 2025

Figures(7)

Nanoplastics exhibit greater environmental biotoxicity than microplastics and can be ingested by humans through major routes such as tap water, bottled water and other drinking water. Nanoplastics present a challenge for air flotation due to their minute particle size, negative surface potential, and similar density to water. This study employed dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride (DTAC) as a modifier to improve conventional air flotation, which significantly enhanced the removal of polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs). Conventional air flotation removed only 3.09% of PSNPs, while air flotation modified by dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride (DTAC-modified air flotation) increased the removal of PSNPs to 98.05%. The analysis of the DTAC-modified air flotation mechanism was conducted using a combination of instruments, including a zeta potential analyzer, contact angle meter, laser particle size meter, high definition camera, scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR). The results indicated that the incorporation of DTAC reversed the electrostatic repulsion between bubbles and PSNPs to electrostatic attraction, significantly enhancing the hydrophobic force in the system. This, in turn, improved the collision adhesion effect between bubbles and PSNPs. The experimental results indicated that even when the flotation time was reduced to 7 min, the DTAC-modified air flotation still achieved a high removal rate of 96.26%. Furthermore, changes in aeration, pH, and ionic strength did not significantly affect the performance of the modified air flotation for the removal of PSNPs. The removal rate of PSNPs in all three water bodies exceeded 95%. The DTAC-modified air flotation has excellent resistance to interference from complex conditions and shows great potential for practical application.
- Polystyrene nanoplastics,
- Dodecyltrimethylammonium chloride,
- Modified air flotation,
- Mechanism,
- Effectiveness and stability
1. [1]
  A.A. Horton, A. Walton, D.J. Spurgeon, et al., Sci. Total Environ. 586 (2017) 127–141. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2017.01.190
2. [2]
  T. Wang, X. Zou, B. Li, et al., Environ. Pollut. 245 (2019) 965–974. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2018.10.110
3. [3]
  S.B. Kurniawan, N.S.M. Said, M.F. Imron, et al., Environ. Technol. Innov. 23 (2021) 101790. doi: 10.1016/j.eti.2021.101790
4. [4]
  K. Duis, A. Coors, Environ. Sci. Eur. 28 (2016) 2. doi: 10.1186/s12302-015-0069-y
5. [5]
  O.S. Alimi, J. Farner Budarz, L.M. Hernandez, et al., Environ. Sci. Technol. 52 (2018) 1704–1724. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.7b05559
6. [6]
  B. Zhang, Q. Wu, S. Gao, et al., Environ. Pollut. 320 (2023) 121076. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121076
7. [7]
  A. Yaseen, I. Assad, M.S. Sofi, et al., Environ. Res. 212 (2022) 113258. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113258
8. [8]
  X. Wang, K. Deng, P. Zhang, et al., Sci. Total Environ. 919 (2024) 170962. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170962
9. [9]
  H. Ye, Q. Li, J. Li, et al., Chin. Chem. Lett. 36 (2025) 109861. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109861
10. [10]
  S.R. Balabantaray, P.K. Singh, A.K. Pandey, et al., Environ. Sci. Pollut. R. 30 (2023) 123039–123054. doi: 10.1007/s11356-023-30799-9
11. [11]
  J.P. Da Costa, P.S.M. Santos, A.C. Duarte, et al., Sci. Total Environ. 566-567 (2016) 15–26. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.05.041
12. [12]
  D.M. Mitrano, P. Wick, B. Nowack, Nat. Nanotechnol. 16 (2021) 491–500. doi: 10.1038/s41565-021-00888-2
13. [13]
  Z. Song, X. Yang, F. Chen, et al., Sci. Total Environ. 669 (2019) 120–128. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.03.102
14. [14]
