α-calcium sulfate hemihydrate with a 3D hierarchical straw-sheaf morphology for use as a remove Pb2+ adsorbent

Novel three-dimensional hierarchical α-calcium sulfate hemihydrate with a straw-sheaf morphology (3D α-HH straw-sheaves) are synthesized successfully in glycerin aqueous solution by a simple one-pot method, using as an efficient adsorbent for Pb2+ removal from water. The 3D straw-sheaf morphology, that closely depends on the glycerin/water volume ratio (VGly/VH2O), can be accurately fabricated only when VGly/VH2O is not lower than 3/1. 3D α-HH straw-sheaves are generated via multistep-splitting growth coupled with self-assembly. The obtained 3D α-HH straw-sheaves are further used as an adsorbent to remove Pb2+ from water, exhibiting excellent Pb2+ removal performance with an equilibrium adsorption capacity of 79.19 mgPbgα-HH−1 and removal efficiency of 98.98%, that both higher than those of plate- and columnar-like α-HH. Moreover, the experimental adsorption data for the 3D α-HH straw-sheaves is well fitted with pseudo-second-order kinetic model, and the adsorption isotherm is in good agreement with Langmuir model. The Pb2+ adsorption mechanism is thought to be a chemical adsorption process enforced by chemical bonding and ion exchange. This work demonstrates that 3D α-HH straw-sheaves are highly promising in removing Pb2+ from wastewater, thereby broadening the research field for the practical application of gypsum-based materials.