Enhanced adsorption of Pb(II) ions from aqueous solution by persimmon tannin-activated carbon composites

The modification of activated carbon with persimmon tannin and its application for the removal of Pb(II) ions were carried out by batch method. The effects of solution pH, contact time, temperature and initial concentration on the immobilization of persimmon tannin were studied. The experimental results showed that the experimental data of persimmon tannin and Pb(II) fitted better by Langmuir adsorption isotherm model and pseudo-second order model. The adsorption capacities of adsorbents for persimmon tannin and Pb(II) were calculated from the Langmuir isotherm model, and found to be 42.97 and 12.40 mg/g at optimum pH, respectively. It was noted that the adsorbent exhibited the best adsorption property for Pb(II) when 1.0 g activated carbon was modified by 17.32 mg persimmon tannin. The modified activated carbon is more effective than the plain activated carbon, and it is expected to be an economic and effective adsorbent for the disposal of wastewater containing Pb(II) ions.