Water Remediation Research Articles

Porous β-cyclodextrin polymers for rapid and efficient removal of organic micropollutants from water: The role of sulfonation and porosity on adsorption performance

Removal of organic micropollutants (OMPs) from water, especially hydrophilic and ionized ones, is challenging for water remediation. Herein, porous β-cyclodextrin polymers (PCPs) with tailored functionalization were prepared based on molecular expansion strategy and sulfonation. Partially benzylated β-cyclodextrin was knotted by external crosslinker to form PCP1, and knotting PCP1 by expansion molecule generated PCP2. PCP1 and PCP2 were sulfonated to achieve PCP1–SO3H and PCP2–SO3H. Based on systematical adsorption evaluation toward multiple categories of OMPs, it was found that the introduced strong polar –SO3H group could bring strong hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions. PCP2 showed the highest surface (998.97 m2/g) displayed more excellent adsorption performance toward neutral and anionic OMPs, and the adsorption mechanism for this property of PCP2 was dominated by hydrophobic interactions. In addition, the PCP1–SO3H with the lowest surface area (39.75 m2/g) rather than PCP2–SO3H with higher surface (519.28 m2/g) exhibited more superior adsorption towards hydrophilic and cationic OMPs, benefiting by hydrogen bonding and electrostatic interactions as well as appropriate porosity. These results not only confirmed the performance enhancement of PCPs through the integration of novel preparation strategy, but also provided fundamental guidance for PCPs design for water remediation.

Phosphate Removal from Polluted Water via Lanthanum-Modified Sludge Biochar

Biochar has attracted attention for its capability to remove phosphorus (P) from wastewater. However, the poor dispersion and limited adsorption capacity of unmodified biochar prevent its wide usage in water remediation. Herein, sludge biochar was modified using lanthanum nitrate to improve the removal of P from aqueous solutions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were used to elucidate the modification and adsorption mechanisms of biochar. Furthermore, the adsorption performance of the modified biochar was determined through adsorption kinetics and isotherm model fitting. The results showed that the modification process successfully introduced lanthanum-containing functional groups into biochar and considerably improved the complexation performance and ion-exchange capacity. The maximum experimental adsorption capacity for phosphate was 140.237 mg/g at pH 3.0. The adsorption processes of the modified biochar accorded with the Freundlich adsorption isotherm model, which indicates the successful adsorption of phosphate onto the modified biochar via multilayer adsorption. The adsorption mechanism was dominated by chemisorption, which mainly involved inner-sphere complexation, precipitation, and electrostatic attraction. Meanwhile, the adsorption and desorption experiments demonstrated the satisfying recycling performance of the modified biochar and the 72.3% adsorption capacity retention after the sixth desorption cycle. The dynamic adsorption study revealed that the modified biochar had long sustainable treatment durations of 7.58 and 9.08 h at adsorbent dosages of 1 and 2 g, respectively, which proves the feasibility of using biochar as a cost-effective and efficient adsorbent for phosphate-polluted water.

Highly efficient adsorption assisted photocatalytic decontamination of metronidazole by Co3O4 doped graphitic carbon nitrides

Since traditional wastewater treatment techniques only partially remove antibiotics like metronidazole (MTZ), the rising use of these drugs causes their entry into wastewater and receiving surface waterways. A flexible method that may effectively degrade such organic pollutants is adsorption assisted photocatalytic degradation. Herein, an easy mixing-and-heating procedure was used to synthesize visible light-induced g-C3N4/Co3O4 heterojunction photocatalysts. The structural properties and morphology of as-prepared materials were measured using characterization techniques such as FTIR, FSEM, and XRD analysis. The as-prepared catalyst has demonstrated a remarkable adoption and photocatalytic performance in degrading MTZ. It was found that 0.2 weight percent of Co3O4 was the optimum amount for achieving the best photocatalytic efficiency. A key factor in boosting photo-generated carrier separation is the synergistic interaction between g-C3N4 and Co3O4. The kinetics study of MTZ adsorption and degradation as well as factors effecting such as pH (2-10) and catalyst dosage process were investigated. The functional treatment method attained 78% degradation of MTZ under the following general conditions: pH = 6, g-C3N4/Co3O4 = 0.04 g/L, and reaction time = 200 min and MTZ concentration = 20 mg/L. A possible mechanism for the photocatalytic degradation was introduced, wherein O 2 • − was found to be the leading radical, whereas h + and H O • radicals contribute moderately to the degradation process. The research presents an appealing and environmentally friendly technique for the practical remediation of waste water carrying antibiotics.

