Preliminary investigations on the defluoridation of water using fired clay chips

The adsorption of fluoride ions on ground fired clay pot has been investigated. The maximum efficiency of the adsorbent for defluoridating 1–2 litres of water was found to be 200 mg fluoride kg⁻¹ adsorbent. The investigation showed that 5–20 mg l⁻¹ fluoride, from 1 litre of water, could be reduced to less than 1.5 mg l⁻¹ using 120–240 g of the adsorbing medium. The effects of the dose of the medium, the pH, the contact time and the initial fluoride content were studied in relation to defluoridation efficiency. Comparison of fluoride removal capacity of the adsorbent was also made with those of fired brick, clay soil and red ash. The latter exhibited practically no adsorption. A packed column of the same ground clay pot was saturated with 285 mg fluoride kg⁻¹ of adsorbent when 20 litres of water containing 10 mg l⁻¹ F was allowed to pass through it. This column defluoridated 6 litres of tap water containing 10 ppm F⁻ to below 1.5 mg l⁻¹.     

Uptake of Indosol Dark-blue GL dye from aqueous solution by water hyacinth roots powder: adsorption and desorption study

Adsorption characteristics of water hyacinth roots powder for the removal of Indosol Dark-blue GL dye were investigated in batch mode. Operating variables, such as initial solution pH, presence of detergent, adsorbent dosage, initial concentration and contact time, were studied. The results showed that the adsorption of dye increased with increasing the initial concentration and contact time. The adsorption is highly pH dependent and adsorption capacity increased with decrease in pH. Kinetic study revealed that the uptake of Indosol Dark-blue GL was very rapid within the first 15 min and equilibrium time was independent of initial concentration. Batch equilibrium experiments were carried out at different pH and found that equilibrium data fitted well to Langmuir isotherm model. The maximum sorption capacity of the adsorbent was found as 86 mg g^?1 at pH 3 which reduced to 64 mg g^?1 at pH 5. The presence of detergent reduced the sorption capacity of the adsorbent significantly. Using equilibrium and kinetic data, the forward and backward rate constants were determined from the unified approach model. Desorption study revealed that the dye can be recovered by swing the pH from low to high.     

Adsorption of reactive dyes from aqueous solutions by tannery sludge developed activated carbon: Kinetic and equilibrium studies

Adsorption kinetic and equilibrium studies of two reactive dyes, namely, Reactive Red 31 and Reactive Red 2 were conducted. The equilibrium studies were conducted for various operational parameters such as initial dye concentration, pH, agitation speed, adsorbent dosage and temperature. The initial dye concentration was varied from 10 - 60 mg/L, pH from 2–11, agitation speed from 100–140 rpm, adsorbent dosage from 0.5 g to 2.5 g and temperature from 30 °C -50 °C respectively. The activated carbon of particle size 600 μm was developed from preliminary tannery sludge. The dye removal capacity of the two reactive red dyes decreased with increasing pH. The zero point charge for the sludge carbon was 9.0 and 7.0 for the two dyes, respectively. Batch kinetic data investigations on the removal of reactive dyes using tannery sludge activated carbon have been well described by the lagergren plots. It was suggested that the Pseudo second order adsorption mechanism was predominant for the sorption of the reactive dyes onto the tannery sludge based carbon. Thus, the adsorption phenomenon was suggested as a chemical process. The adsorption data fitted well with Langmuir model than the Freundlich model. The maximum adsorption capacity(q⁰) from Langmuir isotherm were found to have increased in the range of 23.15–39.37 mg/g and 47.62–55.87 mg/g for reactive dyes reactive red 31 and reactive red 2, respectively.     

