Adsorption of aqueous Pb(II), Cu(II), Zn(II) ions by amorphous tin(VI) hydrogen phosphate: an excellent inorganic adsorbent

Amorphous tin(VI) hydrogen phosphate (ATHP) was synthesized using the liquid phase precipitation method and served as an adsorbent to remove Pb(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II) from aqueous solutions. The ATHP was characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), and nitrogen adsorption–desorption techniques. Adsorption properties were evaluated as a function of pH, reaction time, concentration of reactants, and salinity. Their equilibrium adsorption data were modeled using Freundlich, Langmuir, and Dubinin–Kaganer–Radushkevich isotherms, respectively. The results revealed that adsorption equilibrium reached within 180 min. ATHP indicated good adsorption even below the pH_ZPC, and best adsorption at pH 5 for Pb(II) and Cu(II) and at pH 5.5 for Zn(II) was observed. Equilibrium data fitted better to the Langmuir model for Pb(II) and Cu(II) and fitted better to the Freundlich model for Zn(II). The saturated adsorption capacities deduced from the Langmuir model were 2.425, 1.801, and 0.600 mmol/g for Cu(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II), respectively, indicating an adsorption affinity order of Cu > Pb > Zn. There is a negative correlation between the concentration of NaCl and adsorption capacity of ATHP, yet ATHP still exhibited excellent adsorption having an adsorption capacity of 19.35, 15.16, 6.425 mg/g when the concentration of NaCl was 0.6 mol/L. The free energy (E) was 12.33, 10.70, and 14.74 kJ/mol for Pb(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II), respectively. An adsorption mechanism based on ion exchange between heavy metal ions and H⁺ in the ATHP is proposed. Furthermore, the used ATHP was regenerated by HCl solution and the adsorbent was used repeatedly.     

Utilization of ochre as an adsorbent to remove Pb(II) and Cu(II) from contaminated aqueous media

The ability of ochre to remove Pb(II) and Cu(II) from aqueous media has been studied by batch sorption studies varying the contact time, initial metal concentration, initial solution pH and temperature to understand the adsorption behaviour of these metals through adsorption kinetics and isotherms. The pH of the solution and the temperature controlled the adsorption of metal ions by ochre and rapid uptake occurred in the first 30 min of reaction. The kinetics of adsorption followed a pseudo-second-order rate equation (R ² > 0.99) and the isotherms are well described by the Freundlich model. Adsorption of metals onto ochre is endothermic in nature. Between the two metals, Pb(II) showed more preference towards the exchangeable sites on ochre than Cu(II). This study indicates that ochre is a very effective adsorbent in removing Pb(II) and Cu(II) from the aqueous environment with an adsorptive capacity of 0.996 and 0.628 mg g^?1 and removal efficiency of 99.68 and 62.80 %, respectively.     

Adsorptive separation of Pb(II) and Cu(II) from aqueous solutions using as-prepared carboxymethylated waste Lyocell fiber

Adsorptive separation of Pb(II) and Cu(II) using modified waste Lyocell fiber adsorbent was investigated in this research. The waste Lyocell fiber was functionalized through carboxymethylation of the hydroxyl moieties using sodium chloroacetate as modifying agent and was crosslinked with epichlorohydrin to provide water stability. The maximum equilibrium batch uptake in single metal system was 353.45 mg/g for Pb(II) and 98.33 mg/g for Cu(II), according to the Langmuir isotherm model. The adsorption rates were very fast and reached equilibrium within 3 and 5?10 min for Cu(II) and Pb(II), respectively. In competitive binary metal system, the uptake of Cu(II) largely decreased to 38.40 mg/g, and Pb(II) selectivity was observed. Elemental and functional characterization suggested that the adsorption proceeded by ion exchange between the adsorbent and metal ions. In a flow-through column system, adsorption followed by desorption aided in effectively eluting ~260 mg of Pb(II) (out of ~300 mg total adsorbed) from the Pb(II)–Cu(II) binary solution. Finally, the adsorbent was very effective in four successive adsorption–desorption cycles with over 99 % uptake and 94 % desorption efficiencies. The present study may provide an alternative option for waste fiber recycling and could be useful in recovering heavy metal ions from aqueous sources to complement their depleting reserves.     

