Kinetics, equilibrium data and modeling studies for the sorption of chromium by Prosopis juliflora bark carbon

Cd2+ removal efficiency of activated carbon from Prosopis juliflora: Optimization of preparation parameters by the Box-Behnken Design of Response Surface Methodology

The study focuses on the preparation of activated carbon from Prosopis juliflora (PJAC) wood by pyrolysis and chemical activation. The objective is to assess its effectiveness as an adsorbent for synthesizing a composite adsorbent coating (CAC) for Cadmium (Cd2+) removal from aqueous solution. The effect of preparation factors related to Cd2+ removal efficiency was assessed. The Design of Experiments (DoE) for the adsorption of Cd2+ on the PJAC were done using the Box-Behnken Design (BBD) of the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) (Design Expert software version 11). The influence of impregnation ratio (IR), carbonization time (t), and carbonization temperature (T) on the Cd (II) percent (%) removal was evaluated. The response surface graphs in 3D were also generated for the response variable, and the higher R2 coefficient values were fitted into the polynomial quadric model. The results indicated that all the variable preparation factors were significant in the Cd2+ removal by PJAC with carbonization temperature being the most significant. At the optimum conditions i.e. impregnation ratio (1.8), carbonization temperature (595 °C) and carbonization time (174 min), the model predicted a 99.9 % Cd2+ removal efficiency while the adsorption experiment obtained a 96.7 % removal efficiency, respectively. Later, the morphological and chemical properties of the PJAC prepared with optimal parameters were analyzed using different characterization techniques including SBET, SEM-EDX, pHPZC, FTIR and XRD. The SEM images revealed a rough and porous morphological surface with an SBET of 600.4 m2/g and a near neutral pHPZC of 6.92. The XRD pattern indicated the crystalline nature of the prepared adsorbent. The pre and post adsorption FTIR spectrum of the PJAC demonstrated a distinct difference with the latter showing a reduction in peak intensity and height. These results underpin the potential of utilizing invasive plants like Prosopis Juliflora as adsorbents for heavy metal removal.

Competitive and cooperative adsorption analysis for dye removal from multicomponent system using Prosopis juliflora activated carbon

In this study, performance evaluation of two adsorbents synthesized using invasive weed, i.e., Prosopis juliflora, was chemically activated using hydrochloric acid (HPJ) and sodium hydroxide (NPJ). The synthesized adsorbents HPJ and NPJ were subjected to SEM, EDX, XRD, FTIR, and porosimetry analysis for characterization and applied for adsorptive removal of rhodamine B (RB) and methyl orange (MO) dyes from monocomponent (MO/RB) and multicomponent (MO + RB) systems in batch mode. Meanwhile, the effect of operational parameters such as contact time, HPJ and NPJ dosage, MO/RB concentration, and [Formula: see text] on sorption of MO/RB dyes was investigated. The adsorption data was modeled through various kinetic and equilibrium models. On the other hand, the multi-dye sorption system was modeled using Langmuir competitive isotherm. Furthermore, the effect of presence of one dye on sorption of other and vice versa, i.e., competitive (antagonistic) and cooperative (synergistic) nature of sorption process, was investigated. From the results, it was observed that pseudo-second-order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm models best fit the adsorption kinetic and equilibrium data for sorption of MO and RB dyes using both HPJ and NPJ as adsorbents. Langmuir's maximum sorption ability (qm) of HPJ for sorption of MO and RB dyes was observed to be 12.77 mg/g and 9.95 mg/g, respectively, from the monocomponent system. On the other hand, qm of NPJ for sorption of MO and RB dyes was observed to be 10.51 mg/g and 8.69 mg/g, respectively. Langmuir's sorption ability (qm) was slightly higher in the MO + RB mixture in contrast to MO/RB. As a result, the sorption of MO/RB dyes from the MO + RB system showed synergistic nature. In conclusion, the HPJ and NPJ could be effectively used as sorbents for sorption of dyes from effluents.

Optimized preparation of gangue waste-based geopolymer adsorbent based on improved response surface methodology for Cd(II) removal from wastewater

