Versatile
Cellulose-Based Carbon Aerogel for the Removal of Both Cationic and
Anionic Metal Contaminants from Water
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Abstract
Hydrothermal carbonization of cellulose
in the presence of the globular protein ovalbumin leads to the formation
of nitrogen-doped carbon aerogel with a fibrillar continuous carbon
network. The protein plays here a double role: (i) a natural source
of nitrogen functionalities (2.1 wt %) and (ii) structural directing
agent (<i>S</i><sub>BET</sub> = 38 m<sup>2</sup>/g). The
applicability in wastewater treatment, namely, for heavy metal removal,
was examined through adsorption of Cr(VI) and Pb(II) ion solely and
in a mixed bicomponent aqueous solutions. This cellulose-based carbogel
shows an enhanced ability to remove both Cr(VI) (∼68 mg/g)
and Pb(II) (∼240 mg/g) from the targeted solutions in comparison
to other carbon materials reported in the literature. The presence
of competing ions showed little effect on the adsorption efficiency
toward Cr(VI) and Pb(II)