Phosphorus recovery from biogas fermentation liquid by Ca–Mg loaded biochar

Shortage in phosphorus (P) resources and P wastewater pollution is considered as a serious problem worldwide. The application of modified biochar for P recovery from wastewater and reuse of recovered P as agricultural fertilizer is a preferred process. This work aims to develop a calcium and magnesium loaded biochar (Ca–Mg/biochar) application for P recovery from biogas fermentation liquid. The physico-chemical characterization, adsorption efficiency, adsorption selectivity, and postsorption availability of Ca-Mg/biochar were investigated. The synthesized Ca–Mg/biochar was rich in organic functional groups and in CaO and MgO nanoparticles. With the increase in synthesis temperature, the yield decreased, C content increased, H content decreased, N content remained the same basically, and BET surface area increased. The P adsorption of Ca–Mg/biochar could be accelerated by nano-CaO and nano-MgO particles and reached equilibrium after 360 min. The process was endothermic, spontaneous, and showed an increase in the disorder of the solid–liquid interface. Moreover, it could be fitted by the Freundlich model. The maximum P adsorption amounts were 294.22, 315.33, and 326.63 mg/g. The P adsorption selectivity of Ca–Mg/biochar could not be significantly influenced by the typical pH level of biogas fermentation liquid. The nano-CaO and nano-MgO particles of Ca–Mg/biochar could reduce the negative interaction effects of coexisting ions. The P releasing amounts of postsorption Ca–Mg/biochar were in the order of Ca–Mg/B600 > Ca–Mg/B450 > Ca–Mg/B300. Results revealed that postsorption Ca–Mg/biochar can continually release P and is more suitable for an acid environment.     

富里酸和胡敏酸在蒙脱石上的吸附特性

为进一步揭示有机污染物在黏土矿物上的迁移转化规律,运用1H核磁共振光谱、高效体积排阻色谱、扫描电镜、比表面分析以及傅里叶变换红外光谱等多种分析技术综合分析了富里酸和胡敏酸在蒙脱石上的吸附行为. 结果表明,由于不同官能团与蒙脱石的亲和性不同,富里酸和胡敏酸在吸附过程中均产生组分分级,大分子被优先吸附在蒙脱石表面. 由于疏水性作用,蒙脱石对疏水性更强的胡敏酸的吸附量更大. 蒙脱石吸附富里酸后比表面积和孔容分别下降3.67m2/g和0.005cm3/g,而吸附胡敏酸后则均略微增大,说明具有较大颗粒尺寸的胡敏酸更多地堆积在蒙脱石外表面,而富里酸则更易进入蒙脱石孔隙. 蒙脱石吸附富里酸和胡敏酸后溶液pH分别升高了0.44和0.41,说明发生了配体交换反应. 蒙脱石对富里酸和胡敏酸的吸附量随pH增大和离子强度的降低而减少,表明羟基能够抑制富里酸/胡敏酸负电基团与蒙脱石表面羟基的配体交换反应,而盐离子则能降低蒙脱石和腐殖质间的静电斥力.      

Fluoride removal by Al, Ti, and Fe hydroxides and coexisting ion effect

Batch experiments were conducted to evaluate fluoride removal by Al,Fe,and Ti-based coagulants and adsorbents,as well as the effects of coexisting ions and formation of aluminum–fluoride complexes on fluoride removal by co-precipitation with alum(Al_2(SO_4)_3·18H_2O).Aluminum sulfate was more efficient than the other coagulants for fluoride removal in the pH range between 6 and 8.Nano-crystalline TiO_2 was more effective for fluoride removal than Al and Fe hydroxides in a pH range of 3–5.Coexisting anions in water decreased the removal of fluoride in the order:phosphate(2.5 mg/L) arsenate(0.1 mg/L) bicarbonate(200 mg/L) sulfate(100 mg/L) = nitrate(100 mg/L) silicate(10 mg/L) at a pH of 6.0.The effect of silicate became more significant at pH 7.0.Calcium and magnesium improved the removal of fluoride.Zeta-potential measurements determined that the adsorption of fluoride shifted the PZC of Al(OH)_3 precipitates from 8.9 to 8.4,indicating the chemical adsorption of fluoride at the surface.The presence of fluoride in solution significantly increased the soluble aluminum concentration at pH 6.5.A Visual MINTEQ modeling study indicated that the increased aluminum solubility was caused by the formation of AlF~(2+),AlF~(+2),and AlF_3complexes.The AlF_x complexes decreased the removal of fluoride during co-precipitation with aluminum sulfate.     

