Removal of metal ions using lignite in aqueous solution—Low cost biosorbents

Turkish lignite can be used as a new adsorption material for removing some toxic metals from aqueous solution. The adsorption of lignite (brown young coals) to remove copper (Cu²⁺), lead (Pb²⁺), and nickel (Ni²⁺) from aqueous solutions was studied as a function of pH, contact time, metal concentration and temperature. Adsorption equilibrium was achieved between 40 and 70 min for all studied cations except Pb²⁺, which is between 10 and 30 min. The adsorption capacities are 17.8 mg/g for Cu²⁺, 56.7 mg/g for Pb²⁺, 13.0 mg/g for Ni²⁺ for BC₁ (Ilg?n lignite) and 18.9 mg/g for Cu²⁺, 68.5 mg/g for Pb²⁺, 12.0 mg/g for Ni²⁺ for BC₂ (Beysehir lignite) and 7.2 mg/g for Cu²⁺, 62.3 mg/g for Pb²⁺, 5.4 mg/g for Ni²⁺ for AC (activated carbon). More than 67% of studied cations were removed by BC₁ and 60% BC₂, respectively from aqueous solution in single step. Whereas about 30% of studied cations except Pb²⁺, which is 90%, were removed by activated carbon. Effective removal of metal ions was demonstrated at pH values of 3.8–5.5. The adsorption isotherms were measured at 20 °C, using adsorptive solutions at the optimum pH value to determine the adsorption capacity. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm was used to describe observed sorption phenomena. The rise in temperature caused a slight decrease in the value of the equilibrium constant (K_c) for the sorption of metal ions. The mechanism for cations removal by the lignite includes ion exchange, complexation and sorption. The process is very efficient especially in the case of low concentrations of pollutants in aqueous solution, where common methods are either economically unfavorable or technically complicated.     

Preparation and characterization of polyurethane foam/activated carbon composite adsorbents

A polyurethane foam (PU)/activated carbon (AC) composite was prepared by adding granular AC during the synthesis of PU foam, and subsequent carbonization. Nitrogen adsorption?Cdesorption isotherms and scanning electron microscopy were used to ascertain the pore structure and surface morphology of the samples. The prepared composite foams possess well-developed open cell structures. Under the conditions investigated, a higher carbonization temperature promoted development of porous structures. Thermogravimetric and derivative thermogravimetric analyses revealed the thermostability of the PU foam precursor/AC composites. The adsorption performance of the composites was evaluated using phenol, iodine and methylene blue (MB) as model compounds. A PU foam/AC composite with a maximum specific surface area of 655.0?m²/g, maximum iodine number of 525.2?mg/g, and maximum adsorption capacity of MB and phenol of 100 and 66.5?mg/g, respectively, was achieved.     

Competitive adsorption of Pb, Cu and Cd ions from aqueous solutions by multiwalled carbon nanotubes

The individual and competitive adsorption capacities of Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ by nitric acid treated multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were studied. The maximum sorption capacities calculated by applying the Langmuir equation to single ion adsorption isotherms were 97.08 mg/g for Pb²⁺, 24.49 mg/g for Cu²⁺ and 10.86 mg/g for Cd²⁺ at an equilibrium concentration of 10 mg/l. The competitive adsorption studies showed that the affinity order of three metal ions adsorbed by CNTs is Pb²⁺>Cu²⁺>Cd²⁺. The Langmuir adsorption model can represent experimental data of Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺ well, but does not provide a good fit for Cd²⁺ adsorption data. The effects of solution pH, ionic strength and CNT dosage on the competitive adsorption of Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions were investigated. The comparison of CNTs with other adsorbents suggests that CNTs have great potential applications in environmental protection regardless of their higher cost at present.     

