Chromium(VI) adsorption from aqueous solution by Hevea Brasilinesis sawdust activated carbon

Adsorption capacity of Cr(VI) onto Hevea Brasilinesis (Rubber wood) sawdust activated carbon was investigated in a batch system by considering the effects of various parameters like contact time, initial concentration, pH and temperature. Cr(VI) removal is pH dependent and found to be maximum at pH 2.0. Increases in adsorption capacity with increase in temperature indicate that the adsorption reaction is endothermic. Based on this study, the thermodynamic parameters like standard Gibb's free energy (DeltaG degrees ), standard enthalpy (DeltaH degrees ) and standard entropy (DeltaS degrees ) were evaluated. Adsorption kinetics of Cr(VI) ions onto rubber wood sawdust activated carbon were analyzed by pseudo first-order and pseudo second-order models. Pseudo second-order model was found to explain the kinetics of Cr(VI) adsorption most effectively. Intraparticle diffusion studies at different temperatures show that the mechanism of adsorption is mainly dependent on diffusion. The rate of intraparticle diffusion, film diffusion coefficient and pore diffusion coefficient at various temperatures were evaluated. The Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherm were used to describe the adsorption equilibrium studies of rubber wood sawdust activated carbon at different temperatures. Langmuir isotherm shows better fit than Freundlich and Temkin isotherm in the temperature range studied. The result shows that the rubber wood sawdust activated carbon can be efficiently used for the treatment of wastewaters containing chromium as a low cost alternative compared to commercial activated carbon and other adsorbents reported.     

The adsorption of chromium (VI) from industrial wastewater by acid and base-activated lignocellulosic residues

This study deals with the adsorption of Cr(VI) from synthetic and industrial wastewater, produced by a sewage plant. The activated carbons were prepared from a lignocellulosic raw material by thermal treatment at 450 and 650 degrees C in the presence of acid (AlCl(3), HCl, H(3)PO(4) and H(2)SO(4)) and base (NaOH) agents. To optimize the adsorption of Cr(VI), the chemical modifications caused by each activating agent (related to the capability of Cr(VI) removal), and the optimal experimental conditions of the pH, Cr(VI) concentration, adsorbent dose and residence time, were studied. Thus, treatment with H(3)PO(4) gives rise to carbons with a high surface area and high efficiency for Cr(VI) removal at short equilibrium times. In contrast, the generation of active surface sites by means of NaOH requires longer equilibrium times, the adsorption being less effective than in the former case. The adsorption isotherms obey the Langmuir equation only in the first stages of the reaction but fit the Freundlich equations over the whole range studied, so the heat of adsorption can be easily calculated. The results also show that the activated carbons obtained can be recovered by filtration with an efficiency of 30% in the third cycle.     

Synthesis of ordered large-pore mesoporous carbon for Cr(VI) adsorption

Highly ordered mesoporous carbon with large accessible pores (OMC-P) was prepared by using laboratory-made poly(ethylene oxide)-b-polystyrene diblock copolymer as template via the evaporation-induced self-assembly method. The OMC-P was first used as adsorbent for removal of Cr(VI) ion from aqueous solution. Adsorption behavior was studied as a function of time, concentration of adsorbate, temperature, and pH. The kinetics of adsorption of Cr(VI) ion onto OMC-P is well fit to the pseudo-second order model. The Cr(VI) ion adsorption is favored at lower temperatures and at initial acid pH values in the equilibrium. The Freundlich and the Langmuir isotherm fit the equilibrium data satisfactorily. The influence of porosity on equilibrium adsorption capacity was investigated on three types of carbon materials, namely, OMC-P, ordered mesoporous carbon templated from amphiphilic triblock copolymer F127 (OMC-F) and commercial activated carbon (AC). The prepared OMC-P exhibits much higher adsorption performance than the other two carbons.     

