Fabrication of MWCNTs/ThO₂ nanocomposite and its adsorption behavior for the removal of Pb(II) metal from aqueous medium

Abstract

Multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were chemically modified to form nanocomposite with thorium oxide. The MWCNTs/ThO₂ nanocomposite was characterized using different modern techniques including Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray powdered diffraction, scanning electron microscope, and transmission electron microscope. The average size of MWCNTs/ThO₂ nanocomposite was in the range from 5 to 10 nm. The nanocomposite material was investigated for its adsorption behavior for Pb(II) ions removal from its aqueous system. For the adsorption of Pb(II) by MWCNTs/ThO₂, the equilibrium was achieved within 50 min. The temperature and pH have also found to play important role in the adsorption process and maximum adsorption was found at 45°C and pH 5.5.

Keywords:

• Multiwall carbon nanotubes
• Nanocomposite
• Pb(II) metal
• Adsorption

Acknowledgment

The authors like to extend their sincere appreciation to the Deanship of Scientific Research at King Saud University for funding this work through the Research Group no. RG-1436-034.