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Advanced Materials and Technologies for Pollution Detection and Environmental Remediation
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Advanced Materials and Technologies for Pollution Detection and Environmental Remediation

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

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 May 2022) | Viewed by 25862

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Mika Sillanpää

grade E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Florida International University, Miami, FL, USA
Interests: environmental engineering; green chemistry; chemical engineering; water treatment; environmental analysis
Dr. Peyman Gholami

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Chemistry, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
Interests: nanomaterials; nanocatalysts; environmental remediation; energy production; characterization of nanomaterials
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Today, with fast industrialization and excessive water consumption, different contaminants including inorganic and organic compounds, oils, heavy metals, micro- and nanoplastics, paints, and surfactants are extensively discharged into water bodies. These pollutants may have considerable adverse effects on the environment and human health even in very low concentrations. Therefore, their detection and treatment become an important problem. The development of stable and cost-effective methods and materials to provide clean water in sufficient amounts is required for the water industry. This Special Issue collects data from worldwide research groups in the area of monitoring and treatment of water pollutants and recommends research needs in this research area. Advanced oxidation processes (AOPs, including photocatalysis, electrochemical processes, Fenton-based methods, and sonocatalysis), membrane filtration, adsorption, and combined technologies are considered effective methods for the treatment of different pollutants in this Special Issue. Moreover, nanotechnology-based highly efficient methods are providing potential solutions to the treatment of water/wastewater. Hence, the investigation of the availability and practice of various nanomaterials for the treatment of complex organic compounds, heavy metals, inorganic solutes, metal ions, viruses, and other pollutants present in groundwater, surface water, and/or industrial water is also highly welcomed. In addition, this Special Issue recommends publishing recent research outcomes on the design of nanomaterials-based optical, biochemical, and electrochemical sensors for detection of the abovementioned pollutants.

We invite colleagues to contribute with original research papers and reviews addressing recent progresses on all aspects of pollution detection and environmental remediation.

Prof. Dr. Mika Sillanpää
Dr. Peyman Gholami
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

  • water treatment
  • pollutant detection
  • advanced oxidation processes
  • membrane filtration
  • adsorption
  • nanomaterials
  • sensors

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Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