Removal of chromium Cr(VI) by low-cost chemically activated carbon materials from water

Low-cost, chemically activated carbon materials, Pellet-600 and PVA-300, were prepared at relatively low temperatures and show more effective removal efficiency of Cr(VI) from water than commercially available activated carbons tested. The Pellet-600 is a pelletized carbon material with high mesoporous volumes and surface area, and the PVA-300 is composed of a high surface area carbon coating on a fiberglass mat substrate. A much faster adsorption kinetics and a much higher adsorption capacity for Cr(VI) are achieved by the Pellet-600. At very low concentrations of Cr(VI), the PVA-300 displays a strong adsorption ability for Cr(VI). XPS data show an increase in the atomic ratio of Cr/C and oxidation of carbon materials after adsorption of Cr(VI). These results suggest that a high content of mesopores with a high surface area and surface functional groups greatly improve the Cr(VI) removal efficiency from water.     

High adsorption capacity NaOH-activated carbon for dye removal from aqueous solution

In this study, the surface coverage ratio (Sc/Sp) and monolayer cover adsorption amount per unit surface area (qmon/Sp) were employed to investigate the adsorption isotherm equilibrium of the adsorption of dyes (AB74, BB1 and MB) on NaOH-activated carbons (FWNa2, FWNa3 and FWNa4); the adsorption rate of the Elovich equation (1/b) and the ratio of 1min adsorption amount of adsorbate to the monolayer cover amount of adsorbate (q1/qmon) were employed to investigate adsorption kinetics. The qmon/Sp of NaOH-activated carbons was better than that of KOH-activated carbons prepared from the same raw material (fir wood). The Sc/Sp values of the adsorption of all adsorbates on adsorbent FWNa3 in this study were found to be higher than those in related literature. Parameters 1/b and q1 of the adsorption of dyes on activated carbons in this study were higher than those on KOH-activated carbons; the q1/qmon value of FWNa3 was the highest. The pore structure and the TPD measurement of the surface oxide groups were employed to explain the superior adsorption performance of FWNa3. A high surface activated carbon (FWNa3) with excellent adsorption performance on dyes with relation to adsorption isotherm equilibrium and kinetics was obtained in this study. Several adsorption data processing methods were employed to describe the adsorption performance.     

Cr(VI) removal from aqueous solution using chemically reduced and functionalized graphene oxide

Chemically reduced and functionalized graphene oxide (GO) was prepared by refluxing of GO with ethylenediamine (ED) using dimethyl formamide (DMF) as solvent. It was confirmed that both ED and DMF contributed to the reduction and functionalization of GO. The resulting adsorbent (ED–DMF–RGO) with amine groups was highly efficient in removing Cr(VI) from its aqueous solution and could be easily separated by filtration. The optimum pH for total Cr removal was observed at pH 2.0 and the Cr(VI) removal capacity of ED–DMF–RGO at this pH was 92.15 mg g^?1, which was about 27 times higher than that of activated carbon, even nearly 4–8 times higher than that of various modified activated carbons. The presence of other ions such as Na⁺, K⁺, Ca²⁺, Cl^?, and Br^? had little effect on the removal of Cr(VI). Interestingly, Cr(VI) was reduced to low-toxic Cr(III) during the adsorption process, which followed an indirect reduction mechanism. Both the Cr(VI) adsorption and subsequent reduction of adsorbed Cr(VI) to Cr(III) contributed to the Cr(VI) removal. The obtained ED–DMF–RGO may be applicable in Cr(VI) removal if they are produced on a large scale and at low price in near future.     

Comparative study of adsorption properties of Turkish fly ashes. II. The case of chromium (VI) and cadmium (II)

