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Removal of antimony from wastewater is essential because of its potential harm to the environment and human health. Nano-silica and biogenic iron (oxyhydr)oxides composites (BS-Fe) were prepared by iron oxidizing bacteria (IOB) mediation and the batch adsorption experiments were applied to investigate antimonite (Sb(III)) and antimonate (Sb(V)) removal behaviors. By contrast, the synthetic BS-Fe calcined at 400 ℃ (BS-Fe-400) exhibited a large specific surface area (157.353 m 2 /g). The maximum adsorption capacities of BS-Fe-400 were 102.10 and 337.31 mg/g for Sb(III) and Sb(V), respectively, and experimental data fit well to the Langmuir isotherm and Temkin models, and followed the pseudo-second order kinetic model. Additionally, increasing pH promoted Sb(III) adsorption, while inhibited the adsorption of Sb(V), indicating that electrostatic attraction made a contribution to Sb(V) adsorption. Moreover, different co-existing ions showed different effects on adsorption. Characterization techniques of FTIR and XPS indicated that the main functional groups involved in the adsorption were -OH, C-O, CO, C-C, etc. and Sb(III) and Sb(V) may bind to iron (oxyhydr)oxides via the formation of inner-sphere complexes. The present work revealed that the synthetic BS-Fe-400 by nano-silica and biogenic iron (oxyhydr)oxides held great application potential in antimony removal from wastewater., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Antimony‐based anode materials are recognized for their high potassium storage capacities and appropriate operating potentials. However, the large volume expansion of Sb during the potassiation/depotassiation process, which results in a quick capacity decay, severely limits its practical application in potassium‐ion batteries (PIBs). Here, a carbon‐coated Sb/MXene heterostructure composite (CSM) is synthesized by adsorption of Sb3+ on MXene nanosheets via Sb‐O‐Ti bonds followed by carbothermic reduction to construct dual‐confined MXene@carbon conductive framework capable of withstanding high volume expansion of Sb and conducive to enabling accelerated electron transfer kinetics. The CSM composite, particularly CSM‐700, when configured as an anode for PIBs, realized high capacity (484.4 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1), an ultra‐stable cycling performance with a high reversible capacity of 435.9 mAh g−1 at 0.1 A g−1 after 100 cycles corresponding to a capacity retention rate of 90.0%, and superior rate performance of 323.0 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1. The proposed strategy offers a simple route to construct high‐performance Sb‐based anodes for advanced PIBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Delicate distortions of [Sb 2 Cl 10 ]4− dimers dramatically promote self-trapped exciton emission. • Varied emission equilibrium of triplet excitons induces intense natural white emission. • Underlying Mechanisms determining dimeric self-trapped emission are analyzed. • High pressure is proposed to optimize photoluminescence properties of metal-halogen dimers. Zero-dimensional (0D) hybrid metal halides (HMHs), featured with unique self-trapped exciton (STE) emissions, are emerging photoluminescence (PL) materials for photoelectronic applications. Compared with metal-halogen monomers, dimeric units in 0D HMHs possess more structural flexibility and less spatial confinement of excitons, creating new opportunities for PL engineering. Herein, high pressure is employed on 0D (C 3 H 12 N 2) 2 Sb 2 Cl 10 to controllably distort inter- and intra-octahedral structures within [Sb 2 Cl 10 ]4− dimers. Intense natural white emission is achieved with dramatically increased photoluminescence quantum yield from less than ≈1% to 74.2 %. The high-pressure emission of (C 3 H 12 N 2) 2 Sb 2 Cl 10 is proven to originate from the STE recombination from triplet states with varied emission equilibrium, as well as the promoted excitonic trapping with restrained nonradiative recombination. This work offers valuable insights into the structure effects on STE emission and the transition mechanisms of metal-halogen dimers, which are crucial for developing novel metal halides for illumination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimony (Sb) pollution in the water environment caused by the large−scale mining of Sb ore and the wide use of Sb-containing products seriously endangers human health and poses a great threat to the ecological environment. Coagulation