Adsorption of Pb2+ ions on novel ternary nanocomposite of tin, iron and titania

In this study, ternary nanocomposite (TNC) was synthesized by microemulsion method by taking Sn, Ti and Fe in (1:1:1) molar ratio. The BET surface area and pore size were measured by nitrogen adsorption method. The morphological features of TNC like particle size, elemental percentage and crystallite size were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive x-rays (EDX) and x-rays diffraction (XRD) respectively, whereas the surface functional groups were detected by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The crystallite size was found to be 11 nm, calculated from FWHM of diffraction peak with relative intensity 100%. For the thermal stability of TNC, thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) was performed. Batch adsorption tests were used for the removal of Pb2+ ions from aqueous solutions. The maximum adsorption capacity in this study was found to be 79.56 mg g(-1) at 40 degrees C which is promising than the values reported in the literature. Based on the regression coefficient (r(2)), the adsorption data was found well fitted to the Langmuir as compared to Freundlich model. The exchange of a single proton with every Pb2+ ion was calculated. Thermodynamic parameters were indicative for the sorption process to be endothermic and spontaneous.