Development of novel in situ nickel-doped, phenolic resin-based micro-nano-activated carbon adsorbents for the removal of vitamin B-12

摘要

Activated carbon spheres (ACSs) and carbon micro-nanoparticles derived from nickel (Ni)-doped phenolic beads (~0.8 mm) were synthesized as efficient adsorbents for vitamin B-12 (VB_(12)). Ni was incorporated in an intermediate step during a suspension polymerization. ACSs were synthesized by the carbonization and activation of Ni-doped polymeric beads. Carbon micro-nanoparticles (average size ~200nm) were synthesized by milling polymeric beads followed by carbonization and activation. Adsorption tests were carried out under both batch and dynamic (flow) conditions. The latter tests were carried out in a specially designed and fabricated micro-column packed with carbon micro-nanoparticles. The adsorption loading of VB_(12) on the adsorbents was determined to be ~300 mg/g, corresponding to an aqueous phase concentration of 500 ppm, which is comparable to or larger than the literature data. The method of in situ synthesis of metal incorporated carbon micro-nanoadsorbents and their use in a micro-column under the flow conditions has much potential for bio- and pharmaceutical separation and purification applications.