Removal of phenolic compounds from aqueous phase by adsorption onto polymer supported iron nanoparticles.

The removal of phenolic compounds, i.e., o-cresol, m-cresol, and p-cresol from aqueous solution have been evaluated employing activated carbon (AC) coated with polymer supported iron nanoparticles (FeNPs). The synthesized FeNPs were characterized by scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction analysis. High correlation coefficient values indicated that the adsorption of phenolic compounds onto AC coated with polyvinylpyrrolidon (PVP) supported FeNPs obey Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherms. Higher Freundlich and Langmuir constant values for AC coated with PVP supported FeNPs indicated its greater efficiency than AC. The adsorption data are well represented by both the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms, indicating favourable adsorption of cresols by the adsorbents. Cresols were effectively removed (90 %) by adsorption process from aqueous solution using AC coated with FeNPs. The percentage removal of above phenolic compounds was studied under varying experimental conditions such as pH, temperature, adsorbent dosage, and contact time. The adsorption of phenolic compounds is quite sensitive to pH of the suspension and optimum uptake value was found at pH 7.0. Temperature also has a favorable effect on adsorption when varied from 20 to 50°C. On the contrary, beyond 30°C, a decrease in the adsorption was noticed.

Cloud point extraction and diffuse reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic determination of chromium(VI): A probe to adulteration in food stuffs.

A new cloud point extraction (CPE) method for the determination of hexavalent chromium i.e. Cr(VI) in food samples is established with subsequent diffuse reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (DRS-FTIR) analysis. The method demonstrates enrichment of Cr(VI) after its complexation with 1,5-diphenylcarbazide. The reddish-violet complex formed showed λmax at 540nm. Micellar phase separation at cloud point temperature of non-ionic surfactant, Triton X-100 occurred and complex was entrapped in surfactant and analyzed using DRS-FTIR. Under optimized conditions, the limit of detection (LOD) and quantification (LOQ) were 1.22 and 4.02µgmL-1, respectively. Excellent linearity with correlation coefficient value of 0.94 was found for the concentration range of 1-100µgmL-1. At 10µgmL-1 the standard deviation for 7 replicate measurements was found to be 0.11µgmL-1. The method was successfully applied to commercially marketed food stuffs, and good recoveries (81-112%) were obtained by spiking the real samples.