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Novel CTAB functionalized graphene oxide for selenium removal: adsorption results and ANN & RSM modeling

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Abstract

This study explored the potential of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide functionalized graphene oxide (CTAB@GO composite) to remove selenite and selenate from wastewater, given the health hazards related to selenium. It demonstrated outstanding adsorption capacities of 140 and 468 mg/g for selenite and selenate respectively, outperforming other GO composite adsorbents. The CTAB@GO composite was synthesized through a novel method involving sonication and dropwise addition of CTAB solution to GO dispersion. The composite was characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), indicating the successful incorporation of CH3-N+ groups on the surface of GO, which created an electrostatic force with the anionic SeO32− and SeO42− species. Both the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) and the Back Propagation Artificial Neural Network (BP-ANN) were utilized to model the removal process, with strong model fits shown by the R2 values for selenite and selenate removal. The Redlich-Peterson and Avrami models were the best-fitted models for adsorption isotherm and kinetics respectively. The study concluded that the CTAB@GO composite is an effective adsorbent for treating water containing selenite and selenate species.

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Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the necessary support for this work by the King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) and the Civil and Environmental Engineering Department & the Chemical Engineering Department at KFUPM, including the lab facilities. This work was supported by the Deanship of Research Oversight and Coordination (DROC) at King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM) in the terms of Research Grant #DF191022.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM), 31261, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

    Ahmed I. Ibrahim & Muhammad S. Vohra

  2. Chemical Engineering Department, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM), 31261, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

    Sagheer A. Onaizi

  3. Interdisciplinary Research Center for Hydrogen and Energy Storage, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM), 31261, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

    Sagheer A. Onaizi

  4. Interdisciplinary Research Center for Construction and Building Materials, King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM), 31261, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia

    Muhammad S. Vohra

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The first author Ahmed I. Ibrahim provided the idea for this work, prepared the material, conducted the experiments, and wrote the first draft. The second author Sagheer A. Onaizi provided the idea for this work, prepared the material, supervised the treatment part of the experimental work, and extensively edited the first & final drafts. The corresponding author Muhammad S. Vohra provided the idea for this work, supervised the treatment part of the experimental work, and extensively edited the first and final drafts.

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Correspondence to Muhammad S. Vohra.

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Ibrahim, A.I., Onaizi, S.A. & Vohra, M.S. Novel CTAB functionalized graphene oxide for selenium removal: adsorption results and ANN & RSM modeling. emergent mater. 7, 547–564 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s42247-023-00570-4

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