Effects of fluoride on the removal of cadmium and phosphate by aluminum coagulation

This study focuses on the effects of pH and fluoride at different molar ratios of fluoride to Al (R_F:Al) on the removal of cadmium (Cd²⁺) and phosphate by Al coagulation. Fluoride at R_F:Al ≥ 3:1 inhibits the removal of Cd over wide Al dose ranges from 5 to 10 mg/L as Al. The removal of phosphate decreases significantly at high R_F:Al of 10:1 whereas at lowered R_F:Al (i.e., ≤ 6:1), an adverse effect is observed only at insufficient Al doses below 2 mg/L. Fluoride shows inhibitive effects towards the removal of Cd at pH 7 and 8 and that of phosphate at pH 6. Fluoride decreases the ζ-potential in both systems, and the decreasing extent is positively correlated to the elevated R_F:Al. The Al fluoride interactions include the formation of Al–F complexes and the adsorption of fluoride onto Al(OH)₃ precipitates, i.e., the formation of Al(OH)_nF_m. Al–F complex formation inhibits Al hydrolysis and increases residual Al levels, and a more significant increase was observed at lower pH. Al–F complexes at high R_F:Al complicate the coagulation behavior of Al towards both negative and positive ionic species. Moreover, fluoride at low R_F:Al shows little effect on Al coagulation behavior towards Cd^2 + and phosphate, and the spent defluoridation adsorbent, i.e., aluminum (Al) hydro(oxide) with adsorbed fluoride at R_F:Al of below 0.1:1, may be reclaimed as a coagulant after being dissolved.     

Ammonium sulfide-assisted hydrothermal activation of palygorskite for enhanced adsorption of methyl violet

Herein,palygorskite(PAL)was activated via a simple hydrothermal process in the presence of ammonium sulfide,and the effects of activation on the microstructure,physico-chemical feature and adsorption behaviors of PAL were intensively investigated.The hydrothermal process evidently improved the dispersion of PAL crystal bundles,increased surface negative charges and built more active –Si–O-groups served as the new"adsorption sites".The adsorption property of the activated PAL for Methyl Violet(MV)was systematically investigated by optimizing the adsorption variables,including p H,ionic strength,contact time and initial MV concentration.The activated PAL exhibited a superior adsorption capability to the raw PAL for the removal of MV(from 156.05 to 218.11 mg/g).The kinetics for MV adsorption followed pseudo second-order kinetic models,while the isotherm and thermodynamics results showed that the adsorption pattern well followed the Langmuir model.The structure analysis of PAL before and after adsorption demonstrated that electrostatic interaction and chemical association of –X–O-are the prominent driving forces for the adsorption process.     

腐殖酸对针铁矿吸附磷的影响机理

通过添加HA(Humic acid,腐殖酸),研究不同环境条件下HA对针铁矿吸附磷的影响. 结果显示,加入HA能显著降低磷吸附量,pH为4.5时分别加入100和40 mg/L HA,磷的最大吸附量分别降低了26.6%和25.6%;pH为7.0时分别加入100和40 mg/L HA,磷的最大吸附量分别降低了26.8%和23.1%. 不同添加顺序试验结果表明:针铁矿对磷的吸附量大小顺序为后添加HA>同时添加HA和磷>先添加HA;无论是否添加HA,针铁矿对磷的吸附量都随着pH的升高而降低,相应的吸附等温线也都符合Langmuir吸附等温方程;总有机碳和红外光谱特征表明,HA和磷在针铁矿表面吸附点位形成竞争吸附,并且针铁矿表面的羟基在吸附磷和HA的过程中起到了一定的作用.      

PAAm/HACC半互穿网络水凝胶的制备及其对水中腐殖酸的吸附性能

采用原位聚合热合成法成功制备了聚丙烯酰胺-壳聚糖季铵盐半互穿网络水凝胶(PAAm/HACC semi-IPN)新型吸附剂(s-IPN 1.5)和(s-IPN 3),并用于吸附水体中的腐殖酸.利用扫描电镜(SEM)、红外光谱(FT-IR)、X射线衍射光谱(XRD)等方法对吸附剂的结构进行表征.考察了溶液pH、离子强度、接触时间、腐殖酸初始浓度及温度等对吸附剂吸附腐殖酸的影响.结果表明s-IPN 3的吸附效果要优于s-IPN 1.5.吸附剂对腐殖酸的吸附量随着pH的增大而减小,随温度的升高而增大,且一定的离子强度有助于吸附剂对腐殖酸的吸附.吸附过程能较好地用准二级动力学模型及Sips等温模型进行拟合.吸附剂在pH 7.0,离子强度0.01 mol·L-1,温度为298 K条件下的最大吸附量可高达238.08 mg·g-1,吸附效果显著,能有效去除水体中的腐殖酸.     

