Thermodynamic study of triclosan adsorption from aqueous solutions on activated carbon

The change in the thermodynamic properties of triclosan adsorption on three activated carbons with the different surface chemistry was studied through immersion calorimetry and equilibrium data; the amount adsorbed of triclosan (Q) during calorimetry was determined and correlated with the energy associated with adsorbate–adsorbent interactions in the adsorption process. It was noted that triclosan adsorption capacity decreases with an increase in oxygenated surface groups. For an activated carbon oxidized with HNO₃ (OxAC), the amount adsorbed was 8.50?×?10^?3 mmol g^?1, for a activated carbon without modification (GAC) Q?=?10.3?×?10^?3 mmol g^?1 and for a activated carbon heated at 1073 K (RAC1073) Q?=?11.4?×?10^?3 mmol g^?1. The adsorbed amounts were determined by adjusting the isotherms to the Sips model. For the activated carbon RAC1073, the immersion enthalpy (ΔH_imm) was greater than those of the other two activated carbons due to the formation of interactions with the solvent (ΔH_immOxAC?=?? 27.3 J g^?1?<?ΔH_immGAC?=?? 40.0 J g^?1?<?ΔH_imm RAC1073?=???60.7 J g^?1). The changes in the interaction enthalpy and Gibbs energy are associated with adsorbate–adsorbent interactions and side interactions such as the adsorbate–adsorbate and adsorbate–solvent interactions.

     

Fabrication of Potentiometric Sensors for the Selective Determination of Ketoconazole

Abstract

The fabrication and analytical applications of two types of potentiometric sensors for the determination of ketoconazole (KET) are described. The sensors are based on the use of KET-molybdophosphoric acid (MPA) ion pair as electroactive material. The fabricated sensors include both polymer membrane and carbon paste electrodes. Both sensors showed a linear, stable and near Nernstian slope of 57.8 mV/decade and 55.2 mV/decade for PVC membrane and carbon paste sensors respectively over a relatively wide range of KET concentration (1 × 10^?2 ? 5 × 10^?5and 1 × 10^?2 ? 1 × 10^?6). The sensors showed a fast response time of < 30 sec and < 45 sec. A useful pH range of 3–6 was obtained for both types of sensors. A detection limit of 2.96 × 10^?5M was obtained for PVC membrane sensor and 6.91 × 10^?6 M was obtained for carbon paste sensor. The proposed sensors proved to have a good selectivity for KET with respect to a large number of ions. The proposed sensors were successfully applied for the determination of KET in pharmaceutical formulations. The results obtained are in good agreement with the values obtained by the standard method.     

The investigation of coating materials for the detection of nitrobenzene with coated quartz piezoelectric crystals

Powdered activated charcoal, quadrol tetrabase and polyethylene glycol (PEG)-400 and -750 are used as coatings on 15-MHz quartz piezoelectric crystals for the detection of nitrobenzene in air. The response to nitrobenzene over the range 2–10 ppm (2–10 × 10^?6 mol mol^?1)_was almost linear for all the coatings except charcoal which exhibited marked non-linearity, as well as greater sensitivity than the other coatings. The charcoal response was linear over the range 0.7–7.6 ppm nitrobenzene. For the other coatings, sensitivity increased in the order tetrabase < quadrol < PEG-400 < PEG-750.     

