Microchemical Journal 159 (2020) 105510 Available online 12 September 2020 0026-265X/© 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved. An innovative platform exploiting solid microcrystalline cellulose for selective separation of bromate species in drinking water: Preparation, characterization, kinetics and thermodynamic study Hamed M. Al-Saidi a , M.S. El-Shahawi b, * a Department of Chemistry, University College in Al-Jamoum, Umm Al-Qura University, 21955 Makkah, Saudi Arabia b Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, P.O. Box 80203, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia A R T I C L E INFO On sabbatical leave from Chemistry Depart- ment, Faculty of Science, Damiatta University, Damiatta, Egypt. Keywords: Bromate ions Characterization Disinfection byproducts (DBPs) Drinking water samples Microcrystalline cellulose Solid phase extraction ABSTRACT It is a major challenge to synthesis a cost-effective, effcient and reliable solid phase extractor with exceptional selectivity, capacity and reproducibility for removal of disinfection by-products (DBPs) in drinking water. Thus, the current study extends the analytical utility of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) as a novel solid extractor against the underexplored bromate ions at trace levels as one of DBPs in drinking water. The proposed MCC platform was prepared via acid (HCl) hydrolysis of cellulose that was isolated from date pits (DPs). Fourier- transform infrared (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopic (TEM) and thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) were used for characterization of MCC sorbent prepared from DPs (D-MCC). Disappearance of the distinct FTIR peaks of hemicellulose and lignin were observed. The particle size of D-MCC ranged from 2.5 to 4 µm and rougher. SEM micrographs exhibited clear, smooth and stretched polymer structures on the surface and confrmed from the energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectra. SEM, TEM images and XRD data also revealed surface agglomeration in microstructures with a satisfactory crystal- linity index of 80.81%. High stability of D-MCC was confrmed as compared to raw DPs A dual retention mechanism of bromate involving an ion association interaction of “weak base anion exchanger” and an added component of “surface adsorption” by the available surface area of the D-MCC is proposed. The D-MCC sorbent was successfully used for complete removal of BrO 3  ions from environmental water samples. The sorbent pre- sented extraordinary sorption capacity towards bromate ions in comparison to the frequently available extractor counterparts. D MCC can be packed in column for complete separation of trace levels of bromate ions from water from large volumes of water samples without decrease in its performance. Thus, this system can be utilized for ultra-trace determination of bromate in water using the standard addition method. The reusability of MCC to- wards bromate removal from drinking water is also included. 1. Introduction Water is a spirited natural source for souls, and key for all ecosys- tems. However, freshwater accessibility is below increasing pressure because of an increasing human people needful admission to safe water [1]. Thus, in recent years’ management of disinfection by-products (DBPs) in drinking water represents a great challenge for water sup- pliers [1,2]. Direct reactions of DBPs with natural materials in water produce a series of byproducts that represent a source of potential health risks of human life [3]. Ozone signifes the best talented reagent for the disinfection process of water since it does not produce high amounts of halogenated DBPs that are common in chlorination [4]. Bromate is a potent and talented oxidizing agent for numerous inorganic and organic species in drinking water [5]. Ozone is known as an active reagent in water for odor control and taste, killing a wide range of pathogens e.g. cryptosporidium oocytes and Giardia [5,6]. International Organization for Standardization, Water Quality and US Environmental Protection Agency (US-EPA) set 10.0 µg/L bromate ion in drinking water as the maximum permissible limit [6,7]. Thus, monitoring, minimization and/ or removal of these micro pollutants to provide acceptable water quality for human use are of great importance [7]. A key worry in the treatment of many water supplies for drinking water employing O 3 is the formation of BrO 3  ions via bromide ion (Br  ) that found naturally in natural water (almost 100 µg L 1 ) [8,9]. * Corresponding author. E-mail address: malsaeed@kau.edu.sa (M.S. El-Shahawi). Contents lists available at ScienceDirect Microchemical Journal journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/microc https://doi.org/10.1016/j.microc.2020.105510 Received 12 April 2020; Received in revised form 3 September 2020; Accepted 4 September 2020