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In this research, a new method of treating wastewater is introduced using a highly recyclable and sustainable material derived from coconut oil. This material aims to address the issues commonly faced by conventional sorbents, such as limited performance and costly production. These challenges impede a sorbent material from unlocking its full utility in treating wastewater. An exceptional sorbent material was synthesized by incorporating coconut shell-based activated carbon (AC) into a coconut oil-based polyurethane matrix to produce an activated carbon-infused polyurethane (ACIP). The effective adsorption was elucidated by the synergistic interaction between the ACIP material and methylene blue (MB) through electrostatic attraction, π-π interactions, and hydrogen bonding. To provide an exhaustive analysis of the ACIP material, several analytical techniques were employed, including Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). A detailed assessment using a fixed-bed column setup investigated its adsorption behavior by encompassing various factors such as inlet concentration, adsorbent bed height, feed flow rate, and solution pH. Results revealed that the ACIP composite exhibited a maximum adsorption capacity of 28.25 mg g−1. Empirical evidence with a high correlation coefficient (R2 > 0.93) obtained from the Thomas and Yoon–Nelson model suggests the suitability of the composite material to operate efficiently under these diverse circumstances. Notably, after five consecutive adsorption–desorption cycles, ACIP demonstrated its remarkable reusability by maintaining 86% of its regeneration efficiency. Given its outstanding performance and potential for scalability, this innovative ACIP composite presents a more sustainable approach to addressing wastewater issues within industrial environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing focus on sustainable construction is driving the industry toward materials that combine functionality with environmental benefits. A viable approach to address this demand is the use of bio-based additives to improve traditional cementitious composites. This study introduces a novel approach to developing a polymer-modified construction material by incorporating varied amounts (0, 1, 2, 3, and 6%) of bio-based polyurethane (PU), derived from polyglycerol polyester polyol, into cementitious mortar. The resulting PU-modified cementitious mortar (PUMC) was evaluated for its mechanical, physicochemical, and microstructural properties. Results show that the incorporation of 2% PU by cement weight significantly enhanced compressive strength by 58.2%, flexural strength by 37.0%, and initial flow performance by 20.0% after 28 days, while a 6% PU incorporation provided the best abrasion resistance. These improvements were attributed to a uniform particle and pore size distribution and the formation of a uniform interpenetrating polymer network (IPN), as confirmed by BET-BJH and SEM-EDX analyses. Additionally, FTIR and TGA analyses revealed that the metal-ligand coordination between Ca 2+ ions in the cement mortar and PU ligand groups strengthened the interfacial connectivity through noncovalent bonding, further enhancing the material properties. This research highlights the potential of bio-based PU as an eco-friendly additive that significantly improves the performance of cementitious mortars, making it a promising option for industrial flooring applications., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)

To attain efficient removal of hexavalent chromium (Cr 6+ ) from aqueous solutions, a novel polyurethane foam-activated carbon (PUAC) adsorbent composite was developed. The composite material was synthesized by the binding of coconut shell-based activated carbon (AC) onto a coconut oil-based polyurethane matrix. To thoroughly characterize the physicochemical properties of the newly developed material, various analytical techniques including FTIR spectroscopy, SEM, XRD, BET, and TGA analyses were conducted. The removal efficiency of the PUAC composite in removing Cr 6+ ions from aqueous solutions was evaluated through column experiments with the highest adsorption capacity of 28.41 mg g -1 while taking into account variables such as bed height, flow rate, initial Cr 6+ ion concentration, and pH. Experimental data were fitted using Thomas, Yoon-Nelson, and Adams-Bohart models to predict the column profiles and the results demonstrate high breakthrough and exhaustion time dependence on these variables. Among the obtained R 2 values of the models, a better fit was observed using the Thomas and Yoon-Nelson models, indicating their ability to effectively predict the adsorption of Cr 6+ ions in a fixed bed column. Significantly, the exhausted adsorbent can be conveniently regenerated without any noteworthy loss of adsorption capability. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that this new PUAC composite material holds significant promise as a potent sorbent for wastewater treatment backed by its excellent performance, cost-effectiveness, biodegradability, and outstanding reusability., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflicts of interest., (This journal is © The Royal Society of Chemistry.)