Carbon Nanofibers: A New Adsorbent for Copper Removal from Wastewater

• Main Authors: Irene García-Díaz, Felix Antonio López, Francisco José Alguacil
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-11-01
• Series: Metals
• Subjects: carbon nanofibers; metal adsorption; carbon nanomaterials; copper adsorption; wastewater
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/8/11/914

This research describes the adsorption of Cu²⁺ onto a helical ribbon carbon nanofiber. The characterization of carbon nanofiber by zeta potential showed an isoelectronic pH of 1.9. The influence of different adsorption factors, such as stirring speed, temperature, pH, adsorbent concentration, etc., on the Cu²⁺ adsorption capacity have been evaluated. The pH has a great influence on Cu²⁺ adsorption, with the maximum adsorption capacity reached at a pH of 10. The experimental data fit well to pseudo-second order kinetic and Langmuir isotherm models (<i>q</i>_m = 8.80 mg&#183;g^&#8722;1) at <i>T</i> = 298 K and pH = 4. The Cu²⁺ adsorption could be explained by the particle diffusion model. Results showed that carbon nanofiber could be successfully used for the elimination of Cu²⁺ from wastewater.