Physicochemical Characterization of Cherry Pits-Derived Biochar

Although the suitability of some biochars for contaminants’ sorption separation has been established, not all potential feedstocks have been explored and characterized. Here, we physicochemically characterized cherry pit biochar (CPB) pyrolyzed from cherry pit biomass (CP) at 500 °C, and we assessed their As and Hg sorption efficiencies in aqueous solutions in comparison to activated carbon (AC). The basic physicochemical and material characterization of the studied adsorbents was carried out using pH, electrical conductivity (EC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), concentration of surface functional groups (Boehm titration), and surface area (SA) analysis; elemental C, H, N analysis; and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDX). AsO43− anions and Hg2+ cations were selected as model contaminants used to test the sorption properties of the sorption materials. Characterization analyses confirmed a ninefold increase in SA in the case of CPB. The total C concentration increased by 26%, while decreases in the total H and N concentrations were observed. The values of carbonate and ash contents decreased by about half due to pyrolysis processes. The concentrations of surface functional groups of the analyzed biochar obtained by Boehm titration confirmed a decrease in carboxyl and lactone groups, while an increase in phenolic functional groups was observed. Changes in the morphology and surface functionality of the pyrolyzed material were confirmed by SEM–EDX and FTIR analyses. In sorption experiments, we found that the CPB showed better results in the sorption separation of Hg2+ than in the sorption separation of AsO43−. The sorption efficiency for the model cation increased in the order CP < CPB < AC and, for the model anion, it increased in the order CPB < CP < AC.

Adsorption properties of sugarcane bagasse and corn cob for the sulfamethoxazole removal in a fixed-bed column

Natural adsorbents are a good alternative to remove antibiotic residues from wastewater. In this study, the adsorption capacity of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) onto sugarcane bagasse (SB) and corn cob (CC) in a continuous fixed-bed was compared. Brunauer Emmett Teller, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Boehm titration, and point of zero charge (pHpzc) were used to characterize both adsorbents. The adsorption capacity (qe) and the removal percentage of SMX (% R) were investigated at different different flow rates (2, 5, and 7 mL min− 1) and adsorbent masses (4 and 6.4 g), and a constant initial concentration of 5 mg L− 1. The results of the characterization showed that SB has a morphology with more dispersed particles and a specific surface higher than CC (2.6 > 1.2 m2 g− 1). Boehm titration indicates that both the surface of SB and CC have a greater amount of acid groups, which is in agreement with FTIR and pHpzc results. The continuous fixed-bed experiments showed that % R and qe of SMX are higher with SB in all the tests. The highest qe and maximum % R was 0.24 mg g− 1 and 74% with SB, and 0.15 mg g− 1 and 65% using CC. In most cases, the qe of both adsorbents decreased with the increase of flow rate and bed height. An analysis suggests that hydrogen bonds could be the main factor favoring the SMX adsorption with SB. Finally, the intraparticle diffusion was the rate-controlling step, predominating the pore-volume diffusion resistance.

Modifying graphite felt cathode by HNO3 or KOH to improve the degradation efficiency of electro-Fenton for landfill leachate

Based on graphite felt (GF), the cathode of an electro-Fenton (EF) system was modified by HNO3 and KOH respectively to improve the degradation efficiency for actual landfill leachate. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra, Boehm titration experiments, contact angle, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and adsorption experiments illustrated that the surface of the modified GFs had more oxygen-containing functional (OG) groups, and possessed better hydrophilicity and larger specific surface area. In 180 min H2O2 electrogeneration experiments, the cumulative amount of H2O2 produced by unmodified GF (GF-0), HNO3 modified GF (GF-1) and KOH modified GF (GF-2) was 526 mg/L, 891 mg/L and 823 mg/L respectively. In 180 min EF reaction, the removal rate of chemical oxygen demand (COD) in GF-0, GF-1 and GF-2 EF systems was 31.88%, 60.65% and 52.08% respectively; the removal rate of NH4+-N in GF-0, GF-1 and GF-2 EF systems was 43.37%, 98.10% and 94.81% respectively. In addition, both the performance of GF-1 and GF-2 for Fe2+ regeneration was greatly enhanced, and GF-1 was superior to GF-2. The degradation efficiency for landfill leachate was enhanced obviously by employing the modified EF system, suggesting that the two modified cathodes have great potential in practical production.

