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Sustainable Removal of Phenol from Aqueous Media by Activated Carbon Valorized from Polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) Plastic Waste

Author

Listed:
  • Hoan Thi Lai

    (Department of Fundamental Science, University of Transport and Communications, 3 Cau Giay, Dong Da, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Chinh Van Tran

    (Institute of Chemistry and Materials, 17 Hoang Sam, Cau Giay, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Nga Thuy Tran

    (Department of Fundamental Science, University of Transport and Communications, 3 Cau Giay, Dong Da, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam)

  • Phuong Hien Ho

    (Faculty of Chemistry, Hanoi National University of Education, 136 Xuan Thuy, Cau Giay, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam)

  • Van Huyen Luu

    (Faculty of Environment, Hanoi University of Natural Resources and Environment, 41A Phu Dien, Bac Tu Liem, Hanoi 100072, Vietnam)

  • Ha Manh Nguyen

    (Department of Chemical Technology, Hanoi University of Industry, 298 Cau Dien, Bac Tu Liem, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam)

  • Hoai Phuong Thi Nguyen

    (Department of Chemistry and Environment, Joint Vietnam-Russia Tropical Science and Technology Research Center, 63 Nguyen Van Huyen, Cau Giay, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam)

  • Dinh Duc Nguyen

    (Department of Environmental Energy Engineering, Kyonggi University, Suwon 16227, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea)

  • Duong Duc La

    (Institute of Chemistry and Materials, 17 Hoang Sam, Cau Giay, Hanoi 100000, Vietnam)

Abstract

PET, one of the most commonly used plastics, presents significant environmental challenges due to its non-biodegradable nature. To address this, we developed a sustainable method to convert PET waste into high-performance activated carbon via chemical activation with phosphoric acid (H 3 PO 4 ). The produced activated carbon was analyzed utilizing X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), nitrogen adsorption/desorption (BET), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX), and Raman spectroscopy. The activated carbon produced had a macroporous architecture with a substantial surface area, pore diameter, and pore volume of 655.59 m 2 /g, 3.389 nm, and 0.120 cm 3 /g, respectively. The adsorption isotherm of activated carbon for phenol conformed to the Langmuir model, signifying single-layer adsorption with a maximal capacity of 114.94 mg/g, while the kinetic adsorption adhered to the second-order model at an optimal pH of 7. The study highlights the sustainable benefits of mitigating plastic waste pollution while producing a cost-effective and eco-friendly adsorbent for water treatment applications. This research underscores the potential for recycling PET waste into valuable materials for environmental remediation.

Suggested Citation

  • Hoan Thi Lai & Chinh Van Tran & Nga Thuy Tran & Phuong Hien Ho & Van Huyen Luu & Ha Manh Nguyen & Hoai Phuong Thi Nguyen & Dinh Duc Nguyen & Duong Duc La, 2025. "Sustainable Removal of Phenol from Aqueous Media by Activated Carbon Valorized from Polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) Plastic Waste," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(2), pages 1-15, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:2:p:548-:d:1565467
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chinh Van Tran & Phuong Thi Hoai Nguyen & Dinh Duc Nguyen & Hanh T. T. Pham & Dinh Trung Do & Duong Duc La, 2023. "Facile Fabrication of Fe 2 O 3 /TiO 2 Composite from Titanium Slag as Adsorbent for As(V) Removal from Aqueous Media," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-13, April.
    2. Bingxin Xie & Jihong Qin & Shu Wang & Xin Li & Hui Sun & Wenqing Chen, 2020. "Adsorption of Phenol on Commercial Activated Carbons: Modelling and Interpretation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-13, January.
    3. Nuhu Dalhat Mu’azu & Nabeel Jarrah & Mukarram Zubair & Omar Alagha, 2017. "Removal of Phenolic Compounds from Water Using Sewage Sludge-Based Activated Carbon Adsorption: A Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-34, September.
    4. Hua Zhou & Yue Ren & Zhenhua Li & Ming Xu & Ye Wang & Ruixiang Ge & Xianggui Kong & Lirong Zheng & Haohong Duan, 2021. "Electrocatalytic upcycling of polyethylene terephthalate to commodity chemicals and H2 fuel," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 12(1), pages 1-9, December.
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