Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

The removal of uranium (VI) from aqueous solutions onto activated carbon developed from grinded used tire

  • Research Article
  • Published:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

In this study, activated carbon was prepared from waste tire by KOH chemical activation. The pore properties including the BET surface area, pore volume, pore size distribution, and average pore diameter were characterized. BET surface area of the activated carbon was determined as 558 m2/g. The adsorption of uranium ions from the aqueous solution using this activated carbon has been investigated. Various physico-chemical parameters such as pH, initial metal ion concentration, and adsorbent dosage level and equilibrium contact time were studied by a batch method. The optimum pH for adsorption was found to be 3. The removal efficiency has also been determined for the adsorption system as a function of initial concentration. The experimental results were fitted to Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin–Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm models. A comparison of best-fitting was performed using the coefficient of correlation and the Langmuir isotherm was found to well represent the measured sorption data. According to the evaluation using the Langmuir equation, the saturated monolayer sorption capacity of uranium ions onto waste tire activated carbon was 158.73 mg/g. The thermodynamic equilibrium constant and the Gibbs free energy were determined and results indicated the spontaneous nature of the adsorption process. Kinetics data were best described by pseudo-second-order model.

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
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8
Fig. 9
Fig. 10
Fig. 11
Fig. 12
Fig. 13
Fig. 14

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Afsari M, Safdari J, Towfighi J, Mallah MH (2012) The adsorption characteristics of uranium hexafluoride onto activated carbon in vacuum conditions. Ann Nucl Energy 46:144–151

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Anirudhan TS, Rijith S (2012) Synthesis and characterization of carboxyl terminated poly (methacrylic acid) grafted chitosan/bentonite composite and its application for the recovery of uranium (VI) from aqueous media. J Environ Radioact 106:8–19

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Betancur M, Martínez JD, Murillo R (2009) Production of activated carbon by waste tire thermochemical degradation with CO2. J Hazard Mater 168:882–887

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chakravarty S, Pimple S, Chaturvedi T, Singh S, Gupta KK (2008) Removal of copper from aqueous solution using newspaper pulp as an adsorbent. J Hazard Mater 159:396–403

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Donat R (2009) The removal of uranium (VI) from aqueous solutions onto natural sepiolite. J Chem Thermodyn 41:829–835

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • El Nemr A, Abdelwahab O, El-Sikaily A, Khaled A (2009) Removal of direct blue-86 from aqueous solution by new activated carbon developed from orange peel. J Hazard Mater 161:102–110

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Fasfous I, Dawoud JN (2012) Uranium (VI) sorption by multiwalled carbon nanotubes from aqueous solution. Appl Surf Sci 259:433–440

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Galvagno S, Casu S, Martino M, Di Palma E, Portofino S (2007) Thermal and kinetic study of tyre waste pyrolysis via TG-FTIR-MS analysis. J Thermal Anal Calorim 88:507–514

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Guanghui W, Xuegang W, Xinjun C, Jinsheng L, Nansheng D (2010) Adsorption of uranium (VI) from aqueous solution on calcined and acid activated kaolin. Appl Clay Sci 47:448–451

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gupta VK, Ganjali MR, Nayak A, Bhushan B, Agarwal S (2012) Enhanced heavy metals removal and recovery by mesoporous adsorbent prepared from waste rubber tire. Chem Eng J 197:330–342

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khani MH (2011) Statistical analysis and isotherm study of uranium biosorption by Padina sp. Algae biomass. Environ Sci Pollut Res 18:790–799

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ko DCK, Mui ELK, Lau KST, McKay G (2004) Production of activated carbons from waste tire—process design and economical analysis. Waste Manage 24:875–888

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Krestou A, Xenidis A, Panias D (2003) Mechanism of aqueous uranium (VI) uptake by natural zeolitic tuff. Miner Eng 16:1363–1370

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kumar R, Mago G, Balan V, Wyman CE (2009) Physical and chemical characterizations of corn stover and poplar solids resulting from leading pretreatment technologies. Bioresour Technol 100: 3948–3962

    Google Scholar 

  • Kütahyalı C, Eral M (2010) Sorption studies of uranium and thorium on activated carbon prepared from olive stones: kinetic and thermodynamic aspects. J Nucl Mater 396:251–256

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Laresgoiti MF, Caballero BM, De Marco I, Torres A, Cabrero MA, Chomón MJ (2004) Characterization of the liquid products obtained in tyre pyrolysis. J Anal Appl Pyrolysis 71:917–934

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Morterra C, Low MJD (1982) The nature of the 1,600 cm−1 band of carbons. Spectrosc Lett 15:689–697

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mui ELK, Cheung WH, McKay G (2010) Tire char preparation from waste tire rubber for dye removal from effluents. J Hazard Mater 175:151–158

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nowicki P, Pietrzak R, Wachowska H (2008) Comparison of physicochemical properties of nitrogen-enriched activated carbons prepared by physical and chemical activation of brown coal. Energy Fuel 22:4133–4138

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Olivares-Marın M, Fernandez-Gonzalez C, Macıas-Garcıa A, Gomez-Serrano V (2006) Preparation of activated carbons from cherry stones by activation with potassium hydroxide. Appl Surf Sci 252:5980–5983

