Sorption properties of the antibacterial composite glauconite and copper nanoparticles

Abstract

The sorption properties of glauconite from Beloozersk deposits (Saratov region) and its composite
with copper nanoparticles for Fe3+, Mn2+ and Cu2+ ions have been investigated. The sorption experiments are
studied in static conditions by varying concentrations from 0.36 to 3.6 mg/l for iron and manganese salts, and
from 0.31 to 3.1 mg/l for copper salts. The concentration of these ions is determined spectrophotometrically.
The main sorption characteristics of these materials such as static sorption capacity (0.26, 0.11, 0.08 mmol/g)
and extraction ratio (99.7, 77.7, 96.7 %) for Fe3 +, Mn2 + and Cu2 + ions are calculated, respectively. The equilibrium
data has been analyzed using Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms, and empirical constants (Кf and n),
activation energy of the sorption process are calculated. The Langmuir isotherm is demonstrated to provide
the best correlation (R2
= 0.991 – 0.999), indicating on the monomolecular mechanism of sorption. It is
shown that glauconite and its composite with copper nanoparticles have comparable values of sorption capacity
for Fe3+ and Mn2+ ions, at the same time we can see reducing of this parameter for Cu2+ applied to the
sorption by composite with copper nanoparticles.