Activated carbon from pyrolysed sugarcane bagasse: Silver nanoparticle modification and ecotoxicity assessment

• Published in: The Science of the total environment 2016-09, Vol.565, p.833-840
• Main Authors: Gonçalves, Suely Patrícia C., Strauss, Mathias, Delite, Fabrício S., Clemente, Zaira, Castro, Vera L., Martinez, Diego Stéfani T.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Animals; Cellulose - chemistry; Cellulose - toxicity; Charcoal - chemistry; Econanotoxicology; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli - drug effects; Functionalization; Hot Temperature; Hydra - drug effects; Hydra attenuata; Lycopersicon esculentum; Lycopersicon esculentum - drug effects; Metal Nanoparticles - chemistry; Metal Nanoparticles - toxicity; Metallic nanoparticles; Nanomaterials; Porous carbon; Saccharum - chemistry; Silver - chemistry; Silver - toxicity; Toxicity Tests, Acute
• ISSN: 0048-9697; 1879-1026
• DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.03.041

Activated carbon from pyrolysed sugarcane bagasse (ACPB) presented pore size ranges from 1.0 to 3.5nm, and surface area between 1200 and 1400m2g−1 that is higher than commonly observed to commercial activated carbon. The ACPB material was successfully loaded with of silver nanoparticles with diameter around 35nm (0.81wt.%). X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analyses showed that the material surface contains metallic/Ag0 (93.60wt.%) and ionic/Ag+ states (6.40wt.%). The adsorption capacity of organic model molecules (i.e. methylene blue and phenol) was very efficient to ACPB and ACPB loaded with silver nanoparticles (ACPB-AgNP), indicating that the material modification with silver nanoparticles has not altered its adsorption capacity. ACPB-AgNP inhibited bacteria growth (Escherichia coli), it is a promising advantage for the use of these materials in wastewater treatment and water purification processes. However, ACPB-AgNP showed environmental risks, with toxic effect to the aquatic organism Hydra attenuata (i.e. LC50 value of 1.94mgL−1), and it suppressed root development of Lycopersicum esculentum plant (tomato). Finally, this work draw attention for the environmental implications of activated carbon materials modified with silver nanoparticles. [Display omitted] •Production of very efficient activated carbon by pyrolysis process of sugarcane bagasse.•Modification of activated carbon with silver nanoparticles to environmental remediation and water purification.•Activated carbon modified with silver nanoparticles showed acute ecotoxic effects.