Sorption studies of manganese and cobalt from aqueous phase onto alginate beads and nano-graphite encapsulated alginate beads

Abstract

Comparative sorption study of dissolved manganese and cobalt ions onto alginate beads CABs) and thermally activated nano-carbon beads (NCBs) was performed. Acidic functionalities dominate over sorbent surface. Elemental analysis confirmed that divalent calcium replacement with heavy metal ions might be a possible sorption mechanism. Optimum metal uptake was observed at pH 8. Most of the metal ions (80-92%) were sorbed within 4 h, followed by a slower sorption stage. Mn(II) and Co(II) recovery was greater than 99% with 0.1 N HCl, and NCB could be repeatedly utilized for Mn(II) and Co(II) sorption with negligible loss in sorption capacity. (C) 2014 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.