Nano-TiO2 modified with 2-mercaptobenzimidazole as an efficient adsorbent for removal of Ag(I) from aqueous solutions

Nano-TiO₂ was modified with 2-mercaptobenzimidazole via surfactant activation and used as an adsorbent for the removal of Ag(I) under optimum conditions. The adsorbent was characterized using powder X-ray diffraction and FT-IR spectroscopy. The equilibrium data were fitted to the Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherm models. Langmuir isotherm describes the adsorption data better than Freundlich isotherm and Temkin. Kinetic studies showed that the pseudo second order kinetic model fits the adsorption kinetic processes well. Maximum adsorption capacity for Ag(I) was 128.2 mg g⁻¹ of nano-TiO₂. The method was successfully applied to the removal of silver from radiology film processing wastewater samples.     

A comparative study of CO<Subscript>2</Subscript> and CH<Subscript>4</Subscript> adsorption using activated carbon prepared from pine cone by phosphoric acid activation

Adsorption of pure carbon dioxide and methane was examined on activated carbon prepared from pine cone by chemical activation with H₃PO₄ to determine the potential for the separation of CO₂ from CH₄. The prepared adsorbent was characterized by N₂ adsorption-desorption, elemental analysis, FTIR, SEM and TEM. The equilibrium adsorption of CO₂ and CH₄ on AC was determined at 298, 308 and 318 K and pressure range of 1–16 bar. The experimental data of both gases were analyzed using Langmuir and Freundlich models. For CO₂, the Langmuir isotherm presented a perfect fit, whereas the isotherm of CH₄ was well described by Freundlich model. The selectivity of CO₂ over CH₄ by AC (CO₂: CH₄=50: 50, 298K, 5 bar), predicted by ideal adsorbed solution theory (IAST) model, was achieved at 1.68. These data demonstrated that pine cone-based AC prepared in this study can be successfully used in separation of CO₂ from CH₄.     

Mercury (II) adsorption by activated carbon made from sago waste

The preparation of activated carbon (AC) from sago industry waste is a promising way to produce a useful adsorbent for Hg (II) removal, as well as dispose of sago industry waste. The AC was prepared using sago industry waste with H₂SO₄ and (NH₄)₂S₂O₈ and physico-chemical properties of AC were investigated. Adsorptive removal of mercury (II) from aqueous solution onto AC prepared from sago industry waste has been studied under varying conditions of agitation time, metal ion concentration, adsorbent dose, particle size and pH to assess the kinetic and equilibrium parameters. Adsorption equilibrium was obtained in 105 min for 20 mg l⁻¹ and 120 min for 30, 40, and 50 mg l⁻¹ Hg (II) concentrations. The Langmuir and Freundlich equilibrium isotherm models were found to provide an excellent fitting of the adsorption data, with r² 0.9999 and 0.9839, respectively. The adsorption capacity of Hg (II) (Q_o) obtained from the Langmuir equilibrium isotherm model was found to be 55.6 mg g⁻¹ at pH 5.0 for the particle size range of 125-250 μm. The percent removal increased with an increase in pH from 2 to 10. This adsorbent was found to be effective and economically attractive.     

Removal of Ni(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) from a ternary aqueous solution by amino functionalized mesoporous and nano mesoporous silica

In the present study, the application for the removal of Ni(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions from aqueous solution by using mesoporous silica materials, namely, MCM-41, nanoparticle of MCM-41, NH₂-MCM-41 (amino functionalized MCM-41) and nano NH₂-MCM-41 was investigated. Suitable adsorbents preparation techniques were developed in the laboratory. The effects of the solution pH, metal ion concentrations, adsorbent dosages, and contact time were studied. It was found that NH₂-MCM-41 showed the highest uptake for metal ions in aqueous solution. The results indicated that the adsorption of Ni(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions on the surface of the adsorbent was increased with increasing solution pH. The experimental data were analyzed using the Langmuir and Freundlich equations. Correlation coefficients were determined by analyzing each isotherm. It was found that the Langmuir equation showed better correlation with the experimental data than the Freundlich. According to the parameters of the Langmuir isotherm, the maximum adsorption capacity of NH₂-MCM-41 for Ni(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) was found to be 12.36, 18.25 and 57.74 mg/g, respectively. The kinetic data of adsorption reactions and the evaluation of adsorption equilibrium parameters were described by pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order equations. The synthesized solid sorbents were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrometry, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and nitrogen sorption measurements.     

