Continuous removal of thorium from aqueous solution using functionalized graphene oxide: study of adsorption kinetics in batch system and fixed bed column

Abstract

AbstractThis article investigated the kinetic studies of thorium adsorption from an aqueous solution with graphene oxide functionalized with aminomethyl phosphonic acid (AMPA) as an adsorbent. First, the AMPA-GO adsorbent was characterized using TEM, XRD, and FTIR methods. Experiments were performed in two batch and continuous modes. In batch mode, adsorption kinetics were studied in different pH (1–4), temperature (298–328 K), initial concentration (50–500 mg L−1), and dosages (0.1–2 g L−1). The results showed that thorium adsorption kinetic follows pseudo-first-order kinetic model and that the adsorption reaction is endothermic. The maximum experimental adsorption capacity of thorium ions was observed 138.84 mg g−1 at a pH of 3, adsorbent dosage of 0.5 g L−1, and a temperature of 328 K. The results showed that AMPA-GO adsorbent can be used seven times with an acceptable change in adsorption capacity. In continuous conditions, the effect of feed flow rate (2–8 mL min−1), initial concentration (50–500 mg L−1), and column bed height (2–8 cm) was investigated. The continuous data was analyzed using the Thomas, Yoon-Nelson, and Bohart-Adams models. The experimental data of the column were well matched with the Thomas, and Yoon-Nelson models. The research results showed that the use of functionalized graphene oxide adsorbents has a great ability to remove thorium from aqueous solutions.