Activated Carbon Nanocomposite Research Articles

Batch adsorptive removal of Cr (VI) from aqueous phase using magnetic activated carbon nanocomposite prepared from walnut shells by ZnCl2-FeCl3 activation

ABSTRACT This work aims to assess the physicochemical and adsorptive ability of magnetic activated carbon nanocomposites (MACN) developed from walnut shells (WS) through single-step and dual-step preparation routes utilising ZnCl2-FeCl3 as an activator and magnetising agent for Cr (VI) elimination from the aqueous phase. Synthesis of MACN via a one-step route (MACN1) was achieved through direct activation of WS with ZnCl2-FeCl3. In contrast, the preparation of MACN by dual-steps route (MACN2) was accomplished by carbonising WS at 450°C for 1 h, followed by ZnCl2-FeCl3 activation of the resulting biochar. The N2-adsorption-desorption isotherms, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), Transmittance Electron Microscope (TEM), Fourier Transform Infra-Red spectroscopy (FTIR), and Vibrating Sample Magnetization (VSM), were implemented to characterise the MACN samples. BET surface area of MACN1 was 1780.20 m2/g with an average pore diameter of 1.95 nm compared to 283.62 m2/g and 1.91 nm for MACN2. The VSM, FESEM, and TEM measurements ensured the presence of iron oxide nanoparticles on the surface of the composites. Investigating various operating parameters disclosed that the highest adsorptive elimination (AE) of Cr(VI) from its aqueous phase by MACN1 was 99.66% compared to 97.43% for that achieved using MACN2. The adsorption results were best fitted to the Langmuir isotherm using both composites with maximum adsorption capacity of 233.12 mg/g for MACN1 compared to147.55 mg/g for MACN2, suggesting that the adsorption is homogonous and chemical. Moreover, the pseudo-2nd-order kinetics model exhibited the best match for the adsorption of Cr(VI) by both adsorbents, demonstrating that chemisorption was involved in eliminating Cr(VI) from its aqueous phase. After five repetitions, the regeneration experiments confirmed that the MACN adsorbents maintained a high AE. Based on the findings, the as-prepared composites have extensive potential to be applied on the industrial scale.

Improvement of physical properties of zinc oxide and activated carbon nanocomposite for use in supercapacitor electrode

Improvement of physical properties of zinc oxide and activated carbon nanocomposite for use in supercapacitor electrode

Biomass-derived activated carbon nanocomposites with multicolor photoluminescence

In this research work, synthesis, structural, and optical properties of activated carbon (AC) and AC/metal oxide nanocomposites (AC/ZnO and AC/Fe3O4) have been studied. Uniformly distributed metal oxide in AC (AC/ZnO and AC/Fe3O4) nanocomposites were obtained by a single-step impregnation-carbonization method, using bamboo as the biomass precursor, ZnCl2, and FeCl3 as chemical activating agents. The microstructural evolutions and optical characteristics of AC, and the composites have been investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Both AC and composites exhibited broad photoluminescence (PL) emissions in the visible region. The PL emissions at 462 and 603 nm by AC were due to the radiative recombination of electron-hole pairs generated by sp2 sites embedded in the sp3 matrix. However, two new emission centers in addition to the above appeared at 520 and 560 nm, in both AC/ZnO and AC/Fe3O4 nanocomposites. The study suggests that metal oxide formation in composites led to a new sp2 cluster formation with a new energy band resulting in two additional emission centers in the green light region. This work provides a simple, cost-effective, and efficient way to develop broadband luminescent materials in visible regions with potential optical and sensing applications.

Efficient adsorptive removal of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) using biomass derived magnetic activated carbon nanocomposite in synthetic and simulated agricultural runoff water

