Removal Of Water Pollutants Research Articles

Construct 2D/1D BiOX (X = Cl, Br)@Bi5O7I heterojunctions with rich interfaces and wide visible light response range for pollutant removal in water under LED light

At present, the development of photocatalysts with high visible light sensitivity and efficient catalytic activity for environmental pollution control is the focus of research in the field of photocatalysis. In this work, 2D/1D BiOX (X = Cl, Br)@Bi5O7I heterojunction with abundant interfaces was prepared by a low-temperature liquid-phase method using Bi5O7I nanorods as substrate and BiOX nanoflakes as shell. The rich interfaces can be used as transport bridge for photogenerated electrons between Bi5O7I and BiOX. Under the optimum condition of BiOX content of 60%, the surface charge transfer efficiency increased from 20.79% (Bi5O7I) to 55.44% (BOI-BC-60) and 67.36% (BOI-BC-60) according to the photoelectrochemical measurement results. In the application of photocatalytic degradation of levofloxacin, the prepared BiOX (X = Cl, Br)@Bi5O7I heterojunctions exhibited enhanced adsorption capacity in darkness and improved photocatalytic activity under visible light. The reaction rate and pollutant removal efficiency of BOI-BC-60 and BOI-BB-60 were 6.87, 2.07 and 12.17, 3.28 times higher than that of Bi5O7I, respectively. It is proved that the suitable valence band and conduction band positions of BiOX and Bi5O7I components in BiOX@Bi5O7I heterojunction provide thermodynamic conditions for the migration of photogenerated electrons and holes.

Eco-Friendly TiO2 and ZnO Biocar Nanocomposites: Transforming Water Decontamination and Bacteria Inactivation

Water pollution ranging from harmful chemical substances to pathogenic bacteria is a growing problem from industry to society as a whole[1-2].There is a need to find new, cost-effective sustainable materials with high efficacy to clean up water and to protect the environment. Biocarbon (BC), a material with high specific surface area and large porosity, has some potential for removing water pollutants, but it also has many limitations. However, biocarbon-based composites can be tailored and may have a greater potential for removing contaminants in water. ZnO biochar and TiO2 biochar nanocomposites have been shown to effectively remove harmful chemical substances, such as industrial dyes, and additionally kill potential pathogenic bacteria[2–8].In this project, we combined TiO2 and ZnO with biochar to create an active nanocomposite surface to see if this could be a cost-effective method to deactivate bacteria and degrade specific dyes. We present the fabrication and examination of TiO2/biochar (BC) and ZnO/BC composite photocatalysts, synthesized via hydrolysis technique. These catalysts were designed for the purpose of methyl orange (MO) degradation and bacterial strain inactivation. A comprehensive assessment of these catalysts was carried out using a number of sophisticated methods, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and UV-Vis spectrophotometry for evaluation of degradation. Moreover, the direct contact method was used for antibacterial analysis. Our findings underline the exceptional properties of these composites for water decontamination and antibacterial efficacy. The nanocomposites showed remarkable photocatalytic performance in MO removal from wastewater, achieving a superior removal efficiency of 92%, as shown in Figure 1. This can be attributed to their outstanding electron transfer efficacy. In addition, the TiO2/BC and ZnO/BC nanocomposites manifested robust antibacterial properties, and they showed an antibacterial effectiveness of 85% against Escherichia coli (E. coli) (Table 1). This research highlights the promising potential of TiO2/BC and ZnO/BC nanocomposites as eco-friendly and multifaceted materials, suggesting a wide range of potential applications in water purification and antibacterial activity. Acknowledgments: The authors acknowledge the research grants from project # 6000237-13 Figure: Figure 1. Photocatalytic degradation of MO (initial concentration; 20 mg/L) under solar light irradiation, a) Pure BC and TiO2, and composite TiO2/BC catalysts, b) Pure BC and ZnO, and ZnO/BC catalysts. Table: Table 1. Antimicrobial efficiency of 5 different catalysts against E. coli.

