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Polymers
Special Issues
Application of Polymers for Removing Environmental Pollutants
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Application of Polymers for Removing Environmental Pollutants

A special issue of Polymers (ISSN 2073-4360). This special issue belongs to the section "Polymer Analysis and Characterization".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (25 April 2023) | Viewed by 11239

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Xiande Xie

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Resources and Environment, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, China
Interests: advanced oxidation processes; transportation and transformation of pollutants in the environment; photochemical transformation; heavy metal pollution control; polymer adsorbent; hybrid polymeric materials; polymeric nanocomposites; polymer degradation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Runhua Chen

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410007, China
Interests: heavy metals; nanoscale materials; microbial treatment technology; polymer adsorbent; hybrid polymeric materials; polymeric nanocomposites; polymer degradation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Numerous contaminants are discharged into the environment each year. Environmental treatment technologies are therefore desirable to control pollution. Although traditional technologies have been widely applied in decontamination approaches, they have shown a lack of efficiency in remediating emerging pollutants (such trace pesticides, antibiotics, pharmaceuticals, and personal care products) and meeting the newly established strict environmental quality standards. It is thus necessary to develop other robust technologies. Thanks to their advantages of high surface area, superior stability, and flexibility when it comes to assembling functional groups, the use of polymeric-based technologies has triggered growing interest in environmental restoration. This Special Issue in Polymers entitled “Application of Polymers for Removing Environmental Pollutants” focuses on the application of natural or synthetic polymeric materials in controlling pollutants in the environment. The scope of this Special Issue includes the synthesis, processing, and characterization of polymeric materials and development of polymeric-based technologies for removing pollutants. In this Special Issue, original research articles and reviews are welcome. We look forward to receiving your contributions.

Dr. Xiande Xie
Dr. Runhua Chen
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Polymers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • environmental remediation
  • emerging contaminants
  • polymeric materials
  • adsorption
  • advanced oxidation process
  • advanced wastewater treatment

