Sulfonic acid functionalized cellulose-derived (nano)materials: Synthesis and application

The preparation/application of heterogeneous (nano)materials from natural resources has currently become increasingly fascinating for researchers. Cellulose is the most abundant renewable polysaccharide on earth. The unique physicochemical, structural, biological, and environmental properties of this natural biopolymer have led to its increased application in many fields. The more desirable features of cellulose-based (nano)materials such as biodegradability, renewability, biocompatibility, cost-effectiveness, simplicity of preparation, environmentally friendly nature, and widespread range of applications have converted them into promising compounds in medicine, catalysis, biofuel cells, and water/wastewater treatment processes. Functionalized cellulose-based (nano)materials containing sulfonic acid groups may prove to be one of the most promising sustainable bio(nano)materials of modern times in the field of cellulose science and (nano)technology owing to their intrinsic features, high crystallinity, high specific surface area, abundance, reactivity, and recyclability. In this review, the developments in the application of sulfonated cellulose-based (nano)materials containing sulfonic acid (-SO3H) groups in catalysis, water purification, biological/biomedical, environmental, and fuel cell applications have been reported. This review provides an overview of the methods used to chemically modify cellulose and/or cellulose derivatives in different forms, including nanocrystals, hydrogels, films/membranes, and (nano)composites/blends by introducing sulfonate groups on the cellulose backbone, focusing on diverse sulfonating agents utilized and substitution regioselectivity, and highlights their potential applications in different industries for the generation of alternative energies and products.

Ionic liquid treated leaves of Juglans regia as an adsorbent for the removal of methyl orange dye: experimental, computational, and statistical approach

The novel biosorbents prepared by surface modification from leaves of Juglans regia plant were exploited for removal of methyl orange dye from aqueous solution. The leaves in the form of dust and charcoal were separately impregnated with 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium bromide (I) to obtain adsorbents namely J. regia dust/charcoal impregnated with I (JRDI/JRCI) which were characterized using advanced analytical approaches. The impregnation of ionic liquid was confirmed by the appearance of new bands. Langmuir isotherm fitted well; the calculated adsorption capacity being 59.37 (JRDI) and 102.72 mg g^-1 (JRCI). The kinetic study revealed that sorption obeyed the pseudo-first order model; the experimental adsorption capacity being 53.53 (JRDI) and 86.82 mg g^-1 (JRCI) at selected conditions of pH 3, initial dye concentration 100 ppm, dosage of adsorbent 0.3 g and contact time 70 min. The mathematical models which predicted adsorption capacity as 51.5 (JRDI) and 82.1 mg g^-1 (JRCI) were found at par with experimental values. Fukui condensed functions revealed that adsorbents had electron deficient electrophilic reaction sites while dye had electron-rich nucleophilic reaction sites. The structural properties and good adsorption capability of adsorbents indicate that they could be used as potential, eco-friendly adsorbents for the treatment of negatively charged dye pollutants.

Removal of Pb(II) from contaminated waters using cellulose sulfate/chitosan aerogel: Equilibrium, kinetics, and thermodynamic studies

In this study, the cellulose sulfate/chitosan aerogel (CCA) was prepared by chitosan and sulfonated cotton, and its efficiency was assessed for lead removal from contaminated waters. The adsorbent was determined by FESEM, EDS, FTIR, and BET analysis. The batch experiments were designed by Design-Expert software. At an initial lead concentration of 300 mg L^-1, the contact time of 40 min, and the temperature of 26 °C, the maximum adsorption capacity and the removal efficiency were 137.8 mg g^-1 and 91.9%, respectively. Also, the effect of ions including cations and anions at 100 mg L^-1 was investigated, and it was found that the presence of anions does not have much effect on adsorption, but among cations, calcium and magnesium have the inhibitor effect on adsorption due to their double plosive. Adsorption isotherms were studied at different temperatures, and the kinetics of the reaction were investigated at different concentrations. Thermodynamic parameters indicated that the adsorption process was spontaneous, endothermic, and increasing irregularity at the adsorbent level. Adsorption recovery was performed five times adsorption and de-adsorption by hydrochloric acid 1 M washing and only 10% of adsorption capacity was decreased.

