Maximum Removal Efficiency Research Articles

Zn/Cr-MOFs/TiO2 Composites as Adsorbents for Levofloxacin Hydrochloride Removal.

The Zn/Cr-MOFs/TiO2 composites were synthesized using the solvothermal method. XRD, FTIR, and SEM techniques were utilized to characterize the Zn/Cr-MOFs/TiO2 composites employed for simulating levofloxacin hydrochloride in wastewater. The impact of the mass of the Zn/Cr-MOFs/TiO2 composite, concentration of levofloxacin hydrochloride, solution pH, and temperature on the adsorption performance was investigated. Experimental findings indicated that at pH 6, the maximum removal efficiency of levofloxacin hydrochloride by the Zn/Cr-MOFs/TiO2 composite was achieved at 88.8%, with an adsorption capacity of 246.3 mg/g. To analyze the experimental data, both pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetics models were applied, revealing that the pseudo-second-order model provided a better fit to the data. Additionally, Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were used to study equilibrium adsorption behavior and showed good agreement with both kinetic modeling and Langmuir isotherm analysis results. These observations suggest that monolayer adsorption predominates during the removal process of levofloxacin hydrochloride by Zn/Cr-MOFs/TiO2 composites.

Green Synthesis of Iron-Based Nanoparticles Using Pomegranate Leaf Extracts: Characterization, Biomolecules and Indole Removal

This study investigates the synthesis of iron-based nanoparticles (Fe NPs) using pomegranate leaf extracts and their application in removing indole, a persistent organic pollutant commonly found in wastewater. The physicochemical properties of the synthesized Fe NPs and the active biomolecules in the pomegranate leaf extracts were comprehensively characterized. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) analyses revealed that the Fe NPs exhibited quasi-spherical shapes, with sizes ranging from 75 to 105 nm. Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDS) confirmed a homogeneous distribution of elements, including C, O, Fe, and S, on the nanoparticle surfaces, with weight percentages of 43.59%, 42.95%, 12.58%, and 0.88%, respectively. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) identified key functional groups like −OH, −COOH, and −C=O, which are essential for the capping and stabilization of the nanoparticles. Biomolecules such as ellagic acid (C14H6O8) and gallic acid (C7H6O5) functioned as reducing agents, improving nanoparticle dispersion and preventing aggregation. The synthesized Fe NPs quickly achieved 45.5% removal of indole within just 20 min and maintained a stable removal efficiency of approximately 51.4% after 90 min. This performance was attributed to the synergetic interaction between the biomolecules and the nanoparticles, with the monolayer adsorption of indole molecules on the Fe NP surfaces likely setting an upper limit on the maximum achievable removal efficiency. It appears from this study that pomegranate leaf extracts can be effectively utilized to synthesize Fe NPs as a novel and eco-friendly approach, demonstrating promising potential for the rapid removal of indole from aqueous solutions.

Development of graphene oxide and magnesia immobilized kaolin supported dual biopolymeric hybrid material for methyl orange and malachite green removal from water

Industrial usage of various dyes seriously depends on the efficient treatment of industrial effluents. Efficient retention of waste matter using a variety of adsorbent materials has as a result turned into dangerous. In this research article, graphene oxide (GO) cum magnesium oxide (MgO) impregnated kaolin (KA) based chitosan (CS) and pectin (Pect) composite namely GO/MgO/KA/CS-Pect as an adsorbent material for effective methyl orange (MO) and malachite green (MG) removal in aquatic system. The physico-chemical properties like bonding, structural morphology and elemental composition of GO/MgO/KA/CS-Pect were explored with numerous sophisticated instrumental techniques viz., FTIR, SEM, XRD, EDAX and elemental mapping analysis. The influencing parameters of adsorption method, with effect of reaction time, solution pH, dosage, pHzpc, initial MO/MG concentration and temperature were investigated for MO and MG removal under batch scale. The removal of MO and MG rate of the GO/MgO/KA/CS-Pect was incredibly fast and the adsorption kinetic method was driven with intraparticle diffusion (IPD) and pseudo-second-order (PSO) kinetic models. The adsorption isotherm strongly well-adapted with Langmuir isotherm and the maximum removal efficiency of GO/MgO/KA/CS-Pect was found to be 45.50 and 42.00 mg/g for MO and MG respectively within 40 min. The MO and MG uptake by GO/MgO/KA/CS-Pect was majorly owing to chemical adsorption namely electrostatic adsorption, hydrogen bonding and π-π interaction mechanism. The prepared GO/MgO/KA/CS-Pect was productively regenerated with absolute ethanol and could be repetitively reused. This exploration reveals the feasibility and selectivity of the GO/MgO/KA/CS-Pect as genuine adsorbent material for removal of MO and MG from the aquatic system.

