Adsorption Of Heavy Metals Research Articles

Effect of biochar beads coated with polydopamine on heavy metal adsorption in aqueous phase

Effect of biochar beads coated with polydopamine on heavy metal adsorption in aqueous phase

Optimalisasi Limbah Serbuk Gergaji Kayu Jati (Tectona grandis L.f) Sebagai Adsorben Logam Berat Kobalt (Co) dengan Metode Aktivasi Kimia

Teak wood (Tectona grandis L.f.), a high-quality wood commonly used in Indonesia, specifically in the Cilegon area, has the potential to be used as an alternative to reduce environmental pollution. This research aimed to test teak wood sawdust waste as an adsorbent for cobalt heavy metal, create activated charcoal from the sawdust waste for the same purpose, and determine the optimal conditions for treatment with and without chemical activation. Industrial waste samples were found to contain 50.7 ppm of cobalt metal through ICPS testing. Activated chemical adsorption, without activation and with industrial wastewater mixture, resulted in a decrease in cobalt metal concentration by 78.2% or 11.08 ppm. The optimal conditions for activated chemical adsorption were found at a pH of 5, an adsorbent mass of 600 mg, and a time of 40 minutes, resulting in decreases of 60.9% (21.2751 ppm), 71% (15.7821 ppm) and 67.7% (17.5812 ppm), respectively. The results show that teak wood sawdust waste can effectively adsorb cobalt heavy metal, providing a potential solution for industrial wastewater treatment.

Remediation of Arsenic and Heavy Metals and Soil Stabilization by Waste Chitosan based Biochar

Objectives : This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of converting waste chitosan adsorbents, laden with microalgae, into biochar for application as a stabilizing agent to remediate heavy metal-contaminated soil and improve soil quality.Methods : Waste chitosan adsorbents were converted into biochar through two processes: dry thermal carbonization at 400°C to produce pyrochar and hydrothermal carbonization at 200°C to produce hydrochar. The elemental compositions, surface functional groups, morphologies of the biochars were evaluated by elemental analyzer, FT-IR spectrometer, and SEM analysis. The arsenic and heavy metal adsorption characteristics of the produced biochars were assessed. Additionally, the produced biochars were applied as stabilizing agents to arsenic and heavy metal-contaminated soil with varying mixing ratios of 2, 5 and 10 wt%. After a one-week soil stabilization experiment, soil properties and TCLP(Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure) leaching tests were conducted.Results and Discussion : The pyrochar produced from waste chitosan exhibited a porous structure with high pH (pH 10) and minimal surface functional groups. The hydrochar consisted of spherical particles with functional groups such as hydroxyl and amine groups on the surface, exhibiting a slightly acidic pH of 5.8. Pyrochar has a higher adsorption capacity for cationic heavy metals compared to hydrochar due to its porous structure and high pH. On the other hand, when applied to soil, hydrochar demonstrated superior stabilization efficiency for arsenic and heavy metals. This is attributed to the diverse surface functional groups containing oxygen on the hydrochar. The stabilization efficiency was influenced by the biochar mixing ratio, with a 5% hydrochar application resulting in 10-64% stabilization efficiency for all elements.Conclusion : This study confirmed that biochar produced from waste chitosan effectively stabilizes arsenic and heavy metals in soils. Additionally, the quantity of biochar used can impact its effectiveness in stabilization.

Utilization of rice husk ash as a potential catalyst for diatom growth and adsorbent for heavy metals in aquaculture systems

Many aquaculture environments suffer from significant silicon deficiencies and severe heavy metal contamination, posing substantial risks to both production and safety in aquaculture. This study aimed to assess the release of silicate from rice husk ash (RHA) and its impact on phytoplankton abundance and community composition, which are key factors affecting shellfish growth and survival. Additionally, the capacity of RHA to adsorb mercury (Hg2+) was examined using different modification methods. The results demonstrated that the concentration of dissolved silicate in seawater increased with higher RHA doses, reaching a maximum of 189.77 ± 45.61 μmol L−1 in the high RHA treatment (HR) with 1.0 g L−1 of RHA. Notably, the HR treatment group exhibited a significant increase in chlorophyll-a concentration for nano-phytoplankton (2–20 μm), with an up to eightfold rise in abundance compared to the control group. Moreover, the HR treatment resulted in a maximum diatom abundance of 4217 ± 741.98 cells L−1, benefiting diatom species such as Coscinodiscus sp., Nitzschia sp., and Cyclotella sp. These findings underscore the potential of RHA as a catalyst for diatom growth, which in turn supports the growth of shellfish. Furthermore, no concentrations of mercury (Hg), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), arsenic (As), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and chromium (Cr) were detected in any of the silicate enrichment treatments, confirming the safety of the RHA. The treatment of RHA with NaOH achieved an impressive removal efficiency of Hg2+, reaching up to 97.41 ± 0.33 %. This study highlights the promising application of agricultural waste RHA as a catalyst for diatom growth and an adsorbent for heavy metals in water systems relevant to aquaculture practices.

