Novel synthesis of a versatile magnetic adsorbent derived from corncob for dye removal

Efficient removal of crystal violet dye using EDTA/graphene oxide functionalized corncob: a novel low cost adsorbent

In this study, EDTA functionalized corncob (EDTA-corncob) and EDTA/graphene oxide functionalized corncob (EDTA-GO/corncob) were prepared using disodium ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid and the graphene oxide immersion method. EDTA-corncob and EDTA-GO/corncob were characterized by SEM and FTIR spectroscopy. On this basis, the adsorption properties of EDTA-corncob and EDTA-GO/corncob were studied with crystal violet as the adsorbate. The optimum adsorption conditions were determined by the effect of samples on the adsorption properties of crystal violet at different times, temperatures and pH, and the reusability of the samples was studied. The results showed that adsorption capacity of crystal violet on EDTA-GO/corncob was higher compared with natural corncob and EDTA-corncob. The most suitable pH value of the solution is about 6.0, the adsorption equilibrium time is 200 min. EDTA-GO/corncob can be reused eight times. This study indicated that EDTA-GO/corncob is a reusable adsorbent for rapid, low-cost, and efficient removal of dye from waste water.

In this study, crystal violet dyes were adsorbed by EDTA functionalized corncob (EDTA-corncob) and EDTA/graphene oxide functionalized corncob (EDTA-GO/corncob), which were prepared using disodium ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid and the graphene oxide immersion method.

Green and sustainable zero-waste conversion of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) into superior magnetic carbon composite adsorbents and supercapacitor electrodes

Our facile approach converts embarrassing weed to value-added products through environmentally friendly routes towards zero-waste scheme.

Alginate-Based Hydrogel Beads as a Biocompatible and Efficient Adsorbent for Dye Removal from Aqueous Solutions

In this study, sodium alginate was employed as a starting material for preparing two kinds of biocompatible adsorbents, including calcium alginate hydrogel beads and magnetic hydrogel beads. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction pattern, and scanning electron microscopy/energy-dispersive X-ray techniques were used to characterize the prepared adsorbents. The performance of the prepared adsorbents for the removal of methyl violet from aqueous solution was studied in detail. Both kinetics and equilibrium aspects of methyl violet adsorption were investigated, and the obtained equilibrium and kinetics data were described with various adsorption models. The effects of initial dye concentration, adsorbent dosage, and temperature on adsorption performance were investigated. Thermodynamic parameters of adsorption were obtained as well.

Adsorptive Removal of Methylene Blue Using Magnetic Biochar Derived from Agricultural Waste Biomass: Equilibrium, Isotherm, Kinetic Study

Wastewater discharge from textile industries contribute much to water pollution and threaten the aqua ecosystem balance. Synthesis of agriculture waste based adsorbent is a smart move toward overcoming the critical environmental issues as well as a good waste management process implied. This research work describes the adsorption of methylene blue dye from aqueous solution on nickel oxide attached magnetic biochar derived from mangosteen peel. A series of characterization methods was employed such as FTIR, FESEM analysis and BET surface area analyzer to understand the adsorbent behavior produced at a heating temperature of 800[Formula: see text]C for 20[Formula: see text]min duration. The adsorbate pH value was varied to investigate the adsorption kinetic trend and the isotherm models were developed by determining the equilibrium adsorption capacity at varied adsorbate initial concentration. Equilibrium adsorption isotherm models were measured for single component system and the calculated data were analyzed by using Langmuir, Freundlich, Tempkin and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm equations. The Langmuir, Freundlich and Tempkin isotherm model exhibit a promising R2-correlation value of more than 0.95 for all three isotherm models. The Langmuir isotherm model reflectsan equilibrium adsorption capacity of 22.883[Formula: see text]mg[Formula: see text]g[Formula: see text].

