Synthesis of magnetic-nanoparticle modified-clays and investigation of their efficiency for water purification

Sorption of trace quantities of heavy metals in industrial waters on inexpensive and easily synthesizable modified adsorbent would make the removal of toxic heavy metals from wastewaters. Thus, it is aimed to synthesis and characterize polymer modified clays/nanomagnetic particles as novel and effective nanocomposite adsorbents. Inexpensive and abundantly available six different types of clay matrixes such as perlite, vermiculite, bentonite, kaolinite, silica fume, and diatomite will be modified with new polymers including metal binding functional groups. In the synthesis of new polymers and modification of the selected clays, efficient and easy methods will be used. The synthesized adsorbents will be characterized chemically and morphologically by using FT-IR, SEM/EDS, BET, TG/DTG and XRD analysis methods. In the second stage of the project, the polymer modified clays will be gained magnetic property by using different magnets and then the magnetic property of the synthesized/modified clay matrixes will be characterized. In the third stage, the adsorption feasibility of the synthesized novel materials will be investigated comparatively for the removal of different some hazardous metals (lead, copper, zinc, cadmium, silver, mercury, aluminium, vanadium and uranium) from wastewaters. In fourth stage, the effects of related conditions and kind of modification via in-situ polymerization on the adsorption efficiency will be studied systemically by using batch sorption procedure and column mode. The heavy metal content in aqueous solutions will be determined by using AAS or HGAAS instruments. In fifth stage, the obtained equilibrium data will be modelled by Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich (DR) models and also the maximum adsorption capacity of each of synthesized sorbents will be determined. In sixth stage, thermodynamics and kinetics of the sorption processes will be evaluated by using basic thermodynamic equations and commonly used kinetic models such as by the kinetic models. At the final stages of the project, the cycling adsorption/desorption performances of the synthesized adsorbents will be evaluated in the presence of different acid eluents. The results will be published in different qualified SCI/SCI-Exp. journals and also presented in national and international congress.