Removal of arsenate with hydrous ferric oxide coprecipitation：Effect of humic acid

Insights from the adverse effect of humic acid(HA) on arsenate removal with hydrous ferric oxide(HFO) coprecipitation can further our understanding of the fate of As(V) in water treatment process. The motivation of our study is to explore the competitive adsorption mechanisms of humic acid and As(V) on HFO on the molecular scale. Multiple complementary techniques were used including macroscopic adsorption experiments, surface enhanced Raman scattering(SERS), extended X-ray absorption fine structure(EXAFS) spectroscopy, flow-cell attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared(ATR-FTIR) measurement, and charge distribution multisite complexation(CDMUSIC) modeling. The As(V) removal efficiency was reduced from over 95% to about 10% with the increasing HA concentration to 25 times of As(V) mass concentration. The SERS analysis excluded the HA-As(V) complex formation. The EXAFS results indicate that As(V) formed bidentate binuclear surface complexes in the presence of HA as evidenced by an As-Fe distance of 3.26–3.31 ?. The in situ ATR-FTIR measurements show that As(V) replaces surface hydroxyl groups and forms innersphere complex. High concentrations of HA may physically block the surface sites and inhibit the As(V) access. The adsorption of As(V) and HA decreased the point of zero charge of HFO from 7.8 to 5.8 and 6.3, respectively. The CD-MUSIC model described the zeta potential curves and adsorption edges of As(V) and HA reasonably well.     

Insight into the adsorption of tetracycline onto amino and amino–Fe functionalized mesoporous silica: Effect of functionalized groups

In order to study the influences of functionalized groups onto the adsorption of tetracycline (TC), we prepared a series of amino and amino–Fe^3 + complex mesoporous silica adsorbents with diverse content of amino and Fe^3 + groups (named N,N-SBA15 and Fe-N,N-SBA15). The resulting mesoporous silica adsorbents were fully characterized by X-ray powder diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectrometer and N₂ adsorption/desorption isotherms. Furthermore, the effects of functionalized groups on the removal of TC were investigated. The results showed that the periodic ordered structure of SBA-15 was maintained after modification of amino/Fe^3 + groups. The functionalized amino groups decreased the adsorption capacity while the coordinated Fe^3 + increased the adsorption capacity. The adsorption kinetics of TC fitted pseudo-second-order model well and the equilibrium was achieved quickly. The adsorption isotherms fitted the Langmuir model well and with the Fe^3 + content increased from 3.93% to 8.26%, the Q_max of the adsorbents increased from 102 to 188 mmol/kg. The solution pH affected the adsorption of TC onto amino complex adsorbents slightly while influenced the adsorption onto Fe-amine complex adsorbents greatly. The adsorption of TC on SBA15 and N,N-SBA15 may be related to the formation of outer-sphere surface complexes, while the adsorption of TC onto Fe-N,N-SBA15 was mainly attributed to the inner-sphere surface complexes. This study could offer potential materials that have excellent adsorption behavior for environmental remediation and suggested useful information for the preparing other adsorbents in environmental applications.     

腐殖酸负载羟基磷灰石对废水中Cd2+吸附性能的影响

以硝酸钙、磷酸氢二铵和腐殖酸为原料,制备了腐殖酸负载羟基磷灰石(HA/HAP)复合吸附剂.同时,利用SEM、BET、FT-IR、XRD对复合吸附剂结构和形貌进行表征,研究了HA/HAP对废水中Cd~(2+)的吸附工艺.结果表明,腐殖酸使羟基磷灰石孔容和孔径增大、比表面积减小,从而提高了羟基磷灰石的吸附性能.在pH=6、吸附剂投加量为800 mg、接触时间为180 min时吸附率最佳,为98.3%.HA/HAP对废水中Cd~(2+)的吸附是自发的、吸热的、可持续的化学吸附,反应前120 min适合采用准一级动力学伴随着内扩散模型描述,后120 min适合采用准二级动力学伴随着内扩散模型描述,Dubinin-Radushkevich(D-R)等温线模型拟合的吸附数据在不同温度下效果最好(R~20.98),吸附量分别为259.15、266.05和264.66 mg·g~(-1).研究表明,静电吸附到腐殖酸活性位点后Cd~(2+)主要以络合反应被吸附到羟基磷灰石的表面和两个羟基中间.     

