Steam activation of waste biomass: highly microporous carbon, optimization of bisphenol A, and diuron adsorption by response surface methodology

• Published in: Environmental science and pollution research international Vol. 25; no. 35; pp. 35657 - 35671
• Main Authors: Zbair, Mohamed, Ainassaari, Kaisu, El Assal, Zouhair, Ojala, Satu, El Ouahedy, Nadia, Keiski, Riitta L., Bensitel, Mohammed, Brahmi, Rachid
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.12.2018; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Activation; Adsorption; Aquatic Pollution; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Benzhydryl Compounds - chemistry; Benzhydryl Compounds - isolation & purification; Biomass; Bisphenol A; Carbon - chemistry; Diuron; Diuron - chemistry; Diuron - isolation & purification; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Health; Environmental science; Fourier transforms; Isotherms; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Models, Chemical; Nitrogen - chemistry; Phenols - chemistry; Phenols - isolation & purification; Porosity; Research Article; Response surface methodology; Sapotaceae - chemistry; Scanning electron microscopy; Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; Steam; Surface chemistry; Temperature; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollutants, Chemical - chemistry; Water Pollutants, Chemical - isolation & purification; Water Pollution Control; X-Ray Diffraction; X-ray fluorescence; Bisphenol A; Diuron; Adsorption; Response surface method; Steam activation; Microporous carbon
• ISSN: 0944-1344; 1614-7499
• DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-3455-3

Highly microporous carbons were prepared from argan nut shell (ANS) using steam activation method. The carbons prepared (ANS@H2O-30, ANS@H2O-90, and ANS@H2O-120) were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier-transform infrared, nitrogen adsorption, total X-ray fluorescence, and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD). The ANS@H2O-120 was found to have a high surface area of 2853 m 2 /g. The adsorption of bisphenol A and diuron on ANS@H2O-120 was investigated. The isotherm data were fitted using Langmuir and Freundlich models. Langmuir isotherm model presented the best fit to the experimental data suggesting micropore filling of ANS@H2O-120. The ANS@H2O-120 adsorbent demonstrated high monolayer adsorption capacity of 1408 and 1087 mg/g for bisphenol A and diuron, respectively. The efficiency of the adsorption was linked to the porous structure and to the availability of the surface adsorption sites on ANS@H2O-120. Response surface method was used to optimize the removal efficiency of bisphenol A and diuron on ANS@H2O-120 from aqueous solution. Graphical abstract ᅟ