Adsorption properties and mechanism of zinc acrylic carbon nanosphere aggregates for perfluorooctanoic acid from aqueous solution

This study found that the cross-linkable zinc acrylic nanosphere aggregates (NAs) as precursors were successfully prepared by a simple one-step synthesis route, and Zn,O dopped-carbon nanocomposites were obtained through temperature-controllable engineering, which showed excellent adsorption capacities for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). A series of experiments were performed to investigate and compare carbon materials for the efficient removal of PFOA. The maximum adsorption capacities of PFOA absorbed on carbon nanospheres aggregates (CNAs) were calculated by the Langmuir (360.98 mg/g) and Sips models (309.65 mg/g). The kinetic model indicated there was chemical adsorption and physical adsorption in the adsorption process. Van der Waals force and electrostatic interactions might be the dominant mechanism of the adsorption process. Additionally, pore -filling also played a role in the adsorption process. Furthermore, the adsorption efficiency was still above 90% after five cycles. The selective adsorption ability was tested through various pollutants (metal ions and dye solutions) absorbed by the CNAs. Our results proved that carbon nanosphere aggregates (CNAs) are expected to be outstanding adsorption materials for the decontamination of PFOA from wastewater.

Automated summary

This study successfully prepared cross-linkable zinc acrylic nanosphere aggregates (NAs) as precursors in a simple one-step synthesis route, and obtained Zn,O dopped-carbon nanocomposites through temperature-controllable engineering, which exhibited excellent adsorption capacities for perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). A series of experiments were conducted to investigate and compare carbon materials for efficient PFOA removal. The Langmuir (360.98 mg/g) and Sips models (309.65 mg/g) estimated the maximum adsorption capacities of PFOA on carbon nanospheres aggregates (CNAs). The adsorption process involved chemical and physical adsorption, with the dominant mechanisms being Van der Waals force and electrostatic interactions, and pore-filling also playing a role. The adsorption efficiency remained above 90% after five cycles and the CNAs showed selective adsorption ability for various pollutants, indicating their potential as outstanding adsorption materials for PFOA decontamination from wastewater.