Pyrochar/AgBr-derived from discarded chewing gum for decontamination of trichlorophenol via fixed-bed adsorption system

Abstract

Pyrochar-AgBr (DCG-AgBr) produced from discarded chewing gum for the decontamination of trichlorophenol (2,4,5-TCP) is reported. The DCG-AgBr specific surface area (249.5 m(2)/g), the pore volume of 0.998 cm(3)/g, surface functional groups and thermal analysis were established. The 2,4,5-TCP removal efficiency at 10 mg/L was estimated to be similar to 96% and the dynamic behavior was successfully described by the Thomas and Yoon-Nelson models. Based on the economic analysis, the total cost for treatment of 2,4,5-TCP simulated wastewater was 14.39 US$/m(3). For the first time, commonly discarded chewing gum was employed as a precursor for fabrication of adsorbents for wastewater treatment.