Advisor(s)
Dr. Jian Shi
Dr. Yuxuan Zhang
Dr. Kailong Zhang
Confirmation
1
Document Type
Paper
Location
ONU McIntosh Center; Ballroom
Start Date
21-4-2026 3:40 PM
End Date
21-4-2026 3:55 PM
Abstract
Water contamination by heavy metals has a harmful human threat to the environment and to human health. This is derived from their bioaccumulation and toxicity characteristics. The study directly looks at the assimilated of lignin-derived hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (HDES) with 3 different class of materials: Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs), and Activated Carbon (AC). Four different HDES mixtures were assimilated into these porous materials through impregnation. Composites were evaluated by characteristic peaks through Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The morphology of the samples was assessed as well through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The colloidal stability of the composites was also quantified by Zeta Potential Analysis. Finally, extraction efficiency of the porous MOFs and AC were evaluated with heavy metals Lead, Cadmium, and Nickel. These values were quantified using Inductively coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). ATR-FTIR was able to confirm HDES was assimilated with activated carbon and UiO-66 MOFs through C-H stretching. Zeta Potential as well showed retention and enhancement in electrokinetic stability for AC and MOF composites. This helps indicate improvements with potential for ionic contaminants such as heavy metals. Extraction efficiency revealed improvement for cadmium and nickel removal. Whereas lead extraction efficiency was maintained with high lead removal (>95%). This demonstrates a sustainable way to remove heavy metals from waterways and allow for future application in contaminants such as heavy metals and PFAS.
Recommended Citation
Baughman, Tanner William, "Targeting Chemical Pollutants through assimilation of Hydrophobic Deep Eutectic Solvents with Metal-Organic Frameworks, Carbon Nanotubes, and Activated Carbon" (2026). ONU Student Research Colloquium. 29.
https://digitalcommons.onu.edu/student_research_colloquium/2026/Papers/29
Restricted
Available to ONU community via local IP address and ONU login.
Targeting Chemical Pollutants through assimilation of Hydrophobic Deep Eutectic Solvents with Metal-Organic Frameworks, Carbon Nanotubes, and Activated Carbon
ONU McIntosh Center; Ballroom
Water contamination by heavy metals has a harmful human threat to the environment and to human health. This is derived from their bioaccumulation and toxicity characteristics. The study directly looks at the assimilated of lignin-derived hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (HDES) with 3 different class of materials: Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), Carbon Nanotubes (CNTs), and Activated Carbon (AC). Four different HDES mixtures were assimilated into these porous materials through impregnation. Composites were evaluated by characteristic peaks through Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR). The morphology of the samples was assessed as well through scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The colloidal stability of the composites was also quantified by Zeta Potential Analysis. Finally, extraction efficiency of the porous MOFs and AC were evaluated with heavy metals Lead, Cadmium, and Nickel. These values were quantified using Inductively coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS). ATR-FTIR was able to confirm HDES was assimilated with activated carbon and UiO-66 MOFs through C-H stretching. Zeta Potential as well showed retention and enhancement in electrokinetic stability for AC and MOF composites. This helps indicate improvements with potential for ionic contaminants such as heavy metals. Extraction efficiency revealed improvement for cadmium and nickel removal. Whereas lead extraction efficiency was maintained with high lead removal (>95%). This demonstrates a sustainable way to remove heavy metals from waterways and allow for future application in contaminants such as heavy metals and PFAS.