Doped silver nanoparticles on carbon fly ash for adsorption of methyl tertiary butyl ether

Abstract

Methods and compositions for the adsorptive removal of methyl tertiary butyl ether (MTBE) from contaminated water sources and systems. The compositions contain carbon fly ash doped with silver nanoparticles at specific mass ratios. Methods of preparing and characterizing the adsorbents are also provided.

1 . A method for removing MTBE from an aqueous solution, comprising:
 contacting a composition comprising carbon fly ash and metal nanoparticles with the aqueous solution, to adsorb MTBE from the aqueous solution.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of silver, zinc, copper, nickel, chromium and iron. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the metal is silver. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least 10% of the total mass of MTBE in the aqueous solution is removed. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the carbon fly ash and the metal nanoparticles are present in the composition at mass percentages of 50-90% and 10-50%, respectively, based on the total weight of the composition. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising agitating the aqueous solution at a speed of 50-200 rpm during the contacting. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the contacting is carried out for a time of between 1 and 3 hours. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition is effective in a dosage of 10 mg to 100 mg per 10 −3  ppb of MTBE. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the composition has a BET surface area of at least 15 m 2 /g. 
     
     
         10 . A composition for removing MTBE from an aqueous solution, comprising:
 carbon fly ash particles; and   nanoparticles of a metal;   wherein the metal nanoparticles are present on the surface and in pore spaces of the carbon fly ash particles; and   wherein the carbon fly ash and the metal nanoparticles are present in the composition at mass percentages of 50-90% and 10-50%, respectively, based on the total weight of the composition.   
     
     
         11 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein the metal is selected from the group consisting of silver, zinc, copper, nickel, chromium and iron. 
     
     
         12 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein the metal is silver. 
     
     
         13 . The composition of  claim 10 , wherein the composition has a BET surface area of at least 15 m 2 /g.