Removal of toxic lead from aqueous solution using a low-cost adsorbent

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Materials Science
• Water Treatment

Background:

• Lead (Pb(II)) contamination in drinking water poses significant health risks.
• Sustainable and cost-effective adsorbents are crucial for efficient water purification.
• Waste materials offer a promising avenue for developing novel adsorbent solutions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of unmodified Pottery Granules (PG) as a low-cost adsorbent for Pb(II) removal.
• To investigate the influence of key physicochemical parameters on Pb(II) adsorption efficiency.
• To determine the adsorption mechanism and capacity of PG for Pb(II).

Main Methods:

• Batch adsorption experiments were conducted using Pottery Granules (PG) as the adsorbent.
• The effects of contact time, PG dose, pH, temperature, and coexisting ions were systematically studied.
• Adsorption isotherms and kinetics were analyzed using Langmuir and Pseudo-first-order models, respectively.

Main Results:

• PG demonstrated efficient Pb(II) removal, with optimal performance observed at higher pH (2-12) and increased PG dosage (5-15 g/L).
• Adsorption capacity increased with Pb(II) concentration, and the process was endothermic, showing a 20% improvement with a 30°C temperature rise.
• The maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) was 9.47 mg/g, fitting the Langmuir model, and adsorption followed Pseudo-first-order kinetics.
• While Na+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Cd2+, and Zn2+ had minimal impact, Mn2+ and Fe2+ significantly reduced Pb(II) adsorption.

Conclusions:

• Unmodified Pottery Granules are a highly effective, economical, and environmentally friendly adsorbent for removing toxic Pb(II) from water.
• The study validates PG as a sustainable alternative to conventional adsorbents in water treatment.
• Further research into the synergistic or antagonistic effects of complex water matrices is warranted.