The Effect of Cu Concentration on TiO2 Nanotubes for Low Concentration of Pb(II) Removal

Abstract

Lead (Pb) has been recognized to be acutely toxic to human beings and studies have shown that young children, infants and pregnant women are particularly at risk to unsafe Pb (II) level. Generally, high level of Pb(II) can be removed by using alginate beads. However, at low level, it is not possible to be removed by alginate. For that reason, low concentration (10 ppm) of Pb(II) removal by photocatalytic activity is explored in this work. Cu loaded TiO₂ nanotube was prepared by wet impregnation with different Cu concentration. The initial concentration of Cu involved were 0.01 M, 0.06 M and 0.1 M. For heavy metal removal, the initial concentration of Pb(II) solution used was 10 ppm. The remnant concentration of Pb(II) solution after irradiated under ultraviolet(UV) light was determined by using Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). It was observed that the optimal condition of Cu loaded nanotube was at 0.01 M and it exhibited highest removal of Pb(II) with 50%. However, at high Cu concentration(> 0.06 M), it declined the performance of TiO₂ nanotubes for Pb(II) removal. The removal of Pb(II) obtained at 0.06 M and 0.01M was only 23.3% and 17.1%.