is one of the most cost-effective technologies for Sb pollution control in water/wastewater treatment and has been widely used. However, a comprehensive understanding of Sb pollution control by coagulation, from fundamental research to practical applications, is lacking. In this work, based on the current status of Sb pollution in the water environment, a critical review of the Sb removal performance and mechanism by coagulation and related combined processes was carried out. The influencing factors of Sb removal performance by coagulation are introduced in detail. The internal mechanisms and improvement strategies of Sb removal by oxidation/reduction-coagulation and coagulation-membrane filtration technologies are emphasized. Moreover, given the development of Sb-removing coagulants and the resource utilization of Sb-containing sludge, future perspectives of coagulation for Sb removal are discussed. As the first review in this field, this work will illuminate avenues of basic research and practical applications for Sb and Sb-like pollution control in water/wastewater treatment. [Display omitted] • The current status of Sb pollution in water/wastewater is critically reviewed. • Performances and mechanisms of Sb removal by coagulation are fully discussed. • Applications of coagulation for Sb removal in practical water treatment are evaluated. • Strategies and perspectives for enhanced Sb removal by coagulation are put forward. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • MXene was used as conductive substrate to reinforce the structural stability of Sb@C. • The MXene and carbon can spatially confine the Sb particles during cycling. • The MXene-Sb@C shows better lithium storage properties than the Sb@C composite. • The assembled Li ion full cell delivers a maximum energy density of 381.2 Wh kg−1. Antimony (Sb) is recognized as a potential anode material for lithium-ion batteries due to its high theoretical capacity and adequate working potential. However, its application is hindered by the significant volume expansion during lithiation and low intrinsic conductivity, leading to considerable capacity fading and reduced rate capability. Herein, a unique MXene-reinforced Sb@C (MSC) nanocomposite is constructed via in-situ growing Sb-MOF over the conductive MXene substrate, followed by annealing. MXene substrate and MOF-derived carbon layer coupling effectively creates a continuous and conductive framework, encapsulating Sb nanoparticles. This unique architecture mitigates volume expansion, prevents particle aggregation, and enhances interfacial charge transfer, significantly improving the lithium storage performance of the MSC nanocomposite over its Sb@C (SC) counterpart. The MSC nanocomposite achieves a high capacity of 625 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1, superior rate capability of 305 mAh g−1 at 10 A g−1, as well as excellent cycling stability with a capacity retention of 84.4 % over 2000 continuous cycles. Additionally, a lithium-ion full batteries with MSC anode and LiFePO 4 cathode demonstrates a capacity of 168.9 mAh g−1 at 100 mA g−1 and a maximum energy density of 381.2 Wh kg−1 based on the cathode mass, illustrating its promising potential for constructing high-performance lithium ion batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimony is a highly poisonous pollutant that needs to be removed from water to ensured safety. In this work, we have fabricated a novel adsorbent, the ferric-manganese oxide (FeMnO x) nanoparticles embedded cellulose nanocrystal-based polymer hydrogel (FeMnO x @CNC- g -PAA/ q P4VP, denoted as FMO@CP q P), specifically engineered for the remediation of antimony-laden water. Comprehensive evaluations have been conducted to investigate the efficacy of the FMO@CP q P hydrogel in removal of antimony from water. The hydrogel exhibits superior affinity for antimony, with maximum adsorption capacities of 276.1 mg/g for Sb(III) and 286.8 mg/g for Sb(V). The adsorptive dynamics, governed by the kinetics and isotherm analyses, elucidate that the immobilization of both Sb(III) and Sb(V) is facilitated through a homogeneous and monolayer chemisorption mechanism. The hydrogel has a three-dimensional interconnected porous structure and exhibits good swelling behavior, which facilitates the rapid absorption of antimony ions by this high surface area hydrogel into the channels. Furthermore, various effects, including the oxidation and inner-sphere coordination mediated by FeMnO x NPs and the electrostatic