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Phenolic compounds, notorious for their environmental and health hazards, demand efficient removal from wastewater. Our research leads in synthesizing bio-based graphene derivatives from biomass-derived lignin, such as graphene oxide (bGO) and reduced graphene oxide (brGO), and these materials show promise in effectively removing hydrophobic pollutants like phenol and tannic acid. Hence, this study investigated the mechanical and dynamical aspects of their sorptions by bGO and brGO. Both adsorbents demonstrated a comparable adsorption pattern, with enhanced efficiency observed at higher adsorbent dosage, prolonged contact time, neutralized pH solutions, and elevated temperatures. Of note, phenol is removed at a much greater rate (>94%) than tannic acid (>84%) by both adsorbents at a dosage of 180 mg L−1, pH 6.5, 900 min, and 25 °C. The Freundlich model provided the best fit for the isotherm data of both phenol (R2 = 0.99) and tannic acid (R2 = 0.98), while the pseudo-second-order model effectively described the adsorption kinetics of phenol (R2 = 0.99) and tannic acid (R2 = 0.99). The determined activation energy exceeds 5.88 kJ mol−1, affirming the prevalence of physisorption as the dominant mechanism in the adsorption process. Thermodynamic analysis confirmed that the adsorption process is endothermic (ΔH) and occurs spontaneously (ΔG), indicating a random (ΔS) nature. However, the percentage removal plunged considerably after five consecutive adsorption-desorption cycles, attributed to the alterations of active sites on bGO and brGO. [Display omitted] • Pseudo-second order model fits well (R2 = 0.99) for both adsorbates. • Highest adsorption at near-neutral pH; crucial for wastewater treatment. • BrGO commits higher adsorption due to heightened hydrophobic interactions. • Activation energy confirms physisorption as dominant adsorption mechanism. • The adsorption occurs thermodynamically endothermic, spontaneous, and random. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the fascinating realm of water purification, our study unveils the remarkable potential of a cutting-edge nano-scale adsorbent—combining graphene oxide (GO), chitosan (CS), and polydopamine (PDA)—in efficiently remove ciprofloxacin (CPF) and ofloxacin (OFL) from aqueous solutions. Our exploration delves deep into the adsorbent's character, utilizing a range of analytical techniques including SEM, RAMAN, FTIR, TGA, BET, XRD, and Zeta potential analyses provided insights into the adsorbent's properties. Modeling the adsorption process with Response Surface Methodology (RSM), Artificial Neural Network (ANN) and General Regression Neural Network (GRNN) indicated excellent predictions by GRNN, with RMSE = 0.0200 and 0.0166, MAE = 0.0082 and 0.0092, as well as AAD = 0.0002 and 0.0006, highlighting its modeling power. Optimization using genetic algorithm (GA) revealed maximum CPF removal efficiency of approximately 95.20% under pH = 6.3, sonication time = 9.0 min, adsorbent dosage = 2.10 g L⁻1, temperature = 45 °C and initial CPF concentration = 90.0 mg L⁻1. Similarly, OFL removal reached about 95.50% under pH = 6.30, sonication time = 8.0 min, adsorbent dosage = 2.0 g L⁻1, temperature = 45 °C and OFL concentration = 115.0 mg L⁻1. RSM optimization closely aligned with GA results. Pseudo-second-order (PSO) kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm model best fitted the experimental data for both antibiotics. Thermodynamic analysis indicated a favorable and spontaneous adsorption process for CPF and OFL. The study concludes that the proposed adsorbents show effectiveness in removing CPF and OFL at lower doses and shorter sonication times compared to various reported adsorbents. [Display omitted] • The highlights of the text are: • Synthesis of a novel nano-scale adsorbent incorporating GO, (CS), and PDA. • Comprehensive characterization of the as-prepared adsorbent using various techniques. • Demonstrated effectiveness of the adsorbent in removing CPF and OFL. • In-depth examination of adsorption isotherms, kinetics, thermodynamics, and reusability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Improving the kinetics rate and mass transfer is essential for expanding the