This study focused on evaluating the efficacy of a magnetic activated carbon material (CPAC@Fe3O4) derived from pods of copper pod tree in adsorbing the toxic herbicide, 2,4- (2,4-D) from aqueous solutions. The synthesized CPAC@Fe3O4 adsorbent, underwent various characterization techniques. FESEM images indicated a rough surface, incorporating iron oxide nanoparticles, while EDS analysis confirmed the presence of elements like Fe, O, and C. Notably, the CPAC@Fe3O4 exhibited high surface area (749.10 m2/g) and pore volume (0.5351 cm³/g), confirming its mesoporous nature. XRD investigations identified distinct signals associated with graphitic carbon and magnetite nanoparticles, while VSM analysis verified its magnetic properties with a high magnetic saturation value (2.72 emu/g). The adsorption process was exothermic, with a decrease in adsorption capacity at higher temperatures. Freundlich isotherm provided the best fit for the adsorption, and the pseudo-second-order equation effectively described the kinetics. Remarkably, the maximum adsorption capacity ranged from 246.43 to 261.03 mg/g, surpassing previously reported values. The ΔH° value (−8.67 kJ/mol) suggested a physisorption mechanism, and the negative ΔG° values established the spontaneous nature. Furthermore, the synthesized adsorbent demonstrated exceptional reusability, allowing for up to five cycles of adsorption-desorption operations. When applied to simulated agricultural runoff, CPAC@Fe3O4 showcased a significant adsorption capacity of 160.71 mg/g for 50 mg/L 2,4-D, using a 0.2 g/L dosage at pH 2. This study showcased the transformation of copper pod biomass into a valuable magnetic nanoadsorbent capable of efficiently eliminating the noxious 2,4-D pollutant from aqueous environments.

Preparation of Co-doped TiO2 activated carbon nanocomposite and its photocatalytic degradation of phenol wastewater

Co-doped TiO2 supported on activated carbon (CT@AC) nanocomposite was prepared via a hydrothermal approach. The nanocomposite was characterized by various analytical methods like FT-IR, UV–vis DRS, SEM-EDX, photoluminescence (PL) and XRD. The visible light active nanocomposite was utilized for the degradation of phenol from an aqueous solution. The findings suggested that the introduction of Co2+ ions enhances the photocatalytic activity under visible light, enhances the surface area of the nanocomposite, decreases the bandgap energy, reduces recombination rate, and enhances the efficiency of transferring photogenerated electrons. The degradation efficiency with 0.35 g of the Co-doped TiO2/Activated carbon nanocomposite was found to have a catalytic rate of ∼100 % for 20 mgL−1 phenol solution.

Enhancement of filtration performance and antifouling properties of polyethersulfone membranes using Fe3O4@walnut shell-derived activated carbon nanocomposite for heavy metal ions removal

Effective water treatment methods are required owing to heavy metal ion contamination. The phase inversion approach was employed in this work to prepare antifouling polyethersulfone (PES)/Fe3O4@activated walnut shell carbon (AWSC) nanofiltration membranes to reject heavy metal ions. Characterization techniques for Fe3O4@AWSC nanoparticle (NP) included FT-IR, DLS-ZP, XRD, SEM, EDS mapping, BET, and VSM analyses. Also, SEM, EDS mapping, XRD, AFM, Zeta potential, and water contact angle investigations were utilized to characterize the synthesized membranes. The modified membranes' hydrophilicity and porosity were observed to have improved. To affirm the presence of mesoporous Fe3O4@AWSC in the membrane matrix, EDS mapping, SEM, and AFM studies were used. It was also confirmed how the membrane's characteristics and performance were influenced by the existence of mesoporous Fe3O4@AWSC. The mixed matrix membrane made of a 0.5 wt% mesoporous Fe3O4@AWSC demonstrated a high pure water flow of 72.19 L/m2 h, a flux recovery ratio of 71.66%, and a desired rejection of over 98% against Cu2+, Pb2+, and Zn2+. The 0.5 wt% NP membrane had a noticeably improved surface hydrophilicity, which promoted successful antifouling performance. The results demonstrate that a mixed-matrix antifouling Fe3O4@AWSC membrane is highly effective in eliminating heavy metal ions.

Development of nickel vanadium-impregnated activated carbon nanocomposites for electrocatalytic conversion of furfural into fuels

Abstract Furfural, derived from biomass, is crucial for achieving carbon neutrality through biomass utilization. It can be converted into furfuryl alcohol and other valuable components used in the chemical industry. Electrochemical methods offer improved selectivity in the conversion of furfural under mild conditions compared to traditional hydrogenation. This study investigates the electrocatalytic conversion of furfural using a hydrothermally synthesized nickel-vanadium-impregnated activated carbon catalyst. The developed catalysts were characterized by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The as-developed catalyst was used to synthesize electrodes for the electrochemical conversion of furfural. The behavior was investigated using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and linear sweep voltammetry. The study optimized the Ni:V ratio, applied voltages, electrolyte molarity and reaction time and found that a Ni:V ratio of 1:1 resulted in maximum furfural conversion. The Ag/AgCl cathode at −0.9 V showed a low reaction rate, thus requiring higher voltages for efficient conversion. LC-UV-ESI MS analysis of the cathode half-reaction revealed the formation of a nitrogen-containing compound, likely stemming from the reaction between furfural and acetonitrile under the influence of the catalyst. This study demonstrates the effectiveness of NiV/AC catalysts in the electrocatalytic conversion of furfural, with a conversion rate of 90% and a faradaic efficiency of around 30% at −1.3 V. Furthermore, a plausible reaction mechanism was proposed.

