Removal and recovery of Zn2+ and Pb2+ by imine-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles with tunable selectivity

This research investigated the adsorption of zinc and lead from binary metal solution with tunable selectivity. A nano adsorbent was prepared by introducing imine groups onto the surface of stability enhanced magnetic nanoparticles and then characterized by TEM and FTIR. Binary metal components adsorption was carried out in different concentration of metal and EDTA solution. Due to the interaction between metals and adsorbent in the presence of EDTA, the selective adsorption of zinc and lead could be achieved with 100% selectivity. To only remove zinc from binary metals, the solution condition was [EDTA]/[M(2+)] = 0.7 with pH of 6, and its saturated adsorption capacity was 1.25 mmol/g. For selective adsorption of lead, an equilibrium adsorption capacity of 0.81 mmol/g was obtained under the condition of [EDTA]/[M(2+)] = 0.7 and pH of 2. The exhausted adsorbent could be regenerated by simple acid or alkali wash, and high purity lead and zinc salt solutions were recovered and concentrated.