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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15 pages, 2792 KiB  
Article
Degradation of Diazo Congo Red Dye by Using Synthesized Poly-Ferric-Silicate-Sulphate through Co-Polymerization Process
by Nor Fauziah Zainudin, Sung Ting Sam, Yee Shian Wong, Hanafi Ismail, Saparu Walli, Kazuki Inoue, Go Kawamura and Wai Kian Tan
Polymers 2023, 15(1), 237; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15010237 - 03 Jan 2023
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1762
Abstract
The ability of poly-ferric-silicate-sulphate (PFSS) synthesized via a co-polymerization process has been applied for the removal of diazo Congo red dye. A novel degradation pathway of diazo Congo red dye by using PFSS is proposed based on LC–MS analysis. Diazo Congo red dye [...] Read more.
The ability of poly-ferric-silicate-sulphate (PFSS) synthesized via a co-polymerization process has been applied for the removal of diazo Congo red dye. A novel degradation pathway of diazo Congo red dye by using PFSS is proposed based on LC–MS analysis. Diazo Congo red dye was successfully removed using synthesized PFSS at lower coagulant dosages and a wider pH range, i.e., 9 mg/L from pH 5 to 7, 11 mg/L at pH 9, and 50 mg/L at pH 11. The azo bond cleavage was verified by the UV–Vis spectra of diazo Congo red-loaded PFSS and FTIR spectra which showed disappearance of the peak at 1584 cm−1 for –N=N– stretching vibrations. The synchronized results of UV–Vis spectra, FTIR, and the LC–MS analysis in this study confirmed the significance of the Si and Fe bond in PFSS towards the degradation of diazo Congo red dye. The successfully synthesized PFSS coagulant was characterized by FTIR, SEM, TEM, and HRTEM analysis. From this analysis, it was proven that PFSS is a polycrystalline material which is favorable for the coagulation–flocculation process. Based on all these findings, it was established that synthesized PFSS can be employed as a highly efficient polymeric coagulant for the removal of dye from wastewater. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Polymers for Removing Environmental Pollutants)
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11 pages, 2764 KiB  
Article
Chitosan Fibers Loaded with Limonite as a Catalyst for the Decolorization of Methylene Blue via a Persulfate-Based Advanced Oxidation Process
by Siew Xian Chin, Kam Sheng Lau, Sarani Zakaria, Chin Hua Chia and Chatchawal Wongchoosuk
Polymers 2022, 14(23), 5165; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14235165 - 27 Nov 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1798
Abstract
Wastewater generated from industries seriously impacts the environment. Conventional biological and physiochemical treatment methods for wastewater containing organic molecules have some limitations. Therefore, identifying other alternative methods or processes that are more suitable to degrade organic molecules and lower chemical oxygen demand (COD) [...] Read more.
Wastewater generated from industries seriously impacts the environment. Conventional biological and physiochemical treatment methods for wastewater containing organic molecules have some limitations. Therefore, identifying other alternative methods or processes that are more suitable to degrade organic molecules and lower chemical oxygen demand (COD) in wastewater is necessary. Heterogeneous Fenton processes and persulfate (PS) oxidation are advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) that degrade organic pollutants via reactive radical species. Therefore, in this study, limonite powder was incorporated into porous regenerated chitosan fibers and further used as a heterogeneous catalyst to decompose methylene blue (MB) via sulfate radical-based AOPs. Limonite was used as a heterogeneous catalyst in this process to generate the persulfate radicals (SO4−·) that initiate the decolorization process. Limonite–chitosan fibers were produced to effectively recover the limonite powder so that the catalyst can be reused repeatedly. The formation of limonite–chitosan fibers viewed under a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) showed that the limonite powder was well distributed in both the surface and cross-section area. The effectiveness of limonite–chitosan fibers as a catalyst under PS activation achieved an MB decolorization of 78% after 14 min. The stability and reusability of chitosan–limonite fibers were evaluated and measured in cycles 1 to 10 under optimal conditions. After 10 cycles of repeated use, the limonite–chitosan fiber maintained its performance up to 86%, revealing that limonite-containing chitosan fibers are a promising reusable catalyst material. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Polymers for Removing Environmental Pollutants)
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19 pages, 5544 KiB  
Article
Highly Efficient Adsorption of Tetracycline Using Chitosan-Based Magnetic Adsorbent
by Franciele da Silva Bruckmann, Carlos Eduardo Schnorr, Theodoro da Rosa Salles, Franciane Batista Nunes, Luiza Baumann, Edson Irineu Müller, Luis F. O. Silva, Guilherme L. Dotto and Cristiano Rodrigo Bohn Rhoden
Polymers 2022, 14(22), 4854; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14224854 - 11 Nov 2022
Cited by 20 | Viewed by 2400
Abstract
Herein, tetracycline adsorption employing magnetic chitosan (CS·Fe3O4) as the adsorbent is reported. The magnetic adsorbent was synthesized by the co-precipitation method and characterized through FTIR, XRD, SEM, and VSM analyses. The experimental data showed that the highest maximum adsorption [...] Read more.
Herein, tetracycline adsorption employing magnetic chitosan (CS·Fe3O4) as the adsorbent is reported. The magnetic adsorbent was synthesized by the co-precipitation method and characterized through FTIR, XRD, SEM, and VSM analyses. The experimental data showed that the highest maximum adsorption capacity was reached at pH 7.0 (211.21 mg g−1). The efficiency of the magnetic adsorbent in tetracycline removal was dependent on the pH, initial concentration of adsorbate, and the adsorbent dosage. Additionally, the ionic strength showed a significant effect on the process. The equilibrium and kinetics studies demonstrate that Sips and Elovich models showed the best adjustment for experimental data, suggesting that the adsorption occurs in a heterogeneous surface and predominantly by chemical mechanisms. The experimental results suggest that tetracycline adsorption is mainly governed by the hydrogen bonds and cation–π interactions due to its pH dependence as well as the enhancement in the removal efficiency with the magnetite incorporation on the chitosan surface, respectively. Thermodynamic parameters indicate a spontaneous and exothermic process. Finally, magnetic chitosan proves to be efficient in TC removal even after several adsorption/desorption cycles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Polymers for Removing Environmental Pollutants)
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20 pages, 5293 KiB  
Article
Chitosan-Hydroxyapatite Bio-Based Composite in Film Form: Synthesis and Application in Wastewater
by Noureddine Akartasse, Khalil Azzaoui, Elmiloud Mejdoubi, Lhaj Lahcen Elansari, Belkhir Hammouti, Mohamed Siaj, Shehdeh Jodeh, Ghadir Hanbali, Rinad Hamed and Larbi Rhazi
Polymers 2022, 14(20), 4265; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14204265 - 11 Oct 2022
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2308
Abstract
Water purification from toxic metals was the main objective of this work. A composite in film form was prepared from the biomaterials hydroxyapatite, chitosan and glycerol using the dissolution/recrystallization method. A nanoparticle-based film with a homogenous and smooth surface was produced. The results [...] Read more.
Water purification from toxic metals was the main objective of this work. A composite in film form was prepared from the biomaterials hydroxyapatite, chitosan and glycerol using the dissolution/recrystallization method. A nanoparticle-based film with a homogenous and smooth surface was produced. The results of total reflectance infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA/DTA) demonstrated the presence of a substantial physical force between composite components. The composite was tested for its ability to absorb Cd2+ and Zn2+ ions from aqueous solutions. Cd2+ and Zn2+ adsorption mechanisms are fit using the Langmuir model and the pseudo-second-order model. Thermodynamic parameters indicated that Cd2+ and Zn2+ ion adsorption onto the composite surface is spontaneous and preferred at neutral pH and temperatures somewhat higher than room temperature. The adsorption studies showed that the maximum adsorption capacity of the HAp/CTs bio-composite membrane for Cd2+ and Zn2+ ions was in the order of cadmium (120 mg/g) > Zinc (90 mg/g) at an equilibrium time of 20 min and a temperature of 25 °C. The results obtained on the physico-chemical properties of nanocomposite membranes and their sorption capacities offer promising potential for industrial and biological activities. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Polymers for Removing Environmental Pollutants)
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Review

