The Assessment of the Adsorption Capacity of Sorghum Husk for Phenol Remediation

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56919/usci.2542.016

Keywords:

Adsorption, isotherm, kinetics, phenol, sorghum husk, thermodynamics

Abstract

Study’s Excerpt:
• Sorghum husk (SH) was employed as an inexpensive adsorbent for the uptake of phenol.
• Sear’s surface area of sorghum husk was determined to be 77.40 m2 g-1.
• Adsorption of phenol using sorghum husk was by multilayer deposition.
• The mechanism of phenol remediation using SH was by physical adsorption.
Full Abstract:
Phenol is used in many industries; hence, effluents from these industries should be treated properly in order to avert environmental pollution. One of such treatment method is adsorption, where agricultural waste such as sorghum husk can be used as adsorbents. The main purpose for carrying out this research was to ascertain the efficacy of sorghum husk (SH) as an adsorbent for remediating phenol from water. The SH was characterized with the use of pH at zero point charge (pHzpc), Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Sear’s surface area analysis. The effects of some factors that affect adsorption were examined in batches. The data emanating from the adsorption batch experiments were analysed with isotherm and kinetic models. Thermodynamic parameters that examine the adsorption process's heat, randomness, and spontaneity were assessed. The pHzpc of the SH adsorbent was 6.2, and the FTIR spectra displayed typical peaks representing functional groups that are essential for adsorption. The Sear’s surface area of SH was 77.40 m2 g-1. The most favourable conditions for the highest adsorption were achieved at the pH of 10, adsorbent dose of 5 mg, phenol initial concentration of 70 mg L-1, and temperature of 55 oC. The adsorption equilibrium was described well by the Freundlich model, while the description of the kinetics was done better by the pseudo-second-order model. The thermodynamic assessment of the adsorption process suggested that it was endothermic, random, and spontaneous. The proposed mechanism of adsorption was physical adsorption. This research showed that sorghum husk is an efficient adsorbent for the remediation of phenol.

References

Abate, G. Y., Alene, A. N., Habte, A. T., & Getahun, D. M. (2020). Adsorptive removal of malachite green dye from aqueous solution onto activated carbon of Catha edulis stem as a low cost bio‑adsorbent. Environmental Systems Research, 9(29). https://doi.org/10.1186/s40068-020-00191-4

Abdelwahab, O. (2014). Adsorption of phenol from aqueous solutions by Luffa cylindrica fibers: Kinetics, isotherm and thermodynamic studies. The Egyptian Journal of Aquatic Research, 39(4), 215–223. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejar.2013.12.011

Amar, A., Loulidi, I., Kali, A., Boukhlifi, F., Hadey, C., & Jabri, M. (2021). Physicochemical Characterization of Regional Clay: Application to Phenol Adsorption. Applied and Environmental Soil Science, 2021, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/8826063

Asnaoui, H., Dehmani, Y., Khalis, M., & Hachem, E. (2022). Adsorption of phenol from aqueous solutions by Na–bentonite: kinetic, equilibrium and thermodynamic studies. International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, 102(13), 3043–3057. https://doi.org/10.1080/03067319.2020.1763328

Darla, U. R., Lataye, D. H., Kumar, A., Pandit, B., & Ubaidullah, M. (2023). Adsorption of phenol using adsorbent derived from Saccharum officinarum biomass: optimization, isotherms, kinetics, and thermodynamic study. Scientific Reports, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-42461-y

de la Luz-asunción, M., Sánchez-Mendieta, V., Martínez-Hernández, A. I., Castaño, V. M., & Velasco-Santos, C. (2015). Adsorption of Phenol from Aqueous Solutions by Carbon Nanomaterials of One and Two Dimensions: Kinetic and Equilibrium Studies. Journal of Nanomaterials, 2015(1), 405036. https://doi.org/10.1155/2015/405036

Dehmani, Y., Mobarak, M., Oukhrib, R., Dahbi, A., Mohsine, A., Lamhasni, T., Tahri, Y., Ahlafi, H., Abouarnadasse, S., Lima, E. C., & Badawi, M. (2023). Adsorption of phenol by a Moroccan clay/Hematite composite: Experimental studies and statistical physical modeling. Journal of Molecular Liquids, 386(15), 1220508. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2023.122508

Freundlich, H. (1906). Over the adsorption in solution. Journal of Physical Chemistry, 57, 1100–1107.

Guo, X., He, C., Sun, X., Liang, X. ., Chen, X., & Liu, X. . Y. (2019). Adsorption of phenol from aqueous solution by four types of modified attapulgites. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 16, 793–800. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-018-1699-6

Ho, Y. S., & McKay, G. (1999). Batch lead(II) removal from aqueous solution by peat: Equilibrium and kinetics. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 77(3), 165–173. https://doi.org/10.1205/095758299529983

Ingole, R. S., Lataye, D. H., & Dhorabe, P. T. (2016). Adsorption of Phenol onto Banana Peels Activated Carbon. Journal of Civil Engineering, 00, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-016-0101-9

Issabayeva, G., Hang, S. Y., Wong, M. C., & Aroua, M. K. (2018). A review on the adsorption of phenols from wastewater onto diverse groups of adsorbents. Reviews in Chemical Engineering, 34(6), 855–873. https://doi.org/10.1515/revce-2017-0007

