Efficient removal of imidacloprid pesticide by two eco-friendly activated carbons

Abstract

In this study, the removal of imidacloprid (IMD) pesticide onto activated carbon produced from nut shells of hazelnut (HAC), and walnut (WAC) has been investigated. The prepared activated carbons were characterised by total carbon, nitrogen and hydrogen content, surface areas and pore volume. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were studied before and after adsorption experiments. Effects of adsorbent dose (0.02–0.2 g), contact time (10–120 min), initial imidacloprid concentration (10–100 mg∙dm –3), and pH (1–8), and temperatures (25–50°C) on the removal of IMD pesticide by HAC and WAC in the batch mode were studied. The removal percentage of imidacloprid pesticide by HAC and WAC was 93.79% and 94.72%, respectively. The study showed that the pseudo-second-order kinetics model fitted well for both activated carbons. Moreover, adsorption isotherm results were evaluated using Freundlich, Langmuir and Temkin isotherm models. The adsorption results correlated well with the Langmuir isotherm model ( R2 = 0.987 and 0.964) with maximum adsorption capacities of 76.923 and 83.333 mg∙g –1 for HAC and WAC, respectively, and an equilibrium time within 120 min. The nature of the adsorption of imidacloprid pesticide onto HAC and WAC is exothermic, spontaneous and physical in nature. The two prepared activated carbons (HAC, WAC) were successfully regenerated for three cycles and could be used as an effective and low-cost adsorbent for the removal of IMD pesticide from aqueous solutions. The production of the activated carbons of HAC and WAC will provide minimisation of these wastes in the environment.