Removal of lead from aqueous solutions by adsorption with surface precipitation

An activated carbon from Coconut (Cocos nucifera) shells was prepared by physical activation with carbon dioxide and water vapor. The activated carbon obtained has a surface area of 1058 m² g^?1 and such a high micropore volume of 0.49 cm³ g^?1. This carbon was studied for the removal of lead from water. Sorption studies were performed at 30 °C, at different pH and adsorbent doses, in batch mode. Lead precipitation was observed on the surface of the activated carbon. Maximum adsorption occurred at pH 9 for an adsorbent dose of 2 g L^?1. Kinetic studies, at the initial concentration of 150 mg L^?1 of lead, pH 5 and an adsorbent dose of 1 g L^?1, yielded an equilibrium time of 50 h for this activated carbon. The kinetic data were modeled with the pseudo first order, the pseudo second order and the Bangham models. The pseudo second order model fitted the data well. The sorption rate constant (7 × 10^?4 mol^?1 Kg s^?1) and the maximum amount of lead adsorbed (0.23 mol kg^?1) are quite good compared to the data found in literature. Sorption equilibrium studies were conducted in a concentration range of lead from 0 to 150 mg L^?1. In an aqueous lead solution with an initial concentration of 30 mg L^?1, at pH 5, adsorbent dose 1 g L^?1, activated Coconut shell carbon removed at equilibrium 100 % of the heavy metal. The equilibrium data were modeled with the Langmuir and Freundlich equations, of which the former gave the best fit. The Langmuir constants Q_{max eq} (0.23 mol kg^?1) and K_L (487667 L mol^?1) are in good agreement with literature. XPS studies identified adsorbed species as lead carbonates and/or lead oxalates and precipitates as lead oxide and/or lead hydroxide on the activated carbon surface. The Coconut shell activated carbon is a very efficient carbon due to its high surface area, to the presence of many micropores on its surface and to the presence surface groups like hydroxyls promoting adsorption in the porous system and lead crystal precipitation on the activated carbon surface.     

Alizarin-modified sulfonate carbon nanoparticles in vanadium sensing

The adsorption processes of alizarin onto hydrophilic carbon nanoparticles (Emperor 2000?) are investigated. The significant increase in voltammetric responses for pre-adsorbed alizarin compared with those for solution confirms high affinity of alizarin to carbon nanoparticles (possibly due to π–π stacking interaction between aromatic rings of alizarin and surface-sulfonated carbon nanoparticles). To obtain the optimum of adsorption conditions, the effects of pH, agitation rate, and adsorption time are investigated. Under square wave voltammetry conditions, the peak current for the reduction of alizarin shows a linear relationship with concentration in the range from 2.0 to 10.0 nM. The limit of detection is estimated 5.8?×?10^?9 mol L^?1. Next, alizarin is applied as a receptor for sensing of trace vanadium in acetate buffer pH 5. Linear calibration curves are obtained for vanadium in the range of 1.0?×?10^?6 to 1.0?×?10^?4 mol L^?1 and the limit of detection is estimated 9.6?×?10^?8 mol L^?1. Determination of vanadium in real samples such as sea and tap water is demonstrated.     

Impact of Various Parameters Over the Adsorption of Polyvinylpyrrolidone onto Kaolin

The adsorption of water-soluble polymer, polyvinylpyrrolidone having molecular mass 9.1 ± 1.43 × 10³Kg mole^?1 on kaolin has been investigated. The effect of different parameters like pH, molecular mass of polymer and pre-heat treatment on the adsorption of PVP has been deliberated. The 20.7% decrease in adsorption in pH ranging from 2–10 have been found, which was an indication of the fact that with the increase in pH the kaolin surfaces sites charge amount and ultimately sign changes. Maximum adsorption was observed at pH 5.6 that was also molecular mass dependent. By increasing the pretreatment temperature, the amount of polymer adsorbed was also increased. However, above the specific temperature adsorption of PVP was decreased and attributed to decrease in specific surface area of kaolin.     

Biomimetic electrochemical sensor based on molecularly imprinted polymer for dicloran pesticide determination in biological and environmental samples

Dicloran pesticide is used to inhibit the fungal spore germination for different crops. Because of the increasing application of pesticides, reliable and accurate analytical methods are necessary. The aim of this work is designing the highly selective sensor to determine the dicloran in biological and environmental samples. Multi-walls carbon nanotubes and a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) were used as modifiers in the sensor composition. A dicloran MIP and a nonimprinted polymer (NIP) were synthesized and applied in the carbon paste electrode. After the optimization of electrode composition, it was used to determine the concentration of analyte. Parameters affecting the sensor response were optimized, such as sample pH, electrolyte concentration and its pH, and the instrumental parameters of square wave voltammetry. The MIP-CP electrode showed very high recognition ability in comparison with NIP-CP. The obtained linear range was 1 × 10^?6 to 1 × 10^?9 mol L^?1. The detection limit was 4.8 × 10^?10 mol L^?1. This sensor was used to determine the dicloran in real samples (human urine, tap and river water samples) without special sample preparation before analysis. All important parameters were optimized, improving the sensor response considerably.     

