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Application of Nanomaterials in Water Treatment

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A special issue of Water (ISSN 2073-4441). This special issue belongs to the section "Wastewater Treatment and Reuse".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 November 2022) | Viewed by 27792

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Konstantinos Simeonidis

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Guest Editor

Department of Solid State Physics, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: drinking water treatment; nanoparticle synthesis and characterization; adsorption processes; heavy metals; magnetism
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Kiriaki Kalaitzidou

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Guest Editor

Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemical Engineering, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, 54124 Thessaloniki, Greece
Interests: drinking water treatment; nanocomposites; adsorption mechanisms; heavy metals; chemical analysis
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Following the increasing awareness of people on health and environmental safety issues related to water consumption for drinking purposes, household or industrial uses, the need to develop novel methodologies toward quality improvement or toxicity degradation becomes more intense. Recent advances in nanomaterials synthesis and properties tuning emerge as an excellent substrate to design new treatment approaches for the efficient capture of pollutants. The high surface area and chemical activity offered by nanomaterials is key to their implementation in water treatment practices, especially when direct adsorption mechanisms or catalytic assistance are the main objectives. However, such applications require the availability of nanomaterials in large quantities, while their cost should be kept comparable to competing conventional technologies to ensure viability. In this direction, a lot of interest and research effort has been devoted to combining low-cost synthesis of nanomaterials with high selectivity and efficiency in pollutant removal.

In the frame of the current Special Issue, we invite high-quality research studies focused on nanomaterials synthesis, surface modification, and advanced characterization for water treatment processes such as toxic pollutant removal (heavy metals, pesticides, pharmaceuticals), disinfection, coagulation or forward osmosis.

Dr. Konstantinos Simeonidis
Dr. Kiriaki Kalaitzidou
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. Water 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 2600 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

drinking water purification
wastewater treatment
nanoparticles
nanomaterials
synthesis
adsorption
heavy metals
toxic pollutants
recovery
leaching

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 2790 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synthesis and Characterization of Silver Nanoparticles for the Preparation of Chitosan Pellets and Their Application in Industrial Wastewater Disinfection

by Paula Sartori, Ana Paula Longaray Delamare, Giovanna Machado, Declan M. Devine, Janaina S. Crespo and Marcelo Giovanela

Water 2023, 15(1), 190; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/w15010190 - 02 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2196

Abstract

The use of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) has become popular in several applications due to their bactericidal properties. In this sense, it is ideal that the AgNPs are incorporated into a matrix in order to minimize their release to the environment and to maintain their high reactivity. In view of these facts, the main goal of this work was to synthesize and characterize AgNPs, evaluating the influence of pH on the synthesis, for later incorporation into a chitosan polymeric matrix that will be used in the form of pellets for the disinfection of industrial wastewater. For this purpose, AgNPs were initially synthesized by a chemical route using silver nitrate, sodium borohydride and sodium citrate and then characterized by ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and as a function of bacterial growth inhibition against Escherichia coli and Enterococcus faecalis. At the end of this procedure, AgNPs were incorporated in chitosan and the pellets formed were employed in the disinfection process, while assessing their bactericidal activity as well as the amount of silver leached. In general, the results showed that AgNPs synthesized at pH 10.0 were smaller (3.14 ± 0.54 nm) and presented greater dispersion than the AgNPs synthesized at other pH values. Furthermore, it was possible to observe a synergistic effect between chitosan and AgNPs and the chitosan pellets containing AgNPs proved to be effective in wastewater treatment, destroying Escherichia coli after 60 min of treatment. Finally, by considering the ease of application, the low environmental impact and the bactericidal action, it is concluded that the hybrid pellets developed in this work have great potential to be used as auxiliaries in wastewater treatment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Nanomaterials in Water Treatment)

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15 pages, 2863 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Physicochemical and Sorption Characteristics of Carbon Biochars Based on Lignin and Industrial Waste Magnetic Iron Dust

by Mariia Galaburda, Alicja Bosacka, Dariusz Sternik, Olena Oranska, Mykola Borysenko, Volodymyr Gun’ko and Anna Derylo-Marczewska

Water 2023, 15(1), 189; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/w15010189 - 02 Jan 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2141

