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Nanomaterials
Special Issues
Nanoadsorbents for Environmental Remediation
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Nanoadsorbents for Environmental Remediation

A Special Issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991) belonging to the section "Environmental Nanoscience and Nanotechnology".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 November 2026 | Viewed by 5947

Editors

Dr. Stelian Pintea

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, 67-103 Donat Street, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Interests: nanostructured materials; water purification methods; adsorbent materials; solid–liquid interfaces; synchrotron-based characterization techniques
Dr. Ildikó Lung

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, 67-103 Donat Street, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Interests: material encapsulation; pollutant adsorption; plants; extracts; antioxidant properties; bioactive compounds
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Although, in its current popular sense, the term nanotechnology is only about half a century old, in a larger sense, the roots of the development of nanotechnology can be traced back to Ancient Greece, when, during the 5th century BC, the first questions about the continuity of matter arose in scientists’ minds. Nowadays, it is difficult to find an appliance that does not involve nanotechnology.

Our aim in launching this Special Issue is to highlight current, innovative applications of nanomaterials and nanotechnologies that are having a positive impact on environmental protection domains. To this end, contributions including nanomaterials and/or methods related to (but not limited to) adsorption, catalytic decomposition, filtration, chemical treatments, biological processes, and reverse osmosis are welcome.

This Special Issue will include original research articles and review articles covering the topics of environmental protection and nanomaterials. Potential topics include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Nanomaterials as adsorbent materials;
  • Water decontamination using nanoparticles;
  • Modified (mineral) surfaces involving nanomaterials for water cleaning/decontamination;
  • Air pollutant removal using nanomaterials/nanoparticles;
  • Applications of nanomaterials in soil decontamination;
  • Heavy metal removal from aqueous environments using nanomaterials as adsorbents;
  • Nanoadsorbents for the removal of pesticides, antibiotics, fungicides, and food dyes from the environment.

We look forward to receiving your submissions.

Dr. Stelian Pintea
Dr. Ildikó Lung
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-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nanomaterials 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 2400 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

  • nanostructured materials
  • toxic heavy metals
  • organic pollutants
  • water pollution
  • soil pollution
  • air pollution
  • purification methods
  • pesticide removal
  • food colouring removal
  • decontamination methods/materials

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Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

