Highly efficient adsorption of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution by Fe3+ impregnated biochar

Biochar (BC) has been widely used as a low-cost adsorbent for the removal of contaminants from water and soil. However, the adsorption ability of BC towards heavy metal oxyanions (e.g., Cr(VI)) is relatively low due to the negatively charged surface of BC. In this study, pristine BC was impregnated with Fe³⁺ to improve its Cr(VI) adsorption capability. Fe³⁺-impregnated BC (Fe³⁺-BC) was successfully synthesized by a simple impregnation method and used for the removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution. Various factors affecting the adsorption, such as impregnation ratio, pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time, temperature, and the presence of humic acid, were investigated in detail. Results showed that Fe³⁺-BC had strong adsorption ability to Cr(VI) with a maximum adsorption capacity of 197.80 mg/g, which were not only significantly higher than that of the pristine BC, but also were superior to many previously reported adsorbents. It was favorable for Cr(VI) adsorption under the condition of acidic and high temperature. The adsorption data obeyed Sips and Langmuir isotherms and the kinetic data were well described by the pseudo-first-order kinetic model. The results herein revealed that the Fe³⁺-impregnated BC had a good potential as a highly efficient material for adsorption of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution.     

Aminothiozolyl maleamic acid based multi chelating hydrogels for the separation of uranium (VI) ions from aqueous environment

Multi chelating hydrogels (MCHs) were synthesized using a simple radical polymerization method from acrylamide, hydroxyethyl acrylate, and N‐(2‐aminothiozolyl)maleamic acid (AMA) monomers, methylenebisacrylamide (MBA) a cross‐linker, and azobisisobutyronitrile (AIBN) an initiator. The resulting MCHs were characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy to confirm the formation and morphological properties. The MCHs were highly swellable in aqueous solutions as well as different pH conditions. MCHs were applied to evaluate uptake behavior of Uranium (VI) ion from aqueous solutions. Batch adsorption studies were performed by varying experimental conditions like contact time, pH, and initial metal ion concentration. The kinetics data was best suited with the second‐order equation model. The equilibrium adsorption data was correlated with Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. This study suggests that maximum Uranium (VI) ion uptake has been found to be 288 mg.g^?1 and regenerated for 5 cycles without any significant change. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Adsorption of U (VI) ions from aqueous solution using silicon dioxide nanopowder

The adsorption kinetics for removal of uranium (V1) from aqueous solution using silicon dioxide nanopowder (nano-SiO₂) was investigated in batch and continuous techniques. Pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order were used to analyze the kinetics of batch experiments. In continuous technique the important parameters (initial concentration, flow rate and bed height) on the breakthrough curves were studied and the adsorption kinetics was analyzed using Thomas and Yoon and Nelson kinetic models. The comparison between the kinetic models was evaluated by the correlation coefficients (r²). The results indicated that the batch experiments fitted well with pseudo second-order kinetic model. The comparison of the experimental breakthrough curve to the breakthrough profile obtained from Thomas and Yoon and Nelson methods showed a satisfactory fit for silicon dioxide nanopowder.     

Removal of Cr (VI) from aqueous solution using magnetic biochar synthesized by a single step method

Magnetic biochar, as an adsorbent, was synthesized by a single step method, where iron salt was directly mixed with pinewood sawdust by chemical co-precipitation and subsequently pyrolyzed at 700°C for Cr (VI) removal from aqueous solution. The effects of some important parameters including adsorbent dosage (0.4–2.8?g/L), pH (1–10) of the solution, contact time (0–1440 minutes), initial concentration (30–120?mg/L), and temperature (20–40°C) were investigated in batch experiments. Both pre- and post-adsorbents were characterized by SEM-EDX and XPS to investigate the adsorption mechanism. The maximum adsorption capacity of the tested magnetic biochar under the certain experimental conditions determined as optimal was 42.7?mg/g for Cr (VI). The adsorption data were proved to be suitable for the pseudo-second order model for kinetics and the Langmuir model for isotherms with correlation R²?=?0.9996 andR²?>?0.9980, respectively, after fitting with four kinetic models (pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, W-M model, and Elovich) and three isotherm models (Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin). The characteristic analyses further verified that the efficient particle was a mixture of iron oxides in essence, and it had a strong effect on the spontaneous and endothermic adsorption process.     

