Removal of dorzolamide from biomedical wastewaters with adsorption onto graphite oxide/poly(acrylic acid) grafted chitosan nanocomposite

Polymer-grafted magnetic microspheres for enhanced removal of methylene blue from aqueous solutions

Chitosan/magnetite composite microspheres were grafted with polymer by graft polymerization of 2-acrylamido-2-methylpropane sulfonic acid and acrylic acid onto their surface and then applied for the removal of methylene blue from aqueous solutions.

Magnetite/Polymer Brush Nanocomposites with Switchable Uptake Behavior Toward Methylene Blue

The grafting from approach was used to prepare pH-responsive polyacid brushes using poly(itaconic acid) (PIA) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) at the amine functional groups of chitosan. Hybrid materials consisting of polymer brushes and magnetite nanoparticles (MNPs) were also prepared. The products were structurally characterized and displayed reversible pH-responsive behavior and controlled adsorption/desorption of methylene blue (MB). Switchable binding of MB involves cooperative effects due to conformational changes of brushes and swelling phenomena in solution which arise from response to changes in pH. Above the pKa, magnetic nanocomposites (MNCs) are deprotonated and display enhanced electrostatic interactions with high MB removal efficiency (>99%). Below the pKa, MNCs undergo self-assembly and release the cationic dye. The switchable binding of MB and the structure of the polymer brush between collapsed and extended forms relate to changes in osmotic pressure due to reversible ionization of acid groups at variable pH. Reversible adsorption-desorption with variable binding affinity and regeneration ability was demonstrated after five cycles.

Graphene oxide-based composite hydrogels with self-assembled macroporous structures

The self-assembly technique provides a new and simple route for designing porous hydrogels.

Removal of beta-blockers from aqueous media by adsorption onto graphene oxide

The aim of the present study is the evaluation of graphene oxide (GhO) as adsorbent material for the removal of beta-blockers (pharmaceutical compounds) in aqueous solutions. The composition and morphology of prepared materials were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Atenolol (ATL) and propranolol (PRO) were used as model drug molecules and their behavior were investigated in terms of GhO dosage, contact time, temperature and pH. Adsorption mechanisms were proposed and the pH-effect curves after adsorption were discussed. The kinetic behavior of GhO-drugs system was analyzed after fitting to pseudo-first and -second order equations. The adsorption equilibrium data were fitted to Langmuir, Freundlich and Langmuir-Freundlich model calculating the maximum adsorption capacity (67 and 116 mg/g for PRO and ATL (25 °C), respectively). The temperature effect on adsorption was tested carrying out the equilibrium adsorption experiments at three different temperatures (25, 45, 65 °C). Then, the thermodynamic parameters of enthalpy, free energy and entropy were calculated. Finally, the desorption of drugs from GhO was evaluated by using both aqueous eluants (pH2-10) and organic solvents.

A pH- and Temperature-Responsive Magnetic Composite Adsorbent for Targeted Removal of Nonylphenol

A pH- and temperature-responsive magnetic adsorbent [poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) grafted chitosan/Fe3O4 composite particles, CN-MCP], was synthesized for the removal of the endocrine-disrupting chemical nonylphenol. According to the structural characteristics (changeable surface-charge and hydrophilic/hydrophobic properties) of the targeted contaminant, CN-MCP was designed owning special structure (pH- and temperature-responsiveness for the changeable surface-charge and adjustable hydrophilic/hydrophobic properties, respectively). Compared to chitosan magnetic composite particles without grafting modification (CS-MCP) and several other reported adsorbents, CN-MCP exhibited relatively high adsorption capacity for nonylphenol under corresponding optimal conditions (123 mg/g at pH 9 and 20 °C; 116 mg/g at pH 5 and 40 °C). Meanwhile, high selectivity of the novel adsorbent in selective adsorption of nonylphenol from bisolute solution of nonylphenol and phenol was found. Effects of grafting ratio of the grafted polymer branches and coexisting inorganic salts on the adsorption were systematically investigated. Moreover, CN-MCP demonstrated desired reusability during 20 times of adsorption-desorption recycling. The high adsorption capacity, high selectivity, and desired reusability aforementioned revealed the significant application potential of CN-MCP in the removal of NP. On the basis of the adsorption behaviors, isotherms equilibrium, thermodynamics and kinetics studies, and instrumental analyses including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, BET specific surface area, zeta potential, and static water contact angle measurements, distinct adsorption mechanisms were found under various conditions: charge attraction between CN-MCP and the contaminant, as well as binding between polymeric branches of CN-MCP and nonyls, contributed to the adsorption at pH 9 and 20 °C; whereas hydrophobic interaction between CN-MCP and nonylphenol played a dominant role at pH 5 and 40 °C. The current study provided a strategy for the structural design of adsorbents according to the features of targeted emerging contaminants, and the continuity of the work was discussed and proposed.

