Abstract
Hydrothermal carbonization of cellulose in the presence of the globular protein ovalbumin leads to the formation of nitrogen-doped carbon aerogel with a fibrillar continuous carbon network. The protein plays here a double role: (i) a natural source of nitrogen functionalities (2.1 wt %) and (ii) structural directing agent (SBET = 38 m2/g). The applicability in wastewater treatment, namely, for heavy metal removal, was examined through adsorption of Cr(VI) and Pb(II) ion solely and in a mixed bicomponent aqueous solutions. This cellulose-based carbogel shows an enhanced ability to remove both Cr(VI) (∼68 mg/g) and Pb(II) (∼240 mg/g) from the targeted solutions in comparison to other carbon materials reported in the literature. The presence of competing ions showed little effect on the adsorption efficiency toward Cr(VI) and Pb(II).
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 25875-25883 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| Journal | ACS applied materials & interfaces |
| Volume | 7 |
| Issue number | 46 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 25 Nov 2015 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- adsorption
- carbon aerogel
- heavy metals removal
- hydrothermal carbonization
- water purification
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- General Materials Science