Adsorption of Nickel from aqueous solution by the use of low-cost adsorbents

The removal of Ni(II) from aqueous solution by different adsorbents was investigated. Calcined phosphate, red mud, and clarified sludge (a steel industry waste material) were used for the adsorption studies. The influence of pH, contact time, initial metal concentration, adsorbent nature and concentration on the selectivity and sensitivity of the removal process was investigated. The adsorption process was found to follow a first-order rate mechanism and rate constant was evaluated at 30 °C. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms fit well in the experimental data and their constants were evaluated. The thermodynamic equilibrium constant and the Gibbs free energy were calculated for each system. The adsorption capacity (q max ) calculated from Langmuir isotherm and the values of Gibbs free energy obtained showed that calcined phosphate has a higher capacity and affinity for the removal of Ni(II) compared to the other adsorbents used in the study.