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Physical and Chemical Removal of Recalcitrant Pollutants Using Novel Solids:...
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Physical and Chemical Removal of Recalcitrant Pollutants Using Novel Solids: Nanomaterials, Biochar, and Waste-Derived Biomaterials

A special issue of Processes (ISSN 2227-9717). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental and Green Processes".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 October 2025 | Viewed by 3905

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Alejandro Regalado-Méndez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Research Laboratories, Universidad del Mar, Campus Puerto Ángel, Puerto Ángel 70902, Oaxaca, Mexico
Interests: design of new reactor configurations for the electrochemical degradation of pollutants; modeling and numerical simulation of the photo- and electrochemical degradation of pollutants; numerical optimization of the photo- and electrochemical degradation of pollutants; prediction of environmental impacts through lifecycle analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Reyna Natividad

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Joint Center for Research on Sustainable Chemistry UAEM-UNAM, Autonomous University of the State of Mexico, Toluca 50200, Mexico
Interests: environment remediation through removal of pollutants, valorization of residues and renewable fuels production, via photochemical and electrochemical means, and their life cycle assessment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Rubi Romero

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Joint Center for Research on Sustainable Chemistry UAEM-UNAM, Autonomous University of the State of Mexico, Toluca 50200, Mexico
Interests: physical and chemical removal of persistent compounds; catalysis

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

In recent years, wastewater has become a globally recognized issue, particularly in terms of its recalcitrant pollutants. As a result, new innovative physical and chemical technologies have been developed to promote water and sanitation cleanliness in line with circular economy principles.

Processes invites you to submit original research and critical review articles for publication in the “Physical and Chemical Removal of Recalcitrant Pollutants Using Novel Solids: Nanomaterials, Biochar, and Waste-Derived Biomaterials” Special Issue, after peer review.

This Special Issue will cover the sustainable physical and chemical removal of recalcitrant pollutants, including topics such as new and innovative nanomaterials, novel biochar, innovative uses of waste-derived biomaterials, circular economy promotion, reduction in fossil-derived plastics and waste-derived biomaterials, simulation, modeling, and techno-economic analyses.

Prof. Dr. Alejandro Regalado Méndez
Dr. Reyna Natividad
Prof. Dr. Rubi Romero
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 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Processes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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

  • new and innovative nanomaterials
  • novel biochar
  • physical removal
  • chemical removal
  • waste-derived biomaterials
  • circular economy
  • reduction in fossil-derived plastics
  • reduction in waste-derived biomaterials
  • simulation and modeling
  • techno-economic analysis

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

Published Papers (5 papers)

