Multicomponent isotherm modeling of hexavalent chromium and fluoride ions simultaneous removal using rice husk derived activated carbon (RHDAC) electrode

In the present work RHDAC electrode was used to electrosorption of hexavalent chromium and fluoride (HCAF) by capacitive deionization from the aqueous feed. In this study multicomponent isotherm (MCI) modeling were done with different six MCI models for simultaneous removal of HCAF using RHDAC electrodes. This RHDAC electrode performance was indicated the simultaneous maximum electrosorption 2.47 and 2.34 mg/g for HCAF respectively for 100 mg/L aqueous feed. The results show that MCIM3 (Extended Langmuir) and MCIM5 (Non modified Redlich Peterson) models were found more fit to with experimental data with lower MPSD for both HCAF than other MCI models. The RHDAC was an effective electrode material for HCAF sorption from low concentrated feed.     

Combination of electroreduction with biosorption for enhancement for removal of hexavalent chromium

Hexavalent chromium is one of the most toxic heavy metals in aqueous solutions. It has been well documented that the brown seaweed can be used as a promising biosorbent for the sequestration of this heavy metal from wastewater. However, the uptake of Cr(VI) is reportedly a rather slower process; the sorption equilibrium can only be established after a few days, much slower than a few hours for the trivalent chromium ion. In this study, we developed a novel technology of electrochemically assisted biosorption (ECAB) system for the enhancement of the treatment efficiency. It was found through our study that the removal efficiencies of Cr(VI) and total chromium were greatly enhanced by 48.1% and 51.3%, respectively, with the application of -1.0V in the ECAB system. The conversion of Cr(III) due to the electroreduction of Cr(VI) and the higher pH due to the cathodic H(2) evolution created a favorable condition for the uptake of chromium onto the modified seaweed (MSW). The reduction and adsorption of Cr(VI) by MSW was proved to play a minor role in the removal. Both direct electroreduction and indirect electroreduction by atomic H(*) contributed to the reduction of Cr(VI).     

Synthesis,characterization and application of zinc oxide nano particles for removal of hexavalent chromium

The present study was conducted to evaluate the adsorption efficiency of synthesized nano zinc oxide (n-ZnO) for the removal of hexavalent chromium (Cr⁶⁺). The synthesized sample was characterized by X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. Batch experiment results revealed that low dose (4 g L^?1) of n-ZnO was highly efficient at the initial metal concentration of 9 mg L^?1 in acidic conditions (pH 2) at 50 °C for the contact time of 90 min. A Langmuir adsorption isotherm model was found to be best fitted indicating a homogeneous surface and the adsorption followed pseudo-second order kinetics. Intra-particle diffusion was not a rate limiting factor in the present study. Thermodynamic study revealed that the adsorption process was endothermic and spontaneous at all the studied temperatures with increasing randomness.     

Organic-inorganic hybrid of chitosan/organoclay bionanocomposites for hexavalent chromium uptake

Organic-inorganic hybrid of chitosan and nanoclay (Cloisite 10A) was chosen to develop a nanomaterial with combine properties of hydrophilicity of an organic polycation and adsorption capacity of inorganic polyanion. The chitosan/clay nanocomposite (CCN) was prepared by solvent casting method. The material synthesis was found most efficient in adsorbent behavior was studied in detail taking Cr(VI) as representative ion. The chemical, structural and textural characteristics of the material were determined by FTIR, XRD, TEM, SEM and EDAX analysis. XRD and TEM results indicated that an exfoliated structure was formed with addition of small amounts of MMT-Na+(montmorillonite-Na(+)) to the chitosan matrix. These composite material were used for the removal of chromium(VI) from aqueous solution. The conditions for the adsorption by the composite have been optimized and kinetics and thermodynamic studies were performed. Though the adsorption takes place in wide pH range, pH 3 was found most suitable and at this pH the adsorption data were modeled using the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms at 15 °C and 35 °C, where the data fitted satisfactorily to Langmuir isotherms, the R(2) values being 0.998 and 0.999 respectively indicating unilayer adsorption. Based on Langmuir model, Q(o) was calculated to be 357.14 mg/g. The adsorption showed pseudo second order kinetics with a rate constant of 8.0763 × 10(-4) g mg(-1) min(-1) at 100 ppm Cr(VI) concentration.     

