Removal of Lead(II) from Aqueous Solutions using Pre-boiled and Formaldehyde-Treated Onion Skins as a New Adsorbent

The adsorption characteristics of Pb²⁺ on pre-boiled treated onion skins (PTOS) and formaldehyde-treated onion skins (FTOS) were evaluated. The effects of Pb²⁺ initial concentration, agitation rate, solution pH, and temperature on Pb²⁺ adsorption were investigated in batch systems. Pb²⁺ adsorption was found to increase with increase in initial concentration. The point of zero net charge (PZC) was 6.53. The optimum pH for the maximum removal of Pb²⁺ was 6.0. The adsorption equilibrium data was best represented by the Langmuir isotherm model for FTOS and the Freundlich isotherm model for PTOS. The maximum amounts of Pb²⁺ adsorbed (qm), as evaluated by the Langmuir isotherm, was 200 mgg^?1 for FTOS. The efficiencies of PTOS and FTOS for Pb²⁺ removal were 84,8.0% and 93.5% at 0.15 g/200 mL^?1 adsorbent dose, respectively. (C ₀ = 50 mg L^?1). Study concluded that onion skins, a waste material, have good potential as an adsorbent to remove toxic metals like Pb²⁺ from water. Boehm titration analysis was conducted to determine the surface groups. It was found that the adsorption kinetics of Pb²⁺ obeyed pseudo-first-order kinetic model as based on Δq (%) values. FTIR and SEM images before and after adsorption was recorded to explore changes in adsorbent-surface morphology. Activation energy (Ea) was obtained as 25.596 kJ/mol.     

Poly(crystal violet)/graphene-modified electrode for the simultaneous determination of trace lead and cadmium ions in water samples

A novel poly(crystal violet)/graphene-modified glassy carbon electrode (PCV/Gr/GCE) was fabricated for the simultaneous determination of Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺. The electrochemical behavior of both species at the PCV/Gr/GCE was investigated employing cyclic voltammetry. In acetate buffer, the modified electrode showed an excellent electrocatalytical effect on the oxidation of both species and was further used for their determination. Under optimized analytical conditions, the oxidation peak currents of Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ obtained by differential pulse voltammetry in pH 4.6 acetate buffer showed a linear relationship with their concentrations in the ranges of 2.00 × 10^?8–1.95 × 10^?5 mol L^?1 and 4.00 × 10^?8–5.58 × 10^?5 mol L^?1, respectively. The developed method has excellent sensitivity, selectivity, reproducibility and has been successfully applied to the determination of Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ in water samples.     

Reusability and selective adsorption of Pb<Superscript>2+</Superscript> on chitosan/P(2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid-<Emphasis Type="Italic">co</Emphasis>-acrylic acid) hydrogel

Reusability and selective adsorption toward Pb²⁺ with the coexistence of Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions on chitosan/P(2-acrylamido-2-methyl-1-propanesulfonic acid-co-acrylic acid) [CS/P(AMPS-co-AA)] hydrogel, a multi-functionalized adsorbent containing –NH₂, –OH, –COOH and –SO₃H groups was studied. The CS/P(AMPS-co-AA) was prepared in aqueous solution by a simple one-step procedure using glow discharge electrolysis plasma technique. The reusability of adsorbent in HNO₃, EDTA-2Na and EDTA-4Na was investigated in detail. The competitive adsorption of the metal ions at the initial stage was compared between their equal mass concentration and equal molar concentration. In addition, the adsorption mechanism of the adsorbent for adsorption of Pb²⁺ was also analyzed by XPS. The results showed that the optimum pH of adsorption was 4.8, and time of adsorption equilibrium was about 180 min. Adsorption kinetics fitted well in the pseudo second-order model. The equilibrium adsorption capacities of Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, and Ni²⁺ at pH 4.8 were obtained as 673.3, 358.3, 176.7, 235.0 and 171.7 mg g^?1, in their given order. The adsorbent displayed an excellent reusability using 0.015 mol L^?1 EDTA-4Na solution as the eluent, and the desorption ratio could not correctly reflect the true characteristics of adsorption/desorption process. Moreover, the adsorbent showed good adsorption selectivity for Pb²⁺. The molar adsorption capacity at the initial stage with equal molar concentration was more reliable than the mass adsorption capacity during the study of selective adsorption. According to the XPS results, the adsorption of Pb²⁺ ions by the CS/P(AMPS-co-AA) absorbent could be attributed to the coordination between N atom and Pb²⁺ and ion-exchange between Na⁺ and Pb²⁺.     

