Hierarchical three-dimensionally ordered mesoporous carbon (3DOm) zeolite composites for the adsorption of Contaminants of emerging concern

Effective removal of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) from water via adsorption requires adsorbent materials that showcase a synergistic combination of textural properties, hydrophobicity, and specific surface interactions. In this work, we present a hierarchical composite prepared on the basis of in-situ or confined growth of a faujasite zeolite (FAU) within the voids of a 3D mesoporous ordered carbon (3DOm). This adsorbent was tested for the removal of several CECs (i.e., caffeine, carbamazepine, naproxen and metabolites clofibric acid, 10,11-epoxy-carbamazepine, o-desmethyl naproxen, paraxanthine, and salicylic acid) from water at ambient conditions. Upon inclusion of copper(II) extra-framework cations, the hierarchical composite (Cu-3DOm-FAU) excelled at adsorbing ionic CECs and offered similar uptake capacity toward neutral parent compounds in both single- and multi-component fashion and while covering a μg L⁻¹ - mg L⁻¹ concentration range. Compared to other adsorbents reported so far in the literature, the Cu-3DOm-FAU composite adsorption capacities were larger, in many cases by at least one order of magnitude. Given the substantial thermal stability of the composite, regeneration could be accomplished via thermal cycling also depending on the type of CEC involved.