Spectroscopic Evaluation of Removal Efficiency for a Pharmaceutical Pollutant in Water Using a Magnetite-Activated Carbon Nanocomposite

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Spectroscopic Evaluation of Removal Efficiency for a Pharmaceutical Pollutant in Water Using a Magnetite-Activated Carbon Nanocomposite
Language: English
Authors: Fisher, Adam J., Keeley, Monica M., Lane, Jeremy M., Furlan, Ping Y. (ORCID 0000-0002-3428-8626)
Source: Journal of Chemical Education. Apr 2019 96(4):751-755.
Availability: Division of Chemical Education, Inc. and ACS Publications Division of the American Chemical Society. 1155 Sixteenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 800-227-5558; Tel: 202-872-4600; e-mail: eic@jce.acs.org; Web site: http://pubs.acs.org/jchemeduc
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 5
Publication Date: 2019
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education
Postsecondary Education
Descriptors: Spectroscopy, Water Pollution, Chemistry, Science Experiments, College Science, Science Instruction, Laboratory Experiments, Technology, Pharmacology
DOI: 10.1021/acs.jchemed.8b01013
ISSN: 0021-9584
Abstract: We describe a 2 h general-chemistry experiment that introduces college students not only to the concepts, synthesis, and applications of nanomaterials at an early stage but also the use of a spectrophotometer for quantification and unknown determination based on Beer's Law. The procedure involves students (1) preparing a nanocomposite by chemically incorporating magnetite nanoparticles into activated carbon (AC), (2) using the as-prepared nanocomposite to treat an aspirin "metabolite" solution for 5 min, and (3) spectroscopically evaluating the nanocomposite's removal efficiency for this "pollutant". The spectroscopic measurement is based on a colored complex the pollutant forms with an acidified iron(III)-ion solution. The nanocomposite is magnetically recovered from treated water and is found to remove 90--130 mg of equivalent aspirin mass per gram of AC. The experiment, using commonly available chemicals and equipment, has been performed by 190 students in groups of two to three and is well-received and enjoyed by these students.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2019
Accession Number: EJ1212443
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:We describe a 2 h general-chemistry experiment that introduces college students not only to the concepts, synthesis, and applications of nanomaterials at an early stage but also the use of a spectrophotometer for quantification and unknown determination based on Beer's Law. The procedure involves students (1) preparing a nanocomposite by chemically incorporating magnetite nanoparticles into activated carbon (AC), (2) using the as-prepared nanocomposite to treat an aspirin "metabolite" solution for 5 min, and (3) spectroscopically evaluating the nanocomposite's removal efficiency for this "pollutant". The spectroscopic measurement is based on a colored complex the pollutant forms with an acidified iron(III)-ion solution. The nanocomposite is magnetically recovered from treated water and is found to remove 90--130 mg of equivalent aspirin mass per gram of AC. The experiment, using commonly available chemicals and equipment, has been performed by 190 students in groups of two to three and is well-received and enjoyed by these students.
ISSN:0021-9584
DOI:10.1021/acs.jchemed.8b01013