Porous poly(L–lactic acid)/chitosan nanofibres for copper ion adsorption

Simultaneous elimination of cationic dyes from water media by carboxymethyl cellulose-graft-poly(acrylamide)/magnetic biochar nanocomposite hydrogel adsorbent

In this work, the grafting of acrylamide onto CMC was performed by a free radical polymerization method to prepare hydrogel for the elimination of single and simultaneous methylene blue (MB) and methyl violet (MV) -as common textural dyes-from water. Biochar (CL) and magnetic biochar of Luffa Cylindrica (CL-Fe3O4) were integrated into the hydrogel matrix to promote removal performance. CL was prepared using the pyrolysis method and modified using Fe3O4 magnetic nanoparticles by a co-precipitation method. Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and vibration sample magnetometry (VSM) analysis were applied to characterize prepared adsorbents. The maximum removal of single MB and MV occurred at a pH of 9, temperature of 25 °C, adsorbent dose of 1.5 g/L, initial concentration of 10 mg/L, and contact time of 60 min. The maximum removal efficiency under the optimal conditions was determined to be 83.11, 92.89 and 95.01% for single adsorption of MB, 76.09, 85.91 and 90.11% for single adsorption of MV, 66.96, 76.48 and 80.02% for simultaneous adsorption of MB and 60.04, 69.91 and 75.28% for simultaneous adsorption of MV by CMC-g-poly(AAm), CMC-g-poly(AAm)/CL, and CMC-g-poly(AAm)/CL-Fe3O4, respectively. The kinetic and isotherm studies revealed that the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm model aligned more with the experimental data. Thermodynamic studies showed that the adsorption of dyes takes place spontaneously and exothermically. Therefore, CMC-g-poly(AAm)/CL-Fe3O4 nanocomposite hydrogel could be used for wastewater treatment applications.

The Integration of Microwave-Synthesized Silver Colloidal Nanoparticles into Poly (Lactic Acid)-Based Textiles as Antimicrobial Agents via Pre- and Post-Electrospinning Processes

This study introduces a novel method to enhance the antibacterial functionality of electrospun nanofibrous textiles by integrating silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) into poly (lactic acid) (PLA) fabrics through pre- and post-electrospinning techniques. AgNPs were incorporated into hydrophobic and modified hydrophilic PLA textiles via pre-solution blending and post-solution casting. A PEG-PPG-PEG tri-block copolymer was utilized to enhance hydrophilicity and water stability, while AgNPs served as antibacterial agents. Morphological analyses confirmed uniform, smooth, and beadless nanofibers with diameters between 435 and 823 nm. Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy spectra and elemental analysis verified the successful incorporation of AgNPs, with higher Ag content in the post-electrospinning samples. Contact angle measurements showed an improved hydrophilicity of the modified PLA textiles, absorbing water droplets within 2 s. The X-ray crystallography patterns confirmed the amorphous structures of the PLA and PEG-PPG-PEG, with reduced crystallinity in the samples containing AgNPs. Thermal analysis indicated lower decomposition temperatures for the hydrophilic samples due to the plasticizing effects of PEG-PPG-PEG on PLA. Mechanical testing showed comparable tensile strengths but reduced elongation in the post-treated samples. The antibacterial efficacy was assessed against various bacterial strains, with post-electrospinning AgNP incorporation showing the most effective antibacterial properties. The results indicate that integrating electrospinning and nanofiber modification techniques expands the applications of PLA-based protective fabrics for disabled individuals.

Incorporation of copper ion promoted adsorption of anionic dye (Acid Yellow 36) by acrolein-crosslinked polyethyleneimine/chitosan hydrogel: Adsorption, dynamics, and mechanisms

In this study, a novel adsorbent, A-PEI/CS-Cu2+, was developed by crosslinking polyethyleneimine/chitosan hydrogel with acrolein and loading it with copper ions. The adsorption process of A-PEI/CS-Cu2+ on the anionic dye acid yellow 36 (AY36) was investigated by kinetic, isothermal and thermodynamic modeling. It was noteworthy that A-PEI/CS-Cu2+ exhibited rapid adsorption with a 90 % removal rate achieved within just 5 min, which was much faster than the adsorption rate of A-PEI/CS without load of copper ions and showed its potential for rapid adsorption applications. The maximum adsorption capacity for AY36 could reach up to 3114 mg g-1. In addition, the high concentration of saline wastewater was found to have almost no effect on the adsorption reaction in the salt effect test experiment. In five desorption-regeneration cycle experiments, the sample exhibited good recyclability and regeneration performance. The driving force of the adsorption process mainly originated from the electrostatic interaction, hydrogen bonding, and intermolecular interaction, in which the addition of copper ions led to the enhancement of the electrostatic interaction and chelation between A-PEI/CS-Cu2+ and AY36. Overall, the findings suggest the excellent potential of A-PEI/CS-Cu2+ for rapid and efficient adsorption, as well as its suitability for practical applications in wastewater treatment.

Sequential removal of phosphate and copper(II) ions using sustainable chitosan biosorbent

Although adsorbents are good candidates for removing phosphorus and heavy metals from wastewater, the use of biosorbents for the sequential treatment of phosphorus and copper has not yet been studied. Porous chitosan (CS)-based biosorbents (CGBs) were developed to adsorb phytic acid (PA), a major form of organic phosphate. This first adsorbate (PA) further served as an additional ligand (P-type ligand) for the CGBs (N-type ligand) to form a complex with the second adsorbate (copper). After the adsorption of PA (the first adsorbate), the spent CGBs were recycled and used as a new adsorbent to adsorb Cu(II) ions (the second adsorbate), which was expected to have a dual coordination effect through P, N-ligand complexation with copper. The interactions and complexation between CS, PA and Cu(II) ions on the PA-adsorbed CGBs (PACGBs) were investigated by performing FTIR, XPS, XRD, and SEM-EDS analyses. The PACGBs exhibited fast and enhanced adsorption of Cu(II) ions, owing to the synergistic effect of the amino groups of CS (the original ligand, N-type) and the phosphate groups of PA (an additional ligand, P-type) on the adsorption of Cu(II) ions. This is the first time that sequential removal of phosphorus and heavy metals by biosorbents has been performed using biosorbents.

