Highly efficient simultaneous ultrasonic-assisted adsorption of Pb(II), Cd(II), Ni(II) and Cu (II) ions from aqueous solutions by graphene oxide modified with 2,2'-dipyridylamine: Central composite design optimization

Recent Progress on the Adsorption of Heavy Metal Ions Pb(II) and Cu(II) from Wastewater

With the processes of industrialization and urbanization, heavy metal ion pollution has become a thorny problem in water systems. Among the various technologies developed for the removal of heavy metal ions, the adsorption method is widely studied by researchers and various nanomaterials with good adsorption performances have been prepared during the past decades. In this paper, a variety of novel nanomaterials with excellent adsorption performances for Pb(II) and Cu(II) reported in recent years are reviewed, such as carbon-based materials, clay mineral materials, zero-valent iron and their derivatives, MOFs, nanocomposites, etc. The novel nanomaterials with extremely high adsorption capacity, selectivity and particular nanostructures are summarized and introduced, along with their advantages and disadvantages. And, some future research priorities for the treatment of wastewater are also prospected.

Pollutants in aquatic system: a frontier perspective of emerging threat and strategies to solve the crisis for safe drinking water

Water is an indispensable natural resource and is the most vital substance for the existence of life on earth. However, due to anthropogenic activities, it is being polluted at an alarming rate which has led to serious concern about water shortage across the world. Moreover, toxic contaminants released into water bodies from various industrial and domestic activities negatively affect aquatic and terrestrial organisms and cause serious diseases such as cancer, renal problems, gastroenteritis, diarrhea, and nausea in humans. Therefore, water treatments that can eliminate toxins are very crucial. Unfortunately, pollution treatment remains a difficulty when four broad considerations are taken into account: effectiveness, reusability, environmental friendliness, and affordability. In this situation, protecting water from contamination or creating affordable remedial techniques has become a serious issue. Although traditional wastewater treatment technologies have existed since antiquity, they are both expensive and inefficient. Nowadays, advanced sustainable technical approaches are being created to replace traditional wastewater treatment processes. The present study reviews the sources, toxicity, and possible remediation techniques of the water contaminants.

Construction of an optical sensor for copper determination in environmental, food, and biological samples based on the covalently immobilized 2-(2-benzothiazolylazo)-3-hydroxyphenol in agarose

An optical chemical sensor has been developed for the quantitative spectrophotometric analysis of copper. The optode is dependent on covalent immobilization of 2-(2-benzothiazolylazo)-3-hydroxyphenol (BTAHP) in a transparent agarose membrane. The absorbance variation of immobilized BTAHP on agarose as a film upon the addition of 5 × 10-3 M aqueous solutions of Mn2+, Zn2+, Hg2+, Cd2+, Pb2+, Co2+, Ni2+, Fe2+, La3+, Fe3+, Cr3+, Zr4+, Se4+, Th4+, and UO22+ revealed substantially higher changes in the Cu2+ ion content compared to other ions investigated here. The effects of various experimental parameters, such as the solution pH, the reaction time, and the concentration of reagents, on the quality of Cu2+ sensing were examined. Under ideal experimental circumstances, a linear response was achieved for Cu2+ concentrations ranging from 1.0 × 10-9 to 7.5 × 10-6 M with an R2 value of 0.9988. The detection (3σ) and quantification (10σ) limits of the procedure for Cu2+ analyses were 3.0 × 10-10 and 9.8 × 10-10 M, respectively. No observable interference was recorded in the detection of Cu2+ due to other inorganic cations. With no indication of BTAHP leaching, the membrane demonstrated good durability and quick response times. The optode was effectively used to determine the presence of Cu2+ in environmental water, food, and biological samples.

Synthesis of graphene oxide grafted by diazanyl groups and its application in recovery of lead from lead-acid wastewater

Heavy metal ion (HMI) in wastewater is a kind of resource that is wrongly placed. Recovery of heavy metal from lead-acid wastewater desires efficient and reusable functional materials. In this paper, graphene oxide-like with diazanyl groups (GOLA) was synthesized by a nucleophilic substitution reaction of graphene oxide-like with hydroxyl groups (GOLH) with diazane. GOLA exhibited good stability and recyclability in wastewater. The maximal adsorption capacity (q_max) values of GOLA for Pb(II), Cd(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), and Cr(III) ions were 505.80, 401.99, 83.48, 82.29, and 147.77 mg/g, respectively. The equilibrium time of GOLA adsorbing HMIs was 20 min. GOLA was employed to recover lead ions from lead-acid wastewater to give Pb(OH)₂ and reusable water. Therefore, this paper provides a useful method of recycling lead from lead-acid wastewater.

