Biosorptive removal of Pb(II) and Cu(II) from wastewater using activated carbon from cassava peels

The ability of activated carbon from cassava peels to remove heavy metals like Cu(II) and Pb(II) from hospital wastewater was investigated. The study showed that a pH of 8 was the best for the sorption of both metal ions onto the biosorbent. The time-dependent experiments for the metal ions showed that the binding of the metal ions to the biomass was rapid and occurred within 20–120 min. Sorption efficiency increased with a rise in adsorbent dosage. It increased from 12 to 73 % for Pb(II) and 26 to 79 % for Cu(II) when the adsorbent dose increased from 2 to 12 g. An increase in temperature led to an increase in sorption for both metal ions. The Langmuir model showed that the biomass has a higher sorption capacity for Cu(II) than Pb(II), with q _m = 5.80 mg g^?1 for Pb(II) and 8.00 mg g^?1 for Cu(II). The Freundlich isotherm K _f was 1.4 for Pb(II) and 1.8 for Cu(II), indicating a preferential sorption of Cu(II) onto the biosorbent. Adsorption capacity was found to decrease with an increase in particle sizes. Sorption occurred by physical mechanisms and was mainly controlled by intraparticle diffusion.     

Synthesis of Ion-Imprinted Alginate Based Beads: Selective Adsorption Behavior of Nickel (II) Ions

Ni(II) imprinted and non-imprinted bioadsorbent alginate beads were prepared, and utilized in the selective adsorption of Ni(II) ions. The optimum adsorption capacity were 6.00 mmol g^?1 at 500 ppm initial metal ion concentration at pH 7 for Ni(II) imprinted alginate beads (IIP). The equilibrium data were applied to Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms, and it fitted both isotherm models. Thermodynamic parameters showed favorable and endothermic nature of adsorption. Ni(II) imprinted bead showed the strong ability to selective adsorption from Cu(II), Co(II) and Zn(II) ions. In conclusion, Ni(II) ion imprinted alginate beads could be used repeatedly without any significant reduce of adsorption capacity.     

Adsorption Efficiency of Polyaspartate-Montmorillonite Composite Towards the Removal of Pb(II) and Cd(II) from Aqueous Solution

The selective modification of sodium montmorillonite (Na⁺-Mt) surface with polyionene followed by poly (succinimde-co-aspartate) has been considered. Na⁺-Mt was allowed to react with well characterized polyionene in two fold excess. The resulting polyionene/Mt (IC) was further modified with poly (succinimide-co-aspartate) through an ion exchange process. The obtained polyaspartate/Mt (IPS) composite was characterized by elemental analysis, X-ray diffraction, FTIR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and BET surface analyzer. The adsorption efficiency of IPS composite was investigated for the removal of Pb(II) and Cd(II) from aqueous solution under different experimental conditions including initial metal ions concentration, temperature and single and binary mixture systems of metal ions. The experimental data were analyzed by Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin-Radushkevich models. Langmuir model reveals that the monolayer adsorption capacity of IPS was 92.59 and 67.57 mg/g for Pb(II) and Cd(II), respectively. The modification of parent Na⁺-Mt enhanced their adsorption capacity by about 87.91 and 29.84% for Pb(II) and Cd(II), respectively, due to inclusion of extra active sites of polyaspartate. The mean sorption energy, E calculated from Dubinin–Radushkevich isotherm were 2.75 and 1.98 kJ/mol for the adsorption of Pb(II) and Cd(II), respectively, indicating physical adsorption process. Also, The thermodynamic parameters were calculated and indicated that the adsorption was spontaneous and exothermic process. The mechanism of cation exchange and complexation of metal ions was suggested. IPS composite has a considerable potential for the removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solution and wastewater stream.     