Activated carbon and their nanocomposites derived from vegetable and fruit residues for water treatment

Water pollution remains a pressing environmental issue, with diverse pollutants such as heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, dyes, and aromatic hydrocarbon compounds posing a significant threat to clean water access. Historically, biomass-derived activated carbons (ACs) have served as effective adsorbents for water treatment, owing to their inherent porosity and expansive surface area. Nanocomposites have emerged as a means to enhance the absorption properties of ACs, surpassing conventional AC performance. Biomass-based activated carbon nanocomposites (ACNCs) hold promise due to their high surface area and cost-effectiveness. This review explores recent advancements in biomass-based ACNCs, emphasizing their remarkable adsorption efficiencies and paving the way for future research in developing efficient and affordable ACNCs. Leveraging real-time communication for ACNC applications presents a viable approach to addressing cost concerns.

Cobalt molybdate nanoflowers decorated bio-waste derived porous activated carbon nanocomposite: A high performance electrode material for supercapacitors

In this work, we report a supercapacitor electrode material based on nano-flower like cobalt molybdate decorated on porous activated carbon derived from waste onion peels (β-CoMoO4-POAC). The obtained POAC exhibits highly porous structure and after the hydrothermal treatment with salts of cobalt and molybdenum, we observed a uniform distribution of β-cobalt molybdate (β-CoMoO4) as nano-flowers on the surface of POAC. The chemical composition, morphology and porosity of the materials were thoroughly analyzed using field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, infrared spectroscopy and Brunauer–Emmet–Teller surface area measurement. Due to its flower like and highly porous morphology, β-CoMoO4@POAC exhibits a high specific capacitance of 1110.72 F/g at a current density of 1 mA/cm2 with superior cyclic retention of 96.03% after 2000 cycles. The best electrochemical performance exhibited by β-CoMoO4@POAC is mainly due to its high surface area and porous nature of the material which assists in active transport of ions. This study reveals the exceptional electrochemical properties of β-CoMoO4@POAC which could be considered as a potential material for advanced energy storage devices.

Polypyrrole Modified Granular Activated Carbon Nanocomposite for Treatment of Wastewater Containing Highly Toxic Hexavalent Chromium

AbstractThis study explored the fabrication of Polypyrrole (PPy) and Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) composites (PPy‐GAC) for effective removal of toxic hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) from aqueous solutions. Two synthesis methods are employed: (1) electrostatic deposition of PPy onto pre‐charged GAC paper and (2) in‐situ chemical polymerization of pyrrole monomer with GAC particles. Batch adsorption experiments investigated the impact of various operational parameters on Cr(VI) removal. Compared to pristine GAC (54.64 mg g−1), the PPy‐GAC composite exhibited a remarkable 3‐fold increase in equilibrium adsorption capacity, reaching 175.44 mg g−1. Pseudo‐second‐order kinetic model (R2 > 0.999) accurately described the adsorption kinetics, while the Langmuir isotherm model (R2 > 0.99) provided a good fit for the equilibrium data. Maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) increased with temperature, reaching 204.08, 243.90, and 270.27 mg g−1 at 298, 308, and 318 K, respectively. Furthermore, a fixed‐bed column experiment examined the composite's effectiveness in continuous Cr(VI) removal, demonstrating its suitability for practical applications. Notably, the PPy‐GAC composite successfully removed Cr(VI) from a real wastewater sample containing 68 µg L−1 Cr(VI) obtained from a ferrochrome industry, highlighting its potential for real‐world remediation.