Removal of ibuprofen from aqueous solution by functionalized strong nano-clay composite adsorbent: kinetic and equilibrium isotherm studies

The functionalized nano-clay composite adsorbent was prepared, and its properties were characterized using FT-IR, XRD and SEM techniques. The synthesized nano-clay composite was studied with regard to its capacity to remove ibuprofen under different adsorption conditions such as varying pH levels (5–9), initial ibuprofen concentrations (3, 5 and 10 mg L^?1), contact time, and the amount of adsorbent (0.125, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 g). In order to evaluate the nanocomposite adsorption capacity, the adsorption results were assessed using nine isotherm models. The results showed that the optimum adsorption pH was 6 and that an increase or decrease in the pH reduced the adsorption capacity. The adsorption process was fast and reached equilibrium after 120 min. The maximum efficacy of ibuprofen removal was approximately 95.2%, with 1 g of adsorbent, 10 mg L^?1 initial concentration of ibuprofen, 120 min contact time and pH = 6. The optimal adsorption isotherm models were the Freundlich, Fritz–Schlunder, Redlich–Peterson, Radke–Prausnitz, Sip, Toth and Khan models. In addition, four adsorption kinetic models were employed for adsorption system evaluation under a variety of experimental conditions. The kinetic data illustrated that the process is very fast, and the reaction followed the Elovich kinetic model. Therefore, this nano-clay composite can be used as an effective adsorbent for the removal of ibuprofen from aqueous solutions, such as water and wastewater.     

Use of Tunisian raw clay to remove dye from aqueous solution

This paper presents the first attempt to investigate the potential of Tunisian palygorskite-rich clay (Pal-clay) on the effectiveness of a textile dye “Direct orange 34” (DO34) removal. Important parameters which affect adsorption, such as initial solution pH, contact time, adsorbent mass, initial dye concentration, and temperature, were investigated. The raw Pal-clay was characterized using X-ray diffractometer (XRD), X-ray fluorescence (XRF), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), cation exchange capacity (CEC), specific surface area (SSA) analysis, and point of zero charge (PZC) determination. The results showed that the Pal-clay has a high selectivity for DO34 and had maximum removal efficiency reaching up to about 91 %. The highest adsorption capacity was obtained at 25 °C and pH of 2. The dye uptake process fitted well to the pseudo-second-order kinetic expression and was best described by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. Intra-particle diffusion studies showed that the adsorption mechanism was not exclusively controlled by the diffusion step and was more likely to be governed by external mass transfer. Thermodynamic parameters such as change in free energy (ΔG°), enthalpy (ΔH°), and entropy (ΔS°) were also calculated. The parameters revealed that the adsorption of dye by the raw clay is spontaneous and exothermic. The results indicate that the Pal-clay has a moderate adsorption capacity towards anionic dye.     

Raw and calcination-modified coal waste as adsorbents to remove cadmium from simulated mining wastewater

The adsorption of cadmium from simulated mining wastewater by coal waste (CW) and calcination-modified coal waste (MCW) was investigated. Effects of pH, initial concentration, particle size of adsorbent, adsorbent dosage and temperature were studied in batch experiments. The adsorption efficiency for cadmium increased with increasing pH, and the optimum pH for cadmium adsorption onto MCW and CW was 6.0 and 6.5, respectively. Kinetic experiments showed that the adsorption equilibrium was reached within 120 min and followed pseudo-second-order model well. The adsorption isotherm data fit Langmuir and Freundlich models, and the adsorption capacity of cadmium on the two adsorbents increased with increasing temperature from 298 to 318 K. MCW had a higher adsorption capacity of cadmium than CW, because calcination treatment can make CW to have more loose structure and higher specific surface area. Thermodynamic parameters, the Gibbs free energy change (?G⁰), enthalpy change (?H⁰) and entropy change (?S⁰), were calculated and the results showed that the adsorption of cadmium on CW and MCW was spontaneous and endothermic. Fourier transform infrared studies indicated silanol and aluminol groups were responsible for cadmium binding. The desorption results indicated that the two adsorbents could be used repeatedly at least three times without significant decrease in the adsorption capacity for cadmium. The results suggested that modified CW could have high potential as low-cost adsorbent for cadmium removal.     

Adsorption of lead using a new green material obtained from Portulaca plant

In the present study the potential of a new green material obtained from Portulaca oleracea plant was investigated. The material was used without any chemical treatment to study the adsorption behavior of lead ions from aqueous solution. Various batch experiments were carried out using different experimental conditions such as pH, contact time, adsorbent concentration, and metal ion concentration to identify the optimum conditions. The influence of these parameters on the adsorption capacity was studied. Results showed the optimum initial pH for adsorption as 6. Adsorption equilibrium was reached in 120?min. The adsorption data were modeled using both the Langmuir and Freundlich classical adsorption isotherms. Results show ~78% removal of lead from aqueous solution. The kinetic data corresponded well with pseudo second-order equation. From the initial results, the green material obtained from the waste of Portulaca seems to be a potential low-cost adsorbent for removal of lead ions from water.     

