Recent advances in antimony removal using carbon-based nanomaterials: A review

• The synthesis and physicochemical properties of various CNMs are reviewed. • Sb removal using carbon-based nano-adsorbents and membranes are summarized. • Details on adsorption behavior and mechanisms of Sb uptake by CNMs are discussed. • Challenges and future prospects for rational design of advanced CNMs are provided. Recently, special attention has been deserved to environmental risks of antimony (Sb) element that is of highly physiologic toxicity to human. Conventional coagulation and ion exchange methods for Sb removal are faced with challenges of low efficiency, high cost and secondary pollution. Adsorption based on carbon nanomaterials (CNMs; e.g., carbon nanotubes, graphene, graphene oxide, reduced graphene oxide and their derivatives) may provide effective alternative because the CNMs have high surface area, rich surface chemistry and high stability. In particular, good conductivity makes it possible to create linkage between adsorption and electrochemistry, thereby the synergistic interaction will be expected for enhanced Sb removal. This review article summarizes the state of art on Sb removal using CNMs with the form of nano-adsorbents and/or filtration membranes. In details, procedures of synthesis and functionalization of different forms of CNMs were reviewed. Next, adsorption behavior and the underlying mechanisms toward Sb removal using various CNMs were presented as resulting from a retrospective analysis of literatures. Last, we prospect the needs for mass production and regeneration of CNMs adsorbents using more affordable precursors and objective assessment of environmental impacts in future studies.     

Preparation and performance characterization of a new dust suppressant with a cross-linked network structure for use in open-pit coal mines

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - In an effort to control dust pollution in open-air environments such as pit coal mines and coal transportation systems, a new dust suppressant with a...     

Does leakage exist in China’s typical protected areas? Evidence from 13 national nature reserves

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - There is profound interest in knowing the degree to which the effectiveness of China’s nature reserves, and whether leakage is common around the...     

Accumulation of potentially toxic trace elements (PTEs) by native plant species growing in a typical gold mining area located in the northeast of Qinghai-Tibet Plateau

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Though gold mines provide significant economic benefits to local governments, mining causes soil pollution by potentially toxic trace elements (PTEs)...     

Exploring volatility of carbon price in European Union due to COVID-19 pandemic

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The European Union (EU) Emissions Trading System is the most important means for the EU to achieve carbon neutrality, but it has been severely...     

Acute lead acetate induces neurotoxicity through decreased synaptic plasticity-related protein expression and disordered dendritic formation in nerve cells

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - Lead (Pb) is a widespread environmental heavy metal that can damage the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, and reduce the learning and memory ability in...     

Nutrient and tetracycline removal from simulated biogas slurry and biogas upgrading by microalgae cultivation under different carbon nanotubes concentrations

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The present study sought to determine the effects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) concentrations (0–10 mg L?1) on tetracycline...     

Preparation and evaluation of humic acid–based composite dust suppressant for coal storage and transportation

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - To mitigate environmental pollution caused by the escape of dust during coal storage and transportation, humic acid (HA) and grafted acrylamide (AM)...     

Wet wipes and disposable surgical masks are becoming new sources of fiber microplastic pollution during global COVID-19

Environmental Science and Pollution Research - The demand of wet wipes and masks has been rising worldwide since the outbreak of global COVID-19; however, with more reports about improper handling...     

Preparation of in-situ nitrogen-doped lignin-based porous carbon and its efficient adsorption of chloramphenicol in water

Porous carbon is an excellent absorbent for pollutants in water. Here, we report a breakthrough in performance of porous carbon based on lignin prepared using sodium lignosulfonate (SLS), potassium carbonate and melamine as precursor, activator and nitrogen source, respectively. A series of characterization tests confirmed that in-situ nitrogen doping greatly enhanced porous structure, resulting in a specific surface area of 2567.9 m² g^?1 and total pore volume of 1.499 cm³ g^?1, which is nearly twice that of non-nitrogen-doped porous carbon. Moreover, adsorption experiments revealed that at 303 K, the saturated adsorption capacity of chloramphenicol was as high as 713.7 mg g^?1, corresponding to an improvement of 33.7%. Further, the prepared porous carbon exhibited a strong anti-interference against metal ions and humic acid. The adsorption process was confirmed to be an endothermic reaction dominated by physical adsorption, indicating that an increase in temperature is conducive to adsorption. The results of this study show that nitrogen-doped lignin-based porous carbon prepared by in-situ doping is a promising material to significantly alleviate water pollution owing to its low cost, excellent pore structure and good adsorption properties.