Application of ameliorated wood pulp to recover Cd(II), Pb(II), and Ni(II) from e-waste

In this study, dl-malic acid and hydrogen peroxide were used as leaching agents to remove metals from e-waste (printed-circuit boards) and itaconic acid-grafted poly(vinyl alcohol)-encapsulated wood pulp (IA-g-PVA-en-WP) to uptake metals from leachate with high proficiency [11.63 mg g^?1; 93.03 % for Cd(II), 11.90 mg g^?1; 95.18 % for Pb(II), and 12.14 mg g^?1; 97.08 % for Ni(II)]. Metals were recovered from the loaded biosorbent by desorption studies. The standard analytical techniques, such as elemental analysis, Fourier-transform-infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis, were used to characterize the recovering agent (biosorbent). At equilibrium, the metal uptake data were fitted to Langmuir and D–R isotherms (R ² > 0.99) significantly, revealing, the homogeneous distribution of active sites on biosorbent’s backbone. The possible mechanism appeared to be ion exchanges of metal ions with H⁺ together with binding over functionalities (COO^?). Dimensionless equilibrium parameter (R _L) showed the favourability of metal uptake at lower concentration, while mean adsorption energy (E) certified the physical binding of metal on functionalities which was further confirmed by sticking probability and activation energy parameters. Reusability studies were also conducted to state the performance of biosorbent.     

Sunflower stalk, an agricultural waste, as an adsorbent for the removal of lead and cadmium from aqueous solutions

Sunflower residue, an agricultural waste material for the removal of lead (Pb) and cadmium (Cd) from aqueous solutions were investigated using a batch method. Adsorbent was prepared by washing sunflower residue with deionized water until the effluent was colorless. Batch mode experiments were carried out as a function of solution pH, adsorbent dosage, initial concentration and contact time. The results indicated that the adsorbent showed good sorption potential and maximum metal removal was observed at pH 5. Within 150 min of operation about 97 and 87 % of Pb and Cd ions were removed from the solutions, respectively. Lead and Cd sorption curves were well fitted to the modified two-site Langmuir model. The adsorption capacities for Pb and Cd at optimum conditions were 182 and 70 mg g^?1, respectively. The kinetics of Pb and Cd adsorption from aqueous solutions were analyzed by fitting the experimental data to a pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the rate constant was found to be 8.42 × 10^?2 and 8.95 × 10^?2 g mg^?1 min^?1 for Cd and Pb, respectively. The results revealed that sunflower can adsorb considerable amount of Pb and Cd ions and thus could be an economical method for the removal of Pb and Cd from aqueous systems.     

Biosorption potential and kinetic studies of vegetable waste mixture for the removal of Nickel(II)

Biosorption potential of new low cost biosorbent prepared from vegetable waste, composed of 1:1 mixture of potato and carrot peels for the removal of Ni(II) from aqueous solution was determined. The residual metallic ion concentrations were determined using an atomic absorption spectrophotometric technique (AAS). Batch experiments were conducted to optimize parameters such as initial pH, temperature, contact time, initial metal ion concentration and biosorbent dose and the results showed that maximum adsorption of Nickel (79.32 %) occurs when the contents were stirred for 75 min with 3.0 g of biosorbent at 35 °C and pH 4. Kinetic studies of the reaction revealed that it follows a pseudo-second order reaction. The experimental results were analyzed in terms of Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The Langmuir isotherm model fits well to data of Ni(II) biosorption by the prepared biomass as compared to the model of Freundlich. Both neat and Ni loaded biosorbent samples were analyzed by AAS using a dry ashing process in a furnace and also by use of a FT-IR spectrophotometer and an X-Ray florescence spectrometer in order to confirm the biosorption of Ni(II) and the results have revealed that a significant amount of Ni is present in the spent biosorbent.     

Selective Lead(II) Adsorption and Flocculation Characteristics of the Grafted Sodium Alginate: A Comparative Study

