Adsorption of Pb(II) from aqueous solution to Ni-doped bamboo charcoal

Bamboo charcoal (BC) obtained by pyrolysis of Makino bamboo in the absence of oxygen was used as support for the preparation of Ni-doped adsorbent (Ni-BC). The low-cost composite was characterized and used as an adsorbent for Pb(II) removal from water. The results showed that both BET surface area and total pore volume of Ni-BC increased. The adsorption of Pb(II) strongly depended on solution pH, temperature and ionic strength. The adsorption isotherms followed Langmuir isotherm model well, and the maximum adsorption capacities of Pb(II) at 298 K were 25.0 and 142.7 mg/g for BC and Ni-BC, respectively. The adsorption processes were well fitted by pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Thermodynamic parameters showed that the adsorptions of Pb(II) onto both adsorbents were feasible, spontaneous, and exothermic under the studied conditions. The spent Ni-BC could be readily regenerated for reuse.     

Nano-TiO2 modified with 2-mercaptobenzimidazole as an efficient adsorbent for removal of Ag(I) from aqueous solutions

Nano-TiO₂ was modified with 2-mercaptobenzimidazole via surfactant activation and used as an adsorbent for the removal of Ag(I) under optimum conditions. The adsorbent was characterized using powder X-ray diffraction and FT-IR spectroscopy. The equilibrium data were fitted to the Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherm models. Langmuir isotherm describes the adsorption data better than Freundlich isotherm and Temkin. Kinetic studies showed that the pseudo second order kinetic model fits the adsorption kinetic processes well. Maximum adsorption capacity for Ag(I) was 128.2 mg g⁻¹ of nano-TiO₂. The method was successfully applied to the removal of silver from radiology film processing wastewater samples.     

Removal of Reactive Blue 21 onto magnetic chitosan microparticles functionalized with polyamidoamine dendrimers

Chitosan/poly(amidoamine) (MCS/PAMAM) microparticles were prepared as magnetic adsorbents for removal of Reactive Blue 21 (RB 21) dye from aqueous solution. Characterization of these particles was carried out using scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform-infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffractometry and vibrating sample magnetometry. The results indicate that the magnetic chitosan microparticles (MCS) were functionalized with PAMAM dendrimers and maintained its intrinsic magnetic properties. The effects of initial pH, adsorbent dose, initial concentration, contact time and temperature on adsorption were investigated. Kinetic studies showed that the dye adsorption process followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model but that the adsorption rate was also influenced by intraparticle diffusion. Equilibrium adsorption isotherm data indicated a good fit to the Langmuir isotherm. The maximum adsorption capacities obtained from the Langmuir model were 555.56, 588.24, 625.00 and 666.67 mg g⁻¹ at 303, 313, 323 and 333 K, respectively. The thermodynamic parameters revealed the feasibility, spontaneity and endothermic nature of the adsorption. Recycling experiments confirmed the relative reusability of the adsorbent.     

Effluent organic matter removal from reverse osmosis feed by granular activated carbon and purolite A502PS fluidized beds

Applying pre-treatments to remove dissolved organic matter from reverse osmosis (RO) feed can help to reduce organic fouling of the RO membrane. In this study the performance of granular activated carbon (GAC), a popular adsorbent, and purolite A502PS, an anion exchange resin, in removing effluent organic matter (EfOM) from RO feed collected from a water reclamation plant located at Sydney Olympic Park, Australia were evaluated and compared through adsorption equilibrium, kinetics and fluidized bed experiments. The maximum adsorption capacity (Q_max) of GAC calculated from the Langmuir model with RO feed was 13.4 mg/g GAC. The operational conditions of fluidized bed columns packed with GAC and purolite A502PS strongly affected the removal of EfOM. GAC fluidized bed with a bed height of 10 cm and fluidization velocity of 5.7 m/h removed more than 80% of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) during a 7 h experiment. The average DOC removal was 60% when the bed height was reduced to 7 cm. When comparing GAC with purolite A502PS, more of the later was required to remove the same amount of DOC. The poorer performance of purolite A502PS can be explained by the competition provided by other inorganic anions present in RO feed. A plug flow model can be used to predict the impact of the amount of adsorbent and of the flow rate on removal of organic matter from the fluidized bed column.     