Adsorption of Co(Ⅱ) from aqueous solutions by water treatment residuals

A study on the removal of Co(Ⅱ) from aqueous solutions by water treatment residuals(WTR)was conducted in batch conditions. The sorption process of Co(Ⅱ) followed pseudosecondorder kinetics, with 30 hr required to reach equilibrium. Using the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model, a relatively high maximum sorption capacity of 17.31 mg/g Co(Ⅱ) was determined. The adsorption of Co(Ⅱ) was dependent on pH values and was affected by the ionic strength. Results show that Co(Ⅱ) adsorption was a spontaneous endothermic process and was favorable at high temperature. Most of the adsorbed Co(Ⅱ) stayed on the WTR permanently, whereas only small amounts of adsorbed Co(Ⅱ) were desorbed. The shifting of peaks in FT-IR spectra indicated that Co(Ⅱ) interacted with the WTR surface through strong covalent bond formation with Fe(Al)–O functional groups. It was concluded that WTR can be a suitable material from which to develop an efficient adsorbent for the removal of Co(Ⅱ) from wastewater.     

Mechanism of Methylene Blue adsorption on hybrid laponite-multi-walled carbon nanotube particles

The kinetics of adsorption and parameters of equilibrium adsorption of Methylene Blue(MB)on hybrid laponite-multi-walled carbon nanotube(NT)particles in aqueous suspensions were determined.The laponite platelets were used in order to facilitate disaggregation of NTs in aqueous suspensions and enhance the adsorption capacity of hybrid particles for MB.Experiments were performed at room temperature(298 K),and the laponite/NT ratio(X_l)was varied in the range of 0–0.5.For elucidation of the mechanism of MB adsorption on hybrid particles,the electrical conductivity of the system as well as the electrokinetic potential of laponite-NT hybrid particles were measured.Three different stages in the kinetics of adsorption of MB on the surface of NTs or hybrid laponite-NT particles were discovered to be a fast initial stage Ⅰ(adsorption time t=0–10 min),a slower intermediate stage Ⅱ(up to t=120 min)and a long-lasting final stage Ⅲ(up to t=24 hr).The presence of these stages was explained accounting for different types of interactions between MB and adsorbent particles,as well as for the changes in the structure of aggregates of NT particles and the long-range processes of restructuring of laponite platelets on the surface of NTs.The analysis of experimental data on specific surface area versus the value of X_l evidenced in favor of the model with linear contacts between rigid laponite platelets and NTs.It was also concluded that electrostatic interactions control the first stage of adsorption at low MB concentrations.     

CO2 capture performance of bi-functional activated bleaching earth modified with basic-alcoholic solution and functionalization with monoethanolamine: isotherms, kinetics and thermodynamics

CO_2 capture performance of bifunctional activated bleaching earth(ABE) was investigated at atmospheric pressure. The sorbents were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction(XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller(BET), Caron-Hydrogen-Nitrogen analysis(CHN), Fourier transform infrared(FT-IR) and thermal gravimetric analysis(TGA). The CO_2 capacity was enhanced via basic-modification and monoethanolamine(MEA) loading of the ABE sorbent to obtain a bifunctional surface property. Here, basic-modified calcined ABE with a 30 wt.%MEA loading(SAB-30) showed the highest CO_2 capture capacity, but this was decreased with excess MEA loading( 30 wt.%). At a 10%(V/V) initial CO_2 concentration feed, the maximum capacity of SAB-30 increased from 2.71 mmol/g at 30℃(without adding moisture to the feed) to 3.3 mmol/g at 50℃ when adding 10%(V/V) moisture to the feed. Increasing the moisture concentration further reduced the maximum CO_2 capacity due to the blocking effect of the excess moisture on the sorbent surface. However, SAB-30 could completely capture CO_2 even in a 100%(V/V) initial CO_2 concentration feed. A maximum CO_2 capacity of5.7 mmol/g for SAB-30 was achieved at 30℃. Varying the ratio of sorbent weight to total flow rate of the gas stream had no discernible effect on the equilibrium CO_2 capture capacity. Avrami's equation and Toth's isotherm model provided a good fitting for the data and suggested the presence of more than one reaction pathway in the CO_2 capture process and the heterogeneous adsorption surface of SAB-30. Thermodynamics studies revealed that CO_2 capture on the bifunctional SAB-30 is feasible, spontaneous and exothermic in nature.     