Conversion of lignocellulosic agricultural wastes into adsorbents for pharmaceutical drugs

Lignocellulosic agricultural wastes e.g. corn cobs, straws and corn stalks were converted into carbonaceous adsorbents using a sequence of thermal and chemical activation processes. The derived solids obtained after each type of activation were characterized by determination of fix carbon content, iodine number, Boehm titration and DRIFT spectrometry. The results obtained at the adsorption tests were well correlated to those of the characterization, showing that the most promising adsorbents for amoxicillin removal were those submitted to a thermal treatment followed by a chemical alkaline activation, followed by washing and a secondary thermal treatment. The most promising bio-based adsorbent was the one derived from corn stalks (90.6% adsorption efficiency).

Surface functionality analysis by Boehm titration of graphene nanoplatelets functionalizedviaa solvent-free cycloaddition reaction

Carboxylic acid-terminated pyrrolidine functionalities were covalently bonded to the surface of graphene nanoplateletsviaa solvent-free approach and characterized by Boehm titration.

Modification of the surface chemistry of activated carbon and its influence on methylene blue adsorption

The adsorption behavior of activated carbons is determined not only by their porous structures but also by the chemical nature of its surface. The surface chemistry of activated carbons can be selectively modified in order to improve their adsorption capacity. In this study, a NORIT granular activated carbon was treated by oxidant (HNO3) and non-oxidant acid (HCI) at different concentrations and temperatures. The surface chemistries of the materials were characterized by Boehm titration method and by the determination of the point of zero charge (pHPZC).The adsorption properties of the selected samples were studied by adsorption of methylene blue, which is one of the important dyes and found in many textile effluents. In addition, the pore structures of the modified carbons were also studied by argon adsorption at 87.29 K. As results, it was observed that both HN03 and HCI treatments could increase the surface acidity of activated carbons. Activated carbons modified by HCI gave the best performance on the adsorption of methylene blue.Keywords: Activated Carbon, Surface Chemistry, Chemical Treatment, Boehm Titration Method, Adsorption AbstrakKemampuan adsorpsi karbon akti.ftidak hanya ditentukan oleh struktur pori tetapijuga dipengaruhi oleh sifat kimia dari permukaannya. Sifat kimia permukaan karbon aktif dapat secara selektif dimodifikasi dengan tujuan untuk lebih meningkatkan kapasitas adsorpsinya. Pada penelitian ini, karbon aktif NORIT granular ditreatment dengan menggunakan asam oksidator (HNO) dan non-oksidator (HCI) pada berbagai konsentrasi dan suhu. Sifat kimia permukaan karbon aktif dikarakterisasi dengan menggunakan metode titrasi Boehm serta dengan penentuan point of zero charge (pHPZC). Kemampuan adsorpsinya diuji dengan mengadsorp larutan methylene blue, dimana methylene blue merupakan salah satu komponen dalam limbah tekstil. Sedangkan struktur pori karbon aktif dianalisa dengan adsorpsi Ar pada suhu 87,29 K. Penelitian ini menunjukkan bahwa baik treatment dengan HNO3 maupun HCI dapat mengakibatkan terjadinya peningkatan sifat asam pada permukaan karbon aktif. Karbon aktif yang diberi perlalatan dengan HCI memberikan kemampuan adsorpsi yang paling baik dalam adsorpsi larutan methylen biru.Kata Kunci: Karbon Aktif, Sifat Kimia Permukaan, Perlakuan dengan Larutan Kimia, Metode Titrasi Boehm, Adsorpsi