Biopolymeric Nanocomposites for Wastewater Remediation: An Overview on Recent Progress and Challenges

Essential for human development, water is increasingly polluted by diverse anthropogenic activities, containing contaminants like organic dyes, acids, antibiotics, inorganic salts, and heavy metals. Conventional methods fall short, prompting the exploration of advanced, cost-effective remediation. Recent research focuses on sustainable adsorption, with nano-modifications enhancing adsorbent efficacy against persistent waterborne pollutants. This review delves into recent advancements (2020-2023) in sustainable biopolymeric nanocomposites, spotlighting the applications of biopolymers like chitosan in wastewater remediation, particularly as adsorbents and filtration membranes along with their mechanism. The advantages and drawbacks of various biopolymers have also been discussed along with their modification in synthesizing biopolymeric nanocomposites by combining the benefits of biodegradable polymers and nanomaterials for enhanced physiochemical and mechanical properties for their application in wastewater treatment. The important functions of biopolymeric nanocomposites by adsorbing, removing, and selectively targeting contaminants, contributing to the purification and sustainable management of water resources, have also been elaborated on. Furthermore, it outlines the reusability and current challenges for the further exploration of biopolymers in this burgeoning field for environmental applications.

Polydopamine-functionalized electrospun poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitosan nanofibers for the removal and determination of Cu(II)

Environmentally friendly and recycled polydopamine-functionalized electrospun poly(vinyl alcohol)/chitosan nanofibers (PVA/CS/PDA) were prepared through a low-energy-consumption procedure. The PDA coating endows PVA/CS/PDA nanofibers with good water stability. The PVA/CS/PDA nanofibers have a fibrillar and porous structure that is favorable for Cu(II) to access the active sites of the nanofibers. The adsorption isotherm and kinetics data preferably conform to the Liu isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models, respectively. The maximum adsorption capacity of Cu(II) ions by PVA/CS/PDA nanofibers from the Liu isotherm model is 326.5 mg g-1. The PVA/CS/PDA nanofibers exhibit higher adsorption capacity than some other reported adsorbents. The adsorption mechanism study demonstrates that the Cu(II) adsorption is mainly ascribed to the complexation of Cu(II) with the imino, amino, and hydroxy moieties in PVA/CS/PDA nanofibers. The nanofibers can be employed for 5 cycles without significantly deteriorating performance. More interestingly, a fluorometry method based on the oxidation mimic enzyme activity of Cu(II) was developed to detect low concentrations of Cu(II) using the nanofibers as an adsorbent to preconcentrate Cu(II). The limit of detection is 0.42 mg L-1. The successful removal and detection of Cu(II) in Pearl River and mineral water samples demonstrates the great potential of PVA/CS/PDA nanofibers to remediate Cu(II)-polluted water.

Effect of biocomposite production factors on the development of an eco-friendly chitosan/alginate-based adsorbent with enhanced copper removal efficiency

Nowadays, wastewater treatment is a critical concern, particularly regarding the removal of heavy metals through adsorption methods. Extensive research has been conducted on obtaining high-yield and environmentally friendly adsorbents. Natural polymer adsorbents especially have shown promise in ion and organic molecule adsorption. To enhance the practical applicability of adsorbents, the combination of biopolymers to form biocomposites is a promising alternative. In this study, adsorbents based on a 1:1 wt./wt. of chitosan (CS) and alginate (SA) were prepared. The influence of the regeneration route and drying conditions on the copper adsorption capacity was investigated, along with reaction parameters such as contact time, adsorbent particle size, and pH. The highest adsorption capacity was observed in the composite material obtained through a one-pot regeneration process and freeze-dried. The CSAR3L sample exhibited a remarkable adsorption capacity of 288 mg Cu(II)/g after 360 min at 25 °C. The synergistic effect between the CS and SA precursors was confirmed by analyzing the individual precursors and their mechanical mixture. The initial adsorption rates at pH 6 followed the order: CSAR3-L > Bk-CSR3L > Bk-SAR3L + Bk-CSR3L > Bk-SAR3L. The physicochemical and morphological properties of the materials were studied by FTIR, XRD, DLS, XPS, optical microscopy, EDS-SEM, elemental chemical analysis, and TGA-DTG. The utilization of different drying methods resulted in the formation of calcium carbonate crystalline phases in the as-prepared materials, thus creating substantial adsorption active sites. After the adsorption process, hydroxylated copper sulfate phases and a significant decrease in calcium concentration were observed, indicating that an ion exchange adsorption mechanism occurred. The analysis of adsorption kinetics and the shape of the adsorption isotherms, in agreement with the characterization results, suggested the presence of multiple active sites and the formation of a chemisorption monolayer.

Preparation and adsorption properties of magnetic chitosan/sludge biochar composites for removal of Cu2+ ions

The magnetic chitosan/sludge biochar composite adsorbent was prepared using chitosan, Fe3O4, and sludge biochar as raw materials. The composite adsorbent was able to achieve rapid solid-liquid separation under an applied magnetic field. The morphology and microstructure of the composite adsorbent were characterized by FTIR, XRD, SEM, VSM, and BET analysis. The adsorption performance of the composite adsorbent on Cu2+ was investigated through static adsorption experiments, and the effects of adsorbent dosage, initial concentration of Cu2+, initial pH of the solution, and adsorption temperature on the adsorption efficiency of Cu2+ were discussed. The results showed that chitosan and Fe3O4 were successfully loaded on sludge biochar. When the initial concentration of Cu2+ was 30 mg/L, the dosage of the magnetic chitosan/sludge biochar composite material was 0.05 g, the adsorption time was 180 min, pH was 5, and the temperature was room temperature, the maximum removal rate of Cu2+ reached 99.77%, and the maximum adsorption capacity was 55.16 mg/g. The adsorption kinetics and adsorption isotherm data fitted well with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir adsorption isotherm model, indicating that the adsorption process was chemisorption with monolayer coverage.