Adsorption of Methyl Chloride on Molecular Sieves,Silica Gels,and Activated Carbon

Adsorption of methyl chloride (CH₃Cl or MeCl) on five different types of adsorbents was investigated experimentally at increasing pressures and room temperature. Prior to adsorption, all adsorbents were analyzed to assess their physical and chemical characteristics. The experimental data was then used to determine the adsorption isotherms, heats of adsorption, adsorption rates, and their respective theoretical models. The MeCl adsorption capacity was found to reasonably correlate with the adsorbent's surface area. The MeCl adsorption isotherm and adsorption rates were fitted for the first time to a Freundlich isotherm model and pseudo first-/second-order kinetic models, respectively. The range of heat of adsorption indicated a physisorption type of bonding; hence, the investigated adsorbents can potentially be regenerated for cyclic adsorption.     

Superparamagnetic nanocomposites derived from waste polyurethane foam for the removal of Rhodamine B: batch and continuous column studies

ABSTRACT

The present study is aimed at the utilization of waste polyurethane (PU) foam derived magnetized carbon material for the treatment of simulated dye effluent. Activated carbon (AC) was prepared from waste PU foam by chemical activation method using K₂CO₃. The surface of the prepared AC was incorporated with nano-sized iron oxide particles to aid the recovery of the spent adsorbent. The polyurethane derived AC-iron oxide (PUAC-Fe₃O₄) nanocomposites were characterized with FE-SEM, XRD, Vibrating Sample Magnetometer (VSM), FT-IR, TGA, surface area and point of zero charge. The morphology of the prepared AC had an extremely porous texture which was incorporated with iron oxide nanoparticles of size less than 100 nm with a surface area of 250 m²/g. The nanocomposites had superparamagnetic properties as evident from the VSM plot. The prepared PUAC-Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites was used for the removal of Rhodamine B (RB) dye. Batch adsorption studies were performed and the equilibrium parameters were calculated by fitting the data with Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The thermodynamic parameters were also evaluated. The adsorption of RB dye onto PUAC-Fe₃O₄ composites was spontaneous and endothermic. Kinetic studies were also carried out and the data were tested with different kinetic models. Intraparticle diffusion model and Boyd plots suggested that the boundary layer diffusion step controlled the rate of adsorption. Continuous column studies were also performed and it proved that 1 g of prepared material was able to treat 1.075 L of 10 mg/L RB dye with an efficiency of 64.87%. The interferential effect of the electrolytes on the RB dye removal was also studied. Reusability studies proved that the prepared PUAC-Fe₃O₄ nanocomposites was efficient even after three cycles of operation.     

Adsorption behavior of methylene blue onto titanate nanotubes

Calcined titanate nanotubes were synthesized with hydrothermal treatment of the commercial TiO₂ (Degussa P25) followed by calcination. The morphology and structures of as-prepared samples were investigated by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and N₂ adsorption/desorption. The samples exhibited a tubular structure and a high surface area of 157.9 m²/g. The adsorption of methylene blue onto calcined titanate nanotubes was studied. The adsorption kinetics was evaluated by the pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and Weber's intraparticle diffusion model. The pseudo-second-order model was the best to describe the adsorption kinetics, and intraparticle diffusion was not the rate-limiting step. The equilibrium adsorption data were analyzed with three isotherm models (Langmuir model, Freundlich model and Temkin model). The best agreement was achieved by the Langmuir isotherm with correlation coefficient of 0.993, corresponding to maximum adsorption capacity of 133.33 mg/g. The adsorption mechanism was primarily attributed to chemical sorption involving the formation of methylene blue-calcined titanate nanotubes nanocomposite, associated with electrostatic attraction in the initial bulk diffusion.     

