Application of response surface methodology to evaluate the removal efficiency of Mn(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) by surfactant-modified alumina

Surfactant-modified alumina (SMA) was prepared and used for the removal of Mn(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) from aqueous environment. Batch studies were conducted to find out optimum pH of the medium, adsorbent dose of SMA, and contact time. They were further optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). In the present study, a three-factor, three-level Box-Behnken experimental design was used to derive a second-order polynomial equation and construct three-dimensional (3D) surface plots and two-dimensional (2D) contour plots to examine the response. The level of significance for each independent variable and their interaction effects were examined by means of analysis of variance (ANOVA), F test, and Student's t test results. In addition, the percentage effects of the different factors and their interactions on the removal efficacy were also investigated by plotting a Pareto chart. The models were validated for accurate prediction of the percentage (%) removal by performing numerical optimization. The optimum values of three tested variables were determined at pH 6.2, 8.2, and 5.3; adsorbent dose = 20, 5, and 4 g/L; and contact time = 30, 60, and 75 min for the adsorption of Mn(II), Ni(II), and Cu(II) ions, and the corresponding removal efficiency was found to be 77.04, 93.83, and 97.23 %, respectively.