Adsorptive Removal of Noxious Nickel Ions from Aqueous Mediums Using Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles: A Comparative Assessment with an Eco-friendly Adsorbent as Well as Isotherm and Kinetic Modeling

Subject Areas : Journal of Chemical Health Risks

Elnaz  Rezaei-Aghdam ¹ (Department of Chemistry, Ardabil Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran)
Ali  Shamel ² (Department of Chemistry, Ardabil Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran)
Mohammad  Khodadadi-Moghaddam ³ (Department of Chemistry, Ardabil Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran)
Gholamreza  Ebrahimzadeh-Rajaei ⁴ (Department of Chemistry, Ardabil Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran)
Sahar  Mohajeri ⁵ (Department of Chemistry, Ardabil Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ardabil, Iran)

Received: 2021-05-10 Accepted : 2022-01-17 Published : 2023-06-01

Keywords: Kinetics, Adsorption, Isotherms, TiO2 nanoparticles, Toxic heavy metal, Nickel ions,

Abstract :

In the present study, natural and synthetic adsorbents were used to remove nickel ions through the adsorption process. First, TiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) were prepared through the sol-gel method. The synthesized samples were then characterized using X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD), Fourier transform-infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and N2 adsorption/desorption isotherms (BET). The influences of different operational parameters including adsorbate content, pH, adsorbent concentration, contact time, ionic strength, and stirring speed were also explored. According to the results, the pseudo-second-order kinetic model showed the best performance in evaluating the experimental data when using both adsorbents. The adsorption of nickel cations by the thin film membrane on the surface of TiO2 NPs is a rate-determining step of the removal reaction. The removal rate constants of nickel ions from aqueous solutions by TiO2 NPs and pomegranate peel were evaluated to be 0.013 and 0.018 g mg-1 min-1, respectively. The thermodynamic parameters such as Gibbs free energy, enthalpy, and entropy were also determined. Nickel removal processes in all cases were endothermic and spontaneous. The removal mechanism also followed physical adsorption. Equilibrium data were fitted with Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin–Radushkevich models. The results showed that the adsorption of Ni2+ on TiO2 NPs and pomegranate peel followed Freundlich and Temkin isothermal models, respectively. Based on the calculated removal percentage, TiO2 is a better adsorbent for removing Ni2+ from the aqueous medium as compared to pomegranate peel.

References:

1. Darmokoesoemo H., Kuncoro E. P., Supriyanto G., Manuharab Y.S.W., 2020. Models, kinetics, and thermodynamics for the adsorption of Pb²⁺ and Cd²⁺ metal ions by solid tofu waste immobilized on silica’s SURFAC. Moroccan Journal of Chemistry. 8(1), 2012-2023.


2. Fekri R., Mirbagheri S.A., Fataei E., Ebrahimzadeh-Rajaei G., Taghavi L., 2021. Organic compound removal from textile wastewater by photocatalytic and sonocatalytic processes in the presence of copper oxide nanoparticles. Anthropogenic Pollution. 5(2), 93-103.


3. Hosseini M., Nabavi S.M.B., Nabavi S.N., Pour N.A., 2015. Heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cu, Ni, Pb, Fe, and Hg) content in four fish commonly consumed in Iran: risk assessment for the consumers. Environmental monitoring and assessment. 187(5), 1-7.


4. Iqhrammullah M., Hedwig R., Karnadi I., Kurniawan K., Olaiya N., Mohamad Haafiz M., Abdul Khalil H., Abdulmadjid S., 2020. Filler-Modified Castor oil-based polyurethane foam for the removal of aqueous heavy metals detected using laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) technique. Polymers. 12(4), 903.


5. Li X., Zhang L., 2019. Removing Pb²⁺ by Adsorption over Thiol-Functionalized Mesoporous Silica. Russian Journal of Physical Chemistry A. 93(9), 1804-1808.


6. Poorsadeghi S., Kassaee M., Fakhri H., Mirabedini M., 2017. Removal of arsenic from water using aluminum nanoparticles synthesized through arc discharge method. Iranian Journal of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering (IJCCE). 36(4), 91-99.


7. Ebrahimzadeh Rajaei G., Aghaie H., Zare K., Aghaie M., 2012. Adsorption of Ni (II) and Cd (II) ions from aqueous solutions by modified surface of Typha latifolia L. root, as an economical adsorbent. Journal of Physical & Theoretical Chemistry. 9(3), 137-147.


