Naked-eye lead(II) capturing from contaminated water using innovative large-pore facial composite materials

Abstract

Detection and removal of toxic metal ions from aqueous solutions is considered among the most important environmental issues in recent years as these metals are hazardous, carcinogenic, and classified as toxic pollutants. In this study, organic ligand embedded large-pore facile composite material was prepared by the direct anchoring method and then, was characterized in systematic ways for understanding the lead (Pb(II)) detection and removal in naked-eye ability in an aqueous solution was evaluated. The material was exhibited the specific functionality for Pb(II) detection and removal from aqueous media with the addition of trace level of Pb(II) ion. The Pb(II) ion detection limit of the presented method was 0.44 µg/L at optimum conditions. The impact of effective Pb(II) ion removal parameters including solution pH, the initial concentration, contact time and desorption ability was studied. The results demonstrated that the addition composite material have synergistic effect on Pb(II) adsorption capacity. The data of adsorption processes clarified that with increased pH up to 5.50, the Pb(II) adsorption was suitable at pH 5.50. Moreover, the composite material exhibited the large surface area-to-volume ratios and uniformly mesostructures shaped pores that were actively working to selective capturing of Pb(II) ion. The adsorption data were well fitted to the Langmuir model and the maximum adsorption capacity was 176.66 mg/g. The material was capable to uptake the Pb(II) ion even in the presence of a high amount of coexisting metal ions. The adsorbed Pb(II) ion was completely eluted with 0.20 M HCl and simultaneously regenerated into the initial form for the next operation after washing with water without loss in its initial performances. Then the modified composite material enhanced the affinity between Pb(II) and functional surface for improving the selectivity to uses a very promising in purification of wastewater.