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Recent Advances in the Environmental Remediation Using Zeolites and Other Adsorbent Materials

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A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Green Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 February 2025 | Viewed by 3889

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Dr. Marin Senila

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INCDO-INOE 2000 Research Institute for Analytical Instrumentation Cluj-Napoca, Ploiesti, Romania
Interests: trace elements analysis in environmental samples using advanced analytical techniques; miniaturized spectrometric instrumentation; passive sampling using the diffusive gradients in thin-films (DGT) technique; development and validation of spectrometric methods for environmental applications; elements bioavailability in soil and water; materials characterization using spectrometric techniques
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The topic of the Special Issue is devoted to the newest research trends in the field of environmental treatment techniques using zeolites and other adsorbent materials.

Natural zeolites and their modified forms, synthetic zeolites, and other adsorbent materials have received considerable attention in environmental remediation due to their remarkable physical and chemical properties. Water treatment with the aid of zeolites and adsorbent materials is one of the oldest applications; however, at the same time, there are many perspectives related to its future developments. One of the most promising soil remediation techniques is in situ stabilization using adsorbing amendments to incorporate and immobilize heavy metals to reduce their bioavailability and transfer to the biota. Zeolites and other adsorbent materials have potential in the purification and separation of gases based on their ability to act as molecular sieves. All these applications are based on porous characteristics which provide them with high adsorption capacities and ion exchangers properties.

The articles presented in this Special Issue of Materials will cover various topics ranging from reports on the zeolites and other porous materials’ characterization, modifications and synthesis and their applications in wastewater treatment, soil remediation, and purification and separation of gases.

Dr. Marin Senila
Guest Editor

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Keywords

zeolites and porous adsorbents
environmental protection and remediation
physico-chemical characterization of porous adsorbents
modification of natural zeolites
synthesis of zeolites
wastewater treatment
soil remediation via in situ stabilization
gas separation/purification using zeolites and other porous adsorbents

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Research

30 pages, 6440 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mercury Ion Selective Adsorption from Aqueous Solution Using Amino-Functionalized Magnetic Fe₂O₃/SiO₂ Nanocomposite

by Mahmoud M. Youssif, Heba G. El-Attar, Stanisław Małecki, Grzegorz Włoch, Maciej Czapkiewicz, Kamil Kornaus and Marek Wojnicki

Materials 2024, 17(17), 4254; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17174254 - 28 Aug 2024

Viewed by 549

Abstract

This study focuses on the development of new amino-functionalized magnetic Fe₂O₃/SiO₂ nanocomposites with varying silicate shell ratios (1:0.5, 1:1, and 1:2) for the efficient elimination of Hg²⁺ ions found in solutions. The Fe₂O₃/SiO₂–NH₂ adsorbents were characterized for their structural, surface, and magnetic properties using various techniques, including Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FT-IR), powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Braunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), zeta-potential, and particle size measurement. We investigated the adsorption circumstances, such as pH, dosage of the adsorbent, and duration of adsorption. The pH value that yielded the best results was determined to be 5.0. The Fe₂O₃/SiO₂–NH₂ adsorbent with a silicate ratio of (1:2) exhibited the largest amount of adsorption capacity of 152.03 mg g⁻¹. This can be attributed to its significantly large specific surface area of 100.1 m² g⁻¹, which surpasses that of other adsorbents. The adsorbent with amino functionalization demonstrated a strong affinity for Hg²⁺ ions due to the chemical interactions between the metal ions and the amino groups on the surface. The analysis of adsorption kinetics demonstrated that the adsorption outcomes adhere to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The study of adsorption isotherms revealed that the adsorption followed the Langmuir model, indicating that the adsorption of Hg²⁺ ions with the adsorbent occurred as a monomolecular layer adsorption process. Furthermore, the thermodynamic analyses revealed that the adsorption of Hg²⁺ ions using the adsorbent was characterized by a spontaneous and endothermic process. Additionally, the adsorbent has the ability to selectively extract mercury ions from a complex mixture of ions. The Fe₂O₃/SiO₂–NH₂ nanocomposite, which is loaded with metal, can be easily recovered from a water solution due to its magnetic properties. Moreover, it can be regenerated effortlessly through acid treatment. This study highlights the potential use of amino-functionalized Fe₂O₃/SiO₂ magnetic nanoparticles as a highly efficient, reusable adsorbent for the removal of mercury ions from contaminated wastewater. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in the Environmental Remediation Using Zeolites and Other Adsorbent Materials)