Highly efficient removal of Cr(VI) from wastewater via adsorption with novel magnetic Fe3O4@C@MgAl-layered double-hydroxide

Novel magnetic Fe₃O₄@C@MgAl-layered double-hydroxide (LDH) nanoparticles have been successfully prepared by the chemical self-assembly methods. The properties of surface functional groups, crystal structure, magnetism and surface morphology of magnetic nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal gravity-differential thermal gravity (TG-DTG), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The adsorption studies of the novel adsorbent in removing heavy metals Cr (VI) from waste water showed that the maximum absorption amount of Cr(VI) was 152.0 mg/g at 40℃ and pH 6.0. The excellent adsorption capacity of the Fe₃O₄@C@MgAl-LDH nano-absorbents plus their easy separation, environmentally friendly composition and reusability makes them more suitable adsorbents for the removal of metal ions from waste water.     

ZnO–Bentonite nanocomposite: an efficient catalyst for discharge of dyes,phenol and Cr(VI) from water

The present work focused on application of ZnO-NPs@bentonite, as a catalyst, for disposal of different pollutants such as dyes, phenol compounds and Cr(VI) ions from water. The prepared ZnO–bentonite nanocomposite was characterized by using FT-IR, X-ray powder diffraction, and Scanning electron microscopy analysis. The results showed that the amount of zinc oxide influenced the catalytic performance of ZnO–bentonite nanocomposite. Small amounts of zinc oxide on bentonite have a positive effect whereas increase in weight ratios has a negative effect.

     

A Study on the extraction of uranium(VI) from sulphate leach liquor using LIX63

The sulphate leach liquor obtained from the sulphuric acid leaching process of Egyptian monazite was treated using solvent extraction to recover U(VI) by LIX63. The influence of various basic variables such as pH, concentration of LIX63, temperature, different stripping agent, phase ratio and diluents was examined. Using 10% LIX63 with the aqueous solution at equilibrium pH 5.5 and a phase ratio A/O?=?1/1, a four-stage McCabe-Thiele plot was constructed, which showed 85.57% of U(VI) extraction. The thermodynamic data showed that the extraction process is exothermic with enthalpy change ΔH?=???43.866?kJ/mol, the stripping of U(VI) was quantitative using 4?M HNO₃. The stable complex UO₂(HSO₄)R_org formed during extraction which supports the cation exchange mechanism was confirmed by FTIR spectral analysis. Uranium cake was finally obtained from the strip solution by the addition of hydrogen peroxide and ammonium hydroxide as precipitating agents, and a workable flowsheet was then formulated.     

Equilibrium and kinetics study of Gd(III) and U(VI) adsorption from aqueous solutions by modified Sorrel’s cement

Modified Sorrel’s cement was prepared by the addition of ferric chloride. The modified cement (MF5) was analyzed and characterized by different methods. Adsorption of Gd(III) and U(VI) ions in carbonate solution has been studied separately as a function of pH, contact time, adsorbent weight, carbonate concentration, concentration of Gd(III) and U(VI) and temperature. From equilibrium data obtained, the values of Δ H, Δ S and Δ G were found to equal −30.9 kJ ⋅ mol⁻¹, −85.4 J ⋅ mol⁻¹ ⋅,K⁻¹, and −5.4 KJ ⋅ mol⁻¹, respectively, for Gd(III) and 18.9 kJ ⋅ mol⁻¹, 67.8 J ⋅ mol⁻¹ K⁻¹ and −1.3 KJ ⋅ mol⁻¹, respectively, for U(VI). The equilibrium data obtained have been found to fit both Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms. The batch kinetic of Gd(III) and U(VI) on modified Sorrel’s cement (MF5) with the thermodynamic parameters from carbonate solution were studied to explain the mechanistic aspects of the adsorption process. Several kinetic models were used to test the experimental rate data and to examine the controlling mechanism of the adsorption process. Various parameters such as effective diffusion coefficient and activation energy of activation were evaluated. The adsorption of Gd(III) and U(VI) on the MF5 adsorbent follows first-order reversible kinetics. The forward and backward constants for adsorption, k ₁and k ₂ have been calculated at different temperatures between 10 and 60^∘C. Form kinetic study, the values of Δ H ^* and Δ S ^* were calculated for Gd(III) and U(VI) at 25^∘C. It is found that Δ H ^* equals −14.8 kJmol⁻¹ and 7.2 kJmol⁻¹ for Gd(III) and U(VI), respectively, while Δ S ^* were found equal −95.7 Jmol⁻¹K⁻¹ and −70.5 Jmol⁻¹K⁻¹ for Gd(III) and U(VI), respectively. The study showed that the pore diffusion is the rate limiting for Gd(III) and (VI).     

