Interface Science and Technology 

About: Interface Science and Technology is an academic journal published by Elsevier BV. The journal publishes majorly in the area(s): Adsorption & Water treatment. It has an ISSN identifier of 1573-4285. Over the lifetime, 165 publications have been published receiving 2117 citations.

Chapter 4 Surface chemistry of activated carbons and its characterization

Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter presents a global view about the importance of the surface chemistry to the major environmental applications of the carbons As an introduction to this issue, a brief analysis of the surface groups and the available techniques for characterization is reported Activated carbons is developed for a large number of highly specialized applications, both as structural and functional materials The surface functional groups determine the self-organization, the chemical stability, and the reactivity in adsorptive and catalytic processes Knowledge of the surface chemistry of carbon materials is of paramount importance as the physicochemical properties of carbons are strongly influenced by the presence of chemical species on the surface, and hence many of their applications are conditioned by their chemical characteristics The chapter also discusses the effect of surface functionality on the electrosorption of ions for energy storage, its impact on the electrical double layer properties, and the capacity for energy storage

Chapter 1 Sources and origins of heavy metals

Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter provides a general introduction into the different heavy metal sources such as magmatic, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks, weathering and soil formation, the rock cycle, the origin of heavy metals in surface and groundwater as well as in the atmosphere, and anthropogenic sources stemming from human activities such as industrial production and agriculture. There are different sources for heavy metals in the environment. These sources can be both of natural or anthropogenic origin. The chapter discusses the general classification of magrnatic rocks (effusiva and intrusiva) showing principal minerals and their chemical composition, general classification of sediments and sedimentary rocks, soil horizons that develop in a temperate humid climate, layer structures of two-layer minerals, and heavy metals in water and groundwater. Heavy metals are mainly introduced into groundwater by agricultural and industrial activities, landfilling, mining, and transportation. There are various possibilities for the fate and transport of heavy metals in soil and groundwater.

Pharmaceutical and Cosmetic Applications of Clays

Abstract: This chapter discusses pharmaceutical and cosmetic applications of clays. Clays are substances found throughout the earth's surface, as they are the main component of soils and pelitic sedimentary rocks. Because of their frequency of occurrence and their particular properties, they have been used by man since prehistoric times for therapeutic purposes, such as to cure wounds, relieve irritations, or treat gastrointestinal disorders. During the Renaissance, when the first Pharmacopoeia appeared, the use of these clays was regulated to a certain extent. In modern times, with the change of mentality brought about by scientific and technological progress, their use has become considerably more restricted, although they continue to be used as natural remedies for the prevention, relief or cure of certain pathologies of the skin, inflammations, dislocations, contusions, and the treatment of wounds. Clay minerals such as palygorskite and magnesium trisilicate (sepiolite) may be used as symptomatic antacid agents, because of their capacity to neutralize acidity in the gastric secretions.

Chapter 1 Types of carbon adsorbents and their production

Abstract: Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on the types of adsorbents and their production. The majority of carbons exhibit the allotropic form of graphite, while diamond-like carbons, fullerenes and their derivatives, represent a shorter variety of carbon forms. Depending on the degree of crystallographic order in the third direction, carbons based on the allotropic form of graphite can be classified into graphitic carbons and non-graphitic carbons. Non-graphitic carbons can be divided into graphitizable and non-graphitizable carbons. Moving up from nano-scale to micro-scale, carbons exhibit very different structures. Powder and granular activated carbons are typical carbon adsorbents. Carbon adsorbents have a porous carbon structure, which contains small amounts of different heteroatoms, such as oxygen and hydrogen. The presence or absence of surface groups, formed by heteroatoms that may bond themselves to the carbon atoms at the edges of the basal planes gives rise to carbons with different chemical properties. The physical and chemical properties are important for the behavior of carbon adsorbents.