• Carbon letters
• /
• 제11권3호
• /
• pp.224-234
• /
• 2010

Four activated carbons were produced by two-stage process as followings; semi-carbonization of indigenous biomass waste, i.e. cotton stalks, followed by chemical activation with KOH under various activation temperatures and chemical ratios of KOH to semi-carbonized cotton stalks (CCS). The surface area, total pore volume and average pore diameter were evaluated by $N_2$-adsorption at 77 K. The surface morphology and oxygen functional groups were determined by SEM and FTIR, respectively. Batch equilibrium and kinetic studies were carried out by using a basic dye, methylene blue as a probe molecule to evaluate the adsorption capacity and mechanism over the produced carbons. The obtained activated carbon (CCS-1K800) exhibited highly microporous structure with high surface area of 950 $m^2/g$, total pore volume of 0.423 $cm^3/g$ and average pore diameter of 17.8 ${\AA}$. The isotherm data fitted well to the Langmuir isotherm with monolayer adsorption capacity of 222 mg/g for CCS-1K800. The kinetic data obtained at different concentrations were analyzed using a pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and intraparticle diffusion equations. The pseudo-second-order model fitted better for kinetic removal of MB dye. The results indicate that such laboratory carbons could be employed as low cost alternative to commercial carbons in wastewater treatment.

• Bulletin of the Korean Chemical Society
• /
• 제34권8호
• /
• pp.2358-2366
• /
• 2013

Iron oxide (ferrihydrite, hematite, and magnetite) coated silica gels were prepared using a low-cost, easily-scalable and straightforward method as the adsorbent material for arsenic removal application. Adsorption of the anionic form of arsenic oxyacids, arsenite ($AsO^{2-}$) and arsenate ($AsO{_4}^{3-}$), onto hematite coated silica gel was fitted against non-linear 3-parameter-model Sips isotherm and 2-parameter-model Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm. Adsorption kinetics of arsenic could be well described by pseudo-second-order kinetic model and value of adsorption energy derived from non-linear Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm suggests chemical adsorption. Although arsenic adsorption process was not affected by the presence of sulfate, chloride, and nitrate anions, as expected, bicarbonate and silicate gave moderate negative effects while the presence of phosphate anions significantly inhibited adsorption process of both arsenite and arsenate. When the actual efficiency to remove arsenic was tested against 1 L of artificial arsenic-contaminated groundwater (0.6 mg/L) in the presence competing anions, the reasonable amount (20 g) of hematite coated silica gel could reduce arsenic concentration to below the WHO permissible safety limit of drinking water of $10{\mu}g/L$ without adjusting pH and temperature, which would be highly advantageous for practical field application.

• Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering
• /
• 제35권11호
• /
• pp.2198-2206
• /
• 2018

We addressed the development of a novel, low-cost, and high-efficient material from hybrid materials, known as microcapsules. Microcapsules are a composite adsorbent made of a mixture of tannin, sericite and chitosan. The FT-IR analysis showed that the microcapsules contain hydroxyl, carboxyl, carbonyl, and amino groups, which play an important role in the adsorption of heavy metals. The microcapsules were able to remove 99% of Pb(II) in 30 min, and obtained a removal efficiency of more than (13-50)%, compared with the single adsorbents of tannin, chitosan, and sericite. In adsorption kinetic analysis, pseudo-second-order adsorption was more suitable than pseudo-first-order adsorption, and chemical adsorption did not limit the adsorption rate of Pb(II) ion. In isothermal adsorption, Langmuir adsorption was more suitable than Freundlich adsorption, and the maximum Langmuir adsorption capacity was 167.82 (mg/g). Furthermore, desorption and reusability studies, as well as the applicability of the material for wastewater treatment, demonstrated that microcapsules offer a promising hybrid material for the efficient removal of significant water pollutants, i.e., Pb(II) from aqueous solutions.