Quaternized wood as sorbent for hexavalent chromium

The potential of quaternized wood (QW) chips in removing hexavalent chromium from synthetic solution and chrome waste under both batch and continuous-flow conditions was investigated. Sorption was found to be dependent on pH, metal concentration, and temperature. QW chips provide higher sorption capacity and wider pH range compared with untreated wood chips. The equilibrium data could be fitted into the Langmuir isotherm model, and maximum sorption capacities were calculated to be 27.03 and 25.77 mg/g in synthetic chromate solution and chrome waste, respectively. The presence of sulfate in high concentration appeared to suppress the uptake of chromium by QW chips. Column studies showed that bed depth influenced the breakthrough time greatly whereas flow rate of influent had little effect on its sorption on the column.     

A comparative study of global hexavalent chromium removal by chemical and electrochemical processes

Direct electroreduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) has been widely proposed as an alternative for the treatment of effluents polluted with hexavalent chromium, however, no analysis is available on the cost of a global process, that considers both, the energy required to carry out the reduction reaction, and that associated with the operation of the process, to remove Cr(VI) via precipitation of Cr(OH)₃. This paper presents a study of the operation cost, considering raw material and electric power required by the electrochemical process, to remove Cr(VI) from real samples. A comparison between chemical reduction is presented, where both processes are followed by a step of alkaline chemical precipitation. The differences in pH required for each step are determinant in the overall cost of the process. Operating under optimal conditions the cost is almost 7 times higher for direct electroreduction process compared with the chemical method, and power consumption being secondary. The ratio decreases to 1.3 times when the electrochemical method is carried out at pH 2, but operating time is increased threefold, thereby increasing the cost of pumping the solution to be treated.     

Synthesis of nitrogen doped activated carbon/polyaniline material for CO2 adsorption

The equilibrium adsorption isotherms of carbon dioxide and nitrogen on the nitrogen doped activated carbon (NAC) prepared by the chemical activation of a pine cone‐based char/polyaniline composite were measured using a volumetric technique. CO₂ and N₂ adsorption experiments were done at three different temperatures (298, 308, and 318 K) and pressures up to 16 bar, and correlated with the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Sips models. The Sips isotherm model presented the best fit to the experimental data. The N‐doped adsorbent showed CO₂ and N₂ adsorption capacity of 3.96 mmol·g⁻¹ and 0.86 mmol·g⁻¹, respectively, at 298 K and 1 bar. The selectivity predicted by ideal adsorbed solution theory (IAST) model was achieved 47.17 for NAC at 1 bar and y_N2 = 0.85 which is a composition similar to flue gas. The results showed that NAC adsorbent has a high CO₂‐over‐N₂ selectivity in a binary mixture. The relatively fast sorption rate of CO₂ on NAC compared to N₂ indicates the stronger affinity between CO₂ and amine groups. The isosteric heat of adsorption of CO₂ by the NAC demonstrated the physico‐chemical adsorption of CO₂ on the adsorbent surface. These data showed that prepared NAC could be successfully applied in separation of CO₂ from N₂.     

NO removal of Ni-electroplated activated carbon fibers

In this study, activated carbon fibers (ACFs) were treated by a Ni-electroplating technique in order to remove nitric oxide (NO). The surface properties of the ACFs were investigated by XPS measurement. N2/77 K adsorption isotherm characteristics were determined by the BET equation. Also, NO-removal efficiency was confirmed by gas chromatography. For experimental results, Ni2p was introduced on ACFs during the Ni-electroplating technique. The nickel deposited on ACFs appeared to increase the NO removal despite the decrease in the BET specific surface areas and micropore volumes compared to nontreated ACFs. Consequently, it was found that NO conversion of ACFs was significantly improved due to the catalytic reaction of nickel deposited on ACFs.     

