Title: Modified biopolymer adsorbent for the removal of dissolved organic pollutants

Authors: Sabrine Alila, Alexandra Isabel Costa, Luis Filipe Vieira Ferreira, Sami Boufi

Addresses: LMSE, Faculte des Sciences de Sfax, BP 802-3018 Sfax – Tunisie. ' Laboratorio de Quimica Organica, Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa, Departamento de Engenharia Quimica e CIEQB, R. Conselheiro Emidio Navarro 1, 1950-062 Lisboa, Portugal. ' Centro de Quimica-Fisica Molecular, IN, Complexo Interdisciplinar, Instituto Superior Tecnico, Universidade Tecnica de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal. ' LMSE, Faculte des Sciences de Sfax, BP 802-3018 Sfax – Tunisie

Abstract: Chemically modified cellulose fibres were used as adsorbents for the removal of organic compounds and herbicides from water. The chemical modification of fibres by grafting hydrocarbon moieties enhances the adsorption capacity of cellulose substrate. The adsorption behaviour of the modified fibres towards various organic solutes and three herbicides was investigated. The viability of application of the modified cellulose fibres for the removal organic pollutant in continuous mode was confirmed by using column filled with modified fibres. Once exhausted, the column regeneration was accomplished by washing with ethanol. The regenerated column was used in several adsorption–desorption cycles without any loss of the adsorption capacity.

Keywords: cellulose fibres; adsorption; chemical modification; organic pollutants; column regeneration; ethanol; biopolymer adsorbents; water pollution; herbicides.

DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2010.031526

International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management, 2010 Vol.12 No.2/3/4, pp.163 - 191

Published online: 10 Feb 2010 *

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