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15 pages, 3112 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Polyurethane Foam and Algae-Based Activated Carbon Biocomposites for Oil Spill Remediation

by Lokmane Abdelkaddous Baidar, Malika Medjahdi, Badra Mahida, Belaid Mechab and Dominique Baillis

Materials 2024, 17(16), 4137; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17164137 - 21 Aug 2024

Viewed by 456

Abstract

This study investigates the incorporation of algae-based activated carbon into polyurethane foam to improve a biocomposite for gasoil sorption. The biocomposites were thoroughly analyzed using various techniques to examine the properties of both the blank foam and the algae activated carbon foam with a carbon content of 4.41 mass% and particle diameter of 500 µm. These techniques included Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and density analysis. The TGA analysis revealed that the biocomposites had an impact on the onset temperature (T_onset) of the foams. Higher concentrations of the biocomposites resulted in a decrease in T_onset from approximately 310 °C in the blank foam (PUF0) to 300 °C in the composite (PUF3B). The final residue percentage also decreased from around 20% in PUF0 to 10% in PUF3B. Density analysis showed that the apparent density of the foam increased from 0.016 g/cm³ in the blank foam to 0.020 g/cm³ in the biocomposite (PUF3B), while the real density slightly decreased from 0.092 g/cm³ to 0.076 g/cm³, indicating a reduction in overall porosity from 82.5% to 74.4%. All foams that were modified showed an increase in their ability to absorb gasoil in a PUF/gasoil/water system. The optimized biocomposite (PUF1B), with 1.14 mass% of 500 µm algae carbon, displayed the highest sorption capacity, starting at approximately 50 g/g at 1.5 h and increasing to 53 g/g over 72 h. The analysis of adsorption kinetics revealed that by utilizing adsorption isotherms, particularly the Langmuir isotherm, a more accurate fit to the data was achieved. This allowed for the prediction of the maximum gasoil adsorption capacity. This study aims to further develop, analyze, and utilize biocomposites made from algae-based activated carbon and polyurethane. These materials offer a sustainable and environmentally friendly approach to cleaning up oil spills. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in the Environmental Remediation Using Zeolites and Other Adsorbent Materials)

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19 pages, 5255 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of a Novel Cyclodextrin–Chitosan Polymer for an Efficient Removal of Pharmaceutical Contaminants in Aqueous Solution

by Fadila Oughlis-Hammache, Mohamed Skiba, Lamia Moulahcene, Nicolas Milon, Frédéric Bounoure and Malika Lahiani-Skiba

Materials 2024, 17(14), 3594; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17143594 - 21 Jul 2024

Viewed by 663

Abstract

A novel polymer synthesized by grafting three cyclodextrins onto chitosan was characterized and evaluated for its potential to adsorb two pharmaceutical residues: ibuprofen and progesterone. The influence of various operational parameters, including contact time, initial molecule concentration, pH, ionic strength, and temperature, was investigated. The synthesized polymer exhibits an amorphous and porous structure with a remarkable swelling capacity of 9.5 mmol/g. It demonstrates remarkable adsorption capacities for progesterone and ibuprofen, reaching 90% and 75%, respectively. Kinetic studies reveal that the adsorption of both molecules follows a pseudo-second-order model. A DSC analysis elucidated the adsorption mechanism, which is governed by the formation of inclusion complexes and electrostatic interactions within the polymer network. The polymer’s regeneration after 23 cycles demonstrates its sustainable adsorption efficiency. The combination of chitosan with three cyclodextrins opens up promising new avenues for water treatment and the removal of specific pollutants. This approach significantly improves the material’s selectivity towards target pollutants, offering a significant advantage in pollution remediation applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in the Environmental Remediation Using Zeolites and Other Adsorbent Materials)