A Novel pH-Responsive p(AAm-co-METAC)/MMT Composite Hydrogel: Synthesis,Characterization and Its Absorption Performance on Heavy Metal İons

In this study, the preparation and characterization of the novel pH-sensitive poly(acrylamide-co-2-methacryloyloxy)ethyltrimethyl ammonium chloride)/montmorillonite (p(AAm-co-METAC)/MMT) composite superabsorbent hydrogels and their selective metal absorbtion properties were investigated. The adsorption of metal ions is highly dependent on the initial feed concentration, contact time, pH of the metal solution and adsorbent doses. The results were analyzed both by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms and the adsorption is found to follow pseudo-second-order kinetics. The adsorption capacity followed the order Zn²⁺ > Ni²⁺ > Cu²⁺ > Pb²⁺ and the maximum adsorption capacities of them were ～320, 285, 240 and 120 (mg g^?1), respectively.     

Comparative Study of Zn2+, Cd2+, and Pb2+ Removal From Water Solution Using Natural Clinoptilolitic Zeolite and Commercial Granulated Activated Carbon. Equilibrium of Adsorption

Abstract

The aim of this work is to study the effectiveness of regional, low-cost natural clinoptilolitic zeolite tuff in heavy metal ions removal from aqueous solution, through comparative study with commercial granulated activated carbon. The equilibrium of adsorption of Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Zn²⁺ on both adsorbents have been determined at 25, 35, and 45°C in batch mode. The granulated activated carbon has shown around three times higher adsorption capacity for Cd²⁺ and Zn²⁺ than natural zeolite, and almost the same adsorption capacity for Pb²⁺ as the natural zeolite. The metal ion selectivity series Pb²⁺ > Cd²⁺ > Zn²⁺, on a mass basis, has been obtained on both adsorbents. The Langmuir and Freundlich model have been used to describe the adsorption equilibrium. The thermodynamic parameters were calculated from the adsorption isotherm data obtained at different temperatures. The study of the influence of the acidity of the metal ion aqueous solution has shown an increase of metal ion uptake with increase of the pH. The sorption mechanism of Cd²⁺, Pb²⁺, and Zn²⁺ on natural zeolite changes from ion-exchange to ion-exchange and adsorption of metal-hydroxide with increase of the pH from 2 to 6 (and 7 for Zn²⁺). The preliminary cost calculation, based on adsorbents maximum adsorption capacity and their price, have revealed the potential of natural zeolite as an economic alternative to the granulated activated carbon in the treatment of heavy metal polluted wastewater.     

Removal of Cu(II), Fe(III), and Cr(III) from Aqueous Solution by Aniline Grafted Silica Gel

Abstract

The aniline moiety was covalently grafted onto silica gel surface. The modified silica gel with aniline groups (SiAn) was used for removal of Cu(II), Fe(III), and Cr(III) ions from aqueous solution and industrial effluents using a batch adsorption procedure. The maximum adsorption of the transition metal ions took place at pH 4.5. The adsorption kinetics for all the adsorbates fitted better the pseudo second‐order kinetic model, obtaining the following adsorption rate constants (k₂): 1.233 · 10^?2, 1.902 · 10^?2, and 8.320 · 10^?3 g · mg^?1 min^?1 for Cr(III), Cu(II), and Fe(III), respectively. The adsorption of these transition metal ions were fitted to Langmuir, Freundlich, Sips, and Redlich‐Peterson isotherm models; however, the best isotherm model fitting which presented a lower difference of the q (amount adsorbed per gram of adsorbent) calculated by the model from the experimentally measured, was achieved by using the Sips model for all adsorbates chosen. The SiAn adsorbent was also employed for the removal of the transition metal ions Cr(III) (95%), Cu(II) (95%), and Fe(III) (94%) from industrial effluents, using the batch adsorption procedure.     

