Júlio C.P. de Melo

Kinetics and thermodynamics of textile dye adsorption from aqueous solutions using babassu coconut mesocarp

Extracted babassu coconut (Orbignya speciosa) mesocarp (BCM) was applied as a biosorbent for aqueous Blue Remazol R160 (BR 160), Rubi S2G (R S2G), Red Remazol 5R (RR 5), Violet Remazol 5R (VR 5) and Indanthrene Olive Green (IOG) dye solutions. The natural sorbent was processed batchwise while varying several system parameters such as stirring time, pH and temperature. The interactions were assayed with respect to both pseudo-first-order and second-order reaction kinetics, with the latter the more suitable kinetic model. The maximum adsorption was obtained at pH 1.0 for all dyes due to available anionic groups attached to the structures, which can be justified by pH(pzc) 6.7 for the biosorbent BCM. The ability of babassu coconut mesocarp to adsorb dyes gave the order R S2G>VR 5>BR 160>IOG>RR 5, which data were best fit to Freundlich model, but did not well-adjusted for all dyes. The dye/biopolymer interactions at the solid/liquid interface are all spontaneous as given by free Gibbs energy, with exothermic enthalpic values of -26.1, -15.8, -17.8, -15.8 and -23.7 kJ mol(-1) for BR 160, R S2G, RR 5, IOG and VR 5, respectively. In spite of the negative entropic values contribution, the set of thermodynamic data is favorable for all dyes removal. However, the results pointed to the effectiveness of the mesocarp of babassu coconut as a biosorbent for removing textile dyes from aqueous solutions.

Adsorption of chromium (VI) ion from aqueous solution by succinylated mercerized cellulose functionalized with quaternary ammonium groups

Succinylated mercerized cellulose (cell 1) was used to synthesize an anion exchange resin. Cell 1, containing carboxylic acid groups was reacted with triethylenetetramine to introduce amine functionality to this material to obtain cell 2. Cell 2 was reacted with methyl-iodide to quaternize the amine groups from this material to obtain cell 3. Cells 2 and 3 were characterized by mass percent gain, degree of amination and quaternization, FTIR and CHN. Cells 2 and 3 showed degrees of amination and quaternization of 2.8 and 0.9 mmol/g and nitrogen content of 6.07% and 2.13%, respectively. Cell 3 was used for Cr (VI) adsorption studies. Adsorption equilibrium time and optimum pH for Cr (VI) adsorption were found to be 300 min and 3.1, respectively. The Langmuir isotherm was used to model adsorption equilibrium data. The adsorption capacity of cell 3 was found to be 0.829 mmol/g. Kinetic studies showed that the rate of adsorption of Cr (VI) on cell 3 obeyed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model.

Cation removal using cellulose chemically modified by a Schiff base procedure applying green principles

Pentane-2,4-dione (acetylacetone) molecules were covalently incorporated under several different conditions to ethylene-1,2-diamine (en)-modified cellulose, using polar solvents or without solvents. The quantitative amount of en incorporated was given from 0.37+/-0.01 to 3.03+/-0.01 mmol of nitrogen per gram of cellulose, depending on the synthetic routes and after Schiff base formation this percentage was reduced by 1.38-6.12%. The synthetic routes indicated that lower solvent volumes produced higher amounts of en incorporation. However, the highest degree of pendant groups on the polymeric cellulose structure was obtained from a solvent-free reaction route. This procedure was applied for synthesizing all Schiff bases, causing a decrease in the amount of nitrogen. The available basic centers on the best covalently bonded biopolymer were investigated for adsorption of divalent copper, cobalt, nickel, and zinc from aqueous solution, with a capacity order of Cu2+ > Co2+ > Ni2+ > Zn2+.

Immobilization of ethylenesulfide on babassu coconut epicarp and mesocarp for divalent cation sorption

A new synthetic methodology route consisted in reacting the natural babassu coconut mesocarp (BCM) and babassu coconut epicarp (BCE) with ethylenesufide, for adding basic sulfur centers in pendant chains that possess high potential activity for coordinating divalent cations from aqueous solution. All biomaterials were characterized by elemental analysis, infrared (IR), (13)C NMR and thermogravimetry. The sulfur elemental analysis gave 2.00+/-0.05 and 8.67+/-0.01% for BCES and BCMS, which correspond to 0.60+/-0.01 and 2.71+/-0.01 mmol of this element per each gram of BCE and BCM, to confer a degree of functionalization of 20.2+/-0.07 and 86.7+/-0.01 mg g(-1). This synthesis enabled from IR weak SH band at 2544 cm(-1) due to the incorporation of the reagent into the structure. The basic centers favor copper sorption with increasing pH from 2 to 6 observed by a batchwise methodology and the data obtained from the chosen pH 6 were adjusted to Freundlich and Langmuir models, favoring fit for the latter equation. The kinetics of sorption was established at 30 min for both biopolymers with a pseudo-second-order model.

Exploring the favorable ion-exchange ability of phthalylated cellulose biopolymer using thermodynamic data.

A phthalylated ion-exchange biopolymer was obtained by adding cellulose to molten phthalic anhydride in a quasi solvent-free procedure. Through this route 2.99+/-0.07 mmolg(-1) of pendant groups containing ester and carboxylic acid moieties were incorporated into the polymeric structure that was characterized by elemental analysis, solid-state carbon nuclear magnetic resonance (CP/MAS), infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermogravimetry. The chemically modified polysaccharide is able to exchange cations from aqueous solution as demonstrated by batchwise methodology. The data were adjusted to a modified Langmuir equation to give 2.43+/-0.12 and 2.26+/-0.11 mmolg(-1) for divalent cobalt and nickel cations, respectively. The net thermal effects obtained from calorimetric titration measurements were also adjusted to a modified Langmuir equation, and the enthalpy of the interaction was calculated to give endothermic values of 2.11+/-0.28 and 2.50+/-0.31kJmol(-1) for these cations, respectively. The spontaneity of this ion-exchange process is reflected in negative Gibbs energy and with a contribution of positive entropic values. This set of thermodynamic data at the solid-liquid interface suggests a favorable ion-exchange process for this anchored biopolymer for cation exchange from the environment.

