Removal of Zn(II), Cu(II) and Cd(II) from aqueous solution using gyrolite

Abstract

This study presentsa: gyrolite as adsorbent for removal of Zn2+, Cu2+ and Cd2+ ions from aqueous solutions. Adsorption reactions were found more intensive in alkaline solution (pH 10.61) because almost all (98-99%) zinc, copper and cadmium ions are adsorbed in 30 s. Ion-exchange equilibrium is reached only after 3 min in acidic (pH 5.86) medium. Alkaline solution substitution isomorphism was found typical to gyrolite because 20% of heavy metals ions participate in ion exchange reaction and other part of ions were present in gyrolite by chemosorption. At acidic solution, cation exchange mechanism proceed differs because all heavy metal ions participate only in ion exchange reaction. Crystal structure of gyrolite is stable in solutions (pH, 5.81-10.61). XRD, STA, FTIR and SEM methods characterized sorption products.