Abstract
The Nernst-Planck equations with some additional assumptions was used in this study to investigate the forward kinetics and ion-exchange mechanism of heavy metal ions viz. Ni2+-H+, Cu2+-H+, Mn2+-H+ and Zn2+-H+ on the surface of carboxymethyl cellulose Sn(IV) phosphate composite nano-rod-like cation-exchanger. It was observed that heavy metals' exchange processes were imparted by the particle diffusion-controlled phenomenon. Some physical parameters i.e., fractional attainment of equilibrium U(tau), self-diffusion coefficients (D-o), energy of activation (E-a), and entropy of activation (Delta S*) were estimated. These investigations revealed that the equilibrium is attained faster at higher temperature probably because of availability of thermally enlarged matrix of carboxymethyl cellulose Sn(IV) phosphate composite nano-rod-like cation-exchange material. The physical parameters observed for this composite cation exchanger were also compared with other composite ion exchangers. The results showed that the ion-exchange phenomenon is more feasible on the surface of this composite cation exchanger as compared with the other ion exchangers which indicated the usefulness of this composite ion exchanger in various applications.