Chitin-psyllium based aerogel for the efficient removal of crystal violet from aqueous solutions

Biopolymer‑carbonaceous composites, progress, and adsorptive mitigation of water pollutants

Chitin is the second most abundant natural biopolymer, which is composed of N-acetyl glucosamine units linked by β-(1 → 4) Chitosan is an N-deacetylated product of chitin. Properties of chitosan and chitin, such as biocompatibility, non-toxic nature, and biodegradability, make them successful alternatives for energy and environmental applications. However, their low mechanical properties, small surface area, reduced thermal properties, and greater pore volume restrict the potential for adsorption applications. Multiple investigations have demonstrated that these flaws can be prevented by fabricating chitosan and chitin with carbon-based composites. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of the fabrication of chitosan/chitin carbon-based materials. Furthermore, this review examines the prevalent technologies of functionalizing chitosan/chitin biopolymers and applications of chitin and chitosan as well as chitosan/chitin carbon-based composites, in various environmental fields (mitigating diverse water contaminants and developing biosensors). Also, the subsequent regeneration and reuse of adsorbents were also discussed. Finally, we summarize a concise overview of the difficulties and potential opportunities associated with the utilization of chitosan/chitin carbon-based composites as adsorbents to remove water contaminants.

New and effective cassava bagasse-modified biochar to adsorb Food Red 17 and Acid Blue 9 dyes in a binary mixture

A promissory technic for reducing environmental contaminants is the production of biochar from waste reuse and its application for water treatment. This study developed biochar (CWb) and NH4Cl-modified biochar (MCWb) using cassava residues as precursors. CWb and MCWb were characterized and evaluated in removing dyes (Acid Blue 9 and Food Red 17) in a binary system. The adsorbent demonstrated high adsorption capacity at all pH levels studied, showing its versatility regarding this process parameter. The equilibrium of all adsorption experiments was reached in 30 min. The adsorption process conformed to pseudo-first-order kinetics and extended Langmuir isotherm model. The thermodynamic adsorption experiments demonstrated that the adsorption process is physisorption, exhibiting exothermic and spontaneous characteristics. MCWb exhibited highly efficient and selective adsorption behavior towards the anionic dyes, indicating maximum adsorption capacity of 131 and 150 mg g-1 for Food Red 17 and Acid Blue 9, respectively. Besides, MCWb could be reused nine times, maintaining its original adsorption capacity. This study demonstrated an excellent adsorption capability of biochars in removing dyes. In addition, it indicated the recycling of wastes as a precursor of bio composts, a strategy for utilization in water treatment with binary systems. It showed the feasibility of the reuse capacity that indicated that the adsorbent may have many potential applications.

Preparation of carbonaceous materials from flotation-sludge of the poultry industry and its application in the methylene blue adsorption

In this work, different carbonaceous materials based on floated sludge from a poultry industry wastewater treatment plant (PI-WTP) were synthesized. These materials were characterized and investigated in methylene blue dye (MB) adsorption. The influences of the initial pH solution, adsorbent dosage, kinetics, equilibrium, and thermodynamics were evaluated in the adsorption experiments. A simulation of a real textile effluent was also carried out to evaluate the adsorbent. The results of the adsorbents' characterization demonstrated that adding ZnCl₂ + lime, followed by pyrolysis and acid leaching, significantly improved the material's properties, leading to abundant porosity and high surface area. The adsorption experiments indicated that the natural pH of the solution (8.0) and the AC-II dosage of 0.75 g L^-1 are optimal for MB removal. Elovich and Sips' models (with a maximum adsorption capacity of 221.02 mg g^-1 at 328 K) best fitted the experimental kinetic and equilibrium data, respectively. The adsorption process is spontaneous and endothermic according to thermodynamic parameters. The discoloration efficiency of the simulated effluent was 67.8%. In conclusion, the floated sludge, a residue produced on a large scale that needs to be disposed of correctly, can be converted into a value-added material (carbonaceous adsorbent) and applied to treat colored effluents.