Synthesis of sodium alginate-g-poly(acrylamide-co-N-methylacrylamide) [S-III], sodium alginate-g-poly(N-methylacrylamide-co-N,N-dimethylacrylamide) [S-II], sodium alginate-g-poly(acrylamide-co-N,N-dimethylacrylamide) [S-I]. Sodium alginate-g-poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) [SAG-g-PDMA] and sodium alginate-g-poly(acrylamide) [SAG-g-PAM] were prepared by solution polymerization technique using potassium peroxydisulfate as the initiator at 70?°C in water medium. The graft copolymers were characterized by FTIR and NMR (¹H and ¹³C) spectroscopy, SEM and XRD studies. All the five graft copolymers were used to remove Pb(II) ions from the aqueous solution and also in flocculation studies of kaolin clay (1.0 wt%), silica (1.0 wt%) and iron ore slime (0.25 wt%) suspensions. A comparative studies of all the five graft copolymers were also made in both the two cases. The Pb(II) ion removal capacity of all the graft copolymers follows the order S-III?>?SAG-g-PAM?>?S-II?>?SAG-g-PDMA?>?S-I. But the flocculation performance of the graft copolymers follows the order S-II?>?S-I?>?S-III?>?SAG-g-PDMA?>?SAG-g-PAM. S-III was also used for the competitive metal ion removal with Hg(II), Cd(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II). Pb(II) adsorption of S-III (the best Pb(II) ion adsorber) follows pseudo second order rate equation and Langmuir adsorption isotherm.     

Magnetic Cr(VI) Ion Imprinted Polymer for the Fast Selective Adsorption of Cr(VI) from Aqueous Solution

In this study, a novel magnetic Cr(VI) ion imprinted polymer (Cr(VI)-MIIP) was successfully synthesized and used as a selective sorbent for the adsorption of Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solution. It can be synthesized through the combination of an imprinting polymer and magnetic nanoparticles. The high selectivity achieved using MIIP is due to the specific recognition cavities for Cr(VI) ions created in Cr(VI)-MIIP. Also, the magnetic properties that could be obtained using magnetic nanoparticles, helps to separate adsorbent with an external magnetic field without either additional centrifugation or filtration procedures. The magnetic Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles (MNPs) were synthesized using an improved co-precipitation method and modified with tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) before imprinting. The magnetic Cr(VI) ion imprinted polymer was prepared through precipitation copolymerization of 4-vinylpyridine as the complexing monomer, 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate as a co-monomer, the Cr⁶⁺ anion as a template, and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) as a cross-linker in the presence of modified magnetite nanoparticles. This novel synthesized sorbent was characterized using different techniques. Batch adsorption experiments were performed to evaluate the adsorption conditions, selectivity, and reusability. The results showed that the maximum adsorption capacity was 39.3 mg g^?1, which was observed at pH 3 and at 25?°C. The equilibrium time was 20 min, and the amount of adsorbent which gave the maximum adsorption capacity was 1.7 g L^?1. Isotherm studies showed that the adsorption equilibrium data were fitted well with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm model and the theoretical maximum adsorption capacity was 44.86 mg g^?1. The selectivity studies indicated that the synthesized sorbent had a high single selectivity sorption for the Cr(VI) ions in the presence of competing ions. Thermodynamic studies revealed that the adsorption process was exothermic (\(\Delta H\)?<?0) and spontaneous (\(\Delta G\)?<?0). In addition, the spent MIIP can be regenerated up to five cycles without a significant decrease in adsorption capacity.     

尿素基纤维的制备及对水中Cu2+和Cd2+的吸附

以棉纤维为原料,经氯化和取代反应,制得尿素基纤维并用于水中Cu^2＋和Cd^2＋的吸附,考察了各种因素对吸附效果的影响。尿素基纤维对Cu^2＋和Cd^2＋的吸附可用Langmuir等温吸附方程描述,吸附过程可看成单层吸附。较佳吸附条件：重金属离子溶液pH为5,流量为7mL／min。用过的尿素基纤维经2mol／L的盐酸洗脱再生后,对Cu^2＋的吸附、解吸、再吸附的性能良好,可重复使用。     

Activated carbon from Ceiba pentandra hulls, an agricultural waste, as an adsorbent in the removal of lead and zinc from aqueous solutions

