Optimizing pyrolysis temperature of contaminated rice straw biochar: Heavy metal(loid) deportment,properties evolution,and Pb adsorption/immobilization

Pyrolysis of rice straw (RS), a popular method for producing biochar, effectively treats heavy metal(loid)-contaminated RS. Here, we carried out this process at different temperatures and investigated the deportment of heavy metal(loid)s and the property evolution of biochars. Also, the optimal pyrolysis temperature for Pb adsorption and immobilization was studied. We observed that increasing the temperature could volatilize the heavy metal(loid)s. Cd was the most volatile metal therein, followed by As, while Ni, Cu, and Pb were relatively refractory. More than 75% of the remaining heavy metal(loid)s were non-exchangeable fractions at 700 °C, significantly reducing the environmental risk during subsequent application. Meanwhile, higher pyrolysis temperature resulted in higher pH values, higher surface areas, and stronger Pb adsorption capacity of RS biochars. The maximum adsorption capacity (Q_m) of biochars was in the order of BC300 (77.2 mg·g^?1) < BC500 (137.2 mg·g^?1) < BC700 (222.6 mg·g^?1). Besides, high-temperature biochar could significantly reduce the vertical Pb migration. And BC700 increased the fraction of residual Pb from 39.7% to 44.0% in the soil under the acid rain leaching condition. Therefore, we propose that the heavy metal(loid)-contaminated RS biochar produced at 700 °C might be more suitable for the remediation of soil heavily polluted in the Pb-smelting area.     

Predictive modeling and computational machine learning simulation of adsorption separation using advanced nanocomposite materials

Adsorption process was simulated in this study for removal of Hg and Ni from water using nanocomposite materials. The used nanostructured material for the adsorption study was a combined MOF and layered double hydroxide, which is considered as MOF-LDH in this work. The data were obtained from resources and different machine learning models were trained. We selected three different regression models, including elastic net, decision tree, and Gradient boosting, to make regression on the small data set with two inputs and two outputs. Inputs are Ion type (Hg or Ni) and initial ion concentration in the feed solution (C₀), and outputs are equilibrium concentration (Ce) and equilibrium capacity of the adsorbent (Qe) in this dataset. After tuning their hyper-parameters, final models were implemented and assessed using different metrics. In terms of the R2-score metric, all models have more than 0.97 for Ce and more than 0.88 for Qe. The Gradient Boosting has an R2-score of 0.994 for Qe. Also, considering RMSE and MAE, Gradient Boosting shows acceptable errors and best models. Finally, the optimal values with the GB model are identical to dataset optimal: (Ion = Ni, C₀ = 250, Ce = 206.0). However, for Qe, it is different and is equal to (Ion = Hg, C0 = 121.12, Ce = 606.15). The results revealed that the developed methods of simulation are of high capacity in prediction of adsorption for removal of heavy metals using nanostructure materials.     

Selective removal of Cd(II), As(III), Pb(II) and Cr(III) ions from water resources using novel 2-anthracene ammonium-based magnetic ionic liquids

Facile synthesis of two 2-anthracene ammonium-based magnetic ionic liquids (MILs), 2-anthracene ammonium tetrachloroferrate (III) ([2A-A]FeCl₄) and 2-anthracene ammonium trichlorocobaltate (II) ([2A-A]CoCl₃) was performed by protonation of 2-aminoanthracene, followed complexation with FeCl₃/CoCl₂. The MILs were tested in the adsorptive removal of Cd²⁺, As³⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cr³⁺ from water sources. Upon treatment with 10 mg dosage of MILs in 10 mL aqueous solution of 50 ppm each of Cd²⁺, As³⁺, Pb²⁺ and Cr³⁺, adsorption capacity (mg/g) in the range of 5.73–55.5 and 23.6–56.8 for [2A-A]FeCl₄ and [2A-A]CoCl₃ respectively were recorded. Thus, the optimization, kinetic and isotherms studies were conducted using the [2A-A]CoCl₃ adsorbent. The [2A-A]CoCl₃ was more effective in pH 7–9, and equilibrium adsorption was achieved after 60 min contact time. The adsorption process proceeded via the Pseudo-second order pathway and the Langmuir isotherm model is the best fit for the adsorption process (with q_max = 227 – 357 mg/g) of all the targeted metal ions. The [2A-A]CoCl₃ adsorbent demonstrated practicality with large distribution and selectivity coefficients of the targeted ions, and up to six times regeneration.     

