Abstract
Illite-smectite clay is a new mixed mineral of illite and montmorillonite. The ability of nano illite/smectite clay to remove Pb(II) from slightly polluted aqueous solutions has been investigated. The effects of pH, contact time, initial concentration of Pb(II), nano illite/smectite clay dosage, and temperature on the adsorption process were studied. The nano illite/smectite clay was characterized by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (FTIR), and Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results showed that Pb(II) was adsorbed efficiently by nano illite/smectite clay in aqueous solution. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model best described the kinetic of the adsorption, and the adsorption capacity of nano illite/smectite (I-Sm) clay was found to be 256.41 μg·g−1 for Pb(II). The adsorption patterns followed the Langmuir isotherm model. Thermodynamic parameters, including the Gibbs free energy (ΔG), enthalpy (ΔH), and entropy (ΔS) changes, indicated that the present adsorption process was feasible, spontaneous, and endothermic in the temperature range of 298–333 K.
Highlights
IntroductionA large number of studies have indicated that the water, especially of rivers, in urban areas has been seriously contaminated by heavy metals [1,2,3]
The pH of the aqueous solution is an important variable for the adsorption of metals onto the adsorbents [32]
At a low pH, the number of H+ ions exceeds that of Pb(II) ions several times and the surface of nano I-Sm is most likely covered with H+ ions, which account for less Pb(II) adsorbed [33]
Summary
A large number of studies have indicated that the water, especially of rivers, in urban areas has been seriously contaminated by heavy metals [1,2,3]. Heavy metal contamination in the water environment has attracted great concern owing to its environmental toxicity and persistence. Lead is a widely distributed and accumulative pollutant, and is the third-most common toxic element in the heavy metal toxicity list. It is one of the 10 chemicals that the World Health
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