Cu2+, Cd2+ and Pb2+ adsorption from aqueous solutions by pyrite and synthetic iron sulphide

In this study, removal of Cu(2+), Cd(2+) and Pb(2+) from aqueous solutions by adsorption onto pyrite and synthetic iron sulphide (SIS) was investigated as a function of pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage, initial metal concentration and temperature. It has been determined that the adsorption of metal ions onto both adsorbents is pH dependent and the adsorption capacities increase with the increasing temperature. The mechanisms governing the metal removal processes were determined as chemical precipitation at low pH (<3) due to H(2)S generation and adsorption at high pH (in the range of 3-6). The metal adsorption yields also increased with the increasing adsorbent dosage and contact time and reached to equilibrium for both adsorbents. The Cu(2+), Cd(2+) and Pb(2+) adsorption capacities of both adsorbents decrease in the order of Pb(2+)>Cu(2+)>Cd(2+). Except for cadmium, little fraction of copper and lead in the solid adsorption residues was desorbed in acidic media.     

Characteristics of equilibrium, kinetics studies for adsorption of Hg(II), Cu(II), and Ni(II) ions by thiourea-modified magnetic chitosan microspheres

Magnetic chitosan microspheres were prepared and chemically modified with thiourea (TMCS) for adsorption of metal ions. TMCS obtained were investigated by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), IR, magnetic properties and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The adsorption properties of TMCS toward Hg(2+), Cu(2+), and Ni(2+) ions were evaluated. Various factors affecting the uptake behavior such as contact time, temperature, pH and initial concentration of the metal ions were investigated. The kinetics was evaluated utilizing the pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, and the intra-particle diffusion models. The equilibrium data were analyzed using the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Tempkin isotherm models. The adsorption kinetics followed the mechanism of the pseudo-second-order equation for all systems studied, evidencing chemical sorption as the rate-limiting step of adsorption mechanism and not involving a mass transfer in solution. The best interpretation for the equilibrium data was given by Langmuir isotherm, and the maximum adsorption capacities were 625.2, 66.7, and 15.3mg/g for Hg(2+), Cu(2+), and Ni(2+) ions, respectively. TMCS displayed higher adsorption capacity for Hg(2+) in all pH ranges studied. The adsorption capacity of the metal ions decreased with increasing temperature. The metal ion-loaded TMCS with were regenerated with an efficiency of greater than 88% using 0.01-0.1M ethylendiamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA).     

Sorption properties of the activated carbon-zeolite composite prepared from coal fly ash for Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Cd(2+) and Pb(2+)

Composite materials of activated carbon and zeolite have been prepared successfully by activating coal fly ash (CFA) by fusion with NaOH at 750 degrees C in N(2) followed by hydrothermal treatments under various conditions. Uptake experiments for Ni(2+), Cu(2+), Cd(2+) and Pb(2+) were performed with the materials thus obtained from CFA. Of the various composite materials, that were obtained by hydrothermal treatment with NaOH solution (ca. 4M) at 80 degrees C (a composite of activated carbon and zeolite X/faujasite) proved to be the most suitable for the uptake of toxic metal ions. The relative selectivity of the present sorbents for the various ions was Pb(2+)>Cu(2+)>Cd(2+)>Ni(2+), with equilibrium uptake capacities of 2.65, 1.72, 1.44 and 1.20mmol/g, respectively. The sorption isotherm was a good fit to the Langmuir isotherm and the sorption is thought to progress mainly by ion exchange with Na(+). The overall reaction is pseudo-second order with rate constants of 0.14, 0.17, 0.21 and 0.20Lg/mmol min for the uptake of Pb(2+), Cu(2+), Cd(2+) and Ni(2+), respectively.     

