High performance NiFe layered double hydroxide for methyl orange dye and Cr(VI) adsorption

Enhancing Cr(vi) removal performance of Ti3C2T x through structural modification by using a spray freezing method

Structural modification is expected to be a facile way to enhance the adsorption performance of MXene. In this work, the structural modification of Ti3C2T x was carried out by a spray freezing method, and two kinds of nano-structure (spherical and flaky) of Ti3C2T x were prepared by adjusting the solution concentration of Ti3C2T x . Then the Cr(vi) adsorption capacity and removal efficiency of the spherical and flaky Ti3C2T x was investigated, respectively. It is found that flaky Ti3C2T x was produced with a Ti3C2T x concentration of 3 mg mL-1, while spherical Ti3C2T x was obtained with a concentration of 6 mg mL-1. The long diameter of flaky Ti3C2T x is about 8-10 μm, and the specific surface area is 17.81 m2 g-1. While spherical Ti3C2T x had a diameter of about 1-4 μm and a specific surface area of 17.07 m2 g-1. The optimized structure of flaky and spherical Ti3C2T x improves the maximum adsorption capacity by 97% and 33%, respectively, compared with the few-layer Ti3C2T x . The maximum adsorption capacity of flaky Ti3C2T x was 928 mg g-1, while that of spherical Ti3C2T x was 626 mg g-1. The adsorption capacity of both Ti3C2T x structures decreased with the increase of pH, and reached the maximum value at pH = 2; meanwhile, the adsorption capacity of both Ti3C2T x structures increased with the increase of Cr(vi) concentration. The adsorption of Cr(vi) on flaky Ti3C2T x was very fast, reaching equilibrium in 3 min, while spherical Ti3C2T x took 5 min. The adsorption of Cr(vi) on both Ti3C2T x structures belonged to the monolayers, heat-absorbing chemical adsorption, and the diffusion process of Cr(vi) was regulated by the external diffusion and internal diffusion of particles. Its adsorption mechanism was the combination of reductive adsorption and electrostatic adsorption.

Ultraviolet Grafting of Bismuth Oxide Enhances the Photocatalytic Performance of PVDF Membrane and Improves the Problem of Membrane Fouling

Photocatalytic membranes are crucial in addressing membrane fouling issues. However, the grafting amount of the catalyst on the membrane often becomes a key factor in restricting the membrane's self-cleaning capability. To address the challenge, this manuscript proposes a method for solving membrane fouling, featuring high grafting rates of bismuth oxide (Bi2O3) and acrylic acid (AA), significant contaminant degradation capability, and reusability. A highly photocatalytic self-cleaning microfiltration membrane made of polyvinylidene fluoride bismuth oxide and acrylic acid (PVDF-g-BA) was prepared by attaching nano Bi2O3 and acrylic acid onto the polyvinylidene fluoride membrane through adsorption/deposition and UV grafting polymerization. Compared with pure membranes and pure acrylic grafted membranes (PVDF-g-AA), the modified membrane grafted with 0.5% bismuth oxide not only improves the grafting rate and filtration performance, but also has higher self-cleaning ability. Furthermore, the degradation effect of this membrane on the organic dye methyl violet 2B under visible light irradiation is very significant, with a degradation rate reaching 90% and almost complete degradation after 12 h. Finally, after repeated filtration and photocatalysis, the membrane can still significantly degrade contaminants and can be reused.

Simultaneous adsorption of chromate and arsenate onto ferrihydrite/alginate composite beads: Competition and mechanism

Ferrihydrite is an effective adsorbent of chromate and arsenate. In order to gain insight into the application of ferrihydrite in water treatment, macroporous alginate/ferrihydrite beads, synthesized using two different methods (internal and encapsulation processes), were used in this work. The properties of the ferrihydrite were assessed using various techniques, including X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) theory, and zetametry. The results showed that the specific surface area of the ferrihydrite was 242 m2/g, and the PZC was pH8. The kinetic and isotherm adsorption properties of the ferrihydrite were evaluated in this study. The results indicate that the pseudo second-order and Freundlich models accurately describe the kinetic and isotherm adsorption properties of chromates and arsenates. For chromate removal, ferrihydrite exhibited a relatively high adsorption capacity (40.7 mgCr/g) compared to other adsorbents. However, the arsenate adsorption capacity of MFHB-SI (140.8 mgAs/g) was shown to be the most optimal. The internal synthesis process was suitable for arsenate retention due to the resulting arsenate precipitation. The competitive adsorption analyses indicated that the presence of chromate does not limit the adsorption of arsenate. However, the presence of arsenate almost completely inhibits the adsorption of chromate when the arsenate concentration is above 50 mg/L, due to the precipitation reaction of arsenate.

Bio-based adsorption foam composed of MOF and polyethyleneimine-modified cellulose for selective anionic dye removal

With the increase of sustainable development goal, the bio-based adsorption materials with high and selective dye removal are important for water treatment in the dyeing industry. In this paper, a bio-based adsorption foam composed of metal-organic frameworks (MOF) and polyethyleneimine (PEI)-modified cellulose was prepared by a three-step process, i.e., PEI modification of cellulose fibers (PC), MOF decoration of PEI-modified cellulose (MIL-53@PC), and in-situ foaming with polyurethane. PEI modification provides cellulose fiber with more active sites for both dye adsorption and MOF bonding. We found that MIL-53 crystals were tightly bonded on the surface of PC through hydrogen bonding. Because of the abundant adsorption sites (e.g., amines, iron oxide group), the MIL-53@PC demonstrated high adsorption capacity and selectivity for anionic dye (e.g., 936.5 mg/g for methyl orange) through electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bonding. Finally, MIL-53@PC particles were blended with a waterborne polyurethane prepolymer to prepare a three-dimensional hydrophilic foam (MIL-53@PC/PUF), which not only maintained high adsorption capacity and selectivity of MIL-53@PC and also improved its recyclability and reusability. The MIL-53@PC/PUF offers a promising solution for dye wastewater treatment.

