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Polymers
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Novel Wastewater Treatment Applications Using Polymeric Materials
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Novel Wastewater Treatment Applications Using Polymeric Materials

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 November 2022) | Viewed by 53078

Printed Edition Available!
A printed edition of this Special Issue is available here.

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Irene S. Fahim

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Guest Editor
Department of Industrial Engineering, School of Engineering, The Nile University, Nile Avenue, 116453 Giza, Egypt
Interests: biocomposites; tensile strength; chitosan
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Ahmed K. Badawi

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
El-Madina Higher Institute for Engineering and Technology, Giza, Egypt
Interests: nanomaterials; adsorption; photocatalysis; polymeric nanocomposites; solid waste engineering
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Hossam E. Emam

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pretreatment and Finishing of Cellulosic Fibers, Textile Research Division, National Research Centre, Giza, Egypt
Interests: cellulose; fibers/fabrics treatment; functional textiles; nanoparticles
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Recently, water purification and the reuse of polluted wastewater have emerged as worldwide problems. However, it is extremely difficult to prevent organic contaminants and harmful heavy metals from polluting water at the present levels of industrialization and urbanization. As a result, finding effective technology to properly treat water and wastewater is required. Polymers have excellent properties, including superior stability and high surface area for rapid decontamination along with selectivity to eliminate various pollutants with cost-saving treatment processes. There are a variety of effective techniques capable of achieving positive outcomes regarding treated water quality, treatment time, energy consumption and sustainability requirements. These techniques include coagulation, flocculation, adsorption, photocatalysis, filtration and the use of membranes, which can be achieved through the use of polymeric materials. The applications of novel standalone polymeric-based technology are critical to successfully eliminate a variety of organic and inorganic impurities concurrently from water and wastewater. The main topic that we will focus on in the present Special Issue (SI) is suggesting some practical, sustainable and eco-friendly solutions based on novel polymeric materials, highlighting their applications in water and wastewater treatment. Assessment of the chemical, physical and morphological characteristics of polymers and their optimization by using different research tools is an important research aim about which we encourage submissions for inclusion in this SI, supported by the feasibility and efficiency of the suggested solutions.

Dr. Irene S. Fahim
Dr. Ahmed K. Badawi
Dr. Hossam E. Emam
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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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

  • wastewater treatment
  • eco-friendly solution
  • polymeric materials
  • flocculants
  • adsorbent
  • hybrid polymers in water treatment
  • inorganic semiconductors in water treatment

Published Papers (18 papers)

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17 pages, 6609 KiB  
Article
Enhanced Organic Pollutant Removal Efficiency of Electrospun NiTiO3/TiO2-Decorated Carbon Nanofibers
by Ibrahim M. Maafa and Mohammad Ashraf Ali
Polymers 2023, 15(1), 109; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15010109 - 27 Dec 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1490
Abstract
A nanocomposite comprised of nickel titanate/titania nanoparticles decorated with carbon nanofibers (NiTiO3/TiO2-decorated CNFs) is successfully synthesized via electrospinning and further utilized for methylene blue (MB) photodegradation. The morphology, phase, structural and chemical composition of the nanocomposite is investigated via [...] Read more.
A nanocomposite comprised of nickel titanate/titania nanoparticles decorated with carbon nanofibers (NiTiO3/TiO2-decorated CNFs) is successfully synthesized via electrospinning and further utilized for methylene blue (MB) photodegradation. The morphology, phase, structural and chemical composition of the nanocomposite is investigated via scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope equipped with energy dispersive X-ray. A mathematical model is developed to predict the photocatalytic activity of the produced nanocomposite by considering parameters such as initial dye concentration, light intensity, reaction temperature, and catalyst dosage. The reaction rate constant K1 decreased from 0.0153 to 0.0044 min−1 with an increase in the MB concentration from 5 to 15 mg L−1, while K2, K3, and K4 were found to increase with the increase in reaction temperature (0.0153 to 0.0222 min−1), light intensity (0.0153 to 0.0228 min−1) and catalyst dose concentration (0.0153 to 0.0324 min−1), respectively. The results obtained are found to be in good agreement with the modeling results and showed effective photodegradation activity. The performance of our catalyst is found to be better compared to other catalysts previously reported in the literature. The recyclability data of the synthesized NiTiO3/TiO2-decorated CNFs catalyst for four runs show that the catalyst is quite stable and recyclable. This nanocomposite photocatalyst offers a low-cost solution for wastewater pollution problems and opens new avenues to further explore the electrospinning method for the synthesis of nanocomposites. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Wastewater Treatment Applications Using Polymeric Materials)
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15 pages, 2891 KiB  
Article
Kinetic and Isothermal Investigations on the Use of Low Cost Coconut Fiber-Polyaniline Composites for the Removal of Chromium from Wastewater
by Stuti Jha, Rama Gaur, Syed Shahabuddin, Irfan Ahmad and Nanthini Sridewi
Polymers 2022, 14(20), 4264; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14204264 - 11 Oct 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1287
Abstract
Pollution due to various heavy metals is increasing at an alarming rate. Removal of hexavalent chromium from the environment is a significant and challenging issue due to its toxic effects on the ecosystem. Development of a low-cost adsorbent with better adsorption efficiency is [...] Read more.
