Heavy Metal Adsorption by Magnetic Hybrid-Sorbent: An Experimental and Theoretical Approach

Abstract

This study examined the sorption and desorption behaviors of Cu²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions, which were adsorbed on the vinyl benzene chloride divinylbenzene (VBC-DVB-OH) polymer and magnetic hybrid adsorbent (VBC-DVB-OH-Fe) at pH 5. Batch and fixed bed column experiments were performed to study practical applicability and the breakthrough curves were obtained. The experimental equilibrium data, suitably fitted by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms, have shown that ferric oxide loaded magnetic hybrid sorbent (VBC-DVB-OH-Fe) exhibits higher adsorption capacity than vinyl benzene chloride divinylbenzene (VBC-DVB-OH) polymer. The results indicate the following order to fit the isotherms for both metal ions: Langmuir > Freundlich for polymeric sorbent and Freundlich > Langmuir for VBC-DVB-OH-Fe. The maximum adsorption capacity of VBC-DVB-OH adsorbent is 26.39 mg/g for Pb²⁺ and 7.93 mg/g for Cu²⁺ whereas it is increased to 45.81 mg/g for Pb²⁺and 25.64 mg/g for Cu²⁺ by using VBC-DVB-OH-Fe adsorbent. A series of column experiments were carried out to determine the breakthrough curves. The regeneration efficiency of the column runs was determined using HCl (10% v/v). The elution efficiency was 90% for each adsorbent.

Keywords:

• copper
• heavy metal
• ion exchange
• lead
• magnetic hybrid sorbent
• magnetite

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The authors would like to gratefully acknowledge the financial supports received from TÜBİTAK (Turkey) - BMBF (Germany), Scientific Research Project Funds with the project number l07M621 and Yildiz Technical University, Scientific Research Project Fund.