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17 pages, 1142 KiB  
Article
Effect of Hydraulic Retention Time on Municipal Wastewater Treatment Using a Membraneless Single-Chamber Microbial Fuel Cell
by Brenda Verónica Borrego-Limón, Silvia Yudith Martínez-Amador, Miguel Ángel Pérez-Rodríguez, Pedro Pérez-Rodríguez, Alfredo Valentín Reyes-Acosta, Leopoldo Javier Ríos-González and José Antonio Rodríguez-De la Garza
Processes 2025, 13(8), 2564; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13082564 - 14 Aug 2025
Abstract
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) can have high pollutant removal efficiencies and generate electricity; however, the use of selective membranes represents a considerable expense. In this investigation, the performance of a membraneless MFC was evaluated at different hydraulic retention times (HRTs) of 12, 24, [...] Read more.
Microbial fuel cells (MFCs) can have high pollutant removal efficiencies and generate electricity; however, the use of selective membranes represents a considerable expense. In this investigation, the performance of a membraneless MFC was evaluated at different hydraulic retention times (HRTs) of 12, 24, 36, and 48 h. The chemical oxygen demand removal efficiencies (CODREs) were 93.5, 90.9, 87.3, and 85.4%, and the biochemical oxygen demand (BODRE) values were 94.5, 91.5, 88.9, and 85.5 at HRTs of 48, 36, 24, and 12 h, respectively. Lower concentrations of solids (suspended solids and total dissolved solids), total nitrogen, phosphorus, fats and oils, and microbiological contamination (helminth eggs and fecal coliforms) were detected when operating the system at a 48 h HRT. At an HRT of 12 h, no decrease in electrical conductivity was detected, whereas at 48 h, it decreased by 19.6%. The oxidation–reduction potential and OCV increased at longer HRTs. The microorganisms detected at the anode were Achromobacter denitrificans, Achromobacter anxifer, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The 48 h HRT improved the chemical, physical, and microbiological quality of the municipal wastewater, favoring voltage generation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical and Chemical Removal of Recalcitrant Pollutants Using Novel Solids: Nanomaterials, Biochar, and Waste-Derived Biomaterials)
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13 pages, 1165 KiB  
Article
Simulation of the Adsorption Bed Process of Activated Carbon with Zinc Chloride from Spent Coffee Grounds for the Removal of Parabens in Treatment Plants
by Wagner Vedovatti Martins, Adriele Rodrigues Dos Santos, Gideã Taques Tractz, Lucas Bonfim-Rocha, Ana Paula Peron and Osvaldo Valarini Junior
Processes 2025, 13(8), 2481; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13082481 - 6 Aug 2025
Viewed by 207
Abstract
Parabens—specifically methylparaben (MeP), ethylparaben (EtP), propylparaben (PrP), and butylparaben (BuP)—are widely used substances in everyday life, particularly as preservatives in pharmaceutical and food products. However, these compounds are not effectively removed by conventional water and wastewater treatment processes, potentially causing disruptions to human [...] Read more.
Parabens—specifically methylparaben (MeP), ethylparaben (EtP), propylparaben (PrP), and butylparaben (BuP)—are widely used substances in everyday life, particularly as preservatives in pharmaceutical and food products. However, these compounds are not effectively removed by conventional water and wastewater treatment processes, potentially causing disruptions to human homeostasis and the endocrine system. This study conducted a transport and dimensional analysis through simulation of the adsorption process for these parabens, using zinc chloride-activated carbon derived from spent coffee grounds (ACZnCl2) as the adsorbent, implemented via Aspen Properties® and Aspen Adsorption®. Simulations were performed for two inlet concentrations (50 mg/L and 100 mg/L) and two adsorption column heights (3 m and 4 m), considering a volumetric flow rate representative of a medium-sized city with approximately 100,000 inhabitants. The results showed that both density and surface tension of the parabens varied linearly with increasing temperature, and viscosity exhibited a marked reduction above 30 °C. Among the tested conditions, the configuration with 50 mg∙L−1 inlet concentration and a 4 m column height demonstrated the highest adsorption capacity and better performance under adsorption–desorption equilibrium. These findings indicate that the implementation of adsorption beds on an industrial scale in water and wastewater treatment systems is both environmentally and socially viable. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical and Chemical Removal of Recalcitrant Pollutants Using Novel Solids: Nanomaterials, Biochar, and Waste-Derived Biomaterials)
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13 pages, 4438 KiB  
Article
Study on the Effect of Bubbles on the Removal Efficiency of a Helical Tube Flocculator
by Yiming Zhang, Chuanzhen Wang, Md. Shakhaoath Khan, Xuezhi Zhang, Zihao Wang, Buqing Yang and Haiyang Zhang
Processes 2025, 13(3), 758; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13030758 - 6 Mar 2025
Viewed by 691
