Use of Starbon for the Adsorption and Desorption of Phenols

Novel materials, Starbon, prepared from naturally abundant polysaccharides, such as starch and alginic acid, have demonstrated significant potential as adsorbents for the uptake of a range of phenolic compounds. The experimental results revealed that the materials exhibited high efficiency to remove phenols from aqueous media due to their high mesoporous nature. The adsorption process was described well by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. Thermodynamic analysis of the results indicated that adsorption was a physical process and is in agreement with data obtained from the Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherm model. Enthalpy of adsorption varied from endothermic to exothermic for different adsorbents and phenolics. Regeneration of Starbon was attempted using a range of pH with phenol recovery of up to 40% achieved. This work demonstrates the effectiveness of a green sustainable adsorbent for removal of hazardous compounds from aqueous waste streams.