Issue 4, 2022

Aqueous ibuprofen sorption by using activated walnut shell biochar: process optimization and cost estimation

Abstract

Ibuprofen is a widely used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory, anti-pyritic, and analgesic drug with occurrence in the aquatic systems of 47 countries. The presence of ibuprofen in aquatic systems poses a threat to flora and fauna. Therefore, this study developed walnut shell activated biochar (WSAB) using H3PO4 immersion and 450 °C pyrolysis as a 3-dimensional adsorbent for aqueous ibuprofen remediation. WSAB was characterized using elemental analysis, ATR-FTIR, XRD, SEM, SEM-EDX, TEM, BET surface area and pore size measurements. The SBET surface area, pore volume, and pore density of the WSAB were 686 m2 g−1, 0.38 cm3 g−1 and 0.87 g cm−3, respectively. Batch sorption studies were performed from pH 2 to 10 at ibuprofen concentrations from 10 to 120 mg L−1 and temperatures from 25 to 45 °C. Maximum sorption (80%) occurred at pH 4 at an IBP concentration of 50 mg L−1 and a WSAB dose of 1.0 g L−1. Sorption followed second order kinetics well (R2 = 0.999). The sorption isotherms remained almost constant with an increase in temperature as shown by Langmuir adsorption capacities [Q°25°C = 69.7 mg g−1, Q°35°C = 68.0 mg g−1, and Q°45°C = 66.9 mg g−1]. WSAB provided an efficient ibuprofen sorption capacity (30.08 mg g−1) in fixed-bed sorption studies (column parameters: initial Ibuprofen concentration = 7.5 mg L−1; pH = 4.0; WSAB dose = 2.0 g; bed length = ∼4 cm; hydraulic flow rate = 2.5 mL min−1). Sorption of ibuprofen to WSAB involves H-bonding, pore filling with complexation and hydrophobic π–π donor–acceptor attractions likely participating. An estimated cost of US$ 6.93 kg−1 together with excellent sorption capacity makes WSAB an efficient low-cost adsorbent for ibuprofen removal. Thus, this study describes a sustainable waste walnut shell management strategy as well as treatment of ibuprofen contaminated water.

Graphical abstract: Aqueous ibuprofen sorption by using activated walnut shell biochar: process optimization and cost estimation

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
22 Janv. 2022
Accepted
04 Jūl. 2022
First published
19 Jūl. 2022
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

Environ. Sci.: Adv., 2022,1, 530-545

Aqueous ibuprofen sorption by using activated walnut shell biochar: process optimization and cost estimation

M. Patel, A. K. Chaubey, C. U. Pittman and D. Mohan, Environ. Sci.: Adv., 2022, 1, 530 DOI: 10.1039/D2VA00015F

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