ARABIAN JOURNAL FOR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING
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2026
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IF 3.1
Afridi Muhammad Naveed,Adil Sawaira,Fatima Rida,Khan Fazal Maula,Ali Imran,Mir Irshad Ahmad,Miao Baoji,Lee Kang Hoon
Heavy metal contamination in industrial wastewater remains a critical global environmental concern. In this study, an Al/Mg/Zr-MOF (AMZ-MOF) was synthesized via a solvothermal method and systematically evaluated for Cr (VI) removal from aqueous solutions. Comparative analysis demonstrated that AMZ-MOF exhibited superior Cr (VI) removal efficiency relative to pristine Zr-MOF, Mg/Zr-MOF, and Al/Zr-MOF. The synthesized AMZ-MOF composite was subjected to comprehensive characterization using FESEM, TEM, XRD, BET, FTIR, and XPS analyses. The study systematically investigated the influence of key operational parameters, including contact time, temperature, pH, and initial Cr (VI) concentration, on the composite’s sorption behavior. AMZ-MOF demonstrated exceptional performance, achieving a maximum Cr (VI) sorption capacity of 185.2 mg/g. Remarkably, the sorbent exhibited rapid initial uptake kinetics, reaching adsorption equilibrium within 120 min. Mechanistic insight was gained through adsorption isotherm and kinetic modeling, revealing that the process is best described by the Langmuir isotherm and the Pseudo-Second-Order kinetic model, suggesting monolayer adsorption onto a heterogeneous surface and chemisorption as the rate-limiting step, respectively. Further FTIR and XPS analyses corroborated the proposed sorption mechanism, clarifying the key functional groups and surface interactions involved in Cr (VI) removal. The proposed adsorbent demonstrated excellent reusability over five adsorption–desorption cycles, underscoring its stability and practical potential for Cr (VI) remediation.
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高影响因子
Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering
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2026
·Vol. 14
·期 6
·125040
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IF 7.5
Xiuxiu Wu,Jingling Zhang,Min Yuan,Hui Cao,Liling Hao,Tai Ye,Jinsong Yu,Zhu Liu,Fei Xu
Adsorption prediction models of heavy metal IIPs by machine learning algorithms were constructed. • Multivariate feature engineering was applied according to structure-performance relationship. • The reliability of the prediction model was confirmed by experimental evaluation of prepared IIPs. • This study provided a data-driven model and profound mechanistic insights for rational design of IIPs. Ion-imprinted polymers (IIPs) are recognized as excellent adsorbents for heavy metal detection and removal to enable environmental safety. However, traditional trial-and-error development method for high performance IIPs is time-consuming, labor-intensive and costly. In this work, data-driven adsorptive removal rate prediction models were constructed which offers a promising alternative by facilitating rational design of IIPs structure and precise regulation of their adsorption performance. Specifically, multivariate feature engineering was performed to applied machine learning algorithms (Gaussian process regression, generalized regression neural network, least squares boosting, extreme gradient boosting, convolutional neural network, and multilayer perceptron regression) according to structure-adsorption performance relationships. Models were optimized via sparrow search algorithm, and their prediction performances were compared. Among them, extreme gradient boosting exhibited superior prediction accuracy and generalization, achieving correlation coefficient R 2 of 0.93 on training and testing sets, with RMSE and MAE low to 7.03 and 5.64, respectively. SHAP analysis revealed pH as the dominant influencing factor. Guided by this prediction model, novel Cr(VI) IIPs were designed and used for Cr(VI) adsorption from industrial wastewater with a removal efficiency of 72.75%-83.61%. The strong correlation (R 2 =0.79) between predicted and experimentally validated removal efficiency confirms the model's reliability and practical utility. This study not only provides novel high-performance IIPs for Cr(VI) adsorptive removal from environment, but also offers a reliable data-driven rational design strategy for functional materials development that can be used to ensure environmental safety. Download: Download high-res image (213KB) Download: Download full-size image
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Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering
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2026
·Vol. 14
·期 6
·125079
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IF 7.5
Xiaohui Sun,Fangmin Yan,Zijun Ye,Benyi Cao,Fei Wang