Pollution due to various heavy metals is increasing at an alarming rate. Removal of hexavalent chromium from the environment is a significant and challenging issue due to its toxic effects on the ecosystem. Development of a low-cost adsorbent with better adsorption efficiency is presently required. In this study, waste coconut fibers (CF) were used to prepare its composite with polyaniline (PANI) via in-situ oxidation. The obtained composites with varying loading of PANI (15, 25, 50, and 75% w/w) were characterized by FE-SEM, TGA, and FTIR spectroscopy. The prepared composites were evaluated for their adsorption performance for removal of Cr(VI). It was concluded that the composite with 50% w/w polyaniline loading on coconut fiber exhibited a maximum adsorption efficiency of 93.11% in 30 min. The effect of pH, dosage, and concentration of the aqueous solution of chromium on the Cr(VI) adsorption efficiency of the composite was also studied. From the optimization studies it was observed that the absorbents exhibited the best adsorption response for Cr(VI) removal with 0.25 mg/mL adsorbent at pH 4, in 30 min. The effect of pH, dosage, and concentration of the aqueous solution of chromium on the Cr(VI) adsorption efficiency of the composite was also studied. This study highlights the application of low-cost adsorbent as a potential candidate for the removal of hexavalent chromium. A detailed study on the adsorption kinetics and isothermal analysis was conducted for the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution using coconut fiber-polyaniline composite. From the kinetic investigation, the adsorption was found to follow the pseudo second order model. The data obtained were best fitted to the Elovich model confirming the chemisorption of the Cr(VI) on coconut polymer composites. The analysis of the isothermal models indicated monolayer adsorption based on the Langmuir adsorption model. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Wastewater Treatment Applications Using Polymeric Materials)
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10 pages, 2447 KiB  
Article
Headspace Extraction of Chlorobenzenes from Water Using Electrospun Nanofibers Fabricated with Calix[4]arene-Doped Polyurethane–Polysulfone
by Hamid Najarzadekan, Muhammad Afzal Kamboh, Hassan Sereshti, Irfan Ahmad, Nanthini Sridewi, Syed Shahabuddin and Hamid Rashidi Nodeh
Polymers 2022, 14(18), 3760; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14183760 - 08 Sep 2022
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1270
Abstract
Chlorobenzenes (CBs) are persistent and potentially have a carcinogenic effect on mammals. Thus, the determination of CBs is essential for human health. Hence, in this study, novel polyurethane–polysulfone/calix[4]arene (PU-PSU/calix[4]arene) nanofibers were synthesized using an electrospinning approach over in-situ coating on a stainless-steel wire. [...] Read more.
Chlorobenzenes (CBs) are persistent and potentially have a carcinogenic effect on mammals. Thus, the determination of CBs is essential for human health. Hence, in this study, novel polyurethane–polysulfone/calix[4]arene (PU-PSU/calix[4]arene) nanofibers were synthesized using an electrospinning approach over in-situ coating on a stainless-steel wire. The nanosorbent was comprehensively characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) techniques. The SEM analysis depicted the nanofiber’s unique morphology and size distribution in the range of 50–200 nm. To determine the levels of 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene, 1,2,3-trichlorobenzene, and 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorobenzene in water samples, freshly prepared nanosorbent was employed using headspace-solid phase microextraction (HS-SPME) in combination with gas chromatography micro electron capture detector (GC-µECD). Other calixarenes, such as sulfonated calix[4]arene, p-tert-calixarene, and calix[6]arene were also examined, and among the fabricated sorbents, the PU–PSU/calix[4]arene showed the highest efficiency. The key variables of the procedure, including ionic strength, extraction temperature, extraction duration, and desorption conditions were examined. Under optimal conditions, the LOD (0.1–1.0 pg mL−1), the LDR (0.4–1000 pg mL−1), and the R2 > 0.990 were determined. Additionally, the repeatability from fiber to fiber and the intra-day and inter-day reproducibility were determined to be 1.4–6.0, 4.7–10.1, and 0.9–9.7%, respectively. The nanofiber adsorption capacity was found to be 670–720 pg/g for CBs at an initial concentration of 400 pg mL−1. A satisfactory recovery of 80–106% was attained when the suggested method’s application for detecting chlorobenzenes (CBs) in tap water, river water, sewage water, and industrial water was assessed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Wastewater Treatment Applications Using Polymeric Materials)
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13 pages, 3791 KiB  
Article
Superhydrophobic Nanosilica Decorated Electrospun Polyethylene Terephthalate Nanofibers for Headspace Solid Phase Microextraction of 16 Organochlorine Pesticides in Environmental Water Samples
by Hamid Najarzadekan, Hassan Sereshti, Irfan Ahmad, Syed Shahabuddin, Hamid Rashidi Nodeh and Nanthini Sridewi
Polymers 2022, 14(17), 3682; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14173682 - 05 Sep 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1448
Abstract
A new solid phase micro extraction (SPME) fiber coating composed of electrospun polyethylene terephthalate (PET) nanofibrous mat doped with superhydrophobic nanosilica (SiO2) was coated on a stainless-steel wire without the need of a binder. The coating was characterized by scanning electron [...] Read more.
