Effect of nanotechnology on heavy metal removal from aqueous solution

Abstract

The effect of nanotechnology on cadmium and zinc removal from aqueous solution was investigated. In order to characterize micro and nano phragmites australis adsorbent, we analyzed the data via FTIR, SEM, PSA, and EDX. The effect of various parameters such as pH, contact time, amount of adsorbent and initial concentration, was investigated. The optimum pH for the removal of cadmium for micro and nano phragmites australis adsorbent was 7, and for the removal of zinc by the micro adsorbent was 7 and by nano adsorbent was 6. The equilibrium time of zinc was 90 min and for the adsorption of cadmium by micro and nano adsorbent were 90 and 30 min, respectively. The optimum dose of micro adsorbent for the removal of cadmium was 0.7 g, and the other dose for the removal of zinc and cadmium was 0.5 g. The evaluation of adsorbent’s distribution coefficient showed that the highest rates of distribution coefficient with initial concentration of 5, 10, 30, and 50 mg/L were 394.83, 587.62, 759.39 and 1101.52 L/kg, respectively, which were observed in nano adsorbent. Desorption experiments for the nano adsorbent in three cycles were done. Among kinetics models, our experimental data were more consistent with Hoo kinetic model and for isotherm models, Freundlich isotherm was more consistent. The results show that nanotechnology could increase the performance of adsorbents and enhance the efficiency of the adsorption of cadmium and zinc ions.