Recent progress in organic waste recycling materials for solar cell applications.

Organic waste-derived solar cells (OWSC) are a classification of third-generation photovoltaic cells in which one or more constituents are fabricated from organic waste material. They are an inspirational complement to the conventional third-generation solar cell with the potential of revolutionizing our future approach to solar cell manufacture. This article provides a study and summary of solar cells that fall under the category of OWSC.

Removal of Heavy Metal Ions from Wastewater with Poly-ε-Caprolactone-Reinforced Chitosan Composite.

Currently, the requirements for adsorbent materials are based on their environmentally friendly production and biodegradability. However, they are also related to the design of materials to sustain many cycles in pursuit of low cost and profitable devices for water treatments. In this regard, a chitosan reinforced with poly-ε-caprolactone thermoplastic composite was prepared and characterized by scanning electron microscopy; Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction analysis, mechanical properties, as well as erosion and swelling assays.

Photochemical and electrochemical reduction of graphene oxide thin films: tuning the nature of surface defects.

Individual and combined photo(electro)chemical reduction treatments of graphene oxide thin films have been performed to modulate the type of defects introduced into the graphene sheets during the reduction. These were characterized by X-ray photoelectron and Raman spectroscopies, nuclear reaction analysis and electrochemical methods. Illumination of the graphene oxide thin film electrodes with low irradiance simulated solar light provoked the photoassisted reduction of the material with negligible photothermal effects.

Enhanced arsenic removal from water by a bimetallic material ZrOx-FeOx with high OH density.

Arsenic in groundwater for human consumption has negative effects on human's health worldwide. Due to the above, it is essential to invest in the development of new materials and more efficient technology for the elimination of such priority contaminants as arsenic. Therefore, in the present work, it was synthesized an amorphous hybrid material ZrOx-FeOx with a high density of OH groups, to improve the arsenic adsorption capacity of iron (FeOx) and zirconium (ZrOx) that makes up the bimetallic oxyhydroxide.

Synergistic effect of zeolite/chitosan in the removal of fluoride from aqueous solution.

Today, fluoride represents one of the most often found, and resilient, pollutants threatening the health of millions of people around the globe. The use of biosorbents is an interesting alternative technique for the removal of fluorine-ions. Chitosan is a natural biopolymer with surface groups capable of removing fluorine; however, their lack of mechanical stability restricts its application.

Overview of As(V) adsorption on Zr-functionalized activated carbon for aqueous streams remediation.

The present work introduces a simple methodology of carbon modification with zirconium, using an organic complexing ligand, as efficient media for selective As(V) removal. It is hypothesized that the incorporation of Zr-nanoparticles improves the attraction of anionic species such as arsenates (HAsO/HAsO) making the material highly selective. The effects of pH (3-11) and temperature (15, 25 and 35 °C) were studied.

Coconut endocarp and mesocarp as both biosorbents of dissolved hydrocarbons in fuel spills and as a power source when exhausted.

Health and environmental problems associated with the presence of toxic aromatic compounds in water from oil spills have motivated research to develop effective and economically viable strategies to remove these pollutants. In this work, coconut shell (endocarp), coconut fiber (mesocarp) and coconut shell with fiber (endocarp and mesocarp) obtained from coconut (Cocos nucifera) waste were evaluated as biosorbents of benzene, toluene and naphthalene from water, considering the effect of the solution pH (6-9) and the presence of dissolved organic matter (DOM) in natural water (14 mg/L). In addition, the heat capacity of saturated biosorbents was determined to evaluate their potential as an alternative power source to conventional fossil fuels.

Influence of dissolved organic matter and oil on the biosorption of BTEX by macroalgae in single and multi-solute systems.

The effect of dissolved organic matter (DOM) and oil on the removal of the water-soluble compounds benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene isomers (BTEX) by two low-cost biosorbents Macrocystis pyrifera and Ulva expansa) was evaluated. DOM decreased the adsorption capacity of toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylenes of the two biosorbents. In contrast, the removal of benzene increased under the same conditions in single and multi-solute systems: this effect was dominant in U.

