Izvorni znanstveni članak
https://doi.org/10.65776/ep.21.1.3
Toward a comprehensive remediation of polluted waters using a compact composite layered material
Kledi Xhaxhiu
; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana, Blv. Zogu I, No. 25/1, 1001 Tirana, Albania; Regional Centre of Nanotechnology (NANOBALKAN), Academy of Sciences of Albania, Murat Toptani, Av., 1000 Tirana, Albania
Avni Berisha
; Regional Centre of Nanotechnology (NANOBALKAN), Academy of Sciences of Albania, Murat Toptani, Av., 1000 Tirana, Albania; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural and Mathematics Science, University of Prishtina, 10000 Prishtina, Kosovo
Nensi Isak
; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana, Blv. Zogu I, No. 25/1, 1001 Tirana, Albania; Regional Centre of Nanotechnology (NANOBALKAN), Academy of Sciences of Albania, Murat Toptani, Av., 1000 Tirana, Albania
Besnik Baraj
; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana, Blv. Zogu I, No. 25/1, 1001 Tirana, Albania
Bujar Seiti
; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Tirana, Blv. Zogu I, No. 25/1, 1001 Tirana, Albania
Sažetak
This study proposes and conceptally develops a compact composite layered material for simultaneous removal of organic pollutants and heavy metals from contaminated waters. The objective is the evaluation of the adsorption performance of natural and modified clay minerals toward selected pesticides (atrazine, chlorpyrifos, glyphosate) and pharmaceuticals (azithromycin, paracetamol, ibuprofen), and to assess the heavy-metal uptake capacity of layered manganese oxides (birnessites and buserites), with the aim of integrating them into a multifunctional composite adsorbent.
The methodology combines previously obtained experimental results on Albanian natural and activated clays and synthetic manganese oxides with an extensive quantitative literature analysis. Adsorption capacities were compared, and mechanisms were interpreted using well-known isotherm models. Natural clays exhibit adsorption capacities up to 200 mg/g for atrazine, 150 mg/g for chlorpyrifos, 130 mg/g for glyphosate, 150 mg/g for azithromycin, 200 mg/g for paracetamol, and 100 mg/g for ibuprofen. After activation, capacities increased by approximately 40–60%, exceeding 300 mg/g for selected compounds. Layered manganese oxides demonstrated heavy-metal adsorption up to 400 mg/g in natural forms and above 600 mg/g in synthetic variants, particularly for Pb²⁺ and Hg²⁺. Based on these findings, a compact clay - birnessite/buserite composite is proposed as a universal adsorbent capable of addressing complex pollutant mixtures. Preliminary energy and sustainability analysis indicates that thermal regeneration requires approximately 150-200 kWh per ton of exhausted composite, which could be feasibly supplied by a small wind turbine of 10 kW capacity running at 30% capacity or small-scale solar installations. The proposed material offers a scalable, low-cost and environmentally compatible solution for integrated water remediation.
Ključne riječi
Clays, birnessites/buserites, composite material, pollutants, water remediation
Hrčak ID:
349569
URI
Datum izdavanja:
20.7.2026.
Posjeta: 1 *