• Carbon letters
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.305-313
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• 2009

In this study, the adsorption of toxic pollutants onto cetyltrimethylammonium kaolin (CTAB-Kaolin) is investigated. The organo-kaolin is synthesized by exchanging cetyltrimethylammonium cations (CTAB) with inorganic ions on the surface of kaolin. The chemical analysis, the structural and textural properties of kaolin and CTAB-kaolin were investigated using elemental analysis, FTIR, SEM and adsorption of nitrogen at $-196^{\circ}C$. The kinetic adsorption and adsorption capacity of the organo-kaolin towards o-xylene, phenol and Cu(II) ion from aqueous solution was investigated. The kinetic adsorption data of o-xylene, phenol and Cu(II) are in agreement with a second order model. The equilibrium adsorption data were found to fit Langmuir equation. The uptake of o-xylene and phenol from their aqueous solution by kaolin, CTAB-kaolin and activated carbon proceed via physisorption. The removal of Cu(II) ion from water depends on the surface properties of the adsorbent. Onto kaolin, the Cu(II) ions are adsorbed through cation exchange with $Na^+$. For CTAB-kaolin, Cu(II) ions are mainly adsorbed via electrostatic attraction with the counter ions in the electric double layer ($Br^-$), via ion pairing, Cu(II) ions removal by the activated carbon is probably related to the carbon-oxygen groups particularly those of acid type. The adsorption capacities of CTAB-kaolin for the investigated adsorbates are considerably higher compared with those of unmodified kaolin. However, the adsorption capacities of the activated carbons are by far higher than those determined for CTAB-kaolin.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.123-130
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• 2016

Phosphorus (P) removal by aluminum sulfate solution was investigated with varying pH and initial P concentrations. P removal was the highest at around pH 6. The pH range where P removal occurred was slightly wider at higher initial P concentrations. Compared to theoretical calculations, it was confirmed that $AlPO_4$ precipitation was the main reason for P removal at low pH. At high pH, where there should be no $AlPO_4$ precipitates, the P removal by adsorption of amorphous $Al(OH)_3$ precipitates was experimentally observed. The P removal by adding amorphous $Al(OH)_3$ precipitates prepared before the adsorption experiments, however, was lower than that by injecting aluminum sulfate solution because the prepared precipitates became larger, leading to less specific surface area available for adsorption. Ions other than sulfate had little influence on P removal.

• Journal of the Korea Organic Resources Recycling Association
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.59-63
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• 2016

The objective of this study lies in identifying the applicability of zeolite for the removal of wastewater ammonium and nitrate nitrogens. To this end, the author tracked adsorption variations as seen with the adsorption removal of wastewater ammonium and nitrate nitrogens. As a result, it was indicated that the maximum adsorption of zeolite acting on the adsorption removal of ammonium nitrogen would reach 120mg/g (weight of ammonium nitrogen divided by that of zeolite), and that Langmuir adsorption isotherm explained the adsorption of ammonium and nitrate nitrogens better than Freundlich adsorption isotherm. This means that zeolite makes ion exchanges with adsorbate for unilayer adsorption. It was also indicated that the removal efficiency of ammonium nitrogen with varying pH would be higher in the order of pH7 > pH5 > pH9 > pH3.

• Carbon letters
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.191-196
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• 2004

The electrochemical removal (ECR) of water pollutants by activated carbon fiber (ACF) electrodes from wastewater was investigated over wide range of electrochemical reaction time. The ECR capacities of ACF electrodes were associated with their internal porosity and were related to physical properties and to reaction time. And, surface morphologies and elemental analysis for the ACFs after electrochemical reaction are investigated by SEM and EDX to explain the changes in adsorption properties. The FT-IR spectra of ACFs for the investigation of functional groups show that the electrochemical treatment is consequently associated with the homogeneous removal of pollutants with the increasing surface reactivity of the activated carbon fiber surfaces. The ACFs were electrochemically reacted to waste water to investigate the removal efficiency for the COD, T-N and T-P. From these removal results of pollutants using ACFs substrate, satisfactory removal performance was obtained. The outstanding removal effects of the ACFs substrate were determined by the properties of the material for adsorption and trapping of organics, and catalytic effects.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.69-77
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• 2020