Magnetic Persimmon Leaf Composite: Preparation and Application in Magnetic Solid-Phase Extraction of Pesticides in Water Samples.

In recent years, the utilization of biomass materials for the removal and detection of water pollutants has garnered considerable attention. This study introduces, for the first time, the preparation of Fe3O4/persimmon leaf magnetic biomass composites. The magnetic composites were employed in a magnetic solid-phase extraction method, coupled with gas chromatography-electron capture detection (GC-ECD), for the analysis of four pesticides (trifluralin, triadimefon, permethrin, and fenvalerate) in environmental water samples. The innovative magnetic persimmon leaf composites were synthesized by in situ generation of Fe3O4 nanoparticles through coprecipitation and loaded onto persimmon leaves. These composites exhibit superparamagnetism with a saturation magnetization of 12.8 emu g-1, facilitating rapid phase separation using a magnetic field and reducing the extraction time to 10 min. Desorption can be achieved within 30 s by aspirating 20 times, eliminating the need for time-consuming and labor-intensive experimental steps like filtration and centrifugation. The specific surface area of the magnetic composite adsorbent increased from 1.3279 m2 g-1 for the original persimmon leaf to 5.4688 m2 g-1. The abundant hydroxyl and carboxyl groups on the composites provide ample adsorption sites, resulting in adsorption capacities ranging from 55.056 mg g-1 to 73.095 mg g-1 for the studied pesticides. The composites exhibited extraction recoveries ranging from 80% to 90% for the studied pesticides. Compared to certain previously reported MSPE methods, this approach achieves equivalent or higher extraction recoveries in a shorter operation time, demonstrating enhanced efficiency and convenience. Good linearity of the target analytes was obtained within the range of 0.75-1500 μg L-1, with a determination of coefficient (R2) greater than 0.999. These findings contribute to the use of magnetic persimmon leaf biomass materials as effective and environmentally friendly adsorbents for pollutant determination in water samples.

An efficient, recyclable and stable immobilized enzyme cascade catalytic system with visible-light driven for the removal of organic matter in water

A novel photo-enzyme composite catalyst based on modified carbon nitride was constructed and applied in the removal of antibiotics and phenolic pollutants in water. This composite catalyst (Cyt c/C/CN) has high catalytic activity and stability under acidic or alkaline conditions, which broadens the application range of cytochrome c (Cyt c). In addition, it has A high degradation rate and mineralized rate for sulfadiazine (SDZ) and bisphenol A (BPA). Among them, the degradation and total organic carbon (TOC) removal rate of SDZ were 65.53% and 40.44% respectively, which were much higher than that of pure CN (50.83% and 9.76%). Moreover, the degradation and TOC removal rate of BPA were 72.53% and 44.66%, which were 1.3 times and 2.5 times that of pure CN, respectively. The findings provide insights for designing photo-enzyme coupling systems to efficiently and at a high level remove sulfonamides antibiotics and phenolic agricultural organic pollutants in a simple step.

Removal of organic pollutants in water using Nd-Sn-O-based dendritic nanofibrous

Herein, a newly developed and stable dendritic nanofibrous photocatalyst, namely Nd2Sn2O7 (referred to as DFNd2Sn2O7), has been successfully synthesized in a mild experimental condition. The fabrication process involved the utilization of various compositional variables such as Nd:Sn ratio and pH adjusting agents, which contribute to the formation of nanostructures with intrinsic structural essence, favorable optical properties, narrow size distribution, and remarkable photocatalytic efficiency. The characterization of the resulting Nd-Sn-O nanostructures and their distinctive features were comprehensively investigated using advanced techniques including XRD, FT-IR, VSM, TEM, and EDS. Lastly, a comparative analysis was conducted to assess the disparity in the performance of the DFNd2Sn2O7 photocatalyst in the decomposition of organic pollutants under UV and visible light irradiation. This research study presents an effective approach for developing a highly efficient Nd-Sn-O photocatalyst for the elimination of organic pollutants from contaminated water sources.