8. Lucio M., Barbir R., Lovrenčić M. V., Varžić S. C., Ljubić S., Duvnjak L. S., Šerić V., Milić M., Lovaković B. T., Krivohlavek A., 2020. Association between arsenic exposure and biomarkers of type 2 diabetes mellitus in a Croatian population: A comparative observational pilot study, Science of The Total Environment. 720, 137575.


9. Srivastava V., Weng C., Singh V., Sharma Y., 2011. Adsorption of nickel ions from aqueous solutions by nano alumina: kinetic, mass transfer, and equilibrium studies. Journal of Chemical & Engineering Data. 56(4), 1414-1422.


10. Parmar M., Thakur L.S., 2013. Heavy metal Cu, Ni and Zn: toxicity, health hazards and their removal techniques by low cost adsorbents: a short overview. International Journal of Plant, Animal and Environmental Sciences. 3(3), 143-157.


11. Tran L.T., Tran H.V., Le T.D., Bach G.L., Tran L.D., 2019. Studying Ni (II) adsorption of magnetite/graphene oxide/chitosan nanocomposite. Advances in Polymer Technology. 2019, 8124351.


12. Khan F.S.A., Mubarak N.M., Tan Y.H., Khalid M., Karri R.R., Walvekar R., Abdullah E.C., Nizamuddin S., Mazari S.A., 2021. A comprehensive review on magnetic carbon nanotubes and carbon nanotube-based buckypaper-heavy metal and dyes removal. Journal of Hazardous Materials. 125375.


13. Rastogi M., Nandal M., 2020. Toxic metals in industrial wastewaters and phytoremediation using aquatic macrophytes for environmental pollution control: an eco-remedial approach, In Bioremediation of Industrial Waste for Environmental Safety. Springer, 257-282.


14. Attar T., 2020. A mini-review on importance and role of trace elements in the human organism. Chem Rev Lett. 3(3), 117-130.


15. Briffa J., Sinagra E., Blundell R., 2020. Heavy metal pollution in the environment and their toxicological effects on humans. Heliyon. 6(9), e04691.


16. Genchi G., Carocci A., Lauria G., Sinicropi M.S., Catalano A., 2020. Nickel: Human health and environmental toxicology. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 17(3), 679.


17. Eskander S.B., Saleh H.M., 2020. Heavy Metal-Induced Oxidative Stress and Related Cellular Process. In Cellular and Molecular Phytotoxicity of Heavy Metals. Springer. 99-123.


18. Kapoor D., Singh M.P., 2021. Heavy metal contamination in water and its possible sources. In Heavy Metals in the Environment. Elsevier, 179-189.


19. Paithankar J.G., Saini S., Dwivedi S., Sharma A., Chowdhuri D.K., 2021. Heavy metal associated health hazards: An interplay of oxidative stress and signal transduction. Chemosphere. 262, 128350.


20. Li X., Shen S., Xu Y., Guo T., Dai H., Lu, X., 2021. Application of membrane separation processes in phosphorus recovery: A review. Science of the Total Environment. 767, 144346.


21. Qasem N.A., Mohammed R.H., Lawal D.U., 2021. Removal of heavy metal ions from wastewater: A comprehensive and critical review. Npj Clean Water. 4(1), 1-15.


22. Shindhal T., Rakholiya P., Varjani S., Pandey A., Ngo H.H., Guo W.Ng. H.Y., Taherzadeh M.J., 2021. A critical review on advances in the practices and perspectives for the treatment of dye industry wastewater. Bioengineered. 12(1), 70-87.


23. Chai W.S., Cheun J.Y., Kumar P.S., Mubashir M., Majeed Z., Banat F., Ho S.H., Show P.L., 2021. A review on conventional and novel materials towards heavy metal adsorption in wastewater treatment application. Journal of Cleaner Production. 126589.


24. Chua S.F., Nouri A., Ang W.L., Mahmoudi E., Mohammad A.W., Benamor A., Ba-Abbad M., 2021. The emergence of multifunctional adsorbents and their role in environmental remediation. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. 9(1), 104793.


25. Singh S., Anil A.G., Kumar V., Kapoor D., Subramanian S., Singh J., Ramamurthy P.C., 2021. Nitrates in the environment: A critical review of their distribution, sensing techniques, ecological effects and remediation. Chemosphere. 131996.


