Advances in the synthesis and utilization of waste-derived materials for water purification

With every new generation comes new challenges in water treatment. This is due to the emergence of new classes of water contaminants recalcitrant to the water treatment approaches developed by the previous generation. This necessitates the search for new materials with superior properties for the sequestration of the multiple classes of water pollutants. An important criterion for the selection of adsorbents includes the cost of production, the method of synthesis, the ability for regeneration and the sources of the precursor materials. The principles of green chemistry require the development of technologies with synthetic methods designed to maximize the incorporation of all materials used in the process into the final product, that use less hazardous chemicals and promote the use of renewable raw materials. This Research Topic will provide an overview of the recent advances and challenges related to the development of green adsorbents for wastewater treatment with an emphasis on the re-utilization of waste materials.

It is envisioned in the UN sustainable development goal 6 that all persons should have access to clean and safe water by 2030. However, increasing human population and industrialization add to the stress of both access of clean water and its production, especially in emerging economies. For sustainable and equitable supply of drinking water across all geographical locations, there is need for judicious use of locally available resources in each locality. Innovative adsorbing materials for water purification that are based on the reutilization of waste materials while incorporating other principles of green chemistry present a potential sustainable solution to the water problem.

This Research Topic will publish new research and critical review papers on:

1. Novel and green adsorbent synthesis methods for drinking and wastewater treatment

2. Low-cost and novel adsorbents for drinking and wastewater treatment

3. Life cycle assessment of adsorbent materials for drinking and wastewater treatment based on reuse of waste materials

4. Machine learning applications in optimization of adsorption processes


Dr. Victor Shikuku is part of CSI International Limited, a private testing laboratory in Nairobi Kenya. Dr. Benton Otieno is the Chief Operation officer at Reactonics, a company offering wastewater management solutions in South Africa. The other Topic Editors declare no conflicts of interest with regard to their Research Topic .

Keywords: adsorption, waste materials, water contaminants, green chemistry

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