Radiotracer study of the adsorption of sulfate ions at a Bi2O3 powder/electrolyte solution interface

Electrochemical Study of Semiconductor Properties for Bismuth Silicate-Based Photocatalysts Obtained via Hydro-/Solvothermal Approach

Three bismuth silicate-based photocatalysts (composites of Bi₂SiO₅ and Bi₁₂SiO₂₀) prepared via the hydro-/solvothermal approach were studied using electrochemical methods. The characteristic parameters of semiconductors, such as flat band potential, donor density, and mobility of their charge carriers, were obtained and compared with the materials’ photocatalytic activity. An attempt was made to study the effect of solution components on the semiconductor/liquid interface (SLI). In particular, the Mott–Schottky characterization was made in a common model electrolyte (Na₂SO₄) and with the addition of glycerol as a model organic compound for photocatalysis. Thus, a medium close to those in photocatalytic experiments was simulated, at least within the limits allowed by electrochemical measurements. Zeta-potential measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to reveal the processes taking place at the SLI. It was found that the medium in which measurements were carried out dramatically impacted the results. The flat band potential values (E_fb) obtained via the Mott–Schottky technique were shown to differ significantly depending on the solution used in the experiment, which is explained by different processes taking place at the SLI. A strong influence of specific adsorption of commonly used sulfate ions and neutral molecules on the measured values of E_fb was shown.

Treatment of real industrial wastewater with high sulfate concentrations using modified Jordanian kaolin sorbent: batch and modelling studies

In the present study, BaCl₂ modified Jordanian kaolin sorbent (obtained from Mahis, Jordan) was used to remove sulfate-contaminated industrial wastewater. The kaolin sample was pretreated to enhance its adsorption capacity and then characterized using X-Ray fluorescence (XRF) and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Equilibrium isotherms for the adsorption parameters were carried out experimentally, and the adsorption data correlated very well with Freundlich and Temkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich models. Furthermore, the adsorption kinetics followed the pseudo-first-order and intraparticle diffusion models perfectly. The estimated value of the maximum adsorption capacity qm = 85.08 mg/g indicates that kaolin has a very high capacity to adsorb sulfate ions at studied parameters. The estimated value of the mean free energy (4.87 kJ/mol) is very low, confirming physical type adsorption. The study results established that modified Jordanian kaolin could serve as a safe and effective natural adsorbent for sulfate-contaminated industrial wastewater.

Sorption, mechanism, and behavior of sulfate on various adsorbents: A critical review

Sulfate decontamination has drawn widespread attention due to its harmful effects by broad human and animal exposure in recent decades. Adsorption is one of the most promising methods for sulfate decontamination. This review categorized various sulfate adsorbents, discussed the adsorption behavior, and introduced effective adsorbents in detail in terms of their preparation, characterization, and affecting factors on adsorption efficiency. Moreover, adsorption mechanisms of sulfate on different adsorbents are reviewed based on the intermolecular interaction, equilibrium, thermodynamic, and kinetic studies. Among natural bioadsorbents, synthesized-organic, and synthesized-inorganic adsorbents chitin-based shrimp shells (156 mg/g), bagasse pith cellulose-based (526.32 mg/g), and ZrO(OH)₂/Y-Zeolite (284.22 mg/g) showed the significant capacity for sulfate uptake from aqueous solution, respectively. Although natural adsorbents have been proved to be inexpensive and efficient, they are not as popular as synthesized adsorbents for sulfate decontamination in recent years due to their low recoverability and reusability. The adsorption mechanism of sulfate to various adsorbents is generally attributed to electrostatic interactions, covalent or ionic bonding, and hydrogen bonding. Based on equilibrium studies, sulfate adsorption processes were done mainly homogeneously for most of the adsorbents; however, there are some exceptions of the heterogeneous adsorption process of sulfate, which is done mostly for adsorbents that remove sulfate through hydrogen and covalent bonding. The kinetic studies illustrated that both film diffusion and pore-diffusion could control sulfate uptake by the various adsorbents. The thermodynamic studies showed that the sulfate adsorption is endothermic and spontaneous except for the sulfate removal by polypyrrole-modified activated-carbons and LDH-HPI mine waste, which requires energy for adsorption.

Anion specific adsorption on Fe2O3 and AlOOH nanoparticles in aqueous solutions: comparison with hematite and γ-Al2O3

The specific adsorption of radiolabeled sulfate and phosphate ions from perchlorate supporting electrolyte onto nano-AlOOH and nano-Fe(2)O(3) powder has been investigated. The pH dependence of the adsorption of anions onto nanopowders was compared with that of the same ions onto gamma-Al(2)O(3) and hematite. It was demonstrated that the character of the pH dependence of the adsorption is very similar in the comparable cases. It was found, however, that in contrast to the behavior of gamma-Al(2)O(3), nano-AlOOH dissolves at a significant rate at low pH values (pH<2). Thus the study of the pH dependence of the anion adsorption encounters difficulties at these pH values. Disregarding this fact, it can be concluded that no special effects can be observed in the anion adsorption onto the nano-oxides studied.