Steam activation,characterisation and adsorption studies of activated carbon from maize tassels

In this paper, steam-produced activated carbon (STAC) from maize tassel (MT) was evaluated for its ability to remove basic dye (methylene blue MB) from aqueous solution in a batch adsorption process. The equilibrium experiments were conducted in the range of 50–300 mg/L initial MB concentrations at 30°C, for effect of pH, adsorbent dosage and contact time. The experimental data were analysed by Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherm models of adsorption. Freundlich adsorption isotherm was found to have highest value of R²(R²=0.97) compared to other models of Langmuir and Temkin having (0.96 and 0.95 respectively). STAC has a high adsorptive capacity for MB dye (200 mg/g) and also showed favourable adsorption for the dye with the separation factor (R_L<1) for the dye-activated carbon system. The kinetic data obtained were analysed using pseudo first-order kinetic equation and pseudo second-order kinetic equation. The experimental data fitted well into pseudo second-order kinetic equation, as demonstrated by the high value of R².     

Adsorptive removal of rhodamine B from textile wastewater using water chestnut (Trapa natans L.) peel: adsorption dynamics and kinetic studies

Water chestnut peel, an agricultural bio-waste, was used as a biosorbent for removal of rhodamine B (RhB), basic textile dye, from an aqueous solution. The effects of various experimental parameters were studied. The equilibrium data correlated well with a Freundlich isotherm (R² = 0.98–0.99) followed by a Halsey isotherm model (R² = 0.98–0.99) which indicated heterogeneity of the adsorbent surface and multilayer adsorption of RhB dye onto the water chestnut peel waste (WCPW). High correlation coefficients (R² = 0.99) together with close agreement between experimental q_e (0.4–1.7 mg g^?1) and calculated q_e (0.4–2.5 mg g^?1) suggested that the adsorption process followed pseudo-second-order kinetics, with k₂ values in the range of 52–3.4 × 10^?1 g mg^?1 min^?1 at different concentrations. The overall mechanism of adsorption was controlled by both liquid-film and intra-particle diffusions. The negative values of change in Gibb's free energy (?ΔG⁰ = 19.2–29.2 kJ mol^?1) and positive values of change in enthalpy (ΔH⁰ = 30.9–117.6 kJ mol^?1) revealed the process to be spontaneous and endothermic. WCPW was found to be an effective adsorbent for removal of RhB, a cationic dye, from an aqueous solution.     

Magnetic particles precipitated onto wheat husk for removal of methyl blue from aqueous solution

Magnetic particles prepared via co-precipitation and impregnated onto wheat husk (MN-WH) were used for the removal of methyl blue (MB) from aqueous solution. Experiments were conducted in a batch mode for optimization regarding pH, contact time, adsorbent dose, initial dye concentrations, and temperature. Maximum adsorption (98%) was achieved at pH 5. The adsorption data were fitted into pseudo-first, pseudo-second, intraparticle diffusion, and Elovich equation revealing that adsorption followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. The four most common isotherm models, i.e. the Langmuir, Freundlich, Tempkin, and Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R), were used to evaluate the data, with the best fit to a Langmuir isotherm (R² = 0.996), followed by a Freundlich isotherm (R² = 0.995), indicating monolayer adsorption of MB on the surface of MN-WH. Thermodynamic parameters calculated from the Van't Hoff equation revealed that the adsorption is exothermic (ΔHº = ?19.7 kJ mol^?1).     

Adsorptive removal of mercury from acid mine drainage: a comparison of silica and maghemite nanoparticles

Mercury adsorption by silica and maghemite nanoparticles (NPs) was studied with the aim of comparing their performance in the remediation of acid mine drainage (AMD) contaminated water. Calculated distribution coefficients (K_d) showed that both NPs are exceptional adsorbents. However, adsorbate coverage per unit area was 30 times higher for maghemite than for silica NPs, despite the latter having a surface area ～15 times greater. Maghemite adsorbed 75% of available Hg compared to 56% by silica, making it a more efficient sorbent than silica under AMD conditions. Kinetics and isotherm data for both adsorbents were fitted by the pseudo-second-order (R² = 1) and the Freundlich (R² ≥ 0.98) models, implying that adsorption to both NP types was by chemisorption. Adsorption increased with NP concentrations and pH and was enhanced in the presence of manganese and sulfate ions although adsorption to silica was inhibited in 1:2 Hg-to-Mn systems. Importantly, trends in simulated wastewater were replicated in actual AMD-contaminated water samples. This study highlights the fact that properties besides surface area and charge of adsorbents determine adsorbent performance, and superior attributes may not always lead to higher adsorption efficiencies.     

