Effective adsorptive removal of Zn2+, Cu2+, and Cr3+ heavy metals from aqueous solutions using silica-based embedded with NiO and MgO nanoparticles

Effective fabrication and characterization of eco-friendly nano particles composite for adsorption Cd (II) and Cu (II) ions from aqueous solutions using modelling studies

The public health and environment are currently facing significant risks due to the discharge of industrial wastewater, which contains harmful heavy metals and other contaminants. Therefore, there is a pressing need for sustainable and innovative technologies to treat wastewater. The main objective of this research was to develop novel composites known as chitosan, Padina pavonica, Fe(III), and nano MgO incorporated onto pomegranate peel with the specific purpose of removing Cd (II) and Cu (II) ions from aqueous solutions. The characterization of these nanocomposites involved the utilization of several analytical methods, including Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The efficiency of these nanocomposites was evaluated through batch mode experiments, investigating the impact of factors such as pH, initial concentration, contact time, and adsorbent dose on the adsorption of Cu(II) ions. The optimum conditions for the removal of ions were pH = 5 for Cu (II) and 6 for Cd (II), contact time: 120 min, adsorbent dosage: 0.2 g, initial metal ion concentration: 50 mg/L for each metal ion for the present study. The MgO@Pp demonstrated the highest removal efficiencies for Cu(II) and Cd(II) at 98.2% and 96.4%, respectively. In contrast, the CS@Fe-PA achieved removal efficiencies of 97.2% for Cu(II) and 89.2% for Cd(II). The modified MgO@Pp exhibited significantly higher total adsorption capacities for Cu(II) and Cd(II) at 333.3 and 200 mg/g, respectively, compared to CS@Fe-PA, which had capacities of 250 and 142 mg/g, respectively. The adsorption of Cd (II) and Cu (II) ions by MgO@Pp was found to be a spontaneous process. The R2 values obtained using the Freundlich and Redlich-Peterson models were the highest for the MgO@Pp composite, with values of 0.99, 0.988, 0.987, and 0.994, respectively, for Cu (II) and Cd (II). The pseudo-second-order equation was determined to be the best-fit kinetic model for this process. Reusability experiments confirmed that the adsorbents can be utilized for up to four regeneration cycles. Based on the findings of this study, MgO @ Pp is the most promising alternative and could be instrumental in developing strategies to address existing environmental pollution through adsorption.

Nanotechnology Approaches for the Remediation of Agricultural Polluted Soils

Soil pollution from various anthropogenic and natural activities poses a significant threat to the environment and human health. This study explored the sources and types of soil pollution and emphasized the need for innovative remediation approaches. Nanotechnology, including the use of nanoparticles, is a promising approach for remediation. Diverse types of nanomaterials, including nanobiosorbents and nanobiosurfactants, have shown great potential in soil remediation processes. Nanotechnology approaches to soil pollution remediation are multifaceted. Reduction reactions and immobilization techniques demonstrate the versatility of nanomaterials in mitigating soil pollution. Nanomicrobial-based bioremediation further enhances the efficiency of pollutant degradation in agricultural soils. A literature-based screening was conducted using different search engines, including PubMed, Web of Science, and Google Scholar, from 2010 to 2023. Keywords such as "soil pollution, nanotechnology, nanoremediation, heavy metal remediation, soil remediation" and combinations of these were used. The remediation of heavy metals using nanotechnology has demonstrated promising results and offers an eco-friendly and sustainable solution to address this critical issue. Nanobioremediation is a robust strategy for combatting organic contamination in soils, including pesticides and herbicides. The use of nanophytoremediation, in which nanomaterials assist plants in extracting and detoxifying pollutants, represents a cutting-edge and environmentally friendly approach for tackling soil pollution.

