Physicochemical Characterization of Granular Ferric Hydroxide (GFH) for Arsenic(V) Sorption from Water

Abstract

Physical and chemical characterization of granular ferric hydroxide (GFH) [e.g., scanning electron micrographs (SEM), X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, Brunauer‐Emmett‐Teller (BET) and Langmuir surface area measurements, pore size distribution, pH titration, and zeta potential measurements] were conducted to determine its performance as an adsorbent for trace arsenic(V) removal. Speciation diagrams for arsenate and phosphate were produced for the present system. The equilibrium adsorption isotherms were measured over initial arsenate concentrations ranging from 100–750 µg/L and the pH range of 4–9. The adsorption of arsenate was found to decrease as the pH of the solution was increased, thus giving the optimal adsorption of arsenate onto GFH at pH 4. Adherence to the Langmuir isotherm was found at all pHs for the arsenate adsorption. The competitive effect of phosphate on the uptake of arsenate at pH 4 by GFH was investigated, outlining the greater affinity of GFH for arsenate adsorption compared to phosphate. The kinetic performance of GFH was assessed and the results were analyzed by applying a particle diffusion model.