Competitive adsorption of copper(II), cadmium(II), lead(II) and zinc(II) onto basic oxygen furnace slag

Polluted and contaminated water can often contain more than one heavy metal species. It is possible that the behavior of a particular metal species in a solution system will be affected by the presence of other metals. In this study, we have investigated the adsorption of Cd(II), Cu(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) onto basic oxygen furnace slag (BOF slag) in single- and multi-element solution systems as a function of pH and concentration, in a background solution of 0.01M NaNO(3). In adsorption edge experiments, the pH was varied from 2.0 to 13.0 with total metal concentration 0.84mM in the single element system and 0.21mM each of Cd(II), Cu(II), Pb(II), and Zn(II) in the multi-element system. The value of pH(50) (the pH at which 50% adsorption occurs) was found to follow the sequence Zn>Cu>Pb>Cd in single-element systems, but Pb>Cu>Zn>Cd in the multi-element system. Adsorption isotherms at pH 6.0 in the multi-element systems showed that there is competition among various metals for adsorption sites on BOF slag. The adsorption and potentiometric titrations data for various slag-metal systems were modeled using an extended constant-capacitance surface complexation model that assumed an ion-exchange process below pH 6.5 and the formation of inner-sphere surface complexes at higher pH. Inner-sphere complexation was more dominant for the Cu(II), Pb(II) and Zn(II) systems.     

Selective elimination of lead(II) ions by alginate/polyurethane composite foams

A new type of adsorbent which is capable of selectively adsorbing lead(II) ions (Pb(2+)) was developed. The adsorbent was generated by reaction of sodium alginate with NB-9000B, a polyisocyanate type of prepolymer of polyurethane. The adsorbent was a hydrophilic and flexible alginate/polyurethane composite foam (ALG/PUCF) with the alginate chemically immobilized in the cell walls of the foam. Acid-base titration was used to quantify the concentration of carboxyl groups, which are present on the alginate molecules of the ALG/PUCF, functioning as the essential sites for binding Pb(2+). For the optimized ALG/PUCF, the carboxyl was found to be 38.2+/-1.2mumol/g of dry weight. The capacity for adsorbing Pb(2+) ions in 1.0g of dry weight of the optimized ALG/PUCF was found to be 16.0+/-2.1mumol, indicating that ion exchange was the essential mechanism for adsorbing Pb(2+) ions. The adsorption capacity was found to be highly sensitive to the pH of the sample solution; lower pH (<3) significantly decreased the adsorption. Competing ions such as Mg(2+), Ca(2+), and Cd(2+) also caused a decrease in selectivity and capacity for Pb(2+) adsorption, although the effect was less pronounced than the effect of pH. The ALG/PUCF is highly stable, flexible and easy to use. ALG/PUCF is also reusable after regeneration with ethylenediamine-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid, disodium salt (EDTA-2Na). Due to these features, this adsorbent may be highly useful for elimination of Pb(2+) ions from contaminated water.     

Adsorption of divalent heavy metal ions from water using carbon nanotube sheets

Removal of some divalent heavy metal ions (Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Pb(2+), Cd(2+), Co(2+)) from aqueous solutions using carbon nanotube (CNT) sheets was performed. CNT sheets were synthesized by chemical vapor deposition of cyclohexanol and ferrocene in nitrogen atmosphere at 750°C, and oxidized with concentrated nitric acid at room temperature and then employed as adsorbent for water treatment. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were used to describe the adsorption behavior of heavy metal ions by oxidized CNT sheets. The obtained results demonstrated that the oxidized CNT sheets can be used as an effective adsorbent for heavy metal ions removal from water. It was found out that kinetics of adsorption varies with initial concentration of heavy metal ions. Preference of adsorption onto the oxidized CNT sheets can be ordered as Pb(2+)>Cd(2+)>Co(2+)>Zn(2+)>Cu(2+). Using the oxidized CNT sheets, waste water treatment without CNT leakage into water is economically feasible. Therefore, CNT sheets have good potential application in environmental protection.     

The study of various parameters affecting the ion exchange of Cu2+, Zn2+, Ni2+, Cd2+, and Pb2+ from aqueous solution on Dowex 50W synthetic resin