Synthetization and characterization of SnCaAl2O3 nanocomposite and using as a superior adsorbent for Pb, Zn, and Cd ions in polluted water

The presence of heavy metals in drinking water or wastewater poses a serious threat to the ecosystem. Hence, the present study focused on synthesizing SnCaAl2O3 core-shell nanoparticles (C.N.P.s) in the α-Alumina phase by thermal annealing a stacked structure sandwiched between two Al2O3 layers at low temperatures. The obtained structure showed Sn N.P. floating gate with an Al2O3 dielectric stacked tunneling barrier to remove the excess of these heavy metals from polluted water. To characterize the prepared composites, X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) were used. The synthesized SnCaAl2O3 C.N.P.s composite was examined to utilize it as an adsorbent for removing Zn, Cd, and Pb divalent cations. The removal efficiency was studied by various parameters such as adsorbent dose, pH, contact time, metal concentrations, temperature, and coexisting ions. The experimental results were tested via Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The obtained results were convenient to the Freundlich isotherm model. Moreover, the adsorption thermodynamic behavior of Zn+2, Cd+2, and Pb+2 on the synthesized composite was examined, and the process is endothermic and spontaneous under experimental conditions. The results illustrated that the adsorption efficiency of the SnCaAl2O3 core-shell nanoparticles (C.N.P.s) ranged from 88% to about 100% for all cations.

Carbide-derived carbon as an extraordinary material for the removal of chromium from an aqueous solution

In the present work, the adsorptive removal of chromium (Cr) from water by carbide-derived carbon (CDC) was investigated. The morphology and structure of the CDC were characterized by using FTIR, SEM, TEM, XRD, and N₂ adsorption-desorption measurements. The effect of adsorption parameters including contact time, initial Cr concentration, temperature, initial solution pH, and CDC dosage was examined on the removal of Cr ions. The kinetic analysis revealed that the experimental data on the removal of Cr ions on CDC is well correlated with the pseudo-second order kinetic model (with R² > 0.999), while the equilibrium data were fitted by the Redlich-Peterson isotherm model (with R² > 0.992). The Langmuir and Sips models were also in good compliance with the equilibrium data, indicating a monolayer coverage of Cr ions onto the CDC surface with some heterogeneous active adsorption sites. The CDC revealed a notable Langmuir adsorption capacity of 159.1 mg/g for Cr ions at pH 6 and room temperature. The thermodynamic analysis illustrated that the Cr ions elimination by CDC is a feasible adsorption process and endothermic in nature. After five adsorption/desorption cycles, less than 18% reduction in the adsorption capacity was obtained indicating the stability and reusability of the CDC. Moreover, the CDC demonstrated an excellent potential in removing the Cr ions from real brackish water. According to the adsorption data, both physical and chemical adsorption processes occurred, and the adsorption was mainly controlled by electrostatic interactions with a possible reduction of hexavalent Cr to trivalent Cr at acidic conditions.

Facile synthesis of mesoporous nano Ni/NiO and its synergistic role as super adsorbent and photocatalyst under sunlight irradiation

Tailoring a material that has a synergistic role as an adsorbent and a photocatalyst for environmental application is an attractive field for research. This article presents a study of facile synthesis of NiO and Ni/NiO with a synergistic role as super adsorbents in the lake of light and photocatalysts under light irradiation. Nano flower-like mesoporous NiO and Ni/NiO were synthesized by the co-precipitation method. XRD, SEM, EDAX, XPS, BET, and DR/UV-Vis spectroscopy techniques were employed for samples' analysis. The point of zero surface charge of prepared samples was detected by the batch equilibrium method. The adsorption efficiency was investigated in the absence of light using aniline blue as a pollutant model dye. The synergistic effect as an adsorbent and a photocatalyst was investigated under UV and sunlight irradiation. Different parameters affecting the adsorption in the dark have been optimized. The results showed that in the absence of light, the prepared samples are super adsorbents with a maximum adsorption capacity ranging from 210 to 230 mg g-1 and a removal % ranging from 95 to 100% within 2 h. Under UV or sunlight irradiation, the adsorbent/photocatalyst attained a dye removal % of 99.8% within 30 min. The adsorption data matched the pseudo-second-order model, and the equilibrium adsorption data showed compatibility with Langmuir model. The findings of experiments revealed that the adsorption is spontaneous, exothermic, and results in less entropy. Under sunlight irradiation, the dye removal efficiency increased by 19% in the case of Ni/NiO hybrid; it showed a removal efficiency of 99.5% within 30 min under sunlight irradiation versus 80% after 120 min in the dark.