Post-synthetic modification of zirconium-based metal-organic frameworks for enhanced simultaneous adsorption of heavy metal ions and organic dyes

Heavy metal and dye pollution pose a serious threat to human health and ecology, and there is an urgent need to develop novel adsorbent materials for wastewater treatment. In this study, a novel functionalized zirconium-based MOF UiO-66-Gd was prepared by a post-synthetic modification strategy and used for the simultaneous removal of Pb2+, Cu2+ and methylene blue (MB) from wastewater. UiO-66-Gd retained the crystalline structure and morphological features before modification. The specific surface area reached 574.94 m2/g, which can provide abundant active sites for adsorption. The effects of several factors on the adsorptive performance of UiO-66-Gd were investigated by batch adsorption experiments. The adsorption of Pb2+ by UiO-66-Gd reached the adsorption equilibrium in only 5 min. The theoretical maximum adsorption capacities for Pb2+, Cu2+ and MB were 833.33, 354.61 and 564.91 mg/g, respectively. In addition, UiO-66-Gd has excellent anti-interference and regeneration properties with potential for practical applications. Competition adsorption experiments showed that UiO-66-Gd had the greatest affinity for Pb2+. The adsorption of UiO-66-Gd on Pb2+ and Cu2+ was mainly through electrostatic interactions and chelation, and on MB mainly through electrostatic interactions, π-π interactions and hydrogen bonding. Overall, UiO-66-Gd has great potential for application in the removal of Pb2+, Cu2+ and MB.

Water absorption of polyurethane foam reinforced with bio-fillers

This study investigated the effect of biofiller on the cellular structure and water absorption properties of PUF. Although all foams absorbed water, the foams with peach stone fillers and the biochar-activated foams achieved maximum water absorption much higher than neat PU and PUCAC. The percentage was practically quadrupled in PUPSAC and doubled in PUPS compared to neat PU. In conclusion, we have demonstrated a reliable approach to water uptake in PUF composites based on biomass as a porous substrate as a modifier of polyurethane foams. Therefore, this research aims to reinforce polyurethane foam with biofillers to increase its water uptake properties, which may allow it to be used in new applications such as the adsorption of heavy metals and pathogenic microorganisms.

Synthesis and characterization of amine functionalized silylated clay for heavy metal adsorption: Thermodynamic and kinetic studies on Fe(III) ion

Amine functionalized bentonites were used as adsorbents for the bioremoval of Fe(III) ions, which led to the inclusion of functional groups such as -OH, -NH2, -OCH3, etc. FTIR, XRD, SEM, AFM, TG, BET, XRF, and CHNS analyzer were used to analyze the surface and textural characteristics. The influence of adsorption factors, such as pH, contact time, temperature, and initial concentration, have been investigated and tailored in batch adsorption experiments of Fe (III) metal ions. The maximum adsorption efficiency and capacity of modified BNT-APTMS is 100.90 % and 103.91 mg/g respectively. The adsorption process is best fit with Freundlich model (R2=0.998) than Langmuir model (R2=0.788) and the Temkin model D-R isotherm parameters indicating a physisorption process. A mechanism of spontaneous complexation was accomplished, because of the heterogeneity of the surface, electrostatic forces, pore filling, and π-π stacking. Follows PSO kinetics and favours Freundlich isotherm. The adsorbent substance showed a remarkable capacity for regeneration, assuring the substance's stability and reusability.