attractions of the quaternized P4VP chains, promote the immobilization of antimony species. Owing to its high removal efficiency, stability and reusability, the FMO@CP q P hydrogel emerges as an exemplary candidate for the removal of antimony contaminants in water treatment processes. [Display omitted] • A novel bifunctional FMO@CP q P hydrogel was prepared for removal of antimony. • The 3D porous structure of hydrogel can expose more antimony adsorption sites. • Sb(III) can be partially oxidized to Sb(V) by FeMnO x , promoting behavior oxidation. • Enriched quaternary ammonium groups significantly improve the adsorption capacity. • The hydrogel possesses high adsorption capacity, good reusability and convenient use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zero-dimensional (0D) hybrid metal halides (HMHs) have recently garnered significant attention as promising light emitters due to their distinctively Stokes-shifted broadband emissions resulting from self-trapped excitons (STEs). However, the influence of crystalline structures on the Stokes shift remains inadequately understood. Herein, we design and synthesize a series of 0D (Ph 4 P) 2 SbCl 5-x Br x (Ph 4 P = tetraphenylphosphonium, x = 0–5) compounds to elucidate the intrinsic relationship between structural factors and the Stokes shift in 0D Sb(III) halides. Our comprehensive investigations into their crystalline structures and photoluminescence (PL) properties unveil that the Stokes shift correlates with intra- and inter-pyramidal [SbCl 5-x Br x ]2- units. Specifically, a shorter vertical Sb–Cl bond within the square pyramid, coupled with a greater Sb⋯Sb distance between the pyramidal units, facilitates significant structural relaxation in excited states, resulting in a larger Stokes shift, and vice versa. Notably, this principle applies not only within identical space groups but also across different crystal systems. Furthermore, our findings are supported by analyses of the structures and PL properties of other reported 0D Sb(III) halides with square pyramidal coordination. This study elucidates the structure-dependent nature of the Stokes shift in 0D Sb(III) halides, offering a novel avenue for the design of functional 0D metal halide materials. [Display omitted] • A series of 0D (Ph 4 P) 2 SbCl 5-x Br x (Ph 4 P = tetraphenylphosphonium) compounds with different Stokesshifts were developed. • A direct correlation is elucidated between the Stokes shift and both intra- and inter-pyramidal [SbCl 5-x Br x ]2- units. • The structure-PL property principle applies across various crystal systems in 0D Sb(III) halides. • This work promotes the understanding of the structure-luminescence relationship in organic-inorganic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antimony (Sb) and arsenic (As) pollution in aquatic ecosystems has received great attention owing to their environmental toxicity and health risk. In this work, a green kaolin@Fe–Mn binary (hydr)oxides composites (BKFMs) synthesized by iron oxidizing bacteria (IOB) mediation was developed to simultaneously remove Sb and As. The prepared BKFMs possessed large specific surface area and pore volume, as well as abundant functional groups, which contributed to eliminate Sb and As. Among prepared composites, BKFM (1:0.1) exhibited the best Sb and As removal performance, and the kinetics data of Sb(III/V) and As(III/V) by BKFM (1:0.1) conformed to the pseudo-second-order kinetic and Elovich models. Moreover, the isotherm experimental results indicated that the maximum BKFM (1:0.1) adsorption capacities for Sb(III), Sb(V), As(III) and As(V) were 177.19, 56.26, 62.92 and 42.18 mg/g, respectively (pH = 6.0 ± 0.1, T = 25 °C). In addition, the solution pH and co-existing substances had varying effects on Sb(III/V) and As(III/V) adsorption. Characterization techniques of FTIR and XPS revealed that the inner-sphere complexation, surface complexation, hydrogen bonding and oxidation contributed to the mechanism of adsorption of Sb and As. The results demonstrated that BKFM (1:0.1) has great potential for future application in Sb and As removal from contaminated water. [Display omitted] • A green bacteria-mediated adsorbent for removing Sb and As was developed. • The effects of Fe/Mn (hydr)oxides in BKFMs on Sb and As removal were identified. • Sb(III) was oxidized by Fe/Mn (hydr)oxides, As(III) was oxidized by Mn (hydr)oxides. • Inner-sphere/surface complexation and hydrogen bonding were the main mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]