Decolourization of malachite green dye by mentha plant biochar (MPB): a combined action of adsorption and electrochemical reduction processes

Adsorption behavior of mentha (mint) plant biochar (MPB) in removal of malachite green (MG) dye from aqueous solution was analyzed as a function of different pH (4.0-10.0), initial dye concentration (20-100 mg/L), contact time (0-45 min) and dose of adsorbent (0.05-0.3 g/100 mL). The zeta potential of the MPB particles was found to be -37.9 mV, indicating a negatively charged sorption surface of MPB particles. MPB was found to be more effective in removal of MG dye at pH 6.0 due to combined action of physico-chemisorption and a reductive electron transfer reaction. Results on the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis of the N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherm of MPB as adsorbent showed sigmoidal shape similar to the type IV isotherm and mesoporous nature. The cyclic voltammetric analysis of MG dye showed a reversible, coupled redox reaction at the interface of dye molecules and MPB particles. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacity (q_max) of MPB was found to be 322.58 mg g^-1. The separation factor (R_L) value was between 0 and 1, indicating a favourable adsorption of MG dye onto MPB. The results fitted well to a pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Further results from desorption experiments showed recovery of MG dye by about 50% in the presence of 1 N HCl.

Recent advances in nanoscale-metal assisted biochar derived from waste biomass used for heavy metals removal

Pollution of heavy metals (HMs) is a detrimental treat to human health and need to be cleaned up in a proper way. Biochar (BC), a low-cost and "green" adsorbent, has attracted significant attention due to its considerable HMs removal capacity. In particular, nano-metals have recently been used to assist BC in improving its reactivity, surface texture and magnetism. Synthesis methods and metal precursors greatly influence the properties and structures of the nanocomposites, thereby affecting their HMs removal performance. This review presents advances in synthesis methods, formation mechanisms and surface characteristics of BC nanocomposites, along with the discussions on HMs removal mechanisms and the effects of environmental factors on HMs removal efficiency. Performance of using BC nanocomposites to remediate real HMs-containing wastewater and issues associated with its process scale-up are also discussed. This review aims to provide useful information to facilitate the development of HMs removal by nanoscale-metal assisted BC.

Persulfate oxidation assisted hydrochar production from Platanus Orientalis Leaves: Physiochemical and combustion characteristics

Platanus Orientalis Leaves (POL), a widely planted tree in parks and along streets, was employed by sequential persulfate oxidation (Fe²⁺and persulfate) and hydrothermal treatment (HTC) to improve the thermal stability, energy yield and combustion behavior of hydrochars (HCs). Higher heating values (HHVs) of HCs derived from persulfate pretreated POL was increased by 30.5% at mild HTC temperature (i.e., 210°C) as compared to char without pretreatment. Elevating Fe²⁺/persulfate ratio to 0.2 enables HCs with high fractions of lignin, thus promoting the energy yield going up to 64.4%. The ultimate and proximate analysis, N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherms, FT-IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis were conducted to probe into chars' physiochemical and combustion characteristics. Results indicated that persulfate pretreatment on POL strengthened efficient HTC conversion from volatile matter to fixed carbon, increasing the ignition temperature of HCs from 261.5 to 404.3°C as compared to the char obtained with only HTC.

Facile synthesis of magnetic sludge-based carbons by using Electro-Fenton activation and its performance in dye degradation

Highly stable iron based magnetic carbon were prepared by sequential Electro-Fenton (EF) activation and pyrolysis of sewage sludge. The applied voltage exerts great influence on EF treated sludge flocs and thus poses significant effect on physiochemical properties of the as-prepared carbons. High insertion rate of iron into sludge from EF activation resulted in carbons with highly dispersed iron oxides, which had average size of iron nanoparticles being 4.77nm. The carbon also presented well developed porosity which had Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area attaining 341m²/g. Carbons prepared by traditional Iron Impregnation (IM) were used as comparison to gain further insight into their catalytic role as Fenton-like catalyst. Results showed that EF-activated sludge carbon could yield 96.1% of Methyl Orange (MO) removal in 60min together with only 1.4% of iron leaching. After three cycles, the MO removal can still reach 80% with EF-activated carbons.

Green and chemical-free process of enzymatic xylooligosaccharide production from corncob: Enhancement of the yields using a strategy of lignocellulosic destructuration by ultra-high pressure pretreatment

In this study, the pressures at 50-500MPa were evaluated at different time to pretreat and further enzyme hydrolysis. The ultra-high pressure (UHP) pretreatment at 100MPa for 10min led to improved accessibility of enzyme for conversion of xylan to xylooligosaccharide (XOS). The maximum XOS yield of 35.6mg/g substrate was achieved and firstly reported at 10% (w/v) of substrate, 100U of endo-xylanase/g corncobs and incubation time of 18h. The enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency was increased by 180.3% and released a high amount of xylobiose. The UHP pretreatment relatively did not affect to the composition of corncob, but decreased 34.3% of lignin. Interestingly, antioxidant activities of XOS using UHP pretreatment were higher than untreated corncob. The UHP pretreatment improved lignocellulosic destructuration and XOS yields in a shorter time without the need of chemicals, implying that UHP could be an effective pretreatment of biomass with a chemical-free process.