Comparison of LDH-Organic/Inorganic Compound Modified Materials as Adsorbents for Heavy Metal Adsorption: Characteristic Structure and Adsorption Mechanism

This study modified layered double hydroxide (LDH) with organic compounds in hydrochar made from rambutan peels (prepared by hydrothermal method) and polyoxometalate compounds (tipe Keggin K4[ -SiW12O40].nH2O compound and prepared by sol-gel method). The synthesis of modified material was conducted through the coprecipitation method. The material was then applied as an adsorbent for Fe²⁺ ions. The material's properties were analyzed using XRD (X-ray diffraction), FT-IR (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy), and BET surface area analysis. The physicochemical characteristics of the modified material, a combination of the pure LDH and hydrochar/polyoxometalate compounds, will influence the adsorption results of Fe²⁺ metal ions. Furthermore, its application as an adsorbent was analyzed through kinetic and isotherm parameters, which were found to follow the pseudo-first-order (PFO) and Freundlich models. The adsorption capacities for NiAl-LDH, NiAl-LDH/Hc (modified with Hc), and NiAl-LDH/POM (modified with POM) materials were 32.789 mg/g, 47.393 mg/g, and 90.091 mg/g, respectively. It can be concluded that the adsorption process occurs via physisorption, forming multilayer adsorbates at the adsorbents active sites. Copyright © 2024 by Authors, Published by BCREC Publishing Group. This is an open access article under the CC BY-SA License (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)

Amino-functionalized magnetic humic acid nanoparticles for enhanced Pb(II) adsorption: Mechanism analysis and machine learning prediction

It is an effective removal method to adsorb heavy metals by adsorption materials, so as to realize their separation from environmental media. Optimizing the structure of the materials and adsorption conditions are essential for improving the adsorption performance. Amino-functionalized magnetic humic acid nanoparticles (AF-MHA) was synthesized using a co-precipitation method. And the adsorbing material showed remarkable lead (Pb(II)) adsorption capacity under neutral pH conditions and a maximum adsorption capacity of 119 mg/g. The adsorption process was attributed to complexation with functional groups like amine, carboxyl, and phenol hydroxyl. In order to enhance the optimization of adsorption parameters, machine learning (ML) models including Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Random Forest (RF), Support Vector Regression (SVR), and CatBoost were employed. After comparative study we find the CatBoost model was found to be the most accurate predictor with a correlation coefficient of R2=0.95. ML also facilitated the identification of key factors influencing adsorption capability by assessing the importance of input features. With ML-assisted optimization parameters offering a strategic advantage in optimizing adsorption conditions and enhancing performance, AF-MHA is a promising adsorbent for treating divalent metal-contaminated water.

Eggshell-enhanced biochar with in-situ formed CaO/Ca(OH)2 for efficient removal of Pb2+ and Cd2+ from wastewater: Performance and mechanistic insights

This study proposes a green and simple strategy for efficiently removing heavy metals from wastewater by activating biochar with eggshell and in-situ generating CaO/Ca(OH)2. Characterization results revealed that the composite carbon material (BCEg15) successfully incorporated CaO/Ca(OH)2 active sites compared to the raw biochar (BC). Additionally, eggshell activation increased the specific surface area and pore volume of BCEg15 by 4.36 and 6.80 times, respectively, compared to BC. These structural enhancements increased the maximum adsorption capacity of BCEg15 for Pb2+ and Cd2+ by 20.68 and 42 times, respectively, compared to BC. Importantly, the loading of CaO and Ca(OH)2 significantly enhanced the ion exchange and mineral precipitation capacities of the biochar. For instance, compared to BC, the adsorption capacities of BCEg15 attributed to ion exchange (Qe) for Pb2+ and Cd2+ rose by 403.12 mg/g and 197.65 mg/g, respectively, while the adsorption capacities attributed to mineral precipitation (Qp) increased by 19.60 times and 45.20 times, respectively. BCEg15 demonstrated excellent reusability, maintaining adsorption capacities of 461.18 mg/g for Pb2+ and 265.26 mg/g for Cd2+ after five cycles. Additionally, BCEg15 outperformed commercial activated carbon in treating heavy metals from desulfurization wastewater from coal-fired power plants, achieving a removal efficiency of 99.98 % compared to 48.22 %. The primary mechanisms by which BCEg15 removes Pb2+ and Cd2+ were identified as ion exchange, mineral precipitation, complexation with oxygen-containing functional groups, and interactions with π electrons. Density functional theory (DFT) was utilized to delve deeper into the microscopic mechanisms of adsorption. The findings showed that the O-top site of CaO exhibited the greatest stability for heavy metal adsorption. Electron density difference maps and partial density of states (PDOS) results revealed a denser electron cloud and greater orbital overlap between CaO and Pb2+ compared to Cd2+, suggesting a higher affinity and adsorption capacity for Pb2+, consistent with the experimental findings. This study presents an effective method for preparing adsorbents capable of removing Pb2+ and Cd2+ from wastewater and offers theoretical insights into the adsorption mechanisms of metal oxide-incorporated biochar.