Preparation and characterization of calcium alginate-based composite adsorbents for the removal of Cd,Hg, and Pb ions from aqueous solution

Composite adsorbent materials containing calcium alginate, clinoptilolite, and coal-derived humic acid were prepared. Humic acid (HA), clinoptilolite (CL), alginate (AL), alginate-entrapped humic acid (AL/HA), clinoptilolite (AL/CL), and humic acid/clinoptilolite (AL/HA/CL) samples were characterized. The effectiveness of the samples as adsorbents for the removal of cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg), and lead (Pb) were studied in a series of batch-adsorption experiments. For the AL, AL/HA, AL/CL, and AL/HA/CL adsorbents, uptake versus time data were evaluated using two kinetic models, a linear and a non-linear pseudo-first-order and a pseudo-second-order model. The data for each metal ion on all adsorbents showed good correspondence with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The equilibrium data were fitted to Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin–Radushkevich, and Temkin isotherm models. The results show that a non-linear method seems more appropriate for obtaining isotherm parameters. The non-linear Freundlich and Langmuir models for Pb and Hg produced a best fit with high R ² value (0.99). For HA adsorbent, the equilibrium data for Cd removal better fit to the non-linear Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm.     

Simultaneous removal of Co,Cu, and Cr from water by electrocoagulation

This study provides an electrocoagulation process for the removal of metals such as cobalt, copper, and chromium from water using magnesium as anode and galvanized iron as cathode. The various parameters like pH, current density, temperature, and inter electrode distance on the removal efficiency of metals were studied. The results showed that maximum removal efficiency was achieved for cobalt, copper, and chromium with magnesium as anode and galvanized iron as cathode at a current density of 0.025?A?dm^?2 at pH 7.0. First- and second-order rate equations were applied to study adsorption kinetics. The adsorption process follows second-order kinetics model with good correlation. The Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models were studied using the experimental data. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm favors monolayer coverage of adsorbed molecules for the adsorption of cobalt, copper, and chromium. Temperature studies showed that adsorption was endothermic and spontaneous in nature.     

Kinetic,equilibrium and thermodynamic studies for the sorption of metribuzin from aqueous solution using banana peels,an agro-based biomass

Banana peels were employed for the removal of metribuzin from aqueous solution. Sorption in the batch mode was optimized regarding pH, contact time, sorbent dose, initial pesticide concentrations, and temperature. The sorption data were fitted to pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, intraparticle diffusion, Elovich, and liquid film diffusion model, the pseudo-second-order exhibiting best fit (R² = 0.9803). Of the four most common sorption isotherm models (Langmuir, Freundlich, Tempkin, and Dubinin–Radushkevich), the data followed the Langmuir isotherm with highest correlation. The maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 167 mg g^?1. Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, and entropy showed that the sorption was exothermic and spontaneous.     

Adsorption of cadmium from aqueous solution using Rooibos shoots as adsorbent

The use of Rooibos shoots, a natural adsorbent, for cadmium removal from wastewater is proposed. The effects of initial pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time, and initial concentration were investigated in the batch adsorption mode. The optimum pH was found to be 5.5. Isotherm and kinetic data were modeled; the data fitted best to the Freundlich model, and, kinetically, the adsorption was of pseudo-second order as shown by the high R² value of 0.9928 along with close agreement between the experimental q_e (13.9 mg g^?1) and calculated q_e (14.24 mg g^?1) values. The studied biomass material was found to be effectively used for removal of cadmium from contaminated mine wastewater.     

Removal of congo red and basic violet 1 by chir pine (Pinus roxburghii) sawdust,a saw mill waste: batch and column studies

The efficiency of chir pine sawdust (CPS) for adsorptive removal of the dyes, congo red (CR) and basic violet 1 (BV), from aqueous solution was evaluated using batch and column studies. The equilibrium was attained in 60 min for CR and 45 min for BV. The adsorption of BV obeyed the Langmuir isotherm model while the Freundlich isotherm fitted the equilibrium data of CR adsorption. The Langmuir monolayer adsorption capacities (Q_o) of CPS for BV and CR were 11.3 and 5.8 g kg^?1, respectively. The kinetic data for CR were best fitted to the Lagergren pseudo-first-order model and for BV to the pseudo-second-order model. The intra-particle diffusion was found to be the rate-controlling step for CR adsorption, while the adsorption kinetics of BV were controlled by both intra-particle and liquid-film diffusion. The thermodynamic parameters indicated that the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic in nature. The adsorption activation energy (E_a) for CR (124 kJ mol^?1) implied chemical adsorption while that for BV (5.4 kJ mol^?1) indicated physical adsorption. An increase in the Thomas model constant (K_Th) with increasing flow indicated that for both dyes the mass transport resistance decreased during adsorption. Thus, CPS may be an efficient low-cost adsorbent for decolorization of dye-containing wastewaters.     