Optimization of adsorption parameters for Fe (III) ions removal from aqueous solutions by transition metal oxide nanocomposite

Manganese oxide nanocomposite (Mn₂O₃/Mn₃O₄) was prepared by sol-gel technique and used as an adsorbent. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) were used to characterize the adsorbent. The response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to evaluate the effects of solution pH, initial Fe (III) ions concentration, adsorbent weight, and contact time on the removal ratio of the Fe (III) ions. A total of 27 adsorption experimental runs were carried out employing the detailed conditions designed based on the Box-Behnken design (BBD). Results showed that the pH of the solution and initial Fe (III) ions concentration were the most significant parameters for Fe (III) ions removal. In process optimization, the maximal value of the removal ratio of Fe (III) was achieved as 95.80%. Moreover, the corresponding optimal parameters of adsorption process were as: contact time?=?62.5?min, initial Fe (III) concentration?=?50?mg/L, adsorbent weight?=?0.5?g, and pH?=?5. The experimental confirmation tests showed a strong correlation between the predicted and experimental responses (R²?=?0.9803). The fitness of equilibrium data to common isotherm equations such as Langmuir, Freundlich, and Temkin were also tested. The sorption isotherm of adsorbent was best described by the Langmuir model. The kinetic data were analyzed using pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order, intraparticle diffusion, and Elovich kinetic models. The adsorption kinetics of Fe (III) ions were well fitted with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model.     

Novel graphene oxide/bentonite composite for uranium(VI) adsorption from aqueous solution

A novel graphene oxide/bentonite composite (GO/bentonite) was synthesized and then characterized through powder X-ray diffraction, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy. Adsorption achieved equilibrium within 10 min. Moreover, U(VI) adsorption on GO/bentonite was highly dependent on solution pH and independent of ionic strength. These characteristics suggested that inner-sphere surface complexes of U(VI) formed on GO/bentonite. The adsorption of U(VI) from aqueous solution on GO/bentonite was fitted to the pseudo-second-order and Freundlich isotherm models. The maximum sorption capacity of GO/bentonite was 234.19 mg g^?1 under neutral pH at 303 K. GO/bentonite is a potentially powerful adsorbent for the efficient removal of U(VI) from aqueous solutions.     

Highly efficient adsorption of Pb(II) by cubic nanocrystals in aqueous solution: Behavior and mechanism

As one of the most toxic heavy metal ions, lead pollution has become an urgent problem. Here, a cubic crystal nanoparticle (Prussian blue analogue, PBA), referred to as potassium manganese ferrocyanide (KMFC) was synthesized and used as a highly-effective sorbent for removing Pb(II) from aqueous solution. KMFC is a mesoporous material that has excellent ion exchange properties, which was confirmed by a series of characterizations. This paper investigated the adsorptive attributes of KMFC for lead ions in aqueous solution. The influences of temperature, contact time and pH on adsorption were studied in batch experiments. The KMFC possessed a robust adsorption capacity for resident lead ions in aqueous solution, which attained 1075.27 mg g⁻¹ at room temperature (25 °C), based on the Langmuir model, which was far higher than any previously reported values. The adsorption process was well fitted to a pseudo-second-order kinetic model, as well as Langmuir and Temkin isotherm models, and was endothermic and spontaneous on the basis of thermodynamic analysis. The adsorption of Pb(II) on the surface of KMFC started with electrostatic attraction, due to the electronegativity of KMFC. Further, ion exchange was the dominant mechanism in this adsorption process, which was confirmed by FTIR, XPS, and other supplementary experiments. The good chemisorption (K⁺ exchange) properties of KMFC suggested that it likely has excellent prospects in applications for heavy metal ions adsorption. This study not only provided a new perspective for the design and development of heavy metal sorbents but provided a deep insight into the mechanism of adsorption of heavy metal ions by PBA.     