Removal of humic acid from aqueous solution by cetylpyridinium bromide modified zeolite

Natural zeolite was modified by loading cetylpyridinium bromide (CPB) to create more e cient sites for humic acid (HA) adsorption. The natural and CPB modified zeolites were characterized with X-ray di raction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The e ects of various experimental parameters such as contact time, initial HA concentration, solution pH and coexistent Ca2+, upon HA adsorption onto CPB modified zeolites were evaluated. The results showed that natural zeolite had negligible a nity for HA in aqueous solutions, but CPB modified zeolites exhibited high adsorption e ciency for HA. A higher CPB loading on natural zeolites exhibited a larger HA adsorption capacity. Acidic pH and coexistent Ca2+ were proved to be favorable for HA adsorption onto CPB modified zeolite. The kinetic process was well described by pseudo second-order model. The experimental isotherm data fitted well to Langmuir and Sips models. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of CPB modified zeolite with surfactant bilayer coverage was found to be 92.0 mg/g.     

Optimization of CO2 adsorption capacity and cyclical adsorption/desorption on tetraethylenepentamine-supported surface-modified hydrotalcite

The objective of this research was to investigate CO_2adsorption capacity of tetraethylenepentamine-functionalized basic-modified calcined hydrotalcite(TEPA/b-c HT)sorbents at atmospheric pressure formed under varying TEPA loading levels,temperatures,sorbent weight to total gaseous flow rate(W/F)ratios and CO_2concentrations in the influent gas.The TEPA/b-c HT sorbents were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction(XRD),Fourier transform infrared spectrometry(FT–IR),thermal gravimetric analysis(TGA),Brunauer–Emmet–Teller(BET)analysis of nitrogen(N_2)adsorption/desorption and carbon–hydrogen–nitrogen(CHN)elemental analysis.Moreover,a full 2~4factorial design with three central points at a 95%confidence interval was used to screen important factor(s)on the CO_2adsorption capacity.It revealed that85.0%variation in the capacity came from the influence of four main factors and the15.0%one was from their interactions.A face-centered central composite design response surface method(FCCCD–RSM)was then employed to optimize the condition,the maximal capacity of 5.5–6.1 mmol/g was achieved when operating with a TEPA loading level of 39%–49%(W/W),temperature of 76–90°C,W/F ratio of 1.7–2.60(g·sec)/cm~3and CO_2concentration of 27%–41%(V/V).The model fitted sufficiently the experimental data with an error range of±1.5%.From cyclical adsorption/desorption and selectivity at the optimal condition,the 40%TEPA/b-c HT still expressed its effective performance after eight cycles.     

本底吸附物对长江沉积物磷吸附容量的影响

分别选取三峡大坝上游寸滩河段和下游武汉河段沉积物,用不同浓度（0~3 mol/L）的HCl对沉积物进行清洗,降低本底吸附w（P）、w（Fe）、w（Al）、w（Ca）及w（OM）（OM为有机质）,通过测定沉积物的P平衡吸附量,研究长江沉积物上本底吸附物对P吸附容量的影响.结果表明:① 经稀HCl清洗后,两种沉积物的w（Ca）、w（OM）、w（P）均显著减少,沉积物的P平衡吸附量随之减少,而w（Fe）、w（Al）则没有明显变化,同时,沉积物对P的平衡吸附量、沉积物中w（TP）均与本底w（Ca）、w（OM）呈显著正相关（P < 0.05）,因此长江沉积物对P的吸附容量的主要影响因素为本底吸附OM和Ca;② 三峡库区内沉积物中w（OM）及w（Ca）较高,二者分别为72.64、63.52 mg/g,三峡大坝下游武汉段沉积物中则相对偏低,二者分别为52.20、45.03 mg/g,说明库区沉积物的P吸附容量明显大于大坝下游沉积物,在三峡水库运行前期,沉积物的P吸附量将逐渐增加,成为三峡水库运行后期富营养化的潜在內源.      

