Yin Wang , Taotao Tang , Qiang He , Xiaoliu Huangfu
{"title":"Metagenomics deciphers the evolution of microbial metabolic mechanisms at low temperatures: Focusing on cellular metabolism","authors":"Yin Wang , Taotao Tang , Qiang He , Xiaoliu Huangfu","doi":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107945","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107945","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Prolonged operation times pose a major challenge for sewage treatment in alpine and high-altitude areas. This study investigates the impact of shortening the operating time at low temperature (4 °C) on nitrogen and phosphorus removal efficiency. Despite shortening the operating time from 10.5 h to 5 h, a removal efficiency of 98 % was achieved for chemical oxygen demand (COD), 99 % for NH<sub>4</sub><sup>+</sup>-N, 76 % for total nitrogen (TN), and 98 % for total phosphorus (TP). Shortening the operation time promoted microbial aggregation and activity by facilitating the secretion of proteins in extracellular polymer substances (EPS). The process of NO<sub>2</sub><sup>−</sup>-N reduction showed significant changes as the operation time was set to 8 h, which was attributed to the inhibition of electron transfer of complex III. Moreover, shortened operation times led to increased intracellular oxidative stress and cell membrane damage, thereby enhancing substance and electron transfer between microorganisms. Compared to direct contact, indirect contact between microorganisms was identified as a more stable pathway for electron transfer. This study provides a new perspective for optimizing the sewage treatment process in alpine and high-altitude areas.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17528,"journal":{"name":"Journal of water process engineering","volume":"75 ","pages":"Article 107945"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144072394","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Se-Ra Jin , Kwan-Yong Lee , Si-Hyeon Park , Jeong-Min Cheon , Su Bin Kang , Chul-Woong Cho
{"title":"Amine-functionalized cellulose for the efficient removal of anionic micropollutants from aqueous environments: Development, characterization, and modeling","authors":"Se-Ra Jin , Kwan-Yong Lee , Si-Hyeon Park , Jeong-Min Cheon , Su Bin Kang , Chul-Woong Cho","doi":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107940","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107940","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Cellulose, the most abundant natural biomass, is combined with polyethylenimine (PEI) to develop an efficient adsorbent for the removal of anionic organic micropollutants. In general, cellulose is commonly used as a precursor for developing adsorbents aimed at removing micropollutants from aqueous environments. However, raw cellulose exhibits relatively low efficiency in adsorbing anionic micropollutants. To enhance its adsorptive capacity, the surface of cellulose was chemically modified through cross-linking with PEI, introducing several amine groups capable of attracting anionic species, using ethylene glycol diglycidyl ether (EGDE) as the cross-linker. After preparing the PEI-coated cellulose adsorbent, kinetic experiments were conducted at pH levels of 4.5 and 6.5, using ibuprofen—a common anionic pharmaceutical compound—as the model compound. The results demonstrated that, at pH 4.5, adsorption equilibrium was achieved within 30 min, while at pH 6.5, equilibrium was reached within 1 h. Additionally, isotherm experiments were conducted to evaluate the adsorption capacity of the PEI-cellulose for 29 anionic micropollutants. Furthermore, to extend the application of the experimental results, the adsorption of anionic micropollutants on PEI-cellulose was predicted using quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) modeling, with molecular descriptors calculated using density functional theory and conductor-like screening model. The developed model exhibits reasonable predictive capacity, with an R<sup>2</sup> value of 0.841. In conclusion, PEI-cellulose significantly enhances its ability to remove anionic micropollutants, making it a promising adsorbent for water treatment applications.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17528,"journal":{"name":"Journal of water process engineering","volume":"75 ","pages":"Article 107940"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144071998","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Amir Tavakoli , Saeed Bazgir , Ramin khajavi , Abo saied Rashidi , Mohammad Esmail Yazdanshenas
