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Removal of cobalt and lead ions from wastewater samples using an insoluble nanosponge biopolymer composite: adsorption isotherm, kinetic, thermodynamic, and regeneration studies

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Abstract

In this study, an insoluble nanosponge biopolymer composite was synthesized, using a combined process of amidation reaction, cross-linking polymerization, and sol-gel method to obtain a phosphorylated multiwalled carbon nanotube-cyclodextrin/silver-doped titania (pMWCNT-βCD/TiO2-Ag). This work mainly emphasized on the removal of lead (Pb2+) and cobalt (Co2+) metal ions from synthetic and real wastewater samples using the synthesized pMWCNT-βCD/TiO2-Ag as a biosorbent. The new material was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, zeta potential, Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) method, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Adsorption studies for the model pollutants were performed in batch mode. The effect of the solution pH, adsorbent dosage and the presence of competiting ions were investigated. The isotherm, kinetic, thermodynamic, and regeneration studies were also undertaken. The ability of the new material to effectively remove Pb2+ and Co2+ from synthetic wastewater and mine effluent samples was tested. The maximum removal capacities achieved for the removal of Pb2+ and Co2+ from mine effluent sample were 35.86 and 7.812 mg/g, respectively.

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Acknowledgments

The North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, is also appreciated for the valuable contribution to this work. Our heartfelt thanks to the Lord God Almighty for the wisdom and knowledge.

Funding

This study received financial support from The National Research Foundation (NRF, Grant Number 101301), the University of Johannesburg, the Centre of Nanomaterials, and the Water Research Commission (WRC).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Applied Chemistry, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein, Johannesburg, 2028, South Africa

    Anny Leudjo Taka, Kriveshini Pillay & Xavier Yangkou Mbianda

  2. School of Chemical and Minerals Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Potchefstroom Campus, North-West University, Potchefstroom, South Africa

    Elvis Fosso-Kankeu

Authors
  1. Anny Leudjo Taka
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  2. Elvis Fosso-Kankeu
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  3. Kriveshini Pillay
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  4. Xavier Yangkou Mbianda
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Xavier Yangkou Mbianda.

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Responsible editor: Guilherme L. Dotto

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Taka, A.L., Fosso-Kankeu, E., Pillay, K. et al. Removal of cobalt and lead ions from wastewater samples using an insoluble nanosponge biopolymer composite: adsorption isotherm, kinetic, thermodynamic, and regeneration studies. Environ Sci Pollut Res 25, 21752–21767 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-018-2055-6

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