Isotherm, Kinetic and Thermodynamic Investigation of Pb(II) Adsorption onto Magnetic Activated Carbon Fabric (MACF)

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Textile Engineering,‏ Amirkabir University of Technology, P.O. Box: 15875-4413, Tehran,‏ Iran

2 Department of Chemical Technologies, Iranian Research Organization for Science and Technology (IROST), P.O. Box: 33535-111, Tehran, Iran

Abstract

This study focuses on enhancing activated carbon fabric (ACF) designed for the adsorption of lead ions. Magnetic-activated carbon fabric (MACF) was produced from cotton fabric by a sonication technique and iron salt to improve its efficiency in Pb²⁺ adsorption from aqueous solutions. BET, XRD, SEM, FT-IR, and VSM analyses were applied to characterize MACF and ACF. The optimal conditions were pH = 4, an initial Pb²⁺ concentration of 50 mg/L, and an adsorbent dosage of 1.5 g/L, with the process conducted at 20±1 °C, 200 rpm for 1 hour for the removal of lead ions. Adsorption equilibrium data, including thermodynamics, isotherms, and kinetic studies, were analyzed. Among the various isotherm models, the Freundlich model provided the best fit for MACF adsorption of Pb²⁺, with the highest regression value of 0.8477. MACF achieved an 84 % removal efficiency of Pb²⁺, significantly outperforming ACF, which only achieved 4 %. The use of iron salts in the sonosynthesis process notably enhanced the ACF adsorbent, making MACF a cost-effective and high-performance substitute for conventional activated carbons. Its versatility in shaping, sizing, and ease of separation from environmental or filtration systems positions it as a superior solution for eliminating heavy and toxic metals from aqueous solutions. 

Keywords

Main Subjects

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Progress in Color, Colorants and Coatings
Volume 19, Issue 1 - Serial Number 60
September 2025
Pages 23-36

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