Green synthesis of a multifunctional β-cyclodextrin modified polymer sorbent using agrarian wastes of Nelumbo nucifera for the efficient sequestration of toxic dyes from polluted water

This study explores an eco-friendly strategy for the effective removal of toxic dyes Malachite Green, Methylene Blue, and Basic Magenta Dye, from water bodies, utilizing a novel β-Cyclodextrin modified Nelumbo nucifera (β-CDNN) sorbent. The sorbent was characterized using different analytical techniques, to assess its dye sorption capability. The analysis of sorption isotherm data revealed that the Freundlich model most accurately represented the equilibrium data. Kinetic studies indicated that the sorption process followed a pseudo-second-order model. At pH 5–8, the sorbent achieved maximum removal efficiencies of 96.7 %, 94.2 %, and 96.3 % for Malachite Green (402.7 mg/g), Methylene Blue (385.6 mg/g), and Basic Magenta Dye (401.03 mg/g), respectively, at equilibrium time 60 mins for MAG & MEB and 80 mins for MAD. The maximum swelling capacity of β-CDNN was recorded at 180.4 % and selectivity assay was performed via a MAG-AO7 dye mixture. The sorbent reusability was recorded for six consecutive cycles without much loss in efficiency. Additionally, β-CDNN exhibited a removal efficiency of 91.3 % in real dye samples. The findings highlight the rapid dye adsorption capabilities of β-CDNN, establishing it as a versatile, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly solution for water remediation, while also underscoring the beneficial use of bio-waste materials.

Application of Marine Mollusk Shells (Meretrix lusoria) as Low-Cost Biosorbent for Removing Cd2+ and Pb2+ Ions from Aqueous Solution: Kinetic and Equilibrium Study

The present work aims to evaluate the applicability of mollusk (Meretrix lusoria) shells as a biosorbent for toxic metal ions (Cd2+ and Pb2+) following the batch mode biosorption procedure. Some well-known analytical methods have been used to characterize the biosorbent such as a scanning electron microscope (SEM), an energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction. The mechanism of metal ion biosorption was examined using various analytical techniques. Therefore, an evaluation of operating factors such as contact time, pH, initial concentration of metal ions, biosorbent dose, and temperature was performed. The results obtained in this investigation indicated that the optimum conditions for the biosorption of Cd+2 and Pb+2 ions are as follows: pH = 6; contact times of 90 min; and the 20 mg/L of initial [M2+]. And a biosorbent dosage of 1.0 g/100 mL for each metal ion solution was also determined. The maximum removal efficiency results were 90.6% for Cd+2 and 91.5% for Pb+2 at pH 6.0. The biosorption isotherm was investigated using three forms of linear equilibrium (Freundlich, Langmuir, and Temkin models). Kinetic studies were also conducted to determine the equilibrium time for the biosorption of the studied metals utilizing the pseudo-second-order, pseudo-first-order, and intraparticle diffusion model. The data indicate that the biosorption kinetics of Cd2+ and Pb2+ follow the pseudo-second-order models. According to the present study, it can be identified that the shell of Meretrix lusoria is a suitable biosorbent for Cd2+ and Pb2+ ions and can contribute to their removal from environmentally polluted water.

Insight into biochar as sustainable biomass: Production methods, characteristics, and environmental remediation

Industrialization has contributed significantly to the advancement and sustenance of human civilization. However, it has also posed serious challenges to environmental sustainability, notably through heavy metal pollution, which has severely impacted ecological systems. Recent studies have explored the use of biochar for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions. This review underscores the diverse physicochemical and structural characteristics of biochar, derived from various biomass sources through different pyrolysis processes, and their varying adsorption efficiencies. The review aims to investigate current biochar production technologies, their unique properties, and their maximum removal efficiency and adsorption capacity for heavy metals. The primary adsorption mechanisms, adsorption isotherms, and kinetic models have been identified. Furthermore, the study confirms that optimal conditions—such as the choice of precursors, pyrolysis temperature, and an understanding of the advantages and limitations—are crucial for designing biochar with superior structural and physicochemical properties. This review provides an updated overview of biochar-based heavy metal treatment in aquatic systems, highlighting existing research gaps and suggesting future research directions.

