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Advanced Technologies for Water Pollution Control
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Advanced Technologies for Water Pollution Control

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 June 2026 | Viewed by 4674

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Wenjun Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
School of Resource & Environment, Hunan University of Technology and Business, Changsha 410205, China
Interests: nanoplastic removal; water pollution control; resource utilization; carbon emission; advanced oxidation processes; environmental management
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Chengyun Zhou

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Environmental Science & Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China
Interests: water treatment; biochar; carbon nitride; advanced oxidation processes
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, ‘Advanced Technologies for Water Pollution Control’, aims to capture the latest scientific breakthroughs that are reshaping how we safeguard aquatic environments worldwide. Despite decades of effort, the global water crisis is intensifying: emerging contaminants (PFAS, antibiotics, microplastics), nutrient overload, extreme climate events, and energy-intensive treatment strains continue to challenge conventional technologies. Recent hotspots include electrochemical advanced oxidation processes (EAOPs), nano- and 2D-material-enabled membranes, photocatalytic solar reactors, and circular-economy schemes that convert wastewater into energy, nutrients, and reclaimed water.

This Special Issue will provide an interdisciplinary platform for high-quality research articles and critical reviews that can be used to accelerate the transition to low-carbon and resource-positive water-treatment systems. Topics may include, but are not limited to, the following:

(1) Electrochemical and catalytic advanced oxidation for micropollutant destruction;

(2) Next-generation membranes, nanocomposites, and antifouling strategies;

(3) Photocatalytic, photoelectrochemical, and solar-Fenton systems;

(4) Micro- and nano-plastics detection, fate, and removal technologies.

We look forward to your contributions, which will help define the future of sustainable water pollution control.

Dr. Wenjun Wang
Dr. Chengyun Zhou
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 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Molecules 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

  • water pollution
  • advanced oxidation processes
  • membrane technologies
  • nanotechnology application
  • wastewater remediation
  • advanced technologies

