(495e) The Preparation and Characterization of a High Performance Sorbent for Arsenate Removal

In this study a novel arsenate sorbent, namely fine zirconium hydrous oxide particle, is developed; as well as the characteristics of the sorbent and its adsorption performance for arsenate removal from water solution are evaluated. The sorbent was characterized in terms of particle size, specific surface area, composition and structure by using particle size analyzer, BET analyzer, thermogravimetry analyzer and SEM. Results show the sorbent was identified as Zr(OH)₄?2H₂O with amorphous crystalline structure. The particle diameter range of the sorbent is between 0.5 and 0.8 µm, and has a specific surface area of 151.83 m²/g. To evaluate the adsorption performance of the sorbent for arsenate removal, batch experiments on isotherm, kinetics and pH effect were carried out. It was found that the optimal working pH range for arsenate adsorption is between 2 and 7. The sorbent has an outstanding maximum adsorption capacity (q_max) of about 150 mg-As/g at pH 6. Freundlich isotherm equation can be well used to describe the arsenate adsorption onto the sorbent. Kinetics study shows the adsorption equilibrium can be obtained within 5 hours, and the adsorption kinetics follows a pseudo second order equation.