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Quaternized chitosan-coordinated metal-azolate framework: Core-bridge-shell composite for electrostatic flocculation
Cai Cheng1, Xuehan Xu1, Yu Wu1
1College of Chemistry, National Key Laboratory of Green Pesticide, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China; Engineering Research Center of Photoenergy Utilization for Pollution Control and Carbon Reduction, Ministry of Education, Central China Normal University, Wuhan 430079, China.
A new composite material effectively removes harmful Microcystis aeruginosa blooms through superior flocculation and provides long-term algal inhibition, offering a comprehensive solution for aquatic ecosystem protection.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Harmful algal blooms (HABs) caused by Microcystis aeruginosa (M. aeruginosa) pose significant threats to aquatic ecosystems and public health.
- Existing treatment methods for HABs often have limitations, including temporary effects and slow response times.
Purpose of the Study:
- To design and develop a novel multifunctional composite material for effective flocculation and long-term inhibition of M. aeruginosa.
- To investigate the structural, flocculation, and algal inhibition properties of the designed composite.
Main Methods:
- A hierarchical composite, CTA-CS/M, was synthesized with a metal-azolate frameworks (M) core, chitosan (CS) bridge, and CTA (3-chloro-2-hydroxypropyl trimethylammonium chloride) shell.
- Systematic characterization using techniques like zeta potential, XRD, FTIR, XPS, and SEM.
- Flocculation experiments were conducted to evaluate aggregation efficiency, sedimentation time, and long-term inhibition, alongside adaptability studies for pH and algal concentrations.
Main Results:
- CTA-CS/M demonstrated superior aggregation of M. aeruginosa, achieving complete sedimentation within 30 minutes at ≥10 mg/L, outperforming commercial polyaluminium chloride (PAC).
- The composite provided sustained water clarity for 60 days, indicating effective long-term algal regeneration inhibition.
- CTA-CS/M showed broad adaptability to pH (7.0-10.0) and algal concentrations (0.8-5.5×10^8 cells/L) and was compatible with cotton towel filtration.
Conclusions:
- The CTA-CS/M composite offers an efficient and comprehensive strategy for controlling cyanobacterial blooms through enhanced flocculation and sustained algal inhibition.
- The adsorption mechanism involves pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir isotherm, driven by electrostatic attraction between the composite's -N(CH3)3+ groups and M. aeruginosa.
- This study presents an upgrade from traditional flocculation to a long-term, effective solution for managing harmful algal blooms.
