PET as a support material for TiO2in advanced oxidation processes

What is it about?

This review discussed the last 10 years progress in the use of lignocellulosic materials chemically modified as low-cost biosorbents. Thus, the chemical modifications, such as chemical pretreatment, oxidation, as well as the grafting of carboxyl groups, amines, amides, etc., on lignocellulosic fibers, that aim to increase the number of adsorption sites and maximize toxic metal ion adsorption capacity have been addressed. The literature presents results that indicated performances of biosorbents equal to or even higher than conventional methods and adsorbents. Many efforts have been concentrated on the improvements of these biosorbents through chemical modifications. However, some difficulties still exist, including the discharge of colored organic compounds resulting from the pretreatments and the development of fast, clean, and low-cost synthesis of selective and multifunctional adsorbents. Thus, the challenge for future research is to find solutions to these difficulties in order to finally make lignocellulosics biosorbents that can replace conventional adsorbent materials. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2016, 133, 43286.

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Why is it important?

There is no doubt that lignocellulosic materials are efficient and low-cost materials for the removal of anions, particularly heavy metals, from wastewater. The big challenge is to find a simple and feasible process to obtain modified adsorbent synthesis routes with the lowest cost, highest adsorption capacity and selectivity. The alkaline and acid pretreatments showed good performances across complex routes with expensive and toxic reagents, such as halogenations, esterification, amination, etherification, and oxidation techniques. Furthermore, it is apparent that pretreatment should be performed before any modification. Thus, despite some drawbacks, it has been shown that pretreatment/modification is feasible and cost effective, with a further need to improve these methods