L-Cysteine and silver nitrate based metal sulfide and Zeolite-Y nano adsorbent for efficient removal of mercury (II) ion from wastewater

In this study, zeolite-Ag2S nanohybrid material was synthesized by a sonication process combined with a hydrothermal method. The structure and morphology of hybrid nanomaterial was studied using XRD, SEM, TEM, BET and XPS analysis. Such microscopy studies show the uniform distribution of Ag2S in the zeolite matrix. For the comparison study, structure and morphology of pure zeolite and Ag2S were examined. The influence of Ag2S on the adsorption property was explained by studying the mercury adsorption. The synthesized zeolite-Ag2S nanohybrid material was applied as adsorbent to remove Hg (II) ion from wastewater. The removal rates of the nanohybrid material were greater than that of the sole zeolite. The maximum adsorption capacities of zeolite and zeolite-Ag2S nanohybrid were recorded 206 and 390 mg/g at 30 degrees C. The adsorption capacities of zeolite-Ag2S nanohybrid increases with increasing the temperature. The results show higher adsorption capacity for 50 degrees C as compared with adsorption temperature at 30 degrees C due to the chemisorption mechanism of the adsorption. Overall, the simple synthesis, high-effectiveness, and stability in aqueous phase features enable the prepared nanohybrid material to become excellent candidates for wastewater remediation.