A new method for the preparation of MgAl layered double hydroxide-copper metal-organic frameworks structures: application to electrocatalytic oxidation of formaldehyde

In this research, we present a novel design protocol for the in-situ synthesis of MgAl layered double hydroxide-copper metal-organic frameworks (LDH-MOFs) nanocomposite based on the electrocoagulation process and chemical method. The overall goal in this project is the primary synthesis of para-phthalic acid (PTA) intercalated MgAl-LDH with Cu (II) ions to produce the paddle-wheel like Cu-(PTA) MOFs nanocrystals on/in the MgAl-LDH structure. The physicochemical properties of final product; Cu-(PTA) MOFs/MgAl-LDH, were characterized by the surface analysis and chemical identification methods (SEM, EDX, TEM, XRD, BET, FTIR, CHN, DLS, etc.). The Cu-(PTA) MOFs/MgAl-LDH nanocomposite was used to modification of the carbon paste electrode (CPE); Cu-(PTA) MOFs/MgAl-LDH/CPE. The electrochemical performance of Cu-(PTA) MOFs/MgAl-LDH/CPE was demonstrated through the utilization of electrochemical methods. The results show a stable redox behavior of the Cu (III)/Cu (II) at the surface of Cu-(PTA) MOFs/MgAl-LDH/CPE in alkaline medium (aqueous 0.1 M NaOH electrolyte). Then, the Cu-(PTA) MOFs/MgAl-LDH/CPE was used as a new electrocatalyst toward the oxidation of formaldehyde (FA). Electrochemical data show that the Cu-(PTA) MOFs/MgAl-LDH/CPE exhibits superior electrocatalytic performance on the oxidation of FA. Also the diffusion coefficient, exchange current density (J°) and mean value of catalytic rate constant (Kcat) were found to be 1.18 × 10-6 cm2 s-1, 23 mA cm-2 and 0.4537 × 104 cm3 mol-1 s-1, respectively. In general, it can be said the Cu-(PTA) MOFs/MgAl-LDHs is promising candidate for applications in direct formaldehyde fuel cells.

Preparation of cationic surfactant modified two-dimensional (2D) multi-layered Ti3C2Tx MXene for methyl orange removal from aqueous solution: Kinetic, equilibrium, and adsorption mechanisms

In this study, cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-modified multi-layered Ti3C2Tx MXene (CMM) was produced using a Ti3AlC2 precursor, and its capacity to remove the anionic dye, methyl orange (MO), was investigated in detail. An electrostatic combination between negatively charged Ti3C2Tx nanosheets and cationic surfactant solution (CTAB) produced this adsorbent. This triggered an exposure of the accessible active sites to further boost adsorption effectiveness by increasing the distance between the MXene nanosheets. Prepared adsorbents were characterized using some analytical techniques, including TGA, FESEM, EDX, FTIR, XRD, and N2 adsorption-desorption. Furthermore, some influencing parameters such as contact time, solution of pH, loading adsorbent, and initial dye concentration were evaluated, with findings showing that MO could adsorb CMM to its maximum capacity at an adsorbent dosage of 0.83 g/L, a contact time of 90 min, and a solution pH of 3. Adsorption results were found to be highly linked with both Langmuir isotherm (R2 = 0.9990) and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model (R2 = 0.9924). The maximum adsorption capacity of MO was obtained at approximately 213.00 mg/g. Also, hydrogen bonding, π-cation interactions, and electrostatic adsorption can all be implicated in the mechanism of MO adsorption on CMM. The fabricated CMM is presented as a prospective adsorbent for the removal of dyes from polluted water, demonstrating robust recyclability for up to the fifth iteration. All these outstanding properties indicate that cetyltrimethylammonium bromide-modified multi-layered Ti3C2Tx MXene can be considered as applicable adsorbents for textile pollutants.

NiFe Layered Double Hydroxides with Controlled Composition and Morphology for the Efficient Removal of Cr(VI) from Water

A layered double hydroxide (LDH) composed of Ni2+ and Fe3+ with a Fe3+/(Ni2+ + Fe3+) ratio of 0.05, which is not commonly available, was successfully prepared by coprecipitation from an aqueous solution of glycerol containing nickel nitrate and iron nitrate. Precipitation using NaOH as a precipitating agent at room temperature or 120 °C under hydrothermal conditions gave products with micrometer-sized aggregates of nanometer-sized unshaped particles, while that using urea yielded LDHs with a foam-like porous architecture composed of platy particles with a size of 100-300 nm. The products were examined to remove Cr(VI) from an acidic (pH = 3) aqueous solution of K2Cr2O7 by adsorption and photocatalytic reduction. The foam-like porous NiFe-LDH exhibited the highest adsorbed amount (122 mg g-1) and rate (0.017 g mg-1 min-1) in the dark and the highest rate (0.012 min-1) of photocatalytic Cr(VI) reduction among the NiFe-LDHs prepared in the present study, which can be explained as a positive effect of the foam-like porous architecture. These performances were superior to those of other reported LDHs, showing the importance of the composition and the particle morphology to boost the removal of Cr(VI).

Highly efficient Cr (VI) removal from electroplating wastewater by regenerable copper sulfides: Mechanism and magical induction effect for Cr resource recovery

The current sorbents used to remove Cr (VI) from electroplating wastewater are faced with some challenges including the difficulty in separating, regenerating, and safely disposing of adsorbed Cr species. To address these challenges, CuSx/TiO2 was developed to recover Cr (VI) from electroplating wastewater. CuSx/TiO2 had superior performance in removing Cr (VI), with the rate and capacity of approximately 9.36 mg g-1 h-1 and 68.8 mg g-1 at initial pH 4.0, respectively. Additionally, Cu2+ released from CuSx/TiO2 during Cr (VI) removal would come back to its external surface as the Cu(OH)2 precipitate at initial pH 4.0, which helped to prevent the generation of secondary pollution. The Cu(OH)2 precipitate would be decomposed into CuOx after calcination, which would then be transformed back into CuSx by re-sulfuration for regeneration. Hence, CuSx showed a magical induction effect on Cr (VI) recovery, and Cr (VI) from electroplating wastewater might be gradually enriched as Cr2O3 in the sandwich between CuSx and TiO2 through multiple regenerations and removals, which could be considered as a chromium ore resource for industrial applications when the amount of enriched Cr2O3 reached more than 30 wt%. Overall, CuSx/TiO2 showed great potential as a promising sorbent for Cr (VI) removal from electroplating wastewater.