Study on Chemiluminescence Assay of Surfactant PEG-400 Using Luminol–Hydrogen Peroxide System

Abstract

Based on the fact that nonionic surfactant polyethylene glycol-400 (PEG-400) catalyzed the chemiluminescence of luminol-H₂O₂ system, a novel and simple chemiluminescence method has been developed for the determination of PEG-400. Under the optimal conditions, the standard curve was Y = 198835X–2091.8, where the correlation coefficient (R) was 0.9999. The detection limit was 4 × 10^?5 g·ml^?1 PEG-400 and the linear range was 1.0 × 10^?4–4.0 × 10^?2g·ml^?1. The relative standard deviation was 3.2% at 2.0 × 10^?3 g·ml^?1 PEG-400 (n = 7). This method has been applied to the determination of PEG-400 in cosmetic samples with satisfactory results. Furthermore, the dynamics characteristic curve of PEG-400 in luminol-H₂O₂ system was compared to typical metallic ion and other surfactants. Moreover, the mechanism of the luminol-H₂O₂-PEG-400 chemiluminescence system was studied, assisted by fluorescence spectra and UV spectra.     

Sorption of trifluoromethane in activated carbon

Sorption isotherms for trifluoromethane (R-23) in activated carbon have been measured at ca. 298 and 323 K using a gravimetric microbalance. High-resolution TEM images of the activated carbon show a very uniform microstructure with no evidence of any contaminants. The adsorption in the activated carbon reaches about 22.8 mol kg^?1 at 2.0 MPa and 298 K or 17.6 mol kg^?1 at 2.0 MPa and 323 K. Three different adsorption models (Langmuir, multi-site Langmuir, and BET equations) have been used to analyze the activated carbon sorption data, with a particular interest in the heat of adsorption (?ΔH). The heat of adsorption for R-23 in the activated carbon was about 29.78 ± 0.04 kJ mol^?1 based on the multi-site Langmuir model and is within the range of typical physical adsorption. According to the IUPAC classification, the activated carbon exhibits Type I adsorption behavior and was completely reversible. Compared with our previous work for the sorption of R-23 in zeolites (5A (Ca,Na-A), 13X (Na-X), Na,K-LSX, Na-Y, K,H-Y, Rb,Na-Y) and ionic liquids ([omim][TFES] and [emim][Tf₂N]) the activated carbon had the highest adsorption capacity. The adsorption process in the activated carbon also took less time than in the zeolites or the ionic liquids to reach thermodynamic equilibrium.     

Benzene,toluene and o-xylene (BTX) removal from aqueous solutions through adsorptive processes

In this study, the monocomponent adsorption of benzene, toluene and o-xylene (BTX) compounds, as model contaminants present in the petrochemical wastewaters, was investigated using three types of adsorbents: activated carbon (Carbon CD 500), a polymeric resin (MN-202) and a modified clay (Claytone-40). Langmuir and Freundlich models were able to fit well the equilibrium experimental data. The BTX adsorption capacity increased in the following order: Claytone-40 < CD 500 < MN-202. The maximum uptake capacity of MN-202, given by the Langmuir fitting parameter, for benzene, toluene and o-xylene was 0.8 ± 0.1, 0.70 ± 0.08 and 0.63 ± 0.06 mmol/g at 26 °C. Desorption kinetics for polymeric resin with 50 % methanol solution were fast being able to reuse the resin in consecutive adsorption/desorption cycles without loss of sorption capacity. The adsorptive behaviour at batch system was modelled using a mass transfer kinetic model, considering that the sorption rate is controlled by a linear driving force model, which successfully predicts benzene, toluene and o-xylene concentration profiles, with homogeneous diffusivity coefficients, D _h , between 3.8 × 10^?10 and 3.6 × 10^?9 cm²/s. In general, benzene diffuses faster than toluene and o-xylene, which is in agreement with molecular diffusivity in water.     

