The potential of cost-effective coconut husk for the removal of toxic metal ions for environmental protection

Coconut (Cocos nucifera) husk, an agricultural waste, has been thoroughly investigated for the removal of toxic Cd(II), Cr(III) and Hg(II) ions from aqueous media. The parameters like nature and composition of electrolyte, concentration of toxic ions, dosage of coconut husk, and equilibration time between the two phases were optimized for their maximum accumulation onto the solid surface. The effect of common ions on the uptake of metal ions has been monitored under optimal conditions. The variation of retention of each metal ion with temperature was used to compute the thermodynamic quantities DeltaH, DeltaS and DeltaG. The values 18.1+/-0.6 kJmol(-1), 74+/-2 Jmol(-1)K(-1), and -3.8+/-0.04 kJmol(-1) at 298 K; 10.8+/-0.8 kJmol(-1), 48.8+/-2.7 Jmol(-1)K(-1), and -4.6+/-0.3 kJmol(-1) at 298 K; and -37.4+/-2k Jmol(-1), 105+/-7 Jmol(-1)K(-1) and -2.58+/-0.5 kJmol(-1) at 298 K were obtained for Cd(II), Cr(III) and Hg(II) ions, respectively. The sorption data were analysed by applying different sorption isotherms. The sorption capacity and energy were evaluated for each metal ion. The values of the Freundlich constants 1/n and C(m) were 0.92+/-0.04 and 52.6+/-22.2 mmolg(-1); 0.85+/-0.05 and 56.0+/-0.03 mmolg(-1); and 0.88+/-0.03 and 6.84+/-0.45 mmolg(-1) for Cd(II) Cr(III) and Hg(II) ions, respectively. Similarly, the Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) constants beta, X(m,) and E were evaluated for the three metal ions. To check the selectivity of the sorbent, sorption of a number of elements was measured under similar conditions. Separation of Zn(II) from Cd(II); Cr(III) from I(I), Zr(IV), Se(IV), and Hg(II) from Se(IV) and Zn(II) can be achieved using this sorbent. This cheap material has potential applications in analytical chemistry, water decontamination, industrial effluent treatment and in pollution abatement.     

Rapid detection of toxic metals in non-crushed oyster shells by portable X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

The aim of this study was the multi-elemental detection of toxic metals such as lead (Pb) in non-crushed oyster shells by using a portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer. A rapid, simultaneous multi-element analytical methodology for non-crushed oyster shells has been developed using a portable XRF which provides a quick, quantitative, non-destructive, and cost-effective mean for assessment of oyster shell contamination from Pb. Pb contamination in oyster shells was further confirmed by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). The results indicated that Pb is distributed in-homogeneously in contaminated shells. Oyster shells have a lamellar structure that could contribute to the high accumulation of Pb on oyster shells.     

氨基硫脲改性山竹壳对Cd2+. Pb2+的吸附

采用氨基硫脲改性山竹壳,制备新型的改性山竹壳吸附剂,研究其对Cd2+、Pb2+的吸附性能。结果表明,吸附Cd2+、Pb2+的适宜条件为:pH 6.0,吸附时间120 min。改性后山竹吸附剂对Cd2+、Pb2+的吸附容量能有了很大程度的提高,Cd2+、Pb2+最大吸附量分别达到39.37、57.14mg/g。吸附过程可以很好地用准二级动力学方程描述,吸附等温线用Langmuir方程的拟合效果优于Freundlich方程。     

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.     

纳米Cu2O/珍珠贝壳复合光催化材料的制备与表征

以煅烧后的珍珠贝壳为载体,采用原位水解法制备出纳米Cu2O/珍珠贝壳复合光催化材料.通过活性大红染料B-3G的脱色实验对光催化材料的活性进行讨论,并采用XRD、SEM、EDS、FT-IR和UV-Vis对材料进行表征.结果表明,以1050℃煅烧的珍珠贝壳为载体制备的纳米Cu2O/珍珠贝壳复合材料的光催化活性最强.Cu2O...     

Effect of Coconut, Sisal and Jute Fibers on the Properties of Starch/Gluten/Glycerol Matrix

Coconut, sisal and jute fibers were added as reinforcement materials in a biodegradable polymer matrix comprised of starch/gluten/glycerol. The content of fibers used in the composites varied from 5% to 30% by weight of the total polymers (starch and gluten). Materials were processed in a Haake torque rheometer (120 °C, 50 rpm) for 6 min. The mixtures obtained were molded by heat compression and further characterized. Addition of lignocellulosic fibers in the matrix decreased the water absorption at equilibrium. The diffusion coefficient decreased sharply around 5% fiber concentration, and further fiber additions caused only small variations. The thermogravimetric (TG) analysis revealed improved thermal stability of matrix upon addition of fibers. The Young’s modulus and ultimate tensile strength increased with fiber content in the matrix. The storage modulus increased with increasing fiber content, whereas tanδ curves decreased, confirming the reinforcing effect of the fibers. Morphology of the composites analyzed under the scanning electron microscope (SEM) exhibited good interfacial adhesion between the matrix and the added fibers. Matrix degraded rapidly in compost, and addition of increased amounts of coconut fiber in the matrix caused a slowdown the biodegradability of the matrix. Names are necessary to report factually on available data; however, the USDA neither guarantees nor warrants the standard of the product, and the use of the name by USDA implies no approval of the product to the exclusion of others that may be suitable.     