Abstract

Magnetosensitive biochars were prepared with mechanochemical ball-milling of lignin and blast furnace dust with further pyrolysis at 800 °C under an inert gas atmosphere. The physicochemical and sorption characteristics of the materials were analyzed using several techniques: low-temperature nitrogen adsorption–desorption, X-ray powder diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, elemental analysis, potentiometric titration, and thermal analysis. All the synthesized biocarbons were characterized by their specific surface areas (S_BET) in the range of 290–330 m²/g and microporous structures with certain contribution of mesopores in the total porosity. Equilibrium adsorption studies revealed the potential applicability of the materials in water remediation from hazardous organic substances modelled with methylene blue (MB) dye. Generally, this study illustrates the effective conversion of sustainable waste into a functional carbon material. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Nanomaterials in Water Treatment)

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17 pages, 3229 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development, Synthesis and Characterization of Tannin/Bentonite-Derived Biochar for Water and Wastewater Treatment from Methylene Blue

by Mariia Galaburda, Alicja Bosacka, Dariusz Sternik, Viktor Bogatyrov, Olena Oranska, Volodymyr Gun’ko and Anna Deryło-Marczewska

Water 2022, 14(15), 2407; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/w14152407 - 03 Aug 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 1906

Abstract

Novel hybrid carbon–mineral materials were synthesized by the mechanochemical activation of a mixture of tannin and bentonite in a ball mill with further pyrolysis in an argon atmosphere at 800 °C. The influence of the initial mixture ingredients content on the structural, textural, and thermal characteristics of biochars has been described using X-ray diffraction, Raman and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption–desorption, and scanning electron microscopy. The influence of bentonite clay on the carbon phase characteristics due to the formation of more heat-resistant and structured nanocarbon particles in biochars has been proven. The adsorption effectiveness of the materials towards methylene blue was studied. The adsorption data were analyzed applying Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms with high determination coefficients (R²) in the range of 0.983–0.999 (Langmuir) and 0.783–0.957 (Freundlich). The maximum adsorption amount of MB was 5.78 mg/g. The adsorption efficiency of biochars with respect to phenol was also examined. It was shown that the hybrid biochars show differentiated selectivity to the adsorption of organic compounds. It was concluded that the physicochemical properties of the surface of biochars play an important role in the adsorption effectiveness, making them a good candidate for water and wastewater remediation processes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Nanomaterials in Water Treatment)

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14 pages, 4182 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Tuning the Fe(II)/hydroxide Ratio during Synthesis of Magnetite Nanoparticles to Maximize Cr(VI) Uptake Capacity

by Kyriaki Kalaitzidou, Evangelia Chioti, Theopoula Asimakidou, Dimitrios Karfaridis, George Vourlias, Manassis Mitrakas and Konstantinos Simeonidis

Water 2022, 14(9), 1335; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/w14091335 - 20 Apr 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 2053

Abstract

The impact of hydroxyl excess as defined by the Fe(II)/hydroxide ratio during the synthesis of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles by oxidative precipitation of FeSO₄ was examined as a critical parameter determining the potential for Cr(VI) uptake from polluted water. Various samples were prepared by varying the OH⁻ excess in the range of −0.10 up to +0.03 M and characterized according to their composition, morphology, and surface configuration. Their efficiency for Cr(VI) removal was evaluated by batch adsorption tests, carried out under similar conditions with drinking water purification in the concentration range below 10 mg/L. Results indicate that near the zero-excess point for hydroxyl balance, the uptake capacity for residual Cr(VI) concentration equal to 25 μg/L remains at very low levels (<0.5 mg/g). However, a small increase above +0.02 M features synthesized nanoparticles with an uptake capacity of 2.5 mg/g owed to the decrease in particles size (28 nm) and enhancement of the reducing potential (Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺ = 0.42). In addition, utilizing negative excess values below −0.05 M triggers a similar efficiency rise, although the morphology of the obtained aggregates is rather different. Such finding is attributed to a possible exchange mechanism between adsorbed sulfates and chromate anions that assist approach of Cr(VI) to the material’s surface. Overall, proper tuning of hydroxyl excess offers multiple options for the implementation of monodisperse magnetically responsive nanoparticles or larger aggregates with optimized purification efficiency in water technology. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Nanomaterials in Water Treatment)

