Mohammad Pazouki
@merc.ac.ir
Professor, Energy
Materials and Energy Research Center
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Bioenergy
Environmental Biotechnology
Statistical Optimization
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Zhila Ziaei-Rad, Mohammad Pazouki, Jamshid Fooladi, Mehrdad Azin, Sathyanarayana N. Gummadi, and Abdollah Allahverdi
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
AbstractApplication of cost-effective pretreatment of wheat straw is an important stage for massive bioethanol production. A new approach is aimed to enhance the pretreatment of wheat straw by using low-cost ionic liquid [TEA][HSO4] coupled with ultrasound irradiation. The pretreatment was conducted both at room temperature and at 130 °C with a high biomass loading rate of 20% and 20% wt water assisted by ultrasound at 100 W-24 kHz for 15 and 30 min. Wheat straw pretreated at 130 °C for 15 and 30 min had high delignification rates of 67.8% and 74.9%, respectively, and hemicellulose removal rates of 47.0% and 52.2%. Moreover, this pretreatment resulted in producing total reducing sugars of 24.5 and 32.1 mg/mL in enzymatic saccharification, respectively, which corresponds to saccharification yields of 67.7% and 79.8% with commercial cellulase enzyme CelluMax for 72 h. The ethanol generation rates of 38.9 and 42.0 g/L were attained for pretreated samples for 15 and 30 min, equivalent to the yields of 76.1% and 82.2% of the maximum theoretical yield following 48 h of fermentation. This demonstration provided a cheap and promising pretreatment technology in terms of efficiency and shortening the pretreatment time based on applying low-cost ionic liquid and efficient ultrasound pretreatment techniques, which facilitated the feasibility of this approach and could further develop the future of biorefinery.
Pegah Nazarizadeh, Ali Reza Akbarzadeh, and Mohamad Pazouki
Wiley
AbstractIn this study, the synthesized nanocomposite was evaluated novel graphene oxide/pectin/ferrite (GOPF) adsorbent to the adsorption of Rhodamine B (RhB) and Gemifloxacin (GEM) from wastewater. Theoretical studies were carried out using quantum simulation via the Forcite module in Material Studio 2017. The simulation results demonstrated RhB and GEM adsorption over other dyes and drugs. The synthesized nanocomposite was identified by BET, TGA, FT‐IR, FE‐SEM, XRD, VSM, and EDS. The nanocomposite's ability to effectively take RhB and GEM from an aqueous solution was checked by performing a series of experiments based on the effect of adsorbent dose, initial condensation, contact time, pH, and temperature. The nanocomposite kinetics follow a PSO. The Freundlich isotherm model was applied for maximum adsorption capacity of GEM (124.37 mg/g) and RhB (86.60 mg/g) on GOPF nanocomposite. According to the antibacterial activity test, the synthesized nanocomposite can kill bacteria 5 mm in diameter. Also, the anti‐cancer test of nanocomposite was done with 75% viability in high concentrations of nanocomposite. Thus, GOPF application results are not only suitable for dyes but only satisfying for drugs.Practitioner Points GOPF nanocomposite was fabricated for adsorption dye and drug and characterized. The effect of different process parameters, pH, catalyst dosage, contact time, and temperature effect was surveyed. The MD simulation were investigated to adsorb various dyes and drugs. The equilibrium isotherm and adsorption kinetic follow from Freundlich and pseudo‐second‐order kinetics; GOPF nanocomposite was used for about six cycles. The antibacterial activity and anticancer test of GOPF nanocomposite were investigated by satisfying results.
Fatemeh Nourbakhsh, Mohsen Mohsennia, and Mohammad Pazouki
Wiley
Mina Rafati, Mohammad Pazouki, Hossein Ghadamian, Azarmidokht Hossein nia, and Ali Jalilzadeh
Informa UK Limited
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are major energy consumers and cause environmental impact on receiving waters. Many WWTPs are operated in a less-than- optimal manner with respect to both treatm...