potential of electrochemical technologies in wastewater treatment. The electrochemical flow-through configuration promises a high oxidation efficiency and low energy consumption. We aimed to provide a thorough understanding of the enhanced kinetics, mass transfer, and thermodynamic parameters during the degradation of amoxicillin (AMX) in a multi-stage flow-through (MSFT) system using porous Ti-ENTA/SnO 2 –Sb anodes. All operating conditions strongly influenced the kinetics of AMX degradation and followed pseudo-first-order rate kinetic model (R2 > 0.85), with the highest k obs of 0.228 min−1 at high temperature (318 K). In comparison to the flow-by mode, the AMX removal rate in the three-stage flow-through mode was greatly enhanced by 70%, exhibiting the superior capacity of a porous anode. This system exhibited outstanding performance regarding the high kinetics rate and mass transfer rate (k m), which increased by factors of 3.46 and 10.74, respectively, obtained in the flow-by mode. It also revealed that •OH generation was 5.64 times higher, and the EE/O was 19.89-fold lower than those in flow-by mode. Temperature plays a vital role in the reaction process, and thermodynamic features found the positive enthalpy (Δ Ho) of +27.06 kJ mol−1, signifying the process was endothermic. A Hatta number (Ha) of >0.02 at all temperatures proved this finding, confirming an undeniable role in mass transfer. Finally, these findings reveal the system's performance and offer the possibility of establishing a multi-stage flow-through for wastewater treatment. [Display omitted] • Enhanced kinetic, mass transfer, and low energy use were found in flow-through mode. • Three-stage flow-through enhanced.•OH generation yield compared to the flow-by mode. • Increasing the number of stages exhibited an excellent performance in flow-through. • Temperature has a positive effect in the process and promotes energy-saving practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We characterized the metal tolerance of recombinant strains harboring metallothionein from the freshwater crab Sinopotamon henanense (ShMT) in vivo and metal binding properties of ShMT purified in vitro. The recombinant strains harboring ShMT were exposed to 0.1 mM Cd2+, 0.3 mM Cu2+, 0.5 mM Pb2+, and 0.8 mM Zn2+. The growth curves and spot assays of recombinant strains and the contents of heavy metal ions were analysed in the media supplemented with above metal ions provided to recombinant E. coli synthesis. The structural characteristics of the Cd-, Cu-, Pb-, and Zn-ShMT were determined through ultraviolet spectroscopy (UV-vis), circular dichroism (CD), and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). The in vivo results showed that, compared to control strains, recombinant strains tolerated Cd2+, Cu2+, Pb2+, and Zn2+. Furthermore, the contents of Cd2+ and Pb2+ in media decreased substantially. In vitro and the Cd-ShMT had a higher degree of folding compactness in solution. 5,5′-Dithiobis-(2-nitrobenzoic) acid (DTNB) reaction and ITC results demonstrated that ShMT yielded Cd 6 -, Cu 7 -, and Pb 6 -ShMT. The binding stability order was Cu-ShMT > Cd-ShMT > Pb-ShMT > Zn-ShMT. Overall, ShMT is a canonical crustacean MT and is defined as a Cd-specific MT isoform that functions mainly in a detoxifying Cd2+ and Pb2+ and in regulating Zn2+ homeostasis in S. henanense. This research on the metal binding properties of ShMT provides a better understanding of the physiological function of ShMT reducing heavy metal bioavailability and by regulating essential trace metals. Image 1 • ShMT could coordinate Cd2+, Cu2+, Pb2+, and Zn2+ in vivo and in vitro. • Cd-ShMT has a higher degree of folding compactness in solution. • ShMT can form M 6 Ⅱ-ShMT with divalent metal ions and has high affinity to monovalent metal ions. • ShMT is shown to be a Cd-specific MT isoform. • ShMT works as a detoxifying biomolecule for Cd2+ and a regulating biomolecule for Zn2+ homeostasis in S. henanense. