Modeling Adsorption of Cu(II) Using Polyaniline-Coated Sawdust in a Fixed-Bed Column

Abstract

Abstract

Heavy metals are a common pollutant in industrial wastewater. They are highly toxic and threaten human health and the ecosystem. Polyaniline-coated sawdust (PANI/SD) is a good adsorbent for removing toxic metal ions from contaminated water. In this study, PANI/SD was prepared via the oxidation of aniline on the surface of sawdust. Adsorption of Cu(II) from aqueous solutions in a continuous fixed-bed system was first investigated. Effects of the bed height, inlet flow rate, and concentration on the breakthrough characteristics of the adsorption system were determined. Average bed adsorption capacity q₀ was 58.23 mg/g. The adsorption data were fitted to three well-established fixed-bed adsorption models. PANI/SD was shown to be an effective adsorbent for removing Cu(II) from wastewater. This not only provides a new way to remove Cu(II) but also presents a new application of polyaniline.