Microplastic removal using Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) seed from aqueous solutions

The ubiquitous presence of MPs in water bodies presents an escalating concern, as these minuscule plastic particles could ultimately reach humans via the drinking water supply. This study explores the efficacy and underlying mechanisms of removing PE and PVC MPs using Abelmoschus esculentus seeds (commonly known as okra), a natural and environmentally benign coagulant. Through experiments conducted under varying conditions—such as pH level, coagulant dosage, MP concentration, and EC—using the standard method and a Jar test apparatus, the sedimentation rate was assessed. ZP analysis revealed that charge neutralization and bridging cause pivotal in enhancing the removal efficiency of MPs. FESEM and FTIR analyses corroborated the formation of new bonds during the interaction between the MPs and the okra seed-based coagulant. The findings indicate that the optimal parameters for PVC removal were a coagulant dosage of 70 mg/L, a pH of 10, and an MP concentration of 20 mg/L, achieving a removal efficiency of 80.11%. Conversely, for PE, the maximum removal efficiency of 64.76% was realized at a coagulant dosage of 70 mg/L, a pH of 3, and an MP concentration of 20 mg/L. Abelmoschus esculentus seeds offer a practical and eco-friendly option, potentially substituting chemical coagulants, to efficiently eliminate MPs from aquatic environments.

Synthesis of nano zero valent zinc-reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite using a novel electrochemical technique for the adsorptive degradation of methyl orange

Indiscriminate disposal of effluent contaminated with persistent azo dyes has become a significant environmental issue. Since the conventional wastewater treatment processes are ineffective in removing azo dyes completely, many studies are currently being focused on finding effective methods to degrade azo dyes. We herein report a novel in-situ synthesis of a nanocomposite with nano-zero valent zinc (nZVZ) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) that can effectively remove methyl orange, an azo dye, from an aqueous solution via adsorptive degradation. nZVZ-rGO nanocomposite was synthesized by electrochemical reduction of Zn2+ ions on rGO. The presence of nZVZ particles on rGO with an average metal-loading of 4 % was confirmed by SEM-EDS, TEM, XPS and XRD results. Batch experiments showed that a maximum removal efficiency of 99.6 % of methyl orange can be achieved with 25 mg L−1 initial dye concentration and by optimizing the pH, nanocomposite dosage and contact time. However, a noticeable reduction in removal efficiency was observed in the presence of anions such as Cl-, SO42- and CO32-. The degradation of methyl orange was monitored using UV-Visible spectroscopy, HPLC and FTIR spectroscopy. The peaks corresponding to -NN- group, –C-N bond and –SO3Na group have completely disappeared in the product spectrum of FTIR analysis, indicating the degradation of methyl orange. The adsorptive degradation process of methyl orange obeys the Sips model (R2=0.9820) indicating a complex heterogenous adsorption mechanism while the kinetic model was shown to be pseudo-second-order model (R2=0.9999).

Visible-light responsive photocatalytic fuel cell with gas-diffusion g-C3N4/TiO2 heterojunction photoanode for simultaneously degrading VOCs and generating electricity

The use of a gas diffusion photoanode for a photocatalytic fuel cell is promising to simultaneously degrade VOCs and generate electricity. However, conventional gas-diffusion photoanode faces the issues of inefficient solar energy utilization and serious electron-hole recombination. Herein, a visible-light-responsive gas-diffusion g-C3N4/TiO2 heterojunction photoanode is developed for simultaneous degradation of toluene and generation of electricity. In addition to the intrinsic feature of reduced mass transfer resistance of VOCs to the photocatalytic surface, such a gas-diffusion photoanode not only extends the photo-response spectrum, but also enhances charge separation. Accordingly, the photocatalytic fuel cell with the newly-developed photoanode demonstrates superior discharging performance and toluene removal efficiency over the gas-diffusion TiO2 and g-C3N4 photoanodes. The maximum power density achieved by the gas-diffusion g-C3N4/TiO2 heterojunction photoanode is 0.0375 mW/cm², while the maximum toluene removal efficiency reaches 43.8 %. This study has promoted the development of photocatalytic fuel cells for the degradation of VOCs and electricity generation.

