Application In Wastewater Treatment Research Articles

Preparation of novel cellulose from outer skin and seeds of Manilla tamarind (Pithecellobium dulce)-Ag/TiO2/Chitosan nanocomposite and its biological properties

The current study was aimed to prepare a novel composite thin film from Manilla tamarind (MC) outer skin and seeds with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and TiO2 nanoparticles and blended with chitosan (Ch). NaBH4 was used to prepare MC/AgNPs composite utilizing the reduction process. Solvent casting method was used to prepare a thin film of the composite material MC/AgNPs//TiO2/Ch. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) displayed the diffusion of Ch and AgNPs and TiO2 on the surface of MC network. The average particle size of AgNPs distributed on the MC is between 47 and 48 nm. Nanotitania was prepared by sol-gel method using titanium tetraisopropoxide and isopropanol. Antibacterial studies show that the nanocomposite exhibited higher inhibition effects against Staphylococcus Aureus and Escherichia Coli than isolated Manilla cellulose. The photodegradation of nanocomposite showed 77 % within just 10 min. Antioxidant studies were analyzed by using DPPH radical at 517 nm. The percentage of antioxidant activity of MC and nanocomposite showed as 27.15 % and 30.41 % respectively with DPPH radical. The high capability of antibacterial and photocatalytic effects finds application in food packaging applications and wastewater treatment.

Ozone nanobubble technology as a novel AOPs for pollutants degradation under high salinity conditions

Conventional water treatment systems frequently exhibit diminished efficiency at high salinity - a significant issue especially for real industrial effluents - mostly due to the creation of intricate structures between pollutants and salts. One of the primary obstacles associated with high salinity conditions is the generation of by-products that pose additional hurdles for treatment. In this work, we have investigated the novel advanced oxidation process a so-called ozone nanobubble technology for degradation of the pollutants at high salinity conditions. The mass transfer is often the rate-limiting step in gas-liquid process and the poor rate of mass transfer diminishes the overall efficacy. One of the primary disadvantages associated with ozone is its restricted solubility and instability when dissolved in an aqueous solution. These characteristics impose limitations on its potential applications and need the use of specialized systems to facilitate gas-liquid interaction. In this work, we have also suggested enhancing the ozonation process through the utilization of ozone nanobubbles. The findings of our experiment and subsequent analysis indicate that the presence of nanobubbles enhances the process of ozonation through three key mechanisms: (i) an increased mass transfer coefficient, (ii) a higher rate of reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation attributed to the charged interface, and (iii) the nanobubble interface serving as an active surface for chemical reactions. The predicted mass transfer coefficients were found to range from 3 to 3.5 min−1, a value that is notably greater than that seen for microbubbles. The study showcased the degradation of methylene blue dye through the utilization of ozone nanobubbles, which exhibited a much higher rate of dye degradation compared to ozone microbubbles. The confirmation of the radical degradation mechanism was achieved by the utilization of electron spin resonance (ESR) measurements. The developed process has high potential for application in industrial scale textile wastewater treatment.

Fabrication of polysulfone-cellulose acetate based TiO2 @SiO2-CuS and Fe3O4 @XG membrane and its application in wastewater treatment

Membrane technology emerged as a preferred method for wastewater treatment due to its efficiency, and low energy consumption, particularly in pharmaceutical industries. In this study, two types of membranes were developed and compared: cellulose acetate with dimethyl sulfoxide, glycerol, and polysulfone with dimethylformamide, and polyvinyl pyrrolidone. These membranes were augmented with nanocomposites, such as Fe3O4 @XG and TiO2 @SiO2-CuS, to enhance performance. Experimental investigations involved doping membranes with nanocomposites at varying concentrations (0.1 wt%, 0.5 wt%, and 1.0 wt%). Atomic force microscopy revealed that increasing nanocomposite content led to smoother surfaces and improved anti-fouling properties. Incorporating nanocomposites reduced the contact angle, with 1.0 wt% PSF/TiO2 @SiO2-CuS exhibiting the lowest angle at 33.134°. Physical property assessments, including density, viscosity, pH, and porosity, were conducted to evaluate the impact of nanocomposites. Under 4 atm pressure, 1.0 wt% CA-TiO2 @SiO2-CuS demonstrated a maximum pure water flux of 3300 ± 50 lit/m2.hr compared to the pure membrane. Furthermore, biodegradability tests indicated a significant weight loss of the nanocomposite membranes, with a 13.89 % increase in CA membrane weight loss compared to a 0.20 % increase in PSF membrane weight loss. The study highlights the potential of these membranes for diverse applications, particularly in wastewater treatment, underscoring their efficiency and suitability for pharmaceutical industry use.

