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Synthesis and characterization of nano zinc oxide/zinc chloride–activated carbon composite based on date palm fronds: adsorption of methylene blue

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Abstract

Zinc chloride–activated carbon (AC) and nano zinc oxide/activated carbon composite (NZAC) as solid adsorbents were synthesized from date palm fronds (DPF) as a green material of activated carbon, while zinc oxide nanoparticles (NZ) were prepared in the presence of polyethylene glycol as capping agent. All the prepared solid adsorbents were investigated by several characterization techniques such as thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), nitrogen adsorption/desorption isotherm, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), pH of point of zero charges (pHPZC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The NZAC sample had the highest total pore volume (0.960 cm3/g), specific surface area (2085.47 m2/g), and with pHPZC of 7.8. Adsorption of methylene blue was tested by Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin adsorption isotherms. NZAC had the highest Langmuir adsorption capacity (456.62 mg/g) at 40 °C with a dimensionless separation factor (RL) of 0.030. MB adsorption matched well with pseudo-second-order and Elovich kinetic models. The entropy, free energy, and heat changes for MB adsorption onto NZAC were found to be 0.0243 (kJ/mol. K), − 3.5589 (kJ/mol), and 3.561 (kJ/mol), respectively. Thermodynamic analysis demonstrated that the adsorption process of MB is favorable, spontaneous, physisorption, and endothermic. Desorption studies showed that HCl (0.01 mol/L) achieved the higher desorption percent (87%) compared with the other eluents.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to extend their sincere appreciation to University of Technology and Applied Sciences.

Funding

This study was funded by Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation of Sultanate of Oman through the research group project no. BFI/URG/EBR/21/249.

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All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation and analysis were performed by Asaad F. Hassa and Laila M. Alshandoudi. Data collection was performed by Said R. Alkindi and Tariq Y. Alhatmi.

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Correspondence to Asaad F. Hassan.

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Alshandoudi, L.M., Alkindi, S.R., Alhatmi, T.Y. et al. Synthesis and characterization of nano zinc oxide/zinc chloride–activated carbon composite based on date palm fronds: adsorption of methylene blue. Biomass Conv. Bioref. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13399-023-03815-8

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