坡缕石黏土负载铁锰复合氧化物吸附磷的性能

以氧化还原共沉淀的方法将铁锰复合氧化物负载于坡缕石黏土表面,制备负载型吸附剂,由静态吸附实验研究了吸附剂对磷的吸附性能,探讨了吸附的动力学特征、热力学参数和吸附机理。结果显示,吸附剂对磷的吸附受溶液初始pH值、吸附时间及温度的影响,在中性条件下吸附平衡时间为90 min,pseudo-second-order吸附动力学方程能较好描述吸附过程,吸附表观活化能为11.76 k J/mol;吸附等温线与Freundlich方程的拟合结果略优于Langmuir方程,由Langmuir方程得到最大吸附量为26~31 mg/g。吸附焓变为9.29 k J/mol,吸附熵变为正值,自由能变为-4.3~-5.8 k J/mol,吸附作用有多层不均匀吸附的性质,同时包含物理作用和化学作用,但不属强的化学键作用。     

Synthesis of poly(amidoamine)-graft-poly(methyl acrylate) magnetic nanocomposite for removal of lead contaminant from aqueous media

Poly(amidoamine)-graft-poly(methyl acrylate) magnetic nanocomposite was synthesized via radical polymerization of methyl acrylate onto modified magnetic nanoparticles followed by the functionalization of the methyl ester groups with poly(amidoamine) dendrimer. The resulting poly(amidoamine)-graft-poly(methyl acrylate) magnetic nanocomposite was then characterized by infrared spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction analysis. Its application as an adsorbent for the removal of Pb(II) ions was studied. The removal capability of the adsorbent was investigated in different pH values, contact time (kinetics) and initial concentration of lead. Moreover, adsorption isotherms were investigated to describe the mechanistic feature of this nanocomposite for adsorption. Accordingly, its high adsorption capacity (310 mg/g) and efficient adsorption toward lead ions in aqueous solution were shown. To further study of the chemistry behind the adsorption process, a comprehensive density functional theory-based study was performed, and a relatively strong interaction between metal ions and adsorbent was observed based on the calculated adsorption free energies.     

Retention studies of chromium (VI) from aqueous solution on the surface of a novel carbonaceous material

In the present study, the retention capacity of carbonaceous material obtained from the diesel engine exhaust mufflers for Cr(VI) removal has been investigated. The physicochemical properties such as density, pH of aqueous slurry, pH at point of zero charge, ash content, moisture content, volatile matter, surface area, scanning electron microscopy and electron dispersive spectroscopy of the carbonaceous material were determined. The capacity of adsorbent for removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution was observed under different experimental condition like contact time, initial concentration of metal ions, pH and temperatures on the adsorption capacity of the adsorbent. Maximum adsorption of Cr(VI) ions was found at low pH. The adsorption process was found to follow second-order kinetics. The rate constant was evaluated at different temperatures along with other thermodynamic parameters like activation energy, Gibbs free energy change, enthalpy change and entropy change. Both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were used to describe the adsorption equilibrium of carbonaceous material at different temperatures. Langmuir isotherm shows better fit than Freundlich isotherm at given conditions. The result shows that low-cost carbonaceous material from diesel engine exhaust mufflers can be efficiently used for wastewater treatment containing Cr(VI) ions.     

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.     

油页岩对钴离子的吸附性能研究

油页岩中因含有大量的黏土矿物而对金属离子具有一定的吸附能力.采用静态吸附法对油页岩吸附钴离子的影响因素及吸附动力学进行了研究.结果表明,油页岩粒度、溶液浓度、溶液pH值、吸附时间等均对吸附性能有一定影响.油页岩对钴离子的吸附量随样品粒径的减小而增大;随着钴离子初始浓度的增加,油页岩对钴离子的吸附总量增加;溶液pH值在3~8范围内,油页岩对钴离子的吸附量和吸附率随着pH值的增大呈上升趋势.通过吸附动力学研究发现,油页岩对钴离子的吸附过程符合准二级动力学过程和粒子内扩散机理.     

