Investigation of Illite and Nano Illite for Efficient Removal of Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), and Cd(II) Cations from Industrial Effluent

Sayed, Ghada Khediwy; Abo Taleb, Enas; El-Saied, Fathy

doi:10.21608/ejchem.2024.289013.9710

Investigation of Illite and Nano Illite for Efficient Removal of Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), and Cd(II) Cations from Industrial Effluent

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Inorganic chemistry, menofia university , Egypt

² Water Pollution Research Department National Research Centre

³ Menoufia , Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science,

10.21608/ejchem.2024.289013.9710

Abstract

This study investigated the potential of illite clay, sourced from New Valley, Egypt, for the removal of heavy metal ions (Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), and Cd(II)) from industrial wastewater via an adsorption process. The experiment evaluated the adsorption behavior under various controlled conditions: varying metal ion concentration, adsorbent dosage, solution pH, and mixing time (at 500 rpm). Characterization of the illite and nanoillite clay employed Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).The results indicated rapid uptake by both illite and nanoillite, with maximum adsorption achieved within 90 minutes at room temperature (25°C) using an adsorbent dose of 0.3 mg/L and an initial metal concentration of 3 mg/L for all studied metal ions (Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), and Cd(II)). Additionally, the adsorption isotherm data suggested a better fit with the second-order kinetic model, signifying the mechanism of adsorption.Finally, the effectiveness of illite/nanoillite clay was demonstrated by its application in removing metal ions from real-world industrial wastewater, leading to a significant reduction in their concentration. This approach addresses the environmental and health concerns associated with heavy metal pollution.

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