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Materials in the Application of Adsorption, Degradation, Catalysis and Water Treatment

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2025 | Viewed by 7784

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Adina Negrea

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Faculty of Industrial Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Politehnica University of Timişoara, Piaţa Victoriei, No.2, 300006 Timişoara, Romania
Interests: adsorption; metal recovery; SEM; FT-IR
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Nicoleta Sorina Nemeş

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor Assistant
Research Institute for Renewable Energies—ICER, Politehnica University Timisoara, Gavril Musicescu no 138, 300774 Timisoara, Romania
Interests: civil engineering; water treatment; waste water expertise; antimicrobial activity; material characteristics; biomaterials; scanning electron microscopy

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Natural materials derived from polymers are considered the materials of the future, becoming a part of everyday life as a result of their applications in fields such as cosmetics, pharmacy, the food industry, medicine, chemical industry, electronics, and electrotechnics. Their beneficial effect on the protection of the environment, but especially their antimicrobial role, has received the attention of various scientists.

At the same time, it is absolutely necessary to understand their physicochemical properties, such as their shape, size, crystalline structure, solubility, or surface chemistry, in order to establish the role of each property in the manifestation of the antimicrobial effect of the biomaterial.

The research and development of natural polymers have gained significant relevance, conducted by "green chemistry" and sustainability principles that are increasingly being adapted in industry. The characteristics of natural polymers, such as their biocompatibility, precisely designed degradability rate, thermal ability, relatively high strength, low toxicity, controlled crystallinity, adsorption capacity, and hydrophilicity, have made natural polymers extremely useful, especially in biomedical applications, as dietary supplement precursors, antioxidants, or probiotics.

However, increasing amounts of compounds based on biopolymers are used in the food or cosmetic industry, in the production of packaging, in food preservation, or as emulsifying agents. Last but not least, materials based on biopolymers are used as flocculation agents in water purification processes or for the manufacture of reverse osmosis membranes.

Dr. Adina Negrea
Guest Editor

Dr. Nicoleta Sorina Nemeş
Guest Editor Assistant

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. 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

  • biomaterial
  • antimicrobial
  • adsorbent
  • catalyst
  • natural polymers/biopolymers
  • food packaging
  • conventional technologies for water treatment
  • advanced technologies for water treatment