Preparation of graphene oxide/carboxymethyl chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol composite nanofiber membranes by electrospinning for heavy metal adsorption

In this paper, a graphene-oxide/carboxymethyl-chitosan/polyvinyl-alcohol (GO/CMC/PVA) composite nanofiber membrane was prepared by electrospinning and cross-linking with glutaraldehyde (GA) to improve the water resistance. The composite nanofiber membrane can be used in the field of heavy metal adsorption. The membrane was characterized by scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The effects of GO concentration, adsorption time, and initial concentration of heavy-metal ion (Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ag⁺, and Pb²⁺) solution on the adsorption performance of the fiber membranes were investigated. The results showed that the addition of GO can reduce the diameter of nanofibers. GO, CMC, and PVA exhibited good compatibility, and the intermolecular hydrogen bonding improved. The addition of GO also improved the crystalline properties of the composite fiber membrane. In the optimal cross-linking condition, GA was saturated by steam cross-linking for 6 h. The introduction of GO improved the adsorption capacity of the membrane for heavy metals in water. The utmost adsorption capacities for Ni²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ag⁺, and Pb²⁺ were 262.1, 237.9, 319.3, and 413.6 mg/g when using the cross-linked composite fiber membranes, respectively. The results of adsorption kinetics and thermodynamics showed that the adsorption process accorded with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir–Freundlich isotherm model.     

Production and characterization of activated carbon derived from brewer’s yeast

Activated carbon (AC) was produced from brewer’s yeast with K₂CO₃ activation. The effects of K₂CO₃/yeast ratio and activation temperature on the yield and adsorption properties of the AC were investigated. The results indicate that the optimum conditions were as follows: ratio of K₂CO₃/yeast=2 and activation temperature 800 °C. The AC produced under the optimum conditions has BET surface area of 1,603 m²/g, pore volume of 1.43 cm²/g and average pore diameter of 3.5 nm. Adsorption of phenol onto the AC was determined by batch test at solution pH of 7. The effects of contact time and initial phenol concentration were investigated. The adsorption process was found to follow pseudo-second-order kinetics. The rate of phenol adsorption onto the AC produced was rapid with the adsorption equilibrium reached within 5 min. The experimental data fitted well with the Langmuir isotherm model. The maximum phenol uptake by the AC was estimated to be 513.5 mg/g.     

Pectin graft copolymer-montmorillonite composite: Synthesis,swelling and divalent metal ion adsorption

A novel graft copolymer gel made up of pectin (Pec), 2-(methacryloyloxyethyl)trimethylammonium chloride (METAC), 2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propane sulfonic acid (AMPS) and its composite with montmorillonite (MMT) were prepared using methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) as cross-linker via microwave irradiation and characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques. Swelling studies were carried out under different pH conditions. The graft copolymer gel and its composite showed maximum swelling in neural medium (pH 7.1) and the swelling process followed second order kinetics. The mechanism of water transport is found to be a Less Fickian diffusion process. The adsorption capacities of the graft copolymer gel and the composite towards divalent metal ions (Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺ and Hg²⁺) were evaluated. The adsorption capacity of the representative samples, Pec-g-poly(METAC-co-AMPS)-A5 and Pec-g-poly(METAC-co-AMPS)/MMT-C2 respectively for Cu²⁺ are 30.71 and 39.18 mg/g; for Pb²⁺ are 58.06 and 79.78 mg/g and for Hg²⁺ are 12.16 and 19.58 mg/g. The re-usability of the materials was also evaluated. The % recovery for the above two systems towards metals ion are 87.91 and 63.46 for Cu²⁺, 32.13 and 58.30 for Pb²⁺ and 78.53 and 51.92 for Hg^2+. respectively. The adsorption isotherm studies indicated the adsorption of Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Hg²⁺ in both samples is explained best by the Freundlich model except of Hg²⁺ by Pec-g-poly(METAC-co-AMPS)-A5, which is best explained by the Langmuir model.     

Adsorption of Phenol on Different Activated Carbons Prepared from Date Pits

The potential use of different activated carbons (ACs) prepared from dates pits and phosphoric acid for the removal of phenol from aqueous solutions was investigated. Date pits were converted into five different types of activated carbons by air and phosphoric acid activation. The specific surface area (BET) of the prepared ACs varied from 794 m²/g, for the phosphoric acid:date pit ratio of 5:1, to 1707 m²/g for a ratio of 2:1. Batch adsorption experiments revealed that the adsorption of phenol varied among all of the prepared ACs, where the 2:1 AC showed the highest uptake. Equilibrium pH studies showed that the phenol removal was pH dependent and the maximum phenol uptake occurred at an equilibrium pH of 3.0. Dynamics studies indicated that the initial uptake of phenol on 2:1 AC at pH 4 was rapid, where 80% of the maximum uptake was achieved during the first 30 minutes; both surface adsorption and intraparticle diffusion were involved in the adsorption process and the data followed the pseudo second-order reaction. The equilibrium adsorption data of phenol on 2:1 AC at solution pH 3 was best described by the Redlich-Peterson, Sips, and Langmuir models.     

