Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Optimization, Kinetics, Isotherms, and Thermodynamics Studies of Antimony Removal in Electrocoagulation Process

  • Published:
Water, Air, & Soil Pollution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this study, electrocoagulation (EC) with hybrid Fe–Al electrodes was used to remove antimony from contaminated surface water. Response surface methodology was applied to investigate the interactive effects of the operating parameters on antimony removal and optimize these variables. Results showed that the relationship between operating parameters and the response was well described by a second-order polynomial equation. Under the optimal conditions of current density 2.58 mA/cm2, pH 5.24, initial concentration 521.3 μg/L, and time 89.17 min, more than 99 % antimony were removed. Besides, the antimony adsorption behavior in EC process was also investigated. Adsorption kinetics and isotherms studies suggested that the adsorption process followed well the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir adsorption model, respectively. Adsorption thermodynamics study revealed that the reaction was spontaneous, endothermic, and thermodynamically favorable. These results further proved that the main mechanism involved in antimony removal in EC process could be chemisorption.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Ahmadi, M., Vahabzadeh, F., Bonakdarpour, B., Mofarrah, E., & Mehranian, M. (2005). Application of the central composite design and response surface methodology to the advanced treatment of olive oil processing wastewater using Fenton’s peroxidation. J Hazard Mater, 123(1-3), 187–195.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Allen, S. J. (1996). Types of adsorbent materials-use of adsorbents for removal of pollutants from wastewaters (p. 59). Boca Raton, FL, USA: CRC.

    Google Scholar 

  • Aydin, Y. A., & Aksoy, N. D. (2009). Adsorption of chromium on chitosan: optimization, kinetics and thermodynamics. Chem Eng J, 151(1-3), 188–194.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Balasubramanian, N., Kojima, T., & Srinivasakannan, C. (2009). Arsenic removal through electrocoagulation: kinetic and statistical modeling. Chem Eng J, 155(1-2), 76–82.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bhatti, M. S., Reddy, A. S., Kalia, R. K., & Thukral, A. K. (2011). Modeling and optimization of voltage and treatment time for electrocoagulation removal of hexavalent chromium. Desalination, 269(1-3), 157–162.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Boparai, H. K., Joseph, M., & O’Carroll, D. M. (2011). Kinetics and thermodynamics of cadmium ion removal by adsorption onto nano zerovalent iron particles. J Hazard Mater, 186(1), 458–465.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • CEC (Council of the European Communities). (1976). Council Directive 76/substances discharged into aquatic environment of the community. Off J L, 129, 23–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • CEC (Council of the European Communities). (1980). Council Directive relating to the quality of water intended for human consumption. 80/778/EEC.

  • CEPA. (2002). Water and wastewater monitoring analysis methods (4th ed.). China Environmental Science: Beijing.

