Efficiency of heat-treated sepiolite in the adsorption of Cd, Zn, and Co from aqueous solutions: A low-cost approach for wastewater treatment

Ramin SamieiFard; Ahmad  Landi; Saeid  Hojati; Nahid  Pourreza

doi:10.59400/jts.v2i2.1562

Ramin SamieiFard Department of Ecosystem Science & Management, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA; Department of Soil science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz 6135783151, Iran
Ahmad Landi Department of Soil science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz 6135783151, Iran
Saeid Hojati Department of Soil science, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz 6135783151, Iran
Nahid Pourreza Department of Chemistry, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz 6135783151, Iran

Ariticle ID: 1562

56 Views, 24 PDF Downloads

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59400/jts.v2i2.1562

Keywords: sepiolite; kinetic models; heavy metals; adsoption

Abstract

This study investigated the adsorption of Cd, Co, and Zn ions onto unmodified and heat-treated sepiolite, focusing on the effect of contact time, initial pH, and heat pretreatments. Kinetic experiments were conducted in triplicate, and equilibrium experiments indicated that Co²⁺ had the highest adsorption preference, followed by Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺. The adsorption efficiency for Co²⁺ significantly increased with higher initial pH, whereas Zn²⁺ and Cd²⁺showed optimal adsorption at lower pH levels. Heat-treated sepiolite at 250 ℃ exhibited a higher surface area and adsorption capacity in comparison with unmodified and 150 ℃-treated sepiolite, which indicated the importance of heat pretreatment. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model better described the adsorption process, and it was confirmed chemisorption as the rate-limiting step. By increasing the contact time, adsorption rates enhanced, with equilibrium achieved within 480 min for all systems. Higher initial solute concentrations led to an increase in adsorption processes, with Co ions consistently showing higher adsorption efficiency in competitive multi-ionic solutions. Adsorption percentages varied with pH and thermal treatment, indicating the importance of these parameters in optimizing sepiolite’s adsorption capacity for heavy metal removal.

References

[1] Sherugar, P., Padaki, M., Naik, N. S., George, S. D., & Murthy, D. H. (2022). Biomass-derived versatile activated carbon removes both heavy metals and dye molecules from wastewater with near-unity efficiency: Mechanism and kinetics. Chemosphere, 287, 132085.

[2] Zhang, T., Wang, W., Zhao, Y., Bai, H., Wen, T., Kang, S., ... & Komarneni, S. (2021). Removal of heavy metals and dyes by clay-based adsorbents: From natural clays to 1D and 2D nano-composites. Chemical Engineering Journal, 420, 127574.

[3] Azha, S. F., Shahadat, M., Ismail, S., Ali, S. W., & Ahammad, S. Z. (2021). Prospect of clay-based flexible adsorbent coatings as cleaner production technique in wastewater treatment, challenges, and issues: A review. Journal of the Taiwan Institute of Chemical Engineers, 120, 178-206.

[4] Ding, L., & Azimi, G. (2024). Impact of particle size and associated minerals on rare earth desorption and incorporation mechanisms in a South American ion-adsorption clay. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 16216.

[5] Pellenz, L., de Oliveira, C. R. S., da Silva Júnior, A. H., da Silva, L. J. S., da Silva, L., de Souza, A. A. U., ... & da Silva, A. (2023). A comprehensive guide for characterization of adsorbent materials. Separation and Purification Technology, 305, 122435.

[6] Qasem, N. A., Mohammed, R. H., & Lawal, D. U. (2021). Removal of heavy metal ions from wastewater: A comprehensive and critical review. Npj Clean Water, 4(1), 1-15.

[7] Mazloom Jalali, A., Afshar Taromi, F., Atai, M., & Solhi, L. (2016). Effect of reaction conditions on silanisation of sepiolite nanoparticles. Journal of Experimental Nanoscience, 11(15), 1171-1183.