Bacillus sp. KS38 strain for sustainable caffeine degradation: Isolation, identification and optimization using response surface methodology

Caffeine, a significant naturally occurring alkaloid in beverages like tea and coffee, can be degraded by bacteria. Prolonged caffeine consumption can stimulate adrenal glands, cause irregular muscle activity, cardiac arrhythmias, and withdrawal symptoms such as headaches and fatigue. Beyond its health-related concerns, the environmental impact of caffeine degradation is noteworthy. Effluents from coffee industries contain high caffeine concentrations, and the discharge of such effluents into lakes poses a risk to the portability of drinking water. This study isolated a novel bacterium from agricultural soil, identified as Bacillus sp. KS38 through 16 S rRNA gene sequencing, which can metabolize caffeine as the sole carbon and nitrogen source. The bacterium exhibited Gram-positive characteristics. Response surface methodology (RSM) optimized bacterial growth conditions. The relevant parameter for the degradation of caffeine was obtained by first screening the parameters using the Plackett-Burman design. Using central composite design (CCD) and RSM, the important parameters were determined to achieve the ideal degradation conditions. The identified the ideal degradation conditions: 0.66 g/L caffeine, 0.85 g/L glucose, pH 6.83, and 20.5 °C. RSM predicted a bacterial growth of 0.591, which was confirmed experimentally. This bacterium has potential applications in wastewater treatment and caffeine bioremediation.

Facile fabrication of superhydrophilic copper foam for rapid and efficient filtration of cationic dyes from water

Rapid and efficient separation of dyes from water is a formidable challenge due to the trade-off between separation selectivity and permeability. Here, a novel superhydrophilic copper foam (CF) enabling the rapid and efficient filtration of cationic dyes from water is reported. The fabrication involves brushing a coating consisting of attapulgite (APT), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), TiO2 and glutaraldehyde (GA) onto copper foam and then heating. The obtained copper foam (CF-PVA/GA@APT/TiO2) is superhydrophilic and negatively charged with dye adsorption capability. The interconnected cage-shaped porous structure endows the foam with long tortuous permeation channels and large pore size. It is able to separate various cationic dyes with a separation efficiency reaching to 99.93 % and a permeation flux up to 1671 ± 189 L m-2h−1 under gravity. Furthermore, the CF-PVA/GA@APT/TiO2 can realize the selective separation and recovery of various cationic dyes from rhodamine B (RhB)-mixed dye solutions. Molecular dynamics-based computational modeling and experimental studies revealed that the interaction energy between the surface of CF-PVA/GA@APT/TiO2 and methylene blue (MB) is much stronger than that of the former and RhB, leading to adsorption of MB in the permeation channel, while RhB gradually migrates through the permeation channel and passes through the channel with water. The tortuous permeation channels of CF-PVA/GA@APT/TiO2 increase the contact area and absorption opportunities for cationic dye molecules on the surface, and its large pore size maintains the filtration flux. These properties provide the as-prepared foam with excellent potential applicability for industrial dye wastewater treatment.