Removal of acid blue 113 and reactive black 5 dye from aqueous solutions by activated red mud

Removal of acid blue 113 (AB113) and reactive black 5 (RB5) dyes from aqueous solutions by activated red mud was investigated at different reaction parameters. Activated red mud has higher removal efficiency for AB113 than that for RB5. This can be explained by a greater molecular size of RB5 than that of AB113 and by different binding affinity with the surface of the activated red mud. Equilibrium data was fitted well with Freundlich isotherm and the kinetic data followed a pseudo second-order model. Maximum adsorption capacity was 83.33 mg/g and 35.58 mg/g at pH 3 for AB113 and RB5, respectively.     

Adsorption of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solutions by bio-chars obtained during biomass pyrolysis

In this study, bio-chars were evaluated as a potential adsorbent for the removal of Cr (VI) ions from aqueous solutions. The effects of some important parameters including initial pH (1.5–7), adsorbent dose (0.2–5 g/L), contact time (5–900 min) and initial Cr (VI) ion concentration (5–75 mg/L) were tested on the removal of Cr (VI) ions from aqueous solution in batch experiments. Maximum adsorption capacities of the tested bio-chars under the certain experimental conditions determined as optimal were 3.53 mg/g for NCBC, 3.97 mg/g for NZCBC and 6.08 mg/g for ACBC, respectively. Results of the kinetic and isotherm modeling studies revealed that the adsorption data fitted well with a pseudo-second order and Langmuir model. In among the tested bio-chars, the bio-char (ACBC) was largely equivalent to activated carbon: AC (9.97 mg/g) in terms of adsorption capacity. All results indicated that the bio-chars had higher adsorption capacity than some chars and activated carbons reported previously, and also that these bio-chars could be used successfully as low-cost adsorbents for the removal of chromium ions from aqueous solutions under the tested experimental conditions.     

Heavy metals uptake from aqueous solutions and industrial wastewaters by humic acid-immobilized polymer/bentonite composite: Kinetics and equilibrium modeling

This study explored the feasibility of utilizing a novel adsorbent, humic acid-immobilized-amine-modified polyacrylamide/bentonite composite (HA-Am-PAA-B) for the adsorption of Cu(II), Zn(II) and Co(II) ions from aqueous solutions. The FTIR and XRD analyses were done to characterize the adsorbent material. The effects of pH, contact time, initial adsorbate concentration, ionic strength and adsorbent dose on adsorption of metal ions were investigated using batch adsorption experiments. The optimum pH for Cu(II), Zn(II) and Co(II) adsorption was observed at 5.0, 9.0 and 8.0, respectively. The mechanism for the removal of metal ions by HA-Am-PAA-B was based on ion exchange and complexation reactions. Metal removal by HA-Am-PAA-B followed a pseudo-second-order kinetics and equilibrium was achieved within 120 min. The suitability of Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich adsorption models to the equilibrium data was investigated. The adsorption was well described by the Langmuir isotherm model. The maximum monolayer adsorption capacity was 106.2, 96.1 and 52.9 mg g^?1 for Cu(II), Zn(II) and Co(II) ions, respectively, at 30 °C. The efficiency of HA-Am-PAA-B in removing metal ions from different industry wastewaters was tested. Adsorbed metal ions were desorbed effectively (97.7 for Cu(II), 98.5 for Zn(II) and 99.2% for Co(II)) by 0.1 M HCl. The reusability of the HA-Am-PAA-B for several cycles was also demonstrated.     

