Comparative study between CeO2/Zno and CeO2/SiO2 nanocomposites for (Cr6+) heavy metal removal

In the present work, nanocomposites of CeO2/ZnO and CeO2/SiO2 were prepared to be used as adsorbing materials for the Cr (VI) heavy metal from water. According to the non-toxic and low-cost properties of zinc oxide and silica, they have been prepared as a nanocomposite with anti-oxidant cerium oxide. The prepared CeO2/SiO2 nanocomposite showed larger removal efficiency for Cr (VI) from aqueous solution of (55%) at optimum conditions of pH = 7 after 100 min. The adsorption kinetics for Cr (VI) on surface of CeO2/Zno and CeO2/SiO2 were well fitted with pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The adsorption mechanism follows monolayer Langmuir isotherm model. The prepared samples were investigated and characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), UV-spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and N2 adsorption-desorption isotherm (BET) isotherm. The efficiency of the prepared samples for removing of Cr (VI) from aqueous solution was investigated in different experimental conditions (different PH and contact time).

Automated summary

Nanocomposites of CeO2/ZnO and CeO2/SiO2 were prepared as efficient adsorbing materials for Cr (VI) heavy metal removal, with adsorption kinetics fitting the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the mechanism following the monolayer Langmuir isotherm model. Characterization of the prepared samples was carried out using various techniques, and the efficiency of the samples for Cr (VI) removal from aqueous solution was investigated under different experimental conditions.