Abstract: A system and method of treating wastewater is provided. The method includes treating wastewater using a metabolically versatile phototrophic bacteria to recover a product. The system includes a metabolically versatile phototrophic bacteria and a specialized light filter.

Abstract: A multi-layered oil sorbent formed from two superposed polyolefin thin films and a polypropylene (PP) fibrous thin sheet sandwiched between the two superposed polyolefin thin films. Each of the two superposed polyolefin thin films include a plurality of pores defined therethrough and a plurality of swellable cavities extending from a surface thereof. In an embodiment, the cavities of each two superposed polyolefin thin films extend from a respective polyolefin film surface toward the PP fibrous thin sheet. The two superposed polyolefin thin films with the PP fibrous thin sheet sandwiched therebetween are sealed together by a zigzag-shaped heat seal. The plurality of cavities on the surface of the multi-layered sorbent can swell when contacted with oil. The cavities coupled with the zigzag-shaped seal maximize the available volume for uptake of oil and organic pollutants from water.

Abstract: A multi-layered oil sorbent formed from two superposed polyolefin thin films and a polypropylene (PP) fibrous thin sheet sandwiched between the two superposed polyolefin thin films. Each of the two superposed polyolefin thin films include a plurality of pores defined therethrough and a plurality of swellable cavities extending from a surface thereof. In an embodiment, the cavities of each two superposed polyolefin thin films extend from a respective polyolefin film surface toward the PP fibrous thin sheet. The two superposed polyolefin thin films with the PP fibrous thin sheet sandwiched therebetween are sealed together by a zigzag-shaped heat seal. The plurality of cavities on the surface of the multi-layered sorbent can swell when contacted with oil. The cavities coupled with the zigzag-shaped seal maximize the available volume for uptake of oil and organic pollutants from water.

Abstract: A multi-layered oil sorbent formed from two superposed polyolefin thin films and a polypropylene (PP) fibrous thin sheet sandwiched between the two superposed polyolefin thin films. Each of the two superposed polyolefin thin films include a plurality of pores defined therethrough and a plurality of swellable cavities extending from a surface thereof. In an embodiment, the cavities of each two superposed polyolefin thin films extend from a respective polyolefin film surface toward the PP fibrous thin sheet. The two superposed polyolefin thin films with the PP fibrous thin sheet sandwiched therebetween are sealed together by a zigzag-shaped heat seal. The plurality of cavities on the surface of the multi-layered sorbent can swell when contacted with oil. The cavities coupled with the zigzag-shaped seal maximize the available volume for uptake of oil and organic pollutants from water.

Abstract: A method of preparing an adsorbent can include pyrolyzing date pit to provide a date pit char, activating the date pit char, dissolving polyolefin waste in an organic solvent to obtain a solution, dispersing the date pit char in the solution to provide a mixture, extracting the solvent from the mixture to provide a composite, and annealing the composite to provide the adsorbent. The adsorbent can be porous.

Abstract: Polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) blends derived from plastic waste streams and a method to prepare reusable oil sorbents. A method includes separating plastics of group-A from group-B using a float-sink technique, where group-A comprises various PP and PE materials, and group-B comprises polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyvinyl chloride; dissolving the group-A plastics in a solvent; adding a cavity forming agent to the solution; applying the solution onto a solid substrate through spin-coating followed by controlled heating; and extracting the cavity forming agent, obtaining a thin film sorbent with swellable cavities for oil sorption. The film contains 400-800 swellable 3D cavities/cm2, each cavity capable of swelling 20-30 times the thickness of the film when contacted with oil.

Abstract: Polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) blends derived from plastic waste streams and a method to prepare reusable oil sorbents. A method includes separating plastics of group-A from group-B using a float-sink technique, where group-A comprises various PP and PE materials, and group-B comprises polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyvinyl chloride; dissolving the group-A plastics in a solvent; adding a cavity forming agent to the solution; applying the solution onto a solid substrate through spin-coating followed by controlled heating; and extracting the cavity forming agent, obtaining a thin film sorbent with swellable cavities for oil sorption. The film contains 400-800 swellable 3D cavities/cm2, each cavity capable of swelling 20-30 times the thickness of the film when contacted with oil.

Abstract: A bi-layered superhydrophobic membrane includes top and base layers formed from polypropylene. The bi-layered superhydrophobic membrane can have a thickness ranging from about 100 ?m to about 1 mm. When subjected to oil-water emulsion separations, the superhydrophobic membrane can achieve an organic solvent flux of 14,000 Lm?2h?1 with a 96% water rejection. The bi-layered superhydrophobic membrane can be effectively used for water filtration, providing both selectivity and permeability, while offering an eco-friendly solution for reuse of polypropylene plastic waste.

Abstract: Polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) blends derived from plastic waste streams and a method to prepare reusable oil sorbents. A method includes separating plastics of group-A from group-B using a float-sink technique, where group-A comprises various PP and PE materials, and group-B comprises polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyvinyl chloride; dissolving the group-A plastics in a solvent; adding a cavity forming agent to the solution; applying the solution onto a solid substrate through spin-coating followed by controlled heating; and extracting the cavity forming agent, obtaining a thin film sorbent with swellable cavities for oil sorption. The film contains 400-800 swellable 3D cavities/cm2, each cavity capable of swelling 20-30 times the thickness of the film when contacted with oil.