Biosorption removal of benzene and toluene by three dried macroalgae at different ionic strength and temperatures: Algae biochemical composition and kinetics.

Release of low-molecular aromatic hydrocarbons (HC) into natural waters brings severe consequences to our environment. Unfortunately very limited information is available regarding the treatment of these pollutants. This work evaluated the use of brown, green and red macroalgae biomass as biosorbents of benzene and toluene, two of the most soluble HC.

Soluble hydrocarbons uptake by porous carbonaceous adsorbents at different water ionic strength and temperature: something to consider in oil spills.

Nowadays, petrochemical operations involve risks to the environment and one of the biggest is oil spills. Low molecular aromatics like benzene, toluene, and naphthalene dissolve in water, and because of their toxicological characteristics, these produce severe consequences to the environment. The oil spill cleanup strategies are mainly designed to deal with the heavy fractions accumulated on the water surface.

Fluoride removal in water by a hybrid adsorbent lanthanum-carbon.

Various health problems associated with drinking water containing high fluoride levels, have motivated researchers to develop more efficient adsorbents to remove fluoride from water for beneficial concentrations to human health. The objective of this research was to anchor lanthanum oxyhydroxides on a commercial granular activated carbon (GAC) to remove fluoride from water considering the effect of the solution pH, and the presence of co-existing anions and organic matter. The activated carbon was modified with lanthanum oxyhydroxides by impregnation.

Zirconium-carbon hybrid sorbent for removal of fluoride from water: oxalic acid mediated Zr(IV) assembly and adsorption mechanism.

When activated carbon (AC) is modified with zirconium(IV) by impregnation or precipitation, the fluoride adsorption capacity is typically improved. There is significant potential to improve these hybrid sorbents by controlling the impregnation conditions, which determine the assembly and dispersion of the Zr phases on carbon surfaces. Here, commercial activated carbon was modified with Zr(IV) together with oxalic acid (OA) used to maximize the zirconium dispersion and enhance fluoride adsorption.

Arsenic removal by modified activated carbons with iron hydro(oxide) nanoparticles.

Different activated carbons modified with iron hydro(oxide) nanoparticles were tested for their ability to adsorb arsenic from water. Adsorption isotherms were determined at As (V) concentrations < 1 ppm, with varying pH (6, 7, 8) and temperature (25 and 35 °C). Also, competition effect of anions on the As (V) adsorption capacity was evaluated using groundwater.

Anchorage of iron hydro(oxide) nanoparticles onto activated carbon to remove As(V) from water.

The adsorption of arsenic (V) by granular iron hydro(oxides) has been proven to be a reliable technique. However, due to the low mechanical properties of this material, it is difficult to apply it in full scale water treatment. Hence, the aim of this research is to develop a methodology to anchor iron hydro(oxide) nanoparticles onto activated carbon, in which the iron hydro(oxide) nanoparticles will give the activated carbon an elevated active surface area for arsenic adsorption and also help avoid the blockage of the activated carbon pores.

The adsorption kinetics of cadmium by three different types of carbon nanotubes.

Oxidized nitrogen-doped multiwall carbon nanotubes (ox-N-MWCNTs), oxidized multiwall carbon nanotubes (ox-MWCNTs), and oxidized single-wall carbon nanotubes (ox-SWCNTs) were evaluated via batch adsorption kinetic experiments to determine the effect of nanotube morphology on the adsorption rate of cadmium. The nanotubes were characterized by HRTEM, XRD and Raman spectroscopy. Cadmium adsorption isotherms were determined at pH 6.

Adsorption kinetics of chromium(III) ions on agro-waste materials.

The objective of this research is to compare empirical (pseudo-first and pseudo-second order models) and diffusional models (film diffusion, film-pore-volume diffusion, and film-surface diffusion models) in predicting the adsorption kinetics of chromium(III) on water-washed agro-waste materials (sorghum straw, oats straw, and agave bagasse). Concentration decay curves can be predicted by using either empirical or diffusional kinetic models. However, the film diffusion model seems to be the most appropriated one based on the low reported deviation (0.