Adsorption Properties of Metal Ions Using Alumina Nano-Particles in Aqueous and Alcoholic Solutions

Different metal ions in aqueous and alcoholic solutions were adsorbed on alumina nano-particles prepared by the sol-gel method. The flocculation of the alumina sol was induced by the addition of different metal ions in solution. The flocculation kinetics was obtained by monitoring the particle growth with time using dynamic light scattering. These experiments were carried out following two different methods: a) the multiple injection method which consist in adding small amounts of metal ions until the critical flocculation concentration was reached and b) single injection method where an amount of metal ions equal to the critical flocculation concentration is added all in one shot. The efficiency of metal adsorption was determined by Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy.