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Polymers Based Materials for Water Treatment

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 March 2024) | Viewed by 10659

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Prof. Dr. Mohamed S. Mohy-Eldin

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Polymer Materials Research Department, Advanced Technologies and New Materials Research Institute, City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), New Borg El-Arab City, P.O. Box 21934, Alexandria, Egypt
Interests: polymers preparation; polymers modification; polymers functionalization; polymers characterization; polymers applications in waste water treatment
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Ahmed M. Omar

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Polymeric Materials Research Department, Advanced Technology and New Materials Research Institute (ATNMRI), City of Scientific Research and Technological Applications (SRTA-City), New Borg El-Arab City, P. O. Box 21934, Alexandria, Egypt
Interests: nanomaterials; polymers; composite nanoparticles; metal oxides; drug delivery system; wound dressing; bioactive agents; antimicrobial; antioxidants
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Mohamed E.A. Youssef

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Computer based Engineering Applications Department, Informatic Research Institute, City for Scientific Research and Technological Applications(SARTA CITY), New Borg El-Arab City, 21934 Alexandria, Egypt
Interests: Simulation and modeling of soluble wastes mass transfer in polymers membranes, composites, and beads

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The growing rate of the global population is increasing at a faster rate relative to the available water resources, which presents a great challenge, especially for developing countries. With the Industrial Revolution, water used in many industries, such the textile industry, electroplating industry, pharmaceutical industry, and petrochemical industry, is polluted with a wide spectrum of contaminates such as dyes, heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, and organic-based compounds. On the other hand, the development of synthetic fertilizers, which are used in huge amounts, presents another type of contaminated water. Natural water resources such as underground water, rivers, and lakes, require specific treatments for the removal of suspended materials and the removal of hardness and micro-organisms. Other types of natural water resources come from the seas and oceans, which present the highest percentage of water resources, and require multistage treatments including the removal of the suspended materials and micro-organisms. However, the main challenge is the desalination process because this type of water contains sodium chloride concentrations starting from 35000 ppm and higher.

Polymers-based materials come to the fore when speaking about water treatment. For the removal of suspended materials, water-soluble polymer flocculants present a solution. The hardness of underground water can be removed by polymers ion exchangers. Polymer-based material adsorbents, in many physical forms and sizes, are the favorite solution in the removal of soluble contaminates such as dyes, heavy metal, pesticides, pharmaceutics, and oils. Polymer-based membranes are a unique solution for the desalination of sea and ocean waters. In many cases, hybrid treatment systems are used in the water treatment as a multistage process.

Different types of polymers are used in the water treatment processes, including natural polymers, modified natural polymers, and synthetic polymers. Some of these polymers possess specific characteristics to help in the water treatment processes, such as sensitivity to salts, pH, and temperature, known as smart polymers.

Prof. Dr. Mohamed S. Mohy-Eldin
Dr. Ahmed M. Omar
Dr. Mohamed E.A. Youssef
Guest Editors

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Keywords

water treatment
polymers adsorbents
polymer flocculants
polymer membranes
dyes
heavy metals
pharmaceutics
pesticides

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

15 pages, 3119 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Study on Preparation of Calcium-Based Modified Coal Gangue and Its Adsorption Dye Characteristics

by Yihan Wang, Yanrong Dong, Junli Shao, Zilong Zhao and Hongyu Zhai

Molecules 2024, 29(10), 2183; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29102183 - 7 May 2024

