Solvent extraction of some metal ions with di‐2‐methylnonylphosphoric acid into heptane

Di‐2‐methylnonylphosphoric acid (HA) as an extractant was investigated for the extraction of divalent metal ions into heptane at an aqueous ionic strength of 0.10 mol dm^?3 (NaClO₄) and at 25 °C. The extraction ability of metal complexes decreased in the order Cd(II) ≈ Mn(II) > Cu(II) > Co(II) > Ni(II). The metal complexes extracted were found to be all monomeric species for these metal ions using a slope analysis method. The curve fitting method was also applied to analyze the types of metal complexes extracted: MnA₂3HA and MnA₂4HA for manganese(II), CdA₂3HA and CdA₂4HA for cadmium(II), CuA₂2HA and CuA₂3HA for copper(II), CoA₂3HA and CoA₂4HA for cobalt(II) and NiA₂4HA and NiA₂5HA for nickel(II). Further, the extraction constants for the extracted metal complexes were evaluated. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Synergistic effects in the solvent extraction of some divalent metals by mixtures of versatic 10 acid and pyridinecarboxylate esters

Pyridinecarboxylate esters were found to cause appreciable synergistic shifts in the pH₅₀ values for the extraction of some divalent base metals by solutions of Versatic 10 acid in xylene. For n-octyl 3-pyridinecarboxylate, the synergistic shifts decreased in the order Ni > Co > Cd > Cu ≈ Fe > Mn > Zn, and for the commercial extractant Acorga DS5443A in the order Ni > Cu > Co > Fe > Cd > Mn > Zn. No synergistic effects were observed for divalent lead, calcium and magnesium. On the basis of the pH₅₀ values obtained, several possible practical metal separations are suggested. No loss of metal-loading capacity was found when the organic phases were contacted with 1 M sulphuric acid for prolonged periods at 30°C. The effect of changes in the structure of a series of isomeric octyl pyridinecarboxylates is reported for one of the smaller cations studied (copper), as well as for one of the larger cations (cadmium).     

Adsorption Behavior of Iminodiacetic Acid Type of Chelating Gel Prepared from Waste Paper

Abstract

Adsorption gel was prepared from waste recycled paper by immobilizing iminodiacetic acid (IDA) functional group by chemical modification. The gel exhibited good adsorption behavior for a number of metal ions viz. Cu(II), Pb(II), Fe(III), Ni(II), Cd(II), and Co(II) at acidic pH. The order of selectivity was found to be as follows: Cu(II)>Pb(II)>Fe(III)>Ni(II)～Cd(II)～Co(II). From the adsorption isotherms, the maximum adsorption capacity of the gel for both Cu(II) and Pb(II) was found to be 0.47 mol/kg whereas that for Cd(II) was 0.24 mol/kg. A continuous flow experiment for Cd(II) showed that the gel can be useful for pre‐concentration and complete removal of Cd(II) from aqueous solution.     

Biosorption of Lead,Copper, and Cadmium with Continuous Hollow-Fiber Microfiltration Processes

Abstract

A hollow-fiber crossflow microfiltration membrane was utilized to retain a biomass of Pseudomonas aeruginosa PU21 for continuous biosorption of lead (Pb), copper (Cu), and cadmium (Cd) ions in single or ternary metal systems. The results obtained from the microfiltration systems showed that in both single and ternary biosorption, the metal removal efficiency based on a molar basis was clearly Pb > Cu > Cd. For a single-membrane process with an influent metal concentration of 200 μM and a flow rate of 350 mL/h, the effluent concentration of Pb and Cu satisfied the national regulations for an influent volume of 6.3 L. With a three-metal influent, the adsorption capacity of the biomass for Pb, Cu, and Cd was reduced 4,50, and 74% compared to that for single-metal adsorption. Selective biosorption with a three-column sequential microfiltration operation exhibited an enhancement of 40 and 57% of total metal removal for Cu and Cd, respectively, over the results from single-membrane operation. The multimembrane operation also enabled locally optimal accumulation of Pb, Cu, and Cd at the first, second, and third stage, respectively. The regeneration efficiency of the biomass was 70% after three repetitive adsorption/desorption cycles, whereas the Pb recovery efficiency was maintained at nearly 90%. A rapid-equilibrium model (Model A) and a mass-transfer model (Model B) were used to describe the results of single- and multimetal biosorption with the microfiltration processes. Model A exhibited excellent prediction for the results of single-metal biosorption, while Model B was more applicable to interpret the multimetal biosorption data.     