坡缕石粘土对Cu2+的吸附热力学

将坡缕石粘土分离提纯后作为吸附剂,通过对水中Cu2+的静态吸附实验,考察了时间及介质pH值对吸附效果的影响,并对吸附平衡和吸附热力学特征进行了探讨。结果表明:在实验条件下坡缕石粘土对水中的Cu2+离子具有较强的吸附作用,吸附平衡时间约为60 min,pH值对吸附效果有显著的影响,吸附量随pH值的升高而增加,当平衡溶液pH>7时吸附率超过99%;吸附平衡与Langmuir方程的符合程度优于D-R方程和Freundlich方程,由Langmuir方程拟合饱和吸附量为33.0～34.0 mg/g,由D-R方程得平均吸附能Es为13 kJ/mol,吸附过程为离子交换反应;吸附过程吸热,吸附焓为16.97 kJ/mol,吸附Gibbs函数在-27～-24 kJ/mol之间,吸附熵大于零,吸附过程可自发进行。     

镉及其络合物在黏土上的吸附行为

淋洗剂EDTA 二钠和柠檬酸三钠与镉形成的络合物及镉本身在黏土上的吸附行为研究表明: 上述两种淋洗剂能有效提取表层土中的Cd,形成的络合物在迁移过程中又能较好地被黏土层吸附。黏土对Cd2 +、Cd--EDTA 和Cd--柠檬酸的吸附容量顺序为: Cd--柠檬酸＞ Cd2 + ＞ Cd － EDTA; 3 种形态的吸附过程均以离子交换吸附为主,并在15 min 内完成。黏土对Cd2 + 和Cd － 柠檬酸的吸附容量随溶液初始pH 的升高而增大,对Cd--EDTA 的吸附容量随pH 升高略有降低。     

Removal of diazinon pesticide from aqueous solutions using MCM-41 type materials: isotherms,kinetics and thermodynamics

In this research, ordered mesoporous silica, including MCM-41, was synthesized via sol–gel process and a propyl methacrylate-modified ordered mesoporous silica (MPS-MCM-41) was successfully synthesized via a postsynthesis grafting process. Then both MCM-41 and MPS-MCM-41 were characterized using FTIR, XRD, SEM and BET techniques. The synthesized materials were utilized as adsorbent for removal of diazinon pesticide from aqueous solutions. The effects of pH, contact time, adsorbent dose, initial concentration and temperature have been evaluated using removal efficiencies. Also, the kinetic, thermodynamic and isotherm models of diazinon adsorption were studied for the both MCM-41 and MPS-MCM-41. The results showed that the maximum adsorption capacities are 142 and 254 mg g^?1 for the MCM-41 and MPS-MCM-41, respectively, at the initial concentration of 50 mg L^?1, temperature of 298 K and adsorbent dose of 0.1 g L^?1. The highest percentages of diazinon removal are 56.4 and 87.2 (at adsorbent dose of 2 g L^?1 and the temperature of 318 K) for the MCM-41 and MPS-MCM-41, respectively. The Freundlich and Langmuir models are more compatible for describing equilibrium data of the diazinon adsorption capacity on the MCM-41 and MPS-MCM-41, respectively. Thermodynamic study indicated that the adsorption process of diazinon onto MCM-41 and MPS-MCM-41 is exothermic and has a spontaneous nature. The higher adsorption capacity and higher spontaneous nature of MPS-MCM-41 in comparison with MCM-41 might be due to the presence of the both hydrogen bonding and hydrophobic interaction between surface functional groups of MPS-MCM-41 (hydroxyl and propyl methacrylate) and diazinon functional groups.     