  M. Shen, Y. Zhang, Y. Zhu, et al., Environ. Pollut. 252 (2019) 511–521. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.05.102
15. [15]
  S. Dai, R. Ye, J. Huang, et al., J. Nanobiotechnol. 20 (2022) 191. doi: 10.1186/s12951-022-01321-z
16. [16]
  Z. Liu, A. Sokratian, A.M. Duda, et al., Sci. Adv. 9 (2023) i8716. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.adi8716
17. [17]
  A.R. Hammodat, S. Nassar, M.M. Mortula, et al., J. Environ. Manage. 345 (2023) 118779. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118779
18. [18]
  N. Qian, X. Gao, X. Lang, et al., P. Natl. Acad. Sci. U. S. A. 121 (2024) e1994385175.
19. [19]
  A.A. Koelmans, N.H. Mohamed Nor, E. Hermsen, et al., Water Res. 155 (2019) 410–422. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2019.02.054
20. [20]
  D. Pedrero, C. Edo, F. Fernández-Piñas, et al., Sep. Purif. Technol. 333 (2024) 125816. doi: 10.1016/j.seppur.2023.125816
21. [21]
  G. Zhou, X. Huang, H. Xu, et al., Sci. Total Environ. 820 (2022) 153190. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153190
22. [22]
  H. Jiang, Y. Zhang, K. Bian, et al., Chem. Eng. J. 448 (2022) 137692. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2022.137692
23. [23]
  J.D. Ladouceur, R.M. Narbaitz, C.Q. Lan, J. Water Process Eng. 56 (2023) 104391. doi: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2023.104391
24. [24]
  J. Hongru, Z. Yingshuang, W. Hui, Environ. Sci. Technol. 54 (2020) 9742–9756. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.9b07861
25. [25]
  O. Kökkılıç, S. Mohammadi-Jam, P. Chu, et al., Adv. Colloid Interfac. 308 (2022) 102769. doi: 10.1016/j.cis.2022.102769
26. [26]
  H. Jiang, J. Bu, K. Bian, et al., Water Res. 233 (2023) 119794. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119794
27. [27]
  F. Yuan, X. Li, W. Yu, et al., J. Water Process Eng. 49 (2022) 103084. doi: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2022.103084
28. [28]
  B. Swart, A. Pihlajamäki, Y.M. John Chew, et al., Chem. Eng. J. 449 (2022) 137866. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2022.137866
29. [29]
  Y. Zhang, H. Jiang, K. Bian, et al., Sci. Total Environ. 792 (2021) 148345. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148345
30. [30]
  C. Oliveira, J. Rubio, Int. J. Miner. Process. 98 (2011) 118–123. doi: 10.1016/j.minpro.2010.10.006
31. [31]
  S. Ye, M. Cheng, G. Zeng, et al., Water Res. 179 (2020) 115876. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.115876
32. [32]
  J. Li, G. Wang, X. Gou, et al., Anal. Chem. 94 (2022) 12657–12663. doi: 10.1021/acs.analchem.2c01703
33. [33]
  M. Zhang, J. Yang, Z. Kang, et al., J. Hazard. Mater. 404 (2021) 124095. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124095
34. [34]
  B.K. Pramanik, S.K. Pramanik, S. Monira, Chemosphere 282 (2021) 131053. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131053
35. [35]
  P. Pal, A.G. Corpuz, S.W. Hasan, et al., Chemosphere 273 (2021) 128568. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.128568
36. [36]
  T. Kim, H. Park, M. Han, Civ. Eng. 21 (2017) 2567–2572. doi: 10.1007/s12205-017-0025-z
37. [37]
  Y. Wang, Y. Li, L. Tian, et al., Water Environ. Res. 93 (2021) 693–702. doi: 10.1002/wer.1352
38. [38]
  C. Li, H. Zhang, J. Ind. Eng. Chem. 106 (2022) 37–51. doi: 10.1016/j.jiec.2021.11.009
39. [39]
  M.R. Cordova, A.I.S. Purwiyanto, Y. Suteja, Mar. Pollut. Bull. 142 (2019) 183–188. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.03.040
40. [40]
  S. Liu, J. Wang, Chem. Eng. J. 469 (2023) 143910. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2023.143910
41. [41]
  Y.S. Ho, G. McKay, Chem. Eng. J. 70 (1998) 115–124. doi: 10.1016/S0923-0467(98)00076-1
42. [42]
  S. Ma, Y. Han, Y. Zhang, et al., J. Mol. Liq. 362 (2022) 119700. doi: 10.1016/j.molliq.2022.119700
43. [43]
  B.P. Bastakoti, S. Guragain, A. Yoneda, Polym. Chem. 1 (2010) 347–353. doi: 10.1039/B9PY00231F
44. [44]
