Highly efficient adsorption of arsenite from aqueous by zirconia modified activated carbon

In the present study, activated carbon decorated with zirconia nanoparticle composite (ZrO2/AC) have been prepared using hydrothermal method and then utilized as an adsorbent for the removal of arsenite from aqueous solution. The composite is composed of highly agglomerated ZrO2 particles on AC surface. The high surface area of the synthesized adsorbent results in its high adsorption capacity toward arsenite. Adsorption isotherm and kinetic data of arsenite adsorption process can be well fitted to the Langmuir isotherm with maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 64.00 mg.g-1. The experimental results suggest that the adsorption process of arsenite onto ZrO2/AC material involves the formation of both outer-sphere and inner-sphere complexes between arsenite and adsorbent. The high adsorption ability toward arsenite as well as the high recyclable nature of this material makes it a potential alternative material for the removal of toxic heavy metals from wastewater.