26. Guidi P., Bernardeschi M., Palumbo M., Genovese M., Scarcelli V., Fiorati A., Riva L., Punta C., Corsi I., Frenzilli G., 2020. Suitability of a cellulose-based nanomaterial for the remediation of heavy metal contaminated freshwaters: A case-study showing the recovery of cadmium induced dna integrity loss, cell proliferation increase, nuclear morphology and chromosomal alterations on Dreissena polymorpha. Nanomaterials. 10(9), 1837.


27. Yadav M., Gupta R., Arora G., Yadav P., Srivastava A., Sharma R.K., 2020. Current Status of Heavy Metal Contaminants and Their Removal/Recovery Techniques. In Contaminants in Our Water: Identification and Remediation Methods. ACS Publications. 41-64.


28. Yuvaraj A., Thangaraj R., Karmegam N., Ravindran B., Chang S.W., Awasthi M.K., Kannan S., 2021. Activation of biochar through exoenzymes prompted by earthworms for vermibiochar production: A viable resource recovery option for heavy metal contaminated soils and water. Chemosphere. 130458.


29. Heidari-Maleni A., Gundoshmian T.M., Karimi B., Jahanbakhshi A., Ghobadian B., 2020. A novel fuel based on biocompatible nanoparticles and ethanol-biodiesel blends to improve diesel engines performance and reduce exhaust emissions. Fuel. 276, 118079.


30. Jose L.M., Kuriakose S., Thomas S., 2020. Fabrication, Characterization and In Vitro Antifungal Property Evaluation of Biocompatible Lignin-Stabilized Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Against Selected Pathogenic Fungal Strains. BioNanoScience. 10(3), 583-596.


31. Vandana U., Nancy D., Sabareeswaran A., Remya N., Rajendran, N., Mohanan P., 2021. Biocompatibility of strontium incorporated ceramic coated titanium oxide implant indented for orthopaedic applications. Materials Science and Engineering: B. 264, 114954.


32. Ratshiedana R., Kuvarega A.T., Mishra A.K., 2021. Titanium dioxide and graphitic carbon nitride–based nanocomposites and nanofibres for the degradation of organic pollutants in water: a review. Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 1-18.


33. Reddy P.V.G., Reddy B.R.P., Reddy M.V.K., Reddy K.R., Shetti N.P., Saleh T.A., Aminabhavi T.M., 2021. A review on multicomponent reactions catalysed by zero-dimensional/one-dimensional titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanomaterials: Promising green methodologies in organic chemistry. Journal of Environmental Management. 279, 111603.


34. Tetteh E.K., Rathilal S., Asante-Sackey D., Chollom M.N., 2021. Prospects of Synthesized Magnetic TiO2-Based Membranes for Wastewater Treatment: A Review. Materials. 14(13), 3524.


35. Han T., Zhou D., Wang H., Zheng, X., 2015. The study on preparation and photocatalytic activities of Cu2O/TiO2 nanoparticles. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. 3(4), 2453-2462.


36. Khairy M., Zakaria W., 2014. Effect of metal-doping of TiO₂ nanoparticles on their photocatalytic activities toward removal of organic dyes. Egyptian Journal of Petroleum. 23(4), 419-426.


37. Durante O., Di Giorgio C., Granata V., Neilson J., Fittipaldi R., Vecchione A., Carapella G., Chiadini F., DeSalvo R., Dinelli F., 2021. Emergence and Evolution of Crystallization in TiO₂ Thin Films: A Structural and Morphological Study. Nanomaterials. 11(6), 1409.


38. Wang J., Yin Z., Hermerschmidt F., List Kratochvil E.J., Pinna N., 2021. Impact of different intermediate layers on the morphology and crystallinity of TiO2 grown on carbon nanotubes by atomic layer deposition. Advanced Materials Interfaces. 8(15), 2100759.


39. Rezaei-Aghdam E., Shamel A., Khodadadi-Moghaddam M., Rajaei G.E., Mohajeri S., 2021. Synthesis of TiO₂ and ZnO Nanoparticles and CTAB-Stabilized Fe₃O₄ nanocomposite: kinetics and thermodynamics of adsorption. Research on Chemical Intermediates. 47(5), 1759-1774.


40. Bellahsen N., Varga G., Halyag N., Kertész S., Tombácz E., Hodúr C., 2021 Pomegranate peel as a new low-cost adsorbent for ammonium removal. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology. 18(3), 711-722.


