Granite-MWCNTs nanocomposite coated with Dialium guineense stem bark extract for enhanced adsorption of chromium(VI)

Abstract

ABSTRACT The prominent benefit of granite is owned to its physicochemical property and ubiquitous nature. Vast application of granite which also includes its use as an adsorbent in environmental remediation practice, can also be enhanced. To further enhanced the uptake capacity of granite, nanocomposite consisting of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and granite was fabricated and further modified using Dialiumguineensestem bark extract. The structure and composition of pristine granite (PG) and modified nanocomposite granite (G) based material were examined and confirmed by the FTIR, Raman, TGA, SEM and XRD. Meanwhile, the specific surface areasof PG (1.268 m2/g) and G (16.57 m2/g) were obtained using the BET surface area analyser. The optimization step revealed that the uptake capacities of PG and G were dependent on solution pH, sorbent dose and contact time. Meanwhile, pseudo-second-order and Elovich kinetic models were noticed to best describe the data for the removal of Cr (VI) by PG and G. Equilibrium isotherm study revealed that Freundlich and Langmuir models fitted well to the experimental data obtained for the uptake of Cr(VI) onto PG and G respectively. Furthermore, electrostaticattraction betweentheDialiumguineense stem bark extract on the surface of G and Cr(VI) influenced the uptake of Cr(VI). On the other hand, the interaction between the plant extract and Cr(VI) may result in the attenuation of Cr(VI) via reduction to Cr(III). Finally, the thermodynamically favoured adsorptive process demonstrated high adsorbent reusability with good stability for Cr(VI) uptake.