Removals of Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) Nanoplastics from an Activated Sludge: Improvement of Yields by Ni-Cu-C Nanocomposite

In this study, the maximum polyethylene terephthalate (PET) nanoplastics (NPs) removal efficiency was investigated under optimum conditions by using various experimental parameters to improve the removal efficiency by using Ni-Cu-C NCs in an activated sludge solution. The effect of increasing pH values (4.0, 5.0, 6.0, 7.0 and 8.0), increasing adsorption times (30 min, 60 min, 90 min and 120 min), different Ni-Cu-C NCs adsorbent concentrations (100 mg/l, 200 mg/l, 300 mg/l and 400 mg/l) and different PET NPs concentrations (1 mg/l, 5 mg/l, 10 mg/l and 15 mg/l) on the adsorption yields of PET NPs was investigated in an activated sludge process during adsorption process. The characteristics of the synthesized Ni-Cu-C NCs were assessed using XRD, FTIR, FESEM, EDX and HRTEM analyses. ANOVA statistical analysis was used for all experimental samples. In order to remove 10 mg/l PET NPs with yields as high 99.20% and 99.42% in an activated sludge process via adsorption; the Ni-Cu-C NCs adsorbent concentration, adsorption time, pH and temperature should be 300 mg/l, 120 min, 7.0 and at 25oC, respectively. Adsorption process; it is an easily applicable, environmentally friendly and economical method.