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

19 pages, 2890 KiB  
Article
Visible Light-Driven Phenol Degradation via Advanced Oxidation Processes with Ferrous Oxalate Obtained from Black Sands: A Kinetics Study
by Salomé Galeas, Víctor H. Guerrero, Patricia I. Pontón and Vincent Goetz
Molecules 2025, 30(9), 2059; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30092059 - 6 May 2025
Viewed by 1162
Abstract
Ferrous oxalate dihydrate (α-FOD) was synthesized from Ecuadorian black sands for phenol removal from aqueous solutions. Visible light-driven photodegradation kinetics were studied by varying the initial pollutant concentration, solution pH, and α-FOD dosage and by adding peroxydisulfate (PDS), including quenching tests. A representative [...] Read more.
Ferrous oxalate dihydrate (α-FOD) was synthesized from Ecuadorian black sands for phenol removal from aqueous solutions. Visible light-driven photodegradation kinetics were studied by varying the initial pollutant concentration, solution pH, and α-FOD dosage and by adding peroxydisulfate (PDS), including quenching tests. A representative model of phenol photodegradation was obtained by the Langmuir–Hinshelwood mechanism over a large range of concentrations (apparent kinetic constant, k = 0.524 h−1). Almost complete removal was reached within 1 h under dark + 9 h under visible irradiation. The degradation rate was slightly affected by pH in the range of 3 to 9, with a significant improvement at pH 11 (k = 1.41-fold higher). The optimal α-FOD dosage was ~0.5 g/L. Two regimes were observed when using PDS: first, a heterogeneous Fenton-like process during the first few minutes after PDS addition; second, pure photocatalysis to completely remove the phenol. When comparing the two systems, without and with PDS, the half-life time for pure photocatalysis was 2.5 h (after the lamp was switched on). When adding PDS (1.0 mM), the half-life time was reduced to a few minutes (5 min after PDS addition, phenol removal was 66%). The photocatalyst presented remarkable degradation efficiency up to five repeated cycles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials in the Application of Adsorption, Degradation, Catalysis and Water Treatment)
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15 pages, 3444 KiB  
Article
Study on the Adsorption Characteristics of Methylene Blue by Magnesium-Modified Fly Ash
by Junxia Zhou, Mengjie Li, Yu Tao and Lanchang Zha
Molecules 2025, 30(5), 992; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30050992 - 21 Feb 2025
Viewed by 844
Abstract
Aiming at the pollution problem of methylene blue dye wastewater, a new type of methylene blue adsorbent magnesium-modified fly ash (Mg@FA) was prepared by using solid waste fly ash as raw material. The effects of Mg@FA dosage, adsorption time, and methylene blue concentration [...] Read more.
Aiming at the pollution problem of methylene blue dye wastewater, a new type of methylene blue adsorbent magnesium-modified fly ash (Mg@FA) was prepared by using solid waste fly ash as raw material. The effects of Mg@FA dosage, adsorption time, and methylene blue concentration on the adsorption of methylene blue by Mg@FA and pH values were analyzed. The adsorption characteristics of Mg@FA on methylene blue were investigated by adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherms, and adsorption thermodynamics, as well as SEM, EDS, XRD, BET, and FTIR. The results showed that when the dosage of Mg@FA was 1.0 g, the adsorption time was 120 min, and the initial concentration of methylene blue was 150 mg/L; the adsorption efficiency of methylene blue by Mg@FA was the highest, which was 95.61%. When the pH of the methylene blue solution was in the range of 7–11, the adsorption efficiency of Mg@FA for methylene blue remained stable at 95.61–98.10%. The adsorption process of methylene blue by Mg@FA follows the second-order kinetic fitting model and Langmuir model. The adsorption of methylene blue by Mg@FA is a spontaneous and endothermic reaction. Mg@FA adsorbs methylene blue through electrostatic interaction and hydrogen bonding. Mg@FA can effectively adsorb methylene blue and promote the waste utilization of fly ash, which provides a promising method for wastewater treatment and fly ash utilization. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials in the Application of Adsorption, Degradation, Catalysis and Water Treatment)
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22 pages, 4949 KiB  
Article
Hybrid Materials—Mg3Al-LDH/Ionic Liquids/Chitosan Used in the Recovery Process of Pd Ions from Aqueous Solutions
by Emilia Milos, Laura Cocheci, Adriana Popa, Lavinia Lupa and Anca Filimon
Molecules 2024, 29(24), 6001; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29246001 - 19 Dec 2024
Viewed by 863
Abstract
The recovery of palladium from aqueous solutions is important due to its critical role in various industrial applications and the growing demand for sustainable resource management. This study investigates the potential of hybrid materials composed of Mg3Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs), [...] Read more.
