Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Engineering, Environmental Science
22
Scopus Publications
628
Scholar Citations
16
Scholar h-index
21
Scholar i10-index
Scopus Publications
From Mineral Salts to Smart Hybrids: Coagulation–Flocculation at the Nexus of Water, Energy, and Resources—A Critical Review Faiçal El Ouadrhiri, Ebraheem Abdu Musad Saleh, Amal Lahkimi Processes, 2025 Coagulation–flocculation, historically reliant on simple inorganic salts, has evolved into a technically sophisticated process that is central to the removal of turbidity, suspended solids, organic matter, and an expanding array of micropollutants from complex wastewaters. This review synthesizes six decades of research, charting the transition from classical aluminum and iron salts to high-performance polymeric, biosourced, and hybrid coagulants, and examines their comparative efficiency across multiple performance indicators—turbidity removal (>95%), COD/BOD reduction (up to 90%), and heavy metal abatement (>90%). Emphasis is placed on recent innovations, including magnetic composites, bio–mineral hybrids, and functionalized nanostructures, which integrate multiple mechanisms—charge neutralization, sweep flocculation, polymer bridging, and targeted adsorption—within a single formulation. Beyond performance, the review highlights persistent scientific gaps: incomplete understanding of molecular-scale interactions between coagulants and emerging contaminants such as microplastics, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), and engineered nanoparticles; limited real-time analysis of flocculation kinetics and floc structural evolution; and the absence of predictive, mechanistically grounded models linking influent chemistry, coagulant properties, and operational parameters. Addressing these knowledge gaps is essential for transitioning from empirical dosing strategies to fully optimized, data-driven control. The integration of advanced coagulation into modular treatment trains, coupled with IoT-enabled sensors, zeta potential monitoring, and AI-based control algorithms, offers the potential to create “Coagulation 4.0” systems—adaptive, efficient, and embedded within circular economy frameworks. In this paradigm, treatment objectives extend beyond regulatory compliance to include resource recovery from coagulation sludge (nutrients, rare metals, construction materials) and substantial reductions in chemical and energy footprints. By uniting advances in material science, process engineering, and real-time control, coagulation–flocculation can retain its central role in water treatment while redefining its contribution to sustainability. In the systems envisioned here, every floc becomes both a vehicle for contaminant removal and a functional carrier in the broader water–energy–resource nexus.
Enhancing Graphene Oxide Production and Its Efficacy in Adsorbing Crystal Violet: An In-Depth Study of Thermodynamics, Kinetics, and DFT Analysis Soukaina El Bourachdi, Faiçal El Ouadrhiri, Fatima Moussaoui, Ebraheem Abdu Musad Saleh, Abdelhay El Amri, et al. International Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2024 The textile industry’s waste often contains excessive amounts of crystal violet (CV), leading to environmental concerns. Graphene oxide has been studied as a promising adsorbent for removing crystal violet, a cationic dye, from aqueous solutions. The study involved a comprehensive analysis of various experimental parameters, including initial concentration, pH, adsorbent mass, contact time, and temperature. Graphene oxide underwent thorough analysis using Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and specific surface area determination via the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method. Energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (EDS) was also employed. This study aimed to optimize the synthesis yield of graphene oxide from graphite using the Hummers method and response surface methodology (RSM), achieving a yield of 106.14% with 5 g of KMnO4 and 1 g of NaNO3 for 8 hours. The graphene oxide was analyzed via FTIR, XRD, SEM, BET, pHpzc, and EDS. Optimal conditions for maximal adsorption included 0.016 g of graphene oxide, 18 minutes of contact time, pH 10, and a temperature of 25°C, resulting in a 97.38% reduction in crystal violet with a monolayer adsorption capacity of 470.78 mg/g. Kinetic data were best fitted by the pseudosecond‐order model, and the Langmuir isotherm accurately depicted adsorption. Thermodynamic analysis indicated spontaneous (ΔG° < 0) and exothermic (ΔH° < 0) crystal violet adsorption. Density functional theory (DFT) explored interactions between graphene oxide and crystal violet, supporting experimental findings and confirming graphene oxide’s efficacy as an adsorbent for crystal violet removal from aqueous solutions.
