Removal of toxic dye from dye-laden wastewater using a new nanocomposite material: Isotherm, kinetics and adsorption mechanism

Wasim Akram Shaikh; Abhishek Kumar; Sukalyan Chakraborty; Mu Naushad; Rafique Ul Islam; Tanushree Bhattacharya; Saugata Datta

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136413

Removal of toxic dye from dye-laden wastewater using a new nanocomposite material: Isotherm, kinetics and adsorption mechanism

Chemosphere. 2022 Dec;308(Pt 2):136413. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136413. Epub 2022 Sep 11.

Authors

Wasim Akram Shaikh¹, Abhishek Kumar², Sukalyan Chakraborty³, Mu Naushad⁴, Rafique Ul Islam⁵, Tanushree Bhattacharya², Saugata Datta⁶

Affiliations

¹ Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology, Jharkhand, 835215, India; Department of Basic Sciences, School of Science and Technology, The Neotia University, Sarisha, South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, 743368, India. Electronic address: wasim.bu12@gmail.com.
² Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology, Jharkhand, 835215, India.
³ Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Birla Institute of Technology, Jharkhand, 835215, India. Electronic address: sukalyanchakraborty@bitmesra.ac.in.
⁴ Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia.
⁵ Department of Chemistry, Mahatma Gandhi Central University, Motihari, Bihar, 845401, India.
⁶ Department of Geology, Kansas State University, 104 Thompson Hall, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA.

PMID: 36103924
DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136413

Abstract

In this study, (hemi)cellulosic biochar-based environment-friendly non-toxic nanocomposite (nAg-AC) was fabricated for an inordinate overlook of toxic dye-laden wastewater depollution. This hybrid nanocomposite grafted with silver nanoparticles, numerous hydroxyl and π-bond containing functional groups exhibited outstanding physicochemical properties. FESEM images indicated the heterogeneous porous structure of nAg-AC, while BET analysis revealed mesoporous property with a significant increment of overall surface area (132%). Imbedding of silver nanoparticles and the presence of multiple hydroxyl groups was evident from the XRD and XPS spectrum. Further, the TGA result indicated excellent thermal stability, and FTIR analysis suggested the involvement of surface functional groups like -OH, =C = O, =NH, =C = C = , and -CH in Rhodamine B (RhB) adsorption. The adsorbent matrix provided the overall mechanical strength and facilitated recycling, while the functional matrix (biochar) provided the adsorptive locus for augmented RhB adsorption efficiency (92.77%). Experiments pertaining to adsorption isotherms and kinetics modeling suggested that RhB was removed through multilayer chemisorption on the heterogeneous nAg-AC surface. The main RhB adsorption mechanism included cumulative efforts of H-bindings, π-π stacking interaction, pore-filling, and electrostatic interactions. The nAg-AC maintained mechanical robustness with significant RhB adsorption even after three consecutive regeneration cycles signifying facile recycling. The nAg-AC displayed an outstanding efficacy for the real industrial wastewater depollution, indicating high effectiveness for practical environmental applications. Finally, the cost analysis (incorporating economic, environmental, and social dimensions) suggested a significant role of the nAg-AC in promoting and establishing sustainable development with the circular economy.

Keywords: Adsorption; Algal biomass; Biochar-based nanocomposite; Circular economy; Wastewater treatment.

MeSH terms

Adsorption
Charcoal
Kinetics
Metal Nanoparticles*
Nanocomposites* / chemistry
Silver / analysis
Wastewater / chemistry
Water Pollutants, Chemical* / analysis

Substances

Waste Water
Water Pollutants, Chemical
biochar
Charcoal
Silver