Graphitic solid core carbon nanorods grown on silica sands using electron cyclotron resonance chemical vapor deposition as a highly efficient and green sorbent for removal of phenol derivatives from water sources

In this study, graphitic solid core carbon nanorods (GSCNRs) were, for the first time, anchored to the surface of silica sands through the electron cyclotron resonance chemical vapor deposition method to provide coated silica sands as a new, low-cost, green, and efficient adsorbent for the removal of organic pollutants such as phenol and 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) from aqueous mediums. The characteristics of GSCNRs/SiO₂ were confirmed through Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and scanning electron microscopy techniques. After the optimization of several parameters, the removal efficiency of phenol and 2,4-DCP using 1 g of adsorbent amount, the initial concentration of pollutants (10 mg/L phenol and 15 mg/L 2,4-DCP), a contact time of 10 min (phenol) and 20 min (2,4-DCP), and pH = 7 were 69 and 89%, respectively. The adsorption isotherm models of Langmuir and Freundlich, as well as pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models, were examined under optimal conditions. Eventually, GSCNRs/SiO₂ was regenerated five times for the removal of phenol and 2,4-DCP. The removal efficiency of the tested contaminants from inlet raw water of a water treatment plant using the proposed adsorbent was investigated.