Vanadium(V) Adsorption from Aluminate Solutions by an Fe–AC Nanocomposite

The adsorption of vanadium(V) from aluminate solutions by a nanocomposite based on trivalent iron oxide–hydroxide and activated carbon (Fe–AC) is studied. The individuality of the synthesized Fe–AC nanocomposite material is confirmed by X-ray diffraction. The following factors influencing the adsorption of vanadium(V) are investigated: the pH of the solution, the initial vanadium(V) concentration in the solution C0, contact time τ, and the amount of adsorbent m. The adsorption of vanadium by the sorbent is confirmed by SEM/EDS analysis. For comparison, vanadium(V) sorption is carried out in parallel by activated carbon and the Fe–AC nanocomposite. In both cases, the maximum adsorption is achieved at pH 4–4.5. The results of experiments are used to construct Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherms. The adsorption of vanadium(V) by activated carbon is found to be 39 mg/g, and that by the Fe–AC adsorbent increases to 110 mg/g. The Fe–AC nanocomposite is shown to be a potential adsorbent for vanadium(V) sorption.