Adsorption of Cu+2 and Pb+2 from Aqueous Solutions by Oxidized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes and 1, 4-Phenylenediamine -Functionalized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) were acidified by H2O2, KMnO4 and HNO3, and Then oxidized MWNTs are functionalised with acylchloride groups, which further react with 1,4- Phenylenediamine to form amine-functionalised MWCNTs, which they were, employed as adsorbent to study the adsorption characteristic for Pb+2 and Cu+2 from aqueous solution. The results show that adsorption capacity of MWCNTs treated by oxidizing and amine-functionalised can be greatly enhanced. The larger adsorption capacity of acidified MWCNTs is mainly due to the functional groups formed on the surface of MWCNTs. Therefore, oxidation process improves their dispersivity and increases a large amount of oxygen-containing functional groups like –COOH, –OH, or –C=O on the surface site of CNTs.Our results suggest that MWCNTs and 1,4- Phenylenediamine can be good Pb+2 and Cu+2 absorbers and have great potential applications in environmental protection.

Adsorption of Cu+2 and Pb+2 from Aqueous Solutions by Oxidized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes and 1, 4-Phenylenediamine -Functionalized Multiwalled Carbon Nanotubes Keywords:

Carbon nanotubes , Oxidation , Adsorption , Functional groups