Intensification of adsorption process by using the pyrolytic char from waste tires to remove chromium(Ⅵ) from wastewater

Pyrolysis has the potential of transforming waste into valuable recyclable products. Pyrolytic char (PC) is one of the most important products from the pyrolysis of used tires. One of the most significant applications for pyrolytic char recovered is used for the removal of Cr( Ⅵ ) in the wastewater effluent to control waste by waste. The surface chemistry properties of surface element distribution/concentration and chemical structure were examined for the pyrolytic char and the commercial activated carbon(CAC) respectively. The results showed that surfaces of PC possesses a large amount of ester and hydrocarbon graft, whereas there are mainly carbon functional components of C-OH, C=O and COOH on the surface of CAC. Therefore the surface electronegativity of PC is lower than that of CAC in the water. The repulsive interactions between the surfaces of PC and the negatively charged Cr（Ⅵ ) ion are weaker than that of CAC,which results in an intensification of the adsorption process by the utilization of PC. The adsorption isotherms of Cr( Ⅵ ) ion on the two kinds of carbons were determined experimentally. The larger adsorption amount on the PC in the case of Cr( Ⅵ ) may be attributed mainly to its special surface micro-chemical environment. The mechanism of the removal Cr( Ⅵ ) from aqueous solution was assumed to be the integration of adsorption and redox reaction. The adsorption was the rate-controlled step for Cr( Ⅵ ) removal. The adsorption of Cr( Ⅵ )was identified as pseudo-second-order kinetics. The rate constants of adsorption were evaluated.     

From illite/smectite clay to mesoporous silicate adsorbent for efficient removal of chlortetracycline from water

A series of mesoporous silicate adsorbents with superior adsorption performance for hazardous chlortetracycline(CTC) were sucessfully prepared via a facile one-pot hydrothermal reaction using low-cost illite/smectite(IS) clay,sodium silicate and magnesium sulfate as the starting materials.In this process,IS clay was "teared up" and then "rebuilt" as new porous silicate adsorbent with high specific surface area of 363.52 m~2/g(about 8.7 folds higher than that of IS clay) and very negative Zeta potential(- 34.5 mV).The inert Si- O- Si(Mg,Al) bonds in crystal framework of IS were broken to form Si(Al)- O~- groups with good adsorption activity,which greatly increased the adsorption sites served for holding much CTC molecules.Systematic evaluation on adsorption properties reveals the optimal silicate adsorbent can adsorb 408.81 mg/g of CTC(only 159.7 mg/g for raw IS clay) and remove 99.3%(only 46.5%for raw IS clay) of CTC from 100 mg/L initial solution(pH 3.51;adsorption temperature 30℃;adsorbent dosage,3 g/L).The adsorption behaviors of CTC onto the adsorbent follows the Langmuir isotherm model,Temkin equation and pseudo second-order kinetic model.The mesopore adsorption,electrostatic attraction and chemical association mainly contribute to the enhanced adsorption properties.As a whole,the high-efficient silicate adsorbent could be candidates to remove CTC from the wastewater with high amounts of CTC.     

MgO-based adsorbents for CO2 adsorption: Influence of structural and textural properties on the CO2 adsorption performance

A series of MgO-based adsorbents were prepared through solution–combustion synthesis and ball-milling process.The prepared MgO-based powders were characterized using X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscopy,N_2 physisorption measurements,and employed as potential adsorbents for CO_2 adsorption.The influence of structural and textural properties of these adsorbents over the CO_2 adsorption behaviour was also investigated.The results showed that MgO-based products prepared by solution–combustion and ball-milling processes,were highly porous,fluffy,nanocrystalline structures in nature,which are unique physico-chemical properties that significantly contribute to enhance their CO_2 adsorption.It was found that the MgO synthesized by solution combustion process,using a molar ratio of urea to magnesium nitrate(2:1),and treated by ball-milling during 2.5 hr(MgO-BM2.5h),exhibited the maximum CO_2 adsorption capacity of 1.611 mmol/g at 25℃ and 1 atm,mainly via chemisorption.The CO_2 adsorption behaviour on the MgO-based adsorbents was correlated to their improved specific surface area,total pore volume,pore size distribution and crystallinity.The reusability of synthesized MgO-BM2.5h was confirmed by five consecutive CO_2adsorption–desorption times,without any significant loss of performance,that supports the potential of MgO-based adsorbent.The results confirmed that the special features of MgO prepared by solution–combustion and treated by ball-milling during 2.5 hr are favorable to be used as effective MgO-based adsorbent in post-combustion CO_2 capture technologies.     

