Abstract
The adsorptive properties of poly(1-methylpyrrol-2-ylsquaraine) (PMPS) particles were investigated in batch and column adsorption experiments as alternative adsorbent for the treatment of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in water. The PMPS particles were synthesised by condensing 3,4-dihydroxycyclobut-3-ene-1,2-dione (squaric acid) with 1-methylpyrrole in butanol. The results demonstrated that PMPS particles are effective in the removal of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) in water with adsorption being more favourable at an acidic pH, and a superior sorption capacity being achieved at pH 4. The results also showed that the removal of EDCs by the PMPS particles was a complex process involving multiple rate-limiting steps and physicochemical interactions between the EDCs and the particles. Gibbs free energy of −8.32 kJ/mole and −6.6 kJ/mol, and enthalpies of 68 kJ/mol and 43 kJ/mol, were achieved for the adsorption E2 and EE2 respectively The removal efficiencies of the EDCs by PMPS particles were comparable to those of activated carbon, and hence can be applied as an alternative adsorbent in water treatment applications.
Highlights
A variety of organic pollutants known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are detected in both industrial and municipal wastewater, which have given rise to increased concerns about their existence in, and effects on the environment [1,2,3]
We investigated the adsorptive properties of PMPS particles as an alternative adsorbent for the removal of steroid the adsorptive properties of PMPS particles as an adsorbent for the removal of steroid hormones in water and wastewater
It can be seen that the highest removal of the EDCs was achieved at pH 4
Summary
A variety of organic pollutants known as endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are detected in both industrial and municipal wastewater, which have given rise to increased concerns about their existence in, and effects on the environment [1,2,3]. Steroid hormones are among the most potent EDCs detected in wastewater effluents around the globe. The traditional wastewater treatment processes are usually not effective in the treatment of these EDCs to reduce them to potentially non-effect concentrations [5]. Adsorptions on to various adsorbents have been investigated as options for their removal from wastewater. Powdered and granular activated carbons have been considerably investigated as adsorbents for the treatment of EDCs in water and wastewater [7,8,9,10]. Other adsorbents that have been investigated include; carbon nanotubes [11,12,13], imprinted polymers [14], zeolites [15], and waste tealeaves [2]
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