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14 pages, 972 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Thermodynamic Study of Phosphate Adsorption and Removal from Water Using Iron Oxyhydroxides

by Kyriaki Kalaitzidou, Anastasios Zouboulis and Manassis Mitrakas

Water 2022, 14(7), 1163; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/w14071163 - 05 Apr 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2147

Abstract

Iron oxyhydroxides (FeOOHs) appear to be the optimal group of materials among inorganic adsorbents for the removal of phosphates from water, providing significant adsorption capacities. This research work presents a thermodynamic study of phosphate adsorption by examining five different FeOOHs sorbent nanomaterials. The otablebtained results indicated that the adsorption process in these cases was spontaneous. When the experiments were performed using distilled water, akageneite (GEH), schwertmannite, and tetravalent manganese feroxyhyte (AquAsZero), displaying ΔH° values of 31.2, 34.7, and 7.3 kJ/mole, respectively, presented an endothermic adsorption process, whereas for goethite (Bayoxide) and lepidocrocite, with ΔH° values of −11.4 and −7.7 kJ/mole, respectively, the adsorption process proved to be exothermic. However, when an artificial (according to NSF) water matrix was used, GEH, schwertmannite, lepidocrocite, and AquAsZero presented ΔH° values of 13.2, 3.3, 7.7, and 3.3 kJ/mole, respectively, indicative of an endothermic process, while only for Bayoxide, with ΔH° of −17 kJ/mole, the adsorption remained exothermic. The adsorption enthalpy values generally decreased with the NSF water matrix, probably due to the competition for the same adsorption sites by other co-existing anions as well to the possible formation of soluble phosphate complexes with calcium; however, an overall positive effect on the uptake of phosphates was observed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Nanomaterials in Water Treatment)

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17 pages, 3215 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Zerovalent Iron Nanoparticles-Alginate Nanocomposites for Cr(VI) Removal in Water—Influence of Temperature, pH, Dissolved Oxygen, Matrix, and nZVI Surface Composition

by Marguerite Parnis, Fabiana Elena García, Melanie Victoria Toledo, Víctor Nahuel Montesinos and Natalia Quici

Water 2022, 14(3), 484; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/w14030484 - 07 Feb 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2726

Abstract

The immobilization of zerovalent iron nanoparticles (nZVI) is a way to facilitate their use in continuous flow systems for the treatment of aqueous pollutants. In this work, two types of nZVI (powdered, NSTAR; and slurry suspended, N25) were immobilized in millimetric alginate beads (AL) by coagulation, forming nanocomposites (NCs). These NCs, N25@AL and NSTAR@AL, were structurally studied and tested for Cr(VI) removal. For both NCs types, SEM analysis showed a uniform distribution of the nanoparticles in micron-scale agglomerates, and XRD analysis revealed the preservation of α-Fe as the main iron phase of the immobilized nanoparticles. Additionally, Raman spectroscopy results evidenced a partial oxidation of the initially present magnetite. For both nZVI types, the Cr(VI) removal efficiency increased with temperature, decreased with pH, and did not show any significant change in anoxic or oxic conditions. On the other hand, N25@AL resulted a faster removal agent than NSTAR@AL; however, both materials had the same maximum removal capacity: 133 mg of Cr(VI) per gram of nZVI at pH 3. Cr(III) formed during the removal of Cr(VI) was retained by the alginate matrix, constituting a clear advantage against the use of free nZVI in suspension at acidic pH. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Nanomaterials in Water Treatment)

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13 pages, 4887 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Application of Green Synthesized MMT/Ag Nanocomposite for Removal of Methylene Blue from Aqueous Solution

by Nisha Choudhary, Virendra Kumar Yadav, Krishna Kumar Yadav, Abdulaziz Ibrahim Almohana, Sattam Fahad Almojil, Govhindhan Gnanamoorthy, Do-Hyeon Kim, Saiful Islam, Pankaj Kumar and Byong-Hun Jeon

Water 2021, 13(22), 3206; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/w13223206 - 12 Nov 2021