Cysteine-metal affinity chromatography: determination of heavy metal adsorption properties

Various adsorbent materials have been reported in the literature for heavy metal removal. We have developed a novel approach to obtain high metal sorption capacity utilising cysteine containing adsorbent. Metal complexing aminoacid-ligand cysteine was immobilised onto poly(hydroxyethylmethacrylate) (PHEMA) microbeads. PHEMA-cysteine affinity microbeads containing 0.318 mmol cysteine/g were used in the removal of heavy metal ions (i.e. copper, lead and cadmium) from aqueous media containing different amounts of these ions (50–400 mg/l for Pb(II) and Cd(II), 25–60 mg/l for Cu(II)) and at different pH values (4.0–7.0). The maximum adsorption capacity of heavy metal ions onto the cysteine-containing microbeads under non-competitive conditions were 0.259 mmol/g for Pb(II), 0.330 mmol/g for Cd(II) and 0.229 mmol/g for Cu(II). The affinity order was observed as follows: Cd(II)>Pb(II)>Cu(II). The competitive adsorption capacities of the heavy metals were 0.260 mmol/g for Cd(II) and 0.120 mmol/g for Cu(II). Pb(II) adsorption onto cysteine-immobilised microbeads was zero under competitive conditions. The affinity order was as follows: Cd(II)>Cu(II)>Pb(II). The formation constants of cysteine–metal ion complexes have been investigated applying the method of Ruzic. The calculated value of stability constants were 1.75×10⁴ l/mol for Pb(II)–cysteine complex and 4.35×10⁴ l/mol for Cd(II)–cysteine complex and 1.39×10⁴ l/mol for Cu(II)–cysteine complex. PHEMA microbeads carrying cysteine can be regenerated by washing with a solution of hydrochloric acid (0.05 M). The maximum desorption ratio was greater than 99%. These PHEMA microbeads are suitable for repeated use for more than three adsorption–desorption cycles without considerable loss in adsorption capacity.     

Metal ion retention properties of water‐insoluble polymers containing carboxylic acid groups

Crosslinked poly(acrylic acid), PAA, and poly(2‐acrylamidoglycolic acid), PAAG, were synthesized by radical polymerization. Both resins contain carboxylic acid groups. PAA at basic pH exists basically as an acrylate anion and PAAG shows three atoms or groups, carboxylic acid, hydroxyl, and amide groups, that can act as ion exchanger or chelating groups. Both resins are studied as adsorbents to trace metal ions from saline aqueous solutions and natural sea water and their properties by Batch equilibrium procedure are compared. The metal ions studied under competitive and noncompetitive conditions were Cu(II), Pb(II), Cd(II), and Ni(II). The effects of pH, time of contact, amount of resin, temperature, and salinity were studied. Resin PAA shows a high affinity (>80%) for Cu(II) and Cd(II) and resin PAAG shows also a high affinity for Ni(II), Pb(II), and Cd(II). By treatment of the metal ion‐loaded resin with 4M HNO₃ it is possible to recover completely the Cu(II) ions from resin PAA and Ni(II) and Pb(II) from resin PAAG. The metal ion retention properties were studied with natural sea water. For those natural sea waters containing Cu(II) and Cd(II), the resins showed a high affinity for Cd(II) ions. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 99: 697–705, 2006     

Preparation and characterization of magnetic polymethylmethacrylate microbeads carrying ethylene diamine for removal of Cu(II), Cd(II), Pb(II), and Hg(II) from aqueous solutions