A chemical regeneration strategy was developed for deactivated BC-nZVI. • Reactivity recovery was governed by three synergistic mechanisms. • Citric acid exposed reactive iron cores via ligand-mediated crust dissolution. • Ascorbic acid sustained long-term reactivity through surface-mediated reduction. The passivation and clogging of reactive media critically limit the long-term efficacy of zero-valent iron (ZVI)-based permeable reactive barriers (PRBs) for in-situ groundwater remediation. To overcome this limitation, this study proposes a novel in-situ regeneration method employing a citric acid (CA) and ascorbic acid (AA) to restore the Cr(VI) removal capacity of a deactivated biochar-supported nanoscale ZVI (BC-nZVI) PRB. Results show that the optimal regeneration efficiency was achieved with a 2.5 g/L regenerant concentration for 1 h, yielding regeneration rates of 101.7% for citric acid (CA) and 79.7% for ascorbic acid (AA), respectively. After regeneration, the BC-nZVI exhibits enhanced pH tolerance for Cr(VI) removal compared to the pristine BC-nZVI. Notably, AA-treated systems demonstrate superior recyclability, maintaining high removal efficiency over multiple cycles, whereas CA-treated systems show only moderate regeneration performance. Mechanistically, CA provides rapid initial kinetics by promoting the dissolution of the iron passivation layer through complexation, while AA favors a solid-surface reduction pathway that better preserves material stability. Moreover, the regeneration process can effectively control the mobility of chromium, and through the combined actions of reduction, complexation, and co-precipitation, Cr(III) in the aqueous phase can be ultimately restored to baseline levels.This work provides a viable, low-cost, and environmentally friendly strategy to drastically prolong PRB lifespan, circumventing the need for expensive media replacement and offering a sustainable solution for long-term site remediation. Download: Download high-res image (211KB) Download: Download full-size image
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Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering
·
2026
·Vol. 14
·期 5
·125223
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IF 7.5
Haowen Zou,Neng Lv,Zihui Zhang,Jingfu Liu,Qikai Chen,Lei Dong,Hongkun Luo,Shicai Luo,Yaoyue Zhang,Ping Wang,Zhongkuan Wu,Haixiang Cheng,Feng He
SA-mZVI bm showed 22-fold faster Cr(VI) removal and 17-fold higher capacity. • Sustained electron transfer and inhibited passivation boost ES by 2-fold. • SA-mZVI bm maintained high performance in real waters, showing practical potential. Zero-valent iron (ZVI) is broadly applied in the remediation of toxic, carcinogenic, and highly mobile Cr(VI), but its inherent reactivity is drastically diminished due to rapid surface passivation during the reaction process. Herein, microscale ZVI (mZVI) was modified with inorganic acid sulfamic acid (SA) via ball-milling to fabricate SA-mZVI bm , and its Cr(VI) removal performance, reaction mechanism, and practical applicability were systematically investigated. Results showed that SA modification reshaped the surface oxide layer of mZVI, facilitating the formation of conductive Fe 3 O 4 and introducing sulfonic acid groups to enhance surface complexation capability. At an initial pH 5 and a dosage of 0.5 g/L, SA-mZVI bm achieved a Cr(VI) removal rate 22 times that of unmodified mZVI bm within the first 5 min, with a surface area-normalized removal capacity approximately 17 times greater over 5 h. Mechanistic studies revealed that SA corrosion restructured the oxide layer to boost Fe(II) generation. DFT calculations suggested that the SA-modified ZVI surface provided more accessible sites for Cr(VI) adsorption in a bidentate binuclear configuration (adsorption energy: −5.9 eV), shortening the Fe-Cr bond distance to 3.6 Å and accelerating electron transfer. Additionally, SA modification significantly improved the electron selectivity (88.4% vs 45.7%) and ZVI utilization efficiency (5.8% vs 0.2%), effectively alleviating surface passivation, while 94.6% of Fe 0 remained unused. SA-mZVI bm also demonstrated superior Cr(VI) removal performance in real water matrices and electroplating wastewater. This study provides new insights and theoretical guidance for developing efficient and stable inorganic acid-modified ZVI materials. Download: Download high-res image (190KB) Download: Download full-size image
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高影响因子
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL TECHNOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
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2026
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IF 2.7
Pengfei Guo,Meng Wang,Yingbo Chen
BACKGROUND The treatment of industrial wastewater containing chromium (Cr(VI)) and rhodamine B (RhB) is a critical environmental protection issue. Fenton-like systems have been widely considered for their potential in wastewater treatment, but developing efficient and practical Fenton-like materials and methods remains a key challenge. This study focuses on exploring the effectiveness of a Fenton-like system composed of a zero-valent iron-based composite material (HTCTSIP-5) and exogenous hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) for the removal of Cr(VI) and RhB from wastewater. RESULTS The effects of various parameters, including dosing methods, pH levels, content of HTCTSIP-5 and H₂O₂, and initial concentrations, on the removal efficiency were studied. Techniques such as electron paramagnetic resonance, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were employed to investigate the underlying mechanisms of removal of Cr(VI) and RhB. The results revealed that the HTCTSIP-5/H₂O₂ system exhibited high removal efficiencies for both Cr(VI) and RhB, with hydroxyl radicals ( • OH) identified as the key agents in RhB degradation. CONCLUSION This study confirms that the use of the HTCTSIP-5/H₂O₂ Fenton-like system is an effective approach for the treatment of wastewater containing Cr(VI) and RhB. It provided an effective material and method for industrial wastewater treatment, offering a valuable approach for environmental protection. © 2026 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).
