Application of non-fluorescent carbon particles as scavengers for heavy metal ions: A waste utilisation approach

ABSTRACT

In the preparation of fluorescent carbon nanoparticles, formation of non-fluorescent carbon particles (CPs) as waste matter is indispensible. This work is introducing CPs as adsorbents for some toxic metal ions in aqueous medium. CPs were characterised and their particle size, surface area, porosity, morphology etc. were compared with their parent material (charcoal). The effects of the initial metal ion concentration, contact time and pH on adsorption were undertaken. Adsorption data were evaluated for Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The adsorption capacities (mg/g) of Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Co^2+, Cd²⁺ and Cu²⁺ were 85, 76, 75, 67, 58 and 46, respectively.

KEYWORDS:

• Carbon particles
• metal ions
• adsorption
• adsorbent
• isotherm models

Acknowledgements

CSIR-CSMCRI publication number is 177/2015. We are thankful to CSIR, New Delhi, for generous support towards infrastructures and core competency development. We are thankful to Mr. Anil Unesa for his assistance in ICP-OES analysis. We are thankful to the anonymous reviewers for their suggestions/comments to improve the paper.

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