Carboxymethyl
Cellulose, Functionalized Graphene Oxide based Ternary Composite for the Removal
of Heavy Metal Lead (II): Batch and Column Studies
Gowri Gunasekaran, Daisy Rani James Durai, Neerazhagan Balaji Thimmarajampettai,
Ali Zainul Abideen Ansar, Rekha Anantharaman and Sudha Parappurath Naray
Res. J. Chem. Environ.; Vol. 29(9); 86-110;
doi: https://doi.org/10.25303/299rjce0860110; (2025)
Abstract
A functionalized graphene oxide (f-GO) based ternary composite was fabricated with
carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and hydroxyapatite (HAp) and crosslinked with glutaraldehyde
(GA) for the adsorptive removal of heavy metal lead (II) from water. The composite
was characterized and the adsorption process was optimized through batch and column
studies. Adsorption kinetics and mechanisms were investigated using adsorption isotherm
studies. The results showed that the adsorption followed pseudo-second-order kinetics
(R2-0.9981) and the Freundlich isotherm (R2-0.9965), indicating a heterogeneous
surface and multilayer adsorption and pseudo-second-order kinetics.
The fixed bed column studies demonstrated that 1 cm of bed height, 200 mg/L of inlet
concentration and 3 mL/min of flow rate were optimal for lead (II) removal. The
functionalized graphene oxide based composite exhibited a high adsorption capacity
and efficiency, making it a promising adsorbent for removing heavy metals from industrial
effluent. The study highlights the potential of carboxymethyl cellulose, functionalized
graphene oxide-based composites as an effective and eco-friendly solution for environmental
heavy metal pollution.