Iron-doped catalyst synthesis in heterogeneous Fenton like process for dye degradation and removal: optimization using response surface methodology Abderrazzak Adachi, Faiçal El Ouadrhiri, Ebraheem Abdu Musad Saleh, Raed H. Althomali, Asmaa F. Kassem, et al. SN Applied Sciences, 2023 Iron-doped hydrochar can effectively remove the methyl orange dye (MO). In this study, iron-doped hydrochar (5% Fe@BC) was successfully synthesized through a two-step hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) process, using FeSO4.7H2O and sawdust. It was subsequently employed for MO removal. The characterization of the synthesized Fenton-like catalyst (5% Fe@BC) was conducted, using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared and X-ray diffraction techniques to confirm the presence of iron species. The effects of different operating parameters such as catalyst mass, H2O2 concentration, solution pH, organic pollutant concentration, and reaction temperature have been examined. The Box-Behnken design combined with three factors: catalyst mass X1, temperature X2, organic pollutant concentration X3. The response surface methodology coupled with Box-Behnken Design was used to optimize the key variables and response. With this approach, an exhaustive assessment of the variables influencing the optimization process was performed. A significant quadratic model was generated through analysis of variance with a P-value of 0.0001 and an R2 of 0.99. This confirms a strong relationship between the variables and the response, as well as a high level of model predictability. The optimum conditions were achieved with a catalyst mass of 0.5 g/L, a temperature of 35.5 °C, and an MO concentration of 50 mg/L. The result indicates that 93% of the discoloration efficiency was achieved within 60 min under the optimal conditions. Iron doping in the (5% Fe@BC) plays a crucial role in the degradation and removal of MO. Therefore, the 5% Fe@BC prepared from sawdust and iron salts (FeSO4·7H2O) through a two-step HTC process is an inexpensive and effective catalyst for removing organic pollutant from aqueous solutions, using heterogeneous Fenton-like process.
From mineral salts to smart hybrids: Coagulation–flocculation at the nexus of water, energy, and resources—A critical review F El Ouadrhiri, EAM Saleh, A Lahkimi Processes 13 (11), 3405 , 2025 2025 Citations: 15
Synthesis and characterization of avocado pit activated carbon-incorporated chitosan composite beads for harnessing methylene blue adsorption: DFT insights and box-behnken … S El Bourachdi, A El Amri, AR Ayub, F Moussaoui, Y Rakcho, ... Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers 173, 106142 , 2025 2025 Citations: 26
Development of a novel low-cost adsorbent Chitosan@ EDTA@ Cellulose composite to effectively remove Methyl Orange dye from wastewater: Experimental and theoretical investigation S El Bourachdi, A El Amri, AR Ayub, F Moussaoui, Y Rakcho, ... International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 305, 141030 , 2025 2025 Citations: 33
Optimization of the degree of deacetylation of chitosan beads for efficient anionic dye adsorption: kinetics, thermodynamics, mechanistic insights via DFT analysis, and … SE Bourachdi, AR Ayub, Y Rakcho, AE Amri, F Moussaoui, FE Ouadrhiri, ... Environmental Science and Pollution Research 32 (13), 7950-7975 , 2025 2025 Citations: 30
DFT theoretical analysis, experimental approach, and RSM process to understand the congo red adsorption mechanism on Chitosan@ Graphene oxide beads S El Bourachdi, F Moussaoui, A raza Ayub, A El Amri, F El Ouadrhiri, ... Journal of Molecular Structure 1321, 140090 , 2025 2025 Citations: 33
Enhancing hydrochar production and proprieties from biogenic waste: Merging response surface methodology and machine learning for organic pollutant remediation F Moussaoui, F El Ouadrhiri, EAM Saleh, S El Bourachdi, RH Althomali, ... Journal of Saudi Chemical Society 28 (5), 101920 , 2024 2024 Citations: 9
Enhancing hydrogen peroxide activation in heterogeneous Fenton reaction by codoping hydrochar with iron and Copper A Adachi, F El Ouadrhiri, EAM Saleh, F Moussaoui, RH Althomali, ... Arabian Journal of Chemistry 17 (9), 105862 , 2024 2024 Citations: 21
Chemical characterization, anti-struvite crystal, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antidepressant activities of Papaver rhoeas L. root and leaf extracts A Hmamou, M El Khomsi, EM El-Assri, M Kara, F El Ouadrhiri, ... Journal of Ethnopharmacology 319, 117208 , 2024 2024 Citations: 14
