Adsorption of Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons from aqueous solution by Organic Montmorillonite Sodium Alginate Nanocomposites. (July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dai, Wen-Jing; Wu, Pan; Liu, Di; Hu, Jian; Cao, Yang; Liu, Tao-Ze; Okoli, Chukwunonso Peter; Wang, Bing; Li, Ling
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 251(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-07
• Subjects: PAHs -- Organic clay -- Sodium alginate -- Adsorption; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.126074
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: The adsorption method is generally considered a promising technique to remove inorganic and organic contaminants in an economically and environmentally friendly superior manner. In this study, organic montmorillonite sodium alginate composites were prepared, in which, montmorillonite and cationic surfactant (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide, CTAB) in different added amounts were coagulated with sodium alginate using CaCl2 as the crosslinking agent. The morphological properties of the composites were characterized thoroughly and employed in three typical target pollutants of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) (acenaphthene, fluorene, and phenanthrene) by batch adsorption experiments from aqueous solution. The composites provide an efficient alternative for PAHs removals. The composites could be stably separated and regenerated with methyl alcohol. Furthermore, the adsorption kinetic and isotherm data were well described by the Elovich kinetic and the Freundlich isotherm model, respectively. According to these, the adsorption process occurred via multilayer adsorption on the composite's energetically heterogeneous surface. Moreover, pore diffusion and hydrophobicity played a dominant role in the adsorption mechanism. Overall, our study offers a developed adsorbent that has the advantage of being recyclable, low cost, biodegradable and biocompatible for effectively removing PAHs from aqueous solution. Highlights: A high biocompatibility, mechanical stability and adsorption efficiency adsorbent was synthesized for the removal of PAHs in aqueous medium. Adsorption mechanism was discussed preliminary. It provided a new idea for developing novel and efficient adsorbents.