The impact of co-treatment with graphene oxide and metal mixture on Salmo trutta at early development stages: The sorption capacity and potential toxicity

Graphene oxide (GO) are novel nanomaterials with a wide range of applications due to their high absorption capacity. This study was undertaken with a view to assess the bioaccumulation and acute toxicity of GO used in combination with the heavy metal mixture (Cr, Cu, Ni and Zn) to fish embryos and larvae. For this purpose, Salmo trutta embryos and larvae were subjected to the 4-day long treatment with three different concentrations of GO, the metal mixture, which was prepared of four metals at the concentrations corresponding to the maximum-permissible-concentrations for EU inland waters (Cr-0.01, Cu-0.01, Ni-0.034, and Zn-0.1 mg/L), and with GO in combination with MIX (GO+MIX). When used in combination with the metal mixture, GO exhibited a high metal sorption capacity. The obtained confocal fluorescence microscopy results showed that GO located in the embryo chorion causing its damage; in larvae, however, GO were found only in the gill region. Results of these experiments confirmed the hypothesis that GO affects the accumulation of metals and mitigates their toxic effects on organism. In embryos, the acute toxicity of exposure to GO and co-exposure to MIX+GO was found to manifest itself through the decreased heart rate (HR) and malondialdehyde (MDA) level and through the increased metallothionein (MT) concentration. Meanwhile, in larvae, GO and MIX+GO were found to induce genotoxicity effects. However, changes in HR, MDA, MT, gill ventilation frequency, yolk sack absorption and cytotoxicity compared with those of the control group were not recorded in larvae. The obtained results confirmed our hypothesis: the combined effect of MIX and GO was less toxic to larvae (especially survival) than individual effects of MIX components. However, our results emphasize that fish exposure to GO alone and in combination with heavy metal contaminants (MIX+GO) even at environmentally relevant concentrations causes health risks that cannot be ignored.

Advances in preparation, mechanism and applications of various carbon materials in environmental applications: A review

Carbon-related materials are now widely investigated in a various industrial field due to their excellent and unique qualities. It must be tailored to the application in such a way that it fits the application. At the same time, it needs to be generated in sufficient quantities for commercial use, and the synthesis method is the major sticking point here. Because most new materials are discovered by chance, the synthesis process described here may not be the most effective way to create them. The research is merely a steppingstone to discovering a different approach, and it will continue until the substance is no longer being used. If you're developing materials for any purpose, synthesis processes are essential. Fullerene, carbon nanotubes (CNT), graphene, and MXene are only a few of the carbon-based compounds discussed in this overview study, which also gives a brief prognosis on the materials future. Furthermore, the environmental application of these carbon materials was discussed and commented.

In-situ hydrothermal synthesis of CNT decorated by nano ZnS/CuO for simultaneous removal of acid food dyes from binary water samples

The zinc sulfide/copper oxide–carbon nanotube nanocomposite (ZnS/CuO-CNT) was fabricated by using an in-situ hydrothermal synthesis method and was used for simultaneous ultrasound-assisted adsorptive removal of a binary mixture of ponceau 4R (P4R) and tartrazine (TA) acid food dyes from contaminated water. The as-synthesized ZnS/CuO-CNT was described by FESEM, XRD, FTIR, BET, and zeta potential analysis. The results included nested network morphology, high purity with the crystalline structure, oxygen-containing functional groups, mesoporous/micropores texture with cumulate interspace, specific surface area of 106.54 m² g^-1, and zero-point charge (pH_zpc) of 5.3. In adsorption experiments, the simultaneous effect of main independent variables, including solution pH, adsorbent dosage, concentration of each dye, temperature, and sonication time on the removal efficiency of dyes was studied systematically using the central composite design (CCD) method based on response surface methodology (RSM). Also, the second-order multivariate equation was presented to determine the relationship between the removal efficiencies of P4R and AT dyes and six independent effective variables. The high correlation coefficient (R² ≥ 0.99), significant p-value (P < 0.0001), and non-significant lack-of-fit (P > 0.05) showed the high accuracy, and validity of the proposed model to predict the removal efficiency of P4R and TA acid food dyes. The experimental removal efficiency for P4R and TA dyes was found to be 98.45 ± 2.54, and 99.21 ± 2.23, respectively. Also, the Langmuir maximum adsorption capacity for P4R and TA dyes was determined to be 190.1 mg g^-1 and 183.5 mg g^-1, respectively. Finally, the adsorbent's reusability was tested for six periods and could be reused repeatedly without significant reduction in adsorption performance.

Ultrasonic Functionalized Egg Shell Powder for the Adsorption of Cationic Dye: Equilibrium and Kinetic Studies

The present research focuses on synthesizing surface-modified egg shell powders using ultrasonic modification method for the effective adsorption of malachite green dye (MG). The presence of functional groups and surface morphology of ultrasonic-assisted egg shell powder (UAESP) was characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, respectively. A batch adsorption study was performed to predict the optimum conditions, and the results showed that maximum adsorption rate at the solution pH of 8.0 within the interaction time of 90 min, dosage of 1.5 g/L for MG dye concentration of 25 mg/L, and temperature 30°C. The isotherm and kinetics modeling of the present adsorption system can be well described by Freundlich and pseudosecond-order kinetics, respectively. The monolayer adsorption capacity of UAESP for MG dye was originated to be 64.58 mg/g. The results of the thermodynamic study reported that adsorption removal of MG dye onto UAESP was exothermic and spontaneous. This study accredited that UAESP has higher efficiency, cost-effective, and sustainable adsorbent for the removal of hazardous dyes on an industrial level.