<Superscript>99m</Superscript>Tc production via the (<Emphasis Type="Italic">γ, n</Emphasis>) reaction on natural Mo

In this paper, cheap liquorice residue was used to prepare activated carbon (AC), thioacetamide (TAA) was used to modify the AC, and the adsorption experiments were conducted in the simulated acid radioactive wastewater with low uranium concentration to study the adsorption behavior and mechanism for uranium by TAA modified AC (TAA–AC). The removal efficiency by TAA–AC was 92.1–98.2% from the 1 mg L^?1 uranium solution at pH 2–6. The adsorption equilibrium data were well fitted by Dubinin–Radushkevich model, and the maximum adsorption capacity was estimated to be 340 mg g^?1. TAA–AC showed an enhanced selectivity for uranium in the presence of competitive ions. Furthermore, the adsorption experiments were conducted in the actual acid radioactive wastewater with low uranium concentration from an in situ leach uranium mine. The high adsorption rate (98.3%) and selectivity (K_d?=?3.78×10⁴ mL g^?1) for uranium were observed in the actual acid radioactive wastewater, and the adsorption rate was found to maintain 96.2% over six cycles of adsorption–desorption.     

Biosorption of strontium from aqueous solutions onto spent coffee grounds

A set of experiments was carried out to evaluate the strontium uptake potential of spent coffee grounds (SCG) by batch tests in aqueous medium. Adsorption of Sr²⁺ as a function of contact time and adsorbent dose, pH, particles size, agitation speed, temperature and co-ions presence was investigated. Obtained results revealed that the maximum adsorption took place at pH range of 5–8 and temperature values between 283 and 333 K. Particles size effect was not very significant and agitation speed influenced on the equilibrium time. Competitive adsorption experiments allowed us to classify the negative effect on the Sr²⁺ uptake according to this order Al³⁺ ? Co²⁺ > Mg²⁺ > Ca²⁺ ? Na⁺ > K⁺ > Cs⁺. Kinetic study indicated that the Sr²⁺ uptake was fast and it was well fitted by the pseudo second order reaction model. Adsorption isotherm was well interpreted by Langmuir model. The maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 69.01 mg g^?1 at pH 7, 293 K, particles sizes = 200–400 μm and agitation speed 250 rpm. The thermodynamic study revealed that the process was spontaneous (ΔG ⁰ < 0), exothermic (ΔH ⁰ < 0) with a raised affinity for Sr²⁺ (ΔG ⁰ < 0, ΔS ⁰ > 0) and occurred by physical adsorption (E _a = 8.37 kJ mol^?1). FTIR analysis showed carboxylic acid and amino group presence on SCG surface playing a vital role in Sr²⁺ biosorption.     

Lanthanum-selective sensors based on 3-amino-2-mercapto-3H-quinazolin-4-one in PVC matrix

A new solvent polymeric membrane (PME) and coated graphite (CGE) electrodes based on 3-amino-2-mercapto-3H-quinazolin-4-one as a suitable carrier for La(III) ion are described. The sensors exhibited a Nernstian response for La(III) ion over a wide concentration range (3.0 × 10^?7 to 1.0 × 10^?1 M for PME and 1.0 × 10^?7 to 1.0 × 10^?1 M for CGE) with a slope of 20.1 ± 0.3 (PME) and 23.4 ± 0.4 (CGE) mV decade^?1. The lower detection limits by PME and CGE were 2.0 × 10^?7 and 7.1 × 10^?8 M, respectively. The potentiometric response of the proposed electrodes was independent of the pH of the test solution in the pH range 3.0–9.0 with a fast response time (<10 s). The applications of prepared sensors were demonstrated in the determination of lanthanum ions in spiked water sample and also utilized for indirect determination of fluoride content of two mouth wash preparation samples.     