Phosphate removal from water using an iron oxide impregnated strong base anion exchange resin

Removing phosphate from water is important as it causes eutrophication, which in turn has a harmful effect on aquatic life, resulting in a reduction in biodiversity. On the other hand, recovery of phosphate from phosphorus containing wastewater is essential for developing an alternative source of phosphorus to overcome the global challenge of phosphorus scarcity. Phosphate removal from aqueous solutions was studied using an iron oxide impregnated strong base anion exchange resin, Purolite FerrIX A33E in batch and fixed-bed column experiments. Phosphate adsorption in the batch study satisfactorily fitted to the Langmuir isotherm with a maximum adsorption capacity of 48 mg P/g. In the column study, increase in inlet phosphate concentration (5–30 mg P/L), and filtration velocity (2.5–10 m/h) resulted in faster breakthrough times and increase in breakthrough adsorption capacities. Increase in bed height (3–19 cm) also increased adsorption capacity but the breakthrough time was slower. The breakthrough data were reasonably well described using the empirical models of Bohart–Adams, Thomas, and Yoon–Nelson, except for high bed heights. Phosphate adsorbed was effectively desorbed using 1 M NaOH and the adsorbent was regenerated after each of three adsorption/desorption cycles by maintaining the adsorption capacity at >90% of the original value. Greater than 99.5% of the desorbed P was recovered by precipitation using CaCl₂.     

Pre-treatment of adsorbents for waste water treatment using adsorption coupled-with electrochemical regeneration

With the aim to address waste water treatment problems, a novel and economic water treatment technology was introduced at the University of Manchester. It comprised of a unique combination of adsorption and electrochemical regeneration in a single unit. This process successfully eliminated a number of organic pollutants by using an electrically conducting adsorbent material called Nyex? which was a modified form of synthetic graphite. To expand the scope of other graphite types in waste water treatment applications, natural vein and recycled vein graphite materials were selected for electrochemical surface treatment (pre-treatment) in order to evaluate their adsorptive and electrical properties. New graphite based adsorbents were developed and characterized using a laser diffraction particle size analyser, BET surface area, SEM analysis, X-ray (EDS) elemental analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, Boehm surface titration, Zeta potential electrical bed conductivity and bulk density measurements. Boehm surface titration and EDS (X-ray) elemental analysis showed a significant increase in oxygen containing surface functional groups. Although, no significant improvement in bed electrical conductivity was found to occur after electrochemical surface treatment, however, natural vein and recycled vein graphite materials presented highest bed electrical conductivity amongst competing graphite materials. Aqueous solution of acid violet 17 as a standard pollutant was used to evaluate the comparative performance of these adsorbents. The investigations revealed that electrochemical surface treatment contributed to an increase in the adsorption capacity by a factor of two only for natural vein graphite. Un-treated recycled vein graphite adsorbent delivered the same adsorptive capacity (3.0 mg g^?1) to that of electrochemically treated natural vein graphite. The electrochemical regeneration efficiency at around 100% was obtained using a treatment time of 60 and 30 min, current density of 14 mA cm^?2, charge passed of 36 and 18 C g^?1 for synthetic graphite, natural and recycled vein graphite materials respectively. Relatively a small consumption of electrical energy, 24 J g^?1 for regenerating natural vein graphite adsorbent versus 36 J g^?1 for synthetic graphite adsorbent, was found to be required for destruction/oxidation of adsorbed acid violet 17. Multiple adsorption/regeneration cycles presented no loss in adsorptive capacity over 5 adsorption/regeneration cycles. The use of natural and recycled vein graphite adsorbents offered some advantages over graphite intercalation based adsorbents with reduced electrical energy consumption during regeneration and simpler separation of particulate adsorbent.     

Equilibrium and kinetic studies for removal of malachite green from aqueous solution by a low cost activated carbon

A low cost activated carbon was synthesized from coconut coir and was applied for the removal of malachite green (MG) from its aqueous solutions. Characterization of the adsorbent was carried out and BET surface area of the adsorbent was found to be 205.27 m²/g. The process of removal of MG was better governed by second order kinetics with a rate constant of 0.21 g mg^?1 min^?1 at 323 K. The coefficient of mass transfer was found to be 3.70 × 10^?5 cm s^?1. The value of ΔG° was found to be negative indicating feasibility and spontaneity of the adsorption process.     