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 9472 KB  
Article
Adsorption Behavior and Mechanism of Rhodamine B on a Polyvinyl Alcohol/Carboxymethyl Chitosan Hydrogel: Integrated Experimental and Computational Study
by Shi Yi, Qingyun Li, Xinrui Zhu, Shuxin Li, Ting Hu, Xinyi Huang, Jiazheng Luo, Hongbo Xiao, Yihui Zhou, Bo Wang, Rongkui Su and Xiping Lei
Molecules 2026, 31(10), 1619; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31101619 - 11 May 2026
Viewed by 439
Abstract
In this study, a polyvinyl alcohol/carboxymethyl chitosan (PVA/CCTS) hydrogel was synthesized via free radical polymerization and employed for the adsorption of Rhodamine B (RhB) from aqueous solution. The hydrogel was systematically characterized by FTIR, SEM, XPS, and BET analyses, confirming its interconnected porous [...] Read more.
In this study, a polyvinyl alcohol/carboxymethyl chitosan (PVA/CCTS) hydrogel was synthesized via free radical polymerization and employed for the adsorption of Rhodamine B (RhB) from aqueous solution. The hydrogel was systematically characterized by FTIR, SEM, XPS, and BET analyses, confirming its interconnected porous network and functional group composition. Under optimized conditions (adsorbent dosage = 0.1 g, pH = 6, RhB concentration = 65 mg·L−1, and T = 298.15 ± 2 K), the maximum adsorption capacity reached 15.88 mg·g−1. Kinetic analysis showed that the pseudo-second-order model best described the adsorption behavior under optimal conditions, indicating that the uptake of RhB is governed by multiple interaction mechanisms rather than simple physisorption alone. The equilibrium data were best fitted by the Freundlich isotherm (R2 = 0.976), indicating surface heterogeneity of the hydrogel. Thermodynamic evaluation revealed an endothermic (ΔH = 28.38 ± 4.40 kJ·mol−1), with adsorption efficiency improving at elevated temperatures. The hydrogel retained appreciable adsorption capacity after three adsorption–desorption cycles (5.78 mg·g−1 at the third cycle). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations identified -COOH and -NH2 groups as the primary active sites, and molecular electrostatic potential analysis confirmed that electrostatic interactions between the negatively charged hydrogel surface and cationic RhB drive the initial adsorption. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations over 100 ns further demonstrated that van der Waals forces constitute the dominant driving force, supplemented by electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonding, with the hydrogel’s cross-linked network stabilizing adsorbed RhB molecules. The integrated experimental computational approach provides a comprehensive mechanistic understanding of RhB adsorption on PVA/CCTS hydrogel, offering guidance for the rational design of polysaccharide-based adsorbents for dye-contaminated wastewater treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies for Water Pollution Control)
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15 pages, 2333 KB  
Article
High-Efficiency Adsorption of Methylene Blue by Balsa Wood Waste-Based Microporous Carbon
by Yuzhou Zhou, Lan Geng, Leihui Zhang, Yong Su, Rui Liu, Fang Guo and Limin Zhang
Molecules 2026, 31(8), 1251; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31081251 - 9 Apr 2026
Viewed by 410
Abstract
Biomass-based adsorbents for methylene blue (MB) currently face critical bottlenecks including raw material homogenization, insufficient adsorption capacity, and an unclear structure–activity relationship. To address these limitations, we prepared porous super activated carbon (SAC) with ultra-high specific surface area via KOH activation, using industrial [...] Read more.
Biomass-based adsorbents for methylene blue (MB) currently face critical bottlenecks including raw material homogenization, insufficient adsorption capacity, and an unclear structure–activity relationship. To address these limitations, we prepared porous super activated carbon (SAC) with ultra-high specific surface area via KOH activation, using industrial balsa wood (Ochroma pyramidale) waste from the wind power industry as the precursor. The adsorption behavior and underlying mechanism of the as-prepared SAC towards MB were systematically investigated. The as-prepared SAC has an ultra-high specific surface area of 3833 m2/g, with a well-developed microporous structure matching the molecular size of MB. It exhibited a maximum monolayer MB adsorption capacity of 1037.76 mg/g, superior to similar biomass-based materials. Near-complete removal of high-concentration MB was achieved at an SAC dosage of 0.4 g/L, and the material maintained stable performance across a wide pH range of 4 to 10. The adsorption of MB onto SAC fitted well with the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models, dominated by monolayer physisorption. The outstanding adsorption performance originated from the synergistic contribution of the pore confinement effect, π-π conjugation, electrostatic interaction, and hydrogen bonding. This work provides a new strategy for high-value utilization of balsa wood industrial waste and efficient treatment of dye wastewater. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies for Water Pollution Control)
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19 pages, 6728 KB  
Article
Influence of Co-Occurring Heavy Metals on Cobalt Removal and Recovery from Wastewater by Continuous Flow In-Liquid Plasma Discharge Process
by Dinithi Mohotti, Benjamin Morenas, Md. Mokter Hossain, Yunfei Zhou and Sarah Wu
Molecules 2026, 31(5), 790; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31050790 - 27 Feb 2026
Viewed by 493
Abstract
Cobalt, a toxic heavy metal frequently present in wastewater, poses serious environmental and health risks but also represents a valuable resource for recovery. This study investigates a novel, environmentally friendly continuous flow in-liquid plasma discharge (CFILPD) system for simultaneous removal of cobalt, zinc, [...] Read more.
Cobalt, a toxic heavy metal frequently present in wastewater, poses serious environmental and health risks but also represents a valuable resource for recovery. This study investigates a novel, environmentally friendly continuous flow in-liquid plasma discharge (CFILPD) system for simultaneous removal of cobalt, zinc, copper, and lead ions from aqueous solutions. The reactor contains two conductive channels where a stable plasma discharge forms between dielectric plates separating opposing electrodes, generating energetic electrons and hydroxyl radicals that react with dissolved metal ions. The effects of varying concentrations (5, 10, 50, and 100 ppm) of zinc, copper, and lead ions on the removal efficiency of 100 ppm cobalt ions were examined under constant conditions: 0.2 L/min argon flow rate, 200 W input power, and 50 mL/min liquid flow rate for 30 min. Results showed that increasing concentrations of co-existing metals significantly inhibited cobalt removal, with the largest reduction (91%) observed in multi-metal systems. Among individual metals at equimolar levels with cobalt, copper showed the strongest inhibitory effect (85% reduction), followed by zinc (53%) and lead (52%). Characterization of the recovered solids revealed cobalt–metal oxide composites (2.5–3 µm), suggesting their potential reuse in technological applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies for Water Pollution Control)
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Review