Comparison of catalytic ozonation of phenol by activated carbon and manganese-supported activated carbon prepared from brewing yeast

Activated carbon (AC) was prepared using brewing yeast as precursor by chemical activation and manganese was supported on activated carbon (Mn/AC) by adsorption-activation method. The characterizations of prepared AC and Mn/AC and their performance as ozonation catalysts was tested. The results indicated that the crystalline phase of supported manganese was MnO. The total BET surface areas of prepared AC and Mn/AC were found to be 1603.0 m²/g and 598.9 m²/g, with total pore volumes of 1.43 and 0.49 cm³/g, respectively. The average pore diameters of AC and Mn/AC were found to be 3.5 nm and 3.3 nm. Adsorption capacities of phenol onto the produced AC and Mn/AC were determined by batch test, at 25 °C and pH 7. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were used to fit the isotherm experimental data, and the Langmuir isotherm model fitted these two adsorption systems well. The maximum uptakes of phenol by AC and Mn/AC were estimated to be 513.5 mg/g and 128.2 mg/g. The presence of AC prepared from brewing yeast was advantageous for TOC reduction of phenol solution compared with single ozonation, and the greatest TOC removal efficiency was obtained in the presence of Mn/AC. All ozonation reactions followed the pseudofirst-order kinetics model well, the degradation rate of phenol was enhanced in the presence of catalysts, and the more pronounced degradation rate was achieved in O₃/Mn/AC system. The rate constants were determined to be 2.16×10⁻² min⁻¹ for O₃ alone, 5.70×10⁻² min⁻¹ for O₃/AC and 6.82×10⁻² min⁻¹ for O₃/Mn/AC.     

Conversion of soybean oil into ion exchange resins: Removal of copper (II), nickel (II), and cobalt (II) ions from dilute aqueous solution using carboxylate‐containing resin

An ion‐exchange resin containing carboxylic acid groups was prepared by reaction of epoxidized soybean oil with triethylene tetramine, followed by hydrolysis of glycerides by using sodium hydroxide solution. The cation exchange capacity of the resins was determined to be 3.50 mequiv/g. The adsorption capacity for Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Co²⁺ on the obtained resin at pH 5.0 was found to be 192, 96, and 78 mg/g, respectively. Effect of pH on the adsorption capacity for copper (II), nickel (II), and cobalt (II) ions were also studied. Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Co²⁺ were adsorbed at a pH above 3. These metal ions adsorbed on the resin are easily eluted by using 1N HCl solution. The selectivity of the resin for Cu²⁺ from mixtures containing Cu²⁺/Co²⁺/Ni²⁺ ions in the presence of sodium chloride was also investigated © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 2386–2396, 2002     

Synthesis,characterization, and metal adsorption properties of tannin–phenol–formaldehyde resins produced using tannin from dried fruit of Terminalia chebula (Aralu)

In this study, tannin extracted from Terminalia chebula (Aralu) was used to produce tannin–phenol–formaldehyde resins. They were produced to obtain resins with different tannin to phenol ratio in an attempt to optimize the ion exchange capacities of resins produced. The resins made were sulfonated to improve their properties further. Bivalent cations, such as Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Ca²⁺, Mg²⁺, and Cu²⁺, were used to estimate the adsorption properties of both unsulfonated and sulfonated resins. The glass transitions of representative resins were estimated using differential scanning calorimeter thermograms. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic analysis was used to gauge changes on resins by sulfonation and adsorption of cations. The glass transition values of unsulfonated, sulfonated, and metal‐adsorbed sulfonated resins showed a similar increasing trend with the increase of phenol content in the resin. The glass transition temperature values reach a plateau beyond the tannin/phenol ratio of 1 : 0.5, indicating the formation of large molar masses facilitating entanglements beyond that ratio. The phenol ratio of 1 : 0.5 has shown the highest adsorption capacity for all the metal ions used. The highest adsorption capacity was shown for sulfonated tannin–phenol–formaldehyde resin with the tannin/phenol ratio of 1 : 0.5 for Pb²⁺, which is 0.610 meq/g. The adsorption equilibrium data obtained using the column technique were found fitting Freundlich isotherm. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