{"title":"Evaluation of ultrafine sorbents fabricated via gas assisted melt electrospinning process for oil spill mitigation: Characterization, performance and reusability","authors":"Amir Tavakoli , Saeed Bazgir , Ramin khajavi , Abo saied Rashidi , Mohammad Esmail Yazdanshenas","doi":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107930","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107930","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Mitigation of adverse effects of the oil spills on marine environment, nature, and society calls for introduction and development of various technologies and vast amount of resources. In this study, novel oil sorbents made of a mixture of high melt flow index (MFI) and low MFI polypropylene (PP) polymers filled with graphene nanoplatelets (GnPs) and without GnPs were fabricated via the gas assisted melt electrospinning process, characterized and their performance and characteristics were compared against each other in terms of oil sorption capacity for heavy and light crude oil. The performance tests included sorption performance in oil and oil: synthetic saline water systems and retention behavior for both types of crude oil. To assess reusability and prospects for oil recovery, a straightforward sorption-squeezing process was carried out. Both sorbents, possessed high porosities (for PP/GnPs and PP, 98.7 <span><math><mo>±</mo></math></span> 0.4 and 95.6<span><math><mo>±</mo></math></span> 1 %, respectively), fine fiber diameters (for PP/GnPs and PP, 769 ± 44 and 1246 ± 73 nm, respectively) and showed superior oil sorption (110.4 ± 2.5and 80 ± 1.2 g.g<sup>−1</sup> for heavy crude oil) and retention performance. Additionally, a noteworthy sorption capacity of 63.1 <span><math><mo>±</mo></math></span> 3.5and 40.1 <span><math><mo>±</mo></math></span> 2 g.g<sup>−1</sup> was maintained for PP/GnPs and PP after 20 cycles of reuse. This work assessed the effectiveness of gas assisted melt electrospinning (GAME) process and introducing GnPs into the polymer matrix to fabricate highly productive oil sorbents for oil spill mitigation applications as well as their reusability and potential for oil recovery.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17528,"journal":{"name":"Journal of water process engineering","volume":"75 ","pages":"Article 107930"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144071995","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Kinetics and mechanism of 2,5-dichlorophenol removal by ferrate(VI): A combined experimental and computational investigation","authors":"Shuqing Xiang , Zhiyong Luo , Yiwen Luo","doi":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107934","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107934","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The kinetics and mechanism of 2,5-dichlorophenol (2,5-DCP) removal using ferrate(VI) (Fe(VI)) were studied by a combined experimental and computational method. Reaction kinetics of Fe(VI) with 2,5-DCP was experimentally measured by the ABTS method. The reaction exhibited second-order kinetics, being first order in each reactant. The reaction rate constants decreased as the pH increased, i.e., 421.18 ± 16.89 M<sup>−1</sup> s<sup>−1</sup> at pH 7.0 to 5.91 ± 0.39 M<sup>−1</sup> s<sup>−1</sup> at pH 10.5. Based on the relationship between temperature and the measured rate constants, kinetic parameters such as the activation enthalpy, activation entropy, and activation energy were calculated as 34.51 ± 1.87 kJ·mol<sup>−1</sup>, −99.87 ± 6.28 J·mol<sup>−1</sup>·K<sup>−1</sup>, and 36.99 ± 1.87 kJ·mol<sup>−1</sup>, respectively. The species-specific second-order rate constants were determined by a least-squares calculation, and the reactivity of <span><math><msubsup><mtext>HFeO</mtext><mn>4</mn><mo>‐</mo></msubsup></math></span> with unprotonated 2,5-DCP was highest among parallel reactions between 2,5-DCP and Fe(VI) species. The presence of Cl<sup>−</sup> and humic acid had adverse effects on 2,5-DCP removal kinetics and efficiency. Additionally, eight degradation intermediates of 2,5-DCP were identified by mass spectrometry, and reaction types and sites were determined based on DFT studies, then detailed degradation pathways involving substitution, dechlorination, and ring cleavage were proposed. The experimental results were further rationalized by the DFT-based theoretical calculation. Efficient removal of 2,5-DCP from real waters utilizing Fe(VI) technology provided valuable and insightful information for the environmental elimination of endocrine-disrupting compounds (EDCs).