Mesoporous activated carbon prepared from NaOH activation of rattan (Lacosperma secundiflorum) hydrochar for methylene blue removal

Hydrothermal carbonization of biomass wastes presents a promising step in the production of cost-effective activated carbon. In the present work, mesoporous activated carbon (HAC) was prepared by the hydrothermal carbonization of rattan furniture wastes followed by NaOH activation. The textural and morphological characteristics, along with adsorption performance of prepared HAC toward methylene blue (MB) dye, were evaluated. The effects of common adsorption variables on performance resulted in a removal efficiency of 96% for the MB sample at initial concentration of 25mg/L, solution pH of 7, 30°C, and 8h. The Langmuir equation showed the best isotherm data correlation, with a maximum uptake of 359mg/g. The adsorbed amount versus time data was well fitted by a pseudo-second order kinetic model. The prepared HAC with a high surface area of 1135m²/g and an average pore size distribution of 35.5Å could be an efficient adsorbent for treatment of synthetic dyes in wastewaters.

Magnetic carbon composites with a hierarchical structure for adsorption of tetracycline, prepared from sugarcane bagasse via hydrothermal carbonization coupled with simple heat treatment process

Sugarcane bagasse, an agricultural waste, was successfully converted into novel magnetic carbon composites by low temperature hydrothermal carbonization at 230°C for 24h, followed by heat treatment at 400°C for only 1h in air. Effects of NaOH and iron loading on the chemical properties of the composites were studied. In addition, various techniques were employed to investigate the physicochemical properties of the composites. Adsorption kinetics and isotherms were investigated with tetracycline (TC) for the magnetic composites. The magnetic carbon composite exhibited 48.35mg/g maximum adsorption capacity and was highly stable chemically and mechanically, with also good magnetic properties. The adsorption of TC by the magnetic adsorbent was mainly attributed to H-bonds and π-π interactions. The results indicate that waste sugarcane bagasse from the sugar industries can be efficiently transformed to a magnetic adsorbent for TC removal via a facile environmentally friendly method.

Elimination of textile dyes using activated carbons prepared from vegetable residues and their characterization

In this study, three mesoporous activated carbons prepared from vegetable residues were used to remove acid, basic, and direct dyes from aqueous solutions, and reactive and vat dyes from textile wastewater. Granular carbons obtained by chemical activation at 673 K with phosphoric acid from prickly pear peels (CarTunaQ), broccoli stems (CarBrocQ), and white sapote seeds (CarZapQ) were highly efficient for the removal of dyes. Adsorption equilibrium studies were carried out in batch systems and treated with Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The maximum adsorption capacities calculated from the Langmuir isotherms ranged between 131.6 and 312.5 mg/g for acid dyes, and between 277.8 and 500.0 mg/g for basic dyes at 303 K. Our objective in this paper was to show that vegetable wastes can serve as precursors for activated carbons that can be used for the adsorption of dyes. Specifically CarBrocQ was the best carbon produced for the removal of textile dyes. The color removal of dyes present in textile wastewaters was compared with that of a commercial powdered carbon, and it was found that the carbons produced using waste material reached similar efficiency levels. Carbon samples were characterized by bulk density, point of zero charge, thermogravimetric analysis, elemental analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, methylene blue adsorption isotherms at 303 K, and nitrogen adsorption isotherms at 77 K (SBET). The results show that the activated carbons possess a large specific surface area (1025-1177 m(2)/g) and high total pore volume (1.06-2.16 cm(3)/g) with average pore size diameters between 4.1 and 8.4 nm. Desorption and regeneration tests were made to test the viability of reusing the activated carbons.

Removal of phosphate and chromium(vi) from liquids by an amine-crosslinked nano-Fe3O4 biosorbent derived from corn straw

A magnetic biocomposite based bio-sorbent (corn straw) was prepared after in situ co-precipitation with Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ solutions and amine functionalization.

Adsorption of phosphate on surface of magnetic reed: characteristics, kinetic, isotherm, desorption, competitive and mechanistic studies

A magnetic biocomposite was prepared by Fe₃O₄in situ co-precipitation and amine functionalization processes by using virgin reed as starting material.