Search Results (347)

Dye residues from the textile industry constitute a critical wastewater problem. This study aimed to evaluate the removal capacity of methylene blue (MB) in aqueous media, using an adsorbent formulated from activated and sonicated nanoclay (NC) and microatomized Nostoc sphaericum (ANS). NC was obtained by acid treatment, followed by activation with 1 M NaCl and sonication, while ANS was obtained by microatomization in an aqueous medium. NC/ANS was mixed in a 4:1 weight ratio. The NC/ANS synergistic adsorbent was characterized by the point of zero charge (PZC), zeta potential (ζ), particle size, FTIR spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). NC/ANS exhibited good colloidal stability, as determined by pH_PZC, particle size in the nanometer range, and heterogeneous morphology with functional groups (hydroxyl, carboxyl, and amide), removing between 72.59 and 97.98% from an initial concentration of 10 ppm of MB, for doses of 20 to 30 mg/L of NC/ANS and pH of 5 to 8. Optimal adsorption conditions are achieved at pH 6.8 and 32.9 mg/L of adsorbent NC/ANS. It was observed that the pseudo-first-order (PFO) and pseudo-second-order (PSO) kinetic models best described the adsorption kinetics, indicating a predominance of the physisorption process, with adsorption capacity around 20 mg/g. Isotherm models and thermodynamic parameters of adsorption, ΔS, ΔH, and ΔG, revealed that the adsorption process is spontaneous, favorable, thermodynamically stable, and occurs at the monolayer level, with a regeneration capacity of 90.35 to 37.54% at the fifth cycle. The application of physical activation methods, such as sonication of the clay and microatomization of the algae, allows proposing a novel and alternative synergistic material from organic and inorganic sources that is environmentally friendly and promotes sustainability, with a high capacity to remove cationic dyes in wastewater. Full article

Moringa oleifera (MO), a nutritionally and pharmacologically potent species, is emerging as a sustainable candidate for applications across bioenergy, agriculture, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and biomedicine. This review explores recent advances in MO-based biotechnologies, highlighting novel extraction methods, green nanotechnology, and clinical trial findings. Although MO’s resilience offers promise for climate-smart agriculture and public health, challenges remain in standardizing cultivation and verifying therapeutic claims. This work underscores MO’s translational potential and the need for integrative, interdisciplinary research. MO is used in advanced materials, like electrospun fibers and biopolymers, showing filtration, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant properties—important for the biomedical industry and environmental remediation. In textiles, it serves as an eco-friendly alternative for wastewater treatment and yarn sizing. Biotechnological advancements, such as genome sequencing and in vitro culture, enhance traits and metabolite production. MO supports green biotechnology through sustainable agriculture, nanomaterials, and biocomposites. MO shows potential for disease management, immune support, metabolic health, and dental care, but requires further clinical trials for validation. Its resilience is suitable for land restoration and food security in arid areas. AI and deep learning enhance Moringa breeding, allowing for faster, cost-effective development of improved varieties. MO’s diverse applications establish it as a key element for sustainable development in arid regions. Full article

This work analyzes the performance of a photoreactor built with UV-LED technology. For this task, a UV-LED wavelength of 365 nm was used as an irradiation source, and it was electrically and spectrally characterized to ensure correct operation. To evaluate the functionality, the photoreactor was tested on the degradation of Rhodamine B (Rh B), a dye commonly used in the textile industry. The experiment was conducted under optimal conditions, using a concentration of 17 ppm of Rh B and 100 mg of zinc oxide (ZnO) as a photocatalyst in a glass reactor. The mixture was continuously stirred for 120 min, achieving 99.42% efficiency. The results showed that the UV-LED photoreactor performs well in activating ZnO for the removal of Rh B from the solution, highlighting its potential for treating textile industry wastewater. The use of LEDs offers advantages such as energy efficiency and lower environmental impact compared to traditional UV lamps. ZnO, known for its reactivity under UV light, acted as a stable photocatalyst, ensuring complete degradation of the dye without producing harmful by-products. This method provides an efficient approach to dye removal in wastewater treatment, promoting cleaner and more sustainable industrial practices. Full article