Trace elements in coconut water—a preliminary study

Trace element analysis for five elements namely, Ba, Sr, Mn, Cr and Cd was carried out on both ash weight and dry weight basis for mine water and coconut water from Mangampeta barite area. The concentration of trace elements is strikingly different in the coconut water when compared with that of mine water. The coconut plant has the ability to control the presence of certain inorganic elements in its water, whatever be the amount of those elements present in irrigation water. Further, biogeochemical studies of coconut water may be of considerable importance in balneology.     

电视机外壳热解油中1,2,4,5-四溴苯催化脱溴研究

电视机外壳热解油中含有的2,4,6-三溴苯酚、1,2,4,5-四溴苯、五溴二苯醚（P5BDE）等会严重影响其质量,为了净化电视机外壳热解油,试验用纯的1,2,4,5-四溴苯作原料,在单金属Pd/C作催化剂, 异丙醇作氢源条件下进行催化脱溴研究.同时,研究了反应体系pH值（NaOH加入量）对1,2,4,5-四溴苯脱溴效率的影响,最后探讨了1,2,4,5-四溴苯催化脱溴的反应机理.结果表明,当温度设定为50℃,搅拌速度设定为900 r·min-1,反应4h,脱溴效率可达100%;pH值在0~9之间时,pH越大,1,2,4,5-四溴苯脱溴效率越高; pH值≥9时, pH值增大,脱溴效率保持不变.实验用Pd/C作催化剂,经处理后可重复使用,并且产物为苯,在工业上的应用非常广泛,该实验具有很高的实用性.     

Fabrication of supported acid catalytic composite fibers by a simple and low-cost method and their application on the synthesis of liquid biofuel 5-ethoxymethylfurfural

In this paper, sulfonic groups functionalized annealed bio-based carbon microspheres loaded polytetrafluoroethylene (A-BCMSs-SO3H@PTFE) fibers with high activity, high stability, and easy regeneration were successfully fabricated by a simple method using low-cost raw materials. The characterization results showed that the annealed biomass carbon microspheres derived from waste Camellia oleifera shells were evenly distributed on the polytetrafluoroethylene fibers and the sulfonic groups can be successfully loaded on the surface of annealed biomass carbon microspheres by room temperature sulfonation. Subsequently, the as-prepared A-BCMSs-SO3H@PTFE fibers were applied to the acid-catalyzed synthesis of liquid biofuel 5-ethoxymethylfurfural. The catalytic experiment results indicated that the annealing temperature and time during catalyst preparation have a significant effect on the activity and selectivity of A-BCMSs-SO3H@PTFE fibers. The results of catalytic reaction kinetics showed that the yield of 5-ethoxymethylfurfural can reach more than 60％after 72 h of acid-catalyzed reaction. The stability test showed that the as-prepared A-BCMSs-SO3H@PTFE fibers still maintained a stable acid catalytic activity after four recycles.     

油茶果壳改性生物炭吸附性能及其耦合淹水对土壤Cd形态影响

研究选取湖南典型农业废弃物油茶果壳为原材料,尝试采用Na₂SiO₃溶液浸泡油茶果壳粉末方法,制备改性生物炭（MBC）,并开展不同生物炭材料对溶液中镉（Cd）的吸附与其耦合淹水对土壤中Cd的活性阻控性能研究.用扫描电镜（SEM）、比表面积测试（BET）和傅里叶红外光谱（FTIR）等表征手段对生物炭的物理化学性质进行分析.结果显示,MBC相比未改性生物炭（BC）拥有更大的比表面积与更加丰富的官能团种类,且对溶液中Cd²⁺具有更强的吸附能力.土壤淹水实验结果表明,淹水可使土壤pH值升高,同时降低酸可溶态Cd组分含量,且随着淹水时间的延长,土壤酸可溶态Cd含量呈逐渐向残渣态转化趋势,而生物炭添加耦合淹水比淹水对照处理能明显进一步促进可溶态Cd向残渣态转化,降低酸可溶态Cd含量.酸可溶态Cd组分含量与生物炭的添加量呈显著负相关关系,淹水60 d时,5.0%添加量的MBC实验组土壤酸可溶态Cd含量约为0.33 mg·kg^-1,相比仅淹水的对照处理降幅约为45.0%.综上可知,硅酸钠溶液改性油茶果壳生物炭是一种Cd污染水土和土壤治理的新型有效材料,研究结果同时为油茶果壳的资源化途径提供了方法参考.