Resource utilization of gangue solid waste has become an essential research direction for green development. This study prepared a novel gangue based geopolymer adsorbent (GPA) for the removal of Cd(II) from wastewater using pretreatment gangue (PG) as the main raw material. The ANOVA indicated that the obtained quadratic model of fitness function (R² > 0.99, P-value <0.0001) was significant and adequate, and the contribution of the three preparation conditions to the removal of Cd(II) was: calcination temperature > Na₂CO₃:PG ratio > water-glass solid content. The hybrid response surface method and gray wolf optimization (RSM-GWO) algorithm were adopted to acquire the optimum conditions: Na₂CO₃:PG ratio = 1.05, calcination temperature of 701 °C, solid content of water glass of 22.42%, and the removal efficiency of Cd(II) by GPA obtained under the optimized conditions (GPAC) was 97.84%. Adsorption kinetics, adsorption isotherms and characterization by XRD, FTIR, Zeta potential, FSEM-EDS and BET were utilized to investigate the adsorption mechanism of GPAC on Cd(II). The results showed that the adsorption of Cd(II) from GPAC was consistent with the pseudo-second-order model (R² = 0.9936) and the Langmuir model (R² = 0.9988), the adsorption was a monolayer adsorption process and the computed maximum Cd(II) adsorption (50.76 mg g^-1) was approximate to experimental results (51.47 mg g^-1). Moreover, the surface morphology of GPAC was rough and porous with a specific surface area (SSA) of 18.54 m² g^-1, which provided abundant active sites, and the internal kaolinite was destroyed to produce a zeolite-like structure where surface complexation and ion exchange with Cd(II) through hydroxyl (-OH) and oxygen-containing groups (-SiOH and -AlOH) were the main adsorption mechanisms. Thus, GPAC is a lucrative adsorbent material for effective Cd(II) wastewater treatment, complying with the "high value-added" usage of solid wastes and "waste to cure poison" green sustainable development direction.

Green synthesis of ceramsite from industrial wastes and its application in selective adsorption: Performance and mechanism

The increasing requirement and consumption of coal has resulted in a large accumulation of coal gangue. The reuse and recycling of coal gangue have become a high priority for sustainable development. A sustainable and efficient ceramsite adsorbent was prepared for copper ions adsorption by using coal gangue, coal fly ash, and copper slag as the main materials. The appropriate performance of the ceramsite could be obtained at a mixture of coal gangue, coal fly ash, and copper slag at a weight ratio of 3:4:1. The optimal sintering temperature and time were 1050 °C and 20 min, respectively. The main crystalline phases of ceramsite were quartz, mullite, and anorthite. Many micropores are connecting the interior on the surface of ceramsite under scanning electron microscope. The maximum copper ions adsorption capacity reached up to 20.6 mg/g at 303 K when pH and time were 5 and 1440 min, respectively. The adsorption kinetics and isotherm could be described by the pseudo-second-order model and Freundlich model, respectively. The adsorption mechanisms of Cu²⁺ with ceramsite were attributed to Cu(OH)₂ precipitation formed on the alkaline surface of ceramsite and complexation reactions occurred between the O-containing groups (including C-O, Fe-O, and Si-O) from ceramsite and Cu²⁺. The prepared ceramsite may be also applied to other heavy metal wastewater treatments.

Adsorptive decontamination of doxycycline hydrochloride via Prosopis juliflora activated carbon: Parameter optimization and disposal study

This study deals with the removal of doxycycline hydrochloride (DOX) antibiotic, from aqueous environment by using Prosopis juliflora activated carbon (PJAC). PJAC was synthesized by chemical activation and pyrolysis of Prosopis juliflora. It was characterized by employing Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) techniques. The specific surface area, pore volume, and pore diameter were evaluated as 320.45 m² /g, 0.176 cm³ /g, and 2.65 nm, respectively. Different functional groups (O-H, C-O, C=C, C-N, and C-C) present on PJAC promoted the adsorption of DOX. The influence of various adsorption parameters suggested by central composite design (CCD) model was determined using response surface methodology (RSM), and interactive effects of these were optimized. The thermodynamic and kinetic studies performed at optimized conditions, exhibited that adsorption was spontaneous and endothermic. The experimental data were well described with Langmuir, Redlich-Peterson, and Freundlich isotherm models while kinetics data were well described by pseudo second order. The excellent interactions between the PJAC and DOX resulted maximum adsorption capacity as 57.11 mg/g. The adsorption mechanisms was dominated by π - π interactions and hydrogen bonding. Moreover, almost complete encapsulation of DOX was achieved by stabilization of exhausted PJAC. PRACTITIONER POINTS: A wild harmful plant Prosopis juliflora was used to synthesize a low-cost and eco-friendly bio-sorbent PJAC. Adsorptive ability of PJAC was quantified for adsorption of DOX antibiotic from its aqueous solution. DOX uptake on PJAC was mainly governed by л-л EDA interactions and hydrogen bonding.

