Ce-Mn modify Al₂O₃ adsorbent and the effect on adsorption and regeneration properties

The regeneration of adsorbent by thermal method may transfer the adsorbed organic pollutants into the air phase. Herein, manganese and cerium are loaded on adsorbent as catalyst to mineralize the adsorbed organic pollutants during regeneration. The modified adsorbent is characterized by scanning electron microscope-energy dispersive spectrometer, Brunauer Emmett Teller-Barrett Joyner Halenda, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Regeneration of modified adsorbent is evaluated by adsorbent yield and mineralization percentage of the absorbed organic pollutants. The results demonstrate that the mineralization percentage of tetracycline increased about 100% after the modification. Besides, the loaded catalyst can significantly reduce the regeneration temperature. Furthermore, cerium can reduce the adverse impact causes by manganese which will decrease the adsorption capacity of adsorbent. Kinetics, equilibrium, thermodynamic, and other adsorption properties of modified adsorbent towards tetracycline are further studied. The theoretical maximum of adsorption capacity calculated by Langmuir model is 196.4 mg g^-1, and the kinetics of adsorption fits pseudo-second-order model. The adsorption of tetracycline on the adsorbent is feasible, spontaneous, and endothermic. The properties of synthesized composite material are stable; the yield of Ce/Mn/Al₂O₃ adsorbent can keep higher than 95% even after five adsorption/regeneration cycles. This research provides another perspective on the design and regeneration of adsorbent, which focus on reducing the secondary pollution during adsorbent regeneration process.