• 한국산업융합학회 논문집
• /
• 제27권3호
• /
• pp.601-607
• /
• 2024

The discharge of oily wastewater into water bodies and soil poses a serious hazard to the environment and public health. Various conventional techniques have been employed to treat oil-water mixtures and emulsions; Unfortunately, these approaches are frequently expensive, time-consuming, and unsatisfactory outcomes. Porous materials and adsorbents are commonly used for purification, but their use is limited by low separation efficiencies and the risk of secondary contamination. Recent advancements in nanotechnology have driven the development of innovative materials and technologies for oil-contaminated wastewater treatment. Nanomaterials can offer enhanced oil-water separation properties due to their high surface area and tunable surface chemistry. The fabrication of nanofiber membranes with precise pore sizes and surface properties can further improve separation efficiency. Notably, novel technologies have emerged utilizing nanomaterials with special surface wetting properties, such as superhydrophobicity, to selectively separate oil from oil-water mixtures or emulsions. These special wetting surfaces are promising for high-efficiency oil separation in emulsions and allow the use of materials with relatively large pores, enhancing throughput and separation efficiency. In this study, we introduce a facile and scalable method for fabrication of superhydrophobic-superoleophilic felt fabrics for oil/water mixture and emulsion separation. AlN nanopowders are hydrolyzed to create the desired microstructures, which firmly adhere to the fabric surface without the need for a binder resin, enabling specialized wetting properties. This approach is applicable regardless of the material's size and shape, enabling efficient separation of oil and water from oil-water mixtures and emulsions. The oil-water separation materials proposed in this study exhibit low cost, high scalability, and efficiency, demonstrating their potential for broad industrial applications.

• Environmental Engineering Research
• /
• 제25권4호
• /
• pp.536-544
• /
• 2020

To address organic dye wastewater, economic and effective adsorbents are required. Here, magnetic biochar from alkali-activated rice straw (AMBC) was successfully synthesized using one-step magnetization and carbonization method. The alkaline activation caused the large specific surface area, high pore volume and abundant oxygen-containing groups of the AMBC, and the magnetization gave the AMBC a certain degree of electropositivity and fast equilibrium characteristics. These characteristics collectively contributed to a relative high adsorption capacity of 53.66 mg g^-1 for this adsorbent towards rhodamine B (RhB). In brief, RhB can spontaneously adsorb onto the heterogeneous surface of the AMBC and reach the equilibrium in 60 min. Although the initial pH, ionic strength and other substances of the solution affected the adsorption performance of the AMBC, it could be easily regenerated and reused with considerable adsorption content. Based on the results, H-bonds, π-π stacking and electrostatic interactions were speculated as the primary mechanisms for RhB adsorption onto the AMBC, which was also demonstrated by the FTIR analysis. With the advantageous features of low cost, easy separation, considerable adsorption capacity and favorable stability and reusability, the AMBC would be a potential adsorbent for removing organic dyes from wastewater.

• Carbon letters
• /
• 제18권
• /
• pp.49-55
• /
• 2016

Refuse-derived fuel (RDF) produced using municipal solid waste was pyrolyzed to produce RDF char. For the first time, the RDF char was used to remove aqueous copper, a representative heavy metal water pollutant. Activation of the RDF char using steam and KOH treatments was performed to change the specific surface area, pore volume, and the metal cation quantity of the char. N₂ sorption, Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometer (ICP-AES), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize the char. The optimum pH for copper removal was shown to be 5.5, and the steam-treated char displayed the best copper removal capability. Ion exchange between copper ions and alkali/alkaline metal cations was the most important mechanism of copper removal by RDF char, followed by adsorption on functional groups existing on the char surface. The copper adsorption behavior was represented well by a pseudo-second-order kinetics model and the Langmuir isotherm. The maximum copper removal capacity was determined to be 38.17 mg/g, which is larger than those of other low-cost char adsorbents reported previously.

• Advances in nano research
• /
• 제15권5호
• /
• pp.441-449
• /
• 2023

Heavy metals, widely present in the environment, have become significant pollutants due to their excessive use in industries and technology. Their non-degradable nature poses a persistent environmental problem, leading to potential acute or chronic poisoning from prolonged exposure. Recent research has focused on separating heavy metals, particularly from industrial and mining sources. Industries such as metal plating, mining operations, tanning, wood and chipboard production, industrial paint and textile manufacturing, as well as oil refining, are major contributors of heavy metals in water sources. Therefore, removing heavy metals from water is crucial, especially for safe water supply in swimming and water sports. Iron oxide nanoparticles have proven to be highly effective adsorbents for water contaminants, and efforts have been made to enhance their efficiency and absorption capabilities through surface modifications. Nanoparticles synthesized using plant extracts can effectively bind with heavy metal ions by modifying the nanoparticle surface with plant components, thereby increasing the efficiency of heavy metal removal. This study focuses on removing lead from industrial wastewater using environmentally friendly, cost-effective iron nanoparticles synthesized with Genovese basil extract. The synthesis of nanoparticles is confirmed through analysis using Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) and X-ray diffraction, validating their spherical shape and nanometer-scale dimensions. The method used in this study has a low detection limit of 0.031 ppm for measuring lead concentration, making it suitable for ensuring water safety in swimming and water sports.

