Abstract
An effective sulfonated polyether sulfone/multiwall carbon nanotubes composite (SPES/MWCNTs) has been designed to adsorb lead (Pb
2+
) ions from synthetic wastewater. Structural characteristics of the SPES/MWCNTs were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy, BET surface area, and FTIR techniques. Batch adsorption experiments were performed to evaluate the role of various experimental conditions including solution pH, reaction time, and initial adsorbate concentrations. The kinetics for Pb
2+
adsorption on SPES/MWCNTs followed a pseudo-second-order kinetic model which suggests chemisorption mechanism was involved in Pb
2+
removal onto SPES/MWCNTs. Adsorption equilibrium data were best described through Langmuir isotherm and calculated maximum monolayer adsorption capacity was found to be 54.054 mg g
− 1
. Furthermore, the regeneration and reusability of spent SPES/MWCNTs were investigated with 0.1 M HNO
3,
and about 83.18% removal of Pb
2+
was observed after third cycle. The obtained results suggested that SPES/MWCNTs’ composite could be very effective and favorable adsorbent in wastewater treatment.