New micro/mesoporous nanocomposite material from low-cost sources for the efficient removal of aromatic and pathogenic pollutants from water

• Emmanuel I. Unuabonah,
• Robert Nöske,
• Jens Weber,
• Christina Günter and
• Andreas Taubert

Beilstein J. Nanotechnol. 2019, 10, 119–131, doi:10.3762/bjnano.10.11

• Science), Theodor-Körner-Allee 16, 02763 Zittau, Germany Department of Earth and Environmental Science, University of Potsdam, 14476 Potsdam, Germany 10.3762/bjnano.10.11 Abstract A new micro/mesoporous hybrid clay nanocomposite prepared from kaolinite clay, Carica papaya seeds, and ZnCl2 via calcination

• matter. The new composite is stable up to 900 °C and is an efficient adsorbent for the removal of a water micropollutant, 4-nitrophenol, and a pathogen, E. coli, from an aqueous medium, suggesting applications in water remediation are feasible. Keywords: 4-nitrophenol; Carica papaya seeds; clay; E. coli

• to produce hybrid carbon/inorganic adsorbents [19][20]. We have previously described the synthesis and performance of a new hybrid material based on kaolinite and Carica papaya seeds for water treatment [1]. The material has several advantages over conventional processes: (i) it can be made from