Abstract: A multi-layered oil sorbent formed from two superposed polyolefin thin films and a polypropylene (PP) fibrous thin sheet sandwiched between the two superposed polyolefin thin films. Each of the two superposed polyolefin thin films include a plurality of pores defined therethrough and a plurality of swellable cavities extending from a surface thereof. In an embodiment, the cavities of each two superposed polyolefin thin films extend from a respective polyolefin film surface toward the PP fibrous thin sheet. The two superposed polyolefin thin films with the PP fibrous thin sheet sandwiched therebetween are sealed together by a zigzag-shaped heat seal. The plurality of cavities on the surface of the multi-layered sorbent can swell when contacted with oil. The cavities coupled with the zigzag-shaped seal maximize the available volume for uptake of oil and organic pollutants from water.

Abstract: A method of preparing an adsorbent can include pyrolyzing sugarcane bagasse to provide a bagasse char, activating the bagasse char, dissolving polyolefin waste in an organic solvent to obtain a solution, dispersing the bagasse char in the solution to provide a mixture, extracting the organic solvent from the mixture to provide a composite, and annealing the composite to provide the adsorbent. The adsorbent can be porous.

Abstract: Polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) blends derived from plastic waste streams and a method to prepare reusable oil sorbents. A method includes separating plastics of group-A from group-B using a float-sink technique, where group-A comprises various PP and PE materials, and group-B comprises polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyvinyl chloride; dissolving the group-A plastics in a solvent; adding a cavity forming agent to the solution; applying the solution onto a solid substrate through spin-coating followed by controlled heating; and extracting the cavity forming agent, obtaining a thin film sorbent with swellable cavities for oil sorption. The film contains 400-800 swellable 3D cavities/cm2, each cavity capable of swelling 20-30 times the thickness of the film when contacted with oil.

Abstract: Freestanding porous polyethylene thin film, and a method for preparing a freestanding porous polyethylene thin film. The method includes dissolving polyethylene in an organic solvent to form a solution under reflux conditions; adding a swellable pocket forming agent to the solution and mixing the solution until the swellable pocket forming agent is well-dispersed therein; applying the well-dispersed solution onto a solid substrate through spin coating to form a thin film on the solid substrate; peeling the thin film off the solid substrate; and extracting the swellable pocket forming agent from the peeled thin film by washing the peeled thin film in water, thereby obtaining a freestanding porous polyethylene thin film with swellable pockets, macro-voids, and micropores. The freestanding porous polyethylene thin film can be used as an oil sorbent. The freestanding porous polyethylene thin film has about 500 to about 800 swellable cavities per cm2.

Abstract: A method of preparing an adsorbent can include pyrolyzing palm fiber to provide an palm fiber char, activating the palm fiber char, dissolving at least one polymer in an organic solvent to obtain a solution, dispersing the activated palm fiber char in the solution to provide a mixture, extracting the solvent from the mixture to provide a composite, and annealing the composite to provide the adsorbent. The adsorbent can be porous.

Abstract: Freestanding microporous thin films, made using plastic waste, can be used as a hydrophobic coating, filtration membranes, or oil-sorbents. A method for producing the microporous thin film involves dissolving the plastic in an organic solvent to obtain a solution; and applying the solution onto a solid substrate through spin-coating followed by controlled heating, resulting in a freestanding porous thin film. Plastic waste comprises recycled polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), or polystyrene (PS), recovered from a waste plastic material derived from post-consumer and/or industrial waste. The approach of fabricating multi-functional thin films from plastic waste combines an effective way to address multiple environmental issues simultaneously.

Abstract: A method of preparing an adsorbent can include pyrolyzing olive stone to provide an olive stone char, activating the olive stone char, dissolving a polymer in an organic solvent to obtain a solution, dispersing the activated olive stone char in the solution to provide a mixture, extracting the solvent from the mixture to provide a composite, and annealing the composite to provide the adsorbent. The adsorbent can be porous.

Abstract: A method for making an adsorbent composite can include activating dried lemon peel pieces to obtain activated lemon peel pieces; pyrolyzing the activated lemon peel pieces to obtain activated lemon peel char; dissolving at least one polymer in an organic solvent to obtain a polymer solution; dispersing the activated lemon peel char in the polymer solution to obtain a mixture; extracting the organic solvent from the mixture to obtain a composite; and annealing the composite to provide the adsorbent composite.

Abstract: Polypropylene (PP) superhydrophobic sheets and a fabrication method thereof are provided. Superhydrophobic PP sheets of varying thickness having a base layer and a top layer may be fabricated using recycled or waste PP, where the fabrication process uses 20% of total plastic waste to prepare said sheets having contact angles ranging from 140 to 160 degrees. The polypropylene (PP) superhydrophobic sheets may impart protective water-repellent properties against the elements.

Abstract: Polypropylene (PP) superhydrophobic sheets and a fabrication method using a stream of polypropylene from plastic waste thereof are provided. Superhydrophobic PP sheets of varying thickness having a base layer and a top layer may be fabricated using recycled or waste polypropylene, where the fabrication process uses 20% of total plastic waste to prepare said sheets having contact angles ranging from 140 to 160 degrees. The polypropylene superhydrophobic sheets may impart protective water-repellent properties against the elements.

Abstract: An impregnated and activated ion exchange material prepared by a process is provided that includes: impregnating an ion exchange precursor material, wherein impregnation of the ion exchange precursor material includes reacting the ion exchange precursor material with an impregnator solution, thereby increasing the surface area and the hydrophilicity of the ion exchange precursor material; activating the impregnated ion exchange precursor material to increase the porosity of the impregnated ion exchange precursor material, wherein the ion exchange precursor material comprises at least one of nonmetallic printed (NMP) circuit board, amorphous aluminosilicate, or mixtures thereof. In other aspects, a method for fabricating an ion exchanger and a method for removing heavy metal ions from a solution are provided.