Zhila Ziaei-Rad, Jamshid Fooladi, Mohammad Pazouki, and Sathyanarayana N. Gummadi
Elsevier BV
Morteza Faghihi, Fatemeh Akbarbandari, Mohammad Zabihi, and Mohammad Pazouki
Elsevier BV
Ghazaleh Salehi, Aliasghar Behnamghader, Mohamad Pazouki, and Masoud Mozafari
Wiley
Ghazaleh Salehi, Aliasghar Behnamghader, Mohammad Pazouki, Behzad Houshmand, and Masoud Mozafari
Informa UK Limited
ABSTRACT The purpose of this study is to evaluate the general function and properties of a new class of reinforced glass-ionomer cements (GICs). In this regard, GIC powders based on a molar composition of 4.5SiO2.3Al2O3.1.5P2O5.3CaO.2CaF2 were synthesised via a melt-quenching method. The cement reinforced with silanized fibers (CSFs) were made by adding silanized E-glass fibers to the glass powder, before mixing with FUJI II LC, and then cured. The CSFs achieved maximum values of mechanical properties and showed a lower increase in roughness value compare to the other tested groups. Additionally, the CSFs demonstrated acceptable biocompatibility to fibroblast cells. Reinforcing the GICs with silanized glass fibers could improve the mechanical properties and toughening behavior of the final products, making them a promising biomaterial for dental restorative applications.
Fatemeh Nourbakhsh, Mohsen Mohsennia, and Mohammad Pazouki
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Non-precious metal catalysts are needed for the commercialization of microbial fuel cells (MFCs). Therefore, in this work, we synthesized the cost-effective LaCoO3, LaMnO3, and LaCo0.5Mn0.5O3 perovskite-type oxide nanoparticles, as cathode catalysts, and replaced them by the platinum (Pt) cathode. The high electro-catalytic efficiency of the perovskite catalysts was determined by the linear sweep voltammetry, Tafel plot and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy analyses. The maximum power density obtained by the LaMnO3 was determined to be higher than 13.91 mW m−2, which is more than twice as high as that obtained by the carbon cloth cathode under identical conditions. Also, the maximum power density of MFC with the modified electrodes was more than twice as high as that of the pristine cathode and 5.2% lower than Pt. Therefore, the prepared perovskite-type oxide nanoparticles can be used as efficient catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) in a two-chamber MFCs.
Fatemeh Nourbakhsh, M. Pazouki and M. Mohsennia
Background: The use of Microbial Fuel Cells (MFCs) has been expanded in recent years due to their ability in producing bioelectricity and treating wastewater simultaneously. However, there are still some obstacles to use MFC on an industrial scale. Regardless of the restriction of electrodes applied in the electron transferring process, there are also some other factors having strong roles in reducing the power density of MFCs.Objectives: In this paper, the effect of three categories of limiting factors such as kinds of microorganisms (Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Shewanella sp.), substrate type (Glucose and acetate), and features reactor components have been investigated on the power density generation. Simultaneous investigation of these parameters and demonstration of which parameters would induce more power density can help to improve the scale-up of MFCs.Materials and Methods: Two types of MFCs with different designs were constructed and inoculated with pure cultures of Saccharomyces cerevisiae PTCC 5269 and Shewanella sp. The OCV (Open Circuit Voltage) and polarization curves of MFCs were measured when the quasi-steady-state condition was observed.Results: Based on results, utilizing acetate in the presence of both microorganisms led to approximately 60% higher power density compared to glucose. The comparison of maximum power densities of different reactor designs indicated an approximately 17-70 % increase of power generation. However, the resultant shows modification of reactor design even when other parameters are not optimal can increase power density more than three times.Conclusion: Actually, reactor design has the most important role in the power density with the MFC while the effects of substrate and microorganism parameters are not inappreciable.
