Synthesis of Cost-Effective Pomelo Peel Dimethoxydiphenylsilane-Derived Materials for Pyrene Adsorption: From Surface Properties to Adsorption Mechanisms

[Image: see text] This study investigated the adsorption behaviors of pyrene (PYR) on a pomelo peel adsorbent (PPA), biochar (PPB), and H(3)PO(4)-modified (HPP), NaOH-activated (NPP), and dimethoxydiphenylsilane-treated (DPDMS-NPP) pomelo peel materials. SEM, FTIR, and elemental analyses of DPDMS-NPP’s surface structure showed that the material was characterized by a well-developed porous structure, a large specific surface area (698.52 m(2) g(–1)), and an abundance of phenyl functional groups. These properties enhance the PYR adsorption performance of DPDMS-NPP. Experimental results indicated that the adsorption capacity of DPDMS-NPP was significantly affected by the amount of material used and the initial concentration of PYR. Kinetic assessments suggested that PYR adsorption on PPA, NPP, and DPDMS-NPP could be accurately described by the pseudo second-order model. The adsorption process was controlled by several mechanisms, including electron donor–acceptor (EDA), electrostatic, and π–π interactions as well as film and intraparticle diffusion. The adsorption isotherm studies showed that PYR adsorption on DPDMS-NPP and PPA was well described by the Langmuir model and the maximum Langmuir adsorption capacity of DPDMS-NPP was 531.9 μg g(–1). Overall, the results presented herein suggested that the use of DPDMS-NPP adsorbents constitutes an economic and environmentally friendly approach for the mitigation of PYR contamination risks.