Enhancing graphene oxide production and its efficacy in adsorbing crystal Violet: An in‐depth study of thermodynamics, kinetics, and DFT analysis SE Bourachdi, F El Ouadrhiri, F Moussaoui, EAM Saleh, AE Amri, ... International Journal of Chemical Engineering 2024 (1), 8222314 , 2024 2024 Citations: 12
Optimization of hydrochar production from almond shells using response surface methodology, artificial neural network, support vector machine and XGBoost F El Ouadrhiri, A Adachi, I Mehdaoui, F Moussaoui, K Fouad, A Lhassani, ... Desalination and Water Treatment 317, 100154 , 2024 2024 Citations: 18
Co-composting of olive mill waste cake residues (OMWC) and other wastes: prediction and optimization using an optimal mixture design I Mehdaoui, F El Ouadrhiri, SH El Mokhtar, R Mahmoud, MB Abbou, ... International Journal of Recycling of Organic Waste in Agriculture 13 (1) , 2024 2024 Citations: 3
Geographical Origin and Solvent Type Impact on Inula viscosa (L.) Aiton Grown in El Menzel–Morocco–Insights into Bioactivity and Applications S Tlemcani, F El Ouadrhiri, A Hmamou, A Lahkimi, H Touijer, M Kara, ... Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology 25 , 2024 2024 Citations: 6
Iron-doped catalyst synthesis in heterogeneous Fenton like process for dye degradation and removal: optimization using response surface methodology A Adachi, F El Ouadrhiri, EAM Saleh, RH Althomali, AF Kassem, ... SN Applied Sciences 5 (12), 342 , 2023 2023 Citations: 22
Acid assisted-hydrothermal carbonization of solid waste from essential oils industry: Optimization using I-optimal experimental design and removal dye application F El Ouadrhiri, EAM Saleh, K Husain, A Adachi, A Hmamou, I Hassan, ... Arabian Journal of Chemistry 16 (8), 104872 , 2023 2023 Citations: 46
Nitrogen and phosphorus co-doped carbocatalyst for efficient organic pollutant removal through persulfate-based advanced oxidation processes F El Ouadrhiri, RH Althomali, A Adachi, EAM Saleh, K Husain, A Lhassani, ... Journal of Saudi Chemical Society 27 (3), 101648 , 2023 2023 Citations: 23
Optimization of a new antioxidant formulation using a simplex lattice mixture design of Apium graveolens L., Coriandrum sativum L., and Petroselinum crispum M. grown in … G Nouioura, M Tourabi, A El Ghouizi, M Kara, A Assouguem, A Saleh, ... Plants 12 (5), 1175 , 2023 2023 Citations: 29
Comparative Study on the Total Phenolics, Total Flavonoids, and Biological Activities of Papaver rhoeas L. Extracts from Different Geographical Regions of Morocco A Hmamou, M Kara, ME Khomsi, A Saleh, O Al Kamaly, A Bendaoud, ... Applied Sciences 13 (4), 2695 , 2023 2023 Citations: 20
Removal of dyes by adsorption process using date pits as material environmentally friendly A Adachi, F El Ouadrhiri, I El Manssouri, F Moussaoui, S El Bourachdi, ... Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology 24 , 2023 2023 Citations: 13
Cactus and holm oak acorn for efficient textile wastewater treatment by coagulation-flocculation process optimization using box-benhken design A Adachi, R Soujoud, F El Ouadrhiri, M Tarik, A Hmamou, N Eloutassi, ... Journal of Ecological Engineering 24 (6) , 2023 2023 Citations: 26
Application of the Plackett-Burman Model on Soil Fertility Determinants I Mehdaoui, FE Ouadrhiri, EM Saoudi-Hassani, MB Abbou, M Elhaji, ... Journal of Ecological Engineering 23 (12) , 2022 2022 Citations: 2
MOST CITED SCHOLAR PUBLICATIONS
Mesoporous carbon from optimized date stone hydrochar by catalytic hydrothermal carbonization using response surface methodology: application to dyes adsorption F El Ouadrhiri, M Elyemni, A Lahkimi, A Lhassani, M Chaouch, M Taleb International Journal of Chemical Engineering 2021 (1), 5555406 , 2021 2021 Citations: 67
Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oil of wild and cultivated Rosmarinus officinalis from two Moroccan localities M Elyemni, F El Ouadrhiri, A Lahkimi, T Elkamli, A Bouia, N Eloutassi Journal of Ecological Engineering 23 (3), 214-222 , 2022 2022 Citations: 57
Decolorization and degradation of methyl orange azo dye in aqueous solution by the electro fenton process: application of optimization A Adachi, FE Ouadrhiri, M Kara, I El Manssouri, A Assouguem, ... Catalysts 12 (6), 665 , 2022 2022 Citations: 54
Acid assisted-hydrothermal carbonization of solid waste from essential oils industry: Optimization using I-optimal experimental design and removal dye application F El Ouadrhiri, EAM Saleh, K Husain, A Adachi, A Hmamou, I Hassan, ... Arabian Journal of Chemistry 16 (8), 104872 , 2023 2023 Citations: 46