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高影响因子
MATERIALS SCIENCE IN SEMICONDUCTOR PROCESSING
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2026
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IF 5.2
Yuanyuan Wang,Peidong Huang,Jinshun Xu,Yingfei Hu,Weiwei Shao,Runhua Qin,Chi Zhang
To mitigate the challenges of rapid charge carrier recombination and restricted visible light absorption inherent in single-semiconductor photocatalysts for Cr(VI) reduction, a 2D/2D Z-scheme CaIn 2 S 4 /CeO 2 heterojunction was engineered. The optimized materials exhibited Cr(VI) reduction rate constants that were 3.4-fold and 20.8-fold greater than those of pristine CaIn 2 S 4 and CeO 2 , respectively. Nevertheless, critical limitations are apparent. The efficacy of the Z-scheme mechanism, which depends on electron transfer and surface-generated •O 2 − species, becomes rate-limiting under elevated Cr(VI) concentrations, with efficiency decreasing from approximately 98% at 40 mg/L to ∼76% at 60 mg/L. Furthermore, the photocatalytic system displays pronounced pH sensitivity, with neutral and alkaline conditions substantially suppressing activity owing to the formation of CrO 4 2− and surface passivation. Cyclic durability assessments revealed a progressive deactivation trend, with reduction efficiency declining from 98% to 84% over four reaction cycles, indicative of material attrition or active site poisoning. In conclusion, while the CaIn 2 S 4 /CeO 2 heterojunction demonstrates high photocatalytic efficacy, its performance is contingent on specific operational parameters, and its advantages are not universally applicable across varying concentrations or pH regimes. This research, therefore, offers not only a high-performance photocatalyst but also a crucial cautionary perspective, emphasizing the necessity of balancing interfacial charge transfer efficiency with the availability of reactive oxygen species and the prevailing reaction environment.
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高影响因子
JOURNAL OF RADIOANALYTICAL AND NUCLEAR CHEMISTRY
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2026
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IF 1.7
Sun Yubing,Zeng Nalan,Zhu Weiyu,Tang Shuai,Lu Xirui
The combined pollution of radionuclides, heavy metals and organics during uranium mining (i.e., association/coexist with heavy metals) or reprocessing of spent fuel (i.e., organic extraction) has become a prominent issue nowadays. Herein, the synergetic removal mechanism of U(VI), Cr(VI) and bisphenol(BPA) on porous covalent organic framework/graphitic carbon nitride (COF/g-C 3 N 4 ) was investigated using optical, microscopic and spectroscopic techniques. Compared to g-C 3 N 4 (1%), the high photocatalytic reduction (77%) and the excellent stability (90% after 5 recycles) of U(VI) on COF/g-C 3 N 4 could be attributed to the highly efficient separation of photogenerated carrier and wide response range of COF/g-C 3 N 4 under visible light (low band gap of 1.98 eV). In the ternary system, the increased removal of U(VI) on COF/g-C 3 N 4 was due to the consumption of h + by Cr(VI) and BPA, whereas the further increase of Cr(VI) and BPA inhibited U(VI) removal due to the competition of active sites. The interaction mechanism of U(VI) on COF/g-C 3 N 4 was ascribed to superoxide radicals by trapping and XPS analysis. These findings are crucial for the actual application of COF/g-C 3 N 4 on simultaneous removal of radionuclides, heavy metals and organic in complexed systems. Graphical abstract
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高影响因子
JOURNAL OF ALLOYS AND COMPOUNDS
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2026
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IF 6.7
Jiayang Zhao,Gang Liu,Xinmei Liu,Limin Dong,Dongbo Wang,Fei Li,Yuewu Huang,Zhitao Yang,Wenlong Yang,Liancheng Zhao