• 자원리싸이클링
• /
• 제31권4호
• /
• pp.56-65
• /
• 2022

구리는 우수한 특성, 특히 높은 전도성과 낮은 저항으로 인해 전기/전자 제조 산업에 널리 사용되는 비철금속 중 하나이다. 이러한 산업의 표면 처리 공정에서는 구리 함량이 높은 폐수가 발생하며, 직간접적으로 수계로 배출된다. 이는 심각한 환경 오염을 일으키고 또한 귀중한 유용금속의 손실을 초래한다. 이러한 문제를 극복하기 위하여, 효율적이고 저렴하며 친환경적인 흡착제를 찾기 위한 목적으로 흡착 분야에서 전 세계적으로 지속적인 연구개발이 진행되고 있다. 이러한 점을 고려하여, 본 연구에서는 위와 같은 폐수로부터 구리 흡착을 위한 바이오 흡착제로서 식물뿌리(Datura 뿌리 분말)의 성능을 합성 흡착제(Tulsion T-42)와 비교하였다. 실험은 흡착제 투여량, 접촉시간, pH, 주입액 농도 등의 변수들을 최적화하기 위하여 회분식으로 수행되었다. 초기구리농도가 100 ppm이고 pH가 4인 주입액에서, 0.2 g Datura 뿌리 분말을 15분간 접촉하였을 때 구리 흡착율은 95%이었으며, 0.1 g Tulsion T-42은 30분간 접촉에서 95%의 흡착율을 나타내었다. 두 흡착제의 흡착 데이터는 Freundlich 등온선과 잘 일치하였으며, 유사 2차 속도식을 따르는 것을 나타내었다. 전체 결과는 본 연구의 바이오 흡착제가 표면처리 공정의 폐액 또는 폐수로부터 금속 회수에 적용될 가능성을 보여주고 있다.

• 한국환경농학회지
• /
• 제28권2호
• /
• pp.158-164
• /
• 2009

왕겨와 톱밥 3종(미송, 참나무, 포플러)을 sodium hydroxide(NaOH)와 tartaric acid($C_4H_6O_6$)를 처리한 후 중금속 흡착특성을 평가한 결과 모든 소재에서 중금속 선택성은 Pb > Cu > Cd > Zn 순으로 나타났다. 참나무 톱밥(NaOH로 개질)은 Pb(19.36 mg $g^{-1}$)과 Cu(13.47 mg $g^{-1}$)에 대해 그리고 왕겨(tartaric acid로 개질)는 Cd(5.37 mg $g^{-1}$)과 Zn(2.24 mg $g^{-1}$)에 대해 뛰어난 흡착능을 나타내었다. SEM 분석결과 4가지 소재에서 모두 NaOH 개질 후에 표면의 불순물이 제거됨이 확인되었고 흡착표면이 매끄럽게 안정화 된 것을 관찰할 수 있었다. FT-IR 분석결과 왕겨는 1080 $cm^{-1}$에서 carbonyl group, hydroxyl group 등의 관능기가 존재함을 확인하였고 tartaric acid로 개질한 경우 1184 $cm^{-1}$와 1735 $cm^{-1}$에서 carboxylate group, carboxyl group, methylene group 등의 새로운 관능기가 생성됨을 확인하였다. 3종의 톱밥(미송, 참나무, 포플러)에 대한 FT-IR 분석결과 왕겨와 유사한 peak가 관찰되었는데 1030 $cm^{-1}$에서 carbonyl group과 hydroxyl group, 1200 $cm^{-1}$과 1700 $cm^{-1}$ 사이에서 carboxylate group, carboxyl group, methylene group 등이 이에 해당하였다. 한편 NaOH로 개질한 경우 peak에서 큰 변화를 나타내지 않았으나 흡착량이 증가한 것은 표면개질로 새로운 관능기가 생성되지는 않았으나 표면의 불순물이 제거.안정화됨으로써 흡착 표면적이 증가되었기 때문인 것으로 판단되었다.