Kumar Rohit Raj

Nanotech Reinforcement onto Cellulosic Fibers: Green Remediation of Toxic Metals

ABSTRACT Strengthening the functional (COO−) group and nanotech reinforcement for binding of cationic metal species has been applied to cellulosic fibers. Modified Nano cellulosic fibers (NCFs) have been used for the remediation of cationic toxic metals from water bodies. Different polymerized NCFs exhibited enhancement in sorption efficiency (3 to 10%) and stability in terms of increased (3 to 5) regeneration cycles for Cd (II), Pb (II), Ni (II), and Cr (III) ions in single and multi-metal solutions. Novel NCFs have been characterized on the basis of Optical, TEM, FTIR, and TGA techniques and found to have enough potential for environmental clean-up.

Zea mays a Low Cost Eco-friendly Biosorbent: A Green Alternative for Arsenic Removal from Aqueous Solutions

The development of efficient and ecofriendly biosorbent for the removal of arsenic from water system is a priority in regions where human health is directly affected by elevated arsenic concentrations. Biosorption of arsenic on Zea mays Cob Powder (ZMCP) was investigated for the removal of arsenite and arsenate species from aqueous solutions. Sorption studies, using Batch standard practices result in the standardization of optimum conditions: metal concentration [25 mg/L], contact time [40 min], volume [200 ml] and pH 7.5 for As (III) and 2.5 for As (V) removal. Maximum sorption for As (III) and As (V) species is 70 and 85 %, respectively.

Green Nanotechnology for Bioremediation of Toxic Metals from Waste Water

The present piece of work reports the preparation and characterization of nano cellulosic fibers (NCF) derived from Moringa Oleifera seed pods for decontamination of toxic metals. AFM image and SEM micrograph point out their long rod like elongated nano fibrillated morphology. These cellulosic fibers were characterized by FTIR & XRD analysis. The average grain size, calculated from the Debye Scherer equation was found to be 10 nm. The nano remediation batch experiments for cadmium and lead metal ions showed that prepared NCF (0.500 gm) posse’s removal efficiency of 81.7 % and 84.5 % for Cd (II) and Pb (II) from initial concentration of 25 mg/l compared to control native Moringa Oleifera experiments of biomass dose (2gm).

High Performance Thin Layer Chromatographic Method for the Estimation of Cholesterol in Edible Oils

Cholesterol was detected in six edible market available oil brands using high performance thin layer chromatography. Standard conditions have been optimized based on simulation in Rf values under experimental conditions of polarity of mobile phase and saturation time of solvent chamber. The peanut oil contains highest (0.71 %) while coconut oil contains lowest (0.15 %) cholesterol level. Among the oils studied, no oil was found cholesterol free.

Removal of Diesel Oil from Water Bodies Using Agricultural Waste Zea mays Cob Powder

The present studied has been undertaken to study sorption efficiency of diesel oil from water bodies using agricultural waste Zea mays cob powder. The influence of biomass dosage, contact time, particle size and volume of water on the removal process was investigated. Batch studies indicated that maximum sorption efficiency of diesel oil was 72 % at contact time (30 min), particle size (105 μm) and volume (100 ml). FTIR & SEM micrographs of native and oil loaded cob powder confirmed diesel oil sorption phenomenon. Petroleum ether was used for regeneration for several cycles with a view to recover the sorbed diesel oil and also to restore the sorbent for its reuse. The findings showed that Zea mays cob powder can easily be envisaged as a new, vibrant, low cost biosorbent for diesel oil clean-up operations.