    Google Scholar 

  • Chen, X. M., Chen, G. H., & Yue, P. L. (2000). Separation of pollutants from restaurant wastewater by electrocoagulation. Sep Purif Technol, 19(1-2), 65–76.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chien, S. H., & Clayton, W. R. (1980). Application of Elovich equation to the kinetics of phosphate release and sorption in soils. Soil Sci Soc Am J, 44(2), 265–268.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dou, X. M., Mohan, D., Zhao, X. Q., & Pittman, C. U. (2015). Antimonate removal from water using hierarchical macro-/mesoporous amorphous alumina. Chem Eng J, 264, 617–624.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Feng, J., Yang, Z. H., Zeng, G. M., Huang, J., Xu, H. Y., Zhang, Y. Y., Wei, S. H., & Wang, L. K. (2013). The adsorption behavior and mechanism investigation of Pb(II) removal by flocculation using microbial flocculant GA1. Bioresource Technol, 148, 414–421.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Filella, M., Belzile, N., & Chen, Y. W. (2002). Antimony in the environment: a review focused on natural waters. I. Occurrence. Earth Sci Rev, 57(1-2), 125–176.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ganesan, P., Lakshmi, J., Sozhan, G., & Vasudevan, S. (2013). Removal of manganese from water by electrocoagulation: adsorption, kinetics and thermodynamic studies. Can J Chem Eng, 91(3), 448–458.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gomes, J. A. G., Daida, P., & Kesmez, M. (2007). Arsenic removal by electrocoagulation using combined Al-Fe electrode system and characterization of products. J Hazard Mater, 139(10), 220–231.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guo, X. J., Wu, Z. J., & He, M. C. (2009). Removal of antimony(V) and antimony(III) from drinking water by coagulation-flocculation-sedimentation (CFS). Water Res, 43(17), 4327–4335.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guo, X. J., Wu, Z. J., He, M. C., Meng, X. G., Jin, X., Qiu, N., & Zhang, J. (2014). Adsorption of antimony onto iron oxyhydroxides: adsorption behavior and surface structure. J Hazard Mater, 276, 339–345.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta, S. S., & Bhattacharyya, K. G. (2006). Adsorption of Ni(II) on clays. J Colloid Interface Sci, 295(1), 21–32.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ho, Y. S., & McKay, G. (1998). A comparison of chemisorption kinetic models applied to pollutant removal on various sorbents. Proc Saf Environ Prot, 76(4), 332–340.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Holt, P. K., Barton, G. W., & Mitchell, C. A. (2005). The future for electrocoagulation as a localised water treatment technology. Chemosphere, 59(3), 355–367.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Isa, M. H., Ezechi, E. H., Ahmed, Z., Magram, S. F., & Kutty, S. R. M. (2014). Boron removal by electrocoagulation and recovery. Water Res, 51, 113–123.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kobya, M., Can, O. T., & Bayramoglu, M. (2003). Treatment of textile wastewaters by electrocoagulation using iron and aluminum electrodes. J Hazard Mater, 100(1-3), 163–178.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kobya, M., Gebologlu, U., Ulu, F., & Oncel, S. (2011). Removal of arsenic from drinking water by the electrocoagulation using Fe and Al electrodes. Electrochim Acta, 56(14), 5060–5070.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kobya, M., Demirbas, E., Gebologlu, U., Oncel, M. S., & Yildirim, Y. (2013). Optimization of arsenic removal from drinking water by electrocoagulation batch process using response surface methodology. Desalin Water Treat, 51(34-36), 1–10.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lai, C. L., & Lin, S. H. (2003). Electrocoagulation of chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) wastewater from semiconductor fabrication. Chem Eng J, 95(1-3), 205–211.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mall, I. D., Srivastava, V. C., Agarwal, N. K., & Mishra, I. M. (2005). Removal of Congo Red from aqueous solution by bagasse fly ash and activate d carbon: kinetic study and equilibrium isotherm analysis. Chemosphere, 61(4), 492–501.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mall, I. D., Srivastava, V. C., Agarwal, N. K., & Mishra, I. M. (2007). Removal of Congo Red on coal-based mesoporous activated carbon. Dyes Pigm, 74(1), 34–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Myers, R. H., & Montgomery, D. C. (2002). Response surface methodology: process and product optimization using designed experiments (2nd ed.). New York: John Wiley and Sons.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ölmez, T. (2009). The optimization of Cr(VI) reduction and removal by electrocoagulation using response surface methodology. J Hazard Mater, 162(2-3), 1371–1378.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Qu, J. H., & Liu, H. J. (2007). Electrochemical principles and techniques in water treatment (pp. 205–209). Beijing: Science Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • SAC (Standardization Administration of the People’s Republic of China). (2006). Standards for drinking water quality. Beijing: SAC (Standardization Administration of the People’s Republic of China). GB-5749-2006.

