Removal of Sb(III) and Sb(V) from aqueous media by goethite

Abstract

This study investigated the removal of Sb(III) and Sb(V) from aqueous media through their adsorption onto oxide minerals (goethite) under a set of conditions (initial Sb concentration, pH, reaction time, and interaction temperature). The kinetic studies suggested that the adsorption equilibriums for both Sb(III) and Sb(V) were achieved within 24 h. The adsorption data collected at three different temperatures were successfully modeled using both the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. The adsorption of Sb(III) onto goethite was greater than that of Sb(V) at the three investigated temperatures. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔG°, ΔH°, and ΔS°) were calculated from the dependence of the adsorption process on the reaction temperature, and the calculated parameters suggest that the adsorption of both Sb(III) and Sb(V) onto goethite is spontaneously endothermic. The adsorption of Sb(III) and Sb(V) on goethite was dependent on pH within the investigated pH range.