Sorption characteristics of nano manganese oxide: efficient sorbent for removal of metal ions from aqueous streams

Nanocrystalline manganese oxide was prepared and characterized using various techniques like XRD, surface area analyzer and zeta potential measurements. The sorption characteristics with respect to uptake of various ions including uranyl have been evaluated. Various experimental conditions which affect the sorption characteristics have been studied. Nanocrystalline manganese oxide was prepared by the hydrolysis of KMnO4 and the nano oxide were found to have a size of 8 nm and surface area of 145 m(2)/g. Due to the high surface area, the sorption property of the nano oxide was good. It was found that the sorption was achieved at different pH values and with varying time of equilibration. Thus it is seen that the kinetics was an important aspect for the possible separation of metal ions.