Introduction of graphene-periodic mesoporous silica sandwich nanocomposite as a new sorbent for removal of acid blue as model analyte: Process modeling for batch and column study

Introducing a new type of sorbents seems to be a great challenge and this issue has become an interesting topic in the field of sample preparation techniques [1]. In this regard, for the first time, a sandwich structure of graphene-periodic mesoporous silica (G-PMS) was synthesized as a novel sorbent [2]. The feasibility of this sorbent for removal of acid blue as model a compound from wastewater samples was investigated through static and column mode studies. The effect of different factors on the dye adsorption in batch experiments, including the amount of sorbent, sorption time, and dye concentration were optimized by response surface methodology (RSM) using Box–Behnken design (BBD). The adsorption isotherm could be well fitted by the Freundlich model with acceptable adsorption capacity of 21 mg g-1. Column mode study was also carried out for the removal of acid blue content from the wastewater samples using a fixed bed column. The COMSOL model was applied for experimental data of column study to predict the breakthrough curves. This model has proposed an objective framework to interpret the adsorption system. Also, the obtained results of this model can help to predict the possibility for up scaling and designing of adsorption process at the pilot plant scale level.