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Application of Nanocomposites in Wastewater Treatment
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Application of Nanocomposites in Wastewater Treatment

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 September 2021) | Viewed by 22230

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Hamedreza Javadian

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Chemistry and Chemical Engineering Research Center of Iran, 14335-186 Tehran, Iran
Interests: nanomaterials synthesis; nanocomposites synthesis; polymeric materials; molecularly imprinted polymers; conducting polymers; biopolymers; nanobiotechnology; nanobiomaterials; surface modification; surface functionalization; sol-gel synthesis; water and wastewater treatment; adsorption and adsorbents; statistical analysis; advanced oxidation processes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is on the topic “Application of Nanocomposites in Wastewater Treatment.”

One of the foremost environmental problems existing around the world is water pollution, due to the release of industrial effluents. Considering the role of water and its significance in human and environmental health, the decrease in its quality by pollution, and incomplete success in removal of contaminants from wastewater by common treatment methods to meet the standard limits, the introduction of new attitudes and methods seems to be very necessary. By the extensive investigations on using nanocomposites that have taken place over the past decade, it has been confirmed that one of their efficient applications can be related to wastewater treatment.

All researchers working on the synthesis and application of novel nanocomposites for the treatment of wastewater containing any kind of pollutants are cordially invited to submit original research papers or reviews to this Special Issue of Molecules.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Chemistry.

Dr. Hamedreza Javadian
Guest Editor

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Keywords

  • Synthesis
  • Application
  • Nanocomposites
  • Wastewater treatment
  • Removal
  • Pollutants