Synthesis,characterization and application of Lagerstroemia speciosa embedded magnetic nanoparticle for Cr(Ⅵ)adsorption from aqueous solution

Lagerstroemia speciosa bark(LB) embedded magnetic nanoparticles were prepared by co-precipitation of Fe~(2+) and Fe~(3+) salt solution with ammonia and LB for Cr(Ⅵ) removal from aqueous solution.The native LB,magnetic nanoparticle(MNP),L.spedosa embedded magnetic nanoparticle(MNPLB) and Cr(Ⅵ) adsorbed MNPLB particles were characterized by SEM-EDX,TEM,BET-surface area,FT-IR,XRD and TGA methods.TEM analysis confirmed nearly spherical shape of MNP with an average diameter of 8.76 nm and the surface modification did not result in the phase change of MNP as established by XRD analysis,while led to the formation of secondary particles of MNPLB with diameter of 18.54 nm.Characterization results revealed covalent binding between the hydroxyl group of MNP and carboxyl group of LB particles and further confirmed its physico-chemical nature favorable for Cr(Ⅵ) adsorption.The Cr(Ⅵ) adsorption on to MNPLB particle as an adsorbent was tested under different contact time,initial Cr(Ⅵ) concentration,adsorbent dose,initial pH,temperature and agitation speed.The results of the equilibrium and kinetics of adsorption were well described by Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order model,respectively.The thermodynamic parameters suggest spontaneous and endothermic nature of Cr(Ⅵ)adsorption onto MNPLB.The maximum adsorption capacity for MNPLB was calculated to be 434.78 mg/g and these particles even after Cr(Ⅵ) adsorption were collected effortlessly from the aqueous solution by a magnet.The desorption of Cr(Ⅵ)-adsorbed MNPLB was found to be more than 93.72%with spent MNPLB depicting eleven successive adsorption-desorption cycles.     

Preparation of Fe–Co based MOF-74 and its effective adsorption of arsenic from aqueous solution

To obtain a cost-effective adsorbent for the removal of arsenic in water,a novel nanostructured Fe–Co based metal organic framework(MOF-74)adsorbent was successfully prepared via a simple solvothermal method.The adsorption experiments showed that the optimal molar ratio of Fe/Co in the adsorbent was 2:1.The Fe_2Co_1MOF-74 was characterized by various techniques and the results showed that the nanoparticle diameter ranged from60 to 80 nm and the specific surface area was 147.82 m~2/g.The isotherm and kinetic parameters of arsenic removal on Fe_2Co_1MOF-74 were well-fitted by the Langmuir and pseudo-second-order models.The maximum adsorption capacities toward As(III)and As(V)were 266.52 and 292.29 mg/g,respectively.The presence of sulfate,carbonate and humic acid had no obvious effect on arsenic adsorption.However,coexisting phosphate significantly hindered the removal of arsenic,especially at high concentrations(10 mmol/L).Electrostatic interaction and hydroxyl and metal–oxygen groups played important roles in the adsorption of arsenic.Furthermore,the prepared adsorbent had stable adsorption ability after regeneration and when used in a real-water matrix.The excellent adsorption performance of Fe_2Co_1MOF-74 material makes it a potentially promising adsorbent for the removal of arsenic.     

