Removal of phenolics from aqueous media using quaternised maize tassels.
This paper reports on the preparation and modification of powdered maize tassels with polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (polyDADMAC). The modified tassel were applied for the removal of phenolic compounds from water, through adsorption. The effect of contact time, sorbent dose, pH of the sample and the adsorption capacity were investigated at fixed temperature (25 °C). The optimum pH was 6.0 and the uptake was more than 90% within the first 10 min of contact. The adsorption prescribed to Langmuir model of monolayer adsorption implying a chemisorption process. The adsorption capacities were found to be 7.09, 8.23, 8.84 and 4.74 mg g(-1) for chlorobenzoic acid, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol and 1,2-dihyroxybenzene respectively. These were fairly higher than many other reported systems. The removal efficiency was found to be 75, 64, 55 and 40% for Chlorobenzoic acid, 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol and 1,2-dihyroxybenzene, respectively. This proved that quaternised maize tassels can be used as an efficient adsorbent material for removal of phenolic compounds from water and wastewater.
Department of Applied Chemistry, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein Campus, P.O Box 17011, Doornfontein 2028, South Africa; Kenyatta University, Chemistry Department, P.O Box 43844, Nairobi, Kenya.
Isaac W
IW
Mwangi
Department of Applied Chemistry, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein Campus, P.O Box 17011, Doornfontein 2028, South Africa. Electronic address: jcngila@uj.ac.za.
J Catherine
JC
Ngila
School of Chemistry and Physics, University of KwaZulu-Natal, P/Bag X45001, Westville Durban 4000, South Africa.
Patrick
P
Ndung'u
Department of Applied Chemistry, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein Campus, P.O Box 17011, Doornfontein 2028, South Africa.
Titus A M
TA
Msagati
D000327:Adsorption; D056626:Inflorescence; D010636:Phenols / Q000737:chemistry*; D011095:Polyethylenes / Q000737:chemistry*; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds / Q000737:chemistry*; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid / Q000379:methods; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry*; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods; D003313:Zea mays
D010636:Phenols; D011095:Polyethylenes; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C041004:poly-N,N-dimethyl-N,N-diallylammonium chloride
Adsorbents; Adsorption capacity; Phenols; Polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride; Quaternised maize tassels