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A hybrid energy cycle (HEC) based on biomass gasification can be suggested as an efficient, modern and low-carbon energy power plant. In the current article, a thermodynamic-conceptual design of a HEC based on biomass and solar energies has been developed in order to generate electric power, heat and hydrogen energy. The planned HEC consists of six main units: two electric energy production units, a heat recovery unit (HRU), a hydrogen energy generation cycle based on water electrolysis, a thermal power generation unit (based on LFR field), and a biofuel production unit (based on biomass gasification process). Conceptual analysis is based on the development of energy, exergy and exergoeconomic assessments. Besides that, the reduction rate of pollutant emission through the planned HEC compared to conventional power plants is presented. In the planned HEC, when hydrogen energy is not needed, excess hydrogen is feed into the combustion chamber to improve system performance and reduce the need for natural gas. Accordingly, the rate of polluting gases emitted from the cycle can be mitigated due to the reduction of fossil fuels consumption. Further, based on the machine learning technique (MLT), the level of biofuel produced from the mentioned process is estimated. In this regard, two algorithms (i.e., Support vector machine and Gaussian process regression) have been employed to develop the prediction model. The findings indicated that the considered HEC can produce about 10.2 MW of electricity, 153 kW of thermal power, and 71.8 kmol/h of hydrogen energy. In both training and testing sets, the Support vector machine model exhibits better behavior compared the two Gaussian process regression model. Based on machine learning technique, with increasing gasification pressure, the level of biofuel obtained from the process does not increase significantly. [Display omitted] • The biomass gasification is integrated with natural gas for generating biofuel. • The environmental impact of the designed framework is evaluated. • The proposed system is evaluated from technical point of view. • Machine learning approach is utilized for predicting the generated biofuel. • The results demonstrated that the developed system can produce 10.2 MW power, 153 KW thermal load, and 71.8 kmol/h biofuel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel hydrous iron-nickel-manganese (HINM) trimetal oxide was successfully fabricated using oxidation and coprecipitation method for metalloid arsenite removal. The atomic ratio of Fe:Ni:Mn for this adsorbent is 3:2:1. HINM adsorbent was identified as an amorphous nanosized adsorbent with particle size ranged from 30 nm to 60 nm meanwhile the total active surface area and pore diameter of HINM area of 195.78 m 2 /g and 2.43 nm, respectively. Experimental data of arsenite adsorption is best fitted into pseudo-second order and Freundlich isotherm model. The maximum adsorption capacity of arsenite onto HINM was 81.9 mg/g. Thermodynamic study showed that the adsorption of arsenite was a spontaneous and endothermic reaction with enthalpy change of 14.04 kJ/mol and Gibbs energy of −12 to −14 kJ/mol. Zeta potential, thermal gravimetric (TGA) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis were applied to elucidate the mechanism of arsenite adsorption by HINM. Mechanism of arsenite adsorption by HINM involved both chemisorption and physisorption based on the electrostatic attraction between arsenite ions and surface charge of HINM. It also involved the hydroxyl substitution by arsenite ions through the formation of inner-sphere complex. Reusability of HINM trimetal oxide was up to 89% after three cycles of testing implied that HINM trimetal oxide is a promising and practical adsorbent for arsenite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this work was to study the sorption kinetics and thermodynamics of Co(II) and Ni(II) from aqueous solutions by sorbents on the basis of hydrogen (PD-1) and tertiary (PD-2) Ca-Mg phosphates depending on the solution temperature and sorbents chemical composition. Kinetic studies of adsorption of Co(II) and Ni(II) ions onto samples of phosphate sorbents were performed in batch experiment at the temperatures 288, 303, 318 and 333 K. The sorbent dose was fixed at 10 g L −1 , initial pH value 2.6, and contact time varied from 5 to 600 min. The kinetics of Co(II) and Ni(II) adsorption were analyzed by using pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order and intraparticle