Explore the Nano World 

 Wen's Research Group​

Wen Zhang, Ph.D., P.E., BCEE

Principal Investigator
Professor

Phone: (973) 596-5520 
Fax: (973) 596-5790
Email: wen.zhang@njit.edu

Office Location: Colton Hall 211

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Electromagnetic Catalysis and Degradation of Algogenic Odor

Electromagnetic induction interfacial heating for high-efficiency membrane distillation

Zhang’s group investigates an electromagnetic catalysis system which can improve degradation of algogenic dor using Fe3O­4 nanoparticles with tannin coating. The electromagnetic field (EMF) could effectively penetrate those non-polar or non-metallic reaction medium or reactor materials and selectively energize catalysts such as magnetic nanoparticles. This study evaluated an electromagnetic catalysis process that involves the use of the EMF to catalyze surface reactions on Fe3O­4 nanoparticles with/without tannin coating (Fe3O­4@tannin). The EMF field distribution from different induction coil types and heating of the solution or catalyst were characterized. The effects of coil type, exposure time, and catalyst type on the removal rates were then evaluated and optimized with methylene blue. Further, the removal mechanisms of 2-MIB and geosmin were analyzed with different combinations of solution heating and additions of H2O2, EMF, and Fe3O­4@tannin. The highest removal (97% and 98%) for 2-MIB and geosmin was obtained when Fe3O­4@tannin nanoparticles were exposed to H2O2 and EMF, which resulted in a potential Fenton-like reaction based on radical detection. The findings support the water treatment innovations with nontraditional catalysis processes.

​Paper Link: https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsestengg.1c00191