Pb(II) Uptake from Polluted Irrigation Water Using Anatase TiO₂ Nanoadsorbent

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Materials Science
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Lead (Pb(II)) contamination in irrigation water poses significant environmental and health risks.
• Effective removal of heavy metals from water sources is crucial for sustainable agriculture and public health.
• Nanomaterials offer unique properties for advanced water treatment applications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the adsorption characteristics of titanium dioxide nanoparticles (nano-TiO2) for Pb(II) removal from irrigation water.
• To evaluate the influence of adsorption factors like contact time and pH on removal efficiency.
• To elucidate the adsorption mechanisms and the structural integrity of nano-TiO2 post-adsorption.

Main Methods:

• Adsorption experiments were conducted varying contact time and pH.
• Characterization of nano-TiO2 before and after adsorption using XRD, SEM, TEM, EDS, and XPS.
• Analysis of adsorption data using Langmuir and Sips models.

Main Results:

• Nano-TiO2 achieved over 99% Pb(II) removal efficiency within one hour at pH 6.5.
• Adsorption kinetics and isotherms fitted well with Langmuir and Sips models, indicating monolayer adsorption on homogenous sites.
• Post-adsorption analysis confirmed the structural stability of anatase nano-TiO2.

Conclusions:

• Anatase nano-TiO2 is a highly efficient adsorbent for removing Pb(II) from irrigation water.
• The adsorption process involves ion exchange and hydrogen bonding, forming a Pb(II) adsorbate monolayer.
• Nano-TiO2 demonstrates potential as a durable and effective mesoporous adsorbent for water remediation.