Modified Leach Residues from Processing Deep-Sea Nodules as Effective Heavy Metals Adsorbents

• Main Authors: Nguyen Hong Vu, Eva Kristianová, Petr Dvořák, Tomasz Abramowski, Ivo Dreiseitl, Aigerim Adrysheva
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-04-01
• Series: Metals
• Subjects: deep-sea nodules; leaching residue; adsorption; heavy metals
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/9/4/472

The possible use of leaching residue from leaching deep-sea nodules in SO₂/H₂SO₄/H₂O medium as a low-cost adsorbent of heavy metals (Pb(II), Cd(II), Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), As(V)) was studied. The leaching residue was found to be an effective adsorbent for all of the tested elements; however, it was inactive in the solution containing As(V). The chemical activation of adsorbent in 10 vol. % HCl resulted in the greatest improvement of adsorption properties, while the activation in 10 vol. % HNO₃ and heat treatment at 250 °C did not significantly affect the sorption characteristics of treated adsorbents compared with the original leaching residue. After HCl activation, the maximal adsorption capacities for lead (12.0 mg/g at pH 5.0 after 1 h), nickel (3.1 mg/g at pH 5.5 after 4 h) and cobalt (2.0 mg/g at pH 5.0 after 2 h) were achieved. Additional mechanical treatment connected with HCl activation provided the highest adsorption capacities for cadmium (11.5 mg/g at pH 4.0) and copper (5.7 mg/g at pH 4.5). Coprecipitation of Fe/Al-based particles on the surface of the leaching residue increased As(V) removal of the adsorbent. Surface coating based on Al^III was extremely effective, causing the increase of the adsorption capacity from 0 with the original leaching residue, to 28.1 mg/g (pH 7.0, 24 min). Kinetics studies showed the rapid progress of adsorption for Pb(II), Cd(II), and As(V) in tens of minutes, while the adsorption of Cu(II), Ni(II) and Co(II) approached a steady state after 2 h.