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Oubagaranadin JUK, Sathyamurthy N, Murthy ZVP (2007) Evaluation of Fuller’s earth for the adsorption of mercury from aqueous solutions: a comparative study with activated carbon. J Hazard Mater 142:165–174

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Patnukao P, Pavasant P (2008) Activated carbon from Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnbark using phosphoric acid activation. Bioresour Technol 99:8540–8543

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Prahas D, Kartika Y, Indraswati N, Ismadji S (2008) Activated carbon from jackfruit peel waste by H3PO4 chemical activation: pore structure and surface chemistry characterization. Chem Eng J 140:32–42

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Quek A, Balasubramanian R (2009) An algorithm for the kinetics of tire pyrolysis under different heating rates. J Hazard Mater 166:126–132

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Shuibo X, Chun Z, Xinghuo Z, Jing Y, Xiaojian Z, Jingsong W (2009) Removal of uranium (VI) from aqueous solution by adsorption of hematite. J Environ Radioact 100:162–166

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sudaryanto Y, Hartono SB, Irawaty W, Hindarso H, Ismadji S (2006) High surface area activated carbon prepared from cassava peel by chemical activation. Bioresour Technol 97:734–739

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sun Y, Yang S, Sheng G, Guo Z, Wang X (2012) The removal of uranium (VI) from aqueous solution by oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes. J Environ Radioact 105:40–47

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Teng H, Lin YC, Hsu Y (2000) Production of activated carbon from pyrolysis of waste tires impregnated with potassium hydroxide. J Air Waste Manage 50:1940–1946

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tian G, Geng J, Jin Y, Wang C, Li S, Chen Z, Wang H, Zhao Y, Li S (2011) Sorption of uranium (VI) using oxime-grafted ordered mesoporous carbon CMK-5. J Hazard Mater 190:442–450

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Villalobos-Rodrıguez R, Montero-Cabrera ME, Esparza-Ponce HE, Herrera-Peraza EF, Ballinas-Casarrubias ML (2012) Uranium removal from water using cellulose triacetate membranes added with activated carbon. Appl Radiat Isot 70:872–881

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang G, Liu J, Wang X, Xie Z, Deng N (2009) Adsorption of uranium (VI) from aqueous solution onto cross-linked chitosan. J Hazard Mater 168:1053–1058

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang YQ, Zhang ZB, Liu YH, Cao XH, Liu YT, Li Q (2012) Adsorption of uranium (VI) from aqueous solution by the carboxyl-mesoporous carbon. Chem Eng J 198–199:246–253

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xie S, Yang J, Chen C, Zhang X, Wang Q, Zhang C (2008) Study on biosorption kinetics and thermodynamics of uranium by Citrobacterfreudii. J Environ Radioact 99:126–133

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yagmur E, Ozmak M, Aktas Z (2008) A novel method for production of activated carbon from waste tea by chemical activation with microwave energy. Fuel 87:3278–3285

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yusan S, Akyil S (2008) Sorption of uranium (VI) from aqueous solutions by Akaganeite. J Hazard Mater 160:388–395

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang J, Fu H, Lv X, Tang J, Xu X (2011) Removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solution using the rice husk carbons prepared by the physical activation process. Biomass Bioenergy 35:464–472

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang X, Jiao C, Wang J, Liu Q, Li R, Yang P, Zhang M (2012) Removal of uranium (VI) from aqueous solutions by magnetic Schiff base: kinetic and thermodynamic investigation. Chem Eng J 198–199:412–419

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhu CS, Wang LP, Chen WB (2009) Removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solution by agricultural by-product: peanut hull. J Hazard Mater 168:739–746

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cryprocess Team/LPDT/FGMGP/Université des Sciences et de la Technologie Houari Boumediene, BP 32 Al Alia-Bab Ezzouar, 16111, Algiers, Algeria

    Ahmed Belgacem, Rachid Rebiai, Hocine Hadoun & Mohamed Belmedani

  2. Centre de Recherche Nucléaire d’Alger, 2 bd Frantz Fanon- BP 399, Alger Gare, Alger, Algeria

    Hocine Hadoun

  3. Centre de Recherche Nucléaire de Draria, B.P. 43, 16003, Draria, Alger, Algeria

    Sihem Khemaissia

  4. Laboratoire Phénomènes de Transfert, Equipe Cryoprocédés/ Faculté Génie Mécanique et Génie des Procédés/Université des Sciences et de la Technologie Houari Boumediene, BP 32 Al Alia-BabEzzouar, 16111, Algiers, Algeria

    Ahmed Belgacem

Authors
  1. Ahmed Belgacem
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Rachid Rebiai
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Hocine Hadoun
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Sihem Khemaissia
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Mohamed Belmedani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Ahmed Belgacem.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Bingcai Pan

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Belgacem, A., Rebiai, R., Hadoun, H. et al. The removal of uranium (VI) from aqueous solutions onto activated carbon developed from grinded used tire. Environ Sci Pollut Res 21, 684–694 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-013-1940-2

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-013-1940-2

Keywords

Search

Navigation