Recent Advances in Adsorptive Nanocomposite Membranes for Heavy Metals Ion Removal from Contaminated Water: A Comprehensive Review

Water contamination is one of the most urgent concerns confronting the world today. Heavy metal poisoning of aquatic systems has piqued the interest of various researchers due to the high toxicity and carcinogenic consequences it has on living organisms. Due to their exceptional attributes such as strong reactivity, huge surface area, and outstanding mechanical properties, nanomaterials are being produced and employed in water treatment. In this review, recent advances in the use of nanomaterials in nanoadsorptive membrane systems for wastewater treatment and heavy metal removal are extensively discussed. These materials include carbon-based nanostructures, metal nanoparticles, metal oxide nanoparticles, nanocomposites, and layered double hydroxide-based compounds. Furthermore, the relevant properties of the nanostructures and the implications on their performance for water treatment and contamination removal are highlighted. The hydrophilicity, pore size, skin thickness, porosity, and surface roughness of these nanostructures can help the water permeability of the nanoadsorptive membrane. Other properties such as surface charge modification and mechanical strength can improve the metal adsorption effectiveness of nanoadsorptive membranes during wastewater treatment. Various nanocomposite membrane fabrication techniques are also reviewed. This study is important because it gives important information on the roles of nanomaterials and nanostructures in heavy metal removal and wastewater treatment.

Highly efficient poly(6-acryloylamino-N-hydroxyhexanamide) resin for adsorption of heavy metal ions

Heavy metal wastewater pollution has become an ecological challenge worldwide. This study reports the development of a novel poly (6-acryloylamino-N-hydroxyhexanamide) (PAHHA) resin for effective adsorption of heavy metal ions, including Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Ni²⁺. The chelating resin was synthesized by the grafting reaction between 6-amino-N-hydroxyhexanamide and polyacrylic resin, thus containing the hydroxamate and acylamino groups. The batch adsorption experiments revealed that the PAHHA resin exhibited an excellent adsorption performance for Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Ni²⁺. The maximum adsorption capacities of Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Ni²⁺ were determined to be 238.59, 232.48 and 115.77 mg·g^-1, respectively. Based on the adsorption kinetics, the pseudo-second-order kinetic model was noted to fit well for all metal ions. The metal ion concentration as a function of the equilibrium adsorption capacity fitted well with the Langmuir isotherm, thus indicating the single layer adsorption process. The adsorption mechanism was investigated by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), density functional theory (DFT) calculations, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and adsorption isotherms. It was revealed that the PAHHA resin possessed multiple active sites, including -CONHOH, -CONH- and -COOH, which could strongly adsorb the metal ions. Specifically, the -CONHOH group displayed a high affinity by forming a stable five-membered ring with heavy metal ions. Overall, the developed resin exhibits advantages such as simple synthesis, inexpensive raw material and good recyclability, along with high adsorption ability, thus providing a new approach for efficiently treating wastewater contaminated with heavy metal ions.

Silica Meets Tannic Acid: Designing Green Nanoplatforms for Environment Preservation

Hybrid tannic acid-silica-based porous nanoparticles, TA-SiO₂ NPs, have been synthesized under mild conditions in the presence of green and renewable tannic acid biopolymer, a glycoside polymer of gallic acid present in a large part of plants. Tannic acid (TA) was exploited as both a structuring directing agent and green chelating site for heavy metal ions recovery from aqueous solutions. Particles morphologies and porosity were easily tuned by varying the TA initial amount. The sample produced with the largest TA amount showed a specific surface area an order of magnitude larger than silica nanoparticles. The adsorption performance was investigated by using TA-SiO₂ NPs as adsorbents for copper (II) ions from an aqueous solution. The effects of the initial Cu²⁺ ions concentration and the pH values on the adsorption capability were also investigated. The resulting TA-SiO₂ NPs exhibited a different adsorption behaviour towards Cu²⁺, which was demonstrated through different tests. The largest adsorption (i.e., ~50 wt% of the initial Cu²⁺ amount) was obtained with the more porous nanoplatforms bearing a higher final TA content. The TA-nanoplatforms, stable in pH value around neutral conditions, can be easily produced and their use would well comply with a green strategy to reduce wastewater pollution.