Synthesis and characterization of iron oxide-commercial activated carbon nanocomposite for removal of hexavalent chromium (Cr6+) ions and Mordant Violet 40 (MV40) dye

Iron Oxide-commercial activated carbon nanocomposite (CAC-IO) was prepared from commercial activated carbon (CAC) by the co-precipitation method, and the resulting nanocomposite was used as an adsorbent to remove hexavalent chromium (Cr6+) ions and Mordant Violet 40 (MV40) dye from wastewater. The produced materials (CAC, CAC after oxidation, and CAC-IO) were comparatively characterized using FTIR, BET, SEM, EDX TEM, VSM, and XRD techniques. The adsorption mechanism of Cr6+ ions and MV40 dye on CAC-IO was examined using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models.. Different models were applied to know the adsorption mechanism and it was obtained that Pseudo-second order fits the experimental data better. This means that the adsorption of the adsorbate on the nanocomposite was chemisorption. The maximum removal percent of Cr6+ ions by CAC-IO nanocomposite was 98.6% determined as 2 g L–1 adsorbent concentration, 100 mg L–1 initial pollutant concentration, solution pH = 1.6, the contact time was 3 h and the temperature was room temperature. The maximum removal percentage of Mordant Violet 40 dye (C.I. 14,745) from its solutions by CAC-IO nanocomposite was 99.92% in 100 mg L–1 of initial dye concentrations, 1.0 g L–1 of adsorbent concentration, solution pH = 2.07, the contact time was 3 h. The MV40 dye adsorption on CAC-IO was the most fitted to the Freundlich isotherm model. The maximum adsorption capacity was calculated according to the Langmuir model as 833.3 mg g–1 at 2 g L–1 of adsorbent concentration and 400 mg L–1 of initial MV40 dye concentration. The Cr6+ ions adsorption on CAC-IO was more fitted to the Freundlich model with Qmax, equal to 312.50 mg g–1 at 1 g L–1 adsorbent concentration and 400 mg L–1 of Cr6+ ions initial concentrations.

Uric acid quantification via colorimetric detection utilizing silver oxide-modified activated carbon nanoparticles functionalized with ionic liquid.

Uric acid (UA) is a significant indicator of human health because it is linked to several diseases, including renal failure, kidney stones, arthritis, and gout. Uric acid buildup in the joints is the source of chronic and painful diseases. When UA is present in large quantities, it causes tissue injury in the joints that are afflicted. In this research, silver oxide-doped activated carbon nanoparticles were synthesized and then functionalized with an ionic liquid. The synthesized nanomaterial assembly was employed as a colorimetric sensing platform for uric acid. Activated carbon offers a large internal surface area that acts as a good carrier for catalytic reactions. A salt-melting approach was used to synthesize the silver oxide-doped activated carbon nanocomposite. The synthesis was confirmed through various techniques, such as UV-vis spectrophotometer, FTIR, XRD, SEM, and EDX. The colorimetric change from blue-green to colorless was observed with the naked eye and confirmed by UV-vis spectroscopy. To obtain the best colorimetric change, several parameters, such as pH, capped NP loading, TMB concentration, hydrogen peroxide concentration, and time, were optimized. The optimized experimental conditions for the proposed sensor were pH 4 with 35 μL of NPs, a 40 mM TMB concentration, and a 4 minutes incubation time. The sensor linear range is 0.001-0.36 μM, with an R2 value of 0.999. The suggested sensor limits of detection and quantification are 0.207 and 0.69 nM, respectively. Potential interferers, such as ethanol, methanol, urea, Ca2+, K+, and dopamine, did not affect the detection of uric acid.

Electrochemical performances and Li+-storage mechanism of highly proportional 1T-MoS2/hierarchical porous activated carbon nanocomposites

The metallic phase of molybdenum disulfide (1T-MoS2) shows distinct advantages for lithium storage owing to its superior electronic conductivity, abundance of electroactive sites, and wider interplanar spacing compared to the semiconducting phase (2H-MoS2). However, investigating lithium storage in 1T-MoS2 encounters significant challenges attributed to its thermodynamic instability during synthesis and its transformation to an amorphous structure following the irreversible conversion reaction. This study addresses these challenges by utilizing hierarchical porous activated carbon (HPAC) to achieve the highest reported proportion (85 %) of 1T-MoS2 and by restricting the potential window to induce selective intercalation reaction. Impressively, 1T-MoS2/HPAC anodes exhibit a reversible capacity that surpasses the theoretical capacity (167 mAh/g) at various current densities from 0.1 to 2.0 A/g. This superior performance extends even after 100 cycles, retaining a capacity of 276 mAh/g at 0.1 A/g. The kinetic analysis indicates that the additional capacity originated from non-Faradic lithium storage, reaching 96 % at 5.0 mV/s. Further studies employing ex-situ XRD and in-situ EIS at various lithiation depths unveil the formation of a novel permanent phase after lithiation, characterized by expanded interlayer spacing and improved conductivity compared to the un-lithiated material. These findings open promising avenues for developing anode materials for lithium-ion batteries/capacitors applications.