Removal of Cd2+ from water by Friedel’s salt (FS: 3CaO.Al2O3·CaCl2·10H2O): Sorption characteristics and mechanisms

The development of low-cost and efficient new mineral adsorbents has been a hot topic in recent years. In this study, Friedel’s salt (FS:3CaO·A12O3 ·CaCl2 ·10H2O), a hexagonal layered inorganic absorbent, was synthesized to remove Cd2+ from water. The adsorption process was simulated by Langmuir and Freundlich models. The adsorption mechanism was further analyzed with TEM, XRD, FT-IR analysis and monitoring of metal cations released and solution pH variation. The results indicated the adsorbent FS had an outstanding ability for Cd(Ⅱ) adsorption. The maximum adsorption capacity of the FS for Cd(Ⅱ) removal can reach up to 671.14 mg/g. The nearly equal numbers of Cd2+ adsorbed and Ca2+ released demonstrated that ion-exchange (both surface and inner) of the FS for Cd(Ⅱ) played an important role during the adsorption process. Furthermore, the surface of the FS after adsorption was microscopically disintegrated while the inner lamellar structure was almost unchanged. The behavior of Cd(Ⅱ) adsorption by FS was significantly affected by surface reactions. The mechanisms of Cd2+ adsorption by the FS mainly included surface complexation and surface precipitation. In the present study, the adsorption process was fitted better by the Langmuir isotherm model (R2 = 0.9999) than the Freundlich isotherm model (R2 = 0.8122). Finally, due to the high capacity for ion-exchange on the FS surface, FS is a promising layered inorganic adsorbent for the removal of Cd(Ⅱ) from water.     

Adsorption of VOCs on reduced graphene oxide

A modified Hummer's method was adopted for the synthesis of graphene oxide(GO) and reduced graphene oxide(rGO). It was revealed that the modified method is effective for the production of GO and rGO from graphite. Transmission electron microscopy(TEM) images of GO and rGO showed a sheet-like morphology. Because of the presence of oxygenated functional groups on the carbon surface, the interlayer spacing of the prepared GO was higher than that of rGO. The presence of \OH and C_O groups in the Fourier transform infrared spectra(FTIR) spectrum and G-mode and 2D-mode in Raman spectra confirmed the synthesis of GO and rGO. rGO(292.6 m~2/g) showed higher surface area than that of GO(236.4 m~2/g). The prepared rGO was used as an adsorbent for benzene and toluene(model pollutants of volatile organic compounds(VOCs)) under dynamic adsorption/desorption conditions. rGO showed higher adsorption capacity and breakthrough times than GO. The adsorption capacity of rGO for benzene and toluene was 276.4 and 304.4 mg/g, respectively.Desorption experiments showed that the spent rGO can be successfully regenerated by heating at 150.0°C. Its excellent adsorption/desorption performance for benzene and toluene makes rGO a potential adsorbent for VOC adsorption.     

La-EDTA coated Fe3O4 nanomaterial: Preparation and application in removal of phosphate from water

La-EDTA-Fe3O4 was prepared by a chemical co-precipitation method. The magnetic composite was characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Furthermore, the adsorption properties of La-EDTA-Fe3O4 toward phosphate in water were investigated. The uptake rate of phosphate in water by La-EDTA-Fe3O4 was 3-1000 times than that of EDTA-Fe3O4 , and reached 97.8% at 7 hr. The adsorption process agreed well with the Freundlich model and kinetics studies showed that the adsorption of phosphate proceeds according to pseudo second-order adsorption kinetics. The maximum removal rate was achieved at pH 6.0-7.0. The La-EDTA-Fe3O4 had good adsorption properties and could be separated well from aqueous solution by a permanent magnet. Therefore, this nanomaterial has potential application for the removal of phosphate from large water bodies.     