A review on heavy metal biosorption utilizing modified chitosan

Heavy metal pollution in water bodies is a global concern. The prominent source of metal contamination in aqueous streams and groundwater is wastewater containing heavy metal ions. Elevated concentrations of heavy metals in water bodies can have a negative impact on water quality and public health. The most effective way to remove metal contaminants from drinking water is thought to be adsorption. A deacetylated derivative of chitin, chitosan, has a wide range of commercial uses since it is biocompatible, nontoxic, and biodegradable. Due to its exceptional adsorption behavior toward numerous hazardous heavy metals from aqueous solutions, chitosan and its modifications have drawn a lot of interest in recent years. Due to its remarkable adsorption behavior toward a range of dangerous heavy metals, chitosan is a possible agent for eliminating metals from aqueous solutions. The review has focused on the ideas of biosorption, its kinds, architectures, and characteristics, as well as using modified (physically and chemically modified) chitosan, blends, and composites to remove heavy metals from water. The main objective of the review is to describe the most important aspects of chitosan-based adsorbents that might be beneficial for enhancing the adsorption capabilities of modified chitosan and promoting the usage of this material in the removal of heavy metal pollutants.

FAPbBr3 Perovskite Nanocrystals Embedded in Poly(L-lactic acid) Nanofibrous Membranes for Enhanced Air and Water Stability

Formamidinium lead bromide (FAPbBr₃) nanocrystals have emerged as a powerful platform for optoelectronic applications due to their pure green photoluminescence (PL). However, their low colloidal stability under storage and operation reduces the potential use of FAPbBr₃ perovskite nanocrystals (PeNCs) in various applications. In this study, we prepared the poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) nanofibrous membrane embedded with FAPbBr₃ perovskite nanocrystals by electrospinning the perovskite and PLLA precursor solution. This is a simple and low-cost technique for the direct confinement of nano-sized functional materials in the continuous polymer nanofibres. PLLA as a polymer matrix provided a high surface framework to fully encapsulate the perovskite NCs. In addition, we found that FAPbBr₃ PeNCs crystallize spontaneously inside the PLLA nanofibre. The resultant PLLA-FAPbBr₃ nanofibrous membranes were stable and remained in the water for about 45 days without any evident decomposition. The results of this research support the idea of new possibilities for the production of air-stable FAPbBr₃ PeNCs by forming a composite with PLLA polymer. The authors believe this study is a new milestone in the development of highly stable metal halide perovskite-based nanofibres, which allow for potential use in lasers, waveguides, and flexible energy harvesters.

Preparation and Characterization of Poly(Lactic Acid)/Poly (ethylene glycol)-Poly(propyl glycol)-Poly(ethylene glycol) Blended Nanofiber Membranes for Fog Collection

Fog is a resource with great potential to capture fresh water from the atmosphere, regardless of the geographical and hydrological conditions. Micro-sized fog collection requires materials with hydrophilic/phobic patterns. In this study, we prepared hydrophilic poly(lactic acid) (PLA)/poly(ethylene glycol)-poly(propyl glycol)-poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG-PPG-PEG) blended nanofiber membranes with various PEG-PPG-PEG concentrations by electrospinning. Changes in the morphological and chemical properties, surface wettability, and thermal stability of the PLA/PEG-PPG-PEG composite nanofiber membranes were confirmed using field-emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, contact angle testing, and thermogravimetric analysis. As the PEG-PPG-PEG content of the nanofiber membranes increased, their hydrophilicity increased. Water stability, membrane porosity, and water transport rate tests were also conducted to observe the behavior of the hydrophilic PLA nanocomposite membranes in aqueous media. Finally, we applied the PLA-based membranes as fog collectors. As the PEG-PPG-PEG content of the nanofiber membranes increased, their ability to collect fog increased by over 40% compared with that collected by a pure PLA membrane. The prepared membranes not only improve the ability of fog collectors to harvest water but also broaden the use of PLA-based membranes in multiple applications, including tissue engineering, drug delivery, scaffolds, and pharmaceuticals.

Evaluation of diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid modified chitosan immobilized in amino-carbmated alginate matrix as a low cost adsorbent for effective Cu(II) recovery

In present work, facile synthesis of a biocompatible hybrid biosorbent based on diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) modified chitosan immobilized in organo-functionalized sodium alginate matrix (DTPA-MCSA) was carried out. DTPA-MCSA was casted in microspherical hydrogel beads. Three dimensional microporous geometry of the biosorbent remained well preserved as observed in SEM analysis which revealed the improved mechanical strength of the alginate matrix. Surface functionalization of base biopolymers was confirmed by FTIR and SEM analysis. Equilibrium sorption studies using DTPA-MCSA for Cu(II) from aqueous medium were carried out in batch mode and found considerably dependent on pH, contact sorption time, temperature and initial copper concentration. Isothermal sorption data showed close correlation with Langmuir model as evident from nonlinear fitting of data (R 2 ˜ 0.99) at different temperatures. The experimental sorption capacity (q e) was found nearly 67 mg/g using 100 mg/L initial concentration of copper ions. Kinetic studies were conducted using different initial concentrations for better elucidation of results and it showed better correlation with pseudo second order rate equation which unveiled that strong ion pair coordination and complexation exist between Cu(II) and newly grafted chelating sites of DTPA-MCSA. Thermodynamic parameters suggested that the adsorption process is spontaneous and endothermic. The results concluded that DTPA-MCSA could be a better candidate for adsorptive remediation of copper ions from liquid waste.

