Synthesis of carbon-coated, porous and water-dispersive Fe3O4 nanocapsules and their excellent performance for heavy metal removal applications

Porous Fe(3)O(4)@C nanocapsules with a diameter of about 120 nm (about 50 nm cavity) were synthesized by combining a sacrificial template method with solvothermal treatment. The N(2) adsorption-desorption isotherms reveals their mesoporous structure and large BET surface area (159.8 m(2) g(-1)). The magnetic investigation indicates their superparamagnetic nature and high saturation magnetization (55.93 emu g(-1)). The nanocapsules also exhibit negative zeta potential (-27.59 mV) and possess carboxyl groups on the outer carbon layer, which keeps them highly dispersive in aqueous solution and provides a chelating function for metal ions. The heavy metals removal test demonstrates the excellent affinity of nanocapsules, the high efficiency for different metals (>90%), 79 mg g(-1) adsorption capacity for Pb(2+) and ultrafast removal process (Pb(2+), 99.57% within 1 minute). Protected by a porous carbon layer, the nanocapsules display excellent acidic resistance and adsorption properties even in an acidic solution (pH = 3). Moreover, the metal ions can be easily adsorbed and desorbed through manipulating the pH value for adsorbent regeneration and heavy metal recycling.     

Coagulation of bitumen with kaolinite in aqueous solutions containing Ca2+, Mg2+ and Fe3+: effect of citric acid

Heterocoagulation experiments of kaolinite with solvent-diluted-bitumen were carried out to investigate the effect of hydrolyzable metal cations and citric acid on the liberation of bitumen from kaolinite. The adsorption of Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) on kaolinite, and zeta potentials of kaolinite and bitumen droplets in solutions containing 10(-3)mol/L of Ca(2+), Mg(2+) and Fe(3+) with or without citric acid were also measured. It was found that the heterocoagulation of bitumen with kaolinite was enhanced in the presence of the metal cations from pH 7 to pH 10.5, accompanied by a decrease in the magnitude of the zeta potentials and an increase in the adsorption of the metal cations on kaolinite and possibly on bitumen droplets. The addition of 5 x 10(-4)mol/L citric acid reduced the degree of coagulation from 90% to less than 40% in the presence of 10(-3)mol/L Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) cations at pH approximately 10, and at pH approximately 8 for Fe(3+). It was found that hydrolyzable metal cations enhanced bitumen-kaolinite interactions through electrical double layer compression and specific adsorption of the metal hydrolysis species on the surface of kaolinite. The effect of metal cations was removed by citric acid through formation of metal-citrate complexes and/or the adsorption of citrate anions, which restored the zeta potentials of both kaolinite and bitumen. Therefore, electrostatic attraction or repulsion was responsible for the coagulation or dispersion of kaolinite particles from bitumen droplets in the tested system.     

Coadsorption of Cd(II) and oxalate ions at the TiO2/electrolyte solution interface

The study of the adsorptions of cadmium and oxalate ions at the titania/electrolyte interface and the changes of the electrical double layer (edl) structure in this system are presented. The adsorption of cadmium or oxalate ions was calculated from an uptake of their concentration from the solution. The concentration of Cd(II) or oxalate ions in the solution was determined by radiotracer method. For labeling the solution 14C and 115Cd isotopes were used. Coadsorption of Cd(II) and oxalic ions was determined simultaneously. Besides, the main properties of the edl, i.e., surface charge density and zeta potential were determined by potentiometer titration and electrophoresis measurements, respectively. The adsorption of cadmium ions increases with pH increase and shifts with an increase of the initial concentration of Cd(II) ions towards higher pH values. The adsorption process causes an increase of negatively charged sites on anatase and a decrease of the zeta potential with an increase of initial concentration of these ions. The adsorption of oxalate anions at the titania/electrolyte interface proceeds through the exchange with hydroxyl groups. A decrease of pH produces an increase of adsorption of oxalate ions. The processes of anion adsorption lead to increase the number of the positively charged sites at the titania surface. However, specific adsorption of bidenate ligand as oxalate on one surface hydroxyl group may form inner sphere complexes on the metal oxide surface and may overcharge the compact part of the edl. The presence of oxalate ions in the system affects the adsorption of Cd(II) ions on TiO2, increasing the adsorption at low pH range and decreasing the adsorption at high pH range. Using adsorption as a function of pH data, some characteristic parameters of adsorption envelope were calculated.     