Fixed-bed study for adsorptive removal of furfural by activated carbon

In our previous study [A.K. Sahu, V.C. Srivastava, I.D. Mall, D.H. Latye, Sep. Sci. Technol. 43 (5) (2008) 1239], commercial grade activated carbon (ACC) was used for adsorptive removal of furfural from aqueous solution using batch studies. In the present study, continuous fixed-bed adsorption was carried out in ACC packed bed for the removal of furfural from aqueous solution. The effects of important factors namely bed height (Z = 15–60 cm), influent concentration of furfural (C_o = 50–200 mg/l), the flow rate (Q = 0.02–0.04 l/min) and column diameter (D = 2–4 cm) were studied. Capacity of the bed to adsorb furfural was found to increase with an increase in the value of Z, C_o and D; and with decrease in the value of Q. Adams–Bohart, Bed-Depth Service-Time, Thomas, Yoon–Nelson, Clark and Wolborska models were applied to the experimental data for the prediction of the breakthrough point, and to determine the characteristic parameters of the column. Error analysis showed that the Yoon–Nelson model best described the experimental breakthrough curve, while Wolborska model showed good prediction of breakthrough curve for the relative concentration region up to 0.5.     

SnO_2/corncob-derived activated carbon nanohybrid as an anode material for lithium-ion batteries

A facile synthesis of Sn O2/corncob-derived activated carbon(CAC) composite was proposed,and the CAC used here has high specific surface area(over 3000 m2/g) and ample oxygen-containing functional groups.The microstructures and morphology as well as electrochemical performance of the Sn O2/CAC composites were investigated by X-ray diffraction,scanning electron microscopy,transmission electron microscopy and relevant electrochemical characterization. The results show that the mass ratios of Sn O2 to CAC have a significant effect on the structures and properties of the composites. The sample with 34% Sn O2 delivered a capacity of 879.8 m Ah/g in the first reversible cycle and maintained at 634.0 m Ah/g(72.1% retention of the initial reversible capacity) after 100 cycles at a current density of 200 m A/g. After 60 cycles at different specific currents from 200 to 2000 m A/g,the reversible specific capacity was still maintained at 632.8 m Ah/g at a current density of 200 m A/g. These results indicate that SnO 2/CAC can be a desirable alternative anode material for lithium ion batteries.     

Pomegranate rind-derived activated carbon as electrode material for high-performance supercapacitors

In this paper, activated carbon materials were synthesized from pomegranate rind through carbonization and alkaline activation processes. The effects of pyrolytic temperature on the textual properties and electrochemical performance were investigated. The surface area of the activated carbon can reach at least 2200 m² g^?1 at different pyrolytic temperatures. It was found that, at the range of 600–900 °C, decreasing the carbonization temperature leads to the increase of t-plot micropore area, t-plot micropore volume, and capacitance. Further decreasing the carbonization temperature to 500 °C also leads to the increase of t-plot micropore area and t-plot micropore volume, but the capacitance is slightly poorer. The activated carbon carbonized at 600 °C and activated at 800 °C possesses very high specific area (2931 m² g^?1) and exhibits very high capacitance (～268 F g^?1 at 0.1 A g^?1 and ～242 F g^?1 at 1 A g^?1). There is no capacitance fading after 2000th cycle.     