Removal of malachite green from aqueous solution by zinc oxide nanoparticle loaded on activated carbon: Kinetics and isotherm study

In this research, a novel adsorbent, zinc oxide nanoparticle loaded on activated carbon (ZnO-NP-AC) was synthesized by a simple, low cost and efficient procedure. Subsequently, this novel material was characterizated and identified by different techniques such as Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis. Unique properties such as high surface area (>603 m²/g) and low pore size (<61 Å) and average particle size lower than 100 Å in addition to high reactive atom and presence of various functional groups make it possible for efficient removal of malachite green (MG). In batch experimental set-up, optimum conditions for quantitative removal of MG by ZnO-NP-AC was attained following searching effect of variables such as adsorbent dosage, initial dye concentration and pH. Optimum values were set as pH of 7.0, 0.015 g of ZnO-NP-AC at removal time of 15 min. Kinetic studies at various adsorbent dosage and initial MG concentration show that maximum MG removal was achieved within 15 min of the start of every experiment at most conditions. The adsorption of MG follows the pseudo-second-order rate equation in addition to interparticle diffusion model (with removal more than 95%) at all conditions. Equilibrium data fitted well with the Langmuir model at all amount of adsorbent, while maximum adsorption capacity was 322.58 mg g⁻¹ for 0.005 g of ZnO-NP-AC.     

Application of experimental design for removal of sunset yellow by copper sulfide nanoparticles loaded on activated carbon

In this study, copper sulfide nanoparticles loaded on activated carbon (CuS-NP-AC) was synthesized by novel, low cost and green approach and characterized using different techniques such as SEM, and BET. This material was used for the removal of sunset yellow (SY) from aqueous solutions was investigated. The dependency of removal percentages to variables such as pH, initial SY concentration, adsorbent dosage and sonication time were studied by central composite design (CCD) coupled with response surface methodology (RSM) by considering the desirability function (DF). The accuracy and ability of method at optimum values predicted by this model was studied by conduction of similar experiments at the same previously optimized conditions. A good agreement between experimental and predicted data was achieved that efficiency of this model for prediction of real optimum point. Among the well known previously isotherm models, the experimental equilibrium data efficiently can be represented by the Langmuir model, while the rate of adsorption. Kinetic data efficiently can be interpreted by combination of pseudo-second order as well as intraparticle diffusion models. The small amount of this adsorbent (0.016 g) is applicable for removal of high amount of SY (>90%) in reasonable time (17 min).     

Ionic liquid based periodic mesoporous organosilica: An efficient support for removal of sunset yellow from aqueous solutions under ultrasonic conditions

The efficiency of an ionic liquid based periodic mesoporous organosilica (PMO-IL) in the removal of sunset yellow from aqueous solutions using ultrasonic assisted adsorption method was investigated. The PMO-IL was first characterized by nitrogen sorption and TEM techniques. The optimized conditions (0.013 g of adsorbent, 32 mg L⁻¹ of sunset yellow at 2 min of sonication time and pH 7) were obtained by central composite design (CCD). Fitting the equilibrium data show the suitability of the Langmuir model with second-order equation to control the kinetic of the adsorption process and good reusability (5 cycles) of PMO-IL for adsorption of dye.     

Fabrication of mesoporous carbons coated monolith via evaporative induced self-assembly approach: Effect of solvent and acid concentration on pore architecture

Carbon coating onto monolith through soft-template approach have been accomplished by means of evaporative induced self-assembly (EISA). Variation in acid and alcohol content on monolith's surface properties was studied, while β-carotene was used as a modelled adsorbate. The pore architecture of adsorbent samples was analysed through corresponding surface chemistry, N₂ sorption isotherm, pore size distribution (PSD) plot, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET), Barett–Joyner–Halenda (BJH) model and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM images displayed a well-covered interconnected worm-like framework of carbonaceous materials over monolith surface. Surface chemistry studies revealed dominance of acid functionalities over adsorbent samples surface, while basic functionalities remain unaltered. Carbon loading increased with increase in acid concentration, while it decreased with increase in alcohol content. The adsorbent surface area decreased with increase in acid concentration and alcohol content. The β-carotene adsorption capacities on synthesized samples varied between 179.60 (optimum) and 112.56 mg/g (lower), respectively. Optimum β-carotene adsorption was observed on samples MC0.2 and MC5 with alcohol and acid content of 5 mL and 0.2 mL, respectively.     

