Novel metal based nanocomposite for rapid and efficient removal of lead from contaminated wastewater sorption kinetics, thermodynamics and mechanisms

Abstract A sol–gel method was utilized to prepare a novel nanocomposite adsorbent (nMgO/bentonite) and was tested for Pb(II) removal from aqueous solutions. The produced nanocomposite was investigated using, SEM–EDX, XRD, and FTIR analyses before and after Pb adsorption. Adsorption equilibrium and kinetic experiments were run in batch system under different conditions of pH, adsorbent dose, competitive cations, contact time and temperature. The results exhibited rapid Pb(II) adsorption by the nanocomposite in the first five min. Experimental lead adsorption equilibrium and kinetics data fitted well to Langmuir and power function models, respectively as indicated from the lowest standard error (SE) values. The calculated Langmuir maximum adsorption capacity (qmax) value of nanocomposite (75 mg g−1) was 4.5 times higher than that of bentonite (16.66 mg g−1). Moreover, the highest quantity of Pb(II) uptake was achieved at temperature of 307 K and pH 9. The Langmuir sorption capacity of the nanocomposite for Pb(II) increased from 75 to 145 mg g−1 with increasing temperature from 287 to 307 K. The thermodynamic parameters of Pb(II) adsorption by the nanocomposite affirm the spontaneous and endothermic nature of the adsorption process. Lead adsorption mechanisms by the nanocomposite were proposed and discussed.