Preparation of PAMAM modified PVDF membrane and its adsorption performance for copper ions

As one of the main pollutants of water pollution, the potential toxicity of heavy metal ions always threatens the safety of human and nature. Therefore, how to effectively remove heavy metal ions has become an important research topic in environmental protection. In the existing research, adsorption method is outstanding from many methods because of its high adsorption efficiency and easy operation. In this study, different generations of hyperbranched polyamide-amine (PAMAM) were grafted onto PVDF membrane to obtain the membrane with high adsorption capacity for heavy metal ions. The structure and physicochemical properties of the membranes were evaluated by means of fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), element analyzer and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (EDX). At the same time, various factors affecting the adsorption process were studied, and it was found that the adsorption behavior of copper ion (Cu²⁺) on the membrane conformed to the pseudo-first-order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm model. Moreover, after comparing the adsorption effect of the modified membranes grafted with different generations of PAMAM, it was found that the membrane grafted with the third generation PAMAM had the best adsorption when the solution pH was 5, and its maximum adsorption capacity could reach 153.8 mg/g. After five adsorption-desorption cycles, its adsorption capacity can reach 72.83% of the first test, indicating that it has good recycling performance. The results show that the adsorption membrane has good application potential and research value.

Recent development of magnetic biochar crosslinked chitosan on heavy metal removal from wastewater - Modification, application and mechanism

Heavy metal contamination in water bodies is currently in an area of greater concern due to the adverse effects on human health. Despite the good adsorption performance of biochar, various modifications have been performed on the pristine biochar to further enhance its adsorption capability, at the same time overcome the difficulty of particles separation and mitigate the secondary pollution issues. In this review, the feasibility of chitosan-modified magnetic biochar for heavy metal removal from aqueous solution is evaluated by critically analysing existing research. The effective strategies that applied to introduce chitosan and magnetic substances into the biochar matrix are systematically reviewed. The physicochemical changes of the modified-biochar composite are expounded in terms of surface morphology, pore properties, specific surface area, surface functional groups and electromagnetism. The detailed information regarding the adsorption performances of various modified biochar towards different heavy metals and their respective underlying mechanisms are studied in-depth. The current review also analyses the kinetic and isotherm models that dominated the adsorption process and summarizes the common models that fitted well to most of the experimental adsorption data. Moreover, the operating parameters that affect the adsorption process which include solution pH, temperature, initial metal concentration, adsorbent dosage, contact time and the effect of interfering ions are explored. This review also outlines the stability of modified biochar and their regeneration rate after cycles of heavy metal removal process. Lastly, constructive suggestions on the future trends and directions are provided for better research and development of chitosan-modified magnetic biochar.

Application of Magnesium Oxide Media for Remineralization and Removal of Divalent Metals in Drinking Water Treatment: A Review

The post-treatment of soft and desalinated waters is an integral step in the production of quality drinking water. Remineralization is therefore often essential in order to stabilize the effluent for distribution and to attain mineral levels that fulfill aesthetic and health goals. According to the World Health Organization, magnesium (Mg2+) is a nutrient essential to human health. This review summarizes the effectiveness of magnesium oxide (MgO) media for soft water remineralization, as well as its potential for divalent metal removal (e.g., Mn, Cu, and Zn), which is of particular interest in small or residential applications. We present MgO sources, properties, and dissolution mechanisms. Water treatment applications are then reviewed, and the available design models are critically appraised in regard to remineralization and contaminant removal processes. In addition, we review the process operation challenges and costs. Finally, we discuss the use of MgO in combination with calcite and address the technical advantages and limitations compared to other available methods.

Novel Thermosensitive-co-Zwitterionic Sulfobetaine Gels for Metal Ion Removal: Synthesis and Characterization

Zwitterionic betaine polymers are promising adsorbents for the removal of heavy metal ions from industrial effluents. Although the presence of both negative and positively charged groups imparts them the ability to simultaneously remove cations and anions, intra- and/or inter-chain interactions can significantly reduce their adsorption efficiencies. Therefore, in this study, novel gels based on crosslinked co-polymers of thermosensitive N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAM) and zwitterionic sulfobetaine N,N-dimethylacrylamido propyl ammonium propane sulfonate (DMAAPS) were synthesized, characterized, and evaluated for ion removal. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) analyses confirmed the success of the co-polymerization of NIPAAM and DMAAPS to form poly(NIPAAM-co-DMAAPS). The phase transition temperature of the co-polymer increased with increasing DMAAPS content in the co-polymer, indicating temperature-dependent amphiphilic behavior, as evidenced by contact angle measurements. The ion adsorption analyses of the poly(NIPAAM-co-DMAAPS) gels indicated that co-polymerization increased the molecular distance and weakened the interaction between the DMAAPS-charged groups (SO3- and N+), thereby increasing the ion adsorption. The results confirmed that, with a low concentration of DMAAPS in the co-polymer gels (~10%), the maximum amount of Cr3+ ions adsorbed onto the gel was ~58.49% of the sulfonate content in the gel.

