Separation of copper ions by nanocomposites using adsorption process

In this research, a novel nanocomposite adsorbent, graphene oxide modified with magnetite nanoparticles and Lauric acid containing ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (GFLE) has been applied for the eliminate of Cu2+ ions. Adsorption performance was considered as a function of solution pH, Cu2+ ions concentration (C (2+)(Cu)), and temperature (T) and contact time (t). The levels of each variable were statistically optimized by Central Composite Design (CCD) and the response surface methodology (RSM) procedure to enhance the yield of system design. In these calculations, Y was measured as the response (the secondary concentration of Cu2+ ions in mg L-1). Highest copper adsorption occurred at time of 105 min, temperature of 40 degrees C, the initial concentration of 280 mg L-1, and pH=1. The sorption equilibrium was well demonstrated using the Freundlich isotherm model. The second-order kinetics model suggested that the sorption mechanism might be ion exchange reactions. Thermodynamic factors and activation energy values displayed that the uptake process of Cu2+ ions was spontaneous, feasible, endothermic and physical in nature. Regeneration studies also revealed that GFLE could be consistently reused up to 3 cycles.

Automated summary

In this study, a novel nanocomposite adsorbent GFLE was successfully applied for the removal of Cu2+ ions. Statistical optimization and modeling calculations were used to determine the optimal working conditions and demonstrate adsorption equilibrium and kinetics models.