Kilic, M., Apaydin-varol, E., & Pütün, A. E. (2011). Adsorptive removal of phenol from aqueous solutions on activated carbon prepared from tobacco residues: Equilibrium, kinetics and thermodynamics. Journal of Hazardous Materials Journal, 189, 397–403. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2011.02.051

Kong, X., Gao, H., Song, X., Deng, Y., & Zhang, Y. (2020). Adsorption of phenol on porous carbon from Toona sinensis leaves and its mechanism. Chemical Physics Letters, 739, 137046. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cplett.2019.137046

Lagergren, S. K. (1898). About the theory of so-called adsorption of soluble substances. Sven. Vetenskapsakad. Handingarl, 24, 1–39.

Langmuir, I. (1918). The adsorption of gases on plane surfaces of glass, mica and platinum. Journal of the American Chemical Society, 40, 1361–1403. https://doi.org/10.1021/ja02242a004

Lv, S., Li, C., Mi, J., & Meng, H. (2020). A functional activated carbon for efficient adsorption of phenol derived from pyrolysis of rice husk , KOH-activation and EDTA-4Na-modification. Applied Surface Science, 510(November 2019), 145425. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apsusc.2020.145425

Mojoudi, N., Mirghaffari, N., Soleimani, M., Shariatmadari, H., Belver, C., & Bedia, J. (2019). Phenol adsorption on high microporous activated carbons prepared from oily sludge: equilibrium, kinetic and thermodynamic studies. Scientific Reports, 9, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-55794-4

Nnaji, N. J. N., Sonde, C. U., Nwanji, O. L., Ezeh, G. C., Onuigbo, A. U., Ojukwu, A. M., Mbah, P. C., Omowumi, A., Unoka, E. C., Otedo, J. O., & Onuegbu, T. U. (2023). Dacryodes edulis leaf derived biochar for methylene blue biosorption. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 11(3), 109638. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2023.109638

Sabbar, H. A. (2019). Adsorption of Phenol from Aqueous Solution using Paper Waste. Iraqi Journal of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, 20(1), 23–29. https://doi.org/10.31699/IJCPE.2019.1.4

Safwat, S. M., Mohamed, N. Y., Meshref, M. N. A., & Elawwad, A. (2022). Adsorption of Phenol onto Aluminum Oxide Nanoparticles: Performance Evaluation, Mechanism Exploration, and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) of Thermodynamics. Adsorption Science & Technology, 2022, 1924117. https://doi.org/10.1155/2022/1924117

Sears, G. W. (1956). Determination of Specific Surface Area of Colloidal Silica by Titration With Sodium Hydroxide. Analytical Chemistry, 28(12), 1981–1983. https://doi.org/10.1021/ac60120a048

Sellaoui, L., Kehili, M., Lima, E. C., Thue, P. S., Bonilla-petriciolet, A., Lamine, A. Ben, Dotto, G. L., & Erto, A. (2019). Adsorption of phenol on microwave-assisted activated carbons: Modelling and interpretation. Journal of Molecular Liquids, 274, 309–314. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molliq.2018.10.098

Shaikhiev, I. G. (2024). Using Sorghum Waste and Biomass Components to Remove Pollutants from Aquatic Environments (a Literature Review). Materials International, 6(4), 1–20. https://doi.org/10.33263/Materials64.033

Tatah, V. S., Otitoju, O., Ezeonu, C. S., Onwurah, I. N. E., & C, I. K. L. (2017). Characterization and Adsorption Isotherm Studies of Cd (II) And Pb (II) Ions Bioremediation from Aqueous Solution Using Unmodified Sorghum Husk. Journal of Applied Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 2(3), 1–9. https://doi.org/10.15406/jabb.2017.02.00034

Tshemese, S. J., Mhike, W., & Tichapondwa, S. M. (2021). Adsorption of phenol and chromium (VI) from aqueous solution using exfoliated graphite: Equilibrium, kinetics and thermodynamic studies. Arabian Journal of Chemistry, 14(6), 103160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arabjc.2021.103160

Wang, X., Chen, A., Chen, B., & Wang, L. (2020). Adsorption of phenol and bisphenol A on river sediments: Effects of particle size, humic acid, pH and temperature. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 204(April), 111093. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.111093

Xiang, W., Wan, Y., Zhang, X., Tan, Z., Xia, T., Zheng, Y., & Gao, B. (2020). Adsorption of tetracycline hydrochloride onto ball-milled biochar: Governing factors and mechanisms. Chemosphere, 255, 127057. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127057

Xu, H., Wang, B., Zhao, R., Wang, X., Pan, C., & Jiang, Y. (2022). Adsorption behavior and performance of ammonium onto sorghum straw biochar from water. Scientific Reports, 12, 1–11. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-08591-5

Published

2025-06-09

How to Cite

Nwanji, O. L., & Iweatu, C. G. (2025). The Assessment of the Adsorption Capacity of Sorghum Husk for Phenol Remediation. UMYU Scientifica, 4(2), 135–141. https://doi.org/10.56919/usci.2542.016