Equilibrium,Kinetic, and Thermodynamic Studies on the Adsorption of Triclosan onto Multi‐Walled Carbon Nanotubes

The increased accumulation of toxic pharmaceuticals and personal care products in the environment is a concern of worldwide relevance. Efficient technologies are needed to mitigate the level of such chemicals in natural waters. The suitability of multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) to remove aqueous triclosan (a widely used anti‐microbial agent) was investigated in the present study. Tested operational parameters included the pH (3.0–11.0) value and the ionic strength (10^?3, 10^?2, and 10^?1 M). Kinetic and thermodynamic studies were conducted at different initial concentrations (4, 8, and 10 mg/L) and temperatures (288, 298, and 308 K). Results showed higher triclosan adsorption at pH 3.0 (157.7 mg/g) than at pH 11.0 (103.9 mg/g). With an increase of ionic strength from 10^?3 to 10^?2 M, the adsorption capacity increased from 136.1 to 153.1 mg/g and from 80.8 to 105.8 mg/g at pH 3.0 and 10.0, respectively, while further increase of ionic strength to 10^?1 M slightly reduced the triclosan adsorption to 149.9 and 94.7 mg/g due to the aggregation of MWCNTs. The Polanyi–Manes model (PMM) provided a best fitting of adsorption isotherms to the experimental data, and the kinetic process was well described by the pseudo second‐order kinetic model. The calculated thermodynamic parameters (ΔH⁰ = ?88.08 kJ/mol, ΔS⁰ = ?173.38 J/mol K) suggested that the adsorption of triclosan is spontaneous and exothermic in nature. The findings of the present work have significant implications for the removal of triclosan from aqueous solution with MWCNTs.     

Ionic Liquid Modified Resin for the Adsorptive Removal of Dibutyl Phthalate: Equilibrium,Kinetic, and Thermodynamic Studies

This study evaluated the adsorptive properties of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) on room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL) modified XAD‐4 resin. The modified RTIL‐XAD 4 sorbent was characterized by FTIR. Effect of varying experimental conditions such as pH, contact time, temperature, shaking speed, concentrations, and interfering species were investigated by batch adsorption experiments. Adsorption was found to be most favorable at pH 6 within 30 min. Experimental data were evaluated in terms of kinetic, equilibrium, and thermodynamic modeling. Kinetics of the sorption was found to follow pseudo second order rate equation whereas Freundlich and D–R isotherms were the most suitable models to explain sorption phenomenon. Thermodynamically sorption was endothermic, irreversible, and spontaneous in nature.     

Base Treated Cogon Grass (Imperata cylindrica) as an Adsorbent for the Removal of Ni(II): Kinetic,Isothermal and Fixed‐bed Column Studies

The adsorption of Ni(II) from aqueous solutions using base treated cogon grass or Imperata cylindrica (NHIC) was performed under batch and column modes. Batch experiments were conducted to determine the factors affecting adsorption such as pH, adsorbent dosage, initial nickel concentration, contact time and temperature. The fixed‐bed column experiment was performed to determine the practical applicability of NHIC and to obtain the breakthrough curve. Adsorption was fast as equilibrium was achieved within 60 min, and was best described by the pseudo second order model. According to the Langmuir model, a maximum adsorption capacity of 6.96 mg/g was observed at pH 5 and at a temperature of 313 K. Thermodynamic parameters such as ΔG⁰, ΔH⁰ and ΔS⁰ were calculated, and indicated that adsorption was a spontaneous and endothermic process. The mechanistic pathway of Ni(II) uptake was examined by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) spectroscopy. The Thomas and Yoon‐Nelson models were used to analyze the fixed‐bed column data.     

Removal of Copper,Nickel and Zinc Ions from Aqueous Solution by Chitosan‐8‐Hydroxyquinoline Beads

In this work, 8‐hydroxyquinoline is used as the active sites in cross‐linked chitosan beads with epichlorohydrin (CT‐8HQ). The CT‐8HQ material was shaped in bead form and used for heavy metal removal from aqueous solution. The study was carried out at pH 5.0 with both batch and column methods and the maximum adsorption capacity of metal ions by the CT‐8HQ was attained in 4 h in the batch experiment. The adsorption capacity order was: Cu²⁺ > Ni²⁺ > Zn²⁺ for both mono‐ and multi‐component systems with batch conditions. From breakthrough curves with column conditions, the adsorption capacity followed the order Cu²⁺ > Zn²⁺ > Ni²⁺ for both mono‐ and multi‐component systems. The CT‐8HQ beads maintained good metal adsorption capacity for all five cycles with absorbent restoration achieved with the use of 1.0 mol L^–1 HCl solution, with 90% regeneration.     