Removal of lead(II) from aqueous stream by hydrophilic modified kapok fiber using the Fenton reaction

A hydrophilic kapok fiber was prepared by a chemical process of the Fenton reaction and used as an adsorbent to remove Pb(II) from aqueous solution. The effects of experimental parameters including pH, contact time, Pb(II) concentration, and coexisting heavy metals were estimated as well as evaluated. The optimum concentrations of FeSO₄ and H₂O₂ for the Fenton reaction-modified kapok fiber (FRKF) were 0.5 mol L^?1 and 1 mol L^?1, respectively. The adsorption kinetic models and isotherm equations of Langmuir and Freundlich were conducted to identify the most optimum adsorption rate and adsorption capacity of Pb(II) on FRKF. The FRKF displayed an excellent adsorption rate for Pb(II) in single metal solution with the maximum adsorption capacity of 94.41?±?7.56 mg g^?1 at pH 6.0. Moreover, the FRKE still maintained its adsorption advantage of Pb(II) in the mixed metal solution. The FRKF exhibited a considerable potential in removal of metal content in wastewater streams.     

Equilibrium studies on removal of lead (II) ions from aqueous solution by adsorption using modified red mud

In the present experimental study, solid waste was used as an adsorbent and the effectiveness of the adsorbent was increased by novel treatment methods. Red mud, acid-treated activated red mud and iron oxide-coated acid-treated activated red mud were used for the removal of lead (II). The structural and functional groups were identified to confirm the removal of lead (II) by powder X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analyses. The enhancement of surface area was confirmed by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller analysis. Batch adsorption experiment was also conducted, and various parameters such as the effect of adsorbent dosage, pH, contact time and initial ion concentration were analyzed and reported. Adsorption equilibrium data were investigated using Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm models with three parameters, and the rate of reaction was examined through kinetic models. The results indicate that in particular a novel modified form of red mud, namely iron oxide-coated acid-treated activated red mud was well fitted in lead (II) removal compared with reported adsorbents. The Langmuir isotherm shows that the maximum adsorption of adsorbate per gram was greater than other adsorbents (27.02 mg/g). In Freundlich isotherm, the Freundlich constant n values lie between 1 and 10 indicate the favorable adsorption. The calculated n values for normal red mud, acid-treated activated red mud and iron oxide-coated acid-treated activated red mud were found to be 1.9, 2.1 and 2.0 respectively. The correlation coefficient value was higher and the rate of reaction follows the pseudo-second-order kinetic model.     

Adsorption kinetic models for the removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solution by clay liners in landfills

Liners are commonly used in engineered waste disposal landfill to minimize the potential contamination of the aquatic environment. The adsorption behavior of Cu(II) from aqueous solution onto clay admixed with various mix ratios of quarry fines was investigated. The amount of Cu(II) adsorption increases with increase in contact time. The copper removal efficiencies of the composite mixture gradually decrease from 94.53 % (raw clay) to 85.59 % (20 % of quarry fines with clay), and appreciable decrease in percent removal 75.61 % was found with 25 % of quarry fines with clay. The kinetic adsorption data were analyzed by pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, Bhattacharya–Venkobachar and Natarajan–Khalaf kinetic models to classify adsorption process mechanisms. Kinetic experimental data were good agreement with pseudo-second-order kinetic model with the degree of fitness of the data (R ²) 0.9999 for the adsorption of Cu(II). The results revealed that quarry fines can be used with optimum of 20 % replacement of natural clay for removal of Cu(II) as a liner material in landfills.     

