Synthesis and characterization of halloysite/graphene quantum dots magnetic nanocomposite as a new adsorbent for Pb(II) removal from water

A Review on the Applications of Quantum Dots in Sample Preparation

In recent years, despite significant advances in preconcentration and preparation techniques that have led to efficient recovery and accurate measurement of target compounds. There is still a need to develop adsorbents with unique and efficient features such as high pore volume and surface area, reactivity, easy synthesis, low toxicity, and compatibility with the environment, which increase the adsorption capacity and increase extraction efficiency. Semiconductor nanocrystals called quantum dots (QDs) with a size of less than 10 nm are three-dimensional nanoparticles with a spherical, rod, or disc structure that have significant potential in extraction as adsorbents due to their excellent properties such as low toxicity, reactivity, environmental friendliness, and hydrophilic and hydrophobic interactions. One of the most basic issues in the development of adsorbents is to increase the effective surface and, as a result, their extraction efficiency. QDs, having an effective surface much higher than conventional nanomaterials, are a suitable option for extracting target compounds in different environments. This work comprehensively reviews QD-based extraction methods and surface modification strategies of QDs based on functional groups, ligands, and materials from 2013 to 2024. In addition, the applications of QD-based composites for the extraction of organic and inorganic analytes (residues of drugs in human blood and plasma, toxins, pesticides, pollutants from chemical industries, heavy metals, etc.) in different matrices are investigated.

​Statistical-based optimization and mechanism assessments of Arsenic (III)​ adsorption by ZnO-Halloysite nanocomposite​

Arsenic contamination in aqueous media is a serious environmental problem, especially in developing countries. In this research, the Box-Behnken response surface methodology was used to optimize the most relevant variables affecting arsenic adsorption on the ZnO-halloysite surface, including temperature, adsorbent dosage, pH, contact time, and As (III) initial concentration. The regression analysis indicated that the experimental data were appropriately fitted to a quadratic model with the adjusted R-squared value (R2) of 0.982 for As(III) adsorption capacity and a linear model with R2 of 0.931 for As(III) removal. The p-values for both adsorption capacity and removal efficiency were below 0.05, with F-values of 116.91 and 115.58, respectively, supporting the model's validity. The optimum conditions for maximum removal of As(III) were determined through numerical and graphical optimization using the desirability function. It was found that the optimum conditions for adsorption were pH = 7.99, contact time of 3.99 h, As(III) initial concentration of 49.96 mg/L, and adsorbent dosage of 0.135 g/40 ml. The accuracy of the optimization procedure was confirmed by a confirmatory experiment, which showed a maximum arsenic removal of 91.31% and an adsorption capacity of 12.63 mg/g under optimized conditions. Moreover, XPS analysis was performed at different pH levels to investigate the As (III) adsorption mechanism. The results demonstrated that As(III) adsorption occurs at acidic and neutral pH levels. On the other hand, when pH is increased to 8, As (III) oxidizes to As (V), and then adsorption occurs.

Carbon and graphene quantum dots based architectonics for efficient aqueous decontamination by adsorption chromatography technique - Current state and prospects

Aquatic ecosystems and potable water are being exploited and depleted due to urbanization and the encouragement of extensive industrialization, which induces the scarcity of pure water. However, current decontamination methods are limited and inefficient. Various innovative remediation strategies with novel nanomaterials have recently been demonstrated for wastewater treatment. Carbon dots (C-dots) and graphene quantum dots (GQ-dots) are the most recent frontiers in carbon nanomaterial-based adsorption studies. C-dots are extremely small (1-10 nm) quasi-spherical carbon nanoparticles (mostly sp3 hybridized carbon), whereas GQ-dots are fragments of graphene (1-20 nm) composed of primarily sp2 hybridized carbon. This article highlights the function of C-dots and GQ-dots with their specifications and characteristics for the efficient removal of organic and inorganic contaminants in water via adsorption chromatography. The alteration of adsorption attributes with the hybrid blending of these dots has been critically analyzed. Moreover, various top-down and bottom-up approaches for synthesizing C-dots and GQ-dots, which ultimately affect their morphology and structure, are described in detail. Finally, we review the research deficit in the adsorption of diverse pollutants, fabrication challenges, low molecular weight, self-agglomeration, and the future of the dots by providing research prospects and selectivity and sensitivity perspectives, the importance of post-adsorption optimization strategies and the path toward scalability at the tail of the article.

Novel chitosan/citric acid modified pistachio shell/halloysite nanotubes cross-linked by glutaraldehyde biocomposite beads applied to methylene blue removal

In this study, Cht/PS-CA/HNT biocomposite adsorbent was synthesized using halloysite nanotube as nanomaterial, chitosan which is a biodegradable and biocompatible biopolymer, pistachio shell as biomass source, citric acid as biomass modifier. The removal of methylene blue dyestuff on the synthesized new Cht/PS-CA/HNT from the aqueous medium by adsorption method was investigated. Experimental parameters such as dye concentration, contact time, amount of adsorbent, solution pH and temperature, which affect the adsorption process, were investigated. The adsorption experimental data were analyzed with the Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherms, which are widely used in aqueous solutions, and it was decided that Langmuir is the most suitable isotherm. The maximum adsorption capacity of the monolayer was calculated to be 111.14 mg/g. Optimum contact time and adsorbent dose were determined as 90 min and 1 g/L. Adsorption experimental data were applied for Pseudo-first-order and Pseudo-second-order kinetic models and it was decided that the most suitable kinetic model was pseudo-second-order. Thermodynamic evaluation of adsorption showed that adsorption is endothermic and adsorption is spontaneous.

