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Browsing by Author "Homero, Rafaela Fernandes"

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  • Evaluation of different biomass-based materials for removal of sertraline from water
    Publication . Homero, Rafaela Fernandes; Queiroz, Ana; Ribeiro, António E.; Lied, Eduardo Borges
    With the rise in industrial and population growth, the influx of micropollutants into water bodies has increased, requiring effective removal strategies. Sertraline, an antidepressant, is highlighted as a specific micropollutant of interest due to its prevalence and potential harmful effects on the environment. This research aims to identify sertraline hydrochloride in an aqueous solution and evaluate the efficiency of drug removal using physically and chemically activated (ZnCl2) carbon derived from almond shells and walnut shells. The methodology involves the production of adsorbent materials, where the raw biomass undergoes a grinding process before being activated. For activated carbon production, the biomass was subjected to carbonization in a muffle furnace for 1.5 hours at 500°C. The chemically activated carbons were involved in an activation process with ZnCl2 in a 1:1:2 ratio (biomass: ZnCl2: H2O – mass ratio) for 24 hours at 25°C, followed by drying at 110°C and carbonization in a muffle furnace for 1.5 hours at 500°C. Production yield, pHpzc, functional groups, TGA and DTG, XRD, BET, SEM, and EDS characterized the activated carbons (CW, PW, CA, and PA). Then, they were subjected to kinetic tests at temperatures of 25°C, 35°C, and 45°C with 25g of adsorbent and 25 ml of adsorbate, with the chemically activated walnut shell carbon with ZnCl₂ (CW) being subjected to an isotherm removal test at 25°C, both tests with an initial sertraline concentration of 3ppm. The identification of sertraline hydrochloride was performed using HPLC-DAD, with a mobile phase composed of 40% water with 0.01% TFA and 60% acetonitrile. The retention time for sertraline hydrochloride was 2.47 minutes. CW activated carbon exhibited the best production yield (52.4%) and the highest removal efficiency (98.0%). Materials derived from walnut shells and almond shells can serve as adsorbents for removing sertraline hydrochloride in an aqueous solution, offering a sustainable approach to addressing water pollution.
    2024Master thesis Restricted access Show more