Removal of Basic Textile Dyes in Single and Multi‐Dye Solutions by Adsorption: Statistical Optimization and Equilibrium Isotherm Studies

The removal of three basic dyes by adsorption onto bentonite was investigated for single, binary, and ternary solutions in a batch system. Before and after dye adsorption, bentonite samples were analyzed by using X‐ray fluorescence spectrometer, SEM, and Fourier transform IR spectrometry. The D‐optimal design and response surface methodology were applied in designing the experiments for evaluating the interactive effects of each initial concentrations variable of the dyes in binary systems. Predicted values were found to be in good agreement with experimental values, which defined propriety of the model and the achievement of D‐optimal in optimization of adsorption of binary dye systems. The competitive adsorption results showed that the adsorption amount of a dye was suppressed in the presence and increasing concentrations of second or third dye. For mono‐component isotherm modeling, Langmuir and Freundlich models were applied to equilibrium data of single, binary, and ternary dye solutions, while modified Langmuir, Sheindrof–Rebhun–Sheintuch and modified extended Freundlich models were also applied to equilibrium data of binary dye solutions for multi‐component isotherm modeling. The results showed that the Langmuir was the more suitable model for single dye systems while extended Freundlich model fitted best to the experimental data with the lowest error values for multi‐dye systems.     

Removal of Carbamazepine,Naproxen, and Trimethoprim from Water by Amberlite XAD‐7: A Kinetic Study

The adsorption kinetics of carbamazepine, naproxen, and trimethoprim in aqueous solution by Amberlite? XAD‐7 has been studied. The influence of adsorbent dose (1–3 g/L), stirring rate (80–240 rpm), pH (2–9), temperature (20–60°C), and initial concentration (25–75 ppm) on the adsorption kinetics has been analyzed. The removal efficiency in the first 2 h reaches 85% for carbamazepine, 60% for naproxen, and 70% for trimethoprim. pH appears to be the most important factor conditioning the removal of these latter solutes, whereas carbamazepine adsorption seems to be independent of the pH of the adsorptive solution. Initial concentration and operation temperature moderately influence the adsorption process. Finally, stirring rate scarcely affects the process. The experimental data have been fitted to four kinetic models, namely pseudo‐first and pseudo‐second order, intra‐particle diffusion and Bangham's. The model providing the best fit is the pseudo‐second order one. Again, pH is the factor that affects the adsorption rate in a more remarkable manner although other parameters such as temperature and stirring rate also contribute to accelerate the removal of the solutes. Under the optimal operation conditions, Amberlite? XAD‐7 exhibits a promising ability for the removal of the pharmaceuticals under study.     

Removal of Heavy Metals from Synthetic Mixture as well as Pharmaceutical Sample Via Cation Exchange Resin Modified with Rhodamine B: Its Thermodynamic and Kinetic Studies

A new sorbent was prepared by loading rhodamine B on Amberlite IR‐120. Various physico‐chemical parameters such as effects of adsorbate concentration, contact time, pH, and temperature on the sorption of the dye have been studied. Thermodynamic parameters (ΔH° and ΔS°) were also evaluated for the sorption of dye. Kinetic studies revealed that the sorption of the dye was best fit for pseudo‐second‐order kinetic. The metal ion uptake in different solvent systems has been explored through column studies. On the basis of distribution coefficient (K_d), some heavy metal ions of analytical interest from binary mixtures have been separated. The limit of detection (LOD) for the Ni²⁺ and Fe³⁺ metal ions was 0.81 and 0.60 µg L^?1, and the limit of quantification (LOQ) was found to be 2.72 and 2.0 µg L^?1. This sorbent has also been successfully applied in the analysis of multivitamin formulation. The applicability of the modified resin in the separation of heavy metals constituting real and synthetic samples has been explored.     

