Development and optimization of hydroxyapatite/kaolin-based ceramic materials as potential adsorbents for water purification

Juliana O. Iji; Fatima B. Ibrahim; Abdullahi S. Argungu; David O. Obada

Environmental Advances (Oct 2023)

Development and optimization of hydroxyapatite/kaolin-based ceramic materials as potential adsorbents for water purification

Juliana O. Iji,
Fatima B. Ibrahim,
Abdullahi S. Argungu,
David O. Obada

Affiliations

Juliana O. Iji: Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria; Africa Centre of Excellence on New Pedagogies in Engineering Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria; Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, University of Ilorin, Ilorin, Nigeria
Fatima B. Ibrahim: Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria; Africa Centre of Excellence on New Pedagogies in Engineering Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
Abdullahi S. Argungu: Department of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria
David O. Obada: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria; Africa Centre of Excellence on New Pedagogies in Engineering Education, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria; Mathematical Modelling and Intelligent Systems for Health and Environment Research Group, School of Science, Atlantic Technological University, Sligo, Ireland; Multifunctional Materials Laboratory, Shell Office Complex, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria; Corresponding author.

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 13
p. 100419

Abstract

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In this study, porous hydroxyapatite/kaolin-based ceramic (PHKC) materials were fabricated using beneficiated kaolin, starch as a pore former, and hydroxyapatite (HAp) as potential adsorbents for water purification. The effect of different raw materials content and sintering temperature on the physical, chemical, and mechanical properties of the ceramic materials was investigated, and grey relational analysis was used to optimize the process. A PHKC filter was produced using parameters from the grey relational analysis and the filter was used to treat tannery wastewater. The pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), temperature, chromium, and turbidity of the raw tannery effluent and treated effluent were determined. The volumetric porosity of the PHKC materials ranged between 35 and 43% and this shows that all samples obtained in the study can be considered as porous materials. Surface area analysis (B.E.T) showed that the samples with pore formers had a greater number of small pores, and increasing the sintering temperature led to the reduction of the number of pores. The brittleness index of the ceramic materials were in the range of 0.19 and 0.46. Using the grey relational analysis, the sample with the highest grey relational grade was sample S8 (0.72), and the least was sample S3 (0.38). From the findings, it could be concluded that the ceramic samples (S3 and S8) have inherent properties for use as adsorbent materials in the purification of wastewater. From the adsorption experiments, the chromium removal rates of 67.91 %, 98.67%, and 98.74% were obtained for kaolin, kaolin + HAp, and kaolin + HAp + starch filters, respectively. The filter made from the optimum material composition of kaolin, HAp, and starch gave the maximum adsorption capacity of chromium (98.74%) at pH 7.12, and temperature of 25.23°C, while the turbidity removal was 97.07%.

Published in Environmental Advances

ISSN: 2666-7657 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Geography. Anthropology. Recreation: Environmental sciences
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/environmental-advances

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