The effect of Fe 2 NiO 4 and Fe 4 NiO 4 Zn magnetic nanoparticles on anaerobic digestion activity

Jian Lin Chen, Terry W.J. Steele, David C. Stuckey

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

43 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Two types of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), i.e. Ni ferrite nanoparticles (Fe 2 NiO 4 ) and Ni Zn ferrite nanoparticles (Fe 4 NiO 4 Zn) containing the trace metals Ni and Fe, were added to the anaerobic digestion of synthetic municipal wastewater at concentrations between 1 and 100 mg Ni L −1 in order to compare their effects on biogas (methane) production and sludge activity. Using the production of methane over time as a measure, the assays revealed that anaerobic digestion was stimulated by the addition of 100 mg Ni L −1 in Fe 2 NiO 4 NPs, while it was inhibited by the addition of 1–100 mg Ni L −1 in Fe 4 NiO 4 Zn NPs. Especially at 100 mg Ni L −1 , Fe 4 NiO 4 Zn NPs resulted in a total inhibition of anaerobic digestion. The metabolic activity of the anaerobic sludge was tested using the resazurin reduction assay, and the assay clearly revealed the negative effect of Fe 4 NiO 4 Zn NPs and the positive effect of Fe 2 NiO 4 NPs. Re-feeding fresh synthetic medium reactivated the NPs added to the anaerobic sludge, except for the experiment with 100 mg Ni L −1 addition of Fe 4 NiO 4 Zn NPs. The findings in this present study indicate a possible new strategy for NPs design to enhance anaerobic digestion.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)276-284
Number of pages9
JournalScience of the Total Environment
Volume642
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 Nov 2018
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Anaerobic digestion
  • Ferrite nanoparticles
  • Resazurin
  • Stimulation
  • Toxicity

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