Kinetic Studies and Anaerobic Co‐digestion of Vegetable Market Waste and Sewage Sludge

The effect of anaerobic co‐digestion of vegetable market waste and sewage sludge was studied extensively. The effects of co‐digestion were compared with the separate digestion of vegetable market waste and sewage sludge. The batch studies were carried out using three bench scale reactors having 1.5 L working volume. The cumulative biogas production shows that the organic waste available from the vegetable waste contains easily biodegradable organic matter compared with the sewage sludge. First order reaction kinetics is maintained throughout the methanation fermentation. The reductions in volatile solids (VS) in the three reactors were in the range of 63–65 %. The specific gas production for vegetable waste was higher (0.75 L biogas/g VS_in and 1.17 L biogas/g VS_des) than for the sewage sludge (0.43 L biogas/g VS_in and 0.68 L biogas/g VS_des). Consequently, the specific gas production for the co‐digestion of the mixture of vegetable waste and sewage sludge (0.68 L biogas/g VS_in and 1.04 L biogas/g VS_des) was considerably higher than for the sewage sludge only. Batch kinetics of anaerobic digestion is useful in predicting the performance of digesters and for the design of appropriate digesters.     

Sulfur and Carbon Co‐doped TiO2 Composite Fabricated by Lignosulphonate and Its Suitability for Removal of Cadmium

Highly toxic divalent cadmium causes serious environmental issues. To quickly monitor and/or efficiently remove this potentially toxic metal ion as well as to explore its interfacial chemistry with metal oxides, a sulfur and carbon co‐doped titania (S/C‐TiO₂) composite is synthesized via a facile sol‐gel method with the assistance of sodium lignosulphonate (SLS). The prepared composite displays a well‐crystallized TiO₂ nanostructure comprising the anatase phase. Both S and C, which are derived from the SLS template, are found to enter the TiO₂ lattice. The S/C‐TiO₂ composite exhibits a porous structure with a wide pore size distribution. The newly synthesized composite shows adsorption capability for the potentially toxic metal Cd(II). The adsorption process requires <5 min to reach equilibrium. The measured equilibrium adsorption capacity is 19.42 mg g^?1, which is twice as high as that of bare TiO₂. The removal efficiency is as high as 97%. Moreover, the materials are suitable for contaminated solutions over a wide range of pH values and various initial cadmium concentrations. A mechanism for the enhanced adsorption behavior is also proposed.     

Experimental and Isothermal Studies on Sorption of Congo Red by Modified Mycelial Biomass of Wood‐rotting Fungus

Batch biosorption experiments were carried out for the removal of Congo red from aqueous solution using native and pretreated mycelial pellets/biomass of Trametes versicolor. The effect of process parameters such as contact time, dye concentration, and pH on the extent of Congo red biosorption has been investigated. Higher dye concentrations resulted in lower biosorption. Increases in biomass dosage led to increases in the levels of biosorption. Biosorption kinetics and equilibrium data are essential basic requirements to develop an effective and accurate design model for the removal of the dye. A kinetic study showed that the biosorption of the dye on fungal biomass was a gradual process. Pseudo‐first‐order, pseudo‐second‐order, and Bangham's model were used to fit the experimental data. The results of the kinetic studies showed that the second‐order kinetic model fitted well for the present experimental data. Equilibrium isotherms were analyzed by Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubnin‐Radushkevich, and Temkin isotherms. The biosorption equilibrium data obeyed the Langmuir and Temkin isotherms well. Acidic pH was favorable for the biosorption of the dye. Studies on the pH effect and desorption show that chemisorption seems to play a major role in the biosorption process. Among the native and pretreated biomass studied, autoclaved biomass showed a better biosorption capacity.     

Removal of COD from Industrial Effluent Containing Indigo Dye Using Adsorption Method by Activated Carbon Cloth: Optimization,Kinetic, and Isotherm Studies

The pollution of underground and surface water streams is a tremendous environmental problem. Adsorption, in which activated carbon (AC) is used as an adsorbent, is one of efficient procedures to remove organic and inorganic pollutants from industrial wastewaters. Activated carbon fiber (ACF), a newly developed form of AC, has high adsorption rate and surface area and can be used for the treatment of industrial wastewaters. In this work, ACF was prepared by physicochemical activation method from kenaf and we studied its ability in the treatment of indigo‐containing wastewater produced from a dying factory. The filtered wastewater was treated via adsorption by ACF, and response surface experimental design method was used to study the effect of ACF dosage, contact time, temperature, and pH of the wastewater on the removal process. ACF dosage of 0.256 g, temperature of 12.5°C, pH 8.5, and contact time of 125 min were optimum treatment conditions. The adsorption process obeys pseudo‐second‐order kinetic and Freundlich isotherm models.     