Copper(II) ions’ removal from aqueous solution using green horse-chestnut shell as a low-cost adsorbent

The adsorption of copper(II) ions from aqueous solutions by the green horse-chestnut shell was studied in a batch adsorption system. It was determined how the parameters of the adsorption process, such as time, pH, copper(II) ions concentration and sorbent dose, influence the effectiveness of copper(II) ions’ removal. The adsorption process was fast and equilibrium was established about 10?min, and near 95–97% of Cu(II) ions were removed from aqueous solution. Maximum copper(II) ions’ adsorption occurred at around pH 5. The adsorption kinetics are also described, using pseudo-first-order model and pseudo-second-order model of type 1 and 2. A comparison of the kinetics models on the overall adsorption rate showed that the adsorption system was best described by the pseudo-second-order model of type 1 (r²?=?0.999) for all initial concentrations. Another key part of this study was the use of the Freundlich model to determine the adsorption isotherm and the experimental data were in strong correspondence with this model.     

Biosorption of Cr(VI) from wastewater using Sorghastrum Nutans L. Nash

Sorghastrum Nutans L. Nash is used as an adsorbent for the removal of Cr(VI) from wastewater. Adsorption coupled reduction i.e. indirect reduction is the mechanism of Cr(VI) removal by the biomaterial. The adsorbent surface became highly positively charged at lower pH, adsorption rate of Cr(VI) is faster and reduction reaction also accelerates at lower pH since the binding of negatively charged Cr(VI) ion species to the cationic groups is enhanced and protons take part in this reaction. The adsorbent is characterised by using XRD, FTIR, SEM and EDAX analysis. OH bending, CN stretching/bending and NH stretching play a major role in Chromium adsorption. Experimental values follow pseudo-second order reaction and Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Surface diffusion is the rate controlling mechanism for the process. The maximum percentage of Cr(VI) removal obtained is 75.5% with 7?g/L dosage at pH 1.3 and adsorbate concentration was 100?mg/L. From the normal probability, residual, contour, 3D surface, main effect and interaction plot along with t-test, ANOVA, and F-test, it is observed that pH has the most significant effect on the percentage removal followed by adsorbent dosage and time. The adsorbate concentration has the least effects and interaction effects are found to be significant.     

Removal of Mo(VI) from aqueous solutions using sulfuric acid-modified cinder: kinetic and thermodynamic studies

Removal of Mo(VI) from aqueous solutions was investigated using cinder modified by sulfuric acid. Various parameters such as pH, agitation time, Mo(VI) concentration, and temperature have been studied. The maximum adsorption of Mo(VI) occurred at pH between 4.0 and 6.0. Kinetic studies showed that the adsorption generally obeyed a pseudo second-order model. The activation energy was 31.4?kJ?mol^?1, indicating that the adsorption process was governed mainly by interactions of physical nature. Furthermore, application of Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models to the adsorption equilibrium data showed that the adsorption behavior obeyed the Langmuir model. The adsorption capacity was found to be 10.8?g Mo(VI)?kg^?1 adsorbent. Finally, thermodynamic parameters such as ΔH ⁰, ΔS ⁰, and ΔG ⁰ were also evaluated, which showed that the adsorption of Mo(VI) on the treated cinder was endothermic, entropy increasing, and spontaneous. In conclusion, the sulfuric acid-modified cinder was shown to be an inexpensive, effective, and simple adsorbent for the removal of Mo(VI) from water.     