Magnetic polymethylmethacrylate (mPMMA) microbeads carrying ethylene diamine (EDA) were prepared for the removal of heavy metal ions (i.e., copper, lead, cadmium, and mercury) from aqueous solutions containing different amount of these ions (5–700 mg/L) and at different pH values (2.0–8.0). Adsorption of heavy metal ions on the unmodified mPMMA microbeads was very low (3.6 μmol/g for Cu(II), 4.2 μmol/g for Pb(II), 4.6 μmol/g for Cd(II), and 2.9 μmol/g for Hg(II)). EDA‐incorporation significantly increased the heavy metal adsorption (201 μmol/g for Cu(II), 186 μmol/g for Pb(II), 162 μmol/g for Cd(II), and 150 μmol/g for Hg(II)). Competitive adsorption capacities (in the case of adsorption from mixture) were determined to be 79.8 μmol/g for Cu(II), 58.7 μmol/g for Pb(II), 52.4 μmol/g for Cd(II), and 45.3 μmol/g for Hg(II). The observed affinity order in adsorption was found to be Cu(II) > Pb(II) > Cd(II) > Hg(II) for both under noncompetitive and competitive conditions. The adsorption of heavy metal ions increased with increasing pH and reached a plateau value at around pH 5.0. The optimal pH range for heavy‐metal removal was shown to be from 5.0 to 8.0. Desorption of heavy‐metal ions was achieved using 0.1 M HNO₃. The maximum elution value was as high as 98%. These microbeads are suitable for repeated use for more than five adsorption‐desorption cycles without considerable loss of adsorption capacity. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 78: 81–89, 2000     

CHARACTERIZATION AND EVALUATION OF LEVEXTREL EXTRACTION CHROMATOGRAPHIC RESINS FOR TRACE METAL SEPARATION SCHEMES IN AUTOMATIC WATER QUALITY CONTROL SYSTEMS.

ABSTRACT

This paper presents the results of the selective removal of Zn(II) from Cu(II), Cd(II), Ni(II) and Pb(II) using ‘Extraction Chromatographic Resins’ Lewatit TP80T84, which contains dK2,4,4-trimethylpentyl)pbosphinic acid as active component. The extraction and selectivity patterns of the resin were obtained from the metal distribution coefficients as a fiinction of pH. Experimental data of Pb(II), Ni(II) and other natural water occurring metal ions, such as Ca(II), were analyzed graphically and numerically in order to describe the metal extraction reactions. Analysis of the results showed that the extraction of these metal ions can be explained assuming the formation of metal complexes in the resin phase with a general composition ML2(_{q 3}HL)q, where q takes different values depending on the metal studied. Finally the efficiency of the resin in the selective removal of Zn(II) from the toxic heavy metal group Cu(T±), Cd(II), Ni(II) and Pb(II) were evaluated.of divalent metal ions (Zn(II), Cu(II), Cd(n), Ni(II), Pb(n)). Concerning the extraction selectivity of Lewatit TP80784 resins versus Zn(II), Cu(II)( Cd(n), Ca(n), Pb(n) and Ni(II), no differences have been found in comparison with the selectivity of this extractant in organic solvents (36). The results of the numerical treatment indicate that the extraction of Pb(n) and Ni(II) can be explained by assuming the formation of PbL₂(HL₂ and NiL₂(HL)₂. However, the extraction of Ca(II) can be explained assuming the formation of two species CaL₂ and Ca(NO₃)L|The analysis of the separation factors indicates that Lewatit TP80784 allows a quantitative separation of Zn(II) from Cd(II), Ni(II) and Pb(II) with ApHso greater that 2 and quasi-quantitative separations (90-95%) from Cu(II)|The results obtained in the extraction of Zn(IT), Cu(H), Cd(II), Ni(II), and Pb(n) from water samples in column experiments are very satisfactory, and the sytem will be used on-line in a multicomponent spectrophotometric method for the monitoring of low levels of toxic metal ions in surface waters.     

The extraction of divalent cobalt,copper, zinc and cadmium from hydrochloric acid solutions by tri-n-butyl phosphate

The partition of divalent cobalt, copper, zinc and cadmium between hydrochloric acid solutions and solutions of tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) in benzene or kerosene has been investigated under different conditions. Further the absorption spectra of both the aqueous and organic phases have been studied, and the infrared spectra of the organic phases have been examined. It was found that the order of the extraction efficiency of TBP for divalent metalsis Zu > Cd > Cu > Co for [HCl]_aq < 8M and Zn > Cd > Co > Cu for [HCl]_aq > 8M.     