Kinetics of Exchange of Cs+, Co2+ and Sr2+ on Synthetic Hydrous Titanium Oxides

Abstract

In the present work, a study of the kinetics of adsorption of Cs⁺, Co²⁺, and Sr²⁺ on four hydrous titanium oxides, prepared in different media, and designated as Ti‐I, Ti‐II, Ti‐III, and Ti‐IV, was carried out. In the aqueous medium, the internal diffusion coefficients, D_i for Cs⁺ were found to be equal to 3.7×10^?9, 3.7×10^?9, 2.3×10^?9, and 1.5?10^?9 cm²/s, in Ti‐I, Ti‐II, Ti‐III, and Ti‐IV, respectively. For Co²⁺ and Sr²⁺, these values are equal to 0.96×10^?9 and 0.64×10^?9 cm²/s, respectively for Ti‐IV. In Ti‐IV, D_i for all ions generally increases on adding methanol or propanol. This is probably due to greater dehydration, leading to faster ion diffusion, and, hence, to a decrease of ion mobility due to stronger interaction with the surface. In all media in Ti‐IV, the order: D_i(Cs⁺)>D_i(Co²⁺)≥D_i(Sr²⁺) was found which is due to a stronger interaction of the bivalent ions with the exchange sites.     

Zinc ion-imprinted polymer based on silica particles modified carbon paste electrodes for highly selective electrochemical determination of zinc ions

ABSTRACT

In this study, Zn(II) ion-imprinted polymer was prepared on the surface of vinyl silica particles and applied for detection of Zn(II) ions using differential pulse voltametry. The ion- imprinted polymer particles were prepared by free radical polymerization. The prepared particles were characterized by different morphological and elemental techniques. The ion-imprinted particles were used to fabricate the carbon paste electrode as a zinc ions sensor. The modified zinc sensor showed linear response in the concentration range 6.12 × 10^?9 to 4.59 × 10^?8 mol L^?1. The limit of detection and limit of quantification of the electrode were 1.351 × 10^?8 and 4.094 × 10^?8 mol L^?1, respectively.     

Artificial neural network and multiple linear regression for modeling sorption of Pb2+ ions from aqueous solutions onto modified walnut shell

ABSTRACT

In the present work, for the first time, a new carboxylate-functionalized walnut shell (CFWS) was prepared via esterification of walnut shell (WS) with isopropylidene malonate. The characterization of the CFWS by different techniques approved that carboxylic groups were introduced onto the surface of WS. The performance of the modified adsorbent was studied for the removal of Pb²⁺ ions from aqueous solutions in a batch adsorption system. The analysis data showed that the Langmuir isotherm could satisfactorily explain the equilibrium data, and the maximum adsorption capacity for Pb²⁺ ions was found to be 192.3 mg g^?1 at 0.8 g L^?1 of the adsorbent, pH 5.5, and a temprature of 298 K. Two models, namely artificial neural network (ANN) and multiple linear regression (MLR), were used to construct an empirical model for prediction of the removal percentage of Pb²⁺ ions under different experimental conditions. These models were validated using a test set of 20 data. A comparison between the developed models shows that the ANN model is able to predict the removal percentage of Pb²⁺ ions more accurately. Consequently, the ANN model could be applied for the design of an automated wastewater remediation plan. Also it has to be noted that the used CFWS was recovered using EDTA-2Na, and employed for the removal of Pb²⁺ ions from aqueous solutions.     

Preparation of gel resins and removal of copper and lead from water

A series of gel resins were prepared by polymerizing glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) and 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulfonic acid (AMPS) and functionalizing with ammonia (NH₃) and tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA). The aminated gel resins were then used as an adsorbent for the removal of heavy metal ions (Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺). These gel resins containing amino groups and chelating amino groups had excellent adsorptive properties for Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺. The adsorption process reached equilibrium in 40 min, and the adsorption capacities of Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺ were 75.0 mg g^?1 and 266.6 mg g^?1 for the NH₃‐aminated gel resins and 57.5 mg g^?1 and 330.6 mg g^?1 for the TEPA‐aminated gel resins, respectively. After five adsorption–desorption processes, the adsorption capacities only decreased slightly. Thus, these aminated gel resins can be used as effective adsorbents for aqueous heavy metal ions (Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺). © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134 , 44466.     