A novel adsorbent for heavy metal remediation in aqueous environments

The objective of this study was to investigate the possibility of using maize tassel as an alternative adsorbent for the removal of chromium (VI) and cadmium (II) ions from aqueous solutions. The effect of pH, solution temperature, contact time, initial metal ion concentration and adsorbent dose on the adsorption of chromium (VI) and cadmium (II) by tassel was investigated using batch methods. Adsorption for both chromium (VI) and cadmium (II) was found to be highly pH dependent compared to the other parameters investigated. Obtained results gave an adsorption capacity of 79.1 % for chromium (VI) at pH 2, exposure time of 1h at 25 °C. Maximum capacity of cadmium of 88 % was obtained in the pH range of 5-6 at 25 °C after exposure time of 1 h. The adsorption capacities of tassel for both chromium (VI) and cadmium (II) were found to be comparable to those of other commercial adsorbents currently in use for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous wastes. These results have demonstrated the immense potential of maize tassel as an alternative adsorbent for toxic metal ions remediation in polluted water and wastewater.     

Optimization of As(V) adsorption on Fe-RH-MCM-41-immobilized GAC using Box–Behnken Design: Effects of pH,loadings, and initial concentrations

This work focused on the removal from water of arsenate in the 100 to 500 μg/L range using Fe-RH-MCM-41 immobilized on GAC by a colloidal impregnation method. A Response Surface Method (RSM) based on the Box–Behnken Design (BBD) was used to evaluate the effects of pH, adsorbent loading, and initial arsenate concentrations. The thermal stability of Fe-RH-MCM-41/GAC was greater than 460 °C because Fe-RH-MCM-41 and epoxy resin covered the GAC, preventing GAC weight loss. The rate and capacity for arsenate adsorption on Fe-RH-MCM-41/GAC were higher than for GAC. The effects of pH, adsorbent loading, and initial arsenate concentration showed significant effects on efficiency, in terms of percent arsenate removal. Significant interaction occurred as positive effects between arsenate and arsenate concentrations, and pH and arsenate concentrations, and as negative effects between pH and pH, adsorbent loading and adsorbent loading, and adsorbent loading and arsenate concentrations.     

Removal of 4-chloro-2-nitrophenol occurring in drug and pesticide waste by adsorption onto nano-titanium dioxide

The present study deals with removal of 4-chloro-2-nitrophenol (4C2NP) as a model contaminant from pharmaceutical and pesticide industries using titanium dioxide nanoparticles as an adsorbent. 4C2NP is recalcitrant and persistent toward biodegradation and its generation in aqueous environment during formulation, distribution and field application of pesticides is often unavoidable. Batch experiments were carried out to investigate the effect of contact time, nano-titanium dioxide dosage, initial pH, initial 4C2NP concentration and temperature on adsorption efficiency. The results showed that the adsorption capacity was increased with increasing 4C2NP concentration and temperature. Optimum conditions for 4C2NP adsorption were found to be initial pH????2, nano-titanium dioxide dosage????0.01?g/250?mL and equilibrium time????1?h. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles recorded a maximum capacity of 86.3?mg/g at optimal conditions. The linear correlation coefficients of Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherms were obtained. The results revealed that the Freundlich isotherm fitted the experimental data better than the other isotherm models.     

Application of dried plant biomass as novel low-cost adsorbent for removal of cadmium from aqueous solution

Heavy metals are a threat to human health and ecosystem. These days, great deal of attention is being given to green technologies for purification of water contaminated with heavy metal ions. Biosorption is one among such emerging technologies, which utilizes naturally occurring waste materials to sequester heavy metals from wastewater. Cadmium has hazardous impact on living beings; therefore, its removal through green and economical process is an important task. The aim of the present study was to utilize the locally available Portulaca oleracea plant biomass as an adsorbent for cadmium removal from aqueous solution. The biomass was obtained after drying and grinding the portulaca leaves and stem. No chemical treatment was done on the adsorbent so that it remained green in a true sense. Batch experiments were performed at room temperature. The critical parameters studied were effects of pH, contact time, initial metal ion concentration and adsorbent dose on the adsorption of cadmium. The maximum adsorption was found to be 72 %. The kinetic data were found to best fit the pseudo-second-order equation. High adsorption rates were obtained in the initial 45 min, and adsorption equilibrium was then gradually achieved in about 100 min. Adsorption increased with increase in pH for a range 2 and 6. The equilibrium adsorption results closely followed both the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The values of constants were calculated from isotherms. Results indicated that portulaca plant biomass could be developed as a potential material to be used in green water treatment devices for removal of metal ions.