Designing Dual-Effect Nanohybrids for Removing Heavy Metals and Different Kinds of Anions from the Natural Water

Abstract

In the present study, well-designed nanohybrids are used to act as effective dual-function adsorbents for removing both anions and heavy metals from natural water, at the same time. In this trend, Zn-Al LDHs and graphene oxide are applied to build up building blocks to produce a series of nanohybrids. These nanohybrids were characterized by X-ray diffraction, thermal analyses, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. These techniques confirmed that the prepared nanohybrids contained nanolayered structures with three–dimensional porous systems. These porous systems were identified by the nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherms and water purification experiments. The obtained results indicated that these nanohybrids included suitable structures to act as dual function materials. The first function was achieved by removing more than 80% of both cadmium and lead from the natural water. The second function was accomplished by eliminating of 100% of hydrogen phosphate and bromide anions alongside with 80%–91% of sulfate, chloride, and fluoride anions. To conclude, these well-designed nanohybrids convert two-dimensional nanolayered structures to three-dimensional porous networks to work as dual-function materials for removing of heavy metals and different kinds of anions naturally found in the fresh tap water sample with no parameters optimization.

Special Issue: Layered Double Hydroxides (LDH) and LDH-Based Hybrid Composites

“…This means that such materials can simultaneously remove cationic and anionic pollutants from wastewaters. Their high efficiency was reported in the study by Saber et al [ 7 ].…”

Recent Advances in Layered Double Hydroxides Membranes: Insights into Multiple Mass Transport

“…Based on these mechanisms, researchers combined the ZnAl/LDH with GO to realize the dual adsorption properties that can simultaneously remove cationic and anionic pollutants from wastewaters. [129] Developing hierarchical micro/nanostructures on membrane surfaces to achieve exceptional super oleophobic properties and resistance against oil fouling poses a significant scientific issue. [130] In a recent breakthrough, Li et al have introduced a novel approach involving the integration of nanoflower-branched ZnCo-LDHs onto nanofiber surfaces, resulting in improvements in oil-water emulsion separation performance (Figure 14a).…”

“…Based on these mechanisms, researchers combined the ZnAl/LDH with GO to realize the dual adsorption properties that can simultaneously remove cationic and anionic pollutants from wastewaters. [ 129 ]…”

One-Step Multi-Doping Process for Producing Effective Zinc Oxide Nanofibers to Remove Industrial Pollutants Using Sunlight

“…The host was produced by inserting Al with Zn inside the nanolayers of layered double hydroxides. Layered double hydroxides (LDH) are of specific importance because they have nanolayered structures containing various kinds of metals and different species of non-metal with an order arrangement in their layers [36][37][38]. In this way, cationic nanolayers containing Zn and Al were formed having positive charges.…”