Monoaromatic Pollutant Removal by Carbon Nanotubes From Aqueous Solution Publisher



Pourzamani H¹ ; Bina B¹ ; Amin MM¹ ; Rashidi A²
Source: Advanced Materials Research Published:2012

Abstract

The removal of monoaromatic (benzene (B) and toluene (T)) from aqueous solution by multi walled, single walled, and hybrid carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs, SWCNTs, and HCNTs) was evaluated for a nanomaterial dose of 1 g/l, concentration of 10-100 mg/l, and pH 7. The equilibrium amount removed by SWCNTs (B: 9.98 mg/g and T: 9.96 mg/g) was higher than for MWCNTs and HCNTs. Toluene has a higher adsorption tendency on CNTs than benzene, which is related to the increasing water solubility and the decreasing molecular weight of the compounds. The SWCNTs performed better for B and T sorption than the MWCNTs and HCNTs. Isotherms study based on isofit program, indicate that the Generalized Langmuir-Freundlich (GLF) isotherm expression provides the best fit for benzene sorption and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) isotherm is the best fit for toluene adsorption by SWCNT. SWCNTs are efficient B and T adsorbents and possess good potential applications to water and wastewater treatment and maintain water of high quality that could be used for cleaning up environmental pollution. © (2012) Trans Tech Publications.