A gel resin containing sulfonate groups (Dowex 50W) was investigated for its sorption properties towards copper, zinc, nickel, cadmium and lead metal ions. The use of selective ion exchange to recover metals from aqueous solution has been studied. The ion exchange behavior of five metals on Dowex 50W, depending on pH, temperature, and contact time and adsorbate amount was studied. Experimental measurements have been made on the batch sorption of toxic metals from aqueous solutions using cation exchanger Dowex 50W. The maximum recoveries (about 97%) Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Ni(2+), Cd(2+) and (about 80%) Pb(2+) were found at pH ranges 8-9. The amount of sorbed metal ion was calculated as 4.1, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, and 4.7mequiv./gram dry resin for Pb(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), and Ni(2+), respectively. The precision of the method was examined at under optimum conditions. Selectivity increased in the series: Pb>Cd>Cu>Zn>Ni. It has been observed that, selectivity of the -SO(3)H group of the resin increases with atomic number, valance, degree of ionization of the exchanged metals. The equilibrium ion exchange capacity of resin for metal ions was measured and explored by using Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms. Langmuir type sorption isotherm was suitable for equilibrium studies.     

Ion-exchange of Pb2+, Cu2+, Zn2+, Cd2+, and Ni2+ ions from aqueous solution by Lewatit CNP 80

Removal of trace amounts of heavy metals can be achieved by means of selective ion-exchange processes. The newly developed resins offered a high resin capacity and faster sorption kinetics for the metal ions such as Pb(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), and Ni(2+) ions. In the present study, the removal of Pb(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), and Ni(2+) ions from aqueous solutions was investigated. Experimental investigations were undertaken using the ion-exchange resin Lewatit CNP 80 (weakly acidic) and were compared with Lewatit TP 207 (weakly acidic and chelating). The optimum pH range for the ion-exchange of the above mentioned metal ions on Lewatit CNP 80 and Lewatit TP 207 were 7.0-9.0 and 4.5-5.5, respectively. The influence of pH, contact time, metal concentration and amount of ion-exchanger on the removal process was investigated. For investigations of the exchange equilibrium, different amounts of resin were contacted with a fixed volume of Pb(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), and Ni(2+) ion containing solution. The obtained sorption affinity sequence in the presented work was Ni(2+)>Cu(2+)>Cd(2+)>Zn(2+)>Pb(2+). The metal ion concentrations were measured by AAS methods. The distribution coefficient values for metal ions of 10(-3)M initial concentration at 0.1mol/L ionic strength show that the Lewatit CNP 80 was more selective for Ni(2+), Cu(2+) than it was for Cd(2+), Zn(2+) and Pb(2+). Langmuir isotherm was applicable to the ion-exchange process and its contents were calculated. The uptake of metal ions by the ion-exchange resins was reversible and thus has good potential for the removal of Pb(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), and Ni(2+) from aqueous solutions. The amount of sorbed metal ion per gram dry were calculated as 4.1, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, and 4.7mequiv./g dry resin for Pb(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), and Ni(2+), respectively. Selectivity increased in the series: Cd(2+)>Pb(2+)>Cu(2+)>Ni(2+)>Zn(2+). The results obtained showed that Lewatit CNP 80 weakly acidic resin had shown better performance than Lewatit TP 207 resin for the removal of metals. The change of the ionic strength of the solution exerts a slight influence on the removal of Pb(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), and Ni(2+). The presence of low ionic strength or low concentration of NaNO(3) does not have a significant effect on the ion-exchange of these metals by the resins. We conclude that Lewatit CNP 80 can be used for the efficient removal of Pb(2+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+), and Ni(2+) from aqueous solutions.     

Sorption processes and XRD analysis of a natural zeolite exchanged with Pb(2+), Cd(2+) and Zn(2+) cations

In this study the Pb(2+), Cd(2+) and Zn(2+) adsorption capacity of a natural zeolite was evaluated in batch tests at a constant pH of 5.5 by polluting this mineral with solutions containing increasing concentrations of the three cations to obtain adsorption isotherms. In addition X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) was used to investigate the changes of zeolite structure caused by the exchange with cations of different ionic radius. The zeolite adsorption capacity for the three cations was Zn>Pb>Cd. Moreover a sequential extraction procedure [H(2)O, 0.05 M Ca(NO(3))(2) and 0.02 M EDTA] was applied to zeolite samples used in the adsorption experiments to determine the chemical form of the cations bound to the sorbent. Using this approach it was shown that low concentrations of Pb(2+), Cd(2+) and Zn(2+) were present as water-soluble and exchangeable fractions (<25% of the Me adsorbed), while EDTA extracted most of the adsorbed cations from the zeolite (>27% of the Me adsorbed). The XRD pattern of zeolite, analysed according to the Rietveld method, showed that the main mineralogical phase involved in the adsorption process was clinoptilolite. Besides structure information showed that the incorporation of Pb(2+), Cd(2+) and Zn(2+), into the zeolite frameworks changed slightly but appreciably the lattice parameters. XRD analysis also showed the occurrence of some isomorphic substitution phenomena where the Al(3+) ions of the clinoptilolite framework were replaced by exchanged Pb(2+) cations in the course of the ion exchange reaction. This mechanism was instead less evident in the patterns of the samples doped with Cd(2+) and Zn(2+) cations.     