Separation of Lead and Copper Ions in Acidic Media Using an Ion-Exchange Resin with a Thiourea Functional Group

This research studied the selective separation of lead and copper ions in acidic solutions using Puromet MTS 9140 resin with a thiourea functional group. The effects of operation parameters, that is, resin dosage, solution pH, ion exchange time, metal concentration, and temperature, on metal ion exchange were investigated using batch-test protocols. Ion-exchange experimental data were analyzed with Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin models. The results demonstrate that the MTS 9140 resin has ion-exchange selectivity for copper ions over lead ions. The ion-exchange recovery of Cu exceeded 95%, while Pb coloading was under 19% with MTS 9140 resin dosage of 0.070 g/mL in the pH range of 2.5 to 4.5. The kinetic studies showed that the ion exchange process could be better described by the pseudo-second-order model for lead and copper ions. The temperature dependence indicates the endothermic nature of the ion-exchange process. The resin also showed potential application as an effective adsorbent for removing heavy metal ions in water or wastewater treatment.

Adsorption performance of activated carbon synthesis by ZnCl2, KOH, H3PO4 with different activation temperatures from mixed fruit seeds

In this study, new activated carbons (ACs) were synthesized from a mixture of lemon and orange seeds (LOS) for toxic metal removal from aqueous solutions. Adsorbents have been produced by chemical activation with different activation agents (with H₃PO₄, ZnCl₂ and KOH) and activation temperature (600°C, 700°C, 800°C). The elemental analysis, FT-IR, XRD and SEM analyses were performed to determine the characterization of the ACs. A series of batch adsorption experiments were done to research the influence of various parameters such as pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time, temperature, the complexing agents on the toxic metal ions (Cu(II), Cr(III) and Ni(II)) removal capacity of ACs. Adsorption equilibration time was 60 min, the adsorption capacity was 118.02 mg/g for Ni(II) ions, 146.03 mg/g for Cr(III) ions and 150.45 mg/g for Cu(II) ions. The adsorption of toxic metal ions was observed as a maximum at pH = 5 on AC-ZnCl₂ (600°C) produced under N₂ atmosphere. The adsorption process was fitted with a Langmuir isotherm model and a pseudo-second-order kinetic equation, showing the metal ions adsorption on AC was monolayer coverage. Thermodynamic studies show that the adsorption is endothermic and spontaneous in nature. AC produced from the LOS mixture has not been encountered in the literature. A simple, easy-to-apply method has been developed for a new adsorbent prepared from a mixture of LOS with environmentally friendly, easy to produce, reusable, cost-effective, non-toxic and with good adsorption-desorption capacity. Therefore, this study will contribute to the world economy in terms of environmental and wastewater cleaning.

A Novel Coordination Polymer as Adsorbent Used to Remove Hg(II) and Pb(II) from Water with Different Adsorption Mechanisms

Under the hydrothermal condition, a new type of two-dimensional coordination polymer ([Cd(D-Cam)(3-bpdb)]_n, Cd-CP) has been constructed. It is composed of D-(+)-Camphoric-Cd(II) (D-cam-Cd(II)) one-dimensional chain and bridging 1,4-bis(3-pyridyl)-2,3-diaza-1,3-butadiene (3-bpdb) ligands. Cd-CP has a good removal effect for Hg(II) and Pb(II), and the maximum adsorption capacity is 545 and 450 mg/g, respectively. Interestingly, thermodynamic studies have shown that the adsorption processes of Hg(II) and Pb(II) on Cd-CP use completely different thermodynamic mechanisms, in which the adsorption of Hg(II) is due to a strong electrostatic interaction with Cd-CP, while that of Pb(II) is through a weak coordination with Cd-CP. Moreover, Cd-CP has a higher affinity for Hg(II), and when Hg(II) and Pb(II) coexist, Cd-CP preferentially adsorbs Hg(II).

Triazine-Based Functionalized Activated Carbon Prepared from Water Hyacinth for the Removal of Hg2+, Pb2+, and Cd2+ Ions from Water

A novel chelating adsorbent, based on the functionalization of activated carbon (AC) derived from water hyacinth (WH) with melamine thiourea (MT) to form melamine thiourea-modified activated carbon (MT-MAC), is used for the effective removal of Hg2+, Pb2+, and Cd2+ from aqueous solution. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) theory confirm the successful functionalization of AC with the melamine thiourea chelating ligand through the amidation reaction between the carboxyl groups of oxidized activated carbon (OAC) and the amino groups of melamine thiourea (MT) in the presence of dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) as a coupling agent. The prepared MT-MAC exhibited extensive potential for the adsorption of the toxic metal ions Hg2+, Pb2+, and Cd2+ from wastewater. The MT-MAC showed high capacities for the adsorption of Hg2+ (292.6 mg·g-1), Pb2+ (237.4 mg·g-1), and Cd2+ (97.9 mg·g-1) from aqueous solution. Additionally, 100% removal efficiency of Hg2+ at pH 5.5 was observed at very low initial concentrations (25-1000 ppb).The experimental sorption data could be fitted well with the Langmuir isotherm model, suggesting a monolayer adsorption behavior. The kinetic data of the chemisorption mechanism realized by the melamine thiourea groups grafted onto the activated carbon surface have a perfect match with the pseudo-second-order (PSO) kinetic model. In a mixed solution of metal ions containing 50 ppm of each ion, MT-MAC showed a removal of 97.0% Hg2+, 68% Pb2+, 45.0% Cd2+, 17.0% Cu2+, 7.0% Ni2+, and 5.0% Zn2+. Consequently, MT-MAC has exceptional selectivity for Hg2+ ions from the mixed metal ion solutions. The MT-MAC adsorbent showed high stability even after three adsorption-desorption cycles. According to the results obtained, the use of the MT-MAC adsorbent for the adsorption of Pb2+, Hg2+, and Cd2+ metal ions from polluted water is promising.

