Pages 51-61

Naoki Kano,MeilingPang, YanlingDeng andHiroshi Imaizumi

DOI: https://doi.org/10.6000/1929-5030.2017.06.02.1

Published: 19 June 2017

Abstract: The adsorption capacity of activated carbon modified with potassium permanganate(KMnO₄) for rare earth elements (REEs) from aqueous solution was investigated. The modified activated carbon was characterized by SEM (scanning electron microscopy), FT-IR (Fourier transform infrared spectrometer), and N₂ adsorption-desorption tests. Adsorption experiments from aqueous solutions containing known amounts of some REEs (i.e. La, Lu, Yb, Eu, Y, Sc) onto the carbon were explored in a batch system.The amount of REEsadsorbed at different pH values, initial concentrations, and contact times were determined by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) in order to determine the optimum conditions for REEs adsorption. The adsorption of REEs on the activated carbon was well fitted by the Langmuir isothermal adsorption equation. The rates of adsorption were found to conform to pseudo-second order kinetic. These results presentthe modified activated carbonas an efficient adsorbent for REEs, hence creating new avenues for the treatment of industrial waste waters including pollutants. It is very significant information from the viewpoint of environmental protection.

Keyword: Adsorption, modified activated carbon, rare earth elements (REEs), adsorption isotherms, kinetics.

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