Comparative study of the absorptive potential of raw and activated carbon <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acacia nilotica</Emphasis> for Reactive Black 5 dye

Acacia nilotica was used for the adsorption of Reactive Black 5 (RB5) dye from an aqueous solution. Both the raw and activated (with H₃PO₄) carbon forms of Acacia nilotica (RAN and ANAC, respectively) were used for comparison. Various parameters (including dye concentration, contact time, temperature, and pH) were optimized to obtain the maximum adsorption capacity. RAN and ANAC were characterized using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The maximum experimental adsorption capacities for RAN and ANAC were 34.79 and 41.01 mg g^?1, respectively, which agreed with the maximum adsorption capacities predicted by the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin–Radushkevich equilibrium isotherm models. The adsorption data of ANAC showed a good fit to the isotherm models based on the coefficient of determination (R ²): Langmuir type II (R ² = 0.99) > Freundlich (R ² = 0.9853) > Dubinin–Radushkevich (R ² = 0.9659). This result suggested monolayer adsorption of RB5 dye. The adsorption of RB5 dye followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. The RAN adsorbent reflected an exothermic reaction (enthalpy change, ΔH = ?0.006 kJ mol^?1) and increased randomness (standard entropy change, ΔS = 0.038 kJ mol^?1) at the solid–solution interface. In contrast, ANAC reflected both exothermic [?0.011 kJ mol^?1 (303–313 K)] and endothermic [0.003 kJ mol^?1 (313–323 K)] reactions. However, the ΔS value of ANAC was lower when the RB5 adsorption increased from 313 to 323 K. The negative values for the Gibbs free energy change at all temperatures indicated that the adsorption of RB5 dye onto RAN and ANAC was spontaneous in the forward direction.     

Comparison of linear and nonlinear forms of isotherm models for Zn(II) and Cu(II) sorption on a kaolinite

The most appropriate method in designing the adsorption systems and assessing the performance of the adsorption systems is to have an idea on adsorption isotherms. Comparison analysis of linear least square method and nonlinear method for estimating the isotherm parameters was made using the experimental equilibrium data of Zn(II) and Cu(II) onto kaolinite. Equilibrium data were fitted to Freundlich, Langmuir, and Redlich–Peterson isotherm equations. In order to confirm the best-fit isotherms for the adsorption system, the data set using the chi-square (χ ²), combined with the values of the determined coefficient (r ²) was analyzed. Nonlinear method was found to be a more appropriate method for estimating the isotherm parameters. The best fitting isotherm was the Langmuir and Redlich–Peterson isotherm. The Redlich–Peterson is a special case of Langmuir when the Redlich–Peterson isotherm constant g was unity. The sorption capacity of kaolinite to uptake metal ions in the increasing order was given by Cu (4.2721 mg/g)?<?Zn (4.6710 mg/g).     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vitis vinifera</Emphasis> leaf litter for biosorptive removal of nitrophenols

Vitis vinifera (grape) leaf litter, an abundant agricultural waste in South Africa was chemically modified with H₃PO₄ and carbonized for use as biosorbent. Characterization and the potential application of the adsorbent in simultaneous removal of 4-nitrophenol and 2-nitrophenol from aqueous solutions were investigated. The adsorbent was characterized using FTIR, SEM and EDX elemental microanalysis. The EDX and FTIR analysis revealed the presence of surface oxygen moieties capable of binding to adsorbate molecules while the SEM micrographs showed the development of pores and cavities in the adsorbent. Batch adsorption experiments were conducted at a varying contact time, adsorbent dosage, pH and initial adsorbate concentration to investigate optimal conditions. The maximum adsorption capacity of the adsorbent was 103.09 and 103.10 mg/g for 4-nitrophenol and 2-nitrophenol, respectively. The adsorption process was best fitted into Freundlich isotherm while the adsorption kinetics followed a pseudo-second-order model. Liquid film and intra-particle diffusion contributed to the adsorption process. Thermodynamic parameters of ΔG°, ΔH° and ΔS° were evaluated. The adsorption was exothermic, feasible and spontaneous. The results suggest a possible application of grape leaf litter as a precursor for activated carbon and for cheaper wastewater treatment technologies.     

