Adsorption of toxic metal ion Cr(VI) from aqueous state by TiO2-MCM-41: equilibrium and kinetic studies

Selective removal of Hg(II) by UiO-66-NH2 modified by 4-quinolinecarboxaldehyde: from experiment to mechanism

In wastewater, heavy metal Hg causes serious harm to ecology, so it needs to be removed. In this paper, a novel MOF adsorbent (UiO-66-QU) was prepared by modifying UiO-66-NH₂ with 4-quinolinecarboxaldehyde, which was used to selectively remove Hg(II) from water. The adsorbent was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), zeta potentiometer, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). In order to investigate the Hg(II) adsorption performance of UiO-66-QU, the effect of time, initial concentration, pH, and temperature were carried out. Langmuir model fitting shows that the maximum adsorption capacity of UiO-66-QU for Hg(II) is 556 mg/g at 298 K. The experimental results show that UiO-66-QU has better Hg(II) adsorption capacity than UiO-66-NH₂. The isotherm is in accordance with pseudo-second-order models. It is indicated that the adsorption process is mainly monolayer chemical adsorption. The thermodynamic parameters also indicate that the adsorption process is spontaneous and endothermic. It has excellent reusability and selectivity. XPS and the zeta potential showed that the adsorption mechanism was the complex reaction of Hg(II) with nitrogenous group. Therefore, the adsorbent has potential application prospects in removal of Hg(II) from wastewater.

Covalent and Non-covalent Functionalized Nanomaterials for Environmental Restoration

Nanotechnology has emerged as an extraordinary and rapidly developing discipline of science. It has remolded the fate of the whole world by providing diverse horizons in different fields. Nanomaterials are appealing because of their incredibly small size and large surface area. Apart from the naturally occurring nanomaterials, synthetic nanomaterials are being prepared on large scales with different sizes and properties. Such nanomaterials are being utilized as an innovative and green approach in multiple fields. To expand the applications and enhance the properties of the nanomaterials, their functionalization and engineering are being performed on a massive scale. The functionalization helps to add to the existing useful properties of the nanomaterials, hence broadening the scope of their utilization. A large class of covalent and non-covalent functionalized nanomaterials (FNMs) including carbons, metal oxides, quantum dots, and composites of these materials with other organic or inorganic materials are being synthesized and used for environmental remediation applications including wastewater treatment. This review summarizes recent advances in the synthesis, reporting techniques, and applications of FNMs in adsorptive and photocatalytic removal of pollutants from wastewater. Future prospects are also examined, along with suggestions for attaining massive benefits in the areas of FNMs.

Fe/Co-MOF Nanocatalysts: Greener Chemistry Approach for the Removal of Toxic Metals and Catalytic Applications

This study describes the preparation of new bimetallic (Fe/Co)-organic framework (Bi-MOF) nanocatalysts with different percentages of iron/cobalt for their use and reuse in adsorption, antibacterial, antioxidant, and catalytic applications following the principles of green chemistry. The prepared catalysts were characterized using several techniques, including X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. These techniques proved the formation of MOFs, and the average crystallite sizes were 25.3-53.1, 27.6-67.2, 3.0-18.9, 3.0-12.9, and 3.0-23.6 nm for the Fe-MOF, Co-MOF, 10%Fe:90%Co-MOF, 50%Fe:50%Co-MOF, and 90%Fe:10%Co-MOF samples, respectively. The nanoscale (Fe/Co) Bi-MOF catalysts as efficient heterogeneous solid catalysts showed high catalytic activity with excellent yields and short reaction times in the catalytic reactions of quinoxaline and dibenzoxanthene compounds, in addition to their antioxidant and antibacterial activities. Furthermore, the nanoscale (Fe/Co) Bi-MOF catalysts efficiently removed toxic metal pollutants (Pb²⁺, Hg²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Cu²⁺) from aqueous solutions with high adsorption capacity.

