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Advances in Eco-Friendly Adsorbent Materials for Removal of Inorganic and Organic Pollutants (Volume II)

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A special issue of Materials (ISSN 1996-1944). This special issue belongs to the section "Carbon Materials".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (10 April 2023) | Viewed by 14743

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Dr. Katarzyna Szewczuk-Karpisz

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Institute of Agrophysics PAS, Doświadczalna 4, 20-290 Lublin, Poland
Interests: carbon composites; adsorption/desorption; multisystem of adsorbates; clay minerals; immobilization of ions; polymers; pesticides
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Dear Colleagues,

Incompetent and excessive use of plant protection products and antibiotics in agriculture and animal husbandry as well as high emissions of pollutants from industry have resulted in increasingly higher contents of xenobiotics in the environment. These anthropogenic compounds pose a serious threat to organisms by limiting the growth and development of plants, animals, and humans, causing numerous diseases and dysfunctions. One of the most important methods for reducing the negative impact of xenobiotics on the environment involves their immobilization or complete removal by adsorption on solid surfaces.

Currently, many researchers are developing materials that can be used as effective adsorbents in water and wastewater treatment and soil remediation. Such materials are developed through physically and chemically modifying biochar, clay minerals, zeolites, etc., to additionally improve their properties. This Special Issue focuses mainly on the solids characterized by their high adsorption capacity relative to heavy metals, pesticides, and pharmaceuticals. It is my pleasure to invite you to submit research or review articles on such novel materials.

Dr. Katarzyna Szewczuk-Karpisz
Guest Editor

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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. Materials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

adsorbent porosity
solid surface charge
surface group determination
solid morphology
adsorption/desorption
heavy metal ions
pesticides
pharmaceuticals
adsorption data modeling
electrical double layer

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Advances in Eco-Friendly Adsorbent Materials for Removal of Inorganic and Organic Pollutants in Materials (14 articles)

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Research

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11 pages, 4475 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Influence of Wave-Absorbing Materials on the Heating Efficiency in Microwave Heating Treatment of Contaminated Soil

by Yuxuan Yang, Xiang Zhao, Xueqian Zhang and Hui Li

Materials 2023, 16(24), 7655; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16247655 - 15 Dec 2023

Viewed by 705

Abstract

China has a lot of wastelands that are usually overly contaminated as a result of the relocation of industrial enterprises. Given that long-term threats are thus generated, safe and effective treatment routines are urgently needed. Due to its low carbon footprint and environmental protection benefits, the microwave heating treatment of contaminated soil has generated substantial academic interest. Nevertheless, wave-absorbing materials must be added during the treatment process to holistically enhance the effectiveness of heating the contaminated soil. Therefore, this study selects three typical wave-absorbing materials, i.e., Fe₃O₄, SiC and activated carbon, to explore the influence of the addition of wave-absorbing materials on the microwave heating efficiency for contaminated soil. Moreover, the changes in the mineral phases and microscopic morphology of the contaminated soil and wave-absorbing materials after heating at different temperatures are analyzed. It is concluded that the heating rate would reach 39.5 °C/min when the amount of additive Fe₃O₄ reaches 8%; when the temperature exceeds 300 °C, the Fe₃O₄ will be gradually oxidized to Fe₂O₃. Activated carbon is a wave-absorbing material that has a higher thermal stability than Fe₃O₄, although it has less impact on the heating rate. The ability of SiC to absorb waves has a limited impact on the heating rate. During microwave heating, the microscopic morphology of the contaminated soil and wave-absorbing materials do not change significantly. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Eco-Friendly Adsorbent Materials for Removal of Inorganic and Organic Pollutants (Volume II))

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23 pages, 4718 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperEditor’s ChoiceArticle

The Usability of Sorbents in Restoring Enzymatic Activity in Soils Polluted with Petroleum-Derived Products

by Jadwiga Wyszkowska, Agata Borowik, Magdalena Zaborowska and Jan Kucharski

Materials 2023, 16(10), 3738; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16103738 - 15 May 2023