N-alkylation briefly constructs tunable multifunctional sensor materials: Multianalyte detection and reversible adsorption

A series of N-alkyl-substituted polybenzimidazoles (SPBIs), synthesized by simple condensation and N-alkylation, act as functional materials with tunable microstructures and sensing performance. For their controllable morphologies, the formation of nano-/microspheres is observed at the n(RBr)/n(PBI) feed ratio of 5:1. Products with different degrees of alkylation can recognize metal ions and nitroaromatic compounds (NACs). For example, SPBI-c, obtained at the feed ratio of 1:1, can selectively detect Cu2+, Fe3+, and NACs. By contrast, SPBI-a, obtained at the feed ratio of 0.1:1, can exclusively detect Cu2+ with high sensitivity. Their sensing mechanisms have been studied by FT-IR spectroscopy, SEM, XPS, and DFT calculations. Interestingly, the SPBIs can adsorb Cu2+ in solution and show good recyclability. These results demonstrate that polymeric materials with both sensing and adsorption applications can be realized by regulating the alkylation extent of the main chain, thus providing a new approach for the facile synthesis of multifunctional materials.

Highly Efficient Removal of Cu(II) Ions from Acidic Aqueous Solution Using ZnO Nanoparticles as Nano-Adsorbents

Water pollution by heavy metals has significant effects on aquatic ecosystems. Copper is one of the heavy metals that can cause environmental pollution and toxic effects in natural waters. This encourages the development of better technological alternatives for the removal of this pollutant. This work explores the application of ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) for the removal of Cu(II) ions from acidic waters. ZnO NPs were characterized and adsorption experiments were performed under different acidic pHs to evaluate the removal of Cu(II) ions with ZnO NPs. The ZnO NPs were chemically stable under acidic conditions. The adsorption capacity of ZnO NPs for Cu(II) was up to 47.5 and 40.2 mg·g−1 at pH 4.8 and pH 4.0, respectively. The results revealed that qmax (47.5 mg·g−1) and maximum removal efficiency of Cu(II) (98.4%) are achieved at pH = 4.8. In addition, the surface roughness of ZnO NPs decreases approximately 70% after adsorption of Cu(II) at pH 4. The Cu(II) adsorption behavior was more adequately explained by Temkin isotherm model. Additionally, adsorption kinetics were efficiently explained with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. These results show that ZnO NPs can be an efficient alternative for the removal of Cu(II) from acidic waters and the adsorption process was more efficient under pH = 4.8. This study provides new information about the potential application of ZnO NPs as an effective adsorbent for the remediation and treatment of acidic waters contaminated with Cu(II).

Efficient absorptive removal of Cd(Ⅱ) in aqueous solution by biochar derived from sewage sludge and calcium sulfate

Biochar derived from co-pyrolysis of sewage sludge and calcium sulfate was used to remove Cd(II) from aqueous solution. The results showed that the Cd(Ⅱ) adsorption better followed Freundlich model, and the maximum adsorption capacities were 109.0 mg/g (288 K), 127.9 mg/g (298 K) and 145.4 mg/g (308 K). The Cd(Ⅱ) removal was a multi-layer adsorption process dominated by chemisorption, which was also a spontaneous and endothermic process. The contribution of physisorption gradually increased as the Cd(Ⅱ) initial concentration. The Cd(Ⅱ) removal process which better followed pseudo-second-order kinetic model, was divided into three stages. The first (0-0.3 h) and second stages (0.3-2 h) were separately controlled by liquid film diffusion/intraparticle diffusion/chemical reaction and liquid film diffusion/chemical reaction, while the third stage (0.3-24 h) was the dynamic equilibrium process. The speciation distribution of Cd on biochar surface was mainly CdCO₃/CdOOC and CdO/CdSiO₃, indicating coprecipitation, ion exchange and complexation contributed more to the Cd(Ⅱ) removal.