A new solid phase micro extraction (SPME) fiber coating composed of electrospun polyethylene terephthalate (PET) nanofibrous mat doped with superhydrophobic nanosilica (SiO2) was coated on a stainless-steel wire without the need of a binder. The coating was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR) techniques and it was used in headspace-SPME of 16 organochlorine pesticides in water samples prior to gass chromatography micro electron capture detector (GC-µECD) analysis. The effects of main factors such as adsorption composition, electrospinning flow rate, salt concentration, extraction temperature, extraction time, and desorption conditions were investigated. Under the optimum conditions, the linear dynamic range (8–1000 ng L−1, R2 > 0.9907), limits of detection (3–80 ng L−1), limits of quantification (8–200 ng L−1), intra-day and inter-day precisions (at 400 and 1000 ng L−1, 1.7–13.8%), and fiber-to-fiber reproducibility (2.4–13.4%) were evaluated. The analysis of spiked tap, sewage, industrial, and mineral water samples for the determination of the analytes resulted in satisfactory relative recoveries (78–120%). Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Wastewater Treatment Applications Using Polymeric Materials)
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14 pages, 1150 KiB  
Article
Thermo-Responsive Hydrophilic Support for Polyamide Thin-Film Composite Membranes with Competitive Nanofiltration Performance
by Haniyeh Najafvand Drikvand, Mitra Golgoli, Masoumeh Zargar, Mathias Ulbricht, Siamak Nejati and Yaghoub Mansourpanah
Polymers 2022, 14(16), 3376; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14163376 - 18 Aug 2022
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1634
Abstract
Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) was introduced into a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) nonwoven fabric to develop novel support for polyamide (PA) thin-film composite (TFC) membranes without using a microporous support layer. First, temperature-responsive PNIPAAm hydrogel was prepared by reactive pore-filling to adjust the pore size of [...] Read more.
Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) was introduced into a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) nonwoven fabric to develop novel support for polyamide (PA) thin-film composite (TFC) membranes without using a microporous support layer. First, temperature-responsive PNIPAAm hydrogel was prepared by reactive pore-filling to adjust the pore size of non-woven fabric, creating hydrophilic support. The developed PET-based support was then used to fabricate PA TFC membranes via interfacial polymerization. SEM–EDX and AFM results confirmed the successful fabrication of hydrogel-integrated non-woven fabric and PA TFC membranes. The newly developed PA TFC membrane demonstrated an average water permeability of 1 L/m2 h bar, and an NaCl rejection of 47.0% at a low operating pressure of 1 bar. The thermo-responsive property of the prepared membrane was studied by measuring the water contact angle (WCA) below and above the lower critical solution temperature (LCST) of the PNIPAAm hydrogel. Results proved the thermo-responsive behavior of the prepared hydrogel-filled PET-supported PA TFC membrane and the ability to tune the membrane flux by changing the operating temperature was confirmed. Overall, this study provides a novel method to fabricate TFC membranes and helps to better understand the influence of the support layer on the separation performance of TFC membranes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Wastewater Treatment Applications Using Polymeric Materials)
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25 pages, 3560 KiB  
Article
Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles and Their Application in Adsorption of Toxic Dye from Aqueous Solution
by Wafa Shamsan Al-Arjan
Polymers 2022, 14(15), 3086; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14153086 - 29 Jul 2022
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 2791
Abstract
Dye waste is one of the most serious types of pollution in natural water bodies, since its presence can be easily detected by the naked eye, and it is not easily biodegradable. In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) were generated using a [...] Read more.
Dye waste is one of the most serious types of pollution in natural water bodies, since its presence can be easily detected by the naked eye, and it is not easily biodegradable. In this study, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) were generated using a chemical reduction approach involving the zinc nitrate procedure. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and UV-vis techniques were used to analyse the surface of ZnO-NPs. The results indicate the creation of ZnO-NPs with a surface area of 95.83 m2 g−1 and a pore volume of 0.058 cm3 g−1, as well as an average pore size of 1.22 nm. In addition, the ZnO-NPs were used as an adsorbent for the removal of Ismate violet 2R (IV2R) dye from aqueous solutions under various conditions (dye concentration, pH, contact time, temperature, and adsorbent dosage) using a batch adsorption technique. Furthermore, FTIR and SEM examinations performed before and after the adsorption process indicated that the surface functionalisation and shape of the ZnO-NP nanocomposites changed significantly. A batch adsorption analysis was used to examine the extent to which operating parameters, the equilibrium isotherm, adsorption kinetics, and thermodynamics affected the results. The results of the batch technique revealed that the best results were obtained in the treatment with 0.04 g of ZnO-NP nanoparticles at 30 °C and pH 2 with an initial dye concentration of 10 mg L−1, which removed 91.5% and 65.6% of dye from synthetic and textile industry effluents, respectively. Additionally, six adsorption isotherm models were investigated by mathematical modelling and were validated for the adsorption process, and error function equations were applied to the isotherm model results in order to find the best-fit isotherm model. Likewise, the pseudo-second-order kinetic model fit well. A thermodynamic study revealed that IV2R adsorption on ZnO-NPs is a spontaneous, endothermic, and feasible sorption process. Finally, the synthesised nanocomposites prove to be excellent candidates for IV2R removal from water and real wastewater systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Wastewater Treatment Applications Using Polymeric Materials)
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19 pages, 4823 KiB  
Article
Effect of TiO2 Nanoparticles on Capillary-Driven Flow in Water Nanofilters Based on Chitosan Cellulose and Polyvinylidene Fluoride Nanocomposites: A Theoretical Study
by Noureddine Mahdhi, Norah Salem Alsaiari, Abdelfattah Amari and Mohamed Ali Chakhoum
Polymers 2022, 14(14), 2908; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14142908 - 17 Jul 2022
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1528
Abstract
In this study, a novel concept of nanofiltration process of drinking water based on capillary-driven nanofiltration is demonstrated using a bio-based nanocomposites’ nanofilter as free power: a green and sustainable solution. Based on Lifshitz and Young–Laplace theories, we show that the chitosan (CS), [...] Read more.
