Sulfonated mesoporous polystyrene-1D multiwall carbon nanotube nanocomposite as potential adsorbent for efficient removal of xylene isomers from aqueous solution

Mohan Raj Krishnan, Venugopal Rajendran

Article ID: 3516
Vol 6, Issue 2, 2023

VIEWS - 523 (Abstract) 150 (PDF)

Abstract


Xylene isomers are notorious chemical hazards, and their efficient removal from water solutions is still challenging. The current study reports a polymer nanocomposite as a potential adsorbent for successfully removing dissolved xylene isomers from contaminated water. Polystyrene-1D multiwall carbon nanotube nanocomposite (PS-MWCNT) adsorbent was prepared using the one-step bulk polymerization method. Mesoporous PS-MWCNT was prepared using the nano-crystallization phase separation method. The sulfonation of the mesoporous PS-MWCNT nanocomposites was carried out by treating the samples with concentrated sulfuric acid at elevated temperatures. The sulfonated PS-MWCNT (HO3S-PS-MWCNT) was found to be a potential adsorbent for dissolved xylene isomers from water solution. In addition, the HO3S-PS-MWCNT can be efficiently recycled for up to 10 consecutive cycles with negligible decline in adsorption values. The exhibited equilibrium adsorption, rate of adsorption, and rapid regeneration of the HO3S-PS-MWCNT are clear indications for the possibility of practical utilization of these adsorbents in large-scale water treatment plants.


Keywords


polystyrene; carbon nanotube; nanocomposites; sulfonation; adsorption; xylene isomers

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.24294/can.v6i2.3516

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