Removal of gaseous methyl tert‐butyl ether using bagasse activated carbon pretreated with chemical agents

Abstract

Background Methyl tert‐butyl ether (MTBE), an anti‐knocking reagent emitted from incomplete gasoline combustion can affect human health. Bagasse activated carbon (AC) was modified by H2SO4, KOH, CaCl2/HCl and HNO3 to increase surface area and surface functional groups which led to enhance MTBE adsorption. Results The results showed maximum adsorption capacity (Qmax) of MTBE by bagasse AC modified by H2SO4 was the highest (989.33 mg g−1), while the lowest was bagasse AC modified by HNO3 (463.82 mg g−1). Not much difference was shown to the surface area and micropore volume of the different modified materials. Therefore, the surface functional groups on the different modified materials played an important role in MTBE adsorption. H2SO4 modified bagasse AC had a higher maximum adsorption capacity than a commercial AC (CGC12) (560.48 mg g−1), which might be due to the presence of higher ester (CO), carbonyl (CO) and CH stretching groups than commercial AC and other modified bagasse ACs. Conclusion Surface functional groups of adsorbents play an important role in MTBE adsorption. Consequently, it will be possible to enhance MTBE removal by increasing ester (CO), carbonyl (CO) and CH groups on the material's surface. These functional groups are directly involved in MTBE adsorption. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry

Development of Adsorbent Materials Using Residue from Coffee Industry and Application in Food dye Adsorption Processes

“…Carbonaceous materials can be activated using several techniques and methods, including physical activation with carbon dioxide, steam and air and chemical activation with phosphoric acid, potassium hydroxide, zinc chloride, hydrogen peroxide, among other [16][17][18][19][20][21]. When choosing any of the activation methods, some factors must be taken into account, such as time spent to synthesize the material, type of reagent used and its toxicity, the characteristics of the material produced, the cost of activating the material and especially the degree of difficulty and necessary equipment [22,23].…”