Pretreatment, modification and applications of sewage sludge-derived biochar for resource recovery- A review

With the quick increase in industrialization and urbanization, a mass of sludge has been produced on the account of increased wastewater treatment facilities. Sewage sludge (SS) management has become one of the most crucial environmental problems because of the existence of various pollutants. However, SS is a carbon-rich material, which has favored novel technologies for biochar production, which can be utilized for dissimilar applications. This review systematically analyzes and summarizes the pretreatment, modification, and especially application of sewage sludge-derived biochar (SSBC), based on published literature. The comparative assessment of pretreatment technology such as pyrolysis, hydrothermal carbonization, combustion, deashing, and co-feeding is presented to appraise their appropriateness for SS resource availability and the production of SSBC. In addition, the authors summarize and analyze the current modification methods and divide them into two categories: physical properties and surface chemical modifications. The applications of SSBC as absorbent, catalyst and catalyst support, electrode materials, gas storage, soil amendment, and sold biofuel are reviewed in detail. Furthermore, the discussion about the existing problems and the direction of future efforts are presented at the end of each section to envisage SS as a promising opportunity for resources rather than a nuisance.

Polyvinyl Alcohol Polymer Functionalized Graphene Oxide Decorated with Gadolinium Oxide for Sequestration of Radionuclides from Aqueous Medium: Characterization, Mechanism, and Environmental Feasibility Studies

Uranium (U(VI)) and thorium (Th(IV)) ions produced by the nuclear and mining industries cause water pollution, thereby harming the environment and human health. In this study, gadolinium oxide-decorated polyvinyl alcohol-graphene oxide composite (PGO-Gd) was developed using a simple hydrothermal process to treat U(VI) and Th(IV) ions in water. The developed material was structurally characterized by highly advanced spectroscopy and microscopy techniques. The effects of pH, equilibration time and temperature on both radionuclides (U(VI) and Th(IV)) adsorption by PGO-Gd were examined. The PGO-Gd composite adsorbed both metal ions satisfactorily, with adsorption capacities of 427.50 and 455.0 mg g-1 at pH 4.0, respectively. The adsorption properties of both metal ions were found to be compatible with the Langmuir and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. Additionally, based on the thermodynamic characteristics, the adsorption was endothermic and spontaneous. Furthermore, the environmental viability of PGO-Gd and its application was demonstrated by studying its reusability in treating spiked surface water. PGO-Gd shows promise as an adsorbent in effectively removing both radionuclides from aqueous solutions.

Preparation of green synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles for efficient removal of lead from wastewaters

Green synthesis is a clean and eco-friendly process in which metal nanoparticles can be produced by the reaction between a metal salt solution and plant organ extract. In the present study, three copper oxide nanoparticles were green synthesized from the leaf extracts of astragalus (Astragalus membranaceus), rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus), and mallow (Malva sylvestris) as predominant plant cover in the study area was characterized. The effectiveness of three green synthesized nanoparticles in the adsorption of lead ions from polluted water was studied. According to the results, the removal efficiencies of the copper oxide nanoparticles synthesized from astragalus (A-CuO-NPs), rosemary (R-CuO-NPs), and mallow leaf extract (M-CuO-NPs) especially at the highest initial concentration of lead (1.5 mM), were 88.4%, 84.9%, and 69.6%, respectively. Probably due to the smooth morphology and more uniform configuration of the M-CuO-NPs, the changes between equilibrium adsorption (q_e) and equilibrium concentration (C_e) were more regular than those of the A-CuO-NPs and R-CuO-NPs. Therefore, the best fit of the data to the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms belonged to the adsorption of lead onto the M-CuO-NPs. According to the results reported herein, the copper oxide nanoparticles synthesized from different plant covers are efficient adsorption agents for lead from wastewaters solution.

The crystal structure of cis-diaqua-bis (N-butyl-N-(pyridin-2-yl)pyridin-2-amine-κ 2 N,N′)cobalt(II)] dichloride trihydrate, C28H44Cl2N6O5Co

C28H44Cl2N6O5Co, triclinic, P 1 ‾ $P&#x203e;{1}$ (no. 2), a = 11.20(2) Å, b = 12.70(3) Å, c = 12.80(4) Å, α = 100.30(12)°, β = 103.18(9)°, γ = 106.77(6)°, V = 1638(8) Å3, Z = 2, R gt (F) = 0.0372, wR ref (F 2) = 0.0890, T = 100 K.