Synthesis of nanogeopolymer adsorbent and its application and reusability in the removal of methylene blue from wastewater using response surface methodology (RSM)

Organic dyestuff are mostly toxic compounds that pose serious dangers to the environment. Adsorption using low-cost adsorbents is the most favorable method for its economic aspects. Recently, geopolymers have been introduced as an effective adsorbent for dyes and heavy metals. In this investigation, the synthesis of geopolymers from fired brick waste (Homra) was studied with full characterization using X-ray Diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, Energy dispersive X-ray, Scanning electron microscope tests and Transmission electron microscopy. The synthesized nano-Homra geopolymer (NHGP) was then subjected to the removal of one of the most used basic dyes, Methylene Blue (MB). Adsorption optimization was applied using Response surface methodology to study dye adsorption by the synthesized nano-geopolymer. The independent variables studied were: temperature, contact time, and concentration of dye in the elimination process, which were varied in the range of (25–60 ℃), (10–180 min), and (20–300 mg/L) respectively. The results obtained from ANOVA indicated that the maximum removal efficiency of 95% and adsorption capacity of 80.65 mg/g at a temperature of 59 ℃, contact time of 163 min, and an initial concentration of 254 mg/L. The results showed that the data obtained from the adsorption of MB onto NHGP was compatible with the Pseudo second order (R2 = 0.9838) and Langmuir isotherm model (R2 = 0.9882).

Effect of solvothermal reaction time on adsorption and photocatalytic activity of spinel ZnFe2O4 nanoparticles

The present investigation explored the impact of solvothermal reaction time on the adsorption properties of synthesized spinel ZnFe2O4 Nanoparticles (ZF NPs) and their photocatalytic activity for the degradation of congo red (CR) dye. The structure, morphology and chemical composition is identified for the synthesized ZF NPs. The reaction times for the solvothermal synthesis of ZF NPs were investigated at time intervals of 6 hrs and 18 hrs which are denoted as ZF-6 h and ZF-18 h respectively. The XRD confirms the formation of spinel-type ZF-6 h and ZF-18 h with crystallite size of 5.50 nm and 8.36 nm for ZF-6 h and ZF-18 h respectively. The FESEM image of ZF-6 h exhibits microspheres, whereas in ZF-18 h NPs, the microspheres undergoes deformation. TEM analysis of ZF-6 h revealed that the microspheres were consists of 8–10 nm size ZF-NPs. Raman spectroscopy and XPS studies indicates, the reaction time influence the occupancy with 64 % and 32 % of inversion of Zn2+ cations from tetrahedral to octahedral sites in ZF-6 h and ZF-18 h, respectively. The surface area of mesoporous ZF-6 h and ZF-18 h are 138.29 m2/g and 128.41 m2/g respectively as confirmed using BET and BJH techniques. The CR dye adsorption capacity of 123.73 mg/g for ZF-6 h is higher compared to ZF-18 h (99.93 mg/g). The maximum dye removal efficiency evaluated for ZF-6 h NPs and ZF-18 h NPs was 87.33 % and 73.09 % respectively upon exposure of natural sunlight. The recyclability study identifies that ZF-6 h NPs remain stable for three degradation cycles. These results indicate that reaction time in solvothermal synthesis is sensitive to the morphology and physicochemical properties of ZF NPs. The enhanced performance of such ZF NPs is attributed to the synergistic effect of adsorption followed by photocatalytic (photo-Fenton) degradation of dyes.

Treatment and nutrient recovery from landfill leachate by sequential persulfate oxidation and struvite precipitation: An evaluation of technical feasibility.

