Adsorption of Pb2+ ions from aqueous solutions by gelatin/activated carbon composite bead form

• Published in: Adsorption science & technology 2018-02, Vol.36 (1-2), p.355-371
• Main Authors: Hayeeye, Fareeda, Yu, Qiming J, Sattar, Memoon, Chinpa, Watchanida, Sirichote, Orawan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activated carbon; Adsorption; Aqueous solutions; Biocompatibility; Gelatin; Ion exchange; Ion exchange resins; Wastewater treatment; Zeolites
• ISSN: 0263-6174; 2048-4038
• DOI: 10.1177/0263617417693006

Gelatin and activated carbon materials have been combined together to obtain a gelatin/activated carbon composite bead form which is ecofriendly, nontoxic, biocompatible, and inexpensive material. In this paper, gelatin/activated carbon adsorption for Pb2+ ions from aqueous solutions was studied experimentally under various conditions. The experimental conditions such as contact time, solution pH, and gelatin/activated carbon dosage were examined and evaluated by using batch adsorption experiments. The maximum adsorption capacity of gelatin/activated carbon for Pb2+ ions was obtained to be 370.37 mg g−1. This maximum capacity was comparable with that of commercial ion exchange resins and it was much higher than those of natural zeolites. The uptake process for Pb2+ ions was found to be relatively fast with 92.15% of the adsorption completed in about 5 min in batch conditions. The adsorption capacity was also strongly solution pH dependent. Adsorption was observed at pH value as low as 2.0 and maximum adsorption was achieved at a pH of approximately 5. The results indicated that the gelatin/activated carbon was effective to be used as an adsorbent for Pb2+ ions removal in wastewater treatment.