Adsorption Of Mercury From Aqueous Solution Using Gum Acacia-silica Composite: Kinetics, Isotherms And Thermodynamics Studies

Abstract

In the present investigation, the remediation of mercury by using the gum acacia-silica composite as an adsorbent has been studied. Experiments revealed optimum parameters which were found to be pH 6, contact time 2 hours, Hg(II) concentration of 100 ppm, reflux temperature 30 0 C and adsorbent dosage of 50 mg. The experimental data was subjected to modeling using the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms. It was found that the data very well fitted to the Freundlich model. The pseudo second order kinetics confirms chemisorption with rate constant 3.1 × 10-4 gmg-1min-1. The calculated thermodynamic parameters (?G 0 , ?S 0 , ?H 0 ) revealed the exothermic and spontaneous nature of adsorption process at the solid–solution interface. The adsorbent could be recycled for six successive cycles with 31.5% loss in its efficiency. The adsorbent is found to be highly effective and economical for mercury remediation from water.