Effect of carbon nanofiber functionalization on the adsorption properties of volatile organic compounds

The effect of the chemical activation, using HNO3, of a commercial carbon nanofiber (CNF) on its surface chemistry and adsorption properties is studied in this work. The adsorption of different alkanes (linear and cyclic), aromatic compounds and chlorohydrocarbons on both the parent and the oxidized CNF were compared. Temperature-programmed desorption results, in agreement with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy experiments, reveal the existence of oxygen groups on the surface of the treated CNF. Capacity of adsorption was derived from the adsorption isotherms, whereas thermodynamic properties (enthalpy of adsorption, surface free energy characteristics) have been determined from chromatographic retention data. Both the capacity and the strength of adsorption decrease after the oxidant treatment of the carbon nanofibers, although in the case of chlorinated compounds the specific component of the surface energy shows an important increase. For n-alkanes and cyclic compounds, it was demonstrated that the presence of oxygen surface groups does not affect their interaction, the morphology of the surface being the key parameter. The oxidation of the nanofiber leads to steric limitations of the adsorption. In the adsorption of aromatic compounds, these limitations are compensated by the nucleophilic interactions between the aromatic ring and surface oxygenated groups, leading to similar performances of both materials. The absence of nucleophilic groups in the chlorinated compounds hinders their adsorption on the activated nanofibers.     

Adsorption of benzene,toluene, ethylbenzene and p-xylene by NaOCl-oxidized carbon nanotubes

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were oxidized by sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) solution and were employed as adsorbents to study their characterizations and adsorption performance of benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and p-xylene (abbreviated as BTEX) in an aqueous solution. The physicochemical properties of CNTs such as purity, structure and surface nature were greatly improved after oxidation, which significantly enhanced BTEX adsorption capacity. The adsorption capacity of CNT(NaOCl) increased with contact time and initial adsorbate concentration, but changed insignificantly with solution ionic strength and pH. A comparative study on the BTEX adsorption revealed that the CNT(NaOCl) had better BTEX adsorption as compared to CNTs and granular activated carbon. This suggests that the CNT(NaOCl) are efficient BTEX adsorbents and that they possess good potential for BTEX removal in wastewater treatment.     

Studies of the equilibrium and thermodynamics of the adsorption of Cu(2+) onto as-produced and modified carbon nanotubes

This study evaluates the Cu(2+) adsorption efficiency of as-produced carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and those modified by HNO(3) and NaOCl. The surface area, pH(pzc), pore volume, FTIR analyses, and average pore size of CNTs were determined to compare the differences between nanotubes before and after HNO(3) and NaOCl modification. The HNO(3) and NaOCl modifications increased the pore volume and the average pore size of CNTs; in contrast, the pH(pzc) was decreased. The modification processes produced some functional groups. The adsorption capacity of Cu(2+) on as-produced and modified CNTs increased with the pH and temperature; however, the effects of the ionic strength on the adsorption of Cu(2+) on as-produced and modified CNTs were negligible. The linear correlation coefficients of Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were obtained and the results revealed that the Langmuir isotherm fitted the experimental results better than did the Freundlich isotherm. The adsorption capacity of Cu(2+) followed the order NaOCl-modified CNTs > HNO(3)-modified CNTs > as-produced CNTs. Changes in the free energy of adsorption (DeltaG(o)), enthalpy (DeltaH(o)), and entropy (DeltaS(o)) were determined. All DeltaG(o) values were negative; the DeltaH(o) values of as-produced, HNO(3)-modified, and NaOCl-modified CNTs were 10.84, 17.08, and 67.77 kJ/mol and the DeltaS(o) values were 96.89, 122.88, and 319.76 J/mol K, respectively.     

