Pyrochar/AgBr-derived from discarded chewing gum for decontamination of trichlorophenol via fixed-bed adsorption system.

Pyrochar–AgBr (DCG–AgBr) produced from discarded chewing gum for the decontamination of trichlorophenol (2,4,5-TCP) is reported. The DCG–AgBr specific surface area (249.5 m2/g), the pore volume of 0.998 cm3/g, surface functional groups and thermal analysis were established. The 2,4,5-TCP removal efficiency at 10 mg/L was estimated to be ∼96% and the dynamic behavior was successfully described by the Thomas and Yoon–Nelson models. Based on the economic analysis, the total cost for treatment of 2,4,5-TCP simulated wastewater was 14.39 US$/m3. For the first time, commonly discarded chewing gum was employed as a precursor for fabrication of adsorbents for wastewater treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]