diffusion models. Thermodynamic parameters (Δ G °, Δ H ° and Δ S °) for the sorption of Co(II) and Ni(II) were determined using the Gibbs-Helmholtz equation. The calculated kinetic parameters and corresponding correlation coefficients revealed that Co(II) and Ni(II) uptake process followed the pseudo-second order rate expression. Thermodynamic studies confirmed the spontaneous and endothermic nature of removal process which indicate that sorption of Co(II) and Ni(II) ions onto both phosphate sorbents is favoured at higher temperatures and has the chemisorptive mechanism. The data thus obtained would be useful for practical application of the low cost and highly effective Ca-Mg phosphate sorbents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetracycline (TC) as an antibiotic with high consumption causes the spread of contamination in an aqueous solution. In recent decades, antibiotics are the main cause of hindering the growth of microorganisms. Also, they are one of the important groups of pharmaceuticals with extensive usage in human and veterinary medicine. In the first work of its kind, we used a suitable adsorbent of biodegradable hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) with graphene oxide (GO) by crosslinking ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) and the Fe/Zn with mole ratio 1:1 bimetallic nanoparticles with HEC-GO support. The materials were identified using FTIR, FE-SEM, EDX, TEM, and TG- DSC analyses. The factors affecting the adsorption process (contact time, initial concentration of TC, solution pH, adsorbent dosage, and reaction temperature) were evaluated in a series of batch systems. The adsorption data showed that the high adsorption capacity was obtained on the HEC-GO and HEC-GO/Fe–Zn (mole ratio 1:1) nanocomposites at pH 3. Also, the contact time as the main factor affecting the adsorption process by adsorbents was investigated and the best contact time was 100 and 20 min. The TC removal percentages of both adsorbents were 85% and 95% for HEC-GO and HEC-GO/Fe–Zn, respectively. The maximum adsorption capacity for TC was evaluated by the isotherm models. The experimental data fitted well with the Langmuir model. In addition, pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, intraparticle diffusion, and the Elovich models were applied to kinetic data. The data indicated that TC adsorption on HEC-GO and HEC–GO/Fe–Zn (mole ratio 1:1) followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The thermodynamic parameters implied that the adsorption process was spontaneous and exothermic. Nano-biocomposite (HEC-GO/Fe–Zn) can be used as an adsorbent to remove water pollutants. [Display omitted] • Antibiotics are one of the most important pharmaceutical contaminants in wastewater. • The adsorption of TC antibiotic was investigated by HEC-GO hydrogel and HEC-GO/Fe–Zn with (mole ratio 1:1). • Tetracycline had a higher adsorption capacity for HEC-GO/Fe–Zn (mole ratio 1:1) than HEC-GO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, nano pumice (NP) and a cationic surfactant (hexadecyltrimethylammonium-chloride (HDTMA.Cl)) treated nano pumice (HMNP) were used for humic acid (HA) adsorption from an aqueous solution. The adsorption process was modeled and optimized using Response surface methodology-central composite design (RSM-CCD) and Artificial neural networks- Genetic algorithm (ANN-GA). The results show that the ANN model outperforms the RSM-CCD model in terms of response prediction. Optimization results based on the RSM-CCD approach proposed pH 3, adsorbent dose 3 g L−1, reaction time 60 min, and initial HA concentration 5 mg L−1 as optimal points of the variables, to reach the maximum adsorption efficiency of 100% and 65.4% by HMNP and NP adsorbents. The maximal adsorption capacity of NP was 1.21 mg g−1, while that of HMNP was 27.34 mg g−1. The optimal points of process parameters by the ANN-GA method are in accordance with the values suggested by the RSM-CCD method. In isotherm studies, Langmuir model was found to be the best-fitted model for both adsorbent with R2 = 0.97 for NP and 0.992 for HMNP, and also among three different kinetic models which were assessed, Pseudo-second-order model with R2 = 0.9989 for HMNP and R2 = 0.9957 for NP were the