Microscopic and macroscopic analysis of hexavalent chromium adsorption on polypyrrole-polyaniline@rice husk ash adsorbent using statistical physics modeling

This paper contributed with new findings to understand and characterize a heavy metal adsorption on a composite adsorbent. The synthesized polypyrrole–polyaniline@rice husk ash (PPY–PANI@RHA) was prepared and used as an adsorbent for the removal of hexavalent chromium Cr(VI). The adsorption isotherms of Cr(VI) ions on PPY–PANI@RHA were experimentally determined at pH 2, and at different adsorption temperatures (293, 303, and 313 K). Multi-layer model developed using statistical physics formalism was applied to theoretically analyze and characterize the different interactions and ion exchanges during the adsorption process for the elimination of this toxic metal from aqueous solutions, and to attribute new physicochemical interpretation of the process of adsorption. The physicochemical structures and properties of the synthesized PPY–PANI@RHA were characterized via Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Fitting findings showed that the mechanism of adsorption of Cr(VI) on PPY–PANI@RHA was a multi-ionic mechanism, where one binding site may be occupied by one and two ions. It may also be noticed that the temperature augmentation generated the activation of more functional groups of the composite adsorbent, facilitating the interactions of metal ions with the binding sites and the access to smaller pore. The energetic characterization suggested that the mechanism of adsorption of the investigated systems was exothermic and Cr(VI) ions were physisorbed on PPY-PANI@RHA surface via electrostatic interaction, reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III), hydrogen bonding, and ion exchange. Overall, the utilization of the theory of statistical physics provided fruitful and profounder analysis of the adsorption mechanism. The estimation of the pore size distribution (PSD) of the polypyrrole-polyaniline@rice husk ash using the statistical physics approach was considered stereographic characterization of the adsorbent (here PPY–PANI@RHA was globally a meso-porous adsorbent). Lastly, the mechanism of Cr(VI) removal from wastewater using PPY-PANI@RHA as adsorbent was macroscopically investigated via the estimation of three thermodynamic functions.

Preparation of ultra-light, highly compressible, and biodegradable chitosan porous materials for heavy metal adsorption, dye adsorption and oil-water separation

Chitosan materials are much important in adsorption, separation and water treatment due to their hydrophilicity, biodegradability and easy functionalization. However, they were difficult to form structural materials, which limited its application in engineering. In this paper, a new type of chitosan porous materials was prepared with two-step strategy involving the freezing crosslinking of chitosan with glutaraldehyde to form cryogels, and their subsequent reduction with NaBH4 to transform CN bonds into CN bonds, resulting in remarkable improvement of mechanical property. That is, the strength remained almost unchanged after 80 % deformation. The abundant -NH2 and -OH on the surface of materials, as well as the unique pore structure from cryogels, gave relatively high adsorption capacity for metals and dyes (88.73 ± 4.25 mg·g−1 for Cu(II) and 3261.05 ± 36.10 mg·g−1 for Congo red). The surface hydrophilicity of materials made it possible for selective water permeation with over 95 % separation efficiency for oil-water mixtures. In addition, simple hydrophobic modification using bromotetradecane achieved selective oil permeation with over 96 % separation efficiency for oil-water mixtures. This study not only provides a new strategy to endow chitosan materials with excellent mechanical property, large adsorption capacity and good oil-water separation performance, but also offers environmentally friendly materials for sewage treatment applications.

