Abstract: A composite filtration material is provided as well as a method for preparing the same. A filter is also provided that is fabricated with the presently disclosed composite filtration material. In various aspects, the provided composite filtration material may include activated carbon doped with silver and/or iron oxide. A one-step thermal decomposition process is provided that may be employed to prepare the provided composite filtration materials. The one-step thermal decomposition process may include dissolving one or more precursors in water, spraying the dissolved one or more precursors onto activated carbon, and heating the activated carbon saturated with the one or more precursors for a predetermined amount of time. The inventors have found that the provided composite filtration materials are more effective (e.g., higher removal of pollutants) and have a longer service life as compared to typical activated carbon filtration materials.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for the treatment of fluids and provides a nanomaterial for treating fluids. The nanomaterial disclosed can be a halloysite nanotube modified with Fe2O3. The nanomaterial can be designed to have a selective affinity toward ions such as phosphate and can be used to treat water. The disclosure further includes a method for preparing a material by, for example, modifying a halloysite nanotube with Fe2O3.

Abstract: A method for removing arsenic from a liquid includes adding a two-dimensional metal carbide adsorbent to the liquid to adsorb the arsenic from the liquid. The two-dimensional metal carbide adsorbent can include at least one MXene, having the formula Mn+1Xn, where n=1, 2 or 3, where M is an early transition metal, such as scandium (Sc), titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), yttrium (Y), zirconium (Zr), niobium (Nb), molybdenum (Mo) or the like, and X is either carbon or nitrogen. The MXene may be Ti3C2.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis membrane and a method for producing the composite reverse osmosis membrane are provided. The reverse osmosis membrane includes a first layer including a polyamide compound, and a second layer including acacia gum. The method includes steps of providing a trimesoyl chloride solution; adding acacia gum to the trimesoyl to form an organic solution; adding the organic solution to an m-phenylenediamine solution to form a mixture; and heating the mixture and rinsing the mixture.

Abstract: A method of removing barium from a liquid includes adding a two-dimensional metal carbide water contaminant adsorbent to water to adsorb contaminants, such as barium (II), from the liquid. The two-dimensional metal carbide water contaminant adsorbent is in the form of at least one MXene, having the formula Mn+1Xn, where n=1, 2 or 3, M is an early transition metal, such as scandium (Sc), titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), yttrium (Y), zirconium (Zr), niobium (Nb), molybdenum (Mo) or the like, and X is either carbon or nitrogen. The MXene may be Ti3C2. The liquid may be, for example, at least one water by-product from at least one oilfield reservoir, such as produced water, co-produced water or a combination thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for treatment of produced water that combine a separation technique using an inorganic membrane (Al2O3) with an adsorption process using activated carbon in the membrane. In one embodiment, a water tank includes an inlet and an outlet, and the membrane is in fluid communication with the inlet. The tank is configured to receive a spent water stream that includes a contaminant. In operation, the spent water stream is contacted with the membrane so as to strip at least a portion of the contaminant from the spent water stream.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a method for the treatment of fluids and provides a nanomaterial for treating fluids. The nanomaterial disclosed can be a halloysite nanotube modified with Fe2O3. The nanomaterial can be designed to have a selective affinity toward ions such as phosphate and can be used to treat water. The disclosure further includes a method for preparing a material by, for example, modifying a halloysite nanotube with Fe2O3.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a water treatment system including a water tank and a polymer membrane. The water tank includes an inlet in fluid communication with an outlet. The polymer membrane is contained within the water tank and includes Arabic gum so as to minimize biofouling. The polymer membrane may include 0.1% to 7% by weight of Arabic gum. The water tank is configured such that an untreated water stream entering at the inlet is treated by passing the untreated water stream through the polymer membrane before exiting at the outlet.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an iron-modified montmorillonite adsorbent for effectively removing heavy metals from water. The iron modified montmorillonite can be synthesized using a facile intercalation wet synthesis procedure that requires low energy and minimal use of chemicals. The iron modified montmorillonite adsorbent effectively removes heavy metals, such as arsenite, strontium, barium, phosphate, from water.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis membrane and a method for producing the composite reverse osmosis membrane are provided. The reverse osmosis membrane includes a first layer including a polyamide compound, and a second layer including acacia gum. The method includes steps of providing a trimesoyl chloride solution; adding acacia gum to the trimesoyl to form an organic solution; adding the organic solution to an m-phenylenediamine solution to form a mixture; and heating the mixture and rinsing the mixture.

Abstract: A method for removing arsenic from a liquid includes adding a two-dimensional metal carbide adsorbent to the liquid to adsorb the arsenic from the liquid. The two-dimensional metal carbide adsorbent can include at least one MXene, having the formula Mn+1Xn, where n=1, 2 or 3, where M is an early transition metal, such as scandium (Sc), titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), yttrium (Y), zirconium (Zr), niobium (Nb), molybdenum (Mo) or the like, and X is either carbon or nitrogen. The MXene may be Ti3C2.

Abstract: A method of removing barium from a liquid includes adding a two-dimensional metal carbide water contaminant adsorbent to water to adsorb contaminants, such as barium (II), from the liquid. The two-dimensional metal carbide water contaminant adsorbent is in the form of at least one MXene, having the formula Mn+1Xn, where n=1, 2 or 3, M is an early transition metal, such as scandium (Sc), titanium (Ti), vanadium (V), chromium (Cr), yttrium (Y), zirconium (Zr), niobium (Nb), molybdenum (Mo) or the like, and X is either carbon or nitrogen. The MXene may be Ti3C2. The liquid may be, for example, at least one water by-product from at least one oilfield reservoir, such as produced water, co-produced water or a combination thereof.