41. de Almeida G.C., Mohallem N.D.S., Viana M.M., 2021. Ag/GO/TiO₂ nanocomposites: the role of the interfacial charge transfer for application in photocatalysis. Nanotechnology. 33(3), 035710.


42. Mouchou R., Ukoba K., Laseinde O., Jen T., 2021. Fabrication of p-NiO/n-TiO₂ Solar Device for Photovoltaic Application. International Journal of Photoenergy. 2021.


43. Kusova A. M., Sitnitsky A.E., Zuev Y.F., 2021. The Role of pH and Ionic Strength in the Attraction–Repulsion Balance of Fibrinogen Interactions. Langmuir. 37(34), 10394-10401.


44. Ebrahimzadeh Rajaei G., Vojood A., 2019. Investigation of the Specific Ion Interactions and Determining Protonation Constant of 3, 5-Dihydroxy-2-(3, 4, 5-trihydroxybenzoyl) oxy-6-[(3, 4, 5-trihydroxybenzoyl) oxymethyl] oxan-4-yl] 3, 4, 5-trihydroxybenzoate at Different Ionic Strength. Iranian Journal of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering (IJCCE). 38(5), 91-98.


45. Arjaghi S.K., Alasl M.K., Sajjadi N., Fataei E., Rajaei G.E., 2021. Green Synthesis of Iron Oxide Nanoparticles by RS Lichen Extract and its Application in Removing Heavy Metals of Lead and Cadmium. Biological Trace Element Research. 199(2), 763-768.


46. Wang Q., Fang X., Hao P., Chi W., Huang F., Shi X., Cui G., Liu Y., Tang B., 2021. Green preparation of porous hierarchical TiO₂ (B)/anatase phase junction for effective photocatalytic degradation of antibiotics. Chemical Communications. 57, 13024-13027.


47. Rezaei-Aghdam E., Shamel A., Khodadadi-Moghaddam M., Ebrahimzadeh Rajaei G., Mohajeri, S., 2021. Hydrothermal synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles and comparison of its adsorption characteristics with the natural adsorbent (mango peel). Asian Journal of Nanosciences and Materials. 4(3), 188-200.


48. Müller F., Sauer J., Song X., Asmis K.R., 2021. The Chemical Nature of Ti₄O₁₀–: Vibrational Predissociation Spectroscopy Combined with Global Structure Optimization. The Journal of Physical Chemistry A. 125(44), 9571–9577.


49. Nourzadeh Z., Anarjan N., Rajaei G.E., Jafarizadeh-Malmiri H., 2021. Preparation and characterization of vitamin D microemulsions using two-component surface-active stabilizer system, Zeitschrift für Physikalische Chemie. In press.


50. Vojood A., Khodadadi-Moghaddam M., Ebrahimzadeh-Rajaei G., Mohajeri S., Shamel A., 2021. Increasing in the Selectivity of Formose Reaction for Glyceraldehyde Production in the Presence of Fumed Silica and Montmorillonite Catalysts. Chemical Methodologies. 5(5), 422-432.


51. Zhang X., Wang X., 2015. Adsorption and desorption of nickel (II) ions from aqueous solution by a lignocellulose/montmorillonite nanocomposite. PloS One. 10(2), e0117077.


52. Le A.T., Pung S.Y., Sreekantan S., Matsuda A., 2019. Mechanisms of removal of heavy metal ions by ZnO particles. Heliyon. 5(4), e01440.


53. Rajaei G.E., Aghaie H., Zare K., Aghaie M., 2013. Adsorption of Cu (II) and Zn (II) ions from aqueous solutions onto fine powder of Typha latifolia L. root: kinetics and isotherm studies. Research on Chemical Intermediates. 39(8), 3579-3594.


54. Rajaei G.E., Khalili-Arjaghi S., Fataei E., Sajjadi N., Kashefi-Alasl M., 2020. Fabrication and characterization of polymer-based nanocomposite membrane modified by magnetite nanoparticles for Cd²⁺ and Pb²⁺ removal from aqueous solutions. Comptes Rendus. Chimie. 23(9-10), 563-574.


55. Kaur R., Singh J., Khare R., Cameotra S.S., Ali A., 2013. Batch sorption dynamics, kinetics and equilibrium studies of Cr (VI), Ni (II) and Cu (II) from aqueous phase using agricultural residues. Applied Water Science. 3(1), 207-218.