Kinetic,isotherm and thermodynamic study of nitrate adsorption from aqueous solution using modified rice husk

In this article, we prepared anionic sorbent using rice husk (RC). Anionic rice husk (ARC) structural characteristics and adsorption properties for nitrate removal from aqueous solution were investigated. The sorption of NO₃^? by batch method is carried out. The optimum conditions of sorption were found to be: a sorbent dose of 0.4 g in 100 mL of NO₃^? solution, contact time of 90 min, pH = 7. In optimum condition, removal efficiency was 94.3% for the NO₃^?. The nitrate adsorption process was well described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and the experimental isotherm data fitted well with the Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R) isotherm models. Thermodynamic parameters such as Gibbs free energy change, enthalpy change and entropy change were calculated and the results showed that the adsorption of nitrate on ARC was spontaneous and exothermic in nature. The effect of other anions were also studied and was found that the anions reduced the nitrate adsorption in the order of carbonate > chloride > phosphate > sulphate. ARC was used for the removal of NO₃^? from real wastewater (urban wastewater) that high performance of adsorbent was considerable.     

Adsorption behavior of Cd(II) ions on humic acid-immobilized sodium alginate and hydroxyl ethyl cellulose blending porous composite membrane adsorbent

A novel porous composite adsorbent was prepared by using sodium alginate and hydroxyl ethyl cellulose blending as an immobilization matrix for humic acid, then crosslinked by glutaraldehyde. The adsorbent was prepared using polyethylene glycol (PEG) as porogen and used to remove Cd(II) ions from aqueous solution. The physico-chemistry properties of adsorbent before and after adsorption were investigated by FT-IR, SEM and EDX methods. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out to investigate the effects of the amount of PEG adding to the adsorbent, solution pH, dosage of adsorbent, initial Cd(II) ions concentration and contact time. The prepared adsorbent exhibited the maximum uptake of 148.9 mg/g under the optimal adsorption condition. Kinetics experiments indicated that the pseudo-first-order model displayed the best correlation with adsorption kinetics data. The Crank model showed that the intraparticle solute diffusion was the rate-controlling adsorption step. Besides, experimental data could be better described by the Freundlich isotherm model. Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm indicated that the adsorption was mainly an ion exchange process. The results suggested that the prepared adsorbent is promising for using as an effective and economical adsorbent for Cd(II) ions removal.     

Study of competitive adsorption of malachite green and sunset yellow dyes on cadmium hydroxide nanowires loaded on activated carbon

Cadmium hydroxide nanowires loaded on activated carbon (Cd(OH)₂-NW-AC) was applied for removal of malachite green (MG) and sunset yellow (SY) in single and binary component systems. This novel material was characterized and identified by different techniques such as Brunauer, Emmett and Teller (BET), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis. Unique properties such as high surface area (>1271 m² g⁻¹) and low pore size (<35 Å) and average particle size lower than 50 Å in addition to high reactive atom and presence of various functional groups make it possible for efficient removal of these two dyes. In the single component system in this study, maximum adsorption capacity of 80.6 for SY and 19.0 mg g⁻¹ for MG at 25 °C was reported. The Langmuir model had very well fit with the experimental data (R² > 0.996). A better agreement between the adsorption equilibrium data and mono-component Langmuir isotherm model was found. The kinetics of adsorption for single and binary mixture solutions at different initial dye concentrations were evaluated by the nonlinear first-order and second-order models. The second-order kinetic model had very well fit with the dynamical adsorption behavior of a single dye for lower and higher initial dye concentrations. SY and MG without spectra overlapping were chosen and analyzed with high accuracy in binary solutions. The effect of multi-solute systems on the adsorption capacity was investigated. The isotherm constants for SY and MG were also calculated in binary component systems at concentrations within moderate ranges, the Langmuir isotherm model satisfactorily predicted multi-component adsorption equilibrium data. The competitive adsorption favored the SY in the A mixture solution (both SY and MG concentration at 10 mg L⁻¹) and B mixture solution (25 mg L⁻¹ of SY and 10 mg L⁻¹ of MG). Also, in both cases, kinetic data was fairly described by two-step diffusion model. An endothermic and spontaneous nature for the adsorption of the dyes studied were shown from thermodynamic parameters in single and binary component systems.     

