Sustainable conversion of saturated adsorbents (SAs) from wastewater into value-added products: future prospects and challenges with toxic per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)

Following circular economy principles, the reuse or recycling of saturated adsorbents (SAs or adsorbate-laden adsorbents) into a low-cost engineered product is a valuable alternative to eliminate secondary pollution after adsorption. This review evaluates the application of SAs for the generation of products that can serve as (i) antimicrobial agents or disinfectants, (ii) materials for civil construction, (iii) catalysts, (iv) fertilizers, and (v) secondary adsorbents. The importance of SAs configuration in terms of functional groups, surface area and pore morphology played a crucial role in their reutilization. The SAs-laden silver ions (Ag+) strongly inhibit (similar to 99%) the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus microbes found in drinking and wastewaters. The intra-solidification of SAs containing toxic metal pollutants (As-3(+) and F-) with cementitious materials can effectively reduce their leaching below permissible limits of USEPA standards for their utility as additives in construction work. The existence of transition metal ions (Cu-2(+), Cr-3(+/6+), Ni-2(+)) on the surface of SAs boosted activity and selectivity towards the desired product during catalytic oxidation, degradation, and conversion processes. The thermally recycled SAs can assist in the secondary adsorption of pollutants from another waste solution due to a larger surface area (> 1000 m(2) g(-1)). However, there are chances that the SAs discussed above will contain traces of PFAS. The article summarizes the challenges, performance efficacy, and future prospects at the end of each value-added product. We also highlight critical challenges for managing PFAS-laden SAs and stimulate new perspectives to minimize PFAS in air, water, and soils.

Automated summary

This article evaluates the reuse and recycling of saturated adsorbents, highlighting their potential applications in different areas. The configuration of SAs plays a crucial role in their reutilization, and the article emphasizes the potential of SAs in serving as antimicrobial agents, construction materials, catalysts, fertilizers, and secondary adsorbents.