Dissemination
We are investing in extraversion by sharing out fundamental studies through publication in peer-review scientific journals, participation in international conferences and organization of specialized tutorial meetings and workshops. Development of new innovative products is also one of our priorities.
Characterization and evaluation of magnesite ore mining by-products
The case of Gerakini mines in Chalkidiki, N. Greece.
A new work shedding light to the possible valorization of mining by-products from a magnesite mine by upgrading their refractory properties through thermal treatment has been just publish in Science of Total Environment. Ecoresources joined forces with Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, North Aegean Slops S.A., Università degli Studi di Milano and the support from Grecian Magnesite S.A. to report a novel roadmap towards future exploitation of various wastes.
Further details are available in the Science of Total Environment, volume 732 (2020) page 139279.
Novel magnetic hyperthermia agents with tuneable interphase coupling
Enhanced hyperthermia efficiency in relatively large spherical Fe/Fe-oxide core
Enhanced magnetic hyperthermia efficiency was succedded for relatively large spherical Fe/Fe-oxide core-shell nanoparticles through the manipulation of interactions between the core and shell phases. Experimental results on representative samples with diameters in the range 30-80 nm indicate a direct correlation of hysteresis losses to the observed heating with a maximum efficiency of around 0.9 kW/g. An interdisciplinary group of scientists from around Europe supported by Ecoresources combined forces to demonstrate the importance of developing, understanding and optimizing engineered nanomaterials with practical interest for a variety of biomedical technological applications.
Check out for more information in ACS Applied Nano Materials and the corresponding video presentation here.
Cd/Pb removal from water by a Ca-exchangeable adsorbent
Efficient adsorption of Cd and Pb, leading to values under the respective DWRLs
A novel drinking water adsorbent for simultaneous removal of Cadmium and Lead has been developed by Ecoresources in collaboration with laboratories from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and ICMAB-CSIC. Tetravalent manganese feroxyhyte was appropriately modified on its surface configuration to achieve higher negative surface charge density and, hence, to improve its efficiency for the removal of dissolved Cd and Pb mostly cationic species from water at pH values commonly found in surface or ground waters. By carrying out rapid small-scale column tests complying with the corresponding strict drinking water regulation limits, the adsorption capacity values were found 6.8 μg·Cd/mg and 35.0 μg·Pb/mg.
Further details are available in the open access published paper in Materials journal, volume 13 (2020) page 1762.
New Insights into the Mineralogy and Geochemistry of Sb Ores from Greece
Investigation of representative ore samples from the main Sb-bearing deposits of Greece
Ecoresources participated in a study on the potential future exploration and exploitation of Sb ores in Greece in collaboration with the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, the Università degli Studi di Milano, the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, the National Technical University of Athens, the University of Athens and Hellas GOLD S.A. Antimony is a common metalloid occurring in the form of Sb-sulfides and sulfosalts, in various base and noble metal deposits. It is also present in corresponding metallurgical products (concentrates) and, although antimony has been considered a penalty element in the past, recently it has gained interest due to its classification as a critical raw material (CRM) by the European Union (EU).
The corresponding publication is available open access in the journal Minerals, volume 10 (2020) page 236.
Large-scale production of magnetic iron oxide by continuous flow reactors
Synthesis of Fe3O4 nanoparticles by oxidative precipitation
A reproducible and scalable industrial process for the production of low-cost magnetic nanoparticles has been developed by Ecoresources in collaboration with Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Madrid and International Hellenic University. The developed reaction setup succeeds (i) the complete separation of the green rust’s precipitation from Fe3O4 nucleation, (ii) the achievement of constant concentrations in all ionic and solid forms throughout the production line when steady-state is reached, and (iii) the possibility to control critical parameters, through on-line regulation of synthesis parameters such as the reactor’s pH and redox potential. Importantly, continuous flow synthesis of Fe3O4 nanoparticles enables high production capacities, low energy consumption and proportional scale-up at any volume. Obtained nanoparticles were evaluated as potential magnetic hyperthermia agents indicating significant improvement of heating efficiency that goes up to 1.5-2 kW/g for both smaller (∼40 nm) and larger (∼200 nm) particles. The corresponding publication is available open access in Chemical Engineering Journal.
Innovative nanocomposite for antimony capture
Uptake of Sb(V) by Nano Fe3O4 – Decorated Iron Oxy-Hydroxides
Ecoresources, in collaboration with scientists from the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki and the Institut de Ciència de Materials de Barcelona developed a new class of water adsorbents based on the combination of amorphous iron oxy-hydroxide with magnetite nanoparticles and optimized to the sufficient uptake of pentavalent antimony. The presence of a reducing agent such as magnetite results in the improvement of pentavalent antimony uptake capacity, which is found around 0.5 mg/g at a residual concentration of 5 μg/L. This study was published in the journal Water, volume 11 (2019) page 181 (open access).
Novel adsorbent for hexavalent chromium uptake
An optimized Cr(VI)-removal system using Sn-based reducing adsorbents
An integrated household water filtration setup, for point-of-use applications, loaded with a tin-based Cr(VI)-oriented adsorbent that was developed by Ecoresources in collaboration with Aristotle University of Thessaloniki. The adsorbent comprises a chloride-substituted stannous oxy-hydroxide with a structure resembling that of the mineral abhurite. Test operation of the filtration system, under various contact times, pH values and Cr(VI) concentrations, verified its ability to produce Cr(VI)-free water in compliance with the impending drinking water regulation, even for extreme initial concentrations (1000 μg/L). This study was published in the journal Water, volume 11 (2019) page 2477 (open access).
International Conference on Raw Materials and Circular Economy