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23 pages, 9451 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Odors Adsorption in Zeolites Including Natural Clinoptilolite: Theoretical and Experimental Studies

by Izabela Czekaj and Natalia Sobuś

Materials 2024, 17(13), 3088; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17133088 - 24 Jun 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 622

Abstract

This publication presents the results of combined theoretical and experimental research for the potential use of natural clinoptilolite zeolite (CLI) as an odor-adsorbing material. In this study of adsorption capacity, CLI of various granulation was used and its modifications were made by ion exchange using Sn and Fe metals to check whether the presence of metals as potential active centers does not lead to catalytic processes and may lead to enhanced absorption of odorous substances through their adsorption on the created metallic forms. Additionally, in order to increase the specific surface area, modifications were made in the form of hierarchization in an acidic environment using hydrochloric acid to also create the hydrogen form of zeolite and thus also check how the material behaves as an adsorbent. To compare the effect of CLI as a sorption material, synthetic zeolite MFI was also used—as a sodium form and after the introduction of metals (Sn, Fe). The above materials were subjected to adsorption measurements using odorous substances (including acetaldehyde, dimethylamine, pentanoic acid and octanoic acid). Based on the measurements performed, the most advantageous material that traps odorants is a natural material—clinoptilolite. Depending on the faction, its ability varies for different compounds. In the case of acetaldehyde, an effective material is clinoptilolite with a grain size of up to 2 mm. In the case of carboxylic acids, it is material after hierarchization with a fraction of 3–4 mm. In the case of theoretical calculations, information was obtained to show that metallic centers are more stable above oxygen, which is associated with the skeletal aluminum in clinoptilolite. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in the Environmental Remediation Using Zeolites and Other Adsorbent Materials)

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14 pages, 6576 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Green Synthesis and Efficient Adsorption: Na-X Zeolite vs. C/Mn/SiO₂ Composite for Heavy Metals Removal

by Magdalena Medykowska, Małgorzata Wiśniewska, Katarzyna Szewczuk-Karpisz, Mariia Galaburda, Olena Oranska and Rafał Panek

Materials 2024, 17(4), 954; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17040954 - 19 Feb 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 950

Abstract

The studies aimed to test the adsorption capacity of two silica-enriched porous materials, synthetic Na-X zeolite and Mn-containing carbon composite, towards Pb(II) and Zn(II) ions in single and mixed systems and in the presence of diclofenac (DCF) and (or) poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). The synthetic zeolite was characterized by a well-developed surface area of 728 m²/g and a pore diameter of 1.73 nm, while the carbon composite exhibited 268 m²/g and 7.37 nm, respectively. Na-X was found to be more efficient than the carbon composite (75–212 mg/g) in adsorbing heavy metal ions in both single and bimetallic systems (322–333 mg/g). In turn, the C/Mn/SiO₂ composite was more effective in removing Pb(II) ions from the systems that simultaneously contained DCF or PAA (480 and 476 mg/g, respectively). The Na-X zeolite demonstrated the greatest stability in all the systems studied. The highest stability was observed in the DCF + Pb(II) mixture, in contrast to the carbon composites where the stability was much lower. To evaluate the possibility of regeneration of the solids, HCl proved to be the best desorbent for heavy metal ions (efficiency of 99%). In general, both adsorbents offer promising potential for solving environmental problems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Recent Advances in the Environmental Remediation Using Zeolites and Other Adsorbent Materials)

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