High-sorption terpyridine-graphene oxide hybrid for the efficient removal of heavy metal ions from wastewater

Pollution of wastewater with heavy metal-ions represents one of the most severe environmental problems associated with societal development. To overcome this issue, the design of new, highly efficient systems capable of removing such toxic species, hence to purify water, is of paramount importance for public health and environmental protection. In this work, novel sorption hybrid materials were developed to enable high-performance adsorption of heavy metal ions. Towards this end, graphene oxide (GO) exhibiting various C/O ratios has been functionalized with ad hoc receptors, i.e. terpyridine ligands. The maximum adsorption capacity of highly oxidized/terpyridine hybrids towards Ni(ii), Zn(ii) and Co(ii) was achieved at pH = 6 and 25 °C reaching values of 462, 421 and 336 mg g-1, respectively, being the highest reported in the literature for pristine GO and GO-based sorbents. Moreover, the uptake experiments showed that heavy metal ion adsorption on GO-Tpy and GOh-Tpy is strongly dependent on pH in the range from 2 to 10, as a result of the modulation of interactions at the supramolecular level. Moreover, the ionic strength was found to be independent of heavy metal ion adsorption on GO-Tpy and GOh-Tpy. Under ambient conditions, adsorption capacity values increase with the degree of oxidation of GO because dipolar oxygen units can both interact with heavy-metal ions via dipole-dipole and/or ionic interactions and enable bonding of more covalently anchored terpyridine units. Both adsorption isotherms and kinetics studies revealed that the uptake of the heavy metal ions occurs at a monolayer coverage, mostly controlled by the strong surface complexation with the oxygen of GO and nitrogen-containing groups of terpyridine. Furthermore, selectivity of the hybrid was confirmed by selective sorption of the above heavy metal ions from mixtures involving alkali (Na(i), K(i)) and alkaline Earth (Mg(ii), Ca(ii)) metal ions due to the chelating properties of the terpyridine subunits, as demonstrated with municipal drinking (tap) water samples. Our findings provide unambiguous evidence for the potential of chemical tailoring of GO-based materials with N-heterocyclic ligands as sorbent materials for highly efficient wastewater purification.

Highly Effective Adsorption Process of Ni(II) Ions with the Use of Sewage Sludge Fly Ash Generated by Circulating Fluidized Bed Combustion (CFBC) Technology

Recently, more and more attention has been paid to the removal of nickel ions due to their negative effects on the environment and human health. In this research, fly ash obtained as a result of incineration of municipal sewage sludge with the use of circulating fluidized bed combustion (CFBC) technology was used to analyze the possibility of removing Ni(II) ions in adsorption processes. The properties of the material were determined using analytical methods, such as SEM-EDS, XRD, BET, BJH, thermogravimetry, zeta potential, SEM, and FT-IR. Several factors were analyzed, such as adsorbent dose, initial pH, initial concentration, and contact time. As a result of the conducted research, the maximum sorption efficiency was obtained at the level of 99.9%. The kinetics analysis and isotherms showed that the pseudo-second order equation model and the Freundlich isotherm model best suited this process. In conclusion, sewage sludge fly ash may be a suitable material for the effective removal of nickel from wastewater and the improvement of water quality. This research is in line with current trends in the concepts of circular economy and sustainable development.

A novel dispersive magnetic solid phase microextraction using ionic liquid-coated amino silanized magnetic graphene oxide nanocomposite for high efficient separation/preconcentration of toxic ions from shellfish samples

A novel dispersive magnetic solid phase microextraction (d-MSPE) method using ionic liquid-coated amino silanized magnetic graphene oxide (MGO@SiO₂-APTES-IL) as adsorbent has been established for enriching and extracting lead(II), copper(II) and cadmium(II) in shellfish samples. The novel nanocomposite was proved synthesized successfully by various characterization technologies. Parameters that could affect the recoveries of target ions were investigated and optimized focusing on adsorption and desorption using Box-Behnken design of response surface methodology (BBD-RSM). The limits of detection (LODs) for three target heavy metal ions were 2.42, 3.36, 3.75 ng L^-1, respectively. Additionally, the maximum adsorption capacities of the nanocomposite for target ions were 251.23, 138.51, 159.31 mg g^-1 at 298 K, respectively, the nanoadsorbent can be regenerated without significant adsorption capacities loss for four times. These observations revealed that the novel nanocomposite can be used as an excellent adsorbent for separation and preconcentration of the target ions.

Sonochemical fabrication of inorganic nanoparticles for applications in catalysis

Catalysis covers almost all the chemical reactions or processes aiming for many applications. Sonochemistry has emerged in designing and developing the synthesis of nano-structured materials, and the latest progress mainly focuses on the synthetic strategies, product properties as well as catalytic applications. This current review simply presents the sonochemical effects under ultrasound irradiation, roughly describes the ultrasound-synthesized inorganic nano-materials, and highlights the sonochemistry applications in the inorganics-based catalysis processes including reduction, oxidation, degradation, polymerization, etc. Or all in all, the review hopes to provide an integrated understanding of sonochemistry, emphasize the great significance of ultrasound-assisted synthesis in structured materials as a unique strategy, and broaden the updated applications of ultrasound irradiation in the catalysis fields.