In this study, a novel concept of nanofiltration process of drinking water based on capillary-driven nanofiltration is demonstrated using a bio-based nanocomposites’ nanofilter as free power: a green and sustainable solution. Based on Lifshitz and Young–Laplace theories, we show that the chitosan (CS), cellulose acetate (CLA), and Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymer matrixes demonstrate hydrophobic behavior, which leads to the draining of water from nanopores when negative capillary pressure is applied and consequently prevents the capillary-driven nanofiltration process. By incorporating 10%, 20%, and 30% volume fraction of titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanoparticles (NPs) to the polymers’ matrixes, we demonstrate a wetting conversion from hydrophobic to hydrophilic behavior of these polymer nanocomposites. Subsequently, the threshold volume fraction of the TiO2 NPs for the conversion from draining (hydrophobic) to filling (hydrophilic) by capillary pressure were found to be equal to 5.1%, 10.9%, and 13.9%, respectively, for CS/TiO2, CLA/TiO2, and PVDF/TiO2 nanocomposites. Then, we demonstrated the negligible effect of the gravity force on capillary rise as well as the capillary-driven flow for nanoscale pore size. For nanofilters with the same effective nanopore radius, porosity, pore shape factor, and tortuosity, results from the modified Lucas–Washburn model show that the capillary rise as well as the capillary-driven water volume increase with increased volume fraction of the TiO2 NPs for all nanocomposite nanofilter. Interestingly, the capillary-driven water volume was in range (5.26–6.39) L/h·m2 with 30% volume fraction of TiO2 NPs, which support our idea for capillary-driven nanofiltration as zero energy consumption nano-filtration process. Correspondingly, the biodegradable CS/TiO2 and CLA/TiO2 nanocomposites nanofilter demonstrate capillary-driven water volume higher, ~1.5 and ~1.2 times, respectively, more than the synthetic PVDF/TiO2 nanocomposite. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Wastewater Treatment Applications Using Polymeric Materials)
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18 pages, 4667 KiB  
Article
Fe-Immobilised Catechol-Based Hypercrosslinked Polymer as Heterogeneous Fenton Catalyst for Degradation of Methylene Blue in Water
by Thanchanok Ratvijitvech
Polymers 2022, 14(13), 2749; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14132749 - 05 Jul 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2028
Abstract
Clean water is one of the sustainable development goals. Organic dye is one of the water pollutants affecting water quality. Hence, the conversion of dyes to safer species is crucial for water treatment. The Fenton reaction using Fe as a catalyst is a [...] Read more.
Clean water is one of the sustainable development goals. Organic dye is one of the water pollutants affecting water quality. Hence, the conversion of dyes to safer species is crucial for water treatment. The Fenton reaction using Fe as a catalyst is a promising process. However, homogeneous catalysts are normally sensitive, difficult to separate, and burdensome to reuse. Therefore, a catechol-based hypercrosslinked polymer (catechol-HCP) was developed as an inexpensive solid support for Fe (catechol-HCP-Fe) and applied as a heterogenous Fenton catalyst. The good interaction of the catechol moiety with Fe, as well as the porous structure, simple preparation, low cost, and high stability of catechol-HCP, make it beneficial for Fe-loading in the polymer and Fenton reaction utilisation. The catechol-HCP-Fe demonstrated good catalytic activity for methylene blue (MB) degradation in a neutral pH. Complete decolouration of 100 ppm MB could be observed within 25 min. The rate of reaction was influenced by H2O2 concentration, polymer dose, MB concentration, pH, and temperature. The catechol-HCP-Fe could be reused for at least four cycles. The dominant reactive species of the reaction was considered to be singlet oxygen (1O2), and the plausible mechanism of the reaction was proposed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Wastewater Treatment Applications Using Polymeric Materials)
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14 pages, 3496 KiB  
Article
Selective Removal of Iron, Lead, and Copper Metal Ions from Industrial Wastewater by a Novel Cross-Linked Carbazole-Piperazine Copolymer
by Majed Al Anazi, Ismail Abdulazeez and Othman Charles S. Al Hamouz
Polymers 2022, 14(12), 2486; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14122486 - 18 Jun 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1984
Abstract
A novel cross-linked Copolymer (MXM) was synthesized by the polycondensation reaction of 3,6-Diaminocarbazole and piperazine with p-formaldehyde as a cross-linker. The Copolymer was fully characterized by solid 13C-NMR and FT-IR. The thermal stability of MXM was investigated by TGA [...] Read more.