Investigation of Heavy Metal Ion Adsorption Characteristics of Poly(N,N Dimethylamino Ethylmethacrylate) Hydrogels

Abstract

In this study, Poly(N,N dimethyl‐amino ethylmethacrylate) (Poly(DMAEMA)) hydrogels with varying compositions were prepared in the form of rods by irradiating ternary mixtures of N,N‐dimethylamino ethylmethacrylate/ethyleneglycoldimethacrylate/water with gamma rays at ambient temperature. Swelling studies of poly (DMAEMA) hydrogels were performed at different pH values and maximum swelling values reached at pH 2. The adsorption characteristics of Pb(II), Cd(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Cu(II), and Co(II) ions to poly(N,N dimethylamino ethylmethacrylate) hydrogels were investigated by a batch process. The order of affinity based on amount of metal ion uptake was found as follows: Cu(II)>Zn(II)?Co(II)>Pb(II) >> Ni(II)>Cd(II). In the adsorption studies of Cu(II), Zn(II), Co(II), Pb(II), Ni(II), and Cd(II) ions the Langmuir type adsorption isotherms were observed for all gel systems.     

Metal ion retention properties of poly(acrylic acid) and poly[N‐3‐(dimethylamino)propyl acrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid]

The crosslinked resins poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) and poly[N‐3‐(dimethylamino)propyl acrylamide‐co‐acrylic acid] [P(NDAPA‐co‐AA)] are obtained by radical polymerization and characterized by FTIR spectroscopy. PAA at basic pH exists basically as an acrylate anion that may contain end carboxylate groups or form bridges acting as mono‐ or bidentate ligands. P(NDAPA‐co‐AA) presents three potential ligand groups in its structure: carboxylic acid, amide, and amine. The trace metal ion retention properties of these two resins is compared by using the batch equilibrium procedure. The metal ions are contained in saline aqueous solutions and are found in natural seawater. The retention of Cu(II), Pb(II), Cd(II), and Ni(II) metal ions is studied under competitive and noncompetitive conditions. The effects on the pH, contact time, amount of adsorbent, temperature, and salinity are investigated. The PAA resin presents a high affinity (>80%) for Cu(II) and Cd(II) ions. The P(NDAPA‐co‐AA) resin shows a high affinity for Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions. With 4M HNO₃ it is possible to completely recover the PAA resin charged with Cu(II) ions and the P(NDAPA‐co‐AA) resin charged with Pb(II) ions. The two resins show a high affinity for Cd(II) ions from the seawater containing Cu(II) and Cd(II) ions. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 97: 1385–1394, 2005     

LIQUID-LIQUID EXTRACTION OF GOLD(III) AND ITS SEPARATION OVER COPPER(II), IRON(III), AND ZINC(II) USING THIOUREA DERIVATIVES FROM CHLORIDE MEDIA

ABSTRACT

Selective liquid-liquid extraction of Au(III) from aqueous chloride media (1 mol/L NaCl) into cumene by thiourea derivatives namely 2a-c (N-thiocarbamoylbenzamidine derivatives), 3a-f (N-benzoylthiourea derivatives) has been investigated in detail. Marked differences in the metal extraction are noted using these organic compounds with respect to their structural variation. The extraction behaviour of Au(III) with extractants 2a-c and 3a-f followed the order : 2b> 2a>2c and 3e≈ 3c≈ 3d >3a >3f≈3b, respectively. The organic reagent 2a and 3c were selected for further detailed studies owing to their better strippability behaviour. Optimum conditions such as structure of the organic extractant, aqueous phase pH, diluent, time of equilibration, metal concentration, extractant concentration, effect of other metal cations were established for extraction separation of Au(III). Experimental data have been treated graphically and numerically by means of the computer programme LETAGROP-DISTR, and can be explained by assuming the formation of the species AuCl₃L and AuCl₃L₂ for 2a-c and AuCl₃L₂ for 3a-f derivatives. The lack of interference from even appreciable amounts of possible base metals such as Cu(II), Zn(II) and Fe(III) may be considered an outstanding advantage of the method for separation of gold from these metals using 2a and 3c.     

Potentiometric Studies on Ternary Complex Formation between Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Cd(II), nitrilotriacetic acid and amino acid

The formation of ternary complexes of the type MAB (where M = Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II) or Cd(II); A = nitrilotriacetic acid and B = glycine, α-alanine or dl-aspartic acid) has been shown by potentiometric studies. The nature of titration curves indicates that the secondary ligand B is added stepwise to the initially formed metal nitrilotriacetates. The formation constants (log K_MAB) and the free energies of formation (ΔF°) of the mixed complexes have been calculated at 25 ± 1 °C and m̈ = 0.10 (KNO₃) at different pH values. The formation constants of the resulting 1:1:1 ternary complexes follow the order Cu(II) > Ni(II) > Zn(II) > Cd(II).     

