Cu(II)-Imprinted Poly(vinyl alcohol)/Poly(acrylic acid) Membrane for Greater Enhancement in Sequestration of Copper Ion in the Presence of Competitive Heavy Metal Ions: Material Development, Process Demonstration, and Study of Mechanisms

Ion-Imprinted Polymeric Materials for Selective Adsorption of Heavy Metal Ions from Aqueous Solution

The introduction of selective recognition sites toward certain heavy metal ions (HMIs) is a great challenge, which has a major role when the separation of species with similar physicochemical features is considered. In this context, ion-imprinted polymers (IIPs) developed based on the principle of molecular imprinting methodology, have emerged as an innovative solution. Recent advances in IIPs have shown that they exhibit higher selectivity coefficients than non-imprinted ones, which could support a large range of environmental applications starting from extraction and monitoring of HMIs to their detection and quantification. This review will emphasize the application of IIPs for selective removal of transition metal ions (including HMIs, precious metal ions, radionuclides, and rare earth metal ions) from aqueous solution by critically analyzing the most relevant literature studies from the last decade. In the first part of this review, the chemical components of IIPs, the main ion-imprinting technologies as well as the characterization methods used to evaluate the binding properties are briefly presented. In the second part, synthesis parameters, adsorption performance, and a descriptive analysis of solid phase extraction of heavy metal ions by various IIPs are provided.

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.

Adsorption toward Cu(II) and inhibitory effect on bacterial growth occurring on molybdenum disulfide-montmorillonite hydrogel surface

Novel molybdenum disulfide-montmorillonite (MoS₂@2DMMT) hydrogels for Cu(II) removal and inhibition on bacterial growth were successfully prepared. MoS₂ was first in-situ growth onto 2DMMT platelet through hydrothermal method and then cross-linked with organic reagents to form hydrogels. The flower-like structure of synthesized MoS₂ could be clearly observed in MoS₂@2DMMT by SEM. The synthesized hydrogels possessed a three-dimensional macroporous structure, offering a free access for contaminants to get inside and combine with the active sites. Adsorption tests revealed that efficient Cu(II) removal (65.75 mg/g) could be achieved within a short time (30 min) at pH 5. The pseudo-second-order kinetics model and Langmuir isotherm model indicated the existence of chemisorption and monolayer absorption for Cu(II) onto MoS₂@2DMMT hydrogels. Characterizations of EDS and XPS indicated that Cu(II) reacted with groups of carboxyl, hydroxyl and amidogen. Bacteriostatic tests revealed that almost a complete bacteriostatic was achieved with just small dosage (0.8 mg/mL) of MoS₂@2DMMT hydrogels after the Cu(II) removal under the normal illumination. The mechanism was ascribed to the destructive effect of Cu(II) to the cytomembrane and the damage of reactive oxygen species (ROS) to the DNA. Such hydrogel not only provided insights for treating co-existing contaminates, but also guides for designing novel polymer materials from two-dimensional (2D) nano-materials.

Nanoadsorbents preparing from oligoethylene glycol dendron and citric acid: Enhanced adsorption effect for the removal of heavy metal ions

Poly(methacrylate oligoethylene glycol dendron-co-citric acid) (PGCA) that is based on citric acid and oligoethylene glycol (OEG) dendrons is utilized as a nanomaterial for the removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solution. PGCA shows excellent solubility in aqueous solution and realizes satisfactory removal efficacy for Pb²⁺ ions; the removal rate exceeds 95 %. In addition, PGCA can be utilized in Chinese herbal decoctions; the removal rate of Pb²⁺ ions in the ligusticum wallichii decoction exceeds 90 %, meanwhile the concentration of the active ingredient, namely, ferulic acid, is maintained. In this nanoadsorbent, citric acid provides the active site for the chelation of heavy metal ions, and OEG dendron serves as a protective layer that reduces the opportunity for carboxyl groups to be occupied by other ingredients. In summary, nanomaterial PGCA is designed and synthesized successfully that can be applied as a nanoadsorbent for the removal of Pb²⁺ ions from aqueous solution, especially in Chinese herbal decoctions that have acidic compounds as active ingredients.

Self-Assembled Naphthylidene-Containing Schiff Base Anchored Polystyrene Nanocomposites Targeted for Selective Cu(II) Ion Removal from Wastewater

Self-assembled composite adsorbents that combine the controllability of self-assembly with a mild operation process are promising for removal of heavy metal ions in wastewater. The design and preparation of functionalized composite adsorbent materials with multiple-site adsorption ability remain the most attractive in effectively removing heavy metal ions. Inspired by the macroporous structure of charged polystyrene (PS) resin and chelation of Schiff bases with heavy metal ions, smart composite adsorbents are constructed based on the combination and synergistic effect of multiple hydrophobic, π-π stacking, and electrostatic noncovalent interactions between polystyrene resin and naphthylidene-containing Schiff base (NSB). The resulting hybrid nanomaterials (PS-NSB) have uniform porous structures and well-defined and multiple target sites. These properties promote diffusion of the target ion, increase the binding site, and enhance the removal efficacy. This study offers a new strategy to harness a self-assembled Schiff base with integrated flexibility and multifunctions to enhance target metal ion specific binding and removal effects, highlighting opportunities to develop smart composite adsorbents.

