A clean approach for functionalized carbon nanotubes by deep eutectic solvents and their performance in the adsorption of methyl orange from aqueous solution

Rusul Khaleel Ibrahim; Ahmed El-Shafie; Lai Sai Hin; Nuruol Syuhadaa Binti Mohd; Mustafa Mohammed Aljumaily; Shaliza Ibraim; Mohammed Abdulhakim AlSaadi

doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.01.070

A clean approach for functionalized carbon nanotubes by deep eutectic solvents and their performance in the adsorption of methyl orange from aqueous solution

J Environ Manage. 2019 Apr 1:235:521-534. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.01.070. Epub 2019 Feb 1.

Authors

Rusul Khaleel Ibrahim¹, Ahmed El-Shafie², Lai Sai Hin², Nuruol Syuhadaa Binti Mohd², Mustafa Mohammed Aljumaily³, Shaliza Ibraim², Mohammed Abdulhakim AlSaadi⁴

Affiliations

¹ Department of Civil Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia. Electronic address: rusulkha@um.edu.my.
² Department of Civil Engineering, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia.
³ Nanotechnology & Catalysis Research Centre (NANOCAT), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur 50603, Malaysia.
⁴ National Chair of Materials Science and Metallurgy, University of Nizwa, Oman.

PMID: 30716672
DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2019.01.070

Abstract

In this study two deep eutectic solvents (DESs) were prepared using ethylene glycol (EG) and two different ammonium-based salts. The potential of these DESs as novel agents for CNTs functionalization was examined by performing a comprehensive characterization study to identify the changes developing after the functionalization process. The impact of DESs was obvious by increasing the surface area of CNTs to reach 197.8 (m²/g), and by adding new functional groups to CNTs surface without causing any damage to the unique structure of CNTs. Moreover, CNTs functionalized with DESs were applied as new adsorbents for the removal of methyl orange (MO) from water. The adsorption conditions were optimized using RSM-CCD experimental design. The kinetics and the equilibrium adsorption data were analyzed using different kinetic and isotherm models. According to the regression results, adsorption kinetics data were well described by pseudo-second order model, whereas adsorption isotherm data were best represented by Langmuir isotherm model. The highest recorded maximum adsorption capacity (q_max) value was found to be 310.2 mg/g.

Keywords: Adsorption; Carbon nanotubes; Deep eutectic solvents; Methyl orange.

MeSH terms

Adsorption
Azo Compounds
Kinetics
Nanotubes, Carbon*
Solvents
Water Pollutants, Chemical*
Water Purification*

Substances

Azo Compounds
Nanotubes, Carbon
Solvents
Water Pollutants, Chemical
methyl orange