Development of an activated carbon-geopolymer composite for treatment of Pb(II) polluted water and soil

An activated carbon-geopolymer composite (ACGC) was prepared by using fly ash as raw materials via a simple geopolymerization process for treating the Pb(II) contaminant in wastewater and soil. The phase composition, microtopography, pore structure, and surface groups of the composites were studied by X-ray diffractometer, field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherm, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscope. It was discovered that there was a synergistic effect between geopolymer matrix and activated carbon (AC), that is, addition of AC particles could increase the pores in geopolymer while strong alkalis condition provided by geopolymer enhanced the contents of oxygenic groups of AC. When the composite was used as the adsorbent, the sample containing 20 wt% AC (40ACGC) showed the maximum adsorption capacity (319.72 mg/g), and its adsorption isotherm fitted the Langmuir model well, suggesting the monolayer adsorption of Pb²⁺ on the 40ACGC. The kinetics of Pb²⁺ adsorption on the 40ACGC belonged to the pseudo-second-order model, indicating that Pb²⁺ adsorption on the composite followed chemical adsorption. In addition, the 40ACGC sample showed excellent stabilization performance for Pb²⁺ in soil. This work offered a new thinking to the application of geopolymers into remediation of heavy metal-polluted soil.     

Adsorption isotherms of caffeine on molecular imprinted polymer

A molecular imprinted polymer (MIP) using caffeine as the template and methacrylic acid (MAA) as the functional monomer was prepared. Acetonitrile was used as the porogen with ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as the crosslinker and 2,2′-azobis(isobutyronitrile) (AIBN) as the initiator. By a linear and nonlinear regression analysis, the experimental parameters in the equilibrium isotherms were estimated. Then, the linear and quadratic equations for concentration and sorbents to adsorption amounts were expressed, and the adsorption equilibrium data were also correlated into the Freundlich isotherm model. Comparisons of caffeine adsorption isotherm on C₁₈ particles as well as the molecular imprinted polymer were made. The results showed that the caffeine-imprinted polymer showed extraordinarily higher adsorption ability than C₁₈ particles.     

Adsorption of Cr(VI) ions onto poly(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate‐1‐vinyl‐1,2,4‐triazole)

Poly(ethylene glycol dimethacrylate‐1‐vinyl‐1,2,4‐triazole) [poly(EGDMA‐VTAZ)] beads (average diameter = 150–200 μm) were prepared by copolymerizing ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) with 1‐vinyl‐1,2,4‐triazole (VTAZ). Poly(EGDMA‐VTAZ) beads were characterized by swelling studies and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The adsorption of Cr(VI) from solutions was carried at different contact times, Cr(VI) concentrations, pH, and temperatures. High adsorption rates were achieved in about 240 min. The amount of Cr(VI) adsorbed increased with increasing concentration and decreasing pH and temperature. The intraparticle diffusion rate constants at various temperatures were calculated. Adsorption isotherms of Cr(VI) onto poly(EGDMA‐VTAZ) have been determined and correlated with common isotherm equations such as Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The Langmuir isotherm model appeared to fit the isotherm data better than the Freundlich isotherm model. The pseudo first‐order kinetic model was used to describe the kinetic data. The study of temperature effect was quantified by calculating various thermodynamic parameters such as Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, and entropy changes. The dimensionless separation factor (R_L) showed that the adsorption of metal ions onto poly(EGDMA‐VTAZ) was favorable. It was seen that values of distribution coefficient (K_D) decreasing with Cr(VI) concentration in solution at equilibrium (C_e) indicated that the occupation of activate surface sites of adsorbent increased with Cr(VI). © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2009     

