Heavy Metal Removal from Wastewater Using Adsorbents

Abstract

AbstractThis chapter presents a sequential summary of various solutions for heavy metal remediation adopted over the decades with improved techniques and efficient eco-friendly methods. Heavy metals (specific gravity>5) are released into water bodies due to rapid urbanization and create plenty of environmental problems. A scientific approach gradually being adopted by the researchers always struggles to resolve such issues and thanks to their breakthroughs to solve such problems with innovative avenues and cutting-edge technologies in the modern era. A good variety of methods with emphasis on adsorption technique for heavy metal removal is summarized.The adsorption process is proved to be the most accepted method for heavy metal removal. Adsorbents or bio sorbents prepared from plants, living and dead biomass, various micro composites, nanocomposites containing carbon alone or blends with metal oxides and/or polymer are summarized in this chapter. Additionally, the use of zeolites and metal–organic frameworks is also discussed herewith. Researchers have authenticated the synthesized or modified adsorbents through various characterization techniques, namely, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The estimation of heavy metals is presented that has been obtained using atomic absorption spectroscopy, batch adsorption, and column techniques. The chapter may be proved as a great support to the future scientists in many ways.KeywordsHeavy metalWastewaterRemediationAdsorbentsComposites