Removal of Heavy Metals from Plating Wastewater by Crystallization/Precipitation of Gypsum

A high surface area was created during nucleation and crystal growth of gypsum by mixing calcium and sulfate ions, causing adsorption of heavy metals on the colloids of gypsum and capsulation in the subsequent precipitation process. In addition to the effect of surface area, zeta potential and surface pH of the gypsum colloids, ionic strength of solution, as well as solubility and particle size of the metal hydroxide influenced the extent of uptake of heavy metals from wastewater.     

Precipitation of nickel salicylaldoximate from homogeneous solution

The reaction between hydroxylamine and salicylaldehyde in the presence of nickel ions has been made the basis of the precipitation of nickel salicylaldoximate from homogeneous solution. Conditions for quantitative precipitation of nickel when present alone or with such metal ions as Fe(2+), Cr(3+), Al(3+), Zn(2+), Mn(2+) and Cd(2+) are described. The recommended procedure is shown to be useful in the analysis of a steel sample.     

酚醛型苯基硫脲树脂对Pt4+、Pd2+的吸附性能

螯合树脂是一类具有螯合功能基,能从含有金属离子的溶液中有选择的捕集、分离特定金属离子的功能高分子。含N、S、O配位原子的螯合树脂对贵、重金属离子有良好的吸附性能和吸附选择性。利用螯合树脂的吸附性能,     

Sorption of Pb(Ⅱ) on Mg-Fe Layered Double Hydroxide

Mg‐Fe layered double hydroxide (LDH) with a Mg/Fe molar ratio of 3:1 was synthesized by using a coprecipitation method and the sorption removal of Pb(II) by the LDH sample from Pb(NO₃)₂ solution was investigated. It was found that Mg‐Fe LDH showed a good sorption ability for Pb(II) from Pb(NO₃)₂ solution, indicating that the use of LDH as a promising inorganic sorbent for the removal of heavy metal ions is possible. The sorption kinetics and the sorption isotherm of Pb(II) on the LDH sample obeyed the pseudo‐second order kinetic model and Aranovich‐Donohue equation, respectively. The sorption mechanism of Pb(II) on the LDH may be attributed to the surface‐induced precipitation and the chemical binding adsorption, and the removal ability arising from the surface‐induced precipitation is much higher than that from the chemical binding adsorption.     

Chromatographic separation of certain metal ions using a bifunctional quaternary ammonium-sulfonate mixed bed ion-exchanger

The separation behaviour of Pb(2+), Cu(2+), Cd(2+), Co(2+), Zn(2+) and Ni(2+) on bifunctional quaternary ammonium-sulfonate mixed ion-exchangers (Dionex, IonPac CS5 and CG5) was studied using different eluents including solutions of oxalic acid, potassium oxalate, sodium oxalate and ammonium oxalate. Separated metal ions were followed by using 4-(2-pyridylazo) resorcinol (PAR) as post-colouring complex. The retention factors of different ions proved to be dependent on the pH, concentration, nature of each complexing agent, and to less extent on eluent flow rate. The retention behaviour and separation mechanism of complexed metal analytes are discussed in the light of the stability of metal complexes and the ligand complexing ability of used eluent. Comparison between various mobile phases is evaluated, and both sodium and potassium oxalate can be used successfully for simultaneous separation of studied metals with good resolution within short elution periods. The method can be used in different applications including analysis of bottled water from different resources.     

Determination of lead in phosphate ore and phosphogypsum

Laser induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) is applied to analyze aqueous solutions of Li(+), Na(+), Ca(2+), Ba(2+), Pb(2+), Cd(2+), Hg(2+) and Er(3+) and suspensions of ErBa(2)Cu(3)O(x) particles (d=0.2 microm). An excimer (308 nm) pumped dye laser with laser pulse at 500 nm and pulse energy at 22+/-2 mJ is used to produce plasma in aqueous solution. Plasma emission lines of the elements are detected by a photodiode array detector. Detection limits of the metal ions are 500 mg/l for Cd(2+), 12.5 mg/l for Pb(2+), 6.8 mg/l for Ba(2+), 0.13 mg/l for Ca(2+), 13 microg/l for Li(+) and 7.5 microg/l for Na(+). No mercury and erbium emission can be detected, even at Hg(2+) and Er(3+) concentrations of up to the g/l range. On the other side, for Er in suspensions of ErBa(2)Cu(3)O(x) particles a more than 10(3) times higher sensitivity is found than for dissolved Er(3+). This result gives a possibility to analyze colloid-borne metal ions with an increased sensitivity.     