Viewed by 484

Abstract

Efficient and thorough treatment of dye wastewater is essential to achieve ecological harmony. In this study, a new type of calcium-based modified coal gangue (Ca-CG) was prepared by using solid waste coal gangue as raw material and a CaCl₂ modifier, which was used for the removal of malachite green, methylene blue, crystal violet, methyl violet and other dyes in water. When the dosage of Ca-CG was 1–5 g/L, the dosage of Ca-CG was the main factor affecting the dye adsorption effect. The adsorption effects of Ca-CG on four dyes were as follows: malachite green > crystal violet > methylene blue > methyl violet. Kinetics, isotherms and thermodynamic analysis showed that the adsorption of malachite green, methyl blue, crystal violet and methyl violet by Ca-CG fitted the second-order kinetic model, and adsorption with chemical reaction is the main process. The adsorption of four dyes by Ca-CG conformed to the Freundlich model, which is dominated by multi-molecular layer adsorption, and the adsorption was easy to carry out. The adsorption process of Ca-CG on the four dyes was spontaneous. The results of FTIR, XRD and SEM showed that the calcium-based materials such as lipscombite and dolomite were the key to the adsorption of malachite green by Ca-CG, and the main mechanisms for the adsorption of malachite green by Ca-CG are surface precipitation, electrostatic action, and chelation reaction. Ca-CG adsorption has great potential for the removal of dye wastewater. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers Based Materials for Water Treatment)

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13 pages, 1195 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Separation of Boron and Arsenic from Geothermal Water with Novel Gel-Type Chelating Ion Exchange Resins: Batch and Column Sorption-Elution Studies

by Esra Altıok, Fatma Şen, Joanna Wolska, Piotr Cyganowski, Marek Bryjak, Nalan Kabay, Müşerref Arda and Mithat Yüksel

Molecules 2023, 28(23), 7708; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28237708 - 22 Nov 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 701

Abstract

In this research, the removal of boron and arsenic from geothermal water was examined by using novel N-methyl-d-glucamine functionalized gel-like resins (abbreviated as 1JW and 2JW) synthesized by the membrane emulsification method. The outcomes were compared with those of commercially available boron selective chelating ion exchange resin (Diaion CRB 05). According to the results obtained with the novel resins, it was possible to reduce both boron and arsenic concentrations in geothermal water by using these novel gel-like chelating resins below their permissible levels for agricultural irrigation (<1 mg B/L) and drinking water (<0.01 mg As/L) by using the batch method. The optimum resin concentration required for almost complete boron removal (more than 95%) with the two chelating resins was determined to be 2 g/L. The novel gel-like chelating resins 1JW and 2JW achieved 94% of arsenic removal by using the resin concentration of 8 g/L, while the required resin concentration was 32 g/L for 94% of arsenic removal using commercially available Diaion CRB05 resin. In addition, the column performance characteristics of the novel chelating resins for the separation of boron were studied, and the results were compared to those obtained with Diaion CRB05. According to the column data obtained, the total resin capacities of the Diaion CRB05, 1JW, and 2JW resins were calculated as 6.29, 5.08, and 4.64 mg B/mL-resin, respectively. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers Based Materials for Water Treatment)

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17 pages, 5609 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Single and Binary Removals of Pb(II) and Cd(II) with Chemically Modified Opuntia ficus indica Cladodes

by Carmencita Lavado-Meza, Miguel C. Fernandez-Pezua, Francisco Gamarra-Gómez, Elisban Sacari-Sacari, Julio Angeles-Suazo and Juan Z. Dávalos-Prado

Molecules 2023, 28(11), 4451; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28114451 - 31 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1421

Abstract

In this study, cladodes of Opuntia ficus indica (OFIC), chemically modified with NaOH (OFICM), have been prepared, characterized, and tested as an effective biomass to remove Pb(II) and/or Cd(II) from aqueous media. At an optimum pH of 4.5, the adsorption capacity, q_e, of treated OFICM was almost four times higher than that of untreated OFIC. The maximum adsorption capacities (q_max) in the single removal of Pb(II) and Cd(II) were 116.8 and 64.7 mg g⁻¹, respectively. These values were 12.1% and 70.6% higher than those for the corresponding q_max in binary removal, which indicates the strong inhibitive effect of Pb(II) on the co-cation Cd(II) in a binary system. Structural and morphological characterization have been carried out by FTIR, SEM/EDX, and point of zero charge (pH_PZC) measurements. The SEM/EDX results confirmed that the metals are adsorbed on the surface. The presence of C-O, C=O, and COO- functional groups were identified by FTIR on both OFIC and OFICM surfaces. On the other hand, we found that the adsorption processes followed the pseudo-second-order kinetics for both single and binary systems, with a fast biosorption rate of Pb(II) and Cd(II). The equilibrium data (adsorption isotherms) were better described by Langmuir and modified-Langmuir models for single and binary systems, respectively. A good regeneration of OFICM was obtained with an eluent of 0.1 M HNO₃. Therefore, OFICM can be efficiently reused to remove Pb or Cd, up to three times. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers Based Materials for Water Treatment)

