Application of zeolite based nanocomposites for wastewater remediation: Evaluating newer and environmentally benign approaches

Emmanuel Christopher Umejuru; Tebogo Mashifana; Vepika Kandjou; Majid Amani-Beni; Hasan Sadeghifar; Mahsa Fayazi; Hassan Karimi-Maleh; Nastassia Thandiwe Sithole

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2023.116073

Application of zeolite based nanocomposites for wastewater remediation: Evaluating newer and environmentally benign approaches

Environ Res. 2023 Aug 15;231(Pt 1):116073. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116073. Epub 2023 May 8.

Authors

Emmanuel Christopher Umejuru¹, Tebogo Mashifana¹, Vepika Kandjou², Majid Amani-Beni³, Hasan Sadeghifar⁴, Mahsa Fayazi⁵, Hassan Karimi-Maleh⁶, Nastassia Thandiwe Sithole⁷

Affiliations

¹ Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 17011, Doornfontein, 2088, South Africa.
² Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 17011, Doornfontein, 2088, South Africa; Department of Chemical Materials and Metallurgical Engineering (CMME), Faculty of Engineering and Technology (FET), Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST), P/Bag 16, Palapye, Botswana.
³ School of Architecture, Southwest Jiaotong University, 611756, Chengdu, China.
⁴ R&D Laboratory, Hollingsworth & Vose (H&V) Company, West Groton, MA, 01452, USA.
⁵ School of Resources and Environment, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 611731, Xiyuan Ave, Chengdu, PR China.
⁶ School of Resources and Environment, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, 611731, Xiyuan Ave, Chengdu, PR China. Electronic address: hassan@uestc.edu.cn.
⁷ Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Johannesburg, P.O. Box 17011, Doornfontein, 2088, South Africa. Electronic address: nastassias@uj.ac.za.

PMID: 37164282
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116073

Abstract

The presence of heavy metal ions and emerging pollutants in water poses a great risk to various biological ecosystems as a result of their high toxicity. Consequently, devising efficient and environmentally friendly methods to decontaminate these waters is of high interest to many researchers around the world. Among the varied water treatment and desalination means, adsorption and photocatalysis have been widely employed. However, the discussion and analysis of the use of zeolite-based composites as adsorbents are somehow minimal. The porous aluminosilicates (zeolites) are excellent candidates in wastewater treatment owing to various mechanisms of pollutants removal that they possess. The purpose of this review is thus to provide a synopsis of the current developments in the fabrication and application of nanocomposites based on zeolite as adsorbents and photocatalysts for the extraction of heavy metals, dyes and emerging pollutants from wastewaters. The review goes on to look into the effect of weight ratio on photocatalyst, photodegradation pathways, and various factors that influence photocatalysis and adsorption.

Keywords: Adsorption; Emerging pollutants; Heavy metals; Organic dyes; Photocatalysis; Zeolite-nanocomposites.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Adsorption
Ecosystem
Environmental Pollutants*
Indicators and Reagents
Metals, Heavy*
Nanocomposites*
Wastewater
Water Pollutants, Chemical*
Water Purification* / methods
Zeolites*

Substances

Zeolites
Wastewater
Metals, Heavy
Indicators and Reagents
Environmental Pollutants
Water Pollutants, Chemical