Characterization and properties of iron oxide-coated zeolite as adsorbent for removal of copper(II) from solution in fixed bed column

Abstract

Abstract A new composite adsorbent, iron oxide coated zeolite (IOCZ), was characterized and employed for the removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solution using fixed bed column. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), FTIR, X-ray diffraction spectrum (XRD) and BET analyses were used to study the surface properties of the coated layer. The effects of various experimental conditions, such as the flow rate, initial metal concentration and bed depth, were studied. The dynamics of the adsorption process were fitted by Adams–Bohart model and Thomas model. The Thomas model was found suitable for the description of breakthrough curve at all experimental conditions, while Adams–Bohart model was only for an initial part of dynamic behavior of the IOCZ column. The bed depth service time (BDST) model was applied to predict the service times with other flow rate and initial concentration. The theoretical breakthrough curve was compared with experimental breakthrough curve profile in the dynamic process. The saturated column was regenerated by 1 mol l−1 hydrogen chloride solution and IOCZ could be reused in Cu(II) removal.