Pre-treatment processes of Azolla filiculoides to remove Pb(II), Cd(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II) from aqueous solution in the batch and fixed-bed reactors

Intact and treated biomass can remove heavy metals from water and wastewater. This study examined the ability of the activated, semi-intact and inactivated Azolla filiculoides (a small water fern) to remove Pb(2+), Cd(2+), Ni(2+) and Zn(2+) from the aqueous solution. The maximum uptake capacities of these metal ions using the activated Azolla filiculoides by NaOH at pH 10.5 +/- 0.2 and then CaCl(2)/MgCl(2)/NaCl with total concentration of 2 M (2:1:1 mole ratio) in the separate batch reactors were obtained about 271, 111, 71 and 60 mg/g (dry Azolla), respectively. The obtained capacities of maximum adsorption for these kinds of the pre-treated Azolla in the fixed-bed reactors (N(o)) were also very close to the values obtained for the batch reactors (Q(max)). On the other hand, it was shown that HCl, CH(3)OH, C(2)H(5)OH, FeCl(2), SrCl(2), BaCl(2) and AlCl(3) in the pre-treatment processes decreased the ability of Azolla to remove the heavy metals in comparison to the semi-intact Azolla, considerably. The kinetic studies showed that the heavy metals uptake by the activated Azolla was done more rapid than those for the semi-intact Azolla.     

Adsorption of heavy metal ions from aqueous solution by crosslinked carboxymethyl konjac glucomannan

Crosslinked carboxymethyl konjac glucomannan (CMKGM) with degrees of substitution (DS) 0.265 and 0.550 were prepared through reaction of monochloroacetic acid (MCA), konjac glucomannan (KGM) and epichlorohydrin and used to adsorb Cu(2+), Pb(2+) and Cd(2+) ions from the aqueous solutions. Regardless of the metal ion species, the adsorption capacity rapidly reached equilibrium within 20min and adsorption followed second-order kinetic equation. The effect of pH on adsorption was apparent, the appropriate range was 5-6. The adsorptions of three metal ions are well followed as the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The maximum adsorption capacity (Q(m)) and Langmuir constant (b) of CMKGM (DS=0.550) for Pb(2+) were 41.7mg/g and 0.305mg/L. These values were higher than those for Cu(2+) and Cd(2+). Among the tested ions, the order of adsorption capacity was Pb(2+)>Cu(2+)>Cd(2+) in mass basis. The regeneration study indicates that CMKGM could be used repeatedly without significantly changing their adsorption capacities and desorption percentage.     

Heavy metal removal from aqueous solutions by activated phosphate rock

The use of natural adsorbent such as phosphate rock to replace expensive imported synthetic adsorbent is particularly appropriate for developing countries such as Tunisia. In this study, the removal characteristics of lead, cadmium, copper and zinc ions from aqueous solution by activated phosphate rock were investigated under various operating variables like contact time, solution pH, initial metal concentration and temperature. The kinetic and the sorption process of these metal ions were compared for phosphate rock (PR) and activated phosphate rock (APR). To accomplish this objective we have: (a) characterized both (PR) and (APR) using different techniques (XRD, IR) and analyses (EDAX, BET-N(2)); and, (b) qualified and quantified the interaction of Pb(2+), Cd(2+), Cu(2+) and Zn(2+) with these sorbents through batch experiments. Initial uptake of these metal ions increases with time up to 1h for (PR) and 2h for (APR), after then, it reaches equilibrium. The maximum sorption obtained for (PR) and (APR) is between pH 2 and 3 for Pb(2+) and 4 and 6 for Cd(2+), Cu(2+) and Zn(2+). The effect of temperature has been carried out at 10, 20 and 40 degrees C. The data obtained from sorption isotherms of metal ions at different temperatures fit to linear form of Langmuir sorption equation. The heat of sorption (DeltaH degrees), free energy (DeltaG degrees) and change in entropy (DeltaS degrees) were calculated. They show that sorption of Pb(2+), Cd(2+), Cu(2+) and Zn(2+) on (PR) and (APR) an endothermic process. These findings are significant for future using of (APR) for the removal of heavy metal ions from wastewater under realistic competitive conditions in terms of initial heavy metals, concentrations and pH.     

