Vusumzi E. Pakade

Sequestration of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solutions by activated carbon derived from Macadamia nutshells

The purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of activated carbons prepared from Macadamia nutshells as an efficient adsorbent for the removal of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) from aqueous solutions. The activated carbon was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), CHNS analyzer and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET). For effective removal of Cr(VI), the optimum parameters found were pH 2, 120 min of contact time and 0.2 g of sorbent. The adsorption data fitted well into the Freundlich model, suggesting a multilayer sorption process. The results demonstrated that Macadamia activated carbon could be used as cost-effective biosorbent for the treatment of aqueous solutions contaminated by Cr(VI) with an adsorption capacity of 22.3 mg g-1. The mode of removal involved adsorption and reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III).

Adsorptive Removal of Hexavalent Chromium by Diphenylcarbazide-Grafted Macadamia Nutshell Powder

Macadamia nutshell powder oxidized by hydrogen peroxide solutions (MHP) was functionalized by immobilizing 1,5′-diphenylcarbazide (DPC) on its surface. The effectiveness of grafting was confirmed by the Fourier transform infrared spectrum due to the presence of NH and C=C stretches at 3361, 1591, and 1486 cm−1, respectively, on the grafted material which were absent in the nongrafted material. Thermogravimetric analysis revealed that the presence of DPC on the surface of Macadamia shells lowered the thermal stability from 300°C to about 180°C owing to the volatile nature of DPC. Surface roughness as a result of grafting was appreciated on the scanning electron microscopy images. Parameters influencing the adsorptive removal of Cr(VI) were examined and found to be optimal at pH 2, 120 min, 150 mg/L, and 2.5 g/L. Grafting MHP with DPC leads to an increase in the Langmuir monolayer capacity from 37.74 to 72.12 mg/g. Grafting MHP with DPC produced adsorbent with improved removal efficiency for Cr(VI).

Macadamia nutshells-derived activated carbon and attapulgite clay combination for synergistic removal of Cr(VI) and Cr(III)

A physical mixture of Macadamia-derived activated carbon and cationic attapulgite clay was investigated for total chromium removal in aqueous solution. The parameters influencing the adsorption of chromium on the sorbents were investigated, and it was shown that pH 3, contact time 2 hours, concentration 50 mg L−1 and calculated adsorption capacity of 96.28 mg g−1 were the optimal parameters. The process of adsorption was better described by Freundlich adsorption isotherm, and the kinetic modelling data suggested a chemisorption mechanism described by pseudo-second-order (PSO) rate model. Ionic strength studies demonstrated that the removal of anionic Cr(VI) species was mostly affected by the presence of anions like Cl− and NO 3 - , while the removal of the cationic Cr(III) species was affected largely by cations NH 4 + >Na+>K+. Overall, the removal mechanism involved adsorption, reduction and ion exchange processes.

An alternative low-cost adsorbent for gold recovery from cyanide-leached liquors: Adsorption isotherm and kinetic studies

Pristine Macadamia nutshell-based activated carbons were chemically oxidized with different concentrations of H3PO4 and HNO3 to increase their surface adsorption properties and further explore if they could be an attractive alternative low-cost adsorbent for gold recovery from cyanide-leached liquors. The modified activated carbons were labeled MACN20, MACN40 and MACN55 to signify the materials prepared from 20%, 40% and 55% (v/v) HNO3, respectively. Similar nomenclature was followed for H3PO4-modified activated carbons. Brunauer-Emmet-Teller, scanning electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, elemental analysis and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy were used to characterize the prepared activated carbons. The physical properties were attained through determining attrition, ash content, volatile matter and moisture content of all the activated carbons. Various parameters that affect selective adsorption such as the effect of initial concentration, time, agitation speed, interfering species and the dose of the adsorbent were investigated. Optimal parameters for gold ion adsorption were as follows: solution pH, 10; contact time, 6 h; agitation speed, 150 r/min; sorbent amount, 4 g and initial concentration, 5.5 mg/L. The observed selectivity order was not the same for all the adsorbents, but the adsorption of gold was found to be mostly influenced in the presence of nickel and least influenced by copper. MACN55 was found to be the most efficient adsorbent with 74% of gold adsorption from a real-world sample and displayed a similar performance to coconut-based activated carbons.

Calcium Alginate- Mangifera indica Seed Shell Composite as Potential Biosorbent for Electroplating Wastewater Treatment

Surface functionalized biosorbent was developed from mango seed shell powder through ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) grafting and encapsulation in calcium alginate gel beads. Introduction of EDTA to the sorbent surface was established by elemental analysis and Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopic analysis. The performance of the composite biosorbent in the removal of copper, chromium, nickel and iron from electroplating wastewater was evaluated through consecutive batch column adsorption and desorption experiments. At innate initial pH of 3.4, metal removal varied within the following ranges: 5.5–12.3% for copper, 2.3–14.8% for chromium, 2.3–4.4% for nickel, and 2.3–13.8% for iron. Acidification of the wastewater to initial pH of 1.8 yielded generally higher metal removal. This hinted at chromic ester formation followed by a redox reaction involving oxidation of –CH2OH groups on the cellulosic components of the mango material to more potent –COOH groups simultaneously with reduction of chromium from hexavalent to trivalent state.