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16 pages, 1869 KB  
Article
Fixed-Bed Adsorption of As and Pb Using Carbon Nanotubes, Activated Carbon and Zeolite: Solids Characterization and Kinetic Analysis
by Miriam Estrada, Rubén H. Olcay, Iván Alejandro Reyes, Francisco Patiño, Hernán Islas, Mizraim U. Flores, J. Eliecer Méndez, Gildardo Godínez and Sayra Ordoñez
Nanomaterials 2026, 16(16), 975; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16160975 - 8 Aug 2026
Viewed by 695
Abstract
This study presents a fixed-bed column packed with zeolite, activated carbon, and carbon nanotubes synthesized by chemical vapor deposition, which were used to adsorb heavy metals (As and Pb) from water. Water containing 50 mg/L of the target heavy metal was filtered through [...] Read more.
This study presents a fixed-bed column packed with zeolite, activated carbon, and carbon nanotubes synthesized by chemical vapor deposition, which were used to adsorb heavy metals (As and Pb) from water. Water containing 50 mg/L of the target heavy metal was filtered through the column. The materials were characterized before and after their use in the column by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). The analyses confirmed the structural stability and functional efficiency of each adsorbent material. A removal efficiency of 100% was achieved within the first 15 min for both metals, decreasing to 45% for As and 95% for Pb. The experimental data were evaluated using the Thomas, Yoon–Nelson, and Adams–Bohart models. For arsenic, an R2 value of 0.934 was obtained, whereas better fits were observed for Pb, with all three models achieving R2 values greater than 0.98. Dynamic adsorption analysis indicated that the mass and height of the fixed bed are suitable for the operating concentration. The column arrangement proved to be more efficient for Pb retention than for As retention. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoadsorbents for Environmental Remediation)
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11 pages, 5441 KB  
Article
Atrazine Degradation by the Nano-Shielded Carbon Dots–Lacassa (CDs-S-M-Lac) System
by Carlos A. Guerrero-Fajardo and David Bocanegra-Cardenas
Nanomaterials 2026, 16(15), 943; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16150943 - 30 Jul 2026
Viewed by 356
Abstract
Atrazine is one of the most toxic herbicide pollutants for ecosystems and the environment, as its persistence poses a risk to environmental health. Therefore, this research focuses on the production of a series of shielded nanostructured compounds known as carbon dots. To this [...] Read more.
Atrazine is one of the most toxic herbicide pollutants for ecosystems and the environment, as its persistence poses a risk to environmental health. Therefore, this research focuses on the production of a series of shielded nanostructured compounds known as carbon dots. To this end, three different shielded nanomaterials will be synthesized, namely carbon dots (CDs-S), magnetized carbon dots (CDs-S-M), and laccase-catalyzed magnetized carbon dots (CDs-S-M-Lac), the latter being the biocomposite. During the characterization of these materials, stretching vibrations corresponding to the hydroxyl group were obtained in the 3100–3600 cm−1 region, as well as 1750 cm−1 bands associated with oxygenated carbonyl and carboxylate groups, which are important in the adsorption processes of contaminants on the material’s surface. Biocatalytic activity tests were also performed on a total volume of 3.0 mL, contained in an atrazine solution with an initial concentration of 10 mg·L−1. Raman analysis revealed bands in the D (1350 cm−1) and G (1580 cm−1) regions, characteristic of SP2 hybridizations associated with carbonaceous materials, thus describing a material capable of degrading contaminants with a capacity of approximately 14 mg/L; this degradation is achieved with CDs-S-M-Lac. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoadsorbents for Environmental Remediation)
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29 pages, 8791 KB  
Article
Application of Magnetic Nanoparticles for Reactive Dye Removal from Aqueous Solutions: Practical and Theoretical Approaches
by Iuliana Gabriela Breaban, Imad A. M. Ahmed, Maria Ignat and Loredana Brinza
Nanomaterials 2026, 16(13), 821; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16130821 - 2 Jul 2026
Viewed by 757
Abstract
This study addresses the critical challenge associated with the removal of reactive yellow dyes from aqueous media and industrial wastewater streams. Owing to their pronounced chemical stability and resistance to conventional degradation techniques, such dyes constitute a substantial environmental concern. In this context, [...] Read more.
This study addresses the critical challenge associated with the removal of reactive yellow dyes from aqueous media and industrial wastewater streams. Owing to their pronounced chemical stability and resistance to conventional degradation techniques, such dyes constitute a substantial environmental concern. In this context, the present work investigates the efficacy of unmodified magnetite nanoparticles (plate-like rounded structures 6–23 nm in size), synthesised under rigorously controlled conditions and well characterised, as high-performance adsorbents for the sequestration of persistent dye species exhibiting limited susceptibility to rapid degradation. The effects of key operational parameters on dye removal efficiency were systematically evaluated to establish optimal treatment conditions. Complete removal of reactive yellow dye (100%) was achieved within 30 min at low initial dye concentrations (20 mg/L) under mildly acidic conditions and continuous agitation. Adsorption equilibrium studies, interpreted using the Langmuir isotherm model, revealed a maximum adsorption capacity of 33 mg/g under optimised conditions. Thermodynamic analysis indicated that the adsorption process is spontaneous (−ΔG° ≈ 46–54 kJ/mol) and endothermic (ΔH° = 21.12 kJ/mol), accompanied by an increase in system disorder (ΔS° = 0.2 kJ/mol × K). Importantly, experiments conducted using real wastewater matrices demonstrated performance comparable to that obtained in deionised water, thereby underscoring the practical applicability of the proposed system. Furthermore, the nanoparticles retained more than 90% removal efficiency after five consecutive adsorption–desorption cycles, employing a basic eluent for dye desorption and surface regeneration. The intrinsic magnetic properties of the adsorbent additionally enable facile recovery and potential reutilisation in secondary applications, including asphalt production. Collectively, these findings highlight the considerable potential of magnetite nanoparticles as effective and reusable adsorbents for wastewater remediation and support further investigation toward pilot-scale implementation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoadsorbents for Environmental Remediation)
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Review