Lead removal from aqueous solution by basaltic scoria: adsorption equilibrium and kinetics

Pb-contaminated water is a dangerous threat occurring near metallurgic and mining industries. This circumstance produces serious environment concern, due to Pb(II) high toxic effects. Several reactive materials have been reported for Pb(II) adsorption, but not all reached final Pb(II) suitable concentrations, or they are expensive and rejected in massive remediation technologies; hence, natural materials are good options. The adsorption behavior of a volcanic scoria (two sieved fractions 1425 and <425 µm) was studied toward synthetic Pb(II) water solutions in batch experiments (170.4–912.3 mg L^?1) with high removal efficiencies (97%). The Langmuir model fits both fractions with high linear correlation coefficients (0.9988 and 0.9949) with high maximum capacity values (588.23 and 555.55 mg g^?1). Separation factor R _L parameter varies with initial concentration, and the empirical equation predicts the limits of the material usefulness, a criterion proposed in this paper for conditions’ selection. The Lagergren pseudo-second-order analysis demonstrates chemisorption; calculated rate constant (416.66 mg g^?1 min^?1). Weber–Morris intraparticle model proves that the adsorption phenomena occur fast on the material surface (k _inst = 72 g mg^?1 min^?0.5). The characterization of the volcanic material afforded the elemental composition (X-ray fluorescence), and the empirical formula was proposed. X-ray diffraction patterns verify the material structure as basalt, with a plagioclase structure that matches anorthite and albite, mostly composed of quartz. The presence of oxides on the material surface explain the high Pb(II) adsorption capacity, observed on the surface by scanning electronic microscopy. The studied volcanic scoria has potential use as a Pb(II) adsorbent in water remediation technologies.     

Chemical treatment of teff straw by sodium hydroxide,phosphoric acid and zinc chloride: adsorptive removal of chromium

In this study, teff (Eragrostis tef) straw has been chemically treated and tested as an adsorbent for Cr(VI) removal. Chemically treatment of teff straw was done by NaOH, H₃PO₄ and ZnCl₂ solutions. Scanning electron micrograph and X-ray diffraction were used for anatomical characterization, whereas Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used for surface change characterization of adsorbents. Effects of different experimental parameters like pH (2–12), initial Cr(VI) concentration (100–900 mg/L), adsorbent dose (2.5–20 g/L), contact time (15–360 min) and temperature (288–318 K) were studied. Temperature increment was found to stimulate the adsorption process. Langmuir isotherm was found to give better representation over wide range of temperature for untreated, H₃PO₄- as well as ZnCl₂-treated teff straw, and Freundlich isotherm best represented the isotherm data for NaOH-treated teff straw. Maximum Cr(VI) adsorption capacity of untreated, NaOH-, H₃PO₄- and ZnCl₂-treated teff straw was found to be 86.1, 73.8, 89.3 and 88.9 mg/g, respectively. Respective values of average effective diffusion coefficient (D _e) were found to be 2.8 × 10^?13, 2.59 × 10^?14, 1.32 × 10^?13 and 1.14 × 10^?13 m²/s, respectively. The negative value of ΔG _o for all the adsorbents indicates Cr(VI) spontaneous adsorption. Isosteric heat of adsorption (ΔH _st,a) was found to vary with surface coverage (θ). ΔH _st,a increased for untreated, H₃PO₄- and ZnCl₂-treated teff straw, and decreased steadily with θ for NaOH-treated teff straw.     

