Process Parameters Optimization, Characterization, and Application of KOH-Activated Norway Spruce Bark Graphitic Biochars for Efficient Azo Dye Adsorption

In this work, Norway spruce bark was used as a precursor to prepare activated biochars (BCs) via chemical activation with potassium hydroxide (KOH) as a chemical activator. A Box–Behnken design (BBD) was conducted to evaluate and identify the optimal conditions to reach high specific surface area and high mass yield of BC samples. The studied BC preparation parameters and their levels were as follows: pyrolysis temperature (700, 800, and 900 °C), holding time (1, 2, and 3 h), and ratio of the biomass: chemical activator of 1: 1, 1.5, and 2. The planned BBD yielded BC with extremely high SSA values, up to 2209 m2·g−1. In addition, the BCs were physiochemically characterized, and the results indicated that the BCs exhibited disordered carbon structures and presented a high quantity of O-bearing functional groups on their surfaces, which might improve their adsorption performance towards organic pollutant removal. The BC with the highest SSA value was then employed as an adsorbent to remove Evans blue dye (EB) and colorful effluents. The kinetic study followed a general-order (GO) model, as the most suitable model to describe the experimental data, while the Redlich–Peterson model fitted the equilibrium data better. The EB adsorption capacity was 396.1 mg·g−1. The employment of the BC in the treatment of synthetic effluents, with several dyes and other organic and inorganic compounds, returned a high percentage of removal degree up to 87.7%. Desorption and cyclability tests showed that the biochar can be efficiently regenerated, maintaining an adsorption capacity of 75% after 4 adsorption–desorption cycles. The results of this work pointed out that Norway spruce bark indeed is a promising precursor for producing biochars with very promising properties.

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Uracil-Modified Chitosan as a Promising Adsorbent for Efficient Removal of Congo Red Dye

Novel Uracil-modified chitosan (UCs) adsorbent has successfully been synthesized through a four-step method during which the amino groups of chitosan have been protected, then epoxy nuclei have been incorporated, afterwards the latter have been opened using 6-amino-1,3-dimethyl uracil, and finally the amino groups have been regained via removing the protection. Its structure was checked using FTIR, XRD and SEM techniques. The adsorption capacity of UCs for anionic Congo Red (CR) dye was studied under various conditions. It decreased significantly with increasing the solution pH value and dye concentration, while increased with increasing temperature. The adsorption of UCs for CR dye at different temperatures, solution pH and dye concentrations fitted to the kinetic model of pseudo-second order and Elovich model. The intraparticle diffusion model showed that the adsorption process involves multi-step process. The isotherm of CR dye adsorption by UCs conforms to the Langmuir isotherm model indicating the monolayer nature of adsorption. The maximum monolayer coverage capacity, qmax, was 434.78 mg g−1. Studying the thermodynamic showed that the adsorption of CR dye onto UCs was endothermic as illustrated from the positive value of enthalpy (21.37 kJ mol−1). According to the values of ΔG°, the adsorption process was spontaneous at all selected temperatures. The value of ΔS° showed an increase in randomness for the adsorption of CR dye by UCs. The value of activation energy was 18.40 kJ mol−1.

A Novel Geopolymer Foam Based On ZSM-5 Zeolite Fabricated Using Templating Emulsion/Chemical Foaming Method and Its Application in Batch and Continuous Dye Removal Systems

Geopolymers as sustainable and environmentally friendly “green materials”, can be synthesized by utilizing waste material and by-products. A porous geopolymer foam adsorbent based on ZSM-5 zeolite was prepared using templating emulsion/chemical foaming method in different conditions and used for dye removal in batch and continuous systems. The parameters affecting the dye adsorption including temperature, concentration, and pH, kinetics, isotherm, and thermodynamics of the process were investigated. The results of the geopolymer foam synthesis showed that thermal pretreatment of the zeolite has a positive effect on the strength and adsorption capacity. Moreover, the increase in sodium silicate more than the stoichiometric reduces the strength and adsorption capacity. The findings obtained from the batch adsorption process showed that the adsorption kinetics of the pseudo-second-order model and the adsorption isotherm of the Temkin model is adjusted with the experimental data. Thermodynamic results indicated that the process of dye adsorption with geopolymer foam is exothermic. The results from continuous experiments indicated more compatibility of the adsorption process with the models of Thomas and Bohart-Adams. The maximum adsorption capacity of methylene blue in batch and continuous processes was 9.82 and 8.17 mg/g. The adsorbent reduction was performed successfully by chemical and thermal processes.

Adsorption of Anionic Dye Onto ZSM-5 Zeolite-based Bio Membrane: Characterizations, Kinetics and Adsorption Isotherm

In this study, we report polyvinyl alcohol/carboxymethyl cellulose/gelatin/ZSM-5 zeolite (PVA/CMC/GEL/ZSM-5) membrane for anionic dye (rhodamine B, Rh B) removal from aqueous solution. The prepared membrane was characterized using different techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), optical microscopy (OM), universal testing machine (UTM) and water contact angle respectively. XRD, FT-IR and SEM analysis indicates successful incorporation of zeolite into PVA/CMC/GEL membrane. The improved hydrophobicity of the zeolite loaded membrane was confirmed by contact angle analysis. The Rh B removal efficiency of zeolite loaded PVA/CMC/GEL membrane was investigated through batch adsorption technique. The effect of different parameters such as initial dye concentration, zeolite dosage, contact time, temperature and pH on the adsorption was examined. Rh B dye adsorption onto the membrane followed Freundlich isotherm model. The kinetic studies revealed that Rh B dye adsorption on the membrane could be explained using pseudo-second-order model. Finally, the recyclability test revealed that the membrane exhibits good recycle efficiency and is stable after 6 recycle.