Isolation and Characterization of Magnetic Oil Palm Empty Fruits Bunch Cellulose Nanofiber Composite as a Bio-Sorbent for Cu(II) and Cr(VI) Removal

Aina Mardhia Khalid,Norli Ismail,Venugopal Balakrishnan,Muzafar Zulkifli,Md Sohrab Hossain,Nor Afifah Khalil,Ahmad Naim Ahmad Yahaya

doi:10.3390/polym13010112

Aina Mardhia Khalid, Norli Ismail + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/polym13010112

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Journal: Polymers	Publication Date: Dec 30, 2020
Citations: 18	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Universiti Sains Malaysia, University of Kuala Lumpur

Abstract

In the present study, magnetic oil palm empty fruits bunch cellulose nanofiber (M-OPEFB-CNF) composite was isolated by sol-gel method using cellulose nanofiber (CNF) obtained from oil palm empty fruits bunch (OPEFB) and Fe3O4 as magnetite. Several analytical methods were utilized to characterize the mechanical, chemical, thermal, and morphological properties of the isolated CNF and M-OPEFB-CNF. Subsequently, the isolated M-OPEFB-CNF composite was utilized for the adsorption of Cr(VI) and Cu(II) from aqueous solution with varying parameters, such as pH, adsorbent doses, treatment time, and temperature. Results showed that the M-OPEFB-CNF as an effective bio-sorbent for the removal of Cu(II) and Cr(VI) from aqueous solution. The adsorption isotherm modeling revealed that the Freundlich equation better describes the adsorption of Cu(II) and Cr(VI) on M-OPEFB-CNF composite. The kinetics studies revealed the pseudo-second-order kinetics model was a better-described kinetics model for the removal of Cu(II) and Cr(VI) using M-OPEFB-CNF composite as bio-sorbent. The findings of the present study showed that the M-OPEFB-CNF composite has the potential to be utilized as a bio-sorbent for heavy metals removal.

Highlights

Heavy metal contamination in the aquatic environment poses severe environmental pollution concerns worldwide
M-oil palm empty fruits bunch (OPEFB)-cellulose nanofiber (CNF) composite was fabricated by sol-gel method using ionic liquid as a solvent for the absorption of Cr(VI) and Cu(II) from the aqueous solution
The CNF was successfully isolated from OPEFB using the acid hydrolysis process

Summary

Introduction

Heavy metal contamination in the aquatic environment poses severe environmental pollution concerns worldwide. The primary sources of heavy metals in the aquatic environment are industrial activities such as electroplating, tannery, mining operation, battery manufacturing process, pigment and paint production, and glass manufacturing industry [1,2]. Some heavy metals in a micronutrient concentration are essential for many biological activities, heavy metals in higher concentrations can cause toxicity effects due to their non-biodegradable nature and accumulation tendency with living organisms [2]. The presence of Cr(VI) in the aquatic environment may pose a severe threat to aquatic plants and animals [3]. An excessive amount of Cu(II) in the aquatic environment poses a life threat to the fish, algae, and invertebrates [1,4]. Removing heavy metals from the aquatic environment is crucial to preserve human health and the environment

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