A novel carbon aerogel prepared for adsorption of copper(II) ion in water

A novel carbon aerogel with network pore and surface group of hydroxyl was prepared from cellulose colloid, through sol-gel reaction, freeze-drying and carbonization. Surfactant like isooctyl alcohol ether phosphate was taken as structure inducer in sol-gel reaction, for construction of porous network in the prepared samples. Characteristic of a specific area about 725.12 m²/g and total pore volume about 0.64 cm³/g, the prepared cellulose-based carbon aerogel of CCA₂, has a maximum capacity about 55.25 mg/g for Cu²⁺ in neutral aqueous solution. Its adsorption equilibrium can be reached within 10 min in an aqueous solution of pH7.0 at 25?°C, while desorption of Cu²⁺ need about 1 h eluted by HCl or HNO₃ solution of 0.01 M. And regeneration of the carbon aerogel in adsorption of Cu²⁺ can be repeated for five times, remaining 96% adsorption capacity. It is also found in adsorption process the kinetics nicely follows pseudo-second-order rate expression, and the isotherm fits Langmuir model.     

Synthesis of chelating resins with iminodiacetic acid and its wastewater treatment application

The chelating resins have high potential applications for the selective removal and recovery of metal ions from industrial waste solutions. The hydrophilic acrylate monomer with the iminodiacetic acid chelating group was prepared from glycidyl methacrylate and iminodiacetic acid at 60°C. The microbeads, prepared from acrylate monomer with the iminodiacetic acid chelating group, were employed by inversion suspension polymerization. In the pH range of 2–6, a reasonably good equilibrium sorption capacity is maintained for Cr³⁺ (ca. 2.7 mmol/g) and Cu²⁺ (ca. 1.8 mmol/g) in the chelating resins. The adsorption of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ on microbeads is clearly affected by the pH of the solution, such that these ions' adsorption capacity increased with the pH of the aqueous solution. The adsorption of Cd²⁺ (ca. 1.25–1.87 mmol/g) and Pb²⁺ (ca. 0.99–1.89 mmol/g) showed a maximum at approximately pH = 5 and 6, respectively. The adsorption isotherms of Cr³⁺ and Cu²⁺ adsorbed on microbeads were following the Langmuir isotherm, but the adsorption behavior of Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ were not. The concentration of alkaline earth–metal cations on the range of 0–200 ppm had no influence on metal ions adsorbed capacity of chelating resins. Additionally, NTA (nitrilotriacetic acid) had no significant influence on metal ion adsorption by chelating resins. Furthermore, phenol pollutant can be adsorbed effectively by metal ions chelated microbeads; therefore, the microbeads were useful not only in recovering metal ions but also in the treating phenol pollutants in wastewater. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 84: 1353–1362, 2002; DOI 10.1002/app.10243     

Adsorption of Cu2+ and Ni2+ from Aqueous Solution by Arabinoxylan Hydrogel: Equilibrium,Kinetic, Competitive Adsorption

In this work, arabinoxylan-graft-acrylic acid (AX-g-AA) hydrogel was prepared and used as an adsorbent to remove and recover Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ from aqueous solutions. The influences of pH, ligand content on the adsorption capacity of the hydrogel, adsorption equilibrium, and kinetic were studied in detail. The competitive adsorption and recovery of heavy metal ions, regeneration and reusability of the hydrogel were present. Furthermore, the relationship between the physiochemical properties of the adsorbent and its adsorption performance was also studied. The results showed that a more expanded network favored the diffusion and adsorption of metal ions. Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ uptake by this hydrogel was pH and concentration dependent with the maximum loading of 330.1 mg/g for Cu²⁺ and 248.7 mg/g for Ni²⁺. The pseudo-second-order kinetics suggested that the ion exchange process was chemisorption-controlled. The Langmuir equation could well describe the isotherm data. Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ adsorbed on the hydrogel could be effectively recovered in a diluted HNO₃ solution (0.01 M) in 30 min. AX-g-AA hydrogel also exhibited highly efficient reusability, and thus could be used repeatedly.     