Influence of moderate pre-oxidation treatment on the physical, chemical and phosphate adsorption properties of iron-containing activated carbon

A novel adsorbent based on iron oxide dispersed over activated carbon(AC) were prepared, and used for phosphate removal from aqueous solutions. The influence of pre-oxidation treatment on the physical, chemical and phosphate adsorption properties of iron-containing AC were determined. Two series of ACs, non-oxidized and oxidized carbon modified by iron(denoted as AC-Fe and AC/OFe), resulted in a maximum impregnated iron of 4.03% and 7.56%, respectively. AC/O-Fe showed 34.0%–46.6% higher phosphate removal efficiency than the AC-Fe did. This was first attributed to the moderate pre-oxidation of raw AC by nitric acid, achieved by dosing Fe(II) after a pre-oxidation, to obtain higher iron loading, which is favorable for phosphate adsorption. Additionally, the in-situ formed active site on the surface of carbon, which was derived from the oxidation of Fe(II) by nitric acid dominated the remarkably high efficiency with respect to the removal of phosphate. The activation energy for adsorption was calculated to be 10.53 and 18.88 kJ/mol for AC-Fe and AC/OFe, respectively. The results showed that the surface mass transfer and intra-particle diffusion were simultaneously occurring during the process and contribute to the adsorption mechanism.     

Investigation of adsorption/desorption behavior of Cr(Ⅵ) at the presence of inorganic and organic substance in membrane capacitive deionization(MCDI)

The adsorption and desorption behavior of Cr(Ⅵ) in membrane capacitive deionization(MCDI) was investigated systematically in the presence of bovine serum albumin(BSA) and KCl with different concentrations, respectively. Results revealed that Cr(Ⅵ) absorption was enhanced and the adsorption amount for Cr(Ⅵ) increased from 155.7 to 190.8 mg/g when KCl concentration increased from 100 to 200 mg/L in the adsorption process, which was attributed to the stronger driving force. However, the adsorption amount sharply decreased to 90.2 mg/g when KCl concentration reached up to 1000 mg/L suggesting the negative effect for Cr(Ⅵ) removal that high KCl concentration had. As for the effect of BSA on ion adsorption, the amount for Cr(Ⅵ) significantly declined to 78.3 mg/g and p H was found to be an important factor contributing to this significant reduction. Then, the desorption performance was also conducted and it was obtained that the presence of KCl had negligible effect on Cr(Ⅵ) desorption, while promoted by the addition of BSA. The incomplete desorption was obtained and the residual chromium ions onto the electrode after desorption was detected via energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(EDS). Based on above analysis, the enhanced removal mechanism for Cr(Ⅵ) in MCDI was found to be consisted of ion adsorption onto electrode surface, the redox reaction of Cr(Ⅵ) into Cr(III)and precipitation, which was demonstrated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) and scanning electron microscope(SEM).     

Removal of phosphate by Fe-coordinated amino-functionalized 3D mesoporous silicates hybrid materials

Phosphate removal from aqueous waste streams is an important approach to control the eutrophication downstream bodies of water. A Fe(III) coordinated amino-functionalized silicate adsorbent for phosphate adsorption was synthesized by a post-grafting and metal cation incorporation process. The surface structure of the adsorbent was characterized by X-ray di raction, N2 adsoropion/desoprotion technique, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The experimental results showed that the adsorption equilibrium data were well fitted to the Langmuir equation. The maximum adsorption capacity of the modified silicate material was 51.8 mg/g. The kinetic data from the adsorption of phosphate were fitted to pseudo second-order model. The phosphate adsorption was highly pH dependent and the relatively high removal of phosphate fell within the pH range 3.0–6.0. The coexistence of other anions in solutions has an adverse e ect on phosphate adsorption; a decrease in adsorption capacity followed the order of exogenous anions: F?? > SO2?? 4 > NO??3 > Cl??. In addition, the adsorbed phosphate could be desorbed by NaOH solutions. This silicate adsorbent with a large adsorption capacity and relatively high selectivity could be utilized for the removal of phosphate from aqueous waste streams or in aquatic environment.     

