Magnetic Removal of Reactive Black 5 from Wastewater Using Ionic Liquid Grafted‐Magnetic Nanoparticles

Due to the unique chemical properties and therefore wide range of applications, significant amounts of reactive dyes often end up in waste waters and this issue raises the need for more efficient treatment technologies. This work investigates the ability of magnetite nanoparticles functionalized with imidazolium based ionic liquid (IL) as an efficient sorbent for the removal of the Reactive black 5 from wastewater. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, thermo‐gravimetric analysis, and zeta potential measurement were used to characterize the synthesized nanosorbent. The results showed that under optimal conditions, the dye removal efficiency of the grafted IL is 98.5% after a single run. Regeneration of the used sorbent could be possible and the modified magnetic nanoparticles exhibited good reusability. The isothermal data of RB5 sorption conformed well to the Langmuir model and the maximum sorption capacity of IL@Fe₃O₄ for RB5 was 161.29 mg g^?1. Thermodynamic study indicated that the adsorption is endothermic and spontaneous. The use of such a system can provide fast and efficient removal of the reactive dyes from wastewater by using an external magnetic field.     

Removal of EDTA from Aqueous Solutions Using Activated Carbon Prepared from Rubber Wood Sawdust: Kinetic and Equilibrium Modeling

Adsorptive removal of EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) from aqueous solution was studied using steam pyrolyzed activated carbon. Rubber wood sawdust, obtained from a local timber facility at Kodangavila, Trivandrum, Kerala, India was used as the precursor for the production of the activated carbon. Batch adsorption experiments were employed to monitor and optimize the removal process. The experimental parameters, i. e., solution pH, agitation time, initial EDTA concentration and adsorbent dosage, affecting the adsorption of EDTA onto sawdust activated carbon (SDAC) were optimized. The inner core mechanism for the interaction between EDTA and SDAC, which resulted in the adsorption process, was also discussed. The change in amount of EDTA adsorbed onto SDAC and CAC (commercial activated carbon) was compared over a wide range of pH (2.0–8.0). The maximum removal of EDTA took place in the pH range of 4.0–6.0 for SDAC and 5.0–5.5 for CAC, which demonstrates the effectiveness of the former adsorbent. Kinetic as well as equilibrium studies were performed to determine the rate constant and adsorption capacity, respectively. The adsorption kinetic data was fitted with pseudo‐first‐order kinetics and the equilibrium data was shown to follow the Langmuir isotherm model. These observations explain the formation of a monolayer of EDTA on the surface of SDAC as confirmed by the slow approach to equilibrium after 4 h of contact time. The adsorption capacity of SDAC for the removal of EDTA was 0.526 mmol/g and is seen to be greater than that of CAC and other reported adsorbents (0.193–0.439 mmol/g). Finally, it is clear that the production of steam pyrolyzed activated carbon in the presence of K₂CO₃ greatly enhanced EDTA removal and resulted in a product with possible commercial value for wastewater treatment strategies.