Modern Treatment Using Powdered Chlorella vulgaris for Adsorption of Heavy Metals from Freshwater

In the face of current challenges related to climate change, maintaining the appropriate quality of freshwater becomes crucial. This study examined the effectiveness of removing heavy metals (Cu(II) and Co(II)) using Chlorella vulgaris biosorbents (dietary supplements in the form of powder). This study determined the parameters of the biosorbent (point of zero charge (PZC) analysis using scanning electron microscopy with back-scattered electron (SEM-BSE) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis). Batch tests were also performed to determine the kinetic constants and adsorption equilibrium of Cu(II) and Co(II) ions. Based on the conducted research, it was found that a pseudo-second-order equation describes the kinetics of the biosorption process. Among the studied adsorption isotherms, the Langmuir and Freundlich models fit best. The results indicate that single-layer adsorption took place and Chlorella vulgaris is a microporous adsorbent. The maximum sorption capacity in the single-component system for Cu(II) and Co(II) was 30.3 mg·g−1 and 9.0 mg·g−1, respectively. In contrast, in the binary system, it was 20.8 mg·g−1 and 19.6 mg·g−1 (extended Langmuir model) and 23.5 mg·g−1 and 19.6 mg·g−1 (Jain-Snoeyinka model). Chlorella vulgaris is an effective biosorbent for removing heavy metals from freshwater. This technology offers an ecological and economical solution for improving water quality, making it a promising alternative to traditional purification methods.

An insight into the utilization of high-sulfur green Saudi Arabian petcoke as an ecofriendly sorbent for enhanced simultaneous sequestration of heavy metal ions from industrial wastewaters

Developing effective and green sorbents for the sequestration of water pollutants has increased attention to safe and sustainable water generation. This study aimed to discover a new utilization and the ability of green, high-sulfur Saudi Arabian petcoke (SA-PET) for heavy metal ion uptake. The organic sulfur content and aromatic properties of SA-PET allowed for rapid and improved performance against various metal ions via strong complex formation reactions and cation-π interactions. Also, the effects of different analytical factors were carefully studied and optimized. At pH 6–7, the maximum recovery values of PbII, CuII, CdII, ZnII, MnII, NiII and CoII metal ions were 21.09–95.76%. The experimental results demonstrate single-layer adsorption at the binding sites on the petcoke’s surface, and they are in good agreement with the Langmuir model in explaining the adsorption process, which is driven by electrostatic interactions between the petcoke surface and the studied metal ions. The pseudo-second-order kinetics model fits the adsorption data for all the target metal ions well. Furthermore, the outstanding SA-PET's stability allowed for efficient extractions over the course of 10 successive runs with negligible loss in the metal recovery percentage. With extraction recoveries up to 96.6% and a relative standard deviation less than 5%, SA-PET's efficiency in removing the target metal ions from different industrial wastewater samples gives it excellent promise as a novel green sorbent for detoxifying heavy metals from aquatic life. In conclusions, our findings, SA-PET emerged as a viable substitute for traditional synthetic adsorbents of heavy metals, in keeping with the growing trend toward green adsorbents for more sustainable development.

Preparation of novel ACMO-AA/PVDF composite membrane by one-step process and its application in removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions

In this study, a simple one-step process was used to fabricate a high-efficiency 4-acryloylmorpholine-acrylic acid/polyvinylidene fluoride (ACMO-AA/PVDF) composite membrane for the adsorption of heavy metal ions. The initiation phase involved the use of the strong organic base tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) to facilitate the partial dehydrofluorination of PVDF, thereby yielding a reactive CC bond. Following this, undesirable residuals and by-products of TMAH were removed through a thermal treatment process. Subsequently, an ACMO and AA, both possessing distinctive functional groups, onto the active CC bond took place in-situ. The use of a suitable initiator (AIBN) and crosslinking agent (MBA) facilitated the copolymerization process, culminating in the production of the ACMO-AA/PVDF composite membrane with excellent capability for the adsorption of heavy metal ions. Performance evaluations confirmed the membrane high efficiency in Pb2+ removal with complete removal realized at initial Pb2+ concentrations of ≤50 mg·L–1 and presenting a maximum adsorption capacity of 1214.75 mg·g–1, as described by the Langmuir model. In complex environments with co-existing metal ions such as Cu2+, Hg2+, and Cd2+, at an each initial concentration of up to 50 mg·L–1, the membrane exhibited a Pb2+ removal rate of 93.81 %, and Hg2+ and Cu2+ removal rates of 93.75 % and 92.93 %, respectively. The results of surface morphological and microstructural analyses showed that the principal adsorption mechanism is chemical chelation. Furthermore, the membrane exhibited sustainable usability, retaining its structural integrity and adsorption efficacy over multiple regeneration cycles. This indicates that the ACMO-AA/PVDF composite membrane is a viable candidate for deep decontamination processes involving Pb2+, Hg2+, and Cu2+ in environmental remediation applications.