</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17528,"journal":{"name":"Journal of water process engineering","volume":"75 ","pages":"Article 107934"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144072172","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Performances of bio-Fenton SBRs under different hydraulic retention times and magnetite dosages","authors":"Tong Shen , Yoshihiko Inagaki , Masahito Komori , Yutaka Sakakibara","doi":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107936","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107936","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>In our previous study, a bio-Fenton sequencing batch reactor (SBR) demonstrated enhanced removal of the antibiotic sulfamethoxazole (SMX) through bio-Fenton reactions facilitated by microbially produced H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> and magnetite redox cycling. This study examined the performances and dominant microbial species in bio-Fenton SBRs with hydraulic retention times (HRT) of 12 to 0.5 days and magnetite dosages of 0, 1, and 3 g/L. Results show that the bio-Fenton SBR with 1 g/L magnetite (SBR1) enhanced COD and SMX removal, as well as nitrification and denitrification rates, at HRTs of 1–2 days. SMX removal reached 100 % in SBR1, which was 40–50 % higher than in SBRs with 0 or 3 g/L magnetite. Enhanced SMX removal was attributed to the increased microbial H<sub>2</sub>O<sub>2</sub> production observed in sludge flocs and the subsequent ·OHs generation during aerobic periods. Magnetite as the heterogeneous catalyst for bio-Fenton reaction was reduced and oxidized through the identified iron-reducing bacteria (<em>Dechloromonas</em>) and bio-Fenton reaction, respectively. Increased nitrification and denitrification rates were attributed to the enrichment of nitrifiers (<em>Nitrosomonas</em> and <em>Nitrospira</em>) and denitrifying bacteria (<em>Thiobacillus</em>), respectively, with shorter HRT. Further kinetic studies are required for precisely evaluating and optimizing the performance of a bio-Fenton SBR.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17528,"journal":{"name":"Journal of water process engineering","volume":"75 ","pages":"Article 107936"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144071996","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shunjun Ma , Xunjie Cai , Mei Li , Huajun Zhang , Yan Wang , Chao Yin , Yulin Tang
{"title":"The application of machine learning pretreatment models for O3-BAC process in drinking water treatment plant","authors":"Shunjun Ma , Xunjie Cai , Mei Li , Huajun Zhang , Yan Wang , Chao Yin , Yulin Tang","doi":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107888","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107888","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Machine learning methods have been increasingly integrated into intelligent control systems for water treatment plants. However, their practical implementation faces challenges such as insufficient online data accuracy, difficulties in real-time monitoring of critical parameters, historical issues of overdosing in chemical dosing systems, and the need for model optimization under fluctuating water quality conditions. To address these challenges, this study developed a comprehensive technical framework integrating full-spectrum online analyzers and pretreatment systems, including ceramic membrane filtration and ultrasonic cleaning. Leveraging eight months of large-scale online orthogonal experimental data, the framework encompasses three core components: robust data acquisition, construction of a predictive model library, and optimized chemical dosing strategies. The results demonstrated that the Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) algorithm effectively captured temporal dynamics in time-series data, exhibiting superior stability during practical operation. Post-retraining, the updated LSTM achieved remarkable error reductions of 67 % in Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) and 63 % in Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) compared to the pre-update baseline. Following model optimization, the proposed framework achieved a 15 % reduction in pretreatment chemical dosing costs at the drinking water treatment plant. The main contributions of this study include the development of a rapid and interference-resistant online pretreatment system, an adaptive dosing model based on orthogonal experimental design, and a dynamic control strategy that combines classification modeling with optimization algorithms to enhance dosing accuracy and reduce operational costs.