Semicontinuous enhanced electroreduction of Cr(VI) in wastewater by cathode constructed of copper rods coated with palladium nanoparticles followed by adsorption

Conventional techniques used for reduction of Cr(VI) in wastewater product great amounts of metal sludge due to the use of reducing chemicals. Since in electrochemical process, the reducing agent is the electron, so the main advantage of this method is its adaptability to the environment. The aim of the current study is to reduce Cr(VI) from electroplating wastewater by the electrochemical method and to adsorb Cr(III) by cellulose sulfate adsorbent. Furthermore, to enhance the reduction efficiency of Cr(VI), the cathode was modified with Pd nanoparticles. In the present study, recovery in the electrochemical column was conducted continuously and semi-continuously. In addition, the effect of pH, amperage, flow rate, and initial concentration of Cr(VI) was investigated. To remove Cr(III) from the wastewater, the cellulose sulfate adsorbent was provided from modification of cotton health wastes. The highest recovery rate (99.63%) was witnessed at pH = 1.5, 1 A amperage, flow rate of 4.24 mL min^-1, and initial concentration of 50 mg L^-1. The sewage was removed from the system after several consecutive cycles and during 20-55 min reached recovery efficiency of 99.99%. Based on the results, pH had the highest effect on the process. The optimum removal percentage was 85.74% occurred at a pH of 5.6, chromium concentration of 150 mg L^-1, and adsorbent concentration of 400 mg L^-1. The removal rate of the pollutant was 97.32%, done by cellulose sulfate adsorbent.

Sulfo-functional 3D porous cellulose/graphene oxide composites for highly efficient removal of methylene blue and tetracycline from water

Cellulose/graphene oxide (CG) porous composites with 3D network structure were prepared via a solution mixing-regeneration and freeze-drying process. The CG aerogels were functionalized with 1,4-butane sultone under mild reaction conditions to achieve sulfated composite aerogels (SCGs), in which the sulfo groups were simultaneously introduced onto GO and cellulose components. The adsorption ability of SCG aerogel was greatly enhanced compared with CG aerogels. The fitting results of adsorption models suggested the monolayer adsorption and chemisorptive characteristics with the maximal uptake capacity as high as 421.9 mg/g for methylene blue (MB) and 163.4 mg/g for tetracycline (TC). The adsorption mechanism was also studied in detail. For the simulated wastewater containing MB and TC, the novel SCG adsorbent exhibited a removal efficiency of 99%. Furthermore, its adsorption capacity was not apparently deteriorated after seven cycles for MB and ten cycles for TC while the original structural integrity was almost maintained. Herein, this recyclable and reusable adsorbent exhibited the potential application on the removal of MB and TC from water.

Adsorption performance and mechanisms of Pb(II), Cd(II), and Mn(II) removal by a β-cyclodextrin derivative

In this study, the novel adsorbent PVA-TA-βCD was synthesized via thermal cross-linking between polyvinyl alcohol and β-cyclodextrin. The characterization methods SEM-EDS, FTIR, and XPS were adopted to characterize the adsorbent. The effect of pH, contact time, initial concentrations, and temperature during the adsorption of Pb(II), Cd(II), and Mn(II) onto the PVA-TA-βCD was also investigated. In a single-component system, the data fitted well to pseudo-second-order, and film diffusion and intra-particle diffusion both played important roles in the adsorption process. As for isotherm study, it showed a heterogeneous adsorption capacity of 199.11, 116.52, and 90.28 mg g^-1 for the Pb(II), Cd(II), and Mn(II), respectively. Competition between the ions existed in a multi-component system; however, owing to the stronger affinity of the PVA-TA-βCD for Pb(II) relative to Cd(II) and Mn(II), the Pb(II) adsorption onto the PVA-TA-βCD was less affected by the addition of the other metals, which could be effectively explained by the hard and soft acid and base theory (HSAB). Furthermore, PVA-TA-βCD showed good reusability throughout regeneration experiments.

New highly hydrated cellulose microfibrils with a tendril helical morphology extracted from agro-waste material: application to removal of dyes from waste water

Cocoa bean shells are a by-product of the cocoa bean processing industry. Highly hydrated cellulose microfibrils with special morphology were obtained from this by-product and used as adsorbent material for waste water treatment.