Factors influencing the removal of divalent cations by hydroxyapatite

The effect of pH, contact time, initial metal concentration and presence of common competing cations, on hydroxyapatite (HAP) sorption properties towards Pb(2+), Cd(2+), Zn(2+), and Sr(2+) ions was studied and compared using a batch technique. The results strongly indicated the difference between the sorption mechanism of Pb(2+) and other investigated cations: the removal of Pb(2+) was pH-independent and almost complete in the entire pH range (3-12), while the sorption of Cd(2+), Zn(2+) and Sr(2+) generally increased with an increase of pH; the contact time required for attaining equilibrium was 30 min for Pb(2+) versus 24h needed for other cations; maximum sorption capacity of HAP sample was found to be an order of magnitude higher for Pb(2+) (3.263 mmol/g), than for Cd(2+) (0.601 mmol/g), Zn(2+) (0.574 mmol/g) and Sr(2+) (0.257 mmol/g); the selectivity of HAP was found to decrease in the order Pb(2+)>Cd(2+)>Zn(2+)>Sr(2+) while a decrease of pH(PZC), in respect to the value obtained in inert electrolyte, followed the order Cd(2+)>Zn(2+)>Pb(2+)>Sr(2+); neither of investigated competing cations (Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Na(+) and K(+)) influenced Pb(2+) immobilization whereas the sorption of other cations was reduced in the presence of Ca(2+), in the order Sr(2+)>Cd(2+)>or=Zn(2+). The pseudo-second order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm have been proposed for modeling kinetic and equilibrium data, respectively. The sorption of all examined metals was followed by Ca(2+) release from the HAP crystal lattice and pH decrease. The ion exchange and specific cation sorption mechanisms were anticipated for Cd(2+), Zn(2+) and Sr(2+), while dissolution of HAP followed by precipitation of hydroxypyromorphite (Pb(10)(PO(4))(6)(OH)(2)) was found to be the main operating mechanism for Pb(2+) immobilization by HAP, with the contribution of specific cation sorption.     

Comparative adsorption of Cu(II), Zn(II), and Pb(II) ions in aqueous solution on the crosslinked chitosan with epichlorohydrin

The crosslinked chitosans synthesized by the homogeneous reaction of chitosan in aqueous acetic acid solution with epichlorohydrin were used to investigate the adsorptions of three metals of Cu(II), Zn(II), and Pb(II) ions in an aqueous solution. The crosslinked chitosan characterized by 13CNMR, SEM, and elemental analysis, and the effects of pH and anion on the adsorption capacity were carried out. The dynamical study demonstrated that the adsorption process was followed the second-order kinetic equation. The results obtained from the equilibrium isotherms adsorption studies of three metals of Cu(II), Zn(II), and Pb(II) ions by being analyzed in three adsorption models, namely, Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinnin-Radushkevich isotherm equations, indicated to be well fitted to the Langmuir isotherm equation under the concentration range studied, by comparing the linear correlation coefficients. The order of the adsorption capacity (Qm) for three metal ions was as follows: Cu2+>Pb2+>Zn2+. This technique for syntheses of the crosslinked chitosans with epichlorohydrin via the homogeneous reaction in aqueous acetic acid solution showed that the adsorptions of three metal ions in aqueous solution were followed the monolayer coverage of the adsorbents through physical adsorption phenomena.     

