Application of Modified Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes in Removal of Zinc and Nickel from Effluent (Case Study: Effluent of Tarom Industrial Town of Zanjan)

Wastewaters containing heavy metals produced by industries has detrimental effects on the environment. One of the effective methods for removal of heavy metals is the use of adsorption method by nanoparticles. The aim of this study was to remove zinc and nickel elements from effluents of Tarom industrial Town of Zanjan using modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes. In this  descriptive-analytical study, effect of effective parameters such as contact time, adsorbent content, pH, temperature and concentration of metal ions on the removal efficiency of metals from Ni(II) and Zn(II) from wastewater and isotherm, kinetics and thermodynamic models of adsorption process was investigated. SEM and FTIR spectrums were taken to prove nanotubes and to determine adsorbent factor groups before and after preparation, respectively. The results of study showed that the absorption of Zn and Ni metals is highly dependent on pH. Study results showed that by increasing the pH of effluent up to the range of 8, and 7 for Ni(II) and Zn(II) metals, respectively, the removal percentage of metal ions increased and then decreased. By increasing in the adsorbent amount and contact time, the removal percentage of metal ions increased and by increasing the reaction temperature and concentration of metal ions in the effluent, the removal percentage of metal ions decreased. So that, the highest removal percentage of Ni(II) and Zn(II) ions was obtained in adsorbent value of 2 mg/L, contact time of 120 min, concentration of 100 mg/L and temperature of 15 °C. The results also showed that the adsorption of Ni(II) and Zn(II) metals from effluent follows Langmir isotherm absorption model and the adsorption kinetics is adapted to the second-order pseudo-reaction (R2>0.98), this mechanism is controlled by adsorption. Also, based on the obtained results, with increasing temperature, the free energy of Gibbs system standard decreased, which indicates the adsorption process is done spontaneously. The maximum adsorption capacity of nickel and zinc metals was 43 and 54 mg/g, respectively. According to the results, it is concluded that modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes have good ability to remove nickel and zinc from effluents and can be used in wastewater treatment containing heavy metals.