Electrodeposition of zinc oxide nanoparticles on multiwalled carbon nanotube-modified electrode for determination of caffeine in wastewater effluent

We report on the development of an electrochemical sensor based on electrodepositing zinc oxide on multiwalled carbon nanotube-modified glassy carbon electrode for the detection of caffeine in pharmaceutical wastewater effluents. The measurements were carried out using cyclic voltammetry, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, chronoamperometry and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). DPV measurements showed a linear relationship between oxidation peak current and concentration of caffeine in 0.1 M HClO₄ (pH 1.0) over the concentration range 0.00388–4.85 mg/L and a detection limit of 0.00194 mg/L. The diffusion coefficient and Langmuir adsorption constant for caffeine were calculated to be 3.25 × 10^?6 cm² s^?1 and 1.10 × 10³ M^?1, respectively. The sensor showed satisfactory results when applied to the detection of caffeine in wastewater effluents.     

Starch cellulose acetate co-acrylate (SCAA) polymer as a drug carrier

The present study aims to create a controlled-release system through the preparation and characterization of starch cellulose acetate co-acrylate (SCAA) polymer for application as a carrier for cancer drugs. SCA was prepared from maize starch and different ratios of cellulose acetate. The obtained product SCA was reacted with acrylic acid monomer to give cellulose acetate co-acrylate. The best ratio of starch to cellulose acetate was found to be 90:10, giving a stable product with acrylic acid. The cancer drug 8-(2-methoxyphenyl)-3,4-dioxo-6-thioxo-3,4,6,7-tetrahydro-2h-pyrimido[6,1-c]-[1,2,4]triazine-9-carbonitrile was dissolved in dimethylformamide then added gradually at the end of the previous reaction under stirring for 15 min. The prepared polymers with and without the drug were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Cuboids discs of the prepared polymer/drug were subjected to drug release in aqueous media at different pH values. The release was measured spectrophotometrically. It was found that the release rate depends on the pH of the aqueous medium as well as on the concentration of the drug loaded onto the polymer carrier. Above pH 12, the polymer containing the drug degraded completely within 1 h after being subjected to alkaline media. Sustained release of drug extended to about 20 days. The amount released depended on the pH of the media in the following order: basic media > acidic media > neutral. According to Higuch’s equation, the diffusion coefficient was found to be 4.2 × 10^?8 and 5.5 × 10^?8 cm s^?1 for the two evaluated concentrations (1.5 and 2 %) of active organic compound (drug).     

Removal, preconcentration and spectrophotometric determination of U(VI) from water samples using modified maghemite nanoparticles

Arsenazo III modified maghemite nanoparticles (A-MMNPs) was used for removing and preconcentration of U(VI) from aqueous samples. The effects of contact time, amount of adsorbent, pH and competitive ions was investigated. The experimental results were fitted to the Langmuir adsorption model in the studied concentration range of uranium (1.0 × 10^?4–1.0 × 10^?2 mol L^?1). According to the results obtained by Langmuir equation, the maximum adsorption capacity for the adsorption of U(VI) on A-MMNPs was 285 mg g^?1 at pH 7. The adsorbed uranium on the A-MMNPs was then desorbed by 0.5 mol L^?1 NaOH solution and determined spectrophotometrically. A preconcentration factor of 400 was achieved in this method. The calibration graph was linear in the range 0.04–2.4 ng mL^?1 (1.0 × 10^?10–1.0 × 10^?8 mol L^?1) of U(VI) with a correlation coefficient of 0.997. The detection limit of the method for determination of U(VI) was 0.01 ng mL^?1 and the relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) for the determination of 1.43 and 2.38 ng mL^?1 of U(VI) was 3.62% and 1.17% (n = 5), respectively. The method was applied to the determination of U(VI) in water samples.     

