Preparation and characterization of nanocomposite, silica aerogel, activated carbon and its adsorption properties for Cd (II)‎ ions from aqueous solution

Abstract EN

A novel composite adsorbent, silica aerogel activated carbon was synthesized by sol-gel process at ambient pressure drying method.

The composite was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Nitrogen adsorption / desorption isotherms (BET).

In the present study, the mentioned adsorbent was used moderately for the removal of cadmium ions from aqueous solutions and was compared with two other adsorbents of cadmium, activated carbon and silica aerogel.

The experiments of Cd adsorption by adsorbents were performed at different initial ion concentrations, pH of the solution, adsorption temperature, adsorbent dosage and contact time.

Moreover, the optimum pH for the adsorption was found to be 6.0 with the corresponding adsorbent dosage level of 0.1 g at 60 C temperature.

Subsequently, the equilibrium was achieved for Cd with 120 min of contact time.