Synergistic effects of activated carbon and nano-zerovalent copper on the performance of hydroxyapatite-alginate beads for the removal of As3+ from aqueous solution

• Published in: Journal of cleaner production 2019-10, Vol.235, p.875-886
• Main Authors: Iqbal, Jibran, Shah, Noor S., Sayed, Murtaza, Imran, Muhammad, Muhammad, Nawshad, Howari, Fares M., Alkhoori, Sara A., Khan, Javed Ali, Haq Khan, Zia Ul, Bhatnagar, Amit, Polychronopoulou, Kyriaki, Ismail, Issam, Haija, Mohammad Abu
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activated carbon; As3; Hydroxyapatite-alginate beads; Nano-zerovalent copper; Water treatment
• ISSN: 0959-6526; 1879-1786
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2019.06.316

In this study, activated carbon (AC) and nano-zerovalent copper (nZVCu) functionalized hydroxyapatite (HA) and alginate beads were synthesized and used for the removal of As3+ from aqueous solution. The characterization by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, BET surface area analysis, thermogravimetric analysis, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed successful formation of the AC/nZVCu/HA-alginate, nZVCu/HA-alginate, AC/HA-alginate, and HA-alginate beads. The scanning electron microscopy and surface analysis revealed the prepared beads to be highly mesoporous which led to the maximum adsorption of As3+, i.e., 13.97, 29.33, 30.96, and 39.06 mg/g by HA-alginate, AC/HA-alginate, nZVCu/HA-alginate, and AC/nZVCu/HA-alginate beads, respectively. The thermogravimteric analysis showed the nZVCu/HA-alginate beads to be highly stable while the AC composite beads as the least stable to heat treatment. The HA-alginate beads achieved 39% removal of As3+, however, removal efficiency was promoted to 95% by coupling AC and nZVCu with HA-alginate beads at a reaction time of 120 min. The removal of As3+ by the prepared AC & nZVCu coupled HA-alginate beads was promoted with increasing [As3+]0 and [AC/nZVCu/HA-alginate]0. The pH of aqueous solution significantly influenced the removal of As3+ by AC/nZVCu/HA-alginate beads and maximum removal was achieved at pH 5.8. Freundlich adsorption isotherm and pseudo-second-order kinetic models were found to best fit the removal of As3+ by the synthesized beads. The high performance of AC/nZVCu/HA-alginate beads in the removal of As3+ even after seven cyclic treatment as well as least leaching of Cu ions into aqueous solution suggest enhanced reusability and stability of HA-alginate beads by coupling with AC and nZVCu. The results suggest that the synthesized beads have good potential for the removal of As3+ from aqueous solutions. [Display omitted] •Characterization techniques proved nZVCu and AC coupled HA-Alginate beads formation.•Coupling AC and nZVCu enhanced performance and reusability of HA-Alginate beads.•Removal of As3+ best fitted Freundlich isotherm and pseudo-second-order models.•Removal of As3+ was significantly affected by the pH of aqueous solution.