The ability of low-cost activated carbon prepared from Ceiba pentandra hulls, an agricultural waste material, for the removal of lead and zinc from aqueous solutions has been investigated. In the batch tests experimental parameters were studied, including solution pH, contact time, adsorbent dose and initial metal ions concentration. The adsorbent exhibited good sorption potential at pH 6.0. Maximum removal of lead (99.5%) and of zinc (99.1%) with 10 g/l of sorbent was observed at 50 mg/L sorbate concentration. Removals of about 60-70% occurred in 10 min, and equilibrium was attained at around 50 min for both metals. The functional groups (CO, SO,-OH) present on the carbon surface were responsible for the adsorption of metal ions. The adsorption parameters were analysed using both the Freundlich and Langmuir models. The data are better fitted by the Freundlich isotherm as compared to Langmuir model, and the adsorption capacities for lead and zinc were 25.5 and 24.1 mg/g, respectively. Kinetics of adsorption obeyed a second order rate equation and the rate constant was found to be 2.71 x 10(-2) and 2.08 x 10(-2) g/mg/min for lead and zinc, respectively. The desorption studies were carried out using dilute HCl, and the effect of HCl concentration on desorption was studied. Maximum desorptions of 85% for lead and 78% for zinc were attained with 0.15 M HCl.     

Effects of Acid Rain on Competitive Releases of Cd, Cu, and Zn from Two Natural Soils and Two Contaminated Soils in Hunan, China

Leaching experiments of rebuilt soil columns with two simulated acid rain solutions (pH 4.6–3.8) were conducted for two natural soils and two artificial contaminated soils from Hunan, south-central China, to study effects of acid rain on competitive releases of soil Cd, Cu, and Zn. Distilled water was used in comparison. The results showed that the total releases were Zn>Cu>Cd for the natural soils and Cd>Zn≫Cu for the contaminated soils, which reflected sensitivity of these metals to acid rain. Leached with different acid rain, about 26–76% of external Cd and 11–68% external Zn were released, but more than 99% of external Cu was adsorbed by the soils, and therefore Cu had a different sorption and desorption pattern from Cd and Zn. Metal releases were obviously correlated with releases of TOC in the leachates, which could be described as an exponential equation. Compared with the natural soils, acid rain not only led to changes in total metal contents, but also in metal fraction distributions in the contaminated soils. More acidified soils had a lower sorption capacity to metals, mostly related to soil properties such as pH, organic matter, soil particles, adsorbed SO₄ ²⁻, exchangeable Al³⁺ and H⁺, and contents of Fe₂O₃ and Al₂O₃.     

Poly(Acrylic Acid) Grafted Sodium Alginate Di-Block Hydrogels as Efficient Biosorbents; Structure-Property Relevance

Naturally-based poly(acrylic acid) grafted sodium alginate di-block hydrogels were investigated as high efficiency biosorbents for copper(II) ion. The grafted di-block hydrogel was characterized using FTIR, TGA and SEM techniques. Blank and immobilized algal biosorbent beads formed via 2.0% (w/w) calcium ions were also investigated. Batch adsorption experiments revealed optimal pH dependence of copper(II) ion biosorption at pH 5.5 with high efficient copper(II) ion uptake of 98.5 mg/g. The dynamics studies showed that the high efficiency copper(II) ion biosorption followed pseudo-second order kinetics with significant contribution of intraparticle diffusion mechanism. The equilibrium data fitted to Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R) adsorption isotherm models. Thermodynamics parameters for copper(II) biosorption on blank and immobilized algal beads depicted the spontaneous nature of the biosorption process. Such high efficiency, feasibility, simplicity, and low cost properties adapt the di-block biosorbent to be the next generation promising biosorbents for water decontamination and to help in the recovery of the missing ecologic harmony.     

New Methods for the Preparation Nanosized Metal Coordination Polymers

Transition-metal coordination polymers [M(ndc)(bpy)·(H₂O)m]·xH₂O (where M = Co(II), Ni(II), Cu(II) and Zn(II), ndc = 1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylate, bpy = 4,4′-bipyridine; m = 0 or 1; x = 1 or 2) were prepared by reacting the ligands and metal ions at room temperature with the aid of microwave irradiation and sonication methods. The structure of the coordination polymers was assigned based on elemental analysis, FT-IR and electronic spectral studies, thermal analysis, scanning electron microscope and X-ray powder diffraction. Thermogravimetric analysis was also used to follow up the possible thermal decomposition steps and to calculate the thermodynamic parameters of the nano-sized metal complexes. The kinetic parameters were calculated making use of the Coats–Redfern and Horowitz–Metzger equations. All obtained results of the different technics used in our study stated the ability to synthesis the metal coordination polymers of our interest using both microwave irradiation and sonication methods.     