A Comprehensive Review on Lignin Based Electrospun Nanomaterials as Suitable Adsorbents for Remediation of Detrimental Water and Air Pollutants

A Comprehensive Review on Lignin Based Electrospun Nanomaterials as Suitable Adsorbents for Remediation of Detrimental Water and Air Pollutants

Influence of Mn precursor on pre-pyrolysis modification of sugarcane bagasse biochar for enhanced removal of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid from aqueous solutions: Experimental and theoretical insights

Biochars impregnated with Mn oxides were produced using sugarcane bagasse (SB) modified with MnCl2 (Mn(II)-BC) or KMnO4 (Mn(VII)-BC) for the removal of the herbicide 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) through adsorption. The composites were structurally and functionally characterized by various techniques, revealing an irregular surface with oxide microspheres. Elemental analyses showed the presence of manganese and oxygen in distinct proportions. X-ray diffraction identified crystalline planes of MnO and Mn3O4, as well as the amorphous carbon phase. Infrared spectroscopy confirmed Mn bonded to oxygen, and its influence on BC graphitization was corroborated by Raman spectroscopy. Thermogravimetry highlighted the oxides' influence on thermal stability, while the total number of acidic and basic functions revealed notable differences in surface chemistry. Adsorptive removal of 2,4-D was optimized under conditions of pH 2.00, dosage of 2 g L−1, and particle size smaller than 100 mesh. Adsorption equilibrium was attained after 24 and 12 hours for Mn(II)-BC and Mn(VII)-BC, respectively, with experimental maximum capacities of 36.78 and 57.19 mg g−1. Freundlich and Sips isotherms fit better for Mn(II)-BC and Mn(VII)-BC, respectively, while Elovich and pseudo-second-order kinetic models were suitable. Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations confirm that, with decreasing pH, hydrogen bonding takes place. At higher pH,binding with Mn3O4 suggests efficacy in Mn(II)-BC composite adsorption, not observed in Mn(VII)-BC due to an additional oxide, differentiating available sites. Despite Mn leaching challenges, post-acid exposure reuse showed favorable removal percentages, indicating potential for reutilization. These findings confirm the suitability of the synthesized composites as adsorbents for the remediation of water contaminated with 2,4-D.

Conjugated polymers decorated lignocellulosic nanocomposites for malachite green contaminated water remediation

Various novel conjugated polymer composites were synthesized via in situ chemical oxidative polymerization on lignocellulosic waste, notably Azadirachta indica sawdust. The composites, including Azadirachta indica/polyindole (AIS/PIn), Azadirachta indica/polyaniline (AIS/PAn), Azadirachta indica/polythiophene (AIS/PTh), and Azadirachta indica/polypyrrole (AIS/PPy), were investigated for their porous structure, ease of synthesis, unique adsorptive properties, and adjustable morphology. The synthesized composites were characterized using SEM/EDS, TEM/SAED, XRD, BET, TGA, and FTIR, revealing detailed insights into their structural and morphological features. The potential of these composites as efficient adsorbents for removing malachite green (MG) dye from water was a vital focus of this research. Batch experiments were conducted to assess the impact of various factors on adsorption, such as adsorbent/adsorbate contact time (0–280 min.), adsorbent dosage (0.4–20.0 g/L), initial adsorbate concentration (25–100 ppm), pH (2–13), and temperature (30–60 °C). The results indicate a remarkable removal efficiency of 89.98 % for MG with an initial concentration (Co) of 50 mg/L, achieved within 120 min using 0.4 g/L of AIS/PIn at a pH above 8.3. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm model provided the best fit for the experimental data, with maximum adsorption capacities of 384.61 mg g−1 for AIS/PIn, 344.82 mg g−1 for AIS/PAn, 277.77 mg g−1 for AIS/PTh, and 256.41 mg g−1 for AIS/PPy. This suggests monolayer adsorption. The adsorption kinetics conformed to a pseudo-second-order model, with the process being endothermic, feasible, and associated with positive entropy, thereby underlining its favorability and spontaneity. The desorption studies determined that 0.1 M HCl was the most effective desorbing agent compared to NaOH, NaCl, CH3COOH, and H2O. The spectral and effect of pH analyses suggested that the adsorption mechanisms might involve multiple interactions, prominently including electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonding, π-π interactions, and n-π interactions. Based on the findings, it is submitted that the conjugated polymer decorated biomass composite adsorbents exhibit reasonable recyclability over multiple cycles, versatility, and potent efficacy as low-cost adsorbents for eliminating MG dye from aqueous systems.

