Removal of phenolics from aqueous media using quaternised maize tassels

• The maize tassels powder was hydroxyphilated with epichlorohydrine.
• The polyDADMAC polyelectrolyte was epoxidated.
• The hydroxyphilated maize tassels was then reacted with epoxidated polyDADMAC.
• Characterization by UV–Vis FTIR and 13 NMR techniques confirmed the formation of each of the products.
• The cationised maize tassels were applied for adsorption of phenolic compounds in water.

This paper reports on the preparation and modification of powdered maize tassels with polydiallyldimethylammonium chloride (polyDADMAC). The modified tassel were applied for the removal of phenolic compounds from water, through adsorption. The effect of contact time, sorbent dose, pH of the sample and the adsorption capacity were investigated at fixed temperature (25 °C). The optimum pH was 6.0 and the uptake was more than 90% within the first 10 min of contact. The adsorption prescribed to Langmuir model of monolayer adsorption implying a chemisorption process. The adsorption capacities were found to be 7.09, 8.23, 8.84 and 4.74 mg g−1 for chlorobenzoic acid, 2,4,6-trichlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol and 1,2-dihyroxybenzene respectively. These were fairly higher than many other reported systems. The removal efficiency was found to be 75, 64, 55 and 40% for Chlorobenzoic acid, 2,4,6-Trichlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol and 1,2-dihyroxybenzene, respectively. This proved that quaternised maize tassels can be used as an efficient adsorbent material for removal of phenolic compounds from water and wastewater.