Aqueous removal of Cr(VI) by Citrus sinensis juice-coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes

Abstract

A novel adsorbent was prepared from multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and Citrus sinensis juice extract-modified MWCNTs (OJMW) and characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), X-ray diffractometer (XRD), BET and thermogravimetric analysis. The results showed that the nanotubes exhibited good surface area, pore size, functional groups, and robust stability at elevated temperatures (308 and 313 K). The adsorbent was applied in water for the sequestration of Cr(VI). The adsorption of Cr(VI) on MWCNTs and OJMW was influenced by factors of adsorption. Optimum removal of Cr(VI) was attained at 180 min contact time, 0.05 g adsorbent dose, and solution pH 2 for MWCNTs and OJMW. The kinetic behaviour of the Cr(VI) adsorption onto MWCNTs and OJMW was governed by the pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic model, respectively. The equilibrium data obtained for the uptake of Cr(VI) onto MWCNTs and OJMW fitted satisfactorily with Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models, respectively. Meanwhile, MWCNTs and OJMW exhibited monolayer adsorption capacities (qmax) of 44.72 and 12.26 g g−1, respectively, at 298 K. The adsorption process was spontaneous and feasible. The direction of energy flow in the uptake of Cr(VI) onto OJMW and MWCNTs followed endothermic and exothermic adsorption processes, respectively. The adsorption–desorption experiments showed that OJMW had good regenerative abilities.