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17528,"journal":{"name":"Journal of water process engineering","volume":"75 ","pages":"Article 107888"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144072173","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Synergistic integration of dual Z-scheme Gd2Sn2O7/Ag3PO4/SnS2 heterojunction for accelerated visible-light photodegradation of sulfasalazine: Insights into DFT, toxicity, and antibacterial study","authors":"Akash Ashokrao Jagtap , Sanjay Ballur Prasanna , Susaritha Ramanathan , Sandeep Shadakshari , Kumara Swamy Ningappa , Yu-Chien Lin , Xinke Liu , Ching-Wei Tung , Ren-Jei Chung","doi":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107943","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107943","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The persistence of pharmaceutical contaminants sulfasalazine (SSZ) in aquatic environments poses significant ecological risks, necessitating efficient removal strategies. This study integrated novel double-<em>Z</em>-scheme photocatalysts (Gd<sub>2</sub>Sn<sub>2</sub>O<sub>7</sub>/Ag<sub>3</sub>PO<sub>4</sub>/SnS<sub>2</sub>) using a hydrothermal method and subsequently ultrasonicated. The prepared photocatalysts were systematically assessed for photocatalytic efficiency, degradation of sulfasalazine (SSZ), and actuation of persulfate (PS) under visible light. The impact of the initial antibiotic concentration, reaction pH, photocatalyst dosage, and PS concentration on the efficiency of photocatalysis was thoroughly examined. The synergistic action of reactive oxygen species (•OH, <sup>1</sup>O₂, SO₄•<sup>−</sup>) was confirmed through radical quenching and EPR analyses. GC–MS analysis and density functional theory (DFT) suggested potential degradation mechanisms and pathways. Additionally, based on projections from the Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship (QSAR), the toxicity of the intermediates was evaluated. The photocatalyst achieved 86.47 % SSZ degradation within 70 min under visible light and persulfate (PS) activation, reducing byproduct toxicity as confirmed by QSAR analysis. The nanocomposite was tested under visible light to determine its bactericidal effectiveness toward the pathogenic bacteria <em>Escherichia coli</em> and <em>Staphylococcus aureus</em>. This study highlights a scalable solution for antibiotic removal in wastewater, advancing environmental pollution mitigation technologies.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17528,"journal":{"name":"Journal of water process engineering","volume":"75 ","pages":"Article 107943"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144072171","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Water quality index and life cycle assessment of wastewater treatment plant: Feasibility of effluent reuse","authors":"Hajar Abyar, Nahid Mahmoodi Mahpash, Hassan Rezaei","doi":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107949","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107949","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>The overexploitation of water resources in Iran has intensified water scarcity and reduced the availability of clean water. Reusing effluent from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) is a practical approach to addressing this challenge. Therefore, this study was conducted to comprehensively evaluate the feasibility of effluent reuse in municipal WWTPs in northern Iran. The integrated Canadian Water Quality Index (CWQI) and life cycle assessment were applied to determine the most suitable effluent applications. The influent and effluent characteristics, as well as their environmental impacts at both the midpoint and endpoint levels, were monitored based on 1 m<sup>3</sup> wastewater treatment using the ReCiPe method. The results showed that copper (0.641 mg/L) and chromium (0.88 mg/L) concentrations hindered the use of effluent for discharge into surface water as well as agricultural and irrigation applications. CWQI values indicated that the effluent quality was excellent for recreational use (100) and marginal for livestock use (46). The environmental burdens of effluent discharge were primarily related to the marine and freshwater ecotoxicity (0.14–0.15 kg 1,4-dibromobenzene (DB) eq) with the lowest uncertainty (<9 %). This was mostly relevant to the quality of treated wastewater (84 %) and sodium and chemical oxygen demand (COD) contents with 3.5–8 % contributions. In addition, the endpoint approach illustrated that the most environmental impacts were on resources (66.12 %). The total CO<sub>2</sub> release was 1.06 kg CO<sub>2</sub> due to fossil fuel consumption. Overall, this solution-oriented study highlights the utmost significance of environmental indicators in decision-making and supports the adoption of applicable and promising strategies in WWTP management.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17528,"journal":{"name":"Journal of water process engineering","volume":"75 ","pages":"Article 107949"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144072393","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Yiyuan Xing , Bo Wang , Yuqing Ma , Tao Liu , Jianing Wang , Meng Bai , Yongzhen Peng
