Sorption and Desorption Analysis of Nitrobenzene on Differently Functionalized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes and Implications on the Stability

The stability of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) suspension is a key factor in determining their transport, fate, and toxicity an aquatic environment, which significantly influenced by CNTs’ nature water chemistry. Macromolecular dissolved organic matter (DOM) reported to influence the CNTs aggregation. However, little known on small polar compound’s effects Nitrobenzene was selected investigate its interaction with three different functionalized multiwalled (MWCNTs). Both aggregation sorption hysteresis were affected initial concentration nitrobenzene surface functionalization coverage MWCNTs. At below 580 mg/L, thermodynamic index irreversibility (TII) turbidity had same tendency, indicating that underlying mechanism closely related. A conceptual adsorption–desorption model proposed further explain relationship between MWCNTs under concentrations nitrobenzene. This provided data support clarify environmental behaviors risks CNTs.