The applicability of as synthesized mesoporous carbon CMK-3 as a heavy metals adsorbent: application to real water samples

The efficiency of as synthesized mesoporous carbon CMK-3 in removing heavy metals from the water was studied. The carbon was nanocasted from SBA-15 silica as a mold. The carbon obtained was characterized by nitrogen sorption technique, X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). CMK-3 material was used as an adsorbent without any further oxidation treatment. The effect of several factors on adsorption were tested (adsorbent mass, time, pH and concentration). The maximum adsorption capacities were found to be 3.45, 3.86 and 4 mmol g(-1) for Pb2+, Cd2+ and Cu2+, respectively. Dynamic adsorption experiments were performed using ultrapure and natural groundwater. The presence of different competitors' ions did not affect the adsorption capacity of CMK-3.

Automated summary

The efficiency of synthesized mesoporous carbon CMK-3 in removing heavy metals from water was studied, with maximum adsorption capacities found for Pb2+, Cd2+ and Cu2+. Dynamic adsorption experiments showed that the presence of different competitor ions did not affect the adsorption capacity of CMK-3.