The escalating global demand for fresh water, driven by urbanization and industrial growth, underscores the need for sustainable water management, particularly in the water-intensive construction sector. Although prior studies have primarily concentrated on treated wastewater, the practical viability of utilizing untreated wastewater has not been thoroughly investigated—especially in developing nations where treatment expenses frequently impede actual implementation, even for non-structural uses. While prior research has focused on treated wastewater, the potential of untreated or partially treated wastewater from diverse industrial sources remains underexplored. This study investigates the feasibility of incorporating wastewater from textile, sugar mill, service station, sewage, and fertilizer industries into concrete paver block production. The novelty lies in a dual approach, combining experimental analysis with XGBoost-based machine learning (ML) models to predict the impact of key physicochemical parameters—such as Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), and Hardness—on mechanical properties like compressive strength (CS), water absorption (WA), ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), and dynamic modulus of elasticity (DME). The ML models showed high predictive accuracy for CS (R² = 0.92) and UPV (R² = 0.97 direct, 0.99 indirect), aligning closely with experimental data. Notably, concrete pavers produced with textile (CP-TXW) and sugar mill wastewater (CP-SUW) attained 28-day compressive strengths of 47.95 MPa and exceeding 48 MPa, respectively, conforming to ASTM C936 standards and demonstrating the potential to substitute fresh water for non-structural applications. These findings demonstrate the viability of using untreated wastewater in concrete production with minimal treatment, offering a cost-effective, sustainable solution that reduces fresh water dependency while supporting environmentally responsible construction practices aligned with SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production). Additionally, the model serves as a practical screening tool for identifying and prioritizing viable wastewater sources in concrete production, complementing mandatory laboratory testing in industrial applications. Full article

Ozonation and ozone-based advanced oxidation processes, including ozone/hydrogen peroxide and ozone/ultraviolet irradiation, have been extensively studied for their efficacy in treating wastewater across various industries. While sectors such as pulp and paper, textile, food and beverage, microelectronics, and municipal wastewater have successfully implemented ozone at full scale, others have yet to fully embrace these technologies’ effectiveness. This review article examines recent publications from the past two decades, exploring novel applications of ozone-based technologies in treating wastewater from diverse sectors, including food and beverage, agriculture, aquaculture, textile, pulp and paper, oil and gas, medical and pharmaceutical manufacturing, pesticides, cosmetics, cigarettes, latex, cork manufacturing, semiconductors, and electroplating industries. The review underscores ozone’s broad applicability in degrading recalcitrant synthetic and natural organics, thereby reducing toxicity and enhancing biodegradability in industrial effluents. Additionally, ozone-based treatments prove highly effective in disinfecting pathogenic microorganisms present in these effluents. Continued research and application of these ozonation and ozone-based advanced oxidation processes hold promise for addressing environmental challenges and advancing sustainable wastewater management practices globally. Full article

Spent coffee grounds (SCG) are a widely available agro-industrial residue rich in carbon and phenolic compounds, presenting significant potential for biotechnological valorization. This study evaluated the use of SCG as a suitable substrate for fungal laccase production and the application of the resulting fermented biomass (RFB), a mixture of fermented SCG and fungal biomass as a biosorbent for textile dye removal. Two fungal strains, namely Lentinus crinitus UCP 1206 and Trametes sp. UCP 1244, were evaluated in both submerged (SmF) and solid-state fermentation (SSF) using SCG. L. crinitus showed superior performance in SSF, reaching 14.62 U/g of laccase activity. Factorial design revealed that a lower SCG amount (5 g) and higher moisture (80%) and temperature (30 °C ± 0.2) favored enzyme production. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analyses confirmed significant structural degradation of SCG after fermentation, especially in SSF. Furthermore, SCG and RFB were chemically activated and evaluated as biosorbents. The activated carbon from SCG (ACSCG) and RFB (ACRFB) exhibited high removal efficiencies for Remazol dyes, comparable to commercial activated carbon. These findings highlight the potential of SCG as a low-cost, sustainable resource for enzyme production and wastewater treatment, contributing to circular bioeconomy strategies. Full article