Adsorption of methyl orange on low-cost adsorbent natural materials and modified natural materials: a review

Recently a large number of extensive studies have amassed that describe the removal of dyes from water and wastewater using natural adsorbents and modified materials. Methyl orange dye is found in wastewater streams from various industries that include textiles, plastics, printing and paper among other sources. This article reviews methyl orange adsorption onto natural and modified materials. Despite many techniques available, adsorption stands out for efficient water and wastewater treatment for its ease of operation, flexibility and large-scale removal of colorants. It also has a significant potential for regeneration recovery and recycling of adsorbents in comparison to other water treatment methods. The adsorbents described herein were classified into five categories based on their chemical composition: bio-sorbents, activated carbon, biochar, clays and minerals, and composites. In this review article, we want to demonstrate the capacity of natural and modified materials for dye adsorption which can yield significant improvements to the adsorption capacity of dyes such as methyl orange. In addition, the effect of critical variables including contact time, initial methyl orange concentration, dosage of adsorbent, pH, temperature and mechanism on the adsorption efficiency will be covered as part of this literature review.

GQD@NiFe-LDH Nanosheets for Photocatalytic Activity towards Textile Dye Degradation via Lattice Contraction

The functionalized NiFe-LDH with photosensitized GQDs were synthesized through the hydrothermal route by differing the amount of GQDs solution and studied its efficacy towards the mineralization of textile dyes under visible light. The synthesized samples were characterized by XRD, FESEM, HRTEM, DRUV-Vis, RAMAN, XPS, and BET. The combined effect of the hexagonal carbon lattice in GQD and open layered porous structure of NiFe-LDH nanosheets results in the contraction of the lattice. Different reactive and conventional dyes were taken as representative dyes to evaluate the activity of the as-synthesized photocatalysts. The enhanced electron absorption/donor effect between GQDs and NiFe-LDH, and the growth of oxygen-bridged Ni/Fe-C moieties enable the composite to exhibit better photocatalytic activity. Both photocatalytic activity and characterization results confirmed that the GQD@NiFe-LDH nanocomposite heterostructure synthesized at 160 °C by taking 10 mL of GQDs aqueous solution named GNFLDH10 has a higher degree of crystallinity and has the best photocatalytic efficiency compared to other reported visible light catalysts. Specifically, the above optimized GQD@NiFe-LDH photocatalyst is capable of photo-mineralizing 50 ppm of Reactive Green in 20 min, Reactive Red in 20 min, and Congo Red in 25 min respectively following a direct Z-scheme mechanism with substantial reusability.

Layered by layered construction of three novel ZnCo-LDHs/g-C3N4 for the removal of sunset yellow by adsorption-photocatalytic process

The removal of organic dyes has attracted attention by adsorption-photocatalytic synergetic process in water treatment technology. Three novel ZnCo-LDHs/g-C3N4 were successfully prepared for the first time by layered construction technique through the hydrolysis of triethanolamine in this paper. They exhibited high specific surface area which facilitates the adsorption of sunset yellow (SY) from solution to catalyst surface. All the target pollutant dyes are very effectively removed by the three ZnCo-LDHs/g-C3N4 composites through synergetic effect of adsorption and photocatalysis process under UV irradiation (λ = 365 nm). The order of synergistic degradation effect for SY is as follows: ZnCo-LDHs/g-C3N4-3 (99.6%) > ZnCo-LDHs/g-C3N4-2 (99.5%) > ZnCo-LDHs/g-C3N4-1 (99.3%) > pure g-C3N4 (77.4%) > pure ZnCo-LDHs (44.2.6%) at the initial concentration of 75 mg L-1. ZnCo-LDHs/g-C3N4-3 has the largest k value (0.0284 min-1) in SY degradation, which is 2.8 times that of g-C3N4. ZnCo-LDHs/g-C3N4-3 is a very promising adsorption-photocatalyst for the removal of SY from wastewater. The electron spin resonance experiments demonstrate that OH·, 1O2, and O2- are the dominant active species and oxides SY together. This result demonstrates that the three ZnCo-LDHs/g-C3N4 have practical applications as efficient adsorption-photocatalytic materials and also provides a synergetic strategy for the removal of SY wastewater.

A novel cationic covalent organic framework as adsorbent for simultaneous removal of methyl orange and hexavalent chromium

The simultaneous removal of toxic, carcinogenic organic dyes and metal ions from water by one material offers significant advantages when fast, facile, and robust water purification is required. Ionic covalent organic frameworks (ICOFs) have the combined properties of COFs and ion exchange resins and are expected to achieve simultaneous capture of heavy metal ions and organic dyes from water. Herein, a novel guanidinium-based ICOF was synthesized using a solvothermal method. Benefitting from the cationic character, porosity and nanoscale pore size of ICOFs, the adsorbent exhibited high simultaneous adsorption capacities of 290 mg g-1 and 158 mg g-1 for methyl orange (MO) and Cr(vi), respectively, and retained more than 90% adsorption capacity after six adsorption-desorption cycles. In addition, based on dual control of size-exclusion and charge-selection, precisely selective adsorption is achieved towards diverse mixed anionic and cationic pollutants. This strategy offers a practical solution for COFs to confront environmental pollution issues.

