Efficient adsorption of diclofenac sodium in water by a novel functionalized cellulose aerogel

Yuancai Lv; Zuxue Liang; Yinghan Li; Yicong Chen; Kaiyang Liu; Guifang Yang; Yifan Liu; Chunxiang Lin; Xiaoxia Ye; Yongqian Shi; Minghua Liu

doi:10.1016/j.envres.2020.110652

Efficient adsorption of diclofenac sodium in water by a novel functionalized cellulose aerogel

Environ Res. 2021 Mar:194:110652. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110652. Epub 2021 Jan 5.

Authors

Yuancai Lv¹, Zuxue Liang², Yinghan Li³, Yicong Chen⁴, Kaiyang Liu⁵, Guifang Yang⁶, Yifan Liu⁷, Chunxiang Lin⁸, Xiaoxia Ye⁹, Yongqian Shi¹⁰, Minghua Liu¹¹

Affiliations

¹ Fujian Provincial Engineering Research Center of Rural Waste Recycling Technology, College of Environment & Resources, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350116, China. Electronic address: yclv@fzu.edu.cn.
² Fujian Provincial Engineering Research Center of Rural Waste Recycling Technology, College of Environment & Resources, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350116, China. Electronic address: lzx0901anm@163.com.
³ School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, 98195, USA. Electronic address: yinghanl2@uw.edu.
⁴ Fujian Provincial Engineering Research Center of Rural Waste Recycling Technology, College of Environment & Resources, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350116, China. Electronic address: 36513799@qq.com.
⁵ Fujian Provincial Engineering Research Center of Rural Waste Recycling Technology, College of Environment & Resources, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350116, China. Electronic address: liukaiyang123@hotmail.com.
⁶ Fujian Provincial Engineering Research Center of Rural Waste Recycling Technology, College of Environment & Resources, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350116, China. Electronic address: 396550322@qq.com.
⁷ Fujian Provincial Engineering Research Center of Rural Waste Recycling Technology, College of Environment & Resources, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350116, China. Electronic address: yfanym@fzu.edu.cn.
⁸ Fujian Provincial Engineering Research Center of Rural Waste Recycling Technology, College of Environment & Resources, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350116, China. Electronic address: lcx2010@fzu.edu.cn.
⁹ Fujian Provincial Engineering Research Center of Rural Waste Recycling Technology, College of Environment & Resources, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350116, China. Electronic address: yexiaoxia@fzu.edu.cn.
¹⁰ Fujian Provincial Engineering Research Center of Rural Waste Recycling Technology, College of Environment & Resources, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350116, China. Electronic address: shiyq1986@fzu.edu.cn.
¹¹ Fujian Provincial Engineering Research Center of Rural Waste Recycling Technology, College of Environment & Resources, Fuzhou University, Fuzhou, 350116, China. Electronic address: mhliu2000@fzu.edu.cn.

PMID: 33417907
DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.110652

Abstract

In this work, a novel cellulose aerogel (CNC-PVAm/rGO) was fabricated using cellulose nanocrystalline (CNC) modified with polyvinylamine (PVAm) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO). The resultant CNC-PVAm/rGO was then applied for the adsorption of diclofenac sodium (DCF), a typical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. Characterization using ultra-high-resolution field emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller surface area revealed that the obtained CNC-PVAm/rGO displayed an evident 3D porous structure, which had an ultralight weight, good recovery, abundant surface functional groups (e.g., -NH₂ and -OH), and rGO nanosheets. In addition, the material presented a stable crystal structure and large specific surface area (105.73 m² g^-1). During the adsorption of DCF, the CNC-PVAm/rGO aerogel showed a rather excellent adsorption performance, with a maximum adsorption capacity (q_max) of 605.87 mg g^-1, which was approximately 53 times larger than that of the bare CNC aerogel (11.45 mg g^-1). The adsorption performance of CNC-PVAm/rGO was also better than that of other reported adsorbents. The adsorption of DCF to CNC-PVAm/rGO obeyed the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models, and underwent a spontaneous exothermic process. Moreover, DCF was easily desorbed from CNC-PVAm/rGO with sodium hydroxide solution (0.1 mol L^-1), and the absorbent could be reused four times. The introduction of PVAm and rGO to the CNC-PVAm/rGO aerogel also greatly enhanced electrostatic interactions, π-π interactions, and hydrophobic effects. These enhancements significantly promoted the hydrogen bonding interactions between the DCF molecules and CNC-PVAm/rGO, thus resulting in a large improvement in the adsorption performance of the aerogel.

Keywords: 3D porous structure; Cellulose aerogel; Modification; Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; Synergy.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adsorption
Cellulose*
Diclofenac*
Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared
Water

Substances

Water
Diclofenac
Cellulose