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Journal of Applied Sciences

Year: 2010 | Volume: 10 | Issue: 11 | Page No.: 940-949
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Authors

G. Mamba

X.Y. Mbianda

P.P. Govender

B.B. Mamba

R.W. Krause

Keywords

Research Article

Application of Multiwalled Carbon Nanotube-Cyclodextrin Polymers in the Removal of Heavy Metals from Water

G. Mamba, X.Y. Mbianda, P.P. Govender, B.B. Mamba and R.W. Krause
The aim of this study was to synthesize oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotube-cyclodextrin polymer and explore the possibility of using this polymer for the remediation of heavy metal contamination in the aquatic environment. Herein we report the results obtained from testing the polymer for the removal of lead and cobalt from synthetic water solutions. The performance of the polymer was matched against pristine and oxidized multiwalled carbon nanotubes. The polymer was found to perform better at lower concentrations (10 mg L-1) with adsorption capacities of 4.08 and 3.89 mg g-1 for lead and cobalt, respectively. These correspond to 68.0 and 64.8% removal of lead and cobalt, respectively. The maximum adsorption capacity of the polymer from the Langmuir isotherms was calculated to be 28.86 and 21.44 mg g-1 for lead and cobalt, respectively, at an initial concentration range of 10-50 mg L-1. Competitive adsorption studies revealed that lead is adsorbed better than cobalt. Furthermore, the adsorption capacity of the polymer is lower in the competitive adsorption than in the single metal ion adsorption, suggesting competition between the lead and cobalt ions.
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