Fast and efficient removal of phenol by magnetic activated carbon-cobalt nanoparticles

• Published in: Journal of alloys and compounds 2020-08, Vol.832, p.154942, Article 154942
• Main Authors: Mohammadi, Sayed Zia, Darijani, Zahra, Karimi, Mohammad Ali
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Absorption; Activated carbon; Adsorption; Co-precipitation; Cobalt; Cobalt nanoparticles; Correlation coefficients; Industrial effluents; Magnetic activated carbon; Nanocomposite; Nanoparticles; Phenol removal; Phenols; Room temperature; Wastewater treatment
• ISSN: 0925-8388; 1873-4669
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jallcom.2020.154942

Phenol-containing effluent is one of the human and environment health concerns. The present study aimed to synthesize a novel magnetic adsorbent as title magnetic cobalt nanoparticles-coated onto activated carbon (MCAC) for the first time with high efficiency to remove phenol from wastewater samples. The physicochemical properties, morphological and structural characteristics of the MCAC were investigated by EDS, FT-IR, XRD, BET, VSM and SEM. The phenol removal from industrial effluent was examined by the prepared MCAC. In addition, we assessed the effects of solution pH, temperature, initial concentration and contact time on the phenol removal efficiency. The Temkin, Freundlich and Langmuir equations were assessed to investigate the equilibrium and absorption features. The high correlation coefficient value of Langmuir model indicated that the adsorption characteristics can be better described by this model and the highest adsorption capacity of phenol on the MCAC is 107.5 mg g−1 at room temperature. Kinetics studies show that the Elovich model is a well fitness model for explaining absorption mechanism. Thermodynamic studies show that the adsorption process in the temperature range of 275–309 K was favorable, spontaneous and endothermic. •Sea-buckthorn stones waste was used for preparation of magnetic cobalt nanoparticles coated activated carbon (MCAC).•Cobalt nanoparticles were used for magnetization of activated carbon for the first time.•MCAC showed very efficient and fast in phenol removal.•MCAC can be easily regenerated (more than 5 cycle) and separated.•MCAC is expected to purify a variety of industrial wastewater.