Dithiocarbamate functionalized Al(OH)3‐polyacrylamide adsorbent for rapid and efficient removal of Cu(II) and Pb(II)

Heavy metal ions such as Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺ impose a significant risk to the environment and human health due to their high toxicity and non‐degradable characteristics. Herein, Al(OH)₃‐polyacrylamide chemically modified with dithiocarbamates (Al‐PAM‐DTCs) was synthesized using formaldehyde, diethylenetriamine, carbon disulfide, and sodium hydroxide for rapid and efficient removal of Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺. The synthesized adsorbent was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy analysis, and transmission electron microscope measurements. Al‐PAM‐DTCs showed rapid removal of Cu²⁺ (<30 min) and Pb²⁺ (<15 min) with high adsorption capacities of 416.959 mg/g and 892.505 mg/g for Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺ respectively. Al‐PAM‐DTCs also had high capacities in removing suspended solids and metal ions simultaneously in turbid bauxite suspensions. FTIR, thermodynamic study, and elemental mapping were used to determine the adsorption mechanism. The rapid, convenient, and effective adsorption of Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺ indicated that Al‐PAM‐DTCs has great potential for practical applications in purification of other heavy metal ions from aquatic systems. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2017 , 134, 45431.     

Competitive Adsorption of Ag+, Pb2+, Ni2+, and Cd2+ Ions on Vermiculite

Competitive adsorption of Ag⁺, Pb²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cd² ions on vermiuculite in a binary, ternary, and quaternary mixture was investigated in batch experiments. The effects of the presence of Ag⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cd²⁺ ions on the adsorption of Pb²⁺ ions were investigated in terms of the equilibrium isotherm. Experimental results indicated that Pb²⁺ ions always favorably adsorbed on vermiculite over Ag⁺, Ni²⁺, and Cd²⁺ ions. The adsorption equilibrium data of Pb²⁺ ions better fitted the Langmuir model than the Freundlich model. The results showed that the pseudo-second-order kinetics model was in good agreement with the experimental results for all metal ions, and the adsorption rate among the metal ions followed Ag⁺ > Pb²⁺ > Ni²⁺ > Cd²⁺. The desorption and regenration study indicated that vermiculite can be used repeatedly and be suitable for the design of a continuous process.     

Separation and Recovery of Silver(I) Ions from Base Metal Ions by Melamine‐formaldehyde‐thiourea (MFT) Chelating Resin

Abstract

Melamine‐formaldehyde‐thiourea (MFT) chelating resin were prepared using melamine (2,4,6‐triamino‐1,3,5‐triazine), formaldehyde, and thiourea and this resin has been used for separation and recovery of silver(I) ions from copper(II) and zinc(II) base metals and calcium(II) alkaline‐earth metal in aqueous solution. The MFT chelating resin was characterized by elemental analysis and FT‐IR spectra. The effect of pH, adsorption capacity, and equilibrium time by batch method and adsorption, elution, flow rate, column capacity, and recovery by column method were studied. The maximum uptake values of MFT resin were found as 60.05 mg Ag⁺/g by batch method and 11.08 mg Ag⁺/g, 0.052 mg Zn²⁺/g, 0.083 mg Cu²⁺/g and 0.020 mg Ca²⁺/g by column method. It was seen that MFT resin showed higher uptake behavior for silver(I) ions than base and earth metals due to chelation.     