Enhanced removal of Co(II) and Ni(II) from high-salinity aqueous solution using reductive self-assembly of three-dimensional magnetic fungal hyphal/graphene oxide nanofibers

Layer-structured graphene oxide excellent carrier for modifications; however, its poor recoverability and stability preclude its application in wastewater treatment fields. Herein, three-dimensional magnetic fungal hyphal/graphene oxide nanofibers (MFHGs) were assembled by a reductive self-assembly (RSA) strategy for the efficient capture of Co(II) and Ni(II) from high-salinity aqueous solution. The RSA strategy is inexpensive, eco-friendly and easy to scale up. The obtained MFHGs enhanced the dispersity and stability of graphene oxide and exhibited excellent magnetization and large coercivity, leading to satisfactory solid-liquid separation performance and denser sediment. The results of batch removal experiments showed that the maximum removal capacity of MFHGs for Ni(II) and Co(II) was 97.44 and 104.34 mg/g, respectively, in 2 g/L Na₂SO₄ aqueous solution with a pH of 6.0 at 323 K, and the effects of initial pH and ionic strength on Co(II) and Ni(II) removal were explored. Yield residue analysis indicated that the high porosity and oxygen-containing functional groups of MFHGs remarkably improved their Co(II)- and Ni(II)-removal capacities. According to the analysis, hydroxyl groups and amine groups participated in the chemical reaction of Co(II) and Ni(II) removal, and cation-exchange chemical adsorption was dominant during the Co(II)- and Ni(II)-removal process. Based on the attributes of MFHGs, a continuous-flow recycle reactor (CFRR) was proposed for emergency aqueous solution treatment and exhibited satisfactory removal efficiency and regeneration performance. The combination of MFHGs and the proposed CFRR is a promising water treatment strategy for rapid treatment applications.

A Review on Heavy Metal Ions and Containing Dyes Removal Through Graphene Oxide-Based Adsorption Strategies for Textile Wastewater Treatment

Textile wastewater heavy metal pollution has become a severe environmental problem worldwide. Metal ion inclusion in a dye molecule exhibits a bathochromic shift producing deeper but duller shades, which provides excellent colouration. The ejection of a massive volume of wastewater containing heavy metal ions such as Cr (VI), Pb (II), Cd (II) and Zn (II) and metal-containing dyes are an unavoidable consequence because the textile industry consumes large quantities of water and all these chemicals cannot be combined entirely with fibres during the dyeing process. These high concentrations of chemicals in effluents interfere with the natural water resources, cause severe toxicological implications on the environment with a dramatic impact on human health. This article reviewed the various metal-containing dye types and their heavy metal ions pollution from entryway to the wastewater, which then briefly explored the effects on human health and the environment. Graphene-based absorbers, specially graphene oxide (GO) benefits from an ordered structured, high specific surface area, and flexible surface functionalization options, which are indispensable to realize a high performance of heavy metal ion removal. These exceptional adsorption properties of graphene-based materials support a position of ubiquity in our everyday lives. The collective representation of the textile wastewater's effective remediation methods is discussed and focused on the GO-based adsorption methods. Understanding the critical impact regarding the GO-based materials established adsorption portfolio for heavy metal ions removal are also discussed. Various heavy-metal ions and their pollutant effect, ways to remove such heavy metal ions and role of graphene-based adsorbent including their demand, perspective, limitation, and relative scopes are discussed elaborately in the review.

Simultaneous removal of Congo red and cadmium(II) from aqueous solutions using graphene oxide-silica composite as a multifunctional adsorbent

Graphene oxide is a very high capacity adsorbent due to its functional groups and π-π interactions with other compounds. Adsorption capacity of graphene oxide, however, can be further enhanced by having synergistic effects through the use of mixed-matrix composite. In this study, silica-decorated graphene oxide (SGO) was used as a high-efficiency adsorbent to remove Congo red (CR) and Cadmium (II) from aqueous solutions. The effects of solution initial concentration (20 to 120 mg/l), solution pH (pH 2 to 7), adsorption duration (0 to 140 min) and temperature (298 to 323 K) were measured in order to optimize the adsorption conditions using the SGO adsorbent. Morphological analysis indicated that the silica nanoparticles could be dispersed uniformly on the graphene oxide surfaces. The maximum capacities of adsorbent for effective removal of Cd (II) and CR were 43.45 and 333.33 mg/g based on Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms, respectively. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms displayed the highest values of Q_max for CR and Cd (II) adsorption in this study, which indicated monolayer adsorption of CR and multilayer adsorption of Cd (II) onto the SGO, respectively. Thermodynamic study showed that the enthalpy (ΔH) and Gibbs free energy(ΔG) values of the adsorption process for both pollutants were negative, suggesting that the process was spontaneous and exothermic in nature. This study showed active sites of SGO (π-π, hydroxyl, carboxyl, ketone, silane-based functional groups) contributed to an enormous enhancement in simultaneous removal of CR and Cd (II) from an aqueous solution, Therefore, SGO can be considered as a promising adsorbent for future water pollution control and removal of hazardous materials from aqueous solutions.