The practical implementation of semiconductor photocatalysis is often impeded by three key challenges: restricted light absorption, rapid recombination of photogenerated charge carriers, and inadequate stability in complex aqueous environments. In this work, a g-C 3 N 4 /BiOCl heterojunction photocatalyst was successfully fabricated. The synergistic effects of its porous structure, oxygen vacancies, and Bi–N bonds significantly boost the photocatalytic performance. Photoelectrochemical analyses reveal that the heterojunction not only extends the optical absorption edge to the visible region but also enhances the photocurrent response and reduces charge transfer resistance, leading to efficient separation and transport of photogenerated carriers. Under irradiation with a 300 W xenon lamp equipped with a 420 nm cutoff filter, the g-C 3 N 4 /BiOCl heterojunction exhibited significantly enhanced photocatalytic activity in the degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) and reduction of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) relative to pristine g-C 3 N 4 and BiOCl. Notably, the g-C 3 N 4 /BiOCl-2 sample achieved 99.12% removal of 20 mg/L Cr(VI) within 25 min, with a reaction rate constant of 0.10098 min −1 —1.88-fold and 2.72-fold higher than those of pristine BiOCl and g-C 3 N 4 , respectively.Environmental adaptability studies revealed that this heterojunction exhibited optimal Cr(VI) reduction performance under acidic conditions (pH=3). Its photocatalytic reduction efficiencies in deionized water, tap water, river water, and industrial wastewater were 97%, 87.6%, 81.4%, and 73.1%, respectively, highlighting its strong practical applicability in diverse aqueous environments. Common ion influence experiments further confirmed that NH 4 + promotes the reduction process, while CO 3 2- and PO 4 3- inhibit the reaction due to the alkaline environment generated by hydrolysis. Cl - , SO 4 2- , and Ca 2+ had negligible effects. Cycling tests revealed that g-C 3 N 4 /BiOCl-2 maintained over 85% photocatalytic activity after five cycles, exhibiting superior durability compared to pure g-C 3 N 4 (11.1%) and BiOCl (39.7%). This work enhance the photocatalytic reduction of heavy metals in complex aqueous environments through the construction of a highly efficient and stable S-scheme heterojunction photocatalyst, thereby offering theoretical and experimental foundations for the degradation of industrial dye pollutants.
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高影响因子
SENSORS AND ACTUATORS B-CHEMICAL
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2025
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IF 7.7
Xinlan Wang,Ri’an Fu,Xiong Wu,Huasheng Lai
Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) often suffers from poor selectivity, sensitivity, and anti-interference capabilities in metallic ions detection. Herein, a redox-mediated SERS method is presented for on-site detecting Cr(VI) in complex samples with ultrahigh sensitivity (2.6 fmol/L), selectivity, and rapidity (within 5 min). 2-Mercaptoimidazole was selected as the SERS probe due to its strong SERS activity and the ability of its thiol group to reduce Cr(VI) to Cr(III). The redox reaction between Cr(VI) and thiol group of 2-mercaptoimidazole under acid condition was investigated, including pH, mixing ratio, temperature, and concentration. Remarkably, the reaction equilibrium was achieved within 1 min. Furthermore, the method exhibited high selectivity for Cr(VI) over other ions due to its strong oxidizing properties, and excellent anti-interference capabilities attributed to the robust sulfur-metal bond formation. The redox-mediated SERS method with ultrahigh sensitivity and a detection limit of 2.6 fmol/L, which is 12 orders of magnitude below the safety level (0.1 mg/L) set by United States Environmental Protection Agency for drinking water. Finally, the method was successfully applied to detect Cr(VI) residues in environmental water and traditional Chinese medicine drinking samples (Codonopsis pilosula and Astragalus membranaceus), achieving satisfactory recoveries (85.5–110%) and low RSDs (0.1–4.2%). This work not only advances the analytical performance for on-site detection of Cr(VI) residue but also offers a versatile tool with substantial implications for public safety monitoring and pharmaceutical quality control.