Cationic polymer chain tethered on the pore-wall of 3-D ordered macroporous resin for the removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solution

A novel 3-D ordered macroporous (3DOM) adsorbent with a cationic polymer chain (poly(N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate), PDMAEMA) tethered on the pore wall was prepared by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) for the removal of toxic Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solution. In comparison with recently reported adsorbents, the adsorbent remarkably stands out owing to large adsorption capacity, relatively fast kinetics, and high stability in the regeneration process. The adsorption capacity significantly depended on the solution pH and there was a wide working pH range that is much convenient in practical application. Kinetics of Cr(VI) adsorption by the 3DOM adsorbent was studied in batch experiments, in the temperature range 298–318 K. The equilibriums were arrived within 120–130 min and a pseudo-second order model can be described well. In the adsorption isotherm study, experimental data followed the Langmuir adsorption model. The maximum adsorption capacity increased with the increase of temperature, and reached the high value of 431.0 mg/g at 308 K. Thermodynamic parameters revealed spontaneous and endothermic adsorption processes. Furthermore, the 3DOM adsorbent remained high adsorption capacity (above 90% of the original Cr(VI) loading capacity) after 15 adsorption–desorption cycles by simply using sodium hydroxide solution as the desorption liquid, which ensured the reusability of 3DOM adsorbent.     

Optimized and functionalized paper sludge activated with potassium fluoride for single and binary adsorption of reactive dyes

The yield and adsorption uptake of optimized paper sludge activated carbon (PSAC) prepared using potassium fluoride as alternative chemical activation agent was investigated. The PSAC was functionalized with ethylenediamine (FPSAC) and both adsorbents were used for single and binary adsorption of Reactive orange 16 (RO16) and Reactive blue 19 (RB19). Effect of pH on the adsorption process, equilibrium, kinetics, isotherm and thermodynamic studies were carried out. Optimum PSAC preparation parameters were: activation temperature, X₁ = 810 °C; activation time, X₂ = 105 min; and impregnation ratio, X₃ = 0.95 which gave adsorption uptake of 178 and 158 mg/g for RO16 and RB19, respectively.     

Enhanced fluoride removal from water by non-thermal plasma modified CeO2/Mg–Fe layered double hydroxides

A novel fast and efficient adsorbent based on lamellar compound namely CeO₂/Mg–Fe layered double hydroxide composite has been designed for fluoride removal from water. In order to improve fluoride removal efficiency, non-thermal plasma (NTP) was used to modify the surface state of composites. The prepared composites were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analysis and surface area analyzer. Adsorption equilibrium and kinetics of fluoride on NTP modified composites were investigated. Experimental results indicated that the adsorption capacity was enhanced with NTP surface modification. The maximum adsorption capacity has been found to be 38.7–60.4 mg/g. The kinetic data of adsorption were found to best fit the pseudo-second-order model, while the equilibrium data were found to be well described by Langmuir model. In order to understand the mechanism of adsorption, thermodynamic parameters such as ΔG^θ, ΔS^θ and E_a were calculated. After NTP treatment, the ΔS^θ increased from − 34.7 J/mol·K to − 0.770 J/mol·K, the E_a decreased from 78.8 kJ/mol to 58.9 kJ/mol and the ΔG^θ (25 °C) decreased from − 2.62 kJ/mol to − 3.14 kJ/mol. These values indicate that the fluoride adsorption on NTP modified composites was improved.