Preparation of a Hybrid Membrane from Whey Protein Fibrils and Activated Carbon to Remove Mercury and Chromium from Water

Water contamination by mercury and chromium has a direct effect in human health. A promising technology to remove heavy metals by membrane filtration is the use of hybrid membranes produced with whey protein fibrils (WPF) and activated carbon (AC). In this study, the best conditions to produce WPF by heat treatment were determined to maximize the removal of mercury and chromium from water using a central composed design. The results indicated that the best conditions to prepare WPF were 74 °C, 7 h and 3.8% of whey protein with adsorption capacities of 25 and 18 mg/g and removal efficiencies of 81 and 57% for mercury and chromium, respectively. WPF and AC were used to prepare a hybrid membrane that was characterized using transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area measurements. Batch filtration experiments were performed with the hybrid membrane for chromium and mercury removal at 25, 50 and 100 mg/L to determine its adsorption capacities. A high performance of the hybrid membrane was demonstrated removing efficiently mercury and chromium from water, thus supporting more than ten filtration cycles.

Salt-washed graphene oxide and its cytotoxicity

The carbon nanomaterials and congeners, e.g., graphene or graphene oxide (GO), dispose of numerous unique properties, which are not necessarily intrinsic but might be related to a content of impurities. The oxidation step of GO synthesis introduces a considerable amount of metallic species. Therefore, large-scale purification is an actual scientific challenge. Here we describe new purification technique (salt‑washing), which is based on three consecutive steps: (a) aggregation of GO sheets with NaCl (b) washing of the aggregates and (c) removing of the salt to afford purified GO (swGO). The considerably improved purity of swGO was demonstrated by ICP and EPR spectroscopy. The microscopic methods (TEM with SEAD, AFM) proved that the salt-washing does not affect the morphology or concentration of defects, showing the aggregation of GO with NaCl is fully reversible. The eligibility of swGO for biomedical applications was tested using fibroblastic cell cultures. The determined IC₅₀ values clearly show a strong correlation between the purity of samples and cytotoxicity. Although the purification decreases cytotoxicity of GO, the IC₅₀ values are still low proving that cytotoxic effect is not only impurities-related but also an intrinsic property. These findings may represent a serious limitation for usage of GO in biomedical applications.

Cadmium adsorption behavior of porous and reduced graphene oxide and its potential for promoting cadmium migration during soil electrokinetic remediation

In this study, a porous reduced graphene oxide (PRGO) carbon nanomaterial was successfully obtained by activation of natural graphite with KOH at high temperature and was applied as an auxiliary electrode in soil electrokinetic remediation to investigate the promoting effect on Cd migration. We found that PRGO contained a large amount of oxygen-containing groups (hydroxyl and carboxyl groups) and exhibited high Cd²⁺ adsorption efficiency at pH values above 4, achieving a maximum adsorption capacity of 434.78 mg/g for Cd. In addition, PRGO could selectively adsorb Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn but not K, Na, or Mg from soil solution. The electrokinetic remediation experiment showed that the PRGO auxiliary electrode promoted the migration of Cd and effectively controlled the increase in soil pH near the cathode, possibly due to ion exchange between the surface functional groups on the auxiliary electrode and Cd²⁺. In addition, the location of the PRGO auxiliary electrode strongly influenced the migration of Cd. For instance, the soil Cd concentration of treatment H-5 was 57.86% lower than that of H-0 at a distance of 5-10 cm from the electrode; however, the soil Cd concentration measured at 0-5 cm for treatment H-5 was 34.84% higher than that of treatment H-0. Our study demonstrated that PRGO could be applied as an auxiliary electrode to promote Cd migration during electrokinetic remediation of Cd-contaminated soil.

Fabrication of Ceramsite Adsorbent from Industrial Wastes for the Removal of Phosphorus from Aqueous Solutions

A more applicable adsorbent was fabricated using industrial wastes such as red mud, fly ash, and riverbed sediments. The heavy metal inside the raw materials created metal hydroxy on the adsorbent surface that offered elevated adsorption capacity for phosphorus. The required equilibrium time for the adsorption is only 10 min. The theoretical maximum adsorption capacity of the adsorbent was 9.84 mg·g−1 inferred from the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Higher solution pH favored phosphorus adsorption. Kinetics study showed that the adsorption could be better fitted by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The presence of coexisting anions had no significant adverse impact on phosphorus removal. The speciation of the adsorbed phosphorus indicated that the adsorption to iron and aluminum is the dominating adsorption mechanism. Moreover, a dynamic adsorption column experiment showed that, under a hydraulic time of 10 min, more than 80% of the phosphorus in the influent was removed and the surplus phosphorus concentration was close to 0.1 mg L−1. The water quality after adsorption revealed its applicability in real treatment. Consequently, the adsorbent synthesized from industrial wastes is efficient and applicable due to the high efficiency of phosphorus removal and eco-friendly behavior in solutions.

