An asymmetric system containing a first conductive polymer modified with a redox active moiety and a second conductive polymer modified with a surfactant is used for the separation of organic compounds from aqueous solutions. The asymmetric system has complementary hydrophobicity tunability in response to electrochemical modulations. For example, both materials are hydrophobic in their respective neutral states, therefore exhibiting affinity toward organic compounds. Application of a mild potential drives the desorption of the organic compounds and regeneration of the materials. The asymmetric system can be used in a cyclic fashion, through repeated electrical discharge or shorting of the two electrodes to program the capture of organics from a feed solution, and application of a potential to stimulate the release of the adsorbed organics.

Strontium oxide (SrO) nanoparticle and various concentrations of chitosan (CS)-doped SrO nanocomposite were synthesized via co-precipitation method. A variety of characterization techniques including were done for characterizing and qualifying the nanocomposite. X ray powder diffraction affirmed cubic and tetragonal structure of SrO nanoparticle and CS-doped SrO nanocomposite with a decrease in crystallinity upon doping. Fourier transform infrared spectrum endorsed existing functional groups on CS/SrO surfaces while d-spacing was estimated using high resolution Transmission electron rnicroscopes images. UV-Visible and PL Photoluminescence spectroscopy spectra showed an increase in band gap energies with an increase in doping concentration. Elemental composition of CS-doped SrO nanocomposite deposited with different doping concentrations was studied using Energy dispersive Spectroscopy. Addition of chitosan resulted in the formation of nanocomposite and rod-like structures that led to enhanced catalytic activity during methylene blue ciprofloxacin degradation in the presence of reducing agent sodium borohydrate at various pH conditions.

The invention relates to a material consisting of hard fibers on which nanoparticles of metals or metal oxides, preferably period IV transition metal oxides, are deposited, using different techniques, said material being used in the degradation and removal of contaminants found in liquid matrices. The invention also relates to a method for the in situ synthesis thereof.

The present technology relates to present technology relates to materials, methods, processes and systems for clean water production—in particular, to unique hydrogels that can purify and decontaminate water, providing an effective and sustainable way to turn contaminated water into potable water. The present technology also contemplates methods of making such gels, methods of purifying water and providing purified water from contaminated water, and contemplates systems for accomplishing water purification in a rapid, cost-effective and environmentally sustainable way.

A method for producing a nanocomposite sorbent comprising carbon nanotube-grafted acrylic acid/acrylamide copolymer which involves copolymerization of acrylic acid and acrylamide in the presence of an aqueous dispersion of carbon nanotubes. The method yields a nanocomposite sorbent material having a reversible adsorption capacity phenol of 5 to 2500 μg of phenol per mg of nanocomposite sorbent. Also disclosed is a method for removing organic pollutants from water using the nanocomposite sorbent.

This invention relates to a carrier for immobilizing a biocatalyst including a Fe.sub.2O.sub.3 yolk-shell structure, to an immobilized enzyme using the carrier, and to realizing an increase in the stability of the enzyme and stability in organic solvents by cross-linking the enzyme. According to this invention, the carrier for immobilizing a biocatalyst and the enzyme immobilized thereon can be reused, have increased stability, facilitate the control of reactivity, pH, and temperature, and can be widely useful in various biochemical engineering industries.

The sunlight active composite photocatalyst for water purification includes ZnO (zinc oxide) and Co.sub.3O.sub.4 (cobalt II, III oxide). The composite photocatalyst may, in the presence of natural sunlight, achieve complete mineralization of chemical and biological contaminants in water without leaving any hazardous by-products. The composite photocatalyst may be synthesized by a sol gel route or process.

A system for treatment of a polluted effluent, includes an outer chamber configured to treat the polluted effluent in mixture with a purification slurry including particles of one or more catalysts and/or organoclays, or a mixture thereof. The outer chamber includes (i) a stirring unit consisting of an engine and a stirrer, configured to mix the polluted effluent and the purification slurry to prevent the particles from sinking without causing a turbulence, (ii) a membrane located at the top of the outer chamber through which a treated effluent passes, while preventing the particles of one or more catalysts and/or organoclays from exiting the outer chamber together with the treated effluent, (iii) a membrane cleaning system configured to remove and collect the particles of one or more catalysts and/or organoclays accumulated on the membrane, and re-introducing the particles back to the bottom of the outer chamber.

A photocatalytic composition is disclosed that includes a silver halide in combination with one or more rare earth elements. The composition may be used for the photocatalytic degradation of pollutants.

A composite nanomaterial of ZnO impregnated by, e.g., a green copper phthalocyanine compound (CuPc) can be an efficient solar light photocatalyst for water remediation. The composite may include hollow shell microspheres and hollow nanospheres of CuPc-ZnO. CuPc may function as a templating and/or structure modifying agent, e.g., for forming hollow microspheres and/or nanospheres of ZnO particles. The composite can photocatalyze the degradation of organic pollutants such as crystal violet (CV) and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid as well as microbes in water under solar light irradiation. The ZnO—CuPc composite can be stable and recyclable under solar irradiation.