Comparisons of adsorbent cost for the removal of zinc (II) from aqueous solution by carbon nanotubes and activated carbon.
The reversibility of Zn2+ sorption onto single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs), multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) and powdered activated carbon (PAC) was investigated to evaluate their repeated availability performance in water treatment. Under the same conditions, the Zn2+ sorption capacity of SWCNTs and MWCNTs was more than that of PAC and could be maintained after several cycles of water treatment and regeneration. A statistical analysis on the replacement cost of these adsorbents based on the best-fit regression of the measured equilibrium capacity of each water treatment cycle was also conducted. The results revealed that the SWCNTs and MWCNTs could be reused through a large number of water treatment cycles and thus appear cost-effective in spite of their high unit cost at the present time.
Lu
Chungsying
C
Department of Environmental Engineering, National ChungHsing University, 250 Kuo Kuang Road, Taichung, Taiwan.
Chiu
Huantsung
H
Bai
Hsunling
H
D000327:Adsorption; D002244:Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D002627:Chemistry, Physical / Q000379:methods; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D015233:Models, Statistical; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D011208:Powders; D013696:Temperature; D014867:Water; D015032:Zinc / Q000737:chemistry*
D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D011208:Powders; D014867:Water; D002244:Carbon; D015032:Zinc