Zhila Ziaei-Rad, Mojdeh Nickpour, Mehrdad Adl, and Mohammad Pazouki
Elsevier BV
Abstract Distillery effluent must be handled in compliance with the demands and obligations of Environmental Quality Standards (EQS). As Iranian bioethanol plants often face the problem of high color content, therefore, an efficient decolorization process is required to determine the quality of effluent so as to meet demanded standards. The existing color in effluent is identified as Melanoidins, which is adsorbed by fungal mycelia or biodegraded. In this work, the biodecolorization mechanism was studied using Aspergillus fumigatus UB260. A color removal rate of 47% was obtained at an incubation time of 96 h at 30 °C. FTIR spectrum proved the presence of Melanoidins. SEM micrographs showed the accumulation of specified pigments in the mycelia. The release of color from fungal mycelia to 0.5 N NaOH proved the color adsorption on the surface of mycelia. Poly-acrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis (SDS/PAGE) proved that the presence of protein molecules in bio-decolorization culture. There was no existence of a trace amount of protein in the raw distillery wastewater. The decolorization was perceived as of dual mechanism.
Nader Nezafati, Raheleh Faridi‐Majidi, Mohammad Pazouki, and Saeed Hesaraki
Wiley
Tazkieh Gilvari, B. Aghabarari and M. Pazouki
This study investigated the esterification reaction of different carboxylic acids (Acetic acid, Palmitic acid, and Oleic acid) and ethanol by ZnO, Al2O3-ZnOmixed oxide, and phosphotungestic acid (10 wt %) immobilized on the Al2O3-ZnOmixed oxide. The heterogeneous catalysts were characterized by XRD, BET, FE-SEM, and EDX techniques. Optimum yield was achieved by using 10 % HPW/Al2O3-ZnOas the best catalyst, and the effects of the amount of catalyst, molar ratio of acid to alcohol, reaction temperature, and time were investigated to ensure the ideal yield of esterification reaction of acetic acid and ethanol. The results showed that the esterification of acetic acid to its ethyl ester was carried out in 3.5 hours, with an alcohol-to-acid-molar ratio of 2 and a temperature of 80 ˚C with yield 98 %. Moreover, the 10 % HPW/Al2O3-ZnOcatalystshowed well activity in biodiesel production by the esterification of palmitic and oleic acids and the reaction yield did not decrease with an increase in alkyl chain lengthin acid molecules, remarkably.
Marzie Moraveji, Nader Nezafati, Mohammad Pazouki, and Saeed Hesaraki
Elsevier BV
Abstract The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of click chemistry reactants on morphology and physico-chemical properties of alpha tricalcium phosphate (α-TCP)-based powders. The powders were synthesized by solid-state reaction. The powders were modified with azide and cycloalkyne to form triazole as a consequence of reactions of these molecules. The presence of the band related to the triazole ring and the click molecules in powder structure was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and Liquid chromatography- mass spectroscopy (LC-MS) analyses. Based on scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observations, the modified powder exhibited a different microstructure and morphology of apatite precipitates after one day and 7 days of soaking in distilled water and SBF solution, respectively, with respect to unmodified powder. According to the acellular in vitro test, X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns represented triple characteristic peaks of hydroxyapatite (HA) in modified powder compared with control. Besides, the tendency of conversion of α-TCP to HA is more enhanced for modified powder as well. The SEM analysis depicted the plate-like and needle-like morphology of HA on the surface of modified and control powders, respectively. Since plate-like morphology of HA enhances bone generation and is found in trabecular bone, therefore, a future design can be considered for triazole-modified α-TCP-based fillers as good candidates for bone substitute application.
