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Heavy metals removal from synthetic wastewater by a novel nano-size composite adsorbent
Onundi, Y.B.; Mamun, A.A.; Al Khatib, M.F.; Al Saadi, M.A. & Suleyman, A.M
Abstract
The effects of varying operating conditions on metals removal from aqueous solution using a novel
nano-size composite adsorbent are reported in this paper. Characterization of the composite adsorbent material showed
successful production of carbon nanotubes on granular activated carbon using 1% nickel as catalyst. In the laboratory
adsorption experiment, initial mixed metals concentration of 2.0 mg/L Cu2+, 1.5 mg/L Pb2+ and 0.8 mg/L Ni2+ were
synthesized based on metals concentration from samples collected from a semiconductor industry effluent. The effects
of operation conditions on metals removal using composite adsorbent were investigated. Experimental conditions
resulting in optimal metals adsorption were observed at pH 5, 1 g/L dosage and 60 min contact time. It was noted that
the percentage of metals removal at the equilibrium condition varied for each metal, with lead recording 99%, copper
61% and nickel 20% , giving metal affinity trend of Pb2+ > Cu2+ > Ni2+ on the adsorbent. Langmuir's adsorption isotherm
model gave a higher R2 value of 0.93, 0.89 and 0.986 for copper, nickel and lead, respectively, over that of Freundlich
model during the adsorption process of the three metals in matrix solution.
Keywords
Adsorption; Carbon nanotubes; Granular activated carbon; Isotherm
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