Adsorption of Ca (II), Mn (II), Fe (III), Mg (II), and Pb (II) Ions from New Valley Groundwater Using Illite and Nanoparticles

Abstract

Heavy metal pollution is a significant environmental concern due to its potential hazards. In this study, the adsorption of Ca (II), Mn (II), Fe (III), Mg (II), and Pb (II) ions from diluted aqueous solutions was investigated using both illite and nano-illite particles. The integration of illite as a natural and cost-effective material in water treatment for areas facing water pollution challenges offers a holistic solution with positive implications for the environment, economy, and public health. The multifaceted benefits of illite underscore its potential as a valuable tool in addressing water-related issues in remote and economically constrained regions. The synthesis and characterization of nano-illite were conducted through SEM, TEM, and FTIR spectroscopy. Notably, the TEM analysis revealed that the particle size of nano-illite (ranging from 2 to 4 nm) was smaller than that of illite (ranging from 20 to 30 nm). For the adsorption experiments, batch tests were performed, and the optimal conditions were determined. It was found that the highest adsorption efficiency for the studied metal ions was achieved at a pH of 7, a contact time of 60 minutes, an illite dosage of 0.4 g, and a nano-illite dosage of 0.3 g. Furthermore, the adsorption kinetics were analyzed using the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, while the adsorption isotherms were evaluated using the Langmuir model. This investigation provides valuable insights into the effective removal of heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions using illite and nano-illite particles. The results highlight the potential applicability of these adsorbents in addressing heavy metal pollution, thereby contributing to the mitigation of environmental risks associated with such contaminants.