Gulsin Arslan

Removal of fluoride from water by using granular red mud: batch and column studies.

This paper describes the removal of fluoride from water using granular red mud (GRM) according to batch and column adsorption techniques. For the batch technique, the experiments demonstrated that maximum fluoride removal was obtained at a pH of 4.7 and it took 6h to attain equilibrium and equilibrium time did not depend upon the initial fluoride concentration. Kinetics data were fitted with pseudo-second-order model. The Redlich-Peterson and Freundlich isotherm models better represented the adsorption data in comparison to the Langmuir model. Column experiments were carried out under a constant influent concentration and bed depth, and different flow rates. The capacities of the breakthrough and exhaustion points decreased with increase of the flow rate. Thomas model was applied to the experimental results. The modelled breakthrough curves were obtained, and they were in agreement with the corresponding experimental data. The column adsorption was reversal and the regeneration operation was accomplished by pumping 0.2M of NaOH through the loaded GRM-column.

Arsenic(V) removal from underground water by magnetic nanoparticles synthesized from waste red mud.

In this study waste red mud (bauxite residue) sample obtained from Seydişehir (Konya, Turkey) was evaluated for the synthesis of Fe(3)O(4) nanoparticles (NPs) in ammonia solution that can be used to remove As(V) from both synthetic and natural underground water samples. The synthesized Fe(3)O(4)-NPs were characterized by using TEM, VSM, XRD, SAXS, TGA and FT-IR spectroscopy. The Fe(3)O(4)-NPs assumed a near-sphere shape with an average size of 9 nm. The results showed that synthesized Fe(3)O(4)-NPs from waste red mud have satisfactory magnetic properties and As(V) sorption capacity, especially at low equilibrium arsenate concentrations.

Preparation and characterisation of biodegradable pollen–chitosan microcapsules and its application in heavy metal removal

Biosorbents have been widely used in heavy metal removal. New resources should be exploited to develop more efficient biosorbents. This study reports the preparation of three novel chitosan microcapsules from pollens of three common, wind-pollinated plants (Acer negundo, Cupressus sempervirens and Populus nigra). The microcapsules were characterized (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and elemental analysis) and used in removal of heavy metal ions: Cd(II), Cr(III), Cu(II), Ni(II) and Zn(II). Their sorption capacities were compared to those of cross-linked chitosan beads without pollen grains. C. sempervirens-chitosan microcapsules exhibited better performance (Cd(II): 65.98; Cu(II): 67.10 and Zn(II): 49.55 mg g(-1)) than the other microcapsules and the cross-linked beads. A. negundo-chitosan microcapsules were more efficient in Cr(III) (70.40 mg g(-1)) removal. P. nigra-chitosan microcapsules were found to be less efficient. Chitosan-pollen microcapsules (except P. nigra-chitosan microcapsules) can be used in heavy metal removal.

Chitosan/sporopollenin microcapsules: preparation, characterisation and application in heavy metal removal.

Use of natural polymers as biosorbents for heavy metal removal is advantageous. This paper reports a study aiming to design a novel biosorbent from two biomacromolecules; chitosan, a versatile derivative of chitin, and sporopollenin, a biopolymer with excellent mechanical properties and great resistance to chemical and biological attack. Chitosan/sporopollenin microcapsules were prepared via cross-linking and characterised by employing scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Sorption performance of the microcapsules and the plain chitosan beads were tested for Cu(II), Cd(II), Cr(III), Ni(II) and Zn(II) ions at different metal ion concentration, pH, amount of sorbent, temperature and sorption time. The adsorption pattern followed Langmuir isotherm model and the sorption capacity of the chitosan/sporopollenin microcapsules was found to be Cu(II): 1.34, Cd(II): 0.77, Cr(III): 0.99, Ni(II): 0.58 and Zn(II): 0.71 mmol g(-1). Plain chitosan beads showed higher affinity for the ions; Cu(II): 1.46, Cr(III): 1.16 and Ni(II): 0.81 mmol g(-1) but lower for Cd(II): 0.15 and Zn(II): 0.25 mmol g(-1). Sporopollenin enhanced Cd(II) and Zn(II) ions sorption capacity of the chitosan microcapsules. Chitosan/sporopollenin microcapsules can be used in Cd(II) and Zn(II) metal removal.