Construction of dual Z-scheme Ag3VO4–BiVO4/InVO4 photocatalysts using vanadium source from spent catalysts for contaminated water treatment and bacterial inactivation

Vanadate-based photocatalysts have recently attracted substantial attention owing to their outstanding photocatalytic activity for degrading organic pollutants and generating energy via photocatalytic processes. However, the relatively high price of vanadium has hindered the development of vanadate-based photocatalysts for various applications. Spent catalysts obtained from oil refineries typically contain a significant quantity of vanadium, making them valuable for recovery and utilization as precursors for the production of high-value-added photocatalysts. In this study, we transformed the V present in spent catalysts produced by the petrochemical industry into ternary vanadate-based photocatalysts [BiVO4/InVO4/Ag3VO4 (BVO/IVO/AVO, respectively)] designed for water remediation. The ternary composites revealed an enhanced photocatalytic capability, which was 1.42 and 5.1 times higher than those of the binary BVO/IVO and pristine AVO due to the facilitated charge separation. The ternary photocatalysts not only effectively treated wastewater containing various organic dyes, such as methylene blue (MB), rhodamine 6G (R6G), and brilliant green (BG), but also exhibited remarkable photocatalytic performance in the degradation of antibiotics, reduction of Cr(VI), and bacterial inactivation. This paper proposes a feasible route for recycling industrial waste as a source of vanadium to produce highly efficient vanadate-based photocatalysts.

Homogeneous to heterogeneous redox mediator enhancing ferrate(VI) oxidation of sulfamethoxazole: Role of ferrate(VI) activation and electron shuttle

Ferrate (Fe(VI)) is a promising oxidant for water remediation, yet it has limited reactivity towards certain recalcitrant but important emerging contaminants, such as sulfamethoxazole. Here, this study demonstrates that nitroxide redox mediators, specifically 9-azabicyclo[3.3.1]nonasne N-oxyl (ABNO), can catalyze Fe(VI) reaction with sulfamethoxazole by functioning both as Fe(VI) activator and electron shuttle. The underlying mechanism is explained as: (i) Fe(VI) activation: a series of one-electron transfers between Fe(VI) and ABNO produces highly reactive Fe(V)/Fe(IV) and ABNO+; (ii) electron shuttle: the newly formed active ABNO+ reacts with the sulfamethoxazole, contributing to its removal. Concurrently, ABNOH is generated and subsequently converted back to ABNO by reactive species, thereby completing the redox cycle. The as-developed heterogeneous redox mediator, ABNO@SiO2, retained its catalytic properties and effectively catalyzed Fe(VI) to remove sulfamethoxazole at environmentally relevant pH levels.

Enhancing bacterial control and daylight-driven water remediation with chitosan-impregnated MoC nanosheets.

The functionalization of nanoparticles with 2D nanosheets is an effective approach to enhance their functional properties for pollutant removal. This research outlines the synthesis of a 2D-delaminated molybdenum carbide (MXene) chitosan nanocomposite (2D-d-Mo2CTx-Cs NC) with bacterial control and photocatalytic properties for dye adsorption. The nanocomposite includes Tx-surface terminating groups O, OH, and F. In this investigation, the composite was synthesized using the etching method and its formation was confirmed through UV spectra at 288nm. It was characterized through FTIR, XRD, Particle size, Zetapotential, FESEM, HRTEM, EDAX, and XPS analyses. FTIR spectral analysis of NC suggests that amines are formed through a Schiff base reaction between glutaraldehyde and Cs, or through the interaction of terminal aldehydes and carbonyl groups. The XRD analysis confirmed the crystalline structure of the composite. FESEM images revealed irregularly structured nanosheets (NSs) material in the prepared 2D-d-Mo2CTx-Cs NC samples. HRTEM images revealed 2D-d-Mo2CTx NSs impregnated onto Cs with an average size of 50nm, as confirmed by a particle size analyzer, with a zeta potential value of -15mV. Additionally, Mo, C, N, and O are the most significant elements present in the NC, as confirmed by EDAX and XPS analyses. Further, biocompatibility testing of 2D-d-Mo2CTx-Cs NC yielded positive results. Moreover, under sunlight, the composites effectively adsorbed methylene blue with a 90% adsorption capacity, as confirmed by kinetic studies. Furthermore, the synergistic effect of Cs and d-Mo2CTx NSs resulted in significant antibacterial (50-200µl of 1mg/ml) and antibiofilm activity (100µl of 1mg/ml) against pathogenic bacteria. Furthermore, this study represents the first report on the use of 2D-d-Mo2CTx-Cs NC for daylight-influenced photocatalytic applications with a bacteria-controlling effect.