The recovery of palladium from aqueous solutions is important due to its critical role in various industrial applications and the growing demand for sustainable resource management. This study investigates the potential of hybrid materials composed of Mg3Al layered double hydroxides (LDHs), chitosan, and ionic liquids (methyl trialchil ammonium chloride) for the efficient adsorption of palladium ions from low-concentration aqueous solutions. Comprehensive characterization techniques, including X-ray diffraction (RX), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and thermogravimetric analysis (TG), were employed to elucidate the structural and compositional properties of the hybrid materials. The results of the batch adsorption experiments demonstrate that each component contributes synergistically to the adsorption process, significantly enhancing the overall efficacy of palladium recovery. Furthermore, the method of preparing the adsorbent material was found to impact the effectiveness of palladium recovery. Among the materials tested, the chitosan/Mg3Al/IL hybrid exhibited the highest adsorption capacity (qmax = 98 mg/g), suggesting that the ionic liquid functionalization is most beneficial when applied during the hybrid material synthesis, rather than during the LDH synthesis process. This research underscores the viability of hybrid materials as a sustainable approach to palladium recovery, contributing to advancements in environmental remediation technologies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials in the Application of Adsorption, Degradation, Catalysis and Water Treatment)
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20 pages, 3636 KiB  
Article
Multi-Analytical Approach for the Acid-Base, Thermal and Surface Properties Assessment of Waste Biomasses
by Salvatore Giovanni Michele Raccuia, Emanuele Zanda, Clemente Bretti, Mauro Formica, Eleonora Macedi, Andrea Melchior, Marilena Tolazzi, Martina Sanadar, Davide Lascari, Giovanna De Luca, Anna Irto, Concetta De Stefano, Paola Cardiano and Gabriele Lando
Molecules 2024, 29(23), 5735; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29235735 - 5 Dec 2024
Viewed by 899
Abstract
A multi-analytical approach was used to comprehensively characterize the acid-base, thermal, and surface properties of agri-food processing wastes (i.e., original and pre-treated bergamot, grape and olive pomaces). These biomasses, often underutilised and inadequately studied in terms of their physicochemical properties, were investigated under [...] Read more.
A multi-analytical approach was used to comprehensively characterize the acid-base, thermal, and surface properties of agri-food processing wastes (i.e., original and pre-treated bergamot, grape and olive pomaces). These biomasses, often underutilised and inadequately studied in terms of their physicochemical properties, were investigated under varying ionic strength conditions at t = 25 °C. This investigation uniquely integrates multiple advanced techniques: Brunauer–Emmett–Teller porosimetry, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Thermogravimetric Analysis coupled with Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier-Transform Infrared, and potentiometry to provide a holistic understanding of these biomasses potential for environmental remediation. The modelling of ionic strength-dependent acid-base behaviour, established using an extended Debye–Hückel-type equation, revealed the dominant role of carboxylic groups as active sites across all pomace types, although with variations in abundances across the different samples. Additionally, morphological analysis highlighted the presence of irregularly shaped particles, heterogeneous size distributions, and distinct thermal stability trends, with grape pomace exhibiting the highest mass loss. These findings underscore the significant potential of these biomasses for the remediation of cationic pollutants from natural waters. Moreover, this comprehensive characterisation not only advances the understanding of agri-food waste valorisation but also provides a robust framework for designing targeted strategies in environmental applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials in the Application of Adsorption, Degradation, Catalysis and Water Treatment)
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19 pages, 5448 KiB  
Article
Study on the Performance of Coal Gangue-Loaded Hydroxyapatite (CG@HAP) for the Adsorption of Malachite Green
by Junli Shao and Di Wu
Molecules 2024, 29(23), 5649; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29235649 - 28 Nov 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 837
Abstract
In response to the issues of dye wastewater pollution and coal gangue accumulation, a novel adsorbent, coal gangue-loaded hydroxyapatite (CG@HAP) was prepared using coal gangue as the raw material for the adsorption of malachite green dye wastewater. Based on batch experiments, combined with [...] Read more.
