Synthesis and characterization of a novel CNT-FeNi3/DFNS/Cu(ii) magnetic nanocomposite for the photocatalytic degradation of tetracycline in wastewater.

Herein, Cu(ii) complexes were anchored within the nanospaces of a magnetic fibrous silicate with a high surface area and easily accessible active sites via a facile approach, leading to the successful synthesis of a novel potent nanocatalyst (FeNi3/DFNS/Cu). Furthermore, FeNi3/DFNS/Cu was supported on carbon nanotubes (CNTs) via an usual nozzle electrospinning method (CNT-FeNi3/DFNS/Cu). In addition, its performance as a photocatalyst for the degradation of tetracycline was tested in a batch reactor. Tetracycline is an antibiotic that is commonly utilized in veterinary medicine and in the treatment of human infections, but is hazardous to aquatic environments. However, the usual processes for the removal of tetracycline are not efficient. The eco-friendly attributes of this catalytic system include high catalytic activity and ease of recovery from the reaction mixture using an external magnet, and it can be reused several times without significant loss in its performance. Also, protocols such as hot filtration, and mercury poisoning provided complete insight into the nature of this heterogeneous catalyst.

Acetylation of oil palm empty fruit bunch fiber as an adsorbent for removal of crude oil.

Removal of oil spillage from the environment is a global concern. Various methods, including the use of fibers as sorbents, have been developed for oil spill control. Oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fiber is a plant biomass that may be acetylated by acetic anhydride using N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) as a catalyst; here, the extent of acetylation may be calculated in terms of weight percent gain (WPG). The modified fiber was used to remove Tapis and Arabian crude oils. The optimum time, temperature, and catalyst concentration were 4 h, 120 °C, and 3 %, respectively, and these parameters could achieve an 11.49 % increase in WPG. The optimized parameters improved the adsorption capacity of OPEFB fibers for crude oil removal. The acetylated OPEFB fibers were characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy to observe the functional groups available and morphology. Kinetic and isotherm studies were conducted using different contact times and oil/water ratios. The rate of oil sorption onto the OPEFB fibers can be adequately described by the pseudo-second-order equation. Adsorption studies revealed that adsorption of crude oil on treated OPEFB fiber could be best described by the Langmuir isotherm model.