Adsorption of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol by multi-walled carbon nanotubes as affected by Cu(II).
Adsorption equilibrium of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (TCP) on multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) was investigated to explore the possibility of using MWCNTs for concentration, detection and removal of TCP from contaminated water. The adsorption of TCP on MWCNTs at pH 4 was nonlinear, reversible and best fit by a Polanyi-Manes model. Oxidation treatment increased surface area and introduced hydrophilic carboxylic groups to the defect sites of MWCNTs, hence increased the sorption of TCP and Cu(II) individually. Cu(II) suppressed the sorption of TCP on oxidized MWCNTs15A, but had little effect on as-grown MWCNTs15. TCP had no influence on Cu(II) sorption to either. The mechanisms of Cu(II) suppression effect on TCP adsorption are ascribed to the formation of surface complexes of Cu(II), which was verified by X-ray absorption spectroscopy. Cu(II) exerts a cross-linking effect of functional groups on adjacent tubes, creating a more tightly knit bundle and suppressing the condensation of TCP in the pore spaces between the tubes. The large hydration sphere around surface complexes of Cu(II) may also intrude or shield hydrophilic sites, leading to the "crowding out" of TCP around the Cu(II)-complexed sites.
Chen
Guang-Cai
GC
State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Haidian District, Beijing, China.
Shan
Xiao-Quan
XQ
Wang
Yu-Sheng
YS
Wen
Bei
B
Pei
Zhi-Guo
ZG
Xie
Ya-Ning
YN
Liu
Tao
T
Pignatello
Joseph J
JJ