Investigation of Pb(II) Removal from Aqueous Solutions Using Modified Nano Zero-Valent Iron Particles

Abstract

This research was conducted in experimental scale with the aim of investigation effect of polyacrylic acid-stabilized zero-valent iron nanoparticles (PAA-nZVI) on lead removal from aqueous solution. In this regards, NZVI was synthesized with polyacrylic acid and their size and morphological characteristics were examined via X-ray diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Fourier Transmission Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). To study the effect of PAA-nZVI on lead removal, pH of aqueous solution, contact time, PAA-NZVI concentration and initial Pb(II) concentration were considered as variables. Furthermore, the experimental data of Pb(II) removal were fitted using three kinetic models, namely Zero-order, First-order and Second-order.The results of experiments showed that maximum Pb(II) removal efficiency was observed at pH=5, 15 min contact time and 5 g/L PAA-nZVI concentration. Moreover, the results of kinetic studies indicated that among all applied kinetic models, First-order kinetic model had more better prediction than other kinetic models ofPb(II) removal. Based on the results of present research, PAA-NZVI is an efficient agent to remove Pb(II) from aqueous solutions.

Keywords

• Pb(II) Removal
• Aqueous solutions
• Modified Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron Particles