Mazdak Rasapoor, Mehrdad Adl, Saeid Baroutian, Zeynab Iranshahi, and Mohammad Pazouki
Elsevier BV
It has been proven that ultrasonic pretreatment (UP) has positive effect on biogas generation from previous lab-scale studies. However, that is not always the case in larger scale processes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of UP to biogas generation in terms of anaerobic digestion process and energy efficiency. Parameters including total solids (TS) and ultrasonic treatment operational parameters of organic solid waste (OSW) resulted from our past lab scale UP studies were applied in this study. OSW with 6-10% TS was treated using a lab-scale ultrasonic processor using various power densities (0.2-0.6 W/mL) at different time periods up to 30 min. Results of lab scale confirmed that OSW with 6% TS sonicated with 0.2 W/mL power density in 30 min gave the best outcome for the pilot scale experiment. To simulate the condition of an actual scale, in addition to energy analysis, two different organic loading rates (OLR), namely 500 and 1500 gVS/m3day were examined. The pilot digester was fed with OSW with or without the pretreatment based on the aforementioned specifications. The results showed that UP effectively improves biogas generation in terms of quantity and quality (CH4/CO2). Furthermore, it decreases the time to reach the maximum cumulative biogas volume comparing to the untreated feed. The key achievement of this research has confirmed that although the relative increase in the energy gain by the influence of UP was more remarkable under the 500 gVS/m3day OLR, energy analysis showed a better energy gain and energy benefit as well as jumping in biogas yield up to 80% for UP treated OSW under 1500 gVS/m3day OLR.
K. Dehvari, M. Pazouki and A. Hosseinnia
International Digital Organization for Scientific Information (IDOSI)
Green nanotechnology with the goal of producing sustainable nanomaterials in an eco-friendly approach is becoming an increasing necessity for nanomanufacturing industries. In this regards, biosynthesis is well adopted as a viable method for producing benign nanoparticles for biomedical application. The present study aimed at optimization and study of the effects of external stimuli pH and gold ion concentration on the morphology of biosynthesized gold nanoparticles (GNPs) using Fusarium oxysporum. Based on the central composite design, the experimental method was developed at three levels of the operating parameters; the initial gold ion concentration, cell mass, and pH. The X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy showed that the obtained GNPs were impurity-free while the size and shape of particles were a function of the pH and Au3+ concentration. Also, analysis of variance revealed that the cell mass and initial gold ion concentration have a significant effect on biosynthesis of GNPs. The optimal condition was found at the initial gold ion concentration of 550 µM, pH 3.5, and cell mass of 0.047 mg/mL with the obtained gold uptake of 98.29%. Pseudo-second order kinetics model best fitted the experimental results with the activation energy of 73.8 kJ indicating that complex chemisorption is the mechanism of gold biorecovery. Adsorption equilibrium followed Freundlich adsorption model and negative ΔG value at room temperature suggested that the GNPs can be synthesized at ambient temperature and atmosphere via an eco-friendly and economically viable process.
Farideh Ghavipanjeh, Zhila Ziaei Rad, and Mohammad Pazouki
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Biological devulcanization of ground tires (GTs) was evaluated by eleven different bacteria belonging to the genera Thiobacillus, Gordonia, Nocardia, Amycolaptopsis and Pseudomonas. The GTs were treated by each bacterium in a mineral medium and devulcanization was measured by increasing the sulfate of the medium and decreasing the sulfur of the GTs. The effects of incubation time (10 and 20 days) and the percent of ground tire in the medium (0.5 and 5 w/v %) on desulfurization were investigated. No significant changes were observed after 10 days of incubation. The total sulfur contents of all bio-treated GTs were decreased by 6–21% in 0.5% GTs after 20 days of incubation. While in 5% GTs, the total sulfur contents were mainly decreased using Thiobacillus ferroxidans DSMZ 583 and PTCC 1647 up to 27 and 15%, respectively. SEM photograph further indicated a good coherency interface between the bacteria and the GTs. Subsequently, Taguchi method was applied for the optimization of the culture condition of DSMZ 583. An L12 orthogonal array was performed by which the effects of eleven factors in two levels were evaluated. It was found that the amount and mesh size of GTs are the most important factors in biological devulcanization of ground tires.