A novel cross-linked Copolymer (MXM) was synthesized by the polycondensation reaction of 3,6-Diaminocarbazole and piperazine with p-formaldehyde as a cross-linker. The Copolymer was fully characterized by solid 13C-NMR and FT-IR. The thermal stability of MXM was investigated by TGA and showed that the Copolymer was stable up to 300 °C. The synthesized polyamine was tested for the removal of iron (Fe2+), lead (Pb2+), and copper (Cu2+) ions from aqueous and industrial wastewater solutions. The effect of pH, concentration and time on the adsorption of iron (Fe2+), lead (Pb2+), and copper (Cu2+) ions was investigated. The adsorption of the studied ions from aqueous solutions onto the MXM polymer occurs following the Freundlich isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. The intraparticle diffusion model showed that the adsorption mechanism is controlled by film diffusion. The regeneration of MXM showed practical reusability with a loss in capacity of 2–5% in the case of Fe2+ and Cu2+ ions. The molecular simulation investigations revealed similarities between experimental and theoretical calculations. Industrial wastewater treatment revealed the excellent capabilities and design of MXM to be a potential adsorbent for the removal of heavy metal ions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Wastewater Treatment Applications Using Polymeric Materials)
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19 pages, 4245 KiB  
Article
Synthesis and Characterization of Thiol-Functionalized Polynorbornene Dicarboximides for Heavy Metal Adsorption from Aqueous Solution
by Alejandro Onchi, Carlos Corona-García, Arlette A. Santiago, Mohamed Abatal, Tania E. Soto, Ismeli Alfonso and Joel Vargas
Polymers 2022, 14(12), 2344; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14122344 - 09 Jun 2022
Viewed by 1737
Abstract
The contamination of water resources with heavy metals is a very serious concern that demands prompt and effective attention due to the serious health risks caused by these contaminants. The synthesis and ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of norbornene dicarboximides bearing thiol pendant groups, [...] Read more.
The contamination of water resources with heavy metals is a very serious concern that demands prompt and effective attention due to the serious health risks caused by these contaminants. The synthesis and ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP) of norbornene dicarboximides bearing thiol pendant groups, specifically, N-4-thiophenyl-exo-norbornene-5,6-dicarboximide (1a), N-4-(methylthio)phenyl-exo-norbornene-5,6-dicarboximide (1b) and N-4-(trifluoromethylthio)phenyl-exo-norbornene-5,6-dicarboximide (1c), as well as their assessment for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous systems, is addressed in this work. The polymers were characterized by NMR, SEM and TGA, among others. Single and multicomponent aqueous solutions of Pb2+, Cd2+ and Ni2+ were employed to perform both kinetic and isothermal adsorption studies taking into account several experimental parameters, for instance, the initial metal concentration, the contact time and the mass of the polymer. In general, the adsorption kinetic data fit the pseudo-second-order model more efficiently, while the adsorption isotherms fit the Freundlich and Langmuir models. The maximum metal uptakes were 53.7 mg/g for Pb2+, 43.8 mg/g for Cd2+ and 29.1 mg/g for Ni2+ in the SH-bearing polymer 2a, 46.4 mg/g for Pb2+, 32.9 mg/g for Cd2+ and 27.1 mg/g for Ni2+ in the SCH3-bearing polymer 2b and 40.3 mg/g for Pb2+, 35.9 mg/g for Cd2+ and 27.8 mg/g for Ni2+ in the SCF3-bearing polymer 2c, correspondingly. The better performance of polymer 2a for the metal uptake was ascribed to the lower steric hindrance and higher hydrophilicity imparted by –SH groups to the polymer. The results show that these thiol-functionalized polymers are effective adsorbents of heavy metal ions from aqueous media. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Wastewater Treatment Applications Using Polymeric Materials)
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26 pages, 4505 KiB  
Article
Dried Brown Seaweed’s Phytoremediation Potential for Methylene Blue Dye Removal from Aquatic Environments
by Abdallah Tageldein Mansour, Ahmed E. Alprol, Khamael M. Abualnaja, Hossam S. El-Beltagi, Khaled M. A. Ramadan and Mohamed Ashour
Polymers 2022, 14(7), 1375; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14071375 - 28 Mar 2022
Cited by 37 | Viewed by 3109
Abstract
The dried form of the brown seaweed Sargassum latifolium was tested for its ability to remove toxic Methylene Blue Dye (MBD) ions from aqueous synthetic solutions and industrial wastewater effluents. In a batch adsorption experiment, different initial concentrations of MBD (5, 10, 20, [...] Read more.