Biosorption of Direct Yellow 12 from aqueous solution using green alga Ulva lactuca

The potential of commonly available green alga Ulva lactuca was investigated as viable biomaterials for removal of synthetic azo dye (Direct Yellow 12, DY-12) from aqueous solution. The results obtained from the batch experiments revealed that the ability of the U. lactuca to remove DY-12 from its aqueous solution was dependent on the dye concentration, pH, and algal biomass but less dependent on the particle size of the U. lactuca. The equilibrium conditions and kinetics of adsorption were investigated, and the adsorption kinetic was consistent with the pseudo-second-order model (R ²=1). The adsorption isotherm followed only the Freundlich model with a correlation coefficient R ²=0.99. This study demonstrated that the U. lactuca could be used as an effective biosorbent for the removal of DY-12 from its aqueous solution.     

Ionic dye adsorption by zinc oxide nanoparticles

The adsorption behaviour of Basic Red 12, Acid Orange 7 and Acid Blue 1 on zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZNP) has been investigated to understand the physicochemical process involved and to explore the possible use of nanoparticles in the treatment and management of textile waste matter. The dye removal capacity of ZNP towards Basic Red 12, Acid Orange 7 and Acid Blue 1 was found to be 15.64, 6.78 and 6.38 mg g^?1, respectively. The adsorption process was pH dependent and optimum pH values of 9.0, 2.0 and 4.0 were obtained for Basic Red 12, Acid Orange 7 and Acid Blue 1, respectively. Equilibrium was established after 1.0 h for all dyes. Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherm models were applied to the system. The adsorbent ZNP was characterised using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) techniques. SEM analysis revealed the noticeable nanoporous morphology of the material. The results of FTIR spectroscopy showed that the process is driven by an electrostatic complexation mechanism. XRD studies revealed the nanocrystalline structure of ZNP. BET surface area measurement suggested a high pore volume and large surface area for the adsorbent. The kinetic measurements suggested pseudo-second-order kinetic processes with high regression coefficients and smaller standard error of estimate values and lower residual sum of squares. The thermodynamic measurements suggested that all processes were exothermic and accompanied by negative values for Δ G⁰, Δ S⁰ and Δ H⁰.     

Pomegranate husk as an adsorbent in the removal of toxic chromium from wastewater

The use of a new sorbent developed from the husk of pomegranate, a famous fruit in Egypt, for the removal of toxic chromium from aqueous solution has been investigated. The batch experiment was conducted to determine the adsorption capacity of the pomegranate husk. The effects of initial metal concentration (25 and 50 mg l^?1), pH, contact time, and sorbent concentration (2–6 g l^?1) have been studied at room temperature. A strong dependence of the adsorption capacity on pH was observed, the capacity increased as the pH decreased, and the optimum pH value was pH 1.0. Adsorption equilibrium and kinetics were studied with different sorbent and metal concentrations. The adsorption process was fast, and equilibrium was reached within 3 h. The maximum removal was 100% for 25 mg l^?1 of Cr⁶⁺ concentration on 5 g l^?1 pomegranate husk concentration, and the maximum adsorption capacity was 10.59 mg g^?1. The kinetic data were analysed using various kinetic models—pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Elovich, and intraparticle diffusion equations—and the equilibrium data were tested using several isotherm models, Langmuir, Freundlich, Tempkin, Dubinin–Radushkevich, and Generalized isotherm equations. The Elovich and pseudo-second-order equations provided the greatest accuracy for the kinetic data, while Langmuir and Generalized isotherm models were the closest fit for the equilibrium data. The activation energy of sorption has also been evaluated as 0.236 and 0.707 kJ mol^?1 for 25 and 50 mg l^?1 chromium concentration, respectively.     

Suitability of various chemically prepared activated carbons for the removal of copper(II) ions

Studies on the suitability of various chemically prepared activated carbons (CPACs) like straw carbon (SC), sawdust carbon (SDC), dates nut carbon (DNC) and commercial activated carbon (CAC) for the removal of copper(II) ions by adsorption from simulated wastewater have been carried out under batch mode at 30?±?1°C and the results are compared. The percentage removal of Cu(II) ions increased with a decrease in initial concentration, particle size and added electrolytes (ionic strength) and increased with an increase in contact time, dose of adsorbent and initial pH of the solution. The adsorption data were fitted with the Langmuir isotherm. The applicability of the first order kinetic equation viz. Lagergren equation was tested by correlation analysis. The adsorption process is concluded to be a spontaneous, first order reaction, occurring with increased randomness at the solid–liquid interface. Studies on the desorption of Cu²⁺-loaded activated carbons (ACs) were carried out with nitric acid (0.2–1?N). The possibility of reuse of the regenerated ACs in cycle (in cue-one after another) was tested. SC was found to be a suitable adsorbent alternative to CAC among CPACs for the removal of metal ions, in general, and Cu²⁺ ions, in particular.     