[8] Yao, Y., Feng, Y., Li, H., Liu, M., Cui, Y., Xu, C., ... & Wang, J. (2024). Investigation of the adsorption performance and mechanism of multi-source mineral composite calcination materials on heavy metal ions. Desalination, 586, 117847.

[9] Hamid, Y., Tang, L., Hussain, B., Usman, M., Liu, L., Ulhassan, Z., ... & Yang, X. (2021). Sepiolite clay: A review of its applications to immobilize toxic metals in contaminated soils and its implications in soil–plant system. Environmental Technology & Innovation, 23, 101598.

[10] Liu, L., Zhang, C., Jiang, W., Li, X., Dai, Y., & Jia, H. (2021). Understanding the sorption behaviors of heavy metal ions in the interlayer and nanopore of montmorillonite: A molecular dynamics study. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 416, 125976.

[11] Deng, L., Miyatani, K., Suehara, M., Amma, S. I., Ono, M., Urata, S., & Du, J. (2021). Ion-exchange mechanisms and interfacial reaction kinetics during aqueous corrosion of sodium silicate glasses. npj Materials Degradation, 5(1), 15.

[12] Ruiz, A. I., Ruiz-García, C., & Ruiz-Hitzky, E. (2023). From old to new inorganic materials for advanced applications: The paradigmatic example of the sepiolite clay mineral. Applied Clay Science, 235, 106874.

[13] Anderson, J. A., Daza, L., Damyanova, S., Fierro, J. L. G., & Rodrigo, M. T. (1994). Hydrogenation of styrene over nickel/sepiolite catalysts. Applied Catalysis A: General, 113(1), 75-88.

[14] Bautista, F. M., Luna, D., Luque, J., Marinas, J. M., & Sanchez-Royo, J. F. (2009). Gas-phase selective oxidation of chloro-and methoxy-substituted toluenes on TiO2–Sepiolite supported vanadium oxides. Applied Catalysis A: General, 352(1-2), 251-258.

[15] Khan, Z. I., Habib, U., Mohamad, Z. B., Rahmat, A. R. B., & Abdullah, N. A. S. B. (2022). Mechanical and thermal properties of sepiolite strengthened thermoplastic polymer nanocomposites: A comprehensive review. Alexandria Engineering Journal, 61(2), 975-990.

[16] Wang, Z., Liao, L., Hursthouse, A., Song, N., & Ren, B. (2018). Sepiolite-based adsorbents for the removal of potentially toxic elements from water: A strategic review for the case of environmental contamination in Hunan, China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 15(8), 1653.

[17] Zhou, J., Jiang, W., Peng, J., & Ding, Y. (2022). An environmentally friendly sepiolite/Cu2O/Cu ternary composite as anode material for Li-ion batteries. Ionics, 28(3), 1091-1098.

[18] Zhou, J., Wang, Z., Alcântara, A. C., & Ding, Y. (2023). Study of the adsorption mechanisms of NH3, H2S and SO2 on sepiolite using molecular dynamics simulations. Clay Minerals, 58(1), 1-6.

[19] Yeniyol, M. (2014). Characterization of two forms of sepiolite and related Mg-rich clay minerals from Yenidoğ an (Sivrihisar, Turkey). Clay minerals, 49(1), 91-108.

[20] Christidis, G. E., Athanasakis, N., & Marinakis, D. (2024). Rheological properties of magnesium bentonite and sepiolite suspensions after dynamic ageing at high temperatures. Clay Minerals, 1-14.

[21] Samieifard, R., Landi, A., & Pourreza, N. (2021). Adsorption of Cd, Co and Zn from multi-ionic solutions onto Iranian sepiolite isotherms. Cent. Asian J. Environ. Sci. Technol. Innov, 2, 102-118.

[22] Tian, G., Han, G., Wang, F., & Liang, J. (2019). Sepiolite nanomaterials: structure, properties and functional applications. In Nanomaterials from Clay Minerals (pp. 135-201). Elsevier.

