Efficient and cost-effective adsorbent brick sand nanoparticles used for removal of heavy metals

Abstract

We are introducing cost effective, easily available brick sand nano-particles (BSNP) (44.208 nm) as an adsorbent in batch process for removal of heavy toxic metals such as Pb, Cd, and Cr from aqueous solution. We used two types of adsorbents, one is acid treated BSNP and other one is untreated BSNP, and investigated adsorbent properties with function of contact time, temperature, and pH. The efficiency or performance of adsorbent was characterized by AAS for percentage of removal from solution, EDS for elemental analysis to confirm the metals adsorption. The Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, Hill De Boer, Elovich, and Redlich-Peterson adsorption isotherms were studies to find out the quality of the adsorbent. At 5.68 to 7.6 pH, the maximum removal percentages of Pb, Cd, and Cr were 97% from the aqueous solution. The temperatures at 40℃ to 60℃, the Pb, Cd, and Cr experiments were carried out at their highest possible percentages (98%). The reaction process was pseudo-second order model and several thermodynamic factors, including Intraparticle diffusion, Elovich kinetic model, Boyd kinetic model, activation energy, Gibbs free energy, enthalpy change, and entropy change ensured the adsorbent efficiency of brick sand nanoparticles. The results of present research indicated that Brick Sand Nano-Particles (BSNP) may play a vital role as a cost-effective, efficient, and easily available adsorbent for the removal of Pb, Cd, and Cr from wastewater.

Keywords

• Brick nanoparticles
• removal
• heavy metals
• adsorption
• wastewater