In-situ thermal crosslinked PA66/β-cyclodextrin/PA66 nanofibrous membranes with high mechanical strength for removal of heavy metal ions by flow through adsorption

β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) based materials have been studied widely as adsorbents and filter membranes for removing pollutants in air or water applications. The present study aimed to develop a sandwich structure of eletrospun nanofibrous membrane based on β-cyclodextrin and PA66 to achieve the high mechanical strength and flow-through adsorption of heavy metal ions in water. The surface and cross section morphology of PA66/β-cyclodextrin/PA66 nanofibrous membranes (PA66/β-CD/PA66 NMs) were examined using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The physicochemical and mechanical properties of PA66/β-CD/PA66 NMs were analyzed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric (TG) analysis and universal testing machine. The diameter of β-CD and PA66 electrospun fibers are 300–400 nm and 20–40 nm respectively. PA66/β-CD/PA66 NMs show a loosely arranged fibers and layer by layer structure. The tensile strength increases remarkably for PA66/β-CD/PA66 NMs, from 1.33 MPa of β-CD NMs to 23.17 MPa and the Young's modulus increases from 34.8 MPa to 253.3 MPa. The mechanical behavior of PA66/β-CD/PA66 NMs is a typical brittle fracture, and its microcosmic fracture diagrams are also involved. TGA/DSC results confirm the thermal crosslinking reaction is effective and complete. On the basis of SEM, DSC, TG and mechanical behavior analysis results, the molecular mechanism of in situ thermal crosslinking reaction is discussed. Fe³⁺、Ni²⁺ were used to confirm the ability to absorb heavy metal ions of PA66/β-CD/PA66 NMs. In conclusion, PA66/β-CD/PA66 NMs could be a promising solution for removal of metal ions by flow-through adsorption.     

Water treatment: functional nanomaterials and applications from adsorption to photodegradation

Global efforts for engineering desired materials which are able to treat the water sources still are ongoing in the bench level methods. Considering adsorbent and photocatalytic materials as the main reliable candidates still are encountering with struggles because of many challenges that restrict their large-scale application. This review comprehensively considered the recent advanced materials water treatment methods which involve to magnetic, activated carbon, carbon nanotubes (CNTs), graphene (G), graphene oxide (GO), (Graphene) quantum dots, carbon nanorods, carbon nano-onions, and reduced graphene oxide (RGO), zeolite, silica and clay-based nanomaterials. The adsorption and photocatalytic properties of these nanomaterials introduced them as highly potent option for heavy metal ions and organic dyes removal and photocatalytic degradation. High specific surface area in conjugation with presenting higher kinetics of adsorption and decomposition are the main characteristics of these materials which make them appropriate to treat wastewater even in ultralow concentration of the pollutants. Considering the mechanistic aspects of the adsorption and photocatalytic decomposition process, challenges and opportunities were other subjects that have been highlighted for the discussed nanomaterials. In term of the adsorption approaches, the mechanism of adsorptions and their influence on the maximum adsorption capacity were discussed and also for photocatalyst approach the radical active spices and their role in kinetic and efficiency of the organic pollutant decomposition were provided a deep discussion.     

The removal of Cu,Ni, and Zn in industrial soil by washing with EDTA-organic acids

In order to improve the heavy metal removal ability of traditional single washing agents and explore the removal mechanism of heavy metals. Then, the washing reagents that mixed by low-molecular weight organic acids (citric acid, oxalic acid, and tartaric acid) and artificial chelating compound ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium (EDTA) were selected. Furthermore, the effect of soil washing parameters, the variation of leaching toxicity, mobility, stability and speciation of heavy metals were also considered. The results of soil washing experiments showed that mixing an equal volume of 0.05 M EDTA and 0.2 M organic acids (citric acid, oxalic acid, and tartaric acid) could remove more than about 80% heavy metals from soil under the optimal conditions. In addition, the soil leaching toxicity was decreased and the stability of remaining heavy metals was increased, indicating that EDTA-organic acid washing reagents could effectively reduce the ecological risk of contaminated soil. EDTA had a stronger chelating ability with heavy metals than the organic acids, and the organic acids could not only chelate heavy metals but also decrease the pH of the mixture for promoting the desorption of heavy metals. Thus, mixing EDTA and organic acids was advisable method to improve soil washing technology.     

