Malaysian Journal of Analytical Sciences Vol 21 No 3 (2017): 619 - 626

DOI: https://doi.org/10.17576/mjas-2017-2103-11

 

 

 

REMOVAL OF LEAD(II) FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION USING POLYACRYLONITRILE/ZINC OXIDE ACTIVATED CARBON NANOFIBERS

 

(Penyingkiran Plumbum(II) daripada Larutan Akues Mengunakan Gentian Nano Karbon Teraktif Poliakrilonitril/Zink Oksida)

 

Norfadhilatuladha Abdullah^1,2, Muhamad Hanis Tajuddin^1,2, Norhaniza Yusof^1,2*,Juhana Jaafar^1,2,

Farhana Aziz^1,2, Nurasyikin Misdan³

 

¹Advanced Membrane Technology Research Centre (AMTEC)

²Faculty of Chemical and Energy Engineering (FCEE)

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor Bahru, Malaysia

³Faculty of Engineering Technology,

Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 86400 Parit Raja, Johor, Malaysia

*Corresponding author: norhaniza@petroleum.utm.my

 

 

Received: 26 August 2016; Accepted: 8 January 2017

 

 

Abstract

This study aimed to prepare activated carbon nanofibers (ACNFs) from polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and zinc oxide (ZnO) via electrospinning process for removal of lead from aqueous solution. The ACNFs/ZnO were characterized in term of its morphological changes, specific surface area and functional groups analysis using Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis, respectively. The results showed that the specific surface area (SSA) of the ACNFs/ZnO were higher than the neat ACNFs which were 163.04 m²/g as compared to 67.6 m²/g, accordingly. FESEM analysis illustrated that composite ACNFs possessed more compact fibers with presence of ZnO beads and smaller fiber diameter whereas neat ACNFs possessed more aligned nanofibers with larger fiber diameter. Adsorption study showed that the composite ACNFs possessed higher capacity which was 120.3 mg/g as compared to 77.6 mg/g of neat ACNFs. This excellent adsorption performance of ACNFs PAN/ZnO exhibits the potential of this composite adsorbent to solve the environmental issue of heavy metal contamination.

 

Keywords:  activated carbon, activated carbon nanofiber, adsorption capacity, lead adsorption

 

Abstrak

Kajian ini bertujuan untuk menyediakan gentian-nano karbon teraktif (ACNFs) daripada poliakrilonitril (PAN) and zink oksida melalui proses putaran-elektro untuk menyingkirkan plumbum (II) daripada larutan akues.  ACNFs/ZnO dicirikan berdasarkan perubahan morfologi, luas permukaan spesifik, dan analisis kumpulan berfungsi mengunakan Mikroskopi Elektron Pengimbasan Pancaran Medan (FESEM), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) dan Inframerah Transformasi Fourier (FTIR). Keputusan kajian menunjukkan luas permukaan spesifik (SSA) komposit ACNFs adalah lebih tinggi berbanding ACNFs tanpa logam oksida iaitu 163.04 m²/g berbanding 67.6 m²/g. Analisis FESEM menunjukkan komposit ACNFs mempunyai gentian lebih padat dengan kehadiran manik zink oksida and mempunyai diameter gentian lebih kecil manakala ACNFs tanpa logam oksida mempunyai gentian lebih tersusun dengan diameter gentian yang lebih besar. Ujian penjerapan menunjukkan bahawa penyingkiran Pb(II) menunjukkan kapasiti penjerapan yang lebih tinggi, iaitu 120.0 mg/g berbanding 77.6 mg/g oleh ACNFs tanpa ZnO. Hasil kajian ini menunjukkan potensi PAN/ZnO ACNFs sebagai penjerap untuk menyelesaikan isu pencemaran logam berat dalam persekitaran. 

 

Kata kunci:  karbon teraktif; gentian nano karbon teraktif, kapasiti penjerapan, penjerapan plumbum

 

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