{"title":"Rapid initiation of partial denitrification with different seeding sludge and carriers: Responses of wastewater treatment performance, microbial composition, and functional genes","authors":"Yiyuan Xing , Bo Wang , Yuqing Ma , Tao Liu , Jianing Wang , Meng Bai , Yongzhen Peng","doi":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107915","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107915","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Partial denitrification (PD) can facilitate the widespread application of anaerobic ammonium oxidation (anammox) by stably providing nitrite. However, research on its seeding sludge mainly focuses on activated sludge from various treatment processes. In this study, activated sludge obtained from three municipal wastewater treatment plants was inoculated into three sequencing batch reactors, which were then fed with nitrate- and acetate-containing wastewater. The nitrate-to-nitrite transformation ratios increased to 64.2 %, 73.0 % and 59.5 % in 35 days with the effluent nitrite peaking at 67.5, 76.8 and 62.4 mg N/L, respectively. Carriers were added to three sequencing batch reactors at a filling ratio of 30 % and after two months of idleness, the PD process was recovered in only 6 days with NTR above 57 %. Further 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing revealed that the relative abundance of the dominant microbial genus <em>Thauera</em> was closely correlated with the NTR. The metagenomic analysis presented that <em>Thauera</em> carried the majority of denitrifying enzymes of the community, especially <em>nar</em> and <em>nap</em>. This study demonstrates the feasibility of rapidly initiating the PD process by using different activated sludge, which could be favorable for the application of mainstream anammox processes.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17528,"journal":{"name":"Journal of water process engineering","volume":"75 ","pages":"Article 107915"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144072001","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Beriham Basha , Tahani Rahil Aldhafeeri , Rabbia Tariq , Mehwish Akhtar , Norah Salem Alsaiari , M.S. Al-Buriahi , Muhammad Farooq Warsi , Sonia Zulfiqar
{"title":"Carbonaceous glass electrode fabricated with L-cysteine incorporated C@Fe2O3 for the ultra-selective determination of toxic metal ions","authors":"Beriham Basha , Tahani Rahil Aldhafeeri , Rabbia Tariq , Mehwish Akhtar , Norah Salem Alsaiari , M.S. Al-Buriahi , Muhammad Farooq Warsi , Sonia Zulfiqar","doi":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107897","DOIUrl":"10.1016/j.jwpe.2025.107897","url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>A highly effective electrochemical sensor for detecting heavy metal ions (Cd<sup>2+</sup> and Pb<sup>2+</sup>) was developed using a L-cysteine-functionalized carbon-doped Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> nanocomposite. The prepared nanocomposite was thoroughly characterized using XRD, UV–Visible spectroscopy, FTIR, and FESEM to evaluate its structural and morphological properties. The UV–Vis spectrum displayed an absorption band around 349 nm, confirming the synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles. FESEM images revealed distinct spherical structures with minor aggregations, attributed to magnetic interactions between the carbon-doped iron oxide nanoparticles and L-cysteine molecules. XRD analysis showed well-defined peaks corresponding to the C@Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/L-Cys nanoparticles, indicating high purity and crystallinity of the prepared nanocomposite. The electrochemical characteristics of the modified electrodes were assessed using Cyclic Voltammetry, with potassium ferrocyanide serving as the standard redox probe. Several factors influencing sensitivity were systematically investigated to optimize the performance of the designed sensing element. These included parameters such as pH, deposition time, deposition potential, and the effect of the supporting medium. The proposed method enabled sensitive and reliable detection of hazardous metal ions, achieving remarkably low detection limits of 0.072 nM for Cd<sup>2+</sup> and 0.065 nM for Pb<sup>2+</sup>. The exceptional sensitivity and selectivity for Cd<sup>2+</sup> and Pb<sup>2+</sup> detection can be attributed to the strong binding affinity of the C@Fe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub>/L-Cys nanocomposite with these target metal ions.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":17528,"journal":{"name":"Journal of water process engineering","volume":"75 ","pages":"Article 107897"},"PeriodicalIF":6.3,"publicationDate":"2025-05-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"144072002","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"工程技术","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}