Magnetically separable CoFe2O4/CoxFey/activated carbon composites for Cd(II) removal from wastewater

CoFe₂O₄ and Co_x Fe_y were anchored into activated carbon (AC) to synthesize CoFe₂O₄/Co_x Fe_y /AC composites using the sol–gel method for Cd(II) adsorption from wastewater. The results indicated that CoFe₂O₄ and Co_x Fe_y nanoparticles existed in the pores of AC. The magnetic properties of CoFe₂O₄/Co_x Fe_y /AC indicated it could be separated and retrieved easily using an external magnet after Cd(II) adsorption. The effects of solution pH, temperature and initial Cd(II) concentration on the Cd(II) adsorption of AC and CoFe₂O₄/Co_x Fe_y /AC were investigated. The standard free energy, enthalpy change and entropy change were evaluated. The kinetic parameters of Langmuir and Freundlich isothermal equation were analyzed, and the Freundlich kinetic model was feasible for describing the Cd(II) adsorption process of CoFe₂O₄/Co_x Fe_y /AC composites.