ᐊ O14-4
Open Readings 2023 • P1-1
P1-2 ᐅ

CARBON FROM COCONUT SHELLS FOR EFFICIENT REMOVAL OF NITROBENZENE FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION

Aleksandar M. Đorđević1, 2, Jadranka Milikić3, Aldona Balčiūnaitė4, Biljana Šljukić3, 5

1 University of Belgrade, Institute of General and Physical Chemistry, Studentski trg 12/V, 11158 Belgrade, Serbia

2 University of Belgrade, Faculty of Chemistry, Studentskitrg 12-16, 11158 Belgrade, Serbia

3 University of Belgrade, Faculty of Physical Chemistry, Studentski trg 12-16, 11158 Belgrade, Serbia

4 Center for Physical Sciences and Technology, Saul'etekio ave. 3, Vilnius LT-10257, Lithuania

5 CeFEMA, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, 1049–001 Lisbon, Portugal

[email protected]

Nitrobenzene (NB) is a common reagent in the industry. It is extensively used in the production of pesticides, dyes, explosives, polyurethane foams, elastomers, and industrial solvent production, and itiscontained in industrial waste, thus being air, water, and soil pollutant [1-3]. The contamination of water sources by NB could lead to severe health risks for humans. Due to its poor biodegradability, long-term residues, and accumulation in the environment, many countries have listed NB as a priority pollutant. Therefore, strategies for removing NB from aqueous solutions must be developed [4-5].

Figure 1
Fig. 1. Cyclic voltammograms of AgCo/rGO electrode in 200 μM nitrobenzene + phosphate buffer without (-) and after mixing with 20 mg of carbon powder (---).

The NB adsorption on the carbon obtained from coconut shells was studied at pH 7. Carbon powder (20 mg) was placed in 50 mL of 200μM NB solution andmixed for 10 min. The sample was next filtered. Figure 1. shows that the control cyclic voltammogram of AgCo/rGO electrode recorded in solution after treatment with carbon powder doesnot show peaks in the potential range where the NB reduction reaction is expected, while the cyclic voltammogram recorded in 200 μM NB, before treatment, shows a reduction peak of NB at a potential of about - 0.78 V. Result shows that carbon powder obtained from coconut shells can be usedfor succesful adsorption of NB from aqueous solution.

Acknowledgments: The authors would like to thank the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of theRepublic of Serbia (contract no. 451-03-68/2022-14/200288, 451-03-68/2022-14/200146 and 451-03-68/2022-14/200168).Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal) is acknowledged for contract no. IST-ID/156-2018 (B. Šljukić).

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