Journal of Applied Research in Chemical-Polymer Engineering

Abstract Industrial effluents generated by chemical, textile, metal-processing, and mining industries contain complex mixtures of diverse pollutants. These contaminants include persistent organic pollutants, recalcitrant organic compounds, and toxic heavy metals. These contaminants, either individually or through synergistic interactions, can adversely affect ecosystems and human health. Their coexistence can enhance wastewater treatment resistance and reduce the effectiveness of conventional processes, including activated sludge, coagulation–flocculation, and adsorption-based treatments. Therefore, developing efficient processes capable of simultaneously removing diverse contaminants remains a major challenge in environmental engineering.
Porous polymeric foams have recently attracted considerable attention as multifunctional adsorbent platforms. These materials are attractive due to their interconnected three-dimensional structures, low density, and high specific surface areas. Furthermore, their tunable surface chemistry and potential reusability can significantly enhance adsorption performance. These foams, particularly after surface modification or incorporation of active components, can enable simultaneous and selective removal of organic and inorganic contaminants. Moreover, recyclability and the incorporation of bio-based polymer matrices in some systems offer additional advantages in terms of environmental sustainability. In this review, polymeric foams are classified according to the origin of their polymer matrices (synthetic and bio-based foams) and their functional design strategies, including nanocomposite, smart, polymer–metal, and multilayer architectures. Furthermore, surface modification strategies, including functionalization, nanoparticle incorporation, and smart coating approaches, are discussed to enhance adsorption performance. These strategies aim to improve adsorption capacity, selectivity, and practical applicability in environmental remediation.
The primary adsorption mechanisms and the effects of operational parameters on foam performance are also evaluated. Recent studies indicate that modified foams, owing to their enhanced adsorption capacity and potential regeneration capability, may serve as complementary alternatives to conventional adsorbents under specific operating conditions. However, challenges related to production costs, scalability, and large-scale industrial implementation remain unresolved. Finally, the development of bio-based multifunctional foams for continuous-flow treatment systems is highlighted as an important direction for future research.

Abstract Research subject: Synthesis and characterization of a functionalized magnetic nanosorbent (cobalt ferrite–triaminopropyltriethoxysilane–chitosan), optimization and modeling of adsorption conditions, and investigation of the kinetics of monoethylene glycol removal from wastewater.
Research approach: In this research, a functionalized magnetic nanosorbent was used to remove the pollutant monoethylene glycol (MEG) from wastewater. This adsorbent was synthesized by attaching chitosan to the surface of magnetic cobalt ferrite nanoparticles (CoFe2O4) using triaminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) as a coupling agent. Chitosan has a high ability to absorb organic pollutants such as monoethylene glycol due to its amino and hydroxyl functional groups. Furthermore, the use of chitosan enhances the surface area and consequently improves the adsorption capacity. The magnetic properties of cobalt ferrite enable easy separation of the adsorbent from the wastewater sample using an external magnetic field. The properties of the synthesized adsorbent were investigated using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The optimal adsorption conditions, including pH, contact time, and adsorbent recovery over adsorption–desorption cycles, were also determined.
Main results: The optimal pH value for glycol adsorption from wastewater by the functionalized magnetic nanosorbent was determined to be 6, and the equilibrium contact time was 5 minutes, indicating the high availability of active adsorption sites. Furthermore, the change in adsorption capacity after 10 adsorption–desorption cycles was less than 21%, indicating the high recovery capability and economic feasibility of the adsorbent. Adsorption kinetic data were analyzed using three kinetic models: pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and intraparticle diffusion. Given the higher correlation coefficient for the pseudo-second-order model (R2 = 0.9951), the adsorption of glycol on the synthesized adsorbent is best described by this model.

Abstract Research subject: The presence of heavy metal ions in surface and underground water, followed by their infiltration into drinking water at high concentrations, poses irreparable risks to human health and the environment. In this context, solid-phase extraction (SPE) has recently been recognized as a routine and practical method for removing heavy metals from water and wastewater samples. Consequently, the development of selective adsorbents for application in the SPE method is of significant importance in environmental studies.

Research Approach: In the present study, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) molecules were functionalized onto Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ core-shell nanoparticles using cyanuric chloride and triethoxysilyl propylamine compounds. The synthesized nanoparticles were then employed as an effective adsorbent for the removal of Pb²⁺ ions from aqueous solutions. The structural characteristics, morphology, and particle size were analyzed using Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Furthermore, the key operational parameters affecting adsorption performance were evaluated to optimize the adsorption capacity for the effective removal of heavy metal contaminants.
Main Results: The optimal adsorption capacity of 89% was achieved under the following conditions: pH 7, a contact time of 35 minutes, 32 mg of adsorbent in 50 mL of solution with an initial Pb²⁺ concentration of 72.52 mg/L (0.35 mmol/L), at ambient temperature. Additionally, the synthesized nanoadsorbent demonstrated recyclability for up to five adsorption-desorption cycles without a significant decline in functional efficiency.

Abstract Iodide anion is found in some brine and wastewater. Iodide recovery from wastewater is beneficial from economic and environmental aspects. Discharge of iodide containing wastewater into surface water may lead to formation of some iodine containing species in drinking water sources. It is a treat for human health. In this study, iodide adsorption from wastewater )1000mg/l (using strongly basic anion exchange resins Amberlite IR400 Cl was investigated. Four common two-parameter models were used for description of isotherm adsorption data. Maximum static capacity of resin was obtained from Langmuir isotherm equation and it was 466.3mg/g. Iodide adsorption in various pH and presence of co-existing ions including SO₄^2- , NO₃^- and Cl^- was investigated too. The maximum obtained capacity was related to neutral pH. Kinetics study showed that the uptake of iodide ions was well described by the pseudo-second-order kinetics. Dynamic capacities of resin were investigated with column study. They were 434.2mg/g and 304.6mg/g for iodide adsorption from iodide solution and iodide solution in presence of co-contaminant ions (SO₄^2- , NO₃^- and Cl^- in concentration of 8mmol/l). The data from breakthrough curve was analyzed with common breakthrough models including Thomas, Dose-response and Yun-nelson models. Morphology of resins was investigated with SEM image and presence of iodide on resin was confirmed by EDS analysis and Raman spectra. The adsorption capacity of resin in comparison with the other adsorbents was considerable.

Abstract In this study, the effect of chemical modification on adsorption behavior of scleroglucan polymer on carbonate rock of oil reservoir was studied. The chemical modification was performed to increase hydrophobicity of scleroglucan while substituting ionic and hydrophobic groups on its structure simultaneously. Investigation of adsorption behavior of the samples on carbonate rock surfaces revealed an increase in uptake of the modified samples compared to the original one. Evaluation of various factors affecting the adsorption process showed that the Langmuir isotherm can describe the adsorption behavior of primary and hydrophobic scleroglucan samples better that Freundlich & Temkin isotherms. However, the adsorption behavior of the ionic-hydrophobic sample was hard to explain using the Langmuir model. A pseudo-second-order & Intra-particle diffusion models could express uptake kinetics of the samples. Thermodynamic studies indicated the temperature-dependency of free energy, ΔG, and the dominant role of entropic phenomena, rather than enthalpic phenomena, in the adsorption process of samples. In addition, ΔH values of different samples (about 6 KJ/mol for the primary scleroglucan, 5 KJ/mol for the hydrophobic scleroglucan and 9 KJ/mol for the ionic-hydrophobic scleroglucan) suggested the physical adsorption of samples onto the carbonate particles surface in both water and brine solutions.