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 1431

Abstract

Due to their ability to adsorb or absorb chemical pollutants, including organic compounds, sorbents are increasingly used in the reclamation of soils subjected to their pressure, which results from their high potential in eliminating xenobiotics. The precise optimization of the reclamation process is required, focused primarily on restoring the condition of the soil. This research are essential for seeking materials sufficiently potent to accelerate the remediation process and for expanding knowledge related to biochemical transformations that lead to the neutralization of these pollutants. The goal of this study was to determine and compare the sensitivity of soil enzymes to petroleum-derived products in soil sown with Zea mays, remediated using four sorbents. The study was conducted in a pot experiment, with loamy sand (LS) and sandy loam (SL) polluted with VERVA diesel oil (DO) and VERVA 98 petrol (P). Soil samples were collected from arable lands, and the effects of the tested pollutants were compared with those used as control uncontaminated soil samples in terms of Zea mays biomass and the activity of seven enzymes in the soil. The following sorbents were applied to mitigate DO and P effects on the test plants and enzymatic activity: molecular sieve (M), expanded clay (E), sepiolite (S), and Ikasorb (I). Both DO and P exerted a toxic effect on Zea mays, with DO more strongly disturbing its growth and development and the activities of soil enzymes than P. In sandy clay (SL), P was found to be a significant inhibitor of dehydrogenases (Deh), catalase (Cat), urease (Ure), alkaline phosphatase (Pal), and arylsulfatase (Aryl) activities, while DO stimulated the activity of all enzymes in this soil. The study results suggest that the sorbents tested, mainlya molecular sieve, may be useful in remediating DO-polluted soils, especially when alleviating the effects of these pollutants in soils of lower agronomic value. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Eco-Friendly Adsorbent Materials for Removal of Inorganic and Organic Pollutants (Volume II))

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14 pages, 1360 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Applicability of Compost and Mineral Materials for Reducing the Effect of Diesel Oil on Trace Element Content in Soil

by Mirosław Wyszkowski and Natalia Kordala

Materials 2023, 16(10), 3655; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16103655 - 11 May 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1291

Abstract

Petroleum-derived substances have become the factor adversely affecting the soil quality and, also, crop production. However, the ability to immobilise contaminants is limited in anthropogenically altered soils. Therefore, a study was undertaken to evaluate the effects of soil contamination with diesel oil (0, 2.5, 5 and 10 cm³ kg⁻¹) on the contents of trace elements in the soil and determine the suitability of different neutralising materials (compost, bentonite and calcium oxide) for the in situ stabilisation of soil contaminated with this petroleum derivative. In the soil contaminated with the highest dose of diesel oil (10 cm³ kg⁻¹), a decrease in chromium, zinc and cobalt and an increase in the total nickel, iron and cadmium concentrations were found in the series without the addition of neutralising materials. Remediation with compost and mineral materials contributed to a significant reduction of nickel and iron, as well as cobalt, in soil (calcium oxide only). All materials used contributed to an increase in cadmium, chromium, manganese and copper in the soil. The above-mentioned materials (most notably calcium oxide) can be successfully used to reduce the effect of diesel oil on the contents of some trace elements in soil. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Eco-Friendly Adsorbent Materials for Removal of Inorganic and Organic Pollutants (Volume II))

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14 pages, 1196 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Trace Element Contents in Maize following the Application of Organic Materials to Reduce the Potential Adverse Effects of Nitrogen

by Mirosław Wyszkowski, Marzena S. Brodowska and Natalia Kordala

Materials 2023, 16(1), 215; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16010215 - 26 Dec 2022

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1225

Abstract

The plants cultivated in loamy sand contained less iron, manganese, copper, cobalt, nickel, and zinc while containing more chromium, lead, and cadmium than in sand. This study was launched to use organic materials in the form of humic acids (HA) to reduce the potential negative effects of excessive nitrogen fertiliser (ammonium nitrate, urea, and urea and ammonium nitrate solution—UAN) application rates (160 mg N kg⁻¹ soil) on the trace element contents in maize in two soils differing in granulometric composition. HA were applied into the soil three times during the maize vegetation: before the sowing, at the five-leaf unfolded stage, and at the intensive shoot growth stage. The HA doses amounted to 0, 0.05, 0.10, and 0.15 g kg⁻¹ soil. Urea fertilisation increased the cadmium, lead, chromium, and nickel contents and reduced the iron content in maize on both soils. UAN contributed to an increased chromium content being higher than that caused by urea and to reduced iron content in the aboveground parts of maize, as compared to the objects with ammonium nitrate. In the series with ammonium nitrate, the highest dose of HA reduced the manganese, zinc, iron, and cobalt contents in maize on both soils. In the series with urea, however, their reducing effect on the copper and iron contents in maize on both soils was noted. The study also demonstrated a positive reduction in the contents of many other trace elements in maize under the influence of the application of HA (particularly, their highest dose). However, it only concerned one of the soils under study. The application of HA into the soil can be effective in reducing the trace element content in plants and can mitigate the adverse environmental impact of intensive agricultural production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Eco-Friendly Adsorbent Materials for Removal of Inorganic and Organic Pollutants (Volume II))

