Adsorption kinetics of zinc in multicomponent ionic systems

Use of Lignite as a Low-Cost Material for Cadmium and Copper Removal from Aqueous Solutions: Assessment of Adsorption Characteristics and Exploration of Involved Mechanisms

Lignite, as an available and low-cost material, was tested for cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) removal from aqueous solutions under various static experimental conditions. Experimental results showed that the removal efficiency of both metals was improved by increasing their initial concentrations, adsorbent dosage and aqueous pH values. The adsorption kinetic was very rapid for Cd since about 78% of the totally adsorbed amounts were removed after a contact time of only 1 min. For Cd and Cu, the kinetic and isothermal data were well fitted with pseudo-second order and Freundlich models, respectively, which suggests that Cd/Cu removal by lignite occurs heterogeneously on multilayers surfaces. The maximum Langmuir’s adsorption capacities of Cd and Cu were assessed to 38.0 and 21.4 mg g−1 and are relatively important compared to some other lignites and raw natural materials. Results of proximate, scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-Ray diffraction (XRD) showed that the removal of these metals occurs most likely through a combination of cation exchange and complexation with specific functional groups. The relatively high adsorption capacity of the used lignite promotes its future use as a low cost material for Cd and Cu removal from effluents, and possibly for other heavy metals or groups of pollutants.

Interpretation of single and competitive adsorption of cadmium and zinc on activated carbon using monolayer and exclusive extended monolayer models

In this work, a modeling analysis based on experimental tests of cadmium/zinc adsorption, in both single-compound and binary systems, was carried out. All the experimental tests were conducted at constant pH (around neutrality) and temperature (20 °C). The experimental results showed that the zinc adsorption capacity was higher than that of cadmium and it does not depend on cadmium presence in binary system. Conversely, cadmium adsorption is affected by zinc presence. In order to provide good understanding of the adsorption process, two statistical physics models were proposed. A monolayer and exclusive extended monolayer models were applied to interpret the single-compound and binary adsorption isotherms of zinc and cadmium on activated carbon. Based on these models, the modeling analysis demonstrated that zinc is dominant in solution and more favorably adsorbed on activated carbon surface. For instance, in single-compound systems, the number of ions bound per each receptor site was n (Zn²⁺) = 2.12 > n (Cd²⁺) = 0.98. Thus, the receptor sites of activated carbon are more selective for Zn²⁺ than for Cd²⁺. Moreover, the determination of adsorption energy through the adopted models confirmed that zinc is more favored for adsorption in single-compound system (adsorption energies equal to 12.12 and 7.12 kJ/mol for Zn and Cd, respectively) and its adsorption energy does not depend on the cadmium presence in binary system. Finally, the adsorption energy values suggested that single-compound and binary adsorption of zinc and cadmium is a physisorption.

Modeling and evaluation of chromium remediation from water using low cost bio-char, a green adsorbent

Oak wood and oak bark chars were obtained from fast pyrolysis in an auger reactor at 400-450 °C. These chars were characterized and utilized for Cr(VI) remediation from water. Batch sorption studies were performed at different temperatures, pH values and solid to liquid ratios. Maximum chromium was removed at pH 2.0. A kinetic study yielded an optimum equilibrium time of 48 h with an adsorbent dose of 10 g/L. Sorption studies were conducted over a concentration range of 1-100mg/L. Cr(VI) removal increased with an increase in temperature (Q(Oak wood)(°): 25 °C = 3.03 mg/g; 35 °C = 4.08 mg/g; 45 °C = 4.93 mg/g and Q(Oakbark)(°): 25 °C = 4.62 mg/g; 35 °C = 7.43 mg/g; 45 °C = 7.51 mg/g). More chromium was removed with oak bark than oak wood. The char performances were evaluated using the Freundlich, Langmuir, Redlich-Peterson, Toth, Radke and Sips adsorption isotherm models. The Sips adsorption isotherm model best fits the experimental data [high regression (R(2)) coefficients]. The overall kinetic data was satisfactorily explained by a pseudo second order rate expression. Water penetrated into the char walls exposing Cr(VI) to additional adsorption sites that were not on the surfaces of dry char pores. It is remarkable that oak chars (S(BET): 1-3m(2)g(-1)) can remove similar amounts of Cr(VI) as activated carbon (S(BET): ∼ 1000 m(2)g(-1)). Thus, byproduct chars from bio-oil production might be used as inexpensive adsorbents for water purification. Char samples were successfully used for chromium remediation from contaminated surface water with dissolved interfering ions.

On the use of carbon blacks as potential low-cost adsorbents for the removal of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs from river water

The adsorption of two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), namely naproxen and ketoprofen, has been studied. Low-cost carbonaceous materials such as carbon blacks have been used as the adsorbents. The influence of temperature (20-60 degrees C), pH (3-11), ionic strength (0.01-0.1M), textural properties of the adsorbents (S(BET) and pore volumes) and aqueous matrix on the adsorption process has been analyzed. The adsorption isotherms have been determined both in milli-Q aqueous solution and water from the Guadiana river. Ionic strength and pH exert a noticeable influence on the process. In general, the removal is favored at low values of temperature and pH. On the contrary, an increase of the ionic strength seems to favor the adsorption process. The use of more porous adsorbents results in a more effective removal of the pollutants. Finally, the use of natural river water results in a noticeable increase of the removal capacity of naproxen and, particularly, ketoprofen. The experimental results proved that, under the optimal operation conditions, up to 517mg/g of naproxen and 400mg/g of ketoprofen may be adsorbed, which demonstrates the promising potential of these adsorbents for the removal of the pharmaceuticals under study.