Biosorption of heavy metals by organic carbon from spent mushroom substrates and their raw materials

The use of agricultural wastes as biosorbents is gaining importance in bioremediation of heavy metal-polluted water and soils, due to their effectiveness and low cost. This work assesses the Cd, Pb and Cu adsorption capacity of the raw materials used in the production of substrates for mushroom production (Agaricus bisporus and Pleurotus ostreatus) and the spent mushroom composted (SMC), based on the functional groups of their organic carbon. The raw materials studied included agricultural wastes (wheat straw, wheat and rice poultry litter, grape pomace) and inorganic substances (gypsum and calcareous sand). Organic carbon from wastes and their composting products were characterized by CP-MAS ¹³C NMR. Langmuir adsorption isotherms of metals were plotted for each raw material, composting step, spent A. bisporus and P. ostreatus substrates and the final SMC. The maximum adsorption capacities of SMC were 40.43, 15.16 and 36.2 mg g^?1 for Cd, Pb and Cu, respectively. The composting process modified the adsorption properties of raw materials because of the enhanced adsorption of Cd and Cu and decreased adsorption capacity of Pb. CP-MAS ¹³C NMR and potentiometric titration were used to identify the functional groups of the organic carbon responsible for the metal adsorption. The content of cellulose was correlated with Pb adsorption (p < 0.001), alkyl and carboxyl carbon with Cd adsorption (p < 0.001), and N-alkyl (p < 0.001) and carboxyl (p < 0.010) groups with Cu adsorption. These results are valuable to develop new biosorbents based on agricultural wastes and demonstrate the high potential of SMC to adsorb heavy metals from polluted environments.     

Removal of cadmium (II) from aqueous solution and natural water samples using polyurethane foam/organobentonite/iron oxide nanocomposite adsorbent

A novel polyurethane foam/organobentonite/iron oxide nanocomposite adsorbent was successfully prepared via in situ polymerization of toluene diisocyanate and polyol in presence of 5 wt% organobentonite/iron oxide. The obtained nanocomposite was characterized in detail, and the results revealed that the clay layers are exfoliated and/or intercalated in the polymer matrix forming a nanocomposite structure. The application of the prepared nanocomposite for adsorption of cadmium ions from aqueous solution was tested as a function of various experimental parameters using batch procedures. Adsorptive removal of Cd(II) onto the nanocomposite attained maximum at adsorbent content 1.5 g/L, pH 6, and the equilibrium was established within 60 min. Kinetic studies showed that the experimental data fit very well to pseudo-second-order model, and the adsorption process proceeds through three steps. It was found that external liquid film and intraparticle diffusion steps deeply affect the rate of Cd²⁺ ions adsorption onto the synthesized nanocomposite. Langmuir isotherm model fitted the adsorption data better than Freundlich with a maximum adsorption capacity (q _m) for Cd(II) equal to 78 mg/g under the specified experimental conditions. The synthesized nanocomposite afforded effective extraction for Cd²⁺ ions from natural water samples and excellent reusability feature. This study declares the potential efficiency of a new clay/polymer nanocomposite as alternative for wastewater remediation.     

Removal of lead (II) from synthetic and batteries wastewater using agricultural residues in batch/column mode

The present article explores the ability of five different combinations of two adsorbents (Arachis hypogea shell powder and Eucalyptus cameldulensis saw dust) to remove Pb(II) from synthetic and lead acid batteries wastewater through batch and column mode. The effects of solution pH, adsorbent dose, initial Pb(II) concentration and contact time were investigated with synthetic solutions in batch mode. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy study revealed that carboxyl and hydroxyl functional groups were mostly responsible for the removal of Pb(II) ions from test solutions. The kinetic data were found to follow pseudo-second-order model with correlation coefficient of 0.99. Among Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption models, the Langmuir model provided the best fit to the equilibrium data with maximum adsorption capacity of 270.2 mg g^?1. Column studies were carried out using lead battery wastewater at different flow rates and bed depths. Two kinetic models, viz. Thomas and Bed depth service time model, were applied to predict the breakthrough curves and breakthrough service time. The Pb(II) uptake capacity (q _e = 540.41 mg g^?1) was obtained using bed depth of 35 cm and a flow rate of 1.0 mL min^?1 at 6.0 pH. The results from this study showed that adsorption capacity of agricultural residues in different combinations is much better than reported by other authors, authenticating that the prepared biosorbents have potential in remediation of Pb-contaminated waters.     