Electrospinning-Based Biosensors for Health Monitoring

In recent years, many different biosensors are being used to monitor physical health. Electrospun nanofiber materials have the advantages of high specific surface area, large porosity and simple operation. These properties play a vital role in biosensors. However, the mechanical properties of electrospun nanofibers are poor relative to other techniques of nanofiber production. At the same time, the organic solvents used in electrospinning are generally toxic and expensive. Meanwhile, the excellent performance of electrospun nanofibers brings about higher levels of sensitivity and detection range of biosensors. This paper summarizes the principle and application of electrospinning technology in biosensors and its comparison with other technologies.

Copper-Binding Properties of Polyethylenimine-Silica Nanocomposite Particles

Increasing demand for copper resources, accompanied by increasing pollution, has resulted in an urgent need for effective materials for copper binding and extraction. Polyethylenimine (PEI) is one of the strongest copper-chelating agents but is not suitable directly (as is) for most applications due to its high solubility in water. PEI-based composite materials show potential as efficient and practical alternatives. In the present work, the interaction of copper ions with PEI-silica nanocomposite particles and precursor PEI microgels (as a reference) is investigated. It is hypothesized that the main driving force of the reaction is chelation of copper ions by amino groups in the PEI network. The presence of silica in the PEI-silica composites was shown to increase the copper-binding capacity in comparison with the parent microgel. The copper-binding behavior of etched (PEI-free "ghost") composite particles in comparison with the original composites and microgel particles shows that silica nanoparticles in the composite structure increase the number of copper-binding sites in the PEI network rather than adsorbing copper themselves. PEI-silica composites can be easily recycled after copper adsorption by simply washing in 1 M nitric acid, which results in complete copper extraction. Employing this recovery method, PEI-silica composite particles can be used for multiple, efficient cycles of copper removal and extraction.

Electrospun Biodegradable Poly(L-lactic acid) Nanofiber Membranes as Highly Porous Oil Sorbent Nanomaterials

Crude oil spills seriously harm the ocean environment and endanger the health of various animals and plants. In the present study, a totally biodegradable polymer, poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA), was employed to fabricate highly porous oil absorbent nanofibrous materials by using a combination of electrospinning technique and subsequent acetone treatment. We systematically investigated how the electrospinning parameters affected formation of the porous structure of PLLA nanofibers and demonstrated that PLLA nanofibers with decreased and uniform diameter and improved porosity could be rapidly prepared by adjusting solution parameters and spinning parameters. We also demonstrated that the acetone treatment could obviously enhance the pore diameter and specific surface area of as-optimized electrospun PLLA nanofibers. The acetone treatment could also improve the hydrophobic property of as-treated PLLA nanofiber membranes. All these led to a significant increase in oil absorption performance. Through our research, it was found that the oil absorption of PLLA nanofiber membrane increased by more than double after being treated with acetone and the oil retention rate was also improved slightly.

Enhanced adsorption of copper ions from aqueous solution by two-step DTPA-modified magnetic cellulose hydrogel beads

Copper contamination of water is one of the most pressing environmental problems which has attracted extensive concern in recent decades. In this study, a series of magnetic adsorbents were synthesized by two-step modified cellulose with N-[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]ethylenediamine (KH-792) and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) using for removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solutions. Adsorption performance of Cu(II) was systematically investigated under various treatment conditions as the effect of solution pH, contact time, initial concentration and temperature. The adsorption process was found to match better with the pseudo-second-order kinetics model, and the equilibrium adsorption data were well described by Langmuir model, which meant predominant governance of monolayer chemical adsorption. The analysis of FTIR and XPS confirmed the possible adsorption mechanism between Cu(II) and the synthesized adsorbents was electrostatic attraction and the chemical coordination. Compared with MCCs and APMC, DPMC showed higher adsorption capacity of Cu(II), reaching maximum adsorption capacity of 298.62 mg·g^-1 at pH 6. Given this, ease of preparation, low cost and excellent reusability, DPMC will be promising adsorbent for application in Cu(II) removal from wastewater.

Low-Cost RSAC and Adsorption Characteristics in the Removal of Copper Ions from Wastewater

Adsorption is a typical method for treating copper-containing wastewater. Fly ash and steel slag both have a good adsorption performance, and activated clay is added in this study, too. In this study, the performance of residue and soil adsorption composite (RSAC) particles for copper ion adsorption was discussed through the substrate ratio and the influence mechanism, to achieve the win–win effect of industrial waste reuse and copper ion wastewater treatment. The results indicated that adsorption time, dosage, initial copper ion concentration, coexisting ions, and temperature showed different effects on the adsorption, respectively. Additionally, the adsorption kinetic study showed the removal of copper ions by adsorption of RSAC particles was in accordance with quasi-primary kinetic model and quasi-secondary kinetic model. The adsorption thermodynamics study shows the adsorption process of ΔG0 < 0, ΔH0 > 0 and ΔS0 > 0, indicating that the process of copper ion adsorption by RSAC particles was spontaneous, heat-absorbing, and entropy-increasing. The research demonstrates that RSAC particles have a certain adsorption capacity for copper ion.

Review of the Recent Advances in Electrospun Nanofibers Applications in Water Purification

Recently, nanofibers have come to be considered one of the sustainable routes with enormous applicability in different fields, such as wastewater treatment. Electrospun nanofibers can be fabricated from various materials, such as synthetic and natural polymers, and contribute to the synthesis of novel nanomaterials and nanocomposites. Therefore, they have promising properties, such as an interconnected porous structure, light weight, high porosity, and large surface area, and are easily modified with other polymeric materials or nanomaterials to enhance their suitability for specific applications. As such, this review surveys recent progress made in the use of electrospun nanofibers to purify polluted water, wherein the distinctive characteristics of this type of nanofiber are essential when using them to remove organic and inorganic pollutants from wastewater, as well as for oil/water (O/W) separation.

Characterization and evaluation of adsorption potential of chitosan impregnated cellulose nanofiber / multi-walled carbon nanotubes aerogel for copper ions

The development of aerogel materials with high preparation efficiency, no pollution, and high adsorption efficiency was still an effective solution for water pollution caused by heavy metal ions. This paper...