Enhanced light absorption and charge carrier’s separation in g-C3N4-based double Z-scheme heterostructure photocatalyst for efficient degradation of navy-blue dye

ABSTRACT Effective wastewater treatment is essential due to the dye environmental threats. Photocatalysis offers an eco-friendly dye degradation solution. Herein, we report a double Z-scheme photocatalyst, i.e. LaFeO3/Boron-doped g-C3N4/Fe2O3 (LFO/B-CN/FO), fabricated via a hydrothermal method. The formation of this ternary system is supported by structural, surface, and morphological analyses. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermal gravimetric analysis demonstrated the crystallization behavior of the composite. Because of synergetic effects in the ternary composite and boron doping, the optical band gap energy is reduced to 1.6 eV. Under visible light irradiation, the LFO/B-CN/FO nanocomposite degraded navy-blue dye by 98% in 130 min at neutral pH, surpassing CN, B-CN, and binary composites of B-CN with LFO and FO. The degradation process was rationalized using pseudo-first- and pseudo-second-order kinetic models, which confirmed high catalytic efficiency. The double Z-scheme heterojunction enhanced light absorption, charge separation, and carrier lifetime, hence improving the photocatalytic activity. Overall, the as-fabricated LFO/B-CN/FO ternary composite outperformed reference catalysts in terms of chemical reactivity, optical characteristics, and electrical performance. This work opens up a new route for the design and fabrication of double Z-scheme ternary composite photocatalysts for potential wastewater treatment and renewable energy applications.

Methyl orange sorption on octadecylamine-modified iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles

This study investigates the sorption of 2-methyl orange dye onto octadecylamine-modified iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (ODA-IONPs). The synthesized ODA-IONPs exhibit remarkable sorption capacity, reaching 800 mg/g at the nanoparticle concentrations ranging from 5 to 10 mg/g and pH of 2–8. The sorption process demonstrates rapid kinetics, achieving 90% of maximum sorption within 0.5 min. Thermodynamic analysis showed that sorption process is spontaneous and endothermic, as indicated by negative ΔG and positive ΔH values. The pseudo-second-order and Langmuir models best describe the sorption kinetics at 293 K (R² 0.99). Compared to other adsorbents, ODA-IONPs show superior MO removal capacity under a wider pH range. The influence of nanoparticle concentration, pH, and temperature on sorption efficiency is systematically explored, with optimal conditions identified at 10 mg/L ODA-IONPs and pH 6. Furthermore, the feasibility of nanoparticle reusability for sorption purposes is assessed. These findings underscore the potential of ODA-IONPs as efficient sorbents for wastewater treatment and environmental remediation applications.

In-Situ Hydrothermal Fabrication of ZnO-Loaded GAC Nanocomposite for Efficient Rhodamine B Dye Removal via Synergistic Photocatalytic and Adsorptive Performance.

In this work, zinc oxide (ZnO)/granular activated carbon (GAC) composites at different ZnO concentrations (0.25M-ZnO@GAC, 0.5M-ZnO@GAC, and 0.75M-ZnO@GAC) were prepared by an in-situ hydrothermal method and demonstrated synergistic photocatalytic degradation and adsorption of rhodamine B (RhB). The thermal stability, morphological structure, elemental composition, crystallographic structure, and textural properties of developed catalysts were characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA/DTG), scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive-x-ray (SEM-EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis. The successful loading of ZnO onto GAC was confirmed by SEM-EDS and XRD analysis. The BET surface areas of GAC, 0.25M-ZnO@GAC, 0.5M-ZnO@GAC, and 0.75M-ZnO@GAC were 474 m2/g, 450 m2/g, 453 m2/g, and 421 m2/g, respectively. The decrease in GAC could be attributed to the successful loading of ZnO on the GAC surface. Notably, 0.5M-ZnO@GAC exhibited the best photocatalytic degradation efficiency of 82% and 97% under UV-A and UV-C light over 120 min, attributed to improved crystallinity and visible light absorption. The photocatalytic degradation parameters revealed that lowering the RhB concentration and raising the catalyst dosage and pH beyond the point of zero charge (PZC) would favor the RhB degradation. Photocatalytic reusability was demonstrated over five cycles. Scavenger tests revealed that the hydroxyl radicals (•OH), superoxide radicals (O2-•), and photoinduced hole (h+) radicals play a major role during the RhB degradation process. Based on the TOC results, the RhB mineralization efficiency of 79.1% was achieved by 0.5M-ZnO@GAC. Additionally, GAC exhibited a strong adsorptive performance towards RhB, with adsorption capacity and the RhB removal of 487.1 mg/g and 99.5% achieved within 90 min of equilibrium time. The adsorption characteristics were best described by pseudo-second-order kinetics, suggesting chemical adsorption. This research offers a new strategy for the development of effective photocatalyst materials with potential for wider wastewater treatment applications.

