Removal of zinc oxide nanoparticles in aqueous environment using functionalized sorbents derived from sago waste

Droepenu Eric, Kwabena and Wee, Boon Siong and Chin, Suk Fun and Kok, Kuan Ying (2023) Removal of zinc oxide nanoparticles in aqueous environment using functionalized sorbents derived from sago waste. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 20. pp. 2517-2538. ISSN 1735-2630

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Abstract

The increase in sago processing industries especially in Malaysia has inadvertently created its waste efect on the environment. The study therefore modifed the raw sago waste residue (hampas) generated by three (3) chemical processes; esterifcation, acetylation and phosphorylation. The as-prepared sorbents were characterized by surface area analyser (BET), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, feld emission-scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Thereafter, their sorption efciencies were evaluated on zinc oxide nanoparticles in lake water in a laboratory-scaled column-bed sorption study. Spectra analysis confrmed the presence of ester and ether functionality in the esterifed and acetylated samples, whereas phosphoric ester and amine functionality were present in the phosphorylated sample. The acetylated sample recorded the largest surface area (29.02 m2 /g) and degree of substitution (1.99). The experimental data established that acetylated sago residue recorded the maximum column capacity of 4.50 mg/g in all the parameters examined. Meanwhile, increase in infuent concentration (1.51–5.04 mg/L) and fow rate (4.20–6.60 ml/min) decreased the breakthrough time while increase in column-bed height (3–7 cm) increased the breakthrough time for the three sorbents. However, Adams–Bohart model adequately described the behaviour of the sorption process better than Thomas and Yoon–Nelson models. The results suggested that acetylated sago residue is potentially scalable for removing zinc oxide nanoparticles from water.

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