Cyclic voltammetric studies of the influence of surface chemistry on the electrochemical behaviour of powdered activated carbon electrodes (PACE) in the presence of selected heavy metal ions (Pb 2+ , Hg 2+ , Cd 2+ ) in bulk solution and pre-adsorbed on carbon were carried out. The variety of surfaces was achieved via the modification of carbon samples by heat treatment under vacuum and in an oxygen/ammonia atmosphere, as well as oxidation with conc. nitric acid. The chemical structures of the modified carbon surfaces were characterised by XPS and standard pH-titration. The adsorption capacities of the modified carbon samples towards the heavy metal ions in question were estimated. The mechanisms of adsorption processes of metal species on carbon surfaces were analysed and described on the basis of their electrochemical behaviour. The nature of the interactions between the modified carbon surfaces and adsorbed cations is discussed.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.