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34 pages, 6427 KiB  
Review
Advances in Sorptive Removal of Hexavalent Chromium (Cr(VI)) in Aqueous Solutions Using Polymeric Materials
by Xiaoqing Yuan, Jingxia Li, Lin Luo, Zhenyu Zhong and Xiande Xie
Polymers 2023, 15(2), 388; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15020388 - 11 Jan 2023
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2062
Abstract
Sorptive removal of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) bears the advantages of simple operation and easy construction. Customized polymeric materials are the attracting adsorbents due to their selectivity, chemical and mechanical stabilities. The mostly investigated polymeric materials for removing Cr(VI) were reviewed in this work. [...] Read more.
Sorptive removal of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) bears the advantages of simple operation and easy construction. Customized polymeric materials are the attracting adsorbents due to their selectivity, chemical and mechanical stabilities. The mostly investigated polymeric materials for removing Cr(VI) were reviewed in this work. Assembling of robust functional groups, reduction of self-aggregation, and enhancement of stability and mechanical strength, were the general strategies to improve the performance of polymeric adsorbents. The maximum adsorption capacities of these polymers toward Cr(VI) fitted by Langmuir isotherm model ranged from 3.2 to 1185 mg/g. Mechanisms of complexation, chelation, reduction, electrostatic attraction, anion exchange, and hydrogen bonding were involved in the Cr(VI) removal. Influence factors on Cr(VI) removal were itemized. Polymeric adsorbents performed much better in the strong acidic pH range (e.g., pH 2.0) and at higher initial Cr(VI) concentrations. The adsorption of Cr(VI) was an endothermic reaction, and higher reaction temperature favored more robust adsorption. Anions inhibited the removal of Cr(VI) through competitive adsorption, while that was barely affected by cations. Factors that affected the regeneration of these adsorbents were summarized. To realize the goal of industrial application and environmental protection, removal of the Cr(VI) accompanied by its detoxication through reduction is highly encouraged. Moreover, development of adsorbents with strong regeneration ability and low cost, which are robust for removing Cr(VI) at trace levels and a wider pH range, should also be an eternally immutable subject in the future. Work done will be helpful for developing more robust polymeric adsorbents and for promoting the treatment of Cr(VI)-containing wastewater. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Polymers for Removing Environmental Pollutants)
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