Former studies revealed that sepiolite thermally treated at high temperature have high adsorption capacity for phosphate. However, its micron size (75 ㎛) limits its application to water treatment. In this study, we synthesized sepiolite impregnated polysulfone (PSf) beads to separate it easily from an aqueous solution. PSf beads with different sepiolite ratios were synthesized and their efficiencies were compared. The PSf beads with 30% impregnated sepiolite (30SPL-PSf bead) possessed the optimum sepiolite ratio for phosphate removal. Kinetic, equilibrium, and thermodynamic adsorption experiments were performed using the 30SPL-PSf bead. Equilibrium adsorption was achieved in 24 h, and the pseudo-first-order model was suitable for describing the phosphate adsorption at different reaction times. The Langmuir model was appropriate for describing the phosphate adsorption onto the 30SPL-PSf bead, and the maximum adsorption capacity of the 30SPL-PSf bead obtained from the model was 24.48 mg-PO₄/g. Enthalpy and entropy increased during the phosphate adsorption onto the 30SPL-PSf bead, and Gibb's free energy at 35 ℃ was negative. An increase in the solution pH from 3 to 11 induced a decrease in the phosphate adsorption amount from 27.30 mg-PO₄/g to 21.54 mg-PO₄/g. The competitive anion influenced the phosphate adsorption onto the 30SPL-PSf bead was in the order of NO₃^- > SO₄^2- > HCO_3^-. The phosphate breakthrough from the column packed with the 30SPL-PSf bead began after ~2000 min, reaching the influent concentration after ~8000 min. The adsorption amounts per unit mass of 30SPL-PSf and removal efficiency were 0.775 mg-PO₄/g and 61.6%, respectively. This study demonstrates the adequate performance of 30SPL-PSf beads as a filter for phosphate removal from aqueous solutions.

• Analytical Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 2024

Alizarin dye, a persistent and hazardous contaminant in aquatic environments, presents a pressing environmental concern. In the quest for efficient removal methods, adsorption has emerged as a versatile and sustainable approach. This study focuses on the development and application of Zinc Oxide/Nickel Oxide (ZnO/NiO) nano-composites as adsorbents for alizarin dye removal. These semiconducting metal oxide nano-composites exhibit synergistic properties, offering enhanced adsorption capabilities. Key parameters affecting alizarin removal, such as contact time, adsorbent dosage, pH, and temperature, were systematically investigated. Notably, the ZnO/NiO nano-composite demonstrated superior performance, with a maximum alizarin removal percentage of 76.9 % at pH 6. The adsorption process followed a monolayer pattern, as suggested by the Langmuir model. The pseudo-second-order kinetics model provided a good fit to the experimental data. Thermodynamic analysis indicated that the process is endothermic and thermodynamically favorable. These findings underscore the potential of ZnO/NiO nano-composites as effective and sustainable adsorbents for alizarin dye removal, with promising applications in wastewater treatment and environmental remediation.

• Carbon letters
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.105-113
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• 2006

The electro-chemical removal (ECR) of water pollutants by metal-ACF electrodes from wastewater was investigated over wide range of ECR time. The ECR capacities of metallic ACF electrodes were related to physical properties such as adsorption isotherm, surface area and pore size and to reaction time. Surface morphologies and elemental analysis for the metal supported ACFs after electro-catalytic reaction were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy disperse X-ray (EDX) to explain the changes in adsorption properties. The IR spectra of metallic ACFs for the investigation of functional groups show that the electro-catalytic treatment is consequently associated with the removal of pollutants with the increasing surface reactivity of the activated carbon fibers. The metal-ACFs were electro-catalytically reacted to waste water to investigate the removal efficiency for the COD, T-N, $NH_4$-N, $NO_3$-N and $NO_2$-N. From these removal results of the piggery waste using metallic ACFs substrate, satisfactory removal performance was achieved. The removal efficiency of the metallic ACFs substrate was mainly determined by the properties of the material for adsorption and trapping of organics, and catalytic effects.