The technical feasibility of advanced oxidation process, in particular persulfate (PS) oxidation followed by struvite precipitation for landfill leachate treatment and nutrient recovery has been depicted in the current study. Furthermore, the impact of activation of PS with thermal and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation techniques on COD removal efficiency is also investigated. A maximum COD removal efficiency of 96% is accomplished at 65°C together with supply of UV irradiation. The impact of persulfate dose, pH, and PS/65°C/UV system on COD and biodegradability is also illustrated in the current study. Additionally, decomposition rate constant values are also ascertained in the present study. Afterwards, nutrient recovery using struvite precipitation is carried out for sustainable utilization of resources. Preliminary treatment of leachate with PS/65°C/UV system is greatly conducive to recovering high quality struvite crystals. Besides, 94.9%, 83.5%, and 91.3% of PO43- -P, NH4+ -N, and Mg2+ recovery efficiency attained respectively at pH 9.5 and 1.2:1:1 molar ratio of Mg2+: NH4+-N: PO43--P. Additionally, all the nutrient recovery studies are validated using chemical equilibrium model Visual MINTEQ. Later, bioavailable fraction of PO43--P in the recovered struvite is also investigated for utilization as fertilizer. The presence of Cu and Zn in the recovered struvite precipitate enhanced its economic value as a fertilizer. Since Cu and Zn are vital micronutrients for growth of plants. The low soluble values of recovered struvite precipitate confirmed its utilization as slow releasing fertilizer.

Adsorption and kinetic studies of dyes onto BaFe12O19 Ferrite Nanoparticles

Abstract In this work, Barium hexaferrite (BaFe12O19) nanoparticles were used for industrial waste water treatment from methylene blue (MB) and congored (CR) dyes. Batch adsorber with mechanical stirring column was used to test various experimental parameters like contact time, initial dye concentration and adsorbent dosage for the removal of these dyes. For the removal of MB and CR dyes using magnetic nanoparticles, the maximum adsorption capacities were 200 and 124.5 mg/g respectively. The maximum removal efficiencies were 90 % for MB removal onto the nanoparticles and 80% for CR removal. In order to analyze the kinetic data, pseudo first and second order kinetic models have been used. For all studied variables and based on correlation coefficient (R) values and graphical presentation, the results confirm that pseudo second order model fits well the experimental data.

Industrial park wastewater treatment using a combined sono-pulsed electrochemical-coagulation process

Maintaining sustainable water management practices, preserving ecosystems, and safeguarding public health has depend on the treatment of wastewater. It has a significant impact on reducing water pollution and protecting the water supplies. Sono-pulsed electrochemical oxidation (S-PEO) process is a wastewater treatment method that uses ultrasound (US) waves and electrochemistry to enhance the pollutant removal efficiency. This study aim is to investigate the mineralization of industrial park wastewater by using pulsed electrochemical oxidation (PEO) and a combination of sonolysis and pulsed electrochemical oxidation (S-PEO) processes. The research focuses on the percentage elimination of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and color, as well as the assessment of power consumption. The study considers the influence of experimental parameters like initial pH, electrolysis time, and current to find the optimum conditions for maximum percentage removal efficiency with minimization of power consumption. According to the study, the optimum values of responses for the S-PEO process were obtained at pH=7, electrolysis time=40 min, and current =0.5 Amp. The optimum values for the maximum removal percentages of the responses COD and color were 97.04 %, and 99.70 %, respectively. The minimum of power consumption for S-PEO was 0.19 kWh/m3. These results demonstrate that, the superior efficiency of the S-PEO process and its feasibility in the removal of industrial wastewater pollutants. Optimizing parameters like pH, time, and current intensity is crucial for optimal performance, reducing energy consumption and operational costs. The S-PEO technique eliminates pollutants from wastewater efficiently and effectively, making it the suitable process when compared to the others.

UIO-66 (Zr)-Metal Organic Frameworks for oil orange SS adsorption from aqueous effluent towards eco-friendly wastewater management

Abstract Wastewater treatment is essential for efficient removal of harmful substances such as dyes and organic contaminants from aqueous streams. In this regard, metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are introduced by academia owing to their superior properties that including efficient adsorbents as well as reliable semi-permeability. Thus, such characteristics are making them attractive for wastewater treatment applications. The experimental results revealed that the modified MOF structures namely, UIO-66 (Zr) possess a superior adsorption capacity for orange SS dye. The influence of pH value, the temperature, adsorption isotherm time, initial pollutant load, as well as coexisting ions is highlighted. Initially, 30-minutes of reaction contact time is monitored as the isotherm time. The experimental results demonstrate a maximum dye removal efficiency of 100% and an adsorption capacity of 2062.175 mg/g is investigated. Such outcomes confirm the efficient adsorption capacity of UIO-66 (Zr) based MOF material for dye elimination.