[23] Mahmoud, M. R., Rashad, G. M., Metwally, E., Saad, E. A., & Elewa, A. M. (2017). Adsorptive removal of 134Cs+, 60Co2+ and 152+ 154Eu3+ radionuclides from aqueous solutions using sepiolite: single and multi-component systems. Applied Clay Science, 141, 72-80.

[24] Aktar, J. (2021). Batch adsorption process in water treatment. In Intelligent environmental data monitoring for pollution management (pp. 1-24). Academic Press.

[25] Vidu, R., Matei, E., Predescu, A. M., Alhalaili, B., Pantilimon, C., Tarcea, C., & Predescu, C. (2020). Removal of heavy metals from wastewaters: A challenge from current treatment methods to nanotechnology applications. Toxics, 8(4), 101.

[26] Saleh, T. A. (2022). Kinetic models and thermodynamics of adsorption processes: Classification. In Interface science and technology (Vol. 34, pp. 65-97). Elsevier.

[27] Söğüt, E. G., & Gülcan, M. (2023). Adsorption: basics, properties, and classification. In Adsorption through Advanced Nanoscale Materials (pp. 3-21). Elsevier.

[28] Wang, J., & Guo, X. (2020). Adsorption kinetic models: Physical meanings, applications, and solving methods. Journal of Hazardous materials, 390, 122156.

[29] Kanagalakshmi, M., Devi, S. G., Ananthi, P., & Pius, A. (2024). Adsorption Isotherms and Kinetic Models. In Carbon Nanomaterials and their Composites as Adsorbents (pp. 135-154). Cham: Springer International Publishing.

[30] Revellame, E. D., Fortela, D. L., Sharp, W., Hernandez, R., & Zappi, M. E. (2020). Adsorption kinetic modeling using pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order rate laws: A review. Cleaner Engineering and Technology, 1, 100032.

[31] Hu, Q., Ma, S., He, Z., Liu, H., & Pei, X. (2024). A revisit on intraparticle diffusion models with analytical solutions: Underlying assumption, application scope and solving method. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 60, 105241.

[32] de Oca-Palma, R. M., Solache-Ríos, M., Jiménez-Reyes, M., García-Sánchez, J. J., & Almazán-Sánchez, P. T. (2021). Adsorption of cobalt by using inorganic components of sediment samples from water bodies. International Journal of Sediment Research, 36(4), 524-531.

[33] Miura, A., Nakazawa, K., Takei, T., Kumada, N., Kinomura, N., Ohki, R., & Koshiyama, H. (2012). Acid-, base-, and heat-induced degradation behavior of Chinese sepiolite. Ceramics International, 38(6), 4677-4684.

[34] Song, S., Peng, W., & Li, H. (2021). Surface chemistry of mineral adsorbents. Adsorption at Natural Minerals/Water Interfaces, 55-91.

[35] Lazarević, S., Janković-Častvan, I., Potkonjak, B., Janaćković, D., & Petrović, R. (2012). Removal of Co2+ ions from aqueous solutions using iron-functionalized sepiolite. Chemical Engineering and Processing: Process Intensification, 55, 40-47.

[36] Guerra, D. L., Batista, A. C., Viana, R. R., & Airoldi, C. (2010). Adsorption of arsenic ions on Brazilian sepiolite: effect of contact time, pH, concentration, and calorimetric investigation. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 346(1), 178-187.

[37] Kosmulski, M. (2021). The pH dependent surface charging and points of zero charge. IX. Update. Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, 296, 102519.

[38] Tian, L., Wang, L., Wang, K., Zhang, Y., & Liang, J. (2019). The preparation and properties of porous sepiolite ceramics. Scientific Reports, 9(1), 7337.

[39] Derbe, T., Temesgen, S., & Bitew, M. (2021). A short review on synthesis, characterization, and applications of zeolites. Advances in Materials Science and Engineering, 2021(1), 6637898.