Development of a novel low-cost adsorbent Chitosan@ EDTA@ Cellulose composite to effectively remove Methyl Orange dye from wastewater: Experimental and theoretical investigation S El Bourachdi, A El Amri, AR Ayub, F Moussaoui, Y Rakcho, ... International Journal of Biological Macromolecules 305, 141030 , 2025 2025 Citations: 33
DFT theoretical analysis, experimental approach, and RSM process to understand the congo red adsorption mechanism on Chitosan@ Graphene oxide beads S El Bourachdi, F Moussaoui, A raza Ayub, A El Amri, F El Ouadrhiri, ... Journal of Molecular Structure 1321, 140090 , 2025 2025 Citations: 33
Optimization of the degree of deacetylation of chitosan beads for efficient anionic dye adsorption: kinetics, thermodynamics, mechanistic insights via DFT analysis, and … SE Bourachdi, AR Ayub, Y Rakcho, AE Amri, F Moussaoui, FE Ouadrhiri, ... Environmental Science and Pollution Research 32 (13), 7950-7975 , 2025 2025 Citations: 30
Optimization of a new antioxidant formulation using a simplex lattice mixture design of Apium graveolens L., Coriandrum sativum L., and Petroselinum crispum M. grown in … G Nouioura, M Tourabi, A El Ghouizi, M Kara, A Assouguem, A Saleh, ... Plants 12 (5), 1175 , 2023 2023 Citations: 29
Synthesis and characterization of avocado pit activated carbon-incorporated chitosan composite beads for harnessing methylene blue adsorption: DFT insights and box-behnken … S El Bourachdi, A El Amri, AR Ayub, F Moussaoui, Y Rakcho, ... Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers 173, 106142 , 2025 2025 Citations: 26
Cactus and holm oak acorn for efficient textile wastewater treatment by coagulation-flocculation process optimization using box-benhken design A Adachi, R Soujoud, F El Ouadrhiri, M Tarik, A Hmamou, N Eloutassi, ... Journal of Ecological Engineering 24 (6) , 2023 2023 Citations: 26
Application of response surface methodology to optimize the extraction of essential oil from Rosmarinus officinalis using microwave-assisted hydrodistillation M Elyemni, B Louaste, F El Ouadrhiri, A Bouia, N Eloutassi Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science 11 (1), 129-136 , 2021 2021 Citations: 24
Nitrogen and phosphorus co-doped carbocatalyst for efficient organic pollutant removal through persulfate-based advanced oxidation processes F El Ouadrhiri, RH Althomali, A Adachi, EAM Saleh, K Husain, A Lhassani, ... Journal of Saudi Chemical Society 27 (3), 101648 , 2023 2023 Citations: 23
Iron-doped catalyst synthesis in heterogeneous Fenton like process for dye degradation and removal: optimization using response surface methodology A Adachi, F El Ouadrhiri, EAM Saleh, RH Althomali, AF Kassem, ... SN Applied Sciences 5 (12), 342 , 2023 2023 Citations: 22
Enhancing hydrogen peroxide activation in heterogeneous Fenton reaction by codoping hydrochar with iron and Copper A Adachi, F El Ouadrhiri, EAM Saleh, F Moussaoui, RH Althomali, ... Arabian Journal of Chemistry 17 (9), 105862 , 2024 2024 Citations: 21
Comparative Study on the Total Phenolics, Total Flavonoids, and Biological Activities of Papaver rhoeas L. Extracts from Different Geographical Regions of Morocco A Hmamou, M Kara, ME Khomsi, A Saleh, O Al Kamaly, A Bendaoud, ... Applied Sciences 13 (4), 2695 , 2023 2023 Citations: 20
Optimization of hydrochar production from almond shells using response surface methodology, artificial neural network, support vector machine and XGBoost F El Ouadrhiri, A Adachi, I Mehdaoui, F Moussaoui, K Fouad, A Lhassani, ... Desalination and Water Treatment 317, 100154 , 2024 2024 Citations: 18
From mineral salts to smart hybrids: Coagulation–flocculation at the nexus of water, energy, and resources—A critical review F El Ouadrhiri, EAM Saleh, A Lahkimi Processes 13 (11), 3405 , 2025 2025 Citations: 15
Chemical characterization, anti-struvite crystal, anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and antidepressant activities of Papaver rhoeas L. root and leaf extracts A Hmamou, M El Khomsi, EM El-Assri, M Kara, F El Ouadrhiri, ... Journal of Ethnopharmacology 319, 117208 , 2024 2024 Citations: 14
Removal of dyes by adsorption process using date pits as material environmentally friendly A Adachi, F El Ouadrhiri, I El Manssouri, F Moussaoui, S El Bourachdi, ... Ecological Engineering & Environmental Technology 24 , 2023 2023 Citations: 13
Enhancing graphene oxide production and its efficacy in adsorbing crystal Violet: An in‐depth study of thermodynamics, kinetics, and DFT analysis SE Bourachdi, F El Ouadrhiri, F Moussaoui, EAM Saleh, AE Amri, ... International Journal of Chemical Engineering 2024 (1), 8222314 , 2024 2024 Citations: 12
