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Published on: April 7, 2017
As(V) sorption from aqueous solutions using quaternized algal/polyethyleneimine composite beads
Mohammed F Hamza1, Siming Lu2, Khalid A M Salih2
1Guangxi Key Laboratory of Processing for Non-ferrous Metals and Featured Materials, School of Resources, Environment and Materials, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China; Nuclear Materials Authority, POB 530, El-Maadi, Cairo, Egypt.
Newly developed composite beads, made from algal biomass and polyethyleneimine (PEI), efficiently remove arsenic(V) from water. Quaternization enhances their capacity, showing high selectivity and reusability for industrial wastewater treatment.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Arsenic contamination in water poses significant health risks.
- Developing efficient and cost-effective sorbent materials is crucial for arsenic removal.
- Composite materials offer tunable properties for enhanced adsorption.
Purpose of the Study:
- To synthesize and characterize novel composite beads for As(V) removal.
- To investigate the sorption mechanism, kinetics, and isotherms of As(V) onto the beads.
- To evaluate the sorbent's performance in real mining effluents.
Main Methods:
- Composite bead synthesis via ionotropic gelation and crosslinking.
- Material characterization using SEM/EDX, TGA, BET, FTIR, XPS.
- Sorption studies varying pH, kinetics, and isotherms.
- Elution and reusability tests.
- Application in simulated mining effluent.
Main Results:
- Quaternized algal/PEI beads (Q-APEI*) showed significantly enhanced As(V) sorption.
- Optimal sorption occurred near pH 7, with rapid kinetics (45-60 min).
- Maximum sorption capacity reached 1.34 mmol As g⁻¹, fitting Langmuir isotherms.
- The sorbent demonstrated high selectivity for As(V) over Fe in mining effluent.
- Complete As(V) removal was achieved from simulated mining effluent.
Conclusions:
- Q-APEI* composite beads are highly effective sorbents for As(V) removal.
- The material exhibits excellent sorption capacity, selectivity, and reusability.
- This technology shows promise for treating arsenic-contaminated industrial wastewater.