Starch modified NiFe layered double hydroxide composites for better adsorption and photocatalytic removal of reactive dye and piroxicam-20 drug

One of the most omnipresent problems to the environment is the efficient removal of textile dyes and non-steroidal drugs from wastewater. For this purpose, renewable, sustainable, and biodegradable biopolymers are used. In this study, starch (S) modified NiFe-layered double hydroxide (LDH) composites were successfully synthesized by the co-precipitation method and have been examined as a catalyst for the effective adsorption of reactive blue 19 dye, reactive orange 16 dye, and piroxicam-20 NSAID from wastewater and photocatalytic degradation of reactive red 120 dye. The physicochemical properties of the prepared catalyst were assessed by XRD, FTIR, HRTEM, FE-SEM, DLS, ZETA, and BET. The coarser and more porous micrographs are shown in FESEM, indicating the homogeneous dispersion of layered double hydroxide on starch polymer chains. The S/NiFe-LDH composites have a slightly greater S_BET (6.736 m²/g) than NiFe LDH (4.78 m²/g). The S/NiFe-LDH composite shows remarkable ability in the removal of reactive dyes. The band gap value of NiFe LDH, S/NiFe LDH (0.5:1), and S/NiFe LDH (1:1) composites was calculated as 2.28 eV, 1.80 eV, and 1.74 eV, respectively. The q_max assessed from Langmuir isotherm for removal of piroxicam-20 drug, reactive blue 19 dye, and reactive orange 16 was 2840 mg/g, 149.47 mg/g, and 182.4 mg/g, respectively. The activated chemical adsorption without product desorption is predicted by the Elovich kinetic model. With reactive red 120 dye, S/NiFe-LDH shows photocatalytic degradation within 3 h of irradiation of visible light with 90% removal efficiency and follows a pseudo-first-order kinetic model. The scavenging experiment confirms the involvement of electrons and holes in photocatalytic degradation. With a little decline in adsorption capacity up to five cycles, starch/NiFe LDH was easily regenerated. So, the suitable adsorbent required for wastewater treatment is nanocomposites of LDHs and starch as they enhance the chemical and physical attributes of the composite structure with greater absorption capabilities.

NiFe-Layered Double Hydroxides/Lead-free Cs2AgBiBr6 Perovskite 2D/2D Heterojunction for Photocatalytic CO2 Conversion

Designing of heterojunction photocatalysts with appropriate interfacial contact plays crucial roles in enhancing the interfacial charge transfer/separation. A two-dimensional (2D)/2D face-to-face heterojunction is an ideal option since this architecture with a large contact area can provide abundant reactive centers and promote the interfacial charge transfer/separation between layers. Herein, a novel 2D/2D heterojunction of NiFe-layered double hydroxides (NiFe-LDH)/Cs₂AgBiBr₆ (CABB) was fabricated by electrostatic self-assembly of NiFe-LDH and CABB nanosheets. This unique 2D/2D architecture endowed NiFe-LDH/CABB with a large contact area and a short charge transport distance, assuring remarkable interfacial charge transfer/separation rates. As a result, the 2D/2D NiFe-LDH/CABB heterojunction exhibited significant improvement in photocatalytic CO₂ reduction under visible light than the pristine counterparts. Based on density functional theory calculations and various characterizations, a step scheme charge-transfer mechanism was proposed. This investigation sheds light on the designing and manufacturing of highly efficient 2D/2D heterostructure photocatalysts for artificial photosynthesis.

Cr(VI) removal from contaminated waters using ultra-thin layered meixnerite

Cr(VI) is of great concern to public health and environmental safety due to its high toxicity. Here, we report a low-cost yet highly efficient method to prepare a novel LDH, ultra-thin layered meixnerite, which performed superiorly in treatment of aqueous Cr(VI) with little secondary pollution being induced. The produced ultra-thin layered meixnerite was composed of nanoparticles with a thickness of around 7 nm, less than 9 times the thickness of a single LDH layer. The XRD patterns of the ultra-thin layered meixnerite, in which the characteristic diffraction peaks of a typical LDH were weakened or even disappeared, confirmed the successful delamination. This special morphology of the ultra-thin layered meixnerite was not only helpful to its full dispersion in the Cr(VI)-bearing solutions but also facilitated the formation of more active sorption sites on its external surface. As a result, the maximum sorption capacity of UTLM for Cr(VI) removal was 480.9 mg g^-1, far higher than that of OM (196.9 mg g^-1). In addition to electrostatic attraction and anion exchange, the ultra-thin layered meixnerite could also become restacked during removal of aqueous Cr(VI) to generate inner-sphere complexation, finally inducing an enhanced Cr(VI) uptake. Furthermore, XPS analysis characterized the promotion of the break of Al-OH bond with the increase in temperature, and the Cr-O peak increased correspondingly from 29.69% at 25 °C to 48.77% at 85 °C, resulting that the ultra-thin layered meixnerite could remove Cr(VI) more effectively at higher reaction temperatures. Therefore, ultra-thin layered meixnerite is very suitable for future application in treatment of industrial wastewaters with elevated temperatures.

Rational construction and understanding the effect of metal cation substitution of three novel ternary Zn-Co-Ni-LDHs from 2D to 3D and its enhanced adsorption properties for MO

The layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have attracted attention in the water treatment field. In this paper, three novel ternary Zn-Co-Ni-LDH adsorbents were prepared successfully through rational construction from 2D to 3D using triethanolamine (TEA) as an alkali source and a structural controlling reagent by hydrothermal technique. Samples were characterized by the SEM, XRD, XPS, FTIR, BET, solid-state UV/vis spectra, and TG. Three Zn-Co-Ni-LDHs exhibited higher crystallinity and surface area which were beneficial to the adsorption for methyl orange (MO). The maximum adsorption capacity of three Zn-Co-Ni-LDH adsorbents can even reach as high as 1871.65 mg·g^-1, 1799.56 mg·g^-1, and 1646.44 mg·g^-1 for MO, respectively, which surpass those of most previously reported LDH-based adsorbents. The pseudo-second-order kinetic equation fitted the kinetic data of adsorption, while the equilibrium adsorption isotherm data followed the Langmuir model. The adsorption mechanism, electrochemical, and the antibacterial properties of three Zn-Co-Ni-LDHs were also discussed. This results not only demonstrates that three Zn-Co-Ni-LDHs are practical interest as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of MO from dye waste water, but also provides a strategy for the rational design through three ternary Zn-Co-Ni-LDHs from 2D to 3D.

