摘要：

IntroductionThe increase in large-scale production of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) by nanoindustry is expected to make them cheaper and more readily available. Their prospective affordability has inspired predictions about their use as adsorbents for several separation processes, including gas storage, water or wastewater treatment. These advantages must be weighed against potential environmental risks from accidental release, which increase commensurately with industrial production. In spite of an intense research effort in the field, however, the behaviour of CNTs in the environment remains poorly known. It is nevertheless certain that their high surface area and mobility enables them to modify the transport processes of various pollutants in any environmental segment.In this study we investigate the adsorption properties of untreated (`plain') and COOH-functionalised commercial multiwall nanotubes from binary aqueous solutions of two frequent industrial pollutants in aquatic systems, namely phenol (P) and 3-chlorophenol (CP). In aqueous solutions, they cause an unpleasant taste and odor already in low concentration. Besides being carcinogenic, a very undesirable feature of phenol is that in the chlorinating process applied very often in a further purification step of drinking water, it reacts with the chlorine and produces carcinogenic (poly)chlorinated compounds.

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