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16 pages, 4141 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Activated Biocarbons Obtained from Plant Biomass as Adsorbents of Heavy Metal Ions

by Małgorzata Wiśniewska, Magdalena Marciniak, Marlena Gęca, Karolina Herda, Robert Pietrzak and Piotr Nowicki

Materials 2022, 15(17), 5856; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15175856 - 25 Aug 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 1452

Abstract

This paper deals with the adsorption of heavy metal ions on the surface of carbonaceous materials obtained via the chemical activation of biomass. Waste plum stones, pine sawdust and horsetail herb were used as the precursors of carbonaceous adsorbents. The effect of the precursor type and preparation procedure on the physicochemical properties of activated biocarbons and their sorption abilities towards Pb(II) and Cu(II) ions have been checked. The obtained micro-mesoporous activated biocarbons were characterized by determination of elemental composition and ash content, the number of surface functional groups and pH of water extracts as well as textural study based on low temperature nitrogen adsorption/desorption and scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, the electrokinetic studies including solid surface charge density and zeta potential determination were performed. Moreover, the adsorption data modelling (equilibrium and kinetics), XPS results analysis and comparison of parameters characterizing electrical double layer formed at the solid-liquid interface enabled the specification of the mechanism of heavy metals binding with the activated biocarbons surface. The maximum adsorption capacity towards copper and lead ions (177.5 and 178.1 mg/g, respectively) was found for plum stone-based activated biocarbon. For all carbonaceous materials, better fit to the experimental data was achieved with a Langmuir isotherm than a Freundlich one. In turn, a better fit of the kinetics data was obtained using the pseudo-second order model. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Eco-Friendly Adsorbent Materials for Removal of Inorganic and Organic Pollutants (Volume II))

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17 pages, 2283 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Use of Organic Materials to Limit the Potential Negative Effect of Nitrogen on Maize in Different Soils

by Marzena S. Brodowska, Mirosław Wyszkowski and Natalia Kordala

Materials 2022, 15(16), 5755; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15165755 - 20 Aug 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 1691

Abstract

This study was launched to test organic materials in the form of humic acids (HA) applied to soil to improve the effect of nitrogen on maize, and to determine an optimal dose of HA, which will be ecologically safe and will counteract potential negative (phytotoxic) influences of excessive nitrogen fertiliser doses, on two soils with different textural composition. The maize plants grown on the loamy sand were characterised by a higher value of the SPAD leaf greenness index, yields, and a lower content of total-N and sulphate sulphur in maize. Urea, and especially UAN, promoted higher SPAD leaf greenness index values during the stem elongation stage and particularly during the tassel emergence stage. The effect of urea on maize yields was positive on both soils, but UAN had a positive effect on this parameter only on the loamy sand. HA tended to increase the SPAD leaf greenness index. The impact of HA on plant height and yields (especially medium dose) was generally positive. However, a negative effect of the interaction of HA with UAN on the plant height and maize yield on the sand was observed. HA caused an increase in the total-N content, and their highest dose also decreased the sulphate sulphur content in maize. The application of HA to soil has a positive influence on the growth and development of plants and can create positive effects by mitigating adverse consequences of intensive agricultural production in the natural environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Eco-Friendly Adsorbent Materials for Removal of Inorganic and Organic Pollutants (Volume II))

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16 pages, 1798 KiB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Effect of Biochar Modification by Vitamin C, Hydrogen Peroxide or Silver Nanoparticles on Its Physicochemistry and Tetracycline Removal

by Agnieszka Tomczyk and Katarzyna Szewczuk-Karpisz

Materials 2022, 15(15), 5379; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15155379 - 4 Aug 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2070