  X. Xing, Y. Zhang, G. Zhou, et al., Sci. Total Environ. 876 (2023) 162763. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162763
45. [45]
  K. Loganathan, J. Saththasivam, S. Sarp, Desalination 433 (2018) 25–32. doi: 10.1016/j.desal.2018.01.012
46. [46]
  R.K. Henderson, S.A. Parsons, B. Jefferson, Environ. Technol. 31 (2010) 781–790. doi: 10.1080/09593331003663302
47. [47]
  S. Zhao, H. Zhong, G. Liu, J. Cent. South Univ. Technol. 14 (2007) 500–503. doi: 10.1007/s11771-007-0097-x
48. [48]
  Y. Shi, J. Yang, J. Ma, et al., Front. Env. Sci. Eng. 11 (2017) 10.
49. [49]
  M. Zhang, P. Guiraud, Water Res. 126 (2017) 399–410. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2017.09.051
50. [50]
  S. Kam, J. Gregory, Colloid Surf. A 159 (1999) 165–179. doi: 10.1016/S0927-7757(99)00172-7
51. [51]
  Y. Jiang, S. Zhou, J. Fei, et al., Water Res. 215 (2022) 118262. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118262
52. [52]
  V. Filipe, A. Hawe, W. Jiskoot, Pharm. Res. Dordr. 27 (2010) 796–810. doi: 10.1007/s11095-010-0073-2
53. [53]
  R. Li, Y. Zhou, B. Albijanic, et al., Energ. Fuel 37 (2023) 13673–13685. doi: 10.1021/acs.energyfuels.3c01703
54. [54]
  H. Jiang, Y. Gao, Q. Yang, et al., Powder Technol. 331 (2018) 218–225. doi: 10.3901/jme.2018.17.218
55. [55]
  H. Jiang, Y. Zhang, K. Bian, et al., J. Environ. Chem. Eng. 10 (2022) 107834. doi: 10.1016/j.jece.2022.107834
56. [56]
  H. Wang, C. Wang, J. Fu, Waste Manage. 33 (2013) 2623–2631. doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2013.09.003
57. [57]
  C. Wang, H. Wang, G. Gu, et al., Waste Manage. 46 (2015) 56–61. doi: 10.11728/cjss2015.01.056
58. [58]
  H. Wang, C. Wang, J. Fu, et al., Waste Manage. 34 (2014) 309–315. doi: 10.1016/j.wasman.2013.11.007
59. [59]
  Y. Zhang, X. Su, N.F.Y. Tam, et al., Chin. Chem. Lett. 33 (2022) 5213–5217. doi: 10.3390/polym14235213
60. [60]
  R.K. Henderson, S.A. Parsons, B. Jefferson, Sep. Sci. Technol. 44 (2009) 1923–1940. doi: 10.1080/01496390902955628
1. [1]
  Jia Fu , Shilong Zhang , Lirong Liang , Chunyu Du , Zhenqiang Ye , Guangming Chen . PEDOT-based thermoelectric composites: Preparation, mechanism and applications. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(9): 109804-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109804
2. [2]
  Linghui Zou , Meng Cheng , Kaili Hu , Jianfang Feng , Liangxing Tu . Vesicular drug delivery systems for oral absorption enhancement. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(7): 109129-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.109129
3. [3]
  Xiaoning Li , Quanyu Shi , Meng Li , Ningxin Song , Yumeng Xiao , Huining Xiao , Tony D. James , Lei Feng . Functionalization of cellulose carbon dots with different elements (N, B and S) for mercury ion detection and anti-counterfeit applications. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(7): 109021-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.109021
4. [4]
  Shaojie Deng , Peihua Ma , Qinghong Bai , Xin Xiao . The transformation of nor-seco-cucurbit[10]uril to cucurbit[5]uril and cucurbit[8]uril controlled by its own concentration. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(2): 109878-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109878
5. [5]
  Weidan Meng , Yanbo Zhou , Yi Zhou . Green innovation unleashed: Harnessing tungsten-based nanomaterials for catalyzing solar-driven carbon dioxide conversion. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(2): 109961-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109961
6. [6]
  Ming-Yi Sun , Lu Zhang , Ya Li , Chong-Chen Wang , Peng Wang , Xueying Ren , Xiao-Hong Yi . Recovering Ag⁺ with nano-MOF-303 to form Ag/AgCl/MOF-303 photocatalyst: The role of stored Cl⁻ ions. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(2): 110035-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110035
7. [7]
