A water filtration system is provided that comprises a combination of two components: silver nanoparticles immobilized on a porous carbon solid matrix and calcium carbonate silver nanoparticles. The silver nanoparticles immobilized on the porous carbon solid matrix are prepared in a one-step wet ball milling process that does not use an environmentally hazardous reducing agent or an organic stabilizer. The calcium carbonate in the calcium carbonate silver nanoparticles is preferably isolated from egg shells. The two filter components can be present in any ratio but an approximate 50:50 ratio is preferred. Also provided is an in situ method of preparing silver nanoparticles on active charcoal. Powdered activated charcoal and silver nitrate are mixed together in a mixture of ethanol and water to form a charcoal-silver nitrate solution which is then subjected to ball milling in the presence of polypropylene glycol to produce silver nanoparticles on active charcoal.

Modular Hg analysis devices and methods are described for use in mercury speciation protocols. Modules can be selected and removably connected to one another to specifically target mercury species in a sample so as to accurately determine the presence or quantity of different mercury species in a fluid sample. Modules can include reductants for reducing inorganic mercury to form elemental mercury and amalgamation agents to capture the elemental mercury. Modules can include filters for capture of particulates as well as capture agents, e.g., solid phase extraction agents, for capture of organic mercury species.

In one aspect, an oxygenated hierarchically porous carbon (an “O-HPC”) is provided, the O-HPC comprising: a hierarchically porous carbon (an “HPC”), the HPC comprising a surface, the surface comprising: (A) first order pores having an average diameter of between about 1 μm and about 10 μm; and (B) walls separating the first order pores, the walls comprising: (1) second order pores having a peak diameter between about 7 nm and about 130 nm; and (2) third order pores having an average diameter of less than about 4 nm, wherein at least a portion of the HPC surface has been subjected to O.sub.2 plasma to oxygenate and induce a negative charge to the surface. In one aspect, the O-HPC further comprises metal nanoparticles dispersed within the first, second, and third order pores. Methods for making and using the metal nanoparticle-impregnated O-HPCs are also provided.

Compositions for the adsorptive removal of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) from contaminated water sources and systems. The compositions contain carbon fly ash doped with silver nanoparticles at specific mass ratios. Methods of preparing and characterizing the adsorbents are described. The composition may contain carbon acid-treated fly ash particles that consist of carbon, oxygen, and sulfur, and have silver oxide nanoparticles present on the surface and in pore spaces of the carbon acid-treated fly ash particles. The composition may be in the form of particles having sizes in a range of 100 nm to 2.5 μm with a BET surface area of at least 16.789 m.sup.2/g, and contain the carbon acid-treated fly ash particles and the metal silver oxide nanoparticles at mass percentages of 50-90% and 10-50%, respectively.

An article for removing undesired chemical ions or compounds from gas and fluid streams where the article is a porous polymeric matrix with a sorption particle, the sorption particle is capable of removing the undesired chemical ion or compound.

An adsorbent capable of adsorbing radioactive antimony, radioactive iodine and radioactive ruthenium, the adsorbent containing cerium(IV) hydroxide in a particle or granular form having a particle size of 250 μm or more and 1200 μm or less; and a treatment method of radioactive waste water containing radioactive antimony, radioactive iodine and radioactive ruthenium, the treatment method comprising passing the radioactive waste water containing radioactive antimony, radioactive iodine and radioactive ruthenium through an adsorption column packed with the adsorbent, to adsorb the radioactive antimony, radioactive iodine and radioactive ruthenium on the adsorbent, wherein the absorbent is packed to a height of 10 cm or more and 300 cm or less of the adsorption column, and wherein the radioactive waste water is passed through the adsorption column at a linear velocity (LV) of 1 m/h or more and 40 m/h or less and a space velocity (SV) of 200 h.sup.−1 or less.

A filtering medium, a method for the production thereof, the use of said filtering medium and a method for reducing the content of multiple contaminants simultaneously in fluids by means of said filtering medium, wherein said filtering medium has or includes at least one of the following: a mixture (A) containing a major part of an iron-based powder and a minor part of a silver powder, an iron-silver powder alloy (B), and an iron-based porous and permeable composite containing silver (C).

Metal nanoparticle-deposited, nitrogen-doped carbon adsorbents are disclosed, along with methods of removing sulfur compounds from a hydrocarbon feed stream using these adsorbents.

Methods and compositions for the adsorptive removal of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) from contaminated water sources and systems. The compositions contain acid-treated fly ash particles containing carbon, oxygen, and sulfur, and silver oxide nanoparticles having diameters in a range of 1-10 nm such that the silver oxide nanoparticles are present on the surface and in pore spaces of the acid-treated fly ash particles. The composition is in the form of particles having sizes in a range of 100 nm to 2.5 μm. Methods of preparing and characterizing the adsorbents are also provided.

The invention relates to a solid porous article having a crosslinked thermoplastic binder interconnecting one or more types of interactive powdery materials or fibers. The interconnectivity is such that the binder connects the powdery materials or fibers in discrete spots rather than as a complete coating, allowing the materials or fibers to be in direct contact with, and interact with a fluid. The resulting article is a formed multicomponent, interconnected web, with porosity. The separation article is useful in water purification, as well as in the separation of dissolved or suspended materials in both aqueous and non-aqueous systems in industrial uses, gas storage.