Removal of inorganic toxic contaminants from wastewater using sustainable biomass: A review

Lignocellulosic biomass is most abundant, ecofriendly and sustainable material on this green planet which has received great attention due to exhaustion of petroleum reserves and various environmental complications. Due to its abundance and sustainability, it has been opted in number of advanced applications i.e. synthesis of green chemicals, biofuels, paper, packaging, biocomposite and for discharge of toxic contaminants from wastewaters. Utilization of sustainable biomass for removal of toxic pollutants from wastewater is robust technique due to its low-cost and easy availability. In this review, we have summarized removal of inorganic pollutants by sustainable lignocellulosic biomass in their natural as well as in chemically functionalized form. Various techniques for modification of sustainable biomass have been discussed and it was found that modified biomass showed better biosorption ability as compared to natural biomass. We conclude that modified biomass biosorbents are useful for removal of toxic inorganic pollutants to deficient levels. Several modification strategies can improve the qualities of biosorbent, however grafting is the most successful among them, as demonstrated in this work. The numerous grafting methods using a free radical grafting process are also summarized in this review article. This review also gathers studies comparing sorption capabilities with and without modification using modified and unmodified biosorbents. Chemically modified cellulosic biomass is favoured over untreated biomass because it has a higher adsorption efficiency, which is favoured by a large number of reactive binding sites, improved ion-exchange characteristics, and more functional groups available after modification.

Progress in surface-modified silicas for Cr(VI) adsorption: A review

Various toxic chemicals are discharging to the environment due to rapid industrialization and polluting soil, water, and air causing numerous diseases including life-threatening cancer. Among these pollutants, Cr(VI) or hexavalent chromium is one of the most carcinogenic and toxic contaminants hostile to human health and other living things. Therefore, along with other contaminants, the removal of Cr(VI) efficiently is very crucial to keep our environment neat and clean. On the other hand, silica has a lot of room to modify its surfaces as it is available with various sizes, shapes, pore sizes, surface areas etc. and the surface silanol groups are susceptible to design and prepare adsorbents for Cr(VI). This review emphases on the progress in the development of different types of silica-based adsorbents by modifying the surfaces of silica and their application for the removal of Cr(VI) from wastewater. Toxicity of Cr(VI), different silica surface modification processes, and removal techniques are also highlighted. The adsorption capacities of the surface-modified silica materials with other parameters are discussed extensively to understand how to select the best condition, silica and modifiers to achieve optimum removal performance. The adsorption mechanisms of various adsorbents are also discussed. Finally, future prospects are summarized and some suggestions are given to enhance the adsorption capacities of the surface-modified silica materials.

Efficient Removal of Chromium(VI) Anionic Species and Dye Anions from Water Using MOF-808 Materials Synthesized with the Assistance of Formic Acid

This study presents a simple approach to prepare MOF-808, an ultra-stable Zr-MOF constructed from 6-connected zirconium clusters and 1,3,5-benzene tricarboxylic acid, with tailored particle sizes. Varying the amount of formic acid as a modulator in the range of 200-500 equivalents results in MOF-808 materials with a crystal size from 40 nm to approximately 1000 nm. Apart from the high specific surface area, a combination of a fraction of mesopore and plenty of acidic centers on the Zr-clusters induces a better interaction with the ionic pollutants such as K2Cr2O7 and anionic dyes. MOF-808 shows uptakes of up to 141.2, 642.0, and 731.0 mg/g for K2Cr2O7, sunset yellow, and quinoline yellow, respectively, in aqueous solutions at ambient conditions. The uptakes for the ionic dyes are significantly higher than those of other MOFs reported from the literature. Moreover, the adsorption capacity of MOF-808 remains stable after four cycles. Our results demonstrate that MOF-808 is a promising ideal platform for removing oxometallates and anionic dyes from water.