The dried form of the brown seaweed Sargassum latifolium was tested for its ability to remove toxic Methylene Blue Dye (MBD) ions from aqueous synthetic solutions and industrial wastewater effluents. In a batch adsorption experiment, different initial concentrations of MBD (5, 10, 20, 30, and 40 mg L−1), sorbent dosages (0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, and 0.5 g L−1), contact time (5, 10, 15, 30, 60, 120 min), pH (3, 5, 8, 10, and 12), and temperature (30, 40, 50, 60 °C) were observed. Dried powder of S. latifolium was characterized before and after adsorption of MBD using different techniques, such as FTIR, SEM, UV visible spectral examination, and BET techniques. The BET surface area suggests the formation of S. latifolium was 111.65 m2 g−1, and the average pore size was 2.19 nm. The obtained results showed that at an MBD concentration of 40 mg L−1, the adsorption was rapid in the first 5, 10, and 15 min of contact time, and an equilibrium was reached in about 60 and 120 min for the adsorption. At the optimum temperature of 30 °C and the adsorbent dose of 0.1 g L−1, approximately 94.88% of MBD were removed. To find the best-fit isotherm model, the error function equations are applied to the isotherm model findings. Both Tempkin and Freundlich isotherm models could appropriate the equilibrium data, as well as the pseudo 2nd order kinetics model due to high correlation coefficients (R2). Thermodynamic and Freundlich model parameters were assessed and showed that the mechanism of the sorption process occurs by an endothermic and physical process. According to the results of the experiments, S. latifolium is a promising environmentally friendly approach for eliminating MBD from the aqueous solution that is also cost-effective. This technology could be useful in addressing the rising demand for adsorbents employed in environmental protection processes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Wastewater Treatment Applications Using Polymeric Materials)
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16 pages, 2860 KiB  
Article
Lignocellulosic Based Biochar Adsorbents for the Removal of Fluoride and Arsenic from Aqueous Solution: Isotherm and Kinetic Modeling
by Iram Ayaz, Muhammad Rizwan, Jeffery Layton Ullman, Hajira Haroon, Abdul Qayyum, Naveed Ahmed, Basem H. Elesawy, Ahmad El Askary, Amal F. Gharib and Khadiga Ahmed Ismail
Polymers 2022, 14(4), 715; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14040715 - 12 Feb 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2225
Abstract
Eucalyptus wood is made up of lignocellulosic material; this lignocellulosic material contains two types of biopolymers, i.e., carbohydrate and aromatic polymers. In this study, this lignocellulosic material was used to prepare biochar. Three biochar, i.e., laboratory-based (B1), barrel-based (B2), and brick kiln-biochar (B3), [...] Read more.
Eucalyptus wood is made up of lignocellulosic material; this lignocellulosic material contains two types of biopolymers, i.e., carbohydrate and aromatic polymers. In this study, this lignocellulosic material was used to prepare biochar. Three biochar, i.e., laboratory-based (B1), barrel-based (B2), and brick kiln-biochar (B3), were used for fluoride and arsenic removal from aqueous solution. Barrel-based biochar was prepared by using the two-barrel method’s alteration. The highest fluoride removal (99%) was attained at pH 2 in the presence of B1, while in the presence of B2 and B3, maximum fluoride removal was 90% and 45.7%, respectively. At pH 10, the maximum arsenic removal in the presence of B1, B2, and B3 was 96%, 94%, and 93%, respectively. The surface characteristics obtained by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed the presence of carbonyl group (C-O), and alkene (C=C) functional groups on all the three studied biochars. Isotherm studies showed that the adsorption was monolayered (all the adsorbed molecules were in contact with the surface layer of the adsorbent) as the Langmuir isotherm model best fits the obtained data. Adsorption kinetics was also performed. The R2 value supports the pseudo-second-order kinetics, which means that chemisorption was involved in adsorbing fluoride and arsenic. It is concluded that B1 gives maximum removal for both fluoride (99%) and arsenic (96%). The study shows that lignocellulose-based biochar can be used for arsenic and fluoride removal from water. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Wastewater Treatment Applications Using Polymeric Materials)
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8 pages, 2900 KiB  
Communication
Synthesis of a Novel Water-Soluble Polymer Complexant Phosphorylated Chitosan for Rare Earth Complexation
by Yuxin Chen, Yujuan Chen, Dandan Lu and Yunren Qiu
Polymers 2022, 14(3), 419; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14030419 - 21 Jan 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1737
Abstract
Combining the characteristics of rare earth extractants and water-soluble polymer complexants, a novel complexant phosphorylated chitosan (PCS) was synthesized by Kabachnik–Fields reaction with alkalized chitosan, dimethyl phosphonate, and formaldehyde as raw materials and toluene-4-sulfonic acid monohydrate (TsOH) as catalyst. The complexation properties of [...] Read more.