Incorporation of UiO-66-NH2 MOF into the PAN/chitosan nanofibers for adsorption and membrane filtration of Pb(II), Cd(II) and Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solutions

In the present study, the UiO-66-NH₂ MOF synthesized by microwave heating method was incorporated into the PAN/chitosan nanofibers for the removal of Pb(II), Cd(II) and Cr(VI) ions through the adsorption and membrane filtration processes. The synthesized MOFs and nanofibers were characterized using XRD, BET, FTIR, SEM, and DSC analysis. The effect of UiO-66-NH₂ MOF content (0-15 wt.%), pH (2-7), contact time(5-90 min), metal ions initial concentration (20-1000 mg/L) and temperature (25-45 °C) was studied on the metal ions adsorption using PAN/chitosan/UiO-66-NH₂ nanofibrous adsorbent. The kinetic, isotherm and thermodynamic parameters were evaluated to understand the metal ions adsorption mechanism using nanofibers. The Pseudo-second-order kinetic and Redlich-Peterson isotherm model were well described the experimental sorption data. In the heavy metal ions membrane filtration process, the different parameters such as MOF concentration (2-15 wt.%), membrane thickness (10-70 μm), metal ions concentration (5-50 mg/L), temperature (25-45 °C) and filtration time (1-24 h) were investigated on the performance of PVDF/ PAN/chitosan/UiO-66-NH₂ nanofibrous membrane toward metal ions removal. The high water flux and high metal ions removal within 18 h filtration time showed the high potential of PVDF/ PAN/chitosan/UiO-66-NH₂ membrane for the removal of metal ions from aqueous solutions.

Ultralong room temperature phosphorescence from amorphous organic materials toward confidential information encryption and decryption

Ultralong room temperature phosphorescence (URTP) emitted from pure amorphous organic molecules is very rare. Although a few crystalline organic molecules could realize URTP with long lifetimes (>100 ms), practical applications of these crystalline organic phosphors are still challenging because the formation and maintenance of high-quality crystals are very difficult and complicated. Herein, we present a rational design for minimizing the vibrational dissipation of pure amorphous organic molecules to achieve URTP. By using this strategy, a series of URTP films with long lifetimes and high phosphorescent quantum yields (up to 0.75 s and 11.23%, respectively) were obtained from amorphous organic phosphors without visible fluorescence and phosphorescence under ambient conditions. On the basis of the unique features of URTP films, a new green screen printing technology without using any ink was developed toward confidential information encryption and decryption. This work presents a breakthrough strategy in applying amorphous organic materials for URTP.

Development of a novel biochar/PSF mixed matrix membrane and study of key parameters in treatment of copper and lead contaminated water

Mixed matrix membrane (MMM) has attracted increasing attentions in various applications, such as water treatment. In this study, an innovative biochar/polysulfone (PSF) mixed matrix hollow fiber membrane was fabricated by incorporating micro-sized biochar particles in the PSF matrix. It was demonstrated that the membrane was more hydrophilic than the pure PSF membrane. Higher water flux was obtained. The adsorption of copper and lead on the MMM increased as the pH was increased with the maximum adsorption capacity observed at pH > 4.5. The adsorption equilibrium was established in 7 and 12 h for lead and copper, respectively. The adsorption kinetics and isotherm followed the intraparticle surface diffusion model and Freundlich isotherm, respectively. The presence of humic acid (HA) had a little effect on the adsorption, while the ionic strength showed an adverse effect on the removal. In addition, the feed concentration and cross flow rate significantly affected the removal efficiency in a continuous filtration mode. The increase in feed concentration and cross flow rate resulted in a reduction in the volume of treated permeate that had the copper/lead concentrations below the regulated levels for drinking water. The MMM exhibited an excellent regeneration-reuse performance in the removal of both copper and lead. Finally, our mechanism studies indicated that the uptake of heavy metals was controlled by a combination of key reactions of complexation, ion-exchange and precipitation. This study indicated that the MMM can be applied as an effective and eco-friendly material for the treatment of heavy metals contaminated water.

Monodisperse magnetic ion imprinted polymeric microparticles prepared by RAFT polymerization based on γ-Fe2O3@meso-SiO2nanospheres for selective solid-phase extraction of Cu(ii) in water samples

Utilising a general protocol for making surface-imprinted core–shell microparticlesviaa RAFT-mediated approach, we developed a Cu(ii) imprinted polymer with a novel magnetic nanosphere, γ-Fe₂O₃@meso-SiO₂, as support.