(3-Aminopropyl) Triethoxysilane (APTES) Functionalized Magnetic Nanosilica Graphene Oxide (MGO) Nanocomposite for the Comparative Adsorption of the Heavy Metal (Pb(II), Cd(II) and Ni(II)) ions from Aqueous Solution

(3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES) modified magnetic graphene oxide was synthesized and applied in the adsorption of three heavy metals, Pb(II), Cd(II) and Ni(II) from aqueous solution. An approach to prepare magnetic GO was adopted by using (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES) as a functionalizing agent on magnetic nanosilica coupled with GO to form the Fe3O4@SiO2-NH2/GO nanocomposite. FT-IR, XRD, BET, UV, VSM, SAXS, SEM and TEM were used to characterize the synthesized nanoadsorbents. Batch adsorption studies were conducted to investigate the effect of solution pH, initial metal ion concentration, adsorbent dosage and contact time. The maximum equilibrium time was found to be 30 min for Pb(II), Cd(II) and 60 min for Ni(II). The kinetics studies showed that the adsorption of Pb(II), Cd(II) and Ni(II) onto Fe3O4@SiO2-NH2/GO followed the pseudo-second-order kinetics. All the adsorption equilibrium data were well fitted to Langmuir isotherm model and maximum monolayer adsorption capacity for Pb(II), Cd(II) and Ni(II) were 13.46, 18.58 and 13.52 mgg-1, respectively. The Fe3O4@SiO2-NH2/GO adsorbents were reused for at least 7 cycles without the leaching of mineral core, showing the enhanced stability and potential application of Fe3O4@SiO2-NH2/GO adsorbents in water/wastewater treatment.

Ionic Liquid Extraction Behavior of Cr(VI) Absorbed on Humic Acid–Vermiculite

Cr(VI) can be released into soil as a result of mining, electroplating, and smelting operations. Due to the high toxicity of Cr(VI), its removal is necessary in order to protect ecosystems. Vermiculite is applied in situations where there is a high degree of metal pollution, as it is helpful during the remediation process due to its high cation exchange capacity. The Cr(VI) contained in the vermiculite should be extracted in order to recover it and to reduce the impact on the environment. In this work, adsorption equilibrium data for Cr(VI) in a simulated sorbent for soil remediation (a mixture that included both humic acid (HA) and vermiculite) were a good fit with the Langmuir isotherm model. The simulated sorbent for soil remediation was a favorable sorbent for Cr(VI) when it was in the test soil. An ionic liquid, [C4mim]Cl (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride), was studied to determine its efficiency in extracting Cr(VI) from the Cr- contaminated simulated sorbent in soil remediation. At 298 K and within 30 min, approximately 33.48 ± 0.79% of Cr(VI) in the simulated sorbent in soil remediation was extracted into [C4mim]Cl. Using FTIR spectroscopy, the absorbance intensities of the bands at 1032 and 1010 cm−1, which were attributed to C-O bond stretching in the polysaccharides of HA, were used to detect the changes in HA in the Cr-contaminated simulated sorbent for soil remediation before and after extraction. The results showed that Cr(VI) that has been absorbed on HA can be extracted into [C4mim]Cl. Using 1H NMR, it was observed that the 1-methylimizadole of [C4mim] Cl played an important role in the extraction of Cr(VI), which bonded with HA on vermiculite and was able to be transformed into the [C4mim]Cl phase.

COMPARISON OF STINGING NETTLE ADSORPTION PERFORMANCE TOWARDS ANIONIC AND CATIONIC DYES

Stinging nettle was used as lignocellulosic adsorbent for the removal of cationic dye – malachite green (MG), and anionic dye – Congo red (CR), from aqueous solution, without any chemical pretreatment. The adsorption equilibrium data fitted well with the Langmuir model for the adsorption of both dyes, with the calculated maximum adsorption capacity of 270.27 mgg-1 and 172.14 mgg-1 for MG and CR, respectively. The adsorption process was controlled by the pseudo-second-order model in the adsorption of MG and by the pseudo-first-order model in the adsorption of CR. The thermodynamics modelling displayed that the process was spontaneous and endothermic. The π–π electron–donor interaction, hydrogen bonds and pore diffusion may also be effective, besides electrostatic interaction between the adsorbate and the adsorbent in the mechanism of MG and CR uptake.

