Abstract
Graphitic carbon-like material (GCM) derived from edible sugar under a nitrogen environment was applied as an adsorbent for the removal of anionic and cationic dyes (methyl orange, MO) and methylene blue (MB) from wastewater. The physico-chemical characterization of GCM was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The plate-like morphology with an average size of 50-100 nm was measured from the SEM images. The measured BET 'surface area and pore volume were 574 m2/g and 0.248 cm3/g, respectively with pore diameter (d), 1.8 47 (< 2 nm) indicates that the GCM classified as a microporous. The effects of dosage, pH, contact time and concentration on the adsorption of MB and MO onto GCM were studied to unveil the adsorption process. The experimental isotherm data concurred with the Langmuir isotherm model (R2 = 0.990) for MB, while the MO isotherm data concurred with Freundlich model (R2 = 0.995). The maximum adsorption capacity achieved from the Langmuir isotherm equation at 25 °C was 38.75 and 43.48 mg/g for MB and MO, respectively, which indicates that GCM is a suitable adsorbent for the adsorption of both anionic and cationic dyes. The kinetic study demonstrated that the adsorption of both dyes onto GCM was the pseudo-second-order diffusion kinetics. The thermodynamic parameters reveal the adsorption of both dyes was endothermic spontaneous through chemical interactions. The GCM was found to be a potential adsorbent for the removal of MB and MO from an aqueous solution.
Highlights
The releasing of dye-containing wastewaters in to the environment is a significant cause of poor water quality, and leads to eutrophication and distressing aquatic life
A graphitic carbon-like material (GCM) was prepared from edible sugar used as an absorbent, which was highly effective for the removal of methylene blue (MB) and methyl orange (MO) from its aqueous solution
While the equilibrium data were well fitted to the Langmuir isotherm model for MB, for Methyl orange (MO), they were well fitted to the Freundlich model
Summary
The releasing of dye-containing wastewaters in to the environment is a significant cause of poor water quality, and leads to eutrophication and distressing aquatic life. Graphene is an attractive new material composed of carbon ingredients with a honeycomb-like structure It has motivated massive interest over the last few years because of its excellent properties such as stability,[8] high thermal conductivity,[9] and fast mobility of charge carriers.[10] Various studies have shown that graphene/graphene oxide is a perfect material for the removal of dyes due to its good mechanical strength, large surface area, 2D structure, abundant surface functional groups, and its electrostatic interaction with cationic dyes.[11,12,13] the preparation of graphene from graphite is expensive and using toxic chemicals. We report the results of the adsorption of an anionic dye (MO) and a cationic dye (MB) on a sugar-based graphitic carbon-like material (GCM). The adsorption capacity of GCM for MB and MO was comparable or near with previous reported similar activated carbons or graphene type materials.[5,13,16,17] as prepared GCM has potential adsorption capacity for the removal organic dye pollutants and thereby significant reducing human health and environmental risks
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