ISSN print edition: 0366-6352 ISSN electronic edition: 1336-9075 Registr. No.: MK SR 9/7 Published monthly

Comparison of the effect of various carbon-based nanomaterials for the removal of Cu²⁺ ions from aqueous solutions

Nuket Kartal Temel and Kadriye Sibel Sertakan

Faculty of Science, Chemistry Department, Sivas Cumhuriyet University, Sivas, Turkey

E-mail: nkartal@cumhuriyet.edu.tr

Received: 3 April 2023  Accepted: 28 September 2023

Abstract:

Water pollution caused by heavy metals is one of the most important issues threatening the environment. The study, presented here was focused on the removal of heavy metal Cu²⁺ ions from aqueous solution by using pristine multi-walled carbon nanotubes (p-MWCNT), acid treated MWCNTs (a-MWCNTs) and unzipped MWCNTs (u-MWCNTs). The size dependency of MWCNTs on the adsorption of Cu²⁺ ions was evaluated. Moreover, pH, adsorbent dosage, initial metal ion concentration and temperature effects on the adsorption process were explored. The maximum adsorption efficiency was found to be 98.5% for u-MWCNTs that is fabricated from the layered MWCNTs having an outer diameter of 50–80 nm and an inner diameter of 10–20 nm at 0.5 g L⁻¹ adsorbent mass. The absorption kinetic data fitted best to the pseudo-second-order model. The thermodynamic assessments indicated that the adsorption was endothermic and randomness process.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords: Functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes; Copper adsorption; Isotherm adsorption models; Thermodynamic adsorption models

Full paper is available at www.springerlink.com.

DOI: 10.1007/s11696-023-03125-3

Chemical Papers 78 (2) 833–849 (2024)