A contaminant-sequestering coating includes a network of hydrolyzed silane compounds. The hydrolyzed silane compounds include a hydrophilic polar head region, a hydrophobic linker, and an anchor region including a silicon atom. The network of hydrolyzed silane compounds is devoid or substantially devoid of fluorine atoms. Methods of destroying one or more perfluoroalkyl and/or polyfluoroalkyl (PFAS) compounds present in a contaminant-containing liquid are also provided.

A reactor system for decomposing at least one of a per- or polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) is provided. The system includes a material having an interior surface that defines a compartment; a subaqueous liquid in the compartment; and an electron donor in the subaqueous liquid, the electron donor configured to release a hydrated electron upon ultraviolet (UV) irradiation. The reactor system is configured so that when the electron donor releases a hydrated electron into the subaqueous liquid, the hydrated electron has a longer lifespan relative to an electron released in normal bulk phase water, and when a PFAS is present within the subaqueous liquid, the hydrated electron is capable of reductively defluorinating the PFAS and to generate fluoride ions (F). A method of operating the system to decompose PFAS is also provided.

The present invention discloses a method for detoxifying chromium slag by using high sulfur coal. The method includes: sieving chromium slag into coarse-grained chromium slag and fine-grained chromium slag, air-drying and crushing both the coarse-grained chromium slag and the fine-grained chromium slag; separately mixing the crushed coarse-grained chromium slag and fine-grained chromium slag with the crushed high sulfur coal uniformly; adjusting pH values of a coarse-grained slag mixture and a fine-grained slag mixture to 8.0-11.0 and moisture content thereof to 12%-18%; conducting reduction on the treated coarse-grained slag mixture and fine-grained slag mixture, where the reduction temperature of the fine-grained slag mixture is 500-700° C., the reduction time of the fine-grained slag mixture is 10-30 min, the reduction temperature of the coarse-grained slag mixture is 800-1000° C., the reduction time of the coarse-grained slag mixture is 10-30 min; after the reduction, conducting water quenching, and discharging the product.

A reagent system for treating heavy metal-contaminated materials is provided and includes an oxidizer, a soluble phosphate, and an alkaline hydroxide source, such as a caustic soda or lime. A method of treating mine waste bearing one or more heavy metals is also provided and includes the step of admixing a reagent system with heavy metal-containing material to preferentially reduce the leachability of heavy metals and form precipitates and complexes of low metal solubility that remain stable within the host solid matrix for long durations in acidic and abrasive conditions.

In one embodiment, a hydrogel-enzyme construct for performing high temperature enzymatic reaction on paraoxon, and/or for performing enzymatic reaction on paraoxon following exposure to high temperature, includes a hydrogel having multiple layers of poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) and a plurality of dPTE2 enzyme molecules. Individual dPTE2 enzyme molecules are embedded between adjacent PMAA layers and are covalently bonded with respective individual PMAA layers. The hydrogel-enzyme construct is capable of performing enzymatic reaction on the paraoxon when the paraoxon is exposed to the hydrogel-enzyme construct under a temperature condition of up to above 99° C. and below 100° C. or when the paraoxon is exposed to the hydrogel-enzyme construct after the hydrogel-enzyme construct has been heated to a temperature condition of up to 550° C., where the enzymatic reaction on the paraoxon by individual dPTE2 molecules embedded within the hydrogel occurs at a residual activity of between 20% and 100%.

A reagent system for treating heavy metal-contaminated materials is provided and includes an oxidizer, a soluble phosphate, and an alkaline hydroxide source, such as a caustic soda or lime. A method of treating mine waste bearing one or more heavy metals is also provided and includes the step of admixing a reagent system with heavy metal-containing material to preferentially reduce the leachability of heavy metals and form precipitates and complexes of low metal solubility that remain stable within the host solid matrix for long durations in acidic and abrasive conditions.

A composition having a gadolinium-, samarium-, or lanthanum-substituted porous cerium oxide and copper or gold nanoparticles. The composition can be exposed to electromagnetic radiation to form reactive oxygen species in the composition to decompose organophosphonate compounds. The composition may be made by forming a mixture of a cerium salt; a gadolinium, samarium, or lanthanum salt; and an epoxide; forming gel from the mixture; and drying the gel to form an aerogel, a xerogel, or an ambigel. Copper or gold nanoparticles are added or formed at any point in the method.

A system and method for neutralizing chemical or biological agents present within a cavity of a piece of ordnance includes structures configured and operating for engaging the piece of ordnance between two retaining and drilling devices; boring two holes through sidewalls of the piece of ordnance to access the cavity; supply an emulsion through the one of holes to the cavity, and extract the emulsion through the second of the holes from the cavity; circulate the emulsion into a reservoir for mixing, wherein the emulsion contains chemicals to neutralize the chemical or biological agents; and continue circulating the emulsion until the chemical or biological agents have been neutralized.

A reagent system for treating heavy metal-contaminated materials is provided and includes an oxidizer, a soluble phosphate, and an alkaline hydroxide source, such as a caustic soda or lime. A method of treating mine waste bearing one or more heavy metals is also provided and includes the step of admixing a reagent system with heavy metal-containing material to preferentially reduce the leachability of heavy metals and form precipitates and complexes of low metal solubility that remain stable within the host solid matrix for long durations in acidic and abrasive conditions.

A reagent system for treating heavy metal-contaminated materials is provided and includes an oxidizer, a soluble phosphate, and an alkaline hydroxide source, such as a caustic soda or lime. A method of treating mine waste bearing one or more heavy metals is also provided and includes the step of admixing a reagent system with heavy metal-containing material to preferentially reduce the leachability of heavy metals and form precipitates and complexes of low metal solubility that remain stable within the host solid matrix for long durations in acidic and abrasive conditions.