Thermodynamic studies of Ni(II) adsorption onto bentonite from aqueous solution

The adsorption behavior of Ni(II) onto bentonite was studied as a function of temperature under optimized conditions of shaking time, amount of adsorbent, pH, and concentration of the adsorbate. Thermodynamic parameters such as ΔH^°, ΔS^°, and ΔG^° were calculated from the slope and intercept of the linear plot of lgK_D against 1/T. Analysis of adsorption results obtained at T=(298, 303, 313, and 323) K showed that the adsorption pattern on bentonite followed the Langmuir, Freundlich, and D-R isotherms. A flame atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used for measuring the concentration of Ni(II).     

Tetramethylammonium fluorochromate(VI): a new and efficient oxidant for organic substrates

Tetramethylammonium fluorochromate(VI), (CH₃)₄N⁺CrO₃F⁻ (TMAFC), was prepared and used for quantitative oxidation of several organic substrates. This new compound is more efficient and has certain advantages over similar oxidizing agents in terms of the amount of oxidant and solvent required, short reaction times and high yields.     

Highly efficient enrichment and adsorption of rare earth ions (yttrium(III)) by recyclable magnetic nitrogen functionalized mesoporous expanded perlite

A magnetic mesoporous expanded perlite-based (EP_d-APTES@Fe₃O₄) composite was designed and synthesized as a novel adsorbent for enrichment of rare earth ions in aqueous solution. Effect of various factors including the pH of solution, contact time and adsorbent dosage on the adsorption behaviors of yttrium(III) by the EP_d-APTES@Fe₃O₄ nano-material composites from aqueous solution was investigated. The maximum adsorption capacity of the as-prepared materials for yttrium(III) ions was 383.2 mg/g. Among the various isotherm models, the Freundlich isotherm model could well described for the adsorption of the rare earth ions at pH 5.5 and 298.15 K. The kinetic analysis indicated that the adsorption process followed the pseudo-second order kinetics model, and the rate-determining step might be chemical adsorption. Thermodynamic parameters declared that the adsorption process was endothermic. In addition, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and the quantum chemical calculation indicated that the yttrium(III) ions were captured on the EP_d-APTES@Fe₃O₄ surface mainly by coordination with functional group of -NH₂. More importantly, the adsorption-desorption studies indicated that the EP_d-APTES@Fe₃O₄ nano-material composites had a high stability and good recyclability.     

A novel fluorescent distinguished probe for Cr (VI) in aqueous solution

Salicylaldehyde rhodamine B hydrazone (SRBH) was developed as a new spectrofluorimetric probe for the selective and sensitive detection of CrO₄²⁻ in acidic conditions. The proposed method was based on the special oxidation reaction between non-fluorescent SRBH by potassium dichromate to produce a highly fluorescent rhodamine B, as a product. Under the optimum conditions described, the fluorescence enhancement at 591 nm was good linearly related to the concentration of CrO₄²⁻ from 1.0 × 10⁻⁸ to 3.0 × 10⁻⁷ M (0.42–12.6 ng mL⁻¹) with a correlation coefficient of R² = 0.9989 (n = 10) and a detection limit of 1.5 × 10⁻⁹ M (0.063 ng mL⁻¹). The relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) was 2.0% (n = 6). The proposed method was also successfully applied to the determination of chromium (VI) in drinking water, river water and synthetic samples.     