Tracking the Molecular-Scale Mechanistic Pathway of Trapping-Bonding CTAB/Fe3O4-AS for High-Performance Cr(VI) Adsorption

Cr(VI) contamination threatens the environment and health, necessitating urgent, sustainable removal solutions. Composite biological adsorbents are promising, yet the molecular-level adsorption mechanisms remain unclear. This gap in understanding hinders the development and application of more efficient biological adsorbent materials. Here, we propose a magnetic composite adsorbent based on Aspergillus niger spores (CTAB/Fe3O4-AS) to track the trapping-bonding mechanisms of Cr(VI) on its surface. Characterization analysis showed that Fe3O4 nanoparticles and CTAB form a stable magnetic shell and an outermost quaternary ammonium layer on the spore surface. This synergistic structure enhanced the Cr(VI) adsorption capacity to 186 mg·g−1 at pH 2.0 in solution and achieved a Cr(VI) removal rate exceeding 99 % in electroplating wastewater, with dosage of 1.8 g·L−1 after 180 min. CTAB/Fe3O4-AS selectively removes Cr(VI) from acidic wastewater, with selectivity coefficients of KCr/Zn = 1334 and KCr/Cu = 2661. Cr(VI) removal occurs mainly through chemical adsorption via heterogeneous processes. DFT calculations and MD simulations visualize reaction pathways and interaction strengths at the molecular scale. The quaternary ammonium cation group ((CH3)4-N+) in CTAB traps Cr(VI) ions electrostatically, transferring them to the spore surface. Electron-donating groups (–COO, –NH-) on the spores reduce Cr(VI) to Cr(III). Amide groups in chitin create optimal coordination sites for Cr(III) by twisting, with nitrogen atoms forming stable complexes through coordination bonds with Cr(III)’s vacant orbitals. This study not only developed an efficient microbial-based composite adsorbent but also proposed a novel synergistic adsorption mechanism: electrostatic trapping–reduction–coordination bonding. This provides valuable insights for developing more efficient and applicable heavy metal ion adsorbent materials in the future.

Properties of Biochar Prepared by Solar Pyrolysis and Its Adsorption of Cu<sup>2+</sup> in Water

This study investigates the potential of biochar produced via a solar pyrolysis system and its effectiveness in removing copper (Cu<sup>2+</sup>) ions from water, presenting a sustainable and energy-efficient method for biochar production and biomass recycling. Two common agricultural and livestock wastes, corn straw and cow dung, were used as raw materials to produce biochar. These materials underwent solar pyrolysis under limited oxygen conditions to produce biochar, which was then compared to biochar produced via traditional pyrolysis. The comparison involved elemental analyses, infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and specific surface area and pore size analysis to highlight differences in their physical and chemical properties. Adsorption experiments were conducted to evaluate the adsorptive capacity of biochar for copper ions (Cu<sup>2+</sup>) from water, determining the optimal pH conditions and underlying adsorption mechanisms. The findings reveal that biochar produced through solar pyrolysis exhibits similar properties and Cu<sup>2+</sup> adsorption capacities to those prepared by traditional methods. Specifically, cow dung biochar demonstrated a higher adsorption capacity for Cu<sup>2+</sup> compared to corn straw biochar. The Cu<sup>2+</sup> adsorption by corn straw biochar followed the Langmuir isothermal adsorption model and pseudo-second-order kinetic equation, whereas cow dung biochar conformed to the Freundlich isothermal adsorption model and pseudo-second-order kinetic equation. By demonstrating the comparable efficacy of solar pyrolysis biochar in heavy metal adsorption, this study highlights its potential for sustainable environmental remediation and biomass utilization.