The study of controlling pore size on electrospun carbon nanofibers for hydrogen adsorption

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were prepared by using electrospinning method and heat treatment to get the media for hydrogen adsorption storage. Potassium hydroxide and zinc chloride activations were conducted to increase specific surface area and pore volume of CNFs. To investigate the relation between pore structure and the capacity of hydrogen adsorption, textural properties of activated CNFs were studied with micropore size distribution, specific surface area, and total pore volume by using BET (Brunauer-Emmett-Teller) surface analyzer apparatus and the capacity of hydrogen adsorption was evaluated by PCT (pressure-composition-temperature) hydrogen adsorption analyzer apparatus with volumetric method. The surface morphology of activated CNFs was observed by SEM (scanning electron microscope) images to investigate the surface change through activation. Even though specific surface area and total pore volume were important factors for increasing the capacity of hydrogen adsorption, the pore volume which has pore width (0.6-0.7 nm) was a much more effective factor than specific surface area and pore volume in PAN-based electrospun activated CNFs.     

硅烷化活性炭的吸附性质

本工作测定了25℃和35℃时硅烷化活性炭自水溶液中吸附苯甲酸和苯甲醛的等温线;计算了吸附过程的ΔGⅲ,ΔHⅲ和ΔSⅲ;用Hill-deBoer方程处理了实验结果。所得结果表明:(1)随硅烷化时间延长,苯甲酸和苯甲醛的吸附量(mol.m^-^2)明显增加;-ΔGⅲ和-ΔHⅲ略有升高,ΔSⅲ为正值;(2)吸附分子之间的相互作用很弱,吸附分子与活性炭表面间的作用随硅烷化程度增加而加大;(3)芳香化合物可能是以苯环吸附在炭表面上的。     

Supercritical CO2-driven, periodic patterning on one-dimensionals carbon nanomaterials

One-dimensional carbon nano-materials, in particular carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon nanofibers (CNFs), are of scientific and technological interest due to their satisfactory properties and ability to serve as templates for directed assembly. In this work, linear high density polyethylene (PE) was periodically decorated on CNTs and CNFs using a supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO₂)antisolvent-induced polymer epitaxy (SAIPE) method, leading to nano-hybrid shish-kebab (NHSK) structures. The formation mechanism of different morphologies of PE lamellae on CNTs and CNFs has been discussed. Palladium nanoparticles were synthesized and immobilized on the PE/CNF NHSK structure with the assistance of scCO₂. The obtained hierarchical nano-hybrid architecture may find applications in microfabrication and other related fields.     

反气相色谱法测定锌镁铝类水滑石的表面性能

采用水热合成法制备了锌镁铝类水滑石(ZnMgAl-HTLC),利用X射线衍射仪(XRD)对ZnMgAl-HTLC的晶体结构进行了表征,并以一系列非极性和极性分子为探针分子,采用反气相色谱法(IGC)研究了ZnMgAl-HTLC的表面性能.结果表明:XRD特征衍射峰窄、尖、高,水热合成法能够制得纯度较高的ZnMgAl-HTLC; ZnMgAl-HTLC表面吸附自由能小于零,表面色散自由能最大为6.02 mJ/m²,酸碱作用自由能最大为5.33 kJ/mol,吸附焓为43.6 kJ/mol,吸附熵为0.15 kJ/mol.本文的反气相色谱方法对研究锌镁铝类水滑石的表面性能具有重要的指导意义.     

Effect of the carbon surface layer chemistry on benzene adsorption from the vapor phase and from dilute aqueous solutions

We present a complex study of benzene adsorption on chemically modified commercial activated carbons. The porosity of studied carbons is almost the same, whereas the chemical composition and the acid-base properties of surface layers differ drastically from amphoteric (initial de-ashed carbon D43/1, Carbo-Tech, Essen, Germany) and acidic (carbon modified with concentrated HNO3 and fuming H2SO4) to strongly basic (carbon modified with gaseous NH3). Benzene adsorption isotherms measured from aqueous solution at three temperatures (298, 313, and 323 K) and at the neutral pH level are reported. They are supported by studies of water and benzene adsorption from the gaseous phase (volumetric and calorimetric data) and the data of benzene temperature-programmed desorption (TPD). Moreover, the data of the enthalpy of immersion in water and benzene are also presented. Obtained data of benzene adsorption from the gaseous phase are approximated by applying the method of Nguyen and Do (ND) and the Dubinin-Astakhov (DA) equation. The data of adsorption from solution are described by the hybrid DA-Freundlich (DA-F) model. We show that there are similarities in the mechanisms of benzene adsorption from the gaseous phase and from aqueous solutions and that the pore-blocking effect is the main stage of the adsorption mechanism. This effect strongly depends on the polarity of the carbon surface. The larger the ratio of the enthalpy of carbon immersion in water to the enthalpy of immersion in benzene, the larger the reduction in adsorption from solution, compared to that in the gaseous phase, that is observed.     