The purpose of the study described in this paper was to compare the removal of Cr(VI) and Cd(II) from an aqueous solution using two different Turkish fly ashes; Afsin-Elbistan and Seyitomer as adsorbents. The influence of four parameters (contact time, solution pH, initial metal concentration in solution and ash quality) on the removal at 20+/-2 degrees C was studied. Fly ashes were found to have a higher adsorption capacity for the adsorption of Cd(II) as compared to Cr(VI) and both Cr(VI) and Cd(II) required an equilibrium time of 2h. The adsorption of Cr(VI) was higher at pH 4.0 for Afsin-Elbistan fly ash (25.46%) and pH 3.0 for Seyitomer fly ash (30.91%) while Cd(II) was adsorbed to a greater extent (98.43% for Afsin-Elbistan fly ash and 65.24% for Seyitomer fly ash) at pH 7.0. The adsorption of Cd(II) increased with an increase in the concentrations of these metals in solution while Cr(VI) adsorption decreased by both fly ashes. The lime (crystalline CaO) content in fly ash seemed to be a significant factor in influencing Cr(VI) and Cd(II) ions removal. The linear forms of the Langmuir and Freundlich equations were utilised for experiments with metal concentrations of 55+/-2mg/l for Cr(VI) and 6+/-0.2mg/l for Cd(II) as functions of solution pH (3.0-8.0). The adsorption of Cr(VI) on both fly ashes was not described by both the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms while Cd(II) adsorption on both fly ashes satisfied only the Langmuir isotherm model. The adsorption capacities of both fly ashes were nearly three times less than that of activated carbon for the removal of Cr(VI) while Afsin-Elbistan fly ash with high-calcium content was as effective as activated carbon for the removal of Cd(II). Therefore, there are possibilities for use the adsorption of Cd(II) ions onto fly ash with high-calcium content in practical applications in Turkey.     

The use of sulphuric acid-carbonization products of sugar beet pulp in Cr(VI) removal

A carbon rich adsorbent prepared from the reaction of sugar beet pulp with sulphuric acid and gas formed during carbonization process have been studied for Cr(VI) removal from aqueous solutions. The SO(2) rich gas was shown to be an excellent Cr(VI) reductant. The equilibrium and kinetic studies were conducted by using the carbonaceous adsorbent derived from sugar beet pulp. The lower pH favoured Cr(VI) adsorption but substantial Cr(VI) reduction was observed. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied and the Langmuir model best fit the equilibrium isotherm data. The maximum adsorption capacity of chromium calculated from Langmuir isotherm is about 24 mgg(-1) for 25 degrees C. The adsorption of Cr(VI) is an endothermic process and follows the pseudo-second-order rate kinetics. The sulphuric acid-carbonization is an economical method for particularly chromium removal because the gas generated during carbonization exhibits good Cr(VI) reduction properties and carbonaceous material obtained is an efficient Cr(VI) adsorbent.     

Influence of cationic surfactant on adsorption of Cr(VI) onto activated carbon

The effect of a cationic surfactant on the adsorption of Cr(VI) on activated carbon was investigated using cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC). At a concentration below the critical micelle concentration (CMC) of CPC, the adsorption of CPC and Cr(VI) reached equilibrium within 60 min, while it took 180 min at the concentration above CMC. CPC decreased the adsorption rate of Cr(VI) and increased the adsorption amount of Cr(VI) onto activated carbon. To analyze adsorption phenomena of Cr(VI), adsorption kinetic and isotherm were used and fitted well with the pseudo-second order kinetic model and Langmuir adsorption model, respectively. CPC introduced a cationic functional group on the surface of activated carbon and provided an adsorption site for Cr(VI).     

Error analysis of equilibrium studies for the almond shell activated carbon adsorption of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions

In this study, the preparation of activated carbon from almond shell with H2SO4 activation and its ability to remove toxic hexavalent chromium from aqueous solutions are reported. The influences of several operating parameters such as pH, particle size and temperature on the adsorption capacity were investigated. Adsorption of Cr(VI) is found to be highly pH, particle size and temperature dependent. Four adsorption isotherm models namely, Langmuir, Freundlich, Tempkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich were used to analyze the equilibrium data. The Langmuir isotherm provided the best correlation for Cr(VI) onto the almond shell activated carbon (ASC). Adsorption capacity was calculated from the Langmuir isotherm as 190.3 mg/g at 323 K. Thermodynamic parameters were evaluated and the adsorption was endothermic showing monolayer adsorption of Cr(VI). Five error functions were used to treat the equilibrium data using non-linear optimization techniques for evaluating the fit of the isotherm equations. The highest correlation for the isotherm equations in this system was obtained for the Freundlich isotherm. ASC is found to be inexpensive and effective adsorbent for removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions.     

