A critical review on adsorptive removal of antimony from waters: Adsorbent species, interface behavior and interaction mechanism

Linfeng Peng; Nana Wang; Tangfu Xiao; Jianqiao Wang; Huabang Quan; Chuanbin Fu; Qingnan Kong; Xiangting Zhang

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138529

A critical review on adsorptive removal of antimony from waters: Adsorbent species, interface behavior and interaction mechanism

Chemosphere. 2023 Jun:327:138529. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138529. Epub 2023 Mar 27.

Authors

Linfeng Peng¹, Nana Wang², Tangfu Xiao³, Jianqiao Wang¹, Huabang Quan¹, Chuanbin Fu¹, Qingnan Kong¹, Xiangting Zhang¹

Affiliations

¹ Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
² Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China. Electronic address: nnwang@gzhu.edu.cn.
³ Key Laboratory for Water Quality and Conservation of the Pearl River Delta, Ministry of Education; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, 510006, China; State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu, 610059, China.

PMID: 36990360
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138529

Abstract

Antimony (Sb) has raised widespread concern because of its negative effects on ecology and human health. The extensive use of antimony-containing products and corresponding Sb mining activities have discharged considerable amounts of anthropogenic Sb into the environment, especially the water environment. Adsorption has been employed as the most effective strategy for Sb sequestration from water; thus, a comprehensive understanding of the adsorption performance, behavior and mechanisms of adsorbents benefits to develop the optimal adsorbent to remove Sb and even drive its practical application. This review presents a holistic analysis of adsorbent species with the ability to remove Sb from water, with a special emphasis on the Sb adsorption behavior of various adsorption materials and their Sb-adsorbent interaction mechanisms. Herein, we summarize research results based on the characteristic properties and Sb affinities of reported adsorbents. Various interactions, including electrostatic interactions, ion exchange, complexation and redox reactions, are fully reviewed. Relevant environmental factors and adsorption models are also discussed to clarify the relevant adsorption processes. Overall, iron-based adsorbents and corresponding composite adsorbents show relatively excellent Sb adsorption performance and have received widespread attention. Sb removal mainly depends on chemical properties of the adsorbent and Sb itself, and complexation is the main driving force for Sb removal, assisted by electrostatic attraction. The future directions of Sb removal by adsorption focus on the shortcomings of current adsorbents; more attention should be given to the practicability of adsorbents and their disposal after use. This review contributes to the development of effective adsorbents for removing Sb and provides an understanding of Sb interfacial processes during Sb transport and the fate of Sb in the water environment.

Keywords: Adsorbent; Adsorption mechanism; Antimony; Interface behavior; Removal.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adsorption
Antimony* / analysis
Humans
Iron / analysis
Water
Water Pollutants, Chemical* / analysis

Substances

Antimony
Water Pollutants, Chemical
Water
Iron