Removal of 2,6-dichlorophenol by adsorption with activated polypropylene nanofiber

Abstract

2,6-Dichlorophenol is an organochloride of phenol and it is considered one of the emerging pollutants in wastewater due to its extreme corrosive nature and toxicity even at low concentrations. Melt-blown activated polypropylene (PP) nanofiber is a polymeric adsorbent and it is used to investigate the removal of 2,6-dichlorophenol. The high surface-to-volume ratio, high porosity, low surface energy, low density, and excellent mechanical characteristics of melt-blown PP nanofiber make it a suitable adsorbent. On the removal efficiency of 2,6-dichlorphenol, the influence of the initial concentration of 2,6-dichlorphenol, the weight of PP nanofiber utilized, temperature, and pH of solution were examined. The Langmuir model, with a maximum adsorption capacity of 44.44 mg/g, was found to be the best match for the adsorption isotherm. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy were used to examine melt-blown PP nanofiber before and after adsorption (FTIR). Through SEM images, it was proven that the average diameter of PP nanofiber after adsorption had increased up to 7.93 μm. Furthermore, the existence of phenolic chemicals on the surface of PP nanofiber is confirmed by FTIR analysis spectra. The pseudo-first-order model matched the kinetic data nicely.