Behavior of chromium and arsenic on activated carbon

The simultaneous adsorption of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) and trivalent arsenic (As(III)) in single component and binary systems has been studied by activated carbon (AC). The capacity of Cr(VI) in the single experiment is greater than that of As(III) onto AC. The effects of various parameters like initial concentration, pH and temperature have been considered in the experiment. Cr(VI) removal is pH dependent and found to be maximum at pH 2.0. While, As(III) is found to be maximum at pH 7.0 in the single adsorption experiment. In the binary adsorption of As(III), the uptake of As(III) is generally higher than the single uptake. In the single adsorption the maximum adsorption rate of As(III) is 34% and in the binary metal mixtures the maximum adsorption rate of As(III) is 40% while the initial concentration is 5mg/L. So in the binary system the Cr(VI) and As(III) are thought to be synergistic with respect to the single As(III) situation.     

粉煤灰活性炭处理含铬电镀废水

为了消除电镀废水中的金属离子等的污染,以粉煤灰活性炭为吸附剂、还原剂对含Cr(Ⅵ)的电镀废水进行了处理.考察了活性炭吸附废水中的Cr(Ⅵ)时,溶液的pH值、吸附时间、Cr(Ⅵ)浓度等因素对Cr(Ⅵ)的吸附量及废水中残余Cr(Ⅵ)浓度的影响;同时,还对活性炭的再生条件进行了研究.试验表明:溶液中Cr(Ⅵ)质量浓度为50 mg/L,pH=3,吸附时间1.5 h时,活性炭的吸附性能稳定,Cr(Ⅵ)离子的去除效果最好,经处理的废水Cr(Ⅵ)含量达到国家排放标准.     

Removal of mercury(II) from aqueous solutions and chlor-alkali industry effluent by steam activated and sulphurised activated carbons prepared from bagasse pith: kinetics and equilibrium studies

The adsorption of mercury from aqueous solutions and chlor-alkali industry effluent on steam activated and sulphurised steam activated carbons prepared from bagasse pith have been studied comparatively. The uptake of mercury(II) (Hg(II)) was maximum by steam activated carbon in presence of SO(2) and H(2)S (SA-SO(2)-H(2)S-C) followed by steam activated carbon in presence of SO(2) (SA-SO(2)-C), steam activated carbon in presence of H(2)S (SA-H(2)S-C) and steam activated carbon (SA-C) at the same concentration, pH and temperature of the solution. Adsorption experiments demonstrate that the adsorption process corresponds to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and equilibrium results correspond to the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Kinetic parameters as a function of initial concentration, for all adsorbents were calculated. Batch studies indicated that the optimum pH range for the adsorption of Hg(II) on sulphurised carbons was between 4 and 9 and for sulphur free carbon was between 6 and 9 at 30 degrees C. The adsorptive behaviour of the activated carbons is explained on the basis of their chemical nature and porous texture. Decrease in ionic strength and increase in temperature of the solution has been found to improve the uptake of Hg(II). Synthetic and chlor-alkali industrial wastewaters were also treated by sulphurised activated carbons to demonstrate their efficiencies in removing Hg(II) from wastewaters. Some feasibility experiments have been carried out with a view to recover the adsorbed Hg(II) and regenerate the spent activated carbons using 0.2M HCl solution. The data obtained point towards viable adsorbents, which are both effective as well as economically attractive for Hg(II) removal from wastewaters.     

Trivalent chromium removal from wastewater using low cost activated carbon derived from agricultural waste material and activated carbon fabric cloth