Study of heavy metals adsorption using a silicate-based material: Experiments and theoretical insights

Heavy metal toxicity in water is a serious problem with harmful effects on human health and the ecosystem. This research studied a silicate-based material as an adsorbent for removing four heavy metals from aqueous solutions. The target metal pollutants selected include manganese (Mn2+), copper (Cu2+), cobalt (Co2+), and zinc (Zn2+). First, theoretical tools including potential energy surface analysis, Natural Population Analysis, AIM, Wiberg Bond Index, QTAIM, and topological methods offer profound insights into the nature of interactions present in the Mg2O8Si3M (M = Mn2+, Cu2+, Co2+, Zn2+) clusters. Second, the synthesis and characterization of eco-friendly hydrated amorphous magnesium silicate (MgOSiO2nH2O) was developed. Last, a simple kinetic adsorption test was applied to assess the material selectivity towards heavy metals and support theoretical results. The kinetic adsorption study was analyzed through the pseudo-first and second-order kinetics, Elovich, and the intraparticle diffusion models. The theoretical analysis of the adsorption energies indicates that the adsorption of four metal ions on the Mg2O8Si3 surface is energetically favorable in all cases. The material displayed the following adsorption sequence: Cu2+ (59 mg g-1) > Zn2+(25 mg g-1) ≈ Co2+ (23 mg g-1) > Mn2+ (15 mg g-1). This knowledge can then be used to design and optimize low-cost silicate-based materials for effective heavy metal removal, contributing to efforts to address environmental pollution and protect public health.

Solar driven kaolin-based hydrogels for efficient interfacial evaporation and heavy metal ion adsorption from wastewater

Solar evaporation technology holds great promise for desalination and wastewater treatment due to its low energy consumption and sustainability. However, simultaneously removing contaminants from bulk water during the evaporation process remains challenging. In this work, we developed a clay-based hydrogel evaporator which exhibits efficient photothermal evaporation and heavy metal ion adsorption. The prepared Kaolin/CNTs/PAM hydrogel (KCAH) demonstrated approximately 99.8% light absorption in the wavelength range of 250–2,500 nm and achieved an evaporation rate of 2.99 kg m−2 h−1 under one sun illumination. It maintained over 99% desalination efficiency and exhibited good cycling stability in simulated seawater with different salinities, and its performance was verified in heavy metal ion and organic dye wastewater. Additionally, during the photothermal synergistic adsorption tests for Mn2+ ion, the KCAH achieved an evaporation rate of 2.74 kg m−2 h−1 and an adsorption capacity of 94.5 mg g−1. In the outdoor test, it is shown that the KCAH system’s daily water production was 4.85 kg m−2, with Mn2+ adsorption capacity of 265.37 mg g−1. In summary, this solar evaporator boasts high evaporation performance and excellent adsorption capabilities, making it a promising option for solar water purification, especially for heavy metal ion wastewater treatment.

Development of MOF-derived Co3O4 microspheres composed of fiber stacks for simultaneous electrochemical detection of Pb2+ and Cu2+

As an ideal transition metal oxide, Co3O4 is a P-type semiconductor with excellent electrical conductivity, non-toxicity and low cost. This work reports the successful construction of Co3O4 materials derived from metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) using a surfactant micelle template-solvothermal method. The modified electrodes are investigated for their ability to electrochemically detect Pb2+ and Cu2+ in aqueous environments. By adjusting the mass ratios of alkaline modifiers, the morphological microstructures of Co3O4-X exhibit a transition from distinctive microspheres composed of fiber stacks to rods. The results indicate that Co3O4-1(NH4F/CO(NH2)2 = 1:0) has a distinctive microsphere structure composed of stacked fibers, unlike the other two materials. Co3O4-1/GCE is used as the active material of the modified electrode, it shows the largest peak response currents to Pb2+ and Cu2+, and efficiently detects Pb2+ and Cu2+ in the aqueous environment individually and simultaneously. The linear response range of Co3O4-1/GCE for the simultaneous detection of Pb2+ and Cu2+ is 0.5–1.5 μM, with the limits of detection (LOD, S/N = 3) are 9.77 nM and 14.97 nM, respectively. The material exhibits a favorable electrochemical response, via a distinctive Co3O4-1 microsphere structure composed of stacked fibers. This structure enhances the number of active adsorption sites on the material, thereby facilitating the adsorption of heavy metal ions (HMIs). The presence of oxygen vacancies (OV) can also facilitate the adsorption of ions. The Co3O4-1/GCE electrode also exhibits excellent anti-interference ability, stability, and repeatability. This is of great practical significance for detecting Pb2+ and Cu2+ in real water samples and provides a new approach for developing high-performance metal oxide electrochemical sensors derived from MOFs.Graphical abstract