Novel granular bentonite-carbon sorbents: textural characterization, adsorption-desorption isotherm, kinetics, and...

This research focuses on the synthesis of novel low-cost granular sorbents based on bentonite clay of the Navbahor deposit, dust fraction of Angren brown coal, and agricultural wastes such as straw and sawdust to meet the internal needs of the Republic of Uzbekistan. The impact of the initial mixture ingredients on the structural and textural properties of bentonite-coal sorbents (BCSs) has been studied using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, optical microscopy, and nitrogen adsorption-desorption analysis. For determining the sorption capacity of BCSs, a standard model substance methylene blue (MB), was applied. It was revealed that the maximum adsorption amount of MB was 5.3 mg∙g^-1 during 2 h of contact. Prolonging the contact time to 24 h allowed for more extensive diffusion of dye molecules into the sorbent's pores, increasing the adsorption capacity to 13 mg∙g^-1. It was demonstrated that BCSs could be regenerated by strong oxidizing agents such as sulfuric acid and hydrogen peroxide, with sulfuric acid proving more effective. Regeneration fully restores sorption properties, particularly at low dye concentrations (up to 0.2 mg∙ml^-1). Despite slight reductions in adsorption capacity over multiple regeneration cycles, the sorbents maintain their structural integrity and durability. It is shown that compared to imported expensive activated carbon, the gross profitability of the in-house production of such granular BCSs within the territory of Uzbekistan increases from 48 to 78%, while the net income increases almost three times.