Preparation of SiO2@ZIF-67/CNTs and research on its adsorption performance at low-temperature

Recent trends in wastewater treatment by using metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and their composites: A critical view-point

Respecting the basic need of clean and safe water on earth for every individual, it is necessary to take auspicious steps for waste-water treatment. Recently, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are considered as promising material because of their intrinsic features including the porosity and high surface area. Further, structural tunability of MOFs by following the principles of reticular chemistry, the MOFs can be functionalized for the high adsorption performance as well as adsorptive removal of target materials. However, there are still some major concerns associated with MOFs limiting their commercialization as promising adsorbents for waste-water treatment. The cost, toxicity and regenerability are the major issues to be addressed for MOFs to get insightful results. In this article, we have concise the current strategies to enhance the adsorption capacity of MOFs during the water-treatment for the removal of toxic dyes, pharmaceuticals, and heavy metals. Further, we have also discussed the role of metallic nodes, linkers and associated functional groups for effective removal of toxic water pollutants. In addition to conformist overview, we have critically analyzed the MOFs as adsorbents in terms of toxicity, cost and regenerability. These factors are utmost important to address before commercialization of MOFs as adsorbents for water-treatment. Finally, some future perspectives are discussed to give directions for potential research.

Adsorption of hexavalent chromium, Rhodamine B and Congo red simultaneously in aquatic by zeolitic imidazolate framework coupling carbon nanotubes

Zeolitic imidazolate framework/carbon nanotube (ZIF-67/CNTs) was prepared by precipitation method. ZIF-67/CNTs maintained the characteristics of large specific surface area and high porosity of ZIFs, showing stable cubic structure. The adsorption capacities of ZIF-67/CNTs for Cong red (CR), Rhodamine B (RhB) and Cr(VI) were 36.82 mg/g, 1421.29 mg/g and 716.67 mg/g under the conditions of 2:1, 3:1 and 1:3 masses of ZIF-67 and CNTs, respectively. The optimum adsorption temperature of CR, RhB and Cr(VI) were 30 °C, and the removal rates at the adsorption equilibrium were 81.22%, 72.87% and 48.35%. The adsorption kinetic model of the three adsorbents on ZIF-67/CNTs was consistent with the quasi-second order reaction model, and the adsorption isotherms were more consistent with adsorption law of Langmuir. The adsorption mechanism for Cr(VI) was mainly electrostatic interaction, and the adsorption mechanism for azo dyes was the combination of physical and chemical adsorption. This study would provide theoretical basis for further developing metal organic framework (MOF) materials for environmental applications.

Terthiophene-functionalized mesoporous silica-based fluorescence sensor for the detection of trace methyl orange in aqueous media

A terthiophene-functionalized mesoporous SBA-15 silica, i.e., TTU-SBA-15, was successfully developed and used as a highly selective and ultrasensitive fluorescence sensor for methyl orange (MO) detection. When the concentration of MO was increased, the fluorescence emission intensity of TTU-SBA-15 suspensions at 452 nm gradually decreased at an excitation wavelength of 368 nm, and the color of the suspension solutions changed obviously from blue to dark under 365 nm UV light. The fluorescence intensity at 452 nm was linearly proportional to the concentration of MO in the range 0.20 - 2.0 μM, with a detection limit of 0.092 μM. Competitive pollutants, variations in pH, and sample recycling had subtle or negligible effects on the detection of MO. TTU-SBA-15 was applied to the determination of MO in tap water, and recoveries from spiked samples were in the range 98.3 - 103.0%. This study provides a convenient and effective strategy to realize highly sensitive and selective sensors that could target dyes via the functional modification of mesoporous materials.

Modern Carbon-Based Materials for Adsorptive Removal of Organic and Inorganic Pollutants from Water and Wastewater

Currently, a serious threat for living organisms and human life in particular, is water contamination with persistent organic and inorganic pollutants. To date, several techniques have been adopted to remove/treat organics and toxic contaminants. Adsorption is one of the most effective and economical methods for this purpose. Generally, porous materials are considered as appropriate adsorbents for water purification. Conventional adsorbents such as activated carbons have a limited possibility of surface modification (texture and functionality), and their adsorption capacity is difficult to control. Therefore, despite the significant progress achieved in the development of the systems for water remediation, there is still a need for novel adsorptive materials with tunable functional characteristics. This review addresses the new trends in the development of new adsorbent materials. Herein, modern carbon-based materials, such as graphene, oxidized carbon, carbon nanotubes, biomass-derived carbonaceous matrices-biochars as well as their composites with metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and MOF-derived highly-ordered carbons are considered as advanced adsorbents for removal of hazardous organics from drinking water, process water, and leachate. The review is focused on the preparation and modification of these next-generation carbon-based adsorbents and analysis of their adsorption performance including possible adsorption mechanisms. Simultaneously, some weak points of modern carbon-based adsorbents are analyzed as well as the routes to conquer them. For instance, for removal of large quantities of pollutants, the combination of adsorption and other methods, like sedimentation may be recommended. A number of efficient strategies for further enhancing the adsorption performance of the carbon-based adsorbents, in particular, integrating approaches and further rational functionalization, including composing these adsorbents (of two or even three types) can be recommended. The cost reduction and efficient regeneration must also be in the focus of future research endeavors. The targeted optimization of the discussed carbon-based adsorbents associated with detailed studies of the adsorption process, especially, for multicomponent adsorbate solution, will pave a bright avenue for efficient water remediation.

Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs)@ZIF-67 composites—a new type of heterogeneous catalyst for the Knoevenagel condensation reaction

Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) are encapsulated in 50 nm thick shells of ZIF-67, producing novel nano-sized composites HNTs@ZIF-67.