Triptycene-Based Cationic Porous Organic Polymer for the Swift and Effective Removal of Organic and Inorganic Anionic Water Pollutants

Triptycene-Based Cationic Porous Organic Polymer for the Swift and Effective Removal of Organic and Inorganic Anionic Water Pollutants

High-efficient charge separation in novel Zn0.5Cd0.5S/Bi4V2O11 heterostructure for boosting photocatalytic Cr (VI) reduction and degradation of tetracycline hydrochloride

Photocatalysis is a green and sustainable technology for the efficient removal of harmful pollutants in water, however, due to the coexistence of multiple pollutants in water system, it is a great challenge to develop multi-functional and efficient photocatalytic systems. Herein, a novel bifunctional Zn0.5Cd0.5S/Bi4V2O11 (ZCS/BVO) heterostructrue photocatalyst was designed and prepared by growing Zn0.5Cd0.5S nanospheres on the surfaces of Bi4V2O11 disc-like nanoflowers through a facial in-situ hydrothermal method. The as-prepared ZCS/BVO heterostructure showed much more enhanced bifunctional visible-light catalytic activity for Cr (VI) reduction and TCH degradation compared with pure Zn0.5Cd0.5S and Bi4V2O11. Among ZCS/BVO samples, ZCS/BVO-10 possessed the best Cr (VI) reduction performance of 86.7 % in 60 min, which was 1.38 and 9.96 times of Zn0.5Cd0.5S and Bi4V2O11. Moreover, ZCS/BVO-10 heterostructure also showed excellent TCH degradation ability of 80.3 % in 48 min, about 2.38 and 3.20 times as high as those of Zn0.5Cd0.5S and Bi4V2O11. The synergistic effect between Zn0.5Cd0.5S and Bi4V2O11 and the close contacted ZCS/BVO heterostructure greatly favored TCH degradation and Cr (VI) reduction reactions due to the increased surface area, enhanced light absorption and boosted charge separation. From the cyclic experiment, ZCS/BVO exhibited high stability and reusability. This work undoubtedly provided a multi-functional and effective photocatalyst for treating various pollutants in water bodies.

Experimental Investigation on the Properties of Sustainable Pervious Concrete with Different Aggregate Gradation

Pervious concrete (PC) as a green infrastructure material has been increasingly used due to its positive environmental impacts, such as controlling storm water runoff, removing water pollutants and reducing heat island effect. The aggregate gradation is a critical factor influencing the physical properties of PC. Therefore, this paper represents an attempt to determine the effects of aggregate gradation on the various physical properties of PC, and then to explore relationships between them. To this end, three aggregate gradations 4.75–9.5 mm, 9.5–19 mm and 19–31.5 mm were recombined with various proportions (20–80%) to obtain five different gradations named as A, B, C, D and E. PC mixtures were prepared with these five aggregate gradations. Then, physical and mechanical properties of PC including porosity, permeability, compressive strength and water stability were investigated, according to the available specification. The results suggested that it was feasible to use waste concrete for permeable pavement, because all the specimens provided required specification requirements. Different linear relationships were also found between the maximum aggregate size and porosity, permeability coefficient, compressive strength and its loss rate. That is, porosity and permeability increased with the proportion of larger size aggregate increased, however, compressive strength reduced. Thus the compressive strength had an inverse correlation with the porosity and water permeability. Among five different aggregate gradations, group C (20% of 4.75–9.5 mm aggregate, 50% of 9.5–19 mm aggregate and 30% of 19–31.5 mm aggregate) can be seen as the optimum gradation and is suitable for base layer materials of permeable pavements.

