The global population is increasing and because of this, the world may experience great fresh water scarcity. Our water resources are limited and, hence, water treatment and recycling methods are the only alternatives for getting fresh water in the coming decades. Therefore, there is a great need for the development of a suitable, inexpensive and rapid wastewater treatment techniques and reuse or conservation methods in the present century. The different types of water treatment and recycling techniques have been discussed in terms of their basic principles, applications, costs, maintenance and suitability. Additionally, a systematic approach to water treatment and recycling involving their understanding, evaluation and selection parameters has been presented. A brief guideline for the selection of the appropriate technologies for specific applications has been evaluated. This review adds to the global discussions on water scarcity solutions.

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Chemical treatment technologies for waste-water recycling—an overview

The colloidal structure of bitumen: Consequences on the rheology and on the mechanisms of bitumen modification

Porphyrin-based photosensitizers for use in photodynamic therapy

The high rate of electron/hole pair recombination reduces the quantum yield of the processes with TiO2 and represents its major drawback. Adding a co-adsorbent increases the photocatalytic efficiency of TiO2. In order to hybridize the photocatalytic activity of TiO2 with the adsorptivity of carbon nanotube, a composite of multi-walled carbon nanotubes and titanium dioxide (MWCNT/TiO2) has been synthesized. The composite was characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy (FTIR), and diffuse reflectance UV–vis spectroscopy. The catalytic activity of this composite material was investigated by application of the composite for the degradation of methyl orange. It was observed that the composite exhibits enhanced photocatalytic activity compared with TiO2. The enhancement in photocatalytic performance of the MWCNT/TiO2 composite is explained in terms of recombination of photogenerated electron–hole pairs. In addition, MWCNT acts as a dispersing agent preventing TiO2 from agglomerating activity during the catalytic process, providing a high catalytically active surface area. This work adds to the global discussion of how CNTs can enhance the efficiency of catalysts.

Photo-catalyzed degradation of hazardous dye methyl orange by use of a composite catalyst consisting of multi-walled carbon nanotubes and titanium dioxide.

Once referred to as ‘materials of 1,000 uses’, plastics meet demands in everything from clothing and automotive sectors to the manufacturing of medical equipment and electronics. Concomitant with usage, worldwide generation of plastic solid waste increases daily and is currently around 150 million tonnes per annum. Although recycled materials may have physical properties similar to those of virgin plastics, the resulting monetary savings are limited and the properties of most plastics are significantly compromised after a number of processing cycles. An alternative approach to processing plastic solid waste is chemical recycling, the success of which relies on the affordability of processes and the efficiency of catalysts. In this Review, we describe technologies available for sorting and recycling plastic solid waste into feedstocks, as well as state-of-the-art techniques to chemically recycle commercial plastics. These evaluations are followed by a survey of recent advances in the design of new high-performing recyclable polymers. Many methods exist for the recycling of plastic solid waste. Chemical recycling, which can take many forms from high-temperature pyrolysis to mild, solution-based catalytic depolymerization, can afford enormous economic and environmental benefits. This Review covers the state of the art in chemical recycling and the design of high-performance polymers amenable to such processes.

Chemical recycling of waste plastics for new materials production

Because of the continuous production of large amount of waste tires, the disposal of waste tires represents a major environmental issue throughout the world. This paper reports the utilization of waste tires (hard-to-dispose waste) as a precursor in the production of activated carbons (pollution-cleaning adsorbent). In the preparation of activated carbon (AC), waste rubber tire (WRT) was thermally treated and activated. The tire-derived activated carbon was characterized by means of scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, FTIR spectrophotometer, and X-ray diffraction. In the IR spectrum, a number of bands centred at about 3409, 2350, 1710, 1650, and 1300–1000 cm−1 prove the present of hydroxyl and carboxyl groups on the surface of AC in addition to C═C double bonds. The developed AC was tested and evaluated as potential adsorbent removal of chromium (III). Experimental parameters, such as contact time, initial concentration, adsorbent dosage and pH were optimized. A rapid uptake of chromium ions was observed and the equilibrium is achieved in 1 h. It was also found that the adsorption process is pH dependent. This work adds to the global discussion of the cost-effective utilization of waste rubber tires for waste water treatment.

Mohammad Nahid Siddiqui

Papers

Chromium removal from water by activated carbon developed from waste rubber tires

Deep desulphurization of gasoline and diesel fuels using non-hydrogen consuming techniques

Studies on the aging behavior of the Arabian asphalts

Use of X-ray diffraction in assessing the aging pattern of asphalt fractions

Pyrolysis of mixed plastics for the recovery of useful products