One-pot synthesis of metal oxide-clay composite for the evaluation of dye removal studies: Taguchi optimization of parameters and environmental toxicity studies

Non-derivatizing solvent assisted waste-derived cellulose/ MOF composite porous matrix for efficient metal ion removal: comprehensive analysis of batch and continuous packed-bed column sorption studies

The use of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for wastewater treatment in continuous operation is a major challenge. To address this, the present study demonstrates the eco-friendly and economic synthesis of Ca-MOF immobilized cellulose beads (Ca-MOF-CB) derived from paper waste. The synthesized Ca-MOF-CB were characterized using standard analytical techniques. Batch sorption studies were performed to check the effect of cellulose composition (wt%), Ca-MOF loading, contact time, and initial metal ion (Pb2+, Cd2+, and Cu2+) concentration. Ca-MOF-CB beads exhibited outstanding equilibrium sorption capacities for Pb2+, Cd2+, and Cu2+, with estimated values of 281.22 ± 7.8, 104.01 ± 10.58, and 114.21 ± 9.68 mg g-1, respectively. Different non-linear isotherms and kinetic models were applied which confirmed the spontaneous, endothermic reactions for the physisorption of Pb2+, Cd2+, and Cu2+. Based on the highest equilibrium sorption capacity for Pb2+ ion, in-depth parametric column studies were conducted in an indigenously developed packed-bed column set-up. The effect of packed-bed height (10 and 20 cm), inlet flow rate (5 and 10 mL min-1), and inlet Pb2+ ion concentration (200, 300, and 500 mg L-1) were studied. The breakthrough curves obtained at different operating conditions were fitted with the empirical models viz. the bed depth service time (BDST), Yoon-Nelson, Thomas, and Yan to estimate the column design parameters. In order to determine the financial implications at large-scale industrial operations, an affordable synthesis cost of 1 kg of Ca-MOF-CB was estimated. Conclusively, the present study showed the feasibility of the developed Ca-MOF-CB for the continuous removal of metal ions at an industrial scale.

Remediation of multifarious metal ions and molecular docking assessment for pathogenic microbe disinfection in aqueous solution by waste-derived Ca-MOF

The present study demonstrates an eco-friendly and cost-effective synthesis of calcium terephthalate metal-organic frameworks (Ca-MOF). The Ca-MOF were composed of metal ions (Ca2+) and organic ligands (terephthalic acid; TPA); the former was obtained from egg shells, and the latter was obtained from processing waste plastic bottles. Detailed characterization using standard techniques confirmed the synthesis of Ca-MOF with an average particle size of 461.9 ± 15 nm. The synthesized Ca-MOF was screened for its ability to remove multiple metal ions from an aqueous solution. Based on the maximum sorption capacity, Pb2+, Cd2+, and Cu2+ ions were selected for individual parametric batch studies. The obtained results were interpreted using standard isotherms and kinetic models. The maximum sorption capacity (qm) obtained from the Langmuir model was found to be 644.07 ± 47, 391.4 ± 26, and 260.5 ± 14 mg g-1 for Pb2+, Cd2+, and Cu2+, respectively. Moreover, Ca-MOF also showed an excellent ability to remove all three metal ions simultaneously from a mixed solution. The metal nodes and bonded TPA from Ca-MOF were dissociated by the acid dissolution method, which protonated and isolated TPA for reuse. Further, the crystal structure of Ca-MOF was prepared and docked with protein targets of selected pathogenic water-borne microbes, which showed its disinfection potential. Overall, multiple metal sorption capability, regeneration studies, and broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity confirmed the versatility of synthesized Ca-MOF for industrial wastewater treatment.

Highly Active Ag-Cu Nanocrystal Catalyst-Coated Brewer’s Spent Grain Biochar for the Mineralization of Methyl Orange and Methylene Blue Dye Mixture

The aim of the present work is to valorise the brewing industry’s waste, i.e., brewer’s spent grain (BSG), into functional biocarbon for environmental catalysis applications. In this context, cost-effective and environmentally friendly biochar support coated with in-situ-generated Ag-Cu nanocrystals, was developed via the wet impregnation of BSG biomass powder with copper (II) nitrate trihydrate and silver nitrate aqueous solution prior to pyrolysis at moderate temperature (500 °C). Small-size homogenously distributed Ag-Cu nanocrystals (≤80 nm) on the surface of the biochar (Biochar@Ag-Cu) were observed by field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and transmission electron microscope (TEM). Elemental compositions were determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX). The crystalline nature of the nanoparticles was confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). Information about the thermal stability of the materials and quality were obtained by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and Raman, respectively. The potentiality of the Biochar@Ag-Cu catalyst in the field of pollutant removal is demonstrated by taking methyl orange and methylene blue as model dyes. A kinetics study was performed and analyzed by UV–vis spectroscopy. Its highly active catalytic nature is proved by the complete mineralization of the methyl orange dye (100%) through oxidative degradation. The reusability of the catalyst has shown 96% removal efficiency after 3 cycles. The linear plot of −Ln (CA/C0) vs. time (R2 = 0.9892) reveals that the mineralization of the methyl orange dye follows pseudo-first-order kinetics (k = 0.603 × 10−2 min−1). A methyl orange + methylene blue dye mixture degradation study has revealed the faster kinetics of the present catalyst towards methylene blue degradation. The current study suggests that BSG Biochar@Ag-Cu can be a potential candidate in contribution towards SDG 6.