Application of Xanthan gum/ n-acetyl cysteine modified mica bionanocomposite as an adsorbent for the removal of toxic heavy metals

• Published in: Groundwater for sustainable development 2018-09, Vol.7, p.101-108
• Main Authors: Ahmad, Rais, Mirza, Anam
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adsorption; Bionanocomposite; Characterization; Toxic heavy metal
• ISSN: 2352-801X; 2352-801X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.gsd.2018.03.010

Ecofriendly bionanocomposite were fabricated and applied as an adsorbent for scavenging Pb(II), Cu(II) and Ni(II) from aqueous solution by batch adsorption studies. Structural characterization were successfully conducted using SEM, EDX, FTIR, XRD and TGA-DTG analysis. The effect of contact time and pH were investigated indicating maximum adsorption were achieved at pH 4,5 and 4; and contact time 60 min, 60 min and 120 min, for Pb(II), Cu(II) and Ni(II), respectively. The point of zero charge for bionanocomposite was found to be 7.5. Adsorption isotherm data were reliably described by the Langmuir model for all metal ions at the temperature range (303–323 K). The monolayer adsorption capacity increases with increasing temperature. The monolayer adsorption capacity at 323 K for Pb(II), Cu(II) and Ni(II) were 530.54, 177.2 and 51.48 mg g−1, respectively. The thermodynamic analysis revealed that the adsorption of metal ions onto bionanocomposite was spontaneous and endothermic with increased randomness at solid/liquid interface. Desorption was best described by HCl for all metal ions. Therefore, the present bionanocomposite (Xanthan Gum/n-acetyl cysteine-Mica) have been proved to be a potential adsorbent that could be applied for the removal of toxic heavy metal from wastewater. Graphical abstract showing metal ion binding with functional groups. [Display omitted] •Successful synthesis of bionanocomposite- Xanthan gum/n-acetyl cysteine-Mica.•Explored for excellent removal of Pb(II), Cu(II) and Ni(II) from aqueous solution.•The best followed models- Langmuir isotherm and pseudo second order kinetic model.•The Desorption for Pb(II), Cu(II) and Ni(II) was best studied by HCl.