• Journal of Korean Society on Water Environment
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.82-94
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• 2022

In this study, chemically modified biochar (NSBP500, KSBP500, OSBP500) derived from starfish was utilized to improve the adsorption ability of the SBP500 (Starfish Biochar Pyrolyzed at 500℃) in a solution contaminated with heavy metals. According to the biochar modification performance evaluation batch tests, the removal rate and adsorption amount of NSBP500 increased 1.4 times for Cu, 1.5 times for Cd, and 1.2 times for Zn as compared to the control sample SBP500. In addition, the removal rate and adsorption amount of KSBP500 increased 2 times for Cu, 1.8 times for Cd, and 1.2 times for Zn. The removal rate and adsorption amount of OSBP500 increased 5.8 times for Cu. The FT-IR analysis confirmed the changes in the generation and movement of new functional groups after adsorption. SEM analysis confirmed Cu in KSBP500 was in the form of Cu(OH)₂ and resembled the structure of nanowires. The Cd in KSBP500 was densely covered in cubic form of Cd(OH)₂. Lead(Pb) was in the form of Pb₃(OH)₂(CO₃)₂ in a hexagonal atomic layer structure in NSBP500. In addition, it was observed that Zn was randomly covered with Zn₅(CO₃)₂(OH)₆ pieces which resembled plates in KSBP500. Therefore, this study confirmed that biochar removal efficiency was improved through a chemical modification treatment. Accordingly, adsorption and precipitation were found to be the complex mechanisms behind the improved removal efficiency in the biochar. This was accomplished by electrostatic interactions between the biochar and heavy metals and ion exchange with Ca²⁺.

• Journal of Soil and Groundwater Environment
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.63-69
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• 2004

Hematite-coated sand was examined for the application of the PRB (permeable reactive barrier) to the arsenic-contaminated subsurface in the metal mining areas. The removal efficiency of As in a batch and a flow system was investigated through the adsorption isotherm, removal kinetics and column experiments. Hematite-coated sand followed a linear adsorption isotherm with high adsorption capacity at low level concentrations of As (＜1.0 mg/L). In the column experiments, high content of hematite-coated sand enhanced the removal efficiency, but the amount of the As removal decreased due to the higher affinity of As (V) than As (III) and reduced adsorption kinetics in the flow system. Therefore. the amount of hematite-coated sand, the adsorption affinity of As species and removal kinetics determined the removal efficiency of As in a flow system.

• Advances in environmental research
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.163-172
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• 2014

Magnetite was chosen as a typical adsorbent to study its phosphate adsorption capacity in water body with low concentration of phosphorus (below $2mg\;PL^{-1}$). Magnetite was collected from Luoyang City, Henan Province, China. In this research, three factors have been studied to describe the adsorption of phosphate on magnetite, which was solution concentration (concentration ranging from 0.1 to $2.5mg\;PL^{-1}$), suspension pH (1 to 13) and temperature (ranging from $10^{\circ}C$ to $40^{\circ}C$). In addition, the modified samples had been characterized with XRD and FE-SEM image. The results show that iron ions contains in magnetite were the main factors of phosphorus removal. The behavior of phosphorus adsorption to substrates could be fitted to both Langmuir and Freundlich isothermal adsorption equations in the low concentration phosphorus water. The theoretical saturated adsorption quantity of magnetite is 0.158 mg/g. pH has great influence on the phosphorus removal of magnetite ore by adsorption. And pH of 3 can receive the best results. While temperature has little effect on it. Magnetite was greatly effective for phosphorus removal in the column experiments, which is a more practical reflection of phosphorous removal combing the adsorption isotherm model and the breakthrough curves. According to the analysis of heavy metals release, the release of heavy metals was very low, they didn't produce the secondary pollution. The mechanism of uptake phosphate is in virtue of chemisorption between phosphate and ferric ion released by magnetite oxidation. The combined investigation of the magnetite showed that it was better substrate for water body with low concentration of phosphorus.