Green biosynthesized N-doped CuO@Zeolite nanocomposite for the efficient photodegradation of toxic organic pollutants from wastewater

Nanotechnology is one of the most advanced methods available for the degradation of toxic pollutants from the environment. Specifically, nanoparticles generated with plant extracts are more stable and biocompatible than those produced using traditional chemical and physical processes. The current study focuses on the green synthesis of N-CuO@Zeolite nanocomposite with Camellia sinensis (green tea) leaf extract. The green synthesized nanocomposite was used for the photocatalytic degradation of hazardous organic pollutants, including Auramine-O (AO) and yellow color textile industrial dye (YD). Under direct sunlight irradiation, synthesized nanomaterials exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity for AO and YD degradation. The best conditions for photocatalytic degradation were found to be pollutant concentrations of 2 mg L−1 for AO and 6 mg L−1 for YD, photocatalyst dosages of 15 mg for both AO and YD, and neutral pH for both pollutants. Within 150 minutes, the synthesized N-CuO@zeolite nanocomposite attained degradation efficiencies of 95 % for AO and 92 % for YD, compared to its parent materials N-CuO (80 % for AO and 76 % for YD) and CuO (68 % for AO and 65 % for YD). The degradation rates of both pollutants were accurately described by first-order kinetics, consistent with the Langmuir adsorption model. Additionally, the ecologically sustainable novel N-CuO@Zeolite nanocomposite illustrated superior reliability and reusability, keeping photocatalytic efficiency even after ten cycles of constant utilization, and its long-term stability was confirmed by PXRD analysis after processing. The material's excellent reusability and stability emphasize the nanocomposite's potential as a long-term solution for industrial wastewater treatment applications.

Photocatalytic and antimicrobial activities of nanostructured bismuth oxide synthesis via the green route

Photocatalysis for environmental cleanup is one of the potential applications of nanostructured materials with tailored optical, electrical, thermal, and structural properties. Green nanomaterial synthesis offers benefits over traditional chemical and physical methods in areas such as biocompatibility, sustainability, environmental impact, and energy consumption. Citrus sinensis leaf extract was used as a natural source of reducing, capping, and stabilizing agents in this study, which successfully reported the production of nanostructured bismuth oxide (NBO). The thermal, optoelectronic, and structural properties of the as-synthesized NBO sample were compared to those of a commercially available bulk bismuth oxide (BBO). Additionally, the morphology, composition, optical band gap, and electrical conductivity of the NBO sample were respectively examined through SEM, EDX, UV/Vis, and I–V analysis. The NBO showed exceptional photocatalytic aptitude as it mineralized the crystal violet (CV) dye and killed E. coli under visible-light irradiation. The superb photocatalytic activity of the NBO is attributed to its unique features, i.e., a large surface area (59.73 m2g-1), defective states (D-S) structure, visible-light-triggered band (2.23 eV), and good electrical conductivity (1.23 × 10−5 sm−1). These factors enhance the light-harvesting, charge-separation, electron-excitation, and charge transport properties of the NBO. Additionally, NBO retains 94.5 % photocatalytic activity after four cyclic runs. All of these feature work together to make the environmentally friendly NBO photocatalyst the leading contender for wastewater treatment applications.

