Preparation of composite film-based montmorillonite clay for removal of lead from aqueous solution

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to prepare a composite film made of montmorillonite clay and natural pectin from passion fruit peels to remove lead from an aqueous solution. A gas adsorption analyzer, a field emission scanning electron microscope, a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, and a texture analyzer are the devices for the adsorbent’s characterization. Adding montmorillonite to the pectin film produced the composite film, which has more strength. Batch tests were carried out to study the effects of contact time, the initial pH solution, the initial metal concentration, and temperature on adsorption. Under an optimal condition, a contact time of 150 min with an initial pH solution of 5.0, an initial metal concentration of 100 mg/L, and a temperature of 313 K results in the optimum amount of lead taken up at 110.03 mg/g. The experimental data follows the Langmuir isotherm and the pseudo-second-order equations. 0.1 M HCl used as the eluent can remove about 90.54% of the lead ions from the used adsorbent. The outcomes show that the composite film can remove lead ions from contaminated water and allow reuse.

KEYWORDS:

• Montmorillonite clay
• pectin
• adsorption
• lead
• composite film

Acknowledgments

This work was financially supported by the graduate student fellowship awarded by Ubon Ratchathani University for the fiscal year 2021.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).