Green synthesis of AC/ZnO nanocomposites for adsorptive removal of organic dyes from aqueous solution

In the current study, a facile and green route for synthesis zinc oxide supported activated carbon nanocomposites (AC/ZnO) using Pontederia crassipes leaves has been conducted. The synthesized ZnO/AC nanocomposites have been obtained as adsorbents to remove Malachite Green (MG) and Congo Red (CR) dyes after characterization via XRD, FTIR, FE-SEM, EDX, BET-BJH, TEM and Raman spectroscopy techniques. The influence of five parameters such as time, adsorbent dosage, solution pH, dye concentration and temperature has been optimized as batch experiments. The results showed that the ZnO/AC (10 %) nanocomposite showed the better removal efficiency of 98.87 % for CR and 99.23 % for MG with an estimated maximum adsorption capacity of 987.77 mg/g for CR and 74.36 mg/g for MG. The Freundlich, Halsey isotherms (R2 = 0.9969 for CR and 0.9842 for MG) and pseudo-second-order (R2 = 0.9996 for CR and = 0.9997 for MG) models were most appropriate in the description of the adsorption process. These findings confirmed that ZnO/AC fabricated via green approach is an efficient adsorbent for the removal of cationic and anionic dyes and could possibly be used for the treatment of other industrial textile effluents.

Development of artificial intelligence-based models for prediction of vanadium adsorption onto activated carbon nanocomposites

Due to environmental concerns and economic value, the adsorption process is one of the suitable methods to separate vanadium from wastewater. In this study, two artificial intelligence models, including an adaptive neuro fuzzy inference system and group method of data handling, were successfully implemented to model the vanadium adsorption process with activated carbon nanocomposites. In the developed smart models, initial pH, contact time, and iron nanoparticle concentration were selected as input variables, and vanadium adsorption was chosen as the target parameter. In order to accomplish modeling, experimental data were extracted from our previous study and utilized to develop artificial intelligence-based models. For the neuro fuzzy approach, the average absolute relative deviation (AARD) and coefficient of determination (R2) were 2.45 % and 0.9858, respectively. The values of AARD and R2 for the group method of data handling technique were obtained 5.06 % and 0.9567, respectively. These results indicated the high accuracy of both intelligent models in predicting vanadium adsorption efficiency with activated carbon nanoparticles. Moreover, the comparison of the proposed smart approaches with the mechanism-based models, revealed the superiority of the neuro fuzzy model in predicting vanadium adsorption.

Biomass-derived activated carbon nanocomposites for cleaner production: A review on aspects of photocatalytic pollutant degradation

Nowadays, water contamination resulting from the disposal of industrial and urban waste poses a significant threat to marine life and human. Hence, providing an effective treatment approach to reduce the total cost and duration of the wastewater treatment process is crucial. Although the adsorption and photocatalysis methods show superb potential for removing hazardous pollutants from water, their combination through a suitable synthesis route is one of the most effective ways to overcome their limitations. Activated carbon (AC) significantly accelerates the rate of pollutant degradation for AC-based photocatalysts compared to bare photocatalysts because of its ability to increase the number of attachment sites, strengthen the interaction between pollutants and photocatalysts, and facilitate rapid electron transfer to prevent electron or hole recombination. This study aims to investigate four main objectives: 1) evaluating key parameters to enhance the surface characterization of AC-derived from lignocellulosic sources using physical and chemical techniques; 2) Surveying various approaches for synthesizing AC-based photocatalysts; 3) explaining the mechanism of photocatalytic degradation of pollutants and the operating parameters in the wastewater treatment process; and 4) providing an overview of the opportunities, challenges, suggestions, and potential future outlooks. Future studies should focus on understanding the structural properties of AC to design effective photocatalytic systems for degrading hazardous contaminants. Generally, AC-based nanocomposites reduce both process costs and duration and promote environmental sustainability by effectively eliminating pollutants.

