Equilibrium, kinetics and thermodynamics studies of Cd sorption onto a dithizone-impregnated Amberchrom CG-300m polymer resin
André Ronald Lee Spies, Francois Wewers
Abstract
Amberchrom CG-300m, a styrene acrylic ester polymer resin, was studied for the first time as sorbent for metal ion sorption in a solid-phase extraction system. The polymer sorbent was modified via impregnation with dithizone to improve its efficiency. Efficiency of the modified sorbent improved by more than 47%. The loading capacity of the resin is 3.2 mg dithizone per gram of sorbent. The mechanisms of Cd(II) sorption from aqueous solutions are presented. Capacity of the modified resin for Cd(II) was investigated in batch experiments as a function of pH, initial metal ion concentration, temperature and time. Maximum capacity of 0.551 mg Cd(II) per gram of sorbent was achieved. The dimensionless separation factor, 0 < RL < 1, associated with the Langmuir isotherm (at T = 294 K) signifies sorption of Cd(II) was favorable, as do negative values of free energy of sorption (ΔG) at temperatures exceeding 293 K. Sorption was endothermic (ΔH > 0) while ΔS > 0 reflects the affinity of the sorbent towards Cd(II). The pseudo-second order model proved to be the best fit model for Cd(II) sorption kinetics data. Particle-diffusion models suggest sorption follows film as well as pore diffusion mechanisms.