Application of Artificial Wetlands in Water Pollution

With the development of social economy, a large number of pollutants such as heavy metals enter water bodies. Artificial wetlands have emerged with unique advantages in removing water pollutants, like removing the phosphorus or sodium, especially suitable for developing countries. Wetland aquatic plants have a large biomass and high organic content. Using aquatic plants as raw materials for anaerobic fermentation can not only produce biogas as bioenergy, but also achieve effective disposal of aquatic plants, avoiding secondary pollution and waste of biomass resources. Based on previous research on anaerobic fermentation of aquatic plants, this article explains the two reaction mechanisms of anaerobic digestion and their applications in constructed wetlands.

Enhanced photo-degradation of organic contaminants on Ag3VO4/covalent organic frameworks under UV light: Mechanism analysis

In this study, binary S-scheme heterojunctions (Ag3VO4/SNW-1) with a covalent organic framework SNW-1 were synthesized using a cost-effective deposition-precipitation method. Comprehensive material characterization was conducted, including XRD, FT-IR, TGA, SEM-EDS, UV–vis, and PL analyses. The photocatalytic activity of Ag3VO4/SNW-1 was evaluated using NR dye as model pollutant. Results revealed superior performance, with a maximum NR degradation rate of 94% under optimized conditions. The binary system not only enhanced photocatalytic efficiency but also improved stability. Further investigations included free radical scavenging tests, EPR measurements, and identification of reactive active sites of NR. Reactive radicals, including ·O2-, e-, ·OH, and h+, were found to enhance the photocatalytic reaction. Economic analysis showed a 34.82% rate of return on investment (ROI) and a 36.27% break-even point (BEP), affirming the commercial potential of the binary nanocomposites. In summary, this study introduces a cost-effective, reproducible, and environmentally friendly binary nanocomposites with exceptional water pollutant removal performance, showcasing promising prospects for practical applications.

Alginate–based aerogel fibers with a sheath–core structure for highly efficient methylene blue adsorption via directed freezing wet–spinning

Developing adsorbent materials based on biomass that can be easily recycled and reused to remove water pollutants has received widespread attention. A novel method for the preparation of calcium alginate/poly (vinyl alcohol)/boric acid (as–synthesized Ca-APB) aerogel fibers for highly efficient adsorption of methylene blue by directed freezing wet–spinning was presented in this paper. The Ca-APB-0.5 aerogel fibers exhibited a hierarchical structure consisting of a honeycomb micron pore structure with mesopores walls, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 508.99 mg/g in 5 h at 293 K. Meanwhile, the experimental data for Ca-APB-0.5 aerogel fibers showed the best fit to the Freundlich model and pseudo–second–order model. Moreover, the adsorption capacity was investigated for three consecutive cycles, with 469.37, 457.19, and 439.77 mg/g in the first, second, and third cycles, respectively. This paper proves that the hierarchical structure of alginate-based aerogel fiber is an effective dye adsorption material with high efficiency, reusability, and eco-friendliness.

FeS and Fe3O4 Co-modified biochar to build a highly resistant advanced oxidation process system for quinclorac degradation in irrigation water

Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), based on sulfate radical (SO4·-) produced by peroxymonosulfate (PMS), can effectively mineralize refractory organic pollutants. However, the coexistence of anions and natural organic matters in actual wastewater prevents the application of AOPs. A simple one-step method was used to prepare FeS/Fe3O4 co-modified biochar materials (FFB) that could activate PMS to degrade quinclorac (QNC) with a removal rate of 100%, even exhibiting optimum degradation of QNC reached 99.31% in irrigation water, demonstrating excellent anti-interference performance for co-existing anions and natural organic matter. Meanwhile, ecotoxicity analysis showed that the toxicity of degradation intermediates was lower than that of QNC. Characterization results demonstrated the even distribution of FeS and Fe3O4 onto biochar, supplying abundant Fe2+ to activate PMS producing reactive oxygen species (ROS), while the generated Fe3+ after reactive continue to be reduced with sulfur species to promote the cycle of Fe2+/Fe3+. The coexistence of ·OH, SO4·-, 1O2, and O2·- in the FFB/PMS-QNC system suggest the possession of two pathway with free radical and non-free radical pathways to degrade QNC. The density functional theory (DFT) was used to analyze the adsorption sites and adsorption energy of PMS, as well as the differential charge density, which further proved the generation of SO4·-, O2·- and 1O2. In addition, the electrochemical test results showed that electron transfer also played an important role in the degradation of QNC. This study provides a feasible approach for the removal of organic pollutants in actual water.