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Related Special Issue

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

16 pages, 3624 KiB  
Article
A Novel N-Doped Nanoporous Bio-Graphene Synthesized from Pistacia lentiscus Gum and Its Nanocomposite with WO3 Nanoparticles: Visible-Light-Driven Photocatalytic Activity
by Maryam Afsharpour, Mehdi Elyasi and Hamedreza Javadian
Molecules 2021, 26(21), 6569; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26216569 - 29 Oct 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 2605
Abstract
This paper reports the synthesis of a new nitrogen-doped porous bio-graphene (NPBG) with a specific biomorphic structure, using Pistacia lentiscus as a natural carbon source containing nitrogen that also acts as a bio-template. The obtained NPBG demonstrated the unique feature of doped nitrogen [...] Read more.
This paper reports the synthesis of a new nitrogen-doped porous bio-graphene (NPBG) with a specific biomorphic structure, using Pistacia lentiscus as a natural carbon source containing nitrogen that also acts as a bio-template. The obtained NPBG demonstrated the unique feature of doped nitrogen with a 3D nanoporous structure. Next, a WO3/N-doped porous bio-graphene nanocomposite (WO3/NPBG-NC) was synthesized, and the products were characterized using XPS, SEM, TEM, FT-IR, EDX, XRD, and Raman analyses. The presence of nitrogen doped in the structure of the bio-graphene (BG) was confirmed to be pyridinic-N and pyrrolic-N with N1 peaks at 398.3 eV and 400.5 eV, respectively. The photocatalytic degradation of the anionic azo dyes and drugs was investigated, and the results indicated that the obtained NPBG with a high surface area (151.98 m2/g), unique electronic properties, and modified surface improved the adsorption and photocatalytic properties in combination with WO3 nanoparticles (WO3-NPs) as an effective visible-light-driven photocatalyst. The synthesized WO3/NPBG-NC with a surface area of 226.92 m2/g displayed lower bandgap and higher electron transfer compared with blank WO3-NPs, leading to an increase in the photocatalytic performance through the enhancement of the separation of charge and a reduction in the recombination rate. At the optimum conditions of 0.015 g of the nanocomposite, a contact time of 15 min, and 100 mg/L of dyes, the removal percentages were 100%, 99.8%, and 98% for methyl red (MR), Congo red (CR), and methyl orange (MO), respectively. In the case of the drugs, 99% and 87% of tetracycline and acetaminophen, respectively, at a concentration of 10 mg/L, were removed after 20 min. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Nanocomposites in Wastewater Treatment)
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15 pages, 4868 KiB  
Article
An Efficient Strategy for Enhancing the Adsorption of Antibiotics and Drugs from Aqueous Solutions Using an Effective Limestone-Activated Carbon–Alginate Nanocomposite
by Ahmed H. Ragab, Hala S. Hussein, Inas A. Ahmed, Khamael M. Abualnaja and Najla AlMasoud
Molecules 2021, 26(17), 5180; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26175180 - 26 Aug 2021
Cited by 17 | Viewed by 3055
Abstract
Based on the adsorption performance of a porous nanocomposite with limestone (LS), activated carbon (AC) and sodium alginate (SG), a unique, multifunctional LS–AC–SG nanocomposite absorbent was designed and prepared for extracting antibiotics and drugs from aqueous solutions. The composite exhibited the following advantages: [...] Read more.
Based on the adsorption performance of a porous nanocomposite with limestone (LS), activated carbon (AC) and sodium alginate (SG), a unique, multifunctional LS–AC–SG nanocomposite absorbent was designed and prepared for extracting antibiotics and drugs from aqueous solutions. The composite exhibited the following advantages: quick and simple to prepare, multifunctionality and high efficiency. Amoxicillin (AMX) and diclofenac (DCF) were chosen as the conventional antibiotic and the drug, respectively. The prepared nanocomposite’s physicochemical characteristics were calculated through numerous characterization methods. The structure of the surface was made up of interconnected pores that can easily confine pollutants. The surface area was measured to be 27.85 m2/g through BET analysis. The results show that the maximum absorption capacity of amoxicillin and diclofenac was 99.6% and 98.4%, respectively, at a contact time of 40 min. The maximum removal of amoxicillin and diclofenac was reached at pH = 2. Adsorption analysis revealed that adsorption isotherm and kinetic data matched the pseudo-first-order kinetic and the Langmuir isotherm models. The results imply that the synthesized nanocomposites have the capacity to remove amoxicillin (AMX) and diclofenac (DCF) from aqueous solutions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Nanocomposites in Wastewater Treatment)
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16 pages, 5216 KiB  
Article
Straightforward Synthesis of Mn3O4/ZnO/Eu2O3-Based Ternary Heterostructure Nano-Photocatalyst and Its Application for the Photodegradation of Methyl Orange and Methylene Blue Dyes
by Jayachamarajapura Pranesh Shubha, Haralahalli Shivappa Savitha, Syed Farooq Adil, Mujeeb Khan, Mohammad Rafe Hatshan, Kiran Kavalli and Baji Shaik
Molecules 2021, 26(15), 4661; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26154661 - 31 Jul 2021
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 3317
Abstract
