Tawfik A. Saleh

Chemical treatment technologies for waste-water recycling—an overview

The global population is increasing and because of this, the world may experience great fresh water scarcity. Our water resources are limited and, hence, water treatment and recycling methods are the only alternatives for getting fresh water in the coming decades. Therefore, there is a great need for the development of a suitable, inexpensive and rapid wastewater treatment techniques and reuse or conservation methods in the present century. The different types of water treatment and recycling techniques have been discussed in terms of their basic principles, applications, costs, maintenance and suitability. Additionally, a systematic approach to water treatment and recycling involving their understanding, evaluation and selection parameters has been presented. A brief guideline for the selection of the appropriate technologies for specific applications has been evaluated. This review adds to the global discussions on water scarcity solutions.

Synthesis and characterization of alumina-coated carbon nanotubes and their application for lead removal.

Alumina-coated multi-wall carbon nanotubes were synthesized and characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and FTIR. They were used as an adsorbent for the removal of lead ions from aqueous solutions in two modes, batch and fixed bed. In the batch mode, experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of contact time, agitation speed, adsorbent dosage and solution pH on the removal of lead. The coated nanotubes exhibit better removal ability over uncoated. For fixed-bed columns, thickness of the layer and flow rate were investigated. Increasing the thickness and decreasing the flow rate enhanced the removal of lead. The prepared adsorbent displayed the main advantage of separation convenience when a fixed-bed column was used compared to the batch adsorption treatment.

Adsorptive removal of dyes from aqueous solution onto carbon nanotubes: a review.

Adsorption is a widely used technique for the separation and removal of pollutants from wastewaters. Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are emerging as potential adsorbents because of its well defined cylindrical hollow structure, large surface area, high aspect ratios, hydrophobic wall and easily modified surfaces. In this review, dye adsorption capability of CNTs and CNT based composites from aqueous system has been compiled. This article provides the information about the defect, adsorption sites on CNTs and batch adsorption studies under the influence of various operational parameters such as contact time, solution pH, temperatures etc. and deals with mechanisms involved in adsorption of dyes onto CNTs. From the literature reviewed, it is observed that single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) show higher adsorption capacity than multi walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and functionalized and CNT composite have better sorption capacity than as grown CNTs. It is evident from the literature that CNT based nanosorbents have shown good potential for the removal of dyes from aqueous solution. However, still more research work should be focused on the development of cost effective, higher efficient and environmental friendly CNT based nanosorbents for their commercial applications.

PHOTO-CATALYZED DEGRADATION OF HAZARDOUS DYE METHYL ORANGE BY USE OF A COMPOSITE CATALYST CONSISTING OF MULTI-WALLED CARBON NANOTUBES AND TITANIUM DIOXIDE

The high rate of electron/hole pair recombination reduces the quantum yield of the processes with TiO(2) and represents its major drawback. Adding a co-adsorbent increases the photocatalytic efficiency of TiO(2). In order to hybridize the photocatalytic activity of TiO(2) with the adsorptivity of carbon nanotube, a composite of multi-walled carbon nanotubes and titanium dioxide (MWCNT/TiO(2)) has been synthesized. The composite was characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy (FTIR), and diffuse reflectance UV-vis spectroscopy. The catalytic activity of this composite material was investigated by application of the composite for the degradation of methyl orange. It was observed that the composite exhibits enhanced photocatalytic activity compared with TiO(2). The enhancement in photocatalytic performance of the MWCNT/TiO(2) composite is explained in terms of recombination of photogenerated electron-hole pairs. In addition, MWCNT acts as a dispersing agent preventing TiO(2) from agglomerating activity during the catalytic process, providing a high catalytically active surface area. This work adds to the global discussion of how CNTs can enhance the efficiency of catalysts.

Photo-catalytic degradation of toxic dye amaranth on TiO2/UV in aqueous suspensions

The photo-catalytic degradation of an azo dye - Amaranth (AM) - has been investigated in TiO(2)/UV aqueous suspensions. The results obtained from the experiments during H(2)O(2)/TiO(2) addition show that the highest decolorization rate is provided by the combination of (UV+TiO(2)+H(2)O(2)). The decolorization efficiencies were 17%, 26%, 38% and 64% in the runs UV, UV+H(2)O(2), UV+TiO(2) and (UV+TiO(2)+H(2)O(2)) after approximately 100 min illumination periods, respectively. The observed dye degradation rates followed pseudo-first order kinetics with respect to the substrate concentration under the experimental conditions used. Different experimental conditions, such as temperature, pH and presence of electron acceptor were investigated. The temperature effect was investigated at the range of 293-313 K and it was observed that decolorization rate increased by the increase in temperature. Chemical oxygen demand and dye absorbance of the photodegraded dye solution substantially decreased. Effect of pH was also investigated and it was observed that the lower the pH the higher the degradation. In addition, an enhancement in the photodegradation rate was observed by the addition of hydrogen peroxide as an electron acceptor. The adsorption trends of Amaranth at various initial concentrations followed the Langmuir isotherm trend. This work adds to the global discussion on the role of the advanced oxidation processes in water treatment.