Adsorption of Oil Spill from Sea Water using Coconut Shell Powder

Oil Spill has resulted in severe impact on marine ecosystem as oil spill can have toxicological effects which when consumed, can affect the human respiratory system. Also, the oil and gas industry has had to deal with a massive amount of waste water as a by-product of the exploration of oil and gas. Methods which are used to purify water from petroleum and oil products are: mechanical, physicochemical, chemical and biochemical. Adsorption is a very effective and easily interpreted physicochemical method. In our study, we have highlighted the benefits and procedure of removing oil from seawater using coconut shell powder which is a natural and easily available adsorbent. UV Spectroscopy has been performed to support the feasibility of coconut shell powder as our agent of adsorption. We studied the effect of bed height with respect to removal efficiency analytically. The removal efficiency increases with increase in bed height. Correlation between the Freundlich adsorption isotherm model and adsorption equilibrium data was done and it was found that adsorption equilibrium data was better than the Langmuir model eventually in our experiment.

Study of Mono- and Bimetallic Fe and Mn Oxide-Supported Clinoptilolite for Improved Pb(II) Removal

A cost-effective, iron- and manganese-oxide-supported clinoptilolite-based rock was prepared. Based on its nanoporous structure, it worked as a nanoreactor, thereby providing enhanced functionalities. The mono- and bimetallic Fe- and Mn-oxide-supported clinoptilolite was thoroughly characterized with thermoanalytical FT-IR, XRD, SEM, and XPS spectroscopy. All the spectral procedures that were used confirmed the occurrence of a new MnO2 phase (predominantly birnessite), including mostly amorphous iron oxi(hydr)oxide (FeO(OH)) species on the surface of the above-synthesized adsorbents. The synthesized products validated a considerably higher adsorption capacity toward Pb(II) pollutants compared to the natural clinoptilolite. The following order of a(max) toward Pb(II) was found: MnOx-zeolite (202.1 mg/g) > FeO(OH)-MnOx-zeolite (101.3 mg/g) > FeO(OH)-zeolite (80 mg/g) > natural zeolite (54.9 mg/g). The adsorption equilibrium data were analyzed by the two-parameter empirical isotherm models Langmuir, Freundlich, and BET as well as the three-parameter Redlich–Peterson isotherm.

Adsorption of Methylene Blue by Low-Cost Biochar Derived from Elephant Dung

Elephant dung biochar (ED350) prepared by controlled heating at 350 ºC was used to adsorb methylene blue (MB) in an aqueous solution. The effects of adsorption time, pH, adsorbent dosage, and initial MB concentration were examined. Kinetic, isotherm, and thermo-dynamic models were then further analyzed to determine the adsorption. The results show that ED350 was found to be efficient within 180 min. The optimum pH of MB adsorption was 11. The Langmuir isotherm model was found to be the most suitable fit for the adsorption equilibrium data, with ED350 having a homogeneous surface. The calculated equilibrium parameter (RL) values were greater than zero and less than one, indicating a favorable adsorption process and that ED350 was an efficient adsorbent for MB removal. The kinetics of MB adsorption onto ED350 obeys the pseudo-second-order model. The results of thermo-dynamic data consideration reveal that the adsorption process is spontaneous and exothermic in nature. This finding suggests that ED350 may prove to be an efficient low-cost adsorbent of MB from wastewater.

