Synthesis and Characterization of Pumice-Supported nZVI for Removal of Copper from Waters

Abstract EN

The target of this work was to study the synthesis and characterization of pumice-supported nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) and the effectiveness of nZVI coated pumice to remove copper from water.

The impacts of pumice dose, pumice surface chemistry, pH, and water source on copper removal were studied.

Natural pumice particles were used as granular support media and coated with nZVI.

Results of nZVI coated pumice characterization showed nZVI coated successfully on pumice surface being proved with characterization methods such as SEM-EDS, XPS, and XRF.

nZVI coating overwhelmed the surface chemistry properties of the underlying pumice particles.

Higher surface areas and more iron content were obtained in nZVI coated pumice.

nZVI coating significantly increased copper uptake compared to uncoated particles.

High removal capacity has been observed for all tested pH values.

Control experiments indicated that nZVI bound on pumice surfaces is stable at pH values of typical natural waters.

The nZVI coated pumice was found to be effective in removing copper from waters having a wide range of specific UV absorbance (SUVA) values.

Overall, the results indicated that nZVI coated pumice particles are maybe alternative adsorbents to remove copper.