Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)


Print Feedback Export to File
5519936 
Journal Article 
Transport of sodium dodecylbenzene sulfonate (SDBS)-dispersed carbon nanotubes and enhanced mobility of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) in saturated porous media 
Liang, L; Hu, J; Li, J; Zhang, W; Wang, X 
2016 
Yes 
Colloids and Surfaces A: Physicochemical and Engineering Aspects
ISSN: 0927-7757 
497 
205-213 
WOS:000373053300024 
Understanding the transport behavior of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) in porous media is essential in determining their environmental impact, especially on the fate and mobility of organic contaminants. The transport of sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate (SDBS)-dispersed CNTs and their effects on the mobility of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) in saturated glass bead-packed columns were investigated. The behavior of single-walled nanotubes (SWNTs) and multi-walled nanotubes (MWNTs) were compared. A simulation was carried out using a model based on convection–dispersion equation. The results showed that MWNTs was more mobile than SWNTs under the same solution conditions through porous media. CNTs transport was controlled by surface attachment and physical straining. CNTs in the feed significantly enhanced TBBPA mobility and acted as TBBPA carriers in the column. Adsorption-desorption experiments indicated that the enhanced mobility came from the irreversible adsorption and slow desorption kinetics of CNT-associated TBBPA. The modified model was in good agreement with the transport data of CNTs in different solutions with the coefficient of determination (R2) higher than 0.93. This work demonstrates that CNTs significantly enhance the mobility of TBBPA, and this effect should be considered when assessing the fate and risk of CNTs in the environment. 
Adsorption; Carbon nanotubes; Porous media; Tetrabromobisphenol A; Transport; article; desorption; environmental impact; equations; sodium dodecylbenzenesulfonate