Recent Advances in Nanocomposite Materials of Graphene Derivatives with Polysaccharides

This review article presents the recent advances in syntheses and applications of nanocomposites consisting of graphene derivatives with various polysaccharides. Graphene has recently attracted much interest in the materials field due to its unique 2D structure and outstanding properties. To follow, the physical and mechanical properties of graphene are then introduced. However it was observed that the synthesis of graphene-based nanocomposites had become one of the most important research frontiers in the application of graphene. Therefore, this review also summarizes the recent advances in the synthesis of graphene nanocomposites with polysaccharides, which are abundant in nature and are easily synthesized bio-based polymers. Polysaccharides can be classified in various ways such as cellulose, chitosan, starch, and alginates, each group with unique and different properties. Alginates are considered to be ideal for the preparation of nanocomposites with graphene derivatives due to their environmental-friendly potential. The characteristics of such nanocomposites are discussed here and are compared with regard to their mechanical properties and their various applications.

Synthesis and characterization of modified carrageenan microparticles for the removal of pharmaceuticals from aqueous solutions

In the present study, carrageenan microparticles were synthesized using spray-drying method and used as biosorbents for the removal of pharmaceutical compounds. The cross-linking reaction of iota-carrageenan (iCAR) and kappa-carrageenan (kCAR) with glutaraldehyde (GLA) at different concentrations (2.5% or 5% (w/w), mass of GLA per mass of CAR) was studied (iCAR/GLA2.5, iCAR/GLA5, kCAR/GLA2.5, kCAR/GLA5). The physicochemical properties of the novel cross-linked polymers were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Swelling studies were in accordance with the polymer properties, showing the lowest swelling degree (19%) by using the iCAR/GLA5 microparticles. The optimal kCAR/GLA5 microparticles were successfully employed for the removal of Metoprolol (MTPL) from aqueous samples. The adsorption capacity of the adsorbents was investigated using a batch adsorption procedure and the kinetics and thermodynamics of the adsorption process were further investigated. It was found that the adsorption isotherms agree well with the Langmuir-Freundlich model. The maximum adsorption capacity (Qm) was achieved in pH 6, whereas an increase of Qm was observed increasing the temperature (from 109 at 20°C to 178 mg/g at 40°C). Kinetic studies showed that the adsorption process on iCAR/GLA5 microparticles followed pseudo-second-order rate mechanism. Finally, a new phenomenological model of the adsorption process was proposed in order to extract information on the relevant sub-processes.

Recent modifications of chitosan for adsorption applications: a critical and systematic review

Chitosan is considered to be one of the most promising and applicable materials in adsorption applications. The existence of amino and hydroxyl groups in its molecules contributes to many possible adsorption interactions between chitosan and pollutants (dyes, metals, ions, phenols, pharmaceuticals/drugs, pesticides, herbicides, etc.). These functional groups can help in establishing positions for modification. Based on the learning from previously published works in literature, researchers have achieved a modification of chitosan with a number of different functional groups. This work summarizes the published works of the last three years (2012-2014) regarding the modification reactions of chitosans (grafting, cross-linking, etc.) and their application to adsorption of different environmental pollutants (in liquid-phase).

Synthesis of graphene oxide decorated with core@double-shell nanoparticles and application for Cr(vi) removal

A novel graphene oxide composite, namely Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@ chitosan/GO nanocomposite (MSCG) was synthesized for decontamination of Cr(vi) from aqueous solution.