Chitosan/Phosphate Rock-Derived Natural Polymeric Composite to Sequester Divalent Copper Ions from Water

Herein, a chitosan (CH) and fluroapatite (TNP) based CH-TNP composite was synthesized by utilizing seafood waste and phosphate rock and was tested for divalent copper (Cu(II)) adsorptive removal from water. The XRD and FT-IR data affirmed the formation of a CH-TNP composite, while BET analysis showed that the surface area of the CH-TNP composite (35.5 m²/g) was twice that of CH (16.7 m²/g). Mechanistically, electrostatic, van der Waals, and co-ordinate interactions were primarily responsible for the binding of Cu(II) with the CH-TNP composite. The maximum Cu(II) uptake of both CH and CH-TNP composite was recorded in the pH range 3-4. Monolayer Cu(II) coverage over both CH and CH-TNP surfaces was confirmed by the fitting of adsorption data to a Langmuir isotherm model. The chemical nature of the adsorption process was confirmed by the fitting of a pseudo-second-order kinetic model to adsorption data. About 82% of Cu(II) from saturated CH-TNP was recovered by 0.5 M NaOH. A significant drop in Cu(II) uptake was observed after four consecutive regeneration cycles. The co-existing ions (in binary and ternary systems) significantly reduced the Cu(II) removal efficacy of CH-TNP.

Hierarchically porous poly(amidoxime)/bacterial cellulose composite aerogel for highly efficient scavenging of heavy metals

Developing cheap, green, efficient and renewable adsorbents to address the issue of heavy metal pollution is highly desired for satisfying the requirements of economy sustainability and water security. Herein, a composite aerogel composed of bacterial cellulose (BC) and poly(amidoxime) (PAO) has been fabricated via a facile and scalable self-assembly and in situ oximation transformation for heavy metals removal. Benefiting from the unique three-dimensional (3D) interconnected porous architecture and high density of amidoxime functional moieties, the developed PAO/BC composite aerogel is capable of efficiently sequestrating heavy metals with exceptional sorption capacities, e.g. 571.5 mg g^-1 for Pb²⁺, 509.2 mg g^-1 for Cu²⁺, 494 mg g^-1 for Zn²⁺, 457.2 mg g^-1 for Mn²⁺, and 382.3 mg g^-1 for Cd²⁺, outperforming most reported nano-adsorbents. Meanwhile, the sorption equilibrium for the investigated five heavy metals is achieved within 25 min with high removal efficiencies. Significantly, the developed PAO/BC composite aerogels possess superior reusability performance. Furthermore, the PAO/BC aerogels-packed column can continuously and effectively treat the simulated wastewater with multiple heavy metals coexisting to below the threshold value in the drinking water recommended by World Health Organization (WHO), highlighting its feasibility in the complex environmental water.

Adsorption behavior of gardenia yellow pigment on embedded spherical cellulose adsorbent

A spherical cellulose adsorbent embedded with black wattle extract (SABW) was prepared by an inverse suspension method, and used to adsorb the typical food pigment, gardenia yellow pigment (GYP). Results of SEM, XRD, FTIR and BET characterization showed that SABW was composed of abundant porous structures and functional groups such as –C Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019 ]]> O, –OH and benzene ring groups. The batch adsorption experiments revealed that SABW presented excellent adsorption performance for GYP with a high adsorption percentage of 97.96%. The adsorption process followed the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm, and the experimental data were in good agreement with the pseudo-second order dynamic model. Furthermore, the main adsorption mechanism involved hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interaction and pore adsorption. Importantly, the desorption and regeneration experiments showed that SABW had satisfactory reusability and retained 92.30% adsorption after 4 cycles. The above results provide a vital theoretical basis for the extraction of GYP.

A spherical cellulose adsorbent embedded with black wattle extract (SABW) was prepared and used to adsorb gardenia yellow pigment (GYP). The result revealed that SABW presented excellent adsorption performance to GYP.

Toxic heavy metal removal from sulfide ores using potassium permanganate: Process development and waste management