Performance and mechanisms of constructed wetland integrated microbial fuel cell for remediation and detoxification of leather tannery wastewater

Several previous studies concerned of microbial fuel cells integrated into constructed wetlands, nevertheless, their application as a convenient treatment for wastewater is still developing. In this experimental investigation, five CW-MFC systems were similarly designed, setup, and operated in a batch mode for two subsequent cycles. Each cycle lasted for 10 days to evaluate the performance of CW-MFC system for the remediation of real leather tannery wastewater (LTW). Four CW-MFCs were planted, each with different type of vegetation including Conocarpus, Arundo donax, Canna lily, and Cyperus papyrus in CW1-MFC, CW2-MFC, CW3-MFC, and CW4-MFC, respectively. The fifth CW5-MFC was maintained unplanted and considered as the control system. The performance of each CW-MFCs systems was evaluated mainly based on the removal of organic content (COD), total dissolved solid (TDS) elimination, and power generation. The results demonstrated that the four types of plants maintained healthy and no sign of wilting was observed during the 20 days of monitoring. For the first cycle of batch operation, maximum removal efficiencies of COD were 99.8%, 99.5%, 99.7%, 99.6% and 99.5% with power outputs of 10,502.8, 10,254.6, 9956.4, 10,029.6, and 9888.0 mW/m3, while, maximum TDS elimination were 46.7%, 39.7%, 60.8%, 55.5%, and 13.8% observed in CW1-MFC, CW2-MFC, CW3-MFC, CW4-MFC, and CW5-MFC, respectively. Very comparable results were observed in the second operation cycle. Results of phototoxicity test indicated that the germination of Hordeum vulgare and Triticum aestivum were 100% watered with treated effluent compared to 90% accomplished with tap water as the control solution for both types of seeds.

Efficient Pb(II) removal from contaminated soils by recyclable, robust lignosulfonate/polyacrylamide double-network hydrogels embedded with Fe2O3 via one-pot synthesis

Soil heavy metal removal strategies are increasingly valued for effectively reducing contamination and preventing secondary pollution. In this work, a double network hydrogel (Fe2O3@LH), consisting of lignosulfonate (LS) and polyacrylamide with embedded Fe2O3 nanoparticles, was synthesized successfully via a one-pot method and subsequently applied to adsorb lead (Pb) from contaminated soil. Incorporating Fe2O3 into the hydrogel enhances the adsorption capacity of Fe2O3@LH for Pb(II). The Fe2O3@LH hydrogel demonstrates a maximum Pb(II) adsorption capacity of 143.11 mg g–1, with Pb(II) removal mechanisms involving electrostatic adsorption, cation exchange, precipitation reactions, and the formation of coordination complexes, achieving a 22.3 % maximum removal efficiency in soil cultivation experiments. Additionally, the application of Fe2O3@LH markedly reduces the concentrations of cadmium (Cd) and arsenic (As) in the soil, meanwhile enhances the levels of total nitrogen (TN), soil organic matter (SOM), and cation exchange capacity (CEC) by 23.1 %, 10.6 %, and 16.9 %, respectively. Following 90 days of continuous application in the soil, the recovery rate of Fe2O3@LH remains above 75 %. The toxicity assay using zebrafish larvae indicates that Fe2O3@LH demonstrates good biosafety. This study demonstrates the considerable potential of Fe2O3@LH hydrogel for practical application in reducing Pb(II) levels in contaminated soil.