FeMo modified Ru@TiO2 with ultralow Ru loading towards efficient degradation of methylene blue

Dimensionally stable RuO2-based anodes have achieved excellent performance in the field of electrochemical treatment of wastewater, however, the high price of Ru hinders its industrial application. Herein, TiO2 nanotubes-supported RuO2 with ultralow Ru loading (0.34 wt%) and trace Fe and Mo doping (RuFeMo@TiO2) was prepared as anode for efficient degradation of methylene blue. It shows that Fe and Mo doping reduce the oxidation state of Ru (Run+, n < 4). In addition, the potential electroactive sites of the electrodes are effectively enhanced by Mo doping. While the Fe doping is found to improve the generation of hydroxyl radicals (·OH) and superoxide anion (O2−), which are the dominant oxidants for the degradation of methylene blue. In result, the RuFeMo@TiO2 catalyst exhibits high performance towards methylene blue degradation of 97.5 % within 2 hours. It shows that the cooperation of trace transition metals enables efficient degradation of organic dye with ultralow-loaded Ru electrocatalyst, implying a promising application in wastewater treatment.

Mixing due to Solution Switch Limits the Performance of Electrosorption for Desalination.

Electrosorption (ES) is a research frontier in electrochemical separation, with proven potential applications in desalination, wastewater treatment, and selective resource extraction. However, due to the limited adsorption capacity of film electrodes, ES requires short circuiting or circuit reversal, accompanied by a solution switch between the feed solution and receiving solution, to sustain desalination over many charge-discharge cycles. In previously reported studies, solution switches have been commonly ignored to simplify experimental procedures, and their impacts on separation performance are thus not well understood. This study aims to provide a quantitative analysis of the impacts of mixing due to a solution switch on the performance of ES-based desalination. A numerical model of ES has been employed to evaluate the adverse effects of the solution switch on the desalination performance in three commonly used operation modes. The analysis reveals that the impacts of mixing due to solution-switch are more severe with a larger concentration difference between the desalinated water and the brine and provides insights into the effectiveness of increasing electrode loading or specific capacity in mitigating the detrimental impacts of mixing. Even with state-of-the-art systems, producing freshwater from seawater or even brackish water with medium-to-high salinity is practically challenging due to the presence of solution switch.

Green Synthesis of ZnO Nanoparticles and Ag-Doped ZnO Nanocomposite Utilizing Sansevieria trifasciata for High-Performance Asymmetric Supercapacitors.

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of a biofabricated nanomaterial derived from Sansevieria trifasciata root extract, evaluating its structural, morphological, and optical properties for use in asymmetric supercapacitors. The nanomaterial comprises pristine ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and a 1% Ag-doped ZnO nanocomposite (Ag@ZnO NC), synthesized through a green-assisted sol-gel autocombustion method. Employing techniques such as X-ray diffraction, ultraviolet-visible near-infrared, scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-rayspectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy, the study confirms a hexagonal wurtzite structure and nanocrystallites with spherical and hexagonal shapes (30 nm). Optical analysis reveals a red shift in the band gap with Ag doping, indicating improved conductivity. The material shows potential applications in solar cells, optoelectronics, spintronics, wastewater treatment, and high-performance asymmetric supercapacitors. Raman spectra validate the wurtzite phase and identify intrinsic defects. Electrochemical tests demonstrate remarkable supercapacitive behavior with a 94% capacitance retention after 10,000 cycles, highlighting its promise as advanced asymmetric supercapacitors.

Design and Fabrication of Co([CHITOSAN-AMPS-AA]/PEI-MBA) Nanocomposite Hydrogel as an Effective Solution for Removing Tin and Platinum Ions in Wastewater Treatment Applications: Selective Recovery of Platinum

Design and Fabrication of Co([CHITOSAN-AMPS-AA]/PEI-MBA) Nanocomposite Hydrogel as an Effective Solution for Removing Tin and Platinum Ions in Wastewater Treatment Applications: Selective Recovery of Platinum

Understanding the carbendazim adsorption from water using biochar derived from apple pomace and industrial wastewater sludge: experimental and DFT approaches.