    Google Scholar 

  • Song, P. P., Yang, Z. H., Xu, H. Y., Huang, J., Yang, X., & Wang, L. K. (2014). Investigation of influencing factors and mechanism of antimony and arsenic removal by electrocoagulation using Fe–Al electrodes. Ind Eng Chem Res, 53(33), 12911–12919.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sundaram, C. S., Viswanathan, N., & Meenakshi, S. (2008). Defluoridation chemistry of synthetic hydroxyapatite at nanoscale: equilibrium and kinetic studies. J Hazard Mater, 155(1-2), 206–215.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • USEPA. (1979). Water related fate of the 129 priority pollutants. Washington, DC: USEPA. Doc., 745-R-00-007.

    Google Scholar 

  • USEPA. (1984). Antimony: an environmental and health effects assessment. Washington, DC: US Environmental Protection Agency. Office of drinking water.

    Google Scholar 

  • Vasudevan, S., & Oturan, M. A. (2014). Electrochemistry: as cause and cure in water pollution—an overview. Environ Chem Lett, 12(1), 97–108.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ville, K., Toivo, K., Jaakko, R., & Ulla, L. (2013). Recent applications of electrocoagulation in treatment of water and wastewater-a review. Green and Sus Chem, 3, 89–121.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Vithanage, M., Rajapaksha, A. U., Dou, X. M., Bolan, N. S., Yang, J. E., & Ok, Y. S. (2013). Surface complexation modeling and spectroscopic evidence of antimony adsorption on iron-oxide-rich red earth soils. J Colloid Interf Sci, 406, 217–224.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wan, W., Pepping, T. J., Banerji, T., Chaudhari, S., & Giammar, D. E. (2011). Effects of water chemistry on arsenic removal from drinking water by electrocoagulation. Water Res, 45(1), 384–392.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Weber, W. J., & Morris, J. C. (1963). Kinetics of adsorption on carbon from solution. Journal of Sanitary Engineering Division (Proceeding of the asce), 89, 31–59.

    Google Scholar 

  • WHO. (2006). Health criteria and other supporting information in: Guidelines for Drinking-water Quality (Secondth ed.). Geneva: World Health Organization.

    Google Scholar 

  • Winship, K. A. (1986). Toxicity of antimony and its compounds. Adverse Drug React Acute Poisoning Rev, 6(2), 67–90.

    Google Scholar 

  • Yang, Z. H., Xu, H. Y., Zeng, G. M., Luo, Y. L., Yang, X., Huang, J., Wang, L. K., & Song, P. P. (2015). The behavior of dissolution/passivation and the transformation of passive films during electrocoagulation: influences of initial pH, Cr(VI) concentration, and alternating pulsed current. Electrochim Acta, 153(2), 149–158.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yousuf, M., Mollah, A., Schennach, R., & Parga, J. R. (2001). Electrocoagulation (EC) science and applications. J Hazard Mater, 84(1), 29–41.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu, J., Wu, F. C., Pan, X. L., Guo, J. Y., & Wen, D. S. (2011). Removal of antimony from antimony mine flotation wastewater by electrocoagulation with aluminum electrodes. J Environ Sci, 23(7), 1066–1071.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

We are grateful for the financial support of the National Natural Science Foundation of China (51378189 and 51578223).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, 410082, China

    Peipei Song, Zhaohui Yang, Guangming Zeng, Xia Yang, Haiyin Xu, Jing Huang & Like Wang

  2. Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha, 410082, China

    Peipei Song, Zhaohui Yang, Guangming Zeng, Xia Yang, Haiyin Xu, Jing Huang & Like Wang

Authors
  1. Peipei Song
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Zhaohui Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Guangming Zeng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Xia Yang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Haiyin Xu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Jing Huang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Like Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zhaohui Yang.

Electronic supplementary material

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

ESM 1

(PDF 238 kb)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Song, P., Yang, Z., Zeng, G. et al. Optimization, Kinetics, Isotherms, and Thermodynamics Studies of Antimony Removal in Electrocoagulation Process. Water Air Soil Pollut 226, 380 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-015-2615-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-015-2615-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation