Naphthalene removal from aqueous solutions using Graphene nanosheets: Optimal absorption studies and modeling

Authors
A. Shahbazi
M. Niknam
M. Amini
Abstract
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons such as naphthalene are dangerous for humans and the environment due to their carcinogenic and toxic properties. Thus, removing these pollutants from the environment is necessary. In this study, Graphene NanoSheets (GNS) was synthesised and applied for the removal of naphthalene from aqueous solution. The structure of nano-adsorbent studied using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Optimal absorption studies for naphthalene removal from aqueous solution has been carried out at batch technique under various experimental conditions including adsorbent dosage (0.01 - 0.2 g/l), pH of solution (3 - 10) and initial concentration of naphthalene (3 – 15 mg/l). The isotherm of adsorption data was analyzed using Langmuir and Freundlich models and the kinetic of adsorption data modeled in optimum conditions using Pseudo-first-order, Pseudo-second-order, Elovich and Intra-particle diffusion models. The optimum condition has been achieved in the pH=10, initial concentration 13 mg/l and the adsorbent dosage 0.11 g/l and in these conditions, the removal percentage and absorption capacity of naphthalene was obtained 80.19% and 90.18 mg/g, respectively. The results indicated that adsorption isotherm and kinetic followed Freundlich isotherm (R2=0.97) and pseudo-second-order kinetic (R2=0.99) models, respectively. According to present study GNS can be used as an efficient adsorbent for the naphthalene removal from aqueous solutions.Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons such as naphthalene are dangerous for humans and the environment due to their carcinogenic and toxic properties. Thus, removing these pollutants from the environment is necessary. In this study, Graphene NanoSheets (GNS) was synthesised and applied for the removal of naphthalene from aqueous solution. The structure of nano-adsorbent studied using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Optimal absorption studies for naphthalene removal from aqueous solution has been carried out at batch technique under various experimental conditions including adsorbent dosage (0.01 - 0.2 g/l), pH of solution (3 - 10) and initial concentration of naphthalene (3 – 15 mg/l). The isotherm of adsorption data was analyzed using Langmuir and Freundlich models and the kinetic of adsorption data modeled in optimum conditions using Pseudo-first-order, Pseudo-second-order, Elovich and Intra-particle diffusion models. The optimum condition has been achieved in the pH=10, initial concentration 13 mg/l and the adsorbent dosage 0.11 g/l and in these conditions, the removal percentage and absorption capacity of naphthalene was obtained 80.19% and 90.18 mg/g, respectively. The results indicated that adsorption isotherm and kinetic followed Freundlich isotherm (R2=0.97) and pseudo-second-order kinetic (R2=0.99) models, respectively. According to present study GNS can be used as an efficient adsorbent for the naphthalene removal from aqueous solutions.Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons such as naphthalene are dangerous for humans and the environment due to their carcinogenic and toxic properties. Thus, removing these pollutants from the environment is necessary. In this study, Graphene NanoSheets (GNS) was synthesised and applied for the removal of naphthalene from aqueous solution. The structure of nano-adsorbent studied using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Optimal absorption studies for naphthalene removal from aqueous solution has been carried out at batch technique under various experimental conditions including adsorbent dosage (0.01 - 0.2 g/l), pH of solution (3 - 10) and initial concentration of naphthalene (3 – 15 mg/l). The isotherm of adsorption data was analyzed using Langmuir and Freundlich models and the kinetic of adsorption data modeled in optimum conditions using Pseudo-first-order, Pseudo-second-order, Elovich and Intra-particle diffusion models. The optimum condition has been achieved in the pH=10, initial concentration 13 mg/l and the adsorbent dosage 0.11 g/l and in these conditions, the removal percentage and absorption capacity of naphthalene was obtained 80.19% and 90.18 mg/g, respectively. The results indicated that adsorption isotherm and kinetic followed Freundlich isotherm (R2=0.97) and pseudo-second-order kinetic (R2=0.99) models, respectively. According to present study GNS can be used as an efficient adsorbent for the naphthalene removal from aqueous solutions.

Keywords

Subjects

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Modares Civil Engineering journal
Volume 17, Issue 5
November and December 2017
Pages 241-251