An efficient adsorption process is developed for the decontamination of trivalent chromium from tannery effluents. A low cost activated carbon (ATFAC) was prepared from coconut shell fibers (an agricultural waste), characterized and utilized for Cr(III) removal from water/wastewater. A commercially available activated carbon fabric cloth (ACF) was also studied for comparative evaluation. All the equilibrium and kinetic studies were conducted at different temperatures, particle size, pHs, and adsorbent doses in batch mode. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied. The Langmuir model best fit the equilibrium isotherm data. The maximum adsorption capacities of ATFAC and ACF at 25 degrees C are 12.2 and 39.56 mg/g, respectively. Cr(III) adsorption increased with an increase in temperature (10 degrees C: ATFAC--10.97 mg/g, ACF--36.05 mg/g; 40 degrees C: ATFAC--16.10 mg/g, ACF--40.29 mg/g). The kinetic studies were conducted to delineate the effect of temperature, initial adsorbate concentration, particle size of the adsorbent, and solid to liquid ratio. The adsorption of Cr(III) follows the pseudo-second-order rate kinetics. From kinetic studies various rate and thermodynamic parameters such as effective diffusion coefficient, activation energy and entropy of activation were evaluated. The sorption capacity of activated carbon (ATFAC) and activated carbon fabric cloth is comparable to many other adsorbents/carbons/biosorbents utilized for the removal of trivalent chromium from water/wastewater.     

Removal of chromium from aqueous solution by using oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes

The batch removal of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) from aqueous solution by using oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was studied under ambient conditions. The effect of pH, initial concentration of Cr(VI), MWCNT content, contact time and ionic strength on the removal of Cr(VI) was also investigated. The removal was favored at low pH with maximum removal at pH <2. The adsorption kinetics was modeled by first-order reversible kinetics, pseudo-first-order kinetics, pseudo-second-order kinetics, and intraparticle diffusion models, respectively. The rate constants for all these kinetic models were calculated, and the results indicate that pseudo-second-order kinetics model was well suitable to model the kinetic adsorption of Cr(VI). The removal of chromium mainly depends on the occurrence of redox reaction of adsorbed Cr(VI) on the surface of oxidized MWCNTs to the formation of Cr(III), and subsequent the sorption of Cr(III) on MWCNTs appears as the leading mechanism for chromium uptake to MWCNTs. The presence of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) on oxidized MWCNTs was confirmed by the X-ray photoelectron spectroscopic analysis. The application of Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms are applied to fit the adsorption data of Cr(VI). Equilibrium data were well described by the typical Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Overall, the study demonstrated that MWCNTs can effectively remove Cr(VI) from aqueous solution under a wide range of experimental conditions, without significant Cr(III) release.     

Study of the removal of mercury(II) and chromium(VI) from aqueous solutions by Moroccan stevensite

The objective of the present study was to investigate the adsorption of the heavy metals mercury(II) and chromium(VI), from aqueous solutions, onto Moroccan stevensite. A mineralogical and physicochemical characterization of natural stevensite was carried out. In order to improve the adsorption capacity of stevensite for Cr(VI), a preparation of stevensite was carried out. It consists in saturating the stevensite by ferrous iron Fe(II) and reducing the total Fe by Na(2)S(2)O(4). Then, the adsorption experiments were studied in batch reactors at 25+/-3 degrees C. The influence of the pH solution on the Cr(VI) and Hg(II) adsorption was studied in the pH range of 1.5-7.0. The optimum pH for the Cr(VI) adsorption is in the pH range of 2.0-5.0 while that of Hg(II) is at the pH values above 4.0. The adsorption kinetics were tested by a pseudo-second-order model. The adsorption rate of Hg(II) is 54.35 mmol kg(-1)min(-1) and that of Cr(VI) is 7.21 mmol kg(-1)min(-1). The adsorption equilibrium time for Hg(II) and Cr(VI) was reached within 2 and 12 h, respectively. The adsorption isotherms were described by the Dubinin-Radushkevich model. The maximal adsorption capacity for Cr(VI) increases from 13.7 (raw stevensite) to 48.86 mmol kg(-1) (modified stevensite) while that of Hg(II) decreases from 205.8 to 166.9 mmol kg(-1). The mechanism of Hg(II) and Cr(VI) adsorption was discussed.     