Application of Fe-MOFs in Photodegradation and Removal of Air and Water Pollutants: A Review.

Photocatalytic technology has received increasing attention in recent years. A pivotal facet of photocatalytic technology lies in the development of photocatalysts. Porous metal-organic framework (MOF) materials, distinguished by their unique properties and structural characteristics, have emerged as a focal point of research in the field, finding widespread application in the photo-treatment and conversion of various substances. Fe-based MOFs have attained particular prominence. This review explores recent advances in the photocatalytic degradation of aqueous and gaseous substances. Furthermore, it delves into the interaction between the active sites of Fe-MOFs and pollutants, offering deeper insights into their mechanism of action. Fe-MOFs, as photocatalysts, predominantly facilitate pollutant removal through redox processes, interaction with acid sites, the formation of complexes with composite metal elements, binding to unsaturated metal ligands (CUSs), and hydrogen bonding to modulate their respiratory behavior. This review also highlights the focal points of future research, elucidating the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in harnessing the characteristics and advantages of Fe-MOF composite catalysts. In essence, this review provides a comprehensive summary of research progress on Fe-MOF-based catalysts, aiming to serve as a guiding reference for other catalytic processes.

Flexible fiber optoelectrodes integrating Perovskite-Nafion-ITO layers for efficient photoelectrocatalytic water purification

Photoelectrocatalytic processes (PECs) combine photocatalysis and electrochemical principles to enhance charge carrier generation and stability within nanomaterials (NMs). Nano-enabled PECs can be used for water purification or hydrogen production. While most PEC studies focus on nanomaterial discovery to improve charge carriers generation and separation, PEC reactor design is important to maximize energy efficiency of light delivery to activate photocatalysts. Current designs face challenges due to low energy efficiencies because most reactor designs orientate light sources perpendicular to flat photocatalyst-coated electrode surfaces, and light must pass through glass materials plus water. We developed a low-cost, physically flexible catalytic polymeric optical fiber (POF) architecture, called optoelectrode fibers, embedded with electrically-conductive indium tin oxide (ITO) nanomaterials (NMs) plus TAB3Bi2Br7I2 perovskite (ABI) visible-photocatalysts in Nafion-PVDF polymers surface layer. The PEC-POF architecture achieves > 6000% larger surface area than flat glass electrodes, > 90% organic pollutant removal in water, and > 300% better incident photon-to-current than the same ABI-NM deposited on a conventional ITO-coated flat glass-plate under low energy irradiation. POFs are useful because are agonistic to the type of NM, facilitating deposition of NMs tunable to specific wavelengths using LED or polychromatic light sources. Bundling large numbers of POF optoelectrodes together achieves reactors with orders of magnitude higher packing geometries (m2 of catalyst surface per m3 of reactor volume) than flat-electrode PEC reactors, enabling the optoelectrode fiber to address environmental problems.

Thermo-activated periodate oxidation process for tetracycline degradation: Kinetics and byproducts transformation pathways

Periodate-based advanced oxidation processes have been diffusely practiced for pollutant decontamination. However, the thermo-activation of periodate process (heat/PI), an effective water pollution removal process, has been rarely discussed, and the degradation pathway of this heat/PI system requires investigation. In this work, tetracycline antibiotics were selected as the model micropollutant for the comprehensive evaluation of the heat/PI system. The heat/PI system exhibited good performance for tetracycline (TC) remediation with temperature increases. The principal reactive oxidative species in the heat/PI system was confirmed using quenching experiments and electron paramagnetic resonance experiments. Further, the potential reactive sites in the TC were identified based on the density functional theory calculation. Based on the detection results of intermediates, there was no significant difference in byproducts generated during TC degradation under various temperatures in the heat/PI system. The Toxicity Estimation Software Tool (T.E.S.T.) method was applied to calculate the individual toxicity of the byproducts. This study contributes to a comprehensive explanation of the process of the thermal activation of periodate, and in particular, it explains the source of oxidation power, the transformation of byproducts, and the toxicity of reaction systems.

