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Cadmium removal by activated carbon, carbon nanotubes, carbon nanofibers, and carbon fly ash: a comparative study

  • Fahad Abdulaziz Al-Khaldi
  • , Basel Abu-Sharkh
  • , Abdalla Mahmoud Abulkibash
  • , Muataz Ali Atieh*
  • *Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

61 Scopus citations

Abstract

Abstract: Four types of carbonaceous adsorbent materials were applied for the removal of cadmium ions from water. These materials include fly ash (FA), activated carbon (AC), carbon nanofibers (CNFs), and carbon nanotubes (CNTs). The adsorption mechanisms and the kinetics of cadmium (II) removal from water were investigated. The effects of pH, the adsorbent dosage, the contact time, and the agitation speed on the removal process were studied and optimized. The four carbon adsorbents were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. Adsorption isotherms were used to find the model of the adsorption behavior and to calculate the percentage removal. A 95% removal was obtained by using FA at pH 7, a dosage of 50 mg, a contact time of two hours, and an agitation speed of 150 rpm. In case of CNTs, CNFs, and AC, the percentage removals were found to be 27, 34, and 38%, respectively. The experimental data of the four-based carbon adsorbents were well fitted with Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1417-1429
Number of pages13
JournalDesalination and Water Treatment
Volume53
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 30 Jan 2015

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2013 Balaban Desalination Publications. All rights reserved.

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 6 - Clean Water and Sanitation
    SDG 6 Clean Water and Sanitation

Keywords

  • Activated carbon
  • Cadmium removal
  • Carbon fly ash
  • Carbon nanofibers
  • Carbon nanotubes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Water Science and Technology
  • Ocean Engineering
  • Pollution

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