A comparative study on textural characterization: cation-exchange and sorption properties of crystalline alpha-zirconium(IV), tin(IV), and titanium(IV) phosphates

Tetravalent metal phosphates (M=Zr, Ti, and Sn) were prepared and characterized by XRD, surface properties, and TG-DTA. The cation exchange and sorption behavior of these metal phosphates toward transition metal ions such as Cu(2+), Co(2+), and Ni(2+) have been studied comparatively as a function of temperature and concentration. The adsorption process was found to increases with increase in temperature and concentration. The selectivity order for alpha-titanium and alpha-tin phosphates is Cu(2+)>Co(2+)>Ni(2+), whereas for alpha-zirconium phosphate it is Cu(2+)>Ni(2+)>Co(2+). The ion exchange capacity of alpha-titanium phosphate is greater than those of other phosphates, which is explained on the basis of the surface behavior, disorderness of the system, degree of hydrolysis of incoming guest adsorbate metal ions, and structural steric hindrance of the exchangers during adsorption and sorption. The distribution coefficient, Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, and entropy values indicate that the ion-exchange processes are spontaneous.     

2,1,3-Benzoxadiazole-based selective chromogenic chemosensor for rapid naked-eye detection of Hg2+ and Cu2+

We report a simple twisted intramolecular charge transfer (TICT) chromogenic chemosensor for rapid and selective detection of Hg(2+) and Cu(2+). The sensor was composed of an electron-acceptor 4-fluoro moiety and an electron-donor 7-mercapto-2,1,3-benzoxadiazole species where the S together with the 1-N provided the soft binding unit. Upon Hg(2+) and Cu(2+) complexation, remarkable but different absorbance spectra shifts were obtained in CH(3)CN-H(2)O mixed buffer solution at pH 7.6, which can be easily used for naked-eye detection. The sensor formed a stable 2:1 complex with Cu(2+), and both 2:1 and 3:1 complexes with Hg(2+). While alkali-, alkaline earth- and other heavy and transition metal ions such as Na(+), Mg(2+), Mn(2+), Co(2+), Ni(2+), Ag(+), Zn(2+), Pb(2+) and Cd(2+) did not cause any significant spectral changes of the sensor. This finding is not only a supplement to the detecting methods for Hg(2+) and Cu(2+), but also adds new merits to the chemistry of 4,7-substituted 2,1,3-benzoxadiazoles.     

Selective detection of mercury (II) ion using nonlinear optical properties of gold nanoparticles

Contamination of the environment with heavy metal ions has been an important concern throughout the world for decades. Driven by the need to detect trace amounts of mercury in environmental samples, this article demonstrates for the first time that nonlinear optical (NLO) properties of MPA-HCys-PDCA-modified gold nanoparticles can be used for rapid, easy and reliable screening of Hg(II) ions in aqueous solution, with high sensitivity (5 ppb) and selectivity over competing analytes. The hyper Rayleigh scattering (HRS) intensity increases 10 times after the addition of 20 ppm Hg(2+) ions to modified gold nanoparticle solution. The mechanism for HRS intensity change has been discussed in detail using particle size-dependent NLO properties as well as a two-state model. Our results show that the HRS assay for monitoring Hg(II) ions using MPA-HCys-PDCA-modified gold nanoparticles has excellent selectivity over alkali, alkaline earth (Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Mg(2+), Ca(2+)), and transition heavy metal ions (Pb(2+), Pb(+), Mn(2+), Fe(2+), Cu(2+), Ni(2+), Zn(2+), Cd(2+)).     

