Date Palm Seed-Derived Carbon Nanomaterials for Sustainable Water Purification in the UAE

The United Arab Emirates faces significant challenges regarding water security, relying heavily on desalination and reclaimed wastewater. These sources are increasingly threatened by heavy metal ion (HMI) contamination from industrial and geogenic sources. This project addresses these risks by developing a locally sourced, sustainable adsorbent platform. The central innovation lies in valorizing abundant UAE date palm seed biomass-an agricultural byproduct-into high-value carbon nanomaterials.

The project has five primary objectives: first, to synthesize and functionalize these nanomaterials to achieve high porosity and surface area; second, to perform comprehensive analysis on their HMI removal efficiency (targeting Pb2+, Cd2+, As3+/5+, and others); third, to model adsorption kinetics and isotherms to understand removal mechanisms; fourth, to assess material reusability and stability for long-term economic viability; and finally, to provide actionable policy insights for UAE water authorities. The methodology involves the chemical activation of date seeds using phosphoric acid, followed by functionalization with iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4/Fe2O3) to enhance selectivity for specific ions like arsenic.

Performance will be rigorously tested under UAE-realistic conditions, including high salinity (TDS 35-45 g.L-1) and variable temperatures. The expected outcomes include a scalable, circular-economy water treatment solution that reduces the environmental footprint of purification processes. By transforming waste into a resource, this research directly supports the UAE Water Security Strategy 2036 and UN Sustainable Development Goals 6 and 12.