Ackee apple (Blighia sapida) seeds: a novel adsorbent for the removal of Congo Red dye from aqueous solutions

The ability of ackee apple (AA) seeds to remove Congo Red (CR) dye from aqueous solution was investigated. AA was characterised using thermo gravimetric analyser, scanning electron microscopy, Braunauer Emmett Teller, pH_pzc, elemental analysis and Boehm titration. The effects of operational parameters such as adsorbent dosage, contact time, initial dye concentration and solution pH were studied in a batch system. pH has a profound influence on the adsorption process. Maximum dye adsorption was observed at pH 3.0. The reaction was fast, reaching equilibrium in 90 min. Adsorption data were best described by Langmuir isotherm and the pseudo-second-order kinetic model with a maximum monolayer coverage of 161.89 mg·g^?1. Both boundary layer and intraparticle diffusion mechanisms were found to govern the adsorption process. Thermodynamic parameters such as standard free energy change (Δ G ⁰), standard enthalpy change (Δ H ⁰), and standard entropy change (Δ S ⁰) were studied. Values of Δ G ⁰ varied between?30.94 and?36.56 kJ·mol^?1, Δ H ⁰ was 25.61 kJ·mol^?1, and Δ S ⁰ was 74.84 kJ·mol^?1·K^?1, indicating that the removal of CR from aqueous solution by AA was spontaneous and endothermic in nature. Regeneration and reusability studies were carried out using different eluents. AA gave the highest adsorption efficiency up to four cycles when treated with 0.3 M HCl. AA was found to be an effective adsorbent for the removal of CR dye from aqueous solution.     

Adsorptive features of banana (Musa paradisiaca) stalk-based activated carbon for malachite green dye removal

Chemically prepared activated carbon derived from banana stalk (BSAC) was used as an adsorbent to remove malachite green (MG) dye from aqueous solution. BSAC was characterised using thermogravimetric analyser, Brunauer Emmett Teller, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, pH_pzc, elemental analysis and Boehm titration. The effectiveness of BSAC in adsorbing MG dye was studied as a function of pH, contact time, temperature, initial dye concentration and repeated desorption–adsorption processes. pH_pzc of BSAC was 4.5 and maximum dye adsorption occurred at pH 8.0. The rate of dye adsorption by BSAC was very fast initially, attaining equilibrium within 120 min following a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Experimental data were analysed by Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin–Raduschevich isotherms. Equilibrium data fitted best into the Langmuir model, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 141.76 mg·g^?1. Δ G ⁰ values were negative, indicating that the process of MG dye adsorption onto BSAC was spontaneous. The positive values of Δ H ⁰ and Δ S ⁰ suggests that the process of dye adsorption was endothermic. The regeneration efficiency of spent BSAC was studied using 0.5 M HCl, and was found to be in the range of 90.22–95.16% after four cycles. This adsorbent was found to be both effective and viable for the removal of MG dye from aqueous solution.     

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 a synthetic textile dye using cocoa pod husks

The adsorption of a synthetic textile dye (Remazol Brilliant Black Reactive) on cocoa pod husk-based activated carbon was investigated in batch process. The adsorbent prepared was characterized by gas adsorption surface analysis (Brunauer Emmett Teller, BET), scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The effects of initial dye concentration, contact time, solution temperature, and solution pH were evaluated. Equilibrium data were fitted to Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm models, the first being the best with maximum monolayer coverage of 111?mg?g^?1. Kinetic data were fitted into pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, intraparticle diffusion, and Elovich models; the pseudo second-order model provided the best correlation. Maximum adsorption was observed at pH 7. Standard free energy, standard enthalpy, and standard entropy were also calculated. The adsorption interaction was found to be endothermic and spontaneous. Both the mean free energy of adsorption and the activation energy show that the mechanism is by physisorption.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

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).     

Removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions using activated carbon prepared from Cicer arietinum

Removal of Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Zn²⁺ from aqueous solutions by activated carbon prepared from stems and seed hulls of Cicer arietinum, an agricultural solid waste, has been studied. The influence of various parameters, such as pH, contact time, adsorbent dose, and initial concentration of metal ions on removal was evaluated. The activated carbon was characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and elemental analysis. Sorption isotherms were studied using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. All experimental sorption data were fitted to the sorption models using nonlinear least-squares regression. The maximum adsorption capacity values for activated carbon prepared from Cicer arietinum waste for metal ions were 18 mg g^?1 (Cu²⁺), 18 mg g^?1 (Cd²⁺), 20 mg g^?1 (Pb²⁺), and 20 mg g^?1 (Zn²⁺), respectively. The Freundlich isotherm model fit was best, followed by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Desorption studies were carried out with dilute hydrochloric acid for quantitative recovery of the metal ions and for regeneration of the adsorbent.     

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.     

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.     

Removal of C.I. acid brown 75 from aqueous solution by kaolinite

The adsorption of acid brown 75 onto kaolinite in aqueous solution was studied with respect to the pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time, initial concentration, and operating temperature. Desorption of dye from dye-saturated kaolinite was observed. Experimental data indicated that the adsorption capacity of kaolinite for the dye was higher in acidic rather than in basic solution. The maximum adsorption capacity of kaolinite towards the dye was found to be 96.5 mg g^?1 (pH 1.0). At the optimal adsorption condition, the dye removal ratio was 95.5%. Dye-saturated kaolinite could desorb at aqueous NaOH, the desorption ratio of dye was 78.8%. The linear Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models are well fitting to represent the experimental data.     

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.     

Removal of Eu3+, Ce3+, Sr2+, and Cs+ ions from radioactive waste solutions by modified activated carbon prepared from coconut shells

As a biomass agricultural waste material, coconut shells were used for the preparation of high-quality modified activated carbon. Chemical modification of the surface of the prepared activated carbon is done by oxidation using H₂O₂ and HNO₃, respectively. The surface area and pore volume of the coconut shells activated carbon are increased by the chemical modification, and followingly the removal of the metals is improved. The structural morphology and composition of the modified activated carbon coconut shells (MACCS) were evaluated by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, thermogravimetric analysis–differential thermal analysis (TGA-DTA), scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), surface area analysis (SAA), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, and sulfur (CHNS) elemental analysis. The prepared MACCS has reasonably good chemical stability. The influence of solution pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage, adsorption temperature, initial metal concentrations, and interfering ions on the adsorption performance of the investigated ions onto the prepared sorbent was examined by a batch method. The selectivity sequence for sorption of Eu³⁺, Ce³⁺, Sr²⁺, and Cs⁺ ions on MACCS was found to be Eu^3+?>?Ce^3+?>?Sr^2+?>?Cs⁺. The saturation capacities of MACCS for the studied metal ions were found to be 136.84, 85.55, 69.85, and 60.00?mg?g^?1 for Eu³⁺, Ce³⁺, Sr²⁺, and Cs⁺ ions, respectively. The thermodynamic parameters, ΔH°, ΔS°, and ΔG° were also evaluated.     

Equilibrium,kinetics and thermodynamics of hexavalent chromium biosorption on pristine and zinc chloride activated Senna siamea seed pods

Hexavalent chromium contamination in water is an issue of huge concern due to its use at a high scale, toxicity and non-biodegradability. Biosorption is a cost effective and unconventional strategy for the elimination of Cr(VI). Here, a novel biosorbent Senna siamea seed pod biomass and its chemically activated form have been investigated for the elimination of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solution. The biosorbent was characterized by using BET, FTIR, FESEM-EDX and TGA techniques. Parameters controlling the biosorption process were optimized as pH 2.0, temperature 30°C, initial Cr(VI) concentration 500?mg/L, biosorbent dose 0.5?g/L. Optimized contact time was 210 and 180 min for pristine biomass and activated carbon, respectively. Langmuir isotherm correlated well with experimental data revealing that the biosorption occurred in monolayer pattern. Maximum biosorption capacity calculated by Langmuir biosorption isotherm was 119.18 and 139.86?mg/g for S. siamea pristine biomass and activated carbon, respectively. Pseudo-second order kinetic model correlated well with experimental data. Thermodynamic studies suggested that the biosorption process occurs in a non-spontaneous, stable and endothermic manner. These interesting findings on Cr(VI) biosorption by S. siamea seed pod biomass and S. siamea zinc chloride activated carbon vouches for its potential application as an unconventional biosorbent.     