Recent Progress on Nanomaterial-Based Membranes for Water Treatment

Nanomaterials have emerged as the new future generation materials for high-performance water treatment membranes with potential for solving the worldwide water pollution issue. The incorporation of nanomaterials in membranes increases water permeability, mechanical strength, separation efficiency, and reduces fouling of the membrane. Thus, the nanomaterials pave a new pathway for ultra-fast and extremely selective water purification membranes. Membrane enhancements after the inclusion of many nanomaterials, including nanoparticles (NPs), two-dimensional (2-D) layer materials, nanofibers, nanosheets, and other nanocomposite structural materials, are discussed in this review. Furthermore, the applications of these membranes with nanomaterials in water treatment applications, that are vast in number, are highlighted. The goal is to demonstrate the significance of nanomaterials in the membrane industry for water treatment applications. It was found that nanomaterials and nanotechnology offer great potential for the advancement of sustainable water and wastewater treatment.

A review on adsorptive separation of toxic metals from aquatic system using biochar produced from agro-waste

Water is a basic and significant asset for living beings. Water assets are progressively diminishing due to huge populace development, industrial activities, urbanization and rural exercises. Few heavy metals include zinc, copper, lead, nickel, cadmium and so forth can easily transfer into the water system either direct or indirect activities of electroplating, mining, tannery, painting, fertilizer industries and so forth. The different treatment techniques have been utilized to eliminate the heavy metals from aquatic system, which includes coagulation/flocculation, precipitation, membrane filtration, oxidation, flotation, ion exchange, photo catalysis and adsorption. The adsorption technique is a better option than other techniques because it can eliminate heavy metals even at lower metal ions concentration, simplicity and better regeneration behavior. Agricultural wastes are low-cost biosorbent and typically containing cellulose have the ability to absorb a variety of contaminants. It is important to note that almost all agro wastes are no longer used in their original form but are instead processed in a variety of techniques to improve the adsorption capacity of the substance. The wide range of adsorption capacities for agro waste materials were observed and almost more than 99% removal of toxic pollutants from aquatic systems were achieved using modified agro-waste materials. The present review aims at the water pollution due to heavy metals, as well as various heavy metal removal treatment procedures. The primary objectives of this research is to include an overview of adsorption and various agriculture based adsorbents and its comparison in heavy metal removal.

Bifunctional flexible fabrics with excellent Joule heating and electromagnetic interference shielding performance based on copper sulfide/glass fiber composites

Flexible and wearable electronic technology is in great demand with the rise of smart electronic systems. Among these, multifunctional systems with high performance at low cost have attracted extensive attention of scholars from the practical application perspective. However, the fabrication of devices with multifunctionality without sacrificing their connatural flexibility advantages remains a huge challenge. In this study, a CuS-modified glass fiber first acts as a bifunctional wearable electronic device for superior thermal management and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding. Specifically, the inherent glass fiber was initially modified with a silane coupling agent for the amino group (-NH₂) functionalization followed by further CuS deposition via a facile electroless plating technology. Interestingly, due to the strong interaction between CuS and the glass fiber through the coordinate -NH₂ and Cu²⁺, the prepared copper sulfide/glass fibers (CuS/GFs) not only keep the inherent flexibility and lightness of the fiber substrate, but also have excellent electrothermal conversion performance accompanied by a wide temperature range (38 °C-209 °C), low working voltage (0.3 V-1.5 V), and rapid response time (reaching 209 °C within 10 s at 1.5 V). Moreover, the prepared CuS/GF textile also exhibits interesting electromagnetic interference shielding efficiency (EMI SE) of 61 dB as well as a high specific shielding effectiveness up to 6130.65 dB cm² g^-1 with a CuS mass loading of 9.95 mg cm^-2. These features confirm the potential of CuS/GFs as a flexible, wearable, and efficient electrical heater and EMI shielding material for the new type of intelligent electronic devices.

The capability of Bacillus pseudomycoides from soil to remove Cu(II) in water and prevent it from entering plants

AIMS

Copper ion is widespread in wastewater and threatens the condition and human health. Micro-organisms have unique advantages to remove heavy-metal ions from water, but are rarely reported in the removal of copper ion. This aims to develop micro-organisms that can remove copper ion in water, characterize their properties and analyse their potential application in practice.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Sewage sludge was used as the source to isolate wild bacteria that can remove copper ion in water. The most efficient strain was screened out from 23 obtained isolates, identified as Bacillus pseudomycoides and coded as C6. The properties of C6 in the removal of copper ion in water were investigated in the aspects of reaction conditions, reaction groups, reaction dynamic and the application in oat planting. The reaction at pH 7 within 10 min yielded the highest removal rate of copper ion, 83%. The presence of lead ion in the reaction system could promote the removal rate of copper ion. Carboxyl groups and amidogen of C6 biomass were mainly involved in the removal of copper ion. The removal of copper ion was in accord with single-layer adsorption and Langmuir adsorption isotherm model. In application, C6 biomass reduced the copper content in the oat seedlings grown in copper ion containing water by more than seven times.

CONCLUSIONS

B. pseudomycoides C6 can efficiently remove copper ion in water and inhibit it from entering plants.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF STUDY

This is the first time to report the capability of B. pseudomycoides to remove copper ion in water, which is also more efficient than the currently reported chemical and biological methods.

Fibers by Electrospinning and Their Emerging Applications in Bone Tissue Engineering

Bone tissue engineering (BTE) is an optimized approach for bone regeneration to overcome the disadvantages of lacking donors. Biocompatibility, biodegradability, simulation of extracellular matrix (ECM), and excellent mechanical properties are essential characteristics of BTE scaffold, sometimes including drug loading capacity. Electrospinning is a simple technique to prepare fibrous scaffolds because of its efficiency, adaptability, and flexible preparation of electrospinning solution. Recent studies about electrospinning in BTE are summarized in this review. First, we summarized various types of polymers used in electrospinning and methods of electrospinning in recent work. Then, we divided them into three parts according to their main role in BTE, (1) ECM simulation, (2) mechanical support, and (3) drug delivery system.

