Rational synthesis, characterization, and application of environmentally friendly (polymer–carbon dot) hybrid composite film for fast and efficient UV-assisted Cd2+ removal from water
Background
Carbon dots (CDs) are of particular interest in numerous applications. However, their efficiency for heavy metal removal from wastewater was not yet reported. Herein, we rationally synthesized CDs from petroleum coke waste via hydrothermal treatment in the presence of ammonia.
Results
This drove the formation of outstanding photoluminescent, water-soluble, biocompatible, and high yield of monodispersed sub-5 nm CDs. The CDs are co-doped with high 10% of N and 0.2% of S. The as-prepared CDs possess unprecedented photoluminescent properties over broad pH range making these dots unique efficient pH sensor.
Conclusions
Chitosan (CH)–CDs hybrid hydrogel nanocomposite film was further prepared as a platform membrane for the removal Cd2+ metal from wastewater. The as-prepared CH–CDs membranes show relatively good mechanical properties, based on stress resistance and flexibility to facilitate handling. The equilibrium state was reached within 5 min. Intriguingly, the UV-light illuminations enhanced the Cd2+ removal efficiency of the photoluminescent CDs substantially by four times faster under. It was found that adsorption followed pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm models. The maximum adsorption capacity at 25 °C was found to be 112.4 mg g−1 at pH 8. This work paves the way to new applications of CDs in water treatment.
Other Information
Published in: Environmental Sciences Europe
License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
See article on publisher's website: http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s12302-020-0292-z
Funding
Open Access funding provided by the Qatar National Library.
Qatar National Research Fund (NPRP8-878-1-172), Rational Design of Environmentally-Friendly Polymer-Carbon Dot Composite Color Light Emitting Diodes for Displays and Solid State Lighting.
Qatar National Research Fund (UREP25-091-2-034), Preparation of water-soluble carbon dots based chitosan composites: as efficient ion-exchange membranes for cd2+ and pb2+ removal.
History
Language
- English
Publisher
Springer NaturePublication Year
- 2020
License statement
This Item is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.Institution affiliated with
- Qatar University
- Center for Advanced Materials - QU