Combining the characteristics of rare earth extractants and water-soluble polymer complexants, a novel complexant phosphorylated chitosan (PCS) was synthesized by Kabachnik–Fields reaction with alkalized chitosan, dimethyl phosphonate, and formaldehyde as raw materials and toluene-4-sulfonic acid monohydrate (TsOH) as catalyst. The complexation properties of PCS and poly (acrylic acid) sodium (PAAS) for lanthanum ions in the solution were compared at the same pH and room temperature. In addition, the frontier molecular orbital energies of polymer–La complexes were calculated by the density functional theory method, which confirmed the complexation properties of the polymers to rare earths. The results indicate that the PCS has better water solubility compared with chitosan and good complex ability to rare earths, which can be used for rare earth separation by the complexation–ultrafiltration process. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Wastewater Treatment Applications Using Polymeric Materials)
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23 pages, 2460 KiB  
Article
Continuous Fixed-Bed Column Studies on Congo Red Dye Adsorption-Desorption Using Free and Immobilized Nelumbo nucifera Leaf Adsorbent
by Vairavel Parimelazhagan, Gautham Jeppu and Nakul Rampal
Polymers 2022, 14(1), 54; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14010054 - 24 Dec 2021
Cited by 22 | Viewed by 3871
Abstract
The adsorption of Congo red (CR), an azo dye, from aqueous solution using free and immobilized agricultural waste biomass of Nelumbo nucifera (lotus) has been studied separately in a continuous fixed-bed column operation. The N. nucifera leaf powder adsorbent was immobilized in various [...] Read more.
The adsorption of Congo red (CR), an azo dye, from aqueous solution using free and immobilized agricultural waste biomass of Nelumbo nucifera (lotus) has been studied separately in a continuous fixed-bed column operation. The N. nucifera leaf powder adsorbent was immobilized in various polymeric matrices and the maximum decolorization efficiency (83.64%) of CR occurred using the polymeric matrix sodium silicate. The maximum efficacy (72.87%) of CR dye desorption was obtained using the solvent methanol. Reusability studies of free and immobilized adsorbents for the decolorization of CR dye were carried out separately in three runs in continuous mode. The % color removal and equilibrium dye uptake of the regenerated free and immobilized adsorbents decreased significantly after the first cycle. The decolorization efficiencies of CR dye adsorption were 53.66% and 43.33%; equilibrium dye uptakes were 1.179 mg g–1 and 0.783 mg g–1 in the third run of operation with free and immobilized adsorbent, respectively. The column experimental data fit very well to the Thomas and Yoon–Nelson models for the free and immobilized adsorbent with coefficients of correlation R2 ≥ 0.976 in various runs. The study concludes that free and immobilized N. nucifera can be efficiently used for the removal of CR from synthetic and industrial wastewater in a continuous flow mode. It makes a substantial contribution to the development of new biomass materials for monitoring and remediation of toxic dye-contaminated water resources. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Wastewater Treatment Applications Using Polymeric Materials)
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32 pages, 4131 KiB  
Article
Kinetics, Isotherm and Thermodynamic Studies for Efficient Adsorption of Congo Red Dye from Aqueous Solution onto Novel Cyanoguanidine-Modified Chitosan Adsorbent
by Nouf F. Al-Harby, Ebtehal F. Albahly and Nadia A. Mohamed
Polymers 2021, 13(24), 4446; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13244446 - 18 Dec 2021
Cited by 47 | Viewed by 3245
Abstract
Novel Cyanoguanidine-modified chitosan (CCs) adsorbent was successfully prepared via a four-step procedure; first by protection of the amino groups of chitosan, second by insertion of epoxide rings, third by opening the latter with cyanoguanidine, and fourth by restoring the amino groups through elimination [...] Read more.
Novel Cyanoguanidine-modified chitosan (CCs) adsorbent was successfully prepared via a four-step procedure; first by protection of the amino groups of chitosan, second by insertion of epoxide rings, third by opening the latter with cyanoguanidine, and fourth by restoring the amino groups through elimination of the protection. Its structure and morphology were checked using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. The adsorption capacity of CCs for Congo Red (CR) dye was studied under various conditions. It decreased significantly with the increase in the solution pH value and dye concentration, while it increased with increasing temperature. The adsorption fitted to the pseudo-second order kinetic model and Elovich model. The intraparticle diffusion model showed that the adsorption involved a multi-step process. The isotherm of CR dye adsorption by CCs conforms to the Langmuir isotherm model, indicating the monolayer nature of adsorption. The maximum monolayer coverage capacity, qmax, was 666.67 mg g−1. Studying the thermodynamic showed that the adsorption was endothermic as illustrated from the positive value of enthalpy (34.49 kJ mol−1). According to the values of ΔG°, the adsorption process was spontaneous at all selected temperatures. The value of ΔS° showed an increase in randomness for the adsorption process. The value of activation energy was 2.47 kJ mol−1. The desorption percentage reached to 58% after 5 cycles. This proved that CCs is an efficient and a promising adsorbent for the removal of CR dye from its aqueous solution. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Wastewater Treatment Applications Using Polymeric Materials)
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Review

Jump to: Research

23 pages, 4590 KiB  
Review
Advanced Polymeric Nanocomposites for Water Treatment Applications: A Holistic Perspective
by Adedapo Oluwasanu Adeola and Philiswa Nosizo Nomngongo
Polymers 2022, 14(12), 2462; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14122462 - 16 Jun 2022
Cited by 18 | Viewed by 4606
Abstract
Water pollution remains one of the greatest challenges in the modern era, and water treatment strategies have continually been improved to meet the increasing demand for safe water. In the last few decades, tremendous research has been carried out toward developing selective and [...] Read more.