A microfluidic paper-based analytical device for rapid quantification of particulate chromium

Occupational exposure to Cr is concerning because of its myriad of health effects. Assessing chromium exposure is also cost and resource intensive because the analysis typically uses sophisticated instrumental techniques like inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Here, we report a novel, simple, inexpensive microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μPAD) for measuring total Cr in airborne particulate matter. In the μPAD, tetravalent cerium (Ce(IV)) was used in a pretreatment zone to oxidize all soluble Cr to Cr(VI). After elution to the detection zone, Cr(VI) reacts with 1,5-diphenylcarbazide (1,5-DPC) forming 1,5-diphenylcarbazone (DPCO) and Cr(III). The resulting Cr(III) forms a distinct purple colored complex with the DPCO. As proof-of-principle, particulate matter (PM) collected on a sample filter was analyzed with the μPAD to quantify the mass of total Cr. A log-linear working range (0.23–3.75 μg; r² = 0.998) between Cr and color intensity was obtained with a detection limit of 0.12 μg. For validation, a certified reference containing multiple competing metals was analyzed. Quantitative agreement was obtained between known Cr levels in the sample and the Cr measured using the μPAD.     

Biosorbents for hexavalent chromium elimination from industrial and municipal effluents

The presence of hexavalent chromium in wastewater is a potential hazard to aquatic animals and humans. There are various mechanisms proposed, kinetic models used and adsorption isotherms employed for the efficient removal of hexavalent chromium from industrial and municipal wastewaters using biosorbents. Biosorption of heavy metals is a most promising technology involved in the removal of toxic metals from industrial waste streams and natural waters. Metal removal treatment systems using microorganisms are cheap because of the low cost of sorbent materials used and may represent a practical replacement to conventional processes. The present review discusses hexavalent chromium biosorption properties of algae, bacteria, fungi, and agricultural products, as well as adsorption properties of non-living substances. Cell walls are responsible for biosorption of dead biomaterial; compositions of cell walls are discussed. Chemical modification of biosorbents, optimization of biosorption parameters, mixtures of different biosorbents and the study of biosorption mechanisms are the main keys to transfer the biosorption process from lab to industry.     

Ammonia removal of activated carbon fibers produced by oxyfluorination

In this study, activated carbon fibers (ACFs) were produced by an oxyfluorination treatment to enhance the capacity of ammonia gas removal. The introduction of polar groups, such as CF, CO, and COOH, on the ACFs was confirmed by a XPS analysis, and N2/77 K adsorption isotherm characteristics including specific surface area and total and micropore volumes were studied by the BET and t-plot methods. The ammonia-removal efficiency was confirmed by a gas-detecting tube technique. As a result, the specific surface area and micropore volume of ACFs were slightly destroyed as the surface treatment time was increased. However, the oxyfluorinated ACFs led to an increase of fluorine and oxygen-containing polar functional groups in ACF surfaces, resulting in an increase in the ammonia-removal efficiency of the ACFs produced.     

Metal dispersed activated carbon fibers and their application for removal of SOx

Uniformly metal dispersed ACFs were prepared by mixing organometallic compounds with THF and pitch. The solvent was removed from this mixture and then pitch was spun, stabilized, carbonized and activated. The specific surface areas and pore size distributions of prepared ACFs and DeSO_x catalytic reactivities were determined. The mesopores of ACF were developed by the addition of Co, Ni, Mn. The DeSO_x catalytic reactivity of Ni, Pd, Co, V and Cr dispersed ACFs demonstrated much higher continuous reaction conversion than reference pitch-ACF.     

A new cation-exchange method for accurate field speciation of hexavalent chromium