best-fitted models for HA removal. Thermodynamic studies indicated that the HA adsorption process by both of the adsorbents is endothermic and the nature of HMNP was found spontaneous while for NP was non-spontaneous. The value of ΔH for both adsorbents was in the range of 34–36.8 kJ mol−1 so the process is clarified as chemical–physical adsorption. The reusability test revealed that the adsorption effectiveness of HMNP drops from 100% to 82.4% after 10 consecutive recycles. The influence of interfacing anions indicated that the adsorption efficiency drops from 100% to 95.4% when the anions were added to the reaction solution. [Display omitted] • NP and a cationic surfactant (HDTMA.Cl))-treated Nano pumice (HMNP). • The adsorption process was modeled and optimized by RSM-CCD and ANN-GA. • The maximum adsorption efficiency of 100% by HMNP adsorbent. • Co-existing anions drop the adsorption efficiency from 100% to 95.4%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phthalate esters are a group of plasticizers, which have been widely detected in China’s agricultural and industrial soils. In this study, batch adsorption experiments were conducted to investigate the environmental effects on the adsorption of diethyl phthalate ester (DEP) to clay minerals. The results showed that DEP adsorption isotherms were well fitted with the Freundlich model; the interlayer spacing of K + saturated montmorillonite (K-mont) was the most important adsorption area for DEP, and di-n-butyl ester (DnBP) was limited to intercalate into the interlayer of K-mont due to the bigger molecular size; there was no significant effect of pH and ionic strength on DEP adsorption to K-mont/Ca-mont, but to Na-mont clay. The adsorption to kaolinite was very limited. Data of X-ray diffraction and FTIR spectra further proved that DEP molecules could intercalate into K-/Ca-mont interlayer, and might interact with clay through H-bonding between carbonyl groups and clay adsorbed water. Coated humic acid on clay surface would enhance DEP adsorption at low concentration, but not at high concentration (eg. C e > 0.26 mM). The calculated adsorption enthalpy (Δ H obs ) and adsorption isotherms at varied temperatures showed that DEP could be adsorbed easier as more adsorbed. This study implied that clay type, compound structure, exchangeable cation, soil organic matter and temperature played important roles in phthalate ester’s transport in soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although pharmaceutical compounds (PCs) are being used more and more widely, and studies have been carried out to assess their presence in the environment, knowledge of their fate and behavior, especially under different environmental conditions, is still limited. The principle objective of the present work, therefore, is to evaluate the adsorption behavior of three ionizable, polar compounds occurring in different forms: cationic (propranolol – PRO), anionic (sulfisoxazole – SSX) and neutral (sulfaguanidine – SGD) onto soil under various temperature conditions. The adsorption thermodynamics of these researched compounds were extensively investigated using parameters such as enthalpy change (ΔH°), Gibbs free energy change (ΔG°) as well as entropy change (ΔS°). These calculations reveal that sorption of PRO is exothermic, spontaneous and enthalpy driven, sorption of SGD is endothermic, spontaneous and entropy driven whereas sorption of SSX is endothermic, spontaneous only above the temperature of 303.15 K and entropy driven. Furthermore, we submit that the calculated values yield valuable information regarding the sorption mechanism of PRO, SGD and SSX onto soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] CPPS has higher ability to adsorb Cd than APPS. [•] Mechanisms of Cd adsorbed on the two soils are different. [•] Effect of soil OM on Cd adsorption depends on its content and existing forms. [•] Both OM and CaCO3 play vital role in specific adsorption of Cd by CPPS. [•] Cd adsorption on both soils is a spontaneous and endothermic process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Novel eco-friendly and economically favourable chemically modified biosorbents and biosomposites from sugarcane bagasse (SB) has been investigated for the first time