Removal of Arsenic from Simulated Groundwater Using GAC‐Ca in Batch Reactor: Kinetics and Equilibrium Studies

This paper deals with kinetics and equilibrium studies on the adsorption of arsenic species from simulated groundwater containing arsenic (As(III)/As(V), 1:1), Fe, and Mn in concentrations of 0.188, 2.8, and 0.6 mg/L, respectively, by Ca²⁺ impregnated granular activated charcoal (GAC‐Ca). Effects of agitation period and initial arsenic concentration on the removal of arsenic species have also been described. Although, most of the arsenic species are adsorbed within 10 h of agitation, equilibrium reaches after ～24 h. Amongst various kinetic models investigated, the pseudo second order model is more adequate to explain the adsorption kinetics and film diffusion is found to be the rate controlling step for the adsorption of arsenic species on GAC‐Ca. Freundlich isotherm is adequate to explain the adsorption equilibrium. However, empirical polynomial isotherm gives more accurate prediction on equilibrium specific uptakes of arsenic species. Maximum specific uptake (q_max) for the adsorption of As(T) as obtained from Langmuir isotherm is 135 µg/g.     

Integrating visual damage simulation,virtual inspection,and collapse capacity to evaluate post‐earthquake structural safety of buildings

A methodology is introduced to assess the post‐earthquake structural safety of damaged buildings using a quantitative relationship between observable structural component damage and the change in collapse vulnerability. The proposed framework integrates component‐level damage simulation, virtual inspection, and structural collapse performance assessment. Engineering demand parameters from nonlinear response history analyses are used in conjunction with component‐level damage simulation to generate multiple realizations of damage to key structural elements. Triggering damage state ratios, which describe the fraction of components within a damage state that results in an unsafe placard assignment, are explicitly linked to the increased collapse vulnerability of the damaged building. A case study is presented in which the framework is applied to a 4‐story reinforced concrete frame building with masonry infills. The results show that when subjected to maximum considered earthquake level ground motions, the probability of experiencing enough structural damage to trigger an unsafe placard, leading to building closure, is more than 2 orders of magnitude higher than the risk of collapse.     

Studies on seismic reduction of story‐incresed buildings with friction layer and energy‐dissipated devices

A new type of energy‐dissipated structural system for existing buildings with story‐increased frames is presented and investigated in this paper. In this system the sliding‐friction layer between the lowest increased floor of the outer frame structure and the roof of the original building is applied, and energy‐dissipated dampers are used for the connections between the columns of the outer frame and each floor of the original building. A shaking table test is performed on the model of the system and the simplified structural model of this system is given. The theory of the non‐classical damping approach is introduced to the calculation analyses and compared with test results. The results show that friction and energy‐dissipated devices are very effective in reducing the seismic response and dissipating the input energy of the model structure. Finally, the design scheme and dynamic time‐history analyses of an existing engineering project are investigated to illustrate the application and advantages of the given method. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of Alkali and Alkaline‐earth Cations on the Removal of Reactive Dyes with Cucurbituril

The sorption of reactive (textile) dyes onto cucurbituril, a cyclic polymer with hydrophobic cavity, was studied. Dye sorption is strongly enhanced by Ca²⁺ or Sr²⁺ concentrations up to 100 mmol/L for all studied dyes. Mg²⁺ and alkaline ions had similar effects for only one dye (Reactive Red 120), and only at higher concentrations. Concentrations above 100 mmol/L – depending on cation and dye – dissolve cucurbituril and prevent dye removal. As shown in previous studies by our group loadings obtained under suitable conditions (calcium concentration between 2 and 100 mmol/L, total salt concentration not exceeding 100 mmol/L) are 1 to 1.7 mol/mol or 0.9 to 1.8 g/g. The chemical mechanism responsible for the ionic influences is still under investigation. Generally, cucurbituril is a potent sorbent for reactive dyes. However, the technical application is still limited by the lack of a support material that would allow use in fixed bed filters.