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Enhanced chromium (VI) removal by Anacardium occidentale stem bark extract-coated multiwalled carbon nanotubes

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Abstract

The surface of pristine multiwalled carbon nanotubes (P-MWCNTs) was modified for enhanced adsorption of Cr(VI) using the stem bark extract of Anacardium occidentale as the modifier. The pristine and modified P-MWCNTs were characterized using the XRD, FESEM, Raman, FTIR, TGA and BET surface area analysis. The uptake of Cr(VI) onto Anacardium occidentale modifier-P-MWCNTs (AOMW) was optimized using experimental conditions such as the pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage, adsorbate temperature and initial Cr(VI) concentration. The results showed optimum removal of Cr(VI) ion at pH 2, 180 min and 0.025 g dosage. The thermodynamic studies showed that Cr(VI) adsorption onto the modified AOMW and MWCNTs was spontaneous, feasible and endothermic. The elimination of Cr(VI) was greatly enhanced by the modification step. P-MWCNTs and AOMW showed efficient regeneration and reuse for Cr(VI) uptake after five cycles. These results proved the viability of AOMW for efficient removal of Cr(VI) from polluted aqueous stream.

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Acknowledgments

The authors are grateful to Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria, for support.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Nigeria

    J. F. Amaku & C. M. Ngwu

  2. Chemical Sciences Department, Olabisi Onabanjo University, P. M. B. 2002, Ago-Iwoye, Nigeria

    S. A. Ogundare

  3. Department of Chemistry, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa

    K. G. Akpomie & J. Conradie

  4. Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria

    K. G. Akpomie

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  1. J. F. Amaku
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  2. S. A. Ogundare
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  3. K. G. Akpomie
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  4. C. M. Ngwu
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  5. J. Conradie
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JFA was involved in investigation, methodology and writing original draft. SO and CMN were involved in conceptualized the research and analysed the data obtained. KA and JC supervised, read and edited the manuscript.

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Editorial responsibility: Shahid Hussain.

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Amaku, J.F., Ogundare, S.A., Akpomie, K.G. et al. Enhanced chromium (VI) removal by Anacardium occidentale stem bark extract-coated multiwalled carbon nanotubes. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 19, 4421–4434 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-021-03364-5

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