Biosorption Performance of Biodegradable Polymer Powders for the Removal of Gallium(III) ions from Aqueous Solution

Abstract

Gallium (Ga) is considered an important element in the semiconducting industry and as the lifespan of electronic products decrease annually Ga-containing effl uent has been increasing. The present study investigated the use of biodegradable polymer powders, crab shell and chitosan, in the removal of Ga(III) ions from aqueous solution. Ga(III) biosorption was modeled to Lagergren-fi rst, pseudo-second order and the Weber-Morris models. Equilibrium data was modeled to the Langmuir, Freundlich and Langmuir-Freundlich adsorption isotherms to determine the probable biosorption behavior of Ga(III) with the biosorbents. The biosorbents were investigated by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, X-ray Diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy/ Energy Dispersive Spectra analysis.

Efficient Gallium Recovery from Aqueous Solutions Using Polyacrylonitrile Nanofibers Loaded with D2EHPA

“…T 2.5 as the optimal value was used for the subsequent adsorption experiments. A study on the effects of pH on gallium adsorption (Figure 8) revealed that pH 2.5 was optimal for maximum Ga adsorption efficiency, which was in agreement with the literature [3,20,51]. A lower pH introduces competition from greater concentrations of H + ions with gallium ions, thus preventing adsorption of the Ga 3+ cations [20,51].…”

“…A study on the effects of pH on gallium adsorption (Figure 8) revealed that pH 2.5 was optimal for maximum Ga adsorption efficiency, which was in agreement with the literature [3,20,51]. A lower pH introduces competition from greater concentrations of H + ions with gallium ions, thus preventing adsorption of the Ga 3+ cations [20,51].…”

“…Ga 3+ species was identified as being available in solutions below pH 4; however, precipitation of the metal could occur at pH above ~3.0, which could lead to a false increase in the adsorption capacity values. A study on the effects of pH on gallium adsorption (Figure 8) revealed tha was optimal for maximum Ga adsorption efficiency, which was in agreement w literature [3,20,51]. A lower pH introduces competition from greater concentratio ions with gallium ions, thus preventing adsorption of the Ga 3+ cations [20,51].…”

“…For the equilibrium curves, the following parameters were evaluated: initial gallium concentrations (20,40,60,80, 100, 120, and 150 mg L −1 ) and stirred for a range of temperatures (25, 35, 45, and 55 • C) at optimal pH for 240 min.…”

“…The retrieval of gallium from water is typically accomplished via chemical precipitation, complexation, ion exchange, solvent extraction, and adsorption, all of which possess their own advantages and disadvantages [18]. However, there is greater demand for new technologies for the recovery of technologically critical metals with lower costs that are more effective in reducing metal content from electronic waste and industrial effluents, thus reducing contamination of the environment [19,20]. Adsorption is considered a suitable technique for metal ion removal from solution in the elimination of contaminants even at very low concentrations [21].…”