Adsorption characteristics of UO(2)(2+) and Th(4+) ions from simulated radioactive solutions onto chitosan/clinoptilolite sorbents

Adsorption features of UO(2)(2+) and Th(4+) ions from simulated radioactive solutions onto a novel chitosan/clinoptilolite (CS/CPL) composite as beads have been investigated compared with chitosan cross-linked with epichlorohydrin. The effects of contact time, the initial metal ion concentration, sorbent mass and temperature on the adsorption capacity of the CS-based sorbents were investigated. The adsorption kinetics was well described by the pseudo-second order equation, and the adsorption isotherms were better fitted by the Sips model. The maximum experimental adsorption capacities were 328.32 mg Th(4+)/g composite, and 408.62 mg UO(2)(2+)/g composite. The overall adsorption tendency of CS/CPL composite toward UO(2)(2+) and Th(4+) radiocations in the presence of Cu(2+), Fe(2+) and Al(3+), under competitive conditions, followed the order: Cu(2+)>UO(2)(2+)>Fe(2+)>Al(3+), and Cu(2+)>Th(4+)>Fe(2+)>Al(3+), respectively. The negative values of Gibbs free energy of adsorption indicated the spontaneity of the adsorption of radioactive ions on both the CS/CPL composite and the cross-linked CS. The desorption level of UO(2)(2+) from the composite CS/CPL, by using 0.1M Na(2)CO(3), was around 92%, and that of Th(4+) ions, performed by 0.1M HCl, was around 85%, both values being higher than the desorption level of radiocations from the cross-linked CS, which were 89% and 83%, respectively.     

Heavy metals binding properties of esterified lemon

Sorption of Cd(2+), Cr(3+), Cu(2+), Ni(2+), Pb(2+) and Zn(2+) onto a carboxyl groups-rich material prepared from lemon was investigated in batch systems. The results revealed that the sorption is highly pH dependent. Sorption kinetic data indicated that the equilibrium was achieved in the range of 30-240 min for different metal ions and sorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order model for all metals studied. Relative sorption rate of various metal cations was found to be in the general order of Ni(2+)>Cd(2+)>Cu(2+)>Pb(2+)>Zn(2+)>Cr(3+). The binding characteristics of the sorbent for heavy metal ions were analyzed under various conditions and isotherm data was accurately fitted to the Langmuir equation. The metal binding capacity order calculated from Langmuir isotherm was Pb(2+)>Cu(2+)>Ni(2+)>Cd(2+)>Zn(2+)>Cr(3+). The mean free energy of metal sorption process calculated from Dubinin-Radushkevich parameter and the Polanyi potential was found to be in the range of 8-11 kJ mol(-1) for the metals studied showing that the main mechanism governing the sorption process seems to be ion exchange. The basic thermodynamic parameters of metals ion sorption process were calculated by using the Langmuir constants obtained from equilibration study. The DeltaG degrees and DeltaH degrees values for metals ion sorption on the lemon sorbent showed the process to be spontaneous and exothermic in nature. Relatively low DeltaH degrees values revealed that physical adsorption significantly contributed to the mechanism.     

The chemically crosslinked metal-complexed chitosans for comparative adsorptions of Cu(II), Zn(II), Ni(II) and Pb(II) ions in aqueous medium

The chemically crosslinked metal-complexed chitosans were synthesized by using the ion-imprinting method from a chitosan with four metals (Cu(II), Zn(II), Ni(II) and Pb(II)) as templates and glutaraldehyde as a crosslinker. The influences of adsorption conditions, including molar ratios of crosslinker/chitosan and pH changes, were studied. They were used to investigate for comparative adsorptions of Cu(II), Zn(II), Ni(II) and Pb(II) ions in an aqueous medium. They were demonstrated the comparative adsorptions of Cu(II), Zn(II), Ni(II) and Pb(II) ions in the orders of the adsorbed amounts with templates: Cu(II) approximately Pb(II)>Zn(II) approximately Ni(II), Zn(II)>Cu(II) approximately Pb(II)>Ni(II), Ni(II)>Pb(II)>Zn(II)>Cu(II) and Pb(II) approximately Cu(II)>Zn(II)>Ni(II), respectively. In addition, the dynamical study showed to be well followed the second-order kinetic equation in the adsorption process. At the same time, the equilibrium adsorption data were fitted in three adsorption isotherm models, namely, Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin-Radushkevich to show very good fits in the Langmuir isotherm equation for the monolayer adsorption process. The most important aspect of the chemically crosslinked metal-complexed chitosans with glutaraldehyde demonstrated to afford a higher adsorption capacity, and a more efficient adsorption toward metals in an aqueous medium.     

