Separation and remediation of environmental pollutants using metal-organic framework-based tailored materials

ZIF-8 @polycarbonate nanocomposite membranes for improved permeability and selectivity for hydrogen gas

Through this work, we are reporting high-performance ZIF-8 @polycarbonate nanocomposite membranes with satisfactory structural stability for improving the gas separation performance. ZIF-8 nanoparticles were synthesised using the wet chemical route with cubic morphology and controlled size using CTAB as a surfactant. The membranes were prepared using the solution casting method by adding ZIF-8 filler at various concentrations. The synthesised filler material and MMMs were characterised through X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and RAMAN spectroscopy techniques. The gas separation measurements were taken using H2, CO2, and N2 gas in the purest form. The SEM results confirm the formation of spherulite-like morphology with the addition of ZIF-8 due to the crystallisation of the polymer, which increased the membrane's free volume and opened up additional pathways for the transportation of the gas molecules. The gas separation results confirmed that the 15 wt% ZIF-8/PC nanocomposite membrane showed the maximum H2 permeability of 180,970 barrer with an increment of 316.03%, while H2/CO2 and H2/N2 selectivity showed the increments of 89.43% and 103.64%, respectively. Therefore, this PC/ZIF-8 system seems to be a promising approach to developing new H2 selective membranes with high gas permeability and gas selectivity values.

Hydrogen sulfide removal from normal heptane using zinc oxide, silicon dioxide and zeolite 13X: adsorption capacity, kinetics, selectivity, breakthrough and regeneration

This article focuses on the H2S adsorption from normal heptane (nC7) as synthetic natural gas liquids (NGL) using ZnO, SiO2 and zeolite 13X in static mode. Results of the isotherm and kinetics of the investigated adsorbents for H2S adsorption under ambient condition showed that ZnO had the highest H2S adsorption capacity between 260 and 700 mgH2S.g-1 in the initial concentration range of 2500 and 7500 ppmH2S with an equilibrium time of less than 30 minutes. Additionally, the ZnO selectivity was greater than 3.16. In continued, H2S removal from nC7 with ZnO was examined in dynamic mode. The H2S breakthrough time for ZnO reduced from 210 to 25 minutes as weight hourly space velocity (WHSV) was increased from 5 to 20 h-1 at 30 bar. Also, the breakthrough time at 30 bar was about 2.5 times greater than that at atmospheric pressure. Furthermore, H2S/CO2 mixture (i.e., 1000 ppmH2S + 1000 ppmCO2) caused the H2S breakthrough time to increase approximately by 1.11-fold. Alternatively, the ZnO regeneration conditions with hot stagnant air were optimized at different initial H2S concentrations (1000 ~ 3000 ppmH2S) using the Box-Behnken design. For instance, ZnO contaminated with 1000 ppmH2S was regenerated with an efficiency of more than 98 % for 160 minutes at 285 °C.

Nano-remediation technologies for the sustainable mitigation of persistent organic pollutants

The absence of novel and efficient methods for the elimination of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) from the environment is a serious concern in the society. The pollutants release into the atmosphere by means of industrialization and urbanization is a massive global hazard. Although, the eco-toxicity associated with nanotechnology is still being debated, nano-remediation is a potentially developing tool for dealing with contamination of the environment, particularly POPs. Nano-remediation is a novel strategy to the safe and long-term removal of POPs. This detailed review article presents an important perspective on latest innovations and future views of nano-remediation methods used for environmental decontamination, like nano-photocatalysis and nanosensing. Different kinds of nanomaterials including nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI), carbon nanotubes (CNTs), magnetic and metallic nanoparticles, silica (SiO₂) nanoparticles, graphene oxide, covalent organic frameworks (COFs), and metal organic frameworks (MOFs) have been summarized for the mitigation of POPs. Furthermore, the long-term viability of nano-remediation strategies for dealing with legacy contamination was considered, with a particular emphasis on environmental and health implications. The assessment goes on to discuss the environmental consequences of nanotechnology and offers consensual recommendations on how to employ nanotechnology for a greater present and a more prosperous future.