Title: Dynamic and equilibrium batch column sorption studies of Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solutions using iron oxide carboxymethyl cellulose (FeO-CMC) nanocomposites

Authors: A.K. Bajpai; Priyanka Agrawal

Addresses: Bose Memorial Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Government Autonomous Science College, Jabalpur (M.P.) – 482001, India ' Bose Memorial Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Government Autonomous Science College, Jabalpur (M.P.) – 482001, India

Abstract: The present study investigates the utility of iron oxide impregnated nanoparticles of carboxymethyl cellulose for removing Cr (VI) ions from aqueous solutions by batch and continuous (fixed bed) column adsorption. The maximum adsorption of Cr(VI) on FeO-CMC was observed at 2-3 pH for initial metal ion concentration of 10 mg L−1. At a bed height of 1.0 cm and flow rate of 0.4 mLmin−1, the metal removal capacity of FeO-CMC for Cr(VI) in the concentration range 5 to 15 mg L−1 was found between 57.0% to 87.5%. The sorption capacity from BDST per unit bed volume (N0) and rate constant of adsorption (Ka) were calculated to be 13.95 mg L−1 and 0.188 Lmg−1 min−1, respectively. The characterisation of the prepared nanoparticles was accomplished by FTIR, TEM, and ζ-potential measurements. The obtained results suggest that the prepared nanoparticles of (FeO-CMC) were effective adsorbents for Cr(VI) removal.

Keywords: adsorption; chromium (VI) ions; iron oxide; CMC nanoparticles; BDST models; bed depth service time; batch column sorption; carboxymethyl cellulose; FeO-CMC nanocomposites; nanotechnology; metal removal capacity; chromium removal; nanoparticles.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEE.2012.048102

International Journal of Environmental Engineering, 2012 Vol.4 No.1/2, pp.55 - 78

Received: 14 Feb 2011
Accepted: 28 Dec 2011

Published online: 31 Dec 2014 *

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