16 pages, 5874 KiB  
Article
Photocatalytic Dye Degradation and Bio-Insights of Honey-Produced α-Fe2O3 Nanoparticles
by Mohamed Sharmila, Ramasamy Jothi Mani, Chelliah Parvathiraja, Sheik Mohammed Abdul Kader, Masoom Raza Siddiqui, Saikh Mohammad Wabaidur, Md Ataul Islam and Wen-Cheng Lai
Water 2022, 14(15), 2301; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14152301 - 24 Jul 2022
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2862
Abstract
Iron oxide nanoparticles are produced using simple auto combustion methods with honey as a metal-stabilizing and -reducing agent. Herein, α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles are produced using an iron nitrate precursor. These prepared samples are analyzed by an X-ray diffractometer (XRD), FTIR spectroscopy, [...] Read more.
Iron oxide nanoparticles are produced using simple auto combustion methods with honey as a metal-stabilizing and -reducing agent. Herein, α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles are produced using an iron nitrate precursor. These prepared samples are analyzed by an X-ray diffractometer (XRD), FTIR spectroscopy, UV-DRS, and a field-emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) combined with energy-dispersive spectroscopy and a vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM). The XRD results confirm a rhombohedral structure with an R3c¯ space group single-phase formation of α-Fe2O3 in all samples. FESEM images reveal the different morphologies for the entire three samples. TEM analysis exhibits spherical shapes and their distribution on the surfaces. XPS spectroscopy confirms the Fe-2p and O-1s state and their valency. The VSM study shows strong ferromagnetic behavior. The prepared α-Fe2O3 nanoparticles exhibit exceptional charge carriers and radical production. The prepared sample retains excellent photocatalytic, antifungal and antibacterial activity. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials and Technologies for Pollution Detection and Environmental Remediation)
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15 pages, 3823 KiB  
Article
Visible Light Photocatalyst and Antibacterial Activity of BFO (Bismuth Ferrite) Nanoparticles from Honey
by M. Sharmila, R. Jothi Mani, C. Parvathiraja, S. M. Abdul Kader, Masoom Raza Siddiqui, Saikh Mohammad Wabaidur, Md Ataul Islam and Wen-Cheng Lai
Water 2022, 14(10), 1545; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14101545 - 11 May 2022
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 4084
Abstract
Visible light-driven photocatalyst BiFeO3 (BFO) nanoparticles were synthesised by the auto-combustion method. The honey was used to fuel the auto combustion method to synthesise the BFO nanoparticles. The structural, optical and morphological activities of the bismuth loaded BFO nanoparticles were characterised by [...] Read more.
Visible light-driven photocatalyst BiFeO3 (BFO) nanoparticles were synthesised by the auto-combustion method. The honey was used to fuel the auto combustion method to synthesise the BFO nanoparticles. The structural, optical and morphological activities of the bismuth loaded BFO nanoparticles were characterised by X-ray diffraction (XRD), FTIR, UV, photoluminescence (PL) and SEM analysis, respectively. The bismuth content modifies the lattice parameters of XRD and reduces the bandgap energy. The observed crystallite size varies from 19 to 27 nm and the bandgap region is 2.07 to 2.21 eV. The photo-charge carriers increased upon the BFO nanoparticles and their emission at 587 nm in the visible region of the PL spectrum. The 2% bismuth loaded BFO nanoparticles showed better morphology than 0% and 5% bismuth loaded BFO nanoparticles. The oxidation state of BFO nanoparticles and their binding energies were characterised by X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. The methylene blue dye (MB) degradation against 2% BFO nanoparticles showed enhanced catalytic activity (81%) than the remaining samples of BFO nanoparticles. The bacterial activity of BFO nanoparticles was assessed against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including S. aureus and E. coli. 2% Excess bismuth BFO nanoparticles exhibit better antibacterial activity. Comparatively, 2% Excess bismuth BFO nanoparticles derived an outstanding crystallinity, charge separation, and reduced bandgap activities. Based on these findings, BFO nanoparticles may be applicable in drug delivery and water remediation applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials and Technologies for Pollution Detection and Environmental Remediation)
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13 pages, 2381 KiB  
Article
Effective Desalination of Acid Mine Drainage Using an Advanced Oxidation Process: Sodium Ferrate (VI) Salt
by Alexis Munyengabe, Caliphs Zvinowanda, James Ramontja and John Ngoni Zvimba
Water 2021, 13(19), 2619; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13192619 - 23 Sep 2021
Cited by 12 | Viewed by 2602
Abstract
The screening and treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD) using Na2FeO4 was explored. Elemental composition was performed, using an Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) for the raw and treated AMD. The AMD samples were collected from three different sampling [...] Read more.