Efficient removal of chromate ions from aqueous solution using a highly cost-effective ferric coordinated [3-(2-aminoethylamino)propyl]trimethoxysilane-MCM-41 adsorbent

The present investigation involves synthesis and characterization of MCM-41-AEAPTMS-Fe(iii)Cl using coordinated Fe(iii) on MCM-41-AEAPTMS for efficient removal of hazardous Cr(vi) ions from aqueous solution. The adsorbent MCM-41-AEAPTMS-Fe(iii)Cl was characterized using small-angle X-ray diffraction (SAX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface analyzer techniques. The BET surface area was found to be 87.598 m2 g-1. The MCM-41-AEAPTMS-Fe(iii)Cl effectively adsorbs Cr(vi) with an adsorption capacity acquiring the maximum value of 84.9 mg g-1 at pH 3 at 298 K. The data followed pseudo-second-order kinetics and obeyed the Langmuir isotherm model. The thermodynamic data proved the exothermic and spontaneous nature of Cr(vi) ion adsorption on MCM-41-AEAPTMS-Fe(iii). Further, the higher value of ΔH° (-64.339 kJ mol-1) indicated that the adsorption was chemisorption in nature.

Modeling and optimizing parameters affecting hexavalent chromium adsorption from aqueous solutions using Ti-XAD7 nanocomposite: RSM-CCD approach, kinetic, and isotherm studies

BACKGROUND

Due to the high toxicity of chromium, particularly as Hexavalent chromium Cr (VI), it is removed from industrial effluents before their discharge into the environment by a variety of methods, including loading catalysts onto the polymeric supports. This study focused on the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions using Amberlite XAD7 resin loaded titanium dioxide (Ti-XAD7).

METHODS

Ti-XAD7 was synthesized using Amberlite XAD-7 impregnated with titanium tetraethoxide. The prepared Ti-XAD7 was characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Isotherms and kinetic studies were carried out to describe the adsorption behavior of adsorbent for the removal of Cr(VI) ions. Quadratic models considering independent variables, i.e. the initial Cr(VI) concentration, adsorbent dosage, time, and pH, were evaluated and optimized to describe the behavior of Cr(VI) adsorption onto the Ti-XAD7 using RSM based on a Five-level-four-factor CCD approach.

RESULTS

The accuracy and the fitting of the model were evaluated by ANOVA with R² > 0.725 and P value = 5.221 × 10^-5. The optimum conditions for the adsorption process were an initial Cr(VI) concentration 2750 ppb, contact time of 51.53 min, pH of 8.7, and Ti-XAD7 dosage of 5.05 g/L. The results revealed that the Langmuir and Sips isotherm models with R² = 0.998 and 0.999 were the best models fitting the experimental data. The adsorption capacity of Ti-XAD7 and R_L constant were 2.73 mg/g and 0.063-0.076 based on the Langmuir isotherm, respectively. Kinetic studies also indicated that the adsorption behavior of Cr(VI) was acceptably explained by the Elovich kinetic model with a good fitting (R² = 0.97).

CONCLUSIONS

Comparison of the Ti-XAD7 and XAD7 yield in chromium adsorption showed that modified XAD7 had higher removal efficiency (about 98%) compared to XAD7 alone.

Aromatic amines equilibrium sorptive interaction with synthesized silica based mesoporous MCM-41: Physicochemical evaluation and isotherm modeling

Present study reports the adsorption of aromatic amine, 4-chloro-o-toluidine (4-COT), onto synthesized mesoporous Mobil Composition of Matter No. 41 (MCM-41) silica nanoparticles, in batch mode. Synthesized MCM-41 was characterized by XRD, BET, FTIR, SEM and TEM analysis. The effects of pH, MCM-41 dose, 4-COT concentration, contact time and temperature were studied, and interaction of 4-COT with the surface of MCM-41 and adsorption process controlling mechanism were investigated. BET analysis of MCM-41 showed 502.77 m² g^-1 of surface area. Kinetic experimental data were well represented by the pseudo-second order kinetic model. Freundlich and Temkin isotherm models well represented the adsorption equilibrium isotherm data.

Amino-modified molecular sieves for adsorptive removal of H2S from natural gas

Amine-modified MCM-41 adsorbents (APTMS/MCM-41, PEI/MCM-41 and AAPTS/MCM-41) were prepared and characterized by XRD, N2 adsorption-desorption, FT-IR, TEM, SEM and TG-DTA. The performance of each adsorbent in a fixed adsorption bed for H2S removal was measured using a mixture of oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen sulfide gases. It was found that the specific surface area decreased and the topography changed significantly after the use of each modified adsorbent. Nevertheless, all amine-modified MCM-41 adsorbents retained mesoporous silica of MCM-41. The H2S removal rate and saturated H2S capacity of APTMS/MCM-41 improved from 32.3% to 54.2% and 119.5 to 134.4 mg g-1, respectively, compared with that of MCM-41, and it showed the best performance among all adsorbents. APTMS/MCM-41, PEI/MCM-41 and AAPTS/MCM-41 were regenerated by maintaining at 423, 523 and 373 K in nitrogen for 3 h, respectively, and thus possessed high regenerability.

Recycling Spent Cr Adsorbents as Catalyst for Eliminating Methylmercaptan

Waste adsorbents generated from treating Cr(VI)-containing wastewater are hazardous materials and generally landfilled or treated by acid or base desorption, with concomitant high cost and toxic effects. The present work shows that these Cr adsorbents can be reused as highly efficient catalysts for treating sulfur-containing VOCs (CH₃SH), not only avoiding the economic and environmental impact from the conventional approaches, but also achieving the efficient treatment of sulfur-containing waste gas. Importantly, these reused Cr adsorbents exhibit enhanced activity and stability compared with the catalysts reported elsewhere, indicating a new avenue of green chemistry. The highly toxic adsorbed Cr(VI) species are reduced to a Cr₂O₃ crystalline phase by calcination and finally immobilized as a Cr₂S₃ solid phase while converting and eliminating CH₃SH. Still, the presence of Cr(VI) species on the reused Cr adsorbent provides enough reactive sites for reaction, but high concentration of Cr(VI) species causes serious accumulation of coke deposit on the catalyst, leading to fast deactivation of the catalyst.

Adsorption and reduction of hexavalent chromium on magnetic greigite (Fe3S4)-CTAB: leading role of Fe(ii) and S(−ii)

In this study, a facile one-step route was used to synthesize a novel magnetic mesoporous greigite (Fe₃S₄)-CTAB composite, which was utilized to remove hexavalent chromium (Cr(vi)). The optimized Fe₃S₄-CTAB_0.75 composite with a CTAB dosage of 0.75 g possessed the maximum specific surface, showing the highest Cr(vi) adsorption capacity of 330.03 mg g⁻¹. The mechanism analysis revealed that Fe(ii) and S(−ii) were critical for the reduction of Cr(vi). CTAB can promote the removal of Cr(vi) by Fe₃S₄-CTAB composites, possibly due to increased S(−ii) concentration, better dispersion of nanoparticles, and greater zeta potential. Besides, there is mild effect of Fe⁰ on Cr(vi) removal, which is confirmed by the disappearance of the Fe⁰ peak from the XPS analysis. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model could explain the Cr(vi) removal processes well. The adsorption of Cr(vi) at different initial concentrations was more consistent with a Langmuir isotherm. The existence of H⁺ was beneficial for Cr(vi) removal by Fe₃S₄-CTAB_0.75. Our work confirmed that the obtained Fe₃S₄-CTAB_0.75 composites exhibit considerable potential for Cr(vi) removal from aqueous solution.

The presence of CTAB can promote the removal of hexavalent chromium from the Fe₃S₄-CTAB surface.

Study on thermal, mechanical and adsorption properties of amine-functionalized MCM-41/PMMA and MCM-41/PS nanocomposites prepared by ultrasonic irradiation

In this study, two common industrial polymers, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and polystyrene (PS), were incorporated into amine-functionalized MCM-41 mesoporous silica as reinforcement agents via an ultrasonic assisted method as a facile, fast, eco-friendly, and versatile synthetic tool. Amino functionalization of MCM-41 were performed by 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane as a coupling agent and it is denoted as APTS-MCM-41. The obtained nanocomposites (NCs), APTS-MCM-41/PMMA and APTS-MCM-41/PS, were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning and transmission electron microscopies (SEM and TEM), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Their mechanical properties were also probed via stress-strain curves and improved tensile properties were observed in the NCs relative to the neat polymers. Additionally, APTS-MCM-41/PMMA exhibited better mechanical properties than APTS-MCM-41/PS. Sorption studies were carried out on the two NCs and the effect of different process parameters, namely, pH, contact time, and initial Cd(II) concentration investigated in batch mode. Pseudo-second order and intraparticle diffusion models explain the Cd(II) kinetics more effectively for APTS-MCM-41/PMMA and APTS-MCM-41/PS, respectively. The adsorption isotherm data fitted well to Langmuir isotherm for both NCs and the maximum monolayer adsorption capacities were found to be 24.75mg/g and 10.42mg/g for APTS-MCM-41/PMMA and APTS-MCM-41/PS, respectively. The results demonstrate that the NCs show potential for use in adsorption of heavy metal ion such as Cd(II) from aqueous media.

Treatment of model and galvanic waste solutions of copper(II) ions using a lignin/inorganic oxide hybrid as an effective sorbent

A study was made concerning the removal of copper(II) ions from model and galvanic waste solutions using a new sorption material consisting of lignin in combination with an inorganic oxide system. Specific physicochemical properties of the material resulted from combining the activity of the functional groups present in the structure of lignin with the high surface area of the synthesized oxide system (585m²/g). Analysis of the porous structure parameters, particle size and morphology, elemental composition and characteristic functional groups confirmed the effective synthesis of the new type of sorbent. A key element of the study was a series of tests of adsorption of copper(II) ions from model solutions. It was determined how the efficiency of the adsorption process was affected by the process time, mass of sorbent, concentration of adsorbate, pH and temperature. Potential regeneration of adsorbent, which provides the possibility of its reusing and recovering the adsorbed copper, was also analyzed. The sorption capacity of the material was measured (83.98mg/g), and the entire process was described using appropriate kinetic models. The results were applied to the design of a further series of adsorption tests, carried out on solutions of real sewage from a galvanizing plant.

Review on nanoadsorbents: a solution for heavy metal removal from wastewater

Elimination of heavy metals from contaminated streams is of prime concern due to their ability to cause toxic chaos with the metabolism of flora and fauna alike. Use of advanced nano-engineered technologies such as the innovative combination of surface chemistry, chemical engineering fundamentals and nanotechnology opens up particularly attractive horizons towards treatment of heavy metal contaminated water resources. The obtained product of surface engineered nanoadsorbent produced has successfully proven to show rapid adsorption rate and superior sorption efficiency towards the removal of a wide range of defiant heavy metal contaminants in wastewater. The use of these materials in water treatment results in markedly improved performance features like large surface area, good volumetric potential, extra shelf-lifetime, less mechanical stress, stability under operational conditions with excellent sorption behaviour, no secondary pollution, strong chelating capabilities and they are easy to recover and reuse. This review intends to serve as a one-stop-reference by bringing together all the recent research works on nanoparticles synthesis and its advantages as adsorbents in the treatment of heavy metal polluted wastewater that have so far been undertaken, thereby providing researchers with a deep insight and bridging the gap between past, present and future of the elegant nanosorbents.