Isotherm, Kinetic and Thermodynamic Studies on Adsorption of Bromocresol Purple, Acid Red 66 and Acid Blue 40 Using Activated Carbon

This study was conducted with a batch reaction to equilibrium isotherm, kinetic and thermodynamic parameters on adsorption of bromocresol purple (BCP), acid red 66 (AR 66) and acid blue 40 (AB 40) from aqueous solution by using activated carbon with nanopores. Freundlich and Temkin isotherm models were used to evaluate the suitability of isotherm for adsorption equilibrium data. The adsorption equilibrium was best fitted by Temkin model. The Freundlich separation factor values indicated that adsorption on the nanoporous activated carbon could effectively treat three dyes. The kinetic analysis of the adsorption process confirmed that it was more consistent with the pseudo second order model. The intraparticle diffusion was rate limiting step. The adsorption process of three dyes were endothermic because they were positive enthalpy values. The free energy values of three dyes decreased with increasing temperature, so that the spontaneity becomes higher with temperature increase. The activation energy value of three dyes were confirmed the physical adsorption.

Prepared 13X Zeolite as a Promising Adsorbent for the Removal of Brilliant Blue Dye from Wastewater

The research discussed the possibility of adsorption of Brilliant Blue Dye (BBD) from wastewater using 13X zeolite adsorbent, which is considered a byproduct of the production process of potassium carbonate from Iraqi potash raw materials. The 13X zeolite adsorbent was prepared and characterized by X-ray diffraction that showed a clear match with the standard 13X zeolite. The crystallinity rate was 82.15% and the crystal zeolite size was 5.29 nm. The surface area and pore volume of the obtained 13X zeolite were estimated. The prepared 13X zeolite showed the ability to remove BBD contaminant from wastewater at concentrations 5 to 50 ppm and the removal reached 96.60% at the lower pollutant concentration. Adsorption measurements versus time showed 48.18% removal of the dye during just the first half-hour and the maximum removal closest to the removal at the equilibrium after one and half hour. Langmuir isotherm was described the adsorption equilibrium data with a maximum adsorption capacity of 93.46 mg/g and the kinetics data of the adsorption process was followed the pseudo-second-order.

MAGNETITE EMBEDDED BIOCHAR AS NANO-SORBENT FOR EFFECTIVE ADSORPTION OF TEXTILE DYE

The nano-sorbent was synthesized by the embedment of magnetite onto the biochar obtained from Cassia auriculata for the effective adsorption of Levafix blue (LB) dye. Different instrumental techniques revealed the properties of biochar and the nano-sorbent. It was very distinct that the nano-sorbent gained highly favorable properties to be an effectual bio-sorbent. The effect of contact time, initial dye concentration and nano-sorbent dosage on the removal of LB dye was examined. Also, out of the kinetics studies models, the best fit and highest R2 values (0.9873) showed that the adsorption followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherm models were established for the adsorption equilibrium data and the Temkin model showed the best reliability with the experimental results with highest R2 value of 0.9915. The adsorption system was modelled using the Artificial Neural Network (ANN) for biochar and nano-sorbent. The developed well-trained neural structure suggested the high performance of nano-sorbent.

Functionalized MWCNTs-quartzite nanocomposite coated with Dacryodes edulis stem bark extract for the attenuation of hexavalent chromium

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes/quartzite nanocomposite modified with the extract of Dacryodes edulis leaves was synthesized and designated as Q, which was applied for the removal of Cr(VI) from water. The adsorbents (PQ and Q) were characterized using the SEM, EDX, FTIR, TGA, XRD, and BET analyses. The XRD revealed the crystalline composition of the nanocomposite while the TGA indicated the incorporated extract as the primary component that degraded with an increase in temperature. The implication of the modifier was noticed to enhance the adsorption capacity of Q for Cr(VI) by the introduction of chemical functional groups. Optimum Cr(VI) removal was noticed at a pH of 2.0, adsorbent dose (50 mg), initial concentration (100 mg dm−3), and contact time (180 min). The kinetic adsorption data for both adsorbents was noticed to fit well to the pseudo-second-order model. The adsorption equilibrium data were best described by the Langmuir model. The uptake of Cr(VI) onto PQ and Q was feasible, endothermic (ΔH: PQ = 1.194 kJ mol−1 and Q = 34.64 kJ mol−1) and entropy-driven (ΔS : PQ = 64.89 J K−1 mol−1 and q = 189.7 J K−1 mol−1). Hence, the nanocomposite demonstrated potential for robust capacity to trap Cr(VI) from aqueous solution.