Removal of Cd(II), Ni(II), and Pb(II) Ions in an Aqueous Solution by Chemically Modified Nanoporous MCM-41

Abstract

MCM-41 includes a group of silica mesopore components with a high surface area whose adsorption capacities can be enhanced by modifying their surface with amine groups. In this study, the modified NH2-MCM-41 was used to investigate adsorption of Cd(II), Ni(II) and Pb(II) ions in a mixture of aqueous solutions. All the experiments were carried out in a batch system containing a solution of metal ions to study the effects of the initial metal concentration, adsorbent dosage, contact time, and solution pH. The results showed that optimum adsorption would be achieved at pH 5 and that adsorption capacity increased with increasing metal ion concentration but with decreasing adsorbent dosage. Experimental data were fitted with Langmauir and Freundlich models. Maximum adsorption capacities for Ni(II), Cd(II), and Pb(II) were 12.36, 18.25 and 57.74 mg/g, respectively. The results indicate that NH2-MCM-41 is an effective adsorbent for Ni(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) ions with a high adsorption capacity.

Keywords

• MCM-41
• NH2-MCM-41
• Lead(II)
• Nickel(II)
• Cadmium(II)
• Adsorption
• Isotherm