Removal and regeneration of aqueous divalent cations by boehmite

Boehmite (Al(OH)O) was employed for the removal of aqueous Mg(2+), Cu(2+), Cd(2+), Pb(2+), and Co(2+) at 298 K. Although boehmite was able to remove these divalent cations, the greater removal rate with boehmite of Pb(2+) (28.7%) than with Mg(2+), Cu(2+), Cd(2+), and Co(2+) (5.6, 25.3, 10.9, and 13.3%, respectively) was observed under acidic conditions. Under stronger alkaline conditions, in which the lead species was completely dissolved, a greater removal rate of Pb(2+) (more than 80%) was observed under the corresponding conditions employed for the acidic conditions. The removed lead species could not be dissolved from boehmite in an acidic solution while an evident dissolution of lead species was detected using an aqueous NaOH solution. The results shown in the present study reveal that boehmite can be employed as a reagent for the removal and regeneration of aqueous metal cations.     

A single-site model for divalent transition and heavy metal adsorption over a range of metal concentrations

Metal adsorption data over a range of surface coverages typically are characterized by curvilinear metal adsorption isotherms. These isotherms generally have a slope of 1 at low surface coverage and a shallower slope at higher surface coverages. The curvature of metal adsorption isotherms with increasing surface coverage is frequently interpreted in terms of sequential adsorption onto different types of surface sites, multinuclear surface complexation, or nonideality of metal adsorption. We demonstrate that the curvature of metal adsorption isotherms can also be attributed to changes in surface charge and potential that depend on the predominant type of metal surface complex. A single-site extended triple-layer model is used to reinterpret previously studied metal adsorption isotherms and pH edges for a wide variety of metals (Cd2+, Co2+, Cu2+, Pb2+, and Zn2+) and solids (goethite, hydrous ferric oxide, corundum, and magnetite) in different electrolyte solutions (NaNO3 and NaClO4). Only metal adsorption on ferrihydrite at very low surface coverages is not consistent with the single-site triple-layer model. This discrepancy might be explained if ferrihydrite is in fact not a single phase but a mixture of two or more phases. Metal surface coverages ranging from 10(-4) to 10.2 mmol/m2 on the other minerals can be accounted for with a single-site extended triple-layer model if appropriate metal adsorption reactions are chosen. In addition, several examples suggest that, within the context of the model, surface complexation schemes can be established that describe metal adsorption over both a wide range of surface coverage and a wide range of ionic strength.     

改性壳聚糖的制备及其对金属离子的吸附性能

用对羟基苯甲醛、水杨醛和香草醛对壳聚糖进行了修饰.探讨了产物对微量Hg2+,Pb2+,Au3+,Cu2+,Ag+,Cr3+,Cd2+,Ni2+和Zn2+的吸附性能.结果表明,改性后的壳聚糖具有不易流失、易再生的特点,并且对离子的去除率较高,尤其对Hg2+,Pb2+和Au3+,去除率更高.     

Progress on sensors based on nanomaterials for rapid detection of heavy metal ions

The heavy metal ions,especially Cd~(2+),Pb~(2+) and Hg~(2+),show extremely hazard to the environment and human being.The measurement of heavy metal ions using sensors is catching more and more attention for its advantages of high sensitivity and selectivity,low-cost,convenience to handle and rapid detection.In recent years,nanomaterials such as gold nanoparticles(NPs),magnetic nanoparticles,graphene and nanocomposite materials are applied in sensors for improving sensitivity and selectivity,making the research on electrochemical(EC) sensors,spectrometric biosensors and colorimetric biosensors become a hot spot in the application to investigate heavy metal ions,in particular,Cd~(2+),Pb~(2+) and Hg~(2+).In this short review,the research of advanced detection of Cd~(2+),Pb~(2+) and Hg~(2+) and its progress based on nanomaterial sensors in recent years is reviewed.     

ADSORPTION OF METAL IONS ON STEARIC ACID-NONADECANE PARTICLES IN AQUEOUS SOLUTION

The adsorption of metal ions at the stearic acid/electrolyte and nnonadccane-stearic acid mixture/electrolyte interface was investigated by means of the potentiometric titration, zeta potential and adsorption measurements. It was found that the studied colloidal suspensions exhibited an adsorption affinity towards multivalent metal ions. The adsorption of Ca²⁺, Cd²⁺ and Al³⁺ ions caused a strong decrease of surface charge density and zeta potential values in this systems. The adsorption reactions occur by way of cation exchange with protons from two surface carboxyl groups. Al high metal concentrations, in adsorption reactions there are involved also carboxyl groups from the subsurface layer. On the basis of the adsorption data, the cation surface complexation constants were calculated by Shindler's method.     