One-pot synthesis of Mn-doped TiO2 grown on graphene and the mechanism for removal of Cr(VI) and Cr(III)

Mn-doped TiO2 grown on reduced graphene oxide(rGO) was synthesized by one-pot hydrothermal method and the photocatalytic removal of Cr by the material was investigated under sunlight. The materials were characterized by a combination of scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method, UV-vis diffuse reflectance spectra, photoluminescence spectra, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Cr(total) removal efficiency of the material is 97.32% in 30min and 99.02% in 60min under sunlight irradiation, as the initial concentration of Cr(VI) is 20mg/L. The high photocatalytic activity under visible light is considered mainly due to the Mn-doping, and rGO plays an important role in the synergetic effect of adsorption and photocatalysis to sustain the high efficient removal of Cr(VI) and Cr(III). Cr(VI) adsorbed on the surface of rGO is reduced to Cr(III) by photo electrons which are transported through rGO, and the reaction product Cr(III) continues to be adsorbed. The process contributes to the release of abundant photocatalytic sites of Mn-TiO2 and improves photocatalytic efficiency. The excellent adsorption and photocatalytic effect with the explanation of the synergetic mechanism are very useful not only for fundamental research but also for the potential practical applications.

Selective reduction of Cr(VI) in chromium, copper and arsenic (CCA) mixed waste streams using UV/TiO2 photocatalysis

The highly toxic Cr(VI) is a critical component in the Chromated Copper Arsenate (CCA) formulations extensively employed as wood preservatives. Remediation of CCA mixed waste and discarded treated wood products is a significant challenge. We demonstrate that UV/TiO₂ photocatalysis effectively reduces Cr(VI) to less toxic Cr(III) in the presence of arsenate, As(V), and copper, Cu(II). The rapid conversion of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) during UV/TiO₂ photocatalysis occurs over a range of concentrations, solution pH and at different Cr:As:Cu ratios. The reduction follows pseudo-first order kinetics and increases with decreasing solution pH. Saturation of the reaction solution with argon during UV/TiO₂ photocatalysis had no significant effect on the Cr(VI) reduction demonstrating the reduction of Cr(VI) is independent of dissolved oxygen. Reduction of Cu(II) and As(V) does not occur under the photocatalytic conditions employed herein and the presence of these two in the tertiary mixtures had a minimal effect on Cr(VI) reduction. The Cr(VI) reduction was however, significantly enhanced by the addition of formic acid, which can act as a hole scavenger and enhance the reduction processes initiated by the conduction band electron. Our results demonstrate UV/TiO₂ photocatalysis effectively reduces Cr(VI) in mixed waste streams under a variety of conditions.

Temperature based adsorption studies of Cr(vi) using p-toluidine formaldehyde resin coated silica material

A PTFR coated silica material was developed, characterised and applied for the treatment of hexavalent chromium.

Controllable synthesis of hierarchical mesoporous/microporous nitrogen-rich polymer networks for CO2 and Cr(vi) ion adsorption

A facile and scalable one-pot approach has been developed for the preparation of hierarchical meso- and microporous nitrogen-rich polymer networks by sol–gel polymerization of melamine, resorcinol and terephthaldehyde.

Synthesis, characterization, and mercury adsorption properties of hybrid mesoporous aluminosilicate sieve prepared with fly ash

A novel hybrid mesoporous aluminosilicate sieve (HMAS) was prepared with fly ash and impregnated with zeolite A precursors. This improved the mercury adsorption of HMAS compared to original MCM-41. The HMAS was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), nitrogen adsorption-desorption, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images and ²⁹Si and ²⁷Al magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR) spectra. These showed that the HMAS structure was still retained after impregnated with zeolite A. But the surface area and pore diameter of HMAS decreased due to pore blockage. Adsorption of mercury from aqueous solution was studied on untreated MCM-41and HMAS. The mercury adsorption rate of HMAS was higher than that of origin MCM-41. The adsorption of mercury was investigated on HMAS regarding the pH of mercury solution, initial mercury concentration, and the reaction temperature. The experimental data fit well to Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The Dublin-Radushkevich isotherm and the characterization show that the mercury adsorption on HMAS involved the ion-exchange mechanisms. In addition, the thermodynamic parameters suggest that the adsorption process was endothermic in nature. The adsorption of mercury on HMAS followed the first order kinetics.