Column with CNT/magnesium oxide composite for lead(II) removal from water

BackgroundIn this study, manganese dioxide-coated multiwall carbon nanotube (MnO2/CNT) nanocomposite has been successfully synthesized.MethodsThe as-produced nanocomposite was characterized by different characteristic tools, such as X-ray diffraction, SEM, and FTIR. The MnO2/CNT nanocomposite was utilized as a fixed bed in a column system for removal of lead(II) from water. The experimental conditions were investigated and optimized. The pH range between 3 and 7 was studied; the optimum removal was found when the pH was equal to 6 and 7. The thickness of MnO2/CNT nanocomposite compact layer was also changed to find the optimum parameter for higher removal.ResultIt was observed that the slower the flow rates of the feed solution the higher the removal because of larger contact time.

Chromium removal by combining the magnetic properties of iron oxide with adsorption properties of carbon nanotubes.

The adsorption features of multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with the magnetic properties of iron oxides have been combined in a composite to produce a magnetic adsorbent. Composites of MWCNT/nano-iron oxide were prepared, and were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). XRD suggests that the magnetic phase formed is maghemite and/or magnetite. FESEM image shows nano-iron oxides attached to a network of MWCNTs. The adsorption capability of the composites was tested in batch and fixed bed modes. The composites have demonstrated a superior adsorption capability to that of activated carbon. The results also show that the adsorptions of Cr(III) on the composites is strongly dependent on contact time, agitation speed and pH, in the batch mode; and on flow rate and the bed thickness in the fixed bed mode. Along with the high surface area of the MWCNTs, the advantage of the magnetic composite is that it can be used as adsorbent for contaminants in water and can be subsequently controlled and removed from the medium by a simple magnetic process.

Sorption of pollutants by porous carbon, carbon nanotubes and fullerene- An overview

The quality of water is continuously deteriorating due to its increasing toxic threat to humans and the environment. It is imperative to perform treatment of wastewater in order to remove pollutants and to get good quality water. Carbon materials like porous carbon, carbon nanotubes and fullerene have been extensively used for advanced treatment of wastewaters. In recent years, carbon nanomaterials have become promising adsorbents for water treatment. This review attempts to compile relevant knowledge about the adsorption activities of porous carbon, carbon nanotubes and fullerene related to various organic and inorganic pollutants from aqueous solutions. A detailed description of the preparation and treatment methods of porous carbon, carbon nanotubes and fullerene along with relevant applications and regeneration is also included.

Processing methods, characteristics and adsorption behavior of tire derived carbons: a review.

The remarkable increase in the number of vehicles worldwide; and the lack of both technical and economical mechanisms of disposal make waste tires to be a serious source of pollution. One potential recycling process is pyrolysis followed by chemical activation process to produce porous activated carbons. Many researchers have recently proved the capability of such carbons as adsorbents to remove various types of pollutants including organic and inorganic species. This review attempts to compile relevant knowledge about the production methods of carbon from waste rubber tires. The effects of various process parameters including temperature and heating rate, on the pyrolysis stage; activation temperature and time, activation agent and activating gas are reviewed. This review highlights the use of waste-tires derived carbon to remove various types of pollutants like heavy metals, dye, pesticides and others from aqueous media.

Functionalization of tungsten oxide into MWCNT and its application for sunlight-induced degradation of rhodamine B

A composite of multi-walled carbon nanotube/tungsten oxide (MWCNT/WO(3)) has been successfully synthesized. The prepared composite was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The catalytic activity was investigated by rhodamine B degradation under solar irradiation. The influence of various degradation parameters such as solar illumination time, initial dye concentration, dosage and pH was investigated. It was found that the composite exhibits an enhanced photocatalytic activity as compared with WO(3) and a mechanical mixture of MWCNTs and WO(3). The enhancement in photocatalytic performance of the MWCNT/WO(3) composite has been explained based on adsorption ability and electron transportation as a result of a strong interaction between WO(3) and MWCNTs. Besides, MWCNTs acts as dispersing agent preventing WO(3) from agglomerating during the catalytic process, providing a high active surface area of the catalyst. A reasonable mechanism for the enhanced reactivity was proposed.