Issue 6, 2023

The removal efficiency of emerging organic contaminants, heavy metals and dyes: intrinsic limits at low concentrations

Abstract

In this work, we exploit Langmuir adsorption isotherms to compare the performance of different materials (adsorbents) in removing organic contaminants (adsorbates) from water. The removal efficiency observed reaches an intrinsic limit at low concentrations. We also demonstrate quantitatively how multi-step adsorption processes achieve better purification efficiency than single-step adsorption performed using much smaller amounts of adsorbent material. We demonstrate how such performance is strongly affected by adsorbent concentration. Only the use of both the parameters obtained from Langmuir adsorption isotherm (Qm and KL) modelling allows one to compare materials tested under different experimental conditions by different groups, whereas most published reviews focus only on Qm which is rather limited for comparing the performance of different materials studied under different conditions. Finally, we present some guidelines for data reporting in future work and reviews.

Graphical abstract: The removal efficiency of emerging organic contaminants, heavy metals and dyes: intrinsic limits at low concentrations

Article information

Article type
Perspective
Submitted
19 Aug. 2022
Accepted
09 Apr. 2023
First published
13 Apr. 2023
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2023,9, 1558-1565

The removal efficiency of emerging organic contaminants, heavy metals and dyes: intrinsic limits at low concentrations

S. Khaliha, D. Jones, A. Kovtun, M. L. Navacchia, M. Zambianchi, M. Melucci and V. Palermo, Environ. Sci.: Water Res. Technol., 2023, 9, 1558 DOI: 10.1039/D2EW00644H

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