Chelating resins supporting dithiocarbamate and methylthiourea groups in adsorption of heavy metal ions

Two different sulfur atom containing functional groups were introduced into poly(styrene-g-ethylene glycols), PSR-ET (13) OH, consisting of a cross-linked polystyrene backbone grafted with linear poly(ethylene glycol) chains. Reaction of an amino derivative of the polymeric substrate with carbon disulfide and methylisothiocyanate produced new chelating resins of dithiocarbamate type, PSR-ET (13) CS₂Na, and methylthiourea type, PSR-ET (13) TU, respectively. The adsorption behavior of these resins was studied toward Hg(II), Cd(II), Cu(II), and Pb(II) ions in different experimental conditions. The order of metal adsorption for dithiocarbamate-supported resins was Hg(II) > Pb(II) ? Cd(II) > Cu(II) and for methylthiourea-supported resins was Hg(II) ? Cu(II) > Cd(II) ? Pb(II). Different regeneration methods were performed with the dithiocarbamate and methylthiourea resins; the former was regenerated by complete mineralization of the metal complexes, the latter by treatment with a solution of 6 N HCl and 10% of thiourea. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Heavy metal uptake by wheat from a sewage sludge-amended calcareous soil

The objective of this 4-year study was to determine single and repetitive effects of sewage sludge applications on the accumulation of lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd), zinc (Zn) and copper (Cu) in soil and wheat (Triticum aestivum). A single sludge application at a rate of 100 Mg ha⁻¹ (for all the metals) and at a rate of 50 Mg ha⁻¹ (for Cu) significantly increased DTPA-extractable metal concentrations 4 years later. DTPA-extractable concentrations of Pb, Zn and Cu were closely correlated with the total concentrations in soil. Their relationships between metal uptake in stalks and DTPA-extractable metal concentrations in soil were approximately linear for Pb, Cd and Cu, but better described by a quadratic equation for Cd and Zn. TF for Pb, Zn and Cu, BF for all metals and BCF for Pb, Cd and Zn were lower in wheat grown on sludge-treated than control plots.     

Simultaneous preconcentration of Cd(II), Cu(II) and Pb(II) on Nano-TiO2 modified with 2-mercaptobenzothiazole prior to flame atomic absorption spectrometric determination

Nano-TiO₂ modified with 2-mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) was investigated as a new adsorbent for preconcentration of Cd(II), Cu(II) and Pb(II). The metal ions are adsorbed onto nano-TiO₂-MBT, eluted by nitric acid and determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The parameters affecting the adsorption were investigated. Under optimized conditions, the calibration curves were linear in the range of 0.2–25.0, 0.2–20.0, and 3.0–70.0 ng mL⁻¹ for cadmium, copper and lead, respectively. The limits of detection for Cd(II), Cu(II) and Pb(II) were 0.12, 0.15 and 1.38 ng mL⁻¹, respectively. The method was applied to determination of Cd(II), Cu(II) and Pb(II) in water and ore samples.     

Biosorption of heavy metals (Cd,Cu, Ni,Pb, Zn) by chemically-reinforced biomass of marine algae

Particles of two different sizes (0·105–0·295 mm and 0·84–1.00 mm diameter) of two marine algae, Sargassum fluitans and Ascophyllum nodosum, were crosslinked with formaldehyde (FA), glutaraldehyde (GA) or embedded in polyethylene imine (PEI), followed by glutaraldehyde crosslinking. They were used for equilibrium sorption uptake studies with cadmium, copper, nickel, lead and zinc. The metal uptake by larger particles (0·84–1·00 mm) was higher than that by smaller particles (0·105–0·295 mm). The order of adsorption for S. fluitans biomass particles was Pb > Cd > Cu > Ni > Zn, for A. nodosum copper and cadmium change places. Uptakes of metals range from q_max = 378 mg Pb g^?1 for S. fluitans (FA, big particles), to q_max = 89 mg Zn g^?1 for S. fluitans (FA, small particles) as the best sorption performance for each metal. Generally, S. fluitans is a better sorbent material for a given metal, size and modification, although there were several exceptions in which metal sorption by A. nodosum was higher. The metal uptake for different chemical modifications showed the order GA > FA > PEI. A comparison of different sorption models revealed that the Langmuir sorption model fitted the experimental data best.     

