Synthesis of Chlorine- and Nitrogen-Containing Carbon Nanofibers for Water Purification from Chloroaromatic Compounds

Abstract

Chlorine- and nitrogen-containing carbon nanofibers (CNFs) were obtained by combined catalytic pyrolysis of trichloroethylene (C2HCl3) and acetonitrile (CH3CN). Their efficiency in the adsorption of 1,2-dichlorobenzene (1,2-DCB) from water has been studied. The synthesis of CNFs was carried out over self-dispersing nickel catalyst at 600 °C. The produced CNFs possess a well-defined segmented structure, high specific surface area (~300 m2/g) and high porosity (0.5–0.7 cm3/g). The addition of CH3CN into the reaction mixture allows the introduction of nitrogen into the CNF structure and increases the volume of mesopores. As a result, the capacity of CNF towards adsorption of 1,2-DCB from its aqueous solution increased from 0.41 to 0.57 cm3/g. Regardless of the presence of N, the CNF samples exhibited a degree of 1,2-DCB adsorption from water–organic emulsion exceeding 90%. The adsorption process was shown to be well described by the Dubinin–Astakhov equation. The regeneration of the used CNF adsorbent through liquid-phase hydrodechlorination was also investigated. For this purpose, Pd nanoparticles (1.5 wt%) were deposited on the CNF surface to form the adsorbent with catalytic function. The presence of palladium was found to have a slight effect on the adsorption capacity of CNF. Further regeneration of the adsorbent-catalyst via hydrodechlorination of adsorbed 1,2-DCB was completed within 1 h with 100% conversion. The repeated use of regenerated adsorbent-catalysts for purification of solutions after the first cycle of adsorption ensures almost complete removal of 1,2-DCB.