Zinc oxide-ternary heterostructure Mn3O4/ZnO/Eu2O3 nanocomposites were successfully prepared via waste curd as fuel by a facile one-pot combustion procedure. The fabricated heterostructures were characterized utilizing XRD, UV–Visible, FT-IR, FE-SEM, HRTEM and EDX analysis. The photocatalytic degradation [...] Read more.
Zinc oxide-ternary heterostructure Mn3O4/ZnO/Eu2O3 nanocomposites were successfully prepared via waste curd as fuel by a facile one-pot combustion procedure. The fabricated heterostructures were characterized utilizing XRD, UV–Visible, FT-IR, FE-SEM, HRTEM and EDX analysis. The photocatalytic degradation efficacy of the synthesized ternary nanocomposite was evaluated utilizing model organic pollutants of methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) in water as examples of cationic dyes and anionic dyes, respectively, under natural solar irradiation. The effect of various experimental factors, viz. the effect of a light source, catalyst dosage, irradiation time, pH of dye solution and dye concentration on the photodegradation activity, was systematically studied. The ternary Mn3O4/ZnO/Eu2O3 photocatalyst exhibited excellent MB and MO degradation activity of 98% and 96%, respectively, at 150 min under natural sunlight irradiation. Experiments further conclude that the fabricated nanocomposite exhibits pH-dependent photocatalytic efficacy, and for best results, concentrations of dye and catalysts have to be maintained in a specific range. The prepared photocatalysts are exemplary and could be employed for wastewater handling and several ecological applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Nanocomposites in Wastewater Treatment)
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8 pages, 6020 KiB  
Article
Nanobiocomposite Polymer as a Filter Nanosponge for Wastewater Treatment
by Anny Leudjo Taka, Elvis Fosso-Kankeu, Xavier Yangkou Mbianda, Michael Klink and Eliazer Bobby Naidoo
Molecules 2021, 26(13), 3992; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26133992 - 30 Jun 2021
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2110
Abstract
A multifunctional nanobiocomposite polymer was developed in this study through a cross-linking polymerization of cyclodextrin with phosphorylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes followed by sol-gel to incorporate TiO2 and Ag nanoparticles. This work’s novelty was to prove that the developed nanobiocomposite polymer is a [...] Read more.
A multifunctional nanobiocomposite polymer was developed in this study through a cross-linking polymerization of cyclodextrin with phosphorylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes followed by sol-gel to incorporate TiO2 and Ag nanoparticles. This work’s novelty was to prove that the developed nanobiocomposite polymer is a potential filter nanosponge capable of removing organic, inorganic, and microorganisms’ pollutants from wastewater samples. The synthesized multifunctional nanobiocomposite polymer was characterized using a range of spectroscopy and electron microscopy techniques. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) confirmed the presence of oxygen-containing groups on the developed nanobiocomposite polymer and carbamate linkage (NH(CO)) distinctive peak at around 1645 cm−1, which is evidence that the polymerization reaction was successful. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) image shows that the developed nanobiocomposite polymer has a rough surface. The Dubinin–Radushkevich and the pseudo-second-order kinetic models best described the adsorption mechanism of Co2+ and TCE’s onto pMWCNT/CD/TiO2-Ag. The efficacy of the developed nanobiocomposite polymer to act as disinfectant material in an environmental media (e.g., sewage wastewater sample) compared to the enriched media (e.g., nutrient Muller Hinton broth) was investigated. From the results obtained, in an environmental media, pMWCNT/CD/TiO2-Ag nanobiocomposite polymer can alter the bacteria’s metabolic process by inhibiting the growth and killing the bacteria, whereas, in enriched media, the bacteria’s growth was retarded. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Nanocomposites in Wastewater Treatment)
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19 pages, 6047 KiB  
Article
Adsorptive Removal of Cd, Cu, Ni and Mn from Environmental Samples Using Fe3O4-Zro2@APS Nanocomposite: Kinetic and Equilibrium Isotherm Studies
by Aphiwe Siyasanga Gugushe, Anele Mpupa, Tshimangadzo Saddam Munonde, Luthando Nyaba and Philiswa Nosizo Nomngongo
Molecules 2021, 26(11), 3209; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26113209 - 27 May 2021
Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3284
Abstract
In this study, Fe3O4-ZrO2 functionalized with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (Fe3O4-ZrO2@APS) nanocomposite was investigated as a nanoadsorbent for the removal of Cd(II), Cu(II), Mn (II) and Ni(II) ions from aqueous solution and real samples in [...] Read more.