Preparation, characterization and performance of an electrospun carbon nanofiber mat applied in hexavalent chromium removal from aqueous solution

Hexavalent chromium, Cr(VI), a highly toxic oxyanion known as a carcinogen and mutagen,is an issue of concern due to its adverse impact on human health. Therefore, development of effective technologies and/or materials for Cr(VI) removal from water has been of great interest for researchers. In this study, an electrospun carbon nanofiber(CNF) mat was prepared via electrospinning polyacrylonitrile(PAN), followed by thermal pre-oxidation and carbonization. Scanning electron microscopy(SEM) observation showed that the fiber diameter of the CNF with carbonization temperature of 950°C(CNF_(950)) was about 266 nm.Potentiometric titration analysis demonstrated that the point of zero charge p H(pHpzc) of CNF_(950) was around 7.93. CNF_(950) demonstrated high adsorption capacity and fast adsorption kinetics for Cr(VI) at pH 3. Langmuir isotherm calculations showed that the maximum adsorption capacity of Cr(VI) on CNF_(950) was 118.8 mg/g at pH 2. The adsorption isotherm of Cr(VI) on CNF_(950) was well described by the Redlich–Peterson model, revealing that Cr(VI)adsorption was the result of a combination of monolayer and multilayer adsorption,depending on the initial Cr(VI) concentration. Solution pH greatly affected Cr(VI) adsorption onto CNF_(950) due to the electrostatic interaction, and the adsorption capacity was relatively high when pH was below 3. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) analysis revealed that the removal of Cr(VI) might be the result of a combination of redox reaction and electrostatic adsorption. The adsorption-saturated CNF_(950) could be regenerated by NaOH solution. This study extends the potential applicability of electrospun CNF mats for Cr(VI)-contaminated water purification.     

Performance and mechanism of Cr(Ⅵ) removal by zero-valent iron loaded onto expanded graphite

Zero-valent iron(ZⅥ) was loaded on expanded graphite(EG) to produce a composite material(EG-ZⅥ) for efficient removal of hexavalent chromium(Cr(Ⅵ)). EG and EG-ZⅥ were characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD), scanning electron microscopy(SEM),Fourier-transform infrared(FTIR) spectroscopy and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller(BET) analysis. EG-ZⅥ had a high specific surface area and contained sub-micron sized particles of zero-valent iron. Batch experiments were employed to evaluate the Cr(Ⅵ) removal performance. The results showed that the Cr(Ⅵ) removal rate was 98.80% for EG-ZⅥ,which was higher than that for both EG(10.00%) and ZⅥ(29.80%). Furthermore, the removal rate of Cr(Ⅵ) by EG-ZⅥ showed little dependence on solution p H within a p H range of 1–9.Even at pH 11, a Cr(Ⅵ) removal rate of 62.44% was obtained after reaction for 1 hr. EG-ZⅥ could enhance the removal of Cr(Ⅵ) via chemical reduction and physical adsorption,respectively. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS) was used to analyze the mechanisms of Cr(Ⅵ) removal, which indicated that the ZⅥ loaded on the surface was oxidized, and the removed Cr(Ⅵ) was immobilized via the formation of Cr(III) hydroxide and Cr(III)–Fe(III)hydroxide/oxyhydroxide on the surface of EG-ZⅥ.     

Simultaneous removal and oxidation of arsenic from water by δ-MnO2 modified activated carbon

The ubiquitous arsenic in groundwater poses a great risk to human health due to its environmental toxicity and carcinogenicity. In the present work, a new adsorbent, δ-MnO₂ modified activated carbon, was prepared, and its performance for the uptake of arsenate and arsenite species from aqueous solutions was investigated by batch experiments. Various techniques, including FESEM-EDX, p-XRD, XPS and BET surface area analysis, were employed to characterize the properties of the adsorbent and the arsenic adsorption mechanisms. The results showed that δ-MnO₂ covered on the surface and padded in the pores of the activated carbon. Adsorption kinetic studies revealed that approximately 90.1% and 76.8% of As(III) and As(V), respectively, were removed by the adsorbent in the first 9 hr, and adsorption achieved equilibrium within 48 hr. The maximum adsorption capacities of As(V) and As(III) at pH 4.0 calculated from Langmuir adsorption isotherms were 13.30 and 12.56 mg/g, respectively. The effect of pH on As(V) and As(III) removal was similar, and the removal efficiency significantly reduced with the increase of solution pH. Arsenite oxidation and adsorption kinetics showed that the As(V) concentration in solution due to As(III) oxidation and reductive dissolution of MnO₂ increased rapidly during the first 12 min, and then gradually decreased. Based on the XPS analysis, nearly 93.3% of As(III) had been oxidized to As(V) on the adsorbent surface and around 38.9% of Mn(IV) had been reduced to Mn(II) after As(III) adsorption. This approach provides a possible method for the purification of arsenic-contaminated groundwater.     