Removal of Cu2+ and dye from wastewater using the heavy metal precipitant N,N-bis-(dithiocarboxy)piperazine

We found that a new heavy metal precipitant, disodium N,N-bis-(dithiocarboxy)piperazine, both precipitates Cu²⁺ ions removes the dye from wastewater. The precipitation was based on a coordination polymerization reaction while the removal of the dye could be mainly attributed to an hydrophobic adsorption at pH 7.     

Removal of chromium(VI) by ZnCl2 activated coir pith carbon

The adsorption of chromium(VI) onto ZnCl₂ activated carbon developed from coir pith was investigated to assess the possible use of this adsorbent. The influence of contact time, adsorbent dose, Cr(VI) concentration, pH and temperature were investigated. The two theoretical adsorption isotherms, namely, Langmuir and Freundlich were used to describe the experimental results. The Langmuir adsorption capacity (Q ₀) was found to be 120.5?mg Cr(VI) per g of the adsorbent. The adsorption followed the second-order kinetics and was found to be maximum at pH 2.0. The pH effect and the desorption studies showed that ion exchange mechanism might be involved in the adsorption process. The effects of foreign ions such as chloride, sulphate, phosphate, selenite, molybdate, nitrate and perchlorate on the removal of Cr(VI) have been investigated. The removal of Cr(VI) from synthetic ground water was also tested. The results show that ZnCl₂ activated coir pith carbon is effective for the removal of Cr(VI) from water.     

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.     

Investigation of acetaminophen adsorption with a biosorbent as a purification method of aqueous solution

ABSTRACT

Pharmaceutical compounds are considered emerging environmental pollutants that have a potential harmful impact on environment and human health. In this study, the spiky green horse-chestnut shell was used for the biosorption and removal of acetaminophen from aqueous solution. It was analysed how the parameters, like contact time, pH, mass of biosorbent and temperature, influence the effectiveness of acetaminophen removal from aqueous solutions. The equilibrium was quickly achieved after 10?min (～60%). The amount of acetaminophen adsorption slightly increased with the increase of the mass of biosorbent, and for example for an aqueous solution containing 10?mg/L of acetaminophen adsorption was increased from 62% to 81%. The promising results obtained at pH ranged between 2 and 9, which shows that the adsorption of acetaminophen did not depend on the pH and it may be a consequence of the predominant microporous sorbent and its surface charge. The result is better correlated to a pseudo-second-order kinetic model of type 2 (r ²?=?0.9992) than pseudo-first-order. A sorption mechanism of acetaminophen on biosorbent was also proposed. The sorption of acetaminophen over biosorbent is mainly preceded by hydrophilic interactions between hydroxyl and carbonyl groups in pharmaceutical molecules and hydroxyl and carboxyl groups on the surface of biosorbent.     

Visible light sensitive activated carbon-metal oxide (TiO2, WO3, NiO,and SnO) nano-catalysts for photo-degradation of methylene blue: a comparative study

Four composites of metal oxide doped with activated carbon with a metal oxide weight of 20% were prepared using mechano-mixing method. The nano-catalysts were characterized by N₂-adsorption–desorption, X-ray diffraction analysis, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-diffuse reflectance, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Photo-catalytic degradation of methylene blue dye under UV 254 nm and visible light was examined. In general, prepared catalysts are more active for degradation of dye under visible light than UV, reaching 96% within 180?min irradiation using the SnO catalyst. Photo-degradation of methylene blue followed pseudo first order reaction mechanism with a rate constant of 14.8?×?10^?3?min^?1, and the time required for removal of 50% of dye was 47?min.