Cadmium Removal by using Pumice Modified with Iron Nanoparticles from Aqueous Solutions

Abstract

<p>In this study, the removal of cadmium by using pumice coated with iron nanoparticles (INPs) from synthetic wastewater was investigated. The effects of parameters influencing adsorption: contact time (10-20 min), pH (3-9), initial cadmium concentration (25-125 mg l^-1) and adsorbent dose (2-10 g l^-1) were studied. The pumice stone used in this research was, first, crashed and then sieved with 20 mesh standard sieves (0.85 mm); finally, it was coated with INPs. An atomic absorption spectrophotometer was used to measure cadmium contents and isotherm models and adsorption kinetics were studied. The results showed the adsorption process of cadmium reached equilibrium at contact time of 80 min. With increasing pH solution, the efficiency enhanced which peaked at pH 7-8. Cadmium concentration increase resulted in a decrease in efficiency, whereas adsorbent dose increase improved it. Equilibrium data of adsorption followed isotherms models: Langmuir and Freundlich. The highest removal efficiency and adsorption capacity were, respectively, 83% and 17.27 mg g^-1. Furthermore, absorption kinetics is better described by the pseudo second-order model. According to the results obtained, pumice coated with INPs is an effective adsorbent and can be introduced as a suitable option in practical applications</p>