Porous Activated Carbon from Lignocellulosic Agricultural Waste for the Removal of Acetampirid Pesticide from Aqueous Solutions

A facile eco-friendly approach for acetampirid pesticide removal is presented. The method is based on the use of micro- and mesoporous activated carbon (TPAC) as a natural adsorbent. TPAC was synthesized via chemical treatment of tangerine peels with phosphoric acid. The prepared activated carbon was characterized before and after the adsorption process using Fourier- transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), particle size and surface area. The effects of various parameters on the adsorption of acetampirid including adsorbent dose (0.02–0.2 g), pH 2–8, initial adsorbate concentration (10–100 mg/L), contact time (10–300 min) and temperature (25–50 °C) were studied. Batch adsorption features were evaluated using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The adsorption process followed the Langmuir isotherm model with a maximum adsorption capacity of 35.7 mg/g and an equilibration time within 240 min. The adsorption kinetics of acetamiprid was fitted to the pseudo-second-order kinetics model. From the thermodynamics perspective, the adsorption was found to be exothermic and spontaneous in nature. TPAC was successfully regenerated and reused for three consecutive cycles. The results of the presented study show that TPAC may be used as an effective eco-friendly, low cost and highly efficient adsorbent for the removal of acetamiprid pesticides from aqueous solutions.

Adsorptive desulfurization of dibenzothiophene (DBT) in model petroleum distillate using functionalized carbon nanotubes

Industrial hydrodesulfurization method has not been efficient for removal of dibenzothiophene (DBT) from petroleum distillates. Therefore, in this current study, adsorptive desulfurization (investigated in batch mode) was carried out using functionalized carbon nanotubes (FCNTs) to reduce the amount of DBT in a model diesel. Different techniques, such as, scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), were used to check the morphological structure and the elemental compositions of the adsorbent; Fourier transmission infrared (FTIR) was used to check the chemical functionalities of the adsorbent; and nitrogen physisorption at 77 K was used to check the surface area, pore size, and pore volume of the adsorbent. The results show that the FCNTs outperformed the non-functionalized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) during the desulfurization by about 10%, indicating the functionalization did improve the desulfurization performance of the CNTs. The % removal of DBT by the FCNTs and CNTs was 70.48 and 60.88%, respectively. It can be concluded that the acid treatment of CNTs enhanced its surface affinity for DBT, thus contributing to the improved adsorption performance of the adsorbent. The isotherm results show that Freundlich isotherm model described well the mechanism of the adsorption process for both CNTs and FCNTs. In addition, pseudo second-order kinetics describes the behavior of the adsorbents during the adsorption process. The results obtained in this study therefore show that functionalized CNTs could be efficient and potential adsorbent for removal of DBT in petroleum distillate (e.g., diesel), to meet up with the stringent policies regarding emission of sulfur oxides.

Utilization of dye-loaded activated carbon as a potential alternative fuel source: a feasibility study through calorific and thermo-gravimetric analysis

The disodium salt of Rose Bengal [4, 5, 6, 7-tetrachloro-2', 4', 5', 7'-tetraiodofluorescein] commonly finds application in medical procedures and its removal from aqueous solution is difficult owing to its high molecular weight of 1017.67 g/mol. Activated carbon was prepared from Prosopis juliflora and immobilized into sodium alginate beads and doped with aniline for enhanced adsorption of Rose Bengal. The effect of initial dye concentration, beads' dosage, contact time, and the temperature over the adsorption of Rose Bengal dye were studied. The optimum conditions derived for maximum dye uptake capacity were 4 mg/L of initial dye concentration, contact time of 60 min with the adsorbent dosage of 0.2 g, and temperature of 303 K at neutral pH. The equilibrium data were found to be best fitted for Langmuir -1 model, whereas the kinetics were interpreted through Ho-Mckay's pseudo-second-order equation. The adsorbents were subjected to thermo-gravimetric studies to determine the activation energy under a heating rate of 20 °C/min. The activation energy was computed using Broido's plot and was found to be 35.21 ± 0.84 kJ/mol for the activated carbon, and 16.77 ± 2.19 kJ/mol for the dye-adsorbed beads. The heat capacity was determined through differential scanning calorimetry and was calculated to be 19.41 J/g °C for activated carbon and 39.43 J/g °C for beads post-adsorption of Rose Bengal dye.

Preparation, characterization and Cr(VI) adsorption evaluation of NaOH-activated carbon produced from Date Press Cake; an agro-industrial waste

Date Press Cake (DPC) is an inevitable by-product of date processing industries and may pose environmental problems if not managed properly. In this study, DPC was converted into activated carbon using solid NaOH under various activation conditions. The prepared activated carbon showed high specific surface area (2025.9 m² g^-1) and microporous texture (86.01%). It was successfully applied for the adsorption of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions with maximum monolayer adsorption capacities as high as 282.8 mg g^-1 (pH = 2) and 198.0 mg g^-1 (pH = 5). The kinetic and isotherm experimental data of Cr(VI) adsorption onto the activated carbon were best described by Elovich and Redlich-Peterson models, respectively. It was found that the Cr(VI) adsorption onto the DPC-derived activated carbon was predominantly a chemisorption process with limited desorption rates (below 50%). Overall, Date Press Cake could be considered as an abundant and renewable agro-industrial precursor for the production of high quality activated carbon.