Multi-functional rhodamine-based chitosan hydrogels as colorimetric Hg2+ adsorbents and pH-triggered biosensors

HYPOTHESIS

Water contamination from heavy metal ions is a major global environmental concern. Adsorbents based on biomaterials have been demonstrated to possess remarkable removal efficiency for metal ions, but the adsorption model of biosorbents is not clear and much efforts should be devoted to study the adsorption behaviors and understand the adsorption mechanism.

EXPERIMENTS

The multifunctional rhodamine-modified chitosan (RMC) hydrogel for Hg²⁺ adsorption with fluorescent turn-ON properties was fabricated through grafting the rhodamine-modified poly (ethylene glycol) benzaldehyde (RM-PEG) onto the hydrogel network serving as the fluorescence/colorimetric sensing receptor. The adsorption behaviors and colorimetric sensing mechanism of RMC hydrogel towards Hg²⁺ were investigated in detail.

FINDINGS

RMC hydrogel can remove more than 96.5% of Hg²⁺ from aqueous solution with significant fluorescence response and colorimetric change. The high adsorption selectivity and colorimetric sensing mechanism of RMC hydrogel towards Hg²⁺ can be explained by the hard and soft acid/base (HSAB) theory. The O atom in hydroxyl and carbonyl groups together with the N atom in amine/imine groups of RMC hydrogel play a vital role in the adsorption of Hg²⁺, while the colorimetric response and fluorescence enhancement of the hydrogel after adsorption are attributed to the specific spiro-lactam structure of rhodamine moieties. The adsorption isotherms and kinetics were investigated and well described by Freundlich isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Furthermore, RM-PEG showed low cytotoxicity towards mouse embryonic fibroblast cells and RMC hydrogel can be used as a fluorescent pH indicator from 4.2 to 7.4, demonstrating the potential applications of RMC hydrogel in biological diagnosis.

Synthesis and characterization of a novel benzothiazole functionalized chitosan and its use for effective adsorption of Cu(II)

Contamination of water with the copper(II) ions leads to serious diseases such as liver damage and cancer. This deadly effect prompted us to target the synthesis of a novel functionalized chitosan (Cs-BT) to be used as an adsorbent for removing the copper(II) ions from the aqueous solution. The functionalization was done by introducing benzothiazole moiety into the chitosan (Cs) chain and confirmed by the full disappearance of the NH₂ band in the FT-IR spectrum of the adsorbent. The TGA-DTG analysis revealed that the functionalization reduced the thermal stability of the adsorbent (Cs-BT) as compared with pure chitosan. The adsorption was evidenced by SEM and EDX analysis. The adsorption study demonstrated that the optimal adsorption conditions were 120 min contact time, pH = 6, and initial Cu(II) concentration 200 mg/L. At these conditions, the Cs-BT achieved a maximum copper adsorption capacity of 1439.7 mg/g. Consequently, Cs-BT could be a promising and efficient Cu adsorbent in water treatment. Study the adsorption kinetics and isotherms manifested that the pseudo-first-order was better than pseudo-second-order and Temkin isotherm was better than Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin-Radushkevich for explaining the adsorption process. The calculated thermodynamic parameters implied the spontaneity and the endothermic nature of the adsorption process.

Preparation of Freeze-Dried Porous Chitosan Microspheres for the Removal of Hexavalent Chromium

Novel porous chitosan microspheres were successfully produced by a freezing–lyophilization drying method in this study and were then used as adsorbents to remove a toxic iron metal, hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)). The effects of the concentration of the chitosan solution, syringe diameter, and freezing time on the morphologies of porous chitosan microspheres were characterized. The metal ion adsorption for Cr(VI) was also studied. Results showed that freezing chitosan hydrogel beads at a temperature of −20 °C and subsequently lyophilizing the frozen structure allowed to easily obtain the porous chitosan microspheres with rough surfaces and large pores, which were more suitable for adsorption materials to remove metal ions. A chitosan solution concentration of 3% (w/v) and a syringe diameter of 500 μm allowed the porous microspheres to have a good sphericity, thinner pore walls, and small pore sizes. The adsorption capacity of porous chitosan microspheres for Cr(VI) increased with the increase in freezing time. The pH of the initial adsorption solution ranged from 3.0 to 5.0 and was beneficial to the maximum adsorption efficiency for Cr(VI). The porous chitosan microspheres prepared with 3% (w/v) chitosan solution at −20 °C for a freezing time of 72 h had a higher adsorption capacity of 945.2 mg/g for Cr(VI) than the those at 24-h and 48-h freezing times. Kinetic study showed that the adsorption process could be described by a pseudo-second order (PSO) kinetic model. The equilibrium adsorption rate constant and the adsorption amount at equilibrium for the porous chitosan microspheres increased with an increase in the freezing time, and those for the porous microspheres prepared with 3% chitosan solution at −20 °C for a 72-h freezing time were 1.83 × 10−5 g mg−1 min−1 and 1070.5 mg g−1, respectively. The porous chitosan microspheres have good potential to facilitate the separation and recycling of expensive and toxic Cr(VI) from wastewater.

Review of chitosan composite as a heavy metal adsorbent: Material preparation and properties

A large amount of wastewater is typically discharged into water bodies and has extremely harmful effects to aquatic environments. The removal of heavy metals from water bodies is necessary for the safe consumption of water and human activities. The demand for seafood has considerably increased, and millions of tons of crustacean waste are discarded every year. These waste products are rich in a natural biopolymer known as chitin. The deacetylated form of chitin, chitosan, has attracted attention as an adsorbent. It is a biocompatible and biodegradable polymer that can be modified and converted to various derivatives. This review paper focuses on relevant literature on strategies for chemically modifying the biopolymer and its use in the removal of heavy metals from water and wastewater. The different aspects of chitosan-based derivatives and their preparation and application are elucidated. A list of chitosan-based composites, along with their adsorptivity and experimental conditions, are compiled.