Modified activated carbon with an enhanced nitrobenzene adsorption capacity

To enhance nitrobenzene removal from aqueous solution, commercial activated carbon (AC) was modified by oxidation with HNO₃ followed by heat treatment in a nitrogen atmosphere. The modification process introduced oxygen-containing functional groups and changed the charge properties of the AC surface. The effects of surface chemical properties and pore structure on the adsorption of nitrobenzene by the AC were investigated through kinetics and equilibrium isotherms. HNO₃ oxidation modified the surface chemical properties and increased the number of acidic oxygen-containing surface groups, but had an almost negligible effect on the pore structure. Subsequent heat treatment caused decomposition of oxygen-containing functional groups on the AC surface, increased the pH point of zero charge (pH_PZC) and increased the number of mesopores. The maximum adsorption capacity achieved by the modified AC was 1,443.53 mg g^?1, 3.33 times of that unmodified AC. HNO₃ oxidation combined with heat treatment was an effective method for the preparation of AC with high nitrobenzene adsorption capacity and fast adsorption kinetics. An appropriate pH_PZC, amount of surface oxygen groups and the presence of well-developed mesopores together with micropores were the main reasons for the high nitrobenzene adsorption capacity of the modified AC.     

Adsorption of Pb2+ and Cd2+ onto a Novel Activated Carbon‐Chitosan Complex

A novel activated carbon‐chitosan complex adsorbent (ACCA) was prepared via the crosslinking of glutaraldehyde and activated carbon‐(NH₂‐protected) chitosan complex under microwave irradiation. The surface morphology of this adsorbent was characterized. The adsorption of ACCA for Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ was investigated. The results demonstrate that ACCA has higher adsorption capacity than chitosan. The adsorption follows pseudo first‐order kinetics. The isotherm adsorption equilibria are better described by Freundlich and Dubinin‐Radushkevich isotherms than by the Langmuir isotherm. The adsorbent can be recycled. These results have important implications for the design of low‐cost and effective adsorbents in the removal of heavy metal ions from wastewaters.     

Enhanced adsorption of two azo dyes produced by carbon modification of TiO2

The process of removal of two azo dyes (Reactive Red 198 and Direct Green 99) from water was investigated. The adsorption of azo dyes onto surfaces of pristine TiO₂, P25 and carbon-modified TiO₂ (at 120 °C for 24 h) was presented. The Freundlich model of adsorption isotherm was found for pristine TiO₂ and TiO₂-P25. Modification of TiO₂ by carbon lead to the change from the Freundlich model to the Langmuir model of adsorption isotherm. For the TiO₂-C photocatalyst the adsorption capacity was determined, which was almost two times higher for Direct Green 99 than Reactive Red 198 dyes. As a result we observed the increase of photocatalytic activity of carbon-modified TiO₂ photocatalyst.     

Adsorption characteristics of sericite for cesium ions from an aqueous solution

To efficiently remove cesium ions from aqueous solution, sericite was used as a novel adsorbent. The silanol (SiO₂) and aluminol (Al₂O₃) groups in sericite are likely to play an important role in adsorption process. The maximum adsorption capacity (q_m) and adsorption constant (K_L) for cesium ions obtained from the Langmuir isotherm model were 6.68 mg/g and 0.227 L/mg, respectively and regression curve fit well with the experimental data as the 0.965 of correlation coefficients (r²). However, when the Freundlich isotherm model was used correlation coefficient (r²) was 0.973. Therefore, it was concluded that Freundlich model fits equilibrium data better than Langmuir model. When the 6.0 g/L of sericie concentration was added to aqueous solution, cesium ions were removed by about 80% and the increase was not happened above 6.0 g/L of sericite concentration any more. The process was determined as exothermic reaction because the removal efficiency of cesium ions decreased as temperature increased. Furthermore, all adsorption was completed in 120 min and comparing the pseudo first and second-order kinetic models indicates that the adsorption of cesium ions using sericite follows well the pseudo-second-order kinetics.     

Hydrogen adsorption in different carbon nanostructures

Hydrogen adsorption in different carbonaceous materials with optimized structure was investigated at room temperature and 77 K. Activated carbon, amorphous carbon nanotubes, SWCNTs and porous carbon samples all show the same adsorption properties. The fast kinetics and complete reversibility of the process indicate that the interaction between hydrogen molecules and the carbon nanostructure is due to physisorption. At 77 K the adsorption isotherm of all samples can be explained with the Langmuir model, while at room temperature the storage capacity is a linear function of the pressure. The surface area and pore size of the carbon materials were characterized by N₂ adsorption at 77 K and correlated to their hydrogen storage capacity. A linear relation between hydrogen uptake and specific surface area (SSA) is obtained for all samples independent of the nature of the carbon material. The best material with a SSA of 2560 m²/g shows a storage capacity of 4.5 wt% at 77 K.     