Surface modification of glass beads with glutaraldehyde: Characterization and their adsorption property for metal ions

In this study, a new material that adsorbs the metal ions was prepared by modification of the glass beads surfaces with glutaraldehyde. First, the glass beads were etched with 4M NaOH solution. Then, they were reacted with 3-aminopropyl-triethoxysilane (APTES). Finally, silanized glass beads were treated with 25% of glutaraldehyde solution. The characterization studies by using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), elemental analysis and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) indicated that modification of the glass bead surfaces was successfully performed. The adsorption studies exhibited that the modified glass beads could be efficiently used for the removal of the metal cations and anion (chromate ion) from aqueous solutions via chelation and ion-exchange mechanisms. For both Pb(II) and Cr(VI), selected as model ions, the adsorption equilibrium was achieved in 60 min and adsorption of both ions followed the second-order kinetic model. It was found that the sorption data was better represented by the Freundlich isotherm in comparison to the Langmuir and Redlich-Peterson isotherm models. The maximum adsorption capacities for Pb(II) and Cr(VI) were 9.947 and 11.571 mg/g, respectively. The regeneration studies also showed that modified glass beads could be re-used for the adsorption of Pb(II) and Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions over three cycles.

Uptake of Metal Ions on Humic Acids

The kinetics, the sorption capacities, pH and temperature dependence of sorption of humic acids (HAs) of Turkish brown coals with respect to Zn(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II) and Pb(II) ions were investigated, and the roles of the carboxylic and phenolic groups in the adsorption of metals ion on HAs were searched in this work. These metal ions are able to form complex compounds with carboxylic and phenolic groups of HAs. Adsorption equilibrium was achieved in between 50 and 60 min for all studied cations. HAs extracted from different brown coals have been characterized by chemical and physical methods. The chemical properties of HAs showed differences depending on the source from which they were obtained. The sorption of metals on the surface of HAs depends strongly on the pH, and sorption decreases with decreasing pH. Maximum removal of metal ions was demonstrated at pH values of 4.1–5.0. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm was used to describe observed sorption phenomena. The Δ G 0 became negative as the temperature increased, and so the equilibrium constant decreased slightly. The investigation proved that the HAs are suitable materials for the studied heavy metal ion removal from aqueous solution and could be considered as potential material for purification of effluent polluted with toxic metal ions.

Facilitated transport of Cr(III) through activated composite membrane containing di-(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (DEHPA) as carrier agent

The facilitated transport of chromium(III) through activated composite membrane (ACM) containing di-(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid (DEHPA) was investigated. DEHPA was immobilised by interfacial polymerisation on polysulfone layer which was deposited on non-woven fabric by using spin coater. Then, ACM was characterised by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), contact angle measurements and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Initially, batch experiments of liquid-liquid distribution of Cr(III) and the extractant (DEHPA) were carried out to determine the appropriate pH of the feed phase and the results showed that maximum extraction of Cr(III) was achieved at a pH of 4. It was also found that Cr(III) and DEHPA reacted in 1/1 molar ratio. The effects of Cr(III) (in feed phase), HCl (in stripping phase) and DEHPA (in ACM) concentrations were investigated. DEHPA concentration varies from 0.1 to 1.0M and it was determined that the transport of Cr(III) increased with the carrier concentration up to 0.8M. It was also observed that the transport of Cr(III) through the ACM tended to increase with Cr(III) and HCl concentrations. The stability of ACM was also confirmed with replicate experiments.

