Changing cellulose acetate deriving from cigarette filters to be used as catalyst in effluent treatment

Abstract

Cigarette butts are a significant environmental issue, mainly when they are improperly discarded. However, this waste type is recyclable, since its structure is based on cellulose acetate, which is used in the industrial sector for absorbent and filtering purposes. The aim of the present study is to chemically change cellulose acetate deriving from cigarette filters by incorporating iron to it, in order to use it as catalyst in effluent treatment processes. Three different methods were used for iron immobilization purposes in basic, acidic and ferric media, for 7 days. The method showing the best iron adsorption, based on spectroscopic analyses, was the one wherein cigarette butts remained in contact with 0.1 mol/L ferric solution. Therefore, the group of cigarette butts resulting from this method was used in Fenton and photo-Fenton processes. Moreover, it recorded positive results for textile dye mix discoloration, as evidenced by spectral changes in the 350-700 nm range, which pointed out significant color change in the assessed sample. Although the current article results from a preliminary study, the herein collected data point towards the potential use of cigarette butts as alternative to treat effluents deriving from companies that use large amounts of dye.