Abstract
Green petroleum coke, a form of industrial waste produced in the oil-refining process, was used to synthesize nitrogen-doped graphene-like plates (N-GLPs) together with melamine. In this study, characterization and batch experiments were performed to elucidate the interaction mechanism of N-GLPs and bisphenol A (BPA). Structural analysis of N-GLPs, including scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), showed an obvious graphene-like structure and successful nitrogen doping. In addition, compared with 8.0 m2/g for green petroleum coke, the BET surface area of N-GLPs markedly increased to 96.6 m2/g. The influences of various factors, including contact time, temperature, and initial pH on BPA removal efficiency were investigated. It was found that 92.0% of BPA was successfully removed by N-GLPs at 50 °C. Based on the adsorption experiments, it was shown that electrostatic attraction, hydrogen bonding, and π-π interaction enhanced the adsorption capacity of N-GLPs for BPA. According to the thermodynamic data, the adsorption process was spontaneous, physical, and endothermic in nature. Therefore, N-GLPs are efficient adsorbent material to remove BPA from wastewater.
Highlights
As a phenolic compound with high production, bisphenol A (BPA) is widely utilized in the manufacturing of epoxy resins and polycarbonate plastics [1,2]
We report a cost-effective method for synthesizing nitrogen-doped graphene-like plates from green petroleum coke as a novel adsorption material
After calcination and nitrogen doping, green petroleum coke particles transformed into nitrogen-doped graphene-like plates (N-GLPs)
Summary
As a phenolic compound with high production, bisphenol A (BPA) is widely utilized in the manufacturing of epoxy resins and polycarbonate plastics [1,2]. Due to its pervasive application, a tremendous amount of BPA is discharged into the environment. BPA is known as an endocrine-disrupting compound and may lead to deleterious effects on humans due to its estrogenic activity [4]. As the existence of BPA in water environments constitutes a potential major hazard for both humans and aquatic organisms, it is critical to develop an efficient method to remove BPA. Among the various methods available for the removal of BPA, adsorption has attracted great attention due to its economic applicability, high efficiency, easy operation, and hypotoxicity [5,6]
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.