Industrial wastewater management remains a critical barrier to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) in many developing countries, where regulatory frameworks exist but affordable and scalable treatment solutions are lacking. In Pakistan, the textile sector is a leading polluter, with untreated effluents routinely discharged into rivers and agricultural lands despite stringent National Environmental Quality Standards (NEQS). This study presents a pilot-scale case from Faisalabad’s Khurrianwala industrial zone, where a decentralized, nature-based bioreactor was piloted to bridge the gap between policy and practice. The system integrates four treatment stages—anaerobic digestion (AD), floating treatment wetland (FTW), constructed wetland (CW), and sand filtration (SF)—and was further intensified via nutrient amendment, aeration, and bioaugmentation with three locally isolated bacterial strains (Acinetobacter junii NT-15, Pseudomonas indoloxydans NT-38, and Rhodococcus sp. NT-39). The fully intensified configuration achieved substantial reductions in total dissolved solids (TDS) (46%), total suspended solids (TSS) (51%), chemical oxygen demand (COD) (91%), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) (94%), nutrients, nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) (86%), sulfate (26%), and chloride (41%). It also removed 95% iron (Fe), 87% cadmium (Cd), 57% lead (Pb), and 50% copper (Cu) from the effluent. The bacterial inoculants persist in the system and colonize the plant roots, contributing to stable bioremediation. The treated effluent met the national environmental quality standards (NEQS) discharge limits, confirming the system’s regulatory and ecological viability. This case study demonstrates how nature-based systems, when scientifically intensified, can deliver high-performance wastewater treatment in industrial zones with limited infrastructure—offering a replicable model for sustainable, SDG-aligned pollution control in the Global South. Full article

Wastewater contains dyes originating from textile industries, and above a certain concentration, they can become dangerous due to their high toxicity. Divalent and trivalent metal coagulants, usually aluminum- or iron-based, have been studied worldwide. However, tetravalent coagulants, such as tin chloride, have not yet been extensively studied for application in wastewater treatment. Therefore, in this study, three types of coagulants were examined: SnCl₄, Cs, and a hybrid composite (CS@Sn) in two different mass ratios, abbreviated hereafter as CS@Sn_5% and CS@Sn_50%. The formation of the suggested CS@Sn hybrid coagulants was confirmed by applying SEM, XRD, and FTIR techniques. The results showed that the optimum conditions for RB5 removal was the addition of 20 mg Sn/L SnCl₄ (97.8%) and 50 mg Sn/L of CS@Sn_50% (64.8%) at pH 3.0. In addition, SnCl₄ was found to be an effective coagulant for all the examined anionic dyes, but it was not as effective for cationic dyes. Moreover, the coagulants were then tested in two mixed-dye solutions, both anionic dyes (RB5/RR120) and anionic/cationic (RB5/MV), resulting in a synergistic effect in the first one and a competitive effect in the secon. Finally, the proposed coagulants were successfully tested on real wastewater samples from an untreated textile dyeing industry. Therefore, the coagulants presented in this work for the removal of several dyes are also capable of being used for wastewater treatment. Full article

This study presents the development of a textile-based cascade filter for the removal of microplastics from an industrial laundry effluent. The cascade microfilter consists of three stages of 3D textile sandwich composite filter media, which have successively finer pores and are aimed at filtering microplastic particles down to 1.5 µm. Polypropylene fabrics with pore sizes of 100, 50 and 20 µm and 3D warp-knitted fabrics with high porosity (96%) were used. Filtration tests were carried out with polyethylene model microplastic particles at a concentration of 167 mg/L. To regenerate the filter and restore its filtration performance, backwashing with filtered water and compressed air was applied. Field trials at an industrial laundry facility and a municipal wastewater treatment plant confirmed high removal efficiencies. The 3D textile sandwich structure promotes filter cake formation, allowing extended backwash intervals and the effective recovery of filtration capacity between 89.7% and 98.5%. The innovative use of 3D textile composites enables a high level of microplastic removal while extending the filter media lifetime. This makes a significant contribution to the reduction in microplastic emissions in the aquatic environment. The system is scalable, space and cost efficient and adaptable to various industrial applications and is thus a promising solution for advanced wastewater treatment. Full article

