Abstract
The horn core from cattle is bony, readily available in slaughterhouses, hence it is cheap. Horn cores were calcined for 3 h at different temperatures within the range 400–1100 °C. The as-obtained samples were characterized and used as adsorbents for the removal of Cu2+ from waters. Depending on the thermal treatment, calcined samples varying from blackish to white differed in terms of chemical composition, structure and, morphology. Calcined horn cores were thoroughly characterized by X-ray fluorescence, FTIR spectroscopy, and energy dispersive analysis of X-rays, thermal analysis, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and nitrogen sorption measurements. Samples calcined at lower temperatures were less crystalline than those calcined at higher temperature. The adsorption process was identified as a cationic exchange between Ca2+ from bones and Cu2+ in solution. Regarding the adsorption kinetics, the pseudo-second-order model showed the best fit for copper ions. The adsorption isotherm followed Langmuir model and the maximum adsorption capacity of the sample calcined at 400 °C (P400) was 99.98 mg/g. The adsorption process was spontaneous and endothermic. The study of discoloration of river waters showed that hydroxyapatites could be used. P400 adsorbed 68% of humic substances from river water, but acid activation improved this value to 94%.
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