Surface characterizations and methylene blue pollutant removal efficiency of ZnO nanorods/biochar hybrids.

In this study, the integration of carbon nanotube (CNT), graphene, and biochar (BC) with zinc oxide nanorods (ZnO NRs) was investigated for efficient water pollutant removal. Two types of ZnO NRs/BC hybrids (BC on top and bottom of ZnO NRs) were synthesized and compared to other carbon material-based ZnO NRs combinations. Methylene blue (MB) adsorption efficiency was evaluated for various carbon material-based ZnO NRs composites, revealing good performance in ZnO NRs/BC hybrids, particularly with BC on top. The adsorption efficiency reached an impressive 61.79% for ZnO NRs/BC, surpassing other configurations. MB removal by ZnO NRs/BC fitted well with pseudo-first-order kinetics and the rate constants of MB adsorption is 9.19 × 10-2 1/min (R2 = 0.9237). Surface characterizations revealed a distinctive distribution of BC grains, with denser aggregation observed on top of ZnO NRs. This unique distribution contributed to higher MB adsorption rates, substantiated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis that showcased stronger MB adsorption in ZnO NRs/BC hybrids. Notably, the enhanced MB adsorption rates were attributed to the population of BC grains. This research establishes ZnO NRs/BC composites as promising candidates for effective water pollutant removal. The developed materials can be combined with the existed conventional wastewater treatment systems to further purify the water quality. PRACTITIONER POINTS: ZnO NRs/BC hybrids achieve a remarkable 61.79% efficiency in removing MB pollutants, surpassing other carbon materials. MB removal using BC-based materials follows pseudo-first-order kinetics. BC grains exhibit unique distribution patterns on ZnO NRs, with densely packed grains atop contributing to higher MB removal. FTIR analysis confirms increased MB-related bond vibration, supporting the effectiveness of ZnO NRs/BC hybrids for water pollutant removal.

An S-scheme NH2-MIL-101(Fe)@MCN/Bi2O3 heterojunction photocatalyst for the degradation of tetracycline and production of H2O2

Effective and durable photocatalysts are essential for the decomposition of persistent contaminants and the generation of hydrogen peroxide. In this study, we successfully constructed an S-type heterojunction by in situ growing Bi2O3 nanocrystals and NH2-MIL-101(Fe) onto surface-modified g-C3N4. The process of charge transfer in the S-type heterojunction was confirmed using ISI-XPS, DFT calculations, capture experiments, and EPR signals. The combined influence of the heterojunction and MOF demonstrated remarkable photocatalytic performance in the breakdown of tetracycline (TC) and the generation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). In the enhanced setup (10%–NH2–MIL-101(Fe)@MCN/Bi2O3), full degradation of TC was accomplished within 50 min under visible light exposure. Additionally, a notable H2O2 yield of 655.63 μmol/g was attained, all achieved without the necessity of sacrificial agents or supplementary oxygen. Based on the outcomes of the dual functionality, the exceptional performance of the ternary composite material can be ascribed to the collaborative influence of the heterojunction and MOF. This collaborative effect expands the light absorption range in the visible region, suppresses the recombination of electron-hole pairs, and enhances the photocatalytic redox ability. The system demonstrates significant potential in the efficient in situ production of H2O2 and removal of recalcitrant organic pollutants in pure water.

