Abstract
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•Methyl methacrylate-Na-Y-Zeolite composite was synthesized.•The composite has been used for Cu(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) adsorption and working parameters were optimized.•Increasing the amount of zeolite enhances sorption capacity.•The adsorbent was subjected to regeneration and reusability.
The adsorption of Cu(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II) from aqueous solution onto methyl methacrylate-Na-Y-Zeolite (MMA-Na-Y-Zeolite) composite was analyzed in a batch system with respect to pH, contact time, initial metal ion concentration, adsorbent dosage and temperature. The sorbent was characterized by FT-IR spectrometry, SEM analysis and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Kinetic profiles are successfully modeled with the pseudo-second order rate equation. The Langmuir, the Dubinin–Radushkevich and Temkin equations fit well-adsorption isotherms of Cu(II) and Cd(II), while the distribution of Pb(II) at equilibrium did not fit any of the studied adsorption isotherms. The change of free energy (ΔGo), enthalpy (ΔHo) and entropy (ΔSo) of adsorption were also evaluated. The thermodynamics of the adsorption Cu(II) and Cd(II) indicated endothermic nature, on the other side exothermic adsorption was recorded for Pb(II). The regeneration efficiency of MMA-Na-Y-Zeolite reached 96.6%, 98.18% and 98.4% for Cu(II), Cd(II) and Pb(II), respectively. The results indicate that MMA-Na-Y-Zeolite composite could be employed as low-cost material for the removal of heavy metals from real water samples.