Adsorption of methylene blue from aqueous solution by chemically treated water hyacinth

Water hyacinth (WH), an aquatic plant macrophyte, was investigated for its ability to perform as a suitable adsorbent for methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solution. The non-living biomass of WH was subjected to several chemical treatments, namely, washing with hot water, washing with hot dilute HCl, soaking in NaOH, soaking in HNO₃, and sulfonation. The system variables studied also include pH and MB concentration. The Langmuir isotherm was found to represent the measured adsorption data well except for WH soaked in NaOH, which was found to be better represented by the Freundlich isotherm. Values of the dimensionless separation factor, K _R, indicated that the adsorption systems in this study are all favorable. Values of the first layer of adsorption were calculated by the non-linear multilayer adsorption model, and the specific surface area values were found to be high and comparable to commercially activated carbons.     

Low-cost and efficient adsorbent derived from pyrolysis of Jatropha curcas seeds for the removal of Cu2+ from aqueous solutions

Biochar, is a low-cost material that can be used as an alternative adsorbent for the removal of heavy metals. In this study, a low-cost and efficient adsorbent synthesised from Jatropha curcas seeds was used for the uptake of Cu²⁺ from aqueous solutions. The as-prepared adsorbent was characterised by scanning electron microscopy and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis post calcination at 500 °C, its BET surface area and total pore volume were 39.62?m²?g^?1 and 0.049?m³?g^?1, respectively. Subsequently, the effects of initial pH of the solution, contact time, and adsorbent material dosage on the adsorption of Cu²⁺ by the prepared adsorbent were investigated. The as-prepared adsorbent exhibited a high performance, with a maximum adsorption amount of 32.895?mg?g^?1 for Cu²⁺ at pH 5.0 and 25 °C, owing to the presence of ?OH, C=O, C–O, Si-O-Si, and O-Si-O on its surface. The predominant Cu²⁺ adsorption mechanism was assumed to be ion exchange. Notably, the Cu²⁺ adsorption could attain equilibrium within 90?min. In addition, the fact that the Langmuir model was a better fit than the Freundlich model for the isotherm data of Cu²⁺ adsorption by the as-prepared adsorbent suggested that the adsorption of Cu²⁺ was a monolayer adsorption process.     

Modeling of adsorption kinetics and equilibria of acid dyes onto activated carbon in single- and binary-component systems

Adsorptive removal of Acid Blue 127 and Acid Yellow 17 from their single and binary solutions has been studied using powdered activated carbon (PAC). The dyes used extensively for dying of nylon fiber in textile industry are known as Nylomine Blue P-B (NB) and Nylomine Yellow P-4G (NY), respectively. Time-dependent results obtained from single-component system have been better predicted by two resistance diffusion model rather than homogeneous surface diffusion. The magnitudes of film- and intraparticle diffusion coefficients calculated from McKay equation are ～10^?9 and ～10^?15 m² s^?1, whereas surface diffusion coefficients have been estimated as ～10^?13 m² s^?1 using Vermeulen approximation. Experimental equilibrium isotherms have been evaluated by changing initial dye concentrations in the range of 0.02–1.00 of mmol L^?1. Freundlich isotherm parameters for individual solutions of the dyes have been used to predict their equilibrium behaviors in binary solutions by applying extended Freundlich model. Langmuir isotherm model and its extended form have also been fitted to the data for single- and binary-dye solutions, respectively. Thermodynamic functions derived from the temperature dependence of adsorption equilibrium constants in 298–318 K range show that adsorption processes are endothermic but spontaneous.     

Removal of cadmium(II), lead(II), and chromium(VI) ions from aqueous solution using clay

Removal of cadmium(II), lead(II), and chromium(VI) from aqueous solution using clay, a naturally occurring low-cost adsorbent, under various conditions, such as contact time, initial concentration, temperature, and pH has been investigated. The sorption of these metals follows both Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms. The magnitude of Langmuir and Freundlich constants at 30°C for cadmium, lead, and chromium indicate good adsorption capacity. The kinetic rate constants (K _ad) indicate that the adsorption follows first order. The thermodynamic parameters: free energy change (ΔG ^o), enthalpy change (ΔH ^o), and entropy change (ΔS ^o) show that adsorption is an endothermic process and that adsorption is favored at high temperature. The results reveal that clay is a good adsorbent for the removal of these metals from wastewater.