Multifunctional cobalt oxide nanocomposites for efficient removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions. (March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: El Mouden, Abdelaziz; El Messaoudi, Noureddine; El Guerraf, Abdelqader; Bouich, Amal; Mehmeti, Valbonë; Lacherai, Abdellah; Jada, Amane; Sher, Farooq
• Is Part Of: Chemosphere. Volume 317(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-03
• Subjects: Environmental pollution -- Natural clay -- Co3O4 nanoparticles -- Heavy metals -- Adsorption and MC simulations; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Physiological effect -- Periodicals; Environmental sciences -- Periodicals; Atmospheric chemistry -- Periodicals; 551.511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.137922
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0045-6535

Abstract

Abstract: In this study, co-precipitation synthesis of natural clay (NC) with Co3 O4 nanoparticles (NPs) is carried out to elaborate the super NC@Co3 O4 nanocomposites with admirable salinity confrontation, environmental stability and reusability, to eliminate heavy metal pollution such as toxic Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions. The advantages of using the NC@Co3 O4 adsorbent are easy synthesis and biocompatibility. In addition, NC@Co3 O4 can keep an excellent adsorption capacity by taking into account various environmental parameters such as the pH solution, NC@Co3 O4 dose, adsorption process time and the initial heavy metals concentration. Furthermore, FTIR, XRD, TGA, SEM-EDS, TEM and AFM analyses were performed to confirm NC@Co3 O4 nanocomposites synthesis and characterisation. The adsorption efficiencies of Pb(II) and Cd(II) ions by NC@Co3 O4 nanocomposites were demonstrated to be up to 86.89% and 82.06% respectively. Regarding the adsorption from water onto the NC@Co3 O4 nanocomposites, kinetics data were well fitted with PSO kinetic model, whereas a good agreement was found between the equilibrium adsorption and theoretical Langmuir isotherm model leading to maximum adsorption capacities of 55.24 and 52.91 mg/g, for Pb(II) and Cd(II) respectively. Monte Carlo (MC) simulations confirmed the spontaneous of this adsorption based on the negative values of Eads . The MC simulations were performed to highlight the interactions occurring between heavy metal ions and the surface of NC@Co3 O4 nanocomposites, these were well correlated with the experimental results. Overall the study showed that NC@Co3 O4 nanoadsorbents have strongly versatile applications and are well designed for pollutant removal from wastewater due to their unique adsorptive properties. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Synthesis of sustainable nanocomposites of natural clay (NC) with Co3O4 nanoparticles (NPs). Removal of Pb(II) and Cd (II) ions using NC@Co3 O4 nanocomposites. NC@Co3 O4 has Qm of 55.24 mg/g for Pb(II) and 52.91 mg/g for Cd (II) ions. MC simulations were used to clarify adsorption properties of nanocomposites. The NC@Co3 O4 nanocomposites are reusable for 5 consecutive cycles.