Comparison with as-grown and microwave modified carbon nanotubes to removal aqueous bisphenol A

This study utilized carbon nanotubes (CNTs) to remove bisphenol A (BPA) from aqueous solution. The surfaces of CNTs were modified by SOCl2/NH4OH under microwave irradiation. The surface characteristics of as-grown and modified CNTs were analyzed by measuring zeta potential, and using a scanning electron microscope, a surface area analyzer and a Fourier transform infrared spectroscope. The specific surface area of modified CNTs exceeded that of as-grown CNTs. The pHiep values of as-grown CNTs and modified CNTs were determined to be 4.3 and 6.5, respectively. Some amine functionalities were formed on the surface of modified CNTs; therefore, the surface of the modified CNTs contained more positive charges than that of the as-grown CNTs. The adsorption kinetics were examined using pseudo first- and second-order models, intraparticle diffusion and Bangham's models. The equilibrium data were simulated using Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin and Radushkevich (D–R) and Temkin isotherms. The results reveal that the pseudo second-order model and Langmuir isotherm fit the kinetics and equilibrium data, respectively. The adsorption capacity of BPA on the surface of CNTs fluctuates very little with pH in the range of 3–9, suggesting the high stability of CNTs as an adsorbent for BPA over a rather wide pH range. The values of ΔH0 and ΔS0 were calculated to be − 11.7 kJ/mol and 46.1 J/mol, respectively. The isotherm and thermodynamic simulations indicate that the adsorption of BPA onto as-grown CNTs proceeds by physisorption process.