Mechanisms of the removal of hexavalent chromium by biomaterials or biomaterial-based activated carbons

Three papers published during recent 2 years in Journal of Hazardous Materials made a mistake in analyzing chromium species in aqueous solution, resulting in incorrect elucidation of Cr(VI) biosorption; the Cr(VI) was removed from aqueous solution systems by 'anionic adsorption'. However, it has been proved that Cr(VI) is easily reduced to Cr(III) by contact with organic materials under acidic conditions because of its high redox potential value (above +1.3 V at standard condition). Therefore, it is strongly possible that the mechanism of Cr(VI) removal by biomaterials or biomaterial-based activated carbons is not "anionic adsorption" but "adsorption-coupled reduction". Thus, for researches of Cr(VI) biosorption, researchers have to analyze not only Cr(VI) but also total Cr in aqueous solution and to check the oxidation state of chromium bound on the biomaterials or activated carbons.     

Activated carbons and low cost adsorbents for remediation of tri- and hexavalent chromium from water

Hexavalent chromium is a well-known highly toxic metal, considered a priority pollutant. Industrial sources of Cr(VI) include leather tanning, cooling tower blowdown, plating, electroplating, anodizing baths, rinse waters, etc. The most common method applied for chromate control is reduction of Cr(VI) to its trivalent form in acid (pH approximately 2.0) and subsequent hydroxide precipitation of Cr(III) by increasing the pH to approximately 9.0-10.0 using lime. Existing overviews of chromium removal only cover selected technologies that have traditionally been used in chromium removal. Far less attention has been paid to adsorption. Herein, we provide the first review article that provides readers an overview of the sorption capacities of commercial developed carbons and other low cost sorbents for chromium remediation. After an overview of chromium contamination is provided, more than 300 papers on chromium remediation using adsorption are discussed to provide recent information about the most widely used adsorbents applied for chromium remediation. Efforts to establish the adsorption mechanisms of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) on various adsorbents are reviewed. Chromium's impact environmental quality, sources of chromium pollution and toxicological/health effects is also briefly introduced. Interpretations of the surface interactions are offered. Particular attention is paid to comparing the sorption efficiency and capacities of commercially available activated carbons to other low cost alternatives, including an extensive table.     

Removal of chromium ions from [corrected] aqueous solutions by adsorption on activated carbon and char

Adsorption isotherms of chromium ions in aqueous solution have been experimentally measured on a granular activated carbon (GAC) and on a char of South African coal (CSAC). Experimental results show that the adsorption capacity for the GAC strongly depends on solution pH and salinity, with maximum values around 7mg/g at neutral pH and low salinity levels. On the contrary, the CSAC shows a smaller adsorption capacity, near 0.3mg/g, which slightly decreases by increasing pH and salinity levels. Chromium adsorption mainly depends on the availability of chromium ions in solution and on the occurrence of redox reactions between the surface groups and the Cr(VI) which lead to the formation of Cr(III). The reduction of Cr(VI) and the following sorption of Cr(III) cations appears as the leading mechanism for chromium uptake on the CSAC. A similar behaviour can be observed for the GAC at pH below 3. On the contrary, at pH>7, the multicomponent competitive adsorption of Cr(VI), OH(-) and Cl(-) has to be considered.     

Activated carbon with excellent chromium(VI) adsorption performance prepared by acid-base surface modification

In the present work, activated carbon (AC) with excellent Cr(VI) adsorption performance especially at low concentrations was prepared by an acid-base surface modification method. Raw activated carbon (AC(0)) was first oxidized in boiling HNO(3) (AC(1)), then treated with a mixture of NaOH and NaCl (AC(2)). Batch equilibrium and continuous column adsorption were conducted to evaluate the adsorption performance. Boehm titration, elemental analysis, and N(2)/77K adsorption isotherm methods were used to characterize the surface properties and pore structure of modified ACs. The results revealed that the modified AC exhibited excellent Cr(VI) adsorption performance in terms of adsorption capacity and adsorption rate: AC(2)>AC(1)>AC(0). Modification caused S(BET) to decrease and the total number of surface oxygen acidic groups to increase. HNO(3) oxidization produced positive acid groups, and subsequently NaOH treatment replaced H(+) of surface acid groups by Na(+), and the acidity of AC decreased. The main cause of higher Cr(VI) adsorption capacity and rate for AC(2) was the presence of more oxygen surface acidic groups and suitable surface acidity. HNO(3)-NaOH modification shows potential for the preparation of high quality AC for the effective removal of low concentrations of Cr(VI).