Water pollution remains one of the greatest challenges in the modern era, and water treatment strategies have continually been improved to meet the increasing demand for safe water. In the last few decades, tremendous research has been carried out toward developing selective and efficient polymeric adsorbents and membranes. However, developing non-toxic, biocompatible, cost-effective, and efficient polymeric nanocomposites is still being explored. In polymer nanocomposites, nanofillers and/or nanoparticles are dispersed in polymeric matrices such as dendrimer, cellulose, resins, etc., to improve their mechanical, thermophysical, and physicochemical properties. Several techniques can be used to develop polymer nanocomposites, and the most prevalent methods include mixing, melt-mixing, in-situ polymerization, electrospinning, and selective laser sintering techniques. Emerging technologies for polymer nanocomposite development include selective laser sintering and microwave-assisted techniques, proffering solutions to aggregation challenges and other morphological defects. Available and emerging techniques aim to produce efficient, durable, and cost-effective polymer nanocomposites with uniform dispersion and minimal defects. Polymer nanocomposites are utilized as filtering membranes and adsorbents to remove chemical contaminants from aqueous media. This study covers the synthesis and usage of various polymeric nanocomposites in water treatment, as well as the major criteria that influence their performance, and highlights challenges and considerations for future research. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Wastewater Treatment Applications Using Polymeric Materials)
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21 pages, 3686 KiB  
Review
Functionalized Nanomembranes and Plasma Technologies for Produced Water Treatment: A Review
by Anton Manakhov, Maxim Orlov, Vyacheslav Grokhovsky, Fahd I. AlGhunaimi and Subhash Ayirala
Polymers 2022, 14(9), 1785; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14091785 - 27 Apr 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2222
Abstract
The treatment of produced water, associated with oil & gas production, is envisioned to gain more significant attention in the coming years due to increasing energy demand and growing interests to promote sustainable developments. This review presents innovative practical solutions for oil/water separation, [...] Read more.
The treatment of produced water, associated with oil & gas production, is envisioned to gain more significant attention in the coming years due to increasing energy demand and growing interests to promote sustainable developments. This review presents innovative practical solutions for oil/water separation, desalination, and purification of polluted water sources using a combination of porous membranes and plasma treatment technologies. Both these technologies can be used to treat produced water separately, but their combination results in a significant synergistic impact. The membranes functionalized by plasma show a remarkable increase in their efficiency characterized by enhanced oil rejection capability and reusability, while plasma treatment of water combined with membranes and/or adsorbents could be used to soften water and achieve high purity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Wastewater Treatment Applications Using Polymeric Materials)
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39 pages, 4967 KiB  
Review
Recent Developments in the Application of Bio-Waste-Derived Adsorbents for the Removal of Methylene Blue from Wastewater: A Review
by Hamad Noori Hamad and Syazwani Idrus
Polymers 2022, 14(4), 783; https://doi.org/10.3390/polym14040783 - 17 Feb 2022
Cited by 99 | Viewed by 12596
Abstract
Over the last few years, various industries have released wastewater containing high concentrations of dyes straight into the ecological system, which has become a major environmental problem (i.e., soil, groundwater, surface water pollution, etc.). The rapid growth of textile industries has created an [...] Read more.
Over the last few years, various industries have released wastewater containing high concentrations of dyes straight into the ecological system, which has become a major environmental problem (i.e., soil, groundwater, surface water pollution, etc.). The rapid growth of textile industries has created an alarming situation in which further deterioration to the environment has been caused due to substances being left in treated wastewater, including dyes. The application of activated carbon has recently been demonstrated to be a highly efficient technology in terms of removing methylene blue (MB) from wastewater. Agricultural waste, as well as animal-based and wood products, are excellent sources of bio-waste for MB remediation since they are extremely efficient, have high sorption capacities, and are renewable sources. Despite the fact that commercial activated carbon is a favored adsorbent for dye elimination, its extensive application is restricted because of its comparatively high cost, which has prompted researchers to investigate alternative sources of adsorbents that are non-conventional and more economical. The goal of this review article was to critically evaluate the accessible information on the characteristics of bio-waste-derived adsorbents for MB’s removal, as well as related parameters influencing the performance of this process. The review also highlighted the processing methods developed in previous studies. Regeneration processes, economic challenges, and the valorization of post-sorption materials were also discussed. This review is beneficial in terms of understanding recent advances in the status of biowaste-derived adsorbents, highlighting the accelerating need for the development of low-cost adsorbents and functioning as a precursor for large-scale system optimization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Novel Wastewater Treatment Applications Using Polymeric Materials)
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