In response to the issues of dye wastewater pollution and coal gangue accumulation, a novel adsorbent, coal gangue-loaded hydroxyapatite (CG@HAP) was prepared using coal gangue as the raw material for the adsorption of malachite green dye wastewater. Based on batch experiments, combined with adsorption kinetics and isotherm models, as well as XRF, FTIR, XRD, and SEM analysis, the characteristics of CG@HAP in adsorbing malachite green were investigated. The results show that CG@HAP can be prepared by adding 150 mL of 0.15 mol/L (NH4)2HPO4 solution and 150 mL of 0.25 mol/L CaCl2 solution to 10 g coal gangue under the condition of pH = 10, allowing it to stand at room temperature for 24 h. When the dosage of CG@HAP was 0.10 g and the adsorption time was 180 min, the adsorption removal rate and adsorption capacity of CG@HAP for 400 mg/L malachite green reached 92.62% and 370.49 mg/g, respectively. The adsorption of malachite green by CG@HAP followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm model. The adsorption of malachite green by CG@HAP was primarily governed by chemical reactions, adhering to the Langmuir monolayer adsorption principle. The maximum adsorption capacity of CG@HAP for malachite green was 386 mg/g. CG@HAP exhibited sustained and efficient dynamic adsorption of malachite green, maintaining a removal rate between 83.52% and 99.96%. CG@HAP proved to be an efficient adsorbent for malachite green, with great potential for application. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials in the Application of Adsorption, Degradation, Catalysis and Water Treatment)
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11 pages, 3054 KiB  
Article
Enhanced TiO2-Based Photocatalytic Volatile Organic Compound Decomposition Combined with Ultrasonic Atomization in the Co-Presence of Carbon Black and Heavy Metal Nanoparticles
by Zen Maeno, Mika Nishitani, Takehiro Saito, Kazuhiko Sekiguchi, Naoki Kagi and Norikazu Namiki
Molecules 2024, 29(16), 3819; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29163819 - 12 Aug 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1015
Abstract
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are representative indoor air pollutants that negatively affect the human body owing to their toxicity. One of the most promising methods for VOC removal is photocatalytic degradation using TiO2. In this study, the addition of carbon black [...] Read more.
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are representative indoor air pollutants that negatively affect the human body owing to their toxicity. One of the most promising methods for VOC removal is photocatalytic degradation using TiO2. In this study, the addition of carbon black (CB) and heavy metal nanoparticles (NPs) was investigated to improve the efficiency of a TiO2-based photocatalytic VOC decomposition system combined with ultrasonic atomization and ultraviolet irradiation, as described previously. The addition of CB and Ag NPs significantly improved the degradation efficiency. A comparison with other heavy metal nanoparticles and their respective roles are discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials in the Application of Adsorption, Degradation, Catalysis and Water Treatment)
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20 pages, 2202 KiB  
Article
Adsorption of Scandium Ions by Amberlite XAD7HP Polymeric Adsorbent Loaded with Tri-n-Octylphosphine Oxide
by Diana Daminescu, Narcis Duteanu, Mihaela Ciopec, Adina Negrea, Petru Negrea, Nicoleta Sorina Nemeş, Bogdan Pascu, Cătălin Ianăşi and Lucian Cotet
Molecules 2024, 29(7), 1578; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29071578 - 1 Apr 2024
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1300
Abstract
In an actual economic context, the demand for scandium has grown due to its applications in top technologies. However, further development of new technologies will lead to an increase in the market for Sc related to such technologies. The present study aims to [...] Read more.
In an actual economic context, the demand for scandium has grown due to its applications in top technologies. However, further development of new technologies will lead to an increase in the market for Sc related to such technologies. The present study aims to improve and upgrade existing technology in terms of efficient scandium recovery, proposing a new material with selective adsorptive properties for scandium recovery. To highlight the impregnation of Amberlite XAD7HP resin with tri-n-octylphosphine oxide extractant by the solvent-impregnated resin method, the obtained adsorbent material was characterized by physico-chemical techniques. Further, the specific surface of the adsorbent and the zero-point charge of the adsorbent surface have been determined. Different parameters, such as initial concentration, adsorbent amount, contact time, or temperature, have been studied. The initial pH effect was investigated when a maximum adsorption capacity of 31.84 mg g−1 was obtained at pH > 3, using 0.1 g of adsorbent and a contact time of 90 min and 298 K. An attempt was made to discuss and provide a clear representation of the studied adsorption process, proposing a specific mechanism for Sc(III) recovery from aqueous solutions through kinetic, thermodynamic, and equilibrium studies. Adsorption/desorption studies reveal that the prepared adsorbent material can be reused five times. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Materials in the Application of Adsorption, Degradation, Catalysis and Water Treatment)
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