Reactive green HE‐4BD functionalized supermacroporous poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) cryogel for heavy metal removal

The aim of this study was to investigate the heavy metal adsorption performance of supermacroporous poly(hydroxyethyl methacrylate) [PHEMA] cryogel. The PHEMA cryogel was produced by cryo‐polymerization. The PHEMA cryogel was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The PHEMA cryogel containing 385 μmol Reactive Green HE‐4BD/g were used in the adsorption studies. Adsorption capacity of the PHEMA cryogel for the metal ions, i.e., Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Pb²⁺ were investigated in aqueous media containing different amounts of the ions (5–600 mg/L) and at different pH values (3.2–6.9). The maximum adsorption capacities of the PHEMA cryogel were 11.6 mg/g (56 μmol/g) for Pb²⁺, 24.5 mg/g (385 μmol/g) for Cu²⁺ and 29.1 mg/g (256 μmol/g) for Cd²⁺. The competitive adsorption capacities were 10.9 mg/g (52 μmol/g) for Pb²⁺, 22.1 mg/g for Cd²⁺ (196 μmol/g) and 23.2 mg/g (365 μmol/g) for Cu²⁺. The PHEMA/Reactive Green HE‐4BD cryogel exhibited the following metal ion affinity sequence on molar basis: Cu²⁺ > Cd²⁺ > Pb²⁺. The PHEMA/Reactive Green HE‐4BD cryogel can be easily regenerated by 50 mM EDTA with higher effectiveness. These features make the PHEMA/Reactive Green HE‐4BD cryogel a potential adsorbent for heavy metal removal. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Simultaneous adsorptive removal of methylene blue and copper ions from aqueous solution by ferrocene‐modified cation exchange resin

Resin was modified with ferrocene (Fc) to enhance removal of Methylene Blue (MB) and Cu²⁺ from simulated wastewater. The FTIR, N₂‐BET, and X‐ray fluorescence analysis confirmed that Fc was successfully grafted onto the surface of resin. The adsorption capacity of Fc modified cation exchange resin (FMCER) was calculated to be 392.16 mg/g Cu²⁺ and 10.01 mg/g MB. Both processes were spontaneous and exothermic, best described by Langmuir equation. Pseudo‐first‐order kinetic model satisfied the adsorption of MB, while the intraparticle‐diffusion model fitted the kinetics of Cu²⁺ adsorption best. The result revealed a multilayer adsorption of Cu²⁺ on FMCER, and the kinetics maybe controlled by intraparticle diffusion, film diffusion, and competition force. The adsorption of MB and Cu²⁺ on FMCER were physicosorptive, with activation energies of 2.09 and 1.27 kJ/mol. pH 2–7 and 4–5 are optimum for the removal of MB and Cu²⁺, and pH 4 is optimal for the simultaneous removal of MB and Cu²⁺. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2014 , 131, 41029.     

测试——聚乙烯亚胺改性磁性膨润土对Pb2+和Cu2+的吸附性能(测试稿件)

在磁性膨润土(MBent)表面接枝聚乙烯亚胺(PEI)制备了聚乙烯亚胺改性磁性膨润土(PEI/KH560/MBent),采用FTIR、VSM、XRD、TGA、EA、SEM和EDS对其进行了表征,考察了其对水溶液中Pb_²⁺和Cu_²⁺的吸附性能。结果表明,聚乙烯亚胺已成功接枝于磁性膨润土表面,并有效提高其对Pb_²⁺和Cu_²⁺吸附量；溶液初始pH对吸附量影响较大,随着pH的增大,吸附量增加。在pH=5,溶液初始质量浓度为300 mg/L,PEI/KH560/MBent对Pb_²⁺和Cu_²⁺吸附量分别为96.21和61.08 mg/g；吸附过程符合准二级动力学模型,吸附行为符合Langmuir吸附等温模型。热力学研究表明,吸附为自发吸热过程。经过5次循环利用后,其吸附容量仍保持初始的60%以上,表明PEI/KH560/MBent具有一定的重复利用性。     

Synthesis,characterization, and metal ions adsorption properties of chitosan–calixarenes (I)