Biochars derived from apple pomace (AP-BC) and industrial wastewater sludge (IS-BC) were used to investigate adsorption performance and mechanism for removing carbendazim from water and compare its performance with commercial biochar (commercial BC). The results showed that the adsorption capacity of AP-BC and IS-BC were 76 mg g-1 and 82 mg g-1 respectively that was comparable with the commercial BC (80 mg g-1). The adsorption kinetics and isotherms were best described by the Pseudo-second-order and Langmuir models. Thermodynamic analysis suggested thathigher temperatures can enhance the mobility of molecules, increased mobility facilitates more frequent and stronger interactions between the adsorbate molecules and the surface of the adsorbent material, leading to greater adsorption capacity. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations confirmed carbendazim's weak electrophilic nature, supporting the primary physisorption mechanism. Even after five cycles of recycling, both biochars maintained a consistent carbendazim removal efficiency of around 82%, highlighting their high reusability. In this study, the examination of waste-derived biochar's economic feasibility revealed that using biochars derived from waste biomass for large-scale wastewater treatment applications is an economically viable choice.

Unraveling the Potential of Microbial Flocculants: Preparation, Performance, and Applications in Wastewater Treatment

Microbial flocculants (MBFs), a class of eco-friendly and biodegradable biopolymers produced by various microorganisms, have gained increasing attention as promising alternatives to conventional chemical flocculants in wastewater treatment and pollutant removal. This review presents a comprehensive overview of the current state of MBF research, encompassing their diverse sources (bacteria, fungi, and algae), major categories (polysaccharides, proteins, and glycoproteins), production processes, and flocculation performance and mechanisms. The wide-ranging applications of MBFs in removing suspended solids, heavy metals, dyes, and other pollutants from industrial and municipal wastewater are critically examined, highlighting their superior efficiency, selectivity, and environmental compatibility compared to traditional flocculants. Nonetheless, bioflocculants face significant challenges including high substrate costs, low production yields, and intricate purification methodologies, factors that impede their industrial scalability. Moreover, the risk of microbial contamination and the attendant health implications associated with the use of microbial flocculants (MBFs) necessitate thorough evaluation. To address the challenges of high production costs and variable product quality, strategies such as waste valorization, strain improvement, process optimization, and biosafety evaluation are discussed. Moreover, the development of multifunctional MBF-based flocculants and their synergistic use with other treatment technologies are identified as emerging trends for enhanced wastewater treatment and resource recovery. Future research directions are outlined, emphasizing the need for in-depth mechanistic studies, advanced characterization techniques, pilot-scale demonstrations to accelerate the industrial adoption of MBF, and moreover, integration with novel wastewater treatment processes, such as partial nitrification and the anammox process. This review is intended to inspire and guide further research and development efforts aimed at unlocking the full potential of MBFs as sustainable, high-performance, and cost-effective bioflocculants for addressing the escalating challenges in wastewater management and environmental conservation.

Enhanced photocatalytic reduction of Cr (VI) using porous hierarchical Bi2O3/Bi2S3 high-low heterojunctions: Novel strategies and charge transfer mechanisms

High-low heterojunctions derived from metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have promising applications in photocatalytic wastewater treatment because of their high photo-redox ability and boosted charge separation efficiency. Herein, Bi-MOF derived porous hierarchical Bi2O3/Bi2S3 nanoflower-like heterojunctions were prepared by the calcination-hydrothermal method. The optimized Bi2O3/Bi2S3-2 composite showed a higher degradation rate of Cr (VI) (99.79 % in 30 min) than the pure substance. Moreover, comprehensive studies were conducted on the kinetics, stability and recycling of Bi2O3/Bi2S3, as well as optical characteristics. The active species trapping experiments confirmed that e- plays a dominant role in the elimination of Cr (VI). These findings provided novel strategies for construction of porous hierarchical heterojunctions with advanced visible-light-induced degradation performance. The enhanced photo-degradation efficiency of the optimal nanocomposite was assigned to the higher visible-light absorbance, separation of photogenerated carriers, reduced recombination of photo-induced carriers, and enhanced redox capability owing to the construction of porous hierarchical heterojunctions amongst the components.

