Comparative study on adsorptive removal of Cu, Pb, Zn heavy metals by modified perlite composites

Abstract

This study examined the removal of heavy metals Cu2+, Pb2+, Zn2+ from water solution by using perlite, perlite activated with oxalic acid and perlite modified with chitosan. The adsorption isotherms were also calculated. The conditions that affect the adsorption process were asserted as pH, adsorption dose and operation time. The highest adsorption yield among the four different adsorbent examined was provided by perlite activated with oxalic acid. The metal holding capacities were determined as 16.72 mg/g for Cu, 18.48 mg/g for Pb and 14.184 mg/g for Zn. This capacity was interpreted as the indicator of usability on the heavy metal removal functions in industrial treatment facilities. The experimental metal sorption of perlite activated forms is described best by the Freundlich adsorption isotherm model with determination values over 0.99. The research results prove that perlite and modified perlite are good natural adsorbents for the removal of heavy metal from water.