Thiol functionalized sugarcane bagasse—A low cost adsorbent for mercury remediation from compact fluorescent bulbs and contaminated water streams

Novel thiol functionalized sugarcane bagasse (SCB-S) was synthesized and structurally characterized by various techniques like scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDAX) and Fourier transform infra red (FTIR) spectroscopy. The adsorption properties of Hg2+ as a function of pH, contact time and initial metal concentration were characterized by cold vapor AAS. The adsorption kinetics fitted the pseudo second order kinetics and equilibrium reached within 120 min. The experimental data were modeled with Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms and various isotherm parameters were evaluated. Thermodynamic parameters such as ΔS, ΔH and ΔG indicated the suitability of SCB-S for the removal of Hg(II). Recycling studies indicated the performance of SCB-S up to five cycles without appreciable depreciation in the capacity. Studies have been conducted to demonstrate the applicability of the sorbent toward the removal of Hg(0) vapor from broken compact fluorescent light (CFL) bulbs at ambient temperature and Hg(II) from contaminated water streams.

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