Removal of Cd(II) by Nanometer AlO(OH) Loaded on Fiberglass with Activated Carbon Fiber Felt as Carrier

Abstract

A new nanometer material, nanometer AlO(OH) loaded on the fiberglass with activated carbon fibers felt(ACF) as the carrier, was prepared by hydrolytic reaction for the removal of Cd(II) from aqueous solution using column adsorption experiment. As was confirmed by XRD determination, the hydrolysis production loaded on fiberglass was similar to the orthorhombic phase AlO(OH). SEM images showed that AlO(OH) particles were in the form of small aggregated clusters. The Thomas model was applied for estimating the kinetic parameters and the saturated adsorption ability of Cd(II) adsorption on the new adsorbent. The results showed that the maximum adsorption capacity of Cd(II) was 128.50 mg·g −1 and 117.86 mg·g −1 for the adsorbent mass of 0.3289 g and the adsorbent mass of 0.2867 g, respectively. The elution experiment result indicated that the adsorbed Cd ions was easily desorbed from the material with 0.1 mol·L −1 HCl solution. Adsorption-desorption cycles showed the feasibility of repeated uses of the composited material. The adsorption capacities were influenced by pH and the initial Cd(II) concentration. The amount adsorbed was greatest at pH 6.5 and the initial Cd(II) concentration of 0.07 mg·L −1, respectively. Nanometer AlO(OH) played a major role in the adsorption process, whereas the fiberglass and ACF were assistants in the process of removing Cd(II). In addition, the adsorption capacities for Cd(II) were obviously reduced from 128.50 mg·g −1 to 64.28 mg·g −1 when Pb ions were present because Pb ions took up more adsorption sites.