Nanotechnology- A ray of hope for heavy metals removal

Environmental effects of heavy metal pollution are considered as a widespread problem throughout the world, as it jeopardizes human health and also reduces the sustainability of a cleaner environment. Removal of such noxious pollutants from wastewater is pivotal because it provides a propitious solution for a cleaner environment and water scarcity. Adsorption treatment plays a significant role in water remediation due to its potent treatment and low cost of adsorbents. In the last two decades, researchers have been highly focused on the modification of adsorption treatment by functionalized and surface-modified nanomaterials which has spurred intense research. The characteristics of nano adsorbents attract global scientists as it is also economically viable. This review shines its light on the functionalized nanomaterials application for heavy metals removal from wastewater and also highlights the importance of regeneration of nanomaterials in the view of visualizing the economic aspects along with a cleaner environment. The review also focused on the proper disposal of nanomaterials with crucial issues that persist in the adsorption process and also emphasize future research modification at a large-scale application in industries.

Simultaneous removal of arsenate and arsenite in water using a novel functional halloysite nanotube composite

This work aims at exploring a novel environment-friendly nanomaterial based on natural clay minerals for arsenic removal in aqueous samples. Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were selected as the substrate with Mn oxides loaded on the surface to enhance its arsenic adsorption ability and then grafted onto the SiO₂-coated Fe₃O₄ microsphere to get a just enough magnetic performance facilitating the material's post-treatment. The prepared composite (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@Mn-HNTs) was extensively characterized by various instruments including Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), transmission electron microscope (TEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TG), vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscope (XPS), and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Batch experiments were carried out to get the optimum test conditions for arsenic adsorption by the composite, including pH, loading amount of Mn oxides, adsorbent dosage, and the co-existing ions. The adsorption of As^III and As^V on Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@Mn-HNTs were both well fitted with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model as well as the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model revealing the chemisorption between arsenic and Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@Mn-HNTs. The adsorption process of As^III and As^V were both endothermic and spontaneous displayed by the thermodynamic study. The capacities of the prepared composite are 3.28 mg g^-1 for As^III and 3.52 mg g^-1 for As^V, respectively, which are comparable or better than those of many reported materials in the references. Toxicity characteristic leaching procedure (TCLP) and synthetic precipitation leaching procedure (SPLP) tests were carried out to access the secondary environmental risk of the composite and showed that it was quite environmentally stable and can be safely disposed. The composite was successfully applied in environmental water samples indicating its great potential applicability in future.

Recent Advances in the Synthesis, Characterization, and Application of Carbon Nanomaterials for the Removal of Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals: A Review

The large-scale production and frequent use of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have led to the continuous release and wide distribution of these pollutions in the natural environment. At low levels, EDC exposure may cause metabolic disorders, sexual development, and reproductive disorders in aquatic animals and humans. Adsorption treatment, particularly using nanocomposites, may represent a promising and sustainable method for EDC removal from wastewater. EDCs could be effectively removed from wastewater using various carbon-based nanomaterials, such as carbon nanofiber, carbon nanotubes, graphene, magnetic carbon nanomaterials, carbon membranes, carbon dots, carbon sponges, etc. Important applications of carbon nanocomposites for the removal of different kinds of EDCs and the theory of adsorption are discussed, as well as recent advances in carbon nanocomposite synthesis technology and characterization technology. Furthermore, the factors affecting the use of carbon nanocomposites and comparisons with other adsorbents for EDC removal are reviewed. This review is significant because it helps to promote the development of nanocomposites for the decontamination of 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.

Performance of novel GO-Gly/HNTs and GO-GG/HNTs nanocomposites for removal of Pb(II) from water: optimization based on the RSM-CCD model

For the first time, in this study, two novel glycogen-graphene oxide/halloysite nanotubes (GO-Gly/HNTs) and guar gum-graphene oxide/halloysite nanotubes (GO-GG/HNTs) nanocomposites were synthesized as the adsorbents for removal of Pb(II) from water, and the ionic liquid was used in the synthesis as a green solvent. According to the SEM, TEM, EDS, BET, zeta potential, FTIR, and XRD results, GO-Gly/HNTs and GO-GG/HNTs were synthesized successfully. Response surface methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize the experimental conditions. Nanocomposites followed the Langmuir equilibrium model and were best fitted to the pseudo-second-order model. According to the thermodynamic model, the adsorption process was endothermic. Due to several features, these two novel nanocomposites can be considered the proper candidate for Pb(II) removal from water and wastewater. First, these nanocomposites have good adsorption capacity for Pb(II) removal, which is 219 mg/g for GO-Gly/HNTs and 315 mg/g for GO-GG/HNTs. Moreover, nanocomposites can be recycled with proper adsorption capacity after four repeated cycles. These materials can be used to remove Pb(II) from water in the presence of other contaminants because nanocomposites have selective tendency toward Pb(II) in the presence of other pollutants such as Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Cr²⁺, and Co²⁺. In addition, the presence of Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, Na⁺, and K⁺ improve Pb(II) removal. Finally, possible mechanisms for each nanocomposite were represented.