Carbon nanomaterial-based aerogels for improved removal of copper(ii), zinc(ii), and lead(ii) ions from water. Issue 2 (21st April 2022) - Smith, Darren M.
Abstract : Carbon-based aerogels have the capability of high adsorption removal of copper, lead, and zinc metal ions from water systems. Abstract : Access to clean water continues to be an issue throughout the world. Carbon nanomaterials that were integrated into 2-D hybrid papers have previously shown the ability to adsorb metal ions, such as copper(ii ), and polyaromatics. The use of single-wall carbon nanotube–graphene nanoplatelet (SWCNT–GnP) aerogels with a 3-D architecture has led to increased adsorption of polyaromatic compounds. Herein we demonstrate their increased ability to adsorb copper(ii ), lead(ii ), and zinc(ii ) ions. Compared to SWCNT–GnP hybrid papers and activated carbon (AC), carbon nanomaterial (CNM)-based aerogels have an adsorption capacity, q, that is up to 5-fold, 7-fold, and 48-fold larger for copper, lead, and zinc, respectively.