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Waste newspaper activation by sodium phosphate for adsorption dynamics of methylene blue

  • Yeo Shi Hao , Norasikin Othman and Muhammad Abbas Ahmad Zaini ORCID logo EMAIL logo
Published/Copyright: February 4, 2025
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Nordic Pulp & Paper Research Journal
From the journal Nordic Pulp & Paper Research Journal Volume 40 Issue 1

Abstract

This study investigates the potential of using waste newspaper (WN) as an adsorbent for removing methylene blue (MB) dye from water, emphasizing the environmental benefits of repurposing waste materials. Activated carbon (AC) was synthesized from WN using sodium phosphate (NaH2PO4) as the activating agent, which is known for producing high mesopore content and requiring relatively low activation temperatures. The activated carbon’s physicochemical properties were thoroughly characterized using techniques such as FTIR, SEM, and surface area analysis based on the Brunner-Emmett-Teller (BET) theory. The specific surface area of AC was 917 m2/g. Continuous adsorption experiments were conducted to evaluate the efficiency of the synthesized activated carbon in a dynamic flow system. Various operating conditions, including initial dye concentration, influent flow rate, and bed height, were explored to optimize the adsorption process. This study applied the Yoon-Nelson, Thomas, Adams-Bohart and modified Logistic models to analyze the breakthrough curves and predict adsorption capacities. Results demonstrated that the AC exhibited high adsorption capacity (14.7 mg/g), particularly at lower flow rates and higher bed heights. This work offers valuable insights into sustainable wastewater treatment methods, showcasing the effectiveness of using low-cost, waste-derived activated carbon for dye removal in industrial applications.

Keywords: adsorption dynamics; methylene blue; sodium phosphate activation; waste newspaper
Corresponding author: Muhammad Abbas Ahmad Zaini, Centre of Lipids Engineering & Applied Research (CLEAR), Ibnu-Sina Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 UTM Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia, E-mail:

Funding source: Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia

Award Identifier / Grant number: FRGS/1/2022/STG05/UTM/02/5

  1. Research ethics: Not applicable.

  2. Author contributions: YEO Shi Hao: Conceptualization, Methodology, Data curation, Investigation, Writing – Original draft preparation. Norasikin OTHMAN: Supervision, Investigation, Validation, Writing – Reviewing and Editing. Muhammad Abbas Ahmad ZAINI: Supervision, Funding, Project Management, Investigation, Validation, Writing- Reviewing and Editing.

  3. Use of Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools: All text and references are genuienly taken from the reliable sources. All experimental data and results were obtained from the laboratory. The Large Language Models, AI and Machine Learning Tools were not used to draft and construct the whole manuscript.

  4. Conflict of interest: The authors state no conflict of interest.

  5. Research funding: The project is funded by Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia under Fundamental Research Grant Scheme No. FRGS/1/2022/STG05/UTM/02/5.

  6. Data availability: Not applicable.

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Received: 2024-08-26
Accepted: 2025-01-26
Published Online: 2025-02-04
Published in Print: 2025-03-26

© 2025 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Biorefining
  3. Fractionation methods of eucalyptus kraft lignin for application in biorefinery
  4. Pulp and paper industry side-stream materials as feed for the oleaginous yeast species Lipomyces starkeyi and Rhodotorula toruloides
  5. Chemical Pulping
  6. Comparing classic time series models and state-of-the-art time series neural networks for forecasting as-fired liquor properties
  7. Optimization of kraft pulping process for Sesbania aculeata (dhaincha) stems using RSM
  8. On the nature of the selectivity of oxygen delignification
  9. Unlocking potential: the role of chemometric modeling in pulp and paper manufacturing
  10. Effects of chemical environment on softwood kraft pulp: exploring beyond conventional washing methods
  11. Bleaching
  12. Variations in carbohydrates molar mass distribution during chemical degradation and consequences on fibre strength
  13. Mechanical Pulping
  14. Energy consumption in refiner mechanical pulping
  15. Paper Technology
  16. Australian wheat and hardwood fibers for advanced packaging materials
  17. Compression refining: the future of refining? Application to bleached kraft eucalyptus pulp
  18. The effect of nanocellulose to coated paper and recycled paper
  19. Interpreting the relationship between properties of wood and pulping & paper via machine learning algorithms combined with SHAP analysis
  20. Hybridization to prepare environmentally friendly, cost-effective superhydrophobic oleophobic coatings
  21. Paper Physics
  22. Characterising the mechanical behaviour of dry-formed cellulose fibre materials
  23. Paper Chemistry
  24. Study on the properties of ground film paper prepared from lactic acid-modified cellulose
  25. Environmental Impact
  26. Characterization of sludge from a cellulose pulp mill for its potential biovalorization
  27. The in situ green synthesis of metal organic framework (HKUST-1)/cellulose/chitosan composite aerogel (CSGA/HKUST-1) and its adsorption on tetracycline
  28. Evaluation of the potential use of powdered activated carbon in the treatment of effluents from bleached kraft pulp mills
  29. Recycling
  30. Waste newspaper activation by sodium phosphate for adsorption dynamics of methylene blue
https://doi.org/10.1515/npprj-2024-0061
Keywords for this article
adsorption dynamics; methylene blue; sodium phosphate activation; waste newspaper

Articles in the same Issue

  1. Frontmatter
  2. Biorefining
  3. Fractionation methods of eucalyptus kraft lignin for application in biorefinery
  4. Pulp and paper industry side-stream materials as feed for the oleaginous yeast species Lipomyces starkeyi and Rhodotorula toruloides
  5. Chemical Pulping
  6. Comparing classic time series models and state-of-the-art time series neural networks for forecasting as-fired liquor properties
  7. Optimization of kraft pulping process for Sesbania aculeata (dhaincha) stems using RSM
  8. On the nature of the selectivity of oxygen delignification
  9. Unlocking potential: the role of chemometric modeling in pulp and paper manufacturing
  10. Effects of chemical environment on softwood kraft pulp: exploring beyond conventional washing methods
  11. Bleaching
  12. Variations in carbohydrates molar mass distribution during chemical degradation and consequences on fibre strength
  13. Mechanical Pulping
  14. Energy consumption in refiner mechanical pulping
  15. Paper Technology
  16. Australian wheat and hardwood fibers for advanced packaging materials
  17. Compression refining: the future of refining? Application to bleached kraft eucalyptus pulp
  18. The effect of nanocellulose to coated paper and recycled paper
  19. Interpreting the relationship between properties of wood and pulping & paper via machine learning algorithms combined with SHAP analysis
  20. Hybridization to prepare environmentally friendly, cost-effective superhydrophobic oleophobic coatings
  21. Paper Physics
  22. Characterising the mechanical behaviour of dry-formed cellulose fibre materials
  23. Paper Chemistry
  24. Study on the properties of ground film paper prepared from lactic acid-modified cellulose
  25. Environmental Impact
  26. Characterization of sludge from a cellulose pulp mill for its potential biovalorization
  27. The in situ green synthesis of metal organic framework (HKUST-1)/cellulose/chitosan composite aerogel (CSGA/HKUST-1) and its adsorption on tetracycline
  28. Evaluation of the potential use of powdered activated carbon in the treatment of effluents from bleached kraft pulp mills
  29. Recycling
  30. Waste newspaper activation by sodium phosphate for adsorption dynamics of methylene blue
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