Activated carbon/graphene composites with high-rate performance as electrode materials for electrochemical capacitors

Glucose-derived activated carbon (GAC)/reduced graphene oxide (RGO) composites are prepared by pre-carbonization of the precursors (aqueous mixture of glucose and graphene oxide) and KOH activation of the pyrolysis products. The effect of the mass ratio of graphene oxide (GO) in the precursor on the electrochemical performance of GAC/RGO composites as electrode materials for electrochemical capacitors is investigated. It is found that the thermally reduced graphene oxide sheets serves as a wrinkled carrier to support the activated carbon particles after activation. The pore size distribution and surface area are depended on the mass ratio of GO. Besides, the rate capability of GAC is improved by the introduction of GO in the precursor. The highest specific capacitance of 334 F g^?1 is achieved for the GAC/RGO composite prepared from the precursor with a GO mass ratio of 3 %.     

Modified surface chemistry of activated carbons

In this study, immersion calorimetry was used to characterise different samples of commercial granular activated carbon (GAC) which undergo oxidation with HNO₃ (GACOxN) and thermal treatments to modify its superficial group contents, as well as to determine the textural characteristics of the materials through nitrogen adsorption at 77 K and its superficial chemistry by Boehm titration and zero point of charge. Correlations between the immersion enthalpies and the results of the other techniques of characterisation were established. The immersion enthalpies in dichloromethane obtained were greater, which were found to be between ?88.36 and ?155.6 J g^?1, in contrast to those in carbon tetrachloride, which were found to be between ?50.21 and ?94.29 J g^?1. The dependence of the immersion enthalpies in water on the contents of total acidity and basicity surface groups was also established, and a good correlation between the accessible surface area determined by calorimetric technique and the BET area was found.     

Removal of Lead (II) Ions by Poly(2‐octadecyl butanedioic acid): Isothermal and Kinetic Studies

Poly(2‐octadecyl‐butanedioic acid), prepared from polyanhydride PA‐18, possesses novel heavy metal adsorption characteristics. The adsorption capacity of this water insoluble polymer for lead (II) was substantially higher than other heterogeneous adsorbants and is equivalent to those obtained with homogeneous sorbants. The polymer exhibited pseudo‐second‐order kinetics and nearly complete adsorption of lead occurred in 15 min with initial lead (II) concentrations greater than 100 mg · L^?1. Adsorptive behavior was accurately predicted by the Dubinin‐Radushkevich isotherm model. The mean free energy of adsorption of lead (II) onto poly(2‐octadecyl‐butanedioic acid) was determined to be 31.6 kJ · mol^?1, suggesting an ion exchange component to the adsorption mechanism. Gibb's free energy values for this process indicate that it is spontaneous. Adsorption was relatively independent of pH in the range of 3–5, due to the utilization of the sodium carboxylate form of the chelating groups, and was not influenced by high Na⁺ concentration and moderate concentrations (up to 200 mg · L^?1) of Ca⁺². Lead (II) solutions containing 2000 mg · L^?1 Ca⁺² did reduce the adsorption of 2000 mg · L^?1 lead (II) by 28%.     

Adsorption of uranium from crude phosphoric acid using activated carbon

The adsorption of uranium from crude phosphoric acid has been investigated using conventional activated carbons. It was found that treatment with nitric acid oxidized the surface of activated carbon and significantly increased the adsorption capacity for uranium in acidic solutions. The parameters that affect the uranium(VI) adsorption, such as contact time, solution pH, initial uranium(VI) concentration, and temperature, have been investigated. Equilibrium data were fitted to a simplified Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms for the oxidized samples which indicate that the uranium adsorption onto the activated carbon fitted well with Langmuir isotherm than Freundlich isotherm. Equilibrium studies evaluate the theoretical capacity of activated carbon to be 45.24 g kg^?1.