Cr(VI) removal from aqueous solution with bamboo charcoal chemically modified by iron and cobalt with the assistance of microwave

Bamboo charcoal (BC) was used as starting material to prepare Co-Fe binary oxideloaded adsorbent (Co-Fe-MBC) through its impregnation in Co(NO3)2 , FeCl3 and HNO3 solutions simultaneously, followed by microwave heating. The low-cost composite was characterized and used as an adsorbent for Cr(VI) removal from water. The results showed that a cobalt and iron binary oxide (CoFe2O4 ) was uniformly formed on the BC through redox reactions. The composite exhibited higher surface area (331 m2/g) than that of BC or BC loaded with Fe alone (Fe-MBC). The adsorption of Cr(VI) strongly depended on solution pH, temperature and ionic strength. The adsorption isotherms followed the Langmuir isotherm model well, and the maximum adsorption capacities for Cr(VI) at 288 K and pH 5.0 were 35.7 and 51.7 mg/g for Fe-MBC and Co-Fe-MBC, respectively. The adsorption processes were well fitted by the pseudo second-order kinetic model. Thermodynamic parameters showed that the adsorption of Cr(VI) onto both adsorbents was feasible, spontaneous, and exothermic under the studied conditions. The spent Co-Fe-MBC could be readily regenerated for reuse.     

Selective adsorption of silver ions from aqueous solution using polystyrene-supported trimercaptotriazine resin

Trimercaptotriazine-functionalized polystyrene chelating resin was prepared and employed for the adsorption of Ag(I) from aqueous solution. The adsorbent was characterized according to the following techniques: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, scanning electron microscopy and the Brunauer-Emmet-Teller method. The effects of initial Ag(I) concentration, contact time, solution pH and coexisting ions on the adsorption capacity of Ag(I) were systematically investigated. The maximum adsorption capacity of Ag(I) was up to 187.1 mg/g resin at pH 0.0 and room temperature. The kinetic experiments indicated that the adsorption rate of Ag(I) onto the chelating resin was quite fast in the first 60 min and reached adsorption equilibrium after 360 min. The adsorption process can be well described by the pseudo second-order kinetic model and the equilibrium adsorption isotherm was closely fitted by the Langmuir model. Moreover, the chelating resin could selectively adsorb more Ag(I) ions than other heavy metal ions including: Cu(II), Zn(II), Ni(II), Pb(II) and Cr(III) during competitive adsorption in the binary metal species systems, which indicated that it was a highly selective adsorbent of Ag(I) from aqueous solution.     

Pb(II) removal from water using Fe-coated bamboo charcoal with the assistance of microwaves

Bamboo charcoal(BC) was used as starting material to prepare iron-modified bamboo charcoal(Fe-MBC) by its impregnation in FeCl 3 and HNO 3 solutions simultaneously,followed by microwave heating.The material can be used as an adsorbent for Pb(Ⅱ) contaminants removal in water.The composites were prepared with Fe molar concentration of 0.5,1.0 and 2.0 mol/L and characterized by means of N 2 adsorption-desorption isotherms,X-ray diffraction spectroscopy(XRD),scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry(SEM-EDS),Fourier transform infrared(FT-IR) and point of zero charge(pH pzc) measurements.Nitrogen adsorption analyses showed that the BET specific surface area and total pore volume increased with iron impregnation.The adsorbent with Fe molar concentration of 2 mol/L(2Fe-MBC) exhibited the highest surface area and produced the best pore structure.The Pb(Ⅱ) adsorption process of 2Fe-MBC and BC were evaluated in batch experiments and 2Fe-MBC showed an excellent adsorption capability for removal Pb(Ⅱ).The adsorption of Pb(Ⅱ) strongly depended on solution pH,with maximum values at pH 5.0.The ionic strength had a significant effect on the adsorption at pH < 6.0.The adsorption isotherms followed the Langmuir isotherm model well,and the maximum adsorption capacity for Pb(Ⅱ) was 200.38 mg/g for 2Fe-MBC.The adsorption processes were well fitted by a pseudo second-order kinetic model.Thermodynamic parameters showed that the adsorption of Pb(Ⅱ) onto Fe-MBC was feasible,spontaneous,and exothermic under the studied conditions,and the ion exchange mechanism played an significant role.These results have important implications for the design of low-cost and effective adsorbents in the removal of Pb(Ⅱ) from wastewater.     