Etherification modified wood flour adsorbent for removal micro-/nanoplastics from waste water by electrostatic effect

Micro-/nano-plastics (MNPs) accumulate in water environment, which raise increasing threats to ecosystems and human health. There is a pressing need for sustainable biomass adsorbent materials to remove plastic fragments from environments. Herein, wood flour modified through etherification was synthesized to remove polystyrene (PS) micro- and nanoparticles of different sizes from wastewater, leveraging electrostatic effects. DLHCWF-300, an idea capturing material, demonstrated maximum adsorption efficiency of 99.3 %, 97.5 % and 98.6 % for polystyrene (PS) particles with diameters of 100 nm, 500 nm and 1 μm, respectively. The DLHCWF-300 also exhibited high tolerance on various water conditions (acidic, saline and organic dye environments) and adapted to complex properties of MNPs (different sizes, compositions and surface charges). Furthermore, the DLHCWF-300 treated water was compatible with crop cultivation, meeting the actual needs for wheat growth. The adsorbed PS MNPs can be used directly with wood flour in the preparation of wood-plastic composites. This study provides a new avenue for valorization of wood flour in water remediation through the efficient and straightforward separation of various types of plastic particles.

Comparison of arsenic remediation effects between selenium-rich biochar and selenium-modified biochar

Arsenic is one of the most toxic heavy metals in water and soil pollution. Biochar, as a high-quality remediation material, has been widely used as an adsorbent for remediation of arsenic-polluted water and soil. However, the adsorption capacity of biochar has certain limitations, so modifications have been made to enhance its adsorption ability for arsenic. Selenium is an essential trace element for plants, promoting plant growth and also competing with arsenic, making it an excellent modification material. We studied the selenium-modified rich biochar and original selenium-rich biochar, including their production, physicochemical properties, and arsenic adsorption mechanism. Selenium-rich biochar and selenium-modified biochar showed no significant differences in properties, arsenic adsorption efficiency, promotion of plant growth, and selenium enrichment effects, both being excellent materials for arsenic remediation. The theoretical maximum adsorption capacities (qm) for As(III) on raw biochar, selenium-modified biochar, and selenium-enriched biochar were 49.87 mg/g, 55.89 mg/g, and 59.00 mg/g, respectively, with the selenium-enriched biochar exhibiting the highest adsorption capacity. The results of planting experiments indicate that, compared to the original biochar, both selenium-enriched biochar and selenium-modified biochar significantly enhanced growth promotion and adsorption efficiency by 24.68 %, 24.35 %, 59.50 %, and 64.64 % respectively. However, the preparation cost of selenium-modified biochar is high, making it challenging to promote, with a total cost price 84.31 % and 83.40 % higher than selenium-rich biochar. It is evident that selenium-rich biochar not only possesses the efficacy of selenium-modified biochar but also has the advantage of low cost, making it a material with significant potential for arsenic remediation.

Natural and environmentally friendly rhamnolipid functionalized luffa fibers for adsorptive removal of pharmaceutical contaminant: Batch and fixed-bed column studies

This study aims to explore the potential of utilizing rhamnolipid functionalized luffa fibers as an environmentally sustainable solution for removing pharmaceutical contaminants from water. The efficiency of the developed adsorbent for removing acetaminophen has been investigated in batch and fixed bed column modes. The adsorbent has been characterized via FTIR, XRD, and SEM analyses which revealed the rhamnolipid nanomicelles formation with bi-pyramidal morphology and the presence of functional groups on the surface of the adsorbent. The optimum conditions have been reported (pH: 5.0, adsorbent dosage 2 g/L, initial acetaminophen concentration: 20 mg/L, and contact time: 80 min). The highest adsorption capacity for acetaminophen was 37.03 mg/g at the optimized conditions. Fixed-bed column experiments examined flow rate and initial acetaminophen concentration effects, with the Thomas model assessing column performance. This research investigates the potential of RL-LF for effective water remediation, offering insights into practical applications and optimization strategies.

