Porous Materials for Energy and Environment Applications

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Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

In the past few decades, traditional fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, have been the biggest contributors to sustainable economic development in the industrial sectors. However, the negative environmental and economic impacts of these fuels should be considered, as fossil fuels are the cause of many problems, such as environmental pollution, global warming, and economic security. For example, CO₂ and other pollutant emissions, due to the burning of hydrocarbon fossil fuels, are one of main contributors to atmospheric pollution and climate change. In order to cope with the energy and environment crisis, porous materials for use in energy and environment applications are becoming one of the hot spots in industry and academia. An increasing number of researchers are entering the field, and the number of related papers is growing quickly. Thus, we are committed to providing a platform for the dissemination of high-quality papers in the field of porous materials for energy and environment applications. This Topic focuses on fundamental and applied research which could use porous materials to reduce CO₂ and pollutant emissions or produce clean energy. The Topic includes but is not limited to:

• Porous materials for CO₂ capture and reduction;
• Porous materials for pollutant gas capture;
• Porous materials for photosynthesis and photocatalysis;
• Porous materials for clean energy;
• Porous materials for water purification.

Dr. Guangxu Lan
Dr. Yi-Nan Wu
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Materials materials	3.1	5.8	2008	15.5 Days	CHF 2600
Nanomaterials nanomaterials	4.4	8.5	2010	13.8 Days	CHF 2900
Separations separations	2.5	3.0	2014	12.4 Days	CHF 2600
Molecules molecules	4.2	7.4	1996	15.1 Days	CHF 2700

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Published Papers (12 papers)

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18 pages, 7058 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Adsorption Properties and Mechanisms of Methylene Blue by Modified Sphagnum Moss Bio-Based Adsorbents

by Junpeng Ren, Shijiang Zhang, Yu Wang and Hengxiu Yang

Materials 2024, 17(17), 4329; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17174329 - 31 Aug 2024

Viewed by 1186

Abstract

The abundant pore structure and carbon composition of sphagnum peat moss render it a bio-based adsorbent for efficient methylene blue removal from wastewater. By utilizing sphagnum moss sourced from Guizhou, China, as raw material, a cost-effective and highly efficient bio-based adsorbent material was [...] Read more.

The abundant pore structure and carbon composition of sphagnum peat moss render it a bio-based adsorbent for efficient methylene blue removal from wastewater. By utilizing sphagnum moss sourced from Guizhou, China, as raw material, a cost-effective and highly efficient bio-based adsorbent material was prepared through chemical modification. The structure and performance of the modified sphagnum moss were characterized using SEM, EDS, FTIR, and TGA techniques. Batch adsorption experiments explored the effects of contact time, adsorbent dosage, pH, initial dye concentration, and temperature on adsorption performance. Kinetics, isotherm models, and thermodynamics elucidated the adsorption behavior and mechanism. The modified sphagnum moss exhibited increased surface roughness and uniform surface modification, enhancing active site availability for improved adsorption. Experimental data aligned well with the Freundlich isotherm model and pseudo-second-order kinetic model, indicating efficient adsorption. The study elucidated the adsorption mechanism, laying a foundation for effective methylene blue removal. The utilization of modified sphagnum moss demonstrates significant potential in effectively removing MB from contaminated solutions due to its robust adsorption capability and efficient reusability. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Porous Materials for Energy and Environment Applications)

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16 pages, 7421 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Theoretical Study of Copper Squarate as a Promising Adsorbent for Small Gases Pollutants

by Celia Adjal, Nabila Guechtouli, Vicente Timón, Francisco Colmenero and Dalila Hammoutène

Molecules 2024, 29(13), 3140; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules29133140 - 2 Jul 2024

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Abstract

Copper squarate is a metal–organic framework with an oxo-carbonic anion organic linker and a doubly charged metal mode. Its structure features large channels that facilitate the adsorption of relatively small molecules. This study focuses on exploring the potential of adsorbing small pollutants, primarily [...] Read more.