Sustainable green synthesis and characterization of nanocomposites for synergistic photocatalytic degradation of Reactive Orange 16 in textile wastewater using CuO@A-TiO2/Ro-TiO2

This paper explores the photocatalytic degradation of Reactive Orange 16 (RO16) dye in textile wastewater employing a novel CuO@A-TiO2/Ro-TiO2 nanocomposite. The nanocomposite was synthesized via a hydrothermal technique, resulting in a monoclinic phase of leaf-shaped CuO loaded on a hexagonal wurtzite structure of rod-shaped ZnO, as confirmed by FE-SEM and XRD analyses. Optical experiments revealed band gap energies of 1.99 eV for CuO, 2.19 eV for ZnO, and 3.34 eV for the CuO@A-TiO2/Ro-TiO2 nanocomposite. Photocatalytic degradation experiments showcased complete elimination of a 100 mg/L RO16 solution (150 mL) after 120 min of UV light illumination and 100 min of sunlight illumination, emphasizing the nanocomposite's efficiency under both light sources. The study further delves into the application of the CuO@A-TiO2/Ro-TiO2 nanocomposite for the degradation of actual textile wastewater samples under sunlight irradiation. The results underscore the nanocomposite's remarkable efficacy in treating RO16 in textile wastewater, positioning it as a promising candidate for sustainable and efficient wastewater treatment applications. This research contributes valuable insights into the development of advanced photocatalytic materials for textile dye degradation in wastewater treatment.

Exceptionally crystalline nature of CrO3‐Cr2O3/Ppy nanocomposite as a prospective photoelectrode for efficient green hydrogen generation in the context of environmentally friendly water‐splitting reactions using sanitized water

AbstractThis research introduces a novel technique for transforming wastewater into renewable hydrogen gas using an innovative photoelectrode composed of CrO3‐Cr2O3/polypyrrole (Ppy), synthesized through a one‐pot method. The photoelectrode is applied to split wastewater under different light conditions: darkness, white light, and monochromatic light. In the absence of light, the CrO3‐Cr2O3/Ppy photoelectrode produces a photocurrent density (Jph) value of 0.54 mA cm−2, which significantly increases to 0.78 mA cm−2 under white light exposure. The Jph values range from 0.68 to 0.76 mA cm−2 at wavelengths between 730 and 340 nm, showcasing the photoelectrode's remarkable sensitivity. This sensitivity highlights the potential of the photoelectrode to efficiently capture light energy for applications in wastewater treatment and green hydrogen production. By utilizing wastewater as a renewable energy source and employing the CrO3‐Cr2O3/Ppy photoelectrode, this approach addresses environmental concerns and energy needs concurrently. The proposed prototype for a three‐electrode cell aims to directly produce hydrogen gas from wastewater, with the ultimate goal of generating hydrogen suitable for industrial applications. This innovative solution not only addresses wastewater treatment but also transforms it into a valuable source of green energy, emphasizing the potential for positive environmental and energy‐related advancements.

3D Printing and Blue Sustainability: Taking Advantage of Process-Induced Defects for the Metallic Ion Removal from Water.

Additive manufacturing (AM), commonly known as 3D printing, allows for the manufacturing of complex systems that are not possible using traditional manufacturing methods. Nevertheless, some disadvantages are attributed to AM technologies. One of the most often referred to is the defects of the produced components, particularly the porosity. One approach to solving this problem is to consider it as a non-problem, i.e., taking advantage of the defects. Commercially, LAY-FOMM®60 polymer was successfully used in AM through a material extrusion process. This filament is a blend of two polymers, one of them soluble in water, allowing, after its removal from the printed components, the increase in porosity. The defects produced were exploited to evaluate the metallic ion removal capacity of manufactured components using non-potable tap water. Two experimental setups, continuous and ultrasound-assisted methods, were compared, concerning their water cleaning capacity. Results revealed that continuous setup presented the highest metallic ion removal capacity (>80%) for the following three studied metallic ions: iron, copper, and zinc. High water swelling capacity (~80%) and the increase in porosity of 3D-printed parts played a significant role in the ion sorption capacity. The developed strategy could be considered a custom and affordable alternative to designing complex filtration/separation systems for environmental and wastewater treatment applications.