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25 pages, 4780 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of Azo Dye Immobilized Sulfonated Poly (Glycidyl Methacrylate) Polymer Composite as Novel Adsorbents for Water Treatment Applications: Methylene Blue Immobilization Isotherm, Kinetic, Thermodynamic, and Simulations Studies

by Mohamed R. El-Aassar, Tamer M. Tamer, Mohamed Y. El-Sayed, Ahmed M. Omer, Ibrahim O. Althobaiti, Mohamed E. Youssef, Rawan F. Alolaimi, Emam F. El-Agammy, Manar S. Alruwaili, Omar O. Rabhy and Mohamed S. Mohy-Eldin

Molecules 2022, 27(23), 8418; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27238418 - 1 Dec 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1414

Abstract

Methylene blue (MB) immobilized onto a sulfonated poly(glycidyl methacrylate) (SPGMA) polymer composite has been developed as a novel adsorbent for water treatment applications. The MB adsorptions onto sulfonated poly(glycidyl methacrylate) polymer characters have been studied. The adsorption isotherms, namely Langmuir and Freundlich, have been investigated. Other isotherm models. As a compromise between the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models, such as the D–R isotherm and the Temkin isotherm, have been compared. The results indicated that the adsorption process followed the Freundlich isotherm model, indicating heterogeneous surface site energies and multi-layer levels of sorption. This study selected three linear kinetic models, namely pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, and Elovich, to describe the MB sorption process using SPGMA negatively charged nanoparticles (430 nm). The obtained data revealed that the adsorption process obeyed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, suggesting that the rate-limiting step in these sorption processes may be chemisorption. Furthermore, the thermodynamic parameters have been evaluated. Moreover, the interaction of the MB molecules with SPGMA nanoparticles has been simulated using the governing equation that describes ion exchange resin derived from Nernst—Plank equations between two ion species. Finally, the developed MB-SPGMA composite adsorbent (27 mg/g) wastested for the first time for the removal of Cr⁶⁺ ions and Mn⁷⁺ metal ions from dichromate and permanganate-contaminated waters under mild adsorption conditions, opening a new field of multiuse of the same adsorbent in the removal of more than one contaminant. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers Based Materials for Water Treatment)

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12 pages, 2558 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Synthesis of PNIPAAm-g-P4VP Microgel as Draw Agent in Forward Osmosis by RAFT Polymerization and Reverse Suspension Polymerization to Improve Water Flux

by Yi Gao, Xuesong Yao, Qinggeng Jiang, Jianhe Liao, Yongping Chen and Rentong Yu

Molecules 2022, 27(10), 3214; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27103214 - 17 May 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1448

Abstract

Microgels have unique and versatile properties allowing their use in forward osmosis areas as a draw agent. In this contribution, poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) was synthesized via RAFT polymerization and then grafted to a poly(N-Isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) crosslinking network by reverse suspension polymerization. P4VP was successfully obtained by the quasiliving polymerization with the result of nuclear magnetic resonance and gel permeation chromatography characterization. The particle size and particle size distribution of the PNIPAAm-g-P4VP microgels containing 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 wt% P4VP were measured by means of a laser particle size analyzer. It was found that all the microgels were of micrometer scale and the particle size was increased with the P4VP load. Inter/intra-molecular-specific interactions, i.e., hydrogen bond interactions were then investigated by Fourier infrared spectroscopy. In addition, the water flux measurements showed that all the PNIPAAm-g-P4VP microgels can draw water more effectively than a blank PNIPAAm microgel. For the copolymer microgel incorporating 20 wt% P4VP, the water flux was measured to be 7.48 L∙m⁻²∙h⁻¹. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers Based Materials for Water Treatment)