An easy and fast IC-CL procedure for the monitoring of Cu(II) and Co(II) in environmental samples

A luminol chemiluminescence (CL) detection/flow injection analysis technique coupled with ion chromatography (IC) has been employed for the determination of low levels of Cu(II) and Co(II) in drinking water samples. The detection system was the CL of luminol/perborate or luminol/percarbonate in alkaline medium catalyzed by these transition metals. Oxalic acid in a solution of KOH and N(CH₃)₄OH was used as an eluent in the IC to improve the column selectivity (Dionex CS5A). Concentration and pH of the eluent affected simultaneously the CL intensity and the retention times (t _R). Under the elution conditions used here, the retention times of both metal ions were much greater when the concentration of oxalic acid was decreased. Thus, R _t(_Cu) = 2.15 min and t _R(_Co) = 4.50 min were measured at 80 mM oxalic acid concentration, while t _R raised to 4.12 and 18 min for Cu(II) and Co(II), respectively, using a 10-mM concentration, but on the other hand, the CL signals showed substantially higher values when the concentration of oxalic acid was lesser in the eluent. An optimum oxalic acid concentration of 20 mM and an eluent pH = 4.7 were selected in order to have reproducible signals with a total analysis time of 10 min. The optimum flow rate for the mobile phase was 1.5 mL min^?1. The concentration and pH of the postcolumn reagents also affected the CL signal, obtaining optimum concentrations of 5 mM for both oxidants (perborate or percarbonate) and luminol, this last dissolved in a 0.1-M borate buffer at pH 12. The optimum flow rate for the postcolumn reagents was 1 mL min^?1. Linear calibrations for both transition metal ions were established, with calculated detection limits of 0.15 ng mL^?1 for Co(II) and 0.20 μg mL^?1 for Cu(II). Others ions commonly present in natural waters showed little or no interference. The method was successfully applied to water samples spiked with Cu(II) and Co(II), obtaining recoveries in the range of 85–128%, depending on the metal concentrations.     

Adsorption of a cationic dye (methylene blue) by Iranian natural clays from aqueous solutions: equilibrium,kinetic and thermodynamic study

Removal of dyes by low-cost adsorbents is an effective method in wastewater treatment. Iranian natural clays were determined to be effective adsorbents for removal of a basic dye (methylene blue) from aqueous solutions in batch processes. Characterizations of the clays were carried out by X-ray diffraction, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis and field-emission scanning electron microscopy. Effects of the operational parameters such as adsorbent dosage, initial dye concentration, solution pH and temperature were investigated on the adsorption performance. Adsorption isotherms like Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin were used to analyze the adsorption equilibrium data and Langmuir isotherm was the best fit. Adsorption kinetics was investigated by pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and intraparticle diffusion models and the results showed that the adsorption system conforms well to the pseudo-second-order model. The thermodynamic parameters of adsorption (ΔS°, ΔH° and ΔG°) were obtained and showed that the adsorption processes were exothermic.     

Magnetite nanoplates decorated on anodized aluminum oxide nanofibers as a novel adsorbent for efficient removal of As(III)

In this study, arsenic as an environmental top-ranked hazardous substance was efficiently removed by a novel adsorbent fabricated by magnetite Fe₃O₄ nanoplates decorated on anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) nanofibers. AAO nanofibers were prepared by anodic polarization method, and then Fe₃O₄ nanoplates were grown on AAO-based substrate by hydrothermal method to fabricate AAO/Fe₃O₄ nanosorbent. Morphology of the fabricated adsorbents was characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and their crystallinity was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD). Arsenic (III) removal potential of the proposed adsorbent from contaminated water samples was investigated by the determination of As(III) amounts in the samples by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy before and after adsorption process at sub-μg L^?1 levels. The results showed that without pre- and post-treatments such as pH adjustment, As(III) was removed effectively from contaminated water samples by using the proposed adsorbent. AAO/Fe₃O₄ sorbent showed excellent ability to remove 0.1 mg L^?1 As(III) from water samples up to 96 % uptake. Freundlich adsorption isotherm model was used to interpret the As(III) adsorption on proposed sorbent. The Freundlich isotherm parameters n and k _F were obtained to be 2.2 and 10.2, respectively, representing the high affinity of proposed adsorbent for arsenic removal.     