Characterization,by inverse gas chromatography,of the surface properties of calcium carbonate before and after treatment with stearic acid

Summary The interaction of n-alkanes with stearyl chains chemically fixed on the surface of calcite particles is investigated using inverse gas chromatography. Free enthalpy, enthalpy, entropy of adsorption and dispersive component of the surface free energy are determined. Untreated and stearic acid treated calcites have comparable affinities for the alkanes. However, the differences in adsorption entropies point to different interaction mechanisms: gas-solid adsorption for the untreated calcite and gasliquid interactions for the modified sample. Furthermore, for long chains probes, having more than 8 carbon atoms, the loss in entropy is smaller than for shorter chains. Possibly, long chains are only partially inserted in between the stearyl grafts, thus keeping a higher degree of freedom.     

In Situ Observation of Growth Process of alpha-L-Glutamic Acid with Atomic Force Microscopy

The surface and adsorption characteristics of carbon blacks treated with H(3)PO(4), KOH, and C(6)H(6) were investigated. The equilibrium spreading pressure (pi(e)), surface energy (gamma(s)), and specific surface area (S(BET)) were studied by the BET method with N(2) adsorption. In this work, an interpretation based on the nitrogen amount adsorbed for filling a monolayer (a(0)) was proposed for the determination of the Gibbs free energy of nitrogen adsorption, allowing evaluation of the equilibrium spreading pressure or London dispersive component of the surface free energy of the carbon blacks studied. Also, the microstructures of the carbon blacks treated were investigated by transmission electron microscopy. Acidic treatment led to significant decreases in adsorption amount, S(BET), and surface free energy of the carbon blacks, due to aggregation of the microstructures and increasing weight of the swollen specimen in an equilibrium state. Polar basic and nonpolar chemical treatments resulted in an increase of the equilibrium spreading pressure or London dispersive component of surface free energy of the carbon blacks without significantly changing the surface and adsorption properties and microstructures. Results from the surface energetics and parameter of polymer-filler interaction (chi) showed that the tearing energy of the composites is greatly dependent on the carbon blacks studied in the treatment. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.     

Effect of pH and Temperature on Adsorption of Dimethyl Phthalate on Carbon Nanotubes in Aqueous Phase

Adsorptions of dimethyl phthalate (DMP) on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in aqueous phase at various pH and temperatures were studied. The increase in pH results in the increase in adsorption coefficient. The adsorption is governed by the π-π electron interaction which is affected by the changes in pH of the medium. The outer diameter of the CNTs greatly influences the adsorption behavior of CNT for DMP. Under the same working temperature, the adsorption capacity of CNTs for DMP is inversely related to the average outer diameter of the CNT: single-walled SWCNT (1.4 nm)>multi-walled MWCNT10 (9.4 nm)>MWCNT30 (27.8 nm)>MWCNT40 (42.7 nm). The larger surface area of CNTs provides many active sites for adsorption of DMP molecules. The Freundlich model can describe well the adsorption isotherms of DMP on CNTs. The thermodynamic parameters of standard free energy, standard enthalpy (ΔH), and standard entropy changes are determined, showing that the adsorption of DMP on CNTs is an endothermic and spontaneous reaction. The ΔH value of 27.8 nm-sized MWCNT (22.69 kJ/mol) is higher than 1.4 nm-sized SWCNT (6.05 kJ/mol), inferring that the adsorption process becomes more endothermic with the increase in the outer diameter of CNTs.     

