Enhanced adsorption selectivity of Au(III) over Cu(II) from acidic chloride solutions by chitosan/palm kernel fatty acid distillate/magnetite nanocomposites

Spectroscopic and statistical physics elucidation for Cu(II) remediation using magnetic bio adsorbent based on Fe3O4-chitosan-graphene oxide

Efficient harnessing of heavy metal pollution is an urgent environmental task. Herein, magnetic bio adsorbent (MB) based on Fe3O4-chitosan-graphene oxide composite was fabricated via one step co-precipitation for adsorptive remediation of Cu(II). Remediation efficiency was evaluated by batch adsorption, meanwhile adsorption mechanism was elucidated by spectroscopic tests (XPS, UV-Vis absorption and fluorescent emission spectra), statistical physics formalism, isotherm and kinetic fittings. Results show, MB reaches adsorption percent and quantity of 87.61 % and 350.43 mg·g-1 for Cu(II) in 30 min. By virtue of paramagnetism, MB can be readily recovered with a permanent magnet for easy regeneration and cyclic use, thereby retaining adsorption quantity 279.99 mg·g-1 at the fifth cycle. The Freundlich and pseudo second order model satisfactorily describes the adsorption, designating chemical interaction as the rate limiting step. Statistical physics calculation suggests two points. (1) Multi-ionic adsorption mechanism with exothermic, spontaneous and energy lowering feature. (2) Density of adsorption sites increases with temperature, resulting in improved adsorption capacity. Spectroscopic analysis confirms the involvement of CO, CO, -NH2 in Cu(II) uptake via electron donation. These explorations contribute with novel theoretical illumination for understanding both the thermodynamic feature and atomic scale mechanism of common pollutants adsorption by bio adsorbent like Fe3O4-chitosan-graphene oxide.

Monitoring Photo-Fenton and Photo-Electro-Fenton process of contaminants emerging concern by a gas diffusion electrode using Ca10-xFex-yWy(PO4)6(OH)2 nanoparticles as heterogeneous catalyst

The catalytic performance of modified hydroxyapatite nanoparticles, Ca10-xFex-yWy(PO4)6(OH)2, was applied for the degradation of methylene blue (MB), fast green FCF (FG) and norfloxacin (NOR). XPS analysis pointed to the successful partial replacement of Ca by Fe. Under photo-electro-Fenton process, the catalyst Ca4FeII1·92W0·08FeIII4(PO4)6(OH)2 was combined with UVC radiation and electrogenerated H2O2 in a Printex L6 carbon-based gas diffusion electrode. The application of only 10 mA cm-2 resulted in 100% discoloration of MB and FG dyes in 50 min of treatment at pH 2.5, 7.0 and 9.0. The proposed treatment mechanism yielded maximum TOC removal of ∼80% and high mineralization current efficiency of ∼64%. Complete degradation of NOR was obtained in 40 min, and high mineralization of ∼86% was recorded after 240 min of treatment. Responses obtained from LC-ESI-MS/MS are in line with the theoretical Fukui indices and the ECOSAR data. The study enabled us to predict the main degradation route and the acute and chronic toxicity of the by-products formed during the contaminants degradation.

Environmental applications of lignin-based hydrogels for Cu remediation in water and soil: adsorption mechanisms and passivation effects

Heavy metal pollution, particularly the excessive release of copper (Cu), is an urgent environmental concern. In this study, sodium lignosulfonate/carboxymethyl sa-son seed gum (SL-Cg-g-PAA) designed for remediation of Cu-contaminated water and soil was successfully synthesized through a free radical polymerization method using lignin as a raw material. This hydrogel exhibits remarkable Cu adsorption capability when applied to water, with a maximum adsorption capacity reaching 172.41 mg/g. Important adsorption mechanisms include surface complexation and electrostatic attraction between Cu(Ⅱ) and oxygen-containing functional groups (-OH, -COOH), as well as cation exchange involving -COONa and -SO3Na. Furthermore, SL/Cg-g-PAA effectively mitigated the bioavailability of heavy metals within soil matrices, as evidenced by a notable 14.1% reduction in DTPA extracted state Cu (DTPA-Cu) content in the S4 treatment (0.7% SL/Cg-g-PAA) compared to the control group. Concurrently, the Cu content in both the leaves and roots of pakchoi exhibited substantial decreases of 55.19% and 36.49%, respectively. These effects can be attributed to the precipitation and complexation reactions facilitated by the hydrogel. In summary, this composite hydrogel is highly promising for effective remediation of heavy metal pollution in water and soil, with a particular capability for the immobilization of Cu(Ⅱ) and reduction of its adverse effects on ecosystems.