Utilization of nano-cryptomelane for the removal of cobalt, cesium and lead ions from multicomponent system: Kinetic and equilibrium studies

Nano-cryptomelane was prepared and characterized using SEM with mapping, HRTEM, FT-IR spectra, thermal analysis and surface area. The diameter distribution of nano-cryptomelane was found to be 4-6 nm. Sorption performance of the prepared material was studied for the removal of Co2+, Cs+ and Pb2+ from a multi-system solution of equal molar ratio, 1:1:1. The sorption capacity of nano-cryptomelane was found to be 179.6, 442.6 and 716.9 mg/g for Co2+, Cs+ and Pb2+, respectively. The kinetic studies revealed that the sorption process obeys non-linear pseudo-second-order model and is controlled by an intra-particle diffusion mechanism. The equilibrium isotherm investigations outlined that the extended Langmuir isotherm model fits the data reasonably well and it is more applicable than Freundlich multicomponent sorption isotherm. The value of diffusion coefficient for the three metal ions is in the order 10-17 m2/s which indicates the chemisorption nature of the process. The desorption percentage attains the maximum value (98.13%, 97.29 and 97.04 for lead, cesium and cobalt ions, respectively) using 0.7 mol/L of HNO3. This revealed that nano-cryptomelane can be regenerated and reused for farther sorption of Pb2+, Cs+ and Co2+ from wastewater.