Kinetic and isotherms modeling of methyl orange and chromium (VI) onto hexagonal ZnO microstructures as a membrane for environmental remediation of wastewater

Globally, contamination of water by dyes and heavy metals (HMs) is a serious environmental and public health problem due to their carcinogenic and mutagenic nature. It is incumbent to treat innocuously before discharge. It is the first time, hexagonal zinc oxide (ZnO) microstructure are being employeed as a membrane in the simultaneous removal of methyl orange (MO) and chromium (Cr (VI)) from the aqueous solution. The surface chemistry of hexagonal ZnO was characterized for morphology, surface functional groups, crystalline nature, and elemental composition by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Adsorption capacity and removal efficiency was determined by the laboratory batch adsorption experiments, while nonlinear, linear kinetics and isotherm models were fitted to experimental data to investigate the adsorption process. The results exhibited that the maximum adsorption capacity (q_max) of hexagonal ZnO from the Langmuir isotherm model was 80.39 mg g^-1 and 84.10 mg g^-1 for MO and Cr (VI) respectively. According to the modeling findings, linear langmuir fitted to the experimental data with R² 0.967 and 0.971 for both MO and Cr (VI) which indicates monolayer physical adsorption of both pollutants has taken place. Whereas, kinetic study showed nonlinear pseudo-second order with R² 0.989 and 0.986 for MO and Cr (VI) model best fitted with the experimental data. The values of thermodynamics parameters Gibbs free energy change ΔG°, heat of enthalpy ΔH° and, heat of entropy ΔS° indicate that spontaneous, endothermic, and irreversible adsorption reactions occurred. Overall, it is concluded from our observations that hexagonal ZnO has the potential to be used as an eco-friendly, cost-effective adsorbent for simultaneous remaoval of both MO and Cr (VI) from water. Findings of the current investigation provide valuable insights for the development of an inexpensive, effective and sustainable filtration method for the treatment of MO and Cr (VI) synergistically.

Layered double hydroxides for corrosion-related applications—Main developments from 20 years of research at CICECO

This work describes the main advances carried out in the field of corrosion protection using layered double hydroxides (LDH), both as additive/pigment-based systems in organic coatings and as conversion films/pre-treatments. In the context of the research topic “Celebrating 20 years of CICECO”, the main works reported herein are based on SECOP’s group (CICECO) main advances over the years. More specifically, this review describes structure and properties of LDH, delving into the corrosion field with description of pioneering works, use of LDH as additives to organic coatings, conversion layers, application in reinforced concrete and corrosion detection, and environmental impact of these materials. Moreover, the use of computational tools for the design of LDH materials and understanding of ion-exchange reactions is also presented. The review ends with a critical analysis of the field and future perspectives on the use of LDH for corrosion protection. From the work carried out LDH seem very tenable, versatile, and advantageous for corrosion protection applications, although several obstacles will have to be overcome before their use become commonplace.

Molecular Dynamics Model to Explore the Initial Stages of Anion Exchange involving Layered Double Hydroxide Particles

A classical molecular dynamics (MD) model of fully unconstrained layered double hydroxide (LDH) particles in aqueous NaCl solution was developed to explore the initial stages of the anion exchange process, a key feature of LDHs for their application in different fields. In particular, this study focuses on the active corrosion protection mechanism, where LDHs are able to entrap aggressive species from the solution while releasing fewer corrosive species or even corrosion inhibitors. With this purpose in mind, it was explored the release kinetics of the delivery of nitrate and 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT, a typical corrosion inhibitor) from layered double hydroxide particles triggered by the presence of aggressive chloride anions in solution. It was shown that the delamination of the cationic layers occurs during the anion exchange process, which is especially evident in the case of MBT^-.

Removal of methyl orange wastewater by Ugi multicomponent reaction functionalized UiO-66-NS

The efficient and rapid removal of organic dyes from wastewater remains a complex and challenging task. In this study, UiO-66-NH₂ was prepared by solvothermal synthesis, and then, UiO-66-NS was prepared by compounding L-cysteine with UiO-66-NH₂ via the Ugi reaction for the efficient removal of methyl orange. UiO-66-NS was prepared by the addition of 1 mmol L-cysteine and showed good adsorption of methyl orange with 92.00% removal. Pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir isotherms more accurately described the adsorption process of UiO-66-NS on methyl orange, which indicated that the adsorption process was dominated by monolayer adsorption of chemical reactions, and the maximum adsorption amounts of UiO-66-NS on methyl orange were 242.72 mg/g at 298 K. In addition, UiO-66-NS exhibited ultrahigh stability in acidic, neutral, and alkaline media (pH = 3-10), but its adsorption of methyl orange after 5 cycles was only 59.53% of the maximum adsorption amount. The adsorption mechanism is primarily electrostatic adsorption of UiO-66-NS with methyl orange, hydrogen bonding, and π-π interactions. This atomically economical Ugi multicomponent reaction provides new ideas for the preparation of structurally designable adsorbents with excellent performance.

Ultrasonic assisted preparation of ultrafine Pd supported on NiFe-layered double hydroxides for p-nitrophenol degradation

NiFe-layered double hydroxide (NiFe-LDH)-loaded ultrafine Pd nanocatalysts (Pd/NiFe-LDHs) were prepared by a facile ultrasonic-assisted in situ reduction technology without any stabilizing agents or reducing agents. Pd/NiFe-LDHs were characterized by FT-IR, XRD, XPS, and TEM. PdNPs are uniformly dispersed on NiFe-LDHs with a particle size distribution of 0.77-2.06 nm and an average particle size of 1.43 nm. Hydroxyl groups in Fe-OH and Ni-OH were dissociated into hydrogen radicals (·H) excited by ultrasound, and ·H reduced Pd²⁺ to ultrafine PdNPs. Then, Pd was coordinated with O in Ni-O and Fe-O, which improved the stability of the catalysts. Pd/NiFe-LDHs completely degraded 4-NP in 5 min, and the TOF value was 597.66 h^-1, which was 16.7 times that of commercial Pd/C. The 4-NP conversion rate remained at 98.75% over Pd/NiFe-LDHs after 10 consecutive catalytic cycles. In addition, the catalyst also has high catalytic activity for the reduction of Congo red, methylene blue, and methyl orange by NaBH₄.

