Title:Prussian Blue/Silica Nanocomposite for Efficient Removal of Copper(II)
from Water
Volume: 22
Issue: 7
Author(s): Waleed El-Said*, Nagwa Abo El-Maali*, Kawthar Abd El-Hameed, Ahmad Abo Markeb and Asmaa Wahman
Affiliation:
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, 71516, Assiut, Egypt
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Assiut University, 71516, Assiut, Egypt
- Analytical Chemistry Unit,
Faculty of Science, Assiut University, 71516, Assiut, Egypt
Keywords:
PB/silica nanocomposite, copper(II) removal, water matrices, solid phase extraction, water quality, kinetic models, isotherm models.
Abstract:
Introduction: Prussian blue (PB) or its analogs is one of the most effective adsorbents for
removing heavy metals because of their advantages.
Aims: This work aims to develop highly efficient adsorbents for heavy metal removal from contaminated
water based on a solid-phase extraction technique.
Methods: In this work, the PB/silica nanocomposites were prepared based on the sol-gel technique.
The morphology and chemical composition of the synthesized composite were investigated. These
nanocomposites were used for Cu(II) removal as they can act as a selective adsorption agent with
negligible toxicity. To optimize conditions, the effects of the factor variables (temperature, PB/silica
dose, and pH) and their interactions on the adsorption of copper ions were investigated by Response
Surface Methodology (RSM) based on Box-Behnken design (BBD). Other experimental parameters
(the contact time, and Cu(II) initial concentration) were conducted to determine their effects on
Cu(II) adsorption.
Results: It was found that the maximum adsorption of 92.30% was obtained at 25°C, 60 minutes of
contact time, and 10 ppm of metal ions. It was discovered that the ideal amount of adsorbent material
for the removal was 0.1 g L-1. Additionally, the Langmuir isotherm was found to be more suitable for
Cu(II) adsorption than the Freundlich isotherm. The kinetic parameters and experimental adsorption
capacities for copper onto PB/silica nanocomposites were also studied, and it was found that the
system is fitted with pseudo-second-order where the calculated Qe (175.439 mgCu(II)/g) is very close
to the experimental Qe (180.697 mgCu(II)/g).
Conclusion: Therefore, the newly created environmental nanocomposite material was shown to be
appropriate for the adsorption of Cu(II) owing to its elevated adsorption selectivity and capacity,
quick adsorption speed, and good regeneration for repeated use for the adsorption of copper pollutants
from different water matrices.