Sorption properties of low calorific value Greek lignites: removal of lead, cadmium, zinc and copper ions from aqueous solutions

The removal of metal ions (Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu) from spiked aqueous solutions using four lignite samples (TH2, TH7, MT2, and MT8) of different quality, from different areas in Greece, was investigated. Cation exchange capacity, humic and fulvic acid content, and the BET specific surface area of the samples were determined, proximate and ultimate analyses were conducted and the mineralogy of their low temperature ash was studied. Equilibrium and kinetic studies were performed in batch conditions. Competitive adsorption of the four elements examined was also investigated. It was observed that the four lignite samples were considerably effective in removing Pb, Cd, Zn, and Cu ions from aqueous solutions, with the sample MT2 being the most effective. Among the elements, Pb appeared to have the strongest affinity based on a mass uptake by lignite samples. The same behaviour was observed during the competitive adsorption experiments. Kinetic experiments proved that, in all cases, equilibrium was achieved within 45min. Sorption isotherm studies were conducted by varying the initial concentration of the elements. MATLAB software was used to fit experimental data to Langmuir and Freundlich equations. The data were better fitted to the Langmuir equation. Attempt was made to correlate the adsorption behaviour of the lignite samples with the mineralogy of their low temperature ashes and their content in humic and fulvic acids.

Zinc-binding activity of different pectin compounds in aqueous solutions

The zinc-binding activity of different water-soluble pectin compounds varying according to their degree of esterification and of insoluble calcium pectate beads in aqueous solution was studied in a batch sorption system. The zinc uptake by all pectin compounds was highest within the pH range from 4.0 to 7.0. The binding capacities and rates of zinc ions by pectin compounds were evaluated. The Langmuir, Freundlich, and BET sorption models were applied to describe the isotherms and constants. Sorption isotherm data could be well interpreted by the Langmuir equation. The results obtained through the study suggest that pectin compounds are favorable sorbents. The largest number of zinc ions are bound by pectin with the degree of esterification close to zero. Therefore, it can be concluded that low-esterified pectins are more effective substances for elimination of zinc ions from aqueous disposals.

Adsorption of Zn(II) in aqueous solution by activated carbons prepared from evergreen oak (Quercus rotundifolia L.)

In the present work activated carbons have been prepared from evergreen oak wood. Different samples have been prepared varying the concentration of the activating agent (H(3)PO(4)) and the treatment temperature. The yield of the process decreases with increasing phosphoric acid concentrations. Furthermore, high concentrations of activating agent lead to mainly mesoporous activated carbons to the detriment of the microporous texture. Treatment temperatures up to 450 degrees C lead to a progressive increase of the micro- and mesopore volumes. Values of specific surface area (S(BET)) as high as 1723 m(2) g(-1)have been obtained using appropriate phosphoric acid concentrations and treatment temperatures. The samples prepared have been successfully used in the removal of Zn(II) from aqueous solutions. From the adsorption kinetic data it may be stated that the equilibrium time is, in all cases, below 170 h. The adsorption process as a rule becomes faster as the mesopore volume and specific surface area of the samples increase. The adsorption isotherms in liquid phase point out that the adsorption capacity (n(0)(s)) and the affinity towards the solute (K(ci)) are higher for the sample showing the most developed mesoporous texture and surface area as well.

Efficient Preconcentration of Cu2+, Zn2+ and Fe3+ with an Agarose-Schiff Base Sorbent

Sorption and preconcentration of Cu2+, Zn2+ and Fe3+ on a salen-type Schiff base, 2,2'- [ethane-1,2-diylbis(nitrilomethylidyne)]bis(2-methylphenol), chemically immobilized on a highly crosslinked agarose support, were studied. Kinetic studies showed higher sorption rates of Cu2+ and Fe3+ in comparison with Zn2+. Half-times (t1/2) of 31, 106 and 58 s were obtained for sorption of Cu2+, Zn2+ and Fe3+ by the sorbent, respectively. Effects of pH, eluent concentration and volume, ionic strength, buffer concentration, sample volume and interferences on the recovery of the metal ions were investigated. A 5-ml portion of 0.4 M HCl solution was sufficient for quantitative elution of the metal ions from 0.5 ml of the sorbent packed in a 6.5 mm i.d. glass column. Quantitative recoveries were obtained in a pH range 5.5-6.5 for all the analytes. The volumes to be concentrated exceeding 500 ml, ionic strengths as high as 0.5 mol l-1, and acetate buffer concentrations up to 0.3 mol l-1 for Zn2+ and 0.4 mol l-1 for Cu2+ and Fe3+ did not have any significant effect on the recoveries. The system tolerated relatively high concentrations of diverse ions. Preconcentration factors up to 100 and detection limits of 0.31, 0.16 and 1.73 μg l-1 were obtained for Cu2+, Zn2+ and Fe3+, respectively, for their determination by a flame AAS instrument. The method was successfully applied to the metal ion determinations in several river water samples with good accuracy.

Mechanisms of competitive adsorption of Pb, Cu, and Cd on peat

Combined use of batch equilibration adsorption and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) was employed to study the mechanisms of competitive adsorption of Pb, Cu, and Cd on Danish and Heilongjiang peat in single- and multi-solute systems. The adsorption capacity and initial adsorption rate on the same peat in single-solute systems followed the order Pb>Cu>Cd. Both the adsorbed amount of each metal (q'm) and its initial adsorption rate were decreased in multi-solute systems. It was observed that the adsorbed amounts of metals at low-energy adsorption sites (qm,1) decreased pronouncedly compared to those at high-energy adsorption sites (qm,2), indicating that the competitive adsorption of Pb, Cu and Cd occurred mainly at the low-energy adsorption sites. XAS study revealed that both Pb and Cu were coordinated in peat predominantly to carboxylic moieties without excluding the hydroxyl groups, thereby providing an insight into the mechanism of competitive adsorption of Pb and Cu on peat.