Recent Breakthrough in Layered Double Hydroxides and Their Applications in Petroleum, Green Energy, and Environmental Remediation

The fast development of the world civilization is continuously based on huge energy consumption. The extra-consumption of fossil fuel (petroleum, coal, and gas) in past decades has caused several political and environmental crises. Accordingly, the world, and especially the scientific community, should discover alternative energy sources to safe-guard our future from severe climate changes. Hydrogen is the ideal energy carrier, where nanomaterials, like layered double hydroxides (LDHs), play a great role in hydrogen production from clean/renewable sources. Here, we review the applications of LDHs in petroleum for the first time, as well as the recent breakthrough in the synthesis of 1D-LDHs and their applications in water splitting to H2. By 1D-LDHs, it is possible to overcome the drawbacks of commercial TiO2, such as its wide bandgap energy (3.2 eV) and working only in the UV-region. Now, we can use TiO2-modified structures for infrared (IR)-induced water splitting to hydrogen. Extending the performance of TiO2 into the IR-region, which includes 53% of sunlight by 1D-LDHs, guarantees high hydrogen evolution rates during the day and night and in cloudy conditions. This is a breakthrough for global hydrogen production and environmental remediation.

Amine-amide functionalized graphene oxide sheets as bifunctional adsorbent for the removal of polar organic pollutants

Effective mitigation of polar organic impurities from industrial effluents is a global environmental challenge. Here, we describe the solvothermal synthesis of ammonia-functionalized graphene oxide (NH₃GO) sheets for adsorptive removal of diverse organic pollutants, such as cationic dye basic blue 41 (BB41), anionic dye methyl orange (MO), and ionic 4-nitrophenol (4-NP), in aqueous media. Structural analysis of NH₃GO suggest a potent role of surface acidic and basic binding sites in adsorption of targets through an interplay of dynamic experimental variables, e.g., contact time, pH, initial adsorbate concentration, adsorbent mass, and temperature. At an initial pollutant concentration of 20 mg/L, equilibrium adsorption capacities for BB41, MO, and 4-NP were estimated at 199.5, 64.0, and 54.1 mg/g, respectively, with corresponding partition coefficients of 4156, 79.4, and 14.3 L/g, respectively. Experimental data of all three organic pollutants are best fitted by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The adsorption isotherm of BB41 follows a multilayer adsorption pattern, while those of MO and 4-NP fit into a monolayer adsorption pattern. The endothermic and spontaneous nature of the adsorption processes has also been explored for the three targets on NH₃GO based on thermodynamic analysis. The prepared NH₃GO sheets appear to be a promising adsorbent for the removal of polar organic dyes and aromatics in the solution phase.

Degradation of tetracycline by FeNi-LDH/Ti3C2 photo-Fenton system in water: From performance to mechanism

Recently, photo-Fenton technology has been widely used to degrade tetracycline (TC) because of its great efficiency and wide application range. Herein, Fe-Ni layered double hydroxides (FeNi-LDH)/Ti₃C₂ photo-Fenton system was constructed in this study. The results showed the introduction of Ti₃C₂ solved some problems of FeNi-LDH such as poor conductivity, easy aggregation, and high recombination rate of photoelectron. Benefiting from these advantages, FeNi-LDH/Ti₃C₂ exhibited excellent TC removal rate of 94.7% while pure FeNi-LDH was only 54%. Besides, FeNi-LDH/Ti₃C₂ possessed strong pH tolerance (2-11) and the removal efficiency was still up to 82% after the four-cycle experiment. Furthermore, the quenching experiments revealed the reaction mechanism, where ∙OH and ·O₂^- were the primary active radicals for degrading TC. Last, the results of the simulated wastewater treatment and the inorganic ion interference tests showed that FeNi-LDH/Ti₃C₂ possessed practical application potential. In brief, this study shows that FeNi-LDH/Ti₃C₂ can offer a certain theoretical basis for the actual development of hydrotalcite in heterogeneous photo-Fenton systems.

Adsorption performance and mechanism of Ca-Al-LDHs prepared by oyster shell and pop can for phosphate from aqueous solutions

The anion exchange properties of layered composite metal hydroxide (LDHs) make it a significant anion purification material in aquatic environment. Ca-Al-LDHs as a calcium-based adsorbent can significantly improve the removal rate of phosphate. In this manuscript, waste oyster shell was used as the source of calcium and waste cans as the source of aluminum, and compared with the LDHs prepared by chemical reagents. The optimal molar ratio of for both the types of materials prepared from waste material as well as reagents was found to be 4:1 for best adsorption performance, with the waste group and reagent group materials showing similar adsorption capacities of 127.50 mg g^-1 and 126.67 mg g^-1, respectively. The effects of adsorbent dosage, initial solution pH and presence of coexisting ions on the adsorption capacity were investigated. Langmuir adsorption isotherm, quasi-second-order kinetic equation and mass transfer kinetics was found to describe the phosphorus adsorption process of CAs-4 and CA-4 in better way. The maximum adsorption capacities of Langmuir equation for CAs-4 and CA-4 adsorption process were 126.41 mg g^-1 and 127.43 mg g^-1, respectively, for CAs-4 and CA-4. The characterization results of FTIR, XRD and ICP showed that the main adsorption mechanisms were intercalation anion exchange, electrostatic attraction and dissolution precipitation. This work not only provides a method to prepare Ca-Al-LDHs for efficient utilization of solid waste, but also provides theoretical significance for controlling water eutrophication and realize waste recycling.