Persulfate activation technology based on carbon-based catalyst for removal of phenolic pollutants from water

Phenolic compounds constitute a broad category of extensively utilized chemical entities, the environmental residue of which has elicited substantial concerns regarding its deleterious impacts on natural ecology and human health. Over the past years, persulfate-based advanced oxidation technology (PS-AOPs), attributable to its effective degradation capacity for organic contaminants in aqueous environments, has garnered increasing interest among the scientific community. Relative to metal-based catalysts, their carbon-based counterparts possess distinct advantages such as non-toxicity, robust pH adaptability, appropriate pore volume, and extensive specific surface area, and have thus found considerable applications in activating PS for the removal of phenolic pollutants in water. This article provides a comprehensive review of recent research advancements concerning the use of carbon-based catalysts— including graphene, activated carbon, biochar, and metal-carbon composite materials — for the activation of PS aimed at phenolic pollutant removal. Additionally, it suggests potential trajectories for future investigations in this field.

Synthesis of enhanced hydrophilic UiO-66-(COOH)2/PSF hybrid membrane for efficient separation of o/w and removal of water pollutants

Metal-Organic frameworks (MOFs) are fascinating porous networks which are extensively investigated due to their several crucial potential applications. The ultrafiltration behaviour of MOF or its hybrid membranes are very exciting. Herein, polysulfone (PSF) was used with MOF, UiO-66-(COOH)2 (henceforth U) to developed hybrid membrane (U/PSF= 15UX; X = loading % of MOF) by direct blending method through phase inversion process. The attendance of non-coordinated –COOH moiety within MOF and in the hybrid membrane, is expected to enhance the hydrophilicity. Thus, we have added MOF individually from 1 to 10 wt% in each PSF solution for the fabrication of membrane composite. It is noted that the incorporation of more weight % of MOF, the hydrophilicity of the membrane is gradually enhanced as confirmed from the water contact angle (WCA) measurement. The resulting 15U6 membrane (X = 6 wt%) had a much greater water flow (up to 65.30 L m-2 h-1) than the simple PSF membrane (9.251 L m-2 h-1), almost 7 times is enhanced. The rejection % and the antifouling activity of the 15UX membrane were also enhanced. The optimized hydrophilic membrane is used for the separation of water from water/oil mixture. Further, it has employed for the separation of pollutants like humic acid and BSA protein from waste water. Quite interestingly, the optimised membrane showed the enhanced rejection percentages of w/o, BSA and HA from 83.54% to 97.78%, 81.10–93.08% and 82.06–95.52% respectively. The optimized membrane showed the good ultrafiltration recyclability up to eight with nominal changes in the separation efficiencies.

Irradiated fig pomace pyrochar as a promising and sustainable sterilized sorbent for water pollutant removal

Irradiated fig pomace pyrochar (IrrPyrFP) is noteworthy as a novel sterilized low-cost sorbent of BTEX, pesticides, and Pb2+ ions. It was produced by applying pyrolysis treatment followed by gamma irradiation modification in order to obtain a highly efficient and sterile sorbent.The characterization of fig pomace before and after pyrolysis, as well as before and after irradiation of the obtained pyrochar, was done using SEM, FTIR, and elemental analysis, while its sorption ability was tested through the removal of examined pollutants by batch sorption experiments. The obtained results suggest that IrrPyrFP could play a significant role in the control of environmental pollutants, as indicated by the maximum adsorption capacities: 42 mg g−1 for BTEX, 0.625 mg g−1 for malathion, 0.495 mg g−1 for chlorpyrifos and 255 mg g−1 for Pb2+. A kinetic study showed that the removal process by IrrPyrFP mainly follows pseudo 2nd kinetics order, while the sorption equilibriums were estimated using the Langmuir and Freundlich model. Overall, the findings of this work suggest that pyrolysis and activation by irradiation of waste biomass is a promising way to produce sterile efficient sorbents for waste-water treatment based on green chemistry. Additionally, the demonstrated application of fig pomace promotes the potential of using this biomass for continual and economical waste management in the rising fig industry.