Electrochemical oxidation of catecholamines and catechols at carbon nanotube electrodes

The differences in the electrochemical oxidation of two commonly known catecholamines, dopamine and norepinephrine, and one catechol, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC), at three different types of carbon based electrodes comprising conventionally polished glassy carbon (GC), nitrogen-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs), and non-doped CNTs were assessed. Raman microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were employed to evaluate structural and compositional properties. Raman measurements indicate that N-CNT electrodes have ca. 2.4 times more edge plane sites over non-doped CNTs. XPS data show no evidence of oxygen functionalities at the surface of either CNT type. N-CNTs possess 4.0 at. % nitrogen as pyridinic, pyrrolic, and quaternary nitrogen functionalities that result in positively charged carbon surfaces in neutral and acidic solutions. The electrochemical behavior of the various carbon electrodes were investigated by cyclic voltammetry conducted in pH 5.8 acetate buffer. Semiintegral analysis of the voltammograms reveals a significant adsorptive character of dopamine and norepinephrine oxidation at N-CNT electrodes. Larger peak splittings, DeltaE(p), for the cyclic voltammograms of both catecholamines and a smaller DeltaE(p) for the cyclic voltammogram for DOPAC at N-CNT electrodes suggest that electrostatic interactions hinder oxidation of cationic dopamine and norepinephrine, but facilitate anionic DOPAC oxidation. These observations were supported by titrimetry of solid suspensions to determine the pH of point of zero charge (pH(pzc)) and estimate the number of basic sites for both CNT varieties. This study demonstrates that carbon purity, the presence of exposed edge plane sites, surface charge, and basicity of CNTs are important factors for influencing adsorption and enhancing the electrochemical oxidation of catecholamines and catechols.     

Effects of solution chemistry on the adsorption of ibuprofen and triclosan onto carbon nanotubes

Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), and oxidized MWCNTs (O-MWCNTs) were studied for the adsorption of ibuprofen (IBU) and triclosan (TCS) as representative types of pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) under different chemical solution conditions. A good fitting of sorption isotherms was obtained using a Polanyi-Manes model (PMM). IBU and TCS sorption was stronger for SWCNTs than for MWCNTs due to higher specific surface area. The high oxygen content of O-MWCNT further depressed PPCP sorption. The sorption capacity of PPCPs was found to be pH-dependent, and more adsorption was observed at pHs below their pK(a) values. Ionic strength was also found to substantially affect TCS adsorption, with higher adsorption capacity observed for TCS at lower ionic strength. In the presence of a reference aquatic fulvic acid (FA), sorption of IBU and TCS was reduced due to the competitive sorption of FA on carbon nanotubes (CNTs). Sorption isotherm results with SWCNTs, MWCNTs and O-MWCNTs confirmed that the surface chemistry of CNTs, the chemical properties of PPCPs, and aqueous solution chemistry (pH, ionic strength, fulvic acid) all play an important role in PPCP adsorption onto CNTs.     

Using ONIOM calculations to investigate the abilities of simple and nitrogen,boron, sulfur-doped carbon nanotubes in sensing of carbon monoxide

In this work, geometries, stabilities, and electronic properties of the carbon monoxide (CO) molecule as an adsorbent in a simple carbon nanotube (CNT) and nitrogen (N), boron (B), sulfur (S)-doped CNTs (NCNT, BCNT, and SCNT) with parallel and perpendicular configurations are fully considered using ONIOM, natural bond orbital, and quantum theory of atom in molecule (QTAIM) calculations. The adsorption energies (E_ad) demonstrate that a CO molecule could be adsorbed on the surface of the simple CNT with parallel configuration and N-doped CNT with perpendicular configuration in an exothermic process. QTAIM calculations showed the close-shell (noncovalent) interactions between the CO molecule and CNT or N, B, S-doped CNTs. In addition, the energy gap (E_g) values between the highest occupied molecular orbital and the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital are calculated. In accordance with the results of energy gap, simple and N-doped CNTs could be used as CO sensors.     

Nitrogen adsorption characterization of aligned multiwalled carbon nanotubes and their acid modification

Aligned multiwalled carbon nanotube (CNT) arrays were synthesized by using an iron-based sol-gel catalyst and acetylene as the precursor. These CNTs show high purity, uniform diameters and pore-wall thickness. Low temperature nitrogen adsorption was employed to characterize the structural and surface properties of the as-synthesized sample and that modified with boiling concentrated nitric acid. The adsorption characteristics of the as-synthesized and modified CNTs were thoroughly investigated. High-resolution comparative alpha(s)-plot showed that the nitrogen adsorption on CNTs takes place via a multistage mechanism closely related to their structures. It was also found that the acid modification significantly increased the adsorption energy and enhanced the adsorption capacity under low pressures. High-resolution comparative method provided valuable insights about the surface and pore structures of CNTs.     

