Enhanced adsorption of ketoprofen and 2,4-dichlorophenoxyactic acid on Physalis peruviana fruit residue functionalized with H2SO4: Adsorption properties and statistical physics modeling.

• The functionalization of Physalis peruviana biomass with H 2 SO 4 is reported. • The surface chemistry of this modified biomass was characterized. • Adsorption of ketoprofen and 2,2-dichlorophenoxyactic acid is studied. • Application of physical model on adsorption isotherms. In this research, a functionalization of Physalis peruviana biomass with H 2 SO 4 and its application in the adsorption of ketoprofen and 2,2-dichlorophenoxyactic acid is reported. In particular, the adsorption properties of this biomass were improved through a sulfuric acid treatment to enhance its removal performance of organic molecules. Surface chemistry of this modified biomass was also characterized. Experimental adsorption isotherms of these organic pollutants were determined at 298 – 328 K and pH 2. A multilayer statistical physics model was used in the data modeling to analyze the corresponding adsorption mechanism. Results showed that the endothermic multilayer adsorption of ketoprofen was a multi-molecular process where molecular aggregation could be expected. On the other hand, the adsorption of 2,2-dichlorophenoxyactic acid on this functionalized biomass was multi-anchoring. Adsorption energies (ΔE 1) varied from 4.13 to 5.53 kJ/mol for KTP and from 7.54 to 7.96 kJ/mol for 2,4-D herbicide. These results showed that physical adsorption forces were involved in the removal of these organic molecules with this functionalized biomass because the adsorption energies < 40 kJ/mol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]