Textile dyeing wastewater is one of the most challenging industrial effluents to treat due to its high concentrations of persistent organic compounds and nitrogenous substances. Conventional treatment methods often fall short in achieving both sufficient removal efficiency and environmental safety. In this study, we aimed to remove the total nitrogen (T-N) and total organic carbon (TOC) of dyeing wastewater from an industrial complex in D City, Korea, by applying bipolar and packed bipolar electrolysis using aluminum (Al) electrodes and activated carbon (AC). The system was operated for 60 min under varying conditions of applied voltage (5–15 V), electrolyte type and concentration (non-addition, NaCl 5 mM, NaCl 10 mM, Na₂SO₄ 5 mM, Na₂SO₄ 10 mM), and AC packing amount (non-addition or 100 g/L). The highest T-N and TOC removal efficiencies were observed at 15 V, reaching 69.53% and 63.68%, respectively. Electrolyte addition significantly improved initial treatment performance, with NaCl 10 mM showing the best results. However, Al leaching also increased, from 549.83 mg/L (non-addition) to 623.06 mg/L (NaCl 10 mM). When AC was used without electrolysis (control experiment), the T-N and TOC removal efficiencies were limited to 30.24% and 29.86%, respectively. In contrast, AC packing combined with 15 V electrolysis under non-addition achieved 86.04% T-N and 77.98% TOC removal, while also reducing Al leaching by 40.12%. These results suggested that electrochemical treatment with AC packing under non-addition conditions offers the best balance between high treatment efficiency and low environmental impact. These findings demonstrate that the synergistic use of packed activated carbon and electrochemical treatment under additive-free conditions can overcome the limitations of conventional methods. This study contributes to the development of more sustainable and effective technologies for treating high-strength industrial wastewater. Full article

Methylene blue is a type of azo pollutant that is used in the textile industry and endangers natural resources and human health by mixing wastewater into nature and drinking water. The aim of this study was to create active sites on the surface of PAN nanofibers for methylene blue (MB) adsorption. For this purpose, nanofibers obtained from polyacrylonitrile by the electrospinning method were modified with NiO nanoparticles (Ni) and treated with triethanolamine (TEA). The nanofiber obtained via treatment with tea was labeled as Am. The obtained nanofibers (Am/PAN/Ni-nl, PAN/Ni-nl, Am/PA-nl, and PAN-nl) were characterized comparatively by BET, FT-IR and SEM, and the adsorption performance was evaluated by time-dependent q_e, isotherm, kinetic and thermodynamic graphs. The shortest equilibrium time of 20 min and the highest equilibrium amount of 45.96 mg g⁻¹ were reached with 0.1 g of Am/PAN/Ni-nl. The Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetics were found to be appropriate, with an R² value of 0.9987. The enthalpy change was calculated as −92.947 kJ mol⁻¹. Using RSM, the adsorption for Am/PAN/Ni-nl obeyed the quadratic model and the adsorbent exhibited a maximum adsorption capacity of 52.3575 mg g⁻¹ for methylene blue at pH 6, 25 °C and 140 ppm. Full article

Lignin, an abundant and renewable biopolymer, has gained significant attention as a sustainable modifier and building block in polymeric materials. Recent advancements highlight its potential to tailor mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties of polymers while offering a greener alternative to petroleum-based additives. This review provides an updated perspective on the incorporation of lignin into various polymer matrices, focusing on lignin modification techniques, structure–property relationships, and emerging applications. Special emphasis is given to recent innovations in lignin functionalization and its role in developing high-performance, biodegradable, and recyclable materials such as polyurethanes, epoxy resins, phenol-formaldehyde resins, lignin-modified composites, and lignin-based films, coatings, elastomers, and adhesives. These lignin-based materials are gaining attention for potential applications in construction, automated industries, packaging, textiles, wastewater treatment, footwear, supporting goods, automobiles, printing rollers, sealants, and binders. Full article