Copper squarate is a metal–organic framework with an oxo-carbonic anion organic linker and a doubly charged metal mode. Its structure features large channels that facilitate the adsorption of relatively small molecules. This study focuses on exploring the potential of adsorbing small pollutants, primarily greenhouse gases, with additional investigations conducted on larger pollutants. The objective is to comprehend the efficacy of this new material in single and multiple molecular adsorption processes using theoretical methods based on density functional theory. Furthermore, we find that the molecular adsorption energies range from 3.4 KJ∙mol⁻¹ to 63.32 KJ∙mol⁻¹ depending on the size and number of adsorbed molecules. An exception is noted with an unfavorable adsorption energy value of 47.94 KJ∙mol⁻¹ for 4-nitrophenol. More importantly, we demonstrate that water exerts an inhibitory effect on the adsorption of these pollutants, distinguishing copper squarate as a rare MOF with hydrophilic properties. The Connolly surface was estimated to give a more accurate idea of the volume and surface accessibility of copper squarate. Finally, using Monte Carlo simulations, we present a study of adsorption isotherms for individual molecules and molecules mixed with water. Our results point out that copper squarate is an efficient adsorbent for small molecular pollutants and greenhouse gases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Porous Materials for Energy and Environment Applications)

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12 pages, 4283 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Controllable Synthesis of Titanium Silicon Molecular Zeolite Nanosheet with Short b-Axis Thickness and Application in Oxidative Desulfurization

by Tieqiang Ren, Yujia Wang, Lulu Wang, Lisheng Liang, Xianming Kong and Haiyan Wang

Nanomaterials 2024, 14(11), 953; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14110953 - 29 May 2024

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Abstract

Titanium silicon molecular zeolite (TS-1) plays an important role in catalytic reactions due to its unique nanostructure. The straight channel on TS-1 was parallel to the orientation of the short b-axis and directly exposed to the aperture of the 10-member ring with a [...] Read more.

Titanium silicon molecular zeolite (TS-1) plays an important role in catalytic reactions due to its unique nanostructure. The straight channel on TS-1 was parallel to the orientation of the short b-axis and directly exposed to the aperture of the 10-member ring with a diameter of 0.54 nm × 0.56 nm. This structure could effectively reduce the diffuse restriction of bulk organic compounds during the oxidative desulfurization process. As a kind of cationic polymer electrolyte, polydimethyldiallyl ammonium chloride (PDDA) contains continuous [C₈H₁₆N⁺Cl⁻] chain segments, in which the Cl⁻ could function as an effective structure-directing agent in the synthesis of nanomaterials. The chain of PDDA could adequately interact with the [0 1 0] plane in the preparation process of zeolite, and then the TS-1 nanosheet with short b-axis thickness (6 nm) could be obtained. The pore structure of the TS-1 nanosheet is controlled by regulating the content of PDDA. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), N₂ physical adsorption analysis, infrared absorption spectrum and ultraviolet–visible spectrum were used to determine the TS-1. The thinner nanosheets exhibit excellent catalytic performance in oxidative desulfurization of dibenzothiophene (DBT), in which the removal rate could remain at 100% after three recycles. Here, the TS-1 nanosheet with short b-axis thickness has a promising future in catalytic reactions. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Porous Materials for Energy and Environment Applications)

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12 pages, 3649 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Novel High-Entropy FeCoNiMoZn-Layered Hydroxide as an Efficient Electrocatalyst for the Oxygen Evolution Reaction

by Zhihao Cheng, Xin Han, Liying Han, Jinfeng Zhang, Jie Liu, Zhong Wu and Cheng Zhong

Nanomaterials 2024, 14(10), 889; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14100889 - 20 May 2024

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1190

Abstract

The exploration of catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with high activity and acceptable price is essential for water splitting to hydrogen generation. High-entropy materials (HEMs) have aroused increasing interest in the field of electrocatalysis due to their unusual physicochemical properties. In [...] Read more.

