Multicomponent adsorption of heavy metals: competitive interaction and critical evaluation of reusability of magnetic activated carbon.
- 1São Paulo State University (UNESP), Institute of Biosciences, Modern Languages and Exact Sciences (IBILCE), Department of Chemistry and Environmental Sciences (DQCA), Laboratory of Environmental Sciences Studies (LECA) 2265 Cristóvão Colombo St., Jardim Nazareth São José do Rio Preto SP ZIP code 15054-000 Brazil [email protected] [email protected].
- 2State University of Londrina (UEL), Department of Chemistry, Advanced Functional Materials Laboratory (LaMFA) Celso Garcia Cid Highway, PR 445, km 380 Londrina PR ZIP code 86055-900 Brazil [email protected].
Abstract
Magnetic activated carbons (MACs) derived from biomass have demonstrated considerable potential as a water treatment solution for the removal of heavy metals. In this study, sugarcane bagasse-derived MACs were produced by hydrothermal carbonization and subsequently thermochemically activated with KOH prior to application. Adsorption experiments were conducted using single- and multicomponent systems. The adsorption capacities were lower for the multicomponent systems due to interactions among heavy metals. Isotherm studies revealed an initial saturation of adsorption sites with Pb(ii), while Cd(ii) and Ni(ii) continued adsorbing at higher concentrations, resulting in adsorption capacities in the order of Ni(ii) > Cd(ii) > Pb(ii). Kinetic studies demonstrated that the pseudo-first order and intraparticle diffusion-chemisorption models best described the adsorption behavior, indicating an adsorption process controlled by multiple mechanisms. The equilibrium data was best fitted by the Sips isotherm model, indicating adsorption on energetically heterogeneous active sites characterized by Freundlich-like behavior at lower concentrations and progressive Langmuir-like saturation at higher metal concentrations. Optimal adsorption capacities were achieved at pH 5.0 with a dosage of 0.50 g L-1 and an equilibrium time of 30 min (0.79, 1.06, and 1.45 mmol g-1 for Pb(ii), Cd(ii), and Ni(ii), respectively). Thermodynamic parameters confirmed the spontaneous nature of the adsorption, which was exothermic for Pb(ii) and endothermic for Cd(ii) and Ni(ii). The material was recycled for three cycles before beginning to lose its magnetism. These results demonstrate the potential of this magnetic activated carbon as an efficient and sustainable multifunctional adsorbent for heavy metal removal.
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BibTeX
@article{nogueira2026multicomponent,
title = {{Multicomponent adsorption of heavy metals: competitive interaction and critical evaluation of reusability of magnetic activated carbon.}},
author = {Gabriela A Nogueira and Altair B Moreira and Odair P Ferreira and Márcia C Bisinoti},
journal = {RSC advances},
year = {2026},
month = nov,
doi = {10.1039/d6ra07517g},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42997341},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Multicomponent adsorption of heavy metals: competitive interaction and critical evaluation of reusability of magnetic activated carbon.
AU - Gabriela A Nogueira
AU - Altair B Moreira
AU - Odair P Ferreira
AU - Márcia C Bisinoti
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/11/06
JO - RSC advances
DO - 10.1039/d6ra07517g
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42997341
AB - Magnetic activated carbons (MACs) derived from biomass have demonstrated considerable potential as a water treatment solution for the removal of heavy metals. In this study, sugarcane bagasse-derived MACs were produced by hydrothermal carbonization and subsequently thermochemically activated with KOH prior to application. Adsorption experiments were conducted using single- and multicomponent systems. The adsorption capacities were lower for the multicomponent systems due to interactions among heavy metals. Isotherm studies revealed an initial saturation of adsorption sites with Pb(ii), while Cd(ii) and Ni(ii) continued adsorbing at higher concentrations, resulting in adsorption capacities in the order of Ni(ii) > Cd(ii) > Pb(ii). Kinetic studies demonstrated that the pseudo-first order and intraparticle diffusion-chemisorption models best described the adsorption behavior, indicating an adsorption process controlled by multiple mechanisms. The equilibrium data was best fitted by the Sips isotherm model, indicating adsorption on energetically heterogeneous active sites characterized by Freundlich-like behavior at lower concentrations and progressive Langmuir-like saturation at higher metal concentrations. Optimal adsorption capacities were achieved at pH 5.0 with a dosage of 0.50 g L-1 and an equilibrium time of 30 min (0.79, 1.06, and 1.45 mmol g-1 for Pb(ii), Cd(ii), and Ni(ii), respectively). Thermodynamic parameters confirmed the spontaneous nature of the adsorption, which was exothermic for Pb(ii) and endothermic for Cd(ii) and Ni(ii). The material was recycled for three cycles before beginning to lose its magnetism. These results demonstrate the potential of this magnetic activated carbon as an efficient and sustainable multifunctional adsorbent for heavy metal removal.
SN - 2046-2069
ER -