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26 pages, 2091 KB  
Review
Recent Developments in Graphene-Based Adsorbents for Environmental Applications
by Stelian Pintea, Adina Stegarescu, Ildiko Lung, Anda Maria Chiș, Emanuela Dana Lushnykov, Maria-Loredana Soran and Ocsana Opriș
Nanomaterials 2026, 16(14), 884; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano16140884 - 17 Jul 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 981
Abstract
Graphene and its derivatives have attracted sustained research interest as adsorbent materials for environmental applications, driven by their large surface area, chemically tunable surface, and compatibility with a wide range of functional modifications. This review covers recent developments in the use of graphene-based [...] Read more.
Graphene and its derivatives have attracted sustained research interest as adsorbent materials for environmental applications, driven by their large surface area, chemically tunable surface, and compatibility with a wide range of functional modifications. This review covers recent developments in the use of graphene-based materials for water, air, and soil remediation, focusing primarily on work published over the last five years. A concise overview of graphene, its derivatives, and other carbon nanostructures, such as carbon nanotubes and fullerenes, is also provided. The main graphene derivatives are briefly described (graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide, graphene nanoribbons, and graphene quantum dots) together with a comparative overview of the principal synthesis methods, from mechanical exfoliation and chemical vapor deposition to liquid-phase exfoliation, oxidation/reduction, and flash Joule heating. The discussion then turns to how surface functionalization and composite formation affect adsorption performance in practice. In water treatment, the results are most developed: functionalized composites have reached adsorption capacities of 484.3 mg g−1 for organic dyes and 157.23 mg g−1 for Cr(VI). Air purification is a smaller but growing area, with plasma-treated graphene aerogels achieving CO2 capture capacities of 3.3 mmol g−1 and retaining performance over 40 cycles. Soil remediation remains the least explored compartment, though arsenic immobilization efficiencies of up to 99.3% have been reported. Remaining challenges around scalability, behavior in real environmental matrices, and long-term ecotoxicological impact are identified and discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoadsorbents for Environmental Remediation)
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24 pages, 6903 KB  
Review
Advances in Magnetic Nanocomposite Adsorbents for Water Remediation: Design, Performance, and Challenges
by Mingyu Yan, Chao Sun, Keying Sun, Derui Chen, Longbin Xu, Shunyu Han and Xinyu Li
Nanomaterials 2025, 15(18), 1425; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano15181425 - 16 Sep 2025
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 2304
Abstract
Water pollution by heavy metals, dyes, and antibiotics is a serious environmental problem. Efficient and recyclable adsorbents are needed. Magnetic nanocomposite adsorbents (MNAs) offer a promising solution. They combine magnetic nanoparticles with various carriers. This gives them high adsorption capacity and easy magnetic [...] Read more.
Water pollution by heavy metals, dyes, and antibiotics is a serious environmental problem. Efficient and recyclable adsorbents are needed. Magnetic nanocomposite adsorbents (MNAs) offer a promising solution. They combine magnetic nanoparticles with various carriers. This gives them high adsorption capacity and easy magnetic separation. This review covers recent progress in MNAs. We focus on three carrier types: carbon-based materials, inorganic minerals, and natural polymers. We analyze common synthesis methods like co-precipitation and hydrothermal synthesis. The synergy between components enhances pollutant removal, however, challenges remain. These include poor selectivity in mixed pollutants and difficult large-scale production. Stability during reuse is also a concern. Future work should aim for greener synthesis and better stability. This review provides useful insights for designing high-performance MNAs for water treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Nanoadsorbents for Environmental Remediation)
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