Evaluation of the swelling capacity of Luffa cylindrica as an effective adsorption parameter in different pHs

فاقد چكيده فارسي

Benefiting from strong coordination ability and unique vascular structure, Luffa cylindrica opens up an alternative way for adsorption of pollutants from wastewaters. Although different effective operational parameters affecting the adsorption efficiency of Luffa like pH, temperature, pollutant concentration, adsorbent dosage, etc., were studied in different works, the swelling capability of this natural fibrous adsorbent is not considered in any researches. Therefore, the present study focuses on the mechanism of swelling and evaluates the swelling capacity of Luffa sponge at different pHs (3, 7, and 13). It is concluded that Luffa sponge has the lowest and highest level of swelling in acidic (pH 3) and alkaline (pH 13) environment, respectively. By increasing in volume of the porous media, the swelling ratio will affect pore wall thickness and its length and is intended to improve Luffa porosity. Also, it is found that the swelling mechanism (diffusion of water molecules into Luffa sponge) is governed by the Fickian diffusion at all pHs for this natural adsorbent.