for efficient removal of Acid red 1 dye from wastewater. As fabricated biosorbents and biocomposites were characterized analytically. Batch adsorption experiments has been performed to optimize operating parameters and the determined optimum conditions are; pH: 2, dose: 0.05 g, contact time: between 60 and 75 min, initial dye concentration: 400 mg L−1, and temperature: 30 °C, at which maximum Acid red 1 dye removal capacities were found (within range of 143.4–205.1 mg g−1) by as-designed SB-derived chemically modified biosorbents and biocomposites. This high adsorption capacity was accompanied due to its large specific surface area (30.19 m2 g−1) and excessive functional active binding sites. In terms of the nature of adsorption process, kinetic and isothermal studies demonstrated that experimental data shows greater fitness with pseudo 2nd order and Langmuir model. Thermodynamics analysis revealed that the adsorption process is spontaneous, feasible, and exothermic in nature. Adsorption selective studies signifies that lower concentration of co-existing metallic ions were not interfered during the removal of Acid red 1 dye, which confirms that under optimized adsorption conditions the biosorbents and biocomposites exhibited greater affinity for dye molecules. The excessive quantity (82%) of loaded dye molecules within the adsorbents were extracted within the NaOH eluting media which predicts that as designed biocomposites could have capability of reusability. Hence, it is anticipated that this type of novel SB-derived biocomposites could be considered as greener potential candidate material for commercial scale dye removal applications from industrial wastewater. [Display omitted] • Exploring the potential of sugarcane bagasse-based biocomposites for dye removal. • Chemically modified biosorbents and biocomposites were successfully designed. • Efficient dye removal (205 mg g−1) under optimized conditions were recorded. • Designed biocomposites displayed high Acid red 1 dye desorption efficacy. • Biocomposites were highly selective for dye removal in the existence of other ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The sorption of 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, and pentachlorophenol by a allophanic soil was studied in a series of batch experiments. Chlorophenol sorption behavior was evaluated as a function of reaction time (0–96h) and input concentration at a fixed ionic strength (0.1mol L−1 KCl) at 25, 35, and 45°C. Sorption results for the various reaction temperatures were used in calculating thermodynamic parameters. Chlorophenol sorption increased with temperature, suggesting an endothermic process. The Elovich equation was used to describe the kinetic data. Data from the isotherm experiments were described by the Triple-Layer Model in which monodentate outer- and inner-sphere complexes were formed between deprotonated organic molecules and active sites on the variable-charge soil. The calculated thermodynamic parameters suggest that chlorophenol sorption is a spontaneous (ΔG <0), endothermic (ΔH >0) and entropy-driven reaction (ΔS >0). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of a new adsorbent in terms of beading the sludge generated from coal mine drainage or arsenic removed from water is treated by electro-purification (EP) and chemical-precipitation (CP) methods. Batch experiments were conducted to study the influence of experimental parameters such as pH and temperature, as well as the mechanism of arsenic adsorption with the new adsorbent. The porosity of coal mine drainage sludge (CMDS)-beaded adsorbent made of chitosan and alginate was optimized by adding NaHCO 3 powder to generate CO 2 gas during the preparation process. Two types of adsorbents, beaded EP Najeon CMDS (BCMDS EP -NJ) and beaded CP Yeongdong CMDS (BCMDS CP -YD), were prepared by heating. The specific surface areas of the powdered adsorbents CMDS EP -NJ and CMDS CP -YD were 104 and 231 m2 g−1, respectively. The prepared beaded adsorbents BCMDS EP -NJ and BCMDS CP -YD had good porosity and specific surface areas of 16.8 and 21.2 m2 g−1, respectively. The X-ray diffraction results showed that the structure was goethite (aragonite) and schwertmannite. The pseudo second-order, intra-particle, and