Preparation and characterization of activated carbon from pine cone by microwave-induced ZnCl2 activation and its effects on the adsorption of methylene blue

In this work, activated carbon prepared from pine cone (PCAC) with ZnCl₂ as an activation agent under microwave radiation was investigated. The activation step was performed at the microwave input power of 400 W and radiation time of 5 min. The properties of activated carbon were characterized by N₂ adsorption Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), scanning electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Results showed that the BET surface area, Langmuir surface area, and total pore volume of PCAC were 939, 1,486 m²/g and 0.172 cm³/g, respectively. Adsorption capacity was demonstrated by the iodine numbers. The adsorptive property of PCAC was tested using methylene blue dye. Equilibrium data was best fitted by the Langmuir isotherm model, showing a monolayer adsorption capacity of 60.97 mg/g. The pseudo-first- and pseudo-second-order kinetic models were examined to evaluate the kinetic data, and the rate constants were calculated. Adsorption of the dyes followed pseudo-first order kinetics. Thermodynamic parameters such as free energy, enthalpy and entropy of dye adsorption were obtained.     

Adsorption studies of acetic acid dimers on activated charcoal from organic solvents

Acetic acid exists as dimers in organic solvents like benzene, toluene and xylene. Adsorption of dimeric acetic acid on activated charcoal (AC) at various temperatures from benzene, toluene and xylene solutions have been studied. The system obeys Langmuir isotherm, thus signifying a monolayer adsorption of dimers. Corrections on AC-solvent pore volume fillings, molecular cross sectional surface area of acetic acid dimers, the adsorption equilibrium constants, the free energy change and the enthalpy change values are computed at different temperatures for the three solvents. The adsorption process has been found to be physisorption type. The FTIR measurements show that the adsorbed acetic acid dimer seems to retain the cyclic structure against the open chain non-cyclic structure.     

Adsorption of benzene on graphitized thermal carbon black: reduction of the quadrupole moment in the adsorbed phase

The performance of intermolecular potential models on the adsorption of benzene on graphitized thermal carbon black at various temperatures is investigated. Two models contain only dispersive sites, whereas the other two models account explicitly for the dispersive and electrostatic sites. Using numerous data in the literature on benzene adsorption on graphitized thermal carbon black at various temperatures, we have found that the effect of surface mediation on interaction between adsorbed benzene molecules must be accounted for to describe correctly the adsorption isotherm as well as the isosteric heat. Among the two models with partial charges tested, the WSKS model of Wick et al. that has only six dispersive sites and three discrete partial charges is better than the very expensive all-atom model of Jorgensen and Severance. Adsorbed benzene molecules on graphitized thermal carbon black have a complex orientation with respect to distance from the surface and also with respect to loading. At low loadings, they adopt the parallel configuration relative to the graphene surface, whereas at higher loadings (still less than monolayer coverage) some molecules adopt a slant orientation to maximize the fluid-fluid interaction. For loadings in the multilayer region, the orientation of molecules in the first layer is influenced by the presence of molecules in the second layer. The data that are used in this article come from the work of Isirikyan and Kiselev, Pierotti and Smallwood, Pierce and Ewing, Belyakova, Kiselev, and Kovaleva, and Carrott et al.     

Functionalized carbon nanotubes and nanofibers for biosensing applications

This review summarizes recent advances in electrochemical biosensors based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and carbon nanofibers (CNFs) with an emphasis on applications of CNTs. CNTs and CNFs have unique electric, electrocatalytic and mechanical properties, which make them efficient materials for developing electrochemical biosensors.We discuss functionalizing CNTs for biosensors. We review electrochemical biosensors based on CNTs and their various applications (e.g., measurement of small biological molecules and environmental pollutants, detection of DNA, and immunosensing of disease biomarkers). Moreover, we outline the development of electrochemical biosensors based on CNFs and their applications. Finally, we discuss some future applications of CNTs.