A new method for field speciation of Cr(VI) has been developed to meet present stringent regulatory standards and to overcome the limitations of existing methods. The method consists of passing a water sample through strong acid cation-exchange resin at the field site, where Cr(III) is retained while Cr(VI) passes into the effluent and is preserved for later determination. The method is simple, rapid, portable, and accurate, and makes use of readily available, inexpensive materials. Cr(VI) concentrations are determined later in the laboratory using any elemental analysis instrument sufficiently sensitive to measure the Cr(VI) concentrations of interest. The new method allows measurement of Cr(VI) concentrations as low as 0.05 μg l⁻¹, storage of samples for at least several weeks prior to analysis, and use of readily available analytical instrumentation. Cr(VI) can be separated from Cr(III) between pH 2 and 11 at Cr(III)/Cr(VI) concentration ratios as high as 1000. The new method has demonstrated excellent comparability with two commonly used methods, the Hach Company direct colorimetric method and USEPA method 218.6. The new method is superior to the Hach direct colorimetric method owing to its relative sensitivity and simplicity. The new method is superior to USEPA method 218.6 in the presence of Fe(II) concentrations up to 1 mg l⁻¹ and Fe(III) concentrations up to 10 mg l⁻¹. Time stability of preserved samples is a significant advantage over the 24-h time constraint specified for USEPA method 218.6.     

Efficient removal of hexavalent chromium and lead from aqueous solutions by s‐triazine containing nanoporous polyamide

s‐Triazine containing dicarboxylic acid was synthesized. Then, it was reacted with 1,3‐phenylenediamine in molten tetrabutylammonium bromide to formed soluble aromatic polyamide with good yield and moderate inherent viscosity of 0.35 dL g^?1. The solubility and flexibility of polyamides are low. So, we used ether group such as di(4‐aminephenyl) ether in building polyamide. The structure of monomer and polymer was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis, and proton nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. Thermogravimetric analysis was used to evaluate the thermal properties of synthesized polyamide, and their results show that this polymer had a good thermal stability. The surface morphology of s‐triazine containing polyamide was studied by field emission‐scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, and the results show that it has a porous morphology and moderate Brunauer–Emmett–Teller specific surface (367 m² g^?1). It was further investigated for Pb (II) and Cr(VI) ion removal by optimizing the parameters including pH and contact time. The maximum uptakes of Pb(II) and Cr(VI) at pH 5.0 and pH 4.0 are 57% and 76%, respectively. Also, sorption kinetics of this polymer was investigated. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Magnetically separable CoFe2O4/CoxFey/activated carbon composites for Cd(II) removal from wastewater

CoFe₂O₄ and Co_x Fe_y were anchored into activated carbon (AC) to synthesize CoFe₂O₄/Co_x Fe_y /AC composites using the sol–gel method for Cd(II) adsorption from wastewater. The results indicated that CoFe₂O₄ and Co_x Fe_y nanoparticles existed in the pores of AC. The magnetic properties of CoFe₂O₄/Co_x Fe_y /AC indicated it could be separated and retrieved easily using an external magnet after Cd(II) adsorption. The effects of solution pH, temperature and initial Cd(II) concentration on the Cd(II) adsorption of AC and CoFe₂O₄/Co_x Fe_y /AC were investigated. The standard free energy, enthalpy change and entropy change were evaluated. The kinetic parameters of Langmuir and Freundlich isothermal equation were analyzed, and the Freundlich kinetic model was feasible for describing the Cd(II) adsorption process of CoFe₂O₄/Co_x Fe_y /AC composites.     

Bifunctional activated carbon with dual photocatalysis and adsorption capabilities for efficient phenol removal

Bifunctional activated carbons (AC) with the abilities of both photocatalysis and adsorption were fabricated via the sol?Cgel route combined with hydrothermal treatment and N₂ reactivation method. TiO₂ was located mainly at the entrance of the surface macropores of AC. Under UV light irradiation, efficient removal of phenol was realized by combination of adsorption and photocatalytic degradation for the obtained bifunctional materials. In insufficient light or dark, phenol removal occurred mainly through adsorption. The prepared bifunctional carbon with a mass ratio of 50 TiO₂ per AC ratio exhibited high efficiency for phenol removal. The total phenol removal capacity of 50TiO₂/AC was almost 5 times of that of pure AC and 6 times of that pure TiO₂ after 10 cycles. The prepared bifunctional carbons possess the advantages of high pollutant removal capability and good recyclability, making them promising for the efficient treatment of lightly polluted aqueous solutions.