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Phenanthrene Sorption on Palygorskite Modified with Gemini Surfactants: Insights from Modeling Studies and Effects of Aqueous Solution Chemistry

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Abstract

The effectiveness of gemini-modified palygorskite (PGS) as the novel remediation material in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)-contaminated water remediation was revealed and examined. The sorption behavior of gemini surfactants at the PGS/aqueous interface was addressed using a developed two-step adsorption and partition model (TAPM). The characterizations of gemini-modified PGS were investigated using infrared spectroscopy, cationic exchange capacity, and surface area analysis. The effects of pH, ionic strength, humic acid, and temperature on sorption of phenanthrene (PHE) to untreated and modified PGS were systematically studied. Analysis of the equilibrium data indicated that the sorption isotherms of gemini fitted TAPM well. The modification of PGS with gemini surfactants provided a favorable partition medium for PHE and enhanced PHE retention in solid particles. The solution parameters played significant effects on PHE sorption to the modified PGS. The sorption isotherms of PHE on PGS at different temperatures well fitted the Freundlich equation. Thermodynamic calculations confirmed that the sorption process of PHE on modified PGS was spontaneous and exothermic from 293 to 303 K. It is revealed that the modification with gemini surfactants probably offered some unique surface characteristics to the clay mineral as a new type of remediation material. This can provide a reference to the potential application of PGS in PAH-contaminated water remediation process.

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Acknowledgments

This research was supported by the 111 Project (B14008), the Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, and National Natural Foundation (51209088) of China. The authors are also grateful to the editors and the anonymous reviewers for their insightful comments and suggestions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute for Energy, Environment and Sustainability Research, UR-NCEPU, University of Regina, Regina, SK, Canada, S4S 0A2

    Shan Zhao, Gordon Huang, Chunjiang An & Peng Zhang

  2. Institute for Energy, Environment and Sustainability Research, UR-NCEPU, North China Electric Power University, Beijing, 102206, China

    Gordon Huang

  3. Key Laboratory of Beijing for Water Quality Science and Water Environment Recovery Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing, 100124, China

    Jia Wei

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  1. Shan Zhao
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  2. Gordon Huang
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  3. Jia Wei
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  4. Chunjiang An
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  5. Peng Zhang
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Correspondence to Gordon Huang.

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Zhao, S., Huang, G., Wei, J. et al. Phenanthrene Sorption on Palygorskite Modified with Gemini Surfactants: Insights from Modeling Studies and Effects of Aqueous Solution Chemistry. Water Air Soil Pollut 227, 17 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-015-2716-8

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