Adsorption of Cu(II) from aqueous solution by micro-structured ZnO thin films

Micro-structured thin films of ZnO and Zn(OH)2 on glass slides were prepared using microwave irradiation as a rapid and simple method. The effect of pH on the structure and composition of films were studied by scanning electron microscope and X-ray diffraction methods. Formation of flower-like ZnO structure starts with formation of nano-rods. The application of thin films as adsorbent was studied by Cu(II) adsorption of from aqueous solution. The adsorption equilibrium and kinetic data were modeled with classical and recently developed models. The obtained ZnO film is an effective adsorbent for removing of Cu(II) with high adsorption capacity of 692 mg/g.