A monolithic new attitude utilizing Aspen Plus software and Taguchi method has been applied to evaluate a novel configuration for removal of toxic heavy metals during sulfide ores recovery using potassium permanganate (KMnO₄). In this new configuration, KMnO₄ has been produced by sludge recovery of cobalt purification step containing manganese (IV) oxide (MnO₂). Also, in this suggested configuration, the required sulfuric acid (H₂SO₄) solvent has been provided by recovery of sulfur compounds released during leaching process of sulfide ores. The optimum condition obtained by Taguchi experimental design has been used as initial data for the simulation and sensitivity analysis of process via Aspen Plus software. A systematic study of the design and operating condition has been made for key performance metrics such as removal of toxic heavy metal from sulfide ores, recovery of KMnO₄ from sludge containing MnO₂ and conversion of released sulfide gases to H₂SO₄ at the different operating condition such as H₂SO₄ concentration of 60-90 g/L, operating temperature of 60-150 °C, agitation rate of 100-400 rpm, reaction time of 0.5-2 h, solid to liquid ratio of 1:1-1:4, particle size of 10-500 μm, additive amount of 10-40 wt% and oxygen pressure of 0.5-2 MPa. The optimum condition for removal of toxic heavy metal have been found to be H₂SO₄ concentration of 70 g/L, temperature of 90 °C, agitation rate of 200 rpm, reaction time of 1.5 h, particle size of 500 μm, solid to liquid ratio of 1:2, additive amount of 40 wt% and oxygen pressure of 1.5 MPa. According to simulation results, the maximum conversion of released sulfide gases to H₂SO₄, recovery of KMnO₄ and toxic heavy metals removal during designed process at optimized condition are 98%, 91% and 99%, respectively.

Microbial Nanotechnology for Bioremediation of Industrial Wastewater

Pollutant removal from industrial effluents is a big challenge for industries. These pollutants pose a great risk to the environment. Nanotechnology can reduce the expenditure made by industries to mitigate these pollutants through the production of eco-friendly nanomaterials. Nanomaterials are gaining attention due to their enhanced physical, chemical, and mechanical properties. Using microorganisms in the production of nanoparticles provides an even greater boost to green biotechnology as an emerging field of nanotechnology for sustainable production and cost reduction. In this mini review, efforts are made to discuss the various aspects of industrial effluent bioremediation through microbial nanotechnology integration. The use of enzymes with nanotechnology has produced higher activity and reusability of enzymes. This mini review also provides an insight into the advantages of the use of nanotechnology as compared to conventional practices in these areas.

Adsorption capability of brewed tea waste in waters containing toxic lead(II), cadmium (II), nickel (II), and zinc(II) heavy metal ions

Recently, the search for low-cost eco-friendly adsorbents has become one of the main objectives of researchers. The aim of this study was to test the removal of four heavy metals, namely lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), nickel (Ni) and cadmium (Cd), from a simulated watery solution using brewed tea waste as a potentially suitable adsorbent. The effects of pH levels (2.0–6.0), adsorbent amount (0.1–5.0 g), contact times (1–150 min.) were examined throughout the adsorption process. The results of the experiments showed that the heavy metals elimination yields had an inverse relationship with pH and a linear relationship between the other parameters. The optimum pH for the removal of the heavy metals was between 4.0 and 5.0 in the case of the brewed tea waste. Equilibrium times of 2, 10, 30 and 5 min were required for the adsorption of Pb, Zn, Ni, Cd onto Camellia sinensis, respectively. Based on the results of this study it can be said that brewed tea waste has a high potential to remove heavy metals from aqueous solutions. The maximum adsorption capacities were calculated as 1.197, 1.457, 1.163 and 2.468 mg/g, for Pb, Zn, Ni and Cd, respectively, by fitting the equilibrium data to the Langmuir isotherm model.

Biosynthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles Using Bacillus Subtilis: Characterization and Nutritive Significance for Promoting Plant Growth in Zea mays L

Nano-fertilizer(s), an emerging field of agriculture, is alternate option for enhancement of plant growth replacing the synthetic fertilizers. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) can be used as the zinc source for plants. The present investigation was carried out to assess the role of ZnO NPs in growth promotion of maize plants. Biosynthesized ZnO NPs (using Bacillus sp) were characterized using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Zeta potential. Different concentrations of ZnO NPs (2, 4, 8, 16 mg/L) were explored in pot culture experiment. Size of ZnO NPs ranged between 16 and 20 nm. A significant increase in growth parameters like shoot length (61.7%), root length (56.9%) and significantly higher level of protein was observed in the treated plants. The overall pattern for growth biomarkers including the protein contents was maximum at 8 mg/L of ZnO NPs. It was observed that application of biosynthesized ZnO NPs has improved majority of growth biomarkers including plant growth parameters, protein contents and leaf area. Therefore, biosynthesized ZnO NPs could be considered as an alternate source of nutrient in Zn deficient soils for promoting the modern agriculture.