Removal of Cu(II) from aqueous solution by adsorption on Chinese Quaternary loess: Kinetics and equilibrium studies

This paper dealt with the characteristics of Cu(II) adsorption on Chinese Quaternary loess. The Cu(II) adsorption isotherm and kinetics fit the Langmuir model and pseudo-second order kinetics well, respectively, with a predicted adsorption capacity of 109 mg g (- 1). The adsorption is ion exchange adsorption due to D-R model. Factors that are positively correlated with the adsorption capacity of loess include equilibrating time, pH, temperature, and solid-solution ratio. The adsorption of Cu(II) on loess involves 2 - 3 sequential diffusing steps into the micropores, and an endothermic and spontaneous process with predicted enthalpy, entropy, and Gibb's free energy changes of 7.64 kJ mol (- 1), 81.21 J mol K- 1 (- 1) and - 14.94 - 17.37 kJ mol (- 1) , respectively. Moreover, the applicability of loess on industrial wastewater treatment was investigated and satisfactorily proved. Finally, FT-IR spectra shows the precipitation of copper carbonate and the complexation of Cu(II) with clay minerals at pH 5.0 and pH 2.67, respectively.