Particles and porous tablets based on Fe0/ZSM-5 composites prepared by ball-milling for heavy metals removal: Dissolved Fe2 +, pH, and mechanism

Novel, low-cost Fe~0/ZSM-5-based particles and porous tablets were prepared by a ballmilling method and used for the removal of Pb~(2+) in solution. Solid-phase characterization by scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy(SEMEDS) and transmission electron microscopy(TEM) revealed that the Fe0 microparticles were evenly loaded and tightly immobilized on the surface of ZSM-5 because of the extrusion/welding impact during ball-milling. For different Pb~(2+) concentrations, batch experiments indicated that the removal of Pb~(2+) increased with the decline of dissolved Fe2+and p H value in the solution for particles; opposite results were obtained for the tablets. The differences in the contact between both materials and Pb~(2+) were the main factor controlling Pb~(2+) removal in the solution. Investigation into the effect of initial p H value revealed that high p H reduced the number of electrons released from Fe corrosion. Consequently, low levels of removed Pb~(2+) and dissolved Fe~(2+) were synchronously observed. Also, simulated electroplating wastewater was treated using the prepared particles and porous tablets,and the removal order of Pb~(2+) Cr~(6+) Cu~(2+)≈ Cd~(2+) was observed. The Fe~0/ZSM-5 particles and tablets prepared through ball-milling show potential as materials for treatment of Pb~(2+) and other toxic metals.