Enhanced adsorptive composite foams for copper (II) removal utilising bio-renewable polyisoprene-functionalised carbon derived from coconut shell waste

A bio -renewable polyisoprene obtained from Hevea Brasiliensis was used to produce functionalised carbon composite foam as an adsorbent for heavy metal ions. Functionalised carbon materials (C-SO₃H, C-COOH, or C-NH₂) derived from coconut shell waste were prepared via a hydrothermal treatment. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the functionalised carbon particles had spherical shapes with rough surfaces. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed that the functional groups were successfully functionalised over the carbon surface. The foaming process allowed for the addition of carbon (up to seven parts per hundred of rubber) to the high ammonia natural rubber latex. The composite foams had open pore structures with good dispersion of the functionalised carbon. The foam performance on copper ion adsorption has been investigated with regard to their functional group and adsorption conditions. The carbon foams achieved maximum Cu(II) adsorption at 56.5 \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${\text{mg g}}_{\text{foam}}^{-1}$$\end{document}mg gfoam-1 for C-SO₃H, 55.7 \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${\text{mg g}}_{\text{foam}}^{-1}$$\end{document}mg gfoam-1 for C-COOH, and 41.9 \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$${\text{mg g}}_{\text{foam}}^{-1}$$\end{document}mg gfoam-1 for C-NH₂, and the adsorption behaviour followed a pseudo-second order kinetics model.

A critical review on the electrospun nanofibrous membranes for the adsorption of heavy metals in water treatment

Electrospun nanofibrous membranes (ENFMs) have many superior advantages, such as large specific surface area, high porosity, easy modification, good flexibility, and easy separation for recycling, which are consider as excellent adsorbents. In this paper, the research progress in the adsorption of heavy metals in water treatment by ENFMs is reviewed. Three types of ENFMs, including organic polymer ENFMs, organic polymer/inorganic material composite ENFMs and inorganic ENFMs are summarized, and their adsorption capacities for heavy metals in water are compared. The adsorption selectivity and capacity of ENFMs for heavy metals are depended largely on the type and number of functional groups on the surface of membranes, and usually the more the functional groups, the higher the adsorption capacity. The adsorption mechanisms of ENFMs are also mainly determined by the type of functional groups on the membrane. At present, the main challenge is to achieve the mass production of high-quality nanofibers and their actual application in the treatment of heavy metal-containing wastewater. Therefore, more consideration should be focused on the improvement of stability, mechanical strength and reusability of ENFMs. This review may provide an insight for the development of ENFMs-based adsorbents for heavy metals separation and water purification in the future.

Adsorption of Cu(ii) from solution by modified magnetic starch St/Fe3O4-g-p(AA-r-HEMA)

Magnetic starch was prepared, and then AA and HEMA were grafted on its surface to obtain St/Fe3O4-g-p(AA-r-HEMA) for the adsorption of Cu(ii).

Polydopamine-assisted grafting of chitosan on porous poly (L-lactic acid) electrospun membranes for adsorption of heavy metal ions

In this study, a versatile method for the manufacturing of chitosan-grafted porous poly (L-lactic acid) (P-PLLA) nanofibrous membrane by using polydopamine (PDA) as an intermediate layer has been developed. P-PLLA fibres were electrospun and collected as nano/micro fibrous membranes. Highly porous fibres could serve as a substrate for chitosan to adsorb heavy metal ions. Moreover, PDA was used to modify P-PLLA surface to increase the coating uniformity and stability of chitosan. Due to the very high surface area of P-PLLA membranes and abundant amine groups of both PDA and chitosan, the fabricated membranes were utilized as adsorbent for removal of copper (Cu²⁺) ions from the wastewater. The adsorption capability of Cu²⁺ ions was examined with respect to the PDA polymerization times, pH, initial metal ion concentration and time. Finally, the equilibrium adsorption data of chitosan-grafted membranes fitted well with the Langmuir isotherm with the maximum adsorption capacity of 270.27 mg/g.

Hierarchical porous silk fibroin/poly(L-lactic acid) fibrous membranes towards vascular scaffolds

Fibrous membranes played an important role to prepare tubular scaffolds for muscular artery regeneration. In this study, a strategy has been developed to combine silk fibroin (SF) with highly porous electrospun poly(L-lactic acid) (PLLA) fibrous membrane towards vascular scaffolds. After PLLA fibres were electrospun and collected, they were immersed into acetone to generate a porous structure with ultra-high surface area. While the pores on PLLA fibres were fulfilled with SF solution and dried, SF was coated uniformly and tightly on PLLA fibres. A multi-layer tubular structure of the tunica media was simulated by winding and stacking a strip of electrospun fibrous membrane. In vitro viability and morphology studies of A7r5 smooth muscle cells were undertaken for up to 14 days. Because the hydrophilicity of SF/PLLA composite fibres were improved dramatically, it had a positive effect on cell adhesion rate (97%) and proliferation (64.4%). Moreover, good cell morphology was observed via a multiphoton laser confocal microscope on SF/PLLA bioactive materials. These results demonstrated that the hierarchical porous SF/PLLA fibrous membranes are promising off-the-shelf scaffolds for muscular artery regeneration.

