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Fu H, Gutierrez L, Shewfelt S, Xiong Y, Gray KA. A robust self-regenerating graphene-based adsorbent for pharmaceutical removal in various water environments. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 261:121998. [PMID: 38996735 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/14/2024]
Abstract
The presence of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) in wastewater effluents and natural aquatic systems threatens ecological and human health. While activated carbon-based adsorbents, such as GAC and PAC, are widely used for API removal, they exhibit certain deficiencies, including reduced performance due to the presence of natural organic macromolecules (NOMs) and high regeneration costs. There is growing demand for a robust, stable, and self-regenerative adsorbent designed for API removal in various environments. In this study, we synthesized a self-generating metal oxide nano-composite (S-MGC) containing titanium dioxide (TiO2) and silicon dioxide (SiO2) combined with 3D graphene oxide (GO) to adsorb APIs and undergo regeneration via light illumination. We determined optimal TiO2:SiO2:GO compositions for the S-MGCs through experiments using a model contaminant, methylene blue. The physical and chemical properties of S-MGCs were characterized, and their adsorption and photodegradation capabilities were studied using five model APIs, including sulfamethoxazole, carbamazepine, ketoprofen, valsartan, and diclofenac, both in single-component and multi-component mixtures. In the absence of TiO2/SiO2, 3D graphene oxide (CGB) displayed better adsorption performance compared to GAC, and S-MGCs further improve CGB's adsorption capacity. This performance remained consistent in two complex water environments: aqueous solutions at varying NOM levels and artificial urine. TiO2 supported on the GO surface exhibits similar photocatalytic activity to suspended TiO2. In a continuous fixed-bed column test, S-MGCs demonstrated robust API adsorption performance that is maintained in the presence of NOM or urine, and can be regenerated through multiple cycles of adsorption and light illumination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Fu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Laura Gutierrez
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Sofia Shewfelt
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Yingqian Xiong
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Kimberly A Gray
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
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Fu H, Cai H, Gray KA. Metal oxide encapsulated by 3D graphene oxide creates a nanocomposite with enhanced organic adsorption in aqueous solution. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 444:130340. [PMID: 36402105 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Revised: 10/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The presence of organic contaminants (OCs) in aquatic systems is a threat to ecological and human health. Adsorption by graphene-based adsorbent is a promising technique for OC removal and we previously fabricated crumpled graphene balls (CGBs), via a novel nano-spray drying technique, which show robust adsorptive performance. Yet, since CGBs contain non-accessible surface area due to 2D graphene stacking, the goal of this research was to investigate the efficacy of maximizing the accessible CGB surface by synthesizing a nanocomposite composed of metal oxide nanoparticles encapsulated by crumpled graphene oxide (MGC). The metal oxides reduce graphene oxide stacking, expand the internal adsorptive surface area, and boost the adsorptive capacity of the MGC. MGC (fumed SiO2 or SiO2) exhibit an enhanced Langmuir adsorption capacity (qm, normalized by the % carbon) for an OC model, methylene blue (MB), achieving improvements of 60-86% compared to CGB, 3-4 fold compared to powder activated carbon (PAC) and 6-7 fold compared to granular activated carbon (GAC). MGCs display rapid adsorption reaching equilibrium after 9-12 min of contact and remaining stable in wastewater effluent /surface water. A cost-efficiency comparison reveals MGCs achieve one ton of MB removal at similar or lower material costs than that of PAC/GAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Han Fu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Haotian Cai
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA
| | - Kimberly A Gray
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL 60208, USA.