Preparation and characterization of biomimetic adsorbent from poly-3-hydroxybutyrate

Biomimetic adsorbent named as PHBBMA was prepared from lipophilic poly-3-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) by a modified double emulsion solvent evaporation method. PHBBMA, characterized by using scanning electron microscope and nitrogen adsorption/desorption measurements, is porous spherical particles. The characterization with the thermal gravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry, 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy showed that PHBBMA preparation was a physical process without chemical reaction. The adsorption of PHBBMA for o-nitrochlorobenzene (o-NCB) was fitted better by Langmuir model than by Freundlich model, while the pseudo second-order model fitting was better than the pseudo first-order model fitting. The maximal adsorption capacity of PHBBMA for o-NCB was 57.83 mg/g at 30°C, although its specific surface area (S BET ) was only 8.45 m 2 /g. PHBBMA is a safe and environmental friendly adsorbent with high adsorption capacity because its component is innocuous and biodegradable PHB produced reusing wastes and contaminants, no byproduct can produced, and its ester and hydrocarbyl groups have strong affinity with organochlorine compounds. The further work will focus on the modification and improvement of PHBBMA in order to increase its S BET and adsorption capacity.     

Purification of starch and phosphorus wastewater using core-shell magnetic seeds prepared by sulfated roasting

Core-shell magnetic seeds with certain adsorption capacity that were prepared by sulfated roasting, served as the core of a magnetic separation technology for purification of starch wastewater. XRD and SEM results indicate that magnetite's surface transformed to be porous α-Fe_2O_3 structure. Compared with magnetite particles, the specific surface area was significantly improved to be 8.361 from 2.591 m~2/g, with little decrease in specific susceptibility. Zeta potential, FT-IR and XPS experiments indicate that both phosphate and starch adsorbed on the surface of the core-shell magnetic seeds by chemical adsorption, which fits well with the Langmuir adsorption model. The porous surface structure of magnetic seeds significantly contributes to the adsorption of phosphate and starch species, which can be efficiently removed to be 1.51 mg/L(phosphate) and 9.51 mg/L(starch) using magnetic separation.     

Removal of Pb(II) from aqueous solution by hydrous manganese dioxide: Adsorption behavior and mechanism

Hydrous manganese dioxide (HMO) synthesized by redox of potassium permanganate and hydrogen peroxide was used as an adsorbent for Pb(Ⅱ) removal.The specific surface area,pore volume and BJH pore diameter of the HMO were 79.31m2/g,0.07cm3/g and 3.38 nm,respectively.The adsorption equilibrium at 298K could be well described by the Langmuir isotherm equation with q max value of 352.55mg/g.The negative values of G and the positive values of H and S indicated the adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic.The pseudo second-order equation could best fit the adsorption data.The value of the calculated activation energy for Pb(Ⅱ) adsorption onto the HMO was 38.23 kJ/mol.The uptake of Pb(Ⅱ) by HMO was correlated with increasing surface hydroxyl group content and the main adsorbed speciation was PbOH+.The final chemical state of Pb(Ⅱ) on the surface of HMO was similar to PbO.HMO was a promising candidate for Pb(Ⅱ) removal from aqueous solution.