[40] Murphy, O. P., Vashishtha, M., Palanisamy, P., & Kumar, K. V. (2023). A review on the adsorption isotherms and design calculations for the optimization of adsorbent mass and contact time. ACS omega, 8(20), 17407-17430.

[41] Bektaş, N., Ağım, B. A., & Kara, S. (2004). Kinetic and equilibrium studies in removing lead ions from aqueous solutions by natural sepiolite. Journal of Hazardous materials, 112(1-2), 115-122.

[42] Shirvani, M., Shariatmadari, H., & Kalbasi, M. (2007). Kinetics of cadmium desorption from fibrous silicate clay minerals: Influence of organic ligands and aging. Applied Clay Science, 37(1-2), 175-184.

[43] Lei, X., Lian, Q., Zhang, X., Karsili, T. K., Holmes, W., Chen, Y., ... & Gang, D. D. (2023). A review of PFAS adsorption from aqueous solutions: Current approaches, engineering applications, challenges, and opportunities. Environmental Pollution, 321, 121138.

[44] Ding, J., Wei, Z., Li, F., Zhang, J., Zhang, Q., Zhou, J., ... & Liu, B. (2023). Atomic high-spin cobalt (II) center for highly selective electrochemical CO reduction to CH3OH. Nature Communications, 14(1), 6550.

[45] Velarde, L., Nabavi, M. S., Escalera, E., Antti, M. L., & Akhtar, F. (2023). Adsorption of heavy metals on natural zeolites: A review. Chemosphere, 328, 138508.

[46] Rao, F., Li, Z., & Garcia, R. E. (2021). Adsorption of Cations on Minerals. Adsorption at Natural Minerals/Water Interfaces, 199-223.

[47] Brigatti, M. F., Franchini, G. C., Medici, L., Poppi, L., & Stewart, A. (1998). Behaviour of sepiolite in Co2+ Cu2+ and Cd2+ removal from a simulated pollutant solution. Annali di chimica, 88, 461-470.

[48] Kocaoba, S., & Akyuz, T. (2005). Effects of conditioning of sepiolite prior to cobalt and nickel removal. Desalination, 181(1-3), 313-318.

[49] Healy, C., Patil, K. M., Wilson, B. H., Hermanspahn, L., Harvey-Reid, N. C., Howard, B. I., ... & Bennett, T. D. (2020). The thermal stability of metal-organic frameworks. Coordination Chemistry Reviews, 419, 213388.

[50] Ezzati, R. (2020). Derivation of pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order and modified pseudo-first-order rate equations from Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms for adsorption. Chemical Engineering Journal, 392, 123705.

[51] Wang, J., & Guo, X. (2022). Rethinking of the intraparticle diffusion adsorption kinetics model: Interpretation, solving methods and applications. Chemosphere, 309, 136732.

[52] Dada, A. O., Adekola, F. A., Odebunmi, E. O., Ogunlaja, A. S., & Bello, O. S. (2021). Two–three parameters isotherm modeling, kinetics with statistical validity, desorption and thermodynamic studies of adsorption of Cu (II) ions onto zerovalent iron nanoparticles. Scientific reports, 11(1), 16454.

[53] Wang, W., Chen, H., & Wang, A. (2007). Adsorption characteristics of Cd (II) from aqueous solution onto activated palygorskite. Separation and purification Technology, 55(2), 157-164.

[54] Kostoglou, M., & Karapantsios, T. D. (2022). Why is the linearized form of pseudo-second order adsorption kinetic model so successful in fitting batch adsorption experimental data?. Colloids and Interfaces, 6(4), 55.

[55] Vakili, M., Cagnetta, G., Deng, S., Wang, W., Gholami, Z., Gholami, F., ... & Blaney, L. (2024). Regeneration of exhausted adsorbents after PFAS adsorption: A critical review. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 134429.