Efficiency of Combination Powder Activated Carbon Magnetized by Fe3O4 Nanoparticles for Removal of Cadmium from Aqueous Solutions with the Response Surface Methodology (RSM) Box – Behnken design (BBD)

Due to its low cost, simplicity and speed of separation and high efficiency, the magnetic separation method widely used to remove contaminants and to solve the problems of the environment. The aim of this study was synthesis of magnetic activated carbon by Fe3O4 and investigating its efficiency in adsorption of Cadmium from aqueous solutions.  

Magnetic adsorbent prepared by the method of sequestration and physical characteristics and structure of synthesized absorbent were determined by XRD, SEM and TEM. To remove the Cadmium from aqueous solutions, the Box-behnken design (BBD) of response surface methodology (RSM) was employed for optimizing all parameters affecting the adsorption process. The studied parameters were pH (5-9), temperature (25-45 0C) and the amount of adsorbent (0.5-2 g). 15 experimental runs were calculated by using BBD.

The optimal condition for removal Cadmium by synthesis of magnetic activated carbon by Fe3O4 nanoparticles were pH=7, 450C temperature and the 2 g of adsorbent.

The study showed that magnetic activated carbon has a high potential for removing cadmium. Therefore, it is believed that magnetized active carbon by keeping its physical and surface properties could be a suitable method to solve some related problems including separation and filtration.