Design a WO3/Zn heterojunction for boosting the photodegradation of Favipiravir in aqueous solutions

ABSTRACT This study was aimed at designing a new type of heterojunction catalyst for the degradation of Favipiravir using visible light. Several WO3–ZnO nanocomposites with different Zn contents varying from 1 to 20 wt% were successfully developed via a simple one-step microwave irradiation procedure. Various analytical methods, including XRD, TEM, FESEM, EDAX, FTIR, and BET, BJH characterised the WO3-Zn catalysts. XRD pattern revealed that the small size of Zn ions is caused by the easy penetration of Zn ions into the WO3 crystalline with a monoclinic phase, which will lead to an increase in the surface area and a decrease in the size of the particles. According to FESEM and TEM images, nanocomposite particles had a non-uniform, irregular shape and a smaller particle size (20 to 40 nm). EDAX analysis related to WO3-Zn synthesised showed the O, W and Zn elements are 10%, 67%, and 23%, respectively. Response surface methodology using R software was used as a tool to optimise the amount of catalyst and Favipiravir concentration, time and pH. Effective parameters in the process, including the amount of catalyst in the range (0.5 to 2.5 g L−1), Favipiravir concentration in the range (1–10 mg L−1), time in the range (10–90 min) and pH in the range (4 to 9) were entered into the software and analysed. Under the optimised conditions of the parameters (pH, 4.96; amount of catalyst, 2 g L−1; amount of Favipiravir concentration, 10 mg L−1; and time, 60 min), the maximum removal efficiency (99.99%) was obtained. Also, 85.8% of the mineralisation of Favipiravir was found under the determined optimum conditions. Quenching experiments were conducted to investigate the reaction mechanism, the results showed that superoxide and hydroxyl oxidising radicals play an essential role in Favipiravir degradation..

Engineered hybrid iron‐cobalt metal oxide nanoparticles for effective adsorption of malachite green dye

AbstractBACKGROUNDHybrid iron and cobalt metal oxide nanoparticles are well known; however, are not optimized in terms of size and stability. We engineered these hybrid nanoparticles using the co‐precipitation method and characterized them by various techniques, which are then used for the effective adsorption and removal of malachite green (MG) dye.RESULTSThe ideal conditions for synthesis are determined to be 50:50 ratio of Fe2O3 and CoO, pH of 11, temperature range of 40 °C–60 °C, and reactant addition time of 20 min. These hybrid nanoadsorbents effectively eliminated MG dye from aqueous solutions. Factors such as initial MG dye concentration, pH of the medium, contact time, temperature, and nanoadsorbent dose were optimized for the MG removal to achieve a maximum removal efficiency of 96.9%. Non‐linear fitting of data indicates that both Langmuir and Freundlich models provided the best fit, suggesting the presence of both monolayer and multilayer adsorption of MG on hybrid nanoparticles. The kinetics of MG dye removal are better controlled by the intraparticle diffusion (IPD) phenomenon. The adsorption of MG onto the hybrid nanoparticles was confirmed to be endothermic, with negative ΔG and positive ΔH values. The optimized synthetic conditions also positively impacted the hybrid nanoparticles which enhanced the adsorption and exhibited ferromagnetic behavior as compared to the superparamagnetic behavior reported in the literature, making them significantly important for dye removal applications.CONCLUSIONThese findings demonstrate the potential of optimized hybrid nanoparticles as effective nanoadsorbents for dye removal applications, with implications for further applications in photocatalysis and sensing. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).

Cellulose Acetate Supported MOF-5/Crystalline Nanocellulose Composite Film as an Adsorbent Material for Methylene Blue Removal from Aqueous Solutions.

In this study, a novel, low-cost, and efficient adsorbent film was fabricated by a solvothermal method. The adsorbent film was developed to be hydrolytically stable, not vulnerable to aggregation in aqueous environments, and not prone to secondary contamination. The adsorbent consists of cellulose acetate (CA) as a support embedded with a MOF-5/crystalline nanocellulose (CNC) composite material. The CA-supported MOF-5/CNC film was characterized using a variety of techniques, including X-ray diffraction, thermal gravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, which revealed hydroxyl and carbonyl functional groups on the adsorbent film. The film was evaluated for the adsorptive removal of methylene blue (MB) from an aqueous solution. Adsorption was characterized by a rapid increase in MB adsorption during the first hour with equilibrium achieved within 4-5 h into the adsorption process. The maximum adsorption capacity was determined to be 4.29 mg/g and the maximum dye removal efficiency was 77%. The MB adsorption process best fitted the Freundlich isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. Thermodynamic studies showed that the adsorption was exothermic and feasible. The adsorbent film showed admirable regeneration ability, demonstrating its cost-effectiveness and its potential as a promising material for wastewater treatment.