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15 pages, 581 KB  
Review
Detection and Fate of Microplastics and Nanoplastics and Technologies for Their Removal
by Qiuping Zhang, Qi Wang, Jifei Xu and Jianguo Liu
Molecules 2026, 31(4), 613; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31040613 - 10 Feb 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1543
Abstract
As primary degradation products of persistent plastic waste, microplastics (MPs, <5 mm) and nanoplastics (NPs, <1 μm) have emerged as a critical global environmental concern, with their ubiquitous distribution documented across aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric ecosystems. With annual plastic production exceeding 460 million [...] Read more.
As primary degradation products of persistent plastic waste, microplastics (MPs, <5 mm) and nanoplastics (NPs, <1 μm) have emerged as a critical global environmental concern, with their ubiquitous distribution documented across aquatic, terrestrial, and atmospheric ecosystems. With annual plastic production exceeding 460 million metric tons, their widespread presence in environmental matrices and biota—from marine organisms to human tissues—poses significant, yet incompletely understood, threats to ecological integrity and public health. This paper systematically reviews the state-of-the-art detection techniques, environmental fate processes, and remediation strategies for MPs and NPs. In terms of detection, we cover microscopy, mass spectrometry, flow cytometry, chromatography, and spectroscopy, emphasizing hyphenated techniques (e.g., FT-IR microscopy, Raman spectroscopy) for enhancing sensitivity and specificity. Fate studies reveal that MPs/NPs exhibit long environmental persistence, undergo bioaccumulation and trophic transfer, and can act as carriers for organic pollutants and heavy metals. Removal techniques include physical (membrane filtration, adsorption), chemical (coagulation, advanced oxidation), and biological (biochar immobilization, microbial degradation) approaches, each with distinct advantages and limitations. This review synthesizes current knowledge gaps and provides a scientific framework for developing integrated management strategies to mitigate plastic pollution risks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies for Water Pollution Control)
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26 pages, 13603 KB  
Review
Enhancement Strategies in Transition Metal Oxides as Efficient Electrocatalysts for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction
by Pengxin Li, Ning Song, Naxiang Wang, Yan He, Zhi Zhu and Yongsheng Yan
Molecules 2026, 31(1), 147; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules31010147 - 1 Jan 2026
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1376
Abstract
Hydrogen energy has been recognized as the most promising secondary energy source due to high energy density, abundance, and environmental friendliness. Among hydrogen production techniques, water electrolysis has emerged as a key research focus, owing to its high efficiency, operational simplicity, controllability, and [...] Read more.
Hydrogen energy has been recognized as the most promising secondary energy source due to high energy density, abundance, and environmental friendliness. Among hydrogen production techniques, water electrolysis has emerged as a key research focus, owing to its high efficiency, operational simplicity, controllability, and pollution-free nature. However, the anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) involves a high overpotential and sluggish kinetics, which severely constrain the overall efficiency of water electrolysis. Transition metal oxide (TMO) catalysts are regarded as promising substitutes for noble-metal-based catalysts, given their advantages of low cost, elemental abundance, tunable electronic structures, and favorable stability. This review systematically elaborates on the reaction mechanisms of TMO catalysts, including the adsorbate evolution mechanism (AEM) and lattice oxygen mechanism (LOM), and summarizes various performance-enhancement strategies, such as morphology control, doping engineering, support engineering, and heterostructure construction. Furthermore, it outlines current challenges and future research directions, covering precise synthesis and structural control, identification of active sites and mechanistic elucidation, and stability and degradation issues, as well as multifunctional applications and broad-pH-range adaptability. The aim is to offer theoretical guidance and technical insights for designing and developing high-performance TMO electrocatalysts. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Technologies for Water Pollution Control)
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