Synchronous removal of CuO nanoparticles and Cu2+ by polyaluminum chloride-Enteromorpha polysaccharides: Effect of Al species and pH

Copper oxide nanomaterials have been extensively applied and can have serious impacts when discharged into the aquatic environment, especially when complexed with humic acid (HA) to form composite contaminants. As an innovative recycled coagulant aid, Enteromorpha polysaccharides (Ep) were associated with polyaluminum chloride (PACl) (denoted as PACl-Ep) to simultaneously remove CuO nanoparticles, Cu²⁺ and HA in this study. The influence of different Al species coagulants (AlCl₃, PACl_b and PACl_c) and water pH on coagulation performance, floc properties and reaction mechanisms was investigated in detail. Results showed that in the three PACl-Ep systems, PACl_b-Ep gave the highest removal efficiencies for turbidity and Cu²⁺, and the best UV₂₅₄ removal effect was reached by using PACl_c-Ep. Higher contents of Al_b and Al_c contributed to great coagulation performance because of their stronger bridging and sweeping effects. For all the Al species coagulants, alkalescent conditions were more conducive to removing Cu and HA compared to acidic conditions. Additionally, smaller and more agminated flocs with great recovery ability were formed by PACl_b-Ep and PACl_c-Ep systems (bridging and enmeshment effects cooperated with the chelated reticular structure formed by the Ep and Al species). Similarly, due to the increased hydrolysis and hydroxide precipitates, flocs formed under the condition of alkalescence were smaller, denser and stronger compared with weakly acidic conditions.