Removal of mixed heavy metal ions in wastewater by zeolite 4A and residual products from recycled coal fly ash

The removal performance and the selectivity sequence of mixed metal ions (Co(2+), Cr(3+), Cu(2+), Zn(2+) and Ni(2+)) in aqueous solution were investigated by adsorption process on pure and chamfered-edge zeolite 4A prepared from coal fly ash (CFA), commercial grade zeolite 4A and the residual products recycled from CFA. The pure zeolite 4A (prepared from CFA) was synthesized under a novel temperature step-change method with reduced synthesis time. Batch method was employed to study the influential parameters such as initial metal ions concentration, adsorbent dose, contact time and initial pH of the solution on the adsorption process. The experimental data were well fitted by the pseudo-second-order kinetics model (for Co(2+), Cr(3+), Cu(2+) and Zn(2+) ions) and the pseudo-first-order kinetics model (for Ni(2+) ions). The equilibrium data were well fitted by the Langmuir model and showed the affinity order: Cu(2+) > Cr(3+) > Zn(2+) > Co(2+) > Ni(2+) (CFA prepared and commercial grade zeolite 4A). The adsorption process was found to be pH and concentration dependent. The sorption rate and sorption capacity of metal ions could be significantly improved by increasing pH value. The removal mechanism of metal ions was by adsorption and ion exchange processes. Compared to commercial grade zeolite 4A, the CFA prepared adsorbents could be alternative materials for the treatment of wastewater.     

Selective removal of Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solutions including Cr(VI), Cu(II) and Cd(II) ions by 4-vinly pyridine/2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate monomer mixture grafted poly(ethylene terephthalate) fiber

In this study, a new reactively fibrous adsorbent was prepared by grafting 4-vinly pyridine (4-VP) and 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) monomer mixture onto poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibers for removal of Cr(VI), Cu(II) and Cd(II) metal ions from aqueous solution by using batch adsorption method. The influence of various parameters such as graft yield (GY), pH, adsorption time, initial ion concentration and adsorption temperature was investigated. The selectivity of the reactive fiber was also examined. The results show that the adsorbed amount of metal ions followed as given in the order Cr(VI) > Cd(II) > Cu(II). At pH 3, Cr(VI) was removed by 99% while the initial concentration of ions was at 5 mg L⁻¹ and by 94% at 400 mg L⁻¹. It was found that the grafted fiber is more selective for Cr(VI) ions in the mixed solution of Cr(VI)–Cu(II), Cr(VI)–Cd(II) and Cr(VI)–Cu(II)–Cd(II) at pH 3 and it was observed that the grafted fibers are stable and regenerable by acid and base without losing their activity.     

Low-cost adsorbents for heavy metals uptake from contaminated water: a review

In this article, the technical feasibility of various low-cost adsorbents for heavy metal removal from contaminated water has been reviewed. Instead of using commercial activated carbon, researchers have worked on inexpensive materials, such as chitosan, zeolites, and other adsorbents, which have high adsorption capacity and are locally available. The results of their removal performance are compared to that of activated carbon and are presented in this study. It is evident from our literature survey of about 100 papers that low-cost adsorbents have demonstrated outstanding removal capabilities for certain metal ions as compared to activated carbon. Adsorbents that stand out for high adsorption capacities are chitosan (815, 273, 250 mg/g of Hg(2+), Cr(6+), and Cd(2+), respectively), zeolites (175 and 137 mg/g of Pb(2+) and Cd(2+), respectively), waste slurry (1030, 560, 540 mg/g of Pb(2+), Hg(2+), and Cr(6+), respectively), and lignin (1865 mg/g of Pb(2+)). These adsorbents are suitable for inorganic effluent treatment containing the metal ions mentioned previously. It is important to note that the adsorption capacities of the adsorbents presented in this paper vary, depending on the characteristics of the individual adsorbent, the extent of chemical modifications, and the concentration of adsorbate.