Abstract
This research employed the application of metal organic frameworks (MOFs) of zinc and copper-based materials in the removal of naphthalene and anthracene. Naphthalene and anthracene adsorption were investigated with both zinc-benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic (Zn-BDC) and copper-benzene-1,4-dicarboxylic (Cu-BDC) MOFs. Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin adsorption isotherms were used to investigate the mechanisms of the data obtained. Zn-BDC and Cu-BDC MOFs were stable at a wide range of temperatures and they both exhibited appreciable desorption and regenerating ability. About 97% and 50% removal were recorded for naphthalene and anthracene, respectively. The great success recorded for naphthalene has been attributed to the tighter fitting between the pores of the MOFs materials and naphthalene, as naphthalene molecules are less sterically hindered as compared to anthracene. Desorption and reusability result showed that both MOFs materials demonstrate high regeneration capacity, and the reuse of the materials proved effective for three batch adsorption process. KEY WORDS : Naphthalene, Anthracene, Refluxing method, Regenerating ability, Adsorption Bull. Chem. Soc. Ethiop. 2019 , 33(2), 229-241. DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/bcse.v33i2.4
Highlights
Various methods and approach have been utilized in the removal of pollutants like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PAHs and heavy metals from aqueous solutions [1,2,3,4]
This study investigated the removal efficiency of PAHs from laboratory samples, comparison of the effectiveness of PAHs; naphthalene and anthracene; removal employing two different metalorganic frameworks (MOFs); Zn-BDC and Cu-BDC
Naphthalene had higher adsorption when compared with anthracene
Summary
Various methods and approach have been utilized in the removal of pollutants like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, PAHs (fluorene, anthracene, naphthalene, etc.) and heavy metals from aqueous solutions [1,2,3,4] These include solvent extraction, ion exchange filtration and membrane separation, reverse osmosis, chemical precipitation and coagulation. PAHs enter the environment through various routes and they usually contain two or more compounds [6] They are products of incomplete combustion ether through natural or manmade combustion sources during biological processes [7, 8]. Adsorbents from natural or modified materials and synthetic origin are subject of recent research efforts These adsorbents include activated carbon from agricultural products [13,14,15], clay and clay materials [16], oxides of iron [17], and metal organic frameworks, MOFs [18, 19]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