Lead recovery from aqueous environment by using porous carbon of citrus fruits waste: equilibrium,kinetics and thermodynamic studies

ABSTRACT

The mixture of citrus fruits (orange, grapefruit, mandarin, and lemon) wastes was utilized to obtain high surface area activated carbon (AC) by H₃PO₄ activation. The production conditions were optimized and the optimum conditions were determined. The optimal-activated carbon (CFWAC) was characterized by various physicochemical techniques. CFWAC was also used as a sorbent for Pb (II) ions from water. Batch experiments were performed to explore the adsorption capacity and mechanism. The Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic model showed good fitness to the experimental data. The maximum Pb (II) adsorption capacity of CFWAC was found to be 163.93 mg/g.     

Adsorption of Zn2+ and Cu2+ onto sulphate and phosphate-modified bentonite

The modification of bentonite with sulphate and phosphate increased the cation exchange capacity (CEC) and adsorption of Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ but decreased the specific surface area (SSA). Phosphate modified bentonite had the highest adsorption capacity for both metal ions. The Fourier transformed infrared spectra indicated the bonding of sulphate and phosphate bentonite with sulphate and phosphate by the hypochromic and hyperchromic shifts are typical of physisorption and chemisorption mechanisms. Phosphate and sulphate were adsorbed through inner-sphere and outer-sphere complex formation. The isotherms were better fitted by the Langmuir model than the Freundlich model.     

Highly Efficient Adsorption of Anionic Dyes from Aqueous Solutions Using Sawdust Modified by Cationic Surfactant of Cetyltrimethylammonium Bromide

In the present study, the adsorption behavior of Congo Red (CR) dye from aqueous systems onto sawdust modified by cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, CH₃(CH₂)₁₅N(CH₃)₃Br (CTAB) was attempted. Adsorption experiments were carried out using both batch and column modes under various operating conditions. The effects of some important parameters such as solution pH, adsorbent dosage, initial dye concentration and contact time were investigated. Treatment of the equilibrium data obtained in batch experiments was carried out using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm equations. Based on the isotherm analysis, it was found that the adsorption of CR dye onto SD fits well to the Langmuir model and the adsorption pattern on CTAB modified sawdust (CTAB/SD) followed the Freundlich isotherm which is indicative of heterogeneity of the adsorption sites on the surfactant-modified sawdust. The maximum adsorption capacity of SD and CTAB/SD were found to be 5.2 and 9.1?mg?g^?1, respectively, according to the Langmuir model. However, much higher differences in sorption capacities were observed for CTAB/SD and SD in the column system (66.73?mg?g^?1). In order to find out the possibility of the exhausted column for frequent use, a regeneration study was also carried out. It was found that the dye uploaded column can be easily regenerated with a high performance using ethanol as the washing solution.     

Single step modification of micrometer-sized polystyrene particles by electromagnetic polyaniline and sorption of chromium(VI) metal ions from water

This article describes a single-step reproducible approach for the surface modification of micrometer-sized polystyrene (PS) core particles to prepare electromagnetic PS/polyaniline–Fe₃O₄ (PS/PANi–Fe₃O₄) composite particles. The electromagnetic PANi–Fe₃O₄ shell was formed by simultaneous seeded chemical oxidative polymerization of aniline and precipitation of Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. The weight ratio of PS to aniline was optimized to produce core–shell structure. PS/PANi–Fe₃O₄ composite particles were used as adsorbent for the removal of Cr(VI) via anion-exchange mechanism. The composite particles possessed enough magnetic property for magnetic separation. The adsorption was highly pH dependent. Adsorption efficiency reached 100% at pH 2 in 120 min when 0.05 g of composite particles was mixed with 30 mL 5 mg L⁻¹ Cr(VI) solution. The adsorption isotherm fitted best with Freundlich model and maximum adsorption capacity approached 20.289 mg g⁻¹ at 323 K. The prepared composite was found to be an useful adsorbent for the removal of soluble Cr(VI) ions. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2019 , 136, 47524.