Comparison of two methods for detection of fecal indicator bacteria used in water quality monitoring of the Three Gorges Reservoir

Scientifically sound methods to rapidly measure fecal indicator bacteria are important to ensure safe water for drinking and recreational purposes.A total of 200 water samples obtained from the Three Gorges Reservoir during three successive one-year study periods(October 2009 to September 2012) were analyzed using multiple-tube fermentation(MTF)and most probable numbers combined with polymerase chain reaction(MPN–PCR).The MPN–PCR method was found to be significantly more sensitive than the MTF method for detecting Escherichia coli and Enterococcus spp.,and of equal sensitivity for detecting total coliforms when all surface water samples were grouped together.The two analytical methods had a strong,significant relationship,but MPN–PCR took only 12–18 hr,compared with the 3–8 days needed using the MTF method.Bacterial concentrations varied per sampling site but were significantly lower in the mainstream of the Yangtze River than those in the backwater areas of tributaries.The water quality of 85.8% of water samples from the mainstream was suitable for use as a centralized potable water source,while the water quality of 52.5% of water samples from the backwater areas was unsuitable for recreational activities.Relationships between fecal indicator bacteria showed significant correlation(r = 0.636–0.909,p 0.01,n = 200),while a weak but significant correlation was found between fecal indicators and water turbidity,water temperature,daily inflow,and total dissolved solids(r = 0.237–0.532,p 0.05,n = 200).The study indicated that MPN–PCR is a rapid and easily performed deoxyribonucleic acid(DNA)-based method for quantitative detection of viable total coliforms,E.coli,and Enterococcus spp.in surface water.     

土壤腐殖酸对毒死蜱的吸附

采用平衡振荡法进行农药毒死蜱在5种土壤腐殖酸上的吸附试验.结果表明,毒死蜱在不同土壤腐殖酸上的吸附行为表现出一定的差异,并均可Linear方程和Freundlich方程来描述;5种土壤腐殖酸对毒死蜱吸附能力都很强,吸附率均较高(平均值在72.57%～88.21%之间),大小顺序为:紫色潮土HA＞黄壤HA＞中性紫色土HA＞酸性紫色土HA＞腐殖土HA,此顺序与腐殖酸腐殖化程度一致;pH=2时,腐殖酸对毒死蜱的吸附能力显著增大;离子强度对毒死蜱的吸附影响不明显;腐殖酸添加量越大,单位质量的腐殖酸吸附量越小.     

Activated carbon coated palygorskite as adsorbent by activation and its adsorption for methylene blue

An activation process for developing the surface and porous structure of palygorskite/carbon(PG/C) nanocomposite using ZnC l2 as activating agent was investigated. The obtained activated PG/C was characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy(FTIR), field-emission scanning electron microscopy(SEM), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis(BET) techniques. The effects of activation conditions were examined,including activation temperature and impregnation ratio. With increased temperature and impregnation ratio, the collapse of the palygorskite crystal structure was found to accelerate and the carbon coated on the surface underwent further carbonization. XRD and SEM data confirmed that the palygorskite structure was destroyed and the carbon structure was developed during activation. The presence of the characteristic absorption peaks of C_C and C–H vibrations in the FTIR spectra suggested the occurrence of aromatization. The BET surface area improved by more than 11-fold(1201 m2/g for activated PG/C vs. 106 m2/g for PG/C) after activation, and the material appeared to be mainly microporous. The maximum adsorption capacity of methylene blue onto the activated PG/C reached 351 mg/g. The activated PG/C demonstrated better compressive strength than activated carbon without palygorskite clay.     

Photocatalytic parameters and kinetic study for degradation of dichlorophenol-indophenol (DCPIP) dye using highly active mesoporous TiO2 nanoparticles

Highly active mesoporous TiO_2 of about 6 nm crystal size and 280.7 m~2/g specific surface areas has been successfully synthesized via controlled hydrolysis of titanium butoxide at acidic medium. It was characterized by means of XRD(X-ray diffraction), SEM(scanning electron microscopy), TEM(transmission electron microscopy), FT-IR(Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), TGA(thermogravimetric analysis), DSC(differential scanning calorimetry) and BET(Brunauer–Emmett–Teller) surface area. The degradation of dichlorophenol-indophenol(DCPIP) under ultraviolet(UV) light was studied to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of samples. The effects of different parameters and kinetics were investigated. Accordingly, a complete degradation of DCPIP dye was achieved by applying the optimal operational conditions of 1 g/L of catalyst, 10 mg/L of DCPIP, pH of 3 and the temperature at 25 ± 3°C after 3 min under UV irradiation. Meanwhile, the Langmuir–Hinshelwood kinetic model described the variations in pure photocatalytic branch in consistent with a first order power law model.The results proved that the prepared TiO_2 nanoparticle has a photocatalytic activity significantly better than Degussa P-25.