The exploration of catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) with high activity and acceptable price is essential for water splitting to hydrogen generation. High-entropy materials (HEMs) have aroused increasing interest in the field of electrocatalysis due to their unusual physicochemical properties. In this work, we reported a novel FeCoNiMoZn-OH high entropy hydroxide (HEH)/nickel foam (NF) synthesized by a facile pulsed electrochemical deposition method at room temperature. The FeCoNiMoZn-OH HEH displays a 3D porous nanosheet morphology and polycrystalline structure, which exhibits extraordinary OER activity in alkaline media, including much lower overpotential (248 mV at 10 mA cm⁻²) and Tafel slope (30 mV dec⁻¹). Furthermore, FeCoNiMoZn-OH HEH demonstrates excellent OER catalytic stability. The enhanced catalytic performance of the FeCoNiMoZn-OH HEH primarily contributed to the porous morphology and the positive synergistic effect between Mo and Zn. This work provides a novel insight into the design of HEMs in catalytic application. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Porous Materials for Energy and Environment Applications)

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18 pages, 4991 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Preparation of Fe-HMOR with a Preferential Iron Location in the 12-MR Channels for Dimethyl Ether Carbonylation

by Wenrong Liu, Yaquan Wang, Lingzhen Bu, Kailiang Chu, Yitong Huang, Niandong Guo, Liping Qu, Juncai Sang, Xuemei Su, Xian Zhang and Yaoning Li

Materials 2024, 17(10), 2417; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17102417 - 17 May 2024

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Abstract

As the Brønsted acid sites in the 8-membered ring (8-MR) of mordenite (MOR) are reported to be the active center for dimethyl ether (DME) carbonylation reaction, it is of great importance to selectively increase the Brønsted acid amount in the 8-MR. Herein, a [...] Read more.

As the Brønsted acid sites in the 8-membered ring (8-MR) of mordenite (MOR) are reported to be the active center for dimethyl ether (DME) carbonylation reaction, it is of great importance to selectively increase the Brønsted acid amount in the 8-MR. Herein, a series of Fe-HMOR was prepared through one-pot hydrothermal synthesis by adding the EDTA–Fe complex into the gel. By combining XRD, FTIR, UV–Vis, Raman and XPS, it was found that the Fe atoms selectively substituted for the Al atoms in the 12-MR channels because of the large size of the EDTA–Fe complex. The NH₃-TPD and Py-IR results showed that with the increase in Fe addition from Fe/Si = 0 to 0.02, the Brønsted acid sites derived from Si-OH-Al in the 8-MR first increased and then decreased, with the maximum at Fe/Si = 0.01. The Fe-modified MOR with Fe/Si = 0.01 showed the highest activity in DME carbonylation, which was three times that of HMOR. The TG/DTG results indicated that the carbon deposition and heavy coke formation in the spent Fe-HMOR catalysts were inhibited due to Fe addition. This work provides a practical way to design a catalyst with enhanced catalytic performance. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Porous Materials for Energy and Environment Applications)

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19 pages, 7216 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Antifouling and Antioxidant Properties of PVDF Membrane Modified with Polyethylene Glycol Methacrylate and Propyl Gallate

by Ting Wang, Jun Hu, Zhengchi Hou and Haijun Yang

Materials 2024, 17(8), 1867; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17081867 - 18 Apr 2024

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Abstract

In this study, molecules of propyl gallate (PG) and polyethylene glycol methacrylate (PEGMA) were covalently bonded via a transesterification reaction and subsequently grafted onto polyvinylidene fluoride substrates using a homogeneous radiation grafting technique. The enhancement of the membranes’ hydrophilicity with the increment of [...] Read more.