Calixarene‐modified chitosans (CTS–CA‐I and CTS–CA‐II) were first synthesized by the reaction of chitosan (CTS‐NH₂) with 1,3‐bis‐chloroethoxyethoxy‐2,4‐dihydroxy‐p‐tert‐butylcalix[4]arene (CA‐I) or its benzoyl derivative (CA‐II). Their structures were characterized by infrared and X‐ray diffraction spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The adsorption of Ni²⁺, Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Pd²⁺, Ag⁺, and Hg²⁺ by CTS–CA‐I and CTS–CA‐II was studied and the thermodynamic parameter of two calixarene‐modified chitosans toward Hg²⁺ was deduced. The adsorption properties of CTS–CA‐I and CTS–CA‐II were greatly varied compared with that CTS‐NH₂, especially with the adsorption capacity toward Ag⁺ and Hg²⁺, because of the presence of the calixarene moiety. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 89: 1139–1144, 2003     

Cu2+ removal from aqueous solution by modified chitosan hydrogels

BACKGROUND: The adsorption of Cu²⁺ from aqueous solution using crosslinked chitosan hydrogels impregnated with Congo Red (CR) by ion‐imprint technology was systematically investigated with particular reference to the effects of contact time, pH, and initial concentration on adsorption. RESULTS: The adsorption capacity of the crosslinked chitosan without impregnation was only 68.68 mg g^?1 for Cu²⁺. However, the adsorption capacity increased from 77.42 (without imprint ion) to 84.54 mg g^?1 (imprint ion content 0.5 mmol) after the chitosan was impregnated with a ratio of 1/12 of CR to chitosan. The as‐prepared adsorbents were found to be pH‐dependent and the process of adsorption agreed well with the Freundlich isotherm. The loaded adsorbents could be regenerated and reused without the appreciable loss of capacity. CONCLUSION: Chitosan hydrogels impregnated with CR showed higher Cu²⁺ adsorption capacities compared with those prepared conventionally without imprint ion, and thus developed a good approach to increase Cu²⁺ adsorption efficiency in the treatment of waste‐water. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

Adsorption mechanism of copper ions in aqueous solution by chitosan–carboxymethyl starch composites

Based on the structural characteristics of chitosan (CTS) and carboxymethyl starch (CMS)， CTS–CMS composites were prepared by crosslinking. The composites had a plurality of reactive functional groups such as  NH₂,  NH₃⁺,  COOH, and  OH and are applied to the adsorption of Cu²⁺ in aqueous solution. The adsorption capacity and stability in acidic solution of the composites were preferable to that of raw material. The effects of temperature, contact time, initial concentration, and pH on the adsorption of Cu²⁺ were investigated. Infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope–energy dispersive spectrometer, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy were used to explore the adsorption mechanism. The experiment showed that chemisorption and physisorption coexisted in the adsorption process. It is promising to apply this adsorbent to remove the metal ions in wastewater. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2020 , 137, 48636.     

Development of an activated carbon-geopolymer composite for treatment of Pb(II) polluted water and soil

An activated carbon-geopolymer composite (ACGC) was prepared by using fly ash as raw materials via a simple geopolymerization process for treating the Pb(II) contaminant in wastewater and soil. The phase composition, microtopography, pore structure, and surface groups of the composites were studied by X-ray diffractometer, field emission scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, N₂ adsorption-desorption isotherm, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscope. It was discovered that there was a synergistic effect between geopolymer matrix and activated carbon (AC), that is, addition of AC particles could increase the pores in geopolymer while strong alkalis condition provided by geopolymer enhanced the contents of oxygenic groups of AC. When the composite was used as the adsorbent, the sample containing 20 wt% AC (40ACGC) showed the maximum adsorption capacity (319.72 mg/g), and its adsorption isotherm fitted the Langmuir model well, suggesting the monolayer adsorption of Pb²⁺ on the 40ACGC. The kinetics of Pb²⁺ adsorption on the 40ACGC belonged to the pseudo-second-order model, indicating that Pb²⁺ adsorption on the composite followed chemical adsorption. In addition, the 40ACGC sample showed excellent stabilization performance for Pb²⁺ in soil. This work offered a new thinking to the application of geopolymers into remediation of heavy metal-polluted soil.