Thermodynamics of Pb2+ and Ni2+ adsorption onto natural bentonite from aqueous solutions

Removal of Pb2+ and Ni2+ from aqueous solutions by sorption onto natural bentonite was investigated. Experiments were carried out as a function of particle size, the amount of bentonite, pH, concentration of metals, contact time, and temperature. The adsorption patterns of metal ions onto followed the Langmuir, Freundlich, and Dubinin-Radushkevich isotherms. This included adsorption isotherms of single-metal solutions at 303 K by batch experiments. The thermodynamic parameters (DeltaH,DeltaS,DeltaG) for Pb2+ and Ni2+ sorption onto bentonite were also determined from the temperature dependence. The adsorptions were endothermic reactions. The results suggested that natural bentonite is suitable as a sorbent material for recovery and adsorption of metal ions from aqueous solutions.