SOLVENT IMPREGNATED RESINS CONTAINING DI(2-ETHYL-HEXYL)PHOSPHORIC ACID.II. STUDY OF THE DISTRIBUTION EQUILIBRIA OF Zn(II), Cu(II) AND Cd(II).

ABSTRACT

The extraction of Zn(II), Cu(II) and Cd(II) from nitrate solutions at 0.1 M ionic strength by impregnated resins containing di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid has been studied at 25 °C.

The distribution coefficient was determined as a function of both pH and extractant concentration in the resin phase. The data were analyzed graphically using the slope analysis method, and numerically using the program LETAGROP-DISTR. The composition of the extracted species in the resin phase has been determined.

Analysis of the results showed that the extraction of these metal ions can be explained assuming the formation of metal complexes in the resin phase with a general composition ML₂(HL) _q where q takes different values depending on the metal. An extraction reaction is proposed and the extraction constants of these species are given.

Finally, a comparison between the extraction of Zn(II), Cu(II) and Cd(II) by di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid into Amberlite XAD2 and the extraction using organic solvents has been made.     

Selective sorption of heavy metal on phosphorylated sago starch‐extraction residue

The phosphorylated sago starch‐extraction residue (P‐SR) was produced for the removal of heavy metal from wastewater. The phosphoric ester in the phosphorylated residue was evaluated by means of infrared microspectrometry and solid‐state NMR. In this study, the phosphorus contents of produced P‐SR, phosphorylated cellulose (P‐C), and phosphorylated sago starch were 31.7, 34.2, and 4.6 mg/g, respectively. The phosphorus contents of P‐C and sago starch were clearly different because of the difference of each structure. The maximum sorption capacities of heavy metals (cadmium, lead, copper, and zinc) in single heavy metal sorption on P‐SR were 0.20, 0.25, 0.36, and 0.24 mmol/g (Cu > Pb > Zn > Cd), respectively. On the other hand, the amount of sorbed heavy metals in coexisted heavy metal sorption on P‐SR followed the order of Pb > Cu > Cd > Zn that was different from the relations of maximum sorption capacities for individual heavy metals. The heavy metal sorption behavior in single and coexisted heavy metal solution for P‐SR were different and P‐SR showed the intrinsic heavy metal sorption affinity, called as selective sorption. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012     

Modelling Individual and Competitive Adsorption of Cadmium(II) and Zinc(II) Metal Ions from Aqueous Solution onto Bagasse Fly Ash

Abstract

The present study deals with the competitive adsorption of cadmium (Cd(II)) and zinc (Zn(II)) ions onto bagasse fly ash (BFA) from binary systems. BFA is a waste obtained from the bagasse‐fired boilers of sugar mills. The initial pH≈6.0 is found to be the optimum for the individual removal of Cd(II) and Zn(II) ions by BFA. The equilibrium adsorption data were obtained at different initial concentrations (C ₀ = 10–100 mg/l), 5 h contact time, 30°C temperature, BFA dosage of 10 mg/l at pH ₀ = 6. The Redlich–Peterson (R–P) and the Freundlich models represent the single ion equilibrium adsorption data better than the Langmuir model. The adsorption capacities in the binary‐metal mixtures are in the order Zn(II)>Cd(II) and is in agreement with the single‐component adsorption data. The equilibrium metal removal decreases with increasing concentrations of the other metal ion and the combined action of Cd(II) and Zn(II) ions on BFA is found to be antagonistic. Equilibrium isotherms for the binary adsorption of Cd(II) and Zn(II) ions on BFA have been analyzed by non‐modified Langmuir, modified Langmuir, extended‐Langmuir, Sheindorf–Rebuhn–Sheintuch (SRS), non‐modified R–P and modified R–P adsorption models. The isotherm model fitting has been done by minimizing the Marquardt's percent standard deviation (MPSD) error function using MS Excel. The SRS model satisfactory fits for most of the adsorption equilibrium data of Cd(II) and Zn(II) ions onto BFA.