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 3107

Abstract

Textile industries are the largest consumer of synthetic dyestuff compounds and consequently, they are the prime contributor of colored organic contaminants to the environment. The dye compounds when released in soil or freshwater resources such as rivers, cause a potential hazard to living beings due to their toxic, allergic and carcinogenic nature. Current conventional treatment methods for removal or degradation of such dyestuff materials from water systems are not sufficient, and therefore, there is an immediate need to find efficient and eco-friendly approaches. In this regard, nanotechnology can offer an effective solution to this problem. In the present work, montmorillonite/silver nanocomposite (MMT/Ag nanocomposite) is developed through green synthesis methods using naturally occurring montmorillonite (MMT) clay and silver nanoparticles. The material was characterized by using a particle size analyzer (PSA), UV/Visible spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy and a Brunner–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analyzer. The adsorption efficiency of the nanocomposite and per cent removal of methylene blue (MB) was investigated by using a batch system. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Nanomaterials in Water Treatment)

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Review

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42 pages, 3782 KiB

Open AccessReview

Desalination Pretreatment Technologies: Current Status and Future Developments

by Alaa Abushawish, Ines Bouaziz, Ismail W. Almanassra, Maha Mohammad AL-Rajabi, Lubna Jaber, Abdelrahman K. A. Khalil, Mohd Sobri Takriff, Tahar Laoui, Abdallah Shanableh, Muataz Ali Atieh and Anjaneyulu Chatla

Water 2023, 15(8), 1572; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/w15081572 - 17 Apr 2023

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 5905

Abstract

Pretreatment of raw feed water is an essential step for proper functioning of a reverse osmosis (RO) desalination plant as it minimizes the risk of membrane fouling. Conventional pretreatment methods have drawbacks, such as the potential of biofouling, chemical consumption, and carryover. Non-conventional membrane-based pretreatment technologies have emerged as promising alternatives. The present review focuses on recent advances in MF, UF, and NF membrane pretreatment techniques that have been shown to be effective in preventing fouling as well as having low energy consumption. This review also highlights the advantages and disadvantages of polymeric and ceramic membranes. Hybrid technologies, which combine the benefits of conventional and non-conventional methods or different membranes, are also discussed as a potential solution for effective pretreatment. The literature that has been analyzed reveals the challenges associated with RO pretreatment, including the high cost of conventional pretreatment systems, the difficulty of controlling biofouling, and the production of large volumes of wastewater. To address these challenges, sustainable hybrid strategies for ceramic membrane-based systems in RO pretreatment are proposed. These strategies include a thorough assessment of the source water, removal of a wide range of impurities, and a combination of methods such as adsorption and carbon dioxide with a low amount of antiscalants. Furthermore, the suggestion of incorporating renewable energy sources such as solar or wind power can help reduce the environmental impact of the system. A pilot study is also recommended to overcome the difficulties in scaling ceramic systems from laboratory to industrial scale. The review also emphasizes the importance of conducting an effective assessment to suggest a treatment for the brine if needed before being discharged to the environment. By following this framework, sustainable, energy-efficient, and effective solutions can be recommended for pretreatment in desalination systems, which can have significant implications for water scarcity and environmental sustainability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Nanomaterials in Water Treatment)

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26 pages, 2857 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceReview

Recent and Emerging Trends in Remediation of Methylene Blue Dye from Wastewater by Using Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles

by Shreya Modi, Virendra Kumar Yadav, Amel Gacem, Ismat H. Ali, Dhruv Dave, Samreen Heena Khan, Krishna Kumar Yadav, Sami-ullah Rather, Yongtae Ahn, Cao Truong Son and Byong-Hun Jeon

Water 2022, 14(11), 1749; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/w14111749 - 29 May 2022

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 4299

Abstract

Due to the increased demand for clothes by the growing population, the dye-based sectors have seen fast growth in the recent decade. Among all the dyes, methylene blue dye is the most commonly used in textiles, resulting in dye effluent contamination. It is carcinogenic, which raises the stakes for the environment. The numerous sources of methylene blue dye and their effective treatment procedures are addressed in the current review. Even among nanoparticles, photocatalytic materials, such as TiO₂, ZnO, and Fe₃O₄, have shown greater potential for photocatalytic methylene blue degradation. Such nano-sized metal oxides are the most ideal materials for the removal of water pollutants, as these materials are related to the qualities of flexibility, simplicity, efficiency, versatility, and high surface reactivity. The use of nanoparticles generated from waste materials to remediate methylene blue is highlighted in the present review. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Application of Nanomaterials in Water Treatment)

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