Abstract
A composite chitosan/nano-activated carbon (CS-NAC) aminated by (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) was prepared in the form of beads and applied for the removal of acetaminophen from aqueous solutions. NAC and APTES concentrations were optimized to obtain a suitable adsorbent structure for enhanced removal of the pharmaceutical. The aminated adsorbent (CS-NAC-APTES beads) prepared with 40% w/w NAC and 2% v/v APTES showed higher adsorption capacity (407.83 mg/g) than CS-NAC beads (278.4 mg/g). Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis demonstrated that the surface area of the CS-NAC-APTES beads was larger than that of CS-NAC beads (1.16 times). The adsorption process was well fitted by the Freundlich model (R2 > 0.95), suggesting a multilayer adsorption. The kinetic study also substantiated that the pseudo-second-order model (R2 > 0.98) was in better agreement with the experimental data. Finally, it was proved that the prepared beads can be recycled (by washing with NaOH solution) at least 5 times before detectable performance loss.
Highlights
In recent years, improved living standards have led to the production, consumption, and release of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) into the environment
chitosan/nano-activated carbon (CS-nano-activated carbons (NACs)) composite beads were prepared through a simple dropwise method
The ACT adsorptive efficiency of CS-NAC beads, prepared with different amounts of NAC, revealed that adsorption of ACT onto the CS-NAC beads was proportional to the amount of NAC
Summary
In recent years, improved living standards have led to the production, consumption, and release of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) into the environment. PPCPs in the environment are considered to be emerging contaminants because of their adverse effects on human health and/or. It has been reported that ACT at high concentrations (>1.8 μg/L) can be toxic to aquatic organisms [4]. Because it cannot be completely metabolized by the human body, extensive use of ACT can cause significant damage to living organisms [1]. Due to its potential risks and adverse effects on living organisms, the presence of ACT in the aquatic environment is a significant problem that needs to be addressed. Cheap adsorbents or highly engineered ones with outstanding properties are being developed for pollutant removal [7,8]
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