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Equilibrium and Kinetic Modelling of Aqueous Cadmium Ion and Activated Carbon Adsorption System

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Abstract

Despite their extensive and decade-long application in wastewater treatment, activated carbon remains one of the most viable adsorbents, with substantive practical application, due to their high pollutant binding capacity. In this study, commercially available activated charcoal was applied in the uptake of aqueous cadmium [Cd(II)] ion. The effect of some process variables on the Cd (II) uptake was investigated via batch mode. Furthermore, the adsorbents’ surface charge (pHPZC), surface morphology (using SEM) and available surface functional groups (using FTIR) were explained. The pH dependence of the present adsorption system was revealed, while the optimum pH was recorded at pH 5.0. Similarly, the Cd (II) uptake (mg/g) decreased with increasing adsorbent dosage due to possible active sites clogging, overcrowding and interference. Furthermore, the isothermal and kinetics analyses of the experimental data, which were aptly validated using the hybrid error model, respectively depicted the Langmuir isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic model as the best fit. A Langmuir adsorption capacity of 682.5 mg g−1 was also recorded in the study. Consequently, the present adsorption system was characterized by an equilibrium timeframe of industrial practicability; hence, the adsorbent was successfully applied for the aqueous Cd (II) uptake.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, P.M.B. 5025, Nigeria

    Chukwunonso O. Aniagor

  2. Textile Research Division, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt

    M. Elshkankery, Osama M. Morsy, E. S. Abdel-Halim & A. Hashem

  3. Department of Chemical and Process Engineering, University of Strathclyde, 75 Montrose Street, Glasgow, G1 1XJ, UK

    A. J. Fletcher

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  1. Chukwunonso O. Aniagor
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  2. M. Elshkankery
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  3. A. J. Fletcher
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  4. Osama M. Morsy
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  5. E. S. Abdel-Halim
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Aniagor, C.O., Elshkankery, M., Fletcher, A.J. et al. Equilibrium and Kinetic Modelling of Aqueous Cadmium Ion and Activated Carbon Adsorption System. Water Conserv Sci Eng 6, 95–104 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s41101-021-00107-y

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