In this study, nano-adsorbent materials were synthesized from two different precursors by thermal activation technique. The first was the synthesizing of nano-zinc silicate from chemical reagents of zinc oxide and commercial silica gel. The second was the preparation of nano-pore size activated carbon from different biomass. The synthesized nano-adsorbent materials were characterized by different techniques; Surface Area, FTIR, XRD and SEM. The prepared nano-adsorbent materials were applied in the sorption and separation of some heavy metals from aqueous solution. These metals includes; Pb (II), Ni(II), Co(II), Mn(II) and Li(I). Some factors affecting on the sorption process (e.g. contact time and pH) were investigated. It was found that: the nano-zinc silicate (of ratio 1:1 thermally treated at 700 0C) and nano-pores activated carbon (prepared from saw dust impregnated with 70% H3PO4 overnight, then heated to 500 0C in presence of steam for 80 min.) were the best samples for sorption and separation of concerned heavy metals.
Biosorption of toxic heavy metals from aqueous solution by Ulva lactuca activated carbon
