Batch equilibrium and kinetics of mercury removal from aqueous solutions using polythiophene/graphene oxide nanocomposite.

Title Batch equilibrium and kinetics of mercury removal from aqueous solutions using polythiophene/graphene oxide nanocomposite.
Authors A.M. Muliwa; M.S. Onyango; A. Maity; A. Ochieng
Journal Water Sci Technol
DOI 10.2166/wst.2017.165
Abstract

Polythiophene/graphene oxide (PTh/GO) nanocomposite (NC) was prepared through polymerisation of thiophene in the presence of GO and was used for mercury ions (Hg(2+)) adsorption in aqueous solutions. Equilibrium studies showed that mercury removal was strongly influenced by solution pH and GO composition in the NC. The equilibrium data were well described by both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models, with a Langmuir maximum adsorption capacity of 113.6 mg/g. Adsorption kinetics were rapid and correlated well with the pseudo-second-order model. The thermodynamic studies indicated that the adsorption was spontaneous and endothermic in nature, and occurred through a physicochemical mechanism. Desorption studies revealed that PTh/GO NC could be used repeatedly for three adsorption-desorption cycles without a significant loss in its capacity. Competing ions reduced mercury uptake although considerable values were still attained. The findings of this study suggest that PTh/GO NC is a potential adsorbent for Hg(2+) removal from aqueous solutions.

Citation A.M. Muliwa; M.S. Onyango; A. Maity; A. Ochieng.Batch equilibrium and kinetics of mercury removal from aqueous solutions using polythiophene/graphene oxide nanocomposite.. Water Sci Technol. 2017;75(12):28412851. doi:10.2166/wst.2017.165

Related Elements

Mercury

Mercury Bohr ModelSee more Mercury products. Mercury (atomic symbol: Hg, atomic number: 80) is a Block D, Group 12, Period 6 element with an atomic weight of 200.59. The number of electrons in each of mercury's shells is 2, 8, 18,32, 18, 2 and its electron configuration is [Xe] 4f14 5d10 6s2. The mercury atom has a radius of 151 pm and a Van der Waals radius of 209 pm. It is named after the planet Mercury and often referred to as "quicksilver" due to its appearance as a silvery liquid. Mercury has low melting and boiling points. It is a poor conductor of heat, but a fair conductor of electricity. Mercury is found both as a free element and in cinnabar, corderoite, and livingstonite ores.

Carbon

See more Carbon products. Carbon (atomic symbol: C, atomic number: 6) is a Block P, Group 14, Period 2 element. Carbon Bohr ModelThe number of electrons in each of Carbon's shells is 2, 4 and its electron configuration is [He]2s2 2p2. In its elemental form, carbon can take various physical forms (known as allotropes) based on the type of bonds between carbon atoms; the most well known allotropes are diamond, graphite, amorphous carbon, glassy carbon, and nanostructured forms such as carbon nanotubes, fullerenes, and nanofibers . Carbon is at the same time one of the softest (as graphite) and hardest (as diamond) materials found in nature. It is the 15th most abundant element in the Earth's crust, and the fourth most abundant element (by mass) in the universe after hydrogen, helium, and oxygen. Carbon was discovered by the Egyptians and Sumerians circa 3750 BC. It was first recognized as an element by Antoine Lavoisier in 1789.

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