Langmuir models were used to explain the adsorption process. The q max values of As(III) with BCDMS EP -NJ and BCMDS CP -YD adsorbents are 4.31 and 4.58 mg g−1, respectively and those of AS(V) are 9.31 and 10.93 mg g−1, respectively. The adsorption capacity for As(III) increased with increasing pH, whereas that for As(V) decreased. The activation energy was 8 kJ mol−1 or more. The mechanism of adsorption of arsenic using a beaded adsorbent was chemical adsorption followed by diffusion. The results of the present study suggest that new adsorbents can be effectively utilized for arsenic removal from water. • Synthesis of beaded adsorbent using coal mine drainage sludge and organic binder. • q e and q max induction according to initial pH. • Study on the reaction rate using the synthesized beaded adsorbent. • Confirmation of arsenic chemical adsorption and external diffusion mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Separation under the influence of magnetic field has been widely explored to tackle environmental issues related to centrifuging and filtration. In this work, activated carbon produced from pomegranate husk (PHAC) using dual stage chemical activation was magnetized with iron salts and used for adsorption of 4-chlorophenol (4CP) from the synthetic wastewater. Adsorption experiments were conducted in batch mode to determine the removal efficiency of magnetized activated carbon pomegranate husk (MPHAC) as a function of initial 4CP concentration, solution pH, MPHAC dose, contact time, ionic strength, and temperature. The rough surface of MPHAC containing pores on the surface had a total pore volume of 0.623 cm3/g with a surface area of 1168 m2/g. The 4CP adsorption was highly dependent on ionic strength, solution pH, and temperature; the equilibrium was reached in 60 min of contact time. Kinetic models and equilibrium isotherms were employed to assess the fitness of adsorption data; results were fitted best with the Liu model giving maximum adsorption capacities of 446.89 ± 20.75 and 183.64 ± 17.85 mg/g for 1 and 2 g/L of MPHAC, respectively. For the investigation of the adsorption kinetics, Avrami fractionary-order model showed the best fit of the experimental data compared to other kinetic models. Image 1 • Magnetized AC is prepared from pomegranate husk using dual stage chemical activation. • MPHAC had a total pore volume of 0.623 cm3/g and a surface area of 1168 m2/g. • Saturation magnetization value of MPHAC was 8.45 emu/g, indicating high magnetic susceptibility. • Maximum q e of 446.89 and 183.64 mg/g was obtained for 1 and 2 g/L of MPHAC. • 4CP adsorption by MPHAC was an exothermic and spontaneous process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A key challenge in adsorption process of toxic organic and inorganic species is the design and development of adsorbent materials bearing an abundance of accessible adsorption sites with high affinity to achieve both fast adsorption kinetics and elevated adsorption capacity for toxic contaminants. Herein, a novel anion-exchange adsorbent based on fibrous silica nanospheres KCC-1 was synthesized by a facile hydrothermal-assisted post-grafting modification of KCC-1 with 1-methyl-3- (triethoxysilylpropyl)imidazolium chloride for the first time. Silica fibers with micro-mesoporous structure display the proper combination of features to serve as a potential scaffold for decorating adsorption sites to create desired ion-exchange adsorbent. The obtained N-methylimidazolium-functionalized KCC-1 (MI-Cl-KCC-1) with fibrous nanosphere morphology showed a high surface area (∼241 m 2  g -1 ) and high pore volume (0.81 m 2  g -1 ). The adsorption behaviors of toxic hexavalent chromium from aqueous media by the MI-Cl-KCC-1 were systematically studied using the batch method. The adsorption rate was relatively fast, and MI-Cl-KCC-1 possesses a high capacity for the adsorption of Cr(VI). The maximum Cr(VI) adsorption was obtained at pH 3.0-4.0. Different non-linear isotherm equations were tested for choosing an appropriate adorption isotherm behavior, and the adsorption data for MI-Cl-KCC-1 were consistent with the Langmuir model with a maximum adsorption capacity of 428 ± 8 mg g -1 ., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)