Sludge earthworm composting technology by Eisenia fetida

Prior to vermicompost application to the soils, there is a need to determine the heavy metal concentrations in the final vermicomposts. Acute toxicity on Eisenia fetida for copper (Cu) and cadmium (Cd) were conducted by artificial soils tests. The dosage of interest is typically the median lethal concentration (LC₅₀) that will kill 50 % of the population of organisms within the test period. The dry artificial soil is pre-moistened 1 or 2 days before the test by adding deionized water to obtain approximately half of the required final water content of 40–60 % of the maximum water holding capacity. The 14-day LC₅₀ values (95 % confidence interval) for Cu and Cd were 530 (450–624) and 1118 (988–1265) mg kg^?1, respectively. The vermicomposting was designed to evaluate the effects of earthworm activity on heavy metals in sewage sludge. Compared with the sludge before vermicomposting by Eisenia fetida, the results are as follows: (1) water content, the pH value and organic matter content decreased, (2) total nitrogen content increased, total phosphorus content and total potassium content decreased, (3) available nitrogen concentration, available phosphorus content increased, and (4) the total content of five metals (Cu, Ni, Cd, Pb and Zn) decreased, and the bioaccumulation factor shows that vermicomposting can efficiently remove heavy metals. Therefore, it can be concluded that the soil use of sludge of the Wastewater Treatment Plant in Huaibei is feasible.     

Peanut hull pellets as a single use sorbent for the capture of Cu(II) from wastewater

This paper investigates the ability of peanut hulls and peanut hull pellets to adsorb copper from dilute aqueous metal ion solutions in batch and fixed bed systems. The kinetics of copper uptake onto the media have been investigated in batch systems and the influence of pH and particle size on the rate and extent of copper capture determined. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm theories were determined; the Langmuir model was found to best represent the equilibrium isotherm data. In normalized kinetic tests at least 75% of copper removal occurred within the first 20 min; 92% removal was effected within the first 50 min. The rate of uptake was optimum within the pH range 5-7.5, and media capacities remained relatively constant at a pH above 4.0. Bench-scale column studies were performed using peanut hull pellets. The overall capacity of pelletized peanut hulls was higher than for unmodified peanut hulls. Due to their demonstrated ability for Cu(II) uptake and favorable structural characteristics, pelletized peanut hulls could gain use as a low-cost, once-through biomass filter medium for copper-bearing waste streams.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Environmental Applications of a New Bio-Composite Gelatin-Zr(IV) Phosphate

Gelatin-Zr(IV) phosphate composite (GT/ZPC) was synthesized by sol–gel method. Different techniques viz. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray powdered diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were used for the characterisation of GT/ZPC composite ion exchanger. The ion exchange capacity (IEC) of GT/ZPC was observed to be better (1.04 meq g^?1) than its inorganic counterpart (0.64 meq g^?1). The pH studies revealed the monofunctional nature of GT/ZPC with one inflection point. The distribution studies showed that the GT/ZPC was highly selective for Cd²⁺ as compare to other metal ions. The environmental applicability of ion exchanger has been analysed for binary separations of metal ions using column method. Cd²⁺ was effectively removed from synthetic mixture of metal ions (Zn²⁺, Pb²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺ and Cu²⁺).     

