Advancements and Applications of Nanomaterials for Removal of Organic Compounds in Aquatic Environments

A special issue of Applied Nano (ISSN 2673-3501).

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 August 2025 | Viewed by 1581

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Institute of Environmental Science and Environmental Technology, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, 03046 Cottbus, Germany
Interests: nano particles; photocatalysis; photochemical degradation; AOP; nano particle synthesis; environmental degradation; persistent compounds; microbiology; analytical chemistry; LC/MS; GC/MS

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The combination of global industrialisation, population growth, and climate change has resulted in critical water pollution becoming a global crisis. In addition to a significant reduction in anthropogenic environmental pollution, innovative solution concepts are strongly demanded through the development of new advanced technologies to address the problem. Nanotechnologies have been firmly established in private households and commercial markets for several years, and their use is becoming increasingly important. This is due to the outstanding properties of nanomaterials such as nanoparticles or nanocomposites. For example, they play an increasingly important role in the photocatalysis of persistent organic compounds. Thus, the benefits of nano photocatalysts are not limited to an increased specific surface area; they also exhibit modified material properties that are often more favourable than those of conventional photocatalysts. In most cases, these photocatalysts are used in advanced oxidation processes (AOPs). However, nanomaterials can also be employed for advanced reduction processes (ARPs) to break down persistent compounds such as poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). Furthermore, nanotechnologies are becoming increasingly essential in environmental remediation approaches either by enhanced adsorption properties or by the enhanced chemical transformation of persistent compounds.

This Special Issue is dedicated to the analysis of the recent developments in the field of the removal of persistent compounds from the environment by nanomaterials. Of particular interest are studies related to the development of innovative nanocatalysts and other nanomaterials for use in advanced oxidation processes (AOPs) and advanced reduction processes (ARPs) for the remediation of persistent organic pollutants. Types of contributions to this Special Issue can be full research articles, short communications, and reviews.

Dr. Ramona Riedel
Prof. Dr. Giulio Malucelli
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • photocatalysis
  • AOP or ARP
  • nanoparticles
  • nanocomposites
  • nanoadsorbents
  • persistent substances
  • remediation
  • water treatment
  • wastewater treatment
  • adsorption

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

27 pages, 3578 KiB  
Article
Green Synthesis of Copper Nanoparticles Using a Bioflocculant from Proteus mirabilis AB 932526.1 for Wastewater Treatment and Antimicrobial Applications
by Nkanyiso C. Nkosi, Albertus K. Basson, Zuzingcebo G. Ntombela, Nkosinathi G. Dlamini and Rajasekhar V. S. R. Pullabhotla
Appl. Nano 2025, 6(1), 5; https://doi.org/10.3390/applnano6010005 - 3 Mar 2025
Viewed by 1074
Abstract
Nanotechnology offers effective solutions for removing contaminants and harmful bacteria from polluted water. This study synthesized copper nanoparticles using a carbohydrate-based bioflocculant derived from Proteus mirabilis AB 932526.1. The bioflocculant is a natural polymer that facilitates the aggregation of particles, enhancing the efficiency [...] Read more.
Nanotechnology offers effective solutions for removing contaminants and harmful bacteria from polluted water. This study synthesized copper nanoparticles using a carbohydrate-based bioflocculant derived from Proteus mirabilis AB 932526.1. The bioflocculant is a natural polymer that facilitates the aggregation of particles, enhancing the efficiency of the nanoparticle synthesis process. Characterization of the bioflocculant and copper nanoparticles was conducted using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Energy-Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy, Ultraviolet-Visible Spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction, and Transmission Electron Microscopy techniques to assess their properties, flocculation efficiency, and antibacterial characteristics. The optimal flocculation efficiency of 80% was achieved at a copper nanoparticle concentration of 0.4 mg/mL, while a concentration of 1 mg/mL resulted in a lower efficiency of 60%. The effects of biosynthesized copper nanoparticles on human-derived embryonic renal cell cultures were also investigated, demonstrating that they are safe at lower concentrations. The copper nanoparticles effectively removed staining dyes such as safranin (90%), carbol fuchsine (88%), methylene blue (91%), methyl orange (93%), and Congo red (94%), compared to a blank showing only 39% removal. Furthermore, when compared to both chemical flocculants and bioflocculants, the biosynthesized copper nanoparticles exhibited significant nutrient removal efficiencies for nitrogen, sulfur, phosphate, and total nitrates in coal mine and Vulindlela domestic wastewater. Notably, these biosynthesized copper nanoparticles demonstrated exceptional antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Full article
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