The screening and treatment of acid mine drainage (AMD) using Na2FeO4 was explored. Elemental composition was performed, using an Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) for the raw and treated AMD. The AMD samples were collected from three different sampling sites:(Raw Tailing Water 1 (RTW1), Raw Tailing Water 2 (RTW2) and Raw Tailing Water 3 (RTW3)) in Pretoria, South Africa, with acidic pH ranging between 2.50 and 3.13. Total dissolved solids and the electrical conductivity of AMD samples ranged between 960 and 1000 mg L−1, 226 and 263 µS. cm−1, respectively. The final pH of treated water samples increased up to ≥9.5 after treatment with sodium ferrate (VI) (Na2FeO4). Liquid Na2FeO4 was quantitatively produced through a wet oxidation method and was fully characterized, using Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction spectroscopy (XRD) and UV-Vis instruments. Na2FeO4 showed dual functions by removing metals and raising the pH of the treated water. Concentrations of most trace elements did not comply with WHO and DWAF guideline standards in raw AMD while after treatment with Na2FeO4, the concentrations were below guidelines for domestic and irrigation purposes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials and Technologies for Pollution Detection and Environmental Remediation)
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15 pages, 5188 KiB  
Article
Synthesis and Characterization of Sr-Doped ZnSe Nanoparticles for Catalytic and Biological Activities
by V. Beena, S. L. Rayar, S. Ajitha, Awais Ahmad, Munirah D. Albaqami, Fatmah Ahmed Ali Alsabar and Mika Sillanpää
Water 2021, 13(16), 2189; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13162189 - 11 Aug 2021
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 4203
Abstract
The development of cost-effective and ecofriendly approaches toward water purification and antibacterial activity is a hot research topic in this era. Purposely, strontium-doped zinc selenide (Sr-doped ZnSe) nanoparticles, with different molar ratios of Sr2+ cations (0.01, 0.05, and 0.1), were prepared via [...] Read more.
The development of cost-effective and ecofriendly approaches toward water purification and antibacterial activity is a hot research topic in this era. Purposely, strontium-doped zinc selenide (Sr-doped ZnSe) nanoparticles, with different molar ratios of Sr2+ cations (0.01, 0.05, and 0.1), were prepared via the co-precipitation method, in which sodium borohydride (NaBH4) and 2-mercaptoethanol were employed as reducing and stabilizing agents, respectively. The ZnSe cubic structure expanded by Sr2+ cations was indicated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. The absorption of the chemical compounds on the surface was observed via Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The optical orientation was measured by ultraviolet–visible diffused reflectance spectroscopy (UV-DRS) analysis. The surface area, morphology, and elemental purity were analyzed using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), and energy-dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) analyses. The oxidation state and valency of the synthesized nanoparticles were analyzed using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Sr-doped ZnSe nanoparticles were investigated for photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange (MO), and their antibacterial potential was investigated against different bacterial strains. The antibacterial activity examined against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli implied the excellent biological activity of the nanoparticles. Moreover, the Sr-doped ZnSe nanoparticles were evaluated by the successful degradation of methyl orange under visible light irradiation. Therefore, Sr-doped ZnSe nanoparticles have tremendous potential in biological and water remediation fields. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials and Technologies for Pollution Detection and Environmental Remediation)
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18 pages, 3738 KiB  
Article
Modeling and Optimization of Biochar Based Adsorbent Derived from Kenaf Using Response Surface Methodology on Adsorption of Cd2+
by Anwar Ameen Hezam Saeed, Noorfidza Yub Harun, Suriati Sufian, Muhammad Roil Bilad, Baiq Asma Nufida, Noor Maizura Ismail, Zaki Yamani Zakaria, Ahmad Hussaini Jagaba, Aiban Abdulhakim Saeed Ghaleb and Baker Nasser Saleh Al-Dhawi
Water 2021, 13(7), 999; https://doi.org/10.3390/w13070999 - 5 Apr 2021
Cited by 48 | Viewed by 5120
Abstract
Cadmium is one of the most hazardous metals in the environment, even when present at very low concentrations. This study reports the systematic development of Kenaf fiber biochar as an adsorbent for the removal of cadmium (Cd) (II) ions from water. The adsorbent [...] Read more.
Cadmium is one of the most hazardous metals in the environment, even when present at very low concentrations. This study reports the systematic development of Kenaf fiber biochar as an adsorbent for the removal of cadmium (Cd) (II) ions from water. The adsorbent development was aided by an optimization tool. Activated biochar was prepared using the physicochemical activation method, consisting of pre-impregnation with NaOH and nitrogen (N2) pyrolysis. The influence of the preparation parameters—namely, chemical impregnation (NaOH: KF), pyrolysis temperature, and pyrolysis time on biochar yield, removal rate, and the adsorption capacity of Cd (II) ions—was investigated. From the experimental data, some quadratic correlation models were developed according to the central composite design. All models demonstrated a good fit with the experimental data. The experimental results revealed that the pyrolysis temperature and heating time were the main factors that affected the yield of biochar and had a positive effect on the Cd (II) ions’ removal rate and adsorption capacity. The impregnation ratio also showed a positive effect on the specific surface area of the biochar, removal rate, and adsorption capacity of cadmium, with a negligible effect on the biochar yield. The optimal biochar-based adsorbent was obtained under the following conditions: 550 °C of pyrolysis temperature, 180 min of heating time, and a 1:1 NaOH impregnation ratio. The optimum adsorbent showed 28.60% biochar yield, 69.82% Cd (II) ions removal, 23.48 mg/g of adsorption capacity, and 160.44 m2/g of biochar-specific area. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials and Technologies for Pollution Detection and Environmental Remediation)
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Review

