Evaluation of synthesized organic and inorganic based nanoadsorbents to lead removal with Life cycle assessment approach

Nanoadsorbents, as an emerging product, play a key role in the control and removal of environmental contaminants. Moreover, the enhancement of environmental pressure due to the human activities reveals the necessity for the utilization of novel approaches to identify the environmental impacts of new products. Therefore, this study was conducted to evaluate the cradle to grave Life Cycle (LCA) of synthesized nanoadsorbents including MGO@β-CD and Fe3O4@β-CD in term of determination of the environmental indicators involving global warming, energy consumption, water use, human toxicity and ecotoxicity, in order to removal of one kilogram of pb (II) from contaminated water. In the present study after the synthesis of MGO@β-CD and Fe3O4@β-CD nanoadsorbents through Sima pro 9.2, CED, ReCiPe, IPCC (GWP 100year) and USEtox methods were used to assess the energy use, water use, global warming, environmental and human toxicity, respectively. By utilizing one-way ANOVA analysis in order to compare the environmental effects of the study through removing one kilogram of lead from the synthesized adsorbents, it is shown that the carbon-based adsorbent has less environmental effects than the synthesized Fe3O4-based adsorbent. The results showed that the amounts of global warming, water use, energy consumption, human toxicity and ecotoxicity for the synthesized nanoadsorbents including MGO@β-CD and Fe3O4@β-CD in order to removal of pb (II) are 539403588 and 772235968 kg CO2 eq, 6856670 and 9816204 m3, 8043724501 and 11515811540 MJ, 1365 and 1954 CTUh ,43889257263 and 62833049032 CTUe. The nanoadsorbents that are synthesized using eco-friendly material and eco-friendly processes could improve the environmental indicator such as human toxicity and eco-toxicity.