Investigation of BTEX Removal from Aqueous Solution by Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes Coated with ZnO

Monoaromatics of Benzene, Toluene, Ethyl Benzene and Xylene which are abbreviated as BTEX, are among the most important environmental pollutants. Due to high solubility of BTEX in water, it is emitted to the aquatic environment with a very high speed. Absorption by carbon nanotubes is be regarded as one new treatment method. The aim of this study was to investigate the removal of BTEX from aqueous solutions through adsorption by single wall carbon nanotubes coated with Zinc oxide nanoparticles. The prepared nanoparticles were characterized by FT IR, XRD, FESEM and EDAX. First, the pHZPC was determined. Then, the effect of different operating parameters such as the amount of sorbent, contact time, pH, temperature and ionic strength were studied through batch method in order to obtain optimal conditions for the absorption process. The optimum conditions for BTEX removal from aqueous solution by ZnO/SWCNTs was obtained as following: pH=6, contact time=20 min, adsorbent concentration=300 mg/L, amount of sorbent=10mg, T=20°C and salt concentration= 2g/L. The results showed that single wall carbon nanotubes coated with zinc oxide effectively absorbs BTEX from water and it has a good potential for treating wastewater contaminated with petroleum