Adsorption of naphthalene from aqueous solution onto fatty acid modified walnut shells

The removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from aqueous solution is challenging to environmental technologists. Agricultural waste is apparently the most attractive materials in removing PAHs because of its abundance, renewability, and economic advantage. The adsorption of PAHs (e.g., naphthalene) onto walnut shell (WNS) and its fatty acid (e.g., capric acid, lauric acid, palmitic acid, and oleic acid)-modified equivalent were investigated in this work to develop low-cost biosorbents for hydrophobic organic compounds. Compared with other modified sorbents, oleic acid graftted walnut shell (OWNS) showed the maximum partition coefficient (4330 ± 8.8 L kg(-1)) because of its lowest polarity and highest aromaticity. The adsorption capacity (7210 μg g(-1)) of OWNS at the temperature of 298 K was observed for an initial naphthalene concentration of 25 mg L(-1) with contact time of 40 h, sorbent dosage of 1 g L(-1), and in neutral condition. Furthermore, the regeneration capability of OWNS implied that it was a promising biosorbent for naphthalene removal.