Epicarp and mesocarp of babassu (Orbignya speciosa): characterization and application in copper phtalocyanine dye removal

The mesocarp and epicarp components of the babassu palm tree were applied as novel alternative biosorbents for copper phtalocyanine textile dye removal from aqueous solutions. The natural biopolymers were characterized by elemental analyses, solid state 13C NMR, infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray diffractometry. Results demonstrated that the compositions of the mesocarp and epicarp are similar to those of other lignocellulosic materials, and that they were very effective for removal of the textile dye Turquoise Remazol. A pseudo second-order kinetic model resulted in the best fit with experimental data for both epicarp and mesocarp (R2 = 0.999), providing rate constants of sorption, k2, of 0.31 and 1.43 g mg-1 min-1, respectively. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were employed for adsorption analysis of the experimental data in their linearized forms. The second model resulted in the better fit for Turquoise Remazol dye, which presented maximum adsorption of 1.44 and 2.38 mg g-1 at pH 6.0 for mesocarp and epicarp, respectively.

High performance maleated lignocellulose epicarp fibers for copper ion removal

Abstract - Natural lignocellulosic fiber epicarp extracted from the babassu coconut ( Orbignya speciosa ) was chemically modified through reaction with molten maleic anhydride without solvent, with incorporation of 189.34 mg g -1 of carboxylic acid groups into the biopolymer structure. The success of this reaction was also confirmed by the presence of carboxylic acid bands at 1741 and 1164 cm -1 in the infrared spectrum. Identically, the same group is observed through 13 C NMR CP/MAS in the solid state, via high field signals in the 167 pm region. Both the precursor and the immobilized maleated biopolymers presented nearly the same thermal stability and similar crystallinity to cellulose. However, the pendant carboxylic groups have the ability to remove copper with maximum sorption through a batchwise process at pH 6.0, as expected from the point of zero charge, determined to be 6.45. The sorption kinetic data were fitted to pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, Elovich-chemisorption and intra-particle diffusion models and the equilibrium data were fitted to the Langmuir, the Freundlich and Tenkim isotherm models. Taking into account a statistical error function and determination coefficients, the data were fit to the pseudo-first and pseudo-second order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm models, with a maximum sorption capacity of copper ions of 55.09 mg g

Sawdust Derivative for Environmental Application: Chemistry, Functionalization and Removal of textile dye from aqueous solution

The adsorption of Violet Remazol 5R (VR 5) on wood sawdust modified with succinic anhydride (SSA) as a function of contact time, pH, and initial dye concentrations was investigated using a batch technique under ambient conditions. The SSA obtained was confirmed by IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry and 13C NMR, and degrees of substitution (DS) were calculated. A study on the effect of the pH on the adsorption of VR 5 showed that the optimum pH was 2.0. The interactions were assayed with respect to the pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models, and were found to follow closely the pseudo-second-order. The isotherm was adjusted to the Langmuir, the Freundlich and the Temkin sorption models. SSA is a promising material for the removal of dye textile from aqueous solutions, and under conditions studied the removal percentage achieved was 51.7%.

A Useful Synthetic Route to Yield Silver-Nanoparticles on Phyllosilicates and Morphologic Structural Investigations

Organofunctionalized phyllosilicates containing both amino and mercapto groups were synthesized and used as support for silver nanoparticles in situ deposition. Depending on silver concentration in relation to phyllosilicate different amount of nanoparticles size and distributions were obtained, even with smallest silver used causes strong exfoliation of the phylosilicate lamella. Also such condition favors nanoparticles formation with homogeneous distribution with smaller diameters and narrower particle particles size distributions. With highest silver amounts preferential external phyllosilicate surface crystallization is obtained, as given by particle diameters up to 30 nm. Scanning and transmission electron microscopies were successfully employed to characterize morphological and structural features for these synthesized materials, enabling atomic visualization for the silver nanoparticles. These new phyllosilicates containing silver nanoparticles are extensively employed to design inorganic light emission diodes and also in applying in biological fields.

SPME Fiber Evaluation for Volatile Organic Compounds Extraction from Acerola

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were isolated from acerola fruits (Malpighia emarginata D.C.), by means of different solid phase microextraction (SPME) fibers. For the extraction, the headspace SPME method was used, identifying the VOCs by gas chromatography (GC) with mass spectrometry (MS). The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of SPME fibers and determine the best conditions for extracting VOCs from acerola fruit. The investigated conditions were: extraction time (20, 30 and 40 min), extraction temperature (25, 45 and 65 C) and agitation (0, 50 and 100 rpm). Of the evaluated fibers, polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS)/divinylbenzene (DVB) extracted the highest number of VOCs, most belonging to terpene, carboxylic acids and hydrocarbons. According to the investigated conditions, most compounds were obtained with an extraction time of 20 min, extraction temperature 65 C, and no agitation. Compounds cumene, o-xylene, thymol, m-cymene, o-cymene, 2-methyl-1,3-butadiene, anethol, 3-buten-2-one and methyl octadecanoic ester were responsible for the volatile profile of acerola.