Wastewater containing triphenylmethane dyes such as malachite green (MG), discharged by textile and food industries, poses significant carcinogenic risks and ecological hazards. Conventional physical adsorption methods fail to degrade these pollutants effectively. To address this challenge, we focused on two-dimensional SnSe₂ semiconductor materials. While their narrow bandgap and unique structure confer exceptional optoelectronic properties, prior research has predominantly emphasized heterojunction systems. We synthesized SnSe₂ with well-defined hexagonal plate-like structures via a one-step hydrothermal method by precisely controlling precursor ratios (Sn:Se = 1:2) and reaction temperatures (120–240 °C). Systematic investigations revealed that hydrothermal temperature modulates the van der Waals forces between crystal planes, enabling selective exposure of (001) and (011) facets, as confirmed by XRD, SEM, and XPS analyses, thereby influencing the exposure of specific crystal facets. Experiments demonstrated that pure SnSe₂ synthesized at 150 °C achieved complete degradation of MG (40 mg/L) within 60 min under visible light irradiation, exhibiting a reaction rate constant (k) of 0.099 min⁻¹. By regulating the exposure ratio of the active (001)/(011) facets, we demonstrate that crystal facet engineering directly optimizes carrier separation efficiency, thereby substantially enhancing the catalytic performance of standalone SnSe₂. This work proposes a novel strategy for designing noble-metal-free, high-efficiency standalone photocatalysts, providing crystal facet-dependent mechanistic insights for the targeted degradation of industrial dyes. Full article

The release of synthetic dyes into the environment through industrial wastewater represents a significant environmental concern. In this study, a hydrophobic cryogel, Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate-N-methacryloyl-L-phenylalanine), was synthesized and employed for the efficient removal of methylene blue from aqueous solutions. The cryogel exhibited a surface area of 6.834 m²/g and a water retention capacity of 218.6%. Adsorption experiments conducted under various conditions revealed a high adsorption capacity of 1304.6 mg/g for MB. Thermodynamic analyses indicated that adsorption occurs spontaneously and follows a monolayer adsorption model. The adsorption capacity increased with temperature and ionic strength, confirming that hydrophobic forces predominantly drive the interaction. Reusability tests showed that the cryogel maintained its adsorption efficiency over five consecutive adsorption–desorption cycles, with a desorption efficiency of up to 98%. These findings demonstrate that Poly(HEMA-MAPA) cryogel is a practical, reusable, and eco-friendly adsorbent for removing methylene blue, a common textile dye pollutant, from water systems. Full article

The environmental impacts of industrial processes have increased the demand for sustainable alternatives in wastewater treatment. Conventional chemical coagulants, though widely used, can generate toxic residues and pose environmental and health risks. Biocoagulants, derived from natural and renewable sources, offer a biodegradable and eco-friendly alternative. This review explores their potential to replace synthetic coagulants by analyzing their origins, mechanisms of action, and applications. A total of 15 studies published between 2020 and 2025 were analyzed, all focused on industrial wastewater. These studies demonstrated that biocoagulants can achieve similar, or the superior, removal of turbidity (>67%), solids (>83%), and heavy metals in effluents from food, textile, metallurgical, and paper industries. While raw materials are often inexpensive, processing costs may increase production expenses. However, life cycle assessments suggest long-term advantages due to reduced sludge and environmental impact. A textile industry case study showed a 25% sludge reduction and improved biodegradability using a plant-based biocoagulant compared to aluminum sulfate. Transforming this waste into inputs for wastewater treatment not only reduces negative impacts from disposal but also promotes integrated environmental management aligned with circular economy and cleaner production principles. The review concludes that biocoagulants constitute a viable and sustainable alternative for industrial wastewater treatment. Full article