Adsorption of chromium(VI) from aqueous solutions using an imidazole functionalized adsorbent

Hyung Jun Park, Lawrence L. Tavlarides

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

81 Scopus citations

Abstract

Separation of chromium(VI) from aqueous solutions is investigated using an imidazole functionalized sol-gel adsorbent. This adsorbent has been formed by the sol-gel synthesis method. The speciation diagram of Cr(VI) in an aqueous system with varying pH is studied by analyses of the equilibria equations. Batch adsorption equilibrium studies show a decrease in chromium uptake capacity with increase in pH in the range from 2 to 9, and the uptake capacity at pH 2.5 is found to be 2.93 mmol/g (152 mg/g). The Langmuir adsorption isotherm gives a satisfactory fit of the adsorption data. A kinetics study conducted with different concentrations of chromium(VI) in a batch reactor shows a rapid rate of adsorption. The adsorbent shows a high selectivity toward Cr(VI) and negligible adsorption of Cu(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II). Adsorption tests in a fixed bed column show a sharp breakthrough curve. Stripping of the chromium-loaded column bed is achieved using 4 M HNO3. Twenty cycles of adsorption and desorption process are performed for SOL-IPS adsorbent. The adsorbent maintains 90% of original capacity during 15 cycles, and loss of 25% of capacity until 20 cycles of operation. The imidazole functional adsorbent is demonstrated to be an effective sorbent material for the separation of chromium(VI) from aqueous solutions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)3401-3409
Number of pages9
JournalIndustrial and Engineering Chemistry Research
Volume47
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - May 21 2008

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • General Chemical Engineering
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

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