Abstract
A nanorope is comprised of several carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with different chiralities. A molecular dynamic model is built to investigate the ionic adsorption and desorption of the CNT nanoropes. The charge distribution on the nanorope is obtained by using a modified gradient method based on classical electrostatic theory. The electrostatic interactions among charged carbon atoms are calculated by using the Coulomb law. It was found here that the charged nanorope can adsorb heavy metal ions, and the adsorption and desorption can be realized by controlling the strength of applied electric field. The distance between the ions and the nanorope as well as the amount of ions have an effect on the adsorption capacity of the nanorope. The desorption process takes less time than that of adsorption. The study indicates that the CNT nanorope can be used as a core element of devices for sewage treatment.
Highlights
With the rapid development of industry, heavy metal pollution and its control have become the major environmental problems [1,2]
Alijani et al [19] came up with a new application for magnetic carbon nanotubes (CNTs), namely the removal of lead ions, and the results suggest that this sorbent is suitable for the removal and solidification of metal ions from polluted environmental samples
The Adaptive Intermolecular Reactive Empirical Bond Order (AIREBO) potential function [25,26,27] is used to describe the interaction between carbon atoms
Summary
With the rapid development of industry, heavy metal pollution and its control have become the major environmental problems [1,2]. It has been proved that many heavy metal ions are poisonous and carcinogenic substances and cause serious harm to ecological environments and humans, endangering life and health. CNTs, as a new type of nanomaterials, have excellent mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties, and possess good chemical and thermal stability and a large specific surface area They have important application value in adsorbing heavy metal ions effectively and in the extraction of minerals, especially rare earth elements [12]. The ionic adsorption and desorption of CNT nanoropes were realized by changing the strength of the applied electric field. The adsorption and desorption of the metal ions and negative ions of the charged nanoropes were investigated
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