Influence of Ca2+ on tetracycline adsorption on montmorillonite

The adsorption of tetracycline (TC) on montmorillonite was studied as a function of pH and Ca(2+) concentration using a batch technique complemented with X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. In the absence of Ca(2+), TC adsorption was high at low pH and decreased as the pH increased. In the presence of Ca(2+), at least two different adsorption processes took place in the studied systems, i.e., cation exchange and Ca-bridging. Cation exchange was the prevailing process at pH<5, and thus, TC adsorption decreased by increasing total Ca(2+) concentration. On the contrary, Ca-bridging was the prevailing process at pH>5, and thus, TC adsorption increased by increasing Ca(2+) concentration. The pH 5 represents an isoadsorption pH where both adsorption processes compensate each other. TC adsorption became independent of Ca(2+) concentration at this pH. For TC adsorption on Ca(2+)-montmorillonite in 0.01 M NaCl experiments, the ratio adsorbed TC/retained Ca(2+) was close to 1 in the pH range of 5-9, indicating an important participation of Ca(2+) in the binding of TC to montmorillonite. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy showed that TC adsorption induced intercalation between montmorillonite layers forming a multiphase system with stacking of layers with and without intercalated TC.     

Adsorption of tetracycline onto goethite in the presence of metal cations and humic substances

Adsorption of tetracycline, one of the most widely used antibiotics, onto goethite was studied as a function of pH, metal cations, and humic acid (HA) over a pH range 3-10. Five background electrolyte cations (Li(+), Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+), and Mg(2+)) with a concentration of 0.01 M showed little effect on the tetracycline adsorption at the studied pH range. While the divalent heavy metal cation, Cu(2+), could significantly enhance the adsorption and higher concentration of Cu(2+), stronger adsorption was found. The results indicated that different adsorption mechanisms might be involved for the two types of cations. Background electrolyte cations hardly interfere with the interaction between tetracycline and goethite surfaces because they only form weak outer-sphere surface complexes. On the contrary, Cu(2+) could enhance the adsorption via acting as a bridge ion to form goethite-Cu(2+)-tetracycline surface complex because Cu(2+) could form strong and specific inner-sphere surface complexes. HA showed different effect on the tetracycline sorption under different pH condition. The presence of HA increased tetracycline sorption dramatically under acidic condition. Results indicated that heavy metal cations and soil organic matters have great effects on the tetracycline mobility in the soil environment and eventually affect its exposure concentration and toxicity to organisms.     

Competitive adsorption of aqueous metal ions on an oxidized nanoporous activated carbon

Competitive adsorption is the usual situation in real applications, and it is of critical importance in determining the overall performance of an adsorbent. In this study, the competitive adsorption characteristics of all the combinations of binary mixtures of aqueous metal ion species Ca2+(aq), Cd2+(aq), Pb2+(aq), and Hg2+(aq) on a functionalized activated carbon were investigated. The porous structure of the functionalized active carbon was characterized using N2 (77 K) and CO2 (273 K) adsorption. The surface group characteristics were examined by temperature-programmed desorption, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, acid/base titrations, and measurement of the point of zero charge (pHpzc). The adsorption of aqueous metal ion species, M2+(aq), on acidic oxygen functional group sites mainly involves an ion exchange mechanism. The ratios of protons displaced to the amount of M2+(aq) metal species adsorbed have a linear relationship for both single-ion and binary mixtures of these species. Hydrolysis of metal species in solution may affect the adsorption, and this is the case for adsorption of Hg2+(aq) and Pb2+(aq). Competitive adsorption decreases the amounts of individual metal ions adsorbed, but the maximum amounts adsorbed still follow the order Hg2+(aq) > Pb2+(aq) > Cd2+(aq) > Ca2+(aq) obtained for single metal ion adsorption. The adsorption isotherms for single metal ion species were used to develop a model for competitive adsorption in binary mixtures, involving exchange of ions in solution with surface proton sites and adsorbed metal ions, with the species having different accessibilities to the porous structure. The model was validated against the experimental data.