Efficient Microcystis aeruginosa coagulation and removal by palladium clusters doped g-C3N4 with no light irradiation

Abstract

Efficient treatment of cyanobacterial blooms in eutrophication waters by safe and reliable nanomaterials is a big challenge for reducing environmental health risks. Herein, a novel strategy combining palladium clusters (Pdn) with g-C3N4 nanocomposite was presented to achieve high-efficient removal of Microcystis aeruginosa cells through coagulation and breakage. Interestingly, 95.17% of algal cells (initial concentration of 5.6 × 106 cells mL−1) were promptly removed in the Pd/g-C3N4 (5%) system within only 10 min and without visible light irradiation and persulfate activation. Both the release of potassium ion and microcystin during the removal process and the transmission electron microscope observations of Microcystis aeruginosa cells proved that the integrity of the algal cell membrane was destroyed. The removal of Microcystin-LR (MC-LR) were further confirmed in the next process. Pd metal interaction and breakage against algal cells may cause disruption of algal cells. This study describes a novel technology for the superfast removal of harmful algae and may provide a new insight into the control of cyanobacterial blooms in practical applications.

Keywords

• Microcystis aeruginosa
• Pdn/g-C3N4
• Superfast removal
• Breakage mechanism
• Density functional theory