Removal of Pb(II) from water using synthesized kaolin supported nanoscale zero-valent iron

• Published in: Chemical engineering journal (Lausanne, Switzerland : 1996) Switzerland : 1996), 2010-10, Vol.163 (3), p.243-248
• Main Authors: Zhang, Xin, Lin, Shen, Lu, Xiao-Qiao, Chen, Zu-liang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Aqueous solutions; Biological and physicochemical phenomena; Chemical engineering; Electroplating; Exact sciences and technology; General purification processes; Groundwaters; Iron; Kaolin; Nanocomposites; Nanomaterials; Nanoscale zero-valent iron; Nanostructure; Natural water pollution; Pb(II); Pollution; Waste water; Wastewater; Wastewaters; Water treatment and pollution
• ISSN: 1385-8947; 1873-3212
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cej.2010.07.056

Nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) used to remediate contaminated groundwater is limited due its lack of durability and mechanical strength. To address these issues, synthesized kaolin supported nanoscale zero-valent iron (K-nZVI) was used to remove Pb(II) ion from aqueous solution. This study has demonstrated that synthesized K-nZVI was efficient in removing Pb(II) from aqueous solution containing 500 mg L −1 of Pb(II), where 90.1% of Pb(II) was removed within 60 min using 5 g L −1 of K-nZVI having a nZVI mass fraction of 20% at pH 5–6. Ni(II) and Cd(II), as co-existent ions, were also removed by the synthesized K-nZVI. This however had little effect on the removal of Pb(II) from solution. The synthesized K-nZVI could be reused more than 5 times when applied to remove Pb(II) from solution with concentrations of 50 mg L −1. Additionally, synthesized K-nZVI was efficient in removing Pb(II) (98.8%) and total Cr (99.8%) from an electroplating wastewater, indicating that the synthesized nZVI is a potential remediation material when used for the treatment of electroplating wastewater containing metal ions.