Carbon nanoparticles pillared multi-walled carbon nanotubes for adsorption of 1-naphthol: Thermodynamics, kinetics and isotherms

Abstract

Abstract Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have emerged as efficient adsorbents since their first discovery in 1991. However, due to their huge specific surface areas and strong van der Waals binding energies, CNTs are prone to aggregate. Therefore, controlled dispersion of CNTs in solution or composite matrix remains a challenge so far. Herein, novel pillared CNT composites—2c-G-MWCNTs, with increased specific surface area and less agglomeration, were prepared and applied as efficient adsorbents for removal of 1-naphthol from aqueous solution. The maximum adsorption capacity for 1-naphthol onto 2c-G-MWCNTs is 37.74 mg/g at 25 °C, which is about 2.5 times as much as that onto pristine MWCNTs. And the influences of preparation methods, carbon sources, calcination temperature, and the amount of carbonized glucose particles were examined. The MWCNTs-based adsorbents were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The adsorption thermodynamics, adsorption kinetics and adsorption isotherms of these CNT materials were investigated systematically.