In this study, molecules of propyl gallate (PG) and polyethylene glycol methacrylate (PEGMA) were covalently bonded via a transesterification reaction and subsequently grafted onto polyvinylidene fluoride substrates using a homogeneous radiation grafting technique. The enhancement of the membranes’ hydrophilicity with the increment of the grafting rate was corroborated by scanning electron microscopy imaging and measurements of the water contact angle. At a grafting degree of 10.1% and after a duration of 4 min, the water contact angle could decrease to as low as 40.1°. Cyclic flux testing demonstrated that the membranes modified in this manner consistently achieved a flux recovery rate exceeding 90% across varying degrees of grafting, indicating robust anti-fouling capabilities. Furthermore, these modified membranes exhibited significant antioxidant ability while maintaining antifouling performance over 30 days. The ability of the modified membranes to scavenge 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS⁺) free radicals remained nearly unchanged after being stored in pure water for 30 days, and the flux recovery rate remained above 95% after immersion in sodium hypochlorite solution for 30 days. Among the tested membranes, the PVDF-g-PEGMAG modified membrane with a grafting degree of 7.2% showed the best antioxidant effect. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Porous Materials for Energy and Environment Applications)

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17 pages, 9292 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Mechanically Enhanced Detoxification of Chemical Warfare Agent Simulants by a Two-Dimensional Piezoresponsive Metal–Organic Framework

by Yuyang Liu, Shiyin Zhao, Yujiao Li, Jian Huang, Xuheng Yang, Jianfang Wang and Cheng-an Tao

Nanomaterials 2024, 14(7), 559; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14070559 - 22 Mar 2024

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Abstract

Chemical warfare agents (CWAs) refer to toxic chemical substances used in warfare. Recently, CWAs have been a critical threat for public safety due to their high toxicity. Metal–organic frameworks have exhibited great potential in protecting against CWAs due to their high crystallinity, stable [...] Read more.

Chemical warfare agents (CWAs) refer to toxic chemical substances used in warfare. Recently, CWAs have been a critical threat for public safety due to their high toxicity. Metal–organic frameworks have exhibited great potential in protecting against CWAs due to their high crystallinity, stable structure, large specific surface area, high porosity, and adjustable structure. However, the metal clusters of most reported MOFs might be highly consumed when applied in CWA hydrolysis. Herein, we fabricated a two-dimensional piezoresponsive UiO-66-F₄ and subjected it to CWA simulant dimethyl-4-nitrophenyl phosphate (DMNP) detoxification under sonic conditions. The results show that sonication can effectively enhance the removal performance under optimal conditions; the reaction rate constant k was upgraded 45% by sonication. Moreover, the first-principle calculation revealed that the band gap could be further widened with the application of mechanical stress, which was beneficial for the generation of ¹O₂, thus further upgrading the detoxification performance toward DMNP. This work demonstrated that mechanical vibration could be introduced to CWA protection, but promising applications are rarely reported. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Porous Materials for Energy and Environment Applications)

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13 pages, 5063 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Insight into the Storage Mechanism of Sandwich-Like Molybdenum Disulphide/Carbon Nanofibers Composite in Aluminum-Ion Batteries

by Xiaobing Wang, Ruiyuan Zhuang, Xinyi Liu, Mingxuan Hu, Panfeng Shen, Jintao Luo, Jianhong Yang and Jianchun Wu

Nanomaterials 2024, 14(5), 442; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano14050442 - 28 Feb 2024

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Abstract

Aluminum-ion batteries (AIBs) have become a research hotspot in the field of energy storage due to their high energy density, safety, environmental friendliness, and low cost. However, the actual capacity of AIBs is much lower than the theoretical specific capacity, and their cycling [...] Read more.

Aluminum-ion batteries (AIBs) have become a research hotspot in the field of energy storage due to their high energy density, safety, environmental friendliness, and low cost. However, the actual capacity of AIBs is much lower than the theoretical specific capacity, and their cycling stability is poor. The exploration of energy storage mechanisms may help in the design of stable electrode materials, thereby contributing to improving performance. In this work, molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) was selected as the host material for AIBs, and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were used as the substrate to prepare a molybdenum disulfide/carbon nanofibers (MoS₂/CNFs) electrode, exhibiting a residual reversible capacity of 53 mAh g⁻¹ at 100 mA g⁻¹ after 260 cycles. The energy storage mechanism was understood through a combination of electrochemical characterization and first-principles calculations. The purpose of this study is to investigate the diffusion behavior of ions in different channels in the host material and its potential energy storage mechanism. The computational analysis and experimental results indicate that the electrochemical behavior of the battery is determined by the ion transport mechanism between MoS₂ layers. The insertion of ions leads to lattice distortion in the host material, significantly impacting its initial stability. CNFs, serving as a support material, not only reduce the agglomeration of MoS₂ grown on its surface, but also effectively alleviate the volume expansion caused by the host material during charging and discharging cycles. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Porous Materials for Energy and Environment Applications)