Insights into the relationships of modifying methods, structure, functional properties and applications of chitin: A review

Chitin as the second plentiful polysaccharide has arouse widely attention due to its remarkable availability and biocompatibility. While the strong inter/intra molecular hydrogen bonds and crystallinity severely restrict its applications. Recently, multiple emerging technologies are increasingly used to modify chitin structure for the sake of obtaining excellent functional properties, as well as broadening the corresponding applications. Firstly, this review systematically outlines the features of single and combined methods for chitin modification. Then, the impacts of various modifying methods on the structural characteristics of chitin, including molecular weight, degree of acetylation and functional groups, are further summarized. In addition, the effects of these structural characteristics on the functional properties as well as its potential related applications are illustrated. The conclusion of this review provides better understanding of the relationships among the modifying methods, structure, properties and applications, contributing to chitin modification for the targeted purpose in the future study.

Valorization of date palm leaves for adsorptive remediation of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid herbicide polluted agricultural runoff

Alarming rates of water contamination by toxic herbicides have prompted the need and attention for easy, efficient, and affordable treatment options with a touch of circular economy aspects. This study valorized date palm leaf (DPL) wastes into a valuable adsorbent for remediating agricultural wastewater polluted with 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-DPA) herbicide. The DPL precursor was modified with H₂SO₄ treatment and both biomass samples were characterized by various analytical techniques. Acid treatment modified the morphology, thermal, and textural properties of the final product (TDPL) while maintaining the structure and surface chemistry intact. Simulated wastewaters containing 2,4-DPA were subsequently treated using TDPL as an adsorbent. Optimum adsorption conditions of pH 2, dosage 0.95 g/L, shaking speed 200 rpm, time 120 min, and temperature 30 °C showed a good herbicide removal efficiency in the range of 55.1-72.6% for different initial feed concentrations (50-250 mg/L). Experimental kinetic data were better represented by the pseudo-second-order model, while the Freundlich isotherm was reliable in describing the equilibrium behavior of the adsorption system. Further, the thermodynamic analysis revealed that the adsorption occurred spontaneously, favorably, and exothermically. Plausible sorption mechanism involved electrostatic interactions, weak van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonds, and π-π interactions between the participating phases. Conspicuously, TDPL application to real-world situations of treating actual herbicide-polluted agricultural runoff resulted in a 69.4% remediation efficiency. Thus, the study demonstrated the valorization of date palm leaves into a valuable and industry-ready adsorbent that can sequester toxic 2,4-DPA herbicide contaminant from aqueous streams.

Preparation of Bio-Based Aerogel and Its Adsorption Properties for Organic Dyes

The effective utilization of biomass and the purification of dye wastewater are urgent problems. In this study, a biomass aerogel (CaCO3@starch/polyacrylamide/TEMPO-oxidized nanocellulose, CaCO3@STA/PAM/TOCN) was prepared by combining nanocellulose with starch and introducing calcium carbonate nanoparticles, which exhibited a rich three-dimensional layered porous structure with a very light mass. Starch and nanocellulose can be grafted onto the molecular chain of acrylamide, while calcium carbonate nanopores can make the gel pore size uniform and have excellent swelling properties. Here, various factors affecting the adsorption behavior of this aerogel, such as pH, contact time, ambient temperature, and initial concentration, are investigated. From the kinetic data, it can be obtained that the adsorption process fits well with the pseudo-second-order. The Langmuir isotherm model can fit the equilibrium data well. The thermodynamic data also demonstrated the spontaneous and heat-absorbing properties of anionic and cationic dyes on CaCO3@STA/PAM/TOCN aerogels. The adsorption capacity of Congo red (CR) and methylene blue (MB) by CaCO3@STA/PAM/TOCN was 277.76 mg/g and 101.01 mg/g, respectively. Therefore, cellulose and starch-based aerogels can be considered promising adsorbents for the treatment of dye wastewater.

