Theoritical study of organochlorinated pesticides interaction with acidic and basic functionalized activated carbon at different pH conditions

International audienceA theoretical study of the influence of acidic (hydroxyl and carboxyl) and basic (pyridine, primary, secondary and tertiary amine) surface groups (SG) on activated carbon (AC) model on chlordecone (CLD) and β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH) adsorption is presented, in order to help understanding the adsorption process considering pH and hydration effect. A coronene molecule, with the functional groups under study, in the edge were used as a simplified model of AC. Multiple Minima Hypersurface methodology was employed to study the interactions of CLD and β-HCH with SGs on AC using PM7 semiempirical Hamiltonian. A further re-optimization of obtained structures was done for pesticide-AC complexes by means of Density Functional Theory. The Quantum Theory of Atoms in Molecules was used to characterize the interaction types using the Nakanishi criteria. As results, the best conditions for the adsorption of CLD and β-HCH on AC with acidic SGs are in the pH range between 5 and 9, and the interactions are governed by dispersive interactions of chlorine atoms of the pollutants with the graphitic surface and by electrostatic interactions with COO- and O- groups and water molecules. For basic SGs, the results showed a greater association of both pesticides with the primary amine in comparison with the pyridine, secondary and tertiary amine in the absence and presence of water molecules, and this behavior increase at acidic pH conditions where the amines and pyridine are protonated. As conclusion significant associations of acidic SGs with CLD suggest a chemical sorption at slightly acidic and neutral pH conditions. On the other hand, the interactions of both pollutants with basic SGs on AC are similar with the physisorption process. Finally, an increase in carboxylic SGs content is suggested to enhance CLD and β-HCH adsorption onto AC