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13 pages, 2256 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

The Effect of Rotation on Gas Storage in Nanoporous Materials

by Athanasios Ch. Mitropoulos, Ramonna I. Kosheleva, Margaritis Kostoglou and Thodoris D. Karapantsios

Separations 2024, 11(3), 72; https://doi.org/10.3390/separations11030072 - 24 Feb 2024

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Abstract

Nanoporous materials offer a promising solution for gas storage applications in various scientific and engineering domains. However, several crucial challenges need to be addressed, including adsorptive capacity, rapid loading, and controlled gas delivery. A potential approach to tackle these issues is through rotation-based [...] Read more.

Nanoporous materials offer a promising solution for gas storage applications in various scientific and engineering domains. However, several crucial challenges need to be addressed, including adsorptive capacity, rapid loading, and controlled gas delivery. A potential approach to tackle these issues is through rotation-based methods. In this study, we investigate the impact of rotation on CO₂ adsorption using activated carbon, both at the early and late stages of the adsorption process. Towards this direction, three sets of experiments were conducted: (i) adsorption isotherm with rotation at each gas loading, (ii) adsorption kinetics with multiple rotations performed in sequence 15 min after CO₂ introduction, and (iii) adsorption kinetics with a single rotation after 40 h of adsorption and repetition after another 20 h. For the first two cases, the comparison was performed by respective measurements without rotation, while for the last case, results were compared to a theoretical pseudo-first-order kinetic curve. Our findings demonstrate that rotation enhances the adsorptive capacity by an impressive 54%, accelerates kinetics by a factor of 3.25, and enables controllable gas delivery by adjusting the angular velocity. These results highlight rotation as a promising technique to optimize gas storage in nanoporous materials, facilitating advancements in numerous scientific and engineering applications. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Porous Materials for Energy and Environment Applications)

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19 pages, 5268 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

A PEGylated PVDF Antifouling Membrane Prepared by Grafting of Methoxypolyethylene Glycol Acrylate in Gama-Irradiated Homogeneous Solution

by Ting Wang, Zhengchi Hou, Haijun Yang and Jun Hu

Materials 2024, 17(4), 873; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17040873 - 14 Feb 2024

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1200

Abstract

In this study, methoxypolyethylene glycol acrylate (mPEGA) served as a PEGylated monomer and was grafted onto polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) through homogeneous solution gamma irradiation. The grafting process was confirmed using several techniques, including infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermodynamic stability assessments, and rotational viscosity measurements. [...] Read more.

In this study, methoxypolyethylene glycol acrylate (mPEGA) served as a PEGylated monomer and was grafted onto polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) through homogeneous solution gamma irradiation. The grafting process was confirmed using several techniques, including infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermodynamic stability assessments, and rotational viscosity measurements. The degree of grafting (DG) was determined via the gravimetric method. By varying the monomer concentration, a range of DGs was achieved in the PVDF-g-mPEGA copolymers. Investigations into water contact angles and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images indicated a direct correlation between increased hydrophilicity, membrane porosity, and higher DG levels in the PVDF-g-mPEGA membrane. Filtration tests demonstrated that enhanced DGs resulted in more permeable PVDF-g-mPEGA membranes, eliminating the need for pore-forming agents. Antifouling tests revealed that membranes with a lower DG maintained a high flux recovery rate, indicating that the innate properties of PVDF could be largely preserved. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Porous Materials for Energy and Environment Applications)

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14 pages, 2879 KiB  

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Multiscale Porous Carbon Materials by In Situ Growth of Metal–Organic Framework in the Micro-Channel of Delignified Wood for High-Performance Water Purification

by Youngho Jeon, Dabum Kim, Suji Lee, Kangyun Lee, Youngsang Ko, Goomin Kwon, Jisoo Park, Ung-Jin Kim, Sung Yeon Hwang, Jeonghun Kim and Jungmok You

Nanomaterials 2023, 13(19), 2695; https://doi.org/10.3390/nano13192695 - 3 Oct 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1945

Abstract

Porous carbon materials are suitable as highly efficient adsorbents for the treatment of organic pollutants in wastewater. In this study, we developed multiscale porous and heteroatom (O, N)-doped activated carbon aerogels (CAs) based on mesoporous zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) nanocrystals and wood using [...] Read more.

