Sorption studies of manganese and cobalt from aqueous phase onto alginate beads and nano-graphite encapsulated alginate beads

Comparative sorption study of dissolved manganese and cobalt ions onto alginate beads (ABs) and thermally activated nano-carbon beads (NCBs) was performed. Acidic functionalities dominate over sorbent surface. Elemental analysis confirmed that divalent calcium replacement with heavy metal ions might be a possible sorption mechanism. Optimum metal uptake was observed at pH 8. Most of the metal ions (80–92%) were sorbed within 4 h, followed by a slower sorption stage. Mn(II) and Co(II) recovery was greater than 99% with 0.1 N HCl, and NCB could be repeatedly utilized for Mn(II) and Co(II) sorption with negligible loss in sorption capacity.