Efficacy of spent black tea for the removal of nitrobenzene from aqueous media. (1st October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Tariq, Muqaddas; Durrani, Arjumand Iqbal; Farooq, Umar; Tariq, Madiha
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental management. Volume 223(2018)
• Page Start: 771
• Page End: 778
• Publication Date: 2018-10-01
• Subjects: Spent black tea -- Batch adsorption -- Nitrobenzene -- Isotherms -- Kinetics; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; 363.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.06.080
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4797

Abstract

Abstract: Nitrobenzene (NB) is a kind of persistent organic pollutant. A ubiquitous and cost-effective substance spent black tea (SBT) was investigated for the removal of nitrobenzene from aqueous media. The maximum uptake potential of dried biomass (SBT) for NB was found to be 14.86 mg per gram (qmax ) in a batch experimental set-up. Equilibration time for NB sorption was about 50 min, and optimal removal efficiency was achieved at a dosage of 2 g/L with an initial concentration of 100 mg/L of NB. Findings revealed that NB uptake increased with an increase in the temperature from 273 K to 353 K. Sorption was also found to be pH sensitive, sorption improved as the pH value changes from alkaline to acidic (from 10 to 2). Different isotherm (Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin Radushkevich) and kinetic models (pseudo-1st order, pseudo-2nd order and Elovich models) were applied to experimental results; the sorption mechanism was well described by the Freundlich and pseudo-2nd order models. Moreover, Scanning electron micrographs, ATR-FTIR spectra and the results of elemental analysis also supported the efficacy of SBT as an efficient bio-sorbent for the elimination of NB from water. Graphical abstract: Highlights: An expended material (Spent Black Tea) was used for adsorption of nitrobenzene. Aromatic compounds are toxic and require removal from waters. Sorption process was endothermic, favored in acidic conditions, equilibrium established in 50 min. Freundlich and pseudo 2nd order equilibrium and kinetic models were followed respectively. Results were encouraging as compared to other biomaterials (qe = 14.86 mgg −1 ).