Impregnation of Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (Swcnts) with N-(3-Methoxybenzoyl)-N’-(Salicylidene) Thiosemicarbazone for Cobalt (II) Remediation from Aqueous Solution
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Carbon nanotubes have captured attention in recent times due to their advanced physicochemical properties, which have been proven to be good in terms of strength, flexibility, sensors, adsorption, and conductivity. The contamination of aquatic environments with heavy metals presents serious ecological risks, particularly due to the persistence and bioaccumulative nature of these pollutants. Among them, cobalt (II) is a growing concern, necessitating the development of efficient and sustainable remediation strategies. This study explores the synthesis and application of single-walled carbon nanotubes functionalized with a thiosemicarbazone derivative as high-performance adsorbents for cobalt (II) removal from aqueous systems. A ligand was synthesized through a controlled multi-step process involving benzoyl thiocyanates, thiosemicarbazone, and an aromatic aldehyde. This ligand was subsequently grafted onto SWCNTs surface using a hydrothermal-assisted retort method to enhance their surface reactivity, dispersion ability, and metal-binding efficiency. The compound was experimentally characterized by using FTIR, NMR, SEM-EDX, and ICP-OES. Batch adsorption experiments revealed that the functionalized SWCNTs have a strong affinity for cobalt ions, with optimal removal efficiency observed at pH 6.0. It reached adsorption equilibrium within 50 minutes, and the data were best described by the Langmuir isotherm model (R2 > 0.99), suggesting monolayer adsorption, followed by pseudo-second-order kinetics, indicating a chemisorption mechanism. Specifically, SWCNTs functionalized with a methoxy-substituted ligand showed superior performance, likely due to increased electron-donating effects enhancing metal-ligand interaction
Institution: Universiti Teknologi MARA
Language: English
Subfield: Water Science and Technology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7204012249