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18 pages, 1158 KiB  
Review
Metallic Iron for Water Remediation: Plenty of Room for Collaboration and Convergence to Advance the Science
by Minhui Xiao, Rui Hu, Arnaud Igor Ndé-Tchoupé, Willis Gwenzi and Chicgoua Noubactep
Water 2022, 14(9), 1492; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14091492 - 6 May 2022
Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2456
Abstract
Scientific collaboration among various geographically scattered research groups on the broad topic of “metallic iron (Fe0) for water remediation” has evolved greatly over the past three decades. This collaboration has involved different kinds of research partners, including researchers from the same [...] Read more.
Scientific collaboration among various geographically scattered research groups on the broad topic of “metallic iron (Fe0) for water remediation” has evolved greatly over the past three decades. This collaboration has involved different kinds of research partners, including researchers from the same organization and domestic researchers from non-academic organizations as well as international partners. The present analysis of recent publications by some leading scientists shows that after a decade of frank collaboration in search of ways to improve the efficiency of Fe0/H2O systems, the research community has divided itself into two schools of thought since about 2007. Since then, progress in knowledge has stagnated. The first school maintains that Fe0 is a reducing agent for some relevant contaminants. The second school argues that Fe0 in-situ generates flocculants (iron hydroxides) for contaminant scavenging and reducing species (e.g., FeII, H2, and Fe3O4), but reductive transformation is not a relevant contaminant removal mechanism. The problem encountered in assessing the validity of the views of both schools arises from the quantitative dominance of the supporters of the first school, who mostly ignore the second school in their presentations. The net result is that the various derivations of the original Fe0 remediation technology may be collectively flawed by the same mistake. While recognizing that the whole research community strives for the success of a very promising but unestablished technology, annual review articles are suggested as an ingredient for successful collaboration. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials and Technologies for Pollution Detection and Environmental Remediation)
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26 pages, 19337 KiB  
Review
A Review on the Catalytic Remediation of Dyes by Tailored Carbon Dots
by Sabrina A. Beker, Ivan Cole and Andrew S. Ball
Water 2022, 14(9), 1456; https://doi.org/10.3390/w14091456 - 3 May 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2559
Abstract
Water polluted with dyes has become a serious global concern during the twenty-first century, especially for developing countries. Such types of environmental contaminant pose a severe threat to biodiversity, ecosystems, and human health globally; therefore, its treatment is an utmost requirement. Advanced technologies [...] Read more.
Water polluted with dyes has become a serious global concern during the twenty-first century, especially for developing countries. Such types of environmental contaminant pose a severe threat to biodiversity, ecosystems, and human health globally; therefore, its treatment is an utmost requirement. Advanced technologies including the use of nanomaterials represent a promising water treatment technology with high efficiencies, low production costs, and green synthesis. Among the nanomaterials, carbon dots, as a new class of carbon-based nanoparticles, have attracted attention due to their unique features and advantages over other nanomaterials, which include high water solubility, easy fabrication and surface functionalisation, excellent electron-donating ability, and low toxicity. Such properties make carbon dots potential nanocatalysts for the Fenton-like degradation of environmental pollutants in water. Although recent studies show that carbon dots can successfully catalyse the degradation of dyes, there are still limited and controversial studies on the ecotoxicity and fate of these nanoparticles in the environment. In this review, the authors aim to summarise the recent research advances in water remediation by technologies using carbon dots, discuss important properties and factors for optimised catalytic remediation, and provide critical analysis of ecotoxicity issues and the environmental fate of these nanoparticles. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advanced Materials and Technologies for Pollution Detection and Environmental Remediation)
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