Lead adsorption using Magnetic multiwalled carbon nanotubes

The pollution of water resources due to the disposal of heavy metals has been causing worldwide concern. Therefore, the removal of heavy metal ions from water has become an important subject today. Many techniques and methods to remove heavy metal ions from water have been developed, such as ion-exchange, evaporation and concentration, chemical precipitation, reverse osmosis, adsorption, and electrolysis [1]. Numerous materials can be used as adsorbents to remove heavy metal ions from water. Because CNTs possess a high chemical and thermal stability and a large specific surface area, they have been applied to remove heavy metal ions from aqueous solution [2-5]. In this study, magnetic multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MMWCNTs) were successfully synthesized. These MWCNTs were used to lead ions adsorption from aqueous solution. The pristine and MMWCNTs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The optimal conditions of experimental such as pH, amount of adsorbent and contact time were investigated. The adsorption capacity was evaluated using both the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models. The results showed that MMWCNTs have a good potential for adsorption of lead from aqueous solution.