Fullerene in Water Remediation Nanocomposite Membranes—Cutting Edge Advancements

Among carbon nanoparticles, fullerene has been observed as a unique zero-dimensional hollow molecule. Fullerene has a high surface area and exceptional structural and physical features (optical, electronic, heat, mechanical, and others). Advancements in fullerene have been observed in the form of nanocomposites. Application of fullerene nanocomposites has been found in the membrane sector. This cutting-edge review article basically describes the potential of fullerene nanocomposite membranes for water remediation. Adding fullerene nanoparticles has been found to amend the microstructure and physical features of the nanocomposite membranes in addition to membrane porosity, selectivity, permeation, water flux, desalination, and other significant properties for water remediation. Variations in the designs of fullerene nanocomposites have resulted in greater separations between salts, desired metals, toxic metal ions, microorganisms, etc. Future investigations on ground-breaking fullerene-based membrane materials may overcome several design and performance challenges for advanced applications.

A New Class of Multifunctional CoDyzFe2−zO4 Magnetic Nanomaterials: Influence of Structural, Morphological, Optical, Magnetic, Antibacterial, and Photocatalytic Traits

Here we focus on preparing recoverable Dy doped CoFe2O4 photocatalysts for the removal of the malachite green pollutant (MGP) in natural Sunlight. XRD results demonstrate development of the spinel symmetry with no impurities phases. The FESEM analysis revealed spherical grains with definite grain boundaries and agglomerated behavior. We found that our synthesized photocatalysts behaves as an excellent magnetic nanomaterial by observing the saturation magnetization of 77.79 emu g−1. Out of all photocatalysts, CoDy0.03Fe1.97O4 nanophotocatalyst exhibit the high zone of inhibition (ZOI) for Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. It makes the prepared nanomaterials highly suitable for the biological purposes. The effectiveness of photocatalytic degradation activity of prepared specimens is significantly impacted by the addition of dysprosium ions. During a 150 min of reaction period, CoDy0.03Fe1.97O4 has a higher degradation percentage around 95.36% as compared to CoFe2O4 (86.09%). The prepared doped and undoped CoFe2O4 nanomaterials displayed the least decline in the degradation percentage of MGP after four reuse cycles and this might be attributable to the weight loss during the recovery. Therefore, the nanomaterials suggested a reliable and durable photocatalyst for degradation process. Hence the prepared magnetically recoverable and multifunctional photocatalysts are reliable for the water remediation and biological usages.

Ground Water Remediation Using Flash Graphene Produced from Banana Peels: Batch Mode

Ground Water Remediation Using Flash Graphene Produced from Banana Peels: Batch Mode

La-CeO2/ZnO nanocomposites for photocatalytic mineralization of diclofenac under solar irradiation

Sodium diclofenac is an emerging pharmaceutical pollutant detected in many wastewater treatment plant effluents. Heterogeneous photocatalysis is one of the most sustainable and cheap technologies of water remediation. In the present work, several La-CeO2/ZnO nanocomposites have been synthesized with 10 to 40 % ZnO, for photocatalysing the mineralization of Diclofenac under solar irradiation. They have been characterized by XRD, XPS, UV-DRS, SEM and BET analyses. XRD patterns of La-CeO2/ZnO nanocomposites have shown the presence of only two distinct phases: fluorite and wurtzite, corresponding to CeO2 and ZnO, respectively. The band gap energy of La-CeO2/ZnO calculated using the Tauc plot, varied between 2.46 and 2.78 eV. XPS spectra of the nanocomposites revealed the presence of Zn, Ce, O, and La elements, where Zn, La and Ce showed 2+, 3+ and 4+ oxidation states, respectively. After confirming the stability of Diclofenac under solar irradiation without composite, photomineralization with La-CeO2/ZnO nanocomposites achieved 85 to 95 % diclofenac degradation, except for CeO2/ZnO nanocomposite without Lanthanum. The most effective composite CeLaZn0.1 (synthesized with 10 % ZnO (w/w)) allowed 80 % diclofenac mineralization after only 2 h irradiation which is remarkable. Reusability of CeLaZn0.1 was effective for five photocatalytic cycles under solar irradiation. The addition of radical quenchers during photomineralization experiments showed the significant role of superoxide radicals in tandem with photogenerated holes in diclofenac degradation by CeLaZn0.1 nanocomposite under solar irradiation.

Clay-polymer nanocomposites for effective water treatment: opportunities, challenges, and future prospects.