Porous carbon materials are suitable as highly efficient adsorbents for the treatment of organic pollutants in wastewater. In this study, we developed multiscale porous and heteroatom (O, N)-doped activated carbon aerogels (CAs) based on mesoporous zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (ZIF-8) nanocrystals and wood using 2,2,6,6-tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO) oxidation, in situ synthesis, and carbonization/activation. The surface carboxyl groups in a TEMPO-oxidized wood (TW) can provide considerably large nucleation sites for ZIF-8. Consequently, ZIF-8, with excellent porosity, was successfully loaded into the TW via in situ growth to enhance the specific surface area and enable heteroatom doping. Thereafter, the ZIF-8-loaded TW was subjected to a direct carbonization/activation process, and the obtained activated CA, denoted as ZIF-8/TW-CA, exhibited a highly interconnected porous structure containing multiscale (micro, meso, and macro) pores. Additionally, the resultant ZIF-8/TW-CA exhibited a low density, high specific surface area, and excellent organic dye adsorption capacity of 56.0 mg cm⁻³, 785.8 m² g⁻¹, and 169.4 mg g⁻¹, respectively. Given its sustainable, scalable, and low-cost wood platform, the proposed high-performance CA is expected to enable the substantial expansion of strategies for environmental protection, energy storage, and catalysis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Porous Materials for Energy and Environment Applications)

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13 pages, 5250 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Efficient Adsorption Removal of Phosphate from Rural Domestic Sewage by Waste Eggshell-Modified Peanut Shell Biochar Adsorbent Materials

by Cancan Xu, Rui Liu, Lvjun Chen and Quanxi Wang

Materials 2023, 16(17), 5873; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16175873 - 28 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1444

Abstract

In order to promote the improvement of the rural living environment, the treatment of rural domestic sewage has attracted much attention in China. Meanwhile, the rural regions’ sewage discharge standards are becoming increasingly stringent. However, the standard compliance rate of total phosphorus (TP) [...] Read more.

In order to promote the improvement of the rural living environment, the treatment of rural domestic sewage has attracted much attention in China. Meanwhile, the rural regions’ sewage discharge standards are becoming increasingly stringent. However, the standard compliance rate of total phosphorus (TP) is very low, and TP has become the main limiting pollutant for the water pollutants discharge standards of rural domestic sewage treatment facilities. In this study, waste eggshell (E) was employed as a calcium source, and waste peanut shell (C) was employed as a carbon source to prepare calcium-modified biochar adsorbent materials (E-C). The resulting E-C adsorbent materials demonstrated efficient phosphate (P) adsorption from aqueous solutions over the initial pH range of 6–9 and had adsorption selectivity. At an eggshell and peanut shell mass ratio of 1:1 and a pyrolysis temperature of 800 °C, the experimental maximum adsorption capacity was 191.1 mg/g. The pseudo second-order model and Langmuir model were best at describing the adsorption process. The dominant sorption mechanism for P is that Ca(OH)₂ is loaded on biochar with P to form Ca₅(PO₄)₃OH precipitate. E-C was found to be very effective for the treatment of rural domestic sewage. The removal rate of TP in rural domestic sewage was 91–95.9%. After adsorption treatment, the discharge of TP in rural sewage met the second-grade (TP < 3 mg/L) and even first-grade (TP < 2 mg/L). This study provides an experimental basis for efficient P removal by E-C adsorbent materials and suggests possible applications in rural domestic sewage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Porous Materials for Energy and Environment Applications)

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