Highly Selective Determination of Perchlorate by a Calix[4]arene based Polymeric Membrane Electrode

This article describes a versatile application of 25,27-bis-N-(N,N-diethyl-2-aminoethyl)carbonylmethoxy-26,28-dihydroxycalix[4]arene (4) as an ionophore for the preparation of perchlorate ion-selective electrode. The electrode exhibits a Nernstian response over the perchlorate concentration range of 1.0×10^?9 – 1.0×10^?1 M with a slope of 59.24 ± 0.5 mV per decade of the concentration. The limit of detection as determined from the intersection of the extrapolated linear segments of the calibration plot is 3.04×10^?9 M. The electrode shows good selectivity toward perchlorate with respect to many common anions. The response time of the sensor was 5–10 s and it has maximum life time of 2 months in the acidic pH. The electrode was used to determine perchlorate in real water samples. The interaction of the ionophore with perchlorate ions is also demonstrated by UV–vis spectroscopy.     

Stability constants of amidoximated chitosan‐g‐poly(acrylonitrile) copolymer for heavy metal ions

Amidoximated chitosan‐g‐poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN) copolymer was prepared by a reaction between hydroxylamine and cyano group in chitosan‐g‐PAN copolymer prepared by grafting PAN onto crosslinked chitosan with epychlorohydrine. The adsorption and desorption capacities for heavy metal ions were measured under various conditions. The adsorption capacity of amidoximated chitosan‐g‐PAN copolymer increased with increasing pH values, and was increased for Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺ but a little decreased for Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ with increasing PAN grafting percentage in amidoximated chitosan‐g‐PAN copolymer. In addition, desorption capacity for all metal ions was increased with increasing pH values in contrast to the adsorption results. Stability constants of amidoximated chitosan‐g‐PAN copolymer were higher for Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺ but lower for Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺ than those of crosslinked chitosan. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 73: 469–476, 1999     

Adsorption of Cd(II), Pb(II), and Ag(I) in aqueous solution on hollow chitosan microspheres

Cross‐linked chitosans synthesized by the inverse emulsion cross‐link method were used to investigate adsorption of three metal ions [Cd(II), Pb(II), and Ag(I)] in an aqueous solution. The chitosan microsphere, was characterized by FTIR and SEM, and adsorption of Cd(II), Pb(II), and Ag(I) ions onto a cross‐linked chitosan was examined through analysis of pH, agitation time, temperature, and initial concentration of the metal. The order of adsorption capacity for the three metal ions was Cd²⁺ > Pb²⁺ > Ag⁺. This method showed that adsorption of the three metal ions in an aqueous solution followed the monolayer coverage of the adsorbents through physical adsorption phenomena and coordination because the amino (? NH₂) and/or hydroxy (? OH) groups on chitosan chains serve as coordination sites. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010     

Construction and Performance Characteristics of Modified Screen Printed and Modified Carbon Paste Sensors for Selective Determination of Cu(II) Ion in Different Polluted Water Samples

Four new ion-selective electrodes (ISEs), based on N,N′-bis(salicylaldehyde)-p-phenylene diamine (SPD) as ionophore, are constructed for the determination of copper(II) ion. The modified carbon paste (MCPEs; electrodes I and II) and modified screen-printed sensors (MSPEs; electrodes III and IV) exhibit good potentiometric response for Cu(II) over a wide concentration range of 1.0 × 10^?6 – 1.0 × 10^?2 mol L^?1 for electrodes (I and II) and 4.8 × 10^?7–1.0 × 10^?2 mol L^?1 for electrodes (III and IV) with a detection limit of 1.0 × 10^?6 mol L^?1 for electrodes (I and II) and 4.8 × 10^?7 mol L^?1 for electrodes (III and IV), respectively. The slopes of the calibration graphs are 29.62 ± 0.9 and 30.12 ± 0.7 mV decade^?1 for electrode (I) (tricresylphosphate (TCP) plasticizer) and electrode (II) (o-nitrophenyloctylether o-NPOE plasticizer), respectively. Also, the MSPEs showed good potentiometric slopes of 29.91 ± 0.5 and 30.70 ± 0.3 mV decade^?1 for electrode (III) (TCP plasticizer) and electrode (IV) (o-NPOE plasticizer), respectively. The electrodes showed stable and reproducible potentials over a period of 60, 88, 120, and 145 days at the pH range from 3 to 7 for electrodes (II), (III), and (IV) and pH range from 3 to 6 for electrode (I). This method was successfully applied for potentiometric determination of Cu(II) in tap water, river, and formation water samples in addition to pharmaceutical preparation. The results obtained agree with those obtained with the atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS).     