Functionalization effects on HKUST-1 and HKUST-1/graphene oxide hybrid adsorbents for hydrogen sulfide removal

HKUST-1, a Cu-based metalorganic framework (MOF), was synthesized solvothermally, functionalized with polyethyleneimine (PEI), and hybridized with graphene oxide (GO) and functionalized GO for H₂S removal. MOF synthesis approach, molecular weight of amines, and the content of GO in the hybrid adsorbents were systematically varied. The adsorbent materials were characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM, elemental analysis, liquid N₂ adsorption-desorption, water vapor and oxygen sorption, and subsequently tested for H₂S adsorption in a breakthrough column. The MOF in the composite adsorbents consisting of in-situ grown HKUST-1 on GO that was pre-functionalized with low molecular weight PEI exhibited the highest H₂S adsorption uptake at ambient conditions (0.9 mmol S g^-1 MOF) in comparison to 0.5 mmol S g^-1 MOF for the parent HKUST-1, thus showing an 80 % increase in uptake, while this material also exhibited significantly enhanced sorption kinetics. H₂S adsorption at higher temperature (150 °C) was also performed, and at this temperature a HKUST/GO hybrid adsorbent resulted in the highest MOF capacity, i.e. 2.1 mmol S g^-1 MOF, which is 27 % higher than that of the parent MOF at the same conditions. Formation of hybrid adsorbents with GO coupled to tunable functionalization of both GO support and the MOF crystallites can contribute in optimizing H₂S capture performance of MOFs.

Adsorptive removal of heavy metal ions using graphene-based nanomaterials: Toxicity, roles of functional groups and mechanisms

The endless introduction of toxic heavy metals through industrialization has worsened the heavy metal pollution in the environment. Thus, the need for its effective removal has become more crucial than before. Studies on graphene-based nanomaterials and their use in removing heavy metals are gaining tremendous traction over the past decade. The properties of graphene oxide (GO), such as large surface areas, desired functional groups and excellent mechanical properties are advantageous. Nevertheless, due to its tendency to agglomerate and difficulty in phase separation after treatment, the functionalization of GO using various materials of different surface functional groups is an ongoing study. The surface modification of GO is done by using various materials to introduce heteroatoms, which have high affinity for heavy metals. This review summarizes the utilization of different surface functional groups, such as oxygen-containing, nitrogen-containing, and sulphur-containing functionalized graphene oxide composites in the adsorption of cationic and oxyanionic heavy metals. The toxicity of these heavy metals is also addressed. Furthermore, the interactions between adsorbents and heavy metals which are influenced by pH and surface functional groups, are also discussed in detail. This is followed by the review in adsorption isotherms and kinetics. Future research needs are also offered.

Abdullah A, Ozoemena KI, Elzatahry A. Unveiling Fabrication and Environmental Remediation of MXene-Based Nanoarchitectures in Toxic Metals Removal from Wastewater: Strategy and Mechanism

Efficient approaches for toxic metal removal from wastewater have had transformative impacts to mitigating freshwater scarcity. Adsorption is among the most promising purification techniques due to its simplicity, low cost, and high removal efficiency at ambient conditions. MXene-based nanoarchitectures emerged as promising adsorbents in a plethora of toxic metal removal applications. This was due to the unique hydrophilicity, high surface area, activated metallic hydroxide sites, electron-richness, and massive adsorption capacity of MXene. Given the continual progress in the rational design of MXene nanostructures for water treatment, timely updates on this field are required that deeply emphasize toxic metal removal, including fabrication routes and characterization strategies of the merits, advantages, and limitations of MXenes for the adsorption of toxic metals (i.e., Pb, Cu, Zn, and Cr). This is in addition to the fundamentals and the adsorption mechanism tailored by the shape and composition of MXene based on some representative paradigms. Finally, the limitations of MXenes and their potential future research perspectives for wastewater treatment are also discussed. This review may trigger scientists to develop novel MXene-based nanoarchitectures with well-defined shapes, compositions, and physiochemical merits for efficient, practical removal of toxic metals from wastewater.

Ultrasonic-assisted recycling of Nile tilapia fish scale biowaste into low-cost nano-hydroxyapatite: Ultrasonic-assisted adsorption for Hg2+ removal from aqueous solution followed by "turn-off" fluorescent sensor based on Hg2+-graphene quantum dots

This study was planned to recycle calcium and the phosphorus-rich Nile tilapia fish scale biowaste into nano-hydroxyapatite (FHAP), using ultrasonic-assisted extraction of calcium and phosphorus from fish scales, which was optimized in term of extraction time, acid concentration, extraction temperature, and ultrasonic power. These two elements were determined simultaneously by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry and the FHAP phase was formed upon addition of the extracted element solution in alkaline medium using homogenous precipitation assisted with ultrasound energy. The FHAP adsorbent was characterized by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller. A combination of FHAP and the ultrasonic method was then used to remove Hg²⁺ from aqueous solution. Four significant variables affecting Hg²⁺ removal, namely, adsorbent dosage, pH, ultrasonic power, and adsorption time, were studied. The results exhibited that the optimal conditions for maximizing the removal of Hg²⁺ were 0.02 g adsorbent dosage, pH 8, 0.4 kW ultrasonic power, 20 min adsorption time, and 30 °C adsorption temperature. The sorption mechanism of Hg²⁺ was revealed by isotherm modeling, indicating that FHAP adsorbent has a potential for Hg²⁺ removal in aqueous media with the maximum adsorption capacity being 227.27 mg g^-1. This adsorption behavior is in agreement with the Langmuir model as reflected by a satisfactory R² value of 0.9967, when the kinetics data were fitted with pseudo-second-order. Therefore, the FHAP could be an alternative adsorbent for the ultrasonic-assisted removal of Hg²⁺ at very high efficiency and within a very short period of time.