Removal of heavy metal ions from pharma-effluents using graphene-oxide nanosorbents and study of their adsorption kinetics

Nanomaterials open up enormous opportunities in the areas of industrial waste water treatment and their application. Effective removal of toxic heavy metal ions like Pb(II), Ni(II) and Cr(VI) from pharmacy waste-effluent using graphene-oxide(GO) nanosorbents is reported here. Cr and Pb ions are completely removed by GO, however Ni ion trace was gradually decreased when GO concentration was increased. The concentration of GO at 70 mg removes all heavy metal ions effectively with the permissible pH of 8.00 and very low conductivity of 0.027 dS/m in 100 mL effluent, studied using atomic absorption spectroscopy. Also the adsorption isotherm models and adsorption kinetics are discussed. (C) 2015 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.