González Ramos, Karen M.

Publication Search Results

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1

Porous carbon-faujasite composites containing transition metals for aqueous phase adsorption applications
(2014) González Ramos, Karen M.; Hernández Maldonado, Arturo J.; College of Engineering; Curet Arana, María C.; Suleiman Rosado, David; Román, Félix R.; Department of Chemical Engineering; Hernández Rivera, Samuel
Pharmaceutical and personal care products (PPCPs) have emerged in surface water in concentration levels enough to categorize them as “emerging contaminants” due to a lack of efficient wastewater treatment plant removal methods. Of several potential alternatives for remediation, only separation via adsorption at ambient conditions eliminates the risk of unwanted side products. The impetus for this contribution is the possibility of combining the hydrophobic nature of carbons with the unique adsorbent-adsorbate interactions provided by a transition metal based faujasite zeolite. A quasi-ordered (CFAU) composite was hydrothermally synthesized and decorated with extraframework transition metal centers (Ni2+ or Cu2+). The CFAU variants were fully characterized and performance was assessed via salicylic acid (a high occurrence PPCP) equilibrium adsorption tests at ambient conditions. The salicylic acid equilibrium adsorption capacities increased as follows: FAU < Activated Carbon < CFAU < Ni2+ -CFAU << Cu2+ -CFAU, proving the synergistic composite is a promising alternative for PPCP remediation.