Abstract
The tubular flocculation reactor is a new and efficient device for treating algae-containing wastewater. The introduction of bubbles during the reaction process can effectively shorten the time required for floc separation. However, the impact of bubbles on floc formation and removal in the [...] Read more.
The tubular flocculation reactor is a new and efficient device for treating algae-containing wastewater. The introduction of bubbles during the reaction process can effectively shorten the time required for floc separation. However, the impact of bubbles on floc formation and removal in the tubular flocculation reactor is not well understood. To further clarify the effect of bubbles on the reactor’s operation, this study employed a uniform experimental design, varying the flow rate, chemical dosage, bubble reaction distance, and bubble injection rate in the reactor to examine the influence of bubbles under different operating conditions. The results indicated that as the bubble reaction distance increased from 0 m to 7.6 m, the removal efficiency increased from 60% to 70%, the floc size increased from 160 μm to 165 μm, and the fractal dimension decreased from 2.1 to 1.9. When the bubble volume increased from 5% to 30%, the removal efficiency increased from 50% to 80%. Under constant bubble conditions, the rising speed of the flocs increased from 0.4 mm·s−1 to 1.2 mm·s−1, while the removal efficiency increased from 30% to 90%. A logarithmic correlation was observed between the rising speed and removal efficiency. A linear relationship was found between the floc rising speed and the floc size, with floc size increasing from 200 μm to 800 μm and the rising speed increasing from 0.4 mm·s−1 to 2.3 mm·s−1. An exponential relationship was found between the fractal dimension and the rising speed, with the rising speed decreasing from 2.3 mm·s−1 to 0.4 mm·s−1, while the fractal dimension increased from 1.93 to 2.02. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical and Chemical Removal of Recalcitrant Pollutants Using Novel Solids: Nanomaterials, Biochar, and Waste-Derived Biomaterials)
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15 pages, 4884 KiB  
Article
Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue and Methyl Orange Using Calcium-Polyoxometalate Under Ultraviolet Irradiation
by Suhair A. Bani-Atta, A. A. A. Darwish, Leena Shwashreh, Fatimah A. Alotaibi, Jozaa N. Al-Tweher, Hatem A. Al-Aoh and E. F. M. El-Zaidia
Processes 2024, 12(12), 2769; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr12122769 - 5 Dec 2024
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1770 | Correction
Abstract
With the increasing demand for eco-friendly water treatment solutions, the development of novel photocatalysts such as calcium polyanion (Ca-POM) plays a vital role in mitigating industrial wastewater pollution. In this research, calcium polyanion, H60N6Na2Ca2W12 [...] Read more.
With the increasing demand for eco-friendly water treatment solutions, the development of novel photocatalysts such as calcium polyanion (Ca-POM) plays a vital role in mitigating industrial wastewater pollution. In this research, calcium polyanion, H60N6Na2Ca2W12O60 (Ca–POM), was successfully synthesized via a self-assembly reaction from metal-oxide subunits. The synthesized Ca–POM was verified to have a polycrystalline structure with a broad size distribution, with an average particle diameter of approximately 623.62 nm. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed the polycrystalline structure of the Ca–POM, with a calculated band gap energy of 3.29 eV. The photocatalytic behavior of the Ca-POM sample was tested with two model dyes, methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO). The reaction mixture was then exposed to ultraviolet (UV) irradiation for durations ranging from 20 to 140 min. The synthesized cluster demonstrated photocatalytic efficiency (PCE%) values of 81.21% for MB and 25.80% for MO. This work offers a valuable basis for applying Ca–POM as a heterogeneous photocatalyst for treating industrial wastewater organic pollutants and highlights the potential of Ca–POM in sustainable water treatment applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical and Chemical Removal of Recalcitrant Pollutants Using Novel Solids: Nanomaterials, Biochar, and Waste-Derived Biomaterials)
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1 pages, 124 KiB  
Correction
Correction: Bani-Atta et al. Efficient Photocatalytic Degradation of Methylene Blue and Methyl Orange Using Calcium-Polyoxometalate Under Ultraviolet Irradiation. Processes 2024, 12, 2769
by Suhair A. Bani-Atta, A. A. A. Darwish, Leena Shwashreh, Fatimah A. Alotaibi, Jozaa N. Al-Tweher, Hatem A. Al-Aoh and E. F. M. El-Zaidia
Processes 2025, 13(2), 526; https://doi.org/10.3390/pr13020526 - 13 Feb 2025
Viewed by 391
Abstract
With this correction, the Editorial Office together with the authors are making the following amendments to the published article [...] Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Physical and Chemical Removal of Recalcitrant Pollutants Using Novel Solids: Nanomaterials, Biochar, and Waste-Derived Biomaterials)
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