Selective Biosorption of Zirconium and Hafnium from Acidic Aqueous Solutions by Rice Bran,Wheat Bran and Platanus Orientalis Tree Leaves

Abstract

The Zr(IV) and Hf(IV) biosorption characteristics of rice bran, wheat bran and Platanus orientalis tree leaves were examined as a function of initial pH, contact time, temperature, and initial metal ions concentration. Adsorption equilibriums were achieved in about 1, 5 and 40 min for rice bran, wheat bran, and leaves respectively. The biosorption behavior of leaves was significantly affected by solution pH whereas rice bran and wheat bran adsorption efficiencies were slightly affected by solution pH. The Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption equations, which are commonly used to describe sorption equilibrium for metals removal by biomasses, were use to represent the experimental and equilibrium data fitted well to the Langmuir isotherm model. The negative Gibbs free energy values obtained in this study with rice bran wheat bran and Platanus orientalis tree leaves confirmed the feasibility of the process and the spontaneous nature of sorption. In the optimum conditions, the adsorption efficiencies of other metal ions such as Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺, Pb²⁺, Hg²⁺, La³⁺, Ce³⁺ were significantly lower than Zr(IV) and Hf(IV) ions and these biomasses are excellent sorbents for the selective uptake of proposed ions from acidic aqueous solutions.     

Retention,Thermodynamics and Adsorption Profile of Th(IV) Ions onto 1‐(2‐Pyridylazo)‐2‐Naphthol (PAN) Loaded Polyurethane Foam from Acetate Media and its Separation from Rare Earths

Abstract

The sorption behavior of 2.7×10^?5 M solution of Th(IV) ions on 1‐(2‐pyridylazo)‐2‐naphthol (PAN) loaded polyurethane foam (PUF) has been investigated. The quantitative sorption was occurred from pH 6 to 9 from acetate buffer solutions. The sorption conditions were optimized with respect to pH, shaking time, and weight of sorbent. The sorption data followed the Freundlich, Langmuir, and Dubinin‐Radushkevich (D‐R) isotherms very successfully at low metal ions concentration. The Freundlich isotherm constant (1/n) is estimated to be 0.22±0.01, and reflects the surface heterogeneity of the sorbent. The Langmuir isotherm gives the maximum monolayer coverage is to be 8.61×10^?6 mol g^?1. The sorption free energy of the D‐R isotherm was 17.85±0.33 kJ mol^?1, suggesting chemisorption involving chemical bonding was responsible for the adsorption process. The numerical values of thermodynamic parameters such as enthalpy (ΔH), entropy (ΔS), and Gibbs free energy (ΔG) indicate that sorption is endothermic, entropy driven, and spontaneous in nature. The adsorption free energy (ΔG_ads) and effective free energy (ΔG_eff) are also evaluated and discussed. The effect of different anions on the sorption of Th(IV) ions onto PAN loaded PUF was studied. The possible sorption mechanism on the basis of experimental finding was discussed. A new separation procedure of Th(IV) from synthetic rare earth mixture using batch, column chromatography, and squeezing techniques were reported.     

Adsorption of heavy metal ions from aqueous solution by fly ash

The removal characteristics of lead and copper ions from aqueous solution by fly ash were investigated under various conditions of contact time, pH and temperature. The influence of pH of the metal ion solutions on the uptake levels of the metal ions by fly ash were carried out between pH 4 and 12. The level of uptake of Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions by the fly ash generally increased, but not in a progressive manner, at higher pH values. The effect of temperature on the uptake of Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions was investigated between 30 °C and 60 °C, the adsorption of being enhanced at the lowest temperature. Rate constants were evaluated in terms of a first-order kinetics. The rate constant, k for uptake of Pb²⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions were 1.77 × 10⁻² s⁻¹ and 2.11 × 10⁻² s⁻¹, respectively. The experimental results underline the potential of coal fly ash for the recovery of metal ions from waste water. The main mechanisms involved in the removal of heavy metal ions from solution were adsorption at the surface of the fly ash and precipitation.