Dual-use of sodium alginate to prepare sodium algenate -derived carbon dots sodium algenate hydrogel composite for Pb²⁺ removal

The effective mitigation of the environmental impact of heavy metal remains a significant scientific challenge. In this study, a novel and environmentally friendly approach has been proposed to fabricate three-dimensional (3D) functional composite materials for Pb(II) removal. The easy-to-recycle spherical adsorbent is prepared by the dual utilization of sodium alginate (SA) as a bio-source precursor for the synthesis of carbon dots (CDs) and as a natural framework for the formation of SA hydrogel. The abundant surface-active groups on the SA hydrogel not only provide additional adsorption sites for the aggregation of heavy metal ions but can also be readily crosslinked with CDs without chemical additives, and thereby offering a 3D porous structure for chelating metal ions. The resulting HL-5CDs adsorbent demonstrates an impressive adsorption capacity of 305.21 mg(-1) for Pb (II). The adsorption mechanism involves both chemical reaction and diffusion, leveraging the porous structure and rich oxygen groups of the material. Notably, a pot experiment revealed that the as-prepared HL-5CDs could inhibit the bioavailability of Pb(II). This study introduces a green and straightforward method for creating highperformance adsorbents, showcasing potential applications in energy, cleaning, and the remediation of wastewater pollution.