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21 pages, 5607 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Lignin from Agro-Industrial Waste to an Efficient Magnetic Adsorbent for Hazardous Crystal Violet Removal

by Rehab Ali, Zahwa Elsagan and Sara AbdElhafez

Molecules 2022, 27(6), 1831; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27061831 - 11 Mar 2022

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2329

Abstract

The presence of cationic dyes, even in a tiny amount, is harmful to aquatic life and pollutes the environment. Therefore, it is essential to remove these hazardous dyes to protect the life of marine creatures from these pollutants. In this research, crystal violet (CV) dye elimination was performed using a lignin copper ferrite (LCF) adsorbent. The adsorbent was synthesized and characterized using FTIR, Raman, SEM, EDX with mapping, and VSM, which proved the successful formation of magnetic LCF. Adsorption experiments were performed using different effective parameters. The highest adsorption potential (97%) was executed at mild operating conditions, with a 5 min contact time at room temperature and pH 8. The adsorption kinetic study utilized four kinetic models: first-order, second-order, intraparticle diffusion, and Elovich. The results revealed that the adsorption process complies with the pseudo-first-order with a maximum adsorption capacity of 34.129 mg/g, proving that the adsorption process mechanism is a physical adsorption process. Three isotherm models, Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin, were examined. The adsorption mechanism of CV onto LCF was also followed by the Langmuir and Freundlich models. The thermodynamic parameters were examined and revealed that the adsorption onto LCF was an exothermic process. It was proposed that the adsorption process is a spontaneous exothermic process. LCF appears to forcefully remove toxic CV dye from textile wastewater. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers Based Materials for Water Treatment)

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18 pages, 2748 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Poly(vinylbenzyl Pyridinium Salts) as Novel Sorbents for Hazardous Metals Ions Removal

by Karolina Wieszczycka, Kinga Filipowiak, Aneta Lewandowska, Agnieszka Marcinkowska and Marek Nowicki

Molecules 2022, 27(5), 1723; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules27051723 - 6 Mar 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1757

Abstract

Novel efficient complexing resins—poly(vinylbenzyl pyridinium salts) fabricated through poly(vinylbenzyl halogene-co-divinylbenzene) quaternization of N-decyloxy-1-(pyridin-3-yl)ethaneimine and N-decyloxy-1-(pyridin-4-yl)ethaneimine—were tested as adsorbents of Pb(II), Cd(II), Cu(II), Zn(II), and Ni(II) from aqueous solutions. The structure of these materials was established by ¹³C CP-MAS NMR, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, as well as thermogravimetric and differential thermal analyses. The textural properties were determined using scanning electron microscopy and low-temperature N₂ sorption. Based on the conducted sorption studies, it was shown that the uptake behavior of the metal ions towards novel resins depended on the type of functionalities, contact time, pH, metal concentrations, and the resin dosage. The Langmuir model was investigated to be the best one for fitting isothermal adsorption equilibrium data, and the corresponding adsorption capacities were predicted to be 296.4, 201.8, 83.8, 38.1, and 39.3 mg/g for Pb(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), Cu(II), and Ni(II), respectively. These results confirmed that owing to the presence of the functional pyridinium groups, the resins demonstrated proficient metal ion removal capacities. Furthermore, VBBr-D4EI could be successfully used for the selective uptake of Pb(II) from wastewater. It was also shown that the novel resins can be regenerated without significant loss of their sorption capacity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Polymers Based Materials for Water Treatment)

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