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Jiao J, Li Y, Song Q, Wang L, Luo T, Gao C, Liu L, Yang S. Removal of Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products (PPCPs) by Free Radicals in Advanced Oxidation Processes. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 15:8152. [PMID: 36431636 PMCID: PMC9695708 DOI: 10.3390/ma15228152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
As emerging pollutants, pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) have received extensive attention due to their high detection frequency (with concentrations ranging from ng/L to μg/L) and potential risk to aqueous environments and human health. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) are effective techniques for the removal of PPCPs from water environments. In AOPs, different types of free radicals (HO·, SO4·-, O2·-, etc.) are generated to decompose PPCPs into non-toxic and small-molecule compounds, finally leading to the decomposition of PPCPs. This review systematically summarizes the features of various AOPs and the removal of PPCPs by different free radicals. The operation conditions and comprehensive performance of different types of free radicals are summarized, and the reaction mechanisms are further revealed. This review will provide a quick understanding of AOPs for later researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiao Jiao
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Control Chemistry and Environmental Functional Materials for Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, School of Chemistry and Environment, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yihua Li
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Control Chemistry and Environmental Functional Materials for Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, School of Chemistry and Environment, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Qi Song
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Control Chemistry and Environmental Functional Materials for Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, School of Chemistry and Environment, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Liujin Wang
- State of Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Synergetic Control and Joint Remediation for Soil & Water Pollution, College of Ecology and Environment, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
| | - Tianlie Luo
- State of Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Synergetic Control and Joint Remediation for Soil & Water Pollution, College of Ecology and Environment, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
| | - Changfei Gao
- School of Environmental and Material Engineering, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China
| | - Lifen Liu
- Key Laboratory of Industrial Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Ministry of Education, School of Ocean Science and Technology, Dalian University of Technology, Panjin 124221, China
| | - Shengtao Yang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Control Chemistry and Environmental Functional Materials for Qinghai-Tibet Plateau of the National Ethnic Affairs Commission, School of Chemistry and Environment, Southwest Minzu University, Chengdu 610041, China
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Koczorowski T, Wicher B, Krakowiak R, Mylkie K, Marusiak A, Tykarska E, Ziegler-Borowska M. Photocatalytic Activity of Sulfanyl Porphyrazine/Titanium Dioxide Nanocomposites in Degradation of Organic Pollutants. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 15:7264. [PMID: 36295343 PMCID: PMC9611658 DOI: 10.3390/ma15207264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Magnesium(II) sulfanyl porphyrazine with peripheral morpholinethoxy substituents was embedded on the surface of titanium(IV) dioxide nanoparticles. The obtained nanocomposites were characterized with the use of particle size and distribution (NTA analysis), electron microscopy (SEM), thermal analysis (TGA), FTIR-ATR spectroscopy, and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). The measured particle size of the obtained material was 327.4 ± 15.5 nm. Analysis with XRD showed no visible changes in the crystallinity of the material after deposition of porphyrazine on the TiO2 surface. However, SEM images revealed noticeable changes in the morphology of the obtained hybrid material: higher aggregation and less ordered structure of the aggregates. The TGA analysis revealed the lost 3.6% (0.4 mg) of the mass of obtained material in the range 250-550 °C. In the FTIR-ATR analysis, C-H stretching vibratins in the range of 3000-2800 cm-1, originating from porphyrazine moieties, were detected. The photocatalytic applicability of the nanomaterial was assessed in photodegradation studies of methylene blue and bisphenol A as reference environmental pollutants. In addition, the photocatalytic degradation of carbamazepine with porphyrazine/TiO2 hybrids as photocatalysts was studied, accompanied by an HPLC chromatography assessment of photodegradation. In total, 43% of the initial concentration was achieved in the case of bisphenol A, after 4 h of irradiation, whereas 57% was achieved in the case of carbamazepine. In each photodegradation reaction, the activity of the obtained photocatalytic nanomaterial was proved with almost linear degradation. The photodegradation reaction rate constants were calculated, and revealed 5.75 × 10-5 s-1 for bisphenol A and 5.66 × 10-5 s-1 for carbamazepine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomasz Koczorowski
- Chair and Department of Chemical Technology of Drugs, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Grunwaldzka 6, 60-780 Poznan, Poland
| | - Barbara Wicher
- Chair and Department of Chemical Technology of Drugs, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Grunwaldzka 6, 60-780 Poznan, Poland
| | - Rafal Krakowiak
- Chair and Department of Chemical Technology of Drugs, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Grunwaldzka 6, 60-780 Poznan, Poland
| | - Kinga Mylkie
- Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Gagarina 7, 87-100 Torun, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Marusiak
- Chair and Department of Chemical Technology of Drugs, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Grunwaldzka 6, 60-780 Poznan, Poland
| | - Ewa Tykarska
- Chair and Department of Chemical Technology of Drugs, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Grunwaldzka 6, 60-780 Poznan, Poland
| | - Marta Ziegler-Borowska
- Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Torun, Gagarina 7, 87-100 Torun, Poland
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