Sara Shahbazi, Ali Zamanian, Mohammad Pazouki, and Yaser Jafari
Elsevier BV
A new total biomimetic technique based on both the water uptake and degradation processes is introduced in this study to provide an interesting procedure to fabricate a bioactive and biodegradable synthetic scaffold, which has a good mechanical and structural properties. The optimization of effective parameters to scaffold fabrication was done by response surface methodology/central composite design (CCD). With this method, a synthetic scaffold was fabricated which has a uniform and open-interconnected porous structure with the largest pore size of 100-200μm. The obtained compressive ultimate strength of ~35MPa and compression modulus of 58MPa are similar to some of the trabecular bone. The pore morphology, size, and distribution of the scaffold were characterized using a scanning electron microscope and mercury porosimeter. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, EDAX and X-ray diffraction analyses were used to determine the chemical composition, Ca/P element ratio of mineralized microparticles, and the crystal structure of the scaffolds, respectively. The optimum biodegradable synthetic scaffold based on its raw materials of polypropylene fumarate, hydroxyethyl methacrylate and nano bioactive glass (PPF/HEMA/nanoBG) as 70/30wt/wt%, 20wt%, and 1.5wt/wt% (PHB.732/1.5) with desired porosity, pore size, and geometry were created by 4weeks immersion in SBF. This scaffold showed considerable biocompatibility in the ranging from 86 to 101% for the indirect and direct contact tests and good osteoblast cell attachment when studied with the bone-like cells.
A. Zakeri, M. Pazouki, and M. Vossougi
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
The present study was undertaken to investigate a kinetic model for cell growth evaluation and biopolymer production by Xanthomonas campestris in a laboratory-scale batch fermentor. The optimum conditions selected for biopolymer production were 30 °C for media temperature, 500 rpm for agitation rate, 65 g/l for sugarcane concentration and 1.5 vvm for air flow rate. A detailed, unstructured, mathematical kinetic model is presented here for batch production of xanthan biopolymer from X. campestris. Set of ordinary differential equations were developed as logistic model for X. campestris growth and logistic incorporated Luedeking–Piret model for xanthan production. These models would offer more insights of xanthan optimization with better productivities. The value of specific growth rate μmax of logistic model was 0.026 h−1. The values of α and β are 8.480 and 0.077, respectively, which shows that the xanthan production is growth associated since the value of the growth-associated parameter α is much more than the value of nongrowth-associated parameter β in Luedeking–Piret model.
Mohammad Pazouki, Mohammad Zabihi, Jalal Shayegan, and Mohammad Hossein Fatehi
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
An efficient, novel functionalized supported magnetic nanoparticle (AC@Fe3O4-NH2-COOH) has been synthesized by co-precipitation method for removal of mercury ions from saline solutions. High dispersed supported magnetic nanoparticles with particle sizes less than 30 nm were formed over activated carbon derived from local walnut shell. Surface characterizations of supported magnetic nanoparticles were evaluated by Boehm test, Brunauer- Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). A three-layer artificial neural network (ANN) code was developed to predict the Hg (II) ions removal from aqueous solution by AC@Fe3O4-NH2-COOH. The three-layer back-propagation (BP) is configured of tangent sigmoid transfer function (tansig) at hidden layer with eight neurons for AC@Fe3O4-NH2-COOH, and linear transfer function (purelin) at output layer. According to the calculated MSEs, Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm (LMA) was the best training algorithm among others. The linear regressions between the predicted and experimental outputs were proven to be a good agreement with a correlation coefficient of about 0.9984 for five model variables. Maximum adsorption capacity was achieved 80mg/g by Langmuir isotherm at pH of 7 and salinity of 25,000 ppm. Kinetic studies illustrated that mercury adsorption follows pseudo-second-order.