Chemically selective membrane optode for Cr(VI) determination in aqueous samples

A methodology for simultaneous preconcentration and determination of Cr(VI) from aqueous samples was developed using a membrane optode formed by physical inclusion of a Cr(VI) selective chromophore 1,5-diphenylcarbazide (DPC) into a plasticized cellulose triacetate matrix. The inclusion of an anion exchanger (Aliquat-336) was found to be effective for immobilization of both DPC and Cr(VI)-DPC complex in the optode matrix itself. The proportionality in intensity of the magenta color on the optodes loaded with varying amounts of Cr(VI) suggests its potential applications for screening of Cr(VI) in aqueous samples by visual colorimetry. On loading high amounts of Cr(VI) in the membrane optode, its color changes from magenta to yellow, which indicates the possibility of using it as a threshold detector for Cr(VI). The membrane optode was optimized in terms of obtaining maximum preconcentration efficiency for Cr(VI) and subsequent stable optical response proportional to the amount of Cr(VI) in the membrane optode sample. The membrane optodes were tested for Cr(VI) determination in tap water and seawater samples. Using this optode, Cr(VI) even at levels of 13.6 ppb could be quantitatively detected. The optodes developed in the present work were found to be stable, cost effective, easy to prepare and efficient for direct preconcentration and determination of Cr(VI) in a variety of aqueous samples using spectrophotometry. However, this membrane optode is for one time use only as the reaction of Cr(VI) with DPC is irreversible.     

Preparation of chemically oxidized porous carbon and its adsorption of uranium(VI) from aqueous solution

The chemically oxidized porous carbon (m-a-NC) materials were prepared by oxidation and activation of N-doped carbon (NC) materials which were produced from the glucose-urea resin primary carbon. Simultaneously, the batch experiments were carried out to investigate the adsorption of U(VI) onto the m-a-NC materials. The m-a-NC materials exhibit the maximum adsorption capacity of 397 mg/g towards U(VI) at 298.15 K and pH = 4.5. The adsorption kinetics was well fitted by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and the adsorption isotherm was better described by the Langmuir model. The possible adsorption mechanism of the m-a-NC for U(VI) was ion-exchange and coordination.

     

Highly stable and activated Cerium-based MOFs superstructures for ultrahigh selective uranium (VI) capture from simulated seawater

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have attracted considerable attention owing to their tunable morphologies, open topological structures, large specific surface areas, and large number of active sites. These characteristics facilitate the potential application of MOFs to uranium extraction from seawater. Through calcination at low temperatures, activated MOFs with transition structures between MOFs and metal oxides can be prepared. Activated MOFs can not only maintain the structural advantages of the original material but can also expose many active metal sites. In this study, we rapidly synthesized Ce (1,3,5-Benzenetricarboxylic acid)₃ (H₂O)₆ with a superstructure comprising one-dimensional nanorods at room temperature. Activated cerium-based metal-organic framework (CeMOF) with strong water stability was obtained via calcination in nitrogen at 150 °C. Furthermore, CeBTC-150 exhibited ultrahigh selectivity for uranium, and the distribution coefficient (K_d) reached approximately 3.5 × 10⁵ mL/g. The proposed method yielded not only an efficient adsorbent for uranium extraction from simulated seawater but also an innovative concept for the extraction of uranium ions from seawater using activated MOFs.     

Recent advances in synthesis and analysis of Fe(VI) cathodes: solution phase and solid-state Fe(VI) syntheses,reversible thin-film Fe(VI) synthesis,coating-stabilized Fe(VI) synthesis,and Fe(VI) analytical methodologies

Fe(VI) batteries based on unusual ferrate cathodic charge storage have been studied for quite a few years. So far, a class of Fe(VI) compounds have been successfully synthesized and studied as the cathodic materials in both alkaline and nonaqueous battery systems. This paper provides a summary of the syntheses of a range of Fe(VI) cathodes including the alkali Fe(VI) salts Li₂FeO₄, K _x Na_(2?x)FeO₄, K₂FeO₄, Rb₂FeO₄, Cs₂FeO₄, as well as alkali earth Fe(VI) salts CaFeO₄, SrFeO₄, BaFeO₄, and a transition metal Fe(VI) salt Ag₂FeO₄. Two synthesis routes summarized in this paper are the solution phase synthesis and the solid-state synthesis. Preparation of coating-stabilized (coated with KMnO₄, SiO₂, TiO₂, or ZrO₂) Fe(VI) cathodes and preparation of thin-film reversible Fe(VI/III) cathodes are also presented. Fe(VI) analytical methodologies summarized in this paper include Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, titrimetric (chromite), ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy, Mössbauer spectrometry, potentiometric, galvanostatic, and cyclic voltammetry. Cathodic charge transfer of Fe(VI) is also briefly presented.