Abstract

Chemical modification of biochars can improve their adsorption capacity relative to antibiotics, posing a serious threat to the environment. Therefore, this research is aimed at the treatment of sunflower husk biochar (BC) by vitamin C, hydrogen peroxide or silver nanoparticles and the impact of this procedure on the biochar porosity, surface chemistry, and ability to remove tetracycline (TC). During the study, BC was produced by pyrolysis of sunflower husks at 650 °C. All solids were characterized using potentiometric titration, nitrogen adsorption/desorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, etc. The experimental adsorption data was described by kinetics equations: pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, and particle internal diffusion (IPD) models as well as by isotherms of Langmuir, Langmuir-Freundlich, and Redlich-Peterson. The obtained results indicated that the biochar upgraded by vitamin C (BCV) had the highest ability to attract antibiotic molecules and, as a result, the TC adsorption on its surface was the largest. Furthermore, the TC desorption from this material was minimal. The measured TC adsorbed amounts for the modified BCs were as follows: 47.75% (7.47 mg/g) for BCV, 37.35% (8.41 mg/g)-for biochar treated by hydrogen peroxide (BCH), and 42.04% (9.55 mg/g) for biochar modified by silver nanoparticles (BCA). The lowest adsorption level was noted for non-modified biochar, i.e., 34.17% (6.83 mg/g). Based on the presented results it can be stated that the upgraded biochars had a good potential to improve the tetracycline removal from aqueous media, e.g., groundwater. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Eco-Friendly Adsorbent Materials for Removal of Inorganic and Organic Pollutants (Volume II))

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26 pages, 3681 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Mitigation of the Adverse Impact of Copper, Nickel, and Zinc on Soil Microorganisms and Enzymes by Mineral Sorbents

by Jadwiga Wyszkowska, Agata Borowik, Magdalena Zaborowska and Jan Kucharski

Materials 2022, 15(15), 5198; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma15155198 - 27 Jul 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 1756

Abstract

Despite numerous studies on the influence of heavy metals on soil health, the search for effective, eco-friendly, and economically viable remediation substances is far from over. This encouraged us to carry out a study under strictly controlled conditions to test the effects of Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Zn²⁺ added to soil in amounts of 150 mg·kg⁻¹ d.m. of soil on the soil microbiome, on the activity of two oxidoreductases and five hydrolases, and on the growth and development of the sunflower Helianthus annunus L. The remediation substances were a molecular sieve, halloysite, sepiolite, expanded clay, zeolite, and biochar. It has been demonstrated that the most severe turbulences in the soil microbiome, its activity, and the growth of Helianthus annunus L. were caused by Ni²⁺, followed by Cu²⁺, and the mildest negative effect was produced by Zn²⁺. The adverse impact of heavy metals on the soil microbiome and its activity was alleviated by the applied sorbents. Their application also contributed to the increased biomass of plants, which is significant for the successful phytoextraction of these metals from soil. Irrespective of which property was analysed, sepiolite can be recommended for the remediation of soil polluted with Ni²⁺ and zeolite—for soil polluted with Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺. Both sorbents mitigated to the highest degree disturbances caused by the tested metals in the soil environment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Eco-Friendly Adsorbent Materials for Removal of Inorganic and Organic Pollutants (Volume II))

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Review

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41 pages, 5178 KiB

Open AccessReview

Green and Superior Adsorbents Derived from Natural Plant Gums for Removal of Contaminants: A Review

by Hanwen Ge, Ke Ding, Fang Guo, Xianli Wu, Naihua Zhai and Wenbo Wang

Materials 2023, 16(1), 179; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16010179 - 25 Dec 2022

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2369

Abstract

The ubiquitous presence of contaminants in water poses a major threat to the safety of ecosystems and human health, and so more materials or technologies are urgently needed to eliminate pollutants. Polymer materials have shown significant advantages over most other adsorption materials in the decontamination of wastewater by virtue of their relatively high adsorption capacity and fast adsorption rate. In recent years, “green development” has become the focus of global attention, and the environmental friendliness of materials themselves has been concerned. Therefore, natural polymers-derived materials are favored in the purification of wastewater due to their unique advantages of being renewable, low cost and environmentally friendly. Among them, natural plant gums show great potential in the synthesis of environmentally friendly polymer adsorption materials due to their rich sources, diverse structures and properties, as well as their renewable, non-toxic and biocompatible advantages. Natural plant gums can be easily modified by facile derivatization or a graft polymerization reaction to enhance the inherent properties or introduce new functions, thus obtaining new adsorption materials for the efficient purification of wastewater. This paper summarized the research progress on the fabrication of various gums-based adsorbents and their application in the decontamination of different types of pollutants. The general synthesis mechanism of gums-based adsorbents, and the adsorption mechanism of the adsorbent for different types of pollutants were also discussed. This paper was aimed at providing a reference for the design and development of more cost-effective and environmentally friendly water purification materials. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Eco-Friendly Adsorbent Materials for Removal of Inorganic and Organic Pollutants (Volume II))

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