Analysis of non-organic elements in plant foliage using polarised X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

An X-ray fluorescence (XRF) method for the rapid and non-destructive analysis of 30 non-organic elements in plant leaves over five orders of magnitude concentration from several percentage of dry weight to sub-milligram per kilogram, is described. There is a growing need for a simple method of monitoring non-organic trace elements in plant material, especially those which accumulate in soils with application of fertilisers, both inorganic and biosolids. Earlier attempts to use XRF for the analysis of plant material suffered from sensitivity loss due to the high background of organic matrices caused by scattering of the X-ray source. We overcome this by using polarised X-ray sources in a Cartesian geometrical arrangement with sample and energy dispersive detector (EDPXRF), a configuration which can achieve an order of magnitude reduction in background compared with unpolarised sources. Further sensitivity gains are made using a high power tube as a source of primary X-rays and for some analytes employing secondary targets for near-monochromatic excitation. Sample preparation is simple involving only pulverising and briquetting of dried samples. Accuracy is evaluated by comparing data obtained for the suite of NIST plant leaf samples (NIST 1515 apple leaves, NIST 1547 peach leaves, NIST 1570a spinach leaves, NIST 1573a tomato leaves and NIST 1575a pine needles) and tobacco leaf standards CTA-OTL-1 and CTA-VTL-2. The data compare well over the whole concentration range and the method provides a rapid analytical tool for monitoring potentially toxic trace elements in all types of foliage with adequate sensitivity for many purposes.     

冲积平原区土壤中重金属元素的存在形态分析

采用0.1mol／L氢氧化钠浸提腐殖酸的方法,将土壤中的腐殖酸及与腐殖酸结合的重金属元素分离出来;分别用分光光度法、原子荧光光谱法、等离子质谱法测定样品中腐殖酸及重金属元素的含量;初步测定结果显示：与腐殖酸结合的重金属元素是冲积平原区表层土壤中重金属元素的1种重要存在形态,而且可能是土壤中重金属污染元素主要的存在形式。     

ICP-OES法测成都市三环内表层土壤13种金属元素含量

采用电感耦合等离子体发射光谱(ICP-OES)法同时测定成都市三环内表层土壤13种金属元素含量与分布.研究显示,重金属元素As、Cr、Cu、Ni、Pb、Zn平均含量分别为24.3mg/kg,154.0 mg/kg,32.8 mg/kg,31.4 mg/kg,64.9 mg/kg,165.1 mg/kg.Mn、Mo、Fe平均含量分别为400.1 mg/kg,10.7 mg/kg,18911 mg/kg.Sr 74.0 mg/kg、Sb 4.9 mg/kg、Co 13.7 mg/kg、Sc 5.9 mg/kg.采用单项污染指数法和内梅罗综合污染指数法来评价土壤重金属污染程度,并针对表层土壤金属污染状况进行了讨论.     

Rice Bran as an Excellent Sorbent for Heavy Metals from Aqueous Media, 1. Optimization of Conditions

In this two‐part report, the efficiency of rice bran in removal of heavy metals such as cadmium, lead, zinc, nickel, copper and iron(III) from aqueous solution is investigated. The different experimental conditions such as pH, temperature, volume of solution, bran amount, particle size, exchange time, stirring speed, etc. are studied, and the optimum conditions are selected in part 1 of this series of reports. The efficiency of bran in removal of heavy metals is presented with and without treatments. For treatment, heat or acid, alkali and salt solutions were used. The results obtained show that after treating with saturated sodium chloride solution, its efficiency for Ni²⁺ and Zn²⁺ improves. At pH 5, all studied cations have recoveries more than 93% (lead and cadmium 100%). The exchange speed is very high and has preference over the classical ion exchangers.