  Li Li , Xue Ke , Shan Wang , Zhuo Jiang , Yuzheng Guo , Chunguang Kuai . Antioxidative strategies of 2D MXenes in aqueous energy storage system. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(5): 110423-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.110423
8. [8]
  Tong Zhou , Liyi Xie , Chuyu Liu , Xiyan Zheng , Bao Li . Between Sobriety and Intoxication: The Fascinating Journey of Sauce-Flavored Latte. University Chemistry, 2024, 39(9): 55-58. doi: 10.12461/PKU.DXHX202312048
9. [9]
  Bharathi Natarajan , Palanisamy Kannan , Longhua Guo . Metallic nanoparticles for visual sensing: Design, mechanism, and application. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2024, 43(9): 100349-100349. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2024.100349
10. [10]
  Peng Wang , Daijie Deng , Suqin Wu , Li Xu . Cobalt-based deep eutectic solvent modified nitrogen-doped carbon catalyst for boosting oxygen reduction reaction in zinc-air batteries. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2024, 43(1): 100199-100199. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2023.100199
11. [11]
  Yuan Dong , Mutian Ma , Zhenyang Jiao , Sheng Han , Likun Xiong , Zhao Deng , Yang Peng . Effect of electrolyte cation-mediated mechanism on electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(7): 109049-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.109049
12. [12]
  Hongxia Li , Xiyang Wang , Du Qiao , Jiahao Li , Weiping Zhu , Honglin Li . Mechanism of nanoparticle aggregation in gas-liquid microfluidic mixing. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(4): 108747-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.108747
13. [13]
  Yixin Zhang , Ting Wang , Jixiang Zhang , Pengyu Lu , Neng Shi , Liqiang Zhang , Weiran Zhu , Nongyue He . Formation mechanism for stable system of nanoparticle/protein corona and phospholipid membrane. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(4): 108619-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2023.108619
14. [14]
  Ping Wang , Tianbao Zhang , Zhenxing Li . Reconstruction mechanism of Cu surface in CO2 reduction process. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2024, 43(8): 100328-100328. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2024.100328
15. [15]
  Wenzhong Zhang , Zirui Yan , Lingcheng Chen , Yi Xiao . Sn-fused perylene diimides: Synthesis, mechanism, and properties. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(10): 109582-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109582
16. [16]
  Hai-Ling Wang , Zhong-Hong Zhu , Hua-Hong Zou . Structure and assembly mechanism of high-nuclear lanthanide-oxo clusters. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2024, 43(9): 100372-100372. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2024.100372
17. [17]
  Jia-hui Li , Jinkai Qiu , Cheng Lian . Lithium-ion rapid transport mechanism and channel design in solid electrolytes. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2025, 44(1): 100381-100381. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2024.100381
18. [18]
  Yan Guo , Hongtao Bian , Le Yu , Jiani Ma , Yu Fang . Photochemical reaction mechanism of benzophenone protected guanosine at N7 position. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2025, 36(3): 109971-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109971
19. [19]
  Kailong Zhang , Chao Zhang , Luanhui Wu , Qidong Yang , Jiadong Zhang , Guang Hu , Liang Song , Gaoran Li , Wenlong Cai . Chloride molten salt derived attapulgite with ground-breaking electrochemical performance. Chinese Chemical Letters, 2024, 35(10): 109618-. doi: 10.1016/j.cclet.2024.109618
20. [20]
  Yubang Li , Xixi Hu , Daiqian Xie . The microscopic formation mechanism of O + H2 products from photodissociation of H2O. Chinese Journal of Structural Chemistry, 2024, 43(5): 100274-100274. doi: 10.1016/j.cjsc.2024.100274

Get Citation

PDF

XML

Metrics

PDF Downloads(0)
Abstract views(23)
HTML views(4)

通讯作者: 陈斌, bchen63@163.com

1.
沈阳化工大学材料科学与工程学院沈阳 110142