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高影响因子
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
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2025
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IF 9
Liwen Zhang,Shaohua Chen,Shanyi Tan,Huizi Wen,Shuyu He,Fen Zhang,Xiangru Zuo,Ling Xiong
The inherent limitations of nano zero-valent iron (nZVI) severely limit its widespread application in heavy metal pollution remediation. To address this, Shewanella oneidenis MR-1 (MR-1) was utilized to counteract the iron oxide passivation layer on nZVI surface, however, this approach suffered from low electron transfer rate between MR-1 and the passivation layer. In this research, a novel PDA-modified nZVI composite (PDA-nZVI) was synthesized. Compared to unmodified nZVI, the proportions of Fe 0 and Fe(II) on the PDA-nZVI surface increased 2.06 % and 21.63 %, respectively. The electrochemical tests (e.g., a more negative corrosion potential, a lower charge-transfer resistance, a higher current density, and a 3.4-times larger electrochemical active surface area for PDA-nZVI compared to nZVI) confirm that PDA enhances electron transfer from iron core to the outside, thereby promoting Fe 0 availability and Fe(II) generation on the PDA-nZVI surface. Meanwhile, PDA modification successfully enhanced the material's dispersibility and hydrophilicity in aqueous solutions. Results demonstrate that the Cr(VI) elimination capacity of the PDA-nZVI and MR-1 combined system (PDA-nZVI/MR-1) was markedly superior to that of the nZVI/MR-1 system. Mechanism analyses demonstrate that PDA can act as an electron shuttle to accelerate electron transfer between MR-1 and the passivation layer, thereby promoting more Fe(III) transformation to Fe(II). This process enables more Cr(VI) to be reduced to Cr(III), which is subsequently adsorbed or complexed on the material surface as Cr 2 O 3 /FeCr 2 O 4 and Cr x Fe 1-x (OH) 3 , ultimately being removed from the solution via co-precipitation. The PDA-nZVI/MR-1 system successfully overcomes the inherent limitations and exhibits an exceptional Cr(VI) elimination capability
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高影响因子
Surfaces and Interfaces
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2025
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IF 6.3
Junhao Huang,Ruixue Shi,Andrei Ivanets,Alexander A. Ratko,Tatyana Kouznetsova,Haixin Wu,Xintai Su
Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) contamination in water poses a significant threat to human health. In this work, Fe and N co-doped biochar (Fe-N-C) was fabricated from municipal sludge using urea as a nitrogen source via the acidification-one-step pyrolysis method. This approach overcame the low adsorption capacity of self-carbonated sludge and achieved high Cr(VI) removal efficiency. Batch experiments and characterization techniques were employed to investigate the synthesis mechanism of Fe-N-C and its Cr(VI) removal mechanisms. At a urea/sludge mass ratio of 0.5, Fe-N-C-0.5 demonstrated superior Cr(VI) adsorption capacity (205.92 mg g⁻¹), primarily governed by spontaneous monolayer chemisorption and intraparticle diffusion. The adsorption process was unaffected by coexisting ions, and it exhibited excellent regeneration stability as well as substantial potential for practical applications. In addition, Fe-N-C-0.5 exhibited high biosafety before and after Cr(VI) removal. Urea doping facilitated nitrogen incorporation and anchored free Fe³⁺, forming the Fe-N-C structure that promoted the transformation of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) through electrostatic adsorption, reduction, and cation-π interactions. These results suggest Fe-N-C is an effective adsorbent for Cr(VI)-contaminated wastewater treatment.
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高影响因子
Journal of Materials Chemistry A
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2026
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IF 9.2
Chen Wang,Maoning Xu,Quanqi Yang,Ye Li,Wanjing Jia,Zhengwen Han,Jianjun Wang
UiO-66 exhibits exceptional stability compared to other metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), while its amino-functionalization enhances photocatalytic performance. Similarly, covalent organic frameworks (COFs) like the cyano-containing HDU-105 serve as ideal photocatalytic platforms due to their optoelectronic properties and ability to improve charge separation. In this study, we designed a series of core-shell structured UiO-66-NH2@HDU-105 heterojunctions for the efficient photocatalytic reduction of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)). We systematically investigated the optimal combination ratio, finding that a MOF@COF mass ratio of 2:1 achieved a maximum reduction efficiency exceeding 99 %, significantly outperforming individual UiO-66-NH2 (31 %) and HDU-105 (36 %). Mechanistic studies revealed that the composite operates via a Z-scheme charge transfer pathway, electrons transfer from the conduction band of UiO-66-NH2 to the valence band of HDU-105, while h⁺ accumulates in the UiO-66-NH2 region. Under acidic conditions, electrons attached to HDU-105 can directly reduce Cr(VI) to Cr(III). Furthermore, the UiO-66-NH2@HDU-105 composite demonstrated excellent selectivity and long-term stability in both laboratory settings and real water matrices (groundwater and surface water). Ultimately, this study presents a viable design strategy for developing efficient and robust photocatalysts for heavy metal remediation.
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高影响因子
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