Adsorption of cadmium and lead onto oxidized nitrogen-doped multiwall carbon nanotubes in aqueous solution: equilibrium and kinetics

Nitrogen-doped multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNx) were chemically oxidized and tested to adsorb cadmium and lead from aqueous solution. Physicochemical characterization of carbon nanotubes included morphological analysis, textural properties, and chemical composition. In addition, the cadmium adsorpti...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of nanoparticle research : an interdisciplinary forum for nanoscale science and technology 2010-02, Vol.12 (2), p.467-480
Main Authors: Perez-Aguilar, Nancy Veronica, Muñoz-Sandoval, Emilio, Diaz-Flores, Paola Elizabeth, Rangel-Mendez, Jose Rene
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Activated carbon
Adsorption
Aqueous solutions
Cadmium
Carbon
Characterization and Evaluation of Materials
Chemical composition
Chemistry and Materials Science
Inorganic Chemistry
Lasers
Lead (metal)
Materials Science
Nanoparticles
Nanostructure
Nanotechnology
Nitrogen
Optical Devices
Optics
Photonics
Physical Chemistry
Research Paper
Surface chemistry
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Summary:Nitrogen-doped multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNx) were chemically oxidized and tested to adsorb cadmium and lead from aqueous solution. Physicochemical characterization of carbon nanotubes included morphological analysis, textural properties, and chemical composition. In addition, the cadmium adsorption capacity of oxidized-CNx was compared with commercially available activated carbon and single wall carbon nanotubes. Carboxylic and nitro groups on the surface of oxidized CNx shifted the point of zero charge from 6.6 to 3.1, enhancing their adsorption capacity for cadmium and lead to 0.083 and 0.139 mmol/g, respectively, at pH 5 and 25 °C. Moreover, oxidized-CNx had higher selectivity for lead when both metal ions were in solution. Kinetic experiments for adsorption of cadmium showed that the equilibrium was reached at about 4 min. Finally, the small size, geometry, and surface chemical composition of oxidized-CNx are the key factors for their higher adsorption capacity than activated carbon.
ISSN:1388-0764
1572-896X
DOI:10.1007/s11051-009-9670-6