Biogenic ZVI-banana peel activated carbon nanocomposite: Green fabrication and its application for Cr(VI) and nitrate removal

A green synthesized zero valent iron (ZVI) and a physically activated carbon derived from banana peel waste (BPAC) were co-precipitated to fabricate a composite adsorbent (ZVI-BPAC). Fe-SEM and TEM studies reveal the better dispersion of the nano-particles of the composite, lesser particle aggregation and smaller nano-sized dimension as compared to that for the ZVI. Biogenic nature of the composite is indicated by its surface chemical composition (C: 55%; Fe: 24%; O: 19%) as evident from EDAX studies. FTIR studies confirm the successful fabrication of ZVI particles onto the surface of the BPAC. The composite demonstrated good potential for the removal of both Cr(VI) (74%) and NO3– (48.5%) from aqueous medium. The adsorptive removal process was pH dependent with maximum removal occurring at pH 3 at an optimum contact time of 30 mins using a dosage of 0.7 g/L and from an initial adsorbate concentration of 20 mg/L. The study reveals the application of a novel green fabrication process for the development of a biogenic nanocomposite. ZVI-BPAC demonstrated good potential for the significant removal of Cr(VI) and NO3– from aqueous solution.

Superior catalytic effect of titania - porous carbon composite for the storage of hydrogen in MgH2 and lithium in a Li ion battery

A novel nanocomposite (0.2TiO2 + AC) with two promising applications is demonstrated, (i) as an additive for promoting hydrogen storage in magnesium hydride, (ii) as an active electrode material for hosting lithium in Li ion batteries (surface area of activated carbon (AC): 491 m2/g, pore volume: 0.252 cc/g, size of TiO2 particles: 20–30 nm). Transmission electron microscopy study provides evidence that well dispersed TiO2 nanoparticles are enclosed by amorphous carbon nets. A thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC) study proves that the nanocomposite is thermally stable up to ∼400 °C. Volumetric hydrogen storage tests and DSC studies further prove that a 3 wt% of 0.2TiO2+AC nanocomposite as additive not only lowers the dehydrogenation temperature of MgH2 over 100 °C but also maintains the performance consistency. Moreover, as a working electrode for Li ion battery, 0.2TiO2+AC offers a reversible capacity of 400 mAh/g at the charge/discharge rate of 0.1C and consistent stability up to 43 cycles with the capacity retention of 160 mAh/g at 0.4C. Such cost effective-high performance materials with applications in two promising areas of energy storage are highly desired for progressing towards sustainable energy development.

Copper and Magnetic Activated Carbon Nanocomposites: Application as Recoverable Catalyst for C-S Coupling Reaction.

In this study, activated carbon (AC) was prepared from pistachio nut shell precursor as agricultural by-product. The prepared AC was used to synthesize an efficient nanocomposite via loading of the copper metal and magnetic nanoparticles (Cu-MAC@C4H8SO3H NCs) onto its structure. The structure of the nanocatalyst was characterized by different methods such as FT-IR, TEM, EDS, XRD, VSM, and TGA analysis. The catalytic activity of the prepared composite was tested in a special C-S coupling, namely with the reaction of 2-mercapto-3-phenylquinazolin-4(3H)-one with iodobenzene or bromobenzene. The products of the aryl thioquinazoline derivatives were obtained in good yields and in short reaction times and the products were characterized with 1H, 13C NMR and CHNS analysis. On the other hand, with easy and high recovery of Cu-MAC@C4H8SO3H NCs through magnetic separation, a simple and green method to enhance the efficiency of the nanocatalyst has been provided. The nanocatalyst was reused in the next reaction in up to five cycles without obvious activity decrease.

Preparation of Fe3O4/vine shoots derived activated carbon nanocomposite for improved removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions

In this study, Fe3O4/activated carbon nanocomposite was successfully synthesized for removal of Chromium from aqueous solutions. The Fe3O4 nanoparticles were decorated on vine shoots-derived activated carbon using co-precipitation method. The atomic absorption spectrometer was used to evaluate the removal of Chromium ions by the prepared adsorbent. The effect of various parameters such as adsorbent dose, pH, contact time, reusability, electric field, and initial Chromium concentration were examined to find the optimum conditions. According to the results, the synthesized nanocomposite showed a high ability to remove Chromium at an optimized pH of 3. At optimum conditions, a high removal efficiency of 90% and an excellent adsorption capacity of 305.30 mg/g was obtained. In addition, adsorption isotherms and adsorption kinetics were studied in this research. The results showed that the data are well fitted with the Freundlich isotherm and the adsorption process is spontaneous and follows the pseudo-second-order model.