Effect of sewage sludge or compost on the sorption and distribution of copper and cadmium in soil

The application of biosolids such as sewage sludge is a concern, because of the potential release of toxic metals after decomposition of the organic matter. The effect of application of sewage sludge (Sw) and compost (C) to the soil (S) on the Cu and Cd sorption, distribution and the quality of the dissolved organic matter (DOM) in the soil, was investigated under controlled conditions. Visible spectrophotometry, infrared spectroscopy, sorption isotherms (simple and competitive sorption systems), and sequential extraction methods were used. The E4/E6 (lambda at 465 and 665 nm) ratio and the infrared spectra (IR) of DOM showed an aromatic behaviour in compost-soil (C-S); in contrast sewage sludge-soil (Sw-S) showed an aliphatic behaviour. Application of either Sw or C increased the Cu sorption capacity of soil. The Cd sorption decreased only in soil with a competitive metal system. The availability of Cu was low due to its occurrence in the acid soluble fraction (F3). The Cu concentration varied in accordance with the amounts of Cu added. The highest Cd concentration was found in the exchangeable fraction (F2). The Sw and C applications did not increase the Cd availability in the soil.     

改性生物炭对Ni~(2+)和Cu~(2+)的吸附

以废弃松木屑为原料制备了生物炭,采用六亚甲基四胺(HMTA)和/或CO2对其进行改性,并将其用于水中Ni2+和Cu2+的吸附。表征结果显示,以HMTA和CO2共同改性的生物炭BC1的表面积最小但表面含氧官能团含量最高。实验结果表明:生物炭经改性后,其吸附性能明显提高,且以BC1为最优;在不调节溶液p H、初始重金属离子质量浓度为50 mg/L、吸附剂加入量分别为2.0 g/L和1.0 g/L、吸附时间分别为360 min和240 min的优化条件下,BC1对Ni2+和Cu2+的去除率分别达到99.81%和95.88%;改性生物炭对Ni2+和Cu2+的吸附过程可以用Langmuir等温吸附模型来描述,而其吸附动力学具有拟二级动力学方程特征。     

Effects of functionality and textural characteristics on the removal of Cd(II) by ammoniated and chlorinated nanoporous activated carbon

Virgin activated carbon (VAC) was chemically activated by hydrochloric acid and aqueous ammonia to obtain different surface functionalities and nanopore distributions. The N-tailored AC (NAC) acquired by alkali treatment significantly enhanced the cadmium sorption capacity, while the Cl-tailored AC obtained by acidic modification decreased the sorption capacity compared with that of VAC. With increasing ammonia concentration in the basic treatment, the NAC surface area was increased with declining pore volume and diameter, which increased the adsorption capacity for Cd(II) removal. However, increasing HCl concentration in the acidic modification decreased the surface area, with increasing pore volume and diameter, which decreased the cadmium adsorption capacity. The basic treatment created more alkaline-rich sites such as nitrogen-containing functional groups, on the carbon surface, thereby improving cadmium removal efficiency. However, the acidic treatment generated a stronger acidic chemical structure and much more the formation of the acyl- and alkyl chloride groups that greatly inhibited the Cd(II) sorption capacity.     

Removal of Cr6 + and Ni2+ from aqueous solution using bagasse and fly ash

Raw bagasse and fly ash, the waste generated in sugar mills and boilers respectively have been used as low-cost potential adsorbents. Raw bagasse was pretreated with 0.1N NaOH followed by 0.1N CH3COOH before its application. These low-cost adsorbents were used for the removal of chromium and nickel from an aqueous solution. The kinetics of adsorption and extent of adsorption at equilibrium are dependent on the physical and chemical characteristics of the adsorbent, adsorbate and experimental system. The effect of hydrogen ion concentration, contact time, sorbent dose, initial concentrations of adsorbate and adsorbent and particle size on the uptake of chromium and nickel were studied in batch experiments. The Sorption data has been correlated with Langmuir, Freundlich and Bhattacharya and Venkobachar adsorption models. The efficiencies of adsorbent materials for the removal of Cr(VI) and Ni(II) were found to be between 56.2 and 96.2% and 83.6 and 100%, respectively. These results were obtained at the optimized conditions of pH, contact time, sorbent dose, sorbate concentration of 100 mg/l and with the variation of adsorbent particles size between 0.075 and 4.75 mm. The order of selectivity is powdered activated carbon > bagasse > fly ash for Cr(VI) removal and powdered activated carbon > fly ash > bagasse for Ni(II) removal.