Surface engineering of silica based materials with Ni-Fe layered double hydroxide for the efficient removal of methyl orange: Isotherms, kinetics, mechanism and high selectivity studies

Herein, low-cost diatomite (DE) and bentonite (BE) materials were surface modified with Ni-Fe layered double hydroxide (LDHs) (represented as NFD and NFB respectively), using a simple co-precipitation procedure for the removal of methyl orange (MO) dye from water. The adsorbents of both before and after MO adsorption have been studied by XRD, N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherm, FTIR, FESEM-EDX and XPS characterization. The zeta potential analysis was used to observe the surface charge of adsorbents within the pH ranges of 4-10. The MO removal efficiency was significantly improved after LDHs modification, showing a 94.7% and 92.6% efficiency for NFD and NFB at pH 6, respectively. Whereas bare DE and BE have shown removal efficiency of 15.5% and 4.9% respectively. The maximum adsorption capacities of NFD and NFB using the Langmuir isotherm model were found to be 246.9 mgg^-1 and 215.9 mgg^-1 respectively. The designed NFD showed high selectivity towards anionic-based dyes from water and also the effect of salts shows the dye removal percentage was increased and decreased for the addition of Na₂SO₄ and NaCl, respectively. The reusability of NFD and NFB have been studied for a maximum of five cycles and they can remove MO up to four cycles. Therefore, the designed adsorbents can be very effective towards the removal of MO from water and they may be useful for dye-based wastewater treatment.

Use of LDH- chromate adsorption co-product as an air purification photocatalyst

This work deals with the use of layered double hydroxides for a double environmental remediation. The residue obtained in the use of these materials as a chromate sorbent in water, was subsequently studied as a photocatalyst for the removal of NO_x gases. With this aim, MgAl-CO₃ layered double hydroxides were synthesized by the coprecipitation method with a divalent/trivalent metal ratio of 3. After its calcination at 500 °C, the mixed oxide was obtained and MgAl-CrO₄ were synthesized by the reconstruction method. A complete chemical, morphological and photochemical study of the samples was carried out with techniques such as XRD, FT-IR, TGA, XRF, PL, DRIFTS and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Results showed that LDH materials presented no significant changes in their structure after their use as a sorbent. Photocatalytic tests of the samples showed a very good NO removal efficiency, as well as a high selectivity (low NO₂ emissions) through complete oxidation of these oxides to nitrate. The incorporation of chromate into the LDH structure improved the absorption of light in the visible region of the spectra, producing an improvement of 20% in the NO elimination compared with the LDH without chromate.

Designed new magnetic functional three-dimensional hierarchical flowerlike micro-nano structure of N-Co@C/NiCo-layered double oxides for highly efficient co-adsorption of multiple environmental pollutants

In order to eliminate multiple coexisting pollutants in environmental wastewater, a magnetic three-dimensional hierarchical porous flower-like N, Co-doped graphitic carbon nano-polyhedra decorated NiCo-layered double oxides (N-Co@C/NiCo-LDOs) adsorption material was synthesized, which consisted of two-dimensional LDOs nanosheets with functionalized surfaces (N, Co-doped graphitic carbon loaded on both sides of NiCo-LDOs nanosheets). The adsorption properties of N-Co@C/NiCo-LDOs for five types of typical pollutants (cationic dyes: rhodamine b, methylene blue; pesticides: ethofenprox, bifenthrin; anionic dyes: methyl orange, congo red; inorganic cations: Cr²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, inorganic anions: Cr₂O₇^2-, AsO₃^3-) were investigated systematically in single and coexisting systems. Combined with the results of FTIR and zeta potential, the adsorption mechanism was discussed. By virtue of its hierarchical porous architecture and the combined effect of functionalized surfaces and LODs supporter, the as-prepared N-Co@C/NiCo-LDOs demonstrates excellent adsorption performance towards five types of typical pollutants with fast adsorption rate, high adsorption capacity and good co-adsorption performance. More importantly, the N-Co@C/NiCo-LDOs showed satisfactory removal efficiency, stability and reusability in model wastewater. The broad-spectrum, rapid, easily separable, and reusable adsorption properties make N-Co@C/NiCo-LDOs promising for highly efficient wastewater treatments. This work also provides a feasible way for the preparation of adsorption materials for the treatment of complex wastewater systems.

Single-Step Topochemical Synthesis of NiFe Layered Double Hydroxides for Superior Anion Removal from Aquatic Systems

Layered double hydroxides (LDHs) have attracted significant attention as adsorbents for the removal of anions from wastewater. However, it is challenging to develop a simple, economical, and environmentally friendly method for fabricating efficient LDH adsorbents. In this paper, we present an alternative approach for preparing a superb NiFe LDH adsorbent via a single-step topochemical synthesis method based on density functional theory (DFT) calculation. The NiFe LDH adsorbent [Ni_0.75Fe_0.25(OH)₂]·(CO₃)_0.125·0.25H₂O was obtained via the topotactic transformation of an oxide precursor (NaNi_0.75Fe_0.25O₂), which was prepared by utilizing the high-temperature flux method, in ultrapure water. When the oxide precursor was soaked in ultrapure water, the host layer valence state changed from Ni³⁺ and Fe³⁺ to Ni²⁺ and Fe³⁺, and carbonate (CO₃^2-) ions were simultaneously intercalated in the interlayer. Thereafter, the CO₃^2- ions were deintercalated by Cl^- ions to increase the adsorption capacity. The adsorbent exhibited high crystallinity, cation state, and porosity, and unique particle shape. In addition, it showed superior adsorption capacities of approximately 194.92, 176.15, and 146.28 mg g^-1 toward phosphate, fluoride, and nitrate ions, respectively. The adsorption capacity toward all the anions reached over 70% within 10 min. The adsorption behavior was investigated by performing from adsorption kinetics, isotherm, and thermodynamics studies. The results showed that the anions were endothermically and spontaneously chemisorbed through an ion exchange process onto the adsorbent in a monolayer. In addition, the as-prepared NiFe LDH adsorbent showed high stability after multicycle testing.

Synthesis of calcium-aluminum-layered double hydroxide and a polypyrrole decorated product for efficient removal of high concentrations of aqueous hexavalent chromium

To efficiently remove high concentrations of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)), calcium-aluminum-layered double hydroxide (CaAl-LDH, denoted as CAL), and polypyrrole-modified CAL (CAL-PPy) were prepared by hydrothermal and in situ polymerization methods, respectively. The chemical structure, morphology, and elemental results indicated that the chain-like polypyrrole was decorated with hexagonal CAL. The specific surface area of CAL-PPy increased from 8.746 m²/g to 24.24 m²/g. The adsorption performances of CAL and CAL-PPy for aqueous Cr(VI) were investigated using batch equilibrium experiments. The decontamination process of aqueous Cr(VI) (100 mg/L) reached the equilibrium state within 50 min, and the kinetic data met the pseudo-second-order kinetic equation. The Langmuir model described the isothermal data properly, and the obtained theoretical adsorption capacity of CAL for Cr(VI) at 318 K was 34.06 mg/g, while that of CAL-PPy was 66.14 mg/g. The removal mechanisms involved electrostatic attraction, surface complexation, anion exchange, and reduction to low-toxicity Cr(III). Therefore, CAL and CAL-PPy have underlying applications in treating real wastewater containing Cr(VI).