Ultrafast bone-like apatite formation on highly porous poly(l-lactic acid)-hydroxyapatite fibres

In order to provide a favourable environment for living bone formation, it is an essential condition to grow bone-like apatite layer at the interface between the tissue-implant and its surrounding tissues. Inspired by the chemical composition and the nano porous structure of natural bones, we developed an ultrafast and accessible route to accelerate effectively the formation of bone-like apatite on the surface of porous poly(l-lactic acid)-hydroxyapatite (PLLA-HA) composite fibres in 5 times simulated body fluid (5SBF). The key of the method lays in successful exposure of HA nanoparticles on the surface of PLLA fibres by acetone treatment of electrospun PLLA-HA nano/micro fibres. The recrystallization of PLLA chains uncovers more HA nanoparticles on the surface of every fibre which provide nucleation sites for calcium and phosphate ions. After only 2 h of immersing in 5SBF, a full layer of apatite completely covered on the surface of porous PLLA-HA fibres. The results indicate that HA nanoparticles on porous fibre surface can accelerate the kinetic deposition of apatite on fibre surface. Biological in vitro cell culture with human osteoblast-like cell for up to 7 days demonstrates that the incorporation of HA nanoparticles on the surface of porous PLLA fibrous membranes leads to significant enhance osteoblast adhesion and proliferation. The route can open avenues for development of fibrous PLLA biomaterials for hard tissue repair and substitution.

Biocompatible chitosan-modified core-shell Fe3O4 nanocomposites for exigent removal of blood lactic acid

Excess lactic acid in blood will lead to hyperlactatemia, which is frequently detected in critically ill patients admitted to the intensive care. Reducing the blood lactic acid content using acute treatments becomes particularly important for bringing a patient out of danger. Traditional treatments often fail in case of malfunctioning of a patients’ metabolism. Herein, nanotechnology was introduced to remove blood lactic acid independent of metabolism. In this work, chitosan was employed as the shell to adsorb lactic acid, and Fe3O4 nanoparticles were employed as the core to enable proper magnetic separation property. Our data showed that core–shell nanocomposites (NCs) had an exigent and efficient adsorption behavior. Furthermore, they could be easily separated from blood plasma by magnetic separation. Thus, the good hemocompatibility and cytocompatibility indicated that of core–shell NCs hold great potential in lactic acid removal for emergent hyperlactatemia treatment.

Adsorption of three bivalent metals by four chemical distinct microplastics

Microplastics (MPs), the appearance of which has gained considerable interest, can act as vectors to transport other pollutants such as metals into organisms. In this study, the sorption isotherms of three model heavy metals (i.e., Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺) on four virgin plastic particles including chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), PVC, and two polyethylene plastic particles (i.e., LPE and HPE). HPE and LPE were investigated. The results showed that MPs can load high amounts of Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺. The sorption affinity of the three metals to the model MPs followed the sequence of CPE > PVC > HPE > LPE. The adsorption process was affected by the chemical structure and electronegativity of the sorbents, and seemed irrelevant to the crystallinity of MPs. For the three metals, Pb²⁺ exhibited significantly stronger sorption than did Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ due to the strong electrostatic interaction. Moreover, pH can significantly affect the sorption of metals on MPs, but ionic strength exerted a relatively slight effect on this process. In brief, the electrostatic interaction played an important role in the sorption of Pb²⁺ to model MPs. For Cd²⁺ and Cu²⁺, sorption was determined by electrostatic interaction together with surface complexation onto the plastic surface. This study indicates that depending on the surface physicochemical properties of MPs the adsorption behavior can vary significantly. Therefore, the adsorption process of metals on MPs should be readily affected by other environmental mediums in the environment. The study provides additional insight into the behavior of MPs as a vector of metals.

Cu(II) Ion Adsorption by Aniline Grafted Chitosan and Its Responsive Fluorescence Properties

The detection and removal of heavy metal species in aquatic environments is of continued interest to address ongoing efforts in water security. This study was focused on the preparation and characterization of aniline grafted chitosan (CS-Ac-An), and evaluation of its adsorption properties with Cu(II) under variable conditions. Materials characterization provides support for the grafting of aniline onto chitosan, where the kinetic and thermodynamic adsorption properties reveal a notably greater uptake (>20-fold) of Cu(II) relative to chitosan, where the adsorption capacity (Q_m) of CS-Ac-An was 106.6 mg/g. Adsorbent regeneration was demonstrated over multiple adsorption-desorption cycles with good uptake efficiency. CS-Ac-An has a strong fluorescence emission that undergoes prominent quenching at part per billion levels in aqueous solution. The quenching process displays a linear response over variable Cu(II) concentration (0.05–5 mM) that affords reliable detection of low level Cu(II) levels by an in situ “turn-off” process. The tweezer-like chelation properties of CS-Ac-An with Cu(II) was characterized by complementary spectroscopic methods: IR, NMR, X-ray photoelectron (XPS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The role of synergistic effects are inferred among two types of active adsorption sites: electron rich arene rings and amine groups of chitosan with Cu(II) species to afford a tweezer-like binding modality.

Hierarchical Porous Poly(l-lactic acid) Nanofibrous Membrane for Ultrafine Particulate Aerosol Filtration

Ultrafine particulate aerosols less than 100 nm diffuse randomly in the air and are hazardous to the environment and human health. However, no technical standards or commercial products are available for filtering particle sizes under 100 nm yet. Here, we report the development of a porous poly(l-lactic acid) (PLLA) nanofibrous membrane filter with an ultra-high specific surface area via electrospinning and a post-treatment process. After PLLA fibres were electrospun and collected, they were treated by acetone to generate a blossoming porous structure throughout each individual fibre. Characterizations of morphology, crystallinity, and mechanical and thermal properties demonstrated that the porous structure can be attributed to the nonsolvent-induced spinodal phase separation during electrospinning and solvent-induced recrystallization during post treatment. The blossoming porous structure with high specific surface area contributed to excellent filtration efficiency (99.99%) for sodium chloride (NaCl) ultrafine aerosol particles (30-100 nm) with a low pressure drop (110-230 Pa). Notably, under 7.8 cm/s air flow rate, the membrane samples performed better for filtering smaller-sized aerosol particles than the larger ones when evaluated by the quality factor (0.07). Finally, this finding demonstrates that the electrospun membrane with a hierarchical pore structure and high specific surface area hold great potential in applications as air-filtering materials.