Metal organic framework UiO-66 and activated carbon composite sorbent for the concurrent adsorption of cationic and anionic metals

A composite sorbent for the simultaneous removal of both Hg2+ and SeO32- from aqueous media was produced from the solvothermal synthesis of a zirconium metal organic framework, UiO-66, in the presence of activated carbon. The composite sorbent has a large surface area of 1051 m(2) g(-1) with crystalized porous structures and has strong thermal stability up to 600 degrees C. The contaminant uptake of the sorbent follows a Langmuir adsorption isotherm with maximum sorption capacity of 205 mg g(-1) and 168 mg g(-1) for Hg2+ and SeO32-, respectively. Scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy results show that the Se regions overlap exclusively with Zr-rich regions suggesting that SeO32- adsorption depends entirely on the exposed UiO-66 surface. In addition, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy spectra of Se 3d and Hg 4f showed the association of SeO32- and Hg2+ on the UiO-66 and carbon surfaces, respectively. The sorbent could facilitate the development of a single process for the simultaneous removal of cationic Hg and anionic Se as well as other similar ionic metals with opposite charges from aqueous media. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.