Adsorption of Chromium(III), Nickel(II), and Copper(II) from Aqueous Solution by Activated Alumina

• Published in: Clean : soil, air, water air, water, 2011-08, Vol.39 (8), p.767-773
• Main Authors: Rajurkar, Nilima S., Gokarn, Ashok N., Dimya, Kumaree
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Activated alumina; Adsorption; Chromium; Copper; Earth sciences; Earth, ocean, space; Exact sciences and technology; Hydrology; Hydrology. Hydrogeology; Nickel
• ISSN: 1863-0650; 1863-0669; 1863-0669
• DOI: 10.1002/clen.201000273

The possible use of activated alumina powder (AAP) as adsorbent for Cr(III), Ni(II), and Cu(II) from synthetic solutions was investigated. The effect of various parameters on batch adsorption process such as pH, contact time, adsorbent dosage, particle size, temperature, and initial metal ions concentration were studied to optimize the conditions for maximum metal ion removal. Both higher (molar) and lower (ppm) initial metal ion concentration sets were subjected to adsorption on AAP. Adsorption process revealed that equilibrium was established in 50 min for Cr(III) at pH 4.70, 80 min for Ni(II) at pH 7.00, and 40 min for Cu(II) at pH 3.02. Percentage removal was found to be highest at 55°C for Cr(III) and Ni(II) with 420 µm and 45°C for Cu(II) with 250‐µm particle size AAP. A dosage of 2 g for Cr(III), 8 g for Ni(II), and 10 g Cu(II) gave promising data in the metal ion removal. The adsorption process followed Langmuir as well as Freundlich models. The thermodynamics of adsorption of these metal ions on activated aluminum indicated that the adsorption was spontaneous and endothermic in nature. Present study indicates that AAP can act as a promising adsorbent for industrial wastewater treatment. The results indicate that activated aluminum powder is a promising adsorbent for Cr(III), Ni(II), and Cu(II) for industrial wastewater treatment. The adsorption process followed Langmuir as well as Freundlich models and the thermodynamic studies indicated that the adsorption was spontaneous and endothermic.