In this study, Fe3O4-ZrO2 functionalized with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (Fe3O4-ZrO2@APS) nanocomposite was investigated as a nanoadsorbent for the removal of Cd(II), Cu(II), Mn (II) and Ni(II) ions from aqueous solution and real samples in batch mode systems. The prepared magnetic nanomaterials were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersion x-ray (SEM/EDX) Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Factors (such as adsorbent dose and sample pH) affecting the adsorption behavior of the removal process were studied using the response surface methodology. Under optimized condition, equilibrium data obtained were fitted into the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms and the data fitted well with Langmuir isotherms. Langmuir adsorption capacities (mg/g) were found to be 113, 111, 128, and 123 mg/g for Cd, Cu, Ni and Mn, respectively. In addition, the adsorption kinetics was analyzed using five kinetic models, pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, intraparticle diffusion and Boyd models. The adsorbent was successfully applied for removal of Cd(II), Cu(II), Mn (II) and Ni(II) ions in wastewater samples. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Nanocomposites in Wastewater Treatment)
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18 pages, 7787 KiB  
Article
Influence of Polymer Solvents on the Properties of Halloysite-Modified Polyethersulfone Membranes Prepared by Wet Phase Inversion
by Amanda Grylewicz, Kacper Szymański, Dominika Darowna and Sylwia Mozia
Molecules 2021, 26(9), 2768; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26092768 - 8 May 2021
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2700
Abstract
Ultrafiltration polyethersulfone (PES) membranes were prepared by wet phase inversion. Commercial halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) in the quantities of 0.5 wt% vs. PES (15 wt%) were introduced into the casting solution containing the polymer and different solvents: N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), N,N-dimethylacetamide [...] Read more.
Ultrafiltration polyethersulfone (PES) membranes were prepared by wet phase inversion. Commercial halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) in the quantities of 0.5 wt% vs. PES (15 wt%) were introduced into the casting solution containing the polymer and different solvents: N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), N,N-dimethylacetamide (DMA), or 1-methyl-2-pyrrolidinone (NMP). The type of solvent influenced the membranes’ morphology and topography, as well as permeability, separation characteristics, and antifouling and antibacterial properties. The membranes prepared using DMA exhibited the loosest cross-section structure with the thinnest skin and the roughest surface, while the densest and smoothest were the DMF-based membranes. The advanced contact angles were visibly lower in the case of the membranes prepared using DMF compared to the other solvents. The highest water permeability was observed for the DMA-based membranes, however, the most significant effect of the modification with HNTs was found for the NMP-based series. Regardless of the solvent, the introduction of HNTs resulted in an improvement of the separation properties of membranes. A noticeable enhancement of antifouling performance upon application of HNTs was found only in the case of DMF-based membranes. The study of the antibacterial properties showed that the increase in surface roughness had a positive effect on the inhibition of E. coli growth. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Nanocomposites in Wastewater Treatment)
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28 pages, 5403 KiB  
Article
Phosphorylation of Guar Gum/Magnetite/Chitosan Nanocomposites for Uranium (VI) Sorption and Antibacterial Applications
by Mohammed F. Hamza, Amr Fouda, Khalid Z. Elwakeel, Yuezhou Wei, Eric Guibal and Nora A. Hamad
Molecules 2021, 26(7), 1920; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules26071920 - 29 Mar 2021
Cited by 79 | Viewed by 3760
Abstract
The development of new materials is needed to address the environmental challenges of wastewater treatment. The phosphorylation of guar gum combined with its association to chitosan allows preparing an efficient sorbent for the removal of U(VI) from slightly acidic solutions. The incorporation of [...] Read more.
The development of new materials is needed to address the environmental challenges of wastewater treatment. The phosphorylation of guar gum combined with its association to chitosan allows preparing an efficient sorbent for the removal of U(VI) from slightly acidic solutions. The incorporation of magnetite nanoparticles enhances solid/liquid. Functional groups are characterized by FTIR spectroscopy while textural properties are qualified by N2 adsorption. The optimum pH is close to 4 (deprotonation of amine and phosphonate groups). Uptake kinetics are fast (60 min of contact), fitted by a pseudo-first order rate equation. Maximum sorption capacities are close to 1.28 and 1.16 mmol U g−1 (non-magnetic and magnetic, respectively), while the sorption isotherms are fitted by Langmuir equation. Uranyl desorption (using 0.2 M HCl solutions) is achieved within 20–30 min; the sorbents can be recycled for at least five cycles (5–6% loss in sorption performance, complete desorption). In multi-component solutions, the sorbents show marked preference for U(VI) and Nd(III) over alkali-earth metals and Si(IV). The zone of exclusion method shows that magnetic sorbent has antibacterial effects against both Gram+ and Gram- bacteria, contrary to non-magnetic material (only Gram+ bacteria). The magnetic composite is highly promising as antimicrobial support and for recovery of valuable metals. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Nanocomposites in Wastewater Treatment)
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