The metal intoxication and its associated adverse effects to humans have led to the research for development of water treatment technologies from pollution hazards. Therefore, development of cheaper water remediation technologies is more urgent than ever. Clays and clay minerals are naturally occurring, inexpensive, non-toxic materials possessing interesting chemical and physical properties. As a result of interesting surface properties, these have been developed as efficient absorbent in water remediation. Recently, clay-polymer nanocomposites have provided a cost-effective technological platform for removing contaminants from water. Covering research advancements from past 25years, this review highlights the developments in clay-polymer nanocomposites and their advanced technical applications are evaluated with respect to the background and issues in remediation of toxic metals and organic compounds from water. The extensive analysis of literature survey of more than two decades suggests that future work need to highlight on advancement of green and cost-effective technologies. The development of understanding of the interaction and exchange between toxin and clay-polymer composites would provide new assembly methods of nanocomposites with functional molecules or nanomaterials need to be extended to increase the detection and extraction limit to parts per trillion.

Metal‐Organic Framework‐Based Micro‐/Nanomotors for Wastewater Remediation

Micro‐/nanomotors (MNMs) in water remediation have garnered significant attention over the past two decades. More recently, metal‐organic framework‐based micro‐/nanomotors (MOF‐MNMs) have been applied for environmental remediation; however, a comprehensive summary of research in this research area is yet to be reported. Herein, a review is presented to cover the recent advances in MOF‐MNMs and their various applications in wastewater remediation. The review presents a comprehensive introduction to MNMs, including different propulsion approaches, fabrication, and functionalization strategies, in addition to the unique features of MOF‐MNMs. The conception and various synthetic routes of MOF‐MNMs are extensively covered and the implementation of MOF‐MNMs in water‐related applications, including adsorption, degradation, sensing, and disinfection of different pollutants, is in depth discussed. Meanwhile, the propulsion and mechanism of action behind each MOF‐MNM are systematically studied. Finally, the review provides insights into the challenges and perspectives to build more effective MOF‐MNMs to cover versatile applications for wastewater treatment.

Integrated remediation and detoxification of triclocarban-contaminated water using waste-derived biochar-immobilized cells by long-term column experiments

Triclocarban (TCC), an antibacterial agent commonly used in personal care products, is one of the top ten contaminants of emerging concern in various environmental media, including soil and contaminated water in vadose zone. This study aimed to investigate TCC-contaminated water remediation using biochar-immobilized bacterial cells. Pseudomonas fluorescens strain MC46 (MC46), an efficient TCC-degrading isolate, was chosen, whereas agro-industrial carbonized waste as biochar was directly used as a sustainable cell immobilization carrier. According to the long-term TCC removal performance results (160 d), the biochar-immobilized cells consistently exhibited high TCC removal efficiencies (84–97%), whereas the free MC46 removed TCC for 76–94%. At 100 days, the detachment of the MC46 cells from the immobilized cell column was observed. The micro-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy results indicated that extracellular polymeric substance (EPS) was produced, but polysaccharide and protein fractions were washed out of the column. The lipid fraction of EPS adhered to the biochar, promoting TCC sorption for long-term treatment. The shortening of MC46 cells improved the tolerance of TCC toxicity. The TCC-contaminated water was successfully detoxified by the biochar-immobilized MC46 cells. Overall, the waste-derived biochar-immobilized cell system proposed in this study for the removal of emerging contaminants, including TCC, is efficient, economical, and aligned with the sustainable development concept of value-added utilization of waste.

Building heteroatom (N, S, B, O) and metal-codoped carbocatalyst as persulfate activator for organic pollutant removal: A miss or match?

The activation of persulfate (PS) by metal (Me)-based catalysts shows great activity due to the compatible redox potential of Me-species. However, the catalytic performance of pristine Me-based catalysts may be restricted by the agglomeration of the Me particles, minimized exposure of active sites, and inevitable leaching. Currently, these drawbacks are being solved with the formation of metal-heteroatom‑carbon (Me-HA-C) materials, in which the major HAs investigated were N, O, S, and B. In Me-HA-C/PS systems, the existence of Me-HA-C interaction brings rise to synergistic catalytic effects, enhancing the overall catalytic reactivity. Herein, we provided a short review on the potential of Me-HA-C materials in PS activation with emphasis on the synergy between the Me- and HA-species during the catalytic reaction. Thereafter, we discussed the performance and proposed future research directions to further escalate the potential of finding an applicable catalytic system based on Me-HA-C materials for water remediation. This review is of value for understanding the intra-actions and synergy between the components of Me-HA-C during catalytic PS activation.