Groundnut plant ash: Characterisation and adsorption efficacy study for removal of paraquat dichloride

35-42For the first time combustion residue of agricultural waste i.e. groundnut plant is characterized in detail and explored as an adsorbent for removal of chlorinated herbicide, paraquat. The study investigates the chemical, physical, mineralogical, and morphological characteristics of GPA (Groundnut Plant Ash) adsorbent produced using groundnut plant. GPA has been characterized using the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to determine the functional groups, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to examine the surface morphology of the carbon. Batch adsorption is performed by varying adsorbent dosage, initial concentration and contact time. Result shows that the kinetic models mainly the pseudo-second order and Elovich model had the best fit. The equilibrium data are analyzed using different isotherm models. The adsorption capacity of GPA for paraquat removal is found 265.71 mg/m2  which is the highest reported value

Groundnut plant ash: Characterisation and adsorption efficacy study for removal of paraquat dichloride

For the first time combustion residue of agricultural waste i.e. groundnut plant is characterized in detail and explored as an adsorbent for removal of chlorinated herbicide, paraquat. The study investigates the chemical, physical, mineralogical, and morphological characteristics of GPA (Groundnut Plant Ash) adsorbent produced using groundnut plant. GPA has been characterized using the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy to determine the functional groups, and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to examine the surface morphology of the carbon. Batch adsorption is performed by varying adsorbent dosage, initial concentration and contact time. Result shows that the kinetic models mainly the pseudo-second order and Elovich model had the best fit. The equilibrium data are analyzed using different isotherm models. The adsorption capacity of GPA for paraquat removal is found 265.71 mg/m2 which is the highest reported value

Kinetic and thermodynamic azadirachtin extraction from whole neem fine powder formulation

Azadirachtin (Aza) has been extracted from powder neem formulation (PNF) obtained by grinding whole neem fruits with an inert material (dolomite) in a hammer mill. Initial study has been carried out to select the appropriate solvent for extraction of Aza from PNF and it is found that methanol is most suitable compare to ethanol, acetonitrile, and water. Three different particles sizes of PNF (HM0.4, HM0.8, and HM1.2) are prepared by changing the hammer mill screen and Aza has been extracted from each sample with methanol at different temperature (35°C, 40°C, 45°C and 50°C). Kinetic and thermodynamic studies have been performed and it is found that with decrease in PNF particle size, the extraction of Aza in methanol increases due to its increase in mass-transfer constant and equilibrium constant values. The extraction process follows first-order kinetics and the values of thermodynamic parameters (ΔG, ΔH, ΔS) indicate that the process is favourable, endothermic, and irreversible