Response surface methodology modeling for methylene blue removal by chemically modified porous carbon: Adsorption mechanism and role of surface functional groups

Synthesis of magnetic MFe2O4 (M = Ni, Co, Zn, Fe) supported on porous carbons derived from Bidens pilosa weed and their adsorptive comparison of toxic dyes

Bidens pilosa is classified as an invasive plant and has become a problematic weed to many agricultural crops. This species strongly germinates, grows and reproduces and competing for nutrients with local plants. To lessen the influence of Bidens pilosa, therefore, converting this harmful species into carbon materials as adsorbents in harm-to-wealth and valorization strategies is required. Here, we synthesized a series of magnetic composites based on MFe2O4 (M = Ni, Co, Zn, Fe) supported on porous carbon (MFOAC) derived from Bidens pilosa by a facile hydrothermal method. The Bidens pilosa carbon was initially activated by condensed H3PO4 to increase the surface chemistry. We observed that porous carbon loaded NiFe2O4 (NFOAC) reached the highest surface area (795.7 m2 g-1), followed by CoFe2O4/AC (449.1 m2 g-1), Fe3O4/AC (426.1 m2 g-1), ZnFe2O4/AC (409.5 m2 g-1). Morphological results showed nanoparticles were well-dispersed on the surface of carbon. RhB, MO, and MR dyes were used as adsorbate to test the adsorption by MFOAC. Effect of time (0-360 min), concentration (5-50 mg L-1), dosage (0.05-0.2 g L-1), and pH (3-9) on dyes adsorption onto MFOAC was investigated. It was found that NFOAC obtained the highest maximum adsorption capacity against dyes, RhB (107.96 mg g-1) < MO (148.05 mg g-1) < MR (153.1 mg g-1). Several mechanisms such as H bonding, π-π stacking, cation-π interaction, and electrostatic interaction were suggested. With sufficient stability and capacity, NFOAC can be used as potential adsorbent for real water treatment systems.

In-situ hydrothermal synthesis of CNT decorated by nano ZnS/CuO for simultaneous removal of acid food dyes from binary water samples

The zinc sulfide/copper oxide-carbon nanotube nanocomposite (ZnS/CuO-CNT) was fabricated by using an in-situ hydrothermal synthesis method and was used for simultaneous ultrasound-assisted adsorptive removal of a binary mixture of ponceau 4R (P4R) and tartrazine (TA) acid food dyes from contaminated water. The as-synthesized ZnS/CuO-CNT was described by FESEM, XRD, FTIR, BET, and zeta potential analysis. The results included nested network morphology, high purity with the crystalline structure, oxygen-containing functional groups, mesoporous/micropores texture with cumulate interspace, specific surface area of 106.54 m2 g-1, and zero-point charge (pHzpc) of 5.3. In adsorption experiments, the simultaneous effect of main independent variables, including solution pH, adsorbent dosage, concentration of each dye, temperature, and sonication time on the removal efficiency of dyes was studied systematically using the central composite design (CCD) method based on response surface methodology (RSM). Also, the second-order multivariate equation was presented to determine the relationship between the removal efficiencies of P4R and AT dyes and six independent effective variables. The high correlation coefficient (R2 ≥ 0.99), significant p-value (P < 0.0001), and non-significant lack-of-fit (P > 0.05) showed the high accuracy, and validity of the proposed model to predict the removal efficiency of P4R and TA acid food dyes. The experimental removal efficiency for P4R and TA dyes was found to be 98.45 ± 2.54, and 99.21 ± 2.23, respectively. Also, the Langmuir maximum adsorption capacity for P4R and TA dyes was determined to be 190.1 mg g-1 and 183.5 mg g-1, respectively. Finally, the adsorbent's reusability was tested for six periods and could be reused repeatedly without significant reduction in adsorption performance.

Sulfonated graphene oxide impregnated cellulose acetate floated beads for adsorption of methylene blue dye: optimization using response surface methodology

New multi-featured adsorbent beads were fabricated through impregnation of sulfonated graphene (SGO) oxide into cellulose acetate (CA) beads for fast adsorption of cationic methylene blue (MB) dye. The formulated SGO@CA composite beads were thoroughly characterized by several tools including FTIR, TGA, SEM, XRD, XPS and zeta potential. The optimal levels of the most significant identified variables affecting the adsorption process were sequential determined by the response surface methodology (RSM) using Plackett–Burman and Box–Behnken designs. The gained results denoted that the surface of SGO@CA beads displayed the higher negative charges (− 42.2 mV) compared to − 35.7 and − 38.7 mV for pristine CA and SGO, respectively. In addition, the floated SGO@CA beads demonstrated excellent floating property, fast adsorption and easy separation. The adsorption performance was accomplished rapidly, since the adsorption equilibrium was closely gotten within 30 min. Furthermore, the adsorption capacity was greatly improved with increasing SGO content from 10 to 30%. The obtained data were followed the pseudo-second order kinetic model and agreed with Langmuir adsorption isotherm model with a maximum adsorption capacity reached 234.74 mg g⁻¹. The thermodynamic studies designated the spontaneity and endothermic nature of MB dye adsorption. Besides, the floated beads exposed acceptable adsorption characteristics for six successive reuse cycles, in addition to their better adsorption selectivity towards MB dye compared to cationic crystal violet and anionic Congo red dyes. These findings assume that the formulated SGO@CA floated beads could be used effectively as highly efficient, easy separable and reusable adsorbents for the fast removal of toxic cationic dyes.

Green synthesis of ZrO2 nanoparticles and nanocomposites for biomedical and environmental applications: a review

Pollution and diseases such as the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) are major issues that may be solved partly by nanotechnology. Here we review the synthesis of ZrO₂ nanoparticles and their nanocomposites using compounds from bacteria, fungi, microalgae, and plants. For instance, bacteria, microalgae, and fungi secret bioactive metabolites such as fucoidans, digestive enzymes, and proteins, while plant tissues are rich in reducing sugars, polyphenols, flavonoids, saponins, and amino acids. These compounds allow reducing, capping, chelating, and stabilizing during the transformation of Zr⁴⁺ into ZrO₂ nanoparticles. Green ZrO₂ nanoparticles display unique properties such as a nanoscale size of 5-50 nm, diverse morphologies, e.g. nanospheres, nanorods and nanochains, and wide bandgap energy of 3.7-5.5 eV. Their high stability and biocompatibility are suitable biomedical and environmental applications, such as pathogen and cancer inactivation, and pollutant removal. Emerging applications of green ZrO₂-based nanocomposites include water treatment, catalytic reduction, nanoelectronic devices, and anti-biofilms.