Adsorption capacity of iron oxide-coated gravel for landfill leachate: simultaneous study

Landfill leachate is a high-strength wastewater. If it is not managed properly, it can pollute surrounding environment. The aim of this study is to determine the simultaneous adsorption capacity of iron oxide-coated gravel for metals such as Cd(II), Cu(II), Fe(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) in high-strength leachate sample. Different operating conditions such as pH, time, and dosages were investigated to determine the kinetics and mechanism of adsorption process. Coating with iron oxide changed the external surface of gravel. The adsorption capacities increased with increased pH, and the optimum pH was found to be 7. High removal rates were observed in a short period of time. The Freundlich model fitted reasonably well to the experimental data, indicating multilayer adsorption process and the heterogeneity of the surface (R ² ranging 0.57–0.94). The Temkin model fitted well to the experimental data as well (R ² ranging 0.67–0.98), indicating that the adsorption is an exothermic process. The adsorption of ions was found to obey second-order kinetics, indicating one-step, surface-only adsorption process. The degree of metal adsorption on iron oxide-coated gravel at pH 7 was in the order Cu(II) > Cd(II) > Fe(II) > Zn(II) > Ni(II).     

Ultrafast removal of heavy metals by tin oxide nanowires as new adsorbents in solid-phase extraction technique

In the present research, the removal of lead(II) and copper(II) from aqueous solutions is studied, using SnO₂ nanowires as new adsorbent on solid-phase extraction disk and compared with pine core and buttonwood as biosorbents. Batch adsorption experiments were performed as a function of pH, adsorption time, solute concentration and adsorbent dose for biosorbents. Also, the pH, transfer rate of solution and metal concentration were selected as experimental parameters for the removal of heavy metals by SnO₂ nanowires. All of the parameters were optimized by experimental design method for sorbents. The experimental equilibrium adsorption data are tested for the Langmuir and Freundlich equations. Results indicate the following order to fit the isotherms: Langmuir > Freundlich, in case of lead and copper ions. The removal of Cu(II) and Pb(II) was performed by selected sorbents in the presence of interferences ions. This led to no remarkable decrease in the removal efficiency of SnO₂ nanowires. Using the SnO₂ nanowires in the wastewater treatment indicated 96.8 and 85.28% removal efficiency in only 7 min for Pb(II) and Cu(II), respectively. SnO₂ nanowires were found as reusable sorbent. Therefore, SnO₂ nanowires have a good potential for application in environmental protection.     

Adsorption kinetics and thermodynamics of organophosphorus profenofos pesticide onto Fe/Ni bimetallic nanoparticles

Bimetallic Fe/Ni nanoparticles were synthesized and used for the removal of profenofos organophosphorus pesticide from aqueous solution. These novel bimetallic nanoparticles (Fe/Ni) were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The effect of the parameters of initial pesticide concentration, pH of the solution, adsorbent dosage, temperature, and contact time on adsorption was investigated. The adsorbent exhibited high efficiency for profenofos adsorption, and equilibrium was achieved in 8 min. The Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin isotherm models were used to determine equilibrium. The Langmuir model showed the best fit with the experimental data (R ² = 0.9988). Pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and intra-particle diffusion models were tested to determine absorption kinetics. The pseudo-second-order model provided the best correlation with the results (R ² = 0.99936). The changes in the thermodynamic parameters of Gibb’s free energy, enthalpy, and entropy of the adsorption process were also evaluated. Thermodynamic parameters indicate that profenofos adsorption using Fe/Ni nanoparticles is a spontaneous and endothermic process. The value of the activation energy (E _a = 109.57 kJ/mol) confirms the nature of the chemisorption of profenofos onto Fe/Ni adsorbent.