Resource utilization of organic spent adsorbent to prepare three-dimensional sulfate-functionalized layered double oxide for superior removal of azo dye

Developing superior, rapid, cost-effective adsorbents derived from organic spent adsorbent is an economically sustainable way for purifying azo dye wastewater. Herein, we report a precursor-calcination strategy for the recycle of the organic spent adsorbent to a high value-added three-dimensional sulfate-functionalized MgAl-layered double oxide (3S-LDO). Thanks to the unique property of the sulfate group and LDO, 3S-LDO exhibited a superior (4340.71 mg/g) and ultrafast (<1 h) adsorption toward methyl orange (MO, as the representative of azo dye). A thermodynamic study revealed that the reaction process was spontaneous and exothermic. FT-IR, XPS, and XRD results confirmed that the sulfate from 3S-LDO played a vital role in MO removal wherein the S=O bond (with the electrophilic character) from SO₄^2- interacted with the N=N double bond (with rich electron) in MO through the electron donor-acceptor mechanism. And the "memory effect" and surface complexation of 3S-LDO further strengthened the MO adsorption. More importantly, 3S-LDO could work efficiently in a wide pH range and even in the presence of competitive anions (e.g., Cl^-, NO₃^-, and CO₃^2-). Multiple cyclic runs and selective tests demonstrated the excellent reusability and explicit selectivity of 3S-LDO. This work not only provides a prospective sulfate-functionalized adsorbent from organic waste for rapid azo dye removal from wastewater but also achieves the high value-added utilization of organic waste.

Robust Cr(VI) reduction over hydroxyl modified UiO-66 photocatalyst constructed from mixed ligands: Performances and mechanism insight with or without tartaric acid

Hydroxyl modified UiO-66 ((OH)₂-UiO-66-X%, X represents the mass content ratio of introduced 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalic acid) was prepared via a solvothermal reaction between zirconium tetrachloride, benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic acid (H₂BDC), as well as 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalic acid (H₂BDC-(OH)₂). It was found that hydroxyl groups can act as the intramolecular hole scavenger to boost the photo-induced charge carrier separation to enhance Cr(VI) reduction. The photocatalytic Cr(VI) reduction activities of (OH)₂-UiO-66-X% were investigated upon the irradiation of low-power ultraviolet LED light. The findings demonstrated that (OH)₂-UiO-66-20% with good cyclicity and stability exhibited superior photocatalytic performances to both UiO-66 and (OH)₂-UiO-66. The introduction of hydroxyl groups can also extend the light absorption region to longer wavelength in visible range, which provides possibility for displaying photocatalytic activities under sunlight. The effect of small molecule organic acid (SOAs), pH value, and co-existing inorganic ions on photocatalytic performances of (OH)₂-UiO-66-20% were investigated. Tartaric acid (TA) as typical SOAs was introduced to the reaction system to further boost the photocatalytic Cr(VI) reduction via acting as hole scavenger, constructing charge-transfer-complex for quick electron transportation, and producing COO·^- radicals. This work opened a new opportunity for modified MOFs for boosted elimination activities for environmental pollutants.

Analysis of Highly Efficient Adsorption of Au(S2O3)2 3- by Calcined Cu/Fe Layered Double Hydroxides

One of the main problems affecting the application of gold thiosulfate leaching is the difficulty in recovering gold from the leaching solution. Our previous studies revealed that when using calcined Mg/Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs), the single adsorption capacity of Au(S₂O₃)₂ ^3- can reach 7.76 mg/g. In order to further examine the recovery of Au(S₂O₃)₂ ^3- by various types of LDHs, the divalent metal and trivalent metal ions in LDHs were altered. Also, thiosulfate anions are introduced between the layers of LDHs to reduce the competitive adsorption of thiosulfate ions in the solution. Results show that the calcined LDHs (CLDH) prepared with Cu/Fe-LDHs are the best at adsorbing Au(S₂O₃)₂ ^3-. Compared with Mg/Al-CLDH, the single adsorption capacity reaches 48.6 mg/g. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model is more suitable for describing the adsorption of Au(S₂O₃)₂ ^3- by Cu/Fe-CLDH. The adsorption isotherm fitting experiment indicates that the adsorption by Cu/Fe-CLDH of Au(S₂O₃)₂ ^3- conforms to the Langmuir model. During the process of Cu/Fe-CLDH adsorbing Au(S₂O₃)₂ ^3-, CLDH restored part of the layered structure, and Au(S₂O₃)₂ ^3- was inserted between the layers as a counteranion. Furthermore, the reduction of Au(S₂O₃)₂ ^3- by low-valent iron compounds in the adsorbent promoted the process of Cu/Fe-CLDH adsorbing Au(S₂O₃)₂ ^3-.

Ni/Cr-[α-SiW12O40] Layered Double Hydroxide as Effective Adsorbent of Iron(II) From Aqueous Solution

Layered double hydroxide (LDH) Ni/Cr intercalated [α-SiW12O40]4- has been prepared using the coprecipitation method. Materials were characterized by X-ray, FTIR, BET, and pHpzc analyses. Material Ni/Cr-[α-SiW12O40] LDHs exhibited a high surface area 98.986 m2 g-1 from 11.030 m2 g-1 for Ni/Cr LDH where the interlayer space was an increase from 7.99 to 10.87 Å with indicated that high crystallinity. Ni/Cr-[α-SiW12O40] LDHs showed higher adsorption capacity for iron(II) is up to 250 mg g-1. Adsorption of iron(II) on LDHs has an endothermic process and classify as physical adsorption.