Biocompatible Composite Microspheres of Chitin/Ordered Mesoporous Carbon CMK3 for Bilirubin Adsorption and Cell Microcarrier Culture

Extra bilirubin in the blood can provoke serious illness in patients with severe liver disease. Hemoperfusion is an effective method to remove the extra bilirubin, but its application is limited by the low adsorption efficiency and poor biocompatibility of available adsorbent materials. In this study, chitin/ordered mesoporous carbon CMK3 (Ch/CMK3) microspheres were successfully prepared. Results of characterization experiments indicated that these composite microspheres possess a multilayered porous nanofibrous structure with an extremely large specific surface area (300.19 m² g^-1 ) and large pore size. Notably, the Ch/CMK3 microspheres demonstrated a high bilirubin adsorption capacity (228.19 mg g^-1 ) in phosphate buffer solution, and an outstanding bilirubin removal ratio (76.78%±4.40%) in the plasma of rabbits with hyperbilirubinemia without affecting the protein components. More importantly, the Ch/CMK3 microspheres showed no effect on other blood components, no cytotoxicity, and no systemic toxicity to mice. Cell coculture experiments revealed that the microspheres could provide a three-dimensional (3D) space to promote cell adhesion, proliferation, and nutrient exchange. These Ch/CMK3 microspheres featuring a strong ability for bilirubin adsorption and good biocompatibility could be a promising candidate in biomedical applications such as hemoperfusion, cell microcarrier, and 3D tissue engineering. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Magnetically recyclable core–shell MOF nanoparticles of Fe3O4@PDA@UIO-66-NH2 grafted by organic acids for intensified cationic dye adsorption

The adsorption mechanism towards MB by the two adsorbents is mainly due to IE at lower solution pH and EA at higher solution pH than their pHpzc.

Applications of chitin and chitosan based biomaterials for the adsorptive removal of textile dyes from water - A comprehensive review

The presence of pollutants in the water bodies deteriorate the water quality and make it unfit for use. From an environmental perspective, it is essential to develop new technologies for the wastewater treatment and recycling of dye contaminated water. The surface modified chitin and chitosan biopolymeric composites based adsorbents, have an important role in the toxic organic dyes from removal wastewater. The surface modification of biopolymers with various organics and inorganics produces more active sites at the surface of the adsorbent, which enhances dye and adsorbent interaction more reliable. Herein, the work brought in the thought of the application of various chitin and chitosan composites in wastewater remediation and suggested the versatility in composites for the development of rapid, selective and effective removal processes for the detoxification of a variety of organic dyes. It further emphasizes the existing obstruction and impending prediction for the deprivation of dyes via adsorption techniques.

Adsorption of Crystal Violet Dye Using Activated Carbon of Lemon Wood and Activated Carbon/Fe3O4 Magnetic Nanocomposite from Aqueous Solutions: A Kinetic, Equilibrium and Thermodynamic Study

Activated carbon prepared from lemon (Citrus limon) wood (ACL) and ACL/Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanocomposite were effectively used to remove the cationic dye of crystal violet (CV) from aqueous solutions. The results showed that Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were successfully placed in the structure of ACL and the produced nanocomposites showed superior magnetic properties. It was found that pH was the most effective parameter in the CV dye adsorption and pH of 9 gave the maximum adsorption efficiency of 93.5% and 98.3% for ACL and ACL/Fe₃O₄, respectively. The Dubinin–Radushkevich (D-R) and Langmuir models were selected to investigate the CV dye adsorption equilibrium behavior for ACL and ACL/Fe₃O₄, respectively. A maximum adsorption capacity of 23.6 and 35.3 mg/g was obtained for ACL and ACL/Fe₃O₄, respectively indicating superior adsorption capacity of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The kinetic data of the adsorption process followed the pseudo-second order (PSO) kinetic model, indicating that chemical mechanisms may have an effect on the CV dye adsorption. The negative values obtained for Gibb’s free energy parameter (−20 < ΔG < 0 kJ/mol) showed that the adsorption process using both types of the adsorbents was physical. Moreover, the CV dye adsorption enthalpy (ΔH) values of −45.4 for ACL and −56.9 kJ/mol for ACL/Fe₃O₄ were obtained indicating that the adsorption process was exothermic. Overall, ACL and ACL/Fe₃O₄ magnetic nanocomposites provide a novel and effective type of adsorbents to remove CV dye from the aqueous solutions.