Fatemeh Nourbakhsh, Mohsen Mohsennia, and Mohammad Pazouki
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
Abstract
A novel nickel oxide/carbon nanotube/polyaniline (NCP) nanocomposite has been prepared and used to modify the electrocatalytic properties of carbon cloth anode in fabricating dual-chamber MFC. The prepared nanocomposite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The carbon cloth coated with the NCP nanocomposite showed the enhanced electrochemical performance as compared to bare carbon cloth anode. The electrochemical properties of the fabricated MFC with the modified anode have been investigated by linear sweep voltammetry and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The maximum power density of the MFC using the novel NCP nanocomposite-carbon cloth anode increased by 61.88% compared to that of the bare carbon cloth anode. In comparison to the bare carbon cloth anode, the new composite anode showed 26.8% enhancement of current density output which it can be due to the enhancement of the charge transfer capability.
Fatemeh Nourbakhsh, Mohammad Pazouki, and Mohsen Mohsennia
Elsevier BV
Abstract Utilizing microbial fuel cells (MFCs) is a promising technology for energy-efficient domestic wastewater treatment, but it still faces practical barriers such as low power generation. In this study, the LaMnO3 perovskite-type oxide nanoparticles and nickel oxide/carbon nanotube/polyaniline (NCP) nanocomposite (the cathode and anode catalysts, respectively) have been prepared and used to enhance power density of MFC. The prepared La-based perovskite oxide catalysts were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopies (SEM). The electrocatalytic properties of the prepared catalysts were investigated through cyclic voltammetry (CV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and Tafel plot at ambient temperature. Results show the exchange current densities of LaMnO3/carbon cloth cathode and NCP nanocomposite/carbon cloth anode were 1.68 and 7 times more compared to carbon cloth cathode, respectively. In comparison to the bare carbon cloth anode, the MFC with the modified electrodes shows 11 times more enhancement in power density output which according to electrochemical results, it can be due to the enhancement of the electron transfer capability. These cathodic and anodic catalysts were examined in batch and semi-continuous modes to provide conditions close to industrial conditions. This study suggests that utilizing these low cost catalysts has promising potential for wastewater treatment in MFC with high power generation and good COD removal efficiency.
Raheleh Faridi-Majidi, Nader Nezafati, Mohammad Pazouki, and Saeed Hesaraki
Springer Science and Business Media LLC
In the present study, hydroxyapatite nanofibers were synthesized by electrospinning. The main focus is based on the effect of adding various ratios of calcium phosphate (Ca-P) sol to polymeric solutions of PVA and PVP with a fixed concentration of 10 and 15% (w/v), respectively, on the morphology and the diameter of the electrospun nanofibers. The electrical conductivity of pure PVA solution was higher than PVP (0.610 versus 0.06 mS/cm). However, by adding Ca-P sol, the solution conductivity increased to 23.5 and 34.4 mS/cm for PVA solution containing 15 (vol%) [A15] and PVP solution containing 25 (vol%) [V25] of the prepared sol, respectively. SEM observations showed that the fiber diameter of sample V25 (average diameter of 150 nm) was thinner and more uniform than A15 (average diameter of 170 nm). FE-SEM of sample V25 confirmed the results of SEM analysis as well. After heat treatment at 600 °C, powder-like particles were formed for the samples obtained from PVA solution without any fibers whereas a spaghetti-like morphology was seen for the samples V15 and V25. X-ray diffractograms of sample V25 indicated the presence of HA phase at two temperatures of 600 and 800 °C. However, in the latter case, minor phases of beta-tricalcium phosphate and calcium oxide were also identified. In addition, the crystal size increased from 2 nm at 600 °C to 16 nm at 800 °C.SEM/EDS analyses confirmed the formation of needle-like HA on surface of V25 after 7 days of soaking in simulated body fluid (SBF). Evaluation of cell growth demonstrated that human osteoblast-like cells were attached, spread, and grown well on the surface of V25. This event could be a good sign of biocompatibility of the fibers.