Recent Studies on Activated Carbons and Fly Ashes from Turkish Resources

This article deals with adsorptive properties of activated carbons (ACs) and fly ashes from Turkish coal and biomass resources. ACs because of their high surface area, microporous character and the chemical nature of their surface have been considered potential adsorbents for the removal of heavy metals from industrial wastewater. Pyrolysis is an established process method for preparation of activated carbon from biomass. The bio-char is can be used as AC. The adsorption properties of ACs were strictly defined by the physicochemical nature of their surface and their texture, i.e., pore volume, pore size distribution, surface area. It is well known that the pH of the solution-adsorbant mixture is an important variable in the adsorption process. Fly ash has the highest adsorption capacity (198.2 mg/g) for Cd(II). Almond shell AC has the lowest adsorption capacity (2.7 mg/g).

Microfungal spores (Ustilago maydis and U. digitariae) immobilised chitosan microcapsules for heavy metal removal.

Designing effective chitosan-based biosorbents from unexploited biomass for heavy metal removal has received much attention over the past decade. Ustilago, loose smut, is a ubiquitous fungal plant pathogen infecting over 4000 species including maize and weed. This study aimed to establish whether the spores of the phytopathogenic microfungi Ustilago spores can be immobilised in cross-linked chitosan matrix, and it reports findings on heavy metal sorption performance of chitosan/Ustilago composite microcapsules. Immobilisation of Ustilago maydis and U. digitariae spores (from maize and weed) in chitosan microcapsules was achieved via glutaraldehyde cross-linking. The cross-linked microcapsules were characterised using scanning electron microscopy, FT-IR spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis. Sorption capacities of chitosan-U. maydis and chitosan-U. digitariae microcapsules were investigated and compared to cross-linked chitosan beads: Cu(II): 66.72, 69.26, 42.57; Cd(II): 49.46, 53.96, 7.87; Cr(III): 35.88, 49.40, 43.68; Ni(II): 41.67, 33.46, 16.43 and Zn(II): 30.73, 60.81, 15.04mg/g, respectively. Sorption experiments were conducted as a function of initial metal ion concentration (2-10mg/L), contact time (60-480min), temperature (25, 35 and 45°C), amount of the sorbent (0.05-0.25g) and pH of the metal solution. The microcapsules with spores exhibited better performance over the plain chitosan beads, demonstrating their potential use in water treatment.

Removal of Cu(II) and Ni(II) from aqueous solution by lignite-based humic acids

Abstract The removals of Cu(II) and Ni(II) metal ions from an aqueous solution were investigated by using humic acids (HAs) in a batch arrangement. HAs were prepared by using alkaline extraction, following sedimentation and acidic precipitation from three Turkish lignites: Ilgin, Beysehir, and Ermenek. The interactions of Cu(II) and Ni(II) with solid HAs and influence of three parameters (initial metal concentration, solution pH and temperature) on the removal of metals were studied. Adsorption equilibrium was achieved in about 120 min for Cu(II) and Ni(II) ions. The sorption of Cu(II) and Ni(II) on the surface of HAs depended strongly on the pH, and increased with increasing of pH and the initial concentration of metal. The sorption of Cu(II) was higher than that of Ni(II) for HAs. The equilibrium relationship between adsorbent and adsorbate is described by adsorption isotherms at a fixed temperature 35°C, at pH ∼4.0. The Langmuir adsorption isotherm was used to describe observed sorption phenomena. It was observed that the maximum adsorption capacity of Cu(II)/g was 0.27 mmol for Ilgin (HA1) and Beysehir (HA2), 0.19 mmol for Ermenek (HA3) and that of Ni(II)/g was 0.28 mmol for HA1, 0.24 mmol for HA2, 0.18 mmol for HA3 at pH 4.1, respectively. More than 80% of Cu(II) was removed by HA1 and HA2 and 58% by HA3, 82% of Ni(II) was removed by HA1, 71% by HA2 and 52% by HA3 from aqueous solution. The adsorption of Cu(II) and Ni(II) was higher between pH 4.1 and 5.1 for all HAs, and maximum sorption was observed at pH 4.1. The increase in temperature caused a slight decrease in the value of the equilibrium constant (K c) for the sorption of metal ions. Adsorption isotherms and kinetics data of Cu(II) and Ni(II) ions removed by HAs are presented and discussed.