Optimizing Modified Activated Carbon Fiber for Organic Pollutant Removal from Reverse Osmosis Concentrate: Response...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Reverse osmosis concentrate (ROC) presents significant challenges due to high levels of refractory organic pollutants.
• Efficient and convenient treatment strategies for ROC are crucial for environmental protection.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate iron-modified activated carbon fiber (Fe-ACF) for removing organic pollutants from ROC.
• To optimize adsorption conditions using response surface methodology (RSM) and elucidate adsorption mechanisms.

Main Methods:

• Adsorption experiments using Fe-ACF to remove organic pollutants from ROC.
• Kinetic, isothermal, and thermodynamic analyses to understand adsorption behavior.
• Response surface methodology (RSM) for process optimization and identification of key parameters.

Main Results:

• The adsorption process is governed by chemisorption, with intraparticle diffusion as the rate-limiting step.
• Langmuir-Freundlich model best described adsorption, with a maximum capacity of 12.21 ± 0.80 mg/g.
• Optimal conditions determined by RSM: pH 4.18, 34.63 °C, 547.91 rpm, 1